Breakaway Destination Guides (International)

Despite Japan's facade of modernity, from its city skylines and "Bullet Trains" to its millions of people who seem to have high-tech cell phones glued to their ears, traditional Japan still exists in a huge network of inns and restaurants, and in arts, crafts and customs that have not changed in over a thousand years.

Tokyo is a modern city catering to the needs of a modern society. Originally named Edo, meaning 'door of the bay' the city was renamed Tokyo '(Eastern capital)' when the Emperor moved his court from Kyoto in the second half of the nineteenth century.

Tokyo is a city of glass and steel skyscrapers, expressways and train stations, yet in the middle of all this there are parks and gardens, quiet havens of tranquillity.

The world famous Ginza shopping district is home to vast department stores and an incredible variety of modern specialty shops. It is said that there is nothing that can not be bought - for a price.

Asakusa is an area of Tokyo renowned for the traditional arts and crafts, temples, pagodas and market stalls. Here you will find the craftsman at work producing tatami mats, lacquer ware paper goods and wooden dolls to sell to large department stores or sell in their shops. The Japanese take great pride in the packaging and it is not unusual to see modern things beautifully presented.

Roppongi and Shinjuku are both districts that come alive at night, with huge neon signs, a wide variety of bars, restaurants and discotheques. Tokyo is easier to travel around than one might imagine and it is probably one of the safest cities in the world.

For a millennium Kyoto was the capital of Japan. In many ways it remains the spiritual centre of the country today. Kyoto has many more contrasts between the traditional and modern than one can find in any other city in Japan. In Kyoto you are not only likely to pass a geisha in full regalia rushing to her next appointment but also ordinary members of the public, particularly the more senior citizens, still wearing the kimono as everyday attire. The Japanese love having their photographs taken, but beware young girls and mature citizens alike will pose straight faced and serious until the photo has been taken then dissolve into giggles.

Reached from Tokyo by train using "state of the art" Tobu Railways. Outside the small town of Kikko, in a beautiful wooden setting is what must be the largest collection of the most lavish and ornate shrines, temples, gates and assorted buildings to be found in Japan.

The complex was constructed on the orders of Tokugawa Shogun Iemitus as a dedication to his grandfather, founder of the Tokugawa Shoguns, who governed a united Japan for about 250 years. Usually refereed to collectively as the Toshogu, these structures are in fact somewhat out of character with the traditions of Japanese architecture. They feature an unusual number of foreign subjects, making a visit here all the more interesting.

One of the strangest carvings here is a most unusual looking elephant, needless to say, the artist had never seen one. Another particularly interesting carving is that of the original three wise monkeys, "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil". The most outlandishly decorated structure of the Yomeimon Gate at the main entrance to the shrine, is covered with elaborate carvings and a huge amount of gold leaf.

From a relatively short period from AD710 until the Imperial Court moved to nearby Kyoto in AD794, Nara was the capital of Japan. Today, however, Nara is still an important landmark and the source of a great many surviving antiquities. There is an enormous bronze Buddha, housed in the Todaji Temple, originally constructed in the 8th century. The existing temple building which dates from 1706 is only two thirds the original size but is still said to be the largest wooden structure in the world. In the parkland surrounding the temple over a thousand deer are able to wander at liberty, due to their legendary status as divine messengers. Wafer-like biscuits can be purchased to feed the deer and the natural shyness one normally expects of these creatures vanishes as they approach any visitors.

  Hiroshima:

The coastal city of Hiroshima is built in a wide flat plain surrounded by mountains and facing the sea. The main place of interest for the tourist to this city is the Peace Park built across the river from the Atomic Bomb Dome. Originally the Industrial Promotion Hall, the charred shell was one of the very few vertical structures remaining after the bomb blast of 1945.

When they rebuilt the city they constructed wide tree lined avenues and didn't forget the trams, which are a pleasant and delightful way to see the city, but avoid the rush hour.

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