Sightseeing

Japan offers many cultural and natural experiences. For a starter, you may consult the Japan National Tourist Organization. From IPMU, much of downtown Tokyo is within an hour on the Tsukuba Express and other trains. Tokyo is a very lively metropolis with more than 10 million people, including the Ginza district for upscale shopping (akin to Fifth Avenue, New York), the more casual Shinjuku with a nightlife area called Kabukicho, Shibuya and Harajuku geared more towards youth, and Roppongi another nightlife area. Tokyo also offers traditional cultural experience at Asakusa with its old town atmosphere and at Tsukiji fish market which is best seen between 5 and 6 am in the morning.

Nikko is a UNESCO world heritage site where three of the Tokugawa shoguns from the 1600s are enshrined with incredible architecture.

Kyoto is only three hours away on shinkansen bullet train and is a must-see in Japan. Nara is an even more ancient capital from the 6th century.