Whether you are an outdoors person, love pristine beaches, or prefer to get lost in nature, while in Japan its best to come with an open mind and be prepared to be amazed. With an area nearly comparable to Germany and Switzerland combined, Japan boasts of four major islands, surrounded by more than four thousand smaller islands.
Spring with its clear skies and cherry blossoms, is probably the most celebrated Japanese season, but the Golden Week period, which is 29 April to 7 May, is a holiday period for the Japanese. Being an island country completely surrounded by ocean, Japan's lifestyle has a deep connection to the blue sea, with tourists coming in all year through. The different seasons in Japan bring different joys to visitors. Autumn paints the land with a stunning blend of red and yellow hues, attracting visitors on excursions called Momiji-gari, meaning to savor the view of the enchanting maple leaves. In winters, visit Hakuba which is one of the most popular snow resort complexes in the nation and has great snow even in early spring.
Language is not a problem here. If you know a few everyday Japanese phrases then it will make your trip even more memorable. Trains are a very convenient way for visitors to travel around Japan, especially in conjunction with the Japan Rail Pass.
For those interested in history, the years from the Medieval Period to the Modern Age marked the era when samurai warriors rose to power, and Japan was divided into many states in which many castles were built. These castles are truly worth a visit.
With the varied environmental conditions, numerous delicacies have developed in each locality and these local cuisines together with traditional Japanese dishes such as sushi and tempura produce a dietary culture unique to Japan.
As for lodging, besides Western style hotels and pensions, a variety of uniquely Japanese style accommodations can be found in Japan, such as ryokan and minshuku.
It is interesting to note that the ancient deities of Japan are believed to have originated in the worship of nature, and the most famous of all are Amaterasu Omikami.
Spring with its clear skies and cherry blossoms, is probably the most celebrated Japanese season, but the Golden Week period, which is 29 April to 7 May, is a holiday period for the Japanese. Being an island country completely surrounded by ocean, Japan's lifestyle has a deep connection to the blue sea, with tourists coming in all year through. The different seasons in Japan bring different joys to visitors. Autumn paints the land with a stunning blend of red and yellow hues, attracting visitors on excursions called Momiji-gari, meaning to savor the view of the enchanting maple leaves. In winters, visit Hakuba which is one of the most popular snow resort complexes in the nation and has great snow even in early spring.
Language is not a problem here. If you know a few everyday Japanese phrases then it will make your trip even more memorable. Trains are a very convenient way for visitors to travel around Japan, especially in conjunction with the Japan Rail Pass.
For those interested in history, the years from the Medieval Period to the Modern Age marked the era when samurai warriors rose to power, and Japan was divided into many states in which many castles were built. These castles are truly worth a visit.
With the varied environmental conditions, numerous delicacies have developed in each locality and these local cuisines together with traditional Japanese dishes such as sushi and tempura produce a dietary culture unique to Japan.
As for lodging, besides Western style hotels and pensions, a variety of uniquely Japanese style accommodations can be found in Japan, such as ryokan and minshuku.
It is interesting to note that the ancient deities of Japan are believed to have originated in the worship of nature, and the most famous of all are Amaterasu Omikami.
Source...