Japan blends rich heritage and innovative modernity.  

It is fascinating to watch as Japan struggles to merge its thousands of years of tradition with its present and future. So far, it has been able to do so with some mystery intact. The language barrier has helped, although that's slowly dissolving with bilingual signs and Japanese students learning English. For a while at least, the language, like Japan itself, will remain an intriguing challenge for visitors.

At Tokyo station, waiting for the bullet train (shinkansen), we watched as everyone bought boxed lunches (bento). So we bought one, too. It was inviting: The map on the cover suggested each of the foods inside had been harvested in a different part of Japan—white radishes from the far west, salmon roe from the far northeast, eel from the south coast. We saw it as the "Japan Sampler."

Later, we began to think of the box as a metaphor for Japan itself: It had the same sense of order—each food in its own little compartment, carefully thought out and arranged.  It was wrapped—everything in Japan gets wrapped. It even had a moist towelette—almost every restaurant gives you one. It was fairly expensive, too, which Japan can be.
Japan consists of four main islands (from north to south: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu), plus the Ryukyu Islands and thousands of smaller ones with a combined total of 17,000 miles of coastline.

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An Introdroduction to the Food of Japan

Tokyo

Tokyo presents a different view at every turn. It's one of the world's main economic centers and its most populous agglomeration. The business of Tokyo is business, but you can still find harmony and small-scale gardens on back streets. Around the corner from neon and concrete, you may find the bonsai-lined courtyard of a traditional inn.

Tokyo was nearly destroyed by bombs and fires during World War II, and by earthquakes at other times, but it has always rebuilt itself. As a result, there is little left of Old Japan in the city, but there's plenty of New Japan to take its place.

The streets are a confusing maze, so a map is essential. The transit system is excellent, however, and there are kobans (police boxes) throughout the metropolis, as well as a populace generally willing to answer questions.

Tokyo, Japan, presents a different view at every turn. It's one of the world's main economic centers and its most populous agglomeration. The business of Tokyo is business, but you can still find harmony and small-scale gardens on back streets. Around the corner from neon and concrete, you may find the bonsai-lined courtyard of a traditional inn.
Tokyo was nearly destroyed by bombs and fires during World War II, and by earthquakes at other times, but it has always rebuilt itself. As a result, there is little left of Old Japan in the city, but there's plenty of New Japan to take its place.

