Japan, Don't Miss

JNTO Newsletter 6: June 2021

Japan, Don’t Miss Out

There are so many things to see and beaten track that any local will tell you do in Japan that this final newsletter should top your itinerary list. focuses on those “must-not miss things”. And of course with the Olympics nearly upon us, there are special things to do Whether you want to visit an ancient and see that represent and reflect the Temple or the Hiroshima Peace history of Japan such as the nation’s Memorial, or simply go autumnal leaf- great bullet train Shinkansen, which viewing while paddling on a lake, there began operations prior to the last is a wealth of places to see and things Olympics in Tokyo and connected the to do that are both on and off the capital with Nagoya and Osaka. Wherever you visit in Japan, you will Therefore, we have rounded up seven want to come back for more. exciting experiences for you to enjoy.

Cities Cities

Shinkansen Deeply Connected Aomori Nebuta Festival with the Tokyo Olympics

When the previous Tokyo Olympic The phrase “Rassera! Rassera!” Summer Games kicked off in 1964 to a resounds vibrantly when the Nebuta sea of flag-waving crowds, it was a Festival is held in Aomori Prefecture historic moment for Japan. every summer. This traditional festival attracts millions of visitors every year in Not only was it the first Olympics to be August, with its bright parades, vivid held in Asia, but also the first time the floats, rhythmic music and lively games were telecast internationally via dancing. satellite. Taking place less than two decades after the end of World War II, As part of the festival, around two dozen it also marked Japan’s reentry into the large illuminated floats, known as global community and showcased its Nebuta (handcrafted from wire, wood rapid post-war economic recovery. and paper) and depicting ancient tales of vivid mythical gods, heroes, warriors One important symbol of Japan’s and demons, form a procession through modernization and an enduring legacy Aomori City. of the games was the launch of the world’s first high-speed bullet trains Meanwhile, hundreds of dancers – known as Shinkansen. called haneto in Aomori dialect – move alongside the floats to the musical Today, the nation’s Shinkansen trains accompaniment of taiko drummers, and remain one of the ultimate symbols of flute and cymbal players. high-tech Japan. The bullet train network now spans the nation, from The event climaxes after dark on August Kyushu in the south to Hokkaido in the 7th, when the Nebuta floats are placed north, with its famously fast, clean and in boats and transported around Aomori punctual trains hitting a top speed of Bay beneath a kaleidoscopic fireworks. 320 kilometers per hour. However, Central Japan Railway is currenty While there are few experiences to rival constructing a high-speed maglev train witnessing the festival in person, visitors line that will connect Tokyo, Nagoya to Aomori at other times of the year can and Osaka and is expected to achieve also enjoy a taste of the famed event at a top speed of 500 kilometers per hour. the facility called Nebuta Museum WA- RASSE The building, with its striking red And there are few more iconic Japan steel latticed façade, showcases the experiences than watching the heritage and craftsmanship of the cleaning staff, often wearing flowers festival. Four paper Nebuta floats are clipped to their hats, undertaking the on display, alongside experiences such so-called “Seven Minute Miracle” – as haneto dancing and opportunities to cleaning an entire train between make paper segments used in the services in just seven minutes in a famed floats. mesmerising high-speed routine, before enjoying a bento box meal while Aomori Prefecture is located about 4 traveling at high speed across Japan. hours by train or 1.5 hours by plane This is also a perfect way to sample from Tokyo. Japan’s famous hospitality, practicality and efficiency.

Courtesy of Chusonji

Tradition Tradition

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Magic of Mount Koya "Traditional Architectural Techniques"

As a force protecting and appreciating The sacred religious site of Mount Koya oral traditions, performing arts, rituals, is the 9th-century birthplace of Japan’s social practices, hereditary knowledge Shingon sect of Buddhism and home to and time-honored arts and crafts from numerous Buddhist temples. around the world, the Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage division Mount Koya offers highly unique has added the conservation of Japan's overnight stays at temples – known as wooden architecture to its list in 2020. Shukubo – where guests can follow in

