| Page Views: 8,230 Last Visit to Japan: - I Live Here | LAND AND NATURE OF JAPAN by cheesecake17 - last update: Apr 20, 2009 |
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 JAPANALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ONSENJAPAN NATIONAL TOURIST ORGANIZATION
OUTDOOR JAPANJAPAN RAILWAY GROUP*
Seishun 18(Seishun ju-hachi kippu) |
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| Pros: | "Its a land of contrasts and contradictions" | | In A Nutshell: | "aggressively modern yet retaining an Oriental reticence" |
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 Comments for cheesecake17 about Japan | | | | |
marigirl Thu Nov 20, 2008 09:29 UTC
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 Fri Aug 8, 2008 09:31 UTC
Right -- I know two of the same words together: moshi, moshi! | diageva Thu Jun 26, 2008 22:46 UTC
This page is wonderful... so complete... and so good.... I will come back to see the rest.... incredible page... thanks for your work | blint Tue Apr 1, 2008 00:59 UTC
BRILLIANT local custom tips. I love finding out about other cultures. Local custom tips are my favourite part of VT!!! :) |
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