Hardly a day goes by that you don't hear something about Japan, whether the subject is trade, travel, cuisine, the arts, or Japanese imports ranging from Sony and Toyota to karaoke and anime. Yet Japan remains something of an enigma to people in the Western world.

What best describes this Asian nation? Is it the giant producer of cars, computers, and a whole array of sleek electronic goods that compete favorably with the best in the West? Or is it still the land of the geisha and bonsai, the punctilious tea ceremony, and the delicate art of flower arrangement? Has it become, in its outlook and popular culture, a country more Western than Asian? Or has it retained its unique ancient traditions while forging a central place in the modern industrialized world?

In fact, Japan is an intricate blend of East and West. Its cities may look Westernized -- often disappointingly so -- but beyond first impressions there's very little about this Asian nation that could lull you into thinking you're in the West. Yet Japan also differs greatly from its Asian neighbors. Although it borrowed much from China in its early development, including Buddhism and its writing system, the island nation remained steadfastly isolated from the rest of the world throughout much of its history, usually deliberately so. Until World War II, it had never been successfully invaded; and for more than 200 years, while the West was stirring with the awakenings of democracy and industrialism, Japan completely closed its doors to the outside world and remained a tightly structured feudalistic society with almost no outside influence.

It's been only some 140 years since Japanese opened their doors, embracing Western products wholeheartedly, yet at the same time altering them and making them unquestionably their own. Thus, that modern high-rise may look Western, but it may contain a rustic-looking restaurant with open charcoal grills, corporate offices, a pachinko parlor, a high-tech bar with views of Mount Fuji, a McDonald's, an acupuncture clinic, a computer showroom, and a rooftop shrine. Your pizza may come with octopus, beer gardens are likely to be fitted with Astroturf, and "parsley" refers to unmarried women older than 25 (because parsley is what's left on a plate). City police patrol on bicycles, garbage collectors attack their job with the vigor of a well-trained army, and white-gloved elevator operators, working in some of the world's swankiest department stores, bow and thank you as you exit.

Because of this unique synthesis of East and West into a culture that is distinctly Japanese, Japan is not easy for Westerners to comprehend. Discovering it is like peeling an onion -- you uncover one layer only to discover more layers underneath. Thus, no matter how long you stay in Japan, you never stop learning something new about it -- and to me that constant discovery is one of the most fascinating aspects of being here.

Japan - Regions in Brief

Separated from mainland China and Korea by the Sea of Japan, the nation of Japan stretches in an arc about 2,898km (1,800 miles) long from northeast to southwest, yet it is only 403km (250 miles) wide at its broadest point. Japan consists primarily of four main islands -- Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Surrounding these large islands are more than 6,000 smaller islands and islets, most of them uninhabited; farther to the south are the Okinawan islands, perhaps best known for the fierce fighting that took place there during World War II and for their continued (and controversial) use as an American military base. If you were to superimpose Japan's four main islands onto a map of the United States, they would stretch all the way from Maine down to Florida, which should give you an idea of the diversity of Japan's climate, flora, and scenery -- Hokkaido in the north is subarctic, while southern Kyushu is subtropical. Honshu, Japan's most populous island and home to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, is connected to the other three islands by tunnel or bridge, which means you can travel to all four islands by train.

As much as 70% of Japan consists of mountains. They are found on all four main islands and most are volcanic in origin. Altogether, there are some 265 volcanoes, more than 30 of them still considered active. Mount Fuji (on Honshu), dormant since 1707, is Japan's highest and most famous volcano, while Mount Aso (on Kyushu) boasts the largest caldera in the world. Because of its volcanic origins, earthquakes have plagued Japan throughout its history. In the 20th century, the two most destructive earthquakes were the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, which killed more than 100,000 people in the Tokyo area, and the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, which claimed more than 6,000 lives in Kobe.