Some of the skills it aims to safeguard the footsteps of centuries old tradition of include the harvesting of Japanese monks and pilgrims by checking into cypress bark, lacquer painting, tatami around 50 different temples for the woven straw mat making, producing Shukubo experience. These overnight and maintaining straw thatched roofs, stays are among Japan’s most esoteric decorative carving, and traditional and stoic experiences, offering a rare Sakan wall plastering that has allowed insight into the daily lives of Buddhist many of Japan's wooden structures to clergy, including their vegetarian meals survive a millennium of earthquakes, and close-up views of cultural treasures typhoons and lightning strikes despite used in their religious practices. Visitors their seemingly fragile timber frames. brave enough to take up this temple experience are greeted with sliding Some specific examples of sites screen doors, tatami straw mat rooms, selected to become UNESCO World futons unrolled nightly as bedding, Heritage Sites include the gold- temple vegetarian cuisine and a heady adorned Konjikido Golden Hall mix of incense, ornate interiors, various (Constructed in 12th-century) of religious sculptures and chanting during Chūson-ji Temple in Iwate Prefecture, early morning prayers. And while this the elegant Himeji Castle (Also known experience might be a bit too stoic for in English as “White Heron Castle”) in some tourists, the purpose of Shukubo Hyogo Prefecture, and Aizu's 1,000- is to also provide guests with year old Shingu Kumano Shrine opportunities to sample the teachings of Nagatoko (Renowned for its large open the Buddha and prayer. stage with a thatched roof supported by 44 earth quake-absorbing pillars) in But even if you do not take this path, Fukushima Prefecture. Mount Koya (Called Koya-San by Japanese) is still a magical place to visit One of the most striking examples of with its remote 900-meter high location the architectural techniques used can surrounded by deep forests and by eight be found at Hōryūji Temple in Nara mountain peaks of Wakayama Prefecture. Hōryūji Temple, about Prefecture. Koyasan is 100 minutes 10km south west of Nara in Ikaruga from Namba Station in Osaka by train. and a 40 minute travel from JR Nara station, is not just the oldest wooden Once home to thousands of temples, building in Japan, but it is also the today Koya-san, a UNESCO World oldest wooden building in the world. Heritage Site, is an enclave of more Originally constructed in 607 AD, the than 100 intricately-crafted temple Buddhist temple today is alluring for buildings scattered within this mountain both its historic relevance and its 150 setting and exquisite forests of ancient Japanese National Treasures, its five- trees. story pagoda and other multiple beautifully constructed wooden Food is a highlight during any temple buildings, which are the world’s oldest stay: prepare to be served vegetarian surviving wooden structures, existing Buddhist cuisine known as shojin ryori – within the vast temple complex. Hōryūji an exquisite medley of seasonal is home to a time capsule of rare early vegetables, showcasing a careful Buddhist art, from frescoes to statues. balance of five colors and five flavors.

Prince Shōtoku, who was also an avid Mornings start early in temples, with student of Buddhism, is said to be the many visitors joining monks at early founder of Hōryūji Temple. He is also morning prayers in the innermost one of Japan’s most legendary figures sanctums, havens of ornate gold décor, because of his other achievements Buddhist statues, incense and chanting. which included the penning one of the Other activities often range from earliest constitutions in the world, meditation to calligraphy. creating a foundation for the future Japanese culture.

And to commemorate the 1,400th anniversary of Prince Shōtoku’s death this year, his deeply influential legacy is celebrated in a landmark exhibition entitled “Hōryūji: Prince Shōtoku and Treasures of Early Buddhist Faith in Japan.” Held at both Tokyo National Museum and Nara National Museum, this exhibition takes guests through a journey of the world of Prince Shōtoku, with a cornucopia of exhibits from portraits and relics, to ancient temple treasures.

" Hōryūji Temple is the oldest wooden building in the world. Originally constructed in 607 AD, the Buddhist temple has a five-story pagoda. Today the temple houses 150 of Japan's National Treasures. It remains as alluring as it is historic.

