Tour of Japan in 20 Days

You are an avid reader of Murakami, you read Taniguchi's comics, you love Miyazaki's animated films, Japan is a tailor-made destination for you! Take the plunge and embark for another planet. It is likely that you will lose your bearings. Yet you will feel at ease. This is what tour operators sometimes forget to tell you the essentials. You go to Japan for the people who are extraordinary. You'll see, they will escort you to your hotel, shelter you under their umbrella, you will live a unique experience!  

To start your journey, I suggest Tokyo. Rise above and embrace a vertiginous view of the Japanese capital. For this, you just need to ascend to the top of the Tokyo Sky Tree. This 634-meter high broadcasting tower, built in 2012, is the tallest freestanding structure in the world. Here is a futuristic building located in Sumida that perfectly contrasts with the Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena, just a stone's throw away! This truly transports you to a country where tradition and modernity coexist! 

Speaking of tradition, I highly recommend the Edo-Tokyo Museum dedicated to the history of Japan and specifically to its Edo period: 1603-1867. Thanks to this well-designed and interactive venue, you will gain some insights that will help you understand this culture, so mysterious and captivating.

Akihabara.

Enjoy your stay in Tokyo by immersing yourself in the parallel world of geeks. In the Akihabara district, photography enthusiasts will be amazed at the 8 floors filled with equipment in the big store at Yoobashi Camera. You will linger in the arcade rooms. You'll lose your bearings alongside young people dressed as cosplayers. If you are traveling with family, I guarantee that your children will be captivated by the electric atmosphere! You know what? You can push the game to its limits by doing karting in a Mario outfit. Then, have lunch with quality ramen that you can order from the machine placed outside!

If you are in a hurry, take a detour.

Japanese proverb

Shibuya

Those who have seen Lost in Translation will remember the unforgettable crossing of pedestrian crosswalks. Here is Shibuya emerging from the eponymous railway station. If you recall well, one of them is used diagonally! What makes it unique is that it is used daily by millions of people. That said, I advise you not to go there on rainy days when hastily bought umbrellas collide with each other! 

A few steps from there you will stop in front of the Hachiko dog statue. The people of Tokyo revere this dog sculpture and gladly have their picture taken in front of it. Are you familiar with its legend? The loyal animal came to look for its master at the station for 10 years even though he had passed away.

You are passionate about Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples, worry not, Tokyo has many of them: Meiji, Senso-Ji, or Asakusa-Jinja.... Now follow me to the vicinities of Shinjuku station. I will introduce you to an authentic place. You will be surprised to see how this place transforms at nightfall when the salary men leave work and to notice that the Japanese sometimes let go of their reserve... You will walk through the "district of delights," so named for its restaurants, and you will enjoy excellent sushi. Golden Gai, the most emblematic street, is full of them, and red lanterns signal their presence.

Ueno

Another essential district in the Japanese capital is Ueno. The park is a must for any traveler seeking nature. In this regard, local joggers meet there for a morning jog or a family picnic. You will admire the red maples, the cherry blossoms in spring - bear in mind only for 15 days a year and nature is not always predictable. The pond and its water lilies will have a beautiful surprise in store for you. The garden also contains Ueno-koen, a temple whose name means imperial gift and which is particularly popular with the trendy youth.

Akasaka

Akasaka, this upscale district filled with embassies and chic restaurants will delight you during your trip to Tokyo. Indeed, you will find the “red slope,” this famous alley of toriis that you won’t resist photographing with your phone. Moreover, you might encounter beautifully dressed geishas there. This district indeed houses the tea rooms they return to at dusk. Fans of Miyazaki, of Howl's Moving Castle, of Spirited Away? Plan a visit to the Ghibli Museum. The master of Japanese animation has designed a place that mirrors his dreamlike world. You will be welcomed by Totoro, you will climb a spiral staircase, and you will watch a short film. You can peacefully review the story-boards. Before leaving, don't forget to take a look at the gigantic robot perched on the roof!

