Best Of Japan Holiday

After you arrive at Hong Kong’s airport on Lantau Island, see the enormous Tian Tan Buddha, measuring 112 feet tall and weighing over 200 tons. Then, take a harbor cruise to get your bearings and see Hong Kong’s modern architecture. Later, slurp noodles at the Temple Street Night Market. If you have an extra day, head out to Dragon’s Back portion of the Hong Kong Trail for some scenic hiking among mist-covered peaks.
The Peak Tram takes you up to Victoria Peak, Hong Kong’s 1,800-foot-high mountain. Less expensive buses will get you there, too. Once you’re up top, admire the views over the city from the hiking trails. The Peak also offers an escape from the subtropical climate below — the air here is cooler and less humid.

Stanley Harbour, on the other side of Hong Kong Island, will give you a taste of a different Hong Kong. It’s a fishing village on Repulse Bay with a lovely seaside walk (snap some photos of the fishing boats) as well as a famous street market. There’s lots of British history, a boardwalk and even a few beaches. You can take the bus from Central for a scenic trip, though the express bus is faster.

Japan’s southernmost major city, Kagoshima delivers a memorable mix of unique cuisine, historical attractions and outdoor activities in its temperate weather. Take the short ferry ride from the port to Sakurajima Yogan Nagisa Park and immerse yourself in its natural grandeur — take a rejuvenating soak in the 100-meter-long natural hot spring, and take in views of the area’s most iconic landmark: Sakurajima volcano, nicknamed the Vesuvius of Japan. Then, take in sweeping bayside vistas at Sengan-en, the elegant estate of the Shimadzu samurai clan, and stroll through its cherry blossom-filled gardens. Cruise to Kagoshima and head to Yurigahama Beach, with its bright waters and mysterious sandbar that appears each month in a slightly different spot, depending on the tides.

Nestled in the southern corner of Japan, Miyazaki has a humid subtropical climate and miles of palm-tree-lined, sandy beaches. From the port at Aburatsu, the riches of Miyazaki are right at your fingertips. Cruise to Miyazaki and explore the remains of Obi Castle, a former samurai stronghold dating back to the 1400s. Then, ascend the steps to Udo-jingu Shrine, a Shinto place of worship overlooking the Pacific and the unusual rock formations at Aoshima. Afterwards, enjoy the beach at Aoshima Island, with its warm waters and exotic Washington palms. Be sure to see the impressive Peace Tower at Heiwadai Park and glimpse the volcanic basalt cliffs of Takachiho Gorge.

A beautiful and bustling city, Nagasaki’s streets have been touched by foreign culture for generations. This is the port by which the Portuguese and Dutch brought Japan into contact with Western culture in the 1500s, and over the years, international influence has continued to transform Nagasaki into the hub of cosmopolitan activity it is today. Explore the Dutch Slope, where you’ll find Dutch residences from the 1800s and Japan’s first Protestant Church, Higashi Yamate. Cruise to Nagasaki to see the oldest bridge in Japan, Megane-bashi – or ‘Spectacles Bridge’, so called for its arched appearance. Then, visit Nagasaki Peace Park, with its 18-metre-wide fountain built to memorialise the events that took place here when the atomic bomb struck in 1945.

Fukuoka, on the northern shore of Japan’s Kyushu Island, is known for ancient temples and beautiful beaches. Explore the 17th-century ruins of Fukuoka Castle in Maizuru Park. Then head to the central Hakata district, home to Tocho-ji Temple, where a 10-meter wooden Buddha sits. Cruise to Fukuoka and dive deeper into history at the Hakata Machiya Folk Museum, with displays on daily life in the Meiji and Taisho eras. Slurp ramen noodles in rich tonkotsu broth at one of the city’s yatai (outdoor food stalls), then walk it off with a stroll along the winding canals. Pop into Shofukuji Zen temple for some quiet reflection. Or embrace the bustle instead and head to Canal City Hakata, one of Japan’s largest shopping complexes.

After you arrive at Hong Kong’s airport on Lantau Island, see the enormous Tian Tan Buddha, measuring 112 feet tall and weighing over 200 tons. Then, take a harbor cruise to get your bearings and see Hong Kong’s modern architecture. Later, slurp noodles at the Temple Street Night Market. If you have an extra day, head out to Dragon’s Back portion of the Hong Kong Trail for some scenic hiking among mist-covered peaks.
The Peak Tram takes you up to Victoria Peak, Hong Kong’s 1,800-foot-high mountain. Less expensive buses will get you there, too. Once you’re up top, admire the views over the city from the hiking trails. The Peak also offers an escape from the subtropical climate below — the air here is cooler and less humid.

Stanley Harbour, on the other side of Hong Kong Island, will give you a taste of a different Hong Kong. It’s a fishing village on Repulse Bay with a lovely seaside walk (snap some photos of the fishing boats) as well as a famous street market. There’s lots of British history, a boardwalk and even a few beaches. You can take the bus from Central for a scenic trip, though the express bus is faster.