Beautiful Places in Japan

7/27/2019 Beautiful Places in Japan

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Mount Fuji.Japans highest mountain (3776 meters,

12,377) is unquestionably the countrys most iconic

natural landmark. Photographed in all seasons from allangles, its near perfect cone is climbed by one quarter

million people yearly, usually during the months of July

and August. Its high visibility and traffic is partiallyowed to its proximity to the Kanto, or the plainsurrounding Tokyo. However the best time to view the

mountain is in the winter months when visibility is best.

Considered one of the three holy mountains in Japan,along with Tateyama and Hakusan, there is understandably a collection of shrines on the crater

rim. Since many people climb the mountain hiking trails and facilities are well established and

there is a considerable amount of development on the mountain. The meteorological station

marks the high point of the mountain and the country. Popular hiking routes to the summit areGotemba, Fujinomiya, and Kawaguchiko. All of the trails have ten stations each, which are

situated strategically to offer refreshments, lodging, and facilities for the hikers and tourists alike.

Most hikers start from the 5

th

station/s, which are located between 6,000 7,000 and haveaccess by paved roads. However, Mount Fuji lacks train access. If you are interested in climbing

and dont have a POV the best way to get there is by catching one of the many Fuji-bound buses

departing from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo during the months of July and August. Fuji, a strato-,

or composite volcano, last erupted in 1708 and is considered dormant.

Ginza, Tokyo. A UNESCO World Heritage Site it is

not, but instead an unofficial shrine to Japans industry,technology, and material culture, if there is one. Ginza

epitomizes Tokyo, if not Japan. Its ground zero for

neon, shopping, and as close to what Tokyo calls center,

or downtown, for such a huge city. Within walkingdistance are the National Diet, the center of Japans

government, and the Imperial Palace, a vast complex of

buildings, which houses Japans Head of State, theEmperor of Japan and his administrative apparatus. Ginza is best experienced at night so you can

view the electronic fireworks. There are so many interesting places in Tokyo and this is a logical

place to orient yourself if you visit Japans largest city and capital.

Himeji Castle.Japans most famous castle and one of

twelve that is in its original condition. Known as the

White Heron Castle, it is one of the three most famousin the country, and the most visited. Its fame, not to

mention its beauty, is perhaps why it was used as one of

the locations for shooting the 007 film, You Only Live

Twice (1967) starring Sean Connery. Located in Himeji,Hyogo prefecture, not far from Osaka, the castle is

surrounded by pine and cheery trees, which make it

especially scenic in the spring. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, its original construction wasbetween 1333-1346 with other expansions occurring in 1601-1608, a well-known period for
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castle building in Japan. Not without coincidence it was during this time period when warlords

fought for control of the country.

Kamakura. The outdoorDaibustuis, alongside Miyajimas floatingtorii, the best known monument in Japan. Kamakura is close to

Tokyo, even closer to Yokohama, so day trips from the Kanto are

easy. Known as the Great Buddha it was once housed in a buildingthat was destroyed by a typhoon in the 15th

century. For the curious,the statue is 13.35 meters (44 feet) high and weighs 93 tons. The first

mention of the bronze statue dates to 1252. Now hoards of tourists

come to get their photos taken in front of theDaibutsuand the manyedible (and rotten) offerings left at its foot. The city has a long history

and perhaps thats why theDaibutsu stands. Although

theDaibutsugives Kamakura its deserved recognition the citys

historical record is long and rich. It is no accident that a period inJapanese history is named the Kamakura period (1185-1333), which

marked the beginning of the shogunate established in the city. The

city is also famous for Nichiren Buddhism, found by the Japanese monk Nichiren (1222-1282)and sometimes associated with radicalism. It is also recognized as aUNESCO World Heritage

Site.

Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto. It is best known as the GoldenPavilion and it said to be Japans most visited site and its

beauty, accented by surrounding pine trees and ponds, is

remarkable. The Temple of the Golden Pavilionshistory dates to 1397 and it is affiliated with Zen

Buddhism. The one you look at today dates to 1955

thanks to a radical Buddhist monk who burned it down

in 1950. Despite its relatively recent date, it still drawscrowds of the camera-ready Japanese who become

frenzied with picture taking. Recognized as aUNESCO

World Heritage Site, it is however only one of many historic and cultural sites in Kyoto, Japanscultural capital. A trip to Kyoto would not be complete without visiting Heian shrine, Kiyomizu-

dera, Nijo castle, To-ji, and of course the less spectacular Ginkaku-ji, or the Silver Temple

Pavilion. Theres much more too as the city has 17 places designated UNESCO World HeritageSites. Most date from between the 10

thand 19

thcenturies. The incidence of many prewar

buildings in Kyoto is because the city was largely sparred as a bombing target in WWII.

