Tokyo

Tokyo—the capital city of Japan since 1603—is not only the home of the emperor, but also Japan’s center of business, finance, modern culture, fashion, and entertainment.

Ancient shrines and temples stand adjacent to ultramodern skyscrapers, illustrating how Tokyo and Japan combine the ideals of tradition and progress. With a population of around 12 million, Tokyo is one of the world’s largest, most dynamic, and cosmopolitan cities. Despite its size, Tokyo’s organization of districts and neighborhoods, as well as its efficient public transportation system and widespread use of English, make it a manageable and fascinating city for visitors.

Attractions:

Tokyo Tower:

With 333 meters, Tokyo Tower is 13 meters taller than its model, the Eiffel Tower of Paris, and the world’s tallest self-supporting steel tower. It was completed in the year 1958 as a symbol for Japan’s rebirth as a major economic power, and serves as a television and radio broadcast antenna and tourist attraction.

Visitors can ascend to the main observatory at 150 meters and the special observatory at 250 meters to get a bird’s eye view of Tokyo. Under good weather conditions, Mount Fuji can be seen in the distance. An wax museum and several more attractions can be found on the ground floors of the tower.

Akihabara Walking Tour:

Akihabara is one of the hottest spots for foreign visitors to Japan for its huge variety of electronic stores and the center of pop cultures. The female guide dressed in a classic maid costume invites you to the deep Akihabara. The guide explains you about the background of anime, Manga (Japanese comics), games. You will visit several related spots among 10 separate destinations. Then, enjoy having a cup of drink at a maid cafe. At the end of the tour, time for taking pictures with maid guide is set for you!

Hotel:

Hiiragiya Bekkan Ryokan

The hotel is located at the top of Zakuro-zaka street, which inclines up from the Takanawa exit of Shinagawa Station. The hotel is located in an urban resort environment that also includes convention facilities such as the Hien banquet hall and the International Convention Center Pamir, as well as a wide variety of Japanese, Western, and Chinese restaurants

Kyoto:

Built in A.D. 794 on the model of the capitals of ancient China, Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan from its foundation until the middle of the 19th century. As the centre of Japanese culture for more than 1,000 years, Kyoto illustrates the development of Japanese wooden architecture, particularly religious architecture, and the art of Japanese gardens, which has influenced landscape gardening the world over.

Attractions:

Nijō Castle

The castle consists of two concentric rings of fortifications, the Ninomaru Palace, the ruins of the Honmaru Palace, various support buildings and several gardens. The surface area of this Japanese castle is 275,000 square meters, of which 8000 square meters is occupied by buildings. The rich history and beautiful gardens makes this a don’t-miss place.

Kinkakuji Zen Buddhist temple

The garden complex is an excellent example of Muromachi period garden design. It is designated as a National Special Historic Site and a National Special Landscape, and it is one of 17 locations comprising the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto World Heritage Site.It is also one of the most popular buildings in Japan, attracting a large number of visitors annually.It has also been made widely familiar as being featured in a photograph in the desktop picture art of Apple’s OS X computer operating system, labeled simply as “Golden Palace”.

Hotel (Guest House):

Hiiragiya Bekkan Ryokan

Hiiragiya Bekkan is a Traditional Ryokan (see definition below). This 2 story wooden ryokan has 14 Japanese-style guest rooms. None of the guest rooms have private baths but all of the guest rooms have private toilets. However, there are 3 “family baths” where a family can reserve a bath for private use. Please ask at the front desk for details. In addition, most rooms have a view of Hiiragiya Bekkan’s Japanese garden. Kyoto-style cuisine is their specialty, and dinner is served in the privacy of the guest rooms.

Traditional Ryokan

A traditional ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn in the truest sense of the term. The owners take great pride in preserving the building’s traditional atmosphere and history. Staying in a traditional ryokan would be like staying in a European castle – wonderful atmosphere but at the expense of hotel-style comfort. The Japanese-style rooms and baths are comfortable. The building is made entirely of wood and there is usually a beautiful, traditional Japanese garden.