Time travel becomes a reality in this most extraordinary of cities – a metropolis that’s home to a population of over 12 million people. While strobing lights flicker and dance over modern boulevards of fast-paced activity, and towering buildings dazzle as they soar skywards, there is another side to Japan’s capital, showcasing fascinating reminders of the past, from important historic buildings to cultural rituals. All waiting to be discovered on a Japan cruise with Cunard.

It was Emperor Meiji who transformed the country from a medieval to a modern state, and it was during his reign (1868-1912) that Edo became the country’s new capital, and was renamed Tokyo. On a tour taking in the city highlights, you can visit The Meiji Shrine and its expansive park that are dedicated to him. Enter through the famous 40-foot-high Torii gate – one of the largest in Japan – to stroll through the peaceful gardens and forest that surround the city’s most famous Shinto shrine. 

After your visit, you can take in the sights of the ancient town of Asakusa, where an atmosphere of the past still exists. As you return to the city center, The Imperial Palace Plaza, the historic and current home of Japan’s emperor and the imperial family, is another opportunity to make your Tokyo holiday memorable – with its moats and bridges, it’s also the perfect photo stop for visitors.

Perhaps the most instantly recognizable symbol of the country is Mount Fuji – Japan’s highest peak with its perfectly symmetrical cone. And there are plenty of opportunities to view it during your visit, particularly beyond the city. Hakone, for instance, lies within the crater of an extinct volcano, boasting hot springs and the beautiful Lake Ashi, which reflects the mountain in a picture-perfect vista. Enjoy a short, never-to-be-forgotten boat cruise across the lake to take in the spectacular scenery. Similarly, a ride in a cable car – known as the Hakone Ropeway – offers some of the best views of Mount Fuji on a clear day as you travel up to the ‘Valley of Hell’.

Japan, quite rightly, prides itself on its cuisine – created with artistry, precision and flair – and on many of Cunard’s carefully curated 2019 excursions, there’s an opportunity to enjoy everything from sizzling teppanyaki in an authentic Japanese restaurant to street food snacks, along with more familiar Western-style dishes.

Not to be missed, however, is the traditional Kaiseki – a dinner of perfectly balanced small dishes, enjoyed during an evening spent with the iconic Geisha. These graceful entertainers decorated with cherry blossom on their kimonos and in their hair, represent a quiet elegance that is sadly being lost amid the frenetic pace of modern Japan. Geisha translates as ‘artist’, and these women with their paper-white faces and red lips to symbolize the flag of the rising sun, spend many arduous years perfecting their craft as they study poetry, calligraphy, dancing and music. After dinner, the Geisha entertain their guests with traditional music and dance: an opportunity to witness a cultural phenomenon before, perhaps, it disappears forever. 

Compiled by Sharon Parsons.