Tokyo Metropolis houses the capital city of [Tokyo](/link/place/kanto/tokyo-metropolis/tokyo) that consists of Downtown Tokyo, usually referred to as the [23 Wards of Tokyo](/term/place/23-wards-of-tokyo), and [Greater Tokyo Area](/term/place/greater-tokyo-area) that stretches out into the west including [Mount Takao](/link/place/kanto/tokyo-metropolis/tokyo/mount-takao) and the nature park of [Okutama](/link/place/kanto/tokyo-metropolis/tokyo/okutama).

Kanto.jpg

Tokyo is the capital city of Japan, the largest city in Japan, and the most populous urban area in the world. Tokyo boasts a modern cityscape with multiple major neighborhoods, each with its own unique vibe and aesthetic. 

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Our Ultimate Tokyo Itinerary combines the [best of things to see in Downtown Tokyo](/link/itinerary/essential-downtown-tokyo-itinerary), with some short day trips out to get a taste of traditional Japanese townscapes as well as stunning sights of beauty, including a view of [Mount Fuji](/term/place/mount-fuji). 

[Tokyo](/link/place/kanto/tokyo-metropolis) is often at the top of every visitor's first visit to Japan. This legendary sprawling urban metropolis has loads to offer, but might leave some visitors wanting of a bit more of the traditional sights or sights of natural beauty that people have come to expect of Japan. Our itinerary caters to all of that without having to make a trip to [Hakone](/link/place/kanto/kanagawa-prefecture/hakone), [Lake Kawaguchiko](/link/place/kanto/kanagawa-prefecture/lake-kawaguchiko) or [Kyoto](/link/place/kansai/kyoto-prefecture/kyoto).

Pagoda outside Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo

Asakusa.webp

The Best of Tokyo's Must-See Sights, Delectable Eats, Natural Wonders, and Off-The-Beaten-Road Suburbs

Ultimate Tokyo Itinerary

Many of [Tokyo's](/link/place/kanto/tokyo-metropolis/tokyo) residents don't live within downtown Tokyo, instead living along residential suburbs just outside of Tokyo. Needless to say, these residents also don't spend their usual free time hitting up the tourist spots in Tokyo, instead they typically head to one of the popular suburban neighborhoods for a slower pace of life. 

Our Essential Tokyo Suburbs Itinerary brings you through some of the more popular suburban neighborhoods amongst locals. For those looking to get away from the touristy neighborhoods, and spend a day doing some shopping, cafe hopping, or doing some relaxed strolling through local neighborhoods, this is the itinerary for you. 

Kishin-en Garden at Futako-tamagawa, Tokyo

Futako Tamagawa.webp

The Best Off-The-Beaten-Path Hipster and Instagrammable Suburbs of Tokyo

Essential Tokyo Suburbs Itinerary

Chiba Prefecture is most popular for the [Boso Peninsula](/link/place/kanto/chiba-prefecture/boso-peninsula) which plays host to a popular hiking trail, scenic views of [Tokyo Bay](/term/place/tokyo-bay) from atop [Nokogiriyama](/link/place/kanto/chiba-prefecture/boso-peninsula/nokogiriyama), as well as two popular parks. While technically [Tokyo Disneyland](/link/place/kanto/tokyo-metropolis/tokyo/tokyo-disneyland) and [Narita Airport](/link/place/kanto/tokyo-metropolis/tokyo/narita-airport) are in Chiba Prefecture, often people always associate the two with Tokyo more than they do with Chiba. 

Nokogiriyama cliff in Boso, Chiba Prefecture

Nokogiriyama.webp

Gunma Prefecture is popular for its [onsen](/term/general/onsen) and water sports, with the [Tone River](/term/place/tone-river), Japan’s 2nd longest river, flowing through it. In the [Minakami](/link/place/kanto/gunma-prefecture/minakami) area, you can find water activities such as whitewater rafting, canoeing, canyoning and more. There are also numerous onsens in the area, including [Takaragawa Onsen](/link/place/kanto/gunma-prefecture/minakami/takaragawa-onsen), a mixed-bathing onsen alongside a river with bathing wear provided. In recent years, the [Tomioka Silk Mill](/link/place/kanto/gunma-prefecture/tomioka/tomioka-silk-mill), a former silk factory, has also become a popular destination after attaining [UNESCO World Heritage Site](/term/place/unesco-world-heritage-site) status. 

Meganebashi.webp

Tochigi Prefecture is most famous for being the home of Nikko, which houses one of the most beautiful temples in Japan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, considered to be one of Japan’s three great unifiers. Oku-Nikko, is also a popular nature destination with its expansive lake, marsh, and waterfalls, and is especially popular amongst Japanese in autumn. Utsunomiya is considered to be Japan’s gyoza (餃子 fried dumplings) capital, with over two hundred gyoza shops. 

