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| Japan - Tokyo - Osaka - Kyoto - Hotels - Sightseeing - Car Hire - News - China - Korea - Russia - Taiwan - Philippines - more Countries - City Travel | ||
Facts for the TravelerPopulation: 127 million Capital City: Tokyo People: Japanese (including indigenous Ainu & Okinawans), Korean Language: Japanese Religion: Shintō, Buddhism, Christianity. Visas: US passport holders, most EU residents and visitors from Australia and New Zealand do not require a visa if staying in Japan less than 90 days. For information on visas visit the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Time Zone: GMT/UTC +9 Dialling Code: 81 Electricity: 100V ,50Hz Weights & measures: Metric When to GoSpring (March to May), with its clear skies and cherry blossoms, is probably the most celebrated Japanese season, but it's a holiday period for the Japanese and many of the more popular travel destinations tend to be flooded with domestic tourists. Autumn (September to November) is a great time to travel: the temperatures are pleasant, and the autumn colours in the countryside are fantastic. Mid-winter (December to February) can be bitterly cold, while the sticky summer months (June to August) can turn even the briefest excursion out of the air conditioning into a soup bath; on the plus side, major tourist attractions will generally be quieter at these times of the year. It's also worth considering peak holiday seasons when you plan your trip. Moving around and finding accommodation during New Year, Golden Week (late April to early May) and the midsummer O-Bon festival can be a real headache.EventsHokkaido cherry blossom season starting soonJapan's northernmost island of Hokkaido will welcome the cherry blossoms later this week with the cherry trees forecast to begin flowering in the southern city of Hakodate on April 26. According to the Hokkaido Region Cherry Blossom Forecast ... Experience Traditional Japanese Culture at Mandarin Oriental Tokyo The Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo has launched an Azuma Odori accommodation package, which includes premium seats for the 85th Azuma Odori geisha dance performances at Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre in Ginza, Tokyo. This cultural accommodation package ... Nagano temple offers rare public viewing of Buddha statue Nagano City's famous Zenkoji will display the replica of the hidden Buddha image enshrined in the temple for public viewing from April 5 through May 31, 2009 in a special event held only once every seven years. Called Gokaicho, the event involves ... Blooming Cherry Blossoms in Japan From late March to early May each year sakura (cherry blossoms) bloom all over the islands of Japan; a stunning sight that makes it an attractive time for traveling. The Japanese pay close attention to the blossom forecast which is announced by the ... Japan Meteorological Agency announces cherry blossom forecast The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has announced its first cherry blossom forecast for Eastern and Western Japan for the 2007 season. With significantly higher than average temperatures in both regions during February, and a 40% chance of ... Expect a total sell-out for travel and lodging during Japan's biggest holidays, New Year (December 29 to January 3) and Golden Week (the lumping together of Green Day, Constitution Day and Children's Day, from April 27 to May 6). Other festivals include Coming-of-Age Day (second Monday in January), when ceremonies are held for boys and girls who have reached the age of 20. The Japanese celebrate the end of winter on February 3 or 4 by indulging in Setsubun (bean throwing) while chanting 'in with good fortune, out with the devils'. Hanami (Blossom Viewing) usually runs from February to April; the romantic Tanabata Matsuri (Star Festival) is on July 7; and O Bon (Festival of the Dead), when lanterns are floated on rivers, lakes or the sea to signify the return of the departed to the underworld, takes place from July 13-16 and mid-August. Kyoto's Gion Matsuri (July 17) is perhaps the most renowned of all Japanese festivals. The climax is a parade of massive man-dragged floats decked out in incredible finery, harking back to a 9th-century request to the gods to end a plague sweeping the city. In the cute and kooky department, Niramekko Obisha (January 20; Chiba) combines a staring contest with consumption of sake - the one with the straightest face wins. The Yah-Yah Matsuri (first Sunday to the following Saturday of February; Owase) is an argument contest: competitors scream Samurai chants and try to look fearsome. Afterwards, they take off all their clothes and jump in the ocean. White Day (March 14) is a bizarre follow up to Valentine's Day where men are supposed to reciprocate to their valentine with a gift of chocolate or marshmallow. |
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