Japan is a fascinating country overflowing with tradition and culture that you can't fail to miss. Travelers to Japan can expect to be greeted by very helpful and polite locals throughout the country, even in the busiest parts of the biggest cities, Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, to name just a few. The streets are clean, the air is clean, the ski slopes are uncrowded, the wildlife is fascinating and the scenery is amazing. On a recent trip to Japan I was able to take a collection of images that showcase Japan and the Japanese culture. From temples to wildlife, city views and food. Japan is a cultural mecca for travelers from all over the world to come and immerse themselves in, and hopefully, master the chopsticks.
Tokyo, Japans capital, is an amazing city. As large, if not larger, than New York City, it is a bustling metropolis of business, commerce, finance and entertainment. A visitor could spend an entire vacation here and still not get to see all it offers. From the neon lights and all night partying of the Akihabara, Shinjuku and Shibuya districts to the serene calmness of Tokyo's many temples, there is loads to see and do for all members of the family.
Another amazing city to visit is Kyoto. Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan until Tokyo took over about 200 years ago. It is here where all the traditional cultural practices, that we've come to know and love about Japan, have been kept in place. At dusk every night of the week Geiko (the Kyoto name for Geisha) can be seen walking to and from different engagements at various teahouses in the Gion district. Avoid the mass of camera wielding tourists and photographers by taking a stroll down one of the few small lanes off the main street, and you are almost certain to come across a fully painted Geisha heading to work without the throng of people chasing her for photos.
Away from the major cities though, is where the traditional Japan can be found. Small houses with ornate roofs, gardens full of topiary and bonsai, farmers tending to their small farms. This is the real Japan. A Japan where life is a little slower than the electric buzz of Tokyo, and a little simpler.
If a traveller manages to make it to the ski slopes, especially those around Hakuba and Nagano, they will not fail to have the best ski holiday they've ever had. Long runs, unlimited powder snow, no lift lines and severely uncrowded slopes make for some of the best skiing in the world.
A not to be missed tourist destination to travel to in Japan is the Snow Monkey Wildlife Park in Jigokudani (Hell Valley) located in the mountains near Nagano. These fascinating small monkeys are the only primates in the world to warm themselves during winter in natural, volcanically heated hot springs. It really is a sight to see and an experience that children and adults alike will stare at in awe.
Japan is a place where a visitor feels truly welcome, and I can guarantee that a vacation there will provide the traveller with a lifetime of fond memories and a strong will to keep going back again and again.
Hi, my name is Nick Holdsworth and I am a stock photographer. A stock photographer is someone who takes photos of anything a client might need for their product. These could be anything from tissue boxes to websites and brochures to billboards. I recently went on a trip to Japan and now have the photos on my website for any interested buyer looking for images of Japan. You can find a link to the lightbox of images here:
http://www.ozimages.com.au/PLightbox.asp?ID=9170
Or if you prefer, you can find a link to my website with my complete collection of images here:
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