Exterior of Toshogu Shrine in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture

Toshogu Shrine.webp

Ibaraki Prefecture is most famous for the [Hitachi Seaside Park](/link/place/kanto/ibaraki-prefecture/hitachi/hitachi-seaside-park), a sprawling park that often features huge seasonal display of flowers including the blue nemophilia in spring and the red kochia in autumn. It is also home to [Tsukuba](/link/place/kanto/ibaraki-prefecture/tsukuba), which hosts a major cycling route around a lake, as well as one of Japan’s space centers that hosts public tours in English. [Oarai](/link/place/kanto/ibaraki-prefecture/oarai) is also a popular beach destination in summer, and has many scenic sights of the sea.

Fields of flowers at Hitachi Seaside Park in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture

Hitachi Seaside Park.webp

Kanagawa Prefecture, located just to the  West of [Tokyo](/link/place/kanto/tokyo-metropolis/tokyo), is home to many great coastal views including along the [Shonan](/term/place/shonan) coast at [Enoshima](/link/place/kanto/kanagawa-prefecture/enoshima) and [Kamakura](/link/place/kanto/kanagawa-prefecture/kamakura), as well as [Miura](/link/place/kanto/kanagawa-prefecture/miura) at the tip of the [Miura Peninsula](/term/place/miura-peninsula).

Its capital city of [Yokohama](/link/place/kanto/kanagawa-prefecture/yokohama) is Japan's second largest city, and is located just 30 minutes away from Tokyo with plenty of food and shopping options available. 

Those willing to travel further west can check out [Hakone](/link/place/kanto/kanagawa-prefecture/hakone), home to [onsens](/term/general/onsen) and great views of [Mount Fuji](/term/place/mount-fuji). 

Kanagawa.jpg

Saitama Prefecture is located just to the north of [Tokyo](/link/place/kanto/tokyo-metropolis/tokyo), and is home to great hiking routes and traditional cityscapes that are a stone's throw away from Tokyo. [Kawagoe](/link/place/kanto/saitama-prefecture/kawagoe) is one of the most popular cities in Saitama Prefecture, nicknamed Little [Edo](/term/place/edo), with its beautiful [Edo era](/term/era/edo) [machiyas](/term/general/machiya) that line its streets and are also filled with [imo](/term/food/imo)-themed snacks that make it a great place to [tabe-aruki](/term/general/tabe-aruki). 

Those looking for more of a nature retreat into the mountains can check out [Chichibu](/link/place/kanto/saitama-prefecture/chichibu), a small city nestled in the mountains, with a popular climbing trail that scales up [Mount Mitsumine](/term/place/mount-mitsumine) to [Mitsumine Shrine](/link/place/kanto/saitama-prefecture/chichibu/mitsumine-shrine) at the top.

Traditional streets alongside the Toki no Kane in Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture

Kawagoe.webp

Osaka

Osaka Prefecture

Kobe

Himeji

Kinosaki Onsen

Hyogo Prefecture

Kyoto

Kyoto Prefecture

Shirahama

Wakayama Prefecture

Kansai

Shodoshima

Takamatsu

Kagawa Prefecture

Shikoku

Kurashiki

Okayama Prefecture

Chugoku

Enoshima

Kamakura

Yokohama

Miura

Kanagawa Prefecture

Tokyo

Tokyo Metropolis

Kawagoe

Chichibu

Saitama Prefecture

Kanto

Kanazawa

Ishikawa Prefecture

Takayama

Shirakawa-go

Gifu Prefecture

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Toyama Prefecture

Chubu

Main building of Mitsumine Shrine in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture

Mitsumine Jinja.webp

Torii at Hakone Shrine in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture

Hakone Shrine.webp

Kamakura Daibutsu statue at Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture

Kamakura Daibutsu.webp

Main temple building at Kiyomizudera at night in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

Kiyomizudera.webp

Panoramic view of Jogashima Park in Miura, Kanagawa Prefecture

Jogashima Park.webp

Evening view of Tokyo Bay in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture

Yokohama.webp

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Departure Hall of Narita Airport in Narita, Chiba Prefecture

Narita Airport.webp

The Meiji Restoration in 1868 brought an end to the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo) and ushered in the [Meiji Era](/term/era/meiji). It arose from the collapse of the [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate) at the end of the [bakumatsu](/term/era/bakumatsu), and the return of power back to the Imperial Family.

The Edo Period lasted from 1603 to 1867 when the [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate) ruled Japan from the city of [Edo](/term/general/edo), modern day Tokyo. The [shogun](/term/general/shogun) was the de-facto leader of Japan, and the [daimyō](/term/general/daimyo) under him would rule over the various regions. 

