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Tokyo
& Vicinity
| The Tokyo Metropolitan
area is home to one-quarter of all Japanese, 12
million in Tokyo proper alone. As the nation's capital
and powerhouse of creative energy, global influence
and wealth, Tokyo offers visitors aspects of both
the old and new. |
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Imperial Palace
Formerly Edo Castle, it is still surrounded by the
innermost moat. Handsome gates and old guard towers
are set at intervals around the site. The main entrance
is approached by the elegant Nijubashi or Double
Bridge and is occasionally open to the public. For
exact dates consult with Tourist Information Center
(TIC). The East Garden (Higashi Gyoen) is where
the donjon once stood. The nearby Yurakucho is the
busy commercial district.
A 10-minute walk takes you to the Ginza district,
famous around the world for elegant shopping and
its bright neon lights. The Kabukiza Theater is
also located near here.
West of the Imperial Palace is the Kasumigaseki
district, where off ices of the national government
and the National Diet Building are located.
From the neon bustle of the Ginza and Yurakucho
districts, turn to the spacious Ueno district where
you will find Ueno Park, the largest in the city.
The park is home to a zoo, numerous museums, and
the Tokyo Metropolitan Festival Hall.
For a glimpse into Tokyo's past, the Asakusa district
is the place to go. The many narrow back streets,
lined with old buildings and shops, sell traditional
items from kimono to hand-made combs. The Asakusa-Kannon
Temple, with its colorful shopping lane, is an excellent
place to buy souvenirs.
Shinjuku, on the city's trendy west side, is a popular
and raucous nightspot area, as well as home to the
sedate Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.
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Shibuya district, near
the tranquil Meiji Shrine and the modish Harajuku
and Aoyama districts, is a popular shoppers paradise,
particularly among young people.
Akasaka and Roppongi round off a brief tour of
the city's nightspots.
Rainbow Town, built on reclaimed land in the Port
of Tokyo, is one of the capital's houest visitor's
spots, featuring a large shopping mall and the
exciting game park, Joypolis.
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Side Trips
from Tokyo
Bonsai Village
in Omiya, a one-hour train ride from Tokyo,
is the best place to view the art of miniature
tree and plant cultivation.
Nature lovers should visit Chichibu Tama National
Park, situated in nearby mountains, where
many welltrodden hiking trails can be enjoyed.
Yokohama, 30 min. by rail from Tokyo, is one
of the first Japanese cities open to foreign
residents during the Meiji Restoration and
is a bustling port city with numerous historic
buildings and the spacious Sankei-en Garden.
Minato-no-Mieru-Oka Park, or Harbor View Hill
Park, admirably lives up to its name, while
Yokohama's China Town offers a number of excellent
restaurants.
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Kamakura,
1 hr. by rail from Tokyo, is a small quiet
coastal town with tranquil temples. Once the
seat of the feudal government set up in 1192,
the town today still retains much of its ancient
feeling.
Kamakura's most famous attraction is its giant
bronze Great Buddha. The impressive Daibutsu
is 11.4 m. high and weighs 122 tons and sits
in the open-air since the original wooden
building housing it was swept away by a tidal
wave in 1495.
Near Kamakura Station is the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Shrine, whose spacious grounds are famous
for its Yabusame event. The archery on horseback
event is held every year on Sept. 16th.
Among other places of interest are the Engakuji
and Kenchoji temples, both of which rank among
the Five Great Zen temples in Kamakura.
Hakone, 1 hr. 30 min. by rail from Tokyo's
Shinjuku Station, is a famous hot spring resort
area set in the beautiful mountains which
comprise the Fuji-Hakone-lzu National Park.
A major attraction here is the Open-Air Museum,
with hundreds of sculptures. Lake Ashi, with
its black bass and trout fishing, is another
attraction as is the Old Hakone Sekisho barrier
guardhouse near Hakonemachi. The guardhouse
was one of many used by the Tokugawa shogunate
for national control.
Other places of interest include the Hakone
Shrine, said to have been founded in 757;
Owakudani, boiling valley, where sulfurous
fumes rise from crevices in the rocks; and
Mt. Koma, with a panoramic view of the surrounding
area. |
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Mt.
