The Ultimate Travel Guide to Japan: History & Attractions

Where ancient temples meet futuristic technology. Japan offers an extraordinary blend of tradition and innovation.

A Glimpse into History

Japan's recorded history begins in the 3rd century AD when the Yamato clan established the imperial lineage that continues unbroken to this day — the world's oldest hereditary monarchy. Buddhism arrived from Korea and China in the 6th century, merging with native Shinto to shape Japanese spirituality. The Heian period (794–1185) produced a refined aristocratic culture in Kyoto, immortalised in The Tale of Genji — the world's first novel. Medieval Japan saw the rise of the samurai class under feudal warlords called shoguns, with Kyoto as its cultural capital. The Sengoku period of civil war ended when Tokugawa Ieyasu unified Japan in 1603, beginning 250 years of isolation (sakoku) under the Edo shogunate. When American Commodore Perry's warships forced Japan to open in 1853, the country underwent a breathtaking transformation — the Meiji Restoration of 1868 abolished feudalism and within 50 years Japan had become an industrial and military power. After WWII and atomic devastation at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan rebuilt itself into the world's third-largest economy, exporting cars, electronics, anime, and a cultural soft power that spans the globe. Japan's seamless blend of ultramodern technology with ancient Zen gardens and thousand-year-old temple rituals is what makes it uniquely captivating.

Top Attractions in Japan

Mount Fuji

Japan's highest peak at 3,776 metres is a perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone that has inspired artists, poets and pilgrims for centuries. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013, Fuji is best admired from Hakone or the Fuji Five Lakes district, or climbed during the official July–August season.

Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto

Thousands of vermilion torii gates wind 4 km up a forested mountainside in Kyoto's most iconic spiritual site, dedicated to Inari — the Shinto deity of rice, foxes, and prosperity. The full hike takes 2–3 hours but even a short walk through the tunnels of red-orange gates is transcendent, especially at dawn.

Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo

The world's busiest pedestrian crossing sees up to 3,000 people cross simultaneously from all directions every time the light changes — a mesmerising choreography of urban life. Surrounding Shibuya is Tokyo's most vibrant shopping and nightlife district, with the iconic Hachiko dog statue and countless restaurants and entertainment venues.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Built on the site where the world's first atomic bomb killed over 70,000 people on 6 August 1945, the Peace Memorial Park is one of the most moving places on earth. The A-Bomb Dome — a skeletal building left standing as a monument — and the Peace Museum create a profound and necessary reflection on humanity's capacity for destruction and resilience.

Nara Deer Park

Over 1,200 sacred sika deer roam freely through Nara's ancient parkland alongside UNESCO-listed temples including the colossal Tōdai-ji, home to Japan's largest bronze Buddha at 15 metres tall. The deer are considered divine messengers and will bow for shika senbei rice crackers sold by vendors throughout the park.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kyoto

A path through towering stalks of bamboo that sway and rustle eerily in the wind, creating one of Japan's most otherworldly natural experiences. The grove is part of Arashiyama's broader set of wonders — the Tenryu-ji Zen garden, the monkey park, traditional cormorant fishing on the Oi River, and the Togetsukyo bridge.