Japan is an island nation that is located in East Asia. Japan is sometimes known as “The Land of the Rising Sun” and even though its history goes back for thousands of years and they retain a lot of their ancient culture, they are also headliners in some of the most modern technology, fashions and trends.
The country is a very homogeneous one, meaning that almost 99 percent of the country is made up of only Japanese people. The people in this country are well known for their politeness, so if you find yourself lost or bewildered while visiting, you will probably find someone who is most willing to help you. If you do travel to Japan, a passport is almost always required, however you will probably not need a Visa if you are from one of the 62 countries that have agreements with Japan about travel in between countries.
Listed below are some of the top tourist attractions in Japan for sightseeing. Find information about Japanese famous landmarks and top tourist spots to visit. Plan your trip in advanced and enjoy your stay in Japan.
#source:http://famouswonders.com/asia/japan/
Asakusa Kannon Temple in Tokyo
According to the legends of Asakusa, two brothers fished the statue of Kannon (goddess of mercy) from the river Sumida. They tried to put the statue back into the river but fortunately the statue always returned to them. So they planned to build a temple which started in 628 A.D and finished its construction in 645 A.D.
The travelers initially enter through the “Kaminarimon” (thunder gate) which is the outer gate of “Asakusa Kannon Temple “or “Sensoji” and also the symbol of Asakusa. Then after the way leads to a shopping street of about 200 meters called Nakamise, giving a way to the second gate called “Hozomon”. The shopping street consists of various traditional garments popularly known as “Yukata”, local snacks, folding fans etc, which are said to be very unique and high in business. Beyond the second gate, “Hozomon” stands at the Sensoji temple main building with five stories tower with multiple eaves which is the most attractive part of the building.
Akashi Kaikyo Suspension Bridge
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, also called “Pearl Bridge”, is located in Japan and considered as Japan’s finest engineering feat. Akashi Kaiko Bridge is the world’s longest suspension bridge in the world with a length of 3911 meters (12,831 ft). The Akashi Kaiko Bridge acts as a link between the city of Kobe and Iwaya by crossing the Akashi strait. The construction was finished in a span of 12 years which actually begin in the year 1986 and completed in the year 1998. Akashi Kaikyo Bridge plays an important role in providing three routes across the Inland sea.
Architecture
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge uses one of the finest architecture and technology which consists of three spans. The Akashi Kaikyo Suspension Bridge is designed in such a manner where the earthquakes and harsh sea currents doesn’t damage the bridge. The Kobe earthquake on January 17, 1995 is the best example for this bridge’s efficiency.
History
Before the construction of the bridge, boats and ships (ferries) were used to carry passengers and vehicles across the Akashi strait. Akashi strait is an international waterway which is approximately 1500 meter wide shipping lane. Akashi strait waterway is also one of the dangerous waterways before the construction of Akashi Kaiko Bridge due to some severe storms. During the year 1955, a severe storm was experienced in which two ferries were sank resulting in the death of 168 people. As a result, the Japanese government planned to develop a suspension bridge to cross the strait. Originally, the plan was to construct a railway bridge along with a road bridge. But the construction was restricted to a road bridge only consisting of 6 lanes.
Tourism
The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge was constructed in such an extent which also attracts tourism in Japan. Two amazing parks were built in the surroundings of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge for tourists. The two parks were named Maiko and Asagiri. The view from the park is a wonderful experience to the visitors as the view from there is absolutely magnificent. Both the parks can be reached by traveling through the coastal train line.
Chion-In Temple in Kyoto
The temple was built in the year 1234. Pure land Buddhism was actually founded in the year 1175 by the priest Honnen who used to teach that one could be reborn in the Jodo sect simply by reciting “amida amida amida Buddha” in devotion and faith. Due to the simple teachings and simple applications to the common people, the Jodo Buddhism became the most popular sect in Japan. Honen died in the year 1212 on the site of the temple.
The gate of the Chion-In Temple is the main attraction and it has a copper bell which is also the largest bell in Japan famous for its tolling in the midnight especially during the New Year’s Eve. The bell is said to be the heaviest in Japan which is of 74 tons. Chion-In Temple’s bell takes at least 17 monks to ring during the eve and this kind of amazing sight can only be seen near the temple. The main hall is so huge that 3000 people can occupy the hall and there is also a corridor behind main hall which leads to “UGUISU-BARI” (Assembly Hall) which was built with the finest architecture.
