Car rental Osaka - from 8€/day

If you've ever eaten fresh sushi or laughed at some amusing cartoon creatures, chances are you're more familiar with Japan than you realized. The culture of The Land of The Rising Sun is a beautiful blend of tradition and modernity. Walking along the streets of Tokyo, it's not uncommon to come upon a magnificent traditional Buddhist temple called the Asakusa Temple situated snugly between a 10-story high video game arcade and a 10-story high karaoke parlor. From the dazzling lights of Tokyo to the scents and sounds of Osaka and back again, Japan has something for everyone.

Begin your vacation with a bang by climbing the famous Mt Fuji. Japan's snow season begins in December and lasts until April, with a plethora of ski resorts, hiking routes, historic temples, and hot springs to explore on its world-heritage listed peaks and slopes. The fun doesn't end on the slopes, as the bright lights of Tokyo are only 100 kilometers distant and can be accessed in a couple of hours by vehicle. It's not uncommon to find yourself spending your whole holiday funds in Tokyo, so plan ahead of time!

Head to the world-famous retail town of Harajuku, a collection of alleyways known for its eccentric fancy-dress and costume play, for a taste of the strange and fantastic. Fans of anime and video games should visit Akihabara for the greatest bargains on all things pop culture. Try adjacent Roppongi for something a little more expensive, where you'll discover a plethora of exquisite apparel shops ranging from Gucci to Calvin Klein and more. The Tokyo Skytree, the world's biggest viewing tower, is also located in Roppongi.

If you've had a full day of shopping and sightseeing and want to mix with the locals, there's no better place to go for a night out than Shinjuku. The world-famous Robot Restaurant is located in Shinjuku, and the ticket counter is adorned with photographs of visiting celebrities ranging from Hugh Jackman to Katy Perry. If seeing a robot show isn't your thing, visit neighboring Golden Gai, a cluster of 6 tiny alleys lined with historic buildings holding over 200 small pubs.

After the excitement of the large city, retreat to the tranquillity of Kyoto. Kyoto, located 5 hours north in the Kansai area, is home to about 2,000 traditional temples and shrines of all types, as well as a remarkable 35% of Japan's protected historic sites. Make plans to visit in July for the Gion Matsuri, Japan's most famous festival, which lasts the full month of July and includes a massive procession on July 17th.

After you've had a good night's sleep, it's time to feast on the freshest seafood the world has to offer in Osaka. The Dotonbori canal is one of the world's oldest commerce channels, still utilized for its initial function of bringing the day's catch of seafood directly from the river into the numerous waiting eateries. The elaborate dragon sculptures, mechanical crabs, and gigantic fish statues decorating the walls of the eateries on the bustling parallel streets. Travelers on a budget can keep a look out for the numerous street vendors offering Osaka delicacies such as Takoyaki (fried squid balls) and Okonomiyaki (fried squid pancakes) (Japanese savoury pancakes).