JAPAN UTA-JIMA Amazing Adventures in the Land of Tradition

A Glimpse into the

world of the

Japanese cuisine

Japanese Traditions

and Festivals

New experiences

and places to see

Special Feature: Uta-

Jima

Hotels and

Accommodations

ituated in Northern-Eastern Asia, between

the North Pacific and the Sea of Japan, Japan

has an area of 377,873 square kilometers. There

is only one main language in Japan, which of

course is Japanese, but there have also been

some Western and Chinese influences too. Japan

consists of 4 main exquisite islands, surrounded

by 4,000 smaller islands. Japan’s topographical

features include coastlines with a wide, breath-

taking scenery, towering mountains and

tangled, twisting valleys which invites you into

the mysterious world of nature: the perfect

travel destination for anyone.

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apan boasts a diverse selection of attractions, whether you be a Nature-lover, a history fanatic, or simply looking for a famous monument to feast your eyes upon. First off, there is the famous Mt. Fuji. With a staggering height of 3776 meters, Mount Fuji is Japan’s tallest mountain. The conical zenith and the pyramid slopes will be the sight of a lifetime. So why not take a photo and hang it up at home?

You can also visit Jikokundani Monkey Park, a hot spring area with fascinating view points, and an area specifically reserved for the park’s natural residents. The Golden Temple is also a must see. Originally build for a prestigious shogun, it was burnt down in the 1940’s by a vengeful monk. After WW2, it was rebuilt to an exact replica of the former structure, and is respected by many.

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A Glimpse into the Amazing World of

The Japanese Cuisine

apan, the home of the sushi,

sashimi, and miso soup that we all

know and love so greatly prides

itself on it’s traditional cuisine, with

rice and miso soup along with other

small dishes and an emphasis on

seasonal ingredients: the greatest

delight. Savour the exoctic flavour

of sushi, and embrace the taste of

the gods of the sea.

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apan is an island nation and seafood

plays an important role in Japanese

cuisine. Rice and fish along with

vegetables are eaten by most Japanese.

Japanese food such as Sushi (rice

flavoured with vinegar and combined

with seafood or seaweed and

sometimes vegetables) and Sashimi

(cut and sliced raw meat, usually

seafood) are forms of Japanese cuisine

that have become famous worldwide.

eppanyaki or food cooked on an

iron griddle is another popular form of

Japanese cuisine. Sake or Japanese rice

wine is also drunk at traditional meals

as a toast to the health and long life of

one's dining companions. Tofu or soya

bean curd is another popular and

healthy dish often consumed by the

Japanese people.

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ith both high-rise skyscrapers and ancient Japanese temples, Japan is the perfect blend of nature, opulence and tradition: a perfect balance between modernisation and rich heritage. The age-old Japanese traditions and customs which give a unique character to the lifestyle of the Japanese people have to be experienced to be truly appreciated. Some of the unique aspects of Japanese life are mentioned here as an introduction to the traditions of Japan. The original Japanese gardens were inspired by Buddhist and Chinese philosophy and later evolved to have their own distinct Japanese flavour and identity.

The gardens that are found in Japanese temples and shrines were inspired by the Shinto religion and belief in an ideal state of peace and harmony. The Japanese people decided to recreate this sense of peace and harmony. They designed gardens that included aspects such as water, rocks, gravel and moss as well as miniature plants known as Bonsai. One of the most famous Zen Rock Gardens in Japan is the Ryoan-ji Zen Rock Garden in Kyoto. Traditional Japanese Architecture has a distinct style that is deeply influenced by the religions Buddhism and Shintoism.

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& Traditions

Festivals

Houses and temples made of wood are placed on stilts to raise them above the ground, and with sloping roofs made of thatch or tiles create a distinctive silhouette in traditional Japanese architecture. These designs are one of a kind: it is practically impossible to see an authentic Japanese house design anywhere else in the world. The Japanese ceremony of preparing and offering tea to revered guests is a formal and stylized ritual, almost like a meditative performance. The art or skill of preparing tea has a special and symbolic meaning, and the ceremony has evolved into a cultural ritual which means much more than the mere sampling of powdered green tea, and is a unique part of Japanese traditions.

