Thousands of Buddhist temples dot the Japanese countryside and inhabit its cities. According to one resource, “virtually every Japanese municipality has at least one temple, while large cultural centers like Kyoto have several hundred.” Many are hundreds of years old, others well over one thousand.

Temples typically consist of a number of halls and structures. Gates mark the edges of the temple grounds. The main hall of each temple is used to display sacred objects, such as statues of Buddha, gods, or goddesses; pagodas are used in a similar manner. Lecture halls are used as places of meeting and teaching. Some temples are still used as monasteries, home to Buddhist monks.

Continue reading “%s”

As an island nation, Japan is, not surprisingly, culturally and historically tied to the oceans and seas. For countless centuries, the waters along Japan’s shores have provided its people with foodstuffs and the transportation necessary to connect with the rest of the world in trade and commerce. Today, this connection to the sea lives on in Japan’s numerous modern aquarium attractions.

Have you ever seen a whale shark, one of the largest fish alive today? What about orcas, polar bears, and penguins? You can see these amazing animals and more in Japan’s aquariums.

Continue reading “%s”

The world over, national parks are popular tourist destinations. What is a national park? By one definition, it is “a park in use for… the conservation of ‘wild nature’ for posterity and as a symbol of national pride.” Japan is home to 33 national parks in addition to 50 similar parks.

Japan’s first national parks were dedicated in 1931. These parks allow you to experience the full range of the country’s rugged beauty—beaches, forests, mountains, and volcanoes—with locations ranging from the cool northern reaches of Hokkaido to the subtropical islands of Okinawa.

Continue reading “%s”

Sapporo is the fifth largest city in Japan and capital of the northern island of Hokkaido. In less than two centuries, Sapporo has enjoyed rapid growth from a settlement of only seven individuals to a thriving metropolis.

In the language of the Ainu people, indigenous inhabitants of northern Japan, the word Sapporo means “an important river flowing through a plain.” Today, however, Sapporo is known for much more than its river. In 1972, this city hosted the Olympic Winter Games. A snow festival is held yearly, and Sapporo is also famous for its ramen and beer.

Continue reading “%s”

Okayama is a city where history meets modern technology. It originated as a castle town during Japan’s Edo Period, which spanned from the early 1600s to mid-1800s. Today, Okayama is the second largest city in the region, being somewhat smaller than Hiroshima. It is a railroad transportation hub, located at the junction of the Sanyo Shinkansen Line to Shikoku’s only rail connection.

What is there to see and do in Okayama and the surrounding cities? How do you get there from popular destinations such as Tokyo and Kyoto? Consider this helpful travel guide.

Continue reading “%s”