| If you've always wanted to visit Japan but have never | | | | station named Owakudani. As you get off you'll notice |
| got round to it yet - or if you want to come back for | | | | lots of steaming vents around you thanks to the |
| another look see - here are our top 10 tips of places | | | | volcanic nature of the area. The local speciality are |
| or events to include on your Japan itinerary. The | | | | eggs that are boiled in the volcanic water pools that |
| events are held at specific times of year and we've | | | | you can see all around. Just don't breathe in too hard |
| included a heads up on the approximate timings but, as | | | | as the smell gets a little overpowering after a while! |
| the exact dates change from year to year, check | | | | The eggs do taste good though - I'll personally vouch |
| before booking to make sure you don't miss out. | | | | for that. |
| Tokyo | | | | Sapporo Ice Festival |
| The capital city of Japan and a major global economic | | | | This festival takes place around the 8th - 11th of |
| power in itself, Tokyo has a buzz that sets it apart | | | | February every year. Check out the ice statues that |
| from other destinations. For the techno whizz there | | | | line the main street and try a cup of hot sake to warm |
| are gadgets galore in Akihabara, while for the | | | | your insides. Hokkaido also gets excellent snowfall |
| culturephile there are tea ceremonies, local festivals | | | | during the winter months and has made a name for |
| and Japanese Gardens dotted all round. Don't just | | | | itself for the quality of it's powder snow for skiers and |
| pass through Tokyo and assume it's just another big | | | | snowboarders. |
| city. Stop and take a proper look around - you'll be glad | | | | Okinawa |
| you did. | | | | A tropical paradise set way down in the south of |
| Fuji Rock Festival | | | | Japan, Okinawa was, for a long time, considered to be |
| For the music lovers out there, if you're in Japan | | | | separate from Japan. A visit to this area should include |
| towards the end of August, head out to Niigata for the | | | | your bathing gear, your sunnies and if you drive, it's |
| Fuji Rock Festival. Bring your suntan lotion as it gets | | | | worth renting a car. Unlike the mainland of Japan, this |
| hot in the hills at this time of year. You can chill out | | | | area is not so easy to access via public transport so |
| walking in the countryside as you move between the | | | | to find those out of the way places, a car is best. |
| different stages or take a dip in the river that runs | | | | There are also some great dive sites and if you want |
| through the middle of the area during the heat of | | | | a complete get away from it all, try some of the |
| midday. | | | | smaller islands close by. |
| Kyoto | | | | Hanabi Fireworks Festival |
| The old capital and traditional heart of the country, | | | | July and August see fireworks come in with a bang |
| Kyoto oozes history and charm with that extra special | | | | across the whole of Japan. These festivals are not like |
| dash of Japanese elegance. Must sees are Kinkakuji - | | | | the regular fireworks I used to play with when I was a |
| the Golden Temple, Kyo Mizu Dera - a temple that sits | | | | kid. These are huge, pyrotechnic affairs that usually |
| on the hillside on huge wooden stilts, and Nijojo - Nijo | | | | last for a couple of hours. On average you can |
| Castle complete with nightingale floorboards made in | | | | expect to see around 1,500 fireworks in a show, but |
| the days of the Shogun. If you get lucky you'll catch | | | | the larger events can set off up to 20,000. Just be |
| sight of an apprentice geisha making her way round | | | | ready to go early and covet a seating area as many |
| the city and the backstreets are a great place for | | | | people love these displays. Also take a second to |
| some truly original souvenirs. | | | | admire the beautiful yukatas that people will be |
| Tokyo Motor Show | | | | wearing because it's summer. |
| Tokyo Motor Show usually takes place at the end of | | | | Hiroshima |
| October. The actual site of the show is not in Tokyo | | | | A 4 hour bullet train ride from Tokyo takes you to |
| but in the next prefecture along, Chiba. This is an | | | | Hiroshima and the memorial site of the atomic bombing |
| enormous event and if you love bikes, cars, trucks or | | | | that took place in WWII. This may seem like a strange |
| anything else with wheels that is powered by an | | | | vacation recommendation but the museum is a real |
| engine, you're likely to find it here. The Toyota stand is | | | | thought provoker. If you are a fan of history, this should |
| famous for the high tech shows it always puts on and | | | | be on your to do list. Hiroshima city itself, is a clean and |
| the 'green' developments it showcases every year. | | | | very organized area which also gives you access to |
| There is a certain glitz and glamor to the Tokyo Motor | | | | Miyajima, a well documented shrine destination. |
| Show that definitely sets it, and the girls who strut their | | | | Asakusa Brazilian Samba Festival |
| stuff next to the hard goods, apart from similar events | | | | If you're in Tokyo in August, check out the Asakusa |
| I've seen. | | | | Brazilian Samba Festival for some summer fun. Take |
| Hakone | | | | to the streets and join in the dancing or watch from |
| A couple of hours away from Tokyo is Hakone. Here | | | | the sidelines enjoying a drink with your friends. The |
| you can take in glorious views of Mount Fuji (best | | | | choice is yours. |
| viewed in winter when the air is clear), go walking in | | | | Want some more info on Tokyo? Follow the link |
| the hills, or take a pirate boat trip across the lake. While | | | | below to view our site. |
| you're here, take the cable car and jump off at a | | | | |