Nikko - Japan's Oldest International Resort

Nikko first became a tourist resort 130 years ago, when European diplomats built vacation cottages there, attracted by its fine lake and mountain scenery. The Japanese flock there in fall for the spectacular autumn colors. It's also an area of great historic interest, with ancient temples and the gorgeously decorated Toshogu Shrine, a World Heritage Site.

What's Happening in the Motorcycle World

Japan makes half the world's motorcycles, and is leading the way in two important trends - toward safer and more environmentally friendly two-wheelers. The Nov. 2005 Tokyo Motor Show featured the first production bikes with airbag systems to protect riders from frontal collisions, as well as silent, emission free all-electric motorcycles with removable inexpensively chargeable batteries.

Senior Volunteers Work Abroad

Most Japanese retire at age 60, with many years of active life still ahead of them. More and more retired people are now answering the call of the Japan International Cooperation Agency to contribute to the development of other countries by going abroad to teach others the skills and knowledge they acquired during their working years.

Traditional Good-Luck Charms

The Japanese have a long tradition of good-luck charms for every occasion, many of them originating in ancient harvest customs. We explain a few of the mysterious objects you'll often see in Japan - statues of beckoning cats, rolling one-eyed Daruma dolls, dog charms of pregnancy, and the wooden tablets covered in personal wishes that hang in great bunches outside shrines.