Uncommon tourist places JAPAN BY NICOLAS ALVIAR

The Japanese archipelago stretches over 3000km (1900 miles) from the temperate, northernmost island of Hokkaido to the subtropical islands of Okinawa in the south. Both Tokyo and Kyoto are located on Honshu, the largest and economically and culturally most important of the four major islands. Shikoku and Kyushu lie to the southwest. Much of the archipelago is mountainous and only a small percentage of land is available for agriculture and development. Thus large areas remain forested while towns and cities tend to be densely populated. The coastline is indented with numerous bays, inlets and small islands.

EXCURSION
Narita, location of Narita Tokyo Airport, is an attractive old town with a large and impressive pilgrimage temple, Narita-san. Nearby Tokyo Disneyland is a major year-round attraction for Japanese and foreigners alike. Two hours north of Tokyo in Nikko, the extraordinary Toshogu Shrine complex is situated with the mausoleum of the founder of Japan’s Tokugawa Shogunate. The surrounding Nikko National Park offers mountain hot spring resorts and opportunities for hiking, fishing and boating. Pottery fans will enjoy the rural kiln town of Mashiko. The coastal town of Kamakura, one hour south of Tokyo, was the seat of Japan’s medieval feudal government and abounds in historic sights. Highlights include the giant bronze Great Buddha, colorful Hachimangu Shrine and picturesque Enoshima Island. The international port city of Yokohama, 30 minutes from Tokyo, has a vibrant Chinatown, harbor district and historic Sankei-en Garden. Japan’s highest mountain, Mount Fuji, may be climbed during the high summer. Located one hour 30 minutes from Tokyo is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, a recreational paradise offering hot spring resorts, golf courses and facilities for fishing, camping, hiking, swimming and boating. At Hakone, cable cars carry visitors over volcanic landscapes of boiling mud, sightseeing boats ply scenic Lake Ashi and there is an Open Air Sculpture Museum, a Porsche Museum and several sights historical interest.