Japan

JAPAN

The Japanese New Year and the cherry blossom festival, karaoke and manga, geishas and samurais, sushi and ramen, green tea and sake – Japan is all this and so much more!

This book invites you to go on a colorful photographic journey to the “Land of the Rising Sun.” In total, Japan boasts no fewer than 6,852 islands, home to around 127 million people. A diverse cultural heritage and multifaceted landscapes are waiting to be discovered. Aside from fire-spitting volcanoes and steaming hot springs that are popular as bathing spots for humans and the Japanese macaques, this book presents the important architectural monuments and traditional gardens of the various imperial dynasties.

Hokkaidō boasts a rich natural landscape, while the main island of Honshū is home to vibrant cities and historical towns, including Tōkyō, Yokohama, Kyōto, Ōsaka and Kōbe. This illustrated book takes you from Shikoku, the smallest of the four main islands, to Kyūshū, which is probably the island most associated with ancient myths. It ends up on Okinawa and the small islands in the south which may create the impression that you have landed in the South Seas.

THE JAPAN BOOK takes us on a tour to Japan’s main islands – Hokkaidō in the north, Honshū in the middle, Shikoku, Kyūshū and Okinawa in the south – and allows us to experience the complete enchantment this country exerts.

ISBN 978-3-95504-937-9 UK £ 25.00 US$ 35.00

JAPAN HIGHLIGHTS OF A FASCINATING COUNTRY

THE JAPAN BOOK

2

001-009_DJapanB_Titelei_MB_var.indd 2

02.03.20 09:52

THE JAPAN BOOK

3

001-009_DJapanB_Titelei_MB_var.indd 3

02.03.20 09:52

THE JAPAN BOOK

4

001-009_DJapanB_Titelei_MB_var.indd 4

02.03.20 09:52

THE JAPAN BOOK

5

001-009_DJapanB_Titelei_MB_var.indd 5

02.03.20 09:52

ABOUT THIS BOOK To explore the entire island state you will need

heritage. The Buddhist faithful, meanwhile, travel

quite a lot of time, a good deal of courage and a

to Shikoku, the smallest of the four main islands, to

wide range of different types of clothing, for the

follow the 88-temple pilgrimage. Kyūshū is consid-

“Land of the Rising Sun” comprises no fewer than

ered the most mythical of all the islands. The far-

6,852 islands. The subpolar extreme north, featur-

ther south you travel, the warmer it gets, until

ing deserted islands, is home to more birds than

finally you arrive at subtropical Okinawa and the

humans. Hokkaidō is a known for its unadulterated

coral-rich Yaeyama Islands, which seem like South

nature. The main island of Honshū bustles with

Sea paradises rather than Japan. The country is

urban life and activity, as well as Japan’s cultural

one of the most populous on earth, yet it boasts a

6

001-009_DJapanB_Titelei_MB_var.indd 6

02.03.20 09:52

ABOUT THIS BOOK wealth of untouched nature. Its treasures are often

macaques, snakes and bears. Yet Japan boasts not

An unforgettable sight: in spring, between

excellently protected, be it as national parks, bio-

only surprising wilderness and breathtaking land-

March and April, the trees around Himeji Castle

sphere reserves, or as UNESCO geopark or World

scapes; its cultural heritage is equally impressive,

are transformed into a sea of pink flowers.

Natural Heritage sites. This photographic volume

complex and exotic. Majestic samurai castles,

The cherry blossom, or rather the admiration

takes you to regions with smoking volcanoes, into

ancient temples and shrines, exquisitely composed

of the same, known as hanami, is all-important

mysterious forests, onto snowcapped 10,000 ft

gardens, traditional craftsmanship, vibrant cities,

in Japan; it‘s a popular sport without equal.

(3,000 m) peaks, through mangroves, to remote

and a ritualized bathing culture – all these import-

In Japanese art, on the other hand, the fragile

waterfalls and into underwater caves. Shy, curious,

ant cultural assets, both material and immaterial,

and ephemeral flowers are often considered

dangerous animals will cross your path: wild cats,

are richly illustrated in this guide.

a symbol of vanity.

7

001-009_DJapanB_Titelei_MB_var.indd 7

02.03.20 09:52

NARA: NATIONAL MUSEUM Sometimes it is the background story that makes a

exhibition of Buddhist temple treasures, but above

building exciting, for example the construction his-

all the construction of the museum, which was

tory of the Nara National Museum. The official rea-

completed in 1894, was meant to counteract such

son for building such a museum was the World’s

tendencies. In addition to the main building, there

Fair in Paris in 1878. In fact, the Imperial Household

are now east and west wings. Sculptures from

Ministry feared the Haibutsu kishaku movement

China and Japan dating from the Asuka to the

whose two main political planks were a social

Kamakura periods are shown in a permanent exhi-

renewal of Japan in connection with the Meiji

bition in the main wing, while the east wing is used

Restoration and the abolition of Buddhism. A large

for changing exhibitions.

