IFTA Japan Mini Travel Guide

By Joe Young, International Relationship Manager, NTAA



Excursions (one-day trips) from Tokyo


Kamakura - Full of shops selling everything from swords and Ninja shuriken to treats and other delights, Kamakura is tourist heaven. While the souvenirs are indeed fascinating, people come here to see the giant bronze Buddha statue, the Great Buddha of Kamakura. This is truly awe inspiring. A little over one hour by normal train, this is a very easy trip to make and one that will be remembered. Bring your camera.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3115.html

Mt. Fuji - Fujisan, as it is lovingly called in Japan; the summit is closed in fall. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t see it in all its glory. Many different tours are available for the mountain, from scenic tours that will take you half way up to an Onsen (hot springs), to a boat ride on Lake Ashi. This is nature at its grandest. Try to visit on a clear day. There are literally hundreds of tours available at the touch of a Google search button. Please read about them and choose the one to suit your schedule.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2172.html

Nikko - Known for its Temples, Shrines, and specifically for its “see no evil, speak no evil, and hear no evil monkeys”, Nikko is a closer and newer to Tokyo than Kyoto. This place is absolutely breathtaking. For what one is able to see in such a small amount of time, it is a very convenient, compact way to go. Niko Edomura has daily samurai and ninja shows. There is truly nothing to compare it to. Edomura’s sense of realism and authenticity put it into a class all unto its own. Tobu World Square in Nikko is a place where giant life-like replicas have been reduced to miniatures representing all the wonders of the world. If you have a chance to visit, then go; do not miss this place. If one starts early, one can make it there in a little over 2-1/2 hours, a very nice day-trip.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3805.html


Hakone - Hot springs or more like “the” hot springs are sulfur saturated hot springs with world renowned healing powers. People have come from all over the world for hundreds of years to soak in these highly concentrated sulfur hot springs. When everything is done, eat a 1000 year old black egg (absolutely delicious hard boiled in the sulfur water egg). Stay in a traditional styled Japanese inn called a “Ryokan,” and relax. From Shinjuku, it is one limited express train directly to Hakone-Yumoto, at around a 94 minute train ride. How could anyone say no?
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5206.html