Signature: Essence of Japan - Wisteria & Fuji Shibazakura Festival

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The Sensoji Temple located in Asakusa is one of the most popular Buddhist temples to visit. The temple was built and completed in the year 645 and is Tokyo’s oldest temple. The surrounding area offers shopping for souvenirs and food. The Sanja Festival is one of Tokyo’s biggest festivals and is held every May at Asakusa Temple.

The rickshaw is a traditional mode of transit – a throwback to a feudal age when these were constructed of simple wood. They were used as a medieval taxi service or as private transit for the rich, with an estimated 40,000 rickshaws in operation. Today’s rickshaw is more modern, with a sleek metallic frame and seats lined with plush cushioning, making it one of the best ways to view the historic streets of Asakusa District. While famous for Sensoji Temple, Asakusa is rich in history allowing you to see the more traditional side of Tokyo during your rickshaw ride through the narrow streets.

The Meiji Shrine is located next to Harajuku Station and next to Yoyogi Park. The shrine is located within a small forest with large trees and the entrance is designated by a large torii gate. This is also one of Tokyo’s most popular shrines, with more than a million visitors after New Year’s Day.

The outer Tsukiji Fish Market offers a variety of freshly prepared food products and ingredients. Travel in between the different stores and taste a few of their dishes, freshly prepared with some of the best ingredients.

Take a lesson from an expert and prepare fresh sushi. Experience the difference in the taste of Japanese-grown ingredients. Then, enjoy eating your masterpiece for lunch after completing your sushi lesson.

Ashikaga Flower Park is located in Ashikaga City, which is on the border of Tochigi and Gunma Prefecture. It is a place where there is a wide of flowers planted on the grounds that bloom when they are in season. Inside the flower park is a wisteria tree that is over 100 years old. It is so large that there many beams to support the branches as it covers a wide area creating this umbrella effect. It is said that the tree dates back to about 1870.

The Fuji Shibazakura Festival is held from April to early June and is located south of Lake Motosuko near Mount Fuji. Many people come to see the 800,000 shibazakura flowers bloom and with Mount Fuji in background, creates one of the most beautiful scenes to see in the spring. The best time to go would be within the first three weeks of the event because that is when the flowers will be in full bloom.

Lake Kawaguchi is one of Mount Fuji's Five Lakes, and is by far the most famous, attracting visitors to the hotels that dot its shoreline throughout the year. It is arguably the most picturesque, being displayed prominently below the iconic mountain on postcards for the region. The landscape around the long lake is dramatic and stunning in every season, especially during spring cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. Despite the lake's proximity to Mount Fuji, the mountain is not always visible from the lake due to the cloud cover, with the early morning and late afternoon being the best time to get a good glimpse. A number of other attractions sit around the lake, including the Kubota Itchiku Museum, Kawaguchiko Muse Museum, FujiQ Highland amusement park, and a number of hot spring bath resorts.

Matsumoto is home to one of Japan’s four National Treasure Castles, the Matsumoto Castle. This castle is one of the most beautiful, and complete original castles in all of Japan compared to the other four National Treasure Castles. During the spring season, Matsumoto Castel is a very popular location to view the cherry blossoms.

Every morning in Takayama there are two morning markets set up for tourist to visit. Both markets are well within walking distance from Takayama station. In front of the Takayama Jinya is the Jinya-Mae Market and along the Miyagawa River in the old town section is the Miyagawa Market. Guests can enjoy shopping for goods such as small crafts, foods, snacks and flowers.

One of the most popular attractions for visitors in Takayama is the old town district. Many of the buildings and houses in this area have been preserved since the Edo Period. There are many shops, sake breweries, tea houses, and even some homes open for the public to enjoy.

Ogimachi Village is part of Shirakawa-Go, which is one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ogimachi is Shirakawa-Go’s largest village and the most popular destination for visitors. One of the most popular attractions available for visitors is the Shiroyama Viewpoint. This place is only about a twenty minute walk from the village center and offers a beautiful view of Ogimachi.

