Since Japan?s successful bid in 2013 to host the 2020 Summer Olympics, travel to Japan has ramped up ? big time. Even before that, however, Japan was fast becoming an attractive travel destination.
It?s no surprise to anyone who?s been here. The gorgeous balance between tradition and modernity, pockets of serenity contrasting with dazzlingly frenetic activity, the cleanliness and efficiency of public transportation, the incredible food ? we could go on and on!
These are all great reasons to visit Japan. Yet in many ways they are the exact reasons you should reconsider traveling to Japan during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
If you’re traveling for the sports and the spectacle, then you’ll probably enjoy the Olympics no matter where they’re held. But if you are traveling for the best possible experience of Japan, you’ll have a much more authentic experience traveling at any other time! Enjoying the Sound of Silence
A quiet day at Zozoji Temple (photo by Dennis Amith CC BY).
Tokyo, and indeed Japan by extension, is generally best enjoyed when it?s quieter and less crowded.
Sure, cherry blossom season can be magical, and the fall foliage is also lovely, but we?d go so far as to argue that Japan is often best during off-peak seasons, such as winter. This is true of most holiday destinations, and especially true in Japan.
One of Japan?s most beguiling features is the peace and quiet you?ll find in both the cities and countryside ? whether it?s exploring a gorge...