Wonders of Japan | Why Japan’s Economy Is Awful | Travel Video 4k

Wonders of Japan | Why Japan’s Economy Is Awful | Travel Video 4k

1989 Tokyo, Japan. The Nikke hits a record high. Eight of the world’s 10 largest companies are Japanese. Japan is booming. America is scared. Japan’s GDP per capita is 10% higher than the US. Japan owns the Rockefeller Center. Movies like Bladeunner imagine a future ruled by Japan. [Music] It seemed like Japan’s rise would never end. Then came 1990. The NICK crashed 38% losing $2 trillion. Wages never recovered. So what went wrong? To find out, we go back to the 1942. After World War II, Japan surrendered. The US occupied the country. Japan’s economy was in ruins. Factories were destroyed. Millions had died. Trade relations collapsed. The Zybatu system was dismantled. Land reforms gave people ownership. Japan was pushed to become an export powerhouse. [Music] The Korean War helped. Low interest loans fueled industrial growth. From 1953 to 1957, Japan’s exports rose 143%. In 1959, Japan still exported cheap textiles. By 1965, they had a trade surplus. [Music] By 1 1970, exports grew 380%. Japan became the world’s fifth largest economy. Its GDP grew five-fold. Growth continued at 5% a year. Exports drove wealth. Japanese citizens embraced luxury. By the 1,982nd luxury brands thrived in Japan. Meanwhile, the US struggled. To fix this, five countries signed the Plaza Accords. The goal, weaken the yen. From 239 yen per dollar, it rose to 128 yen. Exports fell. The economy slowed. Japan slashed interest rates to 2.5%. Credit was cheap and easy. People borrowed heavily. Real estate prices soared. Land was more valuable than buildings. The banking system lost control. By the end of 1 1990, the NIK lost $1 trillion. Real estate dropped by $3 trillion. The 1,992nd began Japan’s lost decade. Decades of policy mistakes followed. By 2024, the economy still struggles. The banking crisis. After the crash, banks held massive bad debt. Instead of letting them fail, the government kept them alive. Zombie banks lent to weak firms. This dragged down the economy. Public funds arrived in 1 1999 too late. Bad loans reached 10% of GDP. By 2002, NPLs were still over $400 billion. Weak fiscal policy. Stimulus spending was too small. Between 1 1992 1 1997 only 4.5% of GDP was spent. Worse taxes rose at the same time. In 1997 a consumption tax hike hurt consumer spending. GDP growth during the 1,992nd was only 1.4% annually. Infrastructure spending focused on rural areas, not cities. Jobs were created, but productivity didn’t rise. Failed monetary policy. Rates were cut to zero by 1995, but deflation continued. A liquidity trap formed. Quantitative easing started only in 2000 and one too late. The economy stayed stuck. Outdated corporate system. Banks, regulators, and companies formed the iron triangle. Failing firms got cheap loans. No one innovated or shut down. Productivity stayed low, just 1.2% 2% growth per year. US and Europe had double that. Even top industries became outdated. Work culture favored loyalty over results. Seniority mattered more than skill. Immigration and demographics. Japan resisted immigration. [Music] Its population started shrinking in 1 1995. By 2024, over 25% are over 65. Labor shortages worsened. Younger workers struggle to find good jobs. The country lacks new talent. Fewer people are having children. and the culture hasn’t changed. The result, Japan’s stock market hasn’t grown in 40 years. Wages are flat. [Music] Innovation is weak. Population is declining. Japan made every mistake in the book. They bet on cheap credit, land, and government control. They ignored innovation and protected weak businesses. They taxed consumption, not property. They refused to let bad ideas fail. They did the same things over and over and expected different results. The lessons, debt isn’t free. Land isn’t always valuable. Governments can’t pick winners. Innovation drives growth. Failures must be allowed. Japan must wake up. Despite its economic struggles, Japan remains a country of extraordinary beauty, rich culture, and timeless charm. Beyond the numbers and policies lies a land filled with serene temples, bustling cities, and breathtaking natural landscapes. To truly understand Japan, one must also explore the places that capture its heart and soul. Let’s take a journey through some of the most amazing destinations Japan has to