Japan - tradition with an eye on the future
General information
Japan is an island nation in East Asia, located in the Pacific Ocean. Its main islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku, and the country has no land borders. Its nearest neighbours are South Korea, North Korea, China and Russia.
The capital, Tokyo, is one of the largest urban centres in the world - a place where high technology, skyscrapers and neon-lit streets exist side by side with temples, shrines and traditional gardens. A few hours from the metropolis begin mountains, lakes, forests and small towns with a completely different pace of life.
Japan is a constitutional monarchy, and the emperor has a symbolic role. The country is known for its technological development, high-speed trains and modern infrastructure, yet it also preserves traditions that remain part of everyday life.
Climate
Japan has four distinct seasons, but the climate differs considerably from north to south. Spring is famous for sakura - the blossoming of Japanese cherry trees, which usually begins in late March and continues into early April in Tokyo and Kyoto, although the exact timing changes every year.
Autumn is also an excellent time to visit - in October and November parks, gardens and temple complexes turn red, orange and gold. Summer is hot and humid, while winter brings snow and winter sports in the north and the mountains.
Culture and history
Japanese culture is the result of centuries of development in which Shinto, Buddhism, imperial tradition and the samurai heritage intertwine. These influences can best be felt in Kyoto - the former imperial capital and one of the country's most important cultural centres.
Among its most popular sights is Kinkaku-ji - the Golden Pavilion, set among gardens beside a pond. Another iconic site is the Fushimi Inari shrine, known for the thousands of orange torii gates that climb the slopes of the mountain.
Kyoto is one of the places where traditional Japan is still especially visible. Traditional wooden houses, tea ceremonies, Japanese gardens, ikebana and calligraphy are part of the city's cultural fabric. The districts associated with geisha and maiko are also among its characteristic places to visit.
In Tokyo, tradition is set in a completely different context. In Asakusa stands Senso-ji, one of the best-known Buddhist temples in the city, and the Meiji Shrine is hidden among greenery in the centre of the metropolis. Just a few stops away are Shibuya and Shinjuku - symbols of the modern city with huge screens, shops, restaurants and bustling streets.
Japan has also made an especially important contribution to world art. One of its most recognisable genres is ukiyo-e - colourful woodblock prints depicting landscapes, actors, city life and the people of their time. In the 19th century these works began to reach Europe and had a significant influence on Western art.
Among the best-known Japanese artists is Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849). His "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" is part of the series "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" and has become one of the most recognisable images of Japanese art. Hokusai and another great master, Utagawa Hiroshige, popularised the landscape print, and their works influenced artists in Europe.
In the second half of the 19th century Japanese prints spread widely in France and attracted the interest of artists and collectors. This influence, known as "Japonisme", is especially strong in the French Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. Artists such as Claude Monet, Edgar Degas and Mary Cassatt were interested in Japanese prints and adopted elements such as asymmetric compositions, unusual viewpoints, strong diagonals and a different use of space. Van Gogh was also a great admirer of Japanese art and collected Japanese prints, even making copies of works by Hiroshige.
Japanese poetry has also had a worldwide influence. Haiku is a short poetic form that developed in Japan, usually associated with a structure of 17 syllables. One of its best-known poets is Matsuo Bashō in the 17th century. In haiku, nature, the season and a seemingly small moment of everyday life can become a complete poetic experience.
Another important symbol of Japan is Mount Fuji. At 3,776 metres it is the country's highest peak and has both religious and cultural significance. For centuries the mountain has featured in Japanese art, and Hokusai and Hiroshige depicted it from different viewpoints.
Japan's history can also be seen through its castles. Himeji Castle is one of the best-preserved examples of traditional Japanese castle architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Osaka offers a different atmosphere - more informal, lively and strongly linked to food. The Dotonbori district is known for its neon signs, restaurants and street food. Popular local specialities include takoyaki and okonomiyaki. Japanese cuisine, however, is far more than sushi - ramen, tempura, udon, soba and various regional dishes are an important part of the cultural experience.
Modern Japan has one more face - that of technology and pop culture. Akihabara in Tokyo is known for electronics, video games, manga and anime, which have become a global phenomenon.
Why and when to visit?
Japan can be visited in any season, but spring and autumn are among the most popular periods. Sakura turns parks and streets into one of the country's most recognisable images, while autumn colours create a different, calmer atmosphere.
For a first visit, Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka are most often combined, and the Mount Fuji area can be added to the route. This way a single trip shows you the modern metropolis, ancient temples and palaces, traditional cuisine and natural landscapes.
Japan is also interesting for the chance to travel on the Shinkansen high-speed trains, which link the big cities and make long distances an easy part of the route.
For nature lovers the country offers mountains, volcanoes, forests and hot springs known as onsen. For city travellers there are huge shopping districts, museums, restaurants and modern architecture.
And for those looking for a cultural experience, Japan offers something rarely found elsewhere - its traditions have not stayed in museums. They are still part of contemporary life.
That is exactly what makes Japan such an interesting destination. It does not set the past against the future but places them side by side - an ancient temple may be a few minutes from a skyscraper, a traditional tea ceremony can exist in a city of high-speed trains, and the centuries-old art of Hokusai continues to have an influence far beyond Japan's borders.