The easiest way to reach the temple is to travel through Tozai line which takes to Higashiyama station. From Higashiyama station, it takes about 10 minutes to reach the temple by walking. Temple grounds are always open and there are no closing days where the admission is absolutely free of cost. I would suggest the readers not to miss an opportunity of visiting the greatest temple of Buddha sect if planning a vocation to Japan.
Daibutsu – Great Buddha of Kamakura
Daibutsu in Japanese means Great Buddha and most westerns refer to Daibutsu as the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Great Buddha of Kamakura is located in Kamakura, Kanagawa prefecture, Japan. It is made of bronze and it is located in the Kotokuin temple, one of the most famous Buddhist temples of the Pure Land sect in Japan. Daibutsu of Kamakura monument is said to be the second largest monumental Buddha in Japan.
The statue of Kamakura was founded in the year 1252, but the buildings were wiped out by the tsunami tidal wave in the 15th century and now, the statue lies in the open with no roof. The buddha of Kamakura is of 13.5 meters tall, weighing about 93.1 tons, which is most impressive to hear. The great Buddha is seated in lotus position with hands forming a gesture of meditation called “DHYANI MUDRA”. The Daibutsu has a spectacular sight with a backdrop of wooden hills.
The statue of Kamakura is 5 minute walk from the Enoden railway station which is the third station from the Kamakura main station. The temple is open from morning, 7 am to evening 6 pm and the admission fee for adults is 200 Yen and 150 Yen for children. There is also an opening to get inside the Great Buddha statue which has extra admission fee of 20 Yen. There are no closing days within the year, so the temple is always filled with visitors. The experience of seeing the Great Buddha of Kamakura cannot be described until we see it with our own eyes.
Hakone Lake District in Kanagawa
Hakone is a fantastic holiday spot which has population of just about 14000 people. The total area of Hakone is 93 km square. There is also famous check point called “Hakone Checkpoint” which was actually renamed from “Ashigara Check Point “after Edo period. The Hakone barrier was built on the Tokaido highway in 1619 to maintain peace with foreigners from the west. Due to this reason, Hakone barrier is called “the border between the east and the west “ and it used to terrify the travelers passing through because of heavy inspection before passing through.
The major attraction in Hakone is Hakone Ropeway which starts from Lake Ashi along with the Mt. Fuji. Apart from Hakone Ropeway, there are numbers of spots to visit such as O-Waku-Dani, Lake Ashi–No-Ko, Susukio-Sogen of Sengokuhara, Moto-Hakone, and the alpine trees along Kyu-Kaido Street. There are various methods of transportation to travel from one place to another including cruising boat and cable car. In addition to these, Hakone has various museums such as The Hakone Open Air Museum, The Narukawa Art Museum, The Pola Museum and The Venetian Glass Museum which are always crowded by the visitors around the world.
Golden Pavilion Temple in Kyoto
The Golden Pavilion Temple, also called Kinkaku-ji in Japanese, was built in 1397 and it is located in Kyoto, Japan. It was initially made to serve as a villa for retirement for Shogun Ashikaga. It was quite later that his son converted the building into a Zen temple. The Golden Pavilion was burned twice and was reconstructed after five years. In the year 1950, a monk burned the entire temple into ashes and finally planned to take his own life by jumping behind the hill. The monk survived the attempt to die. However, his mother due to the shame that her son had brought, jumped from the train into the river. The monk was sent to jail for 7 years where he died due to illness.
The Golden Temple is a building with three stories. The upper two stories are covered with a pure gold sheet. The main purpose of the pavilion is to work as shariden, storing the remains of the Buddha’s ashes. One can see a typical Chinese style built on the top floor. The middle section looks like the Zen style and the last, the ground floor is made similar to the shinden-zukuri-style and does not have the gold sheet on it.
The entire temple is covered by a beautiful garden with a pond in the front called the Mirror Pond. A lot of stones in the pond give a representation of the Buddhist’s era. In the year 1987, some parts of the temple were recoated in thicker gold and some interiors of the temple were worked upon during the year 2003.