Ogimachi Village is part of Shirakawa-Go, which is one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ogimachi is Shirakawa-Go’s largest village and the most popular destination for visitors. The Wada-ke House in Ogimachi is a very popular attraction and is a museum. This house is a fantastic example of gassho-zukuri houses and showcases how people lived when these houses were originally built.

Located in Kanazawa is the Kenrokuen Garden, which is one of Japan’s most famous and three most beautiful landscape gardens. The garden is especially beautiful during the plum blossom season and cherry blossom season with the different flowers that bloom as well. This garden is also a popular location to view the fall colors during autumn. Nearby are plenty of attractions including restaurants, shops, and the popular Kanazawa Castle.

A popular destination located within Kanazawa is the Nagamachi Samurai District. This historic location used to house the world famous samurai of Japan and their families. This district features many restored buildings, shops, restaurants, and museums. This area is the location of museums such as the Nomura- ke, Shinise Kinenkan Museum, and the Ashigaru Shiryokan Museum.

Omicho Market has about 200 shops and stalls spread across a network of sheltered streets. It is the largest fresh food market in Kanazawa and was first established in the Edo Period. Located at the center of Kanazawa Omicho Market provides an array of goods, but it is best to see what is in season. The market was established to serve the higher class part of town, which was located at the base of Kanazawa Castle. In 1904, Omicho Market became open to the public. Many of the shops sell local seafood and produce, but you can find kitchen tools, clothing, and flowers available for purchase. In the morning, the market is bustling with business and around noon time it is common to see the popular restaurants with long lines. On the second floor there is a section that is dedicated to restaurants. In the basement there is a food court where people who do not want to eat in a restaurant. Not all restaurants are open in the early morning so it is best to research beforehand. One of the must try food are the seafood bowls, where prices range from 1000 to 3000 yen.

The taiko drum is an iconic musical instrument of Japan. The history of the taiko drum in Japan is rich and full of various techniques and styles to play the drums. There are many classes and lessons available for visitors to attend that teaches the art of taiko drums. Guests can learn about the different styles, techniques, and history of the taiko drums while taking these lessons.

Located north of Nara Park is one of Japan’s most historic and famous temple called the Todai-Ji Temple. This temple is listed as one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The temple’s main hall named Daibutsuden, is the largest wooden building in the world. It is home to one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha siting at fifteen meters tall.

Located in central Nara is Nara Park, it is one of the most famous and popular parks in Japan. The park is famous and popular because it is home to over one thousand deer. The deer roam freely throughout the park and visitors are able to get up close and feed the deer as well. This park is conveniently located near most of Nara’s main tourist destinations, which include Todai-Ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kofuku-Ji Temple, and the Nara National Museum.

The famous Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) Temple is located in northern Kyoto and is most known for the building covered in gold leaf. This famous building is the number one most popular destination for tourist visiting Kyoto. The Golden Pavilion sits overlooking a large pond and various small attractions and shops are available for visitors.

Arashiyama is located on the western outskirts of Kyoto and is a well-known destination for both the cherry blossoms and fall colors seasons. North of the famous Togetsukyo Bridge is Sagano, and together they make this place a nice little getaway from temples and shrines to enjoy nature. Popular destinations include the Togetsukyo Bridge and the Bamboo Forest of Arashiyama.

One of the most popular and well-known spots for visitors is the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. A nice walking path takes visitors through the groves of bamboos. The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is also one of the most famous and photographed places in all of Kyoto and brings many visitors every year during the autumn color season.

The machiya of Kyoto are old-fashioned wooden townhouses from the Edo period, usually serving as the residences and shops for merchant families of that period. The strict propriety laws of the period contributed to the simplistic nature of the machiya, which ooze rustic charm from the smooth tatami mats and minimalist decoration through the thin folds of bamboo window screens. Merely to experience the atmosphere that prevails in the Machiya Townhouse is to be immersed in the time-honored traditions of old Kyoto.

