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 For a country that lived in self-imposed isolation
until 150 years ago, Japan has not hesitated in making up for lost
time since the world came calling. Anyone who's eaten sushi or used
a Sony Walkman feels they know something about this slinky archipelago
of some 6800 volcanic islands tucked away off the far eastern coast
of Asia, and yet, from the moment of arrival in this oddly familiar,
quintessentially Oriental land it's almost as if you've touched down
on another planet.
Japan is a place of ancient gods and customs, but is also the
cutting edge of cool modernity. High-speed trains whisk you from
one end of the country to another with frightening punctuality.
You can catch sight of a farmer tending his paddy field, then turn
the corner and find yourself next to a neon-festooned electronic
games parlour in the suburb of a sprawling metropolis. One day
you could be picking through the fashions in the biggest department
store on earth, the next relaxing in an outdoor hot-spring pool,
watching cherry blossom or snowflakes fall, depending on the season. |
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