Japan

Japan, also called the Land of the Rising Sun, is a mix of ancient traditions coexisting with global innovation. Made up of 4 main islands in East Asia, the nation has diverse climates and landscapes – snowy mountains dominate the northern end, while to the south, you’ll find Nagano’s lakes, Kyoto’s temples, and the vibrant capital of Tokyo. Thanks to an extensive rail network, you can ride one of the world’s fastest bullet trains from the subtropical beaches in the south to the northernmost mountain ranges.

Japan’s well-preserved culture is something you can experience instead of just reading about it from a history book, from sumo wrestling matches and kabuki shows, to woodblock printing and tea ceremonies. Whether you’re planning an extravagant shopping trip to Tokyo or want to enjoy a day of visiting Shinto shrines in Kyoto, Japan is a country of vibrancy, depth and beauty.

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Tokyo
Tokyo is Japan’s capital city and one of the most engaging and awe-inspiring metropolises in the world. Covering an area of approximately 2,250 square kilometres, the Tokyo Metropolis is a whole world in itself. The city is highly regarded for its safety and high quality of life. It also offers a remarkable blend of old and new – think ancient...
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Osaka
Osaka is Japan’s third largest city, which has a unique identity characterised by a penchant for good food and lively...
Kyoto
Kyoto attracts many with its hundreds of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, as well as pink cherry blossoms in spring....
Sapporo
Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido. It’s well known for ramen, beer, snow, and being home to some of Japan’s...
Nagoya
Nagoya is an economic powerhouse, home to Japan’s auto manufacturing giants Toyota, Honda and Mitsubishi. It once served as a...
Okinawa (and vicinity)
Okinawa Island is situated about 400 miles south of Japan, and although now a Japanese prefecture, its origins in the...
Naha
Naha, Japan, is the capital of Okinawa and is famed for Shuri Castle, once the royal palace of the Ryukyu...

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Japan is the epitome of the exotic East, with many unique idiosyncrasies waiting to be discovered. Even a simple walk through the city streets presents so many things to do in Japan – walk into a robot restaurant, a pachinko parlour, or a shopping mall and you will be wide-eyed with wonder about the things you see. Japan is not only about the big urban centres, and you will find many...

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24 Best Temples and Shrines in Kyoto
Among the must-see temples and shrines in Kyoto, there's an incredible diversity in design and size. This variety reflects Kyoto's rich history of Buddhism and Shinto, Japan's ancient religion, which holds that everything has a spirit and should be respected. During...
10 Best Temples and Shrines in Tokyo
Temples and shrines in Tokyo attract thousands of visitors to the city every year, and many date back thousands of...
13 Best Beaches in Okinawa
Okinawa has no shortage of beautiful tropical beaches. This Japanese chain of over 160 islands ranges from bustling, urban islands...
15 Best Things to Do in Sapporo
Located on the northernmost island of Hokkaido, Sapporo is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is packed with interesting things...
11 Best Things to Do in Kobe
Exploring the best things to do in Kobe reveals a city that seamlessly blends its rich history with modern attractions....
10 Best Beaches in Japan
Endless blue sea and white sand beaches glitter in the sunlight. You may be surprised to learn that Japan has...
10 Peaceful Places to Avoid the Crowds in Japan
Japan's big cities and tourist destinations such as Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto are rightly world-famous. These are fun destinations with...
12 Best Things to Do in Osaka
The best things to do in Osaka welcome you to get to know this pulsating city and its thrilling sights....
10 Best Things to Do in Sendai
The largest city in the Tohoku region, Sendai developed as a castle town of the Date clan (whose wealth amounted...

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Hvar og hvað á að borða í/á Japan

Dining out in Japan is a definite highlight of any trip to the country. Known for their longevity, the Japanese enjoy their food immensely and, in general, still manage to keep the ingredients healthy. Of course, if you’re hankering after western food, it’s easy to find fast-food outlets and British-style pubs. But the Japanese cuisine experience – from delicious wagyu beef to raw seafood – is striking and typically meals are...

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11 Best Japanese Foods & Dishes
The best Japanese foods and dishes are sublime in their intricacy of flavour, variety of seasonal dishes and surprising health benefits. A typical Japanese meal is based on combining staples; rice or noodles are almost always served with soup, pickles...
10 Best Local Dishes from Osaka
Osaka is a with a blossoming tradition of gastronomy, so it’s easy to discover the best local dishes with the...
10 Most Popular Areas for Foodies in Osaka
The best areas for foodies in Osaka are brimming with life, mouthwatering food, quirky shops and stalls and great atmosphere....

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Hvar á að versla og hvað á að kaupa í/á Japan

Shopping in Japan is an integral part of modern-day life, with megastores, malls, arcades, supermarkets and even humble 7-Elevens (a Japanese innovation) woven into everyday life. It’s as though Japan took the once-new idea of shopping malls and ran with it. When most people contemplate shopping in Japan, it’s natural to think first of high-tech electronic goods, but excellent textiles can be found, as well as a plethora of handicrafts, dolls,...

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7 Best Electronics Stores in Tokyo
Electronics stores in Tokyo are multi-storey shops housing a dizzying array of technology that Japan has long been famed for. You’ll find the latest laptops and computers at these stores, along with phones, smart-tech home appliances and many cool gadgets...
10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Osaka
Our guide to the best places to go shopping in Osaka reveals a city that offers a wide range of...
20 Best Places to Go Shopping in Tokyo
Our list of the best places to go shopping in Tokyo emphasizes how impressive this city is. Walk into any...

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Hvert skal fara og hvað skal gera á kvöldin í/á Japan

Japanese people love to let loose at night. The country is a living embodiment of the ‘work hard, play hard’ mantra, which has been adopted by its neighbours. The best nightlife is to be found in the ever-trend-setting Tokyo, but provincial cities each have their own charms and quirks. Karaoke is the quintessential nightlife experience in Japan, but swanky cocktail bars, pumping nightclubs and friendly izakayas are also popular. Drinking can...

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7 Best Nightclubs in Tokyo
The best nightclubs in Tokyo feature cutting-edge designs, expert musicians, and world-class DJs playing diverse styles of music. Nightclubs in Japan’s capital generally fall into the most popular genres of music – hip hop, EDM, live rock and jazz –...
10 Best Live Music Bars in Tokyo
The best live music bars in Tokyo span many different genres, many of them with unique styles and concepts. Jazz...
10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Kyoto
Looking for local nightlife experiences in Kyoto? Kyoto may be a pretty calm sort of place, but that doesn't mean...

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10 Things NOT to Do in Tokyo
Japan is a place with strong social rules that first-time visitors might find surprising or even quirky. But it’s a good idea to follow along if you want to make a positive first impression and get a glimpse into Japanese...
10 Interesting Villages and Sights near Tokyo
To find the best places to visit near Tokyo, head out from the city centre by train, bus or car...
10 Best Festivals in Japan
Japan hosts more than 200,000 local festivals throughout the year. Many visitors from all over Japan and abroad often come...