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Attractive places in Japan

Cornwallis Beach

On the way to Huia, stop and check on the progress of the Auckland Regional Council's wharf restoration project at Cornwallis. (Wharf, Carpark)

Titirangi Beach

Just minutes from the Town centre along Titirangi Beach Road, this beach is ideal for parking up.

Watch wading birds on extensive mudflats exposed at low tide. There is a playground and toilets available also.


Armour Bay

An ideal place for families with children. Here they can frolic in the sea, indulge in a game of petanque or play games on the large flat common and there are rock pools to explore too. At the days end, after all that sun and sea enjoy a barbecue on site (you'll need some coins). For the energetic there are tennis courts (perhaps the City's most scenic ones) and a boat ramp for launching dinghies or kayaks.

How to get there
Take the road to Huia - go just past Parau and turn left at Armour Bay Rd at the sign marking Armour Bay Reserve.

Cranwell Park

Cranwell is the centre of recreational activities in Henderson with the Library, Aquatic Centre, Waitakere Recreation Centre, croquet and bowling clubs. A pleasant picnic spot among the historical trees - a link to the park's orcharding past and for the music fans there's a memorial to Elvis. Cranwell Park is the start of the Henderson Creek Walkway.

Hotels and resorts of Japan

Seiryuso






The unique feature of M14101 is you can be released from everyday burden amid the depth and extension of the nature. The swimming spa (25m swimming pool with pure spa water) raises abundant vapor to the height of winter sky.

Our garden, a likeness of vast forest somewhere in the world, holds `Kelo (sauna)´, a naive log sauna with wood stove, `Palm Terrace ( a spa suite)´, with Fango-rassoul (fango pack in hamam)... and the hammock terrace, where you enjoy prolonged napping. Please breathe the mixture of pure mountain air and ozone from the Pacific, in our garden.

Besides having relaxing & enjoyable time at our new Garden Spa, we offer you another comfort in RilassarsI treatment, feeling Japanese ambience. Please start your refreshing vacation with our original herb tea and a madelaine, which novelist, Yukio Mishima favored. In traditional Japanese room, you can get 30 min. free Rilassarsi treatment, on your shoulder & back…Natural loofah sponge and aloe soap (Shimoda specialty) is ready for your bath time. A bottle of fango at Palm Terrace, Attivante / Freiburg, is also a gift for you.

Property amenities:
22 Japanese-style rooms-suites; 6 Japanese-style suites; Lift-Elevator; Car park; Air-conditionned rooms or restaurant.

Outdoor pool, Whirlpool, Hammam, Solarium, Hiking, Horseback, Fishing, Sailing, Diving, Kayaking.


Alpine Lodge Minakami

Alpine Lodge is situated in the mountain township of Minakami, one of Japan's premiere hot spring and ski resorts in the North of Gunma Prefecture. The lodge is primely located in the Yubiso area (valley of the hidden hot springs), which lies in the center of Minakami's 10 ski fields, with the closest field just 200 meters from the back door.

Guests have a variety of activities and adventures to choose from while staying at the lodge, from on-piste skiing and snowboarding to backcountry and snowshoe tours, Alpine Lodge has a package that is suitable for everyone.

Every weekend there will be various music and outdoor events ranging from acoustic live to DJ's and bands.

Property amenities:
Bar/Cafe;
Lounge with satellite TV, DVD and VHS players;
Club/movie theatre;
300 sq m wood bbq deck;
Shower facilities;
Giant baths - mens, womens, mixed;
Free washing machine;
Drying room;
Western toilets;
Pool table;
Free Internet and wireless Internet available;
Fully equiped communal kitchen;
Dinning room;
Ski demo center;
Gear shop.

Nearby attractions and activities:
10 ski areas, Japan's largest outdoor Hot Spring, Craft and cultural village. Whitewater rafting, canyoning, downhill MTB, paragliding.

Location:
Minakami has been one of Japans' best kept winter secrets. A hot spring resort town nestled in the Tanigawa Range in Northern Gunma, just 72 minutes by train from Tokyo.

