Day 2: Political/Cultural Geography

Japanese politics, like its culture, is very rich and diverse. Historicaly Japan has experimented with many forms of government from feudal warlords in the Tokagawa Shogun era to an Emperor until 1945. According to Wikipedia today's Japanese political system has been around "since adopting its revised constitution in 1947, Japan has maintained a unitary constitutional monarchy with an emperor and an elected parliament called the Diet". Thus Japan's government is somewhat similar to the parliamentary system that has been used in England for centuries. Like England, Japan, also has a prime minister. The current Prime Minister of Japan is Naoto Kan. Japan does still maintian their monarchy, but also like England it is more of a figurehead. Actually in the Japanese Constitution the emperor and his family is referred to as "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people". Thus the power of the emperer is very limited with the majority of the power residing withing the actual elected officials of Japan.


Prime Minister Kan                                                                         Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko
                                                                                                                http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Akihito_090710-1600a.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Japan

 

 

Culturally Japan is very rich. Depending upon the region one is in one might experience Japanese modern culture at the same time as its classic edo period culture. Japan's current culture can be described as a hybrid since its breaking free of isolationism during the Tokogawa Shogunate and Meiji Period. Since then Japan has been greatly influenced by the outsides cultures from Europe, Asia, and North America. This is not to say that Japan does not have its own culture, for it does. One that is rich in tradition and antiquity. Within this culture one might find the art of ikebana (flower arranging), ukiyo-e (woodblock prints), calligraphy, and Kabuki (type of theatre).

 

Ikebana

 

When it comes to religion Japan once again finds itself within a field of diversity. Japan has no national religion, or even a real majority religion. The religious practice that appears most common in Japan is reffered to as Shinbutsu Shujo and is the incorporation of various different religions into one. This practice was supposed to be officially ended with " the Shinto and Buddhism Separation Order of 1886, but continues in practice" today(wikipedia). These orders were passed because the main religions incorporated in Shinbutsu Shujo are Shinto and Buddhism, which by themselves are two very unique religious phillosophies. Japan follows a practice of full religious freedom thus one can find Christianity, Islam, and Sikhism on the islands. The religion that is unique to Japan is that of Shinto, which has a very rich and deep history on the islands. In fact there is a " longstanding practice of officially associating a family line with a local Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine" (wikipedia).

 

Shinto Shrine

 

Day 1 - Physical Geography

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Japan is truly a beautiful place and very rich in amazing physical geography. Japan is actually made up of the four major islands of: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. All of which contribute to the rich culture that is Japan. Japan is home to the Japanese Alps, and of course the world famous Mt. Fuji. Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan sitting at an impressive 12,389 ft. Of course Mt. Fuji is also an active volcano which adds a certain degree of danger and mystery to the snow capped mountain.

The climate of Japan varies north to south. In the north, closer to Russia, Japan has a more cool temperate climate. Whereas in the south, closer to South Korea, the climate is more tropical. The climate is influenced by the Sea of Japan, the South China Sea, the Philippine Sea, and the North Pacific Ocean which carries currents of cold or warm water to the islands.

The natural landscape of the island is influenced by its vast coastline and inland mountainous regions that span the entire mainland. The seasons also influence the natural landscape of the islands, for it is in those few months of spring that one might find the gorgeous cherry blossom trees that Japan is so known for. Another area of interest in the natural landscape can be found in the city Hakone with its unique sulphur pools. Japan has several national parks that Travelguide.com suggests are a must see in order to take in all of Japan's natural beauty. These are Akan National Park, Daisetsuzan National Park, Ise-Shima National Park, and Shikotsu-Toya National Park to name a few.

http://www.addictedtotravel.com/travel-guides/countries/japan-travel-guide