The Olympic flame is an international symbol of peace and hope. It embodies the spirit of the Olympics and in the buildup to the Tokyo 2020 Games, thousands of people will take part in the Olympic Torch Relay, helping inspire millions of people around the world.
The concept for the 2020 Summer Olympics Torch Relay will be “hope lights our way”. Sports fans will get a chance to hold the torch and carry it for small parts of the long route which will take it from Greece to Japan, the host nation.
Located at the foot of the “Storm Mountains” in the north of the city of Kyoto, this world-famous, seemingly endless forest of swaying bamboo boughs is perfect for a relaxing retreat to nature during a stay in Japan.
The Arashiyama bamboo grove is open 24/7 and admission is free. The surrounding Arashiyama district, known for unique fishing methods which involve using trained cormorant birds, is also well worth a visit.
The Umeda Sky Building, also known as the “New Umeda City,” is one of the most unique high rise buildings in the world. How tall is this skyscraper? It is 173 meters (over 567 feet) tall and is, in fact, not one building, but two. The Sky Building’s two forty-story towers are connected at the thirty-ninth floor by the Floating Garden Observatory, where you can look out at Osaka through windows or an open-air deck.
The streets are narrow and full of people. Cardboard produce boxes line the aisles, overflowing with tall leeks, sturdy root vegetables, brightly colored citrus fruits, and more. The boxes are stacked to chest height to allow easy access to the items they contain. Nearby, chefs prepare sushi and other mouth-watering delicacies at small outdoor food stalls.
This is Tsukiji Jogai Shijo, the Outer Market of Tsukiji.
Many people who visit Japan are unfamiliar with transportation by train. Most foreign travelers are not fluent in the Japanese language. These two factors can make navigating a busy train station seem an intimidating task.
Most signs in areas frequented by tourists are written in both English and Japanese. However, knowing a few simple words and phrases can help your trip run smoothly. It is also helpful to recognize the kanji, or characters used to write these words in the Japanese language. When you take along your Japan Rail Pass and the following vocabulary, you’ll be ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
What is a pagoda? It is a towerlike, tiered structure traditionally associated with Buddhist temple complexes. Pagodas are common sights throughout eastern and southeast Asia, including Japan. Pagodas are meant to symbolize sacred mountains and often shelter religious relics.
The Chureito Pagoda, also called the Chastain Tower and officially named the Fujiyoshida Cenotaph Monument, is a shrine located in the Fuji Five Lakes region at Mount Fuji’s northern base. The Pagoda has five stories; it is situated on a mountainside overlooking Fuji Yoshida City, with Mount Fuji itself visible in the distance. You have probably seen pictures of a beautiful pagoda with Mount Fuji in the background, this is the Chureito Pagoda.
