"LAND AND NATURE OF JAPAN" Top 5 Page for this destination Japan by cheesecake17

Japan Travel Guide: 22,839 reviews and 48,879 photos

What is it about Japan that
so enchants foreigners?

"Partly it is the beauty of the country...
Partly it is the ancient, intricate arts and crafts...
Partly it is the bottomless depths of Zen Buddhism...
Partly it is the cuisine...
And partly--and perhaps most persuasively of all--it is the kindness and sensitivity of the Japanese people...

The truth, of course, is that all of these attributes interact in amazingly complex and compelling ways, creating the whole of Japanese culture and countryside--a whole that is as enchanting as it is enigmatic.

The Japanese refer to their country as "Nippon" or "Nihon". These two names apparently have their origin in the words "place from where the sun rises" used by Prince Shotoku, an early 7th-century Japanese ruler, to designate his country in a letter he sent to China

Both readings are in general use today.
"Nippon" is the more common choice in formal matters.

"Japan" has been chosen as the formal name designating the country in the English language.

Japan is an island lying off the east coast of Asia. It has the general shape of a crescent and extends 3,000 km (1,860 miles) from tip to tip.

The country is made up of four main islands (Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Hokkaido) which together with more than 4,000 smaller islands are collectively referred to as the Japanese Archipelago.

USEFUL SITES

ROADS OF JAPAN

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ONSEN

JAPAN NATIONAL TOURIST ORGANIZATION

OUTDOOR JAPAN

JAPAN RAILWAY GROUP

JAPAN RYOKAN,HOTELS,B&B

Seishun 18(Seishun ju-hachi kippu)

ACCOMODATION SEARCH

"FREE" ATTRACTIONS

Pros and Cons

Pros:Its a land of contrasts and contradictions
In a nutshell:aggressively modern yet retaining an Oriental reticence

Intro Updated Feb 23, 2011
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Reviews (148)

Electric supply Favorites (20)

The electricity supply for areas east of the FujiRiver is 100v/50Hz and is 100v/60Hz in areas west of the river.. Make... more travel advice

rubber stamp from kamabara station - Japan

Rubber stamps to remember.... Things to Do (20)

If you like rubber stamps, take a trip to Japan, where nearly every historical monument has been thoughtfully furnished... more travel advice

The "ART" of manholes...... Things to Do (20)

In Japan almost everything takes on a certain artistic quality, and manhole covers are no exception. The artwork on... more travel advice

HAMAYA aka evil-destroying arrow Local Customs (54)

Hamaya is a Japanese exorcising arrow??? uhmmm.....:) It is a sacred arrow with a white feather used as a special... more travel advice

Transportation (12)
See All JAPAN RAILWAYS GROUP
Restaurants (17)
See All Among the types of cooking found in...
Shopping (10)
See All Few Ideas
Off The Beaten Path (2)
See All MANGA CAFES

What to Pack (1)
Remember these...
Warnings Or Dangers (5)
See All ......earthquake ....
Hotels (7)
See All HOMESTAYS
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Comments (52)

johngayton Jan 5, 2011 at 4:32 PM Report Abuse

5 star page all round. This is one of the best "Country" pages here on VT and I am especially impressed with the restaurant stuff...I want to get the next flight out! Cheers, John.
XenoHumph Jul 19, 2010 at 6:30 PM Report Abuse

A lot of info on this page! Impressive! Great picts too!
morgenhund Jan 10, 2010 at 5:51 AM Report Abuse

Will be looking through your tips as I plan my trip to Japan! Thanks for sharing with us!
Nemorino Dec 1, 2009 at 3:18 PM Report Abuse

Lovely Things to Do tips on your home country! I'll be back some other time for more. I'm sure I would enjoy riding the JR Shinkansen, as you suggest in your ten-day tours and other tours. I never realized there were so many castles in Japan.
marigirl Nov 20, 2008 at 1:29 AM Report Abuse

I just moved to Japan and I'm happy to find your travel pages. That view of Fuji looks familiar...were you near Atsugi? I'm in Yamato. Can't wait to explore your site.
Marisola Aug 8, 2008 at 1:31 AM Report Abuse

Right -- I know two of the same words together: moshi, moshi!
diageva Jun 26, 2008 at 2:46 PM Report Abuse

This page is wonderful... so complete... and so good.... I will come back to see the rest.... incredible page... thanks for your work
blint Mar 31, 2008 at 4:59 PM Report Abuse

BRILLIANT local custom tips. I love finding out about other cultures. Local custom tips are my favourite part of VT!!! :)
volopolo Dec 31, 2007 at 12:28 PM Report Abuse

Happy new year 2008! Nikos from Greece and Emmy from Thailand.
joiwatani Oct 11, 2007 at 6:24 AM Report Abuse

Your webpage is very interesting! You designed it really well and it is very informative! It's a real travel guide! Thanks for sharing your tips!