[:it]Ho sempre pensato che fare un elenco delle bellezze del Giappone fosse un’impresa audace. Parliamo infatti di un Paese veramente delle Meraviglie, dove ogni angolo ha una ragione d’essere ed ogni città la sua importanza.

photo credits: gaijinpot.com 

Nonostante questo però, molti viaggiatori ci chiedono consigli su cosa vedere, cosa non lasciarsi assolutamente sfuggire e noi non vogliamo deluderli! Cercheremo di elencare 9 città imperdibili, 9 tappe essenziali per tornare a casa con un bagaglio nel cuore indimenticabile.

TOKYO

photo credits: liberamenteviaggi.info 

Caotica, elegante, elettrizzante, antica, vitale, da scoprire più e più volte, Tokyo è una metropoli in continua evoluzione, capitale mondiale dello sviluppo tecnologico. I suoi quartieri sono mete essenziali per chi affronta un viaggio nel Paese del Sol Levante per la prima volta.

Qui troviamo Shibuya con l’incrocio più transitato del mondo e la piazza dedicata al famoso cane Hachiko. Non possiamo dimenticare le cosmopolite Shinjuku e Ginza, regni dello shopping e del lusso. Continuamo poi sull’isola artificiale di Odaiba con le straordinarie ricostruzioni europee. Passiamo poi ad Asakusa che sembra voltarsi indietro al passato e alla tradizione. Akihabara regno incontrastato della modernità e della tecnologia, Roppongi regno del divertimento. Il famoso quartiere di Bunkyo in cui è situato il Tokyo dome, area di prestigiose università. Per finire con Shinagawa, centro di affari di Tokyo e la curiosa e stravagante Harajuku. Presente e passato, eccessi e tradizioni si mescolano in una città enorme che vorrete visitare in continuazione!

SAPPORO

photo credits: conventionsapporo.jp 

Città dallo spirito pionieristico, Sapporo fu costruita sulla base di un sistema stradale rettangolare in stile nordamericano con vie nominate e numerate in modo lineare. Capitale di Hokkaido e quinta città più grande del Giappone, Sapporo offre numerosi parchi la cui visita è davvero consigliata! Inoltre questa bella città è famosa per il suo ramen, la birra e l’annuale festival della neve che si tiene a febbraio.

KYOTO

photo credits: ilviziodellesistenza.it 

Antica capitale del Giappone, Kyoto possiede un fascino ineguagliabile grazie ai suoi numerosi santuari shintoisti e templi buddisti. Per non parlare poi dei giardini, dei palazzi imperiali, delle case tradizionali interamente costruite in legno e del quartiere delle Geishe a Gion. Ricca di tradizioni, visitare Kyoto è indispensabile per un tuffo nel Giappone antico capace di conquistare chiunque vi metta piede!

FUKUOKA

photo credits: bbc.com 

2000 anni di storia per questa città che sorge a nord della costa di Kyushu. Metropoli dinamica ed in continua espansione, Fukuoka nasce dall’unione di due città: l’omonima e Hakata. Oggi è ancora possibile sentir parlare di Hakata riferendosi a Fukuoka! I templi antichi, le meravigliose spiagge e i numerosi centri commerciali fanno di Fukuoka una meta essenziale per i viaggiatori. Questo posto è anche perfetto per gli appassionati degli tradizionali yatai (bancarelle in cui mangiare all’aperto) che si trovano ogni sera a Nakasu e Tenjin e il cui piatto tipico è l’Hakata Ramen: superlativo!

OSAKA

photo credits: travelanddestinations.com 

Capitale della buona tavola, Osaka fu il centro commerciale del Giappone, conservando oggi il suo importante ruolo di maggior distretto industriale e portuale. Non solo, Osaka è amata dai visitatori grazie alla ricca vita notturna che offre. Inoltre, non possiamo dimenticare la varietà di cibi da strada in cui ci si può imbattere passeggiando per il vivace distretto di Doutonbori. Inoltre, è possibile godere della sua architettura e del Castello di Osaka del XVI secolo, suo simbolo per eccellenza.