Odaiba

Odaiba will amaze you. As it is an artificial island, you will get there by monorail. Indeed, the place turns out to be a temple of consumption, however, it also has buildings with contemporary architecture.   
Less than 2 hours from Tokyo stands Mount Fuji. How can you imagine a vacation in Japan without seeing or even glimpsing this mythical mountain ? The highest point in Japan at over 3700 meters altitude is not just for trekking specialists. A cabin will allow you to reach a viewpoint and take beautiful pictures. If the sky is clear, you will experience a moment that the Japanese usually call "the goraikô". Once you come down, you will not fail to contemplate Hokusai's prints. No one was able to capture the different variations of Fuji-san through the seasons like he did.

Nikko

At the gates of Tokyo, take a trip to Nikko which is well worth the detour.  Accessible by train, the location does not offer many accommodations, so plan for a day trip. Chances are you will discover this shrine nestled in a small mountain under the rain! Dating back to the Edo period, it is representative of that era where Shintoism and Buddhism coexisted. What a splendor those roofs, those cornices decorated with gold leaf ! Besides its sacred gate, you will have the pleasure of entering the interiors, then you will cross a cedar forest and you will push on to the tomb of the dynasty within a wooded park.

Another place, another story. Here comes the medieval Matsumoto Castle known as the "black crow", in Nagano Prefecture. The climb to the keep— you will have to ascend the 5 floors that separate you from the keep on the 5th floor using ship's ladders will be amply rewarded! Indeed, you will enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding region. Moreover, your children will have the opportunity to admire the shogun armors as well as the armory!

Takayama

The Japanese Alps are the next point of attraction and are not meant for just simple hikers. Feel free to stop by Takayama, a hub of craftsmanship, and wander its alleys in search of a souvenir. You'll fall for a bottle of authentic saké, an item with a cat motif, a kite, or hand-painted chopsticks. You could also take the opportunity to bathe in the natural springs, the onsen.

Kyoto on the island of Honshu certainly deserves a 5-day visit. Let me accompany you in the former capital of Japan which will enchant you with its kaiseki cuisine among other things. You will go from discovery to discovery in this history-laden city. Naturally, you will marvel at Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, and its pond. Remember the first cover page of Mishima's novel The Temple of the Golden Pavilion? You're there! And what a brilliance this golden roof has, standing out against the pale sky.

Senbon

Have you seen a photo of that path of torii gates, those orange-laquered wooden gates winding along? You will find it here at Senbon Torii, and you will be in for a photo, or should I say, a flurry of clicks. In total, there are no less than 12 gates spread across a hill that one traverses for the utmost visual pleasure.

Similarly, head to the Riyoan-ji temple complex to experience the zen garden. You will be surprised by the simplicity of the place and the contemplation of the visitors. The garden's architecture is designed according to principles that must be strictly respected. Thus, each element is visible from another... Even the morning raking of the gravel follows a precise aesthetic.

It is better to travel full of hope than to arrive at the destination.

Japanese proverb

However, my preference inevitably goes to the Kiyomitsu-Dera temple on stilts, which forms a pilgrimage site. The more adventurous will enter the womb and make a wish. This is an opportunity to encounter Japanese women in their colorful kimonos. If you travel during Easter, you might be lucky enough to experience this place during the cherry blossom season.

Gion

The Gion district is ideal for a lunch break before entering the Arashiyama bamboo grove. If it seems familiar, it's because the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was filmed there. The sun that struggles to filter through the trees gives the place a mysterious atmosphere. Unfortunately, it's likely that your photos will not do justice to the location!

Nara, the rare gem. Is there a Buddha more gigantic than this bronze and lacquer statue? It's no wonder that Daibutsu is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This place, which served as a hub of art and a Buddhist school, dates back to the 8th century. However, like many temples in Japan, it has been rebuilt using parts from other temples, yet this is a common practice in Japan. Moreover, you will be surprised to notice the presence of deer mingling with tourists.

The floating torii gate of Miyajima attracts many visitors. It is the gate of a temple. What characterizes it is that it's not plunged into the sand but rather placed on top of it. Indeed, it is by its mass that it stands upright. Lacquered in vermillion, it contrasts with the blue of the sea and the green of the forests. It stands out, giving the impression that it is literally floating.
In Hiroshima, you cannot ignore the gutted and scorched Peace Dome, the sole remnants of the bombing. If you are not accompanied by your dear little ones, make a detour to the museum dedicated to the victims of 1945.

NB: for the record, the Meiji period follows the Edo Era and ends in 1912. During this period, Japan ended its isolation and modernized.