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Japan. Known for its numerous cherry blossom gardens, royal
castles, electronics, and traditional ceremonies, Japan has lots to
offer tourists of any inclination. Before you set down your itinerary
for your visit to the “Land of the Rising Sun, “ Here are a few
“must-see” sights you may want to accommodate on your travel list:
Himeji castle (Himeji Region)
Himeji Castle is also called Shirasagi-jo (White Heron Castle) because
it resembles a white heron flying with extended wings. An architecture
made of one main keep and 3 ancillary towers, with majestic multi-layer
roofs, is called "Renritsu-shiki Tenshukaku" (simultaneous tower
building). Himeji castle has been chosen first in Japan as a human
heritage (of UNESCO). Beginning from the foot of Mt Hime where is
located the main tower, the castle draws a great left hand spiral with a
threefold moat, and its building plan has been considered one of the
most skillful among all the Japanese castles.
Himeji Castle
Great Buddha of Nara
(Nara, Japan)
 Todai-ji
Temple was the headquarters of all the official Buddhist temples
constructed by Emperor Shomu in each province of Japan. While greatly
damaged by several wars, the actual hall of Daibutsu, where the great
Buddha has been installed, has retained its status as the world’s
biggest wooden building with a frontage of 57m with 47.5m of height.
Being a huge foundry statue with 15m high, the official name of the
great Buddha of Todaiji Temple is Rushanabutsu (national treasure). It
was built by Kuninaka no Kimimaro and others as a national enterprise
and its opening ceremony took place in the 4th year of Tenpyo-shoho era
(752).
Ginkaku Shrine (Kyoto City)
Ginkaku-ji Temple,
located in the eastern hill of Kyoto City and situated in one of Japan’s
most beautiful gardens, was built by the 9th Shogun of Muromachi,
Ashikaga Yoshimasa at the end of the 15th century. He was incompetent as
politician, but loving the arts of tea ceremony and gardens, he is
considered as one of the best protectors and patron of the arts of that
period.
Mount Tateyama (Toyama)
 Mt.
Tateyama is one of the 3 most famous mountains in Japan. It designates
the chain of splendid mountains of 3000m high whose tower is located in
the east of Toyama prefecture. With the recent opening of the alpine
route that passes through the mountains, Tateyama's neighborhood has
transformed completely and has become a big mountain resort.
Mt. Tateyama
Mount Daisetsu (Hokkaido)
Located at the center of Hokkaido, Daisetsu National Park which occupies
the main part of Ishikari Mountains, is the biggest of Japan. Formed by Daisetsu, Tokachi and Ishikari volcano groups, its characteristic
landscapes are volcanic craters, swampy plains, snow valleys, Alpine
flowers, and primeval forests of needle-leafed trees, etc. The most
suitable season to visit there is between June and September. It was
declared a national park in 1934.
Mount Daisetsu
Mount Kamakura
(Kamakura)
Now considered a
major tourist resort with its many temples, shrines and other historic
spots, Kamakura is located in the
Japanese Shonan Region. One of Kamakura’s biggest tourist draws is the
Great Buddha of Kamakura which is cited with that
of Nara is located at Kotoku-in at Hase District of Kamakura City. Its
official name is Kondo-amida-nyorai-zo, and it is a copper statue of
11.5m high and 124 tons in weight. Well known as a symbol of Kamakura,
it is always crowded by pilgrims. Basically Unkei style with a flavor of
Chinese Song style, it is a typical art of Kamakura Region at that
period.
Aizu Castle (Aizu-Wakamatsu, Fukushima)
The mansion constructed by Ashina Naonari in the first year of Shitoku
Era would be the origin of Wakamatsu Castle. Afterward, Date Masamune,
then Gamo Ujisato had taken the castle in the 18th year of Tensho Era to
rename it Tsuruga Castle. In the 17th year of Meji Era, all the
buildings including the main donjon were destroyed but in September, the
49th year of Showa Era, it was restored to the initial state.
Tenshyukaku is the main tower of a whole castle compound and was formed
originally from a watchtower built above a habitation during the civil
war period of Sengoku. It has become then more and more solid serving as
well as a defense function. During Edo period it was considered a symbol
of the local seignior's authority and became more decorative.
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