By Samuel Phineas Upham

There is so much to adore about Japan. Few countries offer such a blend of modernity and revered traditions as Japan does. On one block you can find a shrine that’s a thousand years old, and around the corner you might see one of the most modern examples of architecture. There is an emphasis on the importance of technology and modernity and yet the ancient culture has remained nicely intact.

Japan has a rich religious history and is full of gorgeous Buddhist temples and shrines. The fashion is completely unparalled and the nightlife in Tokyo can be nuts.

There is so much to do and see in Japan that it can be slightly difficult to pick out an itinerary, particularly for shorter trips. However, there are a few things that are not to be missed.

1) Hot Springs: Japan has some of the most amazing natural hot springs in the world. The Japanese love their “onsens” so much that there’s even a festival to honor them in the first weekend of April.

2) Climbing Mt. Fuji: Mt. Fuji is Japan’s highest and most prominent mountain. It’s an incredibly gratifying experience to climb and reach the top among hundreds of hikers from all over the world. The best time of year to climb is in July or August. It’s the time of year that hosts the mildest weather, typically there’s no snow at that time.

3) Traditional Tea Ceremony: One shouldn’t leave Japan without partaking in one of the traditional tea ceremonies. It’s a truly unique experience that gives you a taste of traditional Japanese culture.


Samuel Phineas Upham About the Author: Samuel Phineas Upham is an investor at a family office/ hedgefund, where he focuses on special situation illiquid investing. Before this position, Phin Upham was working at Morgan Stanley in the Media & Technology group. You may contact Phin on his Samuel Phineas Upham website or Twitter page.

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By Samuel Phineas Upham There is so much to adore about Japan. Few countries offer such a blend of modernity and revered traditions as Japan does. On one block you can find a shrine that’s a thousand years old, and around the corner you might see one of...