Japan’s Feudal Era consisted of the [Kamakura Period](/term/era/kamakura), [Muromachi Period](/term/era/muromachi), the [Azuchi–Momoyama Period](/term/era/azuchi-momoyama), and the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo). The Feudal Era was marked mainly by Japan’s de-facto rule under a [shogun](/term/general/shogun), despite the presence of an [Emperor](/term/general/emperor) who mainly served as a figurehead. While the official capital always remained in [Heian-kyo](/term/place/heian-kyo_), modern day [Kyoto](/link/place/kansai/kyoto-prefecture/kyoto), the shoguns of the Kamakura Period ruled from [Kamakura](/link/place/kanto/kanagawa/kamakura), and the shoguns of the Edo Period ruled from [Edo](/term/place/edo).

This era is often the one depicted in pop culture representations of Japanese history, particularly the  [Sengoku Period](/term/era/sengoku)  (the period of civil war between the Muromachi Period and Edo Period), with [shoguns](/term/general/shogun), [daimyos](/term/general/daimyo), [samurai](/term/general/samurai), and [ninjas](/term/general/ninja) being the most active in this era of Japanese history. 

The Meiji Era marked the start of Japan's rapid modernization, moving away from a feudal society and adopting industrialization and other Western influences. The Emperor who reigned at the time was posthumously known as Emperor Meiji.

The period at the end of the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo) that led to the fall of the [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate), and culminated in the [Meiji Restoration](/term/general/meiji-restoration).

During this period, a fleet of American ships led by Matthew Perry forced the bakufu to lift its [Sakoku](/term/general/sakoku) policy, resulting in unrest across Japan over the next few years. This culminated in a rebellion against the bakufu called the Boshin War and eventually the Meiji Restoration in 1868. 

The Sengoku Period was a period of near-constant civil war that began after the collapse of the [Ashikaga Shogunate](/term/general/ashikaga-shogunate) in 1467 due to a civil war, the [Ōnin War](/term/general/onin-war), over succession. The collapse led to a power vacuum with various regional [daimyos](/term/general/daimyo) vying for control of Japan.

In 1573, [Oda Nobunaga](/term/person/oda-nobunaga) launched a unification war that he led till his death in 1582. His success, [Toyotomi Hideyoshi](/term/person/toyotomi-hideyoshi) continued the campaign, completing the unification in 1591 before his death in 1598. His son, [Toyotomi Hideyori](/term/person/toyotomi-hideyori) was then defeated by [Tokugawa Ieyasu](/term/person/tokugawa-ieyasu) during the [Battle of Sekigahara](/term/general/battle-of-sekigahara) in 1600. Tokugawa Ieyasu went on to establish the [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate) in 1603, bringing an end to the Sengoku Period and starting the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo).

The Muromachi Period is marked by the governance of Japan under the [Ashikaga Shogunate](/term/general/ashikaga-shogunate). 

The period overlaps with that of the [Sengoku Period](/term/era/sengoku) that begins with the [Ōnin War](/term/general/onin-war) from 1467 to 1477 over succession of the Ashikaga Shogunate. While the Sengoku Period was ongoing, the Ashikaga Shogunate continued until its dissolution in 1573 by [Oda Nobunaga](/term/person/oda-nobunaga).

The Kamakura Period was the start of Japan's [Feudal Era](/term/era/feudal) and was marked by the rule of the first [shogunate](/term/general/shogunate), the [Kamakura Shogunate](/term/general/kamakura-shogunate). 

The shogunate was founded by [Minamoto no Yoritomo](/term/person/minamoto-no-yoritomo), the first [shogun](/term/general/shogun), who governed Japan from the city of [Kamakura](/link/place/kanto/kanagawa/kamakura), while the [Imperial Court](/term/general/imperial-court) in the official capital of [Heian-kyō](/term/place/heian-kyo) were figureheads.

The shogunate was overthrown in the [Kenmu Restoration](/term/event/kenmu-restoration) by [Emperor Go-Daigo](/term/person/emperor-go-daigo) in 1333, that restored Imperial rule for 3 years before it was overthrown by the [Ashikaga Shogunate](/term/general/ashikaga-shogunate) in 1336. Ending the Kamakura Period, and starting the [Muromachi Period](/term/era/muromachi).

The Azuchi-Momoyama Period is the tail-end of the [Sengoku Period](/term/era/sengoku) after the dissolution of the [Muromachi Period's](/term /era/muromachi) [Ashikaga Shogunate](/term/general/ashikaga-shogunate) and before the establishment of the [Edo Period's](/term/era/edo) [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate). It was the climax of the Sengoku Period, a period of civil war strife, with [Oda Nobunaga](/term/person/oda-nobunaga) starting the unification war to unite Japan in 1573, and [Toyotomi Hideyoshi](/term/person/toyotomi-hideyoshi) completing it in 1591 after Oda Nobunaga's death and 1582.

