Yokoso! Japan

Yokohama developed as a port city for foreign trade at the end of the Edo Period (Year 1603-1867). The international city of Minato Mirai 21, established by an urban redevelopment plan targeted towards the city’s entry into the 21^st century, is the new face of Yokohama containing many commercial establishments. A panoramic view of Yokohama Bay can be seen from Yokohama Bay Bridge, a new sight that connects Honmoku Pier to Daikoku Pier. Exotic shops, such as furniture stores, gather in Motomachi, and Yokohama China Town is one of the largest in the world.

Nikko has been one of the foremost areas of mountain worship in Japan since ancient times. Nikko flourished as a land associated with the Tokugawa family after the enshrinement in the Toshogu of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo government (Year 1603-1867), in 1617. The sophistication of Edo Period architecture and arts such as sculpture and ornamentation can be seen in Nikko Toshogu Shrine today. The Lake Chuzenji that spreads at the base of Mt.Nantai is famous for beautiful sceneries of nature in every season.

(Encounter fresh surprises and discoveries in a region where many attractions ring together)

The capital of Japan, Tokyo, is located in the Kanto region. However, the city area is not the only attraction of this region. Harsh but beautiful nature such as the Kegon Falls can be found in Nikko, where remains of historical constructions reflect its glory during the Edo Period (Year 1603-1867) when it flourished as an area associated with the Tokugawa Shogun. Day trips to popular sightseeing areas and historical sites can be made from Tokyo. Such areas include the Edo Period, the ancient city of Kamakura, which flourished as the center of politics and culture of medieval Japan, and the hot-spring area of Hakone, which originated in the old Nara Period (Year 710-793).

Tohoku si a region where old traditions have been preserved. Especially the magnificent festivals that color seasons are sightseeing highlights of various areas. Large-scale unique festivals include the Aomori Nebuta Festival, where people parade down the main street with floats of warrior figures, the Kanto Festival in Akita, where more than 200 kantos (bamboo poles hung with lanterns) sway on the boulevard, and the Sendai Tanabata Festival, which is one of the three major festivals of Tohoku. The Kamakura is a traditional event of Yokote in Akita, which has continued for over 400 years.

The Aizu district, surrounded by the Ohu and Echigo Mountain Ranges, is blessed with beautiful nature. In addition to the lakes and marshes of Ura-Bandai, this district contains Lake Inawashiro, which is world-renowned for its transparency. The striking appearance of Tsurugajo Castle, symbol of Aizu Wakamatsu castle town, is impressive in all seasons. Mt.Zao, located between Yamagata and Miyagi prefectures, bustles with skiers during the winter.

Miyagi Prefecture was the center of military and political affairs of the Tohoku region since the beginning of the 8^th century. Its prefectural capital, Sendai, is a representative modern city of Tohoku region. Date Masamune, who settled there in the 17^th century, laid down the basics of present Sendai through such buildings as Sendai Castle. He is considered the hero of this land and has becoe the symbol of Sendai City. The beautiful landscape of Matsushima is included in the Three Views of Japan, together with Amanohashidate of Kyo to and Itsukushima of Hiroshima. The contrast between the ocean and sky is brilliant.

North Tohoku is the northernmost area of Honshu and extends over three prefectures – Aomori, Akita and Iwate. A remnant important cultural asset. The Shirakami Mountain Rane that spreads tangent to Aomori and Akita is registered as a world heritage and is famous for its primary forest – home to rare giant beech trees. Tohoku is also filled with beautiful scenery and relaxing areas such as Aomori’s Lake Towada, a double caldera lake as well as the Sukayu Hot Spring, which is a famous historical hot spring output.

• Jodogahama
  • A seacoast at the entrance of Miyako Bay in Iwate. Owing to its beautiful landscape, it has become the representative scenic area of Rikuchu Kaigan National Park.
• Chusonji
  • The chief temple of the endai Buddhist Sect in Tohoku, set up b Fujiwara, a person of power during the Heian Period (794-1191). It is famous for its gold-covered Amitabha Hall and Golden Hall.
• Oirase Gorge
  • The Oirase Gorge is a representative scenic sight of Aomori. The beautiful vews of streams add pleasure to walks.

