Five things to do
- Visit:ExploringthebustlingTokyometropolisis an
unforgettableexperiencebutlesser-knowncitiesoffer
theirownbrandofcharmin thisvibrantcountry.
2.Eat:Osakais affectionatelyknownasthefood
capitalofJapan.Streetfoodis a majordrawcardin
Japan,andOsakais noexception.Stallsservingthe
bestauthenticJapanesedishes,manyofwhichare
localspecialties,canbefoundeverywhere.Okonom-
iyaki,a pancake-likedishavailablefrommoststreet
vendors,is anabsolutemust.A mouthwateringcom-
binationofingredients,suchassquid,octopusand
cabbage,toppedwithspecialokonomiyakisauceand
driedbonitoflakes,okonomiyakiis anaffordabledish
thatis idealfortravellers.Forthosewithdeeper
pockets,manylocalrestaurantsfeaturethebest
Kobebeefinthecountryontheirmenus. - Admire:TheGlicorunningmanLEDsignis a
must-seewhenin Osaka’sDotonboridistrict.The
dazzlingdisplayis madepossiblewith140,000LEDs.
4. Tour:A 30-minutetrainridefromOsaka,Kyoto
is oneofJapan’soldestcitiesandis knownasthe
traditionalcapital.Thecityis sorichinhistoryit’s
hardtoknowwheretostart.A triptoKyotowouldn’t
becomplete,however,withouta visittotheFushimi
Inarishrine,oneofJapan’smostfamoussacredsites.
Builtin 711 AD,it wasdedicatedtothegoddessofrice
growing.Theshrinecapturessomeofthebestviews
inKyoto.Visitatsundownfora kaleidoscopeofcolours
asthesunhitsthetemple’smanyredtoriigates.
5. Hire: Japan is home to the famous bullet train,
the shinkansen, a cost-effective way to see the coun-
try, thanks to the Japan Rail Pass. Another enjoyable
way to get around is to hire a car (you will need an
international driving permit). There are road tolls to
pay and petrol can be pricey but if you’re travelling
through rural Japan, you’ll be able to access scenic
routes and temples that you would otherwise miss
when flying past on a high-speed train. HARRY PAGE
Destination Japan
Timeless Japan ... clockwise from above: Irohazaka winding road on the
Nikko mountain; Tokyo Skytree to Mount Fuji; Glico running man sign
in Osaka; Okonomiyaki; view over Kyoto from the Fushimi Inari Shrine.THIS MONTH