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. © Courtesy of Central Japan Railway Company 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.