Japan is divided into 47 regional divisions, or prefectures. Each prefecture has its own prefectural capital and is comparable to the U.S. state or the British county. Japan's total landmass is slightly smaller than California in area, yet Japan has almost half (43%) the population of the United States. And because three-fourths of Japan is mountainous and therefore uninhabitable, its people are concentrated primarily in only 10% of the country's landmass, with the rest of the area devoted to agriculture. In other words, imagine 43% of the U.S. population living in California -- primarily in San Diego County -- and you get an idea of how crowded Japan is. For this island nation -- isolated physically from the rest of the world; struck repeatedly through the centuries by earthquakes, fires, and typhoons; and possessed of only limited space for harmonious living -- geography and topography have played major roles both in determining its development and in shaping its culture, customs, and arts.

Honshu

Of the four main islands, Honshu is the largest and most populated. Because it's also the most important historically and culturally, it's where most visitors spend the bulk of their time.

Kanto Districk -- Located in east-central Honshu and comprising metropolitan Tokyo and six prefectures, this district is characterized by the Kanto Plain, the largest flatland in Japan. Although development of the district didn't begin in earnest until the establishment of the shogunate government in Edo (present-day Tokyo) in 1603, Tokyo and surrounding giants like Yokohama make this the most densely populated region in Japan.

Kansai District -- Also called the Kinki District and encompassing seven prefectures, this is Japan's most historic region. Nara and Kyoto -- two of Japan's ancient capitals -- are here, as are two of Japan's most important port cities, Kobe and Osaka. With the opening of Kansai International Airport outside Osaka in 1994, many foreign visitors opt to bypass Tokyo altogether in favor of Kansai's many historic spots, including Mount Koya with its many temples, Himeji with what I consider to be Japan's most beautiful castle, Ise-Shima National Park with Japan's most revered Shinto shrine, Nara with its Great Buddha and temples, and, of course, Kyoto, the former capital for more than 1,000 years with so many temples, imperial villas, and gardens that it ranks as Japan's foremost tourist destination.

Chubu District -- The Chubu (Central) District lies between Tokyo and Kyoto and straddles central Honshu from the Pacific Ocean to the Japan Sea, encompassing nine prefectures. Nagoya, Japan's fourth-largest city and home to an international airport nicknamed Centrair, is Chubu's most important city and a gateway to its other destinations. The district is marked by great variety -- mountain ranges (including the Japan Alps, see below), volcanoes (including Mount Fuji), large rivers, and coastal regions on both sides of the island. It's popular for skiing and hiking, for quaint mountain villages such as Takayama, and for tourist attractions that include the open-air Museum Meiji Mura (near Nagoya), the castle in Matsumoto, and Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa, considered one of Japan's finest.

The Japan Alps -- Spreading over central Honshu in the Chubu District, the Japan Alps are among Japan's most famous mountain ranges, especially since hosting the 1998 XVIII Winter Olympics in Nagano. Chubu-Sangaku National Park (also called the Japan Alps National Park) contains some of the nation's most beautiful mountain scenery, while destinations like Takayama and Shirakawago provide everything from quaint historic districts to thatched-roof farmhouses.

Ise-Shima -- Shima Peninsula, in Mie Prefecture, juts into the Seto Inland Sea and is famous for Ise-Shima National Park, noted for its coastal scenery and Ise Jingu Shrines. Toba, birthplace of the cultured pearl, is popular for its Mikimoto Pearl Island and the Toba Aquarium. Shima Peninsula also boasts two theme parks, one fashioned after Japan's Warring States Era and the other an amusement park with a Spanish theme.

Chugoku District -- Honshu's western district has five prefectures and is divided by the Chugoku Mountain Range. Industrial giants such as Hiroshima and Okayama lead as the major cities, drawing tourists with reconstructed castles, Korakuen Garden, and the sobering Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, dedicated to victims of the world's first atomic bomb. Kurashiki is a must for its photogenic, historic warehouse district, while Miyajima, part of the Seto-Naikai (Inland Sea) National Park, is considered one of Japan's most beautiful islands.

