Japan Kanto Travel Guide, Tailor-made Japan Tour Packages
Kanto
The Kanto region is a geographical area of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. The region includes the Greater Tokyo Area and encompasses seven prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa.
Within its boundaries, slightly more than 45 percent of the land area is the Kanto Plain. The rest consists of the hills and mountains that form the land borders. The heartland of feudal power during the Kamakura period and again in the Edo period, Kanto became the center of modern development.
Within the Greater Tokyo Area and especially the Tokyo-Yokohama metropolitan area, Kanto houses not only Japan's seat of government but also the nation's largest group of universities and cultural institutions.
Destinations | Major cities
Tokyo
Tokyo, officially Tokyo Metropolis is both the capital and largest city of Japan. A megacity bursting with a seemingly limitless number of things to do. It is the most populous metropolitan area in the world. It is not only the seat of the Emperor of Japan and the Japanese government, it is also home to many world-class art galleries and museums, staggeringly diverse nightlife options and cutting-edge technology. You'll never be stuck for things to do or places to go in Tokyo.
Hakone
Hakone is a town in Ashigarashimo District in Kanagawa Prefecture, is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, less than one hundred kilometers from Tokyo. It is the location of a noted Shinto shrine, the Hakone Gongen, which is mentioned in Heian period literature. The distinct reputation is the hot springs, and natural beauty and the view across Lake Ashinoko of nearby Mount Fuji. One of the most popular destinations among Japanese and international tourists looking for a break from Tokyo.
Nikko
Nikko is the capital of Tochigi Prefecture, where magnificent architecture, deep history and untouched nature merge. Attractions include the Futarasan Shrine, which dates to the year 767.
There are also many famous hot springs in the area. The mountains west of the main city are part of Nikko National Park. This city has been the backdrop of Shinto and Buddhist worship since at least the 8th century. Especially Toshogu Shrine, this lavishly decorated and magnificent shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Yokohama
Officially the City of Yokohama, is the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo. Located less than half an hour south of Tokyo by train, and is the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture. It is a major commercial hub of the Greater Tokyo Area. Further inland lies Yokohama Chinatown, the largest Chinatown in Japan and one of the largest in the world, meanwhile this city preserves some former Western residences in the Yamate district.
Kamakura
Kamakura is a coastal town in Kanagawa Prefecture, less than an hour south of Tokyo. Although Kamakura proper is rather small, but it is a very popular tourist destination. It is often described in history books as a former de facto capital of Japan as the seat of the Shogunate and of the Regency during the Kamakura Period. Sometimes called the Kyoto of Eastern Japan, offers many historically significant Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, some of them, like Sugimoto-dera, over 1,200 years old. In addition, Kamakura's sand beaches attract large crowds during the summer months.
Narita
Narita is the site of Narita International Airport, the main international airport serving the Greater Tokyo Area. There are two main industrial zones in Narita: Nogedaira and Toyosumi. Both zones were laid out in the 1960s. An aircraft part repair plant operated by JAL and Pratt & Whitney, called Japan Turbine Technologies, located in the Taiei industrial estate.