(Beautiful scenery and this fascinating locality warm the heart of the traveler)

The unique climate of the Tohoku region comes from its complex geography and weather. The peoples’ love toward their land shows in the honest and friendly atmosphere of the region and in the intense popularity of traditional “festivals”. Tohoku is also an area of active rice cultivation, known as the granary of Japan. In the summer, rows of paddy fields create a beautiful landscape. Northern tohoku is the northernmost area of Honshu and covers three prefectures – Aomori, Akita and Iwate. This is a region rich in nature, including a world heritage listed primary forest. Southern Tohoku is home to Sendai, the largest city in Tohoku called the “forest capital”, and Fukushima, which contains Aizu Wakamatsu city, overlooking the magnificent Mt.Bandai and a prosperous castle town in the past.

Recommended article:

Hokkaido

Sendai /Matsushima

North Tohoku

Southern Tohoku

Tohoku's Festival

(Romantic northern lands colored by a magnificent natural grandeur)

Japan’s northern island Hokkaido, is a new region fully opened up only 140 years ago. Located in the cool-temperature zone, its climate is harsh, with sub-zero temperature in winter. But such a severe environment has left many undeveloped natural areas, allowing the traveler to experience a liberating feelign of open space unique to Hokkaido. Fertile soil surrounded by seas produces various foodstuffs, giving Hokkaido th nickname of “Treasure Houe of Food”. Main cities include traffic-laden Sapporo, the center of politics, economy and culture, Otaru and Hakodate, the port towns that erved as base centers for pioneers, Tokachi, Japan’s greatest diary land and breadbasket, and Furano, which is famous for its beautiful scenery, such as its close proximity to the magnificent Taisetsuzan mountainslocated near the center of Hokkaido. In the eastern and northern Hokkaido regions are Kushiro, which is renowned for wetlands and surrounding lakes and Abashiri, noted for its views of the Sea of Okhotsk.

• Sapporo
  This is Hokkaido 's central city, home to about 1,800,000 people. The city spreads north and south from its center, Odori Park , where the TV tower is located. Highlights include the "Susukino" entertainment district, which contains about 4,000 eating and drinking establishments, and symbols of the pioneer days such as the clock tower, and the old Hokkaido government office.
  
• Otaru/Hakodate
  Otaru is a port town that flourished as a mercantile city from the late 19 th to the early 20 th century. The largest ski slopes in the area, the Niseko Hirafu Ski Resort, is also located in central Hokkaido . Hakodate became Japan 's first trade port following the Treaty of Peace and Amity signed between America and Japan in 1854. Together with Naples and Hong Kong , this exotic town's nightscape is included as one of the three most beautiful nightscapes in the world.
  
• Taisetsu/Furano
  The magnificent sights of the Tokachi Mountain Range and Mt. Daisetsu , which are over 2,000 m in height, can be viewed up close from the farming, dairy and sightseeing center of Furano, which is located near the center of Hokkaido . This area is noted for lavender, which blooms prolifically form late June to late July. Sounkyo is a hot spring resort located at the foot of Mt. Taisetsu . The great canyon, surrounded by cliffs on both sides, is also a sight a worth seeing.
  
• Eastern and Northern Hokkaido
  Kushiro is active in the fishing industry and is the major urban center of eastern Hokkaido . The Kushiro Wetland is and extensive national park of 26,861ha and is inhabited by many species of animal including the protected Japanese crane. Beautiful lakes, such as Lake Kussharo , Lake Mashu and Lake Akan , are spread around the outskirts of Kushiro . Abashiri is a town facing the Sea of Okhotsk and is the only place in Japan where ice drifts can be observed. Nearby is Japan 's largest coastal grasslands, “Wakka Natural Flower Garden”. Shiretoko is known for the wild beauty of tis unspoilt natural environment.

In Japan, “ICHIGO-ICHIE” is a saying that represents the spirit of hospitality. It means to treasure every encounter, for it may occur only once in a lifetime. Each and every one of Japanese awaits your arrival with a warm smile and this eternal tradition in Japanese hearts.

** The below is from Wikipedia. **

Ichi-go ichi-e (一期一会, literally "one time, one meeting") is a Japanese term that describes a cultural concept often linked with famed tea master Sen no Rikyu. The term is often translated as "for this time only," "never again," or "one chance in a lifetime."

Ichi-go ichi-e is linked with Zen Buddhism and concepts of transience. The term is particularly associated with the Japanese tea ceremony, and is often brushed onto scrolls which are hung in the tea room. In the context of tea ceremony, ichi-go ichi-e reminds participants that each tea meeting is unique.

The term is also much repeated in budō (martial ways). It is sometimes used to admonish students who become careless or frequently stop techniques midway to "try again," rather than moving on with the technique despite the mistake. In a life-or-death struggle, there is no chance to "try again." Even though techniques may be attempted many times in the dojo, each should be seen as a singular and decisive event