Tohoku District -- Northeastern Honshu, with Sendai as its regional center, encompasses six prefectures. Known as the Tohoku District, it isn't nearly as developed as the central and southern districts of Honshu, due in large part to its rugged, mountainous terrain and harsh climate. Matsushima, about halfway up the coast between Tokyo and the northern tip of Honshu, is the district's major tourist destination; with its pine-clad islets dotting the bay, it's considered one of Japan's most scenic spots. Kakunodate, located inland, is a former castle town offering preserved samurai houses and, during cherry-blossom season, a stunning show of pink flowers to travelers willing to take a road less traveled. Towada-Hachimantai National Park, which extends over three prefectures, boasts scenic lakes, rustic hot-spring spas, hiking, and skiing.

Shikoku

Shikoku, the smallest of the four main islands, is fairly undeveloped and off the beaten path for many foreign visitors. It's famous for its 88 Buddhist temples founded by one of Japan's most interesting historical figures, the Buddhist priest Kukai, known posthumously as Kobo Daishi. Other major attractions are Ritsurin Park in Takamatsu, Matsuyama Castle in Matsuyama, and Dogo Spa, one of Japan's oldest hot-spring spas. For active travelers, the Shimanami Kaido route offers 80 scenic km (50 miles) of dedicated biking trails that connect Shikoku with Hiroshima via six islands and a series of bridges in the Seto Inland Sea.

Kyushu

The southernmost of the four main islands, Kyushu boasts a mild subtropical climate, active volcanoes, and hot-spring spas. Because it's the closest to Korea and China, Kyushu served as a gateway to the continental mainland throughout much of Japan's history, later becoming the springboard for both traders and Christian missionaries from the West. Fukuoka, Kyushu's largest city, serves as the rail gateway from Honshu, dispersing travelers to hot springs in Beppu, Unzen, and Ibusuki and to such major attractions as Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto and Sengan'en Garden in Kagoshima. Nagasaki, victim of the world's second atomic bomb, is one of Japan's most cosmopolitan cities and one of my favorites. In recent years, Kyushu has become a major destination for tourists from Taiwan, Korea, and Hong Kong, who flock to the region's many theme parks, including Ocean Dome in Miyazaki and Huis Ten Bosch outside Nagasaki.

Hokkaido

Japan's second-largest island, Hokkaido lies to the north of Honshu and is regarded as the country's last frontier with its wide-open pastures, evergreen forests, mountains, gorges, crystal-clear lakes, and wildlife, much of it preserved in national parks. Originally occupied by the indigenous Ainu, it became colonized by Japanese settlers mostly after the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Today it's home to 5.6 million people, 1.8 million of whom live in Sapporo. With a landmass that accounts for 22% of Japan's total area, Hokkaido has the nation's lowest population density: less than 5% of the total population. That, together with the island's cold, severe winters but mild summers and its unspoiled natural beauty, make this island a nature lover's paradise.

Japan - The Best of Old Japan

Splurging on a Night in a Ryokan: If you can afford to, splurge on at least 1 night in one of the country's best ryokan, where the service is impeccable, the kaiseki meals are out of this world, and glorious views outside your tatami room are of miniature landscaped gardens. You'll be pampered in a manner befitting an emperor -- many of the nation's oldest ryokan were indeed born to serve members of the imperial court and feudal lords as they traveled Japan's highways.

Attending a Sumo Match: There's nothing quite like watching two monstrous sumo wrestlers square off, bluff, and grapple as they attempt to throw each other on the ground or out of the ring. Matches are great cultural events, but even if you can't attend one, you can them on TV during one of six annual 15-day tournaments.

Strolling through a Japanese Garden: Most of Japan's famous gardens are relics of the Edo Period, when the shogun, daimyo feudal lords, imperial family, and even samurai and Buddhist priests developed private gardens for their own viewing pleasure. Each step in a strolling garden brings a new view to die for.

Participating in Zazen Meditation in a Buddhist Temple: Zazen, or sitting meditation, is practiced by Zen Buddhists as a form of spiritual training and by laypeople as a way to relieve stress and clear the mind. Several temples in Japan are willing to take in foreigners for zazen sessions.

