Japanese society, being an intriguing mix of the old and the new, is one of the many reasons to visit Japan and find out more about Japanese culture and history.

One of the most popular tourist destinations is Kyoto Japan, an ancient city that was fortunate to have escaped the bombing during World War II. Its architectural glory has remained intact and Kyoto history can visually unwind before your eyes.



Kyoto, once the capital of Japan, is renowned for its wealth of shrines and temples. There are so many that you will need several vacations if you wanted to visit them all.

And because there are so many possible things to do you should be quite selective in planning your itinerary.

You may want to enjoy exploring the region and absorbing Kyoto history either on a bicycling or a walking tour.

The railway station in Kyoto Japan

Ironically, if you arrive by train, the first image you will see in this ancient city is a very modern structure.

The railway station itself in Kyoto Japan is huge and worth exploration in its own right. If you take the escalators up to the top you will go above roof level and enjoy spectacular views of the city from the viewing area.

This, the most important link in Japan's railway system, was opened in 1997.

Within the 15-story complex you will find a shopping center, a hotel, a department store and a cinema.

And, yes, there's even a helipad.

If you're traveling on a budget you can easily find numerous accommodations.

The Ryokan Guest Houses

The Ryokan Guest Houses, which are very popular, present the traditional side of Kyoto Japan.



Within them you'll find tatami floors and shoji screen doors, true symbols of Japanese culture.

Their furnishings are simple yet comfortable.

There are also a number of other guest houses, hostels, and budget hotels for business travelers as well as tourists.

Toji Temple

Toji Temple should be high on everyone's list of things to see.

It's Japans tallest wooden structure and has the largest pagoda of any in Japan on its grounds.

Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle is one of the finest examples of a castle in Japan and it also is in Kyoto Japan.

The castle is comprised of a large moat, various gardens, two tea houses, buildings, and beautiful cherry trees.

Nijo Castle was completed almost 400 years ago, in 1626, and was given to the city in 1939.

The Kyoto International Manga Museum

The Kyoto International Manga Museum is one of the more unusual attractions you might want to visit.

The museum is the home of a collection of 200,000 comic books.

Realize that Manga Comics are a central part of Japanese culture and you'll see not only why they have become popular in the west as well, but also why you might want to read some of them on your visit to the Manga Museum.

To learn how to get the lowest possible prices on airfare, car rentals, hotels and cruises, take a look at a review of Save on Airfare now and learn how to make it happen. And, to find out how to make your greatest dream vacations come true, check out http://TheGreatestDreamVacations.com

(c) Copyright - Steve Schulman. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Schulman




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Winter in Japan can be extremely cold, but it can also be unbelievable for the ardent skier. When someone mentions skiing in Japan, the first thing that comes to mind is Nagano. After all, it did host the 1998 Winter Olympics and the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games.

The Nagano Prefecture is located in the Chubu region on Japan's main island of Honshu. The capital of the Nagano Prefecture is the city of Nagano. The Central Highlands, known as the Roof of Japan, Mt Fuji and eight other of Japan's twelve highest mountains, are located in this prefecture.



At the base of the Northern Alps, (Matsumoto Area), you'll find Hakuba Village. Hakuba hosted several of the 1998 Winter Olympics events. The village has 7 fantastic ski areas with a range of different terrains to suit all levels from beginners to experts. And, it's only about a one hour drive from Nagano I.C.

Other highly recommended ski resorts in the Northern Alps include:

1. Shiga Kogen Heights (Yamanouchi Town), with an elevation between 1500 and 2300 metres - this is the largest skiing destination in Japan

2. Madarao Highlands Ski Resort in Ilyama City, situated at the base of the Madarao Mountain

3. Nozawa Onsen

The Kurumayama Highlands Snow Resort in the Suwa Area (Chino City) is the place to ski if you want to enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Mount Fuji and the Japanese Alps. It also boasts a very dependable snow season due to its high altitude - early December to early April.

All ski resorts are accessible by road and rail. There is also an airport at Matsumoto. Be sure to check local guides before you leave for the most current weather update, as transport links can be affected by adverse snow and ice conditions.

Visit us at GuidesToJapan.com for even more delightful and tempting details about skiing in Japan, as well as the best hotels in Tokyo. Be sure to bookmark us for all the details on our upcoming Japan Travel Tips Newsletter!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Suzanne_Bender

Ryogoku can be found on the Sobu line in Tokyo, easily distinguishable by it's yellow color trains, not far from the city center. Usually a relatively sleepy area, this is where the sumo wrestlers have their stables in Tokyo. This is the name given to the schools in which they live and train throughout their sumo career. May, September and January are the best months to really see this area in all it's glory, as this is when the major sumo tournaments take place in Tokyo.





They last for a period of approximately 2 weeks until the ultimate Champion wins on the last day. To the uninitiated, you may think why bother? It's just a bunch of big blokes pushing each other out of a ring. When you see it in reality though, there is an electricity and passion in the auditorium that can only really be appreciated when experienced. There are rituals and ceremonies throughout the proceedings that just beg the question, "Why"? Natural curiosity takes over and you end up spellbound by the antics and effort taking place in the ring. The referee is like none you will see in soccer or football. Robed in an ornate and highly ceremonial kimono, he oversees the battle of wills and makes the decision when things are close. What wins a round? The first sumo to push the other out of the ring or the first to touch the floor with any part of their body other than their feet. Game over. The auditorium is huge and echoes with the sounds of both adults and children calling the name of their favorite wrestler and willing them to win when it's their turn. Each fight generally lasts a maximum of 30 seconds, although there is the odd exception that draws gasps as the two sumos seem irrevocably locked together. However, no matter how short the round may be, all eyes are trained on the wrestlers for as long as it takes to produce the winner. If you need a bit of fresh air and fancy a wander through the streets, this is when you will see the guys who have already finished their fights for the day, going for lunch or heading home. It really is quite bizarre. On the whole, most Japanese are not what you would call big. It's quite a shock to see 3 massive sumos walking towards you down the middle of the street. One thing's for sure - you won't get in their way! Want to know more about Tokyo. See below for details. Author: Honor Dargan Goal: Tokyo Made Simple Website: http://www.tokyotopia.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Honor_Dargan

In Japan, organized crime and criminals come under the general heading of Yakuza. According to tradition, the name is derived from the worst possible score in a Japanese card game. It comes from Japan's counterpart to Black Jack, Oicho- Kabu.The general difference between the cardgames is that in Oicho- Kabu is that a winning total of the cards is 19 instead of 21.



As you see, the sum of 8, 9 and 3, is 20, which is over in Oicho-Kabu. In a hand resulting in a score of 20, the worst possible score, a player's final score would be zero. Among the losing combinations, the phonetic sound of an 8-9-3 sequence is ya - ku - sa. It's from there the name, yakuza is derived... without worth to society. This doesn't mean that they have no use for the society, it means that the members are people that somehow do not fit in the society, in other words societies misfits.

