Tokyo Travelers Recommend - page 2

As Japan's national sport, sumo wrestling is a major part of the country's culture. The vast majority of Japan’s sumo wrestlers live in Tokyo's Ryogoku district, which has served the sport's hub for the past two centuries. With its heavyweight athletes, traditional mawashi stiff belt uniforms and long history, the sport remains a fascinating experience for spectators. Sumo dates back to ancient times and still involves hints of the religious Shinto rituals it originally involved. Before a tournament begins, the ring is sprinkled with salt and the wrestlers stomp their feet in order to purify the ring and rid it of any evil. Once that's done, the two male competitors face off in an attempt to knock the other over. The first wrestler to leave the ring or touch the ground with any body part other than their feet loses.

Visitors to Tokyo between March and April are in for a treat: blooming cherry blossom trees decorate nearly every green space in the city, creating a beautiful, pink foreground for an impressive skyline. The fresh spring air mixes with the sight of the pink petals dotting sidewalks, rivers, and lawns in a picture-perfect opening to the new season. There are literally hundreds of places to enjoy the short-lived cherry blossom season in Tokyo, but here are a few of the very best spots.

Once imperial capital of Japan, Kyoto can be reached by the world-famous super fast “Bullet” (“Shinkansen”) trains in two and quarter hours. When at Kyoto you can visit the exquisite Japanese gardens and see the city’s numerous temples, including Kiyomizu, a wooden building dating back to the 9th century which was constructed entirely without nails. Another wooden structure, Sanjusangendo Hall houses 1,001 devotional statues of the goddess of mercy greets visitors. Meanwhile the moat and monumental square towers of Nijo Castle art collections and famous gardens can now be appreciated by all. If time allows, why not visit the nearby city of Nara and see the fire-engine red Kasuga shrine with its thousands of metallic lanterns as well as the city’s main park where deer roam freely.