Land of the Rising Sun
Japan
Mount Yotei, Niseko, Hokkaido
Japan has to be one of the most
naturally beautiful places in the world.
Forests cover a total area of 62 million
acres, which is equal to 67% of its land
mass. And it is dotted with hills,
mountains, and volcanoes. Japan is a
long narrow island archipelago made up
of four close-by islands. From north to
south: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and
Kyusiiu; and one island to the far south
Okinawa. Its total size is small at
143,619 square miles; slightly smaller
than the state of California. The total
population of Japan, in 2010, is around
128 million. Californian's 2010
population is around 36 million. Japan
is jam-packed with people. But once you
leave the big cities to travel around
its small towns and countryside you
would never know it.
Temple at Nikko, Tochigi
Japan not only possesses natural
wonders it is filled to overflowing with
Buddhist and Shinto Temples, Shogun
Castles, and spa towns were one can
partake in the Onsen bathing ritual. And
Japan is an ultra modern place. Tokyo
has a population of 35 million people;
making it a very exciting and vibrant
metropolis. It has it all from the
Emperor's Place to the very odd Maid
Cafes; and everything in between. If you
like good food you will really enjoy
Japan. You will experience new heights
of culinary delight and foods you have
never seen before.
.JPG)
Ground Zero, Hiroshima
The plumbing is also something to
experience. It seems that Japan has a
long history of cleanliness and
luxuriating. This is apparent from the
very old Onsen bathing ritual to the
more modern fully automated and highly
imaginative toilets.
In my next series of articles I will
describe a trip that will take about
four weeks to complete. The trip will
utilize the amazingly convenient,
modern, safe, clean, and reliable
railway system. And will take you from
the contemporary city of Sapporo, in the
northern island of Hokkaido to the
completely rebuilt and wonderful city of
Hiroshima in the south of Honshu. My aim
is to give you a terrific insight into:
Nippon or Nihon or the Land of the
Rising Sun; Japan.
Information:
A round-trip flight from San
Francisco to Tokyo ranges between $762
to $4,187.
A 21-day Japan Rail Pass ranges between
$850.92 (79,600 YEN) and $616.81 (57,700
YEN)
A terrific web site to book
accommodation in Japan is
http://www.japanhotel.net