Matsumoto Castle. Construction started in 1504 and the castleeventually was nicknamed the Crow Castle because of its

resemblance of that bird with outstretched wings. It remains one of

twelve castles in Japan that have survived reasonably intact of any

major structural damage other than routine repair since the MeijiRestoration began in 1868. Its fame is further enhanced by the well

deserved designation as one of the three finest in Japan along with

Himeji (see above), and Kumamoto Castle. What makes it unique isthe water-filled moat, something the other two do not have. Following
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the Meiji Restoration the Castle was slated to be demolished but locals, led by a school principal,

managed to save it from destruction by land developers. Still the outer castle was demolished and

what remains is the beautiful keep. Some of the gates have been rebuilt as have many othercastles across Japan that once stood during the long period of shogunate, or warlord, rule. The

castle is considered a National Treasure of Japan and it does not belie such a designation.

Located away from the coastal area, Matsumoto is as far inland as you can get in Japan and itremains a gateway to the Kita Alps. The Kaichigakko(school) in Matsumoto is also worth seeingand is located close to the castle. Modeled after western school buildings with a central cupola

adjoined by two wings, it looks out of place in Japan, yet it was built in the 1870s.

Nikko. Nikko is a long day trip from Tokyo, but possible if you take

theshinkansen, or high-speed rail, which stops in Utsunomiya 35 km

to the east. Set in the mountains, the town has a number of famous

shrines and temples that make it well worth the visit. Against abackdrop of mountains, beautiful forests, and rocky, wooded,

ravines with fast flowing streams the temples and shrines are

perfectly set in their natural background. The town essentiallydeveloped around the temples, the first said to have started in 766.

Among the most famous are the Toshogu Shrine, founded in 1617,

with its ornamental gate and Three Wise Monkeys. The Shrine is set

among giant cryptomeria trees, a relative of the cedar. TheFutarasan Shrine, founded in 767, is at the base of Nantai-san, a

sacred mountain popular with hikers. Nearby is the beautiful Sacred

Bridge which spans a brook. Finally there is the Rinno-ji, a complexof Buddhist temples, with its beautiful ornamental wood work, established in 766. All three

are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Besides the shrines and temples there is the nature of Nikko:

Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls, one of the three highest in Japan, which drains the

aforementioned lake. The mountains are breathtaking and rise abruptly from the town. Watch forthe monkeys on the winding road that leads up to the lake. The Japanese Macaque can often be

seen foraging along the road.

Todai-ji Hall, Nara.Nara is not to be missed by any

visitor to Japan. Its Japans oldest capital and

traditionally ranks as its first city. Founded in the8

thcentury, Naras best known monument is Todai-ji

Hall, the worlds largest wooden building. Its hard to

get a sense of scale until you stand beneath it. Inside are

the giganticDaibutsu (Buddha) and other humungousstatues. A number of buildings have stood on the site

and the latest dates from 1709; only two-thirds the size

of the building that preceded it, which was destroyed by fire. Todai-ji Hall incidentally is also the

center of Kegon Buddhism in Japan. There are other interesting sites in Nara as well and somearchaeological foundations of the ancient city. Also of interest are the skittish deer that inhabit

the city and wander the streets looking for handouts.
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Matsuyama Castle, Ehime prefecture, Shikoku. Matsuyama Castle was

first built in 1603 and sits on Mount Katsuyama above the surrounding

city of Matsuyama. The current tenshu was the latest of the originaltwelve to be constructed between 1820 and 1854. The older one was

burned down after a lightning strike.

HiroshimaCastle. This five story castle was rebuilt in 1958 after being

obliterated in the atomic bomb attack of August 6, 1945. The height ofthe present tenshu is 26.6 meters, which sits on a stone base 12.4 meters

high. Inside the castle is a museum dedicated to Hiroshimas pre World

War II history. It was also known as the Carp Castle.