Attending a Traditional Tea Ceremony: Developed in the 16th century as a means to achieve inner harmony with nature, the highly ritualized ceremony is carried out in teahouses throughout the country, including those set in Japan's many parks and gardens. Several Tokyo hotels offer English-language instruction in the tea ceremony.

Getting a Shiatsu Massage: Shiatsu, or pressure-point massage, is available in virtually all first-class accommodations in Japan and at most moderately priced ones as well. After a hard day of work or sightseeing, nothing beats a relaxing massage in the privacy of your room.

Relaxing at a Hot-Spring Resort: No country in the world boasts more natural hot springs than Japan, which has 19,500 different springs. Hot-spring spas are found in virtually all regions of the country and feature everything from hot-sand baths to open-air baths.

Spending a Day in Asakusa (Tokyo): Asakusa is the best place to experience Tokyo's old downtown, with its popular Sensoji Temple, Nakamise shopping lane with crafts and kitsch, and casual traditional restaurants. As in days of yore, arrive by boat on the Sumida River.

Exploring Kyoto's Higashiyama-ku District: Kyoto's eastern sector is a lovely combination of wooded hills, temples, shrines, museums, shops, and traditional restaurants, making it one of the best neighborhoods in Japan for a stroll.

Visiting Kyoto's Gion District: Japan's most famous geisha houses may be off-limits to anyone without a proper introduction, but an early-evening stroll through this enclave of wooden homes and plain facades is like a journey back in time. You might even catch a glimpse of an elaborately made-up apprentice (maiko) on her way to an appointment or hear strains of a shamisen (a traditional three-stringed Japanese instrument) played behind closed doors.

Watching Cormorant Fishing: Every night in summer, wooden boats gaily decorated with paper lanterns will take you out on rivers outside Kyoto and Nagoya for an up-close look at cormorant fishing. The birds, maneuvered by fishermen in traditional garb, have tight collars around their necks to prevent them from swallowing their catch. Drinking and dining on board contribute to the festive air.

Walking to Kobo Daishi's Mausoleum on Mount Koya: Ever since the 9th century, when Buddhist leader Kobo Daishi was laid to rest at Okunoin on Mount Koya, his faithful followers have followed him to their graves -- and now tomb after tomb line a 1.6km (1-mile) pathway to Daishi's mausoleum. Cypress trees, moss-covered stone lanterns, and thousands upon thousands of tombs make this the most impressive graveyard stroll in Japan, especially at night.

Japan - The Best of Modern Japan

Attending a Baseball Game (Tokyo): After sumo, baseball is Japan's most popular spectator sport. Watching a game with a stadium full of avid fans can be quite fun and can shed new light on America's favorite pastime.

Visiting Tsukiji Fish Market (Tokyo): One of the largest wholesale fish markets in the world, this indoor market bustles with activity from about 3am on as frozen tuna is unloaded from boats, auctions are held, and vendors sell octopus, fish, squid, and everything else from the sea that's edible to the city's restaurants. Be sure to bring your camera.

Seeing Tokyo from the TMG: On the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office (TMG), designed by well-known architect Kenzo Tange, an observatory offers a bird's-eye view of Shinjuku's cluster of skyscrapers, the never-ending metropolis and, on fine winter days, Mount Fuji. Best of all, it's free.

Hanging Out in Harajuku (Tokyo): Nothing beats Sunday in Harajuku, where you can begin the day leisurely with brunch and then stroll the promenade of Omote Sando Dori, shop the area's many boutiques, take in a museum or two and perhaps a flea market, and then relax over drinks at a sidewalk cafe and watch the never-ending parade of humanity.

Shopping for Japanese Designer Clothes (Tokyo): Japanese designer clothing is often outrageous, occasionally practical, but mostly just fun. Department stores and designer boutiques in Aoyama are the places to try on the styles if you have both the money and the figure for them.

