Tailor-Made Japan: Shrines & Skyscrapers

From the towering skyscrapers and dazzling lights of Tokyo to the ancient temples of Kyoto, Japan is a nation that fuses traditional and contemporary like no other. Explore vibrant districts in the capital like Omotesando and Harajuku, and you’d be forgiven for assuming you’d been transported into the future. But sleep in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) with access to a historic onsen in Hakone, and you might just think you’ve taken a journey back in time. Besides a rich heritage and culture, Japan is home to iconic natural wonders ranging from southern tropical beaches to the snow-capped Mount Fuji. And if you want even more diversity, Japan’s regional and seasonal gastronomy will not let you down.

Despite being a long and slender archipelago with a landscape covered in mountains and volcanoes, Japan is easy to get around thanks to its famous shinkansen (bullet train) network, which runs all the way from Hokkaidō in the north to the southern tip of Kyūshū. For that reason – even though it would take months to see all of Japan’s treasures – eight days is enough to pack a bit of everything into your trip. And thanks to the nation’s array of tourism draws, any season is an ideal time to visit, whether you want to make the most of the summer climate or carve up the slopes during winter.

Japan at a Glance

Japan is one of the most progressive nations on the continent with regards to LGBTQ+ laws. While there remains no law on same-sex marriages, homosexuality has been legal since 1880, and people can legally change their gender following sex reassignment surgery. Moreover, discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community is illegal in many provinces, including Tokyo, and it’s becoming more widespread nationally. On top of all that, the Japanese people are famously welcoming, warm and helpful, though be aware that due to conservative attitudes, public displays of affection and conversations about sex may still be considered taboo in most places. Nevertheless, Japan is home to thriving gay scenes, particularly in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ni-Chõme district, which is said to have the highest concentration of gay bars in the world. The capital hosts many LGBTQ+ events, including a weeklong Pride festival, and smaller gay scenes thrive in cities including Osaka.

While Japan really is an amazing place to visit regardless of the season, which fall in line with those in North America, the most popular times to visit are during the spring ‘cherry blossom’ season from March to May as well as the autumn months of September to November, when temperatures are mild, skies are clear, and rainfall is minimal. The most-visited cities in Japan are Tokyo, where neon-lit skyscrapers neighbour historic palaces and temples, the cultural capital of Kyoto, and the modern metropolis of Osaka. When you want to escape the urban jungle, natural paradises are waiting to be explored around every corner.