Ginza at Night in Chuo, Tokyo
Ginza is an amazing place in Chuo, Tokyo and it is popularly known to be an up market area of Tokyo consisting of many departmental stores, shopping malls, restaurants and coffee houses. Ginza is said to be one of the luxurious shopping destinations in the world with it stylish looks, modern atmosphere and technology. The most impressive thing to observe here is neon lights during the night time. During the night, the typical Neon lights signs showcase luxury brands. Ginza at night looks amazing and very attractive and is almost as bright as day.
Ginza was established in the year 1612, the Edo period during which silver coin mint was named. Modern Ginza started from the year 1872 after the rebuilt of several buildings which got damaged due to devastating fire. The whole district was re-built using the Irish technology. The most famous and popular buildings to observe are Sony building , Mitsukoshi Departmental Store , Apple Store , Kabuki-za Theatre, Tsukiji Honganji, Tsukiji Fish Market, and Nakajin Capsule Apartment Building. Many international brands apart from Gucci, Sony, etc… can be found around Ninza. Jewelry shops are found in plenty along with the designer boutiques and top flight department stores around Ninza area. The shops are kept open until 8 pm, which gives a chance to visitors to enjoy the shopping and the sight seeing.
Ise Shrine
The Ise Shrine located in the Mie prefecture of Japan is an enchanting Shinto shrine built in the honor of the goddess Amaterasu-omikami. Also called as the Jingu, its complex is composed of two main shrines namely the Naiku and Geku which are surrounded by hundreds of other Shinto temples. Naiku or the Inner Shrine can be found in the south of middle Ise City, in a town called Uji-tachi. Primarily, this is the temple that is dedicated to the worshipping of Amaterasu-omikami because Geku or the Outer Shrine is built in honor of Toyouke no omikami, the goddess of industry and agriculture. There are other 123 shrines in the city with 91 belonging to Naiku and 32 to Geku.
Naiku is a very valuable place not only for the people living in the city of Ise but for all the citizens of Japan because of a national treasure it holds upon its shrine walls. The Naiku is the home of the Sacred Mirror making the shrine as one of the most important and sacred sites in the whole of Japan. The official guardian of the Ise shrine is also very important because the post of the High Priest or Priestess can only be filled by someone coming from the Imperial Family. The first Priestess said to have watched over the temple was princess Okunihime-miko, during the Asuka period of ancient Japan.
The architectural style used in the Ise shrine, Shinmeizukuri, is unique and is not allowed to be mimicked by any other temple in any part of Japan. The shrines are rebuilt every 20 years as a ritual to make them constantly ancient yet new at the same time. The current shrines are last built on 1993 and are the 61st iteration at present. The next schedule of the rebuilding will be on 2013.
Mount Fuji at the Central Region of Honshu
Mount Fuji, which is known as Japan’s highest mountain stands at a height of over 12,388 ft (3,766 m) at the central area of Honshu, Japan. Fuji, Japan’s tallest mountain is considered to be one of the “Three Holy Mountains” along with Tate and Haku. Mount Fuji also serves as a border between Shizuoka and Yamanashi. It is in the shape of a cone which is mostly portrayed in pictures; Mount Fuji is a great tourist landmark where adventurous sport like climbing most often takes place.
Climate
The climate is extremely cold as the surface of the mount is covered with snow for most of the months during the calendar year. The coolest temperature here was -38.0 °C (36.4 °F) and the hottest temperature was 17.8 °C (64.0 °F). From Yokohama, Tokyo, this place is visible during summer. The name Fuji-san is often referred as Fujiyama but it proved wrong in Japanese, later it became popular as Fuji.
Volcanic Activity
Volcanic activity has been discovered by scientists at four stages at Mount Fuji. The starting stage includes Sen-Komitake which contains Aden site which was found deep inside the mountain. The next stage is followed by Komitake Fuji, which was formed in the ancient times. The next stage is followed by Old Fuji which stood over Komitake,the present Fuji is said to be the top of all which was formed 10,000 years back. The last time this volcano erupted was recorded on December 16, 1707 and lasted unto January 1, 1708, this is also known as “The Hōei Eruption of Mount Fuji”. During that time, burned pieces of coal and ashes came out like rain. Ever since 1708, no eruption signs has been discovered and today, this mountain has a less risk of volcano’s eruption.