The Yakuza were itinerant gamblers, peddlers, renegade warriors and roving bandits. They served shoguns and municipalities and their legend includes a distinct Robin Hood quality that recently emerged during the recent Kobe Earthquake. The Yamaguchi-gumi Yakuza clan quickly mobilized providing on the scene assistance to Kobe's earthquake victims long before the national government resolved to act. Yakuza form a central theme in Japan's popular culture and trace their origins to at least the 17th century. Therefore, among the world's criminal organizations the Yakuza are older than the Sicilian Mafia.
Yakuza strength rises and falls according to the tides of Japanese society, with estimates of core membership ranging from 80,000 to more than 110,000 in the years from 1945 to 1996. Some authorities believe Japan's National Police routinely undercount the Yakuza, numbering only those names found in confiscated membership rolls, or recorded from routine police intelligence reports. Like the Sicilian Mafia and other underworld organizations, the Yakuza are formed into families, but in Japan other distinctions emerge including that of the oyabun - kobun (father role - child role) relationship, between Yakuza chiefs and their underlings.
The Yakuza evolved into their current form late in the 19th-century under figures like Toyama Mitsuru. This son of a Samurai founded the Genyosha (Dark Ocean) Society, and later Toyama's top aide Ryohei Uchida founded the Amur River Society (Black Dragons). Like organized crime in other cultures, the Yakuza began to control construction labor and dockside labor, adding to traditional areas of enterprise in the vices, prostitution, gambling, liquor distribution, and entertainment. In the late 1960s or early 1970s the Yakuza moved into the lucrative narcotics trade and in recent years have stepped up their trade in firearms and other contraband. According to various sources, Yakuza have formed alliances and working relationships with Chinese Triads, Sicilian and American Mafia, Columbian drug cartels, Jamaican Posses, and assorted other criminal organizations throughout the world.

Because of their unique role in Japan's history and popular culture, and their usefulness in providing muscle to control labor unions, and providing anonymous services to the public for a variety of typical underworld products in vice and contraband accommodations between Yakuza, police, ultranationalists, government, political parties, and secret societies seems to be an accepted fact of life in Japan. Yakuza are active worldwide, wherever criminal enterprises flourish. The Yakuza have been very skillful in the employment of intermediaries and the absence of Japanese within a community does not mean an absence of Yakuza.

Kabuki-Mono

Yakuzas origin can be followed far back as to the year 1612, when men known as kabuki-mono (the crazy ones). Their odd clothing style, the distinct haircuts and bad behavior, longswords quickly got everybody's attention. They were known as masterless samurais, ronin, and several of them began to wander around in Japan as a band of robbers, plundering villages and small cities.

Machi-Yakko

Yakuza however not see kabuki-mono as their "ancestors" instead they feel that they are machi-yakko(City servant), Machi-yakko became the people's heroes, praised by the citizens for their help against kabuki-mono. The Machi-yakko were often weaker, far less trained and equipped than kabuki- mono. Therfore they were compared with England's Robin Hood. Kabuki-mono were known for their ruthless behavior and terrorizing all the surrounding areas. They were well known for stabbing people for pleasure. Kabukimono were gave their groups scary names and spoke in vulgar slang. The current yakuza did not evolve until about the middle of the 17th century. Its members were bakuto (gamblers) and tekiya (street vendors). Something that was remarkable were their loyalty to each other. They protected each other regardless even if it meant going against their own family.

Kabuki-mono generally came from shoguns or samurais whom during long peaceful times were forced into unemployment. Almost all yakuza have the same type of background poor, criminals and misfits. The Yakuza became a family for them. They got help with problems, got attention and could feel a certain saftey.

The Industrialization of Japan

When Japan began to industrialize, the yakuza followed Japan's deploying society. They began to recruit employees within the construction business and people working at the docksides. They began to check the rickshaw business. The gambling side of the Yakuza was at this time sorta put to the side, because the police were cracking down roughly on the bakuto- gangs. Tekiya on the contrary flowered and expanded since most of their activities were not considered illegal but more importantly not on the surface of society. Yakuza began to develop an interest for policy and started affiliations with certain political officials. They began to cooperate with the authorities in order to get certain contributions and to ease the harassment from the authorities. About up until the year 1925 Japan had an Emperor. But the course of events in the world was proving that a democratic rule was better than aristocratic, therefore Japan initiated a public vote for all men 1925. Within a few years the communist and socialist parties were found. Around then the prince, that became emperor 1926, existed however his staff of military and some other officials did not agreed with democracy. The economical depression at the end of 20th century created suspicion against the western worlds liberalism. They took advantage of this and different secret organizations were created that trained its members in warfare, languages, assassination, blackmail etc. The ultranationalism terror lasted on into the 1930s. They murdered two prime ministers, two finance ministers, attacked several politicians, and industrialist. The Yakuza supplied them with the muscles and men in order to help and train these underworld organization. This type of yakuza is called the unyoke (political right).

The Occupation Years

After WWII when the American troops occupied Japan they saw the yakuza as the biggest threat against their forces. They began to watch the yakuza's activities. The American troops rationed out food and as a result the black market flowered and made the gangs rich and powerful. It were during the occupations that a new sort of yakuza began to grow, gurentai (street hustler). They were for the most part involved in robbery and black market. Yakuza became influenced by the American gangster movies and began to dress in black suits with white shirts, black sunglasses and cropped hair. They became tougher and more violent, the sword became history, now it was firearms. It was about this time that not just gamblers and storekeepers became exposed to violence but also the ordinary person was becoming more of a victim. Between about the years of 1958 and 1963 the number of yakuza- members increased with over 150%, to 184,000 members, now are they well below that. There are an estimated 5,200 different gangs in Japan. Also during that time they began to mark out their territories and wars started between the gangs. It is believed that the wars between the gangs were settled by a man named Yoshio Kodama. Kodama was Japan's underworld counterpart to America's Al Capone.

The Yakuza Organization

For the yakuza it doesn't matter were you came from, which country or from which class of society you belonged to, you can become a member anyway. Yakuza takes care of the misfits in the society. Yakuza members can be youth that been abandoned by their parents, youths seeking refuge from the high pressures of school, refugees from Korea, China etc. The boss becomes their father and their comrades as brothers. The Yakuza offers not only companionship but also money, status, and authority. A part of a group were you feel useful and needed. There are no thresholds or requirements in order to become a member. But when you are inside strict obedience to the superiors is demanded. The yakuza sees himself, as Machi-yakko, the people's rescuer and helper. Far before any working courts existed in Japan the yakuza existed. If your clans chief couldn't or wouldn't help resolve a dispute you could turn to the local yakuza for help. They solved the problem in return for money. The solution however was more brutal than if you had turned to the police. The yakuza structure exists in two types of yakuza, clan yakuza and freelance yakuza.