Angel Seaside Minamiatami

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When you've had about as much as you can handle, consider booking a lovely resort home at Angel Seaside Minamiatami, Atami-Shi Sizuoka. Rentals of timeshares at Angel Seaside Minamiatami provide affordable luxury.
Hotel Wakamizu


Hotel Lobby


Hotel Wakamizu offers hot spring bathing and delicious Japanese food.
Enjoy a soothing soak in the warm water of Takarazuka Hot Spring, which was discovered about 700 years ago.

Hotel Wakamizu is located within 25 minutes from Osaka Station, 35 minutes from Shin-osaka and Kobe and 55 minutes from Kyoto. Our convenient location makes us the top choice among many onsen resorts in the Kansai / Kinki region. The open-air bath for ladies is filled with roses twice a week. Private baths are also available. We offer a high standard of food. Enjoy Japanese meals with your family and friends in the peaceful riverside setting.

Spend your dream holidays at Hotel Wakamizu.


Cities of Japan

Tokyo

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Tokyo is Japan's capital and the country's largest city.

Tokyo is also one of Japan's 47 prefectures but is called a metropolis (to) rather than a prefecture (ken). The metropolis of Tokyo consists of 23 city wards (ku), 26 cities, 5 towns and 8 villages, including the Izu and Ogasawara Islands, several small Pacific Islands in the south of Japan's main island Honshu.

The 23 city wards (ku) are the center of Tokyo and make up about one third of the metropolis' area, while housing roughly eight of Tokyo's approximately twelve million residents.

Prior to 1868, Tokyo was known as Edo. A small castle town in the 16th century, Edo became Japan's political center in 1603 when tokugava laysu established his feudal government there. A few decades later, Edo had grown into one of the world's most populous cities.

With the meiji restoration of 1868, the emperor and capital were moved from kyoto to Edo, which was renamed Tokyo ("Eastern Capital"). Large parts of Tokyo were destroyed in the great kanto earthqake of 1923 and in the air raids of 1945.

Osaka

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With a population of 2.5 million, Osaka is Japan's third largest and second most important city. It has been the economic powerhouse of the Kansai region for many centuries.

Osaka was formerly known as Naniwa. Before the Nara Period, when the capital used to be moved with the reign of each new emperor, Naniwa was once Japan's capital city, the first one ever known.

In the 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi chose Osaka as the location for his castle, and the city may have become Japan's capital if Tokugawa Ieyasu had not terminated the Toyotomi lineage after Hideyoshi's death and moved his government to distant Edo (Tokyo).


Yokohama

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With a population of over three million people is Yokohama Japan's second largest city. Yokohama is located less than half an hour south of Tokyo by train, and is the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture.

Towards the end of the Edo Period (1603-1867), during which Japan maintained a policy of self-isolation, Yokohama's port was one of the first to be opened to foreign trade in 1859. Consequently, Yokohama quickly grew from a small fishing village into one of Japan's major cities.

Until today, Yokohama remains popular among expats, has one of the world's largest chinatowns and preserves some former Western residences in the Yamate district.


Hiroshima

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Hiroshima has been the principal city of the Chugoku Region for hundreds of years. After its construction in the 16th century, Hiroshima Castle was the most formidable fortification for miles. Today, Hiroshima is a vibrant city and home to over a million inhabitants.

When the first atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, the city became known worldwide for this unenviable distinction. The destructive power of the bomb was tremendous and obliterated nearly everything within a 2 km radius. One of the few buildings that remained standing afterwards has been preserved; known today as the A-Bomb Dome, it is a monument to the bomb's dreadful power.

After the war, great efforts were taken to rebuild the city. Predictions that the city would be uninhabitable proved false. Destroyed monuments of Hiroshima's historical heritage, like Hiroshima Castle and Shukkeien Garden, were reconstructed. In the center of the city a large park was built and given a name that would reflect the aspirations of the re-born city: Peace Memorial Park.

