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A feast for the senses, Honshu is a walk-in museum showcasing Japan's past, present, and future. Its vibrant ethnicity features grandiose castles and towering office buildings, the snaking Shinkansen bullet trains and easy-breezy temple rickshaws, as well as the cellphone-thumbing Tokyoites and the kimono-clad geisha. Whether tourists opt to find thrilling urban treks, examples of feudal-age architecture, or a remote onsen (hot spring) to relax into, they are sure to find these and much more in Honshu.
Located at the heart of the Japanese archipelago, it is the country's mainland and nerve center. Majority of the significant events in the country's history occurred in this island. Evidence of Japan's changing tides still lives on today, especially in The Ancient Cities of Kyoto (the country's ancient capital and cultural heart) and Gifu (former stronghold of famed war lord Oda Nobunaga). Hundreds of museums and galleries dot Honshu (particularly in the chaotic metropolis Tokyo which has over 70), most of them exhibiting period artifacts like katana, samurai armors in full regalia, and fine ceramics and tapestries.
Backpacker's needn't look far in search for an ideal camping site or hiking destination. No visit in Japan would be considered complete without even mentioning the great Mt. Fuji, a major landmark and the country's tallest peak. Near the base of the mountain are the tranquil Fuji Five Lakes, pristine coves that are great vantage points of the local surroundings. A more surreal view can be seen in Amanohashidate ("bridge to heaven"), which is best seen upside-down right between the legs.
With the bold and vibrant culture and technological know-how, Honshu offers a vast array of souvenir items, from okobo slippers (the Eastern version of platform shoes), colorful yukata (a more informal kimono), or even a kawaii (cute) photo-sticker from the cities' Purikura stations. Tokyo nightlife rivals those of its Western counterpart New York. Even at such late hours, izakaya (traditional drinking establishments that also serve food), video arcades, and karaoke bars are still open (and are even more popular), with the swarms of working locals seeking catharsis from all the day's stress.
Honshu Landmarks:
User blogs:
Cheaper galactic spaceliner unveiled
News from http://news.ph.msn.com/top-stories/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3737940 Richard Branson unveiled Monday a commercial spaceliner offering tourists a cheaper chance to experience the thrill of weightlessness and view the splendor of the Earth from space. The British billionaire hopes to offer tickets aboard his spacecraft at a cost of 200,000 dollars each, giving adventurous ... Read full Blog post
Indonesia Eco Tourism
Tour Itenaray Day 01 BALI - LABUAN BAJO – RINCA ISLAND – KOMODO ISLAND (L.D) Pick up from your hotel in Bali and transfer to the airport, for flight to Labuan Bajo (West Flores) for approximately one and half hours. On arrival in Labuan Bajo airport, will be welcomed and met with our local representative or tour guide. Than transfer to the harbour to catch a boat cross to Rinca ... Read full Blog post
San Gimignano and San Pellegrino
Night falls on the flourishing and industrious San Gimignano, its 72 towers stand on the low roofs of the houses lit by the moon. This is not a luxury travel spot but is something you don't see every day. In the distance the clatter of hooves echoed tired in the Via Francigena. The hand of the blacksmith stops beating, the frame of the weaver becomes silent, the streets of the tank only a concert ... Read full Blog post
An Aerial fiesta in Clark Pampanga
Its a party in the sky as multi colored hot air balloons piloted ny different pilots from various partso of the world participated in this annual gathering. As early as 5am, the 2,500 hectare aviation complex at Clar Economic Zone in Pampanga was already crammedi with excitement. Clusters of hot air balloon participants busily prepare their own balloons for liftoff as they need to take advantage of ... Read full Blog post
Destinations
See All- Gifu
- Hachimantai
- Hagi
- Hida Province
- Hirosaki
- Ikuchi-Jima
- Inuyama
- Ishikawa Prefecture
- Nagoya
- Niigata Prefecture
- Noto Peninsula
- Okayama Prefecture
- Shimane Prefecture
- Shirakawa-Go and Gokayama
- Yamagata Prefecture
- More destinations
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