Volunteer Treasure Guardians

The old capital of Kyoto has thousands of ancient temples and shrines, many of them World Heritage Sites. Fire is a constant danger for these old wooden buildings and the famous sculptures and painting they contain, as local volunteers are organizing teams to patrol and guard their neighborhood temples against fire. These teams form the first line of defense to rescue Kyoto's cultural treasures in case disaster strikes.

Art from Fallen Leaves

Withered, fallen leaves. Not a very promising material, you might think, but a Japanese artist realized the potential in the unique tones and textures he saw one day in fallen leaves. After developing new methods to press and preserve the leaves from insects and mold, he now makes award-winning picture entirely composed from leaves, each chosen for its natural hue and cut to shape.

The Ultimate View of Mount Fuji

The world's first fully transparent big wheel gondola is not just great new ride, it gives the best views yet of nearby Mt. Fuji. There are always long lines for the new gondolas, which have sides, floor, and even seats made from tough, see-through plastic. As well as admiring the glories of Mt. Fuji, gondola riders can thrill to the sight of the ground dropping away between their feet as they soar to the top of the 50 meter wheel.

Nagasaki City - Gateway to the World

The old port of Nagasaki, at the western edge of Japan, was the nation's major gateway to Asia and the west. Even when Japan cut itself off from the world for two centuries, Nagasaki was allowed to keep a small overseas trading post. This history has resulted in an excitingly cosmopolitan city, whose citizens and visitors enjoy a wonderful mix of western and oriental culture, old architecture and gourmet food.