Japan

Japan is a land of breathtaking natural beauty. For centuries, Japan was closed to the outside world, casting a cloud of mystery around the islands and the Japanese. When the country was finally opened in 1868, the world saw for the first time the rich landscape of majestic volcanoes, rugged coastlines, and deep forests covering the islands. People from around the world have come to Japan to take part in uniquely Japanese seasonal activities. Viewing beautiful cherry blossoms in spring, climbing serene and graceful Mount Fiji in summer, enjoying the sight of crimson and golden foliage in autumn, and immersing in steaming outdoor hot springs in winter have been part of the Japanese calendar of activities for more than a thousand years. This book takes us to this land of scenic beauty and enigmatic culture. Despite its reputation as an industrial superpower, Japan is a place where people continue to seek spiritual inspiration and renewal through nature and time-honoured rituals and traditions. In this book, you will discover a nation striving to keep its traditional culture, while keeping apace with demands of the twenty-first century.