15 gorgeous photos of Japan

Professional landscape & wildlife photographer Nick Jackson shares some of his most beautiful pictures of Japan. Find more inspiration in our round-up of fascinating facts about Japan.

"Japan is a country I always wanted to travel to. I wanted to learn more about the culture, visit the ancient temples and see the beautiful cherry blossom first hand. What I encountered over my two week stay blew my expectations away. Japan is the most amazingly beautiful and diverse place, and its people are some of the friendliest I’ve met on all my travels."

"Tokyo was a wild juxtaposition of 1400-year-old temples nestled amongst high-speed lifestyle and bright lights. I then travelled on the infamous bullet train to Mount Fuji which rose majestically through the clouds."

"Next stop: Kyoto – and no amount of time is enough to see everything this beautiful city has to offer. I was lucky enough to be allowed to photograph a Geisha with her beautiful white make-up, elaborate kimono and perfect hair."

"My last day was spent enjoying the cherry blossom festival in Maruyama Park, Kyoto, where seas of pink and white flowers are lit up by ornate street lights and cauldrons of incense infuse the whole park with scent."

"Two weeks was far too short."

Arashiyama bamboo forest

Asakura temple, Tokyo

A beautiful Japanese geisha

Burning incense at the Kyoto Cherry Blossom festival

Japanese couple praying at Sensō-ji temple, Asakusa

Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto

Mount Fuji

Purification water at a temple

Raindrops on cherry blossom

Shrine at Maruyama Park, Kyoto

The carp pond at Asakusa

The Deer God at Nara

The Japanese Bullet trains

The Reiki garden of the Silver Temple, Kyoto

Tokyo from above

To see more of Nick's work please visit www.nickjacksonphotography.co.uk .Compare flights, book hostels and hotels for your trip, and don’t forget to purchase travel insurance before you go.