NARA

photo credits: asiancrush.com 

Eccoci giunti alla cittadina con il maggior numero di tesori risalenti all’VIII secolo. Famosa per i cervi che vivono liberi nel parco, Nara è culla dell’arte, della letteratura e della cultura giapponese.
Tra tutti i meravigliosi templi, quello di Todaiji è il più amato dai visitatori perchè è quello che contiene il Daibutsu-den la più grande costruzione in legno del mondo contenente la statua in bronzo del Grande Buddha, alta 15m.

NAGASAKI

photo credits: at-nagasaki.jp 

Di Nagasaki ne abbiamo parlato a lungo nel nostro blog e rientra assolutamente tra le 9 città da visitare non solo per la memoria triste legata al passato ma per tutte le sue meraviglie. C’è un particolare evento che merita la nostra attenzione: i festeggiamenti dell’antico capodanno lunare, oggi comunemente chiamato “Festival delle Lanterne”. Ogni anno oltre 15.000 lanterne vengono accese e collocate in vari punti della città, danze, esibizioni e spettacoli di vario genere riempiono il cuore e gli occhi lasciando quella meravigliosa sensazione di sazietà.

NAHA

photo credits: weblogtheworld.com 

Capitale di Okinawa, a Naha si vive un Giappone inusuale. Molto più simile alle atmosfere tropicali, qui i ritmi sono rilassati e le tradizioni a se stanti. Percorrendo la Kokusai Dori ci si imbatte in negozi, ristoranti, botteghe di souvenir, cafè, vivaci alberghi e si può raggiungere anche il mercato di Makishi dove la particolare cucina di Okinawa trova la sua piena identità.

NAGOYA

photo credits: matcha-jp.com 

Città natale di Oda Nobunaga e Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Nagoya incarna il dinamismo economico del Sol Levante. Questa città è ricca di musei industriali, centri commerciali e la Mei-eki, l’immensa stazione ferroviaria. Il Castello, la torre della televisione, l’Atsuta Horaiken Honten e, per gli appassionati di automobile, Museo dell’Automobile Toyota sono solo alcuni dei suggerimenti che vi diamo da non perdere ad ogni costo!

Ci siamo fermate a 9 città, ma in realtà ne avremmo potute elencare 15, 20, persino 25! Nel mio cuore ce ne sono davvero tante, ma per scoprirle vi basta seguirci in questo lungo viaggio. Poco a poco vi porteremo davvero ovunque perciò tenetevi pronti e corriamo verso la prossima tappa![:en]I always thought that making a list of the beauties of Japan was a bold venture. In fact, we are talking about a truly marvelous country, where every corner has a reason for being beautiful and every city has its importance.

photo credits: gaijinpot.com 

Despite this, however, many travelers ask us for advice on what to see, what not to miss, and we don’t want to disappoint them! We will try to list 9 must-see cities, 9 essential stages to get back home with unforgettable memories.

TOKYO

photo credits: liberamenteviaggi.info 

Chaotic, elegant, electrifying, ancient, vital, to be discovered over and over again, Tokyo is a metropolis in constant evolution, the world capital of technological development. Its neighborhoods are essential destinations for those facing a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun for the first time. Here we find Shibuya with the most transited crossing in the world and the square dedicated to the famous Hachiko dog.

We cannot forget the cosmopolitan Shinjuku and Ginza, realms of shopping and luxury. We then continue on the artificial island of Odaiba with the extraordinary European reconstructions. We then move on to Asakusa which seems to turn back to the past and to tradition. Akihabara the undisputed realm of modernity and technology, Roppongi realm of entertainment. The famous Bunkyo district where the Tokyo dome is located and an area of ​​prestigious universities. To finish with Shinagawa, Tokyo’s business center and the curious and extravagant Harajuku. Present and past, excesses and traditions mix in a huge city that you will want to visit all the time!

SAPPORO

photo credits: conventionsapporo.jp 

A pioneering city, Sapporo was built on the basis of a rectangular North American style street system with linearly named and numbered streets. Capital of Hokkaido and Japan’s fifth-largest city, Sapporo offers numerous parks whose visit is really recommended! Also, this beautiful city is famous for its ramen, beer and the annual snow festival held in February.