Despite the legacy of the bomb, Hiroshima has very much become a modern city. The downtown area is filled with places to shop, eat, and otherwise enjoy oneself. Another testament to Hiroshima's vitality is the Mazda Motor Corporation, which is based in the city. Mazda has a large factory outside the city center that offers visitors a museum as well as a look at its cars being assembled.

Economy of Japan


Government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1% of GDP) helped Japan advance with extraordinary rapidity.

Japan's industrial sector is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuels. Japan is among world's largest and technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, and processed foods.

Comparatively, the agricultural sector is small. It is highly subsidized and protected, with crop yields among the highest in the world. Japan maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch.

Although, economic growth was slow in the 1990s, it recently improved again. Japan's huge government debt, which totals 176% of GDP, and the aging of the population are two major long-run problems.

The currency of Japan is the Yen.

Culture of Japan


Japan’s schizophrenic culture may leave you gasping for breath as you try to navigate its multifaceted depths. Over the centuries, Japan has been shaped by outside influences and has gone through periods of intense isolation. The result is a culture that is uniquely layered.

On the one hand, there are magnificent temples, serene shrines, kabuki, nō, tea ceremonies and museums full of remnants of its rich artistic heritage. On the other hand, there is stark, spare modernism—karaoke bars, video game parlours, Western fashion and minimalist urban living.

Traditional Japanese arts include crafts such as ikebana and origami, performances such as kabuki, unique architecture, gardens, martial forms, and cuisine. Manga is a traditional form of comic books that blends traditional woodblock printing and Western art. Anime, which is television and film influenced by Manga, is also renowned the world over.

Japan is no laggard in literature either. The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki is often described as the world's first novel. Modern novelists include Junichiro Tanazaki, Yasunari Kawabata, Kenzaburo Oe and Haruki Murakami. Kawabata and Oe have both received the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Sumo is considered Japan's national sport and is one of its most popular. Martial arts such as judo, karate and kendō are also widely practiced in the country. Baseball is a popular spectator sport.

History of Japan



The earliest known inhabitants of this group of islands were hunters, fisherman and gatherers who came from Korea or Siberia, or by sea from Polynesia. The arrival of Buddhism in the sixth century influenced Japan significantly and introduced Chinese elements in political institutions, the writing system, and the lifestyle of the ruling class. Shinto deities took on Buddhist forms.

By the eleventh century, these influences waned and the country entered a long feudal period, during which different rulers and a Shogun (military leader) exercised power over Japan. This era lasted till the nineteenth century when the Tokugawa Shogunate’s reign, which insisted on strict obedience and loyalty and exercised almost fanatical control against outside influences, started declining. In 1868, the Meiji Restoration transformed Japan into a world power under the guidance of rulers dedicated to the pursuit of national wealth and strength. This was also the time that Westernization and modernization shaped the country into much of what it is presently.

While Japan sided with the Allied forces during WWI, it signed a tripartite pact with Germany and Italy in 1940 and WWII saw conflict with the US, with disastrous consequences—the release of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan was occupied until 1952 by US forces but a recovery program after that enabled the economy to expand rapidly, and Japan became the world's most successful export economy.

In recent years, a massive earthquake in 1995 and a poison gas attack on the Tokyo subway system as well as a sluggish economy have been concerns that the country has grappled with.

Attractive places in India

Calangute Beach, Goa

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Calangute is a beach that is around 16 kms from Panjim, North Goa. The most basic attraction is Baga Beach. The best time to visit this place is from December To February.

Calangute derives its name from the local vernacular word—‘Koli-gutti’, meaning land of fishermen. It is the most popular holiday resort in Goa popularly known as the queen of Goan beaches. The rainbow hued canvas of Calangute has welcomed everyone. Seemingly not all that long ago, Calangute was the beach all self-respecting hippies headed for, especially around Christmas when psychedelic hell broke loose.


