Best times to visit, weather-wise:

Winter - December to February, the temperature rarely drops below 0°C and it is also quite dry and very often sunny.

Spring - March to May, brings with it not only warmer temperature but also splendid views of mountains, fields and gardens all blanketed in the gentle pink of the Cherry Blossoms.

Summer - begins in June with a three to four week rainy season. It becomes seriously hot and humid from July onward. Bathing in the sea and relaxing at cool resorts in mountainous areas becomes the norm. Summer is when many interesting festivals and other events are held all over the country.

Autumn - September to November, always brings such freshness with a light breeze and cool temperature after the hot and humid summer. Chrysanthemums create beautiful displays with their abundance of flowers enchanting visitors to parks and gardens. Autumn is also the season for many exhibitions, music concerts and sports tournaments in Japan.

In Japan there are many fascinating places that you can enjoy and most of them for free. These include such diverse attractions as beer museums, food galleries, hi-tech consumer electronics showrooms, cosmetics factories and television studios. With so many different places to visit there’s bound to be something of interest for everyone.

At The Sapporo Beer Museum you can get details of beer history and a clear explanation of the brewing process. Go to the Otokoyama Sake Museum for a display of various valuable items that explain the history and cultural significance of sake-brewing and also woodblock prints and literature featuring rice wine . The exhibits include a number of documents of historical importance dating back around 330 years. Furano is one of Japan's top winemaking areas, and at the Furano Wine Factory visitors can learn about the winemaking process and test taste the results. In June through August the factory is illuminated along with the adjoining lavender field, creating a beautiful and mysterious appearance. One can also observe the process of making cheese and taste fresh samples at the Furano Cheese Factory. Here you can experience first hand the making butter and ice cream. The Shiseido Cosmetic Garden is a showroom featuring Shiseido's cosmetic products. Specialist staff are on hand to offer advice and demonstrations can be given at the factory nearby. You can also try out cosmetics and help yourself to a leisurely cup of tea at Menard Cosmetage. Here staff can also offer advice about how to care for skin. Ancient temples in Nara and Kyoto, provides more insight into the cultural aspect of the Japanese. These temples can be visited any time of the year and at most, guided tours are available.

If you’re not interested in any of those and you love outdoor life as much as the Japanese, then try camping. There are currently more than 3,000 campsites scattered all over Japan. Though facilities and equipment available at these campsites may not be equal to those you have experienced in Europe or North America, camping is excellent way to make new friends and during the summer, the sites are at their busiest.

Skiing, on the other hand, is truly an irresistible experience in Japan. For many skiers and snowboarders, winter is by far the best season as they are treated to some of the heaviest snowfalls and best quality snow in the world. There are around 600 ski and snowboard resorts throughout Japan all the way down from the northern island of Hokkaido to the southern island of Kyushu. It is actually relatively inexpensive when compared to other countries. For example, a one-day lift ticket will typically cost around 4000-4500 yen (17-20 pounds), sometimes cheaper, and many resorts now also offer a large range of tickets including half-day, multi-day and season passes. The attractive packages including travel, accommodation and lift tickets are often available at travel agents, and you will also find good deals by contacting hotels directly if you want to plan your own trip. There are many resorts within easy reach of Tokyo and even day trips are possible. Within 2 hours you will be able to visit ski resorts in Niigata, Gunma, Tochigi and Nagano and within 3 hours the options greatly increase.

If you decide to visit Japan for the shopping, then you would surely not be disappointed. There are a number of malls specializing in brand name fashion for ladies and men wear and accessories. These are located all over Japan, the majority though being in Tokyo.

Dining out in Japan is another must do activity for many and it doesn't have to be expensive. Follow the locals and you will generally find both lower prices and more authentic Japanese cuisine in places such as Izakaya (Japanese pubs), Shokudo (general eating places, often with set meals), and Okonomiyaki restaurants ('Japanese pizza' places). If you’re looking for a more high class experience then there are many such restaurants in Tokyo where kimono-clad waitresses serve the freshest sushi, the sheer variety and quality of the food unmatched elsewhere. If you are not particularly keen on Asian food, there is no cause for concern. There are Italian and French restaurants and Western-style fast food chains like KFC and McDonald's are in plentiful supply.

Travelling in Japan is relatively easy. Bus service is available in all cities, but can sometimes be a bit difficult for non-Japanese speaking visitors to use. Taxis are widely available and can usually deliver customers to addresses written in Japanese or on business cards. Car Rental services are available in most large and medium-sized cities as well as at airports and major train station, with international driver's licenses recognized. Subway lines are available in all major cities, and provide prompt, efficient transportation and there are maps available written in English. The main international airports are Narita, in Tokoyo; Kansai, in Osaka and the Central Japan Airport located in Nagoya. Ask your local Travel agent for flights to any one of these.

Tourist Information Centers are handy for providing travel information and free literature on Japan, suggesting tour itineraries, and handling reservations requests for various hotels and inns. Guide-interpreters may be hired. Some have a pre-set walking tour for which you only need to go to a pre-established place at certain dates and times to join, while others make arrangements to meet tourists' requests.

Japan is definitely worth a visit!!

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