KYOTO

photo credits: ilviziodellesistenza.it 

As the ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto has an unparalleled charm thanks to its many Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Not to mention gardens, imperial palaces, traditional houses built entirely of wood and the Geisha district in Gion. Rich in traditions, visiting Kyoto is essential for a dip in ancient Japan capable of conquering anyone who sets foot in it!

FUKUOKA

photo credits: bbc.com 

2000 years of history for this city that rises to the north of the Kyushu coast. A dynamic and ever-expanding metropolis, Fukuoka was born from the union of two cities: the homonymous and Hakata. Today it is still possible to hear about Hakata referring to Fukuoka! The ancient temples, the marvelous beaches and the numerous shopping centers make Fukuoka an essential destination for travelers. This place is also perfect for fans of traditional yatai (outdoor food stalls) that are found every night in Nakasu and Tenjin and whose typical dish is Hakata Ramen: superlative!

OSAKA

photo credits: travelanddestinations.com 

Capital of good food, Osaka was the commercial center of Japan, preserving today its important role as a major industrial and port district. Not only that, Osaka is loved by visitors thanks to the rich nightlife it offers. Furthermore, we cannot forget the variety of street foods one can come across when strolling through the lively Doutonbori district. Moreover, it is possible to enjoy its architecture and the 16th century Osaka Castle, its symbol par excellence.

NARA

photo credits: asiancrush.com 

Here we come to the town with the greatest number of treasures dating back to the 8th century. Famous for the deer living free in the park, Nara is the cradle of Japanese art, literature and culture. Among all the wonderful temples, that of Todaiji is the most loved by visitors because it is the one that contains the Daibutsu-den the largest wooden building in the world containing the bronze statue of the Great Buddha, 15m high.

NAGASAKI

photo credits: at-nagasaki.jp 

We talked about Nagasaki for a long time in our blog and it is absolutely among the 9 cities to visit not only for the sad memory tied to the past but for all its wonders. There is a particular event that deserves our attention: the celebrations of the ancient lunar new year, now commonly called “Lantern Festival”. Every year over 15,000 lanterns are lit and placed in various parts of the city, dances, exhibitions and shows of various kinds fill the heart and eyes leaving that wonderful sensation of satiety.

NAHA

photo credits: weblogtheworld.com 

The capital of Okinawa, Naha has an unusual Japan. Much more similar to tropical atmospheres, here the rhythms are relaxed and the traditions stand alone. Along the Kokusai Dori you will come across shops, restaurants, souvenir shops, cafes, lively hotels and you can also reach the Makishi market where the particular Okinawan cuisine finds its full identity.

NAGOYA

photo credits: matcha-jp.com 

The birthplace of Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Nagoya embodies the economic dynamism of the Rising Sun. This city is rich in industrial museums, shopping centers and the Mei-eki, the immense railway station. The Castle, the television tower, the Atsuta Horaiken Honten and, for car enthusiasts, the Toyota Automobile Museum are just some of the tips we give you not to lose at any cost!

We stopped at 9 cities, but in reality, we could have listed 15, 20, even 25! There are so many in my heart, but to discover them you just need to follow us on this long journey. Little by little, we will really take you everywhere so get ready and run to the next stop![:ja]I always thought that making a list of the beauties of Japan was a bold venture. In fact, we are talking about a truly marvelous country, where every corner has a reason for being beautiful and every city has its importance.

photo credits: gaijinpot.com 

Despite this, however, many travelers ask us for advice on what to see, what not to miss, and we don’t want to disappoint them! We will try to list 9 must-see cities, 9 essential stages to get back home with unforgettable memories.

TOKYO

photo credits: liberamenteviaggi.info 

Chaotic, elegant, electrifying, ancient, vital, to be discovered over and over again, Tokyo is a metropolis in constant evolution, the world capital of technological development. Its neighborhoods are essential destinations for those facing a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun for the first time. Here we find Shibuya with the most transited crossing in the world and the square dedicated to the famous Hachiko dog.