Spending an Evening in an Entertainment District: A spin through one of Japan's famous nightlife districts, such as Shinjuku or Roppongi in Tokyo or Dotombori in Osaka, is a colorful way to rub elbows with the natives as you explore narrow streets with their whirls of neon, tiny hole-in-the-wall bars and restaurants, and all-night amusement spots.

Seeing Fish Eye-to-Eye in an Aquarium (Nagoya, Toba, Osaka, Kagoshima, Beppu): Because Japan is surrounded by sea, it's no surprise that it has more than its fair share of aquariums. Several have made splashy debuts in the past decade with innovative displays that put you eye-to-eye with the creatures of the deep. My favorite is the one in Osaka.

Japan - The Best Temples & Shrines

Sensoji Temple (Tokyo): The capital's oldest temple is also its liveliest. Throngs of visitors and stalls selling both traditional and kitschy items lend it a festival-like atmosphere. This is the most important temple to see in Tokyo.

Meiji Jingu Shrine (Tokyo): Tokyo's most venerable and refined Shinto shrine honors the Emperor Meiji and his empress with simple yet dignified architecture surrounded by a dense forest. This is a great refuge in the heart of the city.

Kotokuin Temple (Kamakura): This temple is home to the Great Buddha, Japan's second-largest bronze image, which was cast in the 13th century and sits outdoors against a magnificent wooded backdrop. The Buddha's face has a wonderful expression of contentment, serenity, and compassion.

Hase Kannon Temple (Kamakura): Although this temple is famous for its 9m-tall (30-ft.) Kannon of Mercy, the largest wooden image in Japan, it's most memorable for its thousands of small statues of Jizo, the guardian deity of children, donated by parents of miscarried, stillborn, or aborted children. It's a rather haunting vision.

Toshogu Shrine (Nikko): Dedicated to Japan's most powerful shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu, this shrine is the nation's most elaborate and opulent, made with 2.4 million sheets of gold leaf. It's set in a forest of cedar.

Kiyomizu Temple (Kyoto): One of Japan's best-known temples with a structure imitated by lesser temples around the country, Kiyomizu commands an exalted spot on a steep hill with a sweeping view over Kyoto. The pathway leading to the shrine is lined with pottery and souvenir shops, and the temple grounds have open-air pavilions where you can drink beer or eat noodles. Don't neglect the smaller Jishu Shrine on its grounds -- it's dedicated to the god of love.

Sanjusangendo Hall (Kyoto): Japan's longest wooden building contains the spectacular sight of more than 1,000 life-size wood-carved statues, row upon row of the thousand-handed Kannon of Mercy.

Kinkakuji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion) (Kyoto): Constructed in the 14th century as a shogun's retirement villa, this three-story pavilion shimmers in gold leaf and is topped with a bronze phoenix; it's a beautiful sight when the sun shines and the sky's blue.

Todaiji Temple (Nara): Japan's largest bronze Buddha sits in the largest wooden structure in the world, making it the top attraction in this former capital. While not as impressive as the Great Buddha's dramatic outdoor stage in Kamakura , the sheer size of Todaiji Temple and its Buddha make this a sight not to be missed if you're in the Kansai area.

Horyuji Temple (Nara): Despite the fact that Todaiji Temple with its Great Buddha gets all the glory, true seekers of Buddhist art and history head to the sacred grounds of Horyuji Temple with its treasures and ancient buildings.

Ise Grand Shrines (Ise): Although there's not much to see, these shrines are the most venerated Shinto shrines in all of Japan, and pilgrims have been flocking here for centuries. Amazingly, the Inner Shrine, which contains the Sacred Mirror, is razed and reconstructed on a new site every 20 years according to strict rules governing purification in the Shinto religion. Follow the age-old route of former pilgrims after you visit the shrines, and stop for a meal in the nearby Okage Yokocho District.