Japanese calligraphy is the art of writing beautiful artistic characters of the Japanese language. The history of Japanese calligraphy is rich and has different techniques and styles just like any other form of art. There are classes and lessons available for visitors to attend that teaches the art of Japanese calligraphy. Guests can learn about the different styles, techniques and the history of Japanese calligraphy while taking these lessons.

Ikebana is one of Japan’s oldest crafts, which is the art of flower arrangement. The history of Ikebana (also known as Kado in Japanese) is rich and has different techniques and styles just like any other form of art. There are classes and lessons available for visitors to attend that teaches the art of Ikebana. Guests can learn about the different techniques, styles, and history of Ikebana while taking these lessons.

The Fushimi Inari-Taisha Grand Shrine is located in southern Kyoto and is one of the most famous and visited shrines in Kyoto. This shrine is only five minutes away from Kyoto Station by train, and features over a thousand vermillion colored torii gates that brings many tourist to this shrine every year.

GEAR is a lively and colorful stage production that seamlessly integrates a variety of performing arts, including dance, juggling, magic, and pantomime. At the old "1928 Building" (one of Kyoto City's designated Cultural Properties), GEAR takes their audience to the world of a futuristic toy factory, now falling to ruin. Within, four skilled android robots (or "Roboroids") and a graceful toy Doll, through whimsical curiosity and cheerful play, attempt to reach nearer to what it means to be human. A silent performance with musical accompaniment, GEAR is well suited for viewers of all ages and languages.

The Kiyomizu-Dera Temple is located only 15 minutes away by bus from Kyoto Station to the eastern side of Kyoto. This temple is one of the most popular temples in Kyoto and is listed as one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The temple features a large wooden terrace that offers a fantastic view of the cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn colors during the fall season with the city of Kyoto in the background.

Japan is a very unique cultural experience because much of Japan’s history is still preserved, protected, and celebrated. One of the best ways to experience a visit to Japan would be to explore it while wearing a kimono. The kimono is one of Japan’s most oldest and traditional pieces of clothing. There are many places available in Japan to rent a kimono to wear and explore this beautiful country.

Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka are two shopping streets near Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto. The traditional ambience of these streets contain with shops and restaurants housed in old wooden buildings take visitors back to the Edo period. Most of the shops sell traditional treats, souvenirs, kimono rentals, and other items associated with old Kyoto, though there are a few modern shops found there as well, but even they are traditionally housed so as to never lose the illusion of having stepped back in time. The streets are narrow and the buildings are closely packed together, creating a more intimate atmosphere, and it is advised that visitors be careful of the odd rickshaw passing by, though the streets are forbidden to cars. Due to the streets' old- fashioned appeal, it's common to meet Japanese visitors dressed in yukata, or foreign visitors who rented a kimono for a day.

Kodaiji Temple is located in eastern Kyoto in the Higashiyama district and is only fifteen minutes away by bus from Kyoto Station. This beautiful temple is one of Kyoto’s most popular temples during the autumn colors season. Visitors can enter the main hall of the temple and also view the beautiful gardens that surround the temple as well.

Zen meditation is unique and is central in Zen Buddhism. This form of meditation calms both the body, mind, and to also gain enlightenment by seeking insight into the nature of existence. There are lessons and classes available for visitors where a Zen priest guides guests to practice Zen meditation and teaches the significance of Zen as part of the Japanese culture.

Green tea has a rich history in Japan and has been the most popular non-alcoholic beverage for years. A green tea ceremony is the ceremonial way of preparing and drinking green tea that has been practiced for hundreds of years. The ceremony is full of many rituals and has a strong Zen Buddhism influence. The tea is prepared by the host for the guests and is usually green tea made from powdered tea leaves.

Kyoto is known for its Gion district which is famous for its geisha (geiko in Kyoto dialect) and apprentice geisha called maiko. There are many locations within Kyoto and the Gion district where visitors can have a maiko experience. Enjoy a traditional Japanese kaiseki dinner in the company of a Maiko.