Japan is an underappreciated paradise of the Earth

In the list of the most beautiful places on the planet stand out Asian countries. But oddly enough, the most developed Asian country does not stand out in terms of tourism. According to statistics, 8.9 million people visit Japan every year. Of course, this situation arises because of the unrealistic high cost of Japan, because Tokyo is the most expensive city in the world. A simple cup of coffee in Tokyo can be purchased for as much as 1,000 yen (which is almost $9). However, it is unlikely that any of the 8.9 million will be dissatisfied after visiting the Land of the Rising Sun.

Japan is a country of contrasts, intertwined with modern technology and ancient culture. The thin line between them allows you to plunge into the fascinating world of an amazing nation. Again, according to statistics, Japan ranks 7th in the list of the most beautiful countries in the world, overtaking Indonesia, New Zealand and Australia. In terms of standard of living, it is in 9th place. In the ranking of the safest countries, Japan ranks 6th.

Judge for yourself, the population in countries that are higher than Japan in these ratings (Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Switzerland) is below 10 million, and in Japan as much as 126 million. The size of the population also plays an important role in the standard of living and security. It is one thing to improve and protect the lives of 5 million people, and another thing 126. Why not a corner of paradise?

Japan’s security lies not only in its low crime rate, but also in its protection from natural disasters. The scientific progress of Japan allows you to send on the phone to all citizens and tourists notification of the upcoming disaster, so that they have time to evacuate. Despite the huge number of disasters, Tokyo is recognized as the safest city in the world.

In Japan, a myriad of all kinds of attractions, entertainment, as well as any type of active recreation.

Holidays in Japan are:

• The tallest metal structure in the world is the Tokyo Tower.
• The whole palace complex with the East Garden - Imperial Palace in Tokyo;
• The largest Shinto temple is the Meiji Temple in Tokyo;
• The main Japanese jewel is the Golden Pavilion of Kinkakuji in Kyoto;
• The most popular place to visit according to tourist reviews is Himeji Castle, built in 1600 and added to the UNESCO World Heritage List;

The temple of the island of Miyajima built directly on stilts on the water

The gate of this temple "Toria Utsukushima" is also in the water and is the hallmark of this island.

If you are interested in more historical and cultural monuments, you should visit the cities of Nara, Kyoto and Miyajima.
Anime and manga lovers should visit Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, as well as the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, where you can find everything related to anime.

The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa was the largest aquarium in the world before the construction of The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, USA. At first, visitors are introduced to the shallow waters and coral reefs, after which they are lowered into the ocean depths, where you can contemplate the mysterious inhabitants of the underwater world. Also, in addition to the main aquarium, there are several separate objects such as the dolphin theater, an aquarium with manatees and a turtle aquarium.

For lovers of Japanese cuisine, the Land of the Rising Sun provides a whole horde of restaurants. Here you can try all your favorite sushi cooked by the creators of this dish. Japan is not only one of the leaders in the number of restaurants in the country, but also a leader in completely unusual themed establishments.
In Tokyo, you can visit the secret refuge of legendary Japanese ninja warriors in the restaurant Ninja Akasaki, where your holiday will be seasoned with impressions of ancient martial arts. This restaurant is not bypassed even by celebrities such as Steven Spielberg and Lady Gaga.

Huge robots, dancers in different costumes, sparkling floors, that’s what you’ll enjoy in the modern and futuristic Robot Restaurant. In the restaurant you will see a 1.5-hour performance performed by the robots themselves.

One of the themed establishments in Tokyo is the Alkatraz restaurant, decorated as a prison hospital. Here you will be waiting for waitresses dressed as nurses, and before entering your personal cell you will have to give fingerprints and report blood type.

No less exotic is the Lockup restaurant, where you will be arrested and put at a table surrounded by metal bars.

For lovers of scary fairy tales in Tokyo there is a restaurant Vampire café, decorated based on the legends of Count Dracula.

Blood, crosses, coffins and many other elements of vampire aesthetics will brighten up your pastime.

Neko no mise, which means “Café with cats”, where in addition to food you will be offered to play with cats. This kind of establishment has now become popular all over the world.