148 HONSHU-

126-181_DJapanB_Honshu_MB_var.indd 148

02.03.20 11:06

NARA: NATIONAL MUSEUM The main museum building was constructed in the style of the French Renaissance and has already undergone several renovations (far left).

Left: a Bhaisajyaguru or Medicine Buddha.

Large picture: a detail of an eighth-century Einsakyo, a painted scroll of text that forms part of the national treasure of Japan. Below: portraits of priests; the eleven-headed goddess of mercy; the ten kings of hell.

HONSHU

126-181_DJapanB_Honshu_MB_var.indd 149

149

02.03.20 11:06

YOSHINOYAMA Some places are historically significant, testifying

converted an existing temple into a fortress, trained

to wars and battles – and yet they are so appealing

monks as soldiers and so was able to repel an

to the eye that visitors keep coming back. The

attack by the opposition. Later, after his expulsion

mountains of Yoshinoyama are one such place,

from Kyōto, Emperor Go-Daigo built his residence

perhaps because of the cherry blossom, which is

here but it was destroyed after his death. A legend

particularly spectacular here. During a split of the

around the cherry trees is far more charming.

Japanese imperial family into two opposing fac-

En-no-Ozuno, a pilgrim, is said to have brought a

tions, things were quite uncomfortable here, espe-

single cherry tree as a gift; later the entrepreneur

cially during the 14th century. Prince Moriyoshi

Sueyoshi Kambei donated 10,000 trees.

150 HONSHU-

126-181_DJapanB_Honshu_MB_var.indd 150

02.03.20 11:06

YOSHINOYAMA Today, Mount Yoshino is home to more than 30,000Â cherry trees. As the trees were planted at altitudes varying by 1,969 ft (600Â m), the blossom season starts at different times, and so the region has become a hotspot for tourists, especially in spring. Entire families drive on the well-developed roads through the mountains to enjoy the spectacular sight of millions of delicate cherry blossoms.

HONSHU

126-181_DJapanB_Honshu_MB_var.indd 151

151

02.03.20 11:06

ODAIGAHARA, OMINE AND OSUGIDANI UNESCO BIOSPHERE RESERVE It’s no wonder that this biosphere reserve was

tourists also come to marvel at the deep valleys

expanded in 2016. The landscape is simply magical.

with waterfalls up to 656 ft (200 m) high as well as

The sparsely populated region is unique, especially

the peaks of Mount Ōdaigahara (5,560 ft/1,695 m)

in fall, when the leaves change color. Only around

and Mount Ōmine (5,640 ft/1,719 m). Animal lovers

14,000 people live in the reserve, and the trend con-

will find Japanese macaques here; the area is

tinues to be negative due to the aging of the popu-

home to the second largest population on Yaku-

lation, and the decline in births. Encompassing an

shima. Asian black bears and Sika deer also enjoy

area of 294,871 acres (119,330 ha) of land, agricul-

the peace and quiet in the Biosphere Reserve.

ture is a major economic factor in the reserve. But

152 HONSHU-

126-181_DJapanB_Honshu_MB_var.indd 152

02.03.20 11:06

ODAIGAHARA, OMINE AND OSUGIDANI UNESCO BIOSPHERE RESERVE The landscape diversity in the reserve is amazing. Subalpine coniferous or deciduous forests dominate in this region, which is perfect for long hiking tours. But subtropical and temperate rainforests are similarly attractive.

Another interesting aspect is the fact that the vegetation zones are vertically separated from each other – they start in the warm-temperate zone and end in the subalpine zone.

HONSHU

126-181_DJapanB_Honshu_MB_var.indd 153

153

02.03.20 11:06

JAPAN

The Japanese New Year and the cherry blossom festival, karaoke and manga, geishas and samurais, sushi and ramen, green tea and sake – Japan is all this and so much more!

This book invites you to go on a colorful photographic journey to the “Land of the Rising Sun.” In total, Japan boasts no fewer than 6,852 islands, home to around 127 million people. A diverse cultural heritage and multifaceted landscapes are waiting to be discovered. Aside from fire-spitting volcanoes and steaming hot springs that are popular as bathing spots for humans and the Japanese macaques, this book presents the important architectural monuments and traditional gardens of the various imperial dynasties.

Hokkaidō boasts a rich natural landscape, while the main island of Honshū is home to vibrant cities and historical towns, including Tōkyō, Yokohama, Kyōto, Ōsaka and Kōbe. This illustrated book takes you from Shikoku, the smallest of the four main islands, to Kyūshū, which is probably the island most associated with ancient myths. It ends up on Okinawa and the small islands in the south which may create the impression that you have landed in the South Seas.

THE JAPAN BOOK takes us on a tour to Japan’s main islands – Hokkaidō in the north, Honshū in the middle, Shikoku, Kyūshū and Okinawa in the south – and allows us to experience the complete enchantment this country exerts.

ISBN 978-3-95504-937-9 UK £ 25.00 US$ 35.00

JAPAN HIGHLIGHTS OF A FASCINATING COUNTRY