This is a country that boasts a long history, where emperors wielded great power and samurais and shoguns dominated for centuries; country where the ancient art of the geisha developed, as well as the less graceful and ponderous sumo wrestler. Above all, the culture is celebrated in a multitude of festivals that are varied and have traditions stretching back many years. Japan is also a land of great natural beauty with a diversity that offers something for everyone. The country is made up of the four main islands of Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, with a further 4,000 smaller islands close by. The sun-drenched beaches in the south contrast sharply with the cold and snow-covered Japanese Alps. More than 70 per cent of the country is covered by hills and mountains, and there are many active and dormant volcanoes. The city has some good museums, especially at Ueno, which is famous for its large park and cultural venues. Many visitors take a day tour to nearby Mount Fuji, which has some excellent hiking trails leading to its summit. The ancient city of Kyoto was the capital of Japan for more than a thousand years, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. There are approximately 2,000 temples, shrines and other historical sites that date back to 794 AD. The museum collections and numerous arts and crafts make it the cultural centre of Japan. Hokkaido has some of the most beautiful scenery found in Japan and large parts of the island are designated as national parks. There are numerous hot springs, mountain resorts and volcanic crater lakes. The winter months attract visitors keen to see the 'dancing' cranes and monkeys bathing in hot springs. The ski resorts are catering for more and more winter sports enthusiasts who come to enjoy the excellent snow conditions. Nara is located one hour south of Kyoto and was Japan’s capital during the 8th century. This major Buddhist centre is home to the largest wooden structure in the world: the 187ft high ‘Great Buddha’ in the Todaiji Temple. Another outstanding structure is the Horyuji Temple that was constructed in the 7th century, making it one of the oldest Buddhist temples still in existence. | 
