Asian Paradises

Tradition and Technology A beautiful, mountainous group of islands, Japan is a multi-faceted country, where the modern technological age rubs shoulders with centuries of age-old tradition. Capitals and major centres Japan comprises the four main islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku, in addition to numerous smaller islands. The Japanese refer to their country as Nihon or Nippon, which means 'origin of the sun'. The name arose from Japan's position east of the great Chinese empires that held sway over Asia throughout most of its history. Japan is sometimes referred to in English as the 'land of the rising sun'. Tokyo is the country's capital and largest city. The people The Japanese keep the best aspects of their life private, so to experience traditional Japan, visitors need to venture off the beaten track and out of the major cities. Most people live in the plains and lowlands found mainly along the lower courses of the country's major rivers, on the lowest slopes of mountain ranges, and along the coast. This concentration of people makes Japan one of the world's most crowded countries. Densities are especially high in the urban corridor between Tokyo and Kobe, where a large percentage of the country's population lives in a relatively small land area. There is just one major language—Japanese—and the two dominant religions are Buddhism and Shintoism. Nature Mountains dominate Japan's landscape, covering 75 to 80 percent of the country. Historically, the mountains were barriers to transportation, hindering national integration and limiting the economic development of isolated areas. However, with the development of tunnels, bridges, and air transportation in the modern era, the mountains are no longer barriers. The Japanese have long celebrated their picturesque mountains in art and literature, and today many mountain areas are preserved in national parks. The sights Some of the well-known attractions include the magnificent Imperial Palace in Tokyo 96 www.paradisesonline.com where you can stroll in the grounds of the Outer Garden, Eastern Imperial Garden and Kitanomaru Park, and the ancient Asakusa Kannon Temple in a more traditional area of Tokyo. North of Tokyo is the Nikko National Park, a region noted for its lakes, waterfalls and forests incorporating the Nasu and Shiobara spas, as well as temples and shrines, is registered as a World Cultural Heritage site. Southeast of Tokyo is the FujiHakone-Izu National Park which comprises four regions—Mt Fuji, the highest and most celebrated mountain in Japan plus the resort area of the five lakes—Hakone, a volcanic mountain area with hot springs and a lake; the Izu peninsula, noted for its beaches and hot springs and the Seven Islands of Izu scattered in the Pacific to the south. The three mainland regions of the park are all interconnected by rail or road and the islands can be reached by boat from the Izu peninsula. Kyoto, the ancient capital, is an important stop off on Honshu because of its magnificent temples and shrines, traditional inns and natural surroundings. It is a city graced by elegant timber buildings both religious and domestic, home to several more than five hundred Shinto shrines and well over a thousand Buddhist temples. Many of these temples have been designated as national treasures. Other places worth visiting on Honshu are Sendai, the capital of traditional crafts such as lacquer ware, copper and iron utensils, textiles and kokeshi dolls, and Matsushima, a fishing village and seaside resort famous for its fascinating scenery. Nara, Nikko and the former seaside capital of Kamakura also attract thousands of visitors each year while Osaka, Hiroshima, Takayama and Kanazawa are not to be missed. Where to stay To cater for the huge influx of visitors each year, accommodation is of international standard. You can enjoy 5-star luxury, as well as a variety of cheaper hotels, hostels. guesthouses or Ryokans, traditional Japanese inns, to suit your budget. Getting around Flying is an efficient way to travel from the main islands to any of the small islands. The railway system in Japan has a high

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