Here are some themes related to Japan, titled " Castles ", " Wild Animals ", " Noodles ", " Seafood ", " Local Specialty Dishes ", People " and " A History of Japan ", some of which could be interesting.
Castles
It is said that there have been more than 25 thousands castles in Japan. In the 19th century, there were a few hundreds castles, among which many were demolished after Tokugawa Shogunate was overthrown. In addition, some castles were burnt down by air raids in WWII such as Hiroshima-jo Castle ( Located in Hiroshima City, Chugoku Region ) destroyed by the atomic bombing.
Now twelve main keeps of the castles remain extant such as Matsumoto-jo Castle ( located in Matsumoto City, Koh-Shin-Etsu Region - above right ). However a numbers of castles have been reconstructed with reinforced concrete. In any case, Japanese castles are so popular among tourists.
Wild Animals
Tourists, visiting many places in Japan, would see various wild animals especially in the countryside. Some could see killer whales ( right ) and brown bears in Shiretoko, chipmunk in Rishiri-to Island, Tanchou-zuru ( red crowned cranes ) in Kushiro Shitsugen in Hokkaido Region and many more in various regions.
Noodles
It is said that Japanese people have eaten noodles for a dozen of centuries. During the long history of noodles, various kinds of noodles have been created in many areas. Some of noodles are famous such as Sanuki Udon ( right ) in Shikoku Region. Also Ramen is popular. There are many more varieties of noodles.
Seafood
Japan consists of several thousand islands, which are surrounded by the sea including the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Japan and the Seto Inland Sea. In addition, the warm sea currents and the cold sea currents flow beside Japan, which is rich in various kinds of seafood. So areas in Japan have their own distinctive seafood dishes, which tourists could enjoy.
Local Specialty Dishes
Though most areas of Japan have a humid subtropical climate, there are some areas which belong to the subarctic zone. There are some islands which have a tropical rainforest climate as well as there are some islands which have an oceanic climate.
Though Japan is surrounded by the sea, there are prefectures surrounded by mountains without facing the sea. So tourists could enjoy various local specialty dishes in many areas in Japan.
Eki-Ben ( Railway Box Lunches )
Tourists could see various kinds of Eki-Ben ( Railway Box Lunches ) at major railway stations and in KIOSKs and shops nearby. Eki-Ben, whose ingredients often include local specialty foods, helps tourists enjoy travelling by long-distance trains, especially with local sake as right, which shows Eki-ben ( a boxed Sushi lunch ) and sake purchased at JR Toyama station ( Hokuriku Region ).
Many Eki-Ben box lunches use various kinds of famous local specialty foods such as Shiro-Ebi ( above right ) in Toyama pref., Yonezawa Beef in Yamagata pref., Kani crab meat in Ishikawa pref., Kaki oysters in Hiroshima pref., Mamakari ( Japanese scaled sardine ) in Okayama pref., and many more. Eki-Ben is essential for long train journeys in Japan, I believe.
People
Tourists would see many people during travelling in Japan, whose population is over 125 million such as cabin crew, railwaymen, hotel staff, chefs, salesgirls, farmers, fishermen, bank clerks, children, monks ( right ) and so on. Though very few of their names could be known, they live real lives in Japan.
For further details ==>
People
A History of Japan
In Paleolithic times, some people arrived and lived in the Japanese archpelago about 30,000 years ago. In Jomon Period ( 14,000 BC - 1,000 BC ), hunter-gathrers baked various potteries including Dogu figurines ( right - exhibited in Tokyo National Museum in Ueno, Tokyo ). In 1,000 - 800 BC, some people arrived in the archpelago where they started rice farming. Then Yayoi Period began.
Since then on, various periods followed in Japanese archpelago. Various cultures were woven. Cities were born Achi-Kochi ( here and there). Many castles were built and lots of battles were fought. Various local specialty dishes were created. So Japan is what it is now.
For further details ==>
A History of Japan vol.1 Formation of Japan
A History of Japan vol.2 Samurai Age
A History of Japan vol.3 After Samurai
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