Discover Japan: Culture, Nature and Historic Routes

Culture, Architecture and Places of Remembrance

The Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto comprise seventeen component sites. They showcase the development of Japanese wooden architecture, particularly religious architecture, and the art of Japanese gardens. Visitors interested in Kyoto will encounter two distinct cultural themes here: the design of buildings and the design of gardens.

At Himeji-jo, the focus is on the castle: this surviving example of early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture comprises 82 buildings. Itsukushima Shrine offers a different perspective. Its buildings stand by the sea against an impressive mountain backdrop; the shrine also brings together elements created by people and elements of nature.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) is the only building that remained standing near the hypocenter of the first atomic bomb, which exploded on August 6, 1945. It expresses the hope for world peace and the eventual abolition of all nuclear weapons. Visitors can view the memorial from outside the fences at the edge of the grounds.

Tea, Sake and Cultural Experiences

At teahouses near temples, in traditional Japanese gardens, at cultural institutions and in hotels, travelers can take part in a tea ceremony, particularly in Kyoto. Sake is Japan’s national beverage and is made primarily from rice and water. Some sake breweries are open to visitors; check access to the particular brewery before your trip.

Routes, Nature and Activities

Japan’s national and quasi-national parks offer hiking trails, campgrounds and picnic areas so the public can enjoy nature. Visitors can also ride bicycles on numerous well-maintained, signposted routes in Japan’s national parks. Kayaking is another leisure activity for travelers in Japan’s natural areas. Walking, cycling and getting out on the water are distinct ideas to consider when planning a trip.

Historic routes also differ in their stated purpose. From the early 17th to the late 19th century, the Nakasendō was an important trade route connecting Kyoto with Edo-period Tokyo. The ancient Kumano Kodō is a pilgrimage route across the mountainous Kii Peninsula in Wakayama. One represents a historic trade connection, the other a pilgrimage tradition through a mountainous region.

Mount Fuji is a volcano that has not been active since 1707. Historically, climbing it was regarded as a religious pilgrimage. To see the sunrise, visitors can climb at night or stay overnight in a mountain hut. As access conditions on the mountain may vary seasonally, check the conditions for your travel dates and hut availability in advance.

Discover more destinations: Tokushima Prefecture, Miyazaki Prefecture, Iwojima, Mie Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, Toyama Prefecture, Gunma Prefecture, Ishikawa Prefecture, Nara Prefecture, Nagasaki Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Saitama Prefecture, Kagawa Prefecture, Fukushima Prefecture, Yamanashi Prefecture, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Gifu Prefecture, Okinawa Prefecture, Iwate Prefecture, Aichi Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tochigi Prefecture, Ehime Prefecture, Kagoshima Prefecture, Kanagawa Prefecture, Ōita Prefecture, Yamagata Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture, Wakayama Prefecture, Shiga Prefecture, Saga Prefecture, Fukui Prefecture, Ibaraki Prefecture, Kōchi Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture, Niigata Prefecture, Okayama Prefecture, Tokyo, Ōsaka Prefecture, Fukuoka Prefecture, Hiroshima Prefecture, Hyōgo Prefecture, Shimane Prefecture, Akita Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture, Aomori Prefecture, Hokkaido, Tottori Prefecture

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