Japan tours As a tour operator that offers tours to many world destinations, I try not to play favourites. But after two visits and a third in the planning stage, I love Japan. This country was on my bucket list for years before my first visit. Sometimes your preconceived notions don’t live up to expectations and you run the risk of being disappointed. Japan doesn’t disappoint.

What keeps me coming back? Here’s my short list in no particular order!

What words describe the Japanese people? Polite, friendly, punctual, helpful, respectful, kind, shy, formal and service-oriented. The Japanese people greet you, thank you and do everything to help you, even if they don’t speak English. In Tokyo we go lost looking for our hotel the evening we arrived. After asking several people a gentleman got us pointed in the right direction using a translation app and GPS. He and another young girl followed us for blocks until we were close to our hotel. Only then did they say good night and leave us.

Japan is culture. There are temples and shrines, ancient castles, samurai residences, soothing gardens, and Geishas. Japan’s traditions are multi-layered and captivating, steeped in customs thousands of years old to ever-changing fads and technological advances in contemporary society. Experience original Ryokan inns, traditional tea ceremonies, sumo wrestling to anime, manga, robots and cosplay to name a few.

Japan has a wealth of temples and shrines. Kyoto alone has well over 2,000 places of worship but every village will have a local temple or shrine. The words, temple and monks, refers to the Buddhist religion while the words, shrine and priests, refers to the Shinto way of life. Many temples and shrines are set within gardens that use the elements of water, bridges, fish, rocks, sand, trees, and lanterns. The temples, shrines and gardens instil a sense of peace and tranquility.

Onsens are numerous and very popular in Japan . Every region has hot springs and onsen resort towns. Hot springs provide different health benefits depending on the mineral content of the water and relax your body and mind. Communal bathing may not appeal to most gaijin (foreigners), especially in the nude, but this is one of my favourite activities to do in Japan. I love the ritual of cleansing before bathing; I love the heat of the water; I love the social chatter that accompanies bathing; and I love that all ages enjoy the onsen experience. Try throwing off your clothes and experience one Japan’s most beloved traditions.

Japan’s history is enthralling. It’s filled with wars, earthquakes, fires, tsunami, epidemics and crop failures. Japan has seen the rise and fall of emperors, rule by samurai, isolation from the outside world, struggles between different clans, and invasion of other Asian countries. Hiroshima’s A-Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park may be the most well-known historical monument. Today they are reminders of the destruction caused by atomic bombs and advocate for world peace and the abolishment of nuclear weapons.

Many travellers who have never visited Japan think of the country as densely-populated industrial cities. However more than two-thirds of Japan is covered in mountains, hills, and forests. Japan is also home to a wide variety of climates - from the subtropical beaches of Okinawa to the snow-covered mountains of Hokkaido. There are over 30 national parks and conservation areas. For example, Shiretoko Peninsula on Hokkaido is home to abundant wildlife including one of the highest concentrations of brown bears in the world. The Japanese Macaque is the most northerly monkey and likely the most famous mammal in Japan. They are also known as the snow monkey due to their habit of bathing in hot springs during cold winters. The Japanese people love nature. They hike, ski, cycle and relax in volcanic hot springs.

There are numerous local festivals, most held annually and that celebrate a shrine’s deity or a seasonal or historical event. The festivities frequently involve a lively parade of participants chanting, dancing, drumming and floats. The Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Festival is world renown and is held all over Japan during springtime. Cherry Blossom Forecasts are televised indicating where the best blossoms are. The Japanese people plan hanami parties under the cherry trees. I have even seen business meetings conducted under the sakura tree.

Over the last few years, Japanese food has become more familiar and popular around the world. Many visitors to Japan will have already sampled sushi and tempura. But they won’t be prepared for the variety of regional and seasonal dishes found throughout Japan. Many towns are known for their local speciality, whether it be beef, fish, noodles or seaweed. Food preparation and presentation, even the simplest dishes, equates to a form of art. The eclectic mix of food establishments ranges from food stands, vending machines, chain restaurants, traditional ryotei, and theme restaurants (i.e. robot restaurants). Eating is an experience in Japan! Recommended viewing: Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories

Japan is a paradise for shoppers. With stores ranging from traditional souvenirs and local food to the newest fashion trends and electronics, there is something for everyone. There are stores in all budget ranges from the 100 Yen Stores to high end department stores such as Mitsukoshi. Large cities like Tokyo have several shopping districts. Ginza is a blend of high fashion boutiques and designer stores and stores dedicated to traditional crafts. Shinjuku is the most crowded and busiest shopping district known for Isetan department store established in 1886 and its huge basement food hall or depachika (department store underground). Shibuya targets the young, especially female shoppers, and is Tokyo’s liveliest shopping district. Harajuku caters to those looking for vintage threads and outrageous pieces.

If you are a technology addict Japan should be on your bucket list. It is one of the most hi-tech countries in the world. Think Japanese electronics, cameras, mobile phones, high-speed trains, and robots. Akihabara in Tokyo is famous for electronics and games. No more cold toilet seats! Hi-tech toilets provide different heating options, play music, provide scents and offer various other features.

Japan has a very low crime rate. Theft or stealing is a rarity.

With more than 5 million vending machines in Japan, you are never very far away from two or three. Need to quench your thirst? There are vending machines with beer, sake, water, tea and coffee. Hungry? There are vending machines that sell hot food, fruit, and candy. Need flowers? There are vending machines that dispense fresh flowers. You’ll even find vending machines in rural areas on the side of a road or hiking trail.

The Shinkansen bullet train is one of the fastest in the world, travelling at 300KPH. Traveling by train is very easy and convenient; the experience is orderly, exact and quick. But there are a few things that should be avoided such as talking with travel companions, talking on a cell phone, and smoking.

For many Westerners, Japan is a mystery. Japan looks westernized but go below the surface and you may think you have landed on another planet. It is the blend of East and West that makes Japan unique. It is the country that manufactures Hondas and Toyotas and that produces cutting-edge technology and robotics. But it is also the home of crazy trends and innovations like maid cafes, cat cafes, ninja restaurants, capsule hotels, Hello Kitty, and clothing shops for dogs. Yet its ancient traditions like the tea ceremony, sumo wrestling, kabuki, and ikebana are still very strong. Prepare to be surprised as you navigate this fascinating country.