This is truly a country of contrasts both geographically and culturally. One could say it has five seasons each with a different personality. The summer is by and large hot and humid but mercifully doesn't last too long. Just as the heat becomes oppressive and bear heavy on mind and body it quietly slips away to allow autumn's magnificent tapestry of ever changing colours to perform. The palace gardens of Kyoto are not to be missed for front row seats to this spectacular and a trip into the nearby mountains is simply breathtaking. Winter can be cruel and snow abounds. It is little know that Japan's snowfields replete with talcum-like dry powder snow are arguably the best in the world. As winter melts into Spring and the leaves and blooms return to the deciduous trees Japan takes on a soft aura which extends into the Rainy season or Sakura the most sacred of seasons. The cherry trees progress into bloom from the West to the East like a technicolour Tsunami turning the parks and gardens beautiful shades of pinks and reds. This is the season to celebrate and after the cold winter the Japanese people venture out to picnic in the shade of the cherry trees.

The people of Japan are just as diverse as the seasons. The end of World War II followed by the occupation of the Americans forced western culture into Japan. This was not only seen in the architecture and fashion but also in commerce. The worlds number two economy is a great consumer of imported raw materials absorbed by its almost wall to wall fabrication factories which hug the coast from Osaka to Tokyo.

The country abounds with temples, shrines and castles although not many of the castles pre-date 1945. The most fantastic example is Himeji castle, home to the Hidoyoshi clan once rulers of most of Japan in the Edo period. Visitors are allowed the inspect almost every nook and cranny although some parts are so protected that slippers have to be worn in place of street shoes to protect the original timber flooring.