The best plans to discover Japan
Japan Express
Osaka - Nara - Kyoto - Hakone - Tokyo
7 nights€3,475per person
Secrets of Japan
Osaka - Nara - Kyoto - Nagoya - Magome - Tsumago - Takayama - Shirakawago - Nagoya - Hakone - Tokyo
10 nights€4,241per person
Welcome to Japan
Base 2-3 passengersTokyo - Kamakura - Takayama - Shirakawago - Kanazawa - Kyoto
10 nights€5,565per person
Kumano Trail
Kyoto - Himeji - Kurashiki - Hiroshima - Miyajima - Koyasan - Kumano Kodo (Kumano Road) - Kawayu Onsen - Osaka - Kanazawa - Shirakawago - Takayama - Nagoya -
14 nights€6,488per person
Japan Express and the Maldives
Osaka - Nara - Kyoto - Hakone - Tokyo - Maldives
12 nights€6,610per person
Ninja Route
Tokyo - Matsumoto - Kamikochi (Japanese Alps) - Okuhida - Takayama - Shirakawago - Kanazawa - Eiheji Temple - Kyoto - Toba - Ise - Nara - Osaka
15 nights€6,639per person
A Different Japan
Fukuoka - Dazaifu - Nanzoin - Fukuoka - Nagasaki - Mt Aso - Takachiho - Tsuetate Onsen - Beppu
9 nights
Cultural Japan at your own pace
Tokyo - Kanazawa - Kyoto - Osaka
11 nights
Welcome to Japan, with Hiroshima
Base 2-3 passengersTokyo - Kamakura - Takayama - Shirakawago - Kanazawa - Kyoto - Miyajima - Hiroshima - Osaka
12 nights
Welcome to Japan, with Mount Koya
Base 2-3 passengersTokyo - Kamakura - Takayama - Shirakawago - Kanazawa - Kyoto - Mount Koya - Koyasan - Osaka
12 nights
What to see in Japan?
Tokyo Tower
It is a telecommunications and observation tower located in the Shiba Park area. It was built in 1958 and was inspired by the Eiffel Tower. It stands 333 meters tall (the second tallest structure in Japan). It is painted red and white to comply with air safety regulations. Its main sources of income are tourism and antenna rentals. More than 150 million people have visited the tower since its inauguration. A four-story building located directly below the tower, called FootTown, houses museums, restaurants, and shops. From there, visitors can also access the two observation decks: the main Main Deck observation deck has two floors and is 150 meters high; and the smaller Top Deck is 249.6 meters high.
Meiji Shrine
It is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shoken. He was the first emperor of Japan in modern times and under his guidance, Japan moved from the feudal era to the modern world, from 1868 until his death. It has an area of 700,000 square meters and is surrounded by a forest of more than 120,000 trees. It is divided into two parts: the Naien, the inner part where the buildings of this one are located and the Homotsuden, a museum dedicated to the Treasure, in which different works of art and pieces belonging to the emperor and the empress are exhibited, and the Gaien, the outer part where you can see a gallery of murals with different passages from the life of the emperor. Here you can also find sports venues such as the Jingu baseball stadium, a golf course or the Yoyogi National Gymnasium.
Shibuya Crossing
It is primarily known for being the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world. Around 1 million people pass through this famous crossing daily, with an average of 3,000 pedestrians crossing at a time during the 47 seconds it is open. Crossing it while simultaneously seeing the advertisements or watching the human throngs pass by is quite an experience and a major draw for anyone visiting Tokyo.
Nijo Castle
It is a Japanese castle with a total area of 275,000 square meters, of which 8,000 are occupied by various buildings. The central castle (Donjon) was struck by lightning and destroyed in 1750. In 1788, the inner palace was destroyed by a fire that spread through the city, and was practically abandoned until 1893. In 1939 the palace was donated to the city of Kyoto and opened to the public in 1940. It had two defenses in the form of concentric rings, which consisted of walls and a wide moat. It also had a much simpler wall surrounding the Ninomaru Palace. The outer wall has three gates, while the inner has two. At the southwest corner of the inner wall is the base of a five-story-high tower, which was destroyed in 1750. The inner wall protects the Honmaru Palace and its garden. Between the two rings are the Ninomaru Palace, kitchens, the guardhouse and various gardens. It is part of the group of Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994.
Heian Shrine
It is a Shinto shrine with one of the largest traditional Japanese gates (Torii) in Japan. Its main building was designed to imitate the Kyoto Imperial Palace. It was built in 1895 on the occasion of the 1,100th anniversary of the founding of Heian-kyo (the old name for Kyoto). It is dedicated to the emperors Kanmu and Kömei; the first was the founder and the one who moved the Japanese capital to Kyoto, and the second was the last emperor to reside in Kyoto, before Emperor Meiji (who moved the capital to Tokyo in 1868). Between 1871 and 1946, it was officially designated as one of the Kanpei-taisha, which meant that it was under the support and protection of the Japanese government. In 1976 it caught fire and the 9 buildings that make it up, including the main shrine, burned down. Three years later, they were rebuilt with money from a citizen collection.
Fushimi Inari-taisha
It is the main Shinto shrine dedicated to the spirit of Inari. It is located at the base of a mountain also known as "Inari", which includes several trails to reach other smaller shrines. Since the earliest times of Japan, Inari was seen as the patron saint of business (since every Torii in the shrine has been donated by a Japanese businessman) although Inari was primarily the goddess of rice. Merchants and artisans offered worship to Inari in exchange for obtaining wealth in their businesses, which is why they donated numerous torii that are currently part of the panoramic view of the temple. It is said that this famous temple has more than 32,000 small torii, called shrines.
