Japan is a country of striking contrasts, where ancient traditions blend seamlessly with modern innovation. It is an archipelago of over 14,125 islands, with its four main islands—Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku—forming the cultural and economic heart of the nation. We only have 7 days, and all the sites we visit will be on the island of Honshu.

Japan has a long history that includes the rise and fall of samurai, the influence of Buddhism, and the impact of Westernization during  the 19th century. It is also famous for its contributions to technology, automotive manufacturing, and robotics, with companies like Toyota, Sony, and Nintendo leading the way globally. Tokyo, Japan’s capital, is one of the most populous and technologically advanced cities in the world.

Despite its modernization, Japan is renowned for its cultural heritage of temples, shrines, tea ceremonies, ikebana (flower arranging), calligraphy, sumo wrestling and kabuki theater. These coexist alongside its contemporary pop culture, including anime, manga, and J-pop.