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JAPAN
Best
Of...
Himeji-jo castle
The most impressive and best-preserved of Japan's feudal-era castles,
Himeji-jo's dramatic, gabled keep is said to resemble a white-egret
in flight.
Traditional Kabuki theatre
Thanks to its colourful characters and dramatic plots, Kabuki is
the most accessible of Japan's traditional performance arts. The
best place to catch a performance is at Tokyo's Kabuki-za theatre.
Kenroku-en garden
Kenroku-en is the largest and most interesting of Japan's many superb
classical gardens. Its meandering paths, streams and islet-speckled
lakes are best appreciated at dawn or dusk when the crowd thins
out.
Tosho-gu shrine, Nikko
Set amid towering cryptomeria trees, Nikko's dazzling Tosho-gu shrine
is a riot of gilded carvings and polychrome paintwork and the burial
place of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of Japan's most important historical
figures.
Susukino nightlife, Sapporo
In the northern city of Sapporo, the Susukino area ranks amongst
Japan's liveliest entertainment districts. Its neon-seared streets
are packed with bars, restaurants and nightclubs, pachinko parlours
and sleazy "soaplands".
Pilgrimage to
Dewa-sanzan
For more than one thousand years, pilgrims have been trekking up
Dewa-sanzan. The most sacred of the mountain's three shrines consists
of a yellow-ochre rock washed by a hot spring.
Tsumago
Edo-era village
A staging post on the old Nakasendo highway between Tokyo and Kyoto,
the beautifully preserved village of Tsumago provides a rare glimpse
into Japan's feudal past.
Koya-san Buddhist retreat
There's a surreal atmosphere to Koya-san, a Buddhist retreat perched
among the clouds. Its mysterious, mossy cemetery is filled with
jumbled memorials, while temples offer simple lodgings and excellent
vegetarian cuisine.
Hiking in Daisetsu-zan National
Park
Spectacular gorges, volcanic peaks, hot springs and dozens of trails
make Hokkaido's Daisetsu-zan National Park a top spot for hiking.
Summer's alpine flowers give way to vivid autumn colours and skiing
in winter.
Enryaku-ji temple
The cavernous central hall of Enryaku-ji temple, deep in the cedar
forests north of Kyoto, is absolutely compelling. Three altars float
in a pungent haze of incense smoke lit by mellow lamplight. |
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