HimejiCastle, HyogoPrefecture, Honshu. Often considered Japans finest

castle this is a huge complex consisting of 80 buildings. It is nicknamedthe White Heron because of its white exterior. It is not surprisingly an

UNESCO World Heritage Site. The castle dates to 1333 although it was

demolished by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1580 and rebuilt between 1601 and1608.

Kanagawa While the name may not be very familiar toAmerican tourists, this is the prefecture where

Yokohama (Tokyos neighboring city) and Kamakura

(a historic city along the coast) are located. With a

huge Buddha statue, Kamakura is a popular and easydestination for those who stay in Tokyo (just an hour or

so away by train) and travelers come to stroll between

temples along the calm beaches. Hakone, where peoplego for hot springs, ryokan, and the magnificent view of

Mt. Fuji, is also in the Kanagawa prefecture.


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Osaka. As the second largest city and a major business travel

destination, Osaka is the home of several major international

companies. But in addition to business, Osakan culture is alsoheavily focused on food. In fact some lovers of Japanese cuisine

view Osaka is the capital of affordable dining spree! Outside of

the urban centers, pockets of tranquility are tucked away in thecountryside.

Chiba. Just east of Tokyo, Chiba is where Japans gateway

Narita International Airport is located. The city of Narita, closeby the airport, is sometimes visited by international travelers as

a quick taste of Japan during a layover. The Tokyo Disney

Resort is also in Chiba, just cross the border with Tokyo. The

Tokyo Motor Show usually takes place in Makuhari Messe, oneof the largest and popular convention centers in the country.

Aichi. In addition to being the home of Toyota Motors,

Aichi is known for traditional manufacturing and thus

attracts many business travelers. Midway between Tokyo

and Osaka, is Nagoya, a major location for businessconferences that also attracts visitors with its castle, museum

and gardens.

Nara. Nara is actually the very first capital of the countryeven before Kyoto. Although the Nara era was less than

80 years long, the city is the birthplace of the fundamentals

of Japanese tradition. In spite of an obvious Chineseinfluence in architecture, UNESCO designated Naras

landmarks and designated them as World Heritage Sites.

Hiroshima. World-renowned because of the atomic bomb,

Hiroshima today is known as the global peace center. ThePeace Memorial Museum, located right next to the dome that

was the only structure to survive at ground zero (and a

UNESCO World Heritage Site), is a must-see for visitors here.

The city also has another World Heritage Site: ItsukushimaShrine of Miyajima Island, one of the post-card icons of Japan.


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Okinawa. Okinawa, a group of islands stretchingsouthward from Japan, is the countrys equivalent of

Hawaii. The islands have a unique indigenous cultureandare popular for their sub-tropical climate, beautiful

beaches, some of the worlds best diving spots and its

incredible Churaumi Aquarium.

Hyogo.The greatest attraction for tourists to Hyogo prefectureis Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one ofthe most impressive castles in all of Japan, if not all of Asia.

Close to Osaka the prefecture is also home to the city of Kobe,

considered by some to be one of Japans most attractive cities,

despite being leveled in a massive earthquake in 1995.

Moss pink, or shibazakura, is a flower that

grows close to the ground in brilliant colors of

magenta, pink, and white. The season for mosspink, which is from late April to mid-May, comes

after the more well-known cherry and peach

blossom season in Japan. A popular way to enjoymoss pink is to go to a pink moss festival or park

and see the various designs made by arranging

the moss pink by color. One of the best places to

enjoy the blooming of moss pink is atHitsujiyama Park close to the city of Chichibu, in

Saitama Prefecture.

About 400,000 Shibazakura plants of eight varieties bloom from April to May on the slope of theHitsujiyama Hill at the foot of Chichibus symbolic Mt. Buko, creating an elegant carpet of pink,

purple and white. Winding paths lead you across the surreal pink and purple hillside overlooking

the city. The backside of the Daisetsuzan Mountain Range offers its pointy snow-covered peaksas a backdrop and tulips adorn the the wide gently-sloped paths on your journey across the hill.

Aside from Shibazakura, approximately 1,000 cherry trees, including yoshino cherry, weeping

cherry, and double-petal cherry trees, planted in the park, blossom out in April.

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Beautiful Places in Japan