Japan is a wonderful and fascinating destination where cutting-edge, advanced technologies coexist with thousands of years of ancient traditions. But Japan’s diversity doesn’t simply end by contrasting old versus new. The country is full of contrasts and variety, and it is rapidly becoming a very popular travel destination.

When many people think of Japan they picture the metropolises of Tokyo and Osaka — bulging at the seams with citizens. Tokyo, Japan’s capital city and one of the world’s premiere technology hubs is indeed a densely populated metropolis, known for its neon-lit raucous nightlife, delicious food and a vibrant art, theater and music scene. Once visitors get past the urban sprawl, they soon discover that Japan offers much more that, including picturesque sites, stunning beaches and a rich heritage. The city of Kyoto is a cultural treasure, where one can watch geishas dance in traditional garb before stopping to reflect on the experience at a peaceful Zen rock garden. Mount Koyasan, in southwestern Honshu, is home to more than 120 temples scattered throughout a deeply religious site. Okinawa, by contrast, feels like a totally different country with its sandy beaches and scuba diving spots.

Oliver Astrologo, a London-based filmmaker and videographer, brings us this month’s Travel Video share entitled: Japan – Neons and Sakuras. We’ve featured Oliver’s work before in our Travel Video Series (e.g., Venezia and Reverie of Vietnam). Oliver is renowned for his ability to communicate passion and emotion in his films. In his travel videos, he goes beyond capturing just the typical touristy hotspots and gives you a real feel for the culture and the people who live there. We share Oliver’s aspiration that this video will “inspire you to discover and go beyond the standard Japanese itinerary because every corner of the land is worthy of celebration.” In other words, we hope you will become a “fan” of Japan and we look forward to assisting you plan a visit to this beautiful island nation very soon!

The Avant Team