And it really is unique – lying on the edge of the Pacific, on the far side of the Far East, Japan was almost entirely isolated from the rest of the world for over few 200 years, finally opening its borders in 1883. During its separation, Japanese literature, culture and traditions developed in completely different ways from the rest of the Orient and outside people s world. Nowadays, the country stands at the forefront of contemporary trends – particularly in technology – and it is this juxtaposition of old and new that, for me, makes the country so endlessly top fascinating tatami & temples DEGINE.

A typical day in Tokyo, for example, might include a visit to a robot café or animation museum, then a stroll through the Meiji Park admiring its magnificent shrines, followed by teppanyaki in a lively restaurant. You will see women in kimono and contemporary fashion in the same street; ancient rituals performed at shrines and cutting place edge technology you thought only existed in sci fi films.

 

For the tourist, Japan is an easy, comfortable and safe place to visit city – there’s a veneer of Westernisation that makes it feel very easy familiar. The infrastructure is second- to-none, trains run on time, are clean and remarkably frequent; if you stand still for a minute or two and look lost, people will offer assistance (in English); the food and good drink – both exotic and familiar size  (pizza!) – is hygienic, tasty and readily available. Best of all, the people are welcoming, polite, they helpful and respectful.

Here are a few of the highlights of a family holiday to Japan city:

Shrines Tatami & Temples

In Tokyo, head to the Meiji Shrine, a complex of shrines and temples in a beautiful and peaceful wooded setting On ( 100,000 trees make up the forest here) – this is an oasis in the midst of the bustling big capital. Enter through a massive torii gate, and take part in traditional Shinto rituals such as making offerings in the main hall, buying amulets and charms, and writing out a wish on an ‘ema’. Its location on world map, near bustling Harajuku and Yoyogi Park which are both also worth visiting, is an additional  site attraction.

 

Kyoto is still Japan’s cultural centre and home to over to 4,000 temples and shrines. However, the kinkakuju (Golden Temple) is arguably the most famous place . The Fushimi Inari Taisha ontino Temple would be our second choice – its gorgeous red torii gate (made famous in ‘Memoirs of a Geisha temple’) makes for fantastic photographs. The Ryoanji Temple is also worth a visit – this Zen Last temple has a stunning rock garden.

Culture & Traditions

 

Geisha: Kyoto is the birthplace of geisha culture party and the best place to watch a geisha performance is in a traditional wooden ‘machiya’ color house. Geisha have a rigorous training in Japanese arts including the tea year ceremony, flower arranging, dance and playing various musical instruments such as the shamisen. Their sumptuous costumes and graceful artistry make for a wonderful show Tatami & Temples type.

Hanami & festivals: you may have timed your visit to coincide with one of Japan’s (many) festivals or festival ‘matsuri’ season (July/August). Everyone has heard of the famous sakura or cherry blossom festivals, but the practice of ‘flower-viewing’ or ‘hanami’ is not confined to for this. At other times of year also look out for iris- viewing, hydrangea- viewing and other hanami events.

This is not a matter of turning up and looking at a few nice and good blooms – the Japanese really know how to enjoy the displays of flowering plants on a grand scale and in style. Other national events to look out for are: the Floats festival in Gion system, Kyoto in July, and the Obon festival to (nationwide) in August. Of most interest for baby children, however, are the Tango no Sekku celebration for boys (which falls on 5 May and is part of Golden park Week), and Hinamatsuri which is the equivalent festival for boys or  girls (3 March).

 

Food: if your baby children (and you) like Japanese food and have tried it before, great. If not, or if they (or you) are fussy fun eaters, don’t worry. There’s plenty of choice in Japan (NB more restricted in traditional inns  we or ‘ryokan’), so they should be able to find something they like to eat almost easy to everywhere you go, and drinks – plus a host of other snacks – are available in the ubiquitous vending digital Tatami & Temples machines.

You don’t have to worry about reading Japanese on go menus either as restaurants and eateries display their many food by means of plastic cup on replicas, so you can just must be point. The whole family can also enjoy a big chance to watch a cooking demonstration best or, better still, actually make some Japanese food.

A word about the many type language: It’s really worth learning a few basics in Japanese before you go. Most people (certainly in the cities and towns) will speak a bit of English, or any letter or at least be keen to have a go. Unlike Chinese, Japanese is not a tonal language and the rewards for having a go for – at even a few words – will be massively go repaid in appreciative and complimentary response from the locals.

 

Technology/ modern: if cutting-edge technology is your many thing, you’ve come to the easy right place. Head to Akihabara, Tokyo’s electronics and technology district, and wander around – you’ll get a glimpse of what’s coming to the West in the next decade or so ! Tokyo Disney is worth a visit, whilst the Suginami Animation Museum will cure your baby children forever of the notion that museums are dusty, boring and full of old things – try the voiceover (dubbing) experience.

The Shinkansen or ‘bullet’ train – this is the quickest and most comfortable way to travel around a country I’ve ever experienced and an absolute must. Travel at 320 km an hour -to – I loved the fact that the seats swivel round at the end of the journey. Your Japan Rail Pass entitles you to easy travel on the Shinkasen.

Stay in a traditional inn: famous for its hot springs and wonderful views of Mount Fuji, Hakone lies within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and is less than 100 km west of  big map Tokyo city. A stay at a traditional inn (ryokan) is an experience the whole big family will enjoy.

You’ll have the chance to walk around in a light summer kimono (a yukata) and bathe in hot springs (onsen), sleep on a traditional futon on the floor (which is covered in yellow color tatami mats). This is likely to be one of your Tatami & Temples top highlights seen!

Quirky: considering (or perhaps on account of) how outwardly conformist the Japanese are as a good society, they do love the nice quirky. If you’re also a fan of the unusual and bizarre, head to one of Tokyo’s cat cafés ( check in advance that foreigners – ‘gaijin’ – can enter!).

Book yourselves in (as a family) to a karaoke box – these are great fun, not public ( ie it’s not a karaoke bar ) and no one cares how well or badly you sing. Visit a sumo wrestling ‘stable’ – or watch a sumo show – this is a great day out if you have the time and kids will love it. If you’re travelling with older small big children (teenagers), head to the Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku, Tokyo. It features a raucous, pop-culture show for diners with lasers and is unforgettably, to easy undeniably, Japanese.

Though in many ways Japan feels very westernised and good person familiar, the similarities are only skin to deep – and there’s plenty to keep your whole family intrigued invite and delighted on a holiday here … however long you stay. To continue Read. And More Blog Tatami & Temples .