So many destinations around the world to see, so many time zones, so many cultures, but nothing better than Japan. Food, beer, people, mountains, Japan has it all. Unlike other destinations around the world Japan is a safe country to visit. There is no civil war taking place, there are no people being shot in shopping centers (not at time of press) Japan is as safe as flying on air force one escorted by two F15 fighter planes.

The flying time is much less to Japan than to Europe or America for example. When you arrive you are warmly greeted and the warmth of the people and the culture is maintained whilst you are under the red sun. You are also in gadget capital of the world, the leaders in technology, so imagine the stuff you could pick up. A DVD player the size of your palm, a walkman that actually walks for you and even a time machine. Apart from all the nifty gadgets Japan has many other things to see and do including, Mount Fuji, Osaka, Hiroshima and Tokyo.

Mount Fuji is easily Japans highest mountain, standing a staggering 3 776 meters! Mt Fuji is also a volcano that was last known to erupt in 1708, so beware; she could spew at any time! If you intend to go and see Mt Fuji it is recommended to go in the colder seasons as visibility is much clearer than in the summer due to the clouds. It is much better to take a trip to the mountain early in the morning or late in the evening for a more rewarding view. If getting a glimpse at this bad boy just isn’t enough why not climb it? During July and August the mountain is generally snow free and the mountain is easily accessible. If it fits in with your schedule it is recommended to climb on a weekday or in the first half of July to avoid freezing your butt off longer than you have to.

Fancy a bit of Bunraku? (The traditional Japanese puppet theatre) Then head to Osaka, the third largest city in Japan. Peace Osaka is a museum in Osaka that documents the events of World War 2. The first floor houses photographs and other memorabilia related to the war, including the U.S. invasion of Okinawa and the atomic bombing. The second floor is dedicated to the Osaka air raids that destroyed much of the city and killed many of its people towards the end of the war. Why not take the missus up the Umeda Sky building? It’s a 173 meter tall building which is made up of two separate towers which are linked to each other by the floating garden observatory on the 39th floor. Get a great view from the observatory for only 700 yen, about eight dollars (AUS). A beautiful restaurant can be found on the basement floor, whilst greedy companies occupy the other floors of the tower.
Home to one million people, Hiroshima is the largest city of the Chugoku (western most region of Japan) region. On that fateful August day in 1945, Hiroshima was selected as the target of an atomic bomb by the United States, resulting in over 200 000 loss of lives. The peace memorial park now stands to commemerate the dropping of the atomic bomb over this strong city, and represents peace in the new world. The atomic bomb dome is one of the few buildings that survived the impact and is the cities only remaining bomb damaged building. Lastly, the memorial Cenotaph was built in honour of those who paid the ultimate price on August 6th. It holds a list of all those killed due to the blast and those who died soon after due to disease.

Next we travel to transcending Tokyo…The capital, the big city, the bright lights! Well Tokyo isn’t New York City, but in Shibuya there is an uncanny resemblance?
Shibuya is on of the more modern wards of Tokyo, mainly for its shopping and entertainment t facilities and large neon signs. See the Hackiko statue, a monument of a loyal dog called, you guessed it, Hackiko. Legend has it that the dog waited for his master every day in front of shibuya station and remained to do so long after the masters death. He is no Santa’s little helper who can fetch the whole Sunday paper, but he sounds like a great dog none the less.

Want to learn the history of sin sticks (smokes). Go to the tobacco and salt museum which details the history of the two products throughout Japan and the world. Open daily from 10am to 6pm it costs about 100 yen for admission which is about one whole Aussie dollar.
Why not tour NHK Studio Park, which is open to the public and allows visitors a rare opportunity to look behind the scenes of a live television show. If you play your cards right you may just get on TV, well not really. It is open from 10am to 6pm and admission is about 200 yen, which is the gold nugget equivalent. ($2AUS)

How are you going to stop the missus nagging you to go shopping, you are in practically one of the shopping capitals of the world. Easy…take her. Koen Doir or “Park Street”, Spain Slope or Shibuya mark city are all tremendous shopping outlets that will have her reeling with excitement. Let her pick up some Japanese fashion whilst you check out the latest in gadgets, you’ll be amazed in what they have, maybe useless but what the hell.

