Picturesque snow-capped Mt Fuji

Hyperbolic, kitty-cute, switched-on, serene.

Whether you end up taking photos of a reproduction Eiffel Tower, surfing an indoor wave, musing in a Zen temple, shacking up in a love hotel or kipping down in a capsule, you'll do best to come with an open mind and be prepared to be surprised.

Somewhere between the elegant formality of Japanese manners and the candid, sometimes boisterous exchanges that take place over a few drinks, between the sanitised shopping malls and the unexpected rural festivals, everyone finds their own vision of Japan.

Set aside several years if you want to learn to read Japanese. Japan has one of the most complex writing systems in the world, using three different scripts (four if you include the increasingly used Roman script romaji). Fortunately, for visitors to Japan, it's not all bad news. Unlike other Asian languages, Japanese is not tonal and the pronunciation system is fairly easy to master. In fact, with a little effort, getting together a repertoire of travellers' phrases should be no trouble - the only problem will be understanding what people say back to you.

Travellers to Japan can expect to find accommodation of all types, from upmarket hotels and resorts to more budget-focussed and unique options. For your next holiday accommodation in Japan, make sure you check the regular and special offers on hotels.com.au first. Asia is host to a wide range of travel experience, suitable for all budgets. And Japan is a great example, blending city experiences such as Tokyo as well as options away from the hustle and bustle; perfect for a relaxing holiday or a nature escape.