Fuji, at 3,776 m., is Japan's tallest
mountain as well as its most well-known
symbol. Besides being a favored climbing
site for two months of the year, Mt.
Fuji is the center of a wide-ranging
natural recreation zone. This includes
the Fuji Five Lakes district to its
north, which offers extensive opportunities
for boating, fishing, camping, and picnicking.
The lzu Peninsula,
south of Hakone, is an important recreational
area known for its hot spring resorts.
The peninsula's scenic backbone is
formed by the hot spring and waterfall-rich
Amagi Mountain Range.
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Nikko, 2 hrs. by rail
from Tokyo, is both a gem of natural beauty
and home to one of the must-sees of Japanese
architecture. The Toshogu Shrine which houses
the mausoleum of the founder of the Tokugawa
shogunate, Tokugawa leyasu, is Nikko's most
famous attraction. The complex is unusual
among Japanese architecture for its display
of opulence and decorative complexity.
A winding 16-km-drive from Nikko leads to
beautiful Kegon Falls, a 1 00-m. cataract
spilling from Lake Chuzenji.
Mashiko, 2 hrs. by rail from Tokyo, is a small
country town famous for its many potters and
their kilns. |
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Kyoto/Nara
Kyoto
was Japan's capital for over 1,000 years, and during
that time became the repository of much of the best
of Japanese art, culture, religion, and thought.
Located 513 km. southwest of Tokyo, Kyoto can be
reached in 2 hrs. 50 min by Shinkansen super express
from Tokyo and 1 hr. 15 min. from the Kansai International
Airport.
Located near Kyoto Station are the Higashi-Honganji
Temple, the city's largest wooden structure, and
the nearby Nishi-Honganji Temple. To the station's
southwest is the Toji Temple and the country's tallest
pagoda.
In the center of Kyoto is the Imperial Palace, renowned
as a pinnacle of the simplicity of Japanese architecture.
(Note: Apply for a permit with your passport, 20
min. before the 1 0 a.m. or 2 p.m. tour.) Nearby
is the more lavishly appointed Nijo Castle, home
of the Tokugawa shogun on his rare visits to the
city. |
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| Shijo-Kawaramachi
is a shopping area where department stores and old
and new specialty shops are located. The nearby
Gion Corner is an excellent place to view traditional
arts and traditional theater. In the Higashiyama
area, the Sanjusangendo Temple is noted for its
1,001 gilded wooden statues of Kannon, the Goddess
of Mercy. The Kiyomizu Temple is famous for its
wide wooden veranda jutting out over a small valley
that gives a panoramic view of the city. Ginkakuji
Temple, or Silver Pavilion, is renowned both for
its exquisite architecture and the beauty of its
landscaped gardens. |
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The
Katsura Imperial Villa is located in western
Kyoto on the Katsura River. It is considered
to be one of the finest examples of traditional
Japanese architecture and garden landscaping.
The Shugakuin Imperial Villa was built in
the 17th century by the Tokugawa shogunate
as a retreat for Emperor GoMizuno. Permission
must be obtained from the Imperial Household
Agency to visit these sites. Apply for a permit
as many days in advance as possible.
The Byodoin Temple, 40 minutes by train from
Kyoto, is famed for its graceful Ho-odo (Phoenix
Hall), built in 1 053. While in this district,
be sure to visit the Kyoto National Museum
with some 1 0,000 art objects and other treasures
on display, as well as the Kyoto Museum of
Traditional Crafts (Fureai-kan).
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The Kinkakuji Temple,
or Golden Pavilion, was built in 1394 as a villa
for the shogun. The present structure covered with
gold leaf is an exact replica of the original destroyed
by arson in 1955. The Ryoanji Temple, close to Kinkakuji,
has a famous rock and raked gravel garden laid out
under the influence of Zen Buddhism.
Nara, 42 km. (28 mi.) south of Kyoto, is an older
capital of Japan, and was also a major cradle of
Japan's arts, crafts, literature, and industries.
The major tourist attractions are clustered near
Nara Station. Nara Park is popularly known as Deer
Park for its resident tame deer.
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In its
western part lies the Kofukuji Temple, founded in
710. Many valuable Buddhist statues are exhibited
in the National Treasure House, and nearby is a
five-storied pagoda which is reflected in the Sarusawa
Pond.
