Japan‘s Best Destinations

Japan is famous all over the world not only for its modern technology but also for the richness of its culture and tradition. In fact Japan is one of the countries in Asia mostly visited by tourists. For those who would like to buy air tickets to Japan to have a better understanding of Japanese customs and practices, here are some of the places which feature the "best" of Japan:
Get up close with the Sumo wrestlers at the Arashio Stable where one can see some of the best Sumo wrestlers in Japan. A stable is a place where sumo wrestlers live and start their training from a very young age. It is managed by a stable master, a retired master who was a good wrestler at his prime. Stable's rikishi (wrestlers) of varying rank starts their training early in the morning training hard in the hope of moving up the ranks. By visiting the Arashio Stable, tourists will have a chance to watch the stable's rikishi do their training in the dirt practice ring. Watch as the junior rikishi charge and slam their foreheads into a senior rikishi's shoulder and try to push a weight of more than 17 bulk of stone to the opposite side of the ring.
There are six Grand Sumo Tournaments held each year. Tourists who are interested to watch the tournaments can check the schedule from the official page of Japan Sumo Association before booking their air tickets.
Japan is also famous for its Anime. It is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". Anime has a very large audience in Japan and recognition throughout the world. Tourists will see those Anime superheroes come alive in the streets of Harajuku. Young people dressed up in their favourite Anime character costume complete with architectural hair and make up is a usual scene in the neighbourhood of Harajuku whose name becomes synonymous with images of cosplay (costume play). During Sundays, the bridge outside Harajuku Station which is the Jingubashi, serves as the meeting place of these cosplayers. It has been said that cosplay is a creative reaction against the pressure of an oppressively rigid day-to-day life in Japan.
Higayashima which means Eastern Mountains is the best place in Japan for temple-hopping. It is a part of Kyoto which retained its semi-rural feel, free from tour buses and traffic jam. Higayashima is a perfect place to learn more about the Japanese history and culture as this area is rich in Buddhist temples and traditional gardens. For those who are planning to book air tickets to Japan to spend a holiday, Higayashima is an ideal place for a half day tour. Walk northeast along the side of the Otawa River to reach the Sekizanzenim Temple then proceed to the Shugakuin-rikyu Palace which is just nearby. Farther down the path is the Shaginomori Shrine followed by Manshuin Temple. Head south to go to Enkoji Temple, Shisendo Temple and Hachidai Shrine.
Want to experience a night life in Japan? Shibuya, Tokyo is the place to go. Much of Shibuya's night happenings centered around Dogen-zaka. It is a street in Shibuya also known as "Love Hotel Hill" for the numerous short time inns, pubs and dance clubs. Finding a club that plays your kind of music from trance to techno or rock to reggae is easy to do in Shibuya. Some of the popular hang-out places are Womb, Club Pure, Club Atom, Doma Doma, La Mama, Insomnia Lounge and Bellovisto.
A trip to other place won't be complete without tasting its unique traditional cuisine. Downtown Kyoto is famous for the best Kaiseki-ryori in Japan. It is a traditional multi-course haute cuisine which evolved from the simple meals served at the tea ceremony during the ancient times. Tourists can enjoy kaiseki-ryori in specialized restaurants or by staying at a Japanese-style Inn known as ryokan.
Kaiseki meals have prescribed orders to their dishes, most of which are prepared by using one of the common techniques of traditional Japanese cooking method. Sweet wine is the usual aperitif, followed by bite-sized appetizers served in a hassun. Then main course will be served consisting of soup, sashimi, boiled dish, grilled dish, deep fried fish, steamed fish or vinegared fish. After the main course is the shokuji set consisting of rice, miso soup and pickles and then the dessert.
After exploring various places of interests in Japan, it's time to try the Japanese onsen. Onsen is a natural thermal hot springs scattered in different parts of Japan. Yunomine Onsen is one of the best places to go for an onsen culture experience. Yunomine Onsen is an integral part of the over 1000 year old Kumano pilgrimage tradition. Pilgrims performed hot water purification rituals in the piping hot water after a long journey in preparation for worshipping at Kumano Hongu Taisha.