“Land of the Rising Sun” – Japan. Our compatriots are on the Japanese islands, in particular, residents of the Far East.

Representatives of the European part of the country – much more rare, for obvious reasons, the guests there. But the country, of course, is to visit it. Tourist trips are possible, but rare and expensive!

My story – about a business trip to Japan, which was connected with the study of the Japanese experience in the production of charcoal. But the country also has little acquaintance. Of course, more or less fully describe such a region as Japan in the short article does not work, but something interesting to the reader I hope, will find!
How to get
Getting to the hotel in Japan from the regions – can and sea, but also from Europe – of course, only the aircraft. In Tokyo, fly all airlines of the world, Aeroflot – is no exception. Fun is not cheap – from $ 900. Time – about 9 hours to the East, and 10 – in the opposite direction (a planet spinning!). Of course, a very strict visa regime – put on the case is not less than a week! Incidentally, some of the inhabitants of the country have the right to visa-free entry into the countries, the UK and the USA.

There
Miracles start from the beginning … In Japan, does not work familiar to us GSM communications – from the beginning of the century enjoyed the Japanese bond generation 3G (and now – and 4G), based on the standard CDMA. Want to communicate in the usual mode – buy (or hold it in rent) local machine. However, a call to European Russia with a street machine is something in the region of 100 yen – about $ 1.1 at current rates.
The second point – there is practically no English! That is, in airports, hotels and large shops you will understand, but in the usual cafe or taxi – almost certainly, no! And nothing can do about it. Get ready! In a taxi the best show business card destination. But do not try to reproduce the word. For example, in Japanese there is no sound “l” and the word “hotel” sounds like something like “wiped” and not “hotel”!
But all this against a background of zero tolerance – East, Buddhism, Shintoism, and just the high culture of the country!
Yet a few words about the coal …
Charcoal – is what produces heat treatment of wood and used for water purification, air and liquids. And also for silicon, special steels, including – the famous samurai swords.

Why Japan? There are growing hardwood trees (in particular, the so-called glandular oak), from which we obtain the best coals. And, besides, the country’s rich tradition of varied use of coal. As in the industrial aspect, and in everyday life.
Charcoal used traditionally heated Japanese homes. In contrast to the coal it can not be “poisoned by fumes, it is a feature of the product.
Currently, coal is not only used as an adsorbent for the purification of different environments and absorption of harmful substances. He made the earth – to improve soil fertility and pest repellent. Paint the house special “coal” colors – protection against corrosion. Lay the foundations of buildings – to optimize humidity conditions. He added to toothbrushes, soap (really – black soap!), Cookies (too – black!) And so on and so forth!

Well, except this – cooking – all kinds of grills, barbecues, braziers …
Our industrial production and quality – not worse, but the promotion of the product in all spheres of life – there is much to learn.

Traditional Japanese brand – the most quality, so-called “white coal” (pictured above). It is called so because of the removal from the furnace during cooling is filled with ash and at this moment looks really white.
Coal can be used where a lot – and even play it!

Tokyo
Of course, this metropolis is impressive. Giant anthill, which used every scrap of land. Machinery, skyscrapers, offices, working around the clock – Tokyo is one of the financial centers of the world, and the stock and currency markets are functioning and then, when the country overnight.

In the heart of the city metro is a 5 levels! Without an escort – a night in the woods! By the way, during rush hours, morning and evening, the ministers raise and fix the seat in the cars – to more people instead! Metro and train – the main form of urban transport. Everything else – the risk of getting stuck in traffic jams for hours.
Actually, being at sea level, the fact that around the skyscrapers, do not feel, but getting up on the tower (over 150 meters), see the bottom of all this abundance!

In the heart of the city – the Imperial Palace, the country is surely – the monarchy. By the way, the reigning family – honored, and birthdays of all (including the dead!) Monarchs – weekend!

Osaka
The second (and according to some estimates – first) largest metropolis. GDP higher than in the Benelux countries and Denmark combined! Within the city – the headquarters of major Japanese brands, which are often heard in the world. If Tokyo – the financial center, the industry – Osaka.
To get there from the capital (600 km) can be 2 hours by express train. The compositions are different. Fastest moving at speeds up to 480 km / hour, while you can work in peace, sleep, read, eat (which many do in order to save time).
High-speed train system is very common. The impression that this is the main form of transport to move around the country. All four main islands linked system of underground tunnels, and even when the length of 3000 km at times to move quickly so than on a plane!

Very often the main way of doing a segment on high-speed train, and arrive at their destination is on a normal train. All, of course, operates with impeccable clarity.

Kyoto
Small, patriarchal city, the ancient capital of Japan, is located within a 35 minute trip on a normal (not high speed) train from Osaka. All the other major cultural centers were destroyed during the bombing of the Second World War, and remained in Kyoto temples, monasteries, shrines complexes. In Tokyo, by the way – not anything like that, all the temples in the capital of post-war buildings.

Actually, ancient Japan, which looks at you with cards and popular films – it is just Kyoto. Buddhist and Shinto temples, geisha school, garden stones and so on and so forth. Crowds of tourists, local and foreign, souvenirs …

In the monasteries and temples in Kyoto memorable presentation of local folk groups and, especially, master puppeteers. Arts that are taught at least 10, and the master – and up to 25 years, but the result is simply amazing – the dolls the size of a man polrosta move as they are alive! Gestures, facial expressions – is impossible to describe – must see!

Hokkaido
Able to visit and on this most northern island, on which Russia “within reach”. The differences are enormous. First, the nature – pine, birch, snow in April – as in the Motherland, that in the center of the country in the tropics, already under 30, hard to believe. Secondly, the territory. It is not that great, but noticeably deserted, compared with metropolitan areas in the southern islands. Why should they our Kurils?

Hotels
Nothing particularly memorable. Normal, natural, high service. In some slightly stylized as a locally owned interior. Price for “4 stars” – in the area of $ 100. I remember, perhaps, that all hotels issue is not only bathrobes, slippers, but always full set of toiletries, including even razors …

It often happens when the first 10-12 floors – office space, and the hotel itself begins above – always live on the height!
Oh, and striking consumer electronics, the apotheosis of a lid on the toilet, which regulates the direction and the temperature of the water that surrounds you! And there are those who raise the lid when you approach, begin to play the melody, etc. etc.!

Food
For all tastes – and the local and European. Of course, stick around, though the usual “fork-spoon” you will also be offered. Huge amount of seafood. It is not fish and seafood. Mussels, oysters, some sponges, sea grasses – all in an amateur, but for my taste very worthy and useful! And the obligatory cup of rice in the end – to lay down all this food is quite spicy!
I remember one restaurant where visitors put on special paper aprons themselves roasted on the grill (of course, using white charcoal!) Thinly sliced meat.
From drinks – a good beer and a traditional plum wine (strength not more than 9 degrees). Sake and sushi, strangely enough, not impressed …
Meals can not be called cheap. On average – somewhere not less than 10-15 dollars per person for lunch, dinner (breakfast – the hotel). But you can quite passably decent meal is fast food for 1,5-2 dollar.
Outcome
Spring – from mid-March, on the central island of Honshu, about 20, but closer to the flowering period begins April sakura (Japanese cherry) – very nice! Traditional local folk when you travel, tours and general contemplation of reality.
Summer in the country is hot and stuffy – not the best time to travel to the tropics. But spring – the most it!
In short, to go to Japan and simple, and not cheap, but if it works – just do not regret it for a long time and not forget! Good luck!