Japan is a country that has striking contrasts to being with from dashing metropolitan cities with bright lights and all the facilities one can dream of, to the countryside towns that still hold the centuries-old culture of the country with the presence of geishas, temples, shrines and zen rock gardens. The country is renowned the world over for its electronic gadgets, but at the very heart of this modernism, lies a country that has still preserved its tradition, albeit with a fair share of striking contrasts, including sumo wrestling and food festivals that lift the culinary techniques to nothing less than an art form.
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is the perfect example of 'old meets new and remains in perfect harmony'. The city is a glaring collage of ancient temples, kimono-clad women, tall skyscrapers and glowing neon sings at every nook and cranny. Tokyo is virtually a beehive of office culture, with a lot of architectural genius thrown in every now and then. Talking of the thing the country is most famous for, electronics, there are hordes of stores housing some of the most advanced gadgetry known to man. But this city is not al about the sights and sounds of modern living, as there is a pleasant escape to the tree-filled gardens at Meiji-jingu, which give travelers a respite from the constant buzzing modern life.
Kyoto is referred to as the treasure house of Japan, and has the dubious distinction of being one of the few cities to have survived the onslaught of the second World War. It is also the cultural epicenter of Japan, with more than 2,000 temples and shrines, as well as 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites. The city still hosts many ancient ceremonies and festivals. Despite the fact that it has modernized much like the rest of Japan, one can still see old wooden machiya townhouses, along with undeveloped hills and mountains that surround the city, giving a glimpse of how old Japan must have looked like.
Japan's third largest city, Osaka, is also a part of Japan's largest metropolitan region, comprising of Kobe and Kyoto as the other two cities out of the trio. Osaka was twice the imperial capital of Japan in the 7th and 8th centuries, but has ruled the roost more for its economic prowess for many years. Much like Tokyo, Osaka is a bustling new-age city that has offices of numerous international organizations, but is equally popular for its night-life, with many shopping, food and entertainment zones scattered around the city. This is also the reason why Osaka is known as the food capital of Japan.
Nagoya is Japan's fourth-largest city, and one of the major transport hubs of the country. With a population of 2.2 million, the city has Japan's main port for international trade, along with an airport. It has been one of Japan's manufacturing and industrial cities, having been the source for porcelain, ceramics, and lacquer-ware. Besides this, it also has a multitude of museums, fascinating night-life, and Japan's largest stopover site for migratory birds.
Every time one visits a foreign land, there is a desire to talk with the near and dear ones about the things they have seen and experienced. However, if one uses a regular mobile service, the charges levied would be astronomical, due to the international roaming. Using Matrix international calling cards delivers savings up to 80% compared to regular calling rates, resulting in longer calls with lower bills.
welcome to Insurances.net (https://www.insurances.net)
