Holiday in Mount Fuji(Most Beautiful Mountain) ,Japan

The correct Japanese name for the mountain is Fuji-san; the usual English form, Fujiyama, is not often used in Japan. In early times it was revered as a sacred mountain, the home of the gods, and from the 12th C Buddhist teaching held that it was the gateway to another world. Until 1868, like other natural shrines, it was banned to females. Nowadays Fuji is climbed in the work of the months of July and August by over a million people, for whom the ascent is an  religious act, the culmination of which is the observation of dawn on the summit (Goraiko). The beginning and ending of the official climbing season are celebrated on July 1 and August 31 with solemn ceremonies, but climbers do go up all year round.

Mount Fuji is the highest peak in the Fuji volcanic chain in central Japan and Japan's highest and most stunning mountain. Its regular form has been celebrated since early times in poetry and painting, for example in the verses of Yamabe Akahito (8th C) and the series of woodcuts, "Views of Fuji" by Hokusai (1760-1849). The symbol and emblem of Japan, it can be seen on clear days from as far away as Tokyo. It lies within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

Fuji is a strato-volcano which came in to being in the Quaternary period, some 300,000 years ago. Its  exactly circular base has a diameter of 22-25mi/ 35-40km. The name is believed to come from the Ainu word for fire. Eighteen eruptions have been recorded in historical times, the most violent being those of 800, 865 and 1707. In the work of the 1707 eruption the town of Edo (Tokyo), 60mi/ 100kn away, was covered with a thick layer of ash and the lateral crater of Hoeizan (8865ft/ 2702m) was formed. Since then the volcano has been dormant. On the northern flank of Fuji are the five Fuji lakes.

There's five routes up Mount Fuji, each divided in to ten stages (gome) of varying length (ichi-gome = first stage, ni-gome = second stage, etc.) At the finish of each stage are stone direction signs and sometimes a mountain hut. In the work of the season all the huts are open, so that climbers can spend the night at one of the intermediate "stations".

The ascent is usually begun in the early afternoon, so as to reach the 7th or 8th station before dusk. Then early the following morning climbers continue to the summit and walk around the crater (diameter 550yds/ 500m). The descent is begun about midday, returning to base in the late afternoon. An increasingly popular variant is to make the ascent in one go, beginning about 4pm and reaching the summit at dawn. The advantages of this method are that it takes less time and avoids the heat of the day. In any event clouds obstruct the view down in to the valley after 9am. Fuji ought to not be climbed in winter in view of the danger of avalanches.

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Japan Tourist Attractions : Matsushima Bay - Zuiganji Temple

Founded in 828, Zuiganji Temple later became a middle of the Rinzai sect (Myoshinji school). On either side of the avenue are caves, used by the monks as places for meditation. In one of the larger caves Abbot Hosshin, who studied the new teachings in China, is said to have meditated after his return. The present buildings were erected by Date Masamune in 1609. notable are the Middle Gate (Haka-mon), the Imperial Gate (Onari-mon), the living apartments (Kuri), the gallery (Kairo) & the Main Hall (Hondo), with sliding doors painted by artists of the Kano school. In the fascinating Peacock Room is a wooden statue of Date Masamune, known as the "one-eyed Shogun" (dokuganryu Shogun), in full armor. There is also an interestingstatue of Makabe Heishiro (the secular name of Abbot Hosshin).

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Top Tourist Attractions : Hiroshima - Shukkei-en Garden, Japan

On the banks of the River Ota is the Shukkei-en Garden, laid out by Asano Nagaakira in 1620 in imitation of the famous landscaped garden on the Western Lake of the elderly South Chinese capital of Hangchow (Sung dynasty). The pools and streams in the garden draw their water from the Ota.

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Top Japan Tourist Attractions : Chubu-Sangaku National Park/ Japan Alps

The mountains attract huge numbers of walkers and climbers in summer and skiers in winter. The plant life is varied, differing in pattern with altitude. Ptarmigan and mountain antelopes are found at the higher altitudes.

The Chubu-Sangaku National Park, in the midst of Honshu, takes in the northern (Hida Mountains) and central regions of the mountains known as the "Japan Alps" and contains the highest peaks in Japan after Fujiyama. The Japan Alps are very similar to the Alps of Central Europe both in character of the landscape and in the abundance of snow in winter.

The highest peaks in the National Park, from north to south, are Norikura (9,928ft/ 3,026m), the active volcano Yake (8,055ft/ 2,455m), Hotaka (10,466ft/ 3,190m 

), Yari (10,434ft/ 3,180m), Tateyama (9,892ft/ 3,015m) and Shirouma (9,623ft/ 2,933m). The plenty of hot springs all over the park have led to the development of various spas and holiday resorts, the best known of which is Kamikochi (alt 4,920ft/ 1,500m). The River Kurobe flows through the mountains from south to north, and the construction of the Kurobe Dam has created a large lake which adds to the beauty of the scenery.

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Top Japan Tourist Attractions : Akan National Park

The Akan National Park, in eastern Hokkaido, extends around two lakes, Kutcharo, Akan and Mashu. On either side of Lake Akan are the volcanoes Me-Akan and O-Akan. Much of the park is covered by sub-Arctic primeval forests and is pretty in the fall with its brilliant colored foliage.

In the western part of the National Park lies Lake Akan (alt 1,375ft/ 419m), which has a circumference of 14mi/ 22.5 km and a maximum depth of 118ft/ 36m. The lake is noted for its abundance of fish (trout, salmon) and for a waterweed known as the marimo, which can reach a diameter of 6in/ 15cm. Normally grown on the bottom, the plants rise to the surface when the sun shines, giving the lake a shimmering green color. The marimo, which 

is found also in Lake Yamanaka and Lake Sakyo is a statutorily protected species. On the south side of the lake rises Me-Akan (4,931ft/ 1,503m), on the east side O-Akan (4,498ft/ 1,371m) - one volcanoes which form a magnificent backdrop to the lake with its lots of tiny islands.