After Toyotomi Hideyoshi's death in 1598, his son [Toyotomi Hideyori](/term/person/toyotomi-hideyori), who was five years old at the time, was too young to take up leadership. The regents then split into two groups, the Western army of Toyotomi loyalists led by [Ishida Mitsunari](/term/person/ishida-mitsunari) and the Eastern army that opposed them, led by [Tokugawa Ieyasu](/term/person/tokugawa-ieyasu). The two sides battled in the [Battle of Sekigahara](/term/event/battle-of-sekigahara) in 1600, ending in a Tokugawa victory making him the de-facto ruler of Japan. The official establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1603 ended the Azuchi-Momoyama Period, and started the Edo Period.

The period was named after Oda Nobunaga's and Toyotomi Hideyoshi's castles, the Azuchi Castle in Shiga Prefecture and the Momoyama Castle in Kyoto respectively. Neither of the original castles stand today.

The Heian Period which began when the capital was moved from [Nara](/link/place/kansai/nara-prefecture/nara) to [Heian-kyo](/term/place/heian-kyo), modern-day [Kyoto](/link/place/kyoto-prefecture/kyoto). It is considered the peak of the Japanese imperial court (before the control of Japan by various [shogunates](/term/general/shogunate) in subsequent eras), as well as a time where art, poetry and literature flourished. 

The Heian Period was succeeded by the [Kamakura Period](/term/era/kamakura) that saw Japan ruled by its first [shogun](/term/general/shogun) from [Kamakura](/link/place/kanto/kanagawa/kamakura) in 1185.

A popular vegetable that is commonly eaten roasted in [yaki-imo](/term/food/yaki-imo), fried in [tempura](/term/food/tempura), or in desserts. 

Deep-fried [kaisen](/term/food-category/kaisen), most commonly [ebi](/term/food/ebi), and [yasai](/term/food-category/yasai), such as [kabocha](/term/food/kabocha) and [imo](/term/food/imo), in a light-batter.

Yaki-imo is an [imo](/term/food/imo) that has been roasted, and is usually served in the skin. It is a popular snack from [yatais](/term/food/yatai) and can be also be found at [matsuris](/term/general/matsuri).

Ebi is one of the most common shellfish used in Japanese cuisine.

A popular vegetable in Japan, it can be served stewed or as a [tempura](/term/food/tempura).

The term usually used to refer to hot spring baths in Japan. They are typically naturally piped up from underground hot springs. Most baths are communal in the nude, and gender-separated.

Generally, eating while walking in Japan is frowned upon. However, there are some touristy districts that encourage tabe-aruki with many food stands around for you to pick up a variety of light snacks.

Machiya refer to the traditional Japanese wooden townhouses that were commonly found during the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo). 

They are a type of [minka](/term/general/minka), and used to often house the house or shops of merchants and traders.

Today you can find many preserved machiyas in cities like [Kyoto](/link/place/kansai/kyoto-prefecture/kyoto), [Kanazawa](/link/place/chubu/ishikawa/kanazawa), and [Kurashiki](/link/place/chugoku/okayama-prefecture/kurashiki).

The Tokugawa Shogunate (also called the Edo Shogunate) was the military government of Japan during the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo), and was led by the [shogun](/term/general/shogun) from the [Tokugawa Clan](/term/general/tokugawa-clan).

Shoguns were the military leaders of Japan, nominally appointed by the Emperor. The position is typically hereditary, and the government of the Shogun is called the [Shogunate](/term/general/shogunate). 

There have been multiple Shogunates over the course of history, with the final Shogunate being the [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate) that ended in 1867 with the return of power to the Emperor in the [Meiji Restoration](/term/general/meiji-restoration).

Edo is the former name for Tokyo, used up to 1868 when it was renamed to *Tōkyō* (東京, lit. Eastern Capital) by the government. It became the de-facto capital from 1603 during the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo) as the seat of the [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate).

The daimyō were generally regional lords that controlled military, police, and economic power in the area that they ruled. Most commonly, the term daimyō is used to refer to the regional lords during the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo) that would report to the [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate). They were abolished in 1868 during the [Meiji Restoration](/term/event/meiji-restoration) that saw the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate and Japan’s feudal system.

Minka were residences that housed the farmer, merchant and artisan classes of the [Feudal Era](/term/era/feudal), especially during the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo). Kyoto's [Machiya](/term/general/machiya) and Shirakawa-go's [Gassho-zukuri](/term/general/gassho-zukuri) are considered to be types of minka.

The Tokugawa Clan is a dynasty that ruled Japan as the [shoguns](/term/general/shogun) through the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo). 

The Shogunate, also called the Bakufu, is used to refer to a government led by the [shogun](/term/general/shogun).

Matsuri is a traditional Japanese festival with dance and music, many of which have continued on for centuries. Many regions and cities have their own local matsuris, and many matsuris are also tied to [shrines](/term/general/shrine) as Shinto celebrations. 

Today, [Natsu Matsuri](/term/general/natsu-matsuri) are festivals common in [summer](/term/general/summer) with food stalls and [hanabi](/term/general/hanami) celebrations.

