Japan

Melanie Clegg holds a BA (Hons) in Japanese Studies from the University of Oxford. She is the author of Japanese Myths. After almost a decade spent in Japan, she now resides in the UK where she works as a freelance Japanese to English translator of video games and other entertainment media. She lives with her husband and their two one-eyed cats.

• Contents includeIntroductionTokyo, Kanto and Chūbu Region Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Bay Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo Shibuya, Tokyo Food Stalls Mont Fuji Yokohama Jigokudani Monkey Park – Macaque monkeys in hot springs Shinkyo Bridge, Nikko, TochigiKyoto, Osaka and Kansai Region Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Kyoto Shirakawa River, Gion District, Kyoto Yasaka Pagoda and Sannen Zaka Street, Kyoto Restaurants, Shinsekai District, Osaka Fish Stall Osaka Castle Tea ceremony Cherry Blossom in Kyoto Osaka Castle Himeji Castle Rice Terraces, Maruyama-senmaida, Kumano, Mie Shrines – Fushimi Inari-taisha in Kyoto.Chugoku Region and Shikoku Island Hiroshima Peace Memorial The torii of Itsukushima Shinto Shrine Matsuyama SpringsTohoku Region Fukushima The Three Scenic Views – Matsushima is a group of islands in Miyagi Prefecture. There are some 260 tiny islands (shima) covered in pines (matsu) – hence the name – and is ranked as one of the Three Views of Japan.Kyushu Region Nagasaki Fukuoka Kyushu Shinkansen high speed train Kagoshima Kirishima Onsen Kumamoto Castle Mount Aso Kuju Mountains Yufuin BeppuHokkaido Ainu people Sōunkyō Gorge Sōunkyō Hot Springs Sapporo LifeThe Outer Islands Okinawa – Cherry Blossom Festival The Hachijo Royal Hotel, Hachijojima Island – abandoned hotel in what was hoped to become Japan’s Hawaii holiday resort Aogashima – volcanic island