The impressive Peace Memorial Park shows how the human tragedy of the atomic bomb attack on the city has been transformed into a message of peace.

About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Nonguests are welcome to visit Hotel New Ōtani's beautiful 400-year-old Japanese garden, which once belonged to a Tokugawa regent. You'll be developing a deeper connection and understanding of the Japanese people, places and culture.

Here, whether you see Mt Fuji from behind a frame of golden leaves, cherry blossoms and a shrine or even a konbini; there is something bewitching about witnessing Fuji dominating the horizon. Brush up on restaurant etiquette, local customs and what ingredients to expect in Lonely Planet's Eat Japan. The downside of having so many incredible attractions on offer in one country is feeling overwhelmed by the options – where to even begin? It's fine for last minute reference or confirming details on the plane, but worked poorly as a primary reference.

Osaka, Japan's third-largest city, is tops for street food: don't miss its signature dish, takoyaki (grilled octopus dumplings). By using the Web site, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the Terms and Conditions. Some of us absorb information when it is presented visually, others prefer to read lengthy text, whilst many prefer a combination of the two. People often wear them year-round to protect their lungs from air pollution and to protect themselves and others from viruses, infections and allergens. Tokyo is a city forever reaching into the future, pushing the boundaries of what's possible on densely populated, earthquake-prone land, adding ever taller, sleeker structures.

The first thing I ask for when visiting any tourist information centre (or ryokan or hotel) is for any maps they have of the local area. It might not be fine dining, but they’re part of many Japanese bullet train journeys, and surprisingly (to most foreigners) high-quality snacks wherever you are in the country, 24 hours a day. Japan is easing entry rules on October 11, but does that mean it will be as easy to visit as before the pandemic? So, that was my original and recent experience of choosing what, for me, is the best guidebook to Japan.

Japan will reinstate visa-free travel on October 11 for travelers from more than 68 countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, Mexico, Argentina, Singapore, Thailand and more. The information isn't organized by neighborhood (except for the smaller maps and top sights) so you have to flip through to the massive Tokyo Eats or Sleeps section if you want to find information about a specific restaurant or hotel.

Don't worry – we're here to help with a round-up of the best things to do in Japan, both celebrated and under the radar.

hotel is the enormous Godzilla statue atop it (you, and taxi drivers, will have no trouble finding it). I also felt their maps would be more helpful in finding your way when compared with the minimalist, almost oblique maps in The Rough Guide (remember, I'm referring to the 2008 editions here). Don't make the mistake of thinking that guide books written only by locals are better than those written with input from foreigners. What I liked most about it was instead of focusing on Tokyo and the other obvious destinations, reporter Ian Wright started in the capital and then made his way to the very end of the southern chain of the archipelago.Among them are the monumental, like Kinkaku-ji (an exquisite pavilion sheathed entirely in gold leaf), and the meditative, like Ryōan-ji, with its stark Zen rock garden.