Cities Outdoor

Hiroshima Peace Memorial SUP-ing on Chuzenji Lake Park

Once, it was Hiroshima’s bustling Led by a group of young Japanese go- commercial district. Today, it is a getters, the enthusiastically titled Sup! peaceful sanctuary dedicated to the Sup! has brought a new outdoor memory of the victims of the world’s pastime to Nikko – stand-up paddle first atomic bomb. boarding on the glassy green waters of Chuzenji Lake. A one-hour bus ride Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, from Nikko station, it's an experience designed by the architect Tange that can be enjoyed anytime of year. Kenzo, was created in 1955, just ten years after the nuclear attack that Take to the water in spring and you obliterated the city near the end of can glide alongside violets, wisteria, World War II. azaleas, hydrangeas, and of course cherry blossoms as they come into Spanning an open field created by the bloom. In summer, the lake's cool force of the explosion, today it’s home water provides the perfect foil to the to memorials, museums and region's 27-degree centigrade sunny monuments alongside quiet pathways weather. Autumn is leaf-viewing and cherry blossom trees. The Park season, or momiji-gari in Japanese, as attracts more than one million visitors the mountains surrounding Chuzenji every year. Lake transform into a tapestry of red and yellow maples, bright golden The Hiroshima Peace Memorial ginkgos, orange osmanthus and Ceremony takes place here every year scarlet spider lilies. on August 6th, with a one minute silence observed at 8:15 a.m. – the In winter, you can slip into a cold- time of the attack – in memory of its weather wetsuit and slide into the estimated 140,000 victims. furthest corners of the lake in search of weird and wonderful ice formations, The park is also home to the structure a hobby known as shibuki-gouri. closest to the blast that survived, now known as the Atomic Bomb Dome, its Other top SUP spots include Lake scarred and skeletal form was once Biwa in Shiga Prefecture northeast of home to the Hiroshima Prefectural Kyoto, and Miyajima in Hiroshima Industrial Promotion Hall. Next to the Prefecture where you can glide Atomic Bomb Dome, there is through the grand torii gate of Hiroshima Orizuru Tower, which Itsukushima Shrine. opened in 2016. The tower has a observation deck on the top floor and offers a view of the surroundings incuding views of the Atomic Bomb Dome from above.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum also offers a reflective insight into the atomic bomb attack and its legacy, through numerous exhibits.

Other features include the large curved concrete Memorial Cenotaph, listing the names of bombing victims, and the Children’s Peace Monument, including a statue of a schoolgirl dedicated to the bombing’s youngest victims.

And while there are numerous important tourist spots in various countries around the world, the Hiroshima Memorial Peace Park is unique for its historical relevance and importance as a spot where visitors can ponder the meaning of war and pray for peace.

Outdoor

Tottori Sand Dunes

A desert-like sweep of sand dunes, At the sand dunes, visitors are spoiled complete with camel rides and for choices in terms of activities. sandboarding, is perhaps not a typical Among the most famous are camel landscape for Japan. Welcome to rides on the sand dunes (a rarity in Tottori Prefecture, a coastal region, in Japan) . Other popular activities Western Japan, which is famously include fatbiking, paragliding, home to the biggest sand dunes in the sandboarding and yoga, or simply country. Tottori Prefecture is located taking a stroll to admire the ripple-like approximately a 2.5-hour ride by patterns on the sand’s surface. bullent train Shinkansen from Osaka Prefecture. In Tottori Prefeture there The sand dunes are a year-round are hidden attractions which are not destination, with a backdrop that widely known as those inKyoto or changes dramatically with the seasons Osaka – from snowfall during winter to bursts of bright flowers during spring. The epic (and ever-shifting) expanse of sand dunes, with smoothly curved lines There are many hot spring onsen in shaped by winds and tides, stretches Tottori Prefecture you can get across a region measuring 16 by 2.4 fleshened up even if you get covered kilometers. by sand!

And visiting Tottori’s sand dunes, which are located inside the San’in Kaigan Geopark alongside the Sea of Japan, feels a bit like entering another world, as famously captured in the surreally beautiful images by legendary photographer Ueda Shoji.

We promise that our time apart will make travel experiences all the more exciting when cross-border travel is resumed. We are looking forward to seeing you in Japan.

If you would like further information, please contact: [email protected] Website: https://www.jnto.go.jp For more information for activities and destinations: https://www.japan.travel/experiences-in-japan/en/ B to B "Japan Online Media Center": https://business.jnto.go.jp/