Gassho-zukuri is an architectural style of [minka](/term/general/minka) where the thatched roof comes together in a 人 shape that resembles the hands of monks that come together during prayer. 

The Emperor was formerly the ruler of Japan, but today serves more of a ceremonial symbolic role instead.

A ninja, also called *shinobi* (忍び), was a covert agent that conducted a variety of activities including espionage, and used the martial art of ninjutsu. Their covert methods of operation was deemed as below the honor of [samurai](/term/general/samurai). They were most active during the civil wars of the [Sengoku Period](/term/era/sengoku) and faded into obscurity during the unified Japan of the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo).

The samurai were warriors that were most prominent in the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo), serving the regional [daimyo](/term/general/daimyo) as protectors of their land. They were considered to be military nobility, and the title was hereditary.  

Hanami refers to the Japanese custom of enjoying the beauty of flowers. Colloquially, hanami now refers to having a picnic or party while enjoying the view of [sakura](/term/general/sakura).

Natsu Matsuris are [summer](/term/general/summer) festivals held annually across Japan. Today, they typically consist of song, dance, floats, [yatai](/term/general/yatai), and [hanabi](/term/general/hanabi) performances.

Traditionally, these festivals were held to pray for bountiful harvests, worship the [kami](/term/general/kami), and ward away diseases.

Japan's summer typically runs from June to August, with temperatures ranging between 25 to 40°C. It also tends to be the rainiest time of year, especially in June when it is known as [tsuyu](/term/general/tsuyu).

Shrines are places of worship for the [Shinto](/term/general/shinto) religion, and usually enshrine one or more deities. They are different from [temples](/term/general/temple) which are places of worship for the [Buddhist](/term/general/buddhism) religion.

Sakoku refers to the policy of national isolation from 1633 to 1853 during the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo) (also called the Sakoku Period) by the Tokugawa Shogunate that cut off almost all diplomatic and trade relations with other countries. 

No foreigners were allowed to enter, and no Japanese were allowed to leave. Certain exceptions were allowed, such as the trade with the Dutch and Chinese in Nagasaki. 

The indigenous religion of Japan, the central belief is that [kami](/term/general/kami), supernatural beings, inhabit all things including nature. 

The kami are deities from the [Shinto](/term/general/shinto) religion and are said to inhabit all things, and are also said to have created all nature and human life.

Temples are places of worship for followers of [Buddhism](/term/general/buddhism).

Buddhism is a religion that focuses on the teachings of the [Buddha](/term/general/buddha). The central tenet revolves around people letting go of their worldly desires.

Sakura are cherry blossoms, and are considered the national flower of Japan. They tend to bloom only for a short few weeks at the start of Spring (around April).

Hanabi are common in Japan, especially during the summer period at [Natsu Matsuris](/term/general/natsu-matsuri). Large hanabi displays are called [Hanabi Taikai](/term/general/hanabi-taikai) and can involve tens of thousands of fireworks. Typically, when a firework bursts in the sky, the Japanese would shout out *Tamaya* (たまや), which is the name of a [Edo Period](/term/era/edo) hanabi vendor.

Yatai are typically streetside food vendors that serve food out of pushcarts or temporary stores. They are commonly found during [matsuris](/term/general/matsuri), or in cities like Fukuoka.

Tsuyu refers to Japan's rainy season from early-June to around mid-July. During this season, it can rain four to five times in a week. 

In recent years, the tsuyu season has been shifting later and later each year, lasting up till late-August.

The Ashikaga Shogunate was the ruling  [shogunate](/term/general/shogunate) during the [Muromachi Period](/term/era/muromachi) based out of Kyoto. The [shoguns](/term/general/shogun) were of the [Ashikaga Clan](/term/group/ashikaga-clan).

They were the second shogunate in Japan’s history after overthrowing the [Kamakura Shogunate](/term/general/kamakura-shogunate), and was dissolved after the weakening of the shogunate during the [Sengoku Period](/term/era/sengoku) before being succeeded by the [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate).

The Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, was an Indian prince from South Asia who later gave up his title and founded the religion of [Buddhism](/term/general/buddhism) in the 6th or 5th century BCE. 

The Three Great Unifiers of Japan are the three people credited with bringing an end to the civil wars of the [Sengoku Period](/term/era/sengoku), unifying Japan and ushering in the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo). The three are [Oda Nobunaga](/term/person/oda-nobunaga), [Toyotomi Hideyoshi](/term/person/toyotomi-hideyoshi), and [Tokugawa Ieyasu](/term/person/tokugawa-ieyasu).

Hanabi Taikai are typically large [hanabi](/term/general/hanabi) displays held in summer. They can last up till an hour long, with tens of thousands of hanabi, depending on the scale of the display.

Seppuku was an act of ritual suicide by [samurai](/term/general/samurai) who would rather die voluntarily with honor, than be captured by the enemy. It could also be used as a form of capital punishment. Seppuku involves the act of harakiri, then beheaded by an assistant as an act of mercy.