Freelance Yakuza

Freelancing yakuza are generally wanna be's yakuza that don't commit serious crimes and they are usually little more than a group of hustlers. They have however some difficulties surviving since the clan yakuza do not afford them any protection or assistance and generally doesn't allow them to operate within their territories. Clan yakuza can tip the police about crimes that the freelance yakuza commit. If the freelance yakuza earns to much money, the clan yakuza kills the freelancing yakuza or makes him disappear without a trace. The clan yakuza however have certain uses for a freelance yakuza. If the clan yakuza needs something done that they not want the clan to be associate with, they can turn to a freelancing yakuza that, for a sum of money, does the job for them. A freelance yakuza can also be used as a scapegoat for crimes. A freelancer is truly a genius if he can manage to begin his own clan and stay alive. Usually a freelance yakuza becomes a clan member unless he gets killed.

Clan Yakuza

The clan have been compared to the Sicilian mafias "family". The clan is structured much like a common family in traditional Japan. The clan has a hierarchy structure. The clans head chief is called Oyabun, that means Father. Beneath him he has his children(Wakashu) and brothers(Kyodai). These are not his real children and brothers, only designations of rank and position they have within the clan. All the members in the clan obey the Oyabun and in return he protects them against all dangers. Oyabun is almighty within the clan and his words is the law. All obey him without hesitation or concern for their own life. Beneath him, oyabun has an adviser that is called Saiko-komon and he has a staff of advocates, accountants, secretaries and advisers. The children's (Wakashu) boss called Waka gashira. He is number two in the clan after Oyabun, not in rank but in authority. He acts as a middleman to see that the oyabun's orders are being accomplished.

The children leaders over their own (sub) gangs and over time can move up in the structure. In that way the clan becomes a ramification with several sub families. The oyabun's "brothers" or Kyodai, boss is called Shatei gashira. Shatei gashira is of higher rank than Waka gashira but doesn't have more authority. "The Brothers" have their own "children" or "younger brothers"(Shatei). Shatei, has its own sub gangs etc. Everyone obeys its gangleader, but it's always the oyabun's word that counts.

Tattoos

It's usual within yakuza circuits to tattoo themselves, usually is it their clan's badges that they have all over their body. The origin of the yakuza tattoo comes from the Bakuto. They usually tattooed a black ring around the arm for each crime they committed. Finally it became a symbol of strength. It can take over 100 hours to do an entire back tattoo. The tattoo was to illustrate you were unwilling to accommodate yourself to societies rules and norms. Now is it to illustrate your clan affiliations.

Yubitsume

The manner comes originally from the Bakuto. If a gambler couldn't pay back a debt or something like that the persons tip of the little finger got cut off, which damage the hand and the person could not hold his sword as well as before. Also that way other people could see if a person haven't paid a debt, which could bring certain problems, since gambling always been prohibited in Japan. Yubitsume is when you cut of one of your fingers and send it to the Kumicho. This is done as an apology for disobedience. It can be done to atone for a wrongdoing but can also be done to spare one of your "children". When you have done something that your Kumicho dislikes you take a sharp item, cut off a fingertip, wrap it in paper and send it to the Kumicho and beg for his forgiveness. If it's the first time you cut off the little fingertip there after it becomes the next little finger and so on. Because of that you may see yakuza members that are without several of his fingers. This helps often at wrongdoings, but if you've done something all to seriously, as e.g betray the entire clan, there´s nothing that can help you from becoming a statistic.


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NOTE: Reprinted from "Okinawa Japan Virtual Ginza Your Door to Okinawa Japan". Available on-line at http://www.virtualginza.com/yakuza.htm. Virtual Ginza is an excellent source of all things Okinawan

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If you are an animation lover, you should certainly not miss the anime series from Japan. These exciting animated movies are well known for their strong plot lines, complex stories, and some very famous saucer-eyed characters.




They are popular with kids and adults from both the genders across different nations around the globe. The popularity is evident from the huge number of visitors that visit the 'Anaheim's Anime Expo', the largest annual trade show of anime and Manga in the US. What is the reason behind this popularity and massive appeal? What makes Japanese animation so unique? The answer is simple. American animations usually target small kids and are based on short, one-episode stories. On the other hand, Japanese anime series target both kids and adults and are usually a complete serial with various episodes. Moreover, the characters in the latter are comparatively more beautiful and attractive, and the story lines are based on varied topics, ranging from politics to violent battles to personal relationships. This makes them popular with both males and females. Needless to say, anime has become a part and parcel of American culture. From 'Spirited Away', the Oscar-winning fantasy flick by Hayao Maiyazaki, to the violent 'Ghost in the Shell' series, the and popular 'Pokeman' for kids to TV shows, such as Adult Swim, and games like 'Final Fantasy', Japanese animation has spread its roots everywhere. In fact, it was the popular Shojo anime that encouraged women to involve in video-gaming and take interest in animation, which was otherwise thought to be meant only for guys. Anime and Manga are now also known for the major change in their stylistic approach. In short, unlike other animated series, Japanese animation has crossed its cultural barriers and has found a much larger audience worldwide. Also, view sexy pictures of Hot Japanese Actresses and famous Sexy Japanese Actors and know all about them. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eshwarya_Patel

Ninjutsu, in the form we recognize today, was developed in the Iga and Koga regions of Japan by mountain warrior ascetics. However, it is widely accepted that the true origins of the art reach back over 2,000 years and stem as far as India, Tibet and China.


Looking closely, one can see the influence of East Indian spiritual doctrine, and Chinese military strategy and combat principles within modern day teachings. The majority of the Ninjutsu clans were most likely founded by warriors who had the misfortune of being on the losing side of a major war or battle. Rather than face ritualistic suicide, as the code of the Samurai demanded, they instead chose to live by taking their families into the mountains. This is the case with Daisuke Nishina, a samurai who, in the 1100's, fled to Togakure mountain in Iga after one such battle. There, he adopted the name of the mountain as his own and is credited with laying the foundations of our modern system of self-preservation. Other ryu, or styles, were founded by simple peasants and farmers whose only chance of survival against an oppressive military government was to ally themselves with nature and develop skills to help them prosper under the most adverse conditions. The ancient Ninja soon developed a reputation as formidable guerrilla warfare specialists with expertise in all aspects of combat, strategy, and intelligence gathering. These attributes did not sit well with the military establishment of those times. Many fierce battles were initiated by the Shogunate and lesser daimyo to eradicate the existence of these warrior families because their beliefs were not in line with the prescribed doctrine of the government. Although other schools of Budo do still exist and a few do contain some elements of Ninjutsu as part of their curriculum (the most widely known is the Shinden Katori Ryu school of Samurai arts), only the Bujinkan system of Ninpo/Budo Taijutsu is known to have survived as a complete system of Ninjutsu history, tradition and techniques. Legend and myth has always surrounded the existence of Ninjutsu traditions. They were either feared or dismissed as fantasy by the elite as well as the commoner. Even as late as the 1980's, exploitation films did nothing to further the truth of Ninjutsu. During this time, true practitioners discarded the use of the word "Ninja" to avoid the negative connotations brought on by the dollar-driven, Hollywood inspired "Ninja craze." Although well known for Togakure Ryu Ninpo, our system consists of nine different ryu of which only three are Ninjutsu traditions. The majority of the techniques offered for study are from the other schools of bujutsu. Today, the collective system of nine martial traditions that we study is known as Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu or Ninpo Taijutsu. The term "Ninpo" being translated as "the way of enduring" or "the higher order of Ninjutsu" as opposed to "Ninja," or "one who endures." The term Bujinkan was coined by our current Grandmaster, Masaaki Hatsumi, as a way to honor his teacher, Toshitsugu Takamatsu. It is commonly translated as "Divine Warrior." Unlike many martial arts, Budo Taijutsu has continued to evolve and adapt to each passing generation. Through Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu we teach all of our clients how to deal with the dangers of an ever-changing modern society. Today, we enforce strict guidelines to ensure that only those truly worthy individuals receive the rare gift of the history and traditions of the nine family traditions of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. Kurt Tasche is a veteran martial artist of 20 plus years, studying Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu (Ninjutsu). For more information on the art of Ninjutsu and for class information, please visit: http://www.ninjutsu.ws Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kurt_A_Tasche