Itsukushima Shrine (Miyajima): The huge red torii (the traditional entry gate of a shrine) standing in the waters of the Seto Inland Sea is one of the most photographed landmarks in Japan and signals the approach to this shrine. Built over the tidal flats on a gem of an island called Miyajima, it's considered one of Japan's most scenic spots. At night, the shrine is illuminated.

Kotohiragu Shrine (Kotohira, on Shikoku): One of Japan's oldest and most popular shrines beckons at the top of 785 granite steps on the Yashima Plateau with great views of the Seto Inland Sea, but for most Japanese, it's the "I made it!" that counts.

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine (Fukuoka): Established in 905 to deify the god of scholarship, this immensely popular shrine has a festive atmosphere and is popular with students wishing to pass school exams. The road leading to the shrine is lined with souvenir and craft shops; the new Kyushu National Museum is an escalator ride away.

Japan - The Best Castles, Palaces & Historic Homes

Matsumoto Castle (Matsumoto): Popularly known as the Crow Castle due to its black color, this small castle boasts the oldest keep (donjon) in Japan (more than 400 years old). A moon-viewing room was added in 1635, and exhibited inside the castle is a superb collection of Japanese matchlocks and samurai armor dating from the mid-16th century through the Edo Period. Volunteer guides stand ready for personal tours.

Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto): Home to Japan's imperial family from the 14th century to the 19th century, this palace is praised for its Heian design and graceful garden. Good news for travelers: Guided tours of the palace are free.

Nijo Castle (Kyoto): One of the few castles built by the mighty Tokugawa shogunate as a residence rather than for defense, Nijo Castle is where the shogun stayed whenever he was in Kyoto. It's famous for its creaking floorboards that warned of enemy intruders. The castle is considered the quintessence of Momoyama architecture.

Katsura Imperial Villa (Kyoto): Built in the 1600s by a brother of the emperor, this villa and garden are considered to be among the best -- if not the best -- in traditional architecture and landscape gardening. More than anyplace else, the villa illustrates the life of refinement enjoyed by 17th-century nobility, when leisurely pursuits included such activities as moon viewing.

Osaka Castle (Osaka): Although just a reproduction of what was once the mightiest castle in the land, Osaka Castle still impresses with its sheer size. Inside you'll find a high-tech museum detailing the life and times of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the warrior general who built the castle.

Himeji Castle (Himeji): Said to resemble a white heron poised in flight over the plains, this is quite simply Japan's most beautiful castle. With its extensive gates, moats, turrets, and maze of passageways, it has survived virtually intact since feudal times. If you see only one castle in Japan, make it this one.

Matsue Castle (Matsue): This 17th-century castle is one of Japan's few remaining original castles (not a reconstruction). It features a five-story donjon with samurai gear and artifacts belonging to the ruling Matsudaira clan.

Matsuyama Castle (Matsuyama): Occupying a hill above the city, this is also one of the few original castles left in Japan. It boasts good views over Matsuyama from its three-story donjon as well as a collection of armor and swords of the Matsudaira clan.

Kumamoto Castle (Kumamoto): Although a ferroconcrete reconstruction not nearly as huge as the original, this massive castle is still an impressive sight, especially at night when it's illuminated. It's famous for its curved walls, which made invasion virtually impossible. The interior houses a museum with palanquins, armor, swords, and other artifacts of the former ruling clans.

Tamozawa Imperial Villa (Nikko): Comprised of a 1632 villa and an 1899 expansion, this 106-room villa was the home of a prince who later became emperor. You can learn about traditional Japanese architectural details and lifestyles of the aristocracy on self-guided tours, and unlike Japan's other imperial villas, it does not require a reservation.

Japan - Favorite Experiences

Making a Pilgrimage to a Temple or Shrine: From mountaintop shrines to neighborhood temples, Japan's religious structures rank among the nation's most popular attractions. Usually devoted to a particular deity, they're visited for specific reasons: Shopkeepers call on Fushimi-Inari Shrine outside Kyoto, dedicated to the goddess of rice and therefore prosperity, while couples wishing for a happy marriage head to Kyoto's Jishu Shrine, a shrine to the deity of love. Shrines and temples are also the sites for most of Japan's major festivals.