Continuing the topic of animals, one cannot ignore the recent invention of the Japanese Fukuro no mise (Café with owls). Of course, you will not be able to play or even take pictures of owls, but you can eat surrounded by live owls. In addition, the decorations of dishes are made in the form of an owl's beak and claws.

Especially for men, there are popular among tourists Maid café, where you will be served by cute maids and will call you Goshujin –sama, which means “Mister”.

Of course, the beautiful floor also did not pass by. There is a Princess Heart restaurant where every girl can feel like a princess. Here, each visitor has a crown, a throne and his own maid. Entrance to the restaurant is for women only.

For beginners I will give advice on service. As you may know, Japan ranks first in service. It does not matter if you go to an expensive hotel or a roadside cafe, a pleasant smile, polite treatment and gratitude are guaranteed at the end. Don’t leave a tip, it is considered an insult in Japan. In this country, behavior on equal terms with the seller and the waiter is considered correct. A tip can be considered a “gift” and your desire to show financial superiority.

As entertainment, Japan provides the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, the open-air contemporary art museum in Hakon, and Tokyo Disneyland.

In Japan, there is one of the world's largest Ferris wheels in the city of Fukuoka - Sky Dream Fukuoka, as well as the largest "American roller coaster" and one of the most terrible rides in the world Steel Dragon 2000 in the amusement park Nagashima Spa Land 2.5 thousand meters long and 97 meters high.

If you have the courage to visit Steel Dragon 2000, then you should go to some of the scariest places on the planet.

For example, the abandoned island of Hashima, which was a former settlement of miners.

Or the Suicide Forest (Aokigahara Jukai) on Honshu Island, which is considered the second most popular place in the world (after the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco) for suicide.

The homeland of karaoke can surprise not only with sights, but also with amazing fruits, animals and unrealistically beautiful places located only in this country.

The world-famous black watermelon called “Densuke” is grown only on the island of Hokkaido, but there is no guarantee that you can afford to try it because of the incredible high cost (fruits in Japan are generally expensive in contrast to meat and seafood). A simple apple can be bought for $2. Densuke can be bought at auction because its yield is only 65 pieces per year.

One of the most expensive and exotic pets Japanese macaques live on the island of Yakushima. These macaques have a number of cultural and intellectual characteristics. For example, they wash their food before eating. You can meet them at Jigokudani Monkey Park in Yamanouchi, Nagano Prefecture.

As mentioned earlier, Japan ranks 7th in the beauty of nature and here are some stunning places.

Aogashima volcano is the only volcano island in the world where people live.

The sacred Mount Fuji is one of the main themes of Japanese art. At the top of the mountain is a Jinja Shinto temple. Jinjis are built only in places of special beauty or where miracles occur. The bravest tourists can fly from the top of the mountain, on paragliders. Fuji is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

Hitachi National Seaside Park in Hitainaka (Ibaraki Prefecture) is spread over 120 hectares.

Flower festivals are held here and whole fields of tulips, narcissists, cherries, etc. are grown for this. Once a year, the Harmony and Nemophiles festival takes place when 4.5 million Nemophiles blossom in the hills in early May.

The Sagano Bamboo Forest, located in Kyoto, consists of thousands of skyward evergreen trees. With a slight breath of wind bamboo stems.

They make melodic sounds that resemble wind bells. Very often in Shinto temples put such bamboos to recreate this sound. These sounds help the monks in meditation.

Tinzan-so Garden, built in 1877 and located on the territory of 66,000 square meters, is very popular among tourists and the Japanese themselves.

There are still hundreds and hundreds of beautiful and interesting places in the Land of the Rising Sun, but it wouldn’t be fair if I told you everything. Let them be a surprise to you, future visitors to Japan.

Text by Faxri Veiklov

Photo: goturist.ru, svoiludi.ru, triphints.ru, livingtokyo.net, adme.ru, japanpa.ru, islandlife.ru, putidorogi-nn.ru, mirkrasiv.ru, cameralabs.org, goturist.ru