Deeply influenced by Zen Buddhism, the Japanese tea ceremony has evolved into a cultural ritual which means much more than the mere sampling of powdered green tea, and is a unique part of Japanese traditions. The Japanese people celebrate many festivals, most of which are of the Buddhist and Shinto religions. Different temples or shrines across Japan have their own specific Matsuri or festive holiday. These include Aomori Nebuta Festival, the Hadaka Matsuri Festival and the Cherry Blossom Festivals, which are an integral part of Japanese culture.

inding the chaotic mess of city life too loud for you? Looking for a peaceful getaway? Uta-Jima is the place for you. Wide expanses of clear, blue, water, breathtaking views of towering trees; Uta-Jima is a slice of raw, uncut nature, for you to enjoy. If you want to test your limits and set yourself a physical challenge, pick any one of the sloping hills Uta-Jima provides and hike to the top, where you will be rewarded with the sight of radiant sunlight glinting off the countless turquoise-blue waves crashing down upon the shore.

Feel free to dive into the cool, refreshing, crystal clear water and swim around the Island of Song, or admire the overwhelming freshness of the towering pine trees and Mount Higashi above you. You can climb the 200 worn stone steps to the Yashiro Shrine, a majestic viewpoint that offers an uninterrupted view of the beautiful Gulf of Ise. Framing the spectacular view of the unchanging gulf are vibrant green pines, slightly dulled by the nip of winter. It is also a praying temple for the few residents of Uta-Jima, rich with history and tradition.

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Uta-Jima

The Yashiro Shrine will also give you a glimpse of how residents worship the Gods of the Sea. It is a curious, unique, gathering of exactly 66 bronze mirrors, each one with it’s own special background. You can practically see the glow of history surrounding the mirrors in the the light reflected off each intricately patterned bronze plated surface. Additionally, the small group of inhabitants of Uta-Jima are a welcoming bunch as they go on peacefully with their daily work: there is no doubting their famous friendliness and kindness. You can watch them toil away on the fishing boats far at sea, the harsh glare of the sun creating jet black silhouettes against the soft blue of the ocean. You can observe their hard work through their sun-blackened skin, a stark contrast against their unique features. You can sit on a corner of the sandy beach, feeling the fine, sand against your skin, the salty tang of the ocean carried to you on the gentle summer breeze, the rays of sun bathing you in warm, soothing light, the magnificent view of the majestic ocean spread out in front of you.

The waves, cresting onto the sand, the white foam framing the dips and swells of the icy ocean. Uta-Jima is not only rich in personal history; it has also played a substantial part in World War 2. Furthermore, Uta-Jima is the setting of the well-known book ‘The Sound of Waves’ by Yukio Mishima . A fan? Well come and see Uta-Jima!

Accommodation

long with cultural diversity, nature and it’s marvellous cuisine, Japan also offers great hospitality: a wide range of hotels and lodges for you to enjoy, in utter opulence. The Park Hyatt in Shinjuku, Tokyo, boasts an unrivalled elegance and tranquility, and all the style and fashion you could want, with mesmorising modern interior decor and a peaceful, soothing spa, along with many other fantastic facilities such as a 46th-floor swimming pool, a New York grill, and a convenient shuttle bus to the nearest train station. Another excellent and equally satisfying alternative is Hotel Ryumeikan, in Chuo, presenting huge, spacious suite coupled with

wonderful velvety beds, tea rooms and a balcony. In addition, Hotel Ryumeikan is located just a few minutes away from Tokyo Station, allowing for easy access to transport, a wide assortment of intercontinental restaurants, along with all the shops and services any frantic shopper would need.

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Looking for something more natural instead? Well, Japan most definitely does not lack hotels and accomodations like these either! Located in a more organic environment, Seikai, in Beppu, flatters its customers with an amazing bayside view of the the sea. Besides it’s breathtaking view, the amazing, masterfully crafted seafood dishes available are the very embodiments the Onsen cuisine. Rest assured, sipping sake while relaxing in a hot bath or lounging on a hand crafted wooden chair as the orange sun set over the boundless sea is, without any doubt, worth every single yen. More of a skiing fan than a shopper or a seafood lover? Yet again, Japan has just the perfect place for you! Resting upon a snowy mountain-side, the Hakuba Mountain Lodge is the warm, welcoming resting place you undoubtedly seek after a long day out, enjoying skiing and the vivid view of flowing white slopes of the mountain, scattered with brown pine trees. Being only minutes from the Hakuba Goryu ski lifts and the excellent facilities of Escal Plaza, the lodge is also extremely convenient.

Designed for the ultimate ski experience, the Hakuba Mountain Lodge introduces an advanced level of sophistication and luxury to other ski chalets within Japan. It is a visual masterpiece: a blend of contemporary and traditional Japanese design.