What is a capsule hotel? A capsule hotel can be described as a hotel system that provides densely populated accommodation which contains rooms of a relatively standardized size based on modular plastic or fibreglass sleeping quarters. Other than your own room, all other facilities are shared. History Although they are quintessentially Japanese, the first capsule hotel was only built in 1979 by a chap in Osaka by the name of Kisho Kurokawa. The rates were a bit lower back then at about 1,600 yen. They are a uniquely Japanese phenomenon not only because of space restrictions but because Japan is still a relatively safe country and such a facility would be unthinkable in many other countries. It wasn't until 1985, when the Tsukuba Science Expo was held, that capsule hotels became well known in Japan. There wasn't enough room to accommodate everyone so the organisers decided to make capsule hotels so everyone could enjoy the expo and stay overnight.

This became big news when reported on Japanese television, and since then capsule hotels have become part of the Japanese vocabulary. The first reported capsule hotel in Tokyo was Green Plaza Shinjuku, located in the red light district of Kabukicho. The Green Plaza is also the biggest one in Tokyo with 630 rooms. How to use a capsule hotel Most do not have a key to the room so you need to place your valuables in a separate locker. You have to share the bathroom, rest room and bath with everyone else (most capsule hotels have a sauna included). Most of the basics are provided and they have a communal bath which you share with other clientele. Many capsule hotels have a large bath called a 'Rotenburo' which means 'open air bath' where you can relax under the open sky. When you enter you have to take off your shoes, put them in a shoe locker and lock it with the key which is provided. You then give the shoe locker key to the reception staff and they provide you with another key for a small clothes locker. At this point they give you a description of how their system works. There is usually a Yukata, bath towel and a small hand towel in the locker in which you place your belongings. After you do this you can then go to your room. You can watch a small television while lying down (usually around 8 inches). In fact, the capsule hotels are so compact that it is possible to operate the lights, air conditioning, TV, radio and Alarm Clock from the bed without having to move. One negative aspect of most are not sound proof, so it is possible to hear the person next to you snoring (earplugs are recommended). Most hotels have a two-tiered system so each room has two capsule rooms - one on top and one on the bottom. The people at the front tell you whether you are on the top or bottom one and you can access the top bunk rooms via the stairs provided. For those over about 190cm, you have to bend your legs slightly when you go to bed. For those who are a little overweight there usually isn't a problem with the width.

 Location They are mainly found in central city areas where it is common for people to miss the last train or bus. Nearly all capsule hotels are within walking distance of a station. Reservations Although many people use capsule hotels because they miss the last train home, it is possilbe to make reservations via the internet or by phone. Conditions Many of them only accept men, but there are some which are exclusive to women. In terms of time restrictions, most places have a check in time of 17:00 and check out time of 10:00am. Depending on the type of capsule hotel, you are required to return to the hotel by 02:00, but others are 24 hours. Although most require you to stay a night, there are some which allow you to use facilities for a shorter period of time if you just want to take a break. For example, at Capsule Inn Akihabara they allow you to take a shower for 500 yen or sleep/rest for 3 hours for 1,200 yen or 7 hours for 2,500 yen. Some places have restrictions on how many nights you can stay, so if you are looking to stay for a period of more than 2 nights you should check their conditions before booking. Capsule Hotels are thought to be men only domains, but there are many places available where women can stay. Some are exclusive to women and some allow both men and women to stay in the same complex, although the accommodation areas and bathing are separated. At most of them, you can not take your own food or drink into and you must be over 18. Recent trends Although foreigners describe capsule hotels as 'Coffin hotels', in many cases this is an unfair description. Some of the more recent capsule hotels have internet access, a key for your room, private videos (such as Hotel Dandy in Ueno) and a private shower room. They also have cabin types which have a chair and table. More recently, double-bed capsule hotels have been introduced where you are allowed two people to a room. In many of the new establishments, on the top floor they have an open sauna (rotenburo) and a separate massage room. In particular, some of the women only capsule hotels are quite extravagant with high quality spas. Alternative accommodation If you are looking for something even cheaper (although possibly not quite as comfortable), other alternatives are Kenkou (health) land or Manga Kissatens. Richie Johns, a long term resident of Japan, runs several Japan specific sites, one of which is eyeonjapan.com Eye on Japan. Eyeonjapan.com has useful, practical information on Japan, including a list of interesting Top 10s. See full article Capsule Hotels in Japan. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richie_Johns

Japan has four distinct seasons and enjoys a relatively mild and temperate climate, with the exception of Hokkaido to the north, and the subtropical area of Okinawa to the south. Each season has its own characteristics, with the highest precipitation in most areas falling during the rainy season which runs approximately from mid June to the end of July. June is the official start of the rainy season, with conditions gradually becoming more humid and rainy in the steamy month of July when temperatures can soar into the high 90's daily with almost 100% humidity. For those who plan to travel to Japan in the summer, an extended visit to Hokkaido in the north which is mercifully spared a rainy season is a welcome break from the heat of Honshu and the other major islands. Many Japanese living in the Tokyo area also take weekend getaways to the nearby mountains of Chubu or Tohoku to escape the relentless heat. In addition to the rain and sweltering temperatures of summer , the months of August and early September are also considered typhoon season, when high pressure systems formed in the tropical areas of the western pacific ocean occasionally strike Japan's southern regions, inflicting torrential rain and strong wind. The arrival of Autumn in late September usually brings drier conditions and a drop in temperatures. In addition to Spring , the months of October and November are possibly the best time to visit Japan, as most days are clear and warm, and the famous Fall colors that make an appearance are beautiful to behold.