Mt. Fuji by David Edelstein

Narrow alley in Tokyo's Shinjuku district by Oskar Krawczyk

Photo by Freddie Marraige

Tokyo by Andre Benz

Photo by Alain Pham

Asakusa - geisha

Tokyo Tower by Hamamatsuchō, Minato

Ginza, Tokyo by Carlo Pelagalli

Giza Main Street at night by Franklin Heijnen

Things to see and do in Tokyo
Temples and Shrines  
Asakusa Kannon Temple - Anyone interested in the spiritual side of life should visit this temple dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist deity of mercy and compassion. Tokyo's oldest temple (dating from 628) is also known as Sensoji Temple. It is one of the most popular sights in Tokyo and is always crowded with a festive atmosphere, particularly along the shop-lined pedestrian street (called Nakamise) leading to its main hall. The smoke from its incense cauldron is said to be beneficial to your health (especially the part of the body onto which it is wafted—you will see many people doing this before going to pray). The three-day Sanja Festival is held at the temple around mid-May. During that time, more than a million visitors gather to watch as mikoshi (portable shrines, often gilded and highly decorative) are carried around to the sound of Japanese drumming.
Daily 6:30 am-5 pm (from 6 am April-September). Free.  http://www.senso-ji.jp
 Imperial Palace - The former site of Edo Castle and now the residence of the Emperor of Japan, the palace is mostly out of sight behind a moat, high walls and trees. The East Garden is lovely, and the 3-mile/5-km circuit around the moat is popular with joggers. The public is only allowed across the impressive Nijubashi Bridge and inside the main gates on two days of the year: the emperor's birthday (23 December) and 2 January. There are free guided tours (in Japanese, but there are English-language audioguides) of the Imperial grounds Tuesday-Saturday, which require advance reservations (either by phone, in person or at http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp) at least one day before. The East Garden, which contains remnants of Edo Castle and a traditional Japanese garden, is open Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 9 am-5 pm in summer; till 4:30 pm spring and autumn; and till 4 pm in winter (entry allowed until 30 minutes before closing).
Free.
Meiji Shrine - This is Tokyo's most impressive Shinto shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji, who ruled Japan during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and his wife, Empress Shoken. It was destroyed during World War II, but unlike most shrines around the country, it was rebuilt using traditional materials rather than concrete. The shrine is surrounded by a lovely park of thick woodland, with a highly recommended Iris Garden that blooms magnificently late June-early July (additional ¥500 fee). A small museum displaying treasures that belonged to the Emperor and Empress is also on the grounds (additional ¥500 fee). Several million people visit the shrine during the first days of the New Year, and festivals are held there in May and November.
The shrine tends to be busier with Shinto rituals on Saturday, Sunday and holidays—the best times to get a glimpse of weddings or other ceremonies.
Daily hours for the shrine vary each month but roughly follow a sunrise-sunset schedule (around 6:30 am-4 pm in winter and 5 am-6 pm in summer). The Treasure Museum is open 9 am-4:30 pm, while the Iris Garden is open daily 9 am-4:30 pm March-October, 9 am-4 pm November-February, and Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 8 am-6 pm in June. Free.  http://www.meijijingu.or.jp
 Roppongi Hills - Dominating the skyline of central Tokyo like a modern-day Godzilla, the massive 54-floor central tower in the Roppongi Hills complex has become the fulcrum of the city. This minicity comprises offices, apartments, a hotel, the city's highest art museum (with an observation deck), art gallery, cinema multiplex and TV station, not to mention numerous restaurants and shops. At the apex of the tower is an open-air viewing platform, the Sky Deck, 886 ft/270 m above sea level. Like it or loathe it, this is the face of modern Tokyo.
 Tokyo SkyTree - Certified by Guinness World Records as the tallest free-standing broadcast tower in the world, the 2,092-ft/634 m tower provides Tokyo's best and highest views over the sprawling city from two glass-enclosed observation decks, one at 1,150 ft/350 m and the other one at 1,467 ft/450 m. There are also shops and restaurants taking advantage of the huge crowds that flock here. Plan on long lines (online reservations are possible only with credit cards issued in Japan) and get there first thing in the morning. Another popular time to go is before sunset, but arrive a couple hours beforehand in anticipation of long queues.
Daily 8 am-10 pm. Admission to the lower observatory is ¥2,060 adults, with an additional ¥1,030 for the higher observatory.

