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Information of Japan |
Capital: Tokyo
Official Language: Japanese
Currency: Yen
Japanese archipelago in the east of Asia is a favorite destination to many a tourists. Located in the Pacific Ocean, Japan lies to the east of China, Korea, and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea in the south. Japan consists of four major islands namely Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu and thousands of smaller ones with a picturesque coastline. Nine forest eco regions reflect the climate and geography of the various islands. Most of Japan's islands are mountainous, and many are volcanic, including the highest peak, Mount Fuji. Known as the Land of Rising Sun Japan enchants the tourists with its variegated attractions ranging from ancient temples, austere gompas, mist shrouded mountains to modern skyscrapers, bullet trains and vibrant night life. Visiting Japan is a spellbinding experience amidst cultural, historical and natural wonders.
Major Cities in Japan
Tokyo is the capital city of Japan. Other major cities of Japan are Kanagawa, Osaka, Aichi, Hyogo, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Kanagawa and Saitama. City of Tokyo is the heart of Japan. A sharp contrast between the ancient verses futuristic and Western verses Eastern cultural influence is felt while touring various destinations of Tokyo. Tokyo also offers wonderful countryside view with numerous bed towns, farmland and islands namely the Izu Islands and the subtropical Ogasawara Islands. Tokyo has an incredible variety of museums, galleries, shrines and temples that really mesmerizes the tourists. There are exclusive shopping areas like Ginza. Akihabara boasts of some finest electronic shops in the world. Odaiba a newly developed waterfront in the Tokyo bay charm the tourists with a unique hot spring spa facility. Created as a city within a city, Roppongi is a beautiful tourist spot with the beautiful Roppongi Hills, pristine gardens and waterfalls.
Located in the Kansai area of central Honshu, Kyoto remains Japan's star attraction with a vast number of temples, shrines, museums and historical sites. Must see sights include the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji), Zen rock garden of Ryoanji, and the Imperial gardens and villas of Katsura and Shugakuin. Nara, on the south of Kyoto, is an ancient Buddhist center with Todaji Temple displaying the Buddha idol. Osaka in the Kinki region of Honshu Island is a commercial center popular for its abundance of excellent restaurants, historic Osaka Castle and the performing arts of Kabuki and Bunraku. Hokkaido located at the north end of Japan is a major city and an earthquake prone region. Hokkaido island has a number of mountains and volcanic plateaus, and numerous national parks like Shiretoko National Park, Akan National Park, Kushiro Shitsugen National Park etc. Akan National Park is famous for its crystal clear lakes, its hot springs, and its large marimo.
Tourist Attractions of Japan
Higashi Gyoen Garden and Imperial Palace in Tokyo is a beautiful sight seeing with breathtaking garden lawns, imperial villa and art museums to explore. Tokyo Tower a symbol of the Tokyo skyline reminds of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The observatory deck of the tower offers a panoramic view of the surrounding places like the Tsukuba Mountain and Mount Fuji. Sensoji Temple is the oldest temple in Tokyo while Kanda Myojin Shrine is known as a shrine of happiness for family affairs and matchmaking for couples. Meiji Jingu Shrine established in the 9th Taisho Period enshrines the Meiji Emperor and the Shoken Empress Dowager. The shrine is the finest example Japanese Shinto architecture. The Tokyo National Museum houses treasures of Japanese art. Ryogoku Kokugikan is the main arena where Sumo tournaments are held. Nikko National Park offers unique hot spring resorts and opportunities for hiking, fishing and boating. The coastal town of Kamakura in the south of Tokyo was the seat of Japan's medieval feudal government. Major sites over here are the bronze statue of Buddha, colorful Hachimangu Shrine and picturesque Enoshima Island.
Getting Around Japan
Japan is renowned for its well-developed transportation systems. The rail service is unique with fast and frequent trains covering all tourist destinations. Worth mention are the Shinkansen or "Bullet Trains" tat moves faster than air. In addition, there is a national highway service and domestic air service. Domestic air travel is provided by the three principal local airlines, namely Japan Airlines (JAL), All Nippon Airways (ANA), and Japan Air System (JAS). With some 69 airports handling domestic and overseas flights, a travel to Japan from the foreign land is not a difficult task. Other transportation such as buses and taxis provide connections twenty four hours a day in the cities, while ferries link up Tokyo, Osaka and Kobe with the main ports of Hokkaido and Kyushu. Various hotels and lodges available in the main cities and towns provide comfortable accommodation to the tourists.
Precautions to be taken in Japan
Japan is prone to frequent tremors and volcanic eruptions due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, at the juncture of three tectonic plates. Destructive earthquakes, often resulting in tsunamis cause a lot of damage to the country's infrastructure as well as to the life of the tourists. All these natural calamities lead to outbreaks of several deadly diseases. Many instances of Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, Typhoid and SAR have been traced in the various regions of Japan. So people desiring to take a trip to Japan should take proper vaccination and drugs before making a visit to the affected area.
For further details and information on Japan and its tourist destinations browse more pages of Allwonderscountries
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