Despite the cold temperatures winter in Tokyo and it's outlined regions can also be considered a relatively pleasant time of year, as most days are clear and brisk, with rain or snow falling only occasionally. It's also an excellent season to visit one of the numerous onsens located throughout the Japanese countryside that accommodate the winter crowd. There are few greater pleasures than sipping sake in a hot spring bath situated among white covered hills as snow gently falls around you. For those who enjoy various winter sports, the northern regions of Honshu island such as Nagano and Hakuba which receive heavy snow fall are also popular destinations for skiers and snowboarders. If you'd like to take a break from the cold you might consider a week or two in Japan's southern most island of Okinawa, where winter temperatures are comparable to those found in Hawaii. Spring has been toted as being the best time of year to be in Japan by most travel guide books, and for good reason. The temperatures are warm but not hot, and rainfall is sparse, with only occasional showers falling in late evening. The first week of April also brings with it the famous cherry blossom season that is one of the most magical times of year in Japan, with many cherry blossom viewing events and festivals taking place throughout the country. Jim Sherard is the author of "Land of the Rising Sun, A Guide to Living and Working in Japan", which can be found at: http://www.escapeartist.com/e_Books/Living_and_Working_in_Japan/Living_and_Working_in_Japan.html Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Sherard

Tokyo Motor Show usually takes place at the end of October. The actual site of the show is not in Tokyo but in the next prefecture along, Chiba. This is an enormous event and if you love bikes, cars, trucks or anything else with wheels that is powered by an engine, you're likely to find it here. The Toyota stand is famous for the high tech shows it always puts on and the 'green' developments it showcases every year. There is a certain glitz and glamor to the Tokyo Motor Show that definitely sets it, and the girls who strut their stuff next to the hard goods, apart from similar events I've seen.

Over 50 years old now, the Tokyo motor show has been a center of attraction since 1954, for all those interested in the automobile industry. The show is popular for featuring state-of-the-art and futuristic technologies in the form of concept automobiles including trucks, buses and cars. You can expect to find huge array of fresh concepts all across the show.



There are so many of 'em that you might find it tough to follow each of the exhibits in detail. History During the early history of the show, its focus remained on passenger vehicles viz. truck and buses. However, in the wake of the growing Japanese auto industry and trading of Japanese cars around the world it expanded focus to include passenger cars. Even now when the auto industry in the western hemisphere finds itself under rough weather, the Japanese auto industry hopes for landmark performance. Organizers of the show, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, changed the format of the show beginning with last year's event (i.e. Tokyo Motor Show 2007). Now the show will be held once every two years, with the commercial vehicle show to be held in year in between. The next episode of the tradition is the forty-first, Tokyo Motor Show to be held in 2009. The biennial event promises to include a comprehensive range of passenger cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, commercial vehicle bodies, and vehicle parts. Tokyo Motor Show 2007 Carrying the theme "Catch the News, Touch the Future," the event was held at Makuhari Messe, Chiba and lasted a good 17 days, from October 26, 2007 (Friday) to November 11, 2007 (Sunday). Visitors Close to 1,425,800 people visited the show, however this number was considerably less than numbers who visited the show in 2005. In 2005 about 1,512,100 had come to the show. Premieres Considering both the Japan and the world, a good number of premieres surfaced at the event. Numerically, there were 77 World Premieres (5 commercial vehicles, 36 passenger cars, 32 motorcycles, 4 vehicle bodies) and 103 Japanese premieres (2 commercial vehicles, 75 passenger cars, 26 motorcycles). Technology Featured The themes and focus of the recent past shows have showcased drivetrains and its components viz. transmission, drivelines, etc, and fuel-cell and hybrid vehicles. During the 2007 event fuel-cell and the hybrid vehicles stole the limelight. For instance, Toyota featured a concept vehicle "1/X" or "one-Xth." Similar to a Prius, the vehicle claims to achieve twice as much fuel economy. It features a featherweight automotive frame made from carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic, which also helps to save gas. The concept further has an additional plug-in hybrid powertrain, which can run on either gasoline or E85 (a mix of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline). To learn more about the show and for insights into the automobile industry, kindly visit my blog. I am a journalist with 7 years of experience. Though, as a professional I've reported on myriad topics, my favorites remain to be the medical industry and the automobile industry. I blog at Automobile Hotspot. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Freddic_Clay

Cash - The Japanese mostly use cash for paying for things. Most stores in Japan don't accept credit or debit cards so you should remember to bring plenty of cash with you. You can also bring traveller's checks and exchange them into yen at a local bank. Moreover, big cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto are very expensive and they are full of things you want to buy as souvenirs. Only buy the most unique things and don't make yourself broke right from the beginning of your trip. You should also be aware of pickpockets in crowded places such as train stations or some festivals. Shoes and socks - Do remember to bring convenient shoes which are easy to slip on and off because you will visit lots of temples, traditional houses or even changing rooms in clothes shops in Japan.



Those places always require you to take off your shoes at the entrance. You should also bring some pairs of clean socks along, especially if you are invited to visit a Japanese family. Clean socks will make you look more polite to them. Luggage - Light and small luggage is recommended when travelling in Japan. You will have to travel to many places by bus or train and it is usually very crowded, especially in rush hours. Therefore, don't bring much luggage along if you don't want to your travel to be slowed down. Medicine and rain coats - Bring all medicine which you may need during your stay in Japan, especially in the summer when it is intensely sunny in case you suffer from a fever or headache. Summer is the rainy season in Japan. Therefore, remember to bring a rain coat with you, an umbrella will not be enough to keep you from getting soaked by the rain. Tissues and handkerchiefs - You may not believe it, but in many Japanese public bathrooms and restrooms there is no toilet paper! Thus bringing some pocket tissues along is essential when travelling in Japan. A handkerchief or a small towel will also be very handy because you may not find hand dryers or paper towels in some public restrooms. Gifts - If you plan to visit a Japanese family, remember to bring a small gift with you. That's one of the Japanese traditions. The gift should be wrapped carefully but not necessarily be expensive. You should bring something from your home country such as chocolate, postcards, key chains, etc. Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Japan Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Modern Japanese business practice has been very influenced by Europe and North America. However to a large extent but still retains some traditionally Japanese practices. Below we introduce you to some of the more pertinent concepts and what they mean. "(O)jigi" or bowing in English, is probably the feature of Japanese etiquette that is best-known through media and TV. Bowing is considered extremely important in Japan, so much so that, although children normally begin learning how to bow from a very young age, companies commonly provide training to their employees in how to execute bows correctly Basic bows are performed with the back straight and the hands at the sides (boys and men) or clasped in the lap (girls and women), and with the eyes down.



