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Tourism Japan Japan is a complex country, mixing religion and discipline, economic competitiveness and politeness, traditions and new technology. The Japanese archipelego is made up of more than 3,900 islands, the main ones being : Hokkaido Honshu Shikoku Kyushu. Japanese nature is very beautiful in spite of numerous earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and typhoons. Japan stretches over 2,700 kms and is bounded on the west by the Sea of Japan and on the East by the Pacific Ocean. There are more than 200 volcanoes, 50 of which are active. More than 70% of the territory is covered by dense forests. Bus tours : For 4,420 yen you can visit the town accompanied by an English speaking guide. Don't miss : The AMLUX Toyota Motor Showroom in Tokyo (11am - 8 pm during the week, 10 am - 7.30 pm on Sundays and holidays), closed on Mondays. Ikebukuro underground station. The Sony Showroom (11 am - 7 pm) Free entry. Ginza underground station. Interesting Museums : Kodairo Furusata Mura : open from 10 - 4, closed Mondays and the 3rd Tuesday of the month. This museum shows the living style during the Edo epoch. Free entry. Kodaira underground station. Nihon Minka-en : open from 9.30 - 4.30. It is a park full of reproductions of Japanese houses from the17th and 18th centuries. The entry fee is 300 yen.Fukagawa Edo Museum with its reproductions of 19th century houses and shops in the lower quarters of Tokyo. Open from 10 - 4.30 every day. Entry fee 300 yen. Monzen Nakacho underground station. Tokyo Marine Park : open from 9.30 - 5. Entry fee 800 yen. Kasairinkai koen underground station. LOCAL HOLIDAYS January : New Year's Day Start of the Dezniri month (shinto rite with sumo champions) 15th Fete of Dinryu no mai (dance of the golden dragon) April : Spring festival May : Anda festival September : Grand Festival of Tokyo November : Autumn festival December : the Gishi festival commemorating the famous Samouraï vendetta in the 18th century. Night life : In nearly all the towns the night life is very animated with something going on in one area or another. Shopping : To benefit from tax free shopping take your passport with you when you shop. For purchases over 10,000 yen the 3% tax is not added. There are several shopping centres, the best is to ask around to know where is the best place to buy what.  Other regions to visit: Nikko, 2 hrs north of Tokyo where you must visit the Toshogu sanctuary. This is a complex of beautiful historical temples situated in a forest of giant cryptomerias, with waterfalls and a lake. Hotel reservations can be made via the Tourist Board or the Japan Travel Bureau. Osaka, which is situated at 553 kms from Tokyo is full of canals which cut the numerous busy streets. The Kabuki theatre and the Bunraku puppets come from here. Kobe is 30 minutes train ride away from Osaka. It is a port from where you can go on trips to Beppu and Takamatsu. Kobe's municipal museum exhibits paintings and objets d'art from the 16th century. Mt Rokko is the highest summit in the mountain chain from where you can have a wonderful view on the bay of Osaka. If you have time, visit the region of the Interior Sea and the Island of Shikoku, the western part of Honshu (the Chugoku region) on the Island of Kyushu and Okinawa. In the north visit Hokkaido, where the nature, the fauna and the flora are the most beautiful in the whole of Japan. Sado Island Sado Island spreads out its 850 sq. kms. like a peninsula and has a very gentle climate. April is the festive month in Sado. The port of Ryotsu is the main entrance to the island, with nearby mountains soaring up 1000 meters above sea level. The traditional arts have not died out : the bunya-ningyo which is a style of puppet theatre in Japanese culture, folklore songs and dances (the Oseka of Sado) are passed down from generation to generation. Sado is famous for its Noh theatre. This is not surprising when we learn that Zeami, who made Noh into a theatrical art, was exiled on the island in the 15th century. In Senkaku bay the crystal clear waters contrast with the rugged cliffs. The Onidaiko which is a kind of lion dance is played during several festivities in Sado. Dancers chase evil spirits and pray for a good harvest. Hakone 1.30 hrs train ride away from Tokyo, it is a vast region of wooded mountains, hemmed in by the Mt Fiji and the Izu Peninsula. Gorges and deep ravines accentuate its beauty. Old Cedar Avenue : a 2km long road bordered by old Japanese cedars. The feudal lords and their vassals used this road during the Edo era. Kowakidoui : a small valley of hot springs, which is a spa known for its sulphurous foaming thermal springs. The ancient Hakone Barrier It was put in place in 1618 by the Shogunat of Tokugana to defend Edo (today's Tokyo) and moved in 1869. An exact copy of the building exhibits mansize models in feudal costumes. Nara Site of Japanese history, theatre of traditions and mythology, 1200 years ago Nara was graced with magnificent temples and palaces. 