On the south side of the lake is the health resort of Akan-kohan-onsen, a junction for the various bus services, which run through the park. From here Me-Akan can be climbed (7mi/ 11.5km to the summit). The view from the summit takes in the Sea of Okhotsk, the Pacific and the Tokachi and Nemuro plains. From Akan-kohan-onsen the Akan Traverse Road leads to the O-Akan-onsen, beginning point for the ascent of the extinct volcano of O-Akan (7mi/ 11km). The road continues east of Teshikaga, passing the viewpoints of Sogukudai (view of Me-Akan and O-Akan) and Sokodai (view of the tiny lakes of Penketo and Panketo).

Steep rock faces a rising to 650ft/ 200m and dense forests make the shores of the crater lake, Lake Mashu (circumference 12 1/2mi/ 20km, depth 696ft/ 212m)  inaccessible but there is a superb view of the lake from the outlook terrace high above its shores. Lake Mashu is claimed to be the clearest lake in the world, with visibility reaching down to over 130ft/ 40m. On the east side of the lake rises Mount Kamui-Nupuri (2,815ft/ 858m) and on the west side the still-active volcano of Io (1,673ft/ 510m) with its numerous solfataras (vents emitting vapor). The best beginning point for a trip to the foot of the volcano is the romantically situated health resort of Kawayu-onsen.

From here it is 1mi/ 1.5km to the base of the volcano, where sulphurous vapors emerge from numerous vents, coloring the rocks yellowish green with their deposits.

Notthwest of Kawayu-onsen they find the largest lake in the Akan National Park, Lake Kutcharo (alt 397ft/ 121m, area 30sq.mi/ 77.5sq.km, depth 395ft/ 120m). In the midst of the lake is the wooded island of Tomoshiri, on the south side is the resort of Wakoto-onsen, with subterranean hot springs warming the waters of the lake and the sand on its shores (camp sites). Here, , is the source of the River Kushiro, which flows south. There is a fine views of the lake from the Bihoro Pass (1,723ft/ 525m) which carries the road from Teshikaga to Bihoro and Abashiri.

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London Popular Tourist Attractions : London Eye

The EDF Energy London Eye (commonly the London Eye, or Millennium Wheel, formerly the Merlin Entertainments London Eye

It is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, & the most popular London tourist attractions, visited by over 3.5 million people yearly. When erected in 1999, it was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, until surpassed first by the 160 m Star of Nanchang in 2006, & then the 165 m Singapore Flyer in 2008. It is still described by its operators as "the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel" (as the wheel is supported by an A-frame on one side only, unlike the Nanchang & Singapore wheels).

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London Tourist Attractions : Palace of Westminster

Today Palace of Westminster is Popular London Tourist Attraction.  It is also often called the Houses of Parliament, is a complex of buildings in London. It is the stool of the three houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (the House of Lords and the House of Commons). The palace lies on the north bank of the River Thames in the London borough of the City of Westminster, close to the government buildings of Whitehall.

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London Tourist Attractions : Tower Of London

Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more often known as the Tower of London (and historicallyin the past as The Tower), is a historic monument in central London, England, on the north bank of the River Thames. It is located within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and is separated from the eastern fringe of the City of London by the open space known as Tower Hill. It is the oldest building used by the English government.

It was founded towards the finish of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England. The White Tower, which gives the whole castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078, and was a resented symbol of oppression, inflicted on London by the new ruling elite. The castle was used as a jail since at least 1100, although that was not its primary purpose. A grand palace early in its history, it served as a royal residence. As a whole, the Tower is a complex of several buildings set within six concentric rings of defensive walls and a moat. There were several phases of expansion, chiefly under Kings Richard the Lionheart, Henry III, and Edward I in the 12th and 13th centuries. The general layout established by the late 13th century remains despite later activity on the site.

Today the Tower of London is one of good London tourist attractions

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London Tourist Attractions : Big Ben

Big Ben is also one of the top London tourist attractions. And it is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north-eastern finish of the Palace of Westminster in London, and is often extended to refer to the clock or the clock tower as well. Massive Ben is the largest four-faced chiming clock and the third-tallest freestanding clock tower in the world. 

The tower was built as part of development designs by Charles Barry's new palace, after the elderly Palace of Westminster was destroyed by fire on the night of October 22, 1834. The tower is 96.3 meters high (316 feet) and built with Victorian Gothic style. 61 meters (200 feet) below the clock is made of brick covered with stone, while the spire is supported by an iron framework made of iron melting. The tower was built on land measuring 15 meters by 15 meters, the foundation made of concrete thickness of 3 meters (9 feet), at a depth of 4 meters (13 feet) below the surface. All sides at height of 55 meters (180 feet) from the ground.

This clock is located in the northeast of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London. There is a reason the tower was named Giant Ben, Giant Ben is actually the nickname of the bell which is located in it (was one time the Great Bell). The tower was also named The Tower of Giant Ben, or inappropriately, the Tower of Saint Stephen.

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LondonTourist Attractions : Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is top London attraction. It is the official London residence of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality, and a major tourist attraction. It has been a rallying point for the British people at times of national rejoicing and crisis.

The Palace is also the venue for great Royal ceremonies, State Visits & Investitures, all of which are organised by the Royal Household.

The Palace is very much a working building & the centrepiece of Britain's constitutional monarchy. It houses the offices of those who support the day-to-day activities & duties of The Queen & The Duke of Edinburgh & their immediate relatives.

Over 50,000 people visit the Palace each year as guests to banquets, lunches, dinners, receptions & the Royal Garden Parties.

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