offer. [Music] There are few sites in the world as instantly recognizable or deeply revered as Mount Fuji. Rising in solitary majesty from the plains of Honshu. Its nearperfect symmetrical cone is a vision of sublime tranquility and immense power. [Music] It is more than a mountain. It is the soul of Japan, rendered in earth and stone. [Music] For much of the year, its summit is draped in a pristine mantle of snow, a stark white against the deep blue of the sky. At dawn, it can blush with hues of rose and lavender, a fleeting spectacle that has captivated onlookers for centuries. [Music] Viewed from the shores of the Fuji 5 lakes, its reflection shimmers on the water, creating a perfect mirrored world that seems to suspend reality. [Music] Its presence is a constant, a quiet anchor on the horizon, visible on clear days, even from the bustling metropolis of Tokyo. A reminder of the natural world’s enduring grace. But Fuji’s significance runs deeper than its physical beauty. [Music] It is a sacred peak, a kami in the Shinto faith and a sight of pilgrimage for centuries. [Music] Countless trails snake up its volcanic slopes, worn smooth by the footsteps of monks, aesthetics, and modern-day climbers, all seeking communion with its powerful spirit. [Music] To ascend Fuji is not just a physical challenge but a spiritual journey culminating in the reward of watching the sunrise or goriko from above a sea of clouds. [Music] This reverence is immortalized in Japanese art. [Music] The Yukioi masters Hokusai and Hiroshi famously depicted Fuji in all its moods. Serene, stormy, framed by a great wave or a humble cherry blossom branch. [Music] Through their work, Fuji became a global icon, a shorthand for the elegant aesthetic of Japan itself. To stand in its shadow is to feel the weight of this history and artistry. To step into the Arashiamyama bamboo grove is to enter another world. [Music] Located in the western hills of Kyoto, this is not a forest in the conventional sense, but a living, breathing corridor of green. The experience begins the moment you pass the first cluster of towering stalks. The outside world with its noise and rush seems to fall away. Muffled by the dense vertical forest. [Music] Countless bamboo stalks, thick as a man’s arm, soar impossibly high. Their slender tops converging to form a rustling canopy far above. Sunlight struggles to pierce the dense leaves, filtering down and shifting, dappled patterns that dance upon the paved path below. The air itself feels different here. Cooler, cleaner, and imbued with the faint earthy scent of bamboo and damp soil. The dominant color is an overwhelming almost luminous green ranging from the deep jade of the mature stalks to the vibrant chartreuse of new shoots. [Music] But the Grove’s magic is not purely visual. It is a place to be heard. The true symphony of Arashiamyama is the sound of the wind. [Music] It whispers through the leaves with a soft sibilent hush. And as it gains strength, the colossal stalks sway and knock against one another, creating a gentle hollow percussion. [Music] This unique soundsscape is so iconic, it has been designated by the Japanese government as a sound to be preserved. [Music] Walking the path is a humbling and serene experience. You feel small and wonderfully insignificant amidst the silent patient giants. [Music] It is a brief but profound meditation, a moment of pure tranquility that captures the Japanese reverence for nature’s understated and overwhelming beauty. [Music] Nestled in the mountains near Tokyo, Hakone is a sanctuary of nature, art, and relaxation. [Music] Its landscape offers a dramatic contrast from the steaming sulfurous vents of the Wakodani Valley to the tranquil beauty of Lake Ashi. [Music] From the lake surface, visitors can witness the iconic view of Mount Fuji rising behind a crimson Tory gate. The journey itself is an adventure on switchback trains and soaring ropeways, revealing a landscape dotted with worldclass art at the famous open air museum. Ultimately, Hakone’s essence is found in the simple, profound pleasure of soaking in a natural hotring or onen embraced by the quiet peace of the mountains. If you like this video, please give us a subscribe. That can help us have more opportunities to bring you more unique places. [Music] In the mountains north of Tokyo lies a place that embodies the Japanese proverb, “Do not say magnificent until you have seen