A tour of 2000 years of Japanese history

The Tokyo National Museum exhibits Oriental artworks with a focus on Japanese artists, as well as antiquities. It houses some 120,000 artworks, including designated national treasures and important cultural properties such as must-see heritage Jomon pottery, swords, armor and kimono. The sprawling complex includes the Honkan (Japanese Gallery) for Japanese art, Toyokan (Asian Gallery) for Asian art and antiquities, as well as the Heiseikan (Japanese archaeology), the Hyokeikan building and the Gallery of Hyoryuji Treasures. One day is hardly enough. Special exhibitions also held on a regular basis.

Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine is an ancient shrine that appears in the Kojiki, the oldest historical chronicles of Japan. The shrine's main hall is currently designated as a National Treasure. The shrine's Sacred Dance Hall features a "shimenawa"(shinto rope indicating that the space behind is sacred) that is around 13 meters long and weighs 5.2 tons, making it one of the largest in all of Japan. It is believed that deities from across Japan gather in Izumo during the 10th month of the lunar calendar to hold a matchmaking conference.

The Shirakabe Dozogun storehouses are a collection of buildings from the Edo and Meiji periods that have been designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. The white-walled storehouses and buildings are home to various types of stores such as sundry shops, cafes, and art galleries, that offer up a retro ambience.

Miyajima has been regarded as a sacred island since ancient times. In 1996, about 14% of the island became designated as a World Heritage Site, including the palatial style building of Itsukushima Shrine, the sea in front of the shrine where the grand torii gate stands, and old growth forest on Mt. Misen behind it. The highlight on a visit to Miyajima is the Itsukushima Shrine, which appears to float in the ocean but also blends in with the mountain in its backdrop forming an elegant scene. The grand torii gate built offshore is the symbol of Miyajima, which can be accessed by foot during low tide while it is partially submerged in water at high tide. The lighting condition during sunset presents the island in a mystic way backlit behind the grand torii gate, Itsukushima Shrine, and five-storied pagoda, providing a distinctive view from the daytime. The island has native animals including deer, which are regarded and protected as divine messengers. You can also experience a Goma Fire Ritual and Buddhist cuisine at Daishoin Temple, the oldest temple on Miyajima.

Kure, which grew as an Imperial Navy port in the Meiji period, is home to old Imperial Navy facilities and museums. In the Yamato Museum, also known as the Kure Maritime Museum, the weight of history hangs heavy among exhibits that include a 10-to-1 scale model of the battleship Yamato, the torpedoes and cannons it used and more. The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force Kure Museum holds exhibits related to minesweeping and submarine operations, including the centerpiece, an Akishio submarine.

TOKYO SKYTREE was listed in the Guinness World Records™ as the tallest tower in the world, standing at a height of 634 m. The Tembo Deck, at an elevation of 350 m, offers 360-degree panoramic views of the Kanto area, and even distant views of Mt. Fuji on a clear day. Tembo Galleria, a further 100 m up at an elevation of 450 m, offers even more expansive 360-degree panoramic views of the Kanto area. Moreover, the tower is bathed in beautiful lighting at night, alternating every day between "Iki" (soft blue), "Miyabi" (Edo purple), and "Nobori" (tangerine). Special lighting is also implemented for every season of the year. At the foot of the tower is TOKYO Solamachi, a commercial facility packed with a wide selection of over 300 shops and restaurants, as well as a planetarium and an aquarium, offering a full day of enjoyment for visitors. The tower is a world-renowned landmark of Tokyo.