japan

Japan (Nihon or Nippon), officially the State of Japan (Nippon-koku or Nihon-koku), is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south. The characters that make up Japan's name mean "sun-origin" (because it lies to the east of nearby countries), which is why Japan is sometimes referred to as the "Land of the Rising Sun".

Japan is an archipelago of 6,852 islands.The four largest islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku, together accounting for 97% of Japan's land area. Most of the islands are mountainous, many volcanic; for example, Japan’s highest peak, Mount Fuji, is a volcano. Japan has the world's tenth-largest population, with over 127 million people. The Greater Tokyo Area, which includes the de facto capital city of Tokyo and several surrounding prefectures, is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 30 million residents.

Archaeological research indicates that people were living on the islands of Japan as early as the Upper Paleolithic period. The first written mention of Japan begins with brief appearances in Chinese history texts from the first century A.D. Influence from the outside world followed by long periods of isolation has characterized Japan's history. Since adopting its constitution in 1947, Japan has maintained a unitary constitutional monarchy with an emperor and an elected parliament called the Diet.

A major economic power, Japan has the world's second-largest economy by nominal GDP and the third largest in purchasing power parity. It is also the world's fourth largest exporter and fifth largest importer. It is also the only Asian country in the G8 and is currently serving as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Although Japan has officially renounced its right to declare war, it maintains a modern and extensive military force which is employed in self-defense and peacekeeping roles. It is a developed country with very high living standards (10th highest HDI). Japan has the highest life expectancy of any country in the world 

according to both the UN and WHO estimates) and the third lowest infant mortality rate

Mount Kurodake

I climbed Mount Kurodake, another peak of the Daisetsuzan mountain range

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Mount Kurodake is the most easily accessible of Daisetsuzan's major peaks. From Sounkyo Onsen, a touristy hot spring resort in the north of the national park, there is a ropeway followed by a chair lift that get tourists to just within an hour's hike of Kurodake's summit. Note, however, that it is a steep ascent that requires proper hiking shoes

Down in the valley around the town of Sounkyo the trees are still green. It will take several more weeks for the colors to descend into the valley, where they will attract bus loads of tourists, especially around the two waterfalls near the town. The peak of the season there is usually taking place in the first half of October

Over a kilometer above the valley floor, the summit of Mount Kurodake (1984 meters above sea level), however, is already colored in spectacular yellow and orange colors, which should fade into darker orange and red within the next few days and become even more spectacular

 that I met along the ascent, the leaves are about one week behind their average schedule, and the colors seem to be somewhat less brilliant than in the usual year due to damage by the exceptionally hot past summer

From the summit of Mount Kurodake I had once more the pleasure to view the interior landscape of the Daisetsuzan mountains - this time from the north. The awesome sight also included lots of patches of autumn colors spread across the slopes of the volcanic mountain range

If you want to see autumn leaves in Japan now or over the next few days, the high elevations ofDaisetsuzan National Park are the place to be. The colors around the peak of Mount Kurodake should remain spectacular for two weeks or so and will also gradually move down the mountain's slope. However, the coming days also come with a chance of first snow, which might affect hiking plans and cover up the colors in higher elevations

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Koishikawa Korakuen  

Koishikawa Korakuen is one of Tokyo's oldest and most beautiful Japanese landscape gardens. It was built by close relatives of the Tokugawa Shogun in the early Edo Period.

Like most traditional Japanese gardens, Koishikawa Korakuen attempts to reproduce famous landscapes from China and Japan in miniature, using a pond, stones, plants and a man made hill.

Koishikawa Korakuen is attractive during all seasons of the year, but particularly so in the second half of November, when the fall colors appear, during the plum festival in late February and when the beautiful weeping cherry tree near the garden's entrance is in full bloom

Tokyo Imperial Palace

The current Imperial Palace (Kokyo) is located on the former site of Edo Castle, a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo, a short walk from Tokyo Station. It is the residence of Japan's Imperial Family.

Edo Castle used to be the seat of the Tokugawa shogun who ruled Japan from 1603 until 1867. In 1868the shogunate was overthrown, and the country's capital and Imperial Residence were moved fromKyoto to Tokyo. In 1888 construction of a new Imperial Palace was completed. The palace was once destroyed during World War Two, and rebuilt in the same style, afterwards.

From Kokyo Gaien, the large plaza in front of the Imperial Palace, visitors can view the Nijubashi, two bridges that form an entrance to the inner palace grounds. The stone bridge in front is called Meganebashi (Eyeglass Bridge) for its looks. The bridge in the back was formerly a wooden bridge with two levels, from which the name Nijubashi (Double Bridge) is derived

The palace buildings and inner gardens are not open to the public. Only on January 2 (New Year's Greeting) and December 23 (Emperor's Birthday), visitors are able to enter the inner palace grounds and see the members of the Imperial Family, who make several public appearances on a balcony.