Niko.” The park is a symphony of raw nature and breathtaking human artistry. Each element amplifying the power of the other. [Music] At its spiritual heart is the Toshou shrine, the opulent mausoleum of the Shogun Tokugawa. It is not a place of quiet minimalist aesthetics, but an explosion of intricate carvings, brilliant gold leaf, and gleaming lacquer. [Music] Under the watchful eyes of the famous three wise monkeys and the deceptively peaceful sleeping cat, every surface tells a story. [Music] Yet all this opulence is not set against an urban backdrop, but is cradled by a forest of colossal ancient cedars. [Music] These silent moss draped giants, some centuries old, stand as solemn guardians. Their presence lending a profound ancient gravity to the man-made splendor at their feet. [Music] Beyond the sacred precincts, the park’s immense natural beauty unfolds. [Music] A journey up the hairpin turns of the Irohazaka winding road leads to the highlands, revealing Lake Chuenji, a pristine alpine jewel resting in the crater of an extinct volcano. [Music] Nearby, the mighty Keegan Falls plummets dramatically from a sheer cliff. Its thundering cascade a display of nature’s untamed power. Nico’s true genius lies in this perfect harmony. [Music] The human artistry does not seek to conquer nature but to honor it, drawing its power from the monumental setting. [Music] To walk here is to feel the cool mist from a waterfall on your face while gazing at a gilded dragon. To hear the crunch of gravel in a sacred courtyard and the whisper of wind through thousand-year-old trees. It is a pilgrimage site for both the soul and the senses. A testament to the idea that divinity can be found equally in a meticulously carved gate and in the silent mosscovered stone of the forest floor. [Music] Scattered across the East China Sea like a string of emeralds, the Okinawa Islands offer a vision of Japan transformed by a subtropical sun and a different current of history. [Music] This is a world away from the disciplined order of the mainland. A place that moves to a slower, gentler rhythm. [Music] The first impression is one of stunning natural beauty. [Music] Coastlines carved into dramatic cliffs, waters shifting in impossible shades of turquoise and sapphire, and beaches of blindingly white sand that meet lush green interiors. But to see Okinawa as just a tropical paradise is to miss its soul. [Music] This is the ancient heart of the Ryuku Kingdom, a culture with its own distinct language, music, and traditions. This unique identity is woven into the vibrant colors of Benata textiles and pounded out in the powerful hypnotic beat of Isa festival drums. [Music] Yet, this paradise is scarred by a profound history. Most notably, the devastation of the Battle of Okinawa in World War II. [Music] From these ashes has risen a fierce commitment to peace, powerfully embodied in the solemn memorials and museums that dot the southern coast. To visit the Okinawa Islands is to experience this duality. It is to dive into coral reefs teeming with life. Savor the unique flavors of Okinawan cuisine like bitter goya and salty sea grapes and feel the warmth of the sun on your skin. [Music] But it is also to feel the weight of history and witness the incredible strength of a people who have cultivated a culture of peace, longevity, and profound joy. [Music] Tucked deep within the remote mountain valleys of Gefue Prefecture lies Shirakawago, a village that seems to have been lifted from the pages of a fairy tale. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is a place where time has not so much stopped as chosen a slower, more deliberate path. [Music] The village is defined by its unique gasho zukuri farmhouses whose name translates to constructed like hands in prayer. [Music] Their steeply sloped thatched roofs resembling the a-frame of praying hands are masterpieces of folk engineering. They’re designed to withstand the immense weight of the region’s famously heavy winter snows. While beautiful in the lush green of summer or the fiery hues of autumn, it is in winter that Shirakawa Go truly becomes the stuff of legend. When snow falls, it blankets the landscape in a deep, muffled silence, transforming the hamlet into an ethereal vision. [Music] At night, during special illuminations, a warm golden glow emanates from the papercreened windows of the farmhouses, creating an unforgettable scene