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.

Some quick facts about Mt Fuji include that it is 3776 metres (12290 feet) high, approximately 161km (100 miles) south-west of Tokyo and that the last eruption of Mount Fuji was about 300 years ago, in 1707. The busiest time to visit the mountain is July, when with Japanese schools have their holidays, however about a third of all climbers are foreigners. The snow capped pinnacle can quite treacherous outside of these months with freezing temperatures, avalanches and strong winds. When the snow melts in warmer weather it more resembles a lunar landscape covered with black volcanic rock. Although many people have seen the well known photograph of Mount Fuji with the shinkansen bullet train barrelling through the fields in the foreground, perhaps the easiest and best way to get to Mt Fuji from Tokyo is by finding Tokyo sightseeing tours such as bus which only takes a few hours.

The highway bus departs from Shinjuku station, however you may need to change buses at Kawaguchiko station. The official climbing season runs from July to August and crowds of young and old make the ascent each day. During this period there are around 15 buses each day leaving from Shinjuku in Tokyo. At other times transport can be limited and climbing Mt Fuji is not recommended anyway. People don’t need climbing experience, that’s why there are many small children and elderly folk along the way. Good study shoes, some water and energy snacks are a must, along with a raincoat, torch, hat and warm clothing if you intend to hike at night.

Even in the warmer months the temperatures at the top can drop to around 6°C (43°F). The way up is divided into 10 stations or checkpoints. Generally visitors elect to start climbing about halfway up Mount Fuji on the Kawaguchiko trail at station 5. They arrive by bus or car and the climb takes around 7 hours to reach the summit and then another 4 to get back down again. The round trip can be completed in a very long day. Many people choose to begin their trek at nightfall and time it so they and arrive at the peak at dawn. During July and August there are huts, toilet facilities and food stops open on the mountain for tourists to rest. On a clear day seeing the sunrise from this highest point in Japan is quite a breathtaking spectacle and is sure to be the highlight of the sightseeing in Japan. It’s definitely a worthy side trip from Tokyo and the view from the top of Mount Fuji gets etched forever in the mind.

Almost all of the buildings around Sankeien were bough by Hara and are historical buildings. These buildings are from all over the country of Japan. Included are Tokyo, Kyoto, Kamakura, Gifu Prefecture, and Wakayama Prefecture. Ten of the buildings are said to be of important cultural property and three others are tangible cultural properties.

Sankeien features ponds, streams, and paths among its 175 thousand square meters of land. One thing the Japanese garden is pretty well-known for is the cherry blossoms that are found throughout the land of Sankeien.

The garden also features the attractions of Kakushokaku, Sankei Memorial, the Outer Garden, the Former Yanohara House, and the Inner Garden. The Kakushokaku is located next to the entrance of Sankeien and was the former residence of the Hara family. However, it is now rented out for meetings and parties. The Sankei Memorial is located right after the Kakushokaku and was built for the sole purpose of introducing people to the garden with exhibits, images, and art. The Outer Garden is the area next to the main pond. It features the Tomyo-ji’s former main hall as well as Tomyo-ji’s former three-storied pagoda. The Former Yanohara House used to be the home of an extremely wealthy family during the Edo period. Today, it serves as more of an exhibit or museum. The Inner Garden is located to the north of the main pond. The Inner Garden features many buildings including the Gomon Gate, the Hakuun-tei, the Rinshunkaku Gekkaden, the Tenju-in, the Choshukaku, and the Renge-in.

With the nature surrounding the Saneien as well as the history within it, it is definitely worth checking out. You can relax and learn about some history. You really can’t go wrong.

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

• Before setting off on your adventure, make sure to unplug all unneeded appliances at home. Most electrical goods in the home draw at least some power when not in use, particularly if left on standby mode. There is no reason not to -  it is safer, cheaper for you, and better for the environment, so get unplugging!
• Unless you are particularly concerned with germs and must absolutely have new towels and bedsheets on your hotel bed everyday, then I suggest speaking to the hotel staff and requesting that the sheets and towels only be changed every few days or so. If you don’t change them daily at home, then there is no need to do so away from home……unless you just enjoy opulence , in which case this may not be the article for you.
• The majority of the fuel used by a plane comes when taking off and landing. If possible, book direct flights. For shorter distances consider taking a train rather than flying. There are, of course, advantages and disadvantages to both.
• When eating out at a restaurant, ask for a dish where the ingredients are produced locally.  Not only are you helping the environment, but you are getting to taste the actual local dishes that people eat all the time. There is arguably little point in traveling hundreds or thousands of miles to eat exactly the same food you can get easily at home.

Sources:

http://www.geekabout.com/2007-12-18-420/green-travel-31-tips-to-save-money-environment.html

http://gosw.about.com/od/resortsandtours/a/greentravel_2.htm

Picture Sources:

http://hubpages.com/hub/Travel-the-Green-Way

http://www.greendirectoryearth.com/articles/green_there_done_that_513