Bows originate at the waist. Generally, the longer and deeper the bow, the stronger the emotion and the respect expressed. Bows can be generally divided into three main types: informal, formal, and very formal. Informal bows are made at about a fifteen degree angle and more formal bows at about thirty degrees. Very formal bows are deeper. "Meishi" are the Japanese equivalent of business cards. They have a special meaning and to receive a business card without due care and attention can be seen as a personal slight. The correct way to present meishi is hold at the top corners with the lettering facing the person receiving the card. The receiver should then take the card by both lower corners, read it carefully and place it somewhere safe. When exchanging meishi the individual of lower status will pass their card first, and the individual of higher status will pass their card second. "Keigo" is a polite style of Japanese used frequently in business when talking to superiors. Keigo (literally "respectful speech") is used to show respect or humility in the face of people you are unfamiliar with. It is often not taught in schools or at home so many businessmen receive lessons when they enter a company. "Uchi/Soto" means, roughly, Inner/Outer and refers to your relationship with a particular group. In Japan status is conferred not only vertically, i.e. superior and subordinate, but also horizontally, i.e. those with whom you are familiar and those with whom you are not. The group dynamic is a very important one and when you first meet anyone you will immediately take up the position of outsider, soto, even if you are from different branches of the same company or work in the same field. You should understand the distance that you are shown as a sign of respect, and not think that your hosts are being cold to you. The position of soto does have some advantages over that of insider, uchi, for instance you are given more leeway in your behaviour and are not expected to follow the same strict rules as someone who is uchi. Silence is very important in Japan. Though you may feel uncomfortable, try to analyse what sort of a silence it is, whether it is a respectful silence or an upset silence. There is a definite connection between silence and wisdom. The Japanese character for Knowledge combines the characters for losing and mouth, which goes to show that the Japanese consider people wise who refrain from speaking. As the old proverb goes, "better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove any doubt". Gifts in Japan are given to show appreciation of a favour done for you or to establish a sound business or personal relationship. Gifts should be something from your country and of a reasonably high quality, preferably with a special significance to your company or local area and not made in Asia. Gifts should be wrapped in "business colours" like dark greens, greys, blues and browns, but avoid white as it symbolises death. Gifts should be given and received with both hands, as with meishi. Remember that to your business partners the gift you give and the way that you give it reveal a lot about your character and your attitude towards business. Meals in Japan traditionally begin with the phrase "itadakimasu" (literally, "I receive"). The phrase is similar to the phrase "bon appétit," or grace, used in the case of some individuals, at every meal. It is said to express gratitude for all who had a part in preparing the food, and in cultivating, ranching or hunting edible food of plants and animals. Neil Payne is Managing Director at the London based consultancy Kwintessential. For more information on their services please visit Japanese Translations Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Neil_Payne

The air travel industry is becoming competitive with many airlines serving both domestic and international flights. The two airline carrier giants in Japan are Japan Airlines and ANA airlines, who are dominating the air travel market in Japan with flights to over 50 destinations. Narita Airport - The New Tokyo International Airport and Kansai International Airport are the two main international airports in Japan. Hadena International Airport in Tokyo handles mostly domestic flights linking these airports to various other cities across the country. Airport fees are included in the fares to all international destinations if departing from Narita Airport or Kansai Airport (Adult: around 2,650 yen and Child (age 2 to 11): 1,330 yen). Airport fees are not applied at Haneda Airport or any other airports in Japan.



There is no need to pay airport fees if leaving Japan within 24 hours from your arrival time. Narita Airport-The largest airport in Japan, New Tokyo International Airport, is located 60 km to the east of central Tokyo. Kansai Airport-The second largest airport in Japan, Kansai International Airport, is located in Osaka Bay, 5 km off the coast and about 60 km. from JR Shin-Osaka Station. Airport Services: Stop at the tourist information center located on the arrival lobby (first floor) for information. They are staffed by multilingual travel experts who can answer questions and provide free maps and brochures if you need. The staffs are very friendly and helpful. A stop at the Tourist Information center saves travel-planning time in advance. Office hours are from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, every day all year-round. I have been freelance writer for many travel websites across the net, and now I am happy to be a member of EzineArticles. Japan Airline Flights - Air travel in JapanVietnam Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rand_Brand

Japanese food, once little more than a niche occupant in the greater scope of American cuisine, has become increasingly popular in recent years. The harmony of flavors and lightness emphasized in the typical Japanese dish appeals to the palettes of many in the United States, where heavy and often deep fried foods have long dominated the market. Many people remain reluctant about exploring this aspect of ethnic cuisine, however, for fear that they'll find something on their plate which appears as though it came from the Iron Chef. This is far from the truth! The intent of this article is to introduce readers to a variety of different Japanese dishes, that they might go out and try something new without fear of what they'll be eating. Domburi: This dish is quite simply a bowl of rice adorned with some sort of topping. A variety of toppings are popular in Japan, many of which have successfully migrated across the Pacific and into American restaurants.





One example of this dish is oyakodon, which uses both chicken and egg for its topping. Another sort of domburi, gyudon, is beefy in flavor and more popular in Japan as fast food. Those of you who are especially outgoing tasters might like to sample unadon, a type of domburi wherein strips of grilled eel coated in a thick soya sauce are used to top the rice bowl. Ramen: This soup dish has been a staple of the American college student's diet for years. Wildly popular around the world, ramen is to the Japanese what a burger and fries are to your average United States native. Ramen comes in a variety of bases and is best recognized for its long, slender noodles. Complimenting these noodles are such ingredients as dumplings, pork, miso (fermented soybeans) and soya sauce. It's interesting to note that ramen originated in China, rather than Japan, but the dish is almost always associated with the latter source nowadays. Sashimi: This dish is often mistaken for sushi by those still new to the realm of Japanese cuisine. Although it is often presented artistically, the fact remains that sashimi is raw fish, a truth which turns the stomach of many a squeamish American. Several types of sashimi are served, the most popular of which is probably tuna. Diners should be lend particular attention to the scent when partaking of this dish. The fish used to prepare sashimi must be exceptionally fresh and as such, it should be devoid of any fishy scent. Sushi: Perhaps the most well-recognized of all Japanese dishes, sushi has become particularly popular in trendy regions of the United States. It is served in too many variations to list completely in the space of this article. To be considered sushi, however, the dish must contain rice that has been prepared with sushi vinegar. The most recognized form of sushi is probably norimaki, or sushi rolls. These rolls contain sushi rice and various sorts of seafood rolled in sheets of dried seaweed. Norimaki often includes vegetables, as well. Tempura: This dish has also become quite popular within Japan and across the globe. Tempura is something of a finger food, consisting of differing types of seafood and/or vegetables fried in a special batter. The end result is a delightful treat which is crisp without being heavy, as is often the case with deep fried cuisine in America. The ingredients featured in tempura are too numerous to possibly list and often vary wildly from one restaurant to the next. The five dishes listed above should provide the novice gourmand with a particularly tasty introduction to the world of Japanese cuisine. Enjoy! Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Japan Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

ABOUT FESTIVAL IN JAPAN If you're looking to take a holiday in Asia, Japan is an excellent choice. It's a land of many contrasts with ultra modern lifestyles juxtaposed against ancient traditions, and rural communities set against sprawling metropolises. A single holiday in Japan can take in many conflicting aspects of life in the country. If you're looking to absorb the culture, or simply to find some outstanding entertainment for your stay, you could do a lot worse than timing your visit to coincide with one of the many popular festivals that the country is host to. Here are some of the more memorable ones: Sapporo Snow Festival

The Sapporo Snow Festival will be entering its 60th year in February 2009, and you can expect the event to have an extra special feel to go along with its landmark year. The festival, based in Sapporo - the capital of Hokkaido - takes place over a week and includes the construction of hundreds of snow statues and ice sculptures throughout the town. Each year you can expect around 400 immaculately sculpted ice structures displaying everything from instantly recognisable landmarks to famous celebrities. If you're planning a winter holiday in Japan, then it's well worth joining the 2,000,000 people expected to attend this legendary festival.