42 kms south of Kyoto, Nara is famous for its historical monuments, its Buddhist works of art and also for the beauty of its natural site. The Nara National Museum holds a precious collection of Buddhist works of art most of which come from the region. The Kasuga Taisha Sanctuary It is one of the most ancient in Japan. Founded in 768 its architecture is remarkable. This temple contains more than 3000 lanterns, half of which are within the temple walls, the other half hang from the roof beams (offered to the sanctuary by the worshippers). The Nara Park Also known as the Deer Park because of the hundreds of deer wandering freely around. Kyoto Situated 500 kms to the south west of Tokyo, the town of Kyoto is encircled by beautiful hills. The town reflects the glory and the splendour of the ancient Japanese culture. There are 400 Shinto sanctuaries and 1650 Buddhist temples, which have been standing amongst Kyoto's maze of roads and avenues for a thousand years. Kyoto is landscaped with wonderful gardens, the town's cultural heritage. Rocks, plants, streams and sand are harmoniously laid out to evoke the character of a country scene. The cheapest and quickest way to visit Kyoto and Nara is to do an organized tour. To book call the Japan Travel Bureau (075 341 1413), or Japan Amenity Travel (075 221 8671) or Kinki Nippon Tourist (075 691 0903) who can give you information on yearly festivities that you should not miss. The Imperial Palace of Kyoto It has been destroyed several times by fires. The buildings you see today date from 1855. A noble simplicity is denoted from the sobrietyof the decoration. The Imperial Villa of Katsura Built in the 17th century for an imperial prince, it is situated near the Katsura river. There is a wonderful view from it over the hills of Arashiynia and Kameyama. This villa symbolises the traditional architecture and the art of gardens in Japan. LANDSCAPES IN JAPAN Kamakura Kamakura is a historical site, a seaside resort and a residential town. It used to be the seat of the feudal government established in 1192. Surrounded by wooded mountains and the Bay of Sagani in the south, Kamakura is famous for its various temples, its ancient sanctuaries and all its historical treasures. Don't miss : The big statue of Buddha. The Tsurugaoka Hachimangu sanctuary was first built in 1191. The building we see today dates from 1828, with its astonishing contrasting colours, the bright red of the sanctuary and the green of the surrounding nature. There are white lotus in the Caye pond and red lotus in the Heike pond. The picturesque island of Enoshima. The Municipal Museum exhibits about 400 objets d'art (sculptures, artisanal work, historical documents). It was built in 1928 and is known for its collection of 'Zen' objects. Mount Fuji and its five lakes Mt Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan (3776 m). It is a beautiful place scattered with lakes, waterfalls, forests and alpine plants. Nearly 2000 different kinds of plants grow on the slopes, making it a real botanical treasure. The 5 lakes of Fuji : the Lake Yamanakako, the Lake Kanaguchiko, the Lake Motosuko, the Lake Shosiko, the Lake Saiko. The ideal times to visit Japan are either in mid April when the cherry blossoms are in bloom in Kyoto, or at the beginning of November when the leaves of the maple trees are red. TRADITIONS AND HABITS Japanese people are terribly punctual and very controlled (in Japan you lose face if you get annoyed). Never criticize anyone directly. BOOKS 'Kyoto' by Yasunari Kawabata (folio Gallimard) 'The Golden Pavillion' by Yukio Mishima RESTAURANTS Restaurants are specialized in only one kind of food (sushi, unagi, sukiyari, ryotei, yakitori).

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