Lonely Planet Beautiful World Japan

Japan cuts a swathe through latitudes and climates, with snow-covered mountains in the north and tropical island beaches in the south. Its landscapes have been shaped by boiling rock, water, and irresistible tectonic forces from the Pacific Rim of Fire. Volcanoes and hot springs pepper the land, which periodically shudders and shakes. Japan also sweeps through time, fusing tradition and futurism like few other nations. Its unique culture has been shaped by millennia of influences that can be discerned wherever you look, from Zen rock gardens and Shinto shrines to Kyotos geisha dances. It is an island that has been unusually closed-off for centuries and they do things differently here.

As a result, the country has always mesmerised, if not even bewildered, visitors. Japan super-fan Anthony Bourdain once said I think all of us understand that we dont understand anything about Japan. This book of photography aims to depict the most beautiful aspects of Japans natural world and its most fascinating traditions and innovations. We witness how sakura, the annual wave of cherry blossom, inspires crowds to follow its progress across Japan, we meet macaque monkeys soaking in hot springs and watch chefs prepare intricate edible marvels. Cranes dance as trains speed across extraordinary bridges. Neon metropolises with crowded crosswalks contrast with silent groves of giant bamboo and still lakes.

Weve organised the book by region from Hokkaid to the islands of Okinawa. Whether youve explored Japan before or hope to visit it for the first time, a pictorial journey through this country will fascinate and inspire.

Masami Goto | Getty Images Kamikawa Wintry scenes at a snowfield in Biei Marco Wong | Getty Images Hokkaid Whooper swans migrate to the region in winter Mint Images | Aurora Photos Niseko A snowboarder tackles the slopes of Hokkaids major ski resort Brandon Huttenlocher | Aurora Photos Daisetsuzan National Park Cable cars transport skiiers through Japans largest national park Philip Lee Harvey | Image Source | Aurora Photos Daisetsuzan National Park Ice-climbers cling to the face of one of the gorges in the Sunky range Andrew Peacock | Aurora Photos Kamikawa The turquoise waters of man-made Aoiike (Blue Pond) near Biei Okimo | Shutterstock Kamikawa The vivid flower gardens of Shikisai-no-oka Thanya Jones | Shutterstock Hokkaid Colourful attractions at ice festivals in Sapporo Supermaw | Shutterstock Hokkaid Colourful attractions at ice festival in Sunky Martin Humby | Alamy Stock Photo Sapporo Beer oclock? The citys Beer Museum at dusk Martin Brunner | 4Corners Sapporo Looking across the city suburbs towards the kura-yama ski jump Martin Brunner | 4Corners Kushiro-shitsugen National Park Red-crowned white cranes in the Hokkaid snow Goh Itoh | Aflo | Getty Images Kushiro-shitsugen National Park Red-crowned white cranes in the Hokkaid snow Mekdet | Getty Images Hokkaid The Ezo fox is most commonly found in Kushiro-shitsugen National Park Mint Images | Aurora Photos Shikotsu-Tya National Park The volcanic springs of Noboribetsu Onsen Akkhawin Lertsodsai | 500px Akan National Park Yellow-stained sulphuric vents at I-zan volcano near Kawayu Onsen Mint Images | Aurora Photos Hakodate Dawn rises over the port city, as seen from Mt Hakodate Sean Pavone | Shutterstock Sapporo dri-ken park cuts through the centre of Hokkaids largest city Prasit photo | Getty Images

Aomori Iga-menchi (squid croquettes) are served at the Tsugaru Akatsuki Club Junichi Miyazaki | Lonely Planet Aomori Flatfish sashimi atop a bowl of rice, a regional delicacy Daisuke Kawai | 500px