The Many Offerings of Japan

Posted on 03/01/2022 Last updated on 04/12/2022

Many people around the world have a dream of living or at least visiting the “Land of the Rising Sun”, or Japan. Although Japan is a small island country, it has so much to offer. From amazing views of nature, to popular anime attractions, there’s something for everyone. I would like to highlight some of those things in hopes that others can enjoy Japan as much as I have.

Tall Towers

First, I would like to introduce some of the more famous and iconic places and buildings of Japan. Of course, one of the most famous structures in Japan is Tokyo Tower. The tower is located close to the center of downtown Tokyo in Shibuya. It’s easily accessible by any public transport, and a must-see. While the tower appears red, it’s actual main color is “international orange”. Who knew!

One of the neatest things about the 333m tower is the ascent. You can take a 600-step staircase up to the observation deck. If you prefer to relax, there is also the option of taking the elevator. This still offers you a good ascending view with big glass windows. There are also parks and temples nearby which offer great spots to take photos.

Another famous building is the more recently built Tokyo Skytree. This structure is much taller, at the height of 634 meters. It features two observation decks, one at 350 meters high and another at the 450 meter mark.

Skytree is located a bit farther from the city center, but there is still plenty to do. There’s even an aquarium at the bottom of the tower! It’s also close to Asakusa, where there are many different Japanese restaurants, stores, and sometimes events. The famous Senso-ji temple features an assortments of food stalls and is something of a tourist hotspot!

Natural Wonders

Structures built by mankind can be amazing, but there are many places in Japan that feature the beauty of mother nature as well. A place well-known by people worldwide is of course, Mount Fuji.

The wonderful thing about Mount Fuji is that there’s many ways to experience it. The mountain can be seen in many parts of Japan as it stands tall in the distant horizon on a clear day. It can even be seen from the beaches of Kamakura, Kanagawa!

Another way to enjoy Mount Fuji is to climb it. I have yet to challenge this myself, but the experiences I have heard sound amazing. The 3776 meter peak can be climbed in the summer months of July and August.

There are several rest stops along the way where you can find restrooms, sleep in bunk beds or get a snack. (Tip: Bring your own snacks if you don’t want to pay for overpriced ones.) The average climb is said to be about 5 to 6 hours, so do not take this climb lightly and prepare ahead of time!

At the peak of the mountain there are several views down below and there is even a post office, so you can send some mail from the highest place in Japan.

Pop Culture

The last topic I want to discuss is one that has become world-famous in recent years. I am talking about anime of course! As the birthplace of anime and manga, there are many attractions across Japan that will satisfy any fan. One event that is not as well-known is the Cool Japan event at Universal Studios Japan (USJ).

It is an annual event usually held in the first half of each year. Anime and sometimes other things such as video game characters are featured. Since 2015 these have included the likes of “Attack on Titan”, “Lupin the Third”, “Detective Conan”, and “Neon Genesis Evangeleon”. One of the most popular exhibits was the life size titans from the manga/anime series “Attack on Titan”. Although not part of the event as of November 2021, they also have a special “Demon Slayer” ride and exhibit as well.

All the places mentioned are just a little taste of what Japan has to offer. I hope this has given you some ideas and inspiration. There’s plenty to find in the “Land of the Rising Sun”!

Photo Credits:

Top Photo: Manuel Cosentino on Unsplash