A mighty metropolis

Tokyo can at first seem daunting. It’s huge – 2000 square kilometres and home to 30m people – yet it rewards intrepid travellers. Right by Shinjuku Station (the busiest station in the world) you’ll find the iconic Shibuya Crossing. Snap a pic, and then cross into the Shinjuku National Garden – an oasis of calm next to the most bustling spot on the globe.

If you’re seeking your cultural fix, head to the Tokyo National Museum. Home to over 100,000 pieces, it is a treasure trove of Japanese art and artefacts, painting, pottery, armour, and calligraphy. teamLab planets is cutting edge, with virtual orchid gardens perfect for Instagram. Go to the Mori Art Museum for modern art and an astonishing view from its Sky Deck.

A food-lover’s paradise

Tokyo has 226 Michelin-starred restaurants, the most in the world, and Kyoto and Osaka come third and fifth. Tokyo is famous for its ramen, while you should head to the port city of Osaka for the freshest sushi and sashimi. For formal dining, nothing matches Kyoto, which specialises in the traditional and intricate kaiseki cuisine.

Venture to Kobe, less than three hours from Tokyo, and you’ll have the opportunity to try Kobe beef; the highest quality Wagyu beef in the world, a few miles from where the cows once grazed. In Shoryakuji Temple you can try sake where it is believed to have been first brewed over a thousand years ago. Breweries are scattered throughout the countryside here, and the region is well worth visiting.

Astonishing natural beauty

Mount Fuji, rising above Tokyo, is one of Japan’s most iconic sights. Hundreds of thousands of people make the pilgrimage to its summit, almost 4000 metres above sea-level every year. From Tokyo, there are hundreds of companies who facilitate travel to its base, or to one of the many rest stops along the pilgrimage route.

If you head to Kyushu, the southernmost of the five main islands, you can take a boat to the small island of Yakushima, home to Japan’s last primeval forest. Although wild, it is criss-crossed by well-worn hiking trails, and feels like stepping into another epoch. On Hokkaido, the northernmost main island, you can experience a mountainous, snow-capped landscape studded with natural hot springs.

A rich culture

Japan has one of the most distinctive cultures in the world. Not only are its art, design, literature, animation, and fashion consumed and imitated worldwide, but contemporary Japan has also maintained the practice of customs hundreds or thousands of years old. One such is the tea ceremony, with Tokyo and Kyoto among the best cities to experience this ancient ritual.  

Japan is also famed for its onsens, traditional bathing facilities centred around hot springs. These you can find across the country, but they are most common on Hokkaido. Bathing in onsens is often accompanied by specific rituals, which hosts will guide you through, and vary from region to region – but if you visit one you will be engaging in a rich historical cultural practice.  

It’s a long journey to Japan, but worth it. Fly from airports across Europe with Qatar Airways, stopping off at Hamad International Airport in Doha, to best prepare yourself for the trip. With unparalleled food, comfort, and service on the flight, you can arrive relaxed and refreshed, or use the Oryx One to whet your appetite for the country with the best of Japanese cinema.