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JAPAN reputation for punctuality and safety. The train fare varies naturally depending on the distance you travel as well as the type of train you wish to catch. A variety of rail passes are available to make long distance travel more economical. Numerous companies operate bus services in regional towns as well as in the cities. Long distance buses linking cities are also operated frequently both during the day and at night. This is a more economical way to get about than by plane or by train if you are not pressed for time. Because of urban traffic congestion, renting a car for intra-city travel is not recommended. As a general rule, driving in Japan is only practical if you have plenty of time and if you plan to visit less populated areas such as Hokkaido or Shikoku in an off-peak travel season. Know your route in advance, because road signs may not have alphabet lettering. All expressways are toll roads. Traffic regulations are very strict and orderly. Car rental services are available in most large and medium-sized cities as well as at airports and major train stations. An international driving licence is required to rent a car. Taxis are convenient for intra-city transportation. To flag down a taxi, look for a red light in the lower right corner of the windshield. Food and entertainment Most people confine their stay to the main 98 www.paradisesonline.com island of Honshu where there is plenty of entertainment in the capital Tokyo, an enormous sprawling city with 23 wards, 26 cities, five towns, eight villages and the two main island groups of Izu and Ogasawara under its metropolitan jurisdiction. Tokyo does things on a grand scale. It has big hotels, big roads, big flyovers, big theatres and big shopping centres. The result is a frantic, energetic, purposeful, automated atmosphere where visitors can easily feel overwhelmed. Take time out to enjoy some of the gentle traditional Japanese customs such as the famous tea ceremony, flower arrangement (ikebana) and kabuki theatre. Tokyo plays host to the Grand Sumo tournaments three times a year in January, May and September. Sushi is now a popular dish throughout the world. Raw fish, tempura, udon noodles—Japanese cuisine is reason alone to visit this tempting country. Sake (rice wine) warms the soul in preparation for a night of karaoke. Activities Many of Japan's national parks have hiking routes and these include Mt Takaonear Tokyo, Nagano-Kamikochi area and Wakayama and Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes. Also around Tokyo, popular hiking areas are Nikko and Chichibu-Tama National Park. There are good but isolated hikes in Gunma prefecture and in Nara in the Kansai region. To experience a Japan that few foreigners see, head for the mountainous, less populated Central Alps. Skiing is normally possible from December to April. The islands of Okinawa in the far southwest of Japan are popular diving destinations. Cycling is most popular in the less hilly coastal regions, although intrepid cyclists have been known to ride up Mt Fuji, which is open to the general public during July and August. While it may be open at other times of the year, people are not advised to climb because conditions can be dangerous. Golf is extremely popular and equals prestige in Japan. Shopping You can find a wide range of products in hotel arcades, shopping centres, department stores, and specialty shops at duty free prices. Supermarkets, 100-yen shops and bargain markets are amongst other recommended places to explore. In the bigger cities, stores in wholesale districts sell a wide choice of merchandise, from saucepans to stereos, at wholesale prices. Tokyo's Shinjuku and Ikebukuro districts are good for cameras and audio gear; Tokyo's Akihabara and Osaka's Nihonbashi and Osaka station area for electrical and computer gear; and Tokyo's Tsukiji and Okachimachi for food and general merchandise.