2. JAPAN - Country
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean
Capital
• Tokyo
Dialing code:
•+81
Population:
• 127.6 million
(2012) World
Bank
Gross
domestic
product:
• 5.96 trillion USD
(2012) World
Bank
Government:
•Unitary state
•Constitutional
monarchy
•Parliamentary
system
4. The imperial family of Japan resides in this palace
Tourists are only allowed in the inner palace grounds on
2 January and 23 December
Emperor's birthday is held on 23 December, while the
New Year's greeting is held on 2 January
During these two occasions visitors get the chance to
see the members of the Imperial Family since they
make several public appearances on a balcony
This palace further acts as a museum to showcase
Japanese history and art as well as an administration
center
It is surrounded by traditional Japanese gardens that are
highly attractive
6. This temple was built in the late eighty century, in the year
798
Its veranda is supported by high wooden columns that are
13 meter in height
The temple is in continuous harmony with nature, thanks to
an indoor waterfall that is fed from the outside rivers
In the past, locals used to jump off the edge of this temple
to have a wish granted
This exposed them to high risks; in fact, only 85.4 percent of
these locals came out alive
Nevertheless, in the present tourists enjoy artwork, shrines,
and talismans on display without risking their lives
At the ground of this temple there are many waterfalls and
landmarks
Many people fetch water from these falls since they believe
that it has some therapeutic properties
8. It is a monumental outdoor bronze that acts as a statue of
Amida Buddha
Amida Buddha is one of the most celebrated Buddhist
figures in Japan
It is located in the city of Kamakura and it is the second
largest Buddha in Japan
Researches show that this monument dates from 1252. It
weighs about 93 tons and it's approximately 13.35 meters in
height
This monument stands in the open air after the original
temple was washed away in the fifteenth century by a
tsunami, even though it was originally housed in a small
wooden temple
You only take a five minute walk from Enoden Railway Hase
Station to the Great Buddha
10. Any person interested in seeing wild monkeys bathing in a
natural hot spring should visit this park
It has a man-made pool located near the park's entrance
that attracts many monkeys
This park was commonly known as Hell Valley by the
ancient people since it has very steep cliffs and steam that
emanate from its various springs
This park is covered in snow in almost one third of the year;
however, this does not prevent monkeys from inhabiting it
In fact, troops of wild Japanese macaque spend most of
their time here
In the day time, monkey sit in the warm hot springs before
returning to the security of the forests in the evenings
12. Most people consider this castle as the best existing
Japanese castle architecture
It is located at the center of Himeji city
It will take you approximately four hours from Tokyo to reach
this castle if you are travelling by bullet train
Its white walls are covered with white plaster that is fireproof
It has a highly complicated and effective defensive design
As a result, it provided defense against enemies during the
feudal period
Its strength is portrayed by the fact that it survived the
bombings of the Second World War
14. This memorial was built in remembrance of those people
that lost their lives on 6 August 1945 after a bomb blast in
Hiroshima
You will find Genbaku Dome inside this memorial
Genbaku Dome is the only building that was left at the
scene of the bomb blast
It further symbolizes the significance of human life as well as
honors all victims of the bomb blast
16. This temple is located in Nara and it is the largest wooden
building in the world
It acts as a feat for most engineering activities
Additionally, it hosts the largest Buddha statue in the world
If you have been wondering where you can find the Kegon
school of Buddhism, then you need not worry any more
Beautiful gardens and wildlife are the key environs of this
school
You will find many artifacts of both Buddhist and Japanese
history at the ground of this temple
Do not be surprised if you encounter some deer at Todaiji
Temple's ground
This is because deer are allowed to roam at the ground as
messengers of the Shinto gods
18. This is the most famous tourist attraction in both Japan and
Kyoto
It was built in the late fourteenth century as a retirement villa
for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
However, in 1950, this pavilion was burnt down by a young
monk
Despite this, the Japanese government took the
responsibility of rebuilding it after a period of five years
The new pavilion was an exact copy of the old one
A person who has visited this pavilion cannot deny the fact
that it is overly beautiful
It is covered in gold leaf that portrays the reflection of the
pavilion in the pond
Similarly, the pond is reflected in the building. Indeed, it is a
beautiful and cool place to visit
20. This tourist attraction attracts a good number of visitors since
it portrays a high level of advanced technology and
modern life
It is the second tallest structure that man has ever made in
Japan
Most people use it both as an observation and as a
communication tower
If you desire to visit shops and restaurants as well as have
unparalleled views of Tokyo, then you should make an effort
of climbing this tower
22. Any person who loves mountains should make an effort of
visiting Mount Fuji
It is the highest mountain in Japan; it is about 3776 meters
Its volcano has a symmetrical cone, which most Japanese
use in photographs and arts
This mountain attracts a large number of tourists annually
In fact, researches show that about two hundred thousand
tourists visit this mountain every year; 30 percent of these
tourists are international foreigners
You may take approximately three to eight hours to climb
this mountain and approximately two to five hours to
descend it