Traveling Across Japan

To learn about a particular country, knowing the language is important. It’s also important to learn about the country's culture and history. If one works hard and studies, one can deepen one's understanding of a particular country. However, there is only so much one can learn through books and similar sources. One of the best (and most important) ways to increase one’s knowledge about a country is to get out and explore it. One can experience much of a country’s culture by traveling around it. Traveling can enable one to learn a great deal about a country, as it brings about many discoveries.

As one can imagine, there are many Buddhist Temples, Shintō Shrines, festivals, and so on, unique to Japan. There is much in this country that one won’t find elsewhere in the world. One may also find stores throughout the country that sell traditional Japanese crafts. Japan is a country with a distinctive traditional culture that, even in the modern day, is easily experienced. On a vacation to Japan, one can experience this culture for oneself. Intertwined with this tradition is a unique popular culture. Experiencing this aspect of Japan is also one of the country’s appeals. On a trip to Japan, for example, one can also visit many areas of the country that were featured in Japanese cartoons. To understand these (two) cultures and truly understand Japan, it’s essential to travel across the country.

In the Edo period (1603–1868), the 伊勢参り (ise-mairi) was very popular. This was a trip that involved walking to Ise Shrine—considered Japan’s most sacred Shintō shrine—in the city of Ise, Mie Prefecture, and praying there. At this time, Japan didn’t have the convenient modes of (modern-day) transportation; it was a difficult journey to Ise Shrine. Even so, many Japanese wanted to take this trip. They believed this was an area of the country they wanted to visit at least once in their life. As one can see from the ise-mairi, the Japanese have enjoyed taking trips for hundreds of years. One can also gather that many items (for lack of a better word) are important to them and are worth seeing. What do the Japanese consider to be important? What meaning do these items have for them? It’s difficult to understand this if one doesn’t see them for themselves.

Some may know this, but the (overall) personality of the Japanese changes from region to region. This difference stems from both history and the distinct culture in each region. An example of this would be Osaka Prefecture. People there tend to be more friendly than in other regions. Another example would be Okinawa Prefecture. People there tend to take life easy and go at their own pace. Due to these regional differences, the same type of metropolis or countryside village can have a completely different atmosphere depending on one’s location within the country. Without visiting various parts of Japan, without meeting many Japanese people, it can be difficult to pick up on these differences (in personality). Getting out and exploring Japan is not just essential (as mentioned above) for seeing much of what is important to the Japanese, but it is also important so that one can mix with them. It's not just about learning about Japan; learning about the Japanese themselves is also an important aspect of traveling across the country.

When it comes to getting from one area to another, one doesn’t need to worry. Public transportation in Japan is often regarded as the best in the world. Being, for the most part, a comfortable way to travel, it allows one to get from one part of the country to another in just a few hours. Even for those with limited time, it's easy to visit many tourist attractions. While some forms of public transportation in Japan can be expensive, there are also many affordable options. Even those with a limited budget can travel with ease. Many tourist spots offer discounted tickets for museums, public transportation, and so on. Depending on the area one is in, sightseeing can be done conveniently. As mentioned above, traveling across Japan is essential to learn about the country in depth. It's becoming increasingly easier and easier to travel here. It’s a country that has become (far) easier to learn about.

The articles below feature places in Japan that are worth visiting. These places have been selected so that one can learn about the (many) facets of the country. Everything from easily accessible tourist spots, to areas that require a car—as they’re slightly out of the way and are generally not major tourist attractions—is showcased here. Throughout these articles, one can find places worth visiting to deepen their understanding of Japan. We hope that one can gain a clear (and accurate) understanding of the sort of country Japan is.