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The bullet train is Japan’s super-fast, everyday life. Shintoism is based on the
super-safe and super-efficient mode of worship of nature where natural objects
transport. Japan has one of the world’s are sacred. Japanese shrines embody this
most efficient public transport systems. spirit. In cities, shrines are a natural oasis
Remarkably, punctual trains make inter- of serenity. Outside the cities, shrines will
city transportation one of the best things often be situated on a mountaintop. If you
about travelling in Japan. visit such a shrine, it makes for a nice (and
usually mild) hike with a beautiful view.
And of course, there is cherry blossom
season where every corner of the country
transforms into a postcard-perfect scene.
The shrines are almost similar. Huge tall
Pagoda-like structures where somewhere
in the hall is a statue of the Buddha. You see
one and you have almost seen them all.
Timely and speedy travel is Japan’s hallmark
Japanese railway stations have large food
courts and serve an unbelievable variety
of food that you can eat there or little boxes
that you can buy and eat on the journey.
These little boxes are called bento boxes
and there is a unique culture that goes into
packaging food in these boxes. Japan has
millions of vending machines that allow The Seiganto-ji Temple in Wakayama Prefecture
you to buy all kinds of food and other daily In Tokyo, there is a crossing called
use stuff. ‘Shibuya’ where 5000 people are
supposed to cross the roads every time a
signal permits. Tourists flock to see this
phenomenon. I thought it was grossly
exaggerated. I stood there for 10 minutes
and could not get to the 5k figure. In
my estimation, it would be five to seven
hundred on the outside limit. I thought it
was a con. So, is the Tokyo tower. Japanese
cities are dense, concrete jungles. Tall
intimidating buildings, lots of people on
A typical bento box
the sidewalks and little markets that are
Even in a big city like Tokyo, you can so crowded that one has to wade through
easily enjoy Japan’s natural beauty. them. Yet, it is an orderly society, one
Japanese people love nature, a love that is doesn’t see any street fights or rowdy
deeply rooted in Shintoism, a religion that behaviour.
is intertwined with Japanese culture and Japan has a tremendous amount of junk
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