23 Jan
Wild and remote, cold and barely inhabited, Hokkaido is unlike any other place in jam-packed Japan.
Most of the country's northernmost island consists of wilderness, hot springs, forests and national parks, all contributing to a palette of striking mountain and coastal scenery.
The island's capital, Sapporo, began in the 19th century as an administrative centre designed to discourage foreign incursions, but American and European advisers helped chart its future economy.
Possessing few ancient historic relics like Nara, Hiraizumi and Kyoto do Sapporo instead has wide streets, mostly modern architecture and lots of parks, gardens and scattered green belts.
But it's mid-winter, when the greens shed their colour and up to 6m of snow tumbles down, that Sapporo really shines, attracting two million visitors to the glittering Sapporo Snow Festival. (adelaidenow.com.au)
Wild and remote, cold and barely inhabited, Hokkaido is unlike any other place in jam-packed Japan.
Most of the country's northernmost island consists of wilderness, hot springs, forests and national parks, all contributing to a palette of striking mountain and coastal scenery.
The island's capital, Sapporo, began in the 19th century as an administrative centre designed to discourage foreign incursions, but American and European advisers helped chart its future economy.
Possessing few ancient historic relics like Nara, Hiraizumi and Kyoto do Sapporo instead has wide streets, mostly modern architecture and lots of parks, gardens and scattered green belts.
But it's mid-winter, when the greens shed their colour and up to 6m of snow tumbles down, that Sapporo really shines, attracting two million visitors to the glittering Sapporo Snow Festival. (adelaidenow.com.au)14 Sep
The Cultural Affairs Agency has decided to conduct a full-scale investigation into the damage caused by Typhoon No. 12 to a UNESCO World Heritage Site that spreads across Wakayama, Nara and Mie prefectures.
Agency staff were to be sent on Wednesday to investigate the harm done to the heritage site known as "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range." Huge landslides occurred within the site on ancient roads known as Kumano Kodo, and there was also damage to the Kumano Sanzan shrines.
It may take several years to restore the areas to their original state. (Yomiuri)
The Cultural Affairs Agency has decided to conduct a full-scale investigation into the damage caused by Typhoon No. 12 to a UNESCO World Heritage Site that spreads across Wakayama, Nara and Mie prefectures.
Agency staff were to be sent on Wednesday to investigate the harm done to the heritage site known as "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range." Huge landslides occurred within the site on ancient roads known as Kumano Kodo, and there was also damage to the Kumano Sanzan shrines.
It may take several years to restore the areas to their original state. (Yomiuri)30 Jul
The 63rd Annual Exhibition of Shoso-in Treasures will be held at the Nara National Museum from Oct. 29 to Nov. 14, and will feature 63 pieces, including 17 items never before publicly displayed, the museum announced Friday.
The exhibition, to be held with special support from The Yomiuri Shimbun, includes exquisitely decorated crafts related to Emperor Shomu (701-756) from the large collection of the Shoso-in repository in Nara. (Yomiuri)
30 Jun
The Kansai region is the heart of Japan because you have so many places which are rich in history and the diversity of the region is amazing. Kobe is a lovely city because the city is well designed and the surrounding area is very beautiful. The city of Osaka is the economic powerhouse in Kansai and this city is vibrant and ultra-modern and ranks easily within the top ten commercial cities in the world (ranked 7th). Also, Awaji Island is very close and this island adds to the stunning diversity of Kansai and is a pleasant holiday destination.
Kyoto and Nara are famous because of being former capitals in Japan and the essence of Buddhism remains strong within stunning architecture. The city of Nara is the cradle of high culture in Japan. Meanwhile Himeji and Wakayama are blessed with magnificent castles and Himeji castle dominates this city and in Wakayama you have so many places to visit and Koyasan and Kumano are stunning. (moderntokyotimes.com)
The Kansai region is the heart of Japan because you have so many places which are rich in history and the diversity of the region is amazing. Kobe is a lovely city because the city is well designed and the surrounding area is very beautiful. The city of Osaka is the economic powerhouse in Kansai and this city is vibrant and ultra-modern and ranks easily within the top ten commercial cities in the world (ranked 7th). Also, Awaji Island is very close and this island adds to the stunning diversity of Kansai and is a pleasant holiday destination.
Kyoto and Nara are famous because of being former capitals in Japan and the essence of Buddhism remains strong within stunning architecture. The city of Nara is the cradle of high culture in Japan. Meanwhile Himeji and Wakayama are blessed with magnificent castles and Himeji castle dominates this city and in Wakayama you have so many places to visit and Koyasan and Kumano are stunning. (moderntokyotimes.com)13 Jun
Sakai, one of the oldest and fastest-growing cities of Japan, might be said to have much in common with gems, its age and constant refinement making it more fascinating over the years.
Known for being one of the most successful countries in the world, Japan maintains its hidden treasures in the same way that a jewel craftsman might, often looking to improve upon the smallest of flaws.
Unknown to many, Sakai is the fastest expanding territory in Japan, as it includes most of the southern and eastern Osaka and Nara prefectures. Even with this frenetic pace of development, however, the area keeps much of its history intact. Rich in Japanese culture and heritage, Sakai has grown into a dominant position, becoming one of the Japanese government's elected cities in April 2006 and making it well-known as the country's fastest-rising industrial city. (Manila Bulletin)
Sakai, one of the oldest and fastest-growing cities of Japan, might be said to have much in common with gems, its age and constant refinement making it more fascinating over the years.
Known for being one of the most successful countries in the world, Japan maintains its hidden treasures in the same way that a jewel craftsman might, often looking to improve upon the smallest of flaws.
Unknown to many, Sakai is the fastest expanding territory in Japan, as it includes most of the southern and eastern Osaka and Nara prefectures. Even with this frenetic pace of development, however, the area keeps much of its history intact. Rich in Japanese culture and heritage, Sakai has grown into a dominant position, becoming one of the Japanese government's elected cities in April 2006 and making it well-known as the country's fastest-rising industrial city. (Manila Bulletin)7 Jun
Most of Japan is back to normal following the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami on 11 March. Many parts of Japan, including popular holiday destinations such as Hokkaido, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Mt. Fuji, Nagasaki and Okinawa, incurred no disruption to infrastructure and everything in these areas has continuously operated as normal.
Tokyo is back to normal with trains once again running like clockwork, water safe to drink and the beer and yogurt shortages now over (yes, there were temporary shortages due to packaging factories having been in the earthquake-hit region!).
(eturbonews.com)
Most of Japan is back to normal following the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami on 11 March. Many parts of Japan, including popular holiday destinations such as Hokkaido, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Mt. Fuji, Nagasaki and Okinawa, incurred no disruption to infrastructure and everything in these areas has continuously operated as normal.
Tokyo is back to normal with trains once again running like clockwork, water safe to drink and the beer and yogurt shortages now over (yes, there were temporary shortages due to packaging factories having been in the earthquake-hit region!).
(eturbonews.com)