Museums
Tokyo has many museums showcasing Japan's art, history and culture, but if you can manage to visit only one museum, make sure to see either the Edo-Tokyo Museum or the Tokyo National Museum. Note: Most museums are closed on Monday unless a national holiday falls on that day, in which case they remain open but close on Tuesday instead. Some private museums, on the other hand, are closed on all national holidays.
Bonsai Village and Museum - Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo, is home to the Omiya Bonsai Village, with bonsai nurseries and Japan's only public bonsai museum. Bonsai are miniature trees that have been carefully pruned, tweaked and stunted for years until they come to resemble gnarled, full-grown trees in the wild. Some are more than 100 years old. The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is a must for bonsai fans, with excellent displays that describe the history of bonsai, the care of bonsai and a display of about 50 bonsai both inside the museum and out. Friday-Wednesday 9 am-4:30 pm (to 4 pm November-February). Admission ¥300 adults. 2-24-3 Toro-cho (Toro Station on the JR Utsunomiya Line), Kita-ku Saitama City. Phone 048-780-2091. http://www.bonsai-art-museum.jp.
Bonsai Village, close to Omiya City, consists of about 10 bonsai nurseries showing several different styles of bonsai, including miniature landscapes and forests on a single tray. Although exporting bonsai is not practical, real bonsai enthusiasts will want to make a stop here as well as the museum.  
The shops are generally open Friday-Wednesday 8:30 am-5 pm but opening hours vary by garden. Free.  http://www.scvb.or.jp
 Edo-Tokyo Museum - Ignore the ugly, oversized exterior—this is one of the city's best historical museums and the only one imparting the history of Tokyo from the 17th century through the 21st century. There are wonderful reproductions and scale models, making this a good bet for the whole family. Volunteer guides are on hand for free personal tours in English.
Tuesday-Sunday 9:30 am-5:30 pm (till 7:30 pm Saturday). Last admission 30 minutes before closing. ¥600 adults.
http://www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp
 Fukagawa Edo Museum - This museum is highly recommended for travelers with children for its 11 life-size reconstructions of 19th-century Edo (old Tokyo), including shops, houses and even a canal, brought to life with audiovisual effects.
Daily 9:30 am-5 pm, last entry at 4:30 pm (closed second and fourth Monday of the month). ¥400 adults.
Hara Museum of Contemporary Art - The first Japanese museum to specialize in contemporary art, it is housed in a noteworthy art-deco building. Special international exhibitions are staged most of the year, but the museum's own collection is exhibited in one show annually. It includes works from Asia, Europe and the Americas, focusing on post-1950s developments in art.
Tuesday-Sunday 11 am-5 pm (Wednesday till 8 pm). Last admission 30 minutes before closing. Closed between exhibitions. ¥1,100 adults. Additional charge for special exhibits.
Mori Art Museum (MAT) - Occupying the 52nd and 53rd floors of the main tower in the Roppongi Hills complex, the Mori Art Museum houses an eclectic range of special innovative exhibitions—and offers an awesome panoramic view of the city.
Wednesday-Sunday 10 am-10 pm, Tuesday 10 am-5 pm (hours may vary with individual shows). Closed between exhibitions. Last entry 30 minutes before closing. Admission ¥1,600-¥1,800 adults.
National Art Center, Tokyo - A sexy, undulating glass facade and soaring public spaces welcome visitors to Japan's latest national museum, which specializes in changing exhibitions organized by its own curators, Japanese artists' associations and international art institutions. Together with the nearby Mori Art Museum and Suntory Museum of Art, it's part of the Art Triangle Roppongi.
Wednesday-Monday 10 am-6 pm (till 8 pm Friday). Last admission 30 minutes before closing. On holidays that fall on Tuesday, the museum remains open and closes the following day. Admission determined by exhibition organizers, usually ¥500-¥1,500 per exhibit.
Tokyo National Museum - The nation's oldest museum displays the world's largest collection of Japanese art, as well as other Asian art mostly from China, with more than 100,000 treasured artifacts and artworks housed in five buildings. The Yoshio Taniguchi-designed Gallery of Horyuji Treasures contains artifacts from the first Buddhist temple built in Japan, the seventh-century Horyuji Temple, in Nara. This is one of Japan's top museums.
Tuesday-Sunday 9:30 am-5 pm (April-September till 6 pm on Saturday, Sunday and national holidays; April-December till 8 pm on Friday during special exhibition periods). Last admission 30 minutes before closing. Generally ¥620 adults, but special exhibitions cost more.

Neighborhoods & Districts
Neighborhoods in Tokyo are really like small towns. Each offers different atmospheres and attractions, so choose a few and grab a subway map: Asakusa (temples), Roppongi (jam-packed nightlife), Harajuku (Meiji Shrine and trendy shopping), Ginza (art galleries, department stores and international designer shops) and Ueno (beautiful park, museums and temples) are among your options.
  
Asakusa - During the Edo period, Asakusa was an outlying village that flourished from the bazaar and entertainment district that developed around the famous Asakusa Kannon Temple. It retains some of that feeling, as it's still a haven for merchants, artists and craftspeople—take a stroll down its narrow, crowded streets and you'll be as close as you can get to the atmosphere of Old Tokyo. Its backstreets are a hodgepodge of small shops, game parlors, bars, bathhouses and workshops for artisans, including those who weave straw into tatami matting.
The focal point of the neighborhood is the Asakusa Kannon Temple (also known as Sensoji). You enter through a massive red gateway, called Kaminarimon, or Thunder Gate. The walkway between the temple and the gate, called Nakamise Dori, is lined with more than 100 permanent souvenir stalls offering everything from hairpins to rice crackers, reflecting the Japanese tradition of bringing home trinkets for family and friends after a trip. Beside the temple is the Amuse Museum, which displays kimono, patchwork clothing from Japan's snowy north, antiques and other items from life in old Japan. Across the river is another unmistakable landmark: Asahi Super Dry Hall, headquarters of Asahi, Japan's largest brewery. It's a black granite building, designed by Philippe Starck and topped with a golden sculpture that resembles a flame.

