Japan The Sagano Bamboo Forest is the best preserved bamboo forest in Japan and one of the most popular in the Far East. Located in a large natural area outside of Kyoto, it is close to several other important natural, cultural and historic sites, many of which are collectively part of the Arashiyama National Historic Site. The area known as Arashiyama is home to an ancient … [Read more...]
MOUNT TATE & MOUNT HAKU
Japan (3,015 m and 2,072 m) – Two of the Sacred Mountains of Japan Mount Tate and Mount Haku are two of the Three Sacred Mountains of Japan. The third is the unquestionably more famous Mount Fuji outside of Tokyo. Together these mountains are among the most important natural sites associated with the Shinto religion. The names of Tate and Haku mean “Standing” and “White”, … [Read more...]
MOUNT FUJI
Japan (3,776 m) – Tallest Mountain in Japan Mount Fuji is the iconic symbol of the nation of Japan, and one of the most photographed mountains in the world. Located just outside of Tokyo, this inactive volcano is nearly perfect in its symmetry, and phenomenally scenic. The exact meaning of its name is uncertain, though some believe it equates to “without equal”. Fuji is … [Read more...]
BATTLE OF INCHON (INCHON BATTLEFIELD)
Incheon, South Korea (1950 AD) The Battle of Inchon was one of the major turning points of the Korean War, and arguably the greatest military victory ever organized under the auspices of the United Nations. It is also the largest amphibious assault undertaken since the end of World War II, and one of the biggest American propaganda coups of the Cold War. The Battle of Inchon … [Read more...]
BATTLE OF IWO JIMA (IWO JIMA BATTLEFIELD)
Iwo Jima, Japan (1945 AD) The Battle of Iwo Jima was one of the few engagements of World War II, along with the subsequent Battle of Okinawa, which took place on Japanese soil. Although the smaller of the battles, Iwo Jima became the more famous of the two thanks to the enduring legacy of the famous film footage of American marines raising the United States flag over Mount … [Read more...]
BATTLE OF SEKIGAHARA (SEKIGAHARA BATTLEFIELD)
Sekigahara, Japan (1600 AD) The Battle of Sekigahara, better known as the Battle for the Sundered Realm, was the culmination of over a century of warfare and conflict commonly referred to as the Sengoku, or Warring States Period of Japan. Fought between the armies of Toyotomi Hideyori and Tokugawa Ieyasu, it was for all intents and purposes the last great battle of medieval … [Read more...]
BATTLES OF BUN’EI AND KOAN (BATTLEFIELD)
Fukuoka, Japan (1274 AD & 1281 AD) The Mongol Empire was the largest single land empire in world history. But for all of its military supremacy in Asia, the Mongols were never able to finish off its last major opponent in the Far East: Japan. Twice the Mongols attempted to invade, in 1274 AD at the Battle of Bun’ei; and again in 1281 AD at the Battle of Koan. Both of … [Read more...]
BATTLE OF SALSU (SALSU BATTLEFIELD)
Chongchon, North Korea (612 AD) The Battle of Salsu is arguably the most famous battle in Korean history prior to the modern era, as well as one of the most unique victories ever achieved anywhere ever. The engagement, which pitted a small army of Goguryeo (Korea) against a massive invading force from neighboring Sui (China), witnessed what might have been the greatest use of … [Read more...]
TWENTY-SIX MARTYRS MONUMENT
Nagasaki, Japan As the influence of European colonial powers spread across the globe from the 16th century onwards, few places outside of the Middle East were not exposed to Christianity. Christianity expanded greatly into almost every major country, with the sole major exception of Japan. However, it is not as though early missionaries didn’t try. When the Catholic Church … [Read more...]
FEUDAL CASTLES OF KYUSHU (KUMAMOTO, SHIMABARA, KARATSU)
Southern Japan Kyushu, the large peninsula which constitutes the southern end of Japan, was one of the most prized and disputed territories during the era known as the Japanesde Warring Period. Divided between supporters of Toyotomi Hideyoshi to the north, his enemies to the south and unaligned feudal lords in between, this peninsula boasts a particularly high concentration … [Read more...]