Nagasaki Kunchi Festival If you're taking your holiday in Japan in Autumn, the Nagasaki Kunchi festival is a must. Started in the 16th century to celebrate the harvests, the festival has now grown to become one of the most popular in Japan. Visitors to the country will be able to see traditional dancing, huge floats decorated like river barges or Chinese boats and the legendary 'dragon dance'. To give you an idea over how well planned the whole thing is, preparations for the annual festival begin as early as June 1st.

Kyoto Gion Matsuri Festival The Gion Festival is another famous one, this time held annually in Kyoto. Unlike the previous entries, this one is on for the entire month of July, but the legendary parade (Yamaboko Junko) is worth being there for on the 17th. Those wanting to get an insight into how Kyoto residents live will also want to visit at this time, as the customary Byobo Matsuri (folding screen festival) means that many residents will open their homes for others to visit. An unparalleled opportunity to get off the tourist trail and see how people live on your holiday in Asia.

Nebuta Matsuri Festival The largest festival in the Tohoku region is the most popular 'nebuta' event in the country with tourists, and that should be enough to convince you to visit on your holiday in Asia. Nebuta festivals involve the float of brave warrior figures carried around the city, accompanied by dancers moving in time to the famous Rassera chant. It has an atmosphere like no other, and is definitely worth seeing. Sanja Matsuri Festival Although Sanja Matsuri is celebrated nationwide, Tokyo is without doubt the place to be for it. The main festivities take place at the Sensoji Shrine on the third weekend of May and some 2 million people come to enjoy the huge parades, traditional music and dancing. Those who dislike crowds need not apply, but it is an unusual experience that everyone with an interest in Japanese culture should try.

 Takayama Matsuri Festival One of Japan's most popular festivals, the Takayma Matsuri festivities take place both in Spring and Autumn. Both festivals welcome the changing seasons and involve colourful floats moving through the Takayama streets and huge crowds. The Autumn version is on the 9th and 10th October, while the Spring version is held on April 14th-15th. Accommodation can be hard to come by, but tourists looking to see it should be able to find something in the neighbouring towns of Furukawa and Gero Onsen.

Fuji Rock Festival It may not be a traditional cultural experience like the others, but if your idea of a good music festival is a muddy field in England, Fuji Rock may just change your expectations completely. Hosted at the Naeba Ski Resort (it was moved from Fuji in 1997, but retained the name), it is the cleanest mainstream music festival you'll likely ever see. Alongside quality food and drink, the acts are impressive too - past years have attracted the like of The Cure, The Chemical Brothers, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beck and The Foo Fighters. Whether you're interested in music, arts or just absorbing the country's history and culture, there is a Japanese festival for you. By timing your luxury holiday in Japan to coincide with one of these festivals, you're guaranteeing yourself memories that will last a lifetime. Kieron Sellens is the marketing manager of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AiTO). With [http://www.aito.co.uk/eastern-central-asia-holiday.asp]holidays in Japan from AITO, you can tailor-make the dream holiday. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kieron_Sellens http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Varied-Festivals-of-Japan&id=1790056

The Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival (隅田川花火大会, Sumidagawa Hanabi Taikai) is an annual fireworks festival held on the last Saturday in July, over the Sumidagawa near Asakusa. Unlike fireworks displays in other parts of the world, the Sumidagawa Hanabi Taikai, like other fireworks events in Japan, is a competition held between rival pyrotechnic groups. Each group tries to out-do the last, and the result is an incredible variety of fireworks, not just in different colors and patterns, but forming shapes as complicated as Doraemon, Pikachu, or kanji. It is a revival of celebrations held in the Edo period, and annually attracts close to a million celebrants. Similar events are held at the same time of year at many other sites throughout Japan.




The tradition of the Sumidagawa fireworks festival can be traced back to 1732, when fireworks were launched as part of festivals for the dead. The country was in an economic crisis, and the people suffered from famine and disease to a greater degree than normal. Thus, the rituals and celebrations in which the fireworks took part played multiple roles. These were mourning observances for the dead, as well as celebrations of life, and entertainment for the poverty-stricken masses. Originally called Ryōgoku Kawabiraki (両国川開き), the display had become an established tradition by 1810, and rivalries began to emerge over control of each year's festival. The Tamaya (玉屋) and Kagiya (鍵屋) guilds of pyrotechnicians quickly became the two major rivals, initiating the tradition of the competition. Each guild would try to impress the onlookers, out-doing the other guild, in order to gain popularity and support. The number of onlookers steadily grew, and they began to shout out the names (see yagō) of their favorite fireworks artists. Though the Tamaya came to enjoy steady popularity over the Kagiya, a major fire broke out in 1843, and the official support for the guild evaporated. The fireworks festivals, if they were to continue, would be moved further from the city, to a more remote and thus safer location. The tradition survived the upheaval of the Meiji Restoration in 1868, and continued nearly every year until it dropped off in the 1920s, and ceased entirely during World War II and for several decades afterwards. Finally, in 1978, the tradition was reinstated, and continues to this day.

Hiroshima, Himeji and Smoking in Public My final day in Japan started off at the Peace Park and museum at the site where the Atom Bomb was dropped in 1945. My initial reaction, which grew as the day passed, was that there indeed was such a dreadful and enormous human tragedy that brought World War II to an end. However, in my opinion the portrayal of Japan as a victim is not historically correct. But I guess that history will always be interpreted, and will depend on the point of view of the interpreter. History is not math and is not, therefore, objective. On a personal level I don't accept Japan's self-victimization as it interprets the events of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However, to actually stand alongside the bombed out dome, and walk across the T-bridge that was the target of the Enola Gay's "Little Boy" made me feel very, very somber.



