Japan Highlights

Jangling neon and tranquil temples, radical fashion choices and quietly practiced traditions. Japan's sprawling, chaotic capital combines cutting-edge technology with an age-old culture, generating a directed energy and graceful drive unique to Tokyo. See what all of the buzz is about with a local licensed guide. Start with a whiff of the miraculous at the Senso Temple, where sacred incense smoke is said to have curative powers, before moving onto the Imperial Palace. The complex houses the emperor and his family and is therefore closed to the public, but much of the surrounding gardens and museums provide a glimpse into the imperial history of Japan (as well as some of its pop history -- in the martial arts hall in the palace's park, a 1966 concert brought in The Beatles). Built to commemorate Emperor Meiji and his empress, the Meiji Shrine is one of the most important Shinto shrines in the country. Yearly festivals bring various groups to its iris garden and Treasure House, including the "Seven-Five-Three Festival," in which young children arrive dressed in mini kimonos.

Take a trip to the Akihabara district, a mecca for electronic goods and home to Japan's otaku (diehard fan) geek culture. Explore the thousands of shops dedicated to anime, manga and video games.

TeamLab Planets is a museum comprised of 4 large-scale artwork spaces and 2 gardens created by art collective teamLab. Visitors go barefoot and immerse themselves in the vast artworks together with others. The artworks change under the presence of people, blurring the perception of boundaries between the self and the works. Other people also create change in the artworks, blurring the boundaries between themselves and the works, and creating a continuity between the self, the art, and others.

Visit a Japanese school to meet local students, learn some Japanese, and see the differences between schools in Japan and schools at home. (Please note that school visits will not be possible on certain dates due to schools not being in session. Explorica will update you as early as possible.)

Tour Kanazawa, the capital of the Ishikawa Prefecture known for its 17th-century-style architecture, with a guide. Visit the former samurai district of the town, including a restored samurai residence, and walk through Kenrokuen Park, known as one of Japan’s three most beautiful gardens.

With over 2,000 Buddhist temples and shrines still intact, Kyoto shines as one of the best preserved Imperial cities in Japan. Visit the famous Zen Buddhist Temple Kinkakuji, or Golden Temple, that gets its name from the pure leaf gold that covers the top two floors. Next, head to Inari, the main shrine of the god of business, and see the thousands of red torii, or Japanese gates, that snake their way up the hill to the inner shrine. The Sanjusangendo Temple offers visitors an unusual and unbelievable sight. Its main hall is filled with 1,000 life-size statues of soldiers of the Thousand Armed Kannon which stand to protect the main deity of the temple.

Explore the Kiyomizu Temple, known as the Pure Water Temple, which is one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. Founded in 780, it stands in the wooded hills of eastern Kyoto and offers visitors fantastic views over the city from its famous wooden terrace.

Tour the extraordinary city that suffered an unimaginable destruction and incredible rebirth to become the thriving city it is today. At Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, see the Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome, the skeletal remains of a pre-blast building, for an idea of the catastrophic effects the Atomic bomb had on the city. The park, museum, and Atomic Bomb Dome act as a symbol of peace and as a memorial for those who died.

The Atomic Bomb Dome, formerly the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, was destroyed by the world's first atomic bomb dropping. It was called the "Atomic Bomb Dome" for its distinctive domed steel frame and was included in UNESCO's World Heritage List in December 1996 as a symbol of the devastation caused by the first atomic bomb in the history of humankind. It represents the importance of the abolition of nuclear weapons and lasting world peace.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, located in the center of Hiroshima City was built in its current location near the hypocenter of the atomic bombing during WWII on August 6, 1945. The park is home to many memorials and monuments, including the Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims.

Translated in English the "shrunken-scenery garden" is a perfect description of this 17th-century traditional Japanese garden. It depicts the scenery of mountains and rivers, the atmosphere of Kyoto and the deep mountains in a miniature form. Take a moment to stroll around the beautiful pond, the cleverly placed valleys, bridges, teahouses and gazebos.

Glide through the tranquil waters, past the iconic red Torii gate and into the realm of the sacred at the Itsukushima Shrine. As you step off the ferry you will be greeted by the “messengers of the deities”, or the tame Miyajima deer, that are always found wandering around the shrine. After visiting this impressive structure browse through the many craft stores, bakeries and street-food carts on Omotesando Street - see if you’re brave enough to sample a traditional dish of conger eel.