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Japan comprises a chain of over 1000 fascinating islands stretching for more than 3800 km off the eastern coast of Asia and is a land of remarkable physical sandy beaches and vibrant cities to tranquil fishing villages. Whatever images Japan conjures up in your mind, you won’t be disappointed. Despite Japan’s unique cultural history; the people share many of our traditional British values. They are friendly and courteous, welcoming visitors to their country – and as the second spoken language is English, communicating is easier than you might think. Travelling around in Japan is a very pleasant and reasonable priced experience. As well as the famous ‘Shinkansen’ or Bullet train speeding between the major cities, the entire public transport system runs to very high standards, and every mode of transport from buses and taxis to the underground network is remarkably efficient and clean. Japan, a land to be explored, to be discovered, but above all, to be enjoyed.
As the country shares latitudes with Canada in the north and Morocco in the south, the climate is as varied as the culture. Each season brings its own distinct charms, with spring perhaps the most striking. The beautiful cherry blossom begins to bloom in the lowlands of the south at the end of March, gradually spreading upwards until it envelops the north by the beginning of May. This ‘wave of blossom’ is celebrated throughout the land with a series of national holidays. Summer begins with the rainy season in June, continuing with high temperatures and humidity throughout July and August. The cooler weather of autumn brings splendour in the vibrant colours of changing leaves, best seen in the national parks of Nikko and Hakone. Although the southernmost
regions of Japan
enjoy mild or even warm winter
weather, for the rest of the country winter is crisp and cold. Hokkaido and the Japan Alps are ideal locations for indulging in a range of winter sports.
Still as popular as ever, Japanese festivals are a major
attraction for both locals and visitors. The festivals are mostly Shinto
in origin and mark agricultural, historical or local events. The most
spectacular festivals have hundreds of participants transporting portable
shrines through the streets accompanied by booming music and singing.
Festivals are held throughout the year and it is highly recommended to
visit one if at all possible.
* Caution to those who travel during Golden week (the last week in April and the first week in May), O-bon (mid-August), and the New Year Holidays (29th December to 3rd January); The above periods are the peak holiday season which are very popular for domestic travel and can cause problems with reservations and crowds.
Although a joyous event nowadays, the Gion Festival started as a sacred procession. In 869 A.D., a merciless epidemic went sweeping through Kyoto. Prayers not sufficing, the Emperor ordered for 66 tall spears to be erected in protection of Japan's 66 provinces. Now, July 17th sees 32 Hoko and Yama floats join the parade every year. Hoko are the largest floats on wheels: beautifully decorated, 25 meters long, 12 tons, two stories high, drummers and flutists on each level and teams of men pulling on the ground. The day after, Maikos and Geishas in Yukata (kimono) and Geta (wooden sandals) crowd the shrines in prayer all over Kyoto with a 7 day vow of silence; a powerful and rare image even in Japan. But despite all this tradition, the Gion Festival remains probably Japan's most international event. The floats depict western myths also and the fabrics used come from all over the world.
Now known as one of Winter's largest and most extravagant international events, the Sapporo Snow Festival attracts contestants from all over the world. Hundreds of snow and ice sculptures of all sizes, grand yet ephemeral, fantastical, cartoon-like or dramatic in style, stand there for millions to see. This is a unique opportunity to see international art a t its best.
Bank Holiday on following Monday.
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Aomori Nebuta Festival is one of northern Japan's most impressive parades of papier-mache floats. 5 meters high, colourfully decorated with dramatic scenes from popular Japanese stories and lit from the inside, each float is pulled through Aomori-City's mid-summer evenings. 200,000 Haneto dancers, or flying men dancers, follow the floats, singing, drumming and playing the flute. On the last day, with floats on boats and a traditional display of Japanese fireworks, Aomori Bay glows and sparkles. 
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