Japan is the world's second largest economy that impresses scientists and economists of the world and gives rise to numerous researches of its methods and tactics to achieve such a considerable economic growth. The Japanese society is known in the world for accomplishing an astonishing economic growth in the post-war period and the more astounding fact is that the country, subjected to regular natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunami, taking many human lives and large expenses, is capable of restoring its economic resources at such a fast rate.

The history of Japan is captivating in its all periods, while the postwar period is of special interest for many historians and amateur readers. After World War II Japan was devastated like many countries that participated in the war. However, the country managed to rise to its full height at much faster rate than the other countries did. Consequently, in less than ten years after the war, Japan emerged as a global economic power, even more mighty than it was in the prewar period. What was happening in Japan after World War II?

It takes time to understand Japanese art. Whether you admire Japanese ikebana or listen to Japanese music, they can appear either strange or too much intricate until you know what each aspect of this particular art reflects. Although Japan is considered to assimilate many foreign cultures, their own arts bear neither resemblance nor imitation of the origins, since these cultures have acquired new forms and ideas in the Japanese rearrangement.

For many centuries singing and dancing were the only entertainment at Japanese parties, celebrations and festivals. Hence, many traditional Japanese dances are still popular in Japan along with modern Western style forms and a ballet. Numerous Western schools in Japan cover a classical ballet, avant-garde styles, a jazz-dance and a modern dance, while during the festivals, people dance their national Bon dance or So-ran Bushi.

Since the Japanese archipelago is located in an area where several continental and oceanic meet, there are frequent earthquakes and many volcanoes and hot springs across Japan. If earthquakes occur below or near the ocean, they might trigger tidal waves or a tsunami. Many of us, who live in tectonically quiet regions, would consider it strange to keep a survival kit for the case of emergency. However, every household in Japan does so.

Hakone is a name for both a mountainous area and a volcano, lying west of Tokyo in Japan. Hakone features a substantial tourist activity, since it is an excellent recreational area with many mountains to climb and several parks to take a stroll. Hakone hosts many onsen (hot spring) resort areas and both locals and foreigners come to Hakone for a treatment at health resorts.

Shibuya is a shopping, eating and entertainment district, situated in the west of Tokyo, popular among many young Tokyoites. It is one of the most colorful and busy districts and a cradle of Japanese fashion and entertainment trends. Most large departments and fashion stores in the area belong to either Tokyu or Seibu, two competing corporations. If you love something of lively, fun, crowded, busy, vibrant and outstanding, Shibuya will seduce your imagination!

Traveling around the Gifu Prefecture is a fine opportunity to enjoy the sights of rural Japan in the south of the region and to hike, ski and bathe in hot springs in the north, as a defining feature of the prefecture is the northern stretch of the Japan Alps. No doubt, your travel around Gifu should start with visiting its capital with the same name, a cradle of handcrafts, famous paper umbrellas, lantern making and captivating sights of plum and cherry blossoms.

Kansai is the western region of Honshu, the main Japanese island; the area that is also known as Kinki region with the meaning "near the capital", referring to the former capital of Japan, Kyoto. It houses seven prefectures that are Hyogo, Kyoto, Mie, Nara, Osaka, Wakayama and Shiga. The region is second to Tokyo's Kanto in population and is famous for the stunning beauty of landscapes, as well as for an absorbing history of its main cities and their historical and cultural attractions.

From the very beginning it is important to point out that the Japanese word for cooked rice (gohan) has a general meaning of "meal" that stresses the importance of rice in the Japanese cuisine, as well as in the country's culture. Rice has been cultivated in Japan for over two thousand years, making the most important crop and the most important ingredient for many dishes. Once in the history of Japan, rice was even used as a currency.

Hakone is a name for both a mountainous area and a volcano, lying west of Tokyo in Japan. Hakone features a substantial tourist activity, since it is an excellent recreational area with many mountains to climb and several parks to take a stroll. Hakone hosts many onsen (hot spring) resort areas and both locals and foreigners come to Hakone for a treatment at health resorts.

Shibuya is a shopping, eating and entertainment district, situated in the west of Tokyo, popular among many young Tokyoites. It is one of the most colorful and busy districts and a cradle of Japanese fashion and entertainment trends. Most large departments and fashion stores in the area belong to either Tokyu or Seibu, two competing corporations. If you love something of lively, fun, crowded, busy, vibrant and outstanding, Shibuya will seduce your imagination!