The Nara National Museum contains a collection of
Buddhist art from every period. |
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But
perhaps the most famous of Nara's many ancient
attractions is Todaiji Temple, where the Great
Buddha of Nara sits. Cast in the 8th century
and standing 16.2 m. high and weighing 452
tons, the Daibutsu is housed in the temple's
main wooden hall, the Daibutsuden. The Daibutsuden
is claimed to be the world's largest wooden
structure.
Another attraction is the colorful Kasuga
Grand Shrine erected in 768. It is one of
the most famous Shinto shrines in Japan. The
vermilion-lacquered buildings create a beautiful
contrast to the surrounding greenery. Some
1,800 stone lanterns stand in the shrine precincts
and 1 000 metal lanterns are suspended from
the eaves of its corridors. |
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Other
attractions in Nara include the Toshodaiji, Yakushiji,
and Shin-Yakushiji temples.
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| Horyuji
Temple, 45 min. by rail from Nara Station, is a
beautiful as well as important temple in Japan.
The temple, the oldest intact temple complex in
Japan, was founded in 607. Around 40 buildings make
up the complex, and are said to be the world's oldest
wooden structures. All have been designated either
as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties.
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Kansai
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The
Kansai region is the deep-rooted center which gave
birth to much of Japan's distinctive culture. Kansai's
seven prefectures contain much of the most historically
important centers and artistic monuments of Japan.
Osaka, 3 hrs. by Shinkansen super express or 1 hr.
by air from Tokyo, and about 30 min. by train from
the Kansai International Airport, is Japan's third-largest
city and the commercial and industrial hub for western
Japan. Situated at the mouth of the Yodo River emptying
into Osaka Bay, Osaka has a network of canals that
cross its many busy streets, and which have played
an important role in the city's prosperity.
As a classical city, it is very proud of its Kabuki
drama and Bunraku puppet show. Osaka serves as a
base for an extended tour to the Inland Sea area,
and Shikoku and Kyushu Islands.
The tourist highlight is Osaka Castle, built in
1586 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and once the largest
in Japan. The present five-storied fortress, a copy
of the original, commands an extensive view of Osaka
City and its environs. It contains many historical
art objects and documents related to the Toyotomi
family and old Osaka. |
Nakanoshima,
on a small delta between divergent streams of the
Yodo River, is the civic center. The eastern part
forms Nakanoshima Park. At its end lies the Temmangu
Shrine, dedicated to Michizane Sugawara, a noted
scholar. The shrine is visited by many students
who pray for a little heavenly help in passing their
entrance exams.
Other historical attractions include the Shitennoji
Temple, Tennoji Park, and the Sumiyoshi Shrine.
For entertainment and shopping, don't miss the Umeda
and Namba districts. Umeda, centering around Umeda
Station, has a few modern underground arcades which
are always crowded. Sennichimae and Dotombori, both
close to Umeda, are major amusement centers and
contain many theaters, cinemas, restaurants, and
bars.
Namba is another amusement center, along with the
Shinsekai district where its landmark, the Tsutenkaku
Tower, stands.
Kobe, 30 min. by rail from Osaka, is a port town
which has developed at a rapid pace since the Meiji
Restoration in 1868. A hilly town, Kobe has many
narrow paths winding up and down Rokko foothills
that form the backdrop for the city. One of Japan's
main ports, along with Yokohama, Kobe has a fascinating
foreign section that is great for strolling.
Kobe Port is a starting point for trips through
the Inland Sea to Beppu on Kyushu Island and Takamatsu
on Shikoku Island.
Kobe Port Tower, standing
108 m. high, is shaped like a tsuzumi (Japanese
hand drum).
Places of historic interest are the vermilion-painted
lkuta Shrine situated at the center of the busy
business district, and the Kitanocho area, well
known for its old foreign residences, with well-preserved
houses built during the Meiji period in European
and Chinese styles. The Kobe City Museum displays
exhibits relating to archaeology, history, and
folklore, as well as Japanese paintings, and works
produced under European influence during the 16th
century.
Since the Great Hanshin Earthquake, which struck
Kobe on January 17, 1995, the city has made remarkable
progress toward reconstruction.