Across the street from Kaminarimon is the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center (2-18-9 Kaminarimon), with sightseeing brochures and an eight-floor viewing area that provides a photo op of the temple. An unusual way of exploring the area is to take a rickshaw tour. You will see the rickshaw pullers dressed in traditional happi coats outside the Kaminarimon entrance to Asakusa Kannon. Some of the rickshaw men speak basic English. Be aware that it is not inexpensive (around ¥9,000 per hour for one person, ¥15,000 for two, depending on the company), and it can be a chilly ride in winter, although blankets are typically provided. From the pier by the bridge, you can take boat rides down the Sumida River—the view along the banks may be gritty, but the Hama Rikyu Gardens are definitely worth a visit.
Asakusa station on the Ginza or Asakusa lines, Taito-ku
 Ginza -  is one of Japan's most famous shopping districts—if not the most famous. After Japan opened its doors to the outside world in the 19th century, Ginza is where many Western ideas, cuisine and architecture took hold. It was the site of Japan's first public telephone booth, shirt store, Western pharmacy, sidewalk and fruit parlor. It remains one of Japan's swankiest shopping meccas, home to several well-known department stores, including Wako, Matsuya and Mitsukoshi, as well as clothing boutiques, art galleries and international designer stores. It also boasts some of Tokyo's most expensive restaurants, serving both Japanese and international cuisine, as well as eateries, bars and Japanese-style pubs in all price ranges. It's also home to the Kabukiza Theater, Tokyo's premier kabuki theater. Ginza station on the Ginza, Hibiya and Marunouchi lines; Yurakucho station on the JR Yamanote line or Yurakucho subway line; Higashi-Ginza on the Asakusa or Hibiya lines; or Ginza-Itchome on the Yurakucho line.

Harajuku/Omotesando - The broad avenue through this neighborhood had already been dubbed the Champs Elysees of Tokyo, even before the major French (and other) fashion-design houses began building luxurious showrooms along its tree-lined length. The glitzy strip called Omotesando Dori was built as an impressive approach to the Meiji Shrine. The landmark building of this thoroughfare is the impressive Omotesando Hills development (designed by Tadao Ando), replacing the much-loved but terminally decrepit prewar dojunkai apartments. Another popular destination for visitors is Oriental Bazaar, Tokyo's largest store for Japanese souvenirs. The backstreets of Harajuku, on the other hand, are lined with hip hair salons and trendy youth-fashion boutiques. The narrow shopping street called Takeshita-dori (a block away from Omotesando) is a mecca for teenagers, most from out of town, who flock there to load up on cheap clothing and accessories.
For more traditional culture, visit the Ukiyo-e Ota Memorial Art Museum to view Edo-era woodblock prints and Meiji Shrine for its broad expanse of forests and austerely decorated shrines dedicated to Emperor and Empress Meiji. Yoyogi Park, surrounding the shrine on the other side of the JR tracks, is a favorite gathering place for students, skateboarders and street performers—a great area for people-watching. On Sunday, teenagers in cosplay (costume play) frequent Jingu Bridge, above the railway track. Their eclectic and somewhat extreme style is based upon popular fictional characters, and clothing styles from different eras. At the other end of Omotesando is Aoyama, a trendier version of Harajuku, with upscale resurants and bars and name-brand boutiques selling Japanese and international designer clothing.
Harajuku station on the JR Yamanote line; Meijijingumae station, Shibuya-ku
Odaiba - This huge area of reclaimed land jutting into Tokyo Bay is one of the city's subcenters and playgrounds. Its attractions include a large exhibition hall, Tokyo Big Site; a maritime museum; a science and technology museum; the futuristic Fuji TV building; two major hotels; shopping malls, including Decks, site of the Joypolis amusement center; a multiplex cinema; the Oedo Onsen hot-spring theme park; numerous restaurants; a huge Ferris wheel; a replica of the Statue of Liberty; Zepp Tokyo, one of Tokyo's most famous concert halls; Megaweb, a Toyota showcase and amusement hall; and an artificial beach. (Warning: The water is too polluted for anything except wading up to your knees.) Half the fun of a visit is getting there on the unmanned, fully automated monorail that runs over the Rainbow Bridge, so named for its nightly, multicolored illumination powered by solar energy. It's worth lining up ahead of time for seats right at the front. Odaiba is hugely popular with couples and families. Yurikamome Line from Shinbashi to Odaiba Kaihin-koen, Daiba or Telecom Center stations, or take the JR Rinkai Line.
 Roppongi - It's not a zoo, but Tokyo's most well-known nightlife district has plenty of wildlife. Packed with restaurants, as well as nightclubs and establishments of lesser repute, Roppongi after dark is just plain raucous, and it keeps right on rocking through the night. Defined by the Tokyo Tower at one end and the Tokyo Midtown high-rise development at the other, with several foreign embassies in between, the area is a magnet for expats, overseas travelers and Japanese revelers who enjoy spending time with foreigners. Roppongi caters to Americans in particular by offering familiar tastes, in the form of a Hard Rock Cafe, McDonald's and late-night doughnut shops. In addition, the Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown entertainment, shopping and business complexes have become a destination for trendy Tokyoites and out-of-town visitors, while the area's three museums (Suntory Museum of Art, Mori Art Museum and The National Art Center, Tokyo) have injected high-brow culture and sophistication.

