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1. Meiji Jingu Meiji Jingu is a sacred shrine to Emperor Meiji, modern Japan’s first emperor following the fall of the Samurais, and his wife, Empress Shoken. Made up of three sections, Meiji Jingu consists of a series of shrine buildings, inner and outer gardens, and a Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery. Visitors can enter the Meiji Jingu through two of Japan’s largest gates, or ‘tori’, which date back over 1,700 years and bear the imperial seal. Visiting Meiji Jingu is a very peaceful experience and one imbued with a great sense of the Japanese culture, particularly when traditional tea ceremonies or one of the many wedding ceremonies held there takes place. 2. Yasukuni Shrine The Yasukuni Shrine was originally established in 1869 by the first emperor of modern Japan, Emperor Meiji, in honour of those who fought and died for the country. Approximately 2,500,000 names are enshrined at Yasukuni, amongst them the casualties of wars since 1853 The Yasukuni Shrine is part of a six-hectare precinct and the shrine itself is surrounded by statues and commemorations to other victims such as war widows, kamikaze pilots, and animals. 3. Tokyo National Museum The Tokyo National Museum houses national treasures from Japan and around the Far East and Asia. Its archaeological finds range from Japanese artwork and archaeological pieces to artefacts from Egypt and India. It also has a collection known as the Horyuji Treasures, made up of over 300 pieces of Buddhist art. The exhibits at the Tokyo National Museum are arranged by category. 4. The Nagasaki Peace Park The Nagasaki Peace Park commemorates the atomic bombing of this Japanese city by American forces in World War Two. This occurred on 9 August 1945, three days after the bombing of Hiroshima. Approximately 74,000 people were killed and 30% of the city was devastated, with many more suffering the effects of radiation poising many decades later.