A major western Japan attraction is located in
Himeji City. Himeji Castle is one of the most
beautiful castles in the nation. With its twisting
paths through the castle grounds leading past
white-plastered walls and original buildings -
preserved as national treasures a visit here is
not to be missed. The castle, known as the White
Egret Castle for its glistening white walls and
five-storied donjon, is a 10-min. walk from Himeji
Station, which is reached in 40 min. by Shinkansen
super express from Osaka.
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For an
unforgettable experience, stay at the monastery
at the summit of Mt. Koya, a 2-hr. rail ride
from Osaka. Founded in 816 by Kobo Daishi,
the great exponent of the Shingon sect of
Buddhism, the monastery is comprised of over
120 temples, of which 53 offer lodgings and
vegetarian meals at reasonable prices. The
monastery is visited by 1 million pilgrims
annually.
Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan and
is a well-developed summer resort area rich
in carp, silver carp, and trout. It offers
opportunities for fishing, swimming, boating,
and camping. Otsu, 10 min. from Kyoto by train,
is the base for tours to the lake. |
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Chubu
(Central Honshu)
| Central Honshu
comprises a major portion of the so-called Chubu
District. The region abounds in high mountains and
large rivers, which empty into both the Pacific
Ocean and the Sea of Japan. |
Nagoya & Vicinity
Nagoya is 366 km. (229
mi.), or 1 hr. 50 min. by Shinkansen super express
from Tokyo and 1 hr from ShinOsaka. Japan's fourth
largest city, Nagoya is an old castle town, with
a fine network of streets and wide boulevards. The
region is noted as the center of Japan's porcelain
industry, lacquer ware, cloisonne, and other handicrafts.
Near the center of the city is Nagoya Castle, originally
a residence and military base for the Tokugawa clan.
Although the five-story donjon and main gate were
destroyed during World War 11, a copy was built
in 1959. |
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Sakae,
5 min. by subway from Nagoya Station, is a
traditional shopping area and a noted nightlife
spot. The Tokugawa Art Museum is worth a visit
for its over 10,000 articles handed down by
the Tokugawa family. The Atsuta Shrine, built
in the 3rd century and rebuilt in 1935, is
second in importance only to the Ise Shrine
for its possession of one of the three legendary
articles of the Imperial Regalia, the Grass-mowing
Sword.
Arimatsu, 25 min.
by rail from Nagoya, is noted for its numerous
old houses with imposing tile roofs and lattice
doors. Arimatsu tie-dyeing is a famous local
craft.
Seto, 30 min. by
rail from Nagoya, is well known for its
pottery and its many local kilns.
lnuyama, 30 min.
by rail from Nagoya, is famous for its white-walled
castle, Japan's oldest existing fortress.
Shooting the rapids on the Kiso River is
a great attraction, as is cormorant fishing.
Museum Meiji-mura,
a 90-min. bus ride from Nagoya, is an impressive
outdoor museum of buildings collected here
from the Meiji period. Among the over 66
structures is the lobby of Frank Lloyd Wright's
Tokyo Imperial Hotel.
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Side Trips from Nagoya
Ise-Shima is a national
park containing the Ise Grand Shrine as well as
numerous pearl fisheries along its magnificent seacoast.
The Ise Grand Shrine, about 1 hr. 30 min. by rail
from Nagoya, is the most venerated of all Shinto
shrines in Japan. The main shrine is completely
rebuilt every 20 years.
Toba, 20 min. by rail or 40 min. by bus from Ise,
is a port town famous for its Wedded Rocks, a pair
of islets linked by a giant rope, and is a sacred
Shinto spot. Don't pass up a visit to Mikimoto Pearl
Island, where pearls were first artificially cultured. |
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Takayama,
2 hrs. 10 min. by limited express from Gifu, is
an old castle town situated in a valley surrounded
by the Japan Alps. Takayama retains much of the
atmosphere of old Japan.
Highlighted here is the Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village
at the foot of Mt. Matsukura. The houses, transported
here from various places in the Hida area, feature
a unique traditional roof style called gassho-zukuri,
in which the roofs appear like two hands joined
in prayer. |
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The
Inland Sea/Shikoku
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The Inland
Sea, Seto-Naikai, is sheltered by the three main
islands of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Shikoku,
Japan's fourth largest island, can be reached via
the Seto Ohashi Bridge. Boats and ferries also travel
between the two islands via the cities of Osaka,
Kobe, Hiroshima, Onomichi, and Wakayama.
