The contrasts of Japan are startling - Tokyo dazzles with bright lights and high-tech gadgetry while the cherry blossoms in Kyoto's Maruyama Park are symbols of peace and beauty, as they have been for over 1,000 years.

Since 1950, Japan has seen exceptional economic growth, becoming one of the world's most powerful economies. Bustling cities burst with skyscrapers, bullet trains and trendy nightlife. The brief economic dip in the 1990s is starting to recede into the distance, as rampant consumerism again picks up pace.

Yet beneath the brash modernity beats an ancient heart. This is still the realm of the exquisite art of the geisha and the skill of the sumo wrestler; where ancient festivals are celebrated and food is elevated to an art form. And Japan is still a land of great natural beauty, from the snow festivals and lavender farms of the northern isle of Hokkaido to the sun-drenched beaches of the subtropical south. Whether you choose to climb Mount Fuji or relax at volcanic hot spring resorts, Japan is unforgettable.