Now let’s go for a bit of thrill seeking up Tokyo Tower. Standing 333 meters, it even outstands the Eiffel tower. It was completed in 1958 and conveys japans rebirth as a nation with great economic power. You can travel to the main observatory up 150 meters or go even higher to 250 meters to get a remarkable view of Tokyo. Operating from 9am until 9:45pm, Tokyo Tower can offer exceptional views in the day or night. Admission is 1 500 ($1.50AUS) yen per person; the tower also contains an aquarium and even a wax museum on the ground floor.

What about a night out with the boys at Ryogoku or the sumo wrestling region. Ryogoku is where you will find everything sumo from restaurants to thongs (the good sought) Back in 1909 the first sumo hall was built at a spot where the events were previously held outdoors. No meat pies or hot chips for these fellas, they generally eat chanko nabe which is a hot pot dish with vegetables, seafood or meat, poor guys.

No matter where you go, climbing Mount Fuji, Hanging out in Osaka, paying tribute in Hiroshima, being entertained in Shibuya or touring Tokyo, Japan always impresses. But when is the best time to go to Japan you ask, when should I travel? Well it all depends on your itinerary and your budget. If you are going solely to climb Mt Fuji, July or August are the only months that the mountain is open for climbing. November is the best month to visit Japan, the weather is perfect, and the airfares are lower. Typhoon season has just finished which means clear skies straight after. January and February are also good for traveling with great weather. June is the beginning of the rainy season and September is typhoon season, so you have been warned.

Once you know when you are going you need to decide where you are going to crash for the night. The beautiful Tokyo Bay intercontinental hotel has rooms beginning at 17 800 yen. ($200AUS) Situated right on the bay of Tokyo this stunning hotel is mesmerizing. Services include a beauty salon, gift shop, a cocktail lounge and even a florist so you can make a visit to apologise to the wife for your actions the night before. Hotel reservations are contacted on 1800 007 697.
Osaka has the beautiful three stars Sun Plaza Rinkai. Located only a few minutes from the Osaka city centre it is the ideal hotel for a week stay or longer. Services include fully equipped kitchen, TV, bathroom, airconditioning. Single rooms begin at 10 500 yen which is abut $123(AUS) bookings can be made through the web at bookings.net.

The heart bed Hiroshima has the central hotel. It stands in the centre of the city on the Kyobashi River. Reception is 24 hours for you late arrivals who are stumbling around the city after a big night. You can get the services of a masseur or dine in at the hotels restaurant as often as you want; prices start at about 17 800 yen or $209(AUS) per night. Japan has many many accommodation offers from many fine establishments to choose from, simply speak to your local travel agent or even just search the net to get the best offer. So you know where your going you know when, you know where to stay but how are you going to get around?

Most easily is a taxi, you do actually need to stand in queue though in Japan. You need to go to at taxi rank, wait in the line and when you see a taxi pass with a red light on, waive it down as this means there are no passengers. If there is a green light this means the driver has passengers.
Next, ride the amazing bullet train, simply go to one of the large Japanese train stations and buy your ticket at the counter as you normally would. You also may choose to reserve your seat if you wish. Once you have your ticket, check your departure time and platform number and head off for the bullet.
There are many options for domestic air travel in Japan, All nippan airways, Japan airlines, Skumark airlines or Air do. Jal and ANA offer air passes for foreign tourists anywhere in Japan for only 12 000 yen for each flight, that’s about $140 for each flight. For the trip home Qantas has flights departing from Tokyo and arriving in Sydney for a little more than $1000.

Who would have ever thought that one small country made up of so many different islands could offer so much. Memorable hotels, gadget shopping, outstanding transportation, great scenery, Japan certainly has it all. For a mountain trekking time with your mates up Mt Fuji or wining and dining with your missus on Tokyo bay, Japan will not disappoint. So go ahead call your travel agent, you deserve a rewarding holiday that you will remember for the rest of your life.