The Inland Sea, blessed with a superb seascape and
a mild climate, is remarkably calm, peaceful, and
beautiful. Over 600 islands are scattered over an
area of 8,200 sq.km. Its numerous islets run for
a distance of 500 km. At its widest point, from
north to south, the sea measures 64 km., and at
its narrowest point, 7 km. The numerous islands,
beautiful beaches, and coastal plateaus which command
superb sea views have been designated as the Inland
Sea National Park. The richly variegated coastal
scenery is made more interesting by the many small
ports, fishing villages, salt fields, and farms
found among the gentle slopes. |
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Island consists of four prefectures, and each prefectural
seat was at one time a castle town. The natural
beauty illustrated by the picturesque Inland Sea
Coast and the dynamic Pacific Ocean Coast accentuates
the tourist attractions of Shikoku Island. |
Takamatsu, 1 hr. by train from Okayama, is
the main gateway to Shikoku from Honshu, and
a convenient starting point for traveling
around the island. Takamatsu has many attractions
worth seeing. Ritsurin Park, 10 min. by bus
from Takamatsu Port, is one of the finest
traditional gardens in this area. It was laid
out about 350 years ago on the site of a villa
owned by the Matsudaira clan.
From Takamatsu,
a 30-min. bus ride takes you to Yashima, a
tableland jutting into the Inland Sea. A splendid
view of the Inland Sea can be obtained from
its summit. A must-see is the Kotohira Shrine,
accessible in 75 min. by train from Takamatsu. |
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Matsuyama, the largest
city in Shikoku, is a 3-hr. limited express
train ride from Takamatsu or a onehour boat
trip from Hiroshima or Onomichi. Matsuyama
Castle is one of the nation's bestpreserved,
and the Dogo Spa, 20 min. by rail from Matsuyama,
is one of the oldest in Japan.
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Kochi, 3 hrs. by limited
express train from Takamatsu, is the prefectural
seat of the rich farming land and fisheries along
Shikoku's central southern coast. Kochi Park, in
the city's central western district, is home to
its castle that has been declared an Important Cultural
Property. The region is noted for its carefully
bred onagadori roosters with tail feathers as long
as 10 meters.
Tokushima, 1 hr. 20 min. by limited express train
from Takamatsu, offers its Bizen Park on the top
of Bizen Hill, and densely wooded Tokushima Park,
where the ruins of Tokushima Castle and a fine landscape
garden are located. The city is famous for its Awa-Odori
dance held every summer. Naruto, 40 min. by train
from Tokushima, is noted for its giant whirlpools
in the narrow Naruto Straits. |
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Chugoku
(Western Honshu)
Chugoku,
situated at the western end of the main island,
Honshu, is split into the two minor areas of Sanyo,
the Inland Sea Coast, and San-in, the Japan Sea
Coast.
Okayama, 1 hr. by Shinkansen super express from
Shin-Osaka, is a gateway to the Chugoku region and
Shikoku Island. The main attraction here is the
Korakuen Garden, one of the three most famous in
Japan. A 40-min. train ride from Okayama takes you
to Bizen, home of famous Bizen-yaki stoneware. |
| Kurashiki,
where the past is beautifully preserved and naturally
blended with the new, is reached by a 15-min. train
ride from Okayama. Stroll along the narrow streets
of the old merchant's quarter with its tile-roofed
houses and willow-fringed canals to get a flavor
of the town. Kurashiki has several museums. The
Ohara Art Gallery contains a great collection of
world-famous paintings and sculpture, by artists
such as El Greco, Rodin, Gauguin, and Picasso. Displayed
in the Kurashiki Folkcraft Museum are ceramics,
rugs, mats, wood items, and other folkcrafts. |
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Hiroshima, a
former castle town, is the cultural, economic, and
political center of western Honshu, and is reached
in 2 hrs. by super express bullet trains on the
Shinkansen line from Shin-Osaka. The present city
emerged from the ashes of the World War 11 atomic
bombing. Peace Memorial Park contains the Peace
Memorial Museum displaying a large collection of
photographs and objects relating to the devastation.
