Places to visit in Japan(2)
For many people, Japan conjures up images of the skyscrapers of Tokyo and the glittering lights of Tokyo Disneyland, the third-most-visited theme park in the world. But there are plenty of other places for visitors to enjoy. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Chiba Prefecture
Located in the greater Tokyo area, Chiba Prefecture has many natural and cultural attractions.
Shinshoji Temple in Narita is the main Buddhist temple in the area, and was built in the eighth century. The temple is known is for its fire-burning ceremony, in which people pray for their wishes to come true, led by the temple’s highest priest. Monks are often spotted filing in and out of the temple.
Wood carvings featuring stories of good deeds from the Buddhist tradition line the walls of the temple, which is set on a beautiful hillside surrounded by cherry blossom trees.
Also located in the area is a Shinto shrine.
Another stop worth making is the Boso-no-Mura historic village, where visitors can see samurai residences from the late Edo period, when the region was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family. In the village, visitors can enter the residences and see how high-society samurai lived their daily lives.
Yamanashi Prefecture
Located in the mountains of Yamanashi Prefecture, Kofu is the heart of Japan’s wine country.
Mercian winery, one of the biggest wine companies in the country, which produces fine reds and whites under the Chateau Mercian label, is open to visitors all year round.
Not only can you taste the wine, but you can also learn about Japan’s historic wineries in Mercian’s museum, where traditional wine-making equipment is on display.
In Yamanashi, you can try fruit-picking in Fuefuki city, famous for its peaches. Some orchards allow visitors to pick peaches directly from the tree. The sweet and juicy fruit is just the thing for a hot summer day.
Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan, at around 3,776 meters. It’s located around 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, on the border of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.
Many Japanese, old and young alike, dream of climbing the mountain, which is considered sacred by many people in the country. The best time to climb the mountain is between July and August, when the weather is fine.
Oishi Park, on the north shore of Lake Kawaguchi, offers magnificent views of the mountain across the lake, with lavender flowers blossoming. Here you can also take a quick class in blueberry jam-making.
Another good way to view Mount Fuji is while taking a cruise on Lake Ashi in Hakone, where sightseeing boats regularly depart. Passengers can enjoy a meal while they cruise around the lake and take in the natural surroundings.
Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
For golf enthusiasts, Yugashima Club Hotel and Resort in Izu city is definitely worth a visit. The hotel and club are set in a secluded area of Izu, and the 18-hole course not only provides a challenge for golfers, but also some glorious views of Mount Fuji.
If golf is not really your thing, Izu also has numerous hot-spring resorts to choose from. There is everything from big hotels like Yugashima to small and intimate resorts like Arcana, where you can soak in the hot springs. At Yugashima, you can enjoy hot springs in the open air, surrounded by ancient trees and the wild sounds of the woods. If you don’t like the idea of taking your clothes off around strangers, there is a hot spring right in the hotel for your own private soaking experience.
