My holiday to Japan in a nutshell- Part 1

There's definitely no doubt about what holidays in Japan are capable of and how beautiful Japan is, be it the view or the technology. From Zen-like Kyoto to the hustle and bustle of world-renown Tokyo, all the way to laid-back Okinawa and wintery Hokkaido, Japan rocks(in my words). It boasts mouthwatering food, majestic temples and shrines, serene gardens, lush national parks, and a rich culture.

It was a lifelong dream to visit, and when I finally did, it lived up to all my expectations. Since that first visit, I've been there over three times, and obviously, that's because you cannot cover Japan in one go. Japan is a country that blows everyone away. From the food to the people to the architecture and everything in between, I've never met someone who didn't go to Japan and fell in love with it.

A lot of people delay visiting Japan because they think it's super expensive, but I booked my holiday to Japan with Blue Lotus Vacations UK, where they offer free rail passes too, which is really essential. And, while some aspects of traveling there are expensive, there are plenty of ways to make it affordable. I was actually shocked at how easy it was to visit Japan without harming my pocket.

This Japan travel guide can help you plan an affordable trip so you can see more, eat more, and spend less.

1. Best fo Tokyo- holidays to Japan

Tokyo is one of the best cities in the world. Here, you will find shrines, palaces, temples, hip clubs, fancy cocktail bars, weird fashion, and incredible people. Tokyo is a fast-paced, futuristic city. Be sure also to hit some of the quirky-themed cafés, wander the Harajuku district, walk across the iconic Shibuya crossing, and admire the Imperial Palace. 

2. Zen-like Kyoto- holidays to Japan

Kyoto is one of Japan's most popular destinations, boasting beautiful temples and Japanese gardens. This place definitely lives up to the hype because it retains much of the traditional lifestyle and is a good juxtaposition to fast-paced and high-tech Tokyo. See as many temples as possible, wander the enchanting bamboo forest of Arashiyama (just get there early to beat the crowds), and do some hiking here. It's a city not to be missed.

3. Have a blast in Hiroshima- holidays to Japan

In 1945, the first atomic bomb to be used in combat was detonated in Hiroshima. Around 80,000 people were killed instantly, and tens of thousands more died afterwards due to radiation exposure. Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome), which was the only building left standing after the bomb was dropped on August 6, and learn about one of the most controversial events in human history. I found the museum's photos and artefacts sobering and eye-opening, and yet a must-see if you want to understand modern Japan. You can also take a cycling tour around the city to learn more about the bombing and its aftermath.

4. Climb Mount Fuji- holidays to Japan

This 3,776-meter (12,389-foot) mountain is located near Tokyo. Japan's tallest mountain is often covered by fog and clouds during the day, so ascents tend to happen early in the morning or overnight. In fact, some 400,000 people take part during the short climbing season that is only from early July to mid-September. If you're visiting outside of the climbing season or just don't want to hike the mountain, many tour providers offer day trips from Tokyo from around 12,000 JPY.

5. Sapporo Vibes- holidays to Japan

The gateway to Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, this city is famous for its surrounding mountains, thermal baths, ski resorts, and lengthy beer brewing history. Hosting the 1972 Olympic Winter Games put the city on the international map, and it remains hugely popular for its cold-weather sports. It's also home to the hugely popular Sapporo Snow Festival, where you can see world-class ice and snow sculptures each February (over two million people attend!). Although Sapporo is very much a ski haven, I also loved going in Spring because of the lush greenery and, in particular, the thousands of Japanese cherry blossoms in Moerenuma Park. Don't miss the Beer Museum, and be sure to take the train to the coastal town of Otaru for uni (which is harvested there).

I'm going to keep this blog short and sweet as it's just to get a basic idea of my holiday to Japan. More to come and more to go. Keep in touch with us for updates on the next blog on my holiday to Japan.