Cormorant Fishing (鵜飼, Ukai) is a traditional fishing technique where fisherman use [ukai](/term/general/ukai) to catch [ayu](/term/general/ayu) on fishing boats in the middle of the night during summer. These boats are typically illuminated by large burning torches, and can be commonly found on the [Nagara River](/term/place/nagara-river). 

The fisherman on the Nagara river are recognized by the [Imperial Household](/term/general/imperial-household) as being Imperial Fisherman of the Household Agency (御料鵜飼, *Goryō Ukai*).

The Imperial Household is the government agency in-charge of matters concerning the [Imperial Family](/term/general/imperial-family).

The family of the [Emperor](/term/general/emperor), the Imperial Family is the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world/

Your Comprehensive Guide to Explore Downtown Tokyo

Essential Downtown Tokyo Itinerary

Oda Nobunaga was a [daimyo](/term/general/daimyo) during the [Sengoku Period](/term/era/sengoku) and is regarded as the first of the [Three Great Unifiers of Japan](/term/general/three-great-unifiers). In 1573, he launched a unifying war against the other daimyo, conquering most of [Honshu](/term/place/honshu) by 1580. In 1582, he was betrayed by his retainer, Akechi Mitsuhide (明智 光秀), and was forced to commit [seppuku](/term/general/seppuku) to avoid capture after being surrounded. [Toyotomi Hideyoshi](/term/person/toyotomi-hideyoshi) succeeded him and completed his unification war in 1591.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi was a [daimyo](/term/general/daimyo) during the [Sengoku Period](/term/era/sengoku) and is regarded as the second of the [Three Great Unifiers of Japan](/term/general/three-great-unifiers). He succeeded [Oda Nobunaga](/term/person/oda-nobunaga) in 1582 after the latter's death, and completed the latter's war to unify Japan in 1591. This made him the de-facto leader of Japan. He then launched an unsuccessful war against Korea in 1592, which ended after his death in 1598. It is said that he was delirious at his death, and the unsuccessful wars had weakened his clan, leading to [Tokugawa Ieyasu](/term/person-tokugawa-ieyasu) displacing his son and becoming the first [shogun](/term/place/shogun) of the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo) in 1603.

The son and successor to [Toyotomi Hideyoshi](/term/person/toyotomi-hideyoshi), after his father's death in 1598, he became the designated ruler of Japan at age 5. The loss of the [Battle of Sekigahara](/term/event/battle-of-sekigahara) in 1600 by the Toyotomi loyalists faction meant that the position of de-facto ruler of Japan fell to the winner, [Tokugawa Ieyasu](/term/person/tokugawa-ieyasu), who went on to found the [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate) in 1603.

Most of Toyotomi Hideyori's land and holdings were confiscated after the loss, and he was demoted to becoming an ordinary [daimyo](/term/general/daimyo). 

By 1614, Toyotomi Hideyori grew up to be a young daimyo living in [Osaka Castle](/link/place/kansai/osaka-prefecture/osaka/osaka-castle) and was the rightful heir to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Those who opposed Tokugawa Ieyasu began to rally around Toyotomi Hideyori. This led to a conflict between the two that resulted in a siege of Osaka Castle in November 1614 by Tokugawa's forces. The attack was unsuccessful, but resulted in a truce signed in January 1615 that required Toyotomi Hideyori to dismantle the castle's defenses. 

In May 1615, skirmishes started breaking out again between the two factions near Osaka leading to a second siege of the castle in June 1615.  A siege that was successful this time, and ended with Toyotomi Hideyori committing [seppuku](/term/general/seppuku) with his mother.

Tokugawa Ieyasu was the first [shogun](/term/general/shogun) of the [Edo Period](/term/era/edo),  and founded the [Tokugawa Shogunate](/term/general/tokugawa-shogunate) in 1603. During the [Sengoku Period](/term/era/sengoku) , he was a [daimyo](/term/general/daimyo) and is regarded as the third of the [Three Great Unifiers of Japan](/term/general/three-great-unifiers). After [Toyotomi Hideyoshi's](/term/person/toyotomi-hideyoshi)  death in 1598, Tokugawa took power in 1600 after the [Battle of Sekigahara](/term/event/battle-of-sekigahara) that saw him defeat forces loyal to Toyotomi Hideyoshi's son, Toyotomi Hideyori (豊臣 秀頼).

Mount Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan at 3,776m tall, and is an active volcano. It is located along the border of Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture. It is considered one of Japan's [Three Holy Mountains](/term/place/three-holy-mountains).

Tokyo Bay is a large bay to the southeast of [Tokyo](/link/place/kanto/tokyo-metropolis/tokyo) that is also bordered by [Kanagawa](/link/place/kanto/kanagawa) and [Chiba](/link/place/kanto/chiba) prefectures. 