Taking a Communal Hot-Spring Bath: No other people on earth bathe as enthusiastically, as frequently, and for such duration as Japanese. Their many hot-spring resorts -- thought to cure all sorts of ailments as well as simply make you feel good -- range from hangarlike affairs to outdoor baths with views of the countryside. No matter what the setup, you'll soon warm to the ritual of soaping up, rinsing off, and then soaking in near-scalding waters. Hot-spring spas are located almost everywhere in Japan, from Kyushu to Hokkaido.

Participating in a Festival: With Shintoism and Buddhism as its major religions, and temples and shrines virtually everywhere, Japan has multiple festivals every week. These celebrations, which range from huge processions of wheeled floats to those featuring horseback archery and ladder-top acrobatics, can be lots of fun; you may want to plan your trip around one.

Dining on Japanese Food: There's more to Japanese cuisine than sushi, and part of what makes travel here so fascinating is the variety of national and regional dishes. Every prefecture, it seems, has its own style of noodles, its special vegetables, and its delicacies. If money is no object, order kaiseki, a complete meal of visual and culinary finesse.

Viewing the Cherry Blossoms: Nothing symbolizes the coming of spring so vividly to Japanese as the appearance of the cherry blossoms -- and nothing so amazes visitors as the way Japanese gather under the blossoms to celebrate the season with food, drink, dance, and karaoke.

Riding the Shinkansen Bullet Train: Asia's fastest train whips you across the countryside at more than 290km (180 miles) an hour as you relax, see the country's rural countryside, and dine on boxed meals filled with local specialties of the area through which you're speeding.

Staying in a Ryokan: Japan's legendary service reigns supreme in a top-class ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. Staying in one is the height of both luxury and simplicity: You'll bathe in a Japanese tub, feast your eyes on lovely views (usually a Japanese garden) past shoji screens, dine like a king in your own room, and sleep on a futon.

Shopping in a Department Store: Japan's department stores are among the best in the world, offering everything from food to designer clothing to electronics to kimono and traditional crafts. Service also is among the best in the world: If you arrive when the store opens, staff will be lined up at the front door to bow as you enter.

Attending a Kabuki Play: Based on universal themes and designed to appeal to the masses, Kabuki plays are extravaganzas of theatrical displays, costumes, and scenes -- but mostly they're just plain fun.

Strolling Through Tokyo's Nightlife District: Every major city in Japan has its own nightlife district, but probably none is more famous, more wicked, or more varied than Tokyo's Kabuki-cho in Shinjuku, which offers everything from hole-in-the-wall bars to strip joints, discos, and gay clubs.

Seeing Mount Fuji: It may not seem like much of an accomplishment to see Japan's most famous and tallest mountain, visible from 161km (100 miles) away. But the truth is, it's hardly ever visible except during the winter months and rare occasions when the air is clear. Catching your first glimpse of the giant peak is truly breathtaking and something you'll never forget, whether you see it from aboard the Shinkansen, from a Tokyo skyscraper, or from a nearby national park. If you want to climb it, be prepared for a group experience -- 600,000 people climb Mount Fuji every year.

Spending a Few Days in Kyoto: If you see only one city in Japan, Kyoto should be it. Japan's capital from 794 to 1868, Kyoto is one of Japan's finest ancient cities, boasting some of the country's best temples, Japanese-style inns, traditional restaurants, shops, and gardens.

Attending a Sumo Match: There's nothing quite like watching two monstrous sumo wrestlers square off, bluff, and grapple as they attempt to throw each other on the ground or out of the ring. Matches are great cultural events, but even if you can't attend one, you can them on TV during one of six annual 15-day tournaments.

Strolling through a Japanese Garden: Most of Japan's famous gardens are relics of the Edo Period, when the shogun, daimyo feudal lords, imperial family, and even samurai and Buddhist priests developed private gardens for their own viewing pleasure. Each step in a strolling garden brings a new view to die for.