The gardens all around are beautiful, and Hiroshima is a very pretty city, the entire peace park is beautifully designed and its various memorials are impressive too. The Peace Museum does its work very well; the numerous museological elements, the use of a variety of media and real artifacts, as well as personal testimonies and of course the subject matter itself, combine together to make this a must-see museum. From the museum I returned to the station for my final ride on the Shinkansen. I was planning to go directly to Osaka, but decided to get off the train one stop before, in Himeji. Himeji is a small town (population about 400,000) near Osaka, and is famous for the Himeji Castle, once occupied by the local Shogun. The initial impression is something out of an eastern fairy tale, fan walls, gabled roofs and all that. Perched high on a rock in a beautiful surrounding garden, it's quite overwhelming. I had a picnic lunch in the gardens, and then proceeded to climb the hill to the castle. There is a maze of alleyways that lead up the hill to confuse potential enemies - and many tourists too! Sometimes you have to go down in order to get to the next, higher, level. I pity the enemy who tried to take this castle! I digress to tell you about smoking etiquette in Japan. Of course, you cannot smoke indoors almost anywhere in Japan. And in those places where you can, the smoking corner has a powerful air purifier that draws in the smoke and filters the air immediately, so you can't even smell smoke in the immediate environment of the smoker's corner. What do smokers do outdoors? Well, those people who have to drag frequently carry their own personal, portable, sealable ashtrays. They puff and ash their smokes in the ashtray, extinguish their butts, and then seal them in their personal ashtrays which they put in their pockets and off they go. In outdoor areas like parks and gardens, there are smoking corners and public-use ashtrays. Flicking your stub or stomping it out? Not to be seen here at all. From Himeji I bussed to Osaka, arriving there toward evening. I made my way to Kansai airport which is about a 1½ hour drive from the city. Actually, once I left the city it was about a 45-minute drive to Kansai airport. Kansai airport is built out at sea on a land-fill (actually garbage-fill) island. What amazed me is that from shortly after leaving downtown, you drive almost all the way on elevated roadways, sometimes really high, like past tenth-floor office block windows, and over or through seven-level over- and under-passes, and then over the sea for 20 minutes! And this in a country that has known serious earthquakes! Astounding! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Menahem_Fogel

Most children who live where it snows enjoy building a snowman. In Sapporo, in Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, snowmen come in all shapes and sizes, and it's adults who do the building. Some of these creations weigh over a thousand tons, and are breathtaking in their artistic detail. There also are snow creatures, snow gods, snow houses, pagodas and castles -- a virtual world modeled in snow! It is a short-lived world, just seven days in late January or early to mid-February. Then all the models are reduced back to snow.



The Sapporo Snow Festival, (Sapporo Yuki Matsuri), is the biggest in Japan. Though Sapporo is a little less than one hundred and fifty years old, it has blossomed into a bustling metropolis of 1.75 million people, and is now Japan's fifth-largest city. One snow model depicted "Sapporo's One-Millionth Citizen" as a bleary-eyed individual with just two bottom teeth. Not a very flattering image of the Sapporo residents! Annually the show attracts around 2 million visitors. Sapporo was designed with the aid of British and American town planners, it has wide, straight boulevards, and a 330-foot-wide park runs east and west through the center of the city. This is lined with lilac and acacia trees, which blend with green lawns and colorful beds of flowers in summer. However, it is a contrast in white in wintertime, and especially during the festival in snow. This festival dates from about 1950. To brighten the drudgery of the north's long winter, the children were organized to build snow models, for fun and exercise. As the festival grew larger, the city fathers saw big possibilities in using it to popularize Sapporo. The festival is now huge. A solid snow platform is constructed for each exhibit, and wooden scaffoldings are anchored into this base. These must be sturdy, as a thousand-ton avalanche of snow and ice can be dangerous to the viewer! During the seven day festival, Sapporo is transformed into a glittering fairytale land of snow and ice sculptures large and small. For the 1970 exhibition, ancient history was represented in a beautifully carved representation, forty-five feet high and one hundred feet broad, of the Abu-Simbel Rock Temple of Egypt, said to have been built by Ramses II in celebration of his conquest of the Sudan. This was complete with pharaohs, winged lions and hieroglyphics. Modern history was featured at another exhibition site, where the visitor could make his 'first big steps' among craters of the moon, but with feet crunching snow instead of moon dust. Alongside, two snowman astronauts, a snow lunar module and a snow Apollo 11 rocket lent realism to the scene. More recently, in 2004, there were statues of Hideki Matsui, the famous baseball player who plays for the New York Yankees. Odori Park - Sapporo's central park & playground hosts the artistic snow sculptures, the festival launch, and much of the live music and other entertainment. This section is open all day and illuminated each night. Two other sites are in use also - the Susukino site and the Satoland site. What is the weather like? It is very cold. Unless the weather is unusually warm expect it to be below freezing. Snowstorms are not uncommon. If you visit you're very likely to spend a great deal of time outdoors, so layer your clothing. Consider thermal underwear and take gloves or mittens, a warm hat, and a hooded jacket. For your feet you need something which will keep the cold and water out, so boots are likely to be the best option. In 2009, the Snow Festival will be held from February 5 through February 11, 2009. Geoff Cummings runs an outdoors site at http://www.outdoorlivingsupplies.com where products are available for all sorts of outdoors activities. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Geoff_Cummings

In fact, the name Okinawa can be translated as "rope in the open sea", a reference to the distinctive appearance of the islands as a long chain. Okinawa Japan has maintained its own language and cultural traditions separate from the Japanese mainland. okinawa is a Japanese prefecture which is made up of nearly 60different islands Okinawa, Japan is often chosen for tourism and vacations due to its location and sunny beach climate.

As it is far to the south of the main islands of Japan, its climate is more temperate than the other Japanese prefectures. It is mild enough that swimming in the winter months is pleasant. Avoid Okinawa during the typhoon months of September and October, however. Visitors may also enjoy visiting the many untrammeled islands of Okinawa. These islands -- which number about fifteen -- are uninhabited and covered with wild vegetation. Adventurers may enjoy exploring these wildernesses, which are otherwise rarities in Japan. Boat trips can be arranged at any seaside town. Camping in these wilderness areas is also a popular activity for tourists. Okinawa culture is distinct from the rest of Japan, because the islands were given to Japan in the late 19th century. Karate is a native Okinawan sport tourists enjoy, as well as fold music, architecture which features guardian lions on top. The food is different from the rest of Japan, having Taiwanese influence. It includes bitter melon, pork, a kind of fish called Gurukun, and fried dough, as well as American food, since there is a strong United States military presence.




The stunning Shuri Castle and the rural Taketomi village are two of the most notable Okinawa attractions for tourists. Each one is an excellent example of pre-colonial native Okinawan culture. Tourists should also consider Okinawan activites such as scuba diving and exploring underwater ruins and the great reefs of Okinawa. An underwater tour is an experience not to be missed and should include the viewing of the numerous marine species only found in Okinawa. If you are considering a trip to Okinawa, check out these beautiful Japan images Howard Brule writes travel articles and provides article marketing services Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Howard_Brule