Luxury Japan Holidays

In the archetypal image of the sleek bullet train gliding past snow-capped Mount
Fuji, the magic of Japan is encapsulated in one freeze frame: natural and modern beauty merging in harmony. Japan’s four main islands contain a wealth of variety and spectacle, from the thronging cities of Tokyo, Osaka and Hiroshima to the provincial spa towns, neatly-tended farming regions and rugged wilderness beyond. Delve into Japan’s rich cultural heritage in Kyoto and Takayama to witness traditional ceremonies, dress and theatre, and take a glimpse into the closed world of the Geisha. Enjoy, too, the delectable cuisine, taking time to sample the numerous local and seasonal delicacies to be found in every city and town. The appeal of Japan encompasses all tastes and ages, whether your
interest lies in embracing modern pop-culture, discovering ancient spirituality in secluded Buddhist retreats or communing with nature in steamy jungles or high mountain peaks. Relax on star-sand beaches in southerly Okinawa or whale-watch in wintry Hokkaido, the scope of experience is truly immense. In Japan a striking backdrop of mountain scenery and crystal lakes, neon-lit skyscrapers and
landscaped gardens, steaming volcanoes and traditional architecture forms a magical world that will amaze you each step of your journey.

Hakone
Hakone, is a town in Japan, in Kanagawa Prefecture, in Ashigarashimo District, located on the eastern foot of Hakone Pass. As of 2008, the town has an estimated population of 13,679 and a density of 147 persons per km². The total area is 92.82 km². The Ashigara Checkpoint at Hakone-juku on the historical Tôkaidô marks the beginning of Japan's Kantô region. Since the Edo period, Ashigara Checkpoint has been renamed Hakone Checkpoint. The annual Hakone Ekiden at the New Year runs from Tokyo to Hakone and back over two days, partly in commemoration of the Tôkaidô road. Like its close neighbors Odawara and Mishima, Hakone has many onsen (hot spring) resort areas.

Hiroshima
The Japanese city of Hiroshima, is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chûgoku region of western Honshû, the largest of Japan's islands. It is known throughout the world as the first city in history subjected to nuclear warfare when it was bombed by the United States of America on August 6, 1945 during World War II. Hiroshima served as the capital of Hiroshima Domain during the Edo period. After the han was abolished in 1871, the city became the capital of Hiroshima prefecture. Hiroshima became a major urban center during the Meiji period as the Japanese economy shifted from primarily rural to urban industries. Ujina Harbor was constructed in the 1880s, allowing Hiroshima to become an important port city.

Kowakien

Kyoto
Kyoto is a city in the central part of the island of Honshû, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area. Kyoto, view from Kiyomizu-dera templeThe city suffered extensive destruction in the Ônin War of 1467-1477, and did not really recover until the mid-16th century. Battles between samurai factions spilled into the streets, and came to involve the court nobility (kuge) and religious factions as well. Nobles' mansions were transformed into fortresses, deep trenches dug throughout the city for defense and as firebreaks, and numerous buildings burned.

Okayama
Okayama, is the capital city of Okayama Prefecture in the Chûgoku region of Japan. The city was founded on June 1, 1889. As of March 2007, the city has an estimated population of 698,946 and the density of 884.87 persons per km². The total area is 789.88 km². After the merger and part of the negotiation with the Okayama Prefecture, the city is scheduled to become a designated city on April 1, 2009.

Osaka
Osaka is a city in Japan, located at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay, in the Kansai region of the main island of Honshû. Osaka is a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law and the capital city of Osaka Prefecture. Osaka was historically the commercial capital of Japan, and to date the heart of Japan's second largest metropolitan area of Keihanshin (Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto), whose population is 18,643,915.

Sengokuhara Highlands

Senkyoro

Takayama
Takayama, is a city located in Gifu, Japan. As of May 1, 2007 the city has an estimated population of 95,778. The total area is 2,177.67 km2 (840.80 sq mi). The city is fairly old, dating back to the Jômon period. Takayama is best known for its inhabitants expertise in carpentry. It is believed carpenters from Takayama worked on the Imperial Palace in Kyoto and on many of the temples in Kyoto and Nara. The town and its culture, as they exist today, took shape at the end of the 16th century, when the Kanamori clan built Takayama Castle. About a hundred years later the city came under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate. However, the high altitude and separation from other areas of Japan kept the area fairly isolated, allowing Takayama to develop its own culture over about a 300-year period.

Tawaraya

Tokyo
Tokyo, is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan and located on the eastern side of the main island Honshû. The twenty-three special wards of Tokyo, each governed as a city, cover the area that was once the city of Tokyo in the eastern part of the prefecture, totalling over 8 million people. The population of the prefecture exceeds 12 million. The prefecture is the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, the world's most populous metropolitan area with 35 million people and the world's largest metropolitan economy with a GDP of US$1.191 trillion at purchasing power parity in 2005

Yachiyo
Yachiyo, is a city located in Chiba, Japan. As of April 2008, the city has an estimated population of 185,035 and the density of 3,610 persons per km². The total area is 51.27 km². The city has several railway stations, including Yachiyodai Station on the Keisei Main Line from Narita Airport to Ueno, Yachiyo Chûô and Yachiyo Midorigaoka stations.