Asia Brochure

Japan Finessing the balance between intensity and tranquillity, the coexistence of these two extremes makes Japan such an exciting place to visit.

SAPPORO

HOKKAIDO

AKITA

NIIGATA

NAGANO

SENDAI

KANAZAWA SHIRAKAWA-GO HIMEJI

MATSUMOTO YUDANAKA

O ver 14,000 islands make up the hop around during your holiday, the main island, Honshu, manages to catch most travellers’ eye. It’s here that you’ll find Japan’s capital city, Tokyo. Mammoth-sized, with a solid sense of order cloaked by an appearance of chaos, it’s often defined by its neon-covered skyscrapers and notoriously busy street crossings. But what sets Tokyo apart lies beyond its infrastructure. From the eccentric street fashion to the endless video gaming attractions, the futuristic vending machines to the shockingly speedy bullet trains, this place provides novelty and innovation in equal measure. Travelling 500 kilometres down Honshu’s tail, postcard-worthy Kyoto is, in many ways, worlds away from Tokyo. A university city that keeps tradition close at heart, it has a restful charm that’s entirely of its own making. Kyoto is perhaps most famous for its geisha district, but the serene backdrop of sloping mountains and wide stretching rivers has also helped put it on the map. While visits here can take almost any shape, wandering between the sacred shrines, matcha selling teahouses, and soaring bamboo groves will ensure that most of the boxes are ticked. contrasting country that is Japan. And, while there’s certainly the opportunity to

TAKAYAMA

South Korea

Then you have celebration central – Osaka. Brimming with fun and enthusiasm but much smaller in size than Tokyo, it’s made up of trendy neighbourhoods and hipster hotspots. There are countless things to do and attractions to explore during the day, but really, this is a city designed for night owls. Laden with bustling, hole-in-the wall bars where friends meet to drink beer and sake into the early hours, it’s also here you’ll find some of the finest restaurants in Japan. Not to mention, you’re near the city of Kobe, home of the speciality, melt-in-your-mouth beef. Of course, a trip solely devoted to Japan’s cities will only give you half the story. Teeming with heart-stopping natural scenery, this country’s grandeur goes far beyond the famous Mount Fuji. And while you won’t want to skip over this iconic landmark, true adventure takes form when you embark on a journey through the Japanese Alps. Elegantly morphing in accordance with the seasons, this vast landscape produces bubbling hot springs and icy peaks, vivid purple valleys and fiery red flora-covered hills. It’s enough to make your imagination run wild. Ultimately, no matter where your Japan travels take you, you’re guaranteed a memorable experience. This is a cultural trip worth waiting for,

TOKYO

HIROSHIMA

MOUNT FUJI HAKONE

KYOTO

NARA

OSAKA

KOYASAN

YAKUSHIMA

The Essentials

BEST TIME TO GO Go skiing in winter or sightseeing in autumn, summer, or spring. FUN FACT The ‘fortune cookie’ is said to have originated in the city of Kyoto. TOP TIP Japan is a largely cash-based society, so make sure you bring lots of Yen!

but – the question is – do you want to wait? HONG KONG

MOUNT FUJI

Laos