Hanami and sakura blossoms

Hanami (花見, Hanami? literally "flower viewing") is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of flowers, especially cherry blossoms (桜 or 櫻 sakura). The practice of Hanami is more than a thousand years old, and is still very popular in Japan today. It takes place in the Spring, contrary to the custom of Momijigari (紅葉狩り), which is celebrated in the Autumn. The blossoms only last for a week or two, usually from March to April, and they are followed by the media and waited for by most of the Japanese people. Full life and bloom (満開 mankai) usually comes about one week after the opening of the first blossoms (開花 kaika).

Another week later, the blooming peak is over and the blossoms are falling from the trees. A more ancient form of hanami also exists in Japan, which is enjoying the plum blossoms (梅 ume) instead. This kind of hanami is popular among older people, because they are more calm than the sakura parties, which usually involve younger people and can sometimes be very crowded and noisy. It is important to note that the Japanese call this, not only "hanami" but also ohanami (お花見), adding an "o" in front, literally meaning "to view the flower blossoms". Nice life!

Yakushima Island

Yakushima is a subtropical island off the southern coast of Kyushu and part of Kagoshima Prefecture. It is covered by an extensive cedar forest that contains some of Japan's oldest living trees. Trees more than 1000 years old are affectionately called yakusugi (a combination of Yakushima and the Japanese word for cedar, sugi), the most ancient of which may be over 7000 years old.

The island's cedar forests were logged extensively throughout history. Their most common use was to make cedar shingles during the Edo Period. Today the forests are a national park and some areas were declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1993.

Yakushima has become a destination for people who love nature and the outdoors, with lots of hiking, camping and nature watching all around the island. However there are many hotels and restaurants along the island's well developed coast, so you can rough it during the day yet spend your nights in comfort.

source: japan-guide.com

Japan Tourism

Tourism in Japan comprises both a vibrant domestic sector and over eight million entries each year by foreigners. Today, sites such as Nikko World Historical Site, various attractions in Tokyo (see Tourism in Tokyo) and Kyoto, Mount Fuji, world-class ski resorts such as Niseko in Hokkaidō, Okinawa, as well as aspects of tourism including the shinkansen and well-developed hotel and onsen network are enjoyed by natives and foreigners alike.

History of Tourism

The exact origins of early traditions of visits to picturesque sites are lost to history, but perhaps one of the most famous early sight-seeing excursions was Matsuo Basho's 1689 trip to the then "far north" of Japan, which occurred not long after Hayashi Razan categorized the Three Views of Japan in 1643. During the feudal era of Japan, from ~1600 to the Meiji Restoration in 1867, travel was regulated within the country through the use of shukuba or post stations, towns in which travelers had to present appropriate documentation. Despite these restrictions, porter stations and horse stables, as well as places for lodging and food were available on well-traveled routes. During this time, Japan was a closed country to foreigners, so little to none foreign tourism existed in Japan.

Following the Meiji Restoration and the building of a national railroad network across Japan, tourism became more of an affordable prospect for domestic citizens and visitors from foreign countries could enter Japan legally. As early as 1887, government officials recognized the need for an organized system of attracting foreign tourists; the Kihinkai (貴賓会, Kihinkai?), which aimed to coordinate the various players in the tourism, was established that year with Prime Minister Ito Hirobumi's blessing. Its early leaders included Shibusawa Eiichi and Ekida Takashi. Another major milestone in the development of the tourism industry in Japan was the 1907 passage of the Hotel Development Law, as a result of which the Railways Ministry began to construct publicly-owned hotels all throughout Japan.

Tourism Today

Tourism today remains a vital part of the Japanese economy and society. Schoolchildren in many middle schools see the highlight of their years as a visit to Tokyo Disneyland or perhaps Tokyo Tower in the city. High school students may visit Okinawa or Hokkaidō. The extensive rail network together with domestic flights sometimes in planes with modifications to favor the relatively short distances involved in intra-Japan travel allows efficient and speedy transport from many points within the country.
Source: wikipedia.com

Big-big Simo

Last week, several guests descended upon Japan and sent me scrambling for many days worth of fun and exciting sightseeing itineraries. My greatest planning and scheduling success was a day at the Tokyo Grand Sumo tournament.

The challenge to seeing sumo is getting a hold of tickets. For foreigners who don't have a decent command of Japanese, this can seem a daunting task. The official sumo website provides detailed information in English on ticketing and pricing, but warns that the telephone lines and box office will accept Japanese inquiries only.

To avoid showcasing my deeply flawed Japanese, I tried a Lawson's convenience store. A note on the official grand sumo home page states that tickets can be purchased at Lawson's. I had ignored this at first, not quite understanding how a convenience store would help me see sumo. In fact, many convenience stores have an ATM-like ticketing service machine. It only took ten minutes to get six tickets to the opening day of the May Grand Sumo

Our day of sumo was a really fantastic experience and I encourage anyone in town for a grand sumo tournament to attend (a complete schedule is listed in English on the official homepage found below). A ticket gives you entrance to the whole day of matches. For us, this began at 8am. Not really understanding very much about the sport, we eagerly made our way across the city at the crack of dawn, only to find the stadium....... nearly empty.

Of course, there were several proud mothers and focused coaches gathered around the dohyo (sumo 'ring' where the match is held). But our group made up almost the only spectators. Those early morning matches are comprised of the lowest ranked sumo competitors; those just beginning their sumo careers. These are often very young looking, slim boys who don't fit the general stereotype image of a sumo.