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Osaka 

Osaka, Japan, and the surrounding Kansai region are the country's spiritual heartland. The site of one of the earliest capitals of the country, Osaka remains a vital center for trade and entrepreneurial culture. Tokyo may have political and financial clout and Kyoto may be the repository of ancient tradition, but Osaka is the nation's honest heartbeat.

In the mid-1990s, Osaka city officials embarked upon a long-term commitment to overhaul the city's grimy and nondescript image. The skyline has since risen dramatically, and so has its profile. Stylish high-rise apartment and office buildings are no longer an oddity (particularly in Umeda, Osaka's north-central district). The architectural renaissance is bolstering Osaka's role as one of the world's most energetic cities. Indeed, it has a vibrancy that is seldom matched elsewhere in Japan.

The historic areas—the castle and the shrines—are modern reconstructions, but that cannot negate Osaka's long contribution to Japanese arts and culture. The tea ceremony, flower arrangement (ikebana) and the performing arts of Bunraku, Kabuki and Noh all have their roots in the city. Osaka is known for its writers, artists, musicians and comedians.

And so Osaka's true character lies in its people. In Japan, Osakans have a reputation for being straightforward and even brash. They're hardworking but just as intent on having fun, and it is among them that the true appeal of this fascinating city can be found.

Street Food by Agathe Marty

Photo by Ash Edmonds

Things to See and Do in Osaka
Osaka Castle  - Originally built in 1583, this structure is the symbol of the city. It's situated in the lovely green expanses of Osaka Castle Park. The building is impressive from the outside, because it's a faithful reconstruction of the original structure, which was once the largest castle in Japan. The interior, on the other hand, is modern and bland, although it houses an excellent and comprehensive museum spread throughout its eight floors that does a good job presenting the history of the castle and what life was like in Japan during Hideyoshi Toyotomi's rule. It includes more than 7,000 pieces of Japanese armor, weapons, and materials related to Hideyoshi Toyotomi and the castle. A free audio guide describes highlights. There's an observation floor on top that provides incredible views.
Daily 9 am-5 pm. Closed 28 December-1 January. ¥600 adults, free for children age 15 and younger. http://www.osakacastle.net

Shitennoji Temple and the Treasure House  - Founded in AD 593 by Prince Shotoku as Japan's first Buddhist temple. It was built to celebrate both the Soga clan's victory over the Mononobe clan and the prince's desire for his clan to embrace the teachings of Buddhism. As a result of multiple fires over the years, none of the buildings is original but all have been rebuilt faithfully to their 6th-century layout. The oldest dates to 1600, the most recent to 1963. The main hall contains a statue of Prince Shotoku, and there's a good view of the whole temple complex from the top of the five-story pagoda. The treasure house holds several massive wooden Buddha statues. Don't miss the tranquil strolling garden, Gokuraku-Jodo Teien, with its ponds and teahouses.
Daily 8:30 am-4:30 pm (to 4 pm October-March). ¥300 adults. Additional ¥300 for the garden. http://www.shitennoji.or.jp

Sumiyoshi Taisha Jinja Shrine - This Shinto shrine near Tokyo Bay is the headquarters for all Sumiyoshi shrines throughout Japan and has long been worshipped by seafarers hoping for safe passage. It features one of the country's most famous arched bridges, which is far easier to cross than first glance would suggest. Numerous festivals are held there, notably the rice-transplanting festival on 14 June and the main shrine festival in late July. Grounds and shrine are open 24 hours. Free.


