With plans for international travel in 2020 looking doubtful (thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic), it may be the time to start planning your trip for 2021 instead. One of the prime destinations for many jetsetters is Japan. The starting date for the Tokyo summer Olympics has now been postponed until July 2021, making it a key destination for a number of reasons.
The first attraction which draws many to Japan is the contrast in culture between the hyper modern cities and ancient traditional practices embedded into everyday Japanese society. Bullet trains travelling at supersonic speeds. Robotic toilets. The high-tech gaming culture. Automated dining experiences. At the same time, the Japanese are incredibly modest, welcoming and polite. After having exited the super modern city of Tokyo, you begin to uncover the ancient Japanese culture that goes back thousands of years.
Kyoto Station
One of my favourite and unexpected landmarks was the Osaka Castle. Featuring a wide moat of water, a museum and unique architecture it was a distinctive element of Japan one wouldn’t come across in Tokyo or Kyoto.
Osaka Castle
Tokyo is a prime destination with literally hundreds of attraction dispersed across the city. Some top attractions include: Meiji Jingu Shrine, Yoyogi Park, Harajuku area and MORI Building digital art museum. These landmarks perfectly illustrate the contrast between old and modern day Japan. Outside Tokyo, I would recommend Kyoto as a must see. The Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine with vivid orange and black décor is a sight to behold.
Mori Digital Art Museum
I would highly recommend purchasing a Japanese Rail card if travelling long distances between cities. Another useful purchase was sourcing a SUICA card. This acts much like a credit card and can be used at most train stations and some convenience stores, and saves a lot of time rather than buying a train ticket each time. I would also strongly recommend purchasing a portable WIFI device. Because WIFI can be somewhat limited it is useful being able to connect to the internet.
Kyoto Station
Some other useful tips is using Google Maps, traveling in a group and carry cash on hand. Personally I found navigating the train stations on my own somewhat challenging. I would recommend travelling in small groups or on a tour. One of the best aspects of travelling in Japan is that it is incredibly safe.
When is the best months to travel? That depends on your travel preference. The Summer Olympics start on the 23rd July 2021 to date. That also means travelling in the peak of summer. I found travelling in late July to August was demanding due to the heat and oppressive humidity. Temperatures would regularly hover between low 30 to 40 degrees Celsius. The peak time of April to late May matches with cherry blossom season and mild weather. For snow bunnies, the winter months of December to February offer prime ski and ski boarding conditions.
Kinkakuji (Golden Pavillon) Temple, Kyoto
What are the top food options? Katsu chicken, sushi, ramen, gyoza, bento boxes, octopus on a skewer, okonomiyaki (vegetable pancake) are just some of the unique and interesting dishes available. At many restaurants the chef will cook your food in front of you. Often convenience stores would stock high quality food options which are great if you want something quickly. Overall, the food is simply amazing!
In summary, I would highly recommend Japan as a top destination for all ambitious and adventurous travellers for 2021.