Japan, Nihon (日本),
or the land of the rising sun.
It is known for its culture
rich in tradition and unity
and hosts many experiences as diverse
as the many islands the country encompasses.
From the sights to the thrill,
we are guiding you through Japan's travel spectrum.
The term kuidaore,
which roughly translates as "eat until you drop"
or "spend so much that you fall into financial ruin,"
is used to describe the food culture here.
The Dotonbori District is the most colorful area in Osaka,
with bright neon billboards
and signage lighting the street.
It was a development idea by Yasui Dōton in 1612.
When visiting, you must try takoyaki and okonomiyaki
as well as visit Kani Doraku, Hariju, and Kukuru.
Though Hakata is one of the best places
to get ramen in Japan,
Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum takes you
on an adventure to try different ramen flavors
from past and present.
In 1994, this was the world's first
food-themed amusement park.
Taste nine different types of ramen
served under one roof.
Japan's two major religions are Shinto and Buddhism.
Temples and shrines can be found all throughout the country.
A night's stay at a Koyasun temple, or shukubo,
allows tourists and pilgrims the opportunity
to experience Buddhist lifestyle
through traditional practices, such as meditation,
a vegetarian diet, and sutra copying.
This is not to be taken lightly,
as these temples do have rules and traditions
that date back centuries that you must respect.
Designed and built by Shusaku Arakawa
and Madeline Gins, Reversible Destiny Lofts
in Mitaka was created in memory of Helen Keller.
Only three shapes -- cubes, spheres, and tubes --
and 14 colors are used in the nine residential units.
The space is meant to challenge your mind and body
to interact with your living space
in a new way to allow new possibilities daily.
The architecture makes it impossible
for you to fall into habits or mindless routines.
This village may be small in size,
but it is grand in unity and tradition.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995
for its gassho-zukuri houses,
the community harbors selflessness,
as the entire town comes together to rebuild
any of these 250-year-old homes.
With no nails, the thatched roofs are symbolic
of hands pressed together in prayer.
Ogimachi is one of the largest villages
that you can visit as a day trip,
or spend the night in one of the farmhouses.
Did you know Japan has some of the heaviest
snowfall in the world?
The Snow Corridor of Tateyama rises up to 65 feet,
which is roughly the size of a six-story building.
The route is inaccessible from December to mid-April,
but it's carved out every spring.
The walls last until July when all the snow has melted
and reveals the beautiful nature that lies underneath.
Dubbed the Galapagos of the East,
Ogasawara Islands, or Bonin Islands,
got its name from the Japanese word
bunin, meaning "uninhabited."
The only way to get to these islands
is by a 24-hour ferry.
Many plants, animals, and sea creatures
have undergone a unique evolution
from the lack of human interaction.
During the second world war,
the islands were used as military bases,
so if you enjoy diving,
you're likely to see many shipwrecks.
For some of us, the zoo is as close as you'll get
to seeing wildlife, which has its pros and cons.
But Nagano's Jigokudani Monkey Park is not like a zoo.
With no barriers, you are entering into their territory.
Not to fear, though; the monkeys have evolved
to be familiar with human presence.
The park offers the unique experience
of getting to see wild macaques
in their natural habitat
going about their daily lives,
which includes eating, grooming one another,
relaxing in the hot springs,
and maybe interacting with you.
These monkeys are the only ones in the world
that enjoy bathing in hot springs,
a behavior learned by watching humans do it
at the nearby onsens.
With over 18,000 mountains
and an average of more than 50 feet of snow per winter,
Japan is a great place to go for snow sports.
While Nagano is great if you want to stay close to Tokyo,
Hokkaido has light, powdery snow
perfect for snowboarding or skiing in the winter.
Discovered in 1986, this rock formation
is still highly debated today.
Some say it is the remains of a man-made monument
belonging to a lost civilization
that got swallowed by water.
Others say it was created naturally
by eroded sandstone structures.
Nevertheless, the Yonaguni Monument
requires a 9- to 52-foot dive to reach the bottom,
and it is recommended that you have at least
100 hours of logged diving experience.
But once you are there,
it is truly thrilling to view.
Kanazawa, meaning "gold marsh,"
is one of the only cities unscathed
by war or natural disaster.
The traditional and historic atmosphere is still intact,
interacting with the modern.
It is most famous for its teahouses
and geisha and samurai districts,
along with its gold-leaf production.
The five towns that make up Kanazawa
all offer something unique and special,
ranging from gardens to canals
to shopping districts.
The antique shops in Anto are where you can find
some of the best and most unique souvenirs.
Extremely popular for its unique ability
to appeal to diverse age groups,
anime and manga are not only popular in Japan,
but worldwide.
Akihabara, also known as Electric Town,
is a hub for all things electronics,
game paraphernalia, anime, and manga.
Most buildings in the area have multiple floors
featuring retro gamings, arcades, and more,
catering mostly to otaku culture,
or diehard-fan culture.
If you lose track of time, that is OK.
Most shops and cafés stay open very late,
and that way you will get to see all the neon lights.
Called a city within a city,
Canal City is the largest shopping mall
and entertainment center in Fukuoka.
The mall boasts over 250 stores,
ranging from inexpensive local shops to high-end brands.
To top it off, there is a ramen stadium
and a water show, bringing the idea of a mall
to a whole new perspective.
Outside of the main attractions like Skytree,
Mount Fuji, and Nara Park, Japan offers many
other extremely unique, diverse experiences.
Though travel is limited now,
it's never too early to start planning.