During the rest of the year, guided tours of the palace are offered in Japanese, with an English pamphlet and audio guide provided. Tours must be reserved in advance with the Imperial Household Agency. Reservations can be made over the internet (see links below).

The Imperial Palace East Gardens are open to the public throughout the year except on Mondays, Fridays and special occasions. More information is available on the East Gardens page

Tokyo

When Tokyo was an unimportant village and Osaka was just a glimmer in the eye of some future shogun, the city of Kyoto was the magnificent capital of Japan. Kyoto Japan rightfully takes its place among Rome, Istanbul and Athens as city that is itself a "living museum." Even after Tokyo (then Edo) became Japan's capital in 1868, Kyoto remained the cultural and historical focal point of the country. But if you travel to Kyoto don't expect a quaint old world town. Kyoto Japan, like Tokyo, is a bustling and often claustrophobic metropolis with busloads of tourists clogging the sacred temples and Zen gardens during much of the year.

If are planning ahead, the most picturesque time to travel to Kyoto is early April when the cherry blossoms bloom. This is also the most crowded season in Kyoto Japan, and those wishing to avoid a crush of tourists should wait until the summer heat thins the throngs of foreign and local sightseers, or until the slight chill of fall sets in around October.

Just a three-hour shinkansen ride from Tokyo, Kyoto is a great second stop on your tour of Japan. Because of its proximity to the capital, numerous Tokyo-based companies offer Kyoto tours. From comprehensive trips of seemingly each and every temple ever built in the Kyoto region, to theater-themed Kyoto tours that promise the best of Noh, Bunraku and Kabuki drama, there are Kyoto tours that cover all the things to do in Kyoto Japan.

But if you want to explore Kyoto Japan minus a herd of tourists, here is a short list of things to do in Kyoto Japan.

Zen Temples

To the north and west of the city center you will find three renowned Zen temples that are a must see when you travel to Kyoto. This series of buildings known as Daitoku-ji were established as a small monastery 1315. Eight of Daitoku-ji's 22 temples are open to the public—the best are Daisen, Suiho and Koto. The temple gardens, ancient calligraphy, and traditional Zen temple food (wheat gluton and tofu!) are some the highlights of an afternoon stroll around these Zen temples. Another temple that shouldn't be missed is the Kinkaku-ji, or Golden Pavilion.

Kyoto Gardens

Another of the more relaxing things to do in Kyoto Japan is visit one of the Kyoto Gardens. One of the best Kyoto Gardens lies inside the Katsura Rikyu (Katsura Imperial Villa) west of Kyoto Station. A number of tea houses overlook a large central pond. Contrasting the almost severe refinement of Katsura Rikyu are the Shugaku-in Rikyu Gardens. Located in the Kyoto's northern foothills, the Shugaku are more ornate and feature a number of different ponds and bridges. Both of these Kyoto Gardens are excellent, but if you are pressed for time, try the Shugaku-in Rikyu and look for the carp carved on the cedar door in the middle of the park. This carved carp is second only to the famous "see no evil; hear no evil; speak no evil" carving on the Three Monkeys Temple in Nikko. (As an aside, the Three Monkeys Temple is definitely worth a trip to Nikko.)

With an astounding seventeen Unesco World Heritage Sites, there are sightseeing opportunities literally everywhere you look. So whether you accompany a tour group, or strike out on your own, modern Kyoto is still a treat for those travelers looking to transport themselves back to the days of Zen simplicity, and quiet contemplation in beautiful gardens

Nikko

Nikko is a town at the entrance to Nikko National Park, most famous for ToshoguJapan's most lavishly decorated shrine and the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasuthe founder of the Tokugawa shogunate

Nikko had been a center of Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship for many centuries before Toshogu was built in the 1600s, and Nikko National Park continues to offer scenic, mountainous landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springswild monkeys and hiking trails.

Nikko and the Okunikko area around Lake Chuzenjiin particular, are well known for their beautifulautumn colors (koyo). In the average year the colors start descending from the higher elevations ofYumoto Onsen in early October, are best around Lake Chuzenji and the Irohazaka road in mid to late October and reach the town of Nikko in the first half of November

Nikko is located along Japan's Romantic Road

Hakone

Hakone is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, less than 100 kilometers from Tokyo. Famous forhot springs, outdoor activities, natural beauty and the view of nearby Mt. Fuji, Hakone is one of the most popular destinations among Japanese and international tourists looking for a break from Tokyo

Yokohama City Guide

With a population of over three million people is Yokohama Japan's second largest city. Yokohama is located less than half an hour south of Tokyo by train, and is the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture.

Towards the end of the Edo Period (1603-1867), during which Japan maintained a policy of self-isolation, Yokohama's port was one of the first to be opened to foreign trade in 1859. Consequently, Yokohama quickly grew from a small fishing village into one of Japan's major cities.

