Planning to holiday in Japan? Here are some of the best experiences Japan has to offer!

Japan offers two contrasting worlds to travellers: futuristic skyscrapers, quirky street fashion and advanced technology on one side; cultural temples, Zen gardens and tranquil bamboo forests on the other.

Let’s start in the capital city of Tokyo where you will never run out of beautiful places to see, unique dishes to taste and cultural traditions to experience

Asakusa, a district in Tokyo, offers some of the best rental shops that give you the chance to wear a kimono (a traditional Japanese dress, also called yukata during the summer) for a day.

This district is one of the best places to wear a kimono if you want to be transported back in time to ‘old’ Tokyo. In Asakusa, guided tours while riding a rickshaw are a prominent sight. It can also be explored by foot and one thing that you won’t miss is Sensoji, a Buddhist temple built in the 7th century, which remains to be the town’s main attraction up to this day.

While still in your kimono, head to Shibuya to take glamorous photos of yourself and your loved ones. Less than a 30-minute drive from Asakusa, Shibuya is one of Japan’s most vibrant districts, known for its iconic Shibuya Crossing.

Front street level, the lights or huge LED screens take centre stage but from above, the people crossing the intersection who meet in the middle and scatter in different directions is a sight to behold.

Shibuya is also the centre of youth fashion and culture, with many fashion trends in Japan call Shibuya their origin. You’ll find yourself in awe with the quirky and eye-popping clothing of the Japanese men and women casually walking on the street.

If you want to see a more eccentric take on fashion, drive up to Harajuku district, just six-minutes from bustling Shibuya. Here you can shop kawaii (cute) accessories, clothing and souvenirs you can bring home to your family and friends.

When you holiday with your children, treat them to the world of anime at Akihabara.

Long considered the centre of Japan’s otaku (die-hard fan) culture, it’s not surprising to see shops and establishments devoted to anime (animation) and manga (comics or graphic novels).

Dine with the family at a cosplay-themed restaurant, shop for the latest electronics and popular video games, visit the Gundam Café, and discover rare figurines and collectible toys. Akihabara is not only for children but also the young at heart, so go out and explore every shop your feet can take you.

After all the fun and excitement, a 15-minute drive from Akihabara is Tokyo Skytree – a popular landmark of Tokyo which also happens to be a television broadcasting tower. Standing at 634 metres, it is the tallest structure in Japan that is home to a large shopping complex with an aquarium, and two observation decks that offer spectacular views of the city.

Are you dreaming of seeing the cherry blossoms in bloom? At Ueno Park, that dream can turn into a reality. Ueno Park is listed as one of the top cherry blossom spots in central Tokyo with more than 1,000 sakura trees lining its central pathway. Visit in early March or early April to catch these charming flowers.

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