We cannot forget the cosmopolitan Shinjuku and Ginza, realms of shopping and luxury. We then continue on the artificial island of Odaiba with the extraordinary European reconstructions. We then move on to Asakusa which seems to turn back to the past and to tradition. Akihabara the undisputed realm of modernity and technology, Roppongi realm of entertainment. The famous Bunkyo district where the Tokyo dome is located and an area of ​​prestigious universities. To finish with Shinagawa, Tokyo’s business center and the curious and extravagant Harajuku. Present and past, excesses and traditions mix in a huge city that you will want to visit all the time!

SAPPORO

photo credits: conventionsapporo.jp 

A pioneering city, Sapporo was built on the basis of a rectangular North American style street system with linearly named and numbered streets. Capital of Hokkaido and Japan’s fifth-largest city, Sapporo offers numerous parks whose visit is really recommended! Also, this beautiful city is famous for its ramen, beer and the annual snow festival held in February.

KYOTO

photo credits: ilviziodellesistenza.it 

As the ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto has an unparalleled charm thanks to its many Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Not to mention gardens, imperial palaces, traditional houses built entirely of wood and the Geisha district in Gion. Rich in traditions, visiting Kyoto is essential for a dip in ancient Japan capable of conquering anyone who sets foot in it!

FUKUOKA

photo credits: bbc.com 

2000 years of history for this city that rises to the north of the Kyushu coast. A dynamic and ever-expanding metropolis, Fukuoka was born from the union of two cities: the homonymous and Hakata. Today it is still possible to hear about Hakata referring to Fukuoka! The ancient temples, the marvelous beaches and the numerous shopping centers make Fukuoka an essential destination for travelers. This place is also perfect for fans of traditional yatai (outdoor food stalls) that are found every night in Nakasu and Tenjin and whose typical dish is Hakata Ramen: superlative!

OSAKA

photo credits: travelanddestinations.com 

Capital of good food, Osaka was the commercial center of Japan, preserving today its important role as a major industrial and port district. Not only that, Osaka is loved by visitors thanks to the rich nightlife it offers. Furthermore, we cannot forget the variety of street foods one can come across when strolling through the lively Doutonbori district. Moreover, it is possible to enjoy its architecture and the 16th century Osaka Castle, its symbol par excellence.

NARA

photo credits: asiancrush.com 

Here we come to the town with the greatest number of treasures dating back to the 8th century. Famous for the deer living free in the park, Nara is the cradle of Japanese art, literature and culture. Among all the wonderful temples, that of Todaiji is the most loved by visitors because it is the one that contains the Daibutsu-den the largest wooden building in the world containing the bronze statue of the Great Buddha, 15m high.

NAGASAKI

photo credits: at-nagasaki.jp 

We talked about Nagasaki for a long time in our blog and it is absolutely among the 9 cities to visit not only for the sad memory tied to the past but for all its wonders. There is a particular event that deserves our attention: the celebrations of the ancient lunar new year, now commonly called “Lantern Festival”. Every year over 15,000 lanterns are lit and placed in various parts of the city, dances, exhibitions and shows of various kinds fill the heart and eyes leaving that wonderful sensation of satiety.

NAHA

photo credits: weblogtheworld.com 

The capital of Okinawa, Naha has an unusual Japan. Much more similar to tropical atmospheres, here the rhythms are relaxed and the traditions stand alone. Along the Kokusai Dori you will come across shops, restaurants, souvenir shops, cafes, lively hotels and you can also reach the Makishi market where the particular Okinawan cuisine finds its full identity.

NAGOYA

photo credits: matcha-jp.com 

The birthplace of Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Nagoya embodies the economic dynamism of the Rising Sun. This city is rich in industrial museums, shopping centers and the Mei-eki, the immense railway station. The Castle, the television tower, the Atsuta Horaiken Honten and, for car enthusiasts, the Toyota Automobile Museum are just some of the tips we give you not to lose at any cost!

We stopped at 9 cities, but in reality, we could have listed 15, 20, even 25! There are so many in my heart, but to discover them you just need to follow us on this long journey. Little by little, we will really take you everywhere so get ready and run to the next stop![:]