Until today, Yokohama remains popular among expats, has one of the world's largest chinatowns and preserves some former Western residences in the Yamate district

Fuji Five Lakes (Fujigoko)

The Fuji Five Lake (Fujigoko) region lies at the northern base of Mount Fuji about 1000 meters above sea level around the lakes Kawaguchiko, Saiko, Yamanakako, Shojiko and Motosuko. It is one of the best places to view Mount Fuji from a close distance and a good base for climbing the mountain.

Fujigoko is known as a lake resort area, where hiking, camping, fishing and snow sports are among the popular outdoor activities that can be enjoyed. There are also plenty of hot springs and museums found in the area, along with Fuji Q Highlands, one of Japan's most popular amusement parks, featuring the Fujiyama and Eejanaika roller coasters.

Among the lakes, Lake Kawaguchiko is the easiest to access and offers the most things to see and do for the average foreign traveler. The four other lakes are less developed than Lake Kawaguchiko and are not as easy to access by public transportation

Minakami Travel Guide

Minakami is a mountainous hot spring resort town within easy reach of Tokyo in northern Gunma Prefecture. In the shadow of nearby Mount Tanigawa, Minakami, together with Kusatsu, Ikaho, and Shima, make up the four best known hot spring towns of Gunma. Perhaps its most famous baths are found at Takaragawa Onsen, a mixed hot spring with some of the largest outdoor baths in Japan.

Numerous ski resorts are found around Minakami's valleys, and the town enjoys popularity in having some of the closest ski resorts to Tokyo. More recently, the area has become known for its adventurous outdoor activities including whitewater rafting, canyoning and bungee jumping among others that have joined snow sports to make Minakami a year round outdoor sports destination

Izu Peninsula - Izu Hanto

The Izu Peninsula (Izu Hanto) is a resort area about 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, popular for its hot springs, beautiful coastlines, beaches, mild climate, scenic mountainous interior and views of Mount Fuji from its western coast.

The peninsula's eastern coast and the Shuzenji area are well connected with Tokyo by trains, while the less developed western coast and other areas are served by buses. Izu is also a great place to be explored by rental car, motorbike or bicyle.

On weekends and during holiday seasons, the Izu Peninsula can get quite busy, and traffic jams along the eastern coast are not unusual. However, during off-season weekdays, many parts of the peninsula can be very quiet

Atami is a hot spring city with shinkansen station at the entrance to the Izu Peninsula. While the city is attractively located on the steep slopes along the ocean coast, it has obviously suffered from the economic downturn of the 1990s.

Ito is another hot spring city along the peninsula's eastern coast, only about 15 kilometers south of Atami. Inside Ito's municipal limits lies Izu Kogen, a pleasant resort town with more hot springs and the nearby scenic Jogasaki coast.

Further down the eastern coast, Kawazu is a town famous for its early blooming Kawazu cherry trees, which are usually in bloom as early as late February to mid March.

Shimoda near the peninsula's southern tip, was the landing place of Commodore Perry's "black ships" in 1854, an event which marked the end of Japan's era of isolation and the start of diplomatic relations between the US and Japan.

Shuzenji in central Izu is another famous hot spring resort with a pleasant and beautifully preserved resort town center. Shuzenji is named after a local temple

Kawagoe

With its main street, lined by massive kurazukuri (warehouse style) buildings, the former castle town of Kawagoe has retained a certain atmosphere reminiscent of past centuries. Consequently, the city has been nicknamed "Little Edo" (Edo is Tokyo's former name).

Kawagoe is an easy day excursion from Tokyo, only half an hour northwest of Ikebukuro

Hakone Tozan Railway

A ride on the Hakone Tozan Railway, Japan's oldest mountain railway, is a treat for more than just railway fans. The small trains wind themselves through a narrow, densely wooded valley over many bridges and tunnels, stopping at small stations along the way and changing directions at three switchbacks.

The Hakone Tozan Line consists of two sections. The lower section from Odawara to Hakone-Yumoto is used by Odakyu trains from central Tokyo and is not particularly noteworthy. Far more spectacular is the upper section from Hakone-Yumoto to Gora, which is served by the small mountain trains. At Gora, many travelers transfer to the cablecar for Lake Ashi

The 35 minute train ride from Hakone-Yumoto to Gora is especially beautiful in June and July when thousands of ajisai (hydrangea) are in bloom along the tracks and are illuminated during the evenings. The ajisai are usually best around the beginning of July and can be seen from the trains and around the stations.

Special trains run from mid June through mid July between Hakone-Yumoto and Gora Stations for the viewing of the illuminated flowers. They depart in the evenings, twice in each direction, and reservations are required

Trains run every 10 to 20 minutes between Hakone-Yumoto and Gora. The one way fare from Hakone-Yumoto to Gora is 390 yen. The entire line from Odawara to Gora is covered by the Hakone Free Pass

some of photoes from japan