Japan

The famous islands of Japan are known for discipline, sushi, ninjas and more sushi. The main islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu, but in total it is composed of 6,852 islands.

Japan boasts of distinctive cuisine, bullet trains, active volcanos, futuristic skyscrapers, jaw-dropping mosques, and the historical city of Hiroshima. It is a destination not to be missed. With all the exciting activities in Japan, book those tickets and unleash the explorer in you.

History

The legend that Japan started with the descendants of the sun goddess survived for eras. Myth dates the archipelagos’ (island collective) civilization to the 5th century, but scientific evidence traces it back only to the 8th century. The first capital of Japan was Nara, later this seat shifted to Kyoto. Towards the end of the 10th century, the Kamakura period, led by the Shoguns changed the course of the nation state shaping it into a military rule. The Shogunate feudal system gave the regional warlords the highest positions, establishing a military power in authority. At times, the Emperors wielded to the Shogun’s decisions highlighting their dominance.

Under the last Feudal rule of the Tokugawa, a period that lasted 250 years, the archipelago faced isolation due to the sakoku or “locked country” policy that banned foreigners from Japan. In 1854 Matthew Perry landed on the harbors of Japan with a fleet of ships, forcing the island to open up to the West with the convention of Kanagawa. This and subsequent economic and political treaties led to economic and political crisis and led to the fall of the Tokugawa period, and the restoration of Imperial rule. The Meiji emperor ruled after the Shogunate changing the capital to Tokyo.

During WWI, Japan fought alongside the United States. However, during WWII the Japanese Imperial army attacked Pearl Harbor in an attempt to prevent the US Pacific fleet intervening in Japanese military action in South East Asia. The attack spurred US entry into WWII and led to the United States bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in the first ever nuclear attacks. From 1945 to 1952, the Allied forces altered Japan’s form of government from military to parliamentary democracy stripping the Island nation of its militant identity. In what has been hailed as an ‘economic miracle’, strong economic policies and positive impacts from the cold war have led to Japan going from strength to strength and today, it has the world’s third largest economy.

Food

Savor fish like never before with the variety of seafood cuisine Japan offers. Sushi is very common and is treated as street food made up of fish and rice. If you never tried eel, here’s your chance, the dish of Unagi is grilled river eel with barbecue sauce. Change up your appetite with some fried food, Tempura is vegetable and fish fried together with soy sauce on the side. Famous in the mountain region, Soba is buckwheat noodles that can be served with egg, broccoli or shrimp. When cooked properly, horse meat creates a sweet and chewy taste.

Finding halal restaurants in Japan can be difficult, although there is an increasing trend towards the provision of halal food. There are several well known halal restaurants scattered in different parts of Japan. Malaychan is located in Ikebukuro and it is certified as a halal restaurant that serves Malaysian food. Sumiyakiya, another local halal restaurant known for yakiniku is located in Roppongi, Tokyo. Mouthwatering yakitori and delightful ramen is served in Kappou YAMA in Saitama. If you are craving meat stop by those restaurants but don’t forget to take advantage of the variety of fish cuisine. After all, Tokyo is known for having the world’s largest fish market.

Attractions

Tokyo Tower

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s the Tokyo Tower standing 1,092 feet off the ground! Enjoy a panoramic view of Tokyo from the Tower. Originally built as a broadcasting tower in 1958, the Tokyo Tower is the second largest tower in Tokyo. From the special observatory deck, visitors can catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji and Mount Tsukuba. Within the tower there are several museums such as the Wax Museum, Trick Art Museum, the Music Museum, and Art Display, but be mindful, the writings in the museums are all in Japanese.

From the height of the skyscraper you can inspect the culture and life of the Japanese people while taking in the great atmosphere of Tokyo. It is recommended to visit the tower during the night to witness the vibrant city lights along with the impeccable architecture. Your trip to Japan will be incomplete without a trip to the Tokyo Tower!

Tokyo Imperial Palace

A relaxing day dedicated to nature and museums is a must on every vacation. Take a break from the city lights to explore the gardens of the Imperial Palace, three times larger than New York’s Central Park. The palace is home to the Imperial family but you won’t get a peek unless it’s New Year or the Emperor’s birthday. Explore the historical palace where Emperor Hirohito surrendered to the Allied force ending World War II. Take a walk through the East garden built in the profound and innately calming Japanese style. There are museums within the palace like the National Museum of Modern Art, the Crafts Gallery, the Science Museum, and Nippon Budokan. There’s even two shrines called the Chidorigafuchi and the Yasukuni shrine; commemorating the lives of those who dedicated their lives to their country.

Hiroshima Memorial Museum

Take a moment of silence to recognize the tragic deaths of Japanese civilians killed during World War II at the Hiroshima Memorial Museum. The memorial site stresses the importance of eliminating nuclear weapons, serving as a living example of its harmful effects. It was established in 1955 and it currently receives one million visitors every year. The sincere stories of the victims brings visitors to tears raising questions and contemplation on the causes of human suffering. The Museum includes articles of clothing and other remains of those who lost their lives to the atomic bombs; displayed alongside photographs documenting the sites before the bombings and the subsequent aftermath. Be sure to hire an audio tour guide that can translate if you don’t speak Japanese. A trip to the Hiroshima Memorial Museum will be an emotional experience but, it will give you the chance to bond with your loved ones in a deeper level.

Natural Wonders

Mount Fuji

Gaze at the gorgeous pink and red horizon, as the sun slowly makes its way up, from Japan’s highest mountain, Mt. Fuji. Located in the Honshu Island, the mountain stands 12,398 feet tall. The last eruption of Mt. Fuji was during the 1700s; relegating the mountain to a highly coveted tourist destination. A phenomenal view of the mountain can be seen from different places such as Lake Kawaguchiko, Hakone resort town, Kamakura and Gotemba towns, Tokyo Sky Tree, and various other places. But don’t let that stop you from taking a hike up there. Make sure to travel with a group since the climb up Mount Fuji can take upwards of 9 hours. At the height, the visitors can peek the crater of the once deadly volcano. If it encourages you to take the hike, Mt. Fuji is one of the few sites recognized as World Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and there’s a variety of souvenirs to buy at the top of the mountain. The journey to Mount Fuji will be physically challenging but it will be an accomplishment you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

Mosque

Tokyo Camii (Mosque)

Renew your faith by worshipping the Al-Mighty in the Tokyo Camii Mosque. One of the most gorgeous mosques you will ever see, Tokyo Camii, and the adjoining Islamic school was built in 1938 by Tatar immigrants. The school now serves as the Turkish Cultural Centre. Tokyo Camii is the biggest mosque in Japan serving 1,200 worshippers. Interestingly, the architecture of the mosque stands out from the rest of Tokyo buildings due to the Islamic domes and minarets. The interior of the mosque is decorated with red and white arches similar to the Blue Mosque of Istanbul. A dazzling chandelier is situated in the center of the mosque, within the dome. Stained glass windows decorate the walls in dazzling colours and bathe the mosque in sunlight. Arabic calligraphy adorns the walls lending gravitas and tranquility to this beautiful space. The stairs to the minbar are covered in blue carpet while the two sides are white with flower patterns inscribed. One step inside the masjid will have you believing that you are in one of gorgeous mosques of all time. This impressive mosque is a gem in the thousands of buildings of Tokyo. Feed your soul with spirituality and get lost in the beauty of Tokyo Camii.