Japan Where tradition and innovation meet
Japan is a place that most people know something about, even if that’s only sushi and samurai or Mount Fuji and Hiroshima. Of course, there’s much more to this country than cherry blossom or colourful kimonos, and Cosa can show you the real Japan, the one beyond the stereotypes. Why us? Because we have Japan in our blood, we know exactly the right Ryokan for a traditional night’s sleep and the best spots for digital modern art.
Where it is
East Asia
When to go
September to May
Why go there
Fascinating history
Modern technology
Traditional culture
What to see
Tokyo
Kyoto
Cherry blossom
The culture capital of Japan
Kyoto, the ancient Japanese capital, is a cultural haven packed with temples, shrines and traditional houses, plus the former royal palace.
Explore Kyoto with us
A vast urban adventure, Japanese style
Tokyo is the world’s most liveable megalopolis, where the past and future rub shoulders in districts like glitzy Ginza or historic Asakusa.
Tokyo life is different
Become a sword-fighting samurai
Take a samurai masterclass with an expert to learn sword-fighting like a shogun. It’s done in bare feet and, don’t worry, with a practice sword.
Monkey magic in Honshu
Make a winter visit to the hot springs at Jigokudani (literally translated as Hell’s Valley) and you’ll see wild macaques soaking in the pools.
Travel in Japan
There’s nothing quite like racing out of Tokyo in a bullet train, speeding south to Osaka or Kyoto. The Shinkansen, to give it its proper name, is a modern technological highlight of travelling in Japan. But it’s a country that’s also perfect for slow travel, taking in historic castles and great scenery. We know every inch of Japan and not only what to see and where to stay. From the best sushi to some sumo wrestling, we can take you there.
Japan facts
Japan is slightly larger than Germany but with over 125 million inhabitants, it’s one of the world’s most densely-populated countries. This Asian archipelago has four main islands, the largest of which is Honshu, home to the capital Tokyo and Japan’s highest mountain, Mount Fuji. The country is known as Nippon or Nihon in Japanese, loosely translated as the Land of the Rising Sun. Since World War Two, Japan has been a peaceful constitutional monarchy with a parliament and emperor.
Time zone
UTC +9
Flight time
12 hours from Switzerland
Local currency
Japanese yen
Dialling code
+81