Here too, the Peace Flame burns in front of the
Memorial Cenotaph, never to be extinguished until
all nuclear weapons are abolished. Near is the Statue
of Mother and Child in the Tempest, and the Fountain
of Prayer. Other tourist attractions include the
Shukkeien Garden and Hiroshima Castle.
Twenty-five min. by train from Hiroshima and 10
min. by boat from Miyajima-guchi, takes you to Miyajima
Island and the ltsukushima Shrine; a mustsee for
tourists. The entire island, with an area of 30
sq.km., is designated by the government as a Special
Historic Site and a Special Place of Scenic Beauty.
The shrine buildings are connected by corridors
which stretch out over the water, so at high tide
the whole structure looks as if it is floating on
the sea. A red camphor wood torii gate rising out
of the sea is the landmark of the shrine. Many colorful
festivals are held here throughout the year, but
the most dramatic is the Kangen-sai in July or August.
On this occasion, the ltsukushima deity is taken
on a boat journey to visit other shrines in the
nearby Inland Sea. Sacred music is played on ancient
Japanese instruments.
lwakuni, 45 min. by train from Hiroshima, is
an old castle town and now a thriving industrial
city, famous for its five spanned Kintai Bridge.
Yamaguchi, 1 hr. 30 min by train from Hiroshima
via Ogori is rich in historical sites. Xavier
Memorial Church was built here in 1950 in memory
of St. Francis Xavier, the Spanish Jesuit missionary
who introduced Christianity to Japan in the 16th
century.
Hagi (Higashi-Hagi Station), 1 hr. 30 min. by
bus from Yamaguchi, is an old castle town rich
in history. Hagi is the birthplace of many prominent
samurai who led events resulting in the Meiji
Restoration. Hagi also supplied the intellectual
ideas for the new Japan that emerged from the
Restoration. The town is also well known for its
Hagi-yaki pottery.
Tottori. 4 hrs. 20 min. by limited express from
Osaka, is one of the largest cities in the San-in
region and is the seat of Tottori Prefecture.
The city is noted for the sand dunes located 5
km. to the north in a portion of the San-in Kaigan
National Park.
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Matsue,
2 hrs. from Tottori by limited express, is
situated at the point where the Nakaumi Lagoon
joins Lake Shinji. The city is a major distribution
hub and tourist destination, as well as the
seat of Shimane Prefecture. Matsue is also
the heart of lzumo Province which is closely
related to Japanese mythology. Sites not to
miss include Shiroyama Park, Matsue Castle,
Lafcadio Hearn's Memorial Museum - and former
residence - and scenic Lake Shinji, noted
for the swans that migrate here in winter.
lzumo Taisha Shrine, 10 min. by train from
Izumoshi Station, 2 hrs. 30 min. from Higashi-Hagi
and 40 min. from Matsue by limited express
train, is the oldest shrine location in Japan. |
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Japan
Sea Coast
| The mountains
of the Japan Alps are a series of volcanic peaks
running from north to south through the central
and widest part of Honshu and which are often compared
to the European Alps in ruggedness and beauty. The
Northern Alps form the core of ChubuSangaku (Japan
Alps) National Park. |
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Kanazawa,
3 hrs. by limited express from Nagoya or Osaka,
is the largest city of the Hokuriku region, and
originated as a castle town that retains much of
the flavor of feudal times.
The prevalence of Noh drama, tea ceremony, and flower
arranging among the citizens is a result of the
long period of unbroken peace which their ancestors
then enjoyed. Kenrokuen Park, created in 1822, lies
in the center of the city, and is known as one of
the three most beautiful landscape gardens in Japan,
along with Kairakuen at Mito and Korakuen at Okayama. |
| Fukui,
1 hr. by express train from Kanazawa or 2 hrs. 15
min. from Nagoya, is noted for the manufacture of
Habutae and other fabrics. It is the administrative
center of Fukui Prefecture. Asuwayama Park, west
of the station, lies on a hill from which there
is a splendid view of the city, with the lofty form
of Mt. Hakusan visible in the distance.
A 35-min. train ride from
Fukui takes you to the Eiheiji Temple, celebrated
as one of the headquarters of the Soto sect of
Zen Buddhism.
