Japanse Alpen

About the destination: Tokyo is the capital of Japan and one of the largest urban area in the world. Tokyo is the financial center of Japan and a blend of high-technology and tradition. Tokyo is huge and a well-organized modern city. The city landscape of Tokyo consists of temples and shrines, quiet nature reserves, historical buildings, futuristic architecture and neon lights. The core of the city includes Chiyoda and Chuo. This area features the impressive Imperial Palace, the national government buildings, the famous shopping area of Ginza, Tsukiji fish market, Akihabara electronics market and the historic Tokyo Station. The quiet neighborhood of Asakusa has some must-see attractions such as the Sensoji Temple, the Nakamise-dōri shopping arcade, and the Golden Poo. Nearby is the Ueno area, including the Ameyoko market. A perfect spot to shop for traditional gifts and see a great Buddhist temple. Another major attraction of the city is the Meiji Shrine, located in Shibuya. Tokyo is a unique city that has something for everyone, busy shopping areas, famous nightlife, historical sights, quiet parks, and amazing scenery.

About the destination: Nagano Prefecture is located basically in the center of Japan and is surrounded on all four sides by 3000-meter tall mountains, earning it the nickname of the “Roof of Japan”. In 1998, Nagano hosted the Winter Olympics and Paralympics. The world-class snow resorts of Hakuba, Shiga Kogen Heights and Nozawa Onsen continue to attract winter sports enthusiasts every year. In addition, Nagano has convenient rail and expressway access to Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and other major cities, and is in close proximity to such premier sightseeing spots as Mt. Fuji, Hida-Takayama and the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. The prefecture spreads out to the north and south over 13,562 square kilometers, making it Japan’s fourth largest in size. Approximately 20% of the area is designated as Natural Parks. The prefecture boasts a sunny, inland climate, with an annual average of approximately 2000 hours of sunshine, and an average temperature of a moderate 12 degrees Celsius, with relatively low humidity. Besides being a treasure trove of nature, history and culture. Nagano is bursting with natural hot springs, making it the king of Onsens. Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park is the only place in the world you can see wild monkeys bathing in an onsen. Seeing their human-like expression on their faces as they soak is sure to bring a smile to your face. Karuizawa has historically been Japan’s most popular summer resort town. In addition to a multitude of golf courses and tennis courts and a well-appointed ski area, Karuizawa also features an expansive outlet shopping mall for year-round leisure enjoyment. Matsumoto Castle has the oldest 5-storied wooden donjon in the country and is a designated national treasure. Its black and white stucco siding provides a striking contrast with the beautiful Japan Alps in the background. Tsumago-juku, thanks to the preservation efforts of its townspeople, looks much the way it did during the feudal Edo era. Stepping into this classic post town gives one the feeling of having slipped back in time. Many people enjoy walking the 8 kilometers to Magome along the old Kyoto-to-Edo (Tokyo) Nakasendo Road, parts of which have the original cobblestone. In addition, thanks to the crisp, clean water and air, Nagano is famous for its delicious soba noodles, apples and sake, as well as oyaki dumplings, gohei mochi snacks, bamboo leaf-wrapped sasa-zushi. These and other traditional foods are part of Nagano’s culinary heritage and one of the prefecture’s biggest attractions.

About the destination: The new city of Matsumoto includes the old town of Matsumoto and four villages. Matsumoto is surrounded by mountains and it's famous by its beautiful sights. The local transport network gives the ability to access the mountains to practice climbing or hiking. Among its historical attractions there's the Matsumoto Castle, the School-museum of Kaichi and the Temari. Matsumoto is a touristic highlight because of its traditional culture, its warm weather and its typical products. Matsumoto's Soba is famous thanks to its fine taste. There are also many onsen (typical bathrooms).

About the destination: Takayama was settled as far back as the Jōmon period. The city is best known for its inhabitants' expertise in carpentry. It is believed carpenters from Takayama worked on the Imperial Palace in Kyoto and on many of the temples in Kyoto and Nara. The town and its culture, as they exist today, took shape at the end of the 16th century, when the Kanamori clan built Takayama Castle. About a hundred years later the city came under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate. However, the high altitude and separation from other areas of Japan kept the area fairly isolated, allowing Takayama to develop its own culture over about a 300-year period. The city was formed on November 1, 1936 by a merger of the towns of Takayama and Onada. On February 1, 2005, the town of Kuguno, and the villages of Asahi, Kiyomi, Miya, Nyūkawa, Shōkawa and Takane (all from Ōno District), the town of Kokufu, and the village of Kamitakara (both from Yoshiki District) were merged into Takayama, which made Takayama the largest city in Japan by surface area.

About the destination: Kanazawa is a historic city in Ishikawa prefecture. Kenrokuen Garden is a beautiful Japanese garden with an area of 11.4 hectares located on the heights of the central part of Kanazawa and next to Kanazawa Castle. Kenrokuen Garden has a big artificial pond, and hills and houses are dotted in the garden. Visitors can appreciate the whole, dropping in at them. The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa as a new-style art museum different in image from conventional art museums was opened in October 2004. The museum exhibits experiment-type contemporary arts that visitors can touch or sit on, and includes zones where visitors can enter free. Both adults and children can experience an excited time in the museum.

About the destination: For over a thousand years Kyoto was the capital of Japan and it is probably the best preserved of all its cities. It’s a beautiful vibrant city where modern life meets old traditional Japan. The city is surrounded by the mountains of Western Honshu and is a perfect base when visiting the Kansai region. The city is rich in heritage sites and culture, it has a great variety and number of restaurants and is fairly easy to navigate around. Its rich culture and heritage permeates from each and every architecture and customs. Kyoto has thousands of temples and shrines, including the spectacular golden Kinkaku-ji, Ryoanji with its Zen garden, the popular Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjusangendo with its life-size statues of Kannon and the more tranquil Tenryu-ji in Arashiyama. Also in Arashiyama, there is the famous Bamboo Grove. A wonderful thing to do in Kyoto is a walking tour of Gion, one of the main Geisha districts. Its wooden buildings and lamps create the perfect ambiance. Kyoto is one of the greatest historical cities in the world, filled with temples, shrines, teahouses and imperial residences. Kyoto is a city steeped in culture and heritage it’s a must for anyone with an interest in Japanese history and culture.

About the destination: Osaka is a big modern city in Japan. It is the central metropolis of the Kansai region and the largest of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto trio. It is a lively and exciting place that exudes a definite charm. Its history is rich, its scenery is gorgeous, and it's well-located close to the major cultural centers of Kyoto and Nara, and just a few hours by bullet train to Tokyo. Osaka has two major city centers, Kita, north side, and Minami, south side. Kita is a large shopping and business area, Minami is Osaka's most famous entertainment district. Osaka’s major attractions are the impressive, beautifully restored, castle and the truly wonderful aquarium. Osaka has some striking modern architecture, a vibrant nightlife scene and tasty local cuisine. To experience the city’s nightlife head to bustling Dōtonbori, a street jammed with restaurants and bars. There are also some beautiful places to visit just outside of the city. Minoo is a suburb of Osaka which offers pleasant woodland, an impressive waterfall, hiking opportunities and a relaxing spa. Osaka combines historical, cultural and artistic attractions with all the delights of a modern Japanese metropolis. Japan's third-largest city offers an exciting atmosphere, with fantastic connections to some of the most historic cities in Japan.