Why go
Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara reveal different layers of the country rather than interchangeable sightseeing stops. A little historical orientation helps explain why an ancient Buddhist hall, a samurai-era castle and a modern city belong to the same trip. Give each region enough time to develop its own character.
The full story
Japan’s four main islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku. Honshu contains Tokyo and the former imperial capitals of Nara and Kyoto, but the archipelago extends far beyond this central corridor. Mountains, surrounding seas and distance give its regions different landscapes and seasonal conditions. The country’s history also changes the meaning of a visit. Early Japanese states absorbed writing, religion and artistic ideas from continental Asia. Buddhist institutions became important in Nara, while the court in Kyoto developed influential literature and arts. Later, military rulers governed from successive centers, including Kamakura and Edo, the city now called Tokyo. The opening of Japan to Western powers in the nineteenth century and the Meiji transformation brought rapid industrial change. Imperial expansion and the devastation of the Second World War were followed by reconstruction under a new constitution. Museums and historic sites help make these transitions visible. Plan around a small number of places you want to understand rather than trying to represent the entire country in one hurried journey.