Mount Koya or Koyasan
Located in the Wakayama Mountains, south of Oasaka, Mount Koya, or Koyasan, is the nerve center of Shingon Buddhism, one of the most important Buddhist schools in the country. It is located in a valley surrounded by the eight peaks of the mountain of the same name, next to the town of Koya, in a place believed to be planted with lotuses. The name Koyasan derives from Kongobuji, the name of the most important temple in the area, which means "Temple of the Diamond Mountain."Over time, Koyasan has become one of the most popular pilgrimage tourist destinations in the country, attracting more and more visitors every day, both Japanese and foreign. The landscapes, the temples, the spirituality, and, above all, the experience of sleeping in a Buddhist temple while visiting the area, have a special charm. In short, Mount Koya is a haven of peace in nature.There's a lot to see on Mount Koya, because in addition to the main temples, there are more than a hundred temples scattered along the complex's main streets. It's worth wandering almost aimlessly through the entire central area to fully enjoy the experience.
Todai-ji Temple
It is a Buddhist temple that houses a giant 50-foot-tall statue of Buddha Vairocana, called dainichi (Buddha who shines throughout the world like the sun), known simply as daibutsu (Great Buddha). The temple also serves as the Kegon school of Buddhism. It has been rebuilt twice due to fires caused by war, is 33% smaller than the original, yet holds the world record for being the largest wooden construction in the world. The temple and its surrounding area, along with other buildings, were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara in 1998.
Lake Ashi
Also known as Lake Hakone, it is a crater lake known for its hot springs and views of Mount Fuji that lies along the southwest wall of the Hakone caldera. Boat rides are available on the lake. Attractions include the volcanically active Owakudani Geysers, the Shrine, and the Wetland Botanical Garden.
Peace Memorial Park
Covering over 122,000 square meters, it is dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in the world to suffer a nuclear attack and to the memory of all the victims of the bomb. Before the bomb was dropped, it was the financial and political center of the city. It is located exactly where the bomb fell in 1945, one of the city's most iconic landmarks. It houses the Atomic Bomb Dome, possibly the most famous monument in the park and the city. In fact, it could almost be said to be one of the most famous in the world, due to its sad history. In fact, today these ruins are officially known as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. However, it is more commonly called the Atomic Bomb Dome. These ruins were declared a World Heritage Site in 1996 by UNESCO.
Himeji castle
Built in 1580, it is also known as "White Heron Castle" because of the white color of its exterior plaster. This plaster is not only decorative but also fireproof, which is very important considering that the castle was built of wood. It is considered one of the most famous, spectacular, and best-preserved castles in the country. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Its main attractions are its white walls, its architecture, and its winding paths. It is located very close to Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe. It is one of the oldest structures in Japan from the Edo period and one of the twelve original castles still remaining in Japan. It opened in March 2015 after restoration work.
Kenrokuen Garden
It is considered one of the three most beautiful gardens in the country, the so-called Nihon Sanmeien. It is a perfect example of the typical landscape garden of the Edo period (1603-1868) designed for strolling. Its origins date back to 1676. However, it was not until 1822 that the 12th daimyo (Maeda Narinaga) built the Takezawa Villa southeast of the castle and developed the current garden design with meandering streams, stone bridges, etc. At that time, the garden was named Kenrokuen (Garden of the Six Combined Aspects). After a fire destroyed the villa, the 13th daimyo (Maeda Nariyasu) enlarged the Kasumiga Pond and added several streams, thus completing its basic structure. Finally, on May 7, 1874, it opened to the public after the abolition of the feudal domain system and the fall of the shogunate. On March 8, 1922, they were declared a National Asset of Scenic Beauty, and on March 20, 1985, a National Asset of Special Scenic Beauty.
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Useful information for traveling to Japan
To travel to Japan, you need a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining from your return date and proof of return/return ticket. Spanish tourists do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days.
It is advisable to register on the Visit Japan website before starting your trip.
The official language is Japanese, although there are several regional dialects. In most cities and tourist places, English is spoken.
According to data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs in 2021, 48.1% of the inhabitants consider themselves Shintoists, 46.5% Buddhists, 1.05% Christians and 4.3% that include other religions.
The Japanese custom of bowing may seem strange if you are not used to it. This act is deeply rooted and can be full of nuances. As a guest in the country, they are more likely to bow to you than expect you to bow, it's a nice gesture to accompany a thank you. As a curiosity, especially on public transport, if you carry a mobile phone, it is better to carry it silently and avoid telephone conversations, to follow the example of the local people. You should not leave a tip; doing so can create an awkward and confusing situation. As a general rule, restaurant bills include a percentage for the service. In traditional Japanese hot spring baths of volcanic origin (Onsen), people with tattoos are not allowed to enter for cultural reasons (although small ones can be covered).
It is generally mild, although because the country extends from north to south for about 3,000 kilometers, the weather varies depending on the location and time of year. Spring and autumn being the most pleasant seasons to travel.
No vaccine is required for tourists coming from Spain. Tap water is potable and can be safely drunk.
The official currency is the yen. There are 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen coins. The bills are 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 yen. Currency can be exchanged at airports and most banks. €1 is equivalent to approximately 140 yen.
Most restaurants, hotels, shops and taxis in major cities accept card payment. It is common that only cash is accepted for the purchase of urban transport tickets, as well as in hotel and restaurant establishments outside the large urban centers.
Japanese plugs have two parallel flat pins, so you have to bring an adapter to plug in electrical appliances.
The main means of transport is the train, but there is also an extensive network of buses and metro or, if necessary, different options to take an internal flight or a ferry.
La zona horaria de Japón es GMT+09:00.
