Japan is a very mountainous country, yet there are a few majestic peaks that stand above all the rest. If you plan to visit Japan, you must see at least one of them. These picturesque peaks show off the natural beauty of Japan.
Mount Fuji
This is the tallest mountain in Japan. Mount Fuji is a perfect peak… it has the classic pointed cone that is often depicted in artwork and admired the world over. A dormant volcano, Mount Fuji is revered in Japan for its beauty and perfection. Mountain climbing and skiing are activities that are common around this mountain. Climbing is done only during a short period in the high summer as attempting the climb the rest of the year is very dangerous. Mount Fuji rises to an impressive height of 12,388 feet above sea level.
Mount Tate
Mount Tate is 9892 feet above sea level. It is located in the Toyama region of Japan. This mountain is known for its impressive fall beauty, when all the trees are draped in bright colors. The Oyama Shrine is located at the peak of Mount Tate. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful Shomyo Falls while they make the climb to the plateau.
Mount Haku
Mount Haku is also a dormant volcano. It stands 8783 feet above sea level. This mountain is a designated national park and remains pristine. Hiking is allowed and wildlife abounds here. Seasoned hikers may choose to take some of the rougher trails. They offer quite a challenge and can be very treacherous. Mount Haku is at its best in the late summer and fall.
Other mountains in Japan include Mount Aso, Nantai-san, Akaishi-dake and Hachimantai. If you truly love the mountains of Japan, check out the book “100 Famous Japanese Mountains” by Kyuya Fukada. Written in 1964, it celebrates the mountains of Japan and gives their history as well as climbing tips. It maybe out of print where you are so you may want to pick up a copy of Hiking in Japan
instead.
November 9, 2009
in Music
If you have an interest in the culture of a country, it is worth lending an ear to its music, and Japan is no different. Traditional Japanese music is beautifully distinctive and remarkable, and Japan’s music has its own traits that distinguish it from the music of many other countries. Take some time and think about some of the music that you might hear in Japan today; it is an eclectic mix and there is a great deal of influence from other countries as well.
For instance, heavy metal is an important genre of music in Japan. Power metal and neo classical metal are both important genres and there are many Japanese bands from the eighties and ninties that are classified as speed metal. Loudness is the most successful Japanese heavy metal band that tours outside of Japan while Sabbat and Sigh are two very popular domestic groups.
As early as the eighties R&B and dance music started to become popular in Japan. Some of the early stars of this genre of music included Ayumi Hamasaki and the group Every Little Thing, and today, the tradition continues with stars including Hikaru Utada and and the all girl group Morning Musume. Some current R&B singers that currently enjoy a fair amount of attention in Japan include Shota Shimizu, Beni Arashiro and Thelma Aoyama.
Though Japanese hip-hop is a relatively newer form of music to hit the Japanese scene, it has become extremely popular in a short period of time. The hip hop scene itself is a fluid and open space and both independent and major label artists can share space and impressive amounts of attention.
Every since the sixties, Japanese rock bands have enjoyed an impressive degree of appreciation and acclaim. Today, there is an extremely varied underground rock scene that will cover bands like Boredoms, which is a noise rock band to alternative acts like Shonen Knife, which achieved a fair degree of popularity in the west due to acclaim from popular musicians there. Some of the bands which have achieved acclaim include Eastern Youth and the Band Apart.
Though a slightly smaller genre, theme music is also an important part of the modern Japanese music scene. One way for bands to get publicity is to write songs for anime series films and television series, either the opening or closing tracks, and positions on soundtracks are a fairly hot commodity. There are many groups that have spent their careers composing for theme songs and other visual media, and some of the more famous ones include Does, JAM Project and The Pillows.
Take some time and consider what your options are when you are thinking about listening to Japanese music; there are plenty of choices and something to suit every taste!
Mount Fuji
