The Itsukushima Shrine is one of the most important tourist attractions of Japan. This shrine is located on the island of Miyajima in the south of the Japanese island chain, which is considered sacred and in the past was not accessible to ordinary people. The shrine was built in the 6th century and received its current appearance in the 12th century. Those interested in history are always fascinated.
The Todai-ji Buddhist temple complex in the southern Japanese city of Nara houses the largest bronze Buddha statue in Japan. This temple complex was built in the 8th century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The large Buddha statue is over 16 m high and weighs around 452 t. On the complex is the shrine of the deity Hachiman, which served as a protective god for the great Buddha. The sight is one of the most interesting in Japan and is very impressive.
Near Nara in the city of Ikaruga is the Buddhist temple complex Horyu-ji. This complex was built around AD 600 and, along with numerous national treasures, houses the oldest surviving wooden buildings in the world. The most notable buildings include the “Golden Hall”, the five-story pagoda, the Great Hall and the western circular hall. The temple complex has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
The Himeji Castle is also a World Heritage Site. This castle complex consists of a total of 83 buildings and is one of the most beautiful castle complexes in Japan. The first buildings were built in the 14th century. In the 17th century, the complex received its current shape. Despite the unusual beauty, the weirs were highly developed at the time and were considered impregnable. The castle was used several times as a film set and is known as “White Heron” due to its white outer walls.
The Buddhist temple complex Kinkaku-ji is located in the northwest of the Japanese city of Kyoto. Kinkaku is the name for the “golden pavilion” of this complex, the upper floors of which are covered in gold leaf. This pavilion is the heart of the temple and is considered one of the most famous historical buildings in Japan. This temple complex was built in the 14th century and combines different Japanese and Chinese architectures.
The Kii Mountains are part of the peninsula of the same name on the island of Honshu. This densely forested mountain region consists of rugged mountains, 1,000 to 1,200 m high, which have been sacred for over 1,200 years. In this area there are numerous sanctuaries of Shintoism and Buddhism, which are connected by pilgrimage paths. Due to the high rainfall, there are numerous waterfalls and rivers in this mountain region. At Seiganto-ji is the highest waterfall in Japan with 133 m.
Nikko is a city 140 km north of Tokyo. Due to the large number of historical monuments and buildings, the city is a tourist center of Japan. The Nikko Tosho-gu is one of the most famous shrines in the city. This shrine was built in the 17th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Almost unnoticed there is a world-famous facade carving on the holy horse stable: the three monkeys who see, hear and say no evil. These are known worldwide and even in Germany the meaning of the monkeys is completely clear.
Another important attraction in Japan is the Kyoto Gosho Imperial Palace, which served as the residence of the Japanese emperor for around 1,000 years until the 19th century. In addition to the official residence, the palace grounds include numerous buildings and halls that are surrounded by a park. The Shishinden Hall is the main building of the palace grounds and contains the throne of the Japanese emperors.
Holidays in Japan
According to best-medical-schools, there are a total of 15 public holidays in Japan that are legally enshrined. On these days, public institutions such as schools, offices, offices or banks are closed. Public transport also runs according to separate timetables, which should be observed as a tourist in any case. In contrast, shops and supermarkets remain open without restrictions, which is very advantageous if you are not prepared for it, which would be better in principle.
If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the coming Monday is also a public holiday and this should also be considered natural if you are a guest in Japan. As in other countries, there are also public holidays in Japan that are not tied to a fixed date, so you have to inquire about them explicitly. However, most public holidays are assigned an unchanged date. In addition to the public holidays, there are also a large number of commemorative and festive days on which different events can take place.
The most important public holidays include the anniversary of the founding of the state on February 11, November 23 as the day of work and December 23 as the birthday of the emperor. The so-called “Golden Week” is particularly friendly. From April 29 to May 5, 4 public holidays will follow in quick succession. These include Green Day on April 29 or Nation’s Day on May 4. May 3 is constitutional commemoration and May 5 is children’s day. Many Japanese use this week for a short vacation and to visit various sights and memorials.
