- 29 Dec 2008
The volcanic archipelago, located north-east Asia between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, has forged a culture of originality and an exceptionally rich. However, Japan still seems like a strange country for Westerners. Samurai of the Kamikaze, through Geishas, its culture, history and traditions fascinates us and we intrigue. While respecting their traditions millennia and cultivating their identity, the Japanese have made their country a major world economic powers. “The Land of the Rising Sun” was opened to foreigners until the mid-nineteenth century and a tourist destination remains mysterious and still largely unknown to tourists. But you have more time to lose: get to its scenery, its 4000 islands, a culture which combines the manga and samurai and where cities like Tokyo, retain the traditional habitat and temples, while building, a few meters of shopping malls.
City or mountains? You have the choice!
About 73% of the country consists of mountains, with a string through each of the main islands. The largest Japanese mountain is the famous Mount Fuji (Fujisan) peaked at 3 776 m altitude. Atlasov Island at the north end of the Kuril islands, is a magnificent snowy peak (2 337 m) emerging directly from the sea Because there is so little flat land, many hills and mountains are cultivated on any their height and cities are often taken over where tradition and modernity go hand in hand! Tokyo is a very good example. Visit the Asakusa district with its Senso-ji temple and its traditional shops then head to the district skyscrapers of Shinjuku overlooking the city from the two observatories Tokyo Government Office and made a tour in Shibuya, Harajuku , Omotesando and Ginza for shopping.
In Kyoto the contrast is equally striking temples and shrines of Nikko will amaze you with their colors and delicious restaurants Pontocho satisfy the biggest appetites! During a day visit the Todai-Ji and his great Buddha and walk in the shopping district Naramachi. At nightfall, Osaka and the direction the 39th floor of Umeda Sky Building a garden there with view over the city!
The air of the mountain will make you a crazy and a little hiking on the volcano Fujiyama in the heart of the island Honshu, promises of magical landscapes.
Immersion in Japanese culture
Japanese culture has always fascinated western populations. Come discover first the fighting in sumo, the Japanese sports struggle par excellence, attending the tournament in Tokyo where the biggest wrestlers clash.
You also may be lucky to host a Japanese family who will be a pleasure to serve you mint tea. During the ceremony, which can last for hours, the owner of the house must engage all his being to create “an atmosphere conducive to aesthetic delight, the physical and intellectual stimulation, spiritual and calm of his hosts’ . All you say that the reception is more than warm!
While Japanese cuisine is established not only around the major four ingredients (rice, pasta, fish and soy), it offers a wide variety of original dishes and especially a very healthy food. It is of course impossible to miss sushi and sashimi, both based on fish or seafood, which will be accompanied by sticky rice noodles or Japanese. There are also recipes for fondues, meat in sweet sauce to omelets, etc..
Unlike other Asian countries, the dishes are rarely very spicy.
And as in France, there are regional cuisines and kitchens in different social strata: bowl of noodles or Donburi workers, or Buddhist vegetarian cooking meals finest ryokan (traditional Japanese inn). And if you do not know you use chopsticks, you learn very quickly once Japan. There can not eat with it!
The Shinto and Buddhist temples are genuine haven of peace and invites you to quiet even if you’re not a believer. And all around these temples, many cherry trees (in bloom in April) just brighten more gardens. Found elsewhere, everywhere in major cities, green spaces completely artificial. These gardens take many forms but the most famous garden is the dry Zen temples, consisting of gravel, rocks and bushes.
You can return from Japan of bonsai (miniature trees that cost so dear in Europe!), The famous manga or a bunch of objects Hi-Tech, which the Japanese love but also tourists, especially for very attractive prices stores offer.









