JAPAN PLENTY TO LOVE HERE
HOKKAIDO
KYOTO
apan is recognised for its beautiful culture, friendly people and spectacular landscapes. It is one of the world’s most technologically advanced countries, with a stable and prosperous economy, low crime rates, and a hard-working population.
Hokkaido, most northern of Japan’s four main islands, is best known for magnificent natural beauty. Its many ski resorts are famous for their fine powder snow. Many Australians have visited, and many have moved here. Niseko is the most popular ski resort.
Kyoto, a short bullet train ride from Tokyo, served as the country’s capital and the emperor’s residence from 794 to 1868.
Composed entirely of islands located in the Pacific Ocean, the main island being Honshu, it has 47 prefectures (or districts) occupying 377,974.17 square kilometres. As the world’s third largest economy, it creates a great environment for overseas investors.
Five of the best
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COVID UPDATE: Japan maintains the tightest border controls of any developed country. It may not open up to widespread tourism until at least the second quarter of 2022 or potentially even later.
SAPPORO CITY, Hokkaido’s capital, is an amazing city with beautiful streetscape, spacious parks, unique museums, local fish market and regional food. The famous Sapporo Snow Festival occurs for one week every February. OTARU CITY is a small harbour city along Ishikari Bay, an hour by train from Sapporo City. It is best known for its preserved canal area and 19th century warehouses, and the Otaru Snow Light Path in February. HOKKAIDO is home to hundreds of Onsens or natural thermal springs, with Noboribestu Onsen touted one of the best and part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park. BLUE POND, located in the outskirt of Biei town, is spectacular. It became very famous when it appeared as the iPhone wallpaper. FOOD! HOKKAIDO is the largest gourmet city in Japan. Jingisukan is one of the best-known dishes, which is grilled lamb with vegetables on a special iron plate. The extremely sweet Yubari Melon is Hokkaido’s famous fruit.
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Due to its exceptional historic value, the city was spared from World War II destruction and countless temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures survived. One of Japan’s ten largest cities, it has a population of 1.5 million+ and a modern face. Many attractive rural areas in the Kyoto Prefecture lie beyond the city itself.
Five of the best VISIT TEMPLES and shrines such as Kiyomizudera Temple and Kinkakuji. The Shimogamo Shrine dates to the 6th century and seems suspended in time. See the life-sized thousand armed Kannon statues of Sanjūsangen-dō. ENJOY WHITE-SAND beaches and mineral-rich hot springs on the Tango Peninsula. STAY IN a traditional ryokan. DINE OVERLOOKING the Kamo River. VISIT AMANOHASHIDATE for scenery, Miyama for thatched roof farmhouses and Uji, famous for its green tea.