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It was
founded by Priest Dogen (1200 - 1253), who
brought Zen Buddhism to Japan from China.
Northeast of Kanazawa, the Noto Peninsula
projects into the Japan Sea. Its long coastline
features a diversified geography. The outer
coast is characterized by its rugged coast
while the inner coast is rich in bays and
inlets with numerous photogenic fishing villages.
Niigata, 4 hrs. by rail from Kanazawa, and
2 hrs. from Tokyo is a port town first opened
to foreign trade in 1869 and today is a chief
port on the Japan Sea. |
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Sado Island,
1 hr. by hydrofoil from Niigata, is the fifth
largest of Japan's islands, and is home to
many small rice farms nestled between its
twin parallel mountain chains. Ryotsu, the
main town and hydrofoil port, sits on the
shore of Lake Kamo and is reached from the
sea by a narrow inlet. |
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Tohoku/Hokkaido
The northern portion of
the main island of Honshu is called the Tohoku region.
The area is rich in scenery and features the three
national parks of Towada-Hachimantai, Rikuchu Kaigan,
and BandaiAsahi. The weather is always refreshingly
cool in the highlands with summer temperatures around
100C cooler than in the southwest.
The gateway to the Pacific Coast area is Sendai,
2 hrs. by Shinkansen super express from Tokyo, and
1 hr. 10 min. by air from Osaka. The sites to see
here are the ruins of the Aobajo Castle and the
gala Tanabata star festival in summer.
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Sendai serves
as a base for trips to Matsushima, which can be
reached in 40 min. by rail. Matsushima's scenery
is one of the three most famous in Japan, along
with Miyajima and Amano-Hashidate. The scenic bay
is dotted with hundreds of islets
Hiraizumi, a 1 hr. 30-min. train ride from Sendai,
was originally modeled on Kyoto and is the site
of the noted Chusonji Temple built in 1109. The
temple's Konjikido, or Golden Hall, houses 1 1 images
of Buddha, and was originally coated with black-lacquer
and gold plate.
Aomori, 2.5 hrs. by limited express from Morioka,
is a starting point for trips to Lake Towada and
the Oirase Valley, the core of the Towada-Hachimantai
National Park. Lake Towada, the center of the park,
is one of the most picturesque lakes in Japan, as
well as being the third deepest. Dotted with pine-clad
islets, the lake has wooded shorelines and steep
cliffs. At its eastern shore, Oirase Valley extends
14 km. Hachimantai Plateau, another park attraction,
is a volcanic plateau with extensive virgin forests,
swamps, and alpine foliage. Relaxing hot springs
and challenging ski slopes are also nearby.
Aizu-Wakamatsu is a convenient starting point for
excursions to the Bandai-Azuma Mountains.
Bandai Plateau, part of the Bandai-Asahi National
Park, is famous for its more than 200 lakes and
tarns created by the eruption of Mt. Bandai. The
area is a year-round recreation area. To its south
lies Lake lnawashiro, a summer resort with several
fine beaches.
At Mt. Zao, where one of the most popular ski resorts
in Japan is located, skiers can find challenging
ski slopes and beautiful scenery. |
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Hokkaido,
Japan's northernmost main island, was aggressively
settled from the 18th century on, and today,
as in olden times, abounds in natural beauty.
Sapporo is the aerial gateway to Hokkaido
from Tokyo and Osaka and is the island's cultural,
economic, and political center. The city is
marked by its neatly laid out checkerboard-like
streets.
The city's main thoroughfare is the flower-adorned
Odori-Koen Promenade, where the internationally
popular Sapporo Snow Festival attracts viewers
each February. Sapporo's historical monument,
the Clock Tower Building, adjoins a museum
exhibiting the city's history. The popular
hot spring resort Jozankei Spa, is only a
short trip from Sapporo. |
Lake Shikotsu,
1 hr. 20 min. by bus from Sapporo, is a beautiful
caldera lake tucked among soaring cliffs.
The water is deep blue, and never freezes
over.
The circular caldera Lake Toya, is another
highlight. Four thickly wooded islets, dubbed
the Nakanoshima Islands, grace the lake's
center. A series of violent earthquakes hit
this area in 1943 and turned vegetable fields
into Mt. Showa Shinzan, visible to the south
of the lake. Mt. Usu, west of Mt. Showa Shinzan,
is noted for its frequent eruptions.