History
Mount Fuji is thought to be discovered by a monk in 663 AD. Considering the place as sacred; women were not allowed on the summit until the Meiji Era (1868-1912). In September 1860, Sir Rutherford Alcock was the first person to climb the mountain; it took eight hours to climb up to the top, three hours to come down. Also, Lady Fanny Parkes was the first woman to climb the mountain in 1867. This place is also known to be home for warrior’s culture where the samurai used the place as their training area. From 2006, the military camps of Japan and United States are operated from this place.
Climbing Mt. Fuji
Climbing Mount Fiji is an adventurous sport and it starts from July 1st to August 27th. The rising of the sun can be seen from this place and more people climb the mountain during the night in order to see the sun rising. Every year, over 200,000 people are expected to climb the mountains, out of that, 30% of the people are from the western countries. Also, there has been a paragliding from Subashiri and Hoeizan. There is a forest named Aokigahara, which is located at the bottom of the mountain. This forest is known to be the suicide spot with an average of 30 suicides every year.
Osaka Castle
The Osaka Castle is one of the famous castles located in Japan and it was built in 1583 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The tower at Osaka’s castle is used as storeroom. The castle is constructed on a platform standing on the walls supported on a rock. The castle at the center is of five stories from outside and eight stories from inside and it was constructed on a high stone in order to safeguard from enemies.
Size and Construction Plans
Osaka Castle covers an area of about 15 acres, among them, the Japanese government has declared thirteen structures as ancient cultural property which also includes Toyokuni Shrine. In the year 1583, Toyotomi Hideyoshi started the construction at Ishiyama Hongan-ji temple site. Toyotami first thought of constructing castle that mirrored Oda’s, but it never happened. The idea of the building was changed later to construct a five stories and three more stories below it, and a gold leaf was placed on the top of the tower. In the year 1585, the inner tower was constructed and later the castle was expanded making it stronger to withstand attack over it. In the year 1598, Hideyoshi died, at the same time, the construction of the castle was completed and later on, the castle was handed over to Hideyoshi’s son, Toyotomi Hideyori.
Floors Plan
In the castle, the main entrance makes a way unto ground floor. The building is a eight floored Museum which is held in reverse mode i.e., starts at last floor and ends at 2nd floor. There is also a mini theater in 1st floor. As per Osaka’s castle, the 8th floor comes first. This floor consists of some colored paints and also Naniwa port can be viewed from this floor. In the 7th floor during the rule of Toyotami Hideyoshi, history at that time of the Osaka castle can be seen. At the walls in the 7th floor, Hideyoshor, the display pictures of Hideyoshi can be seen. And moreover in this floor, Osaka Castle history is elucidated and also changes happened under the rule of Hideyoshi can also be seen. The next floors i.e.,5, 6th floors shows the ending rule of Toyotami and rise of Tokugawa, and that period was known as transition period. This period shows the battle between the families for gaining power. The last floors i.e.,3rd, 4th floors shows the materials during the reign of Hideyoshi Toyotami and also the stages of Osaka Castle during the time of Toyotami and Tokugawa. There are more than 8000 artifacts displayed here, the life of Hideyoshi Toyotami is also shown here.
Changes Through Time
During the battle by the Toyotami forces, the Osaka castle was damaged heavily and again it was rebuilt by Tokugawa. In the year 1660, the castle was severely burned as the gunpowder exploded causing a severe damage to the tower. Again in 1925, the tower was brought back into existence, and again in 1945 bombings damaged the restored tower, the government restored back in 1995 and in 1997 it was brought back to existence again. The Osaka castle is now a famous tourist attraction and it is open to public.
Nikko National Park
Japan is a country known for its high technology and fashion. It also known for its well-preserved historical and religious structures built hundreds of years ago. Not only that but this country also has some great natural sights to visit. One town in particular, Nikko, Japan, is the gateway of the famous Nikko National Park and awe-inspiring shrines and temples. If you want to see waterfalls, mausoleums, temples, shrines, the old Imperial house, mountains, a lake, and a marshland, a botanical garden, and many more, you should visit the town of Nikko.
In the central town, you will see the world famous Toshogu Shrine, an elaborately decorated complex that houses several buildings for Shinto and Buddhist followers. This shrine is actually a mausoleum where Tokugawa Ieyasu’s tomb is kept. Ieyasu was the founder of the famous Tokugawa shogunate. Aside from its historical buildings, you will also see a vast expanse of trees because this shrine is situated in an amazing forest.
