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The Intrepid Traveler Mark Ellwood reveals top temples, hidden eateries, and the finest sakes in Japan when traveling from Hakone to Kyoto with Cox and Kings. Cox and Kings Traditions and Temples itinerary spans Japan in every sense—zig-zagging around the island of Honshu and the country’s astonishing cultural diversity. It ranges from the hot spring-powered resort town of Hakone—nestled close to the cloud-capped Mount Fuji in the rustic countryside—to Osaka, the bustling and gloriously brash seaside city. Osaka’s known for its tradition of kuidaore (aka eat until you drop!), and intrepid travelers can indulge in unfamiliar tidbits like takoyaki (deep fried octopus balls). Traditions and Temples also brings visitors to Tokyo, dipping into the country’s storied past via a visit to a sumo-wrestling 40
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school, and celebrating its gleaming present in Ginza, where stores like Chanel are as much a work of art as the products on sale inside. Of course, a comprehensive visit to Japan wouldn’t be complete without a detour to Kyoto, the former Imperial capital where there’s an astonishing 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. TEMPLE HOPPING Kyoto is synonymous with temples, with more than 1,600 holy sites dotted within its city limits. Visit the Ninna-Ji, which was once a royal palace and at which the emperor serves as official high priest, and the Kinkaku-Ji, or