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Neighborhoods and Districts
America Mura - Contrary to its name, this trendy area in Minami-ku (near Shinsaibashi Station, west of Midosuji Boulevard) is not very Americanized. The area is a Japanese interpretation of the U.S. with vintage American clothing shops, boutiques and cafes. Japanese teenagers hang out on the streets. Anything goes there, including curious makeup styles and lots of piercings. A twentysomething crowd populates the Western-style restaurants, nightspots and shops. America Mura is a youthful part of Osaka and is especially lively at night. Its center is Sankaku-koen Park (also called Mitsu Park), a small triangular area that, although not very green, is a great place to sit and people-watch.

Kita-Horie - West of America Mura is Kita-Horie, an upscale neighborhood with a fast-growing number of smart restaurants and cafes, boutiques and galleries. The crowd is trendy but mature. Kita-Horie is perhaps Osaka's hottest place to hang out. Maybe that's because its streets always seem calm—a world away from the din of Midosuji Boulevard and its immediate surroundings.
 
Tsuruhashi Korean Market Area - The narrow, bustling streets around the JR Loop's Tsuruhashi Station are home to Osaka's Korean community. This area is worth a leisurely exploration. The shops and smoky restaurants offering Korean barbecue have an honest, lively feel to them—a nice alternative to the all-too-often sterile atmosphere of the shopping-center restaurants in other parts of town. These streets are home to Osaka's most traditional "Asian" atmosphere.

Kyoto

Kyoto - If you can visit only one city in Japan, Kyoto is the one. This ancient city, 30 mile northeast of Osaka, was the capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years and still is considered the country's spiritual capital. Three thousand shrines and temples dot the city, including three shrines and 14 temples on the UNESCO World Heritage list. That list is far from inclusive and many excellent places that might be the star attractions of other cities crowd the streets of Kyoto. It is the birthplace of Japanese Zen and has five huge Zen monastery complexes where serious students still sit in meditation; it is home to the headquarters of three other large religious sects in Japan, too.

Kyoto is also the nation's capital of traditional arts. Whether your interest be in pottery, textiles, dance, the tea ceremony or any of the other innumerable arts, Kyoto has excellent galleries, museums, shops and tea houses. Japanese people from the countryside and foreign students flock there to learn under the great masters. Much of what is considered Japanese haute cuisine was developed there too, as an offshoot of the tea ceremony.

Kyoto is Japan's heartland of history. With 1,300 years of tumultuous existence, the city's past intrudes upon the present day as in few other Japanese cities. In Gion, you can spot a geisha (or geiko, as they are called in Kyoto), one of the last hundred or so in Japan, slipping down a side-street to entertain rich guests with witty conversation, dance or music. A shopping arcade may suddenly fill with discordant clanging music as a shrine festival passes among the shoppers, or you may hear the long chant as Zen monks pass through the neighborhood, calling for alms.

Kyoto is an understated city that might disappoint visitors at first; its charm lies in small details, pocket gardens, tiny traditional restaurants and refined artwork. If you have a week in Japan, spend three days in Tokyo and three days in Kyoto. Don't make day trips elsewhere; you'll just waste money and time on the train.

Fushimi Inari, Kyoto Photo by Lin Mei

Photo by Igor Ovsyannykov on Unsplash

Nishiki Market By Daniel Julie

ings to see and do in Kyoto
Historic Sights
Fushimi Inari - This temple is one of the most popular with tourists in Kyoto. While most shrines have only one, or a few, red torii gates, Fushimi Inari has thousands that form a long corridor winding up Mt. Inari. This is a great photo-op. The shrine is dedicated to rice, and thus, business, so wealthy businesspeople and companies donate the gates to ensure future success—new gates are being added all the time.
Daily dawn-dusk. Free.

Imperial Palace - Visiting the Imperial Palace requires a permit, but don't let that put you off. Foreigners need only turn up with their passports at the office in the Palace Park 30 minutes to an hour or so before the free English-language tours (weekdays at 10 am and 2 pm), and admittance will be granted. The inner gardens are attractive, but the empty buildings cannot be entered, and most visitors find the palace somewhat disappointing compared to the excellent park that surrounds it, or Nijo Castle. Monday-Friday 8:45 am-noon and 1-5 pm. Free.

