 |
|
|
 |
| |
|
| |
|
|
JAPAN |
| |
|
|
.jpg) |
| |
It is only comparatively recently that Japan came out of the shell of its isolation, but the country of genteel geisha girls and pink cherry blossom has made up for lost time. There are few people in the western world who have not driven a Japanese car, eaten sushi or played on a GameBoy or Sony Playstation.
The nation of Japan consists of an island archipelago stretching from northeast to southwest off the coast of mainland China, Russia and Korea, separated from its Asian neighbours by the Sea of Japan. Between 1639 and 1859 Japan elected to cut itself off from trade or traffic with the rest of the world, except for some marginal contact through the southern Kyushu island ports. Since opening up its doors once more, just 150 years ago, the densely populated islands have developed in leaps and bounds and much of the country is now covered by sprawling neon-lit cities and the world's most sophisticated public transport networks.
Modern it may be, but Japan still retains plenty of its mystical oriental charm. From the etiquette demanded in social situations, to the minimalist or behind rice paper screens, Japanese culture is alive and well and cannot be ignored, which makes a visit to Japan a fascinating experience.
The modern metropolises are dotted with a myriad of ancient shrines and temples; the countryside is riddled with hundreds of volcanoes and hot springs overlooking pastoral paddy fields; parks are festooned with rigidly raked white gravel Zen gardens or coated with layers of lilac and cherry blossom.
Japan's islands are mountainous in the interior - 75 percent of the country's landmass is made up of mountains - and most of the people are tightly packed within the limitations of the coastal plains, particularly on the main island of Honshu. Tokyo, the capital and largest city, situated on Honshu's east coast, has a population of 12 million. Despite this seething mass of humanity Japan is well ordered. Everything runs on time, and crime levels are almost non-existent. It is still possible to find beautiful vistas and wide empty spaces in the countryside, and when you are forced to mingle with the urban throngs you will find the Japanese to be charming, courteous and friendly to foreign faces. |
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| It is only comparatively recently that Japan came out of the shell of its isolation, but the country... |
| Welcome to Bhutan- the Land of the Thunder Dragon - one of the most sought after travel destinations... |
|
| For many travellers the allure of an unspoilt and little-explored country is irresistible. Emerging ... |
|
| China kept itself to itself for thousands of years, and foreigners still find it difficult to penetr... |
|
| India
From the snow-capped Himalayas in the north to the sun drenched coastal villages of the sou... |
|
| Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago, comprising five main islands and a multitude of smalle... |
|
| It is only comparatively recently that Japan came out of the shell of its isolation, but the country... |
|
| An intriguing land of ancient ruins, romantic legends, natural wonders, breathtaking landscapes and ... |
|
| Laos has been known since ancient times as Lan Xang, or Land of the Million Elephants, and offers vi... |
|
| 'Selamat Datang' is the traditional Malaysian greeting that welcomes visitors to this vibrant and ex... |
|
| Mongolia is located in East Central Asia and covers 1,564,100 sq km, between 87 47?and 119 57?of the... |
|
| Myanmar, also known as Burma and fondly referred to as 'the Golden Land' because of the excessive us... |
|
| Beguiling Singapore is a modern city-state embracing economic progress against the backdrop of age-o... |
|
| From idyllic, unspoilt beaches with turquoise seas and pure, white sands to bustling cities sporting... |
|
| Verdant patchworks of rice paddies, pointed lampshade-style hats, a country ravaged by war, and econ... |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