As the day continues, the competitors get progressively higher in rank until between four and six in the evening. At this time, the stadium is packed, the atmosphere is charged and the best wrestlers appear for their matches.

In total, I spent about nine hours watching sumo that day. Besides the fast-paced bouts and the crowd-watching opportunities afforded by the other spectators, there are many things for the visitor to appreciate. Chanko nabe, the tasty and nutritious 'sumo stew' eaten by wrestlers was available for only 200 yen a bowl from the stadium cafe. Gift shops and souvenir stalls were set up in the Kokugikan (stadium building) and walking around offered the chance to glimpse some of the wrestlers headed to their matches.

One of the most entertaining parts of the day took place when my band of sumo watchers left the Kokugikan to stock up on snacks from the convenience store. Outside the sumo stadium was a spectacle in its own right. A crowd was gathered around the entrance watching and cheering for the sumo champions and highly ranked wrestles who arrived later in the day. Kids ran after them seeking autographs and pictures. Best of all, sumo wrestlers were wandering around the restaurants and convenience stores alongside us, stocking up on water, snacks, and even enjoying a bowl of gyudon from the Yoshinoya.

Nihon Sumo Kyokai The offical Grand Sumo home page in English
fROM: japan-guide.com
Sumo is a fascinating way to spend a day in Japan. It offers quite a look into traditional dress and shinto practices as well as being a great spectacle in terms of crowd watching. Never one for combative sports such as wrestling or boxing, I found the ritualized stretching, short bouts and detailed list of official moves really engaging. Everyone in my party really enjoyed all nine hours at the Kokugikan. I think sumo has a few new followers.

National Treasures in Japan Country

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of the government of Japan designates the most famous of the nation's cultural properties as National Treasures (国宝: kokuhō). Examples of the types of works that receive this designation are

* Buildings such as castles, temples, shrines
* Paintings, scrolls, sutras, and works of calligraphy
* Statues in stone, bronze, wood, lacquer or other materials
* Crafts, such as pottery, lacquer ware, carvings, metals, netsuke, swords and textiles
* Archeological and historical artifacts, including burial objects, documents, and letters
* People, called "Living National Treasures (人間国宝: ningen kokuhō)"

Many of Japan's national treasures are in museums such as the national museums in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara. The prefectural and city governments also operate public museums, and these and private museums also house national treasures. Many Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, castles and similar installations also open their buildings and grounds to the public, and some have museums as well. The Imperial Household of Japan holds many national treasures. Kyoto boasts about one in five national treasures.

Living National Treasure is an informal designation for a person whom the government has recognized as exemplary in carrying on Japanese traditions. Performing artists in genres including noh, bunraku, and kabuki, and artists and artisans in traditional crafts, have received this distinction.

Source: Wikipedia.com

Ikaho Onsen

Ikaho Onsen is one of the four most famous hot spring resorts of Gunma Prefecture. Its thermal waters are characterized by a high concentration of iron.

Located at the eastern slopes of Mount Haruna, an active volcano, Ikaho is best known for its stone stairs, which lead up through the town center and are lined by ryokan, old fashioned game arcades and shops.

Ten minutes outside of Ikaho stands Mizusawa Kannon, a popular temple, well known for the udon noodles sold at restaurants along its approach. Mount Haruna with its beautiful caldera lake can also be easily combined with a visit to Ikaho.

Attractions
Source: japan-guide.com

Egyptian pyramid

The most famous pyramids are the Egyptian pyramids — huge structures built of brick or stone, some of which are among the largest man-made constructions. Most of them took about 27 years to build. In Ancient Egyptian, a pyramid was referred to as mer, which was also their word for the country of Egypt itself, showing how intrinsic the structures were to the culture.

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest in Egypt and one of the largest in the world. Until Lincoln Cathedral was built in 1300 A.D., it was the tallest building in the world. The base is over 52,600 square meters in area. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and the only one of the seven to survive into modern times. The Ancient Egyptians capped the peaks of their pyramids with gold and covered their faces with polished white limestone, though many of the stones used for the purpose have fallen or been removed for other structures.

Hiking at Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, is an inactive stratovolcano in north-eastern Tanzania. Depending on definition, Kilimanjaro may be considered as having anywhere from the tallest to the fourth tallest free-standing mountain rise[2] in the world,[3] rising 4,600 m (15,100 ft) from its base, and is additionally the highest peak in Africa at 5,895 meters (19,340 ft), providing a dramatic view from the surrounding plains.

The highest point on Kilimanjaro is Uhuru Peak, on the volcano Kibo 5,895 metres (19,341 ft). The top of Kibo is a 1.5 mile wide crater. As the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak is one of the Seven Summits. The summit was first reached by the Marangu army scout Yohanas Kinyala Lauwo, German Hans Meyer and Austrian Ludwig Purtscheller, on October 6, 1889. Two other peaks are also extinct volcanoes: Mawenzi (5,149 m, 16,890 ft), the third highest peak in Africa (after Mount Kenya) and Shira (3,962 m, 13,000 ft). Yohanas' Notch is named after Lauwo.

Due to Kilimanjaro's equatorial location and high elevation, almost every climate type on earth is represented, including a year-round snow-topped summit.

I think will be nice if we try to hiking at Kilimanjaro!


SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA.COM