Kiyomizu Temple - Kiyomizu Temple, on a hillside at the east edge of the city, is famous both for its waterfall and for the stunning view from its vast wooden terrace. The temple is particularly beautiful in April, when cherry blossoms abound, and in November, when maple leaves show their autumn colors. After your visit, stroll through the narrow lanes of traditional houses, boutiques and stores below the temple—the area is famed for its pottery shops. Daily 6 am-6 pm. Admission free.  http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/lang/01.html
 
Nanzen-ji Temple - Among the many other stops you should make in Kyoto is the Nanzen-ji Temple, which has a pretty view of the city. Built by Emperor Kameyama in 1291, the temple is home to the famed Hojo Gardens, a massive Sanmon Zen gate and a stunning, if not rather out of place, aqueduct that's worth admiring. Be sure to check out the smaller Tenjuan Temple just next door when you're done exploring Nanzen-ji's grounds. Daily 9:30 am-4:30 pm. ¥500 adults.


Parks and Gardens
Kyoto Imperial Palace Park - The Imperial Palace Park is actually more enjoyable than the palace buildings themselves. The park is the biggest public green space in Kyoto and it preserves the atmosphere of the old court well. The surrounding city noise doesn't intrude, and all you can see are massive pines, cherries and the long walls of the palace compound. It is particularly worth a stroll in March and April, as you are likely to see blooming plum, peach or cherry trees.
Daily dawn-dusk.
 
Philosopher's Walk - This scenic walk, one of Kyoto's most famous and beautiful, runs along the canal and is lined with cherry trees. It stretches Nanzenji Temple and the Ginkakuji, with a variety of shrines in between, and takes about 30 minutes to walk completely. Be sure to take your time and appreciate the stunning surroundings, particularly in the spring and summer.
http://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/profile/intro/photo/list/philosopher.htm
 
Ryoanji Temple - Kyoto is famed for its rock gardens, with their carefully raked gravel and asymmetrically placed stones. Among the best-known is the garden at Ryoanji Temple, with 15 rocks arranged in five groups on patches of moss, amid a sea of tiny white pebbles. No matter where you stand, there is always at least one rock hidden from view. Some observers say the design symbolizes islands, or a mother tiger and her cubs swimming toward a fearful dragon. But it was designed for contemplating in Zen meditation, and its meaning and symbolism are entirely in the eye (and mind) of the beholder. Daily 9 am-4 pm. 500 yen.




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Markets
Nishiki Food Market - The so-called "kitchen of Kyoto" is a narrow lane of shops running west from Teramachi shopping arcade. Supermarkets are becoming more and more common in the city, but the shops of Nishiki continue to focus on the best ingredients and the rarest Kyoto delicacies. Some shops sell taster snacks or hand out samples.  Most shops open daily 10 am-6 pm.

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Yokohama

Yokohama 
Located 20 miles southwest of Tokyo on Tokyo Bay, the important port city of Yokohama, Japan, was one of the first places where European and U.S. traders were allowed to settle in Japan. The country's largest Chinatown is here too, creating an international character subtly different from Tokyo, despite being joined at the hip in a continuous urban sprawl.

After the massive Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and bombing during World War II, little remains of Yokohama's early days as a treaty port, but today the city bustles with ships from all over the world loading and unloading cargo; it's possible to take a harbor tour by boat for a firsthand inspection. Indeed, the city is very much a port and its center of activity always turns toward the water. Much expense has gone into the development of the port as a mixed-use area, a place for industry and for citizenry. The Minato Mirai 21 district, just south of Yokohama station, turned brick warehouses and shipyards into a popular shopping and dining area, fulfilling the dream of its name, which means "Future Port."

Things to see and do in Yokohama
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Yamashita Park  - Visit Yamashita Park for a nice escape from the city bustle and tourist-crowded Minato Mirai. It was the first seaside park in Japan and features a beautiful rose garden, charming walking paths and several noteworthy statues. Among them is the "Guardian of the Water" statue, which was a gift from sister city San Diego.

Yokohama Chinatown is known as the world’s best Chinese food spot. With more than 600 shops in only a 250,000 square meter area there are plenty of restaurants to choose from. Workers from restaurants and food stalls, cute and colorful sundries shops, and more call out in loud voices to entice customers. The buildings and signs glitter and dazzle in brilliant colors and you soon realize Chinatown is a completely different world!

China is an enormous country and each region has its own distinct characteristics. Chinese Food culture has been growing and expanding in various ways and in Yokohama Chinatown, it’s possible to conquer a variety of regional Chinese foods in a day…just bring your appetite!

Yokohama ChinaTown by Night Kabacchi

Yamashita Park