The Greater Tokyo Area typically refers to the [Tokyo Metropolis](/link/place/kanto/tokyo-metropolis) and its neighboring prefectures typically including [Kanagawa Prefecture](/link/place/kanto/kanagawa), [Saitama Prefecture](/link/place/kanto/saitama), and [Chiba Prefecture](/link/place/kanto/chiba). It can also extend further to [Yamanashi Prefecture](/link/place/chubu/yamanashi), [Ibaraki Prefecture](/link/place/kanto/ibaraki) and [Tochigi Prefecture](/link/place/kanto/tochigi).

The Shonan area runs along the Sagami Bay in Kanagawa Prefecture, typically defined from Ōiso in the West, all the way to Hayama in the East. Along the way, it encompasses Enoshima and Kamakura along the coastline.

There are more than 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan, these include the ancient temples of [Kyoto](/link/place/kansai/kyoto-prefecture/kyoto), [Himeji Castle](/link/place/kansai/hyogo-prefecture/himeji/himeji-castle), the villages of [Shirakawa-go](/link/place/chubu/gifu-prefecture/shirakawa-go), [Itsukushima Shrine](/link/place/chugoku/hiroshima-prefecture/miyajima/itsukushima-shrine), and the [Kumano Kodo](/link/place/kansai/wakayama-prefecture/kumano-kodo).

The Miura Peninsula is divides [Tokyo Bay](/term/place/tokyo-bay) and [Sagami Bay](/term/place/sagami-bay) and is located in the [Kanagawa Prefecture](/link/place/kanto/kanagawa-prefecture) with [Miura](/link/place/kanto/kanagawa-prefecture/miura), [Kamakura](/link/place/kanto/kanagawa-prefecture/kamakura), and [Yokosuka](/link/place/kanto/kanagawa-prefecture/yokosuka) located along the peninsula.

The 23 Wards of Tokyo collectively form what is known as Downtown [Tokyo](/link/place/kanto/tokyo-metropolis/tokyo). They consist of 23 wards, or sometimes called “cities”, as each ward is individually governed and treated on the same-level as other cities across Japan. 

The Tone River is Japan’s second-longest river, after the [Shinano River](/term/place/shinano-river), at 322km long and is considered one of [Japan’s Three Great Rivers](/term/place/japans-three-great-rivers). It starts from Mount Ominakami (大水上山), in between [Gunma Prefecture](/link/place/kanto/gunma-prefecture) and [Niigata Prefecture](/link/place/chubu/niigata-prefecture), and runs all the way to the Pacific Ocean via [Choshi](/link/place/kanto/chiba-prefecture/choshi) in [Chiba Prefecture](/link/place/kanto/chiba-prefecture).

Today, Mount Mitsumine refers to the mountain with [Mitsumine Shrine](/link/place/kanto/saitama-prefecture/chichibu/mitsumine-shrine) at its peak at 1,102m above sea level in [Chichibu](/link/place/kanto/saitama-prefecture/chichibu), [Saitama Prefecture](/link/place/kanto/saitama-prefecture). Originally, it was used to refer to the three mountains of Mount Myohogatake (妙法ヶ岳, Myōhōgatake), Mount Shiraiwayama (白岩山, Shiraiwayama), and Mount Kumotoriyama (雲取山, Kumotoriyama). There also used to be a Mitsumine Ropeway that ran from the base of the mountain up to the peak where the shrine is located, it started operations in 1939 and ceased operations in 2006.

Sagami Bay sits at the south part of Kanagawa Prefecture with the Shōnan Coast on the north side. 

Japan’s Three Great Rivers are a collection of three famous rivers that have been passed down through time. They are the [Tone River](/term/place/tone-river), the [Chikugo River](/term/place/chikugo-river), and the [Yoshino River](/term/place/yoshino-river).

The Shinano River is the longest river in Japan at 367km long. It starts from Mount Kobushi (甲武信ヶ岳), part of the [Japanese Alps](/term/place/japanese-alps), in [Nagano Prefecture](/link/place/chubu/nagano-prefecture), and flows through [Niigata Prefecture](/link/place/chubu/niigata-prefecture) into the [Sea of Japan](/term/place/sea-of-japan).

The sea on the northern side of Japan, between Japan and countries like Russia and South Korea.

The Japanese Alps are a series of mountain ranges that run from north to south through [Honshu](/term/place/honshu). 