Traveling around the Gifu Prefecture is a fine opportunity to enjoy the sights of rural Japan in the south of the region and to hike, ski and bathe in hot springs in the north, as a defining feature of the prefecture is the northern stretch of the Japan Alps. No doubt, your travel around Gifu should start with visiting its capital with the same name, a cradle of handcrafts, famous paper umbrellas, lantern making and captivating sights of plum and cherry blossoms.

Kansai is the western region of Honshu, the main Japanese island; the area that is also known as Kinki region with the meaning "near the capital", referring to the former capital of Japan, Kyoto. It houses seven prefectures that are Hyogo, Kyoto, Mie, Nara, Osaka, Wakayama and Shiga. The region is second to Tokyo's Kanto in population and is famous for the stunning beauty of landscapes, as well as for an absorbing history of its main cities and their historical and cultural attractions.

From the very beginning it is important to point out that the Japanese word for cooked rice (gohan) has a general meaning of "meal" that stresses the importance of rice in the Japanese cuisine, as well as in the country's culture. Rice has been cultivated in Japan for over two thousand years, making the most important crop and the most important ingredient for many dishes. Once in the history of Japan, rice was even used as a currency.

Ryokan are traditional Japanese inns, found throughout Japan and can be recommended for those, who, along with learning the unique Japanese history and culture during their vacation in Japan, want to experience a traditional Japanese accommodation and atmosphere. Ryokan are peculiar to Japan and the only accommodations of such kind in the world. Whether large or small, ryokan are considered some of the best accommodations, preserving the Japanese culture of travelers' welcome treat.

Ninety percent of Japan's land is covered with mountains and is surrounded by the sea. Many mid-size and small islands host wild habitats and all this creates many fascinating and unusual scenes. National Parks in Japan reflect these peculiarities of the Japanese landscape and wildlife; today, there are twenty-seven of them, covering more than five percent of the total land area. The Nikko National Park is one of the most beautiful and peculiar national parks in Japan, designated as the World Heritage Site.

In the majority of countries, people's religious beliefs are limited to a single faith. There can be many religions, but a man often chooses one and practices it throughout his life. The case of Japan is different, since many Japanese can embrace several faiths simultaneously. Many of them consider themselves as both Shintoist and Buddhist and it is common to Japan to be married in a Shinto ceremony ritual and berried with Buddhist rites.

The Nara Prefecture is located almost in the center of the Japanese archipelago, surrounded by four prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto, Wakayama and Mie. The prefecture occupies a significant position in the history, as it is said that Nara was the first state in Japan. Hence, Nara is home to diverse World Heritage Sites, Buddhist art and architecture samples, designated as the National Treasures and Important Cultural Assets.

Japan is located along the circum-Pacific volcanic belt; therefore, there is a great number of volcanic areas. It is interesting to note that of the eight hundred and forty active volcanoes in the world, Japan has almost 1/10 of them (approximately eighty), although Japan has only 1/400 of the world's land area. An abundance of volcanoes has both negative and positive aspects: volcanoes are dangerous and devastating for the civilization and, at the same time, they make money, since crowds of tourists go to see them all year round.

If you are not closely acquainted with origami or the art of paper folding, you loose nothing, but a cognitive and captivating experience. Could you ever think that making origami flowers or other objects can be somehow connected with mathematics, hand rehabilitation or healing your nerves? Actually, origami has a tight connection with things mentioned above that makes the art especially interesting.

The Nara Period (710-794 AD) is marked in the Japanese history for the establishment of Buddhism with a center of these religious changes in ancient Nara. Today, seven temples, shrines and ruins in Nara, preserved from the 8th century, together form the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara", the UNESCO's World Heritage Site. The largest Buddhist temple and statue are located in Nara.

The Mount Fuji is not only prominent as the highest and sacred mountain among the Japanese. The mountain's geology, location and activity are also of particular interest for Japanese researchers and for those, who are simply interested in the volcano origin and life cycle. Many observations have been made to provide the reliable data for Fuji's history and activity of its volcanoes.

The Shinkansen is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan. The first line was opened in 1964 and since that time it has expanded to connect the most major cities on the islands Honshu and Kyushu. The trains of Shinkansen run at the speed up to 186 mph. and there are three types of trains, operating on the Shinkansen railways with the most famous called Mozomi. Mozomi is the fastest and more modern train, distinguished by its fifteen meter long power car nose and a dome canopy of the driver's cab to allow a perfect forward vision.

The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The attack left two thousand four hundred and three dead, hundred and eighty eight destroyed planes and a crippled Pacific Fleet that included eight damaged or destroyed battleships. Although the USA and its citizens were frightened by the attack at Pearl Harbor and Japan's intentions, their response led to the total destruction of the Japanese Empire four years later.