There are hardly any palms, the sand is contaminated with red soil and the beach drops rapidly into the sea. But wait, there’s more… On the shores of the Arabian Sea, under the shade of palm trees, bathes the Queen of Beaches—Calangute. Some call it Kalyangutti (village of art) or Konvallo-ghott (strong pit of the coconut tree) because the village is full of coconut trees. There are picturesque agors (saltpans) at Agarvaddo, and Maddavaddo is full of madd (coconut trees). While Dongorpur skirts a bottle-green hillock, Tivaivaddo laces the beach. In Gauravaddo lived the gaudds or milkmen ran dairies. Calangute's heyday as the Mecca of all expatriate hippies has passed. It has undergone a metamorphosis to become the centre of Goa's rapidly expanding package-tourist market. Though it isn't one of the best Goanese beaches, there is however, plenty going on, especially if you don't mind playing a minor role in this stage-managed parody of what travelling is meant to be about.

TRAVEL INFORMATION :
Calangute is one of the best beaches in Goa. It takes just 45 minutes by road to reach to this busy beach and its resorts. Things have become very commercial at this place as of now. There is a drastic change in the outlook of this place which was once more of a fishing village. But today this place has transformed itself to one of the best tourist spots when it comes to beaches.

Corbett Wildlife National Park

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Corbett Wildlife National Park: Set up in 1936 as India's first wildlife national park and possibly the finest, the Corbett National Park was established in consultation with the great hunter and conservationist, Jim Corbett. The wildlife park spreads over some 920.9 square km at an altitude of 600 to 1100 metres at the foothills of western Himalayas in the districts of Nainital and Pauri Garhwal. In its eventful 64-year life, it has grown considerably in size and now includes the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary as a part of its 1,319 sq km of reserved forest area.

Thoseghar water fall

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Thoseghar is situated in Satara District.The most enchanting natural surroundings. A beautiful view of windmills at nearby Chalkewadi. During the Monsoon season Thoseghar is always the attraction for the picnic lovers. And now a days people are looking for different spots - especially in the rainy season.
Thoseghar is very famous for it's high Waterfall . These Waterfalls are very attractive and creates a loud noise in the calm nature. These waterfalls are also accompanied by a clean lake, dark woods and highly hilly region. You can enjoy various small waterfalls here which are about 15-20 meters high and one of around 500 meters high.

Marching Destination:
By Road: Thoseghar Waterfall is near to Satara City

Prince of wallace musuem

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Prince of wallace musuem is located in Mumbai. Prince of wallace musuem femous for collaction of flora & Fauna.
Barely a stone's throw from the Gateway of India is the Prince of Wales Museum, a magnificent, but somewhat strange structure, built in a confluence of Gothic and Moorish styles, and crowned by a sparkling white dome. It boasts a good collection of ancient Indus Valley artifacts dating back to 2000 BC, plus some priceless Tibetan and Nepali Art.
There is an entire gallery devoted to Buddhist tankha scrolls and another to Tibetan bronzes, but the chief attraction here is the collection of over 2000 miniature paintings from the various art schools of India. Next to the Museum is the Bombay Natural History Society, which has an extensive collection of local flora and fauna.

Marching Destination:
By Road: Albert Museum is in Mumbai
By Rail : Mumbai is nearest Railway Station
By Air : Mumbai is nearest airport

Khandala
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Khandala is situated in Pune District. Khandala is one of the important hill stations in the state of Maharashtra and is the pride of the Sahyadri mountains. Khandala is endowed with abundant natural beauty. It also provides a popular gateway from the hustle and bustle of cities of Mumbai and Pune. The picturesque green surroundings of this pretty hill station attract the travelers towards it.
Khandala is a small hill station. The town provides a panoramic view of the lush green hilly environs. Travelers throng this place to escape the hectic lifestyle of Mumbai city. They can enjoy the scenic beauty of this place by taking a walk around. It has a number of trekking trails around it.
The popular hill station of Lonavala is only 5 km from Khandala. Lonavala also has the same geographical settings as that of Khandala.There are a number of lakes around Khandala. Tugauli Lake, Lonavala Lake and Bhushi Lake are worth visiting; so is the Walvan Dam.