If you walk farther for about half an hour or if you ride a bus for 10 minutes, you will see another mausoleum. It looks very similar to the Toshogu shrine, though this one is more modest. This is the mausoleum of Ieyasu’s grandson, Iemitsu. The name of the shrine is Taiyunbyo and you can also enjoy looking at a lavishly decorated structure.
There is another structure in the central town of Nikke which is called Rinnoji Temple. This temple is an important part of the history of Nikko because it was built by the Buddhist monk named Shodo Shonin who first brought Buddhism to the town of Nikko thousands of years ago. It is very near the Toshogu Shrine, which makes it easy for tourists to visit both.
If you like to see nature, you should visit Okunikko, the National Park in Nikko, where you can see one of the most famous and amazing waterfalls in Japan. Mount Nantai is also located in this area. At the foot of this mountain, you will see a very large and clear lake. The view is breathtaking, as if you are in paradise.
Seto Sea, the Inland Sea of Japan
Known as the Seto Sea, the Inland Sea of Japan is the body of water which separates the three main islands of the country, Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku. Not only does it serve as an international waterway that connects the Sea of Japan to the Pacific Ocean, it is a valuable sea transport to industrial parts in the Kansai region because of its connection to Osaka Bay. The waterway runs from east to west in about 450 km and has a width of 15 to 55 km from south to north. An approximate of 3,000 islands can be found here separated by the eastern, central, and western parts.
The Inland sea is a rich well of biodiversity with more than 500 marine species inhabiting its waters. Just some of the popular faunas are the ayu, the finless porpoise, horseshoe crabs, and even great white sharks. When it comes to industry, the Inland sea is considered as a very productive section in modern Japan. The primary industries surrounding its waters are from the cities of Kurashiki, Fukuyama, Ube, and Kobe. Tourism helps the area because of the mixture of the sea’s refreshing mix with Japan’s climate and picturesque landscape.
The coastal area of the sea, in particular, is one very popular choice for tourists whenever they visit Japan because of the unique beauty of its waters. The length of the coastal area named Setonaikai National Park, considered as one of the oldest parks in the country. The Itsukushima Shrine also found in the area of Inland sea is a member of UNESCO’s list of Heritage Sites around the world. More famous tourist centers are Kyoto and Tokyo with their appealing metropolitan structures and Shodoshima, also known as the “island of olives”.
#source:http://famouswonders.com/asia/japan/
Japanese Cuisine
The emerging popularity of Japanese cuisine in the international scene is best observed in the proliferation of sushi bars and Japanese restaurants alongside American fast food chains. Known for its nutritious value and health benefits, a lot of people are slowly shifting towards Japanese food, making it one of the most popular choices for health-conscious eaters. But along with the popularity comes confusion – what is authentic Japanese cuisine? How can you tell if you are part-taking of a real experience of Japanese flavors or of a close imitation?
First off, Japanese cuisine as it is known today is a fusion of traditional food, called washoku, and ingredients and cooking techniques adopted from other countries. This has resulted in a wide variety of dishes that developed in response to cultural and generational changes in Japan. Despite all the cultural differences that exist between all the regions of Japan, there are elements that are shared by these dishes that make them distinctly Japanese.
One of these elements is the influence of the seasons. Japanese have a high regard for nature and the different seasonal changes that occur throughout the year. This deference is reflected in their cuisine, which uses only the freshest ingredients and those that are in season. Foods are made to look like cherry blossoms during spring and a flowing river or waterfall during summer.
Another characteristic of Japanese cuisine is its emphasis on aesthetics and presentation. Dishes are served with the belief that eating begins with the eyes and that the more beautiful the presentation of food, the tastier it is. Serving platters are picked carefully in order to emphasize the color, shape, and texture of the food they hold.
Perhaps the main element that separates Japanese cuisine from the rest is on how it evokes the five senses. Presentation is meant to capture the sight with catchy arrangements that resemble different things from nature. Sound is also a vital part in the experience especially when one is slurping noodles or pouring out sake. The sense of touch is not left behind with the different textures available from the softness of rice balls to the roughness of tempura. And finally both smell and taste are involved as one eats the meal the complete the whole experience.
With these elements in mind, it will not be difficult for you to distinguish the experience of genuine Japanese cuisine from a lousy knock-off.
