- Churches, Temples, Shrines, Torrii, Castles, Tea Houses, Bath Houses, and the world’s first nuclear war sites are among the man-made features on the ‘to do’ list for Japan.
- Cherry blossoms, gardens and Mount Fuji provide a marvellous natural backdrop to one’s travels around the land of the Rising Sun.
- Discover what it is like for non-English speakers in our liturgy by attending Mass in Japanese.
- Ride the Shinkansen (Bullet) train.
The Shinkansen literally means “New Trunk Line”, referring to the tracks, but the name is widely used inside and outside Japan to refer to the trains as well as the system as a whole.
The 2,459 km long network has links most major cities on the islands of Honshu- and Kyu-shu- at speeds up to 300 km/h. Test runs have reached 443 km/h (275 mph) for conventional rail in 1996, and up to a world-record 581 km/h (361 mph) for maglev trainsets in 2003.
- Take a cable car and have a picnic on the hill overlooking Nagasaki Harbour.
- Pray on the hillside site of martyrdom.
- Take a tram to the Atomic Bomb site and ponder that awful atrocity of August 6 (Hiroshima) and August 9 (Nagasaki) in 1945.
- Pray in the rebuilt church destroyed on August 9 1945.
- Wander through a Japanese garden.
- Take a ferry to visit a Shinto shrine and temple where deer roam freely.
Literally meaning “where the birds reside”, torii are gateways at the entrance of Shinto shrines, or “jinja”. They are typically made of wood, stone or sometimes iron. Most wooden torii are painted in vermillion. Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where some buildings and possessions are national treasures.
- Japan is worth a visit or two. The first to find one’s feet and expel the myths that have prevented a visit. The second, to do what you missed the first time.
- Nagasaki and Hiroshima, perhaps the most poignant places on earth are a big draw-card. Everyone who goes there is very moved. Nagasaki has a strong Catholic presence.
- Many are discouraged from visiting Japan because of perceived high prices and the difficulty of the language. However, for the budget-conscious it is possible to eat and sleep without busting the purse strings. Many speak English – especially the young. Some signs are in Latin script.
- Purchasing a Bullet Train Pass, before leaving home is a must. Train travel is the single most expensive item – but well worth the scenic journey. It is good value in comparison to buying one off fares. It’s a moot point as to whether a first class pass is much advantage over the cheaper second class pass, other than the size of the seating. The guide books tell you that if the Japanese are not on school holidays themselves the cheaper option is OK.
- Fast-food delicatessens on every city corner are open 24hrs providing affordable meals.
- Fly into Nagasaki, train north to Narita Village (Tokyo), make at least two sleep over stops on the way and depart from the nearby airport.
John Jegorow
