Japan Tour 10May - TK *Elina

About the destination: Osaka is a big modern city in Japan. It is the central metropolis of the Kansai region and the largest of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto trio. It is a lively and exciting place that exudes a definite charm. Its history is rich, its scenery is gorgeous, and it's well-located close to the major cultural centers of Kyoto and Nara, and just a few hours by bullet train to Tokyo. Osaka has two major city centers, Kita, north side, and Minami, south side. Kita is a large shopping and business area, Minami is Osaka's most famous entertainment district. Osaka’s major attractions are the impressive, beautifully restored, castle and the truly wonderful aquarium. Osaka has some striking modern architecture, a vibrant nightlife scene and tasty local cuisine. To experience the city’s nightlife head to bustling Dōtonbori, a street jammed with restaurants and bars. There are also some beautiful places to visit just outside of the city. Minoo is a suburb of Osaka which offers pleasant woodland, an impressive waterfall, hiking opportunities and a relaxing spa. Osaka combines historical, cultural and artistic attractions with all the delights of a modern Japanese metropolis. Japan's third-largest city offers an exciting atmosphere, with fantastic connections to some of the most historic cities in Japan.

About the destination: For over a thousand years Kyoto was the capital of Japan and it is probably the best preserved of all its cities. It’s a beautiful vibrant city where modern life meets old traditional Japan. The city is surrounded by the mountains of Western Honshu and is a perfect base when visiting the Kansai region. The city is rich in heritage sites and culture, it has a great variety and number of restaurants and is fairly easy to navigate around. Its rich culture and heritage permeates from each and every architecture and customs. Kyoto has thousands of temples and shrines, including the spectacular golden Kinkaku-ji, Ryoanji with its Zen garden, the popular Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjusangendo with its life-size statues of Kannon and the more tranquil Tenryu-ji in Arashiyama. Also in Arashiyama, there is the famous Bamboo Grove. A wonderful thing to do in Kyoto is a walking tour of Gion, one of the main Geisha districts. Its wooden buildings and lamps create the perfect ambiance. Kyoto is one of the greatest historical cities in the world, filled with temples, shrines, teahouses and imperial residences. Kyoto is a city steeped in culture and heritage it’s a must for anyone with an interest in Japanese history and culture.

About the destination: Tokyo je glavni grad Japana i jedno od najvećih urbanih područja na svijetu. Tokyo je financijski centar Japana i mješavina visoke tehnologije i tradicije. Tokyo je ogroman i dobro organiziran moderni grad. Gradski krajolik Tokya sastoji se od hramova i svetišta, mirnih prirodnih rezervata, povijesnih zgrada, futurističke arhitekture i neonskih svjetala. Središte grada uključuje Chiyodu i Chuo. Ovo područje obuhvaća impresivnu Carsku palaču, zgrade nacionalne vlade, poznatu trgovačku zonu Ginza, riblju tržnicu Tsukiji, tržnicu elektronike Akihabara i povijesnu željezničku stanicu Tokyo. Mirna četvrt Asakusa ima neke nezaobilazne atrakcije poput hrama Sensoji, trgovačke arkade Nakamise-dōri i Zlatnog Poo. U blizini je područje Ueno, uključujući tržnicu Ameyoko. Savršeno mjesto za kupnju tradicionalnih poklona i posjet velikom budističkom hramu. Još jedna glavna atrakcija grada je svetište Meiji, smješteno u Shibuyi. Tokyo je jedinstveni grad koji ima nešto za svakoga, prometne trgovačke zone, poznati noćni život, povijesne znamenitosti, mirne parkove i nevjerojatne krajolike.