They consist of the:
* Northern Alps: Hida Mountains (飛騨山脈, *Hida-sanmyaku*)
* Central Alps: Kiso Mountains (木曽山脈, *Kiso-sanmyaku*)
* Southern Alps: Akaishi Mountains (赤石山脈, *Akaishi-sanmyaku*)

The Chikugo River is the longest river in [Kyushu](/link/place/kyushu) at 143km long, and is considered one of [Japan’s Three Great Rivers](/term/place/japans-three-great-rivers). It starts from [Mount Aso](/link/place/kyushu/kumamoto-prefecture/mount-aso), and runs through [Kumamoto Prefecture](/link/place/kyushu/kumamoto-prefecture), [Oita Prefecture](/link/place/kyushu/oita-prefecture), [Fukuoka Prefecture](/link/place/kyushu/fukuoka-prefecture), and [Saga Prefecture](/link/place/kyushu/saga-prefecture) before entering the [Ariake Sea](/term/place/ariake-sea).

The Yoshino River is the second-longest river in [Shikoku](/link/place/shikoku), after the [Shimanto River](/term/place/shimanto-river), at 194km long and is considered one of [Japan’s Three Great Rivers](/term/place/japans-three-great-rivers). It starts from Mount Kamegamori (瓶ケ森) in [Kochi Prefecture](/link/place/shikoku/kochi-prefecture) and flows eastwards through [Tokushima Prefecture](/link/place/shikoku/tokushima-prefecture) into the [Kii Channel](/term/place/kii-channel).

Honshu is the largest of Japan's main islands and stretches from Aomori Prefecture in the north, all the way to Yamaguchi Prefecture in the south.

The Ariake Sea is the largest bay in [Kyushu](/link/place/kyushu) at around 1,700 square kilometers and is only 50m deep. It is surrounded by [Kumamoto Prefecture](/link/place/kyushu/kumamoto-prefecture), [Nagasaki Prefecture](/link/place/kyushu/nagasaki-prefecture), [Fukuoka Prefecture](/link/place/kyushu/fukuoka-prefecture), and [Saga Prefecture](/link/place/kyushu/saga-prefecture).

The Kii Channel is a strait that runs between [Tokushima Prefecture](/link/place/shikoku/tokushima-prefecture) on [Shikoku](/link/place/shikoku) and the [Kii Peninsula](/term/place/kii-peninsula) of [Wakayama Prefecture](/link/place/kansai/wakayama-prefecture) on [Honshu](/term/place/honshu).

The Shimanto River is the longest  river in [Shikoku](/link/place/shikoku) at 196km long and is considered one of [Japan’s Three Great Clear Rivers](/term/place/japans-three-great-clear-rivers). It is also often nicknamed as Japan’s Last Clear River (日本最後の清流. Nihon Saigo no Seiryū), as the river is far from cities and does not have any dams on it. It is also unique for its 47 [chinkabashi](/term/general/chinkabashi) that cross the river. It starts from Mount Irazuyama (不入山) in [Kochi Prefecture](/link/place/shikoku/kochi-prefecture) and flows through the prefecture into the Pacific Ocean. 

The former name for [Kyoto](/link/place/kansai/kyoto-prefecture/kyoto) when it was the capital, used from 794 during the [Heian Period](/term/era/heian) to 1869 during the start of the [Meiji Period](/term/era/meiji)  when the capital was shifted to [Tokyo](/link/place/kanto/tokyo-metropolis/tokyo).

The Kii Peninsula is the largest peninsula in Japan, named after the former [Kii Province](/term/place/kii-province), and is part of [Wakayama Prefecture](/link/place/kansai/wakayama-prefecture) and [Mie Prefecture](/link/place/chubu/mie-prefecture). The Kii Peninsula is thought of as sacred in both the [Shinto](/term/general/shinto) religion and [Buddhism](/term/general/buddhism), with the holy sites of the [Kumano Kodo](/link/place/kansai/wakayama-prefecture/kumano-kodo) and the [Ise Jingu](/link/place/chubu/mie-prefecture/ise/ise-jingu) located there. 

The sacred sites and pilgrimage routes of the Kii Peninsula are designated as a [UNESCO World Heritage Site](/term/place/unesco-world-heritage-site).

Japan’s Three Great Clear Rivers are a collection of three free-flowing rivers with clear water, the most famous of which being the [Shimanto River](/term/place/shimanto-river), together with the [Nagara River](/term/place/nagara-river), and the [Kakita River](/term/place/kakita-river).

The Kii Province was a [province](/term/general/province) located in the [Kii Peninsula](/term/place/kii-peninsula) that occupies the location of today’s [Wakayama Prefecture](/link/place/kansai/wakayama-prefecture) and the southern part of  [Mie Prefecture](/link/place/chubu/mie-prefecture).

The Nagara River is a 166km long river that is considered one of [Japan’s Three Great Clear Rivers](/term/place/japans-three-great-clear-rivers). It starts from Mount Dainichi (大日ヶ岳, Dainichigake) in [Gifu Prefecture](/link/place/chubu/gifu-prefecture) and flows down through [Aichi Prefecture](/link/place/chubu/aichi-prefecture) into [Ise Bay](/term/place/ise-bay). The river is also known for its traditional [Cormorant Fishing](/term/general/cormorant-fishing), a 1,300 year-old traditional fishing technique.

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