Eco-o Tourism Japan

Archive for the ‘Ecotourism’ Category

Japan is in all its beautiful glory during the spring time. During this time flower blossoms, Tokyo sightseeing Tours are the best thing to see. Tourists from all places around the world flock to Japan particularly during the spring season to enjoy the blossoms. In Japan the Plum Blossom is known as “The Flower of Peace” and has a very important place in Japanese literature and symbolism. Much Japanese art, literature, and ceremony revolves around seasons as symbolized by various flowers. Festivals, blossom sighting or the hanami and lot other things are the prime attractions during this time.

With the coming of spring, all of Japan and both popular and gay-friendly sightseeing tours in Tokyo become very vigilant and watchful, blooming of sakura or cherry blossoms being the main reason. For over a thousand years, cherry blossoms have played a large role in the lives of the Japanese mainly as an excuse to party. Hanami is the name for these cherry blossom viewing parties which involves plopping a blue tarp down under some blooming cherry trees and preceding to get sloshed amidst the pink foliage. However, long ago, it wasn’t the cherry blossom that held the hearts of Japanese in thrall. It was the diminutive and demure plum blossom (ume) which moved poets nimble hands and made emperors weep. Plum blossom hanami was one of many customs that came from China during Japan’s developing phase.

The plum tree was not originally an indigenous plant in Japan but was brought over from China. It quickly took root, though, in the fertile soil and imagination of Japan. Plum blossoms are seen in Japan as the heralds of Spring, the restrained forerunners to the bold cherry blossoms. They typically bloom from mid-February to mid-March before making way for the grandstanding cherry blossoms. The cherry blossom was said to represent a woman’s beauty while the plum blossom was said to represent her purity. As per the history goes, one of the plum blossoms greatest patrons was the noted scholar Sugawara-no-Michizane (845-903).  He was a scholar and Imperial advisor before his downfall. When he was exiled from Kyoto to a lonely island, legend says his favorite plum tree uprooted itself and flew to his place of exile to comfort him. Plum blossoms are smaller in size and therefore do not cover their branches to the degree that cherry blossoms do. Plum blossoms, however, have a fragrant scent unlike their odorless successors the cherry blossoms. This scent has been popular theme for number Haiku poems from famed poets.

So while the cherry blossom has long dominated the scene and continues to do so, the plum blossom still holds its own with its own grace and charm. Without the plum blossom and the tradition of hanami (blossom viewing) brought over from China along with the tree itself, there may never have been any cherry blossom tradition and Japanese Spring would be a quieter and duller time than it is today. But, due to increase in climate temperatures, plum blossoms do not happen very easily.

While a few people are still skeptical of climate change and global warming, for others the recent trend of unusual weather from snowless winters, icestorms, powerful hurricanes, population outburst and melting icecaps bodes ill for the future.

The basic idea of Ecotourism is to travel to areas of natural beauty, that are often remote and protected and while in these areas attempt to impact the area in a positive manner, be it with volunteer work or raising awareness of any environmental issues the local animal and human populations face.

It is no secret that travel and tourism as a whole effects the environment. The very second you leave your home to go on a trip or holiday it has some kind of effect. To engage in responsible ecotourism, you should look into ways to cut down on the negative environmental impact of your trip. Even simple steps like making sure to carbon neutralize you modes of travel and use less harmful methods whenever possible. Before you travel, do some research on ways to help out while you are there. For instance if you wanted to go on a kayaking trip, check to see if there is one run by a company at actively takes an interest in looking after the rivers they use. If hiking, take care to walk only on the pathways provided so to now damage the local flora and if possible take part in a project that maintains the walkways.

While staying in the country you are visiting, try to live nearby the area that you intend to spend most of your time to count down on commuting. Try to learn about the customs of the local people, maybe even try to learn a little of the language. You will be surprised how much difference it makes, to be able to say even simple things like hello, nice to meet you etc…

The most important thing other than being aware and courteous to the location and people is to enjoy your trip, really soak out as much as you can.

I have barely scratched the surface of what being an ecotourist involves. But hopefully this has tickled your interest to find out more.

Source: Here

Picture Source: ippei + janine