The earliest human settlements in Japan are estimated to date from the Ice Age, about 30,000 years ago. At that time all four main Japanese islands were linked. The southernmost island of Kyushu was joined to the Korean peninsula and the northernmost island of Hokkaido to Siberia. The first named civilization, the Jomon era, began in about 10,500BC and lasted till about 300BC. ‘Jomon’ refers to the distinctive rope-pattern decorations on the pottery of the era. The Jomon era itself is divided into 6 stages, the first of which originated on the Kanto plain, around present-day Tokyo. Jomon pottery predates ceramics found anywhere else in the world by 2000 years.

The philosophy of Bushido is "freedom from fear." It meant that the Samurai transcended his fear of death. That gave him the peace and power to serve his master faithfully and loyally and die well if necessary. "Duty" is a primary philosophy of the Samurai. greece greek rhodes rhodos kos hotels holidays vacation rhodes greece hotel

The Samurai rose out of the continuing battles for land among three main clans: the Minamoto, the Fujiwara and the Taira. The Samurai eventually became a class unto themselves between the 9th and 12th centuries A.D. They were called by two names: Samurai (knights-retainers) and Bushi (warriors). Some of them were related to the ruling class. Others were hired men. They gave complete loyalty to their Daimyo (feudal landowners) and received land and position in return. Each Daimyo used his Samurai to protect his land and to expand his power and rights to more land.

The Samurai became expert in fighting from horseback and on the ground. They practiced armed and un-armed combat. The early Samurai emphasized fighting with the bow and arrow. They used swords for close-in fighting and beheading their enemies. Battles with the Mongols in the late 13th century led to a change in the Samurai's fighting style. They began to use their sword more and also made more use of spears and naginata. The Samurai slowly changed from fighting on horseback to fighting on foot. greece greek rhodes kos hotels hotel
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Geisha are traditional, female Japanese entertainers, whose skills include performing various Japanese arts, such as music, singing, and dancing. They also engage their clients with light conversation.

On August 6, 1945, the city of Hiroshima was the target of the first atomic bomb used against civil population in history. Three days later, the United States dropped a second atomic bomb over the city of Nagasaki. In total, about one fourth of a million people were killed by the two bombs.


Japan today

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of China, Korea, and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea in the south. The kanji characters that make up Japan's name mean "sun-origin", which is why Japan is sometimes identified as the "Land of the Rising Sun". Japan's capital and largest city is Tokyo.

Tokyo is a modern city full of exhibitions, attractions and events. All this can either overwhelm you, or make you seek the relaxed, serene and romantic side to the city. Travelers can visit the many tranquil gardens and historical shrines and temples of the city such as Sensoji in Tokyo's Asakusa district. Travelers walk through Shinjuku Gyoen in April, when the cherry trees are in full blossom, or visit in November where the colours of the chrysanthemums bring you peace and tranquility.

Hiroshima city and capital of Hiroshima ken (prefecture), southwestern Honshu, Japan, on Hiroshima Bay of the Inland Sea. The city is situated on the delta of the Ota River, whose six channels divide it into several islets.greece greek rhodes rhodos holidays kos hotels vacation cos hotels rhodos rhodes

Nagasaki is a busy and colourful city but its unfortunate fate as the second atomic bomb target obscures its fascinating early history of contact with the Portuguese and Dutch.

Few outsiders know much about Okinawa except that it's Japan's southernmost island. But it's an island that wasn't always a part of Japan and has its own unique culture.
Okinawans have their own distinctive music, their own unique language, and their own steadfast traditions which began hundreds of years ago when Okinawa was the Ryukyu Kingdom, the Island Kingdom.rhodes rhodos kos cos

Osaka, an important center of land and sea traffic located nearly in the center of Japan, was historically known as Naniwa. Osaka, is loaded with attractions and recreational facilities.


Yokohama is a bustling city with a population of more than 3 million people, making it Japan's second largest city after metropolitan Tokyo.

Yokohama is situated on a peninsula facing the western coast of Tokyo Bay and lies a mere 30 kilometers(18.6 miles) from Tokyo, the capital of Japan. greece rhodes kos vacation holidays hotels hotel kos rhodos rhodes holiday