Amazing Japan, ancient and ultra-technocratic at the same time, attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, despite a tiresome and expensive flight. This is not surprising: where else can one climb the snow-capped peaks during one trip, swim in the warm sea, walk along the lively ancient streets, and then climb to the dizzying skyscrapers?

Japan's attractions are also diverse, so everyone will find something in the Land of the Rising Sun and take away only the best memories.

Temples of Japan

First of all, Japan is famous for its unique temples, some of them literally amaze with their beauty even those who are not very fond of temple architecture .Particularly distinguished in this regard is the city of Kyoto, where only Buddhist temples that survived World War II also left about 1600 .Of course, it is unlikely that it will be possible to study everything in one visit; so it makes sense first of all to see those churches, whose outward appearance is legendary .For example, Ginkaku-ji (another, unofficial name - "Silver Pavilion") .Initially, it was supposed that all of it would be covered with silver in honor of the goddess Kannon, but the war that started started prevented this idea .The pavilion was conceived for resting the shogun .This is a quiet, extraordinarily harmonious place, and in its present form the temple is beautiful without any silver .

But if you come to Osaka, then remember: to the south of this city is the sanctuary of Koya-san. It was built in the IX century BC, and from the very temple to the foot of the mountain departs the famous path of pilgrimage, which is already many hundreds of years.

The locks of Japan

In addition to the sanctuaries, many Japanese castles are also open to tourists .In total there are about 50 ancient castles in the country; Some of them, such as the castle in Hiroshima, were destroyed during World War II and subsequently rebuilt .Others have survived since the XVII century in its original form .These include, in particular, the legendary Kochi Castle, which is located in the homonymous prefecture .It can not be said that some military highlights are associated with the castle: Koti is famous for the fact that the only preserved intact ring of fortifications is .

Architecture of Japan

In modern Japan, many buildings erected in different epochs - from temples that were created long before the onset of our era, to "high-tech" skyscrapers. Cities in this regard are very eclectic, but something always subtly brings together new and old buildings. A distinctive feature of Japan - here almost always in the most incompatible externals things feel inner harmony.

Monuments of Japan

Japanese monuments are not at all similar to the usual large-scale sculptures that adorn the areas and parks in the CIS. Some of them are of the order of thousands of years and more, this is a unique cultural asset that has reached the present day from the ancient representatives of Buddhism. In Nara Prefecture in the famous district of Khorju-ji, for example, you can see Buddhist statues that have survived many centuries. Believers still come to them to pray and ask for help in enlightenment.

In the same prefecture stands an ancient city with the same name - Nara, also full of remarkable monuments of antiquity. In particular, there are many examples of such art in the magnificent Heiju Palace.

In Japan, many monuments related to wartime, but they do not very much resemble our stele of military glory .In Hiroshima there is a monument in the form of a skeleton of a stone house destroyed by bombing, and above, on a mountain - a sculpture depicting the bomb dropped on the city itself .In the city of Urawa there is a monument of a pumpkin and sweet potato - despite all its outward comicness, it reminds the Japanese of how hard it was to live in the years of wars and disasters and that they were saved from inevitable death .In Tokyo, tourists are attracted by a monument to a dog of the Akito breed, a very beloved Japanese, and also to one of the actors of the famous kabuki theater, who played countless samurai during his career .

Theater of Japan

Having seen enough of static objects of art and culture, you probably want to observe something in dynamics .Well, then it's time to visit the classical Japanese theater .Of course, in this context the kabuki tradition is first recalled: all these rich costumes, bright make-up, unearthly fantasy wigs and exaggerated, exaggerated behavior of actors on stage .The scene in this theater is usually dynamic, with a lot of rotating platforms and secret hatches .All this allows you to quickly change the scenery, the actors are able in these conditions to disappear and appear almost instantly .Dramatic and bright spectacle .

But, of course, Japanese theatrical art is known not only at the expense of kabuki. Do not neglect the cultural importance of the tradition of puppetry - a bunraku. "Puppets" in such a theater about half the height of human height, each run by three: the main puppeteer and two assistants. The puppets have all the possibilities for a rich facial expression, so they make a very realistic impression.

And another important trend in the theatrical life of Japan is the tradition of Ho, very ancient: it first appeared somewhere in the XIV century. Actors perform a variety of roles, using instead of make-up large painted masks, which can change during the performance of the performance. Conversations and singing proceed in a very monotonous smooth pace to the accompaniment of the choir and traditional for this country orchestral instruments. Scene for plays performed in stylistics But, usually located on a stretch of land under the open sky.

Japan Islands

And, finally, let's talk about the islands that make up most of the country. For example, the largest island in Japan, Honshu: it is characterized by a mountainous terrain, here is the Fujiyama volcano, which has repeatedly attracted the attention of the creators of Japan. There are many cities here, this is Tokyo, and the ancient capitals of the country - Kyoto and Nara, as well as Nagoya, Yokohama and Osaka.

Hokkaido is the northernmost and second largest island in Japan, one third of which is covered with forests. Once upon a time the island inhabited the Ainu tribes - judging by the descriptions of travelers from Eastern Siberia. Later, when the Japanese began to move north, the Ainu suffered the fate of the American Indians. However, like the Indians, the Ainu partially survived. Now there are several Ainu settlements in Hokkaido, which are supported by the Japanese authorities - both for scientific purposes and for attracting tourists.

But not only its anthropological features are interesting Hokkaido. The unique nature has been preserved in 6 national parks, which are also reserves. There are about 10 lakes with hot mineral springs of volcanic origin.