As a keen traveller, you may enjoy reading up on a particular place before visiting there to get a feel for the country. It not only helps you gain the knowledge of the country and make the trip more meaningful, but also let the anticipation grow making the pre-trip preparation more enjoyable.
As you probably already know Japan has four seasons and each season has different colours. Japanese gardens have been an important part of Japanese art where you can enjoy the beautiful landscape in each season.
Well, it isn’t quite that simple, and that is probably why you are asking it. Peak Cherry Blossom time is End March to mid April if you want to visit Honshu. Early January to early February to visit Okinawa. And late April to May to visit Hokkaido.
Autumn in Japan is when history, culture and nature collaborate best to show off the sheer beauty you will never forget. Autumn starts in northern Japan and rolls south as the year progresses. This presents so many more opportunities to experience this natural beauty and to select what pleases you best.
Mention Spring in Japan and most people immediately think of the cherry blossom (sakura in Japanese). Often however their thoughts don’t go much further.
When you think of Japanese Gardens, order and tranquility seem to spring to mind. There again, there are the Japanese sand and stone (or dry landscape) gardens made from such harsh substances yet they convey idealism and potential for contemplation on a totally different plane.
Until recently, UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage included only one traditional cuisine – French. However, there are now two cuisines listed; French and Japanese. The traditional Japanese cuisine known as “washoku” was recently added to this exclusive list.
You often hear that Japan is blessed with a beautifully distinct four seasons. But you’ve got to experience one or more of the seasons to actually know what it means. Following the ‘Cherry Blossom Spectacular Tour’ one traveller painted a picture of what surprised her.
There is a wide variety of accommodation in Japan, from the large 5* international chains to the smaller more personal type of accommodation. Of interest here are two particular types of accommodation in Japan; ryokans and minshuku.
The Japanese tea ceremony has evolved in its own way over time with its own purpose and rituals. One can see a form of the tea ceremony in public displays and tourist shows, however, much of the meaning and depth of the ritual can really only be appreciated at a private ceremony.
Buddhism came to Japan about 1500 years ago. Buddhism took some time to get a foothold in Japan because of its more complex theories. Today in Japan there are numerous sects and sub-sects of the religion.
Speak of Japan and places likes Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Takayama spring to mind. All these places are on the main island of Honshu. There is an island in Japan that is steeped in history, has wonderful natural wonders (like volcanoes), is renowned for food & festivals and yet it is less visited.
Australians have great wine and the knowledge of wine often causes confusion when considering Sake. Just like wine there is a very large choice. Some sake has pronounced fragrance and yet others have almost none at all. Sake offers a range from dry to quite sweet and yet another dimension is the way the alcohol/acidity gives an instant hit to the palate or offers a gentler address to the palate.
Ask a Japanese person what they believe paradise is and almost universally the response will be being in an onsen, especially an onsen with a beautiful view of nature. So, what is an onsen?
July 7th is called Tanabata or Star Festival in Japan. The star festival is celebrated in the streets of cities and towns all over Japan. We were fortunate enough to be in Asakusa (Tokyo) on the 7th of July and experienced the fun and colour of a parade and decorated streets.
Some of the oldest pottery in the world was discovered in Japan. It has apparently been carbon dated as 16,000 to 17,000 years old. That is much older than the ones from Mesopotamia, originally perceived to be the birthplace of pottery.
