Let's Go Japan On a Budget

From the Let's Go series.

Extending from snowy peaks to tropical paradises, encompassing urban cacophony and rural retreats, expressing itself through kabuki theater and Kurosawa cinema, Japan packs more inside its borders than you'd think such a tiny slice of real estate could handle. With a strife-filled history and a tendency toward natural disasters, it's a country continually on the make, always ready to rebuild and renew. At the cutting edge of technology and business, this archipelago is also at the forward edge of the globe, greeting the dawn while the rest of the world sleeps.

Unhindered by its late entry onto the world stage, Japan has made up for lost time by spreading an unmistakable culture that seamlessly blends old with new, east with west. Whether the image that flits to mind is of kimono-clad hostesses performing tea ceremonies or harried salarymen commuting on high-speed shinkansen, people across the globe have vivid impressions of what's distinctly and authentically Japanese. The country has done a brisk trade in exports, spreading sushi, anime, martial arts, and high technology all over the planet, making "Made in Japan" a stamp recognized by consumers of culture the world over.

But as familiar as Japan may seem, it's still an enigma to the outside. Closed to the West until 1853 and separated from continental Asia by both oceans and ideologies, this island nation stands uniquely apart from the rest of the world. From the samurai ethos to industrial efficiency, demure geisha to collective responsibility, Japan's mystique has fascinated the world for centuries. And as much as Japan stands at the forefront of globalization, it can also be an insular culture that responds better to subtle indirection than pointed inquiries. For every traditional temple or urban imprint you recognize, the country will surprise you by throwing a secluded islet or undiscovered subculture into the mix. As well versed as you may be in kendo or kanji, your first thought as you step off the plane could still be that you're sure not in Kansas anymore. Neither entirely familiar nor completely foreign, Japan offers an experience you'll find nowhere else, one you owe it to yourself to discover.

Regularly: $22.99  Now: $18.39  Save $4.60 (20%)

LG0078    Let's Go Japan On a Budget                            $18.39

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