Hakodate, accessible by train from Aomori,
is another popular Hokkaido tourist spot.
Hakodate is a port town noted for its splendid
night view. A starshaped fortress called Goryokaku,
forms a principal attraction in the city along
with scenic Mt. Hakodate. The morning market
with its fresh fish and vegetables is well
worth a visit. |
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Kyushu/Okinawa
Kyushu, located
southwest of the main island of Honshu, offers a
mild climate, lush green countryside, hot springs,
and eerie volcanic formations.
Because of its proximity to Korea and China, Kyushu,
from the fourth-century on, was culturally influenced
by its more sophisticated neighbors. It was also
the first point of contact with the West when the
Portuguese landed here in the 16th century. |
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Fukuoka, 6 hrs.
by Shinkansen super express from Tokyo and 3 hrs.
from Shin-Osaka, is the rail gateway to Kyushu.
Fukuoka is renowned for its Hakata-ori silk textiles,
and gala Hakata Dontaku and Yamagasa festivals.
It is also known for its refined Hakata clay dolls.
At Dazaifu, 20 min. by car from Fukuoka, many archeological
finds related to Japan's ancient court culture can
be found. The site of the former Dazaifu - or Office
of the Governor General of Kyushu - are among them.
Other sites include the Kanzeonji Temple and the
Dazaifu Temmangu Shrine.
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| Nagasaki, prefectural
seat, is the fourth largest city in Kyushu. It is
also a base from which to visit Unzen, Mt. Aso,
and Beppu. Historically, Nagasaki was the only Japanese
port open to foreign trade by the Tokugawa shogunate
during the period of seclusion from 1639 - 1859.
Nagasaki was also the target of the second atomic
bomb dropped on Japan during World War 11. |
Primary
attractions in the city include the Sofukuji
Temple, known as the Chinese Temple, Oura
Catholic Church - a National Treasure - and
the century-old Glover Mansion. It is also
noted for its scenery reminiscent of the setting
for Puccini's opera, Madame Butterfly.
Nagasaki Peace Park was laid out to commemorate
the exact spot of the atomic blast on August
9, 1945, three days after the A-bomb was dropped
on Hiroshima.
Unzen, a pleasant 2-hour drive from Nagasaki,
features both highland and seashore hot-spring
resorts. Mt. Unzen, an active volcano, consists
of three peaks, the highest being Fugendake
(alt. 1,360 m.). Shimabara, base for Shimabara
Castle, which is now a museum, displays records
and documents concerning the Christians of
the district who made their last stand here
in their struggle against persecution by the
Shogunate in 1638. |
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| Kumamoto
is 1 hr. 30 min. by limited express train
from Hakata Station. Major tourist spots include
Kumamoto Castle, Suizenji Park, and the Buddhist
Pagoda on Hanaokayama Hill. Kumamoto is also
a gateway to Aso National Park, which includes
the Mt. Aso and Mt. Kuju volcanoes. |
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Beppu
Spa, 15 min. by train from Oita, is situated
on the eastern coast of Kyushu. Beppu, a spa
town, is famous for its bubbling mud ponds,
the most active of which detonate loudly and
throw mud into the air. The area is conveniently
connected with Kumamoto via Aso National Park
by the Trans-Kyushu Highway, popularly called
Yamanami Highway. |
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| Miyazaki,
1 hr. 35 min. by air from Tokyo, 1 hr. 5 min.
from Osaka (itami), or 3 hrs. 20 min. by limited
express train from Oita, is the economic and
political center of Miyazaki Prefecture and
is a favorite spot among vacationers. Interesting
attractions in the city are the Haniwa (funerary
clay figures) Garden, the Miyazaki Shrine,
and Tachibana Park. Miyazaki is also a base
for trips to Nichinan |
| Kaigan
Quasi-National Park, extending for about 100
km. along the seaboard south of Miyazaki.
Its principal attraction is Aoshima Island,
a tiny islet densely covered with biro or
betelnut palm trees. Other places of interest
include the Udo Shrine in a large sea-eroded
cave, Horikiri Pass, and Cactus Park. |
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