of cozy sanctuary against the cold, dark mountains. [Music] Yet, the village’s magic is not just in its picturesque architecture, but in its enduring spirit of community. The massive roofs require reaching every few decades, a monumental task that no single family can accomplish alone. [Music] Through a tradition known as UI, the entire community comes together to help. A practice that has forged unbreakable social bonds over centuries. The beautiful culture of Japan permeates every scene here, making people constantly explore this country. What do you think about experiencing life in these classic houses? Let me know your feelings in the comments section below. [Music] Nestled deep within the Ha Mountains of the Japanese Alps, the city of Takyama is a place where time seems to flow at a different pace. [Music] To wander through the Sunmachi Suji, its preserved old town, is to step directly into an eido period woodblock print. Dark lattice facads of merchant houses and saki breweries line the narrow streets. Their aged timber whispering tales of centuries past. [Music] Under the eaves, small canals trickle with clear mountain water, and the iconic Shuja dama hang outside breweries, announcing the pressing of new sake. [Music] Life here pulses along the clear running Miaagawa River, where the famous morning markets spring to life at dawn. Elderly farmers with sunweathered faces arrange neat piles of crisp vegetables, local pickles, and handmade crafts. Their friendly chatter mingling with the irresistible sizzle of heated beef on a skewer and the sweet smoky aroma of roasting midarashi dango. [Music] Spanning the river, the Vermilion Nakabashi Bridge stands as a vibrant centerpiece against the lush greenery and traditional architecture. [Music] As dusk settles, the crowds thin and the true magic of Takyama emerges. [Music] Paper lanterns cast a warm golden glow on the dark timber. The sound of wooden geta clogs on stone echoes softly and the town settles into a profound tranquility. [Music] Along the coast of the Sea of Japan, the Toto sand dunes create a surreal desert-like expanse. [Music] This vast landscape of golden sand, Japan’s only major dune system, is constantly reshaped by the wind into delicate ripples. [Music] The main challenge is climbing the steep um or horses back ridge. From the top, the reward is a breathtaking view. The immense undulating dunes plunge dramatically to meet the deep blue of the sea. [Music] The occasional sight of a camel train adds to the otherworldly atmosphere, creating a stunning and unexpected panorama where desert meets ocean. Dominating the heart of Kyushu, Mount Aso is not a single conical peak but a colossal caldera, one of the largest in the world. To visit ASO is to enter a vast sunken landscape where entire towns and lush farmlands are cradled within the ancient crater walls. This is a place where humanity lives in an intimate and often precarious relationship with the raw power of the earth. The true pilgrimage, however, is to the active heart of the complex, the Nakadaki crater. [Music] As you approach, the air grows sharp with the acrid scent of sulfur. [Music] Standing at the crater’s edge is a humbling experience. Below a cauldron of activity churns a lake of otherworldly turquoise hisses and steams, venting plumes of gas into the sky. It feels like peering into a primordial forge, a direct window to the planet’s fiery core. [Music] Yet this fearsome power is balanced by an almost impossible serenity. [Music] Just a short distance away lies Kusenri Gahama, a sprawling idyllic grassland dotted with serene ponds and grazing horses. This vast green carpet offers a breathtaking panorama of the smoking crater in the distance, a perfect illustration of Aso’s dual nature. [Music] Tucked away in the snowy mountains of Nagano lies Jigokani, the aptly named Hell Valley, known for its steep, frozen cliffs and plumes of natural steam. [Music] But this harsh landscape is home to a world famous and heartwarming spectacle. After a quiet walk along a forest path, visitors arrive at a scene of remarkable tranquility. A troop of Japanese macaks finding refuge from the biting cold in their own natural onen or hotring. [Music] With thick frost dusted fur and expressive pink faces, the monkeys soak in the steaming water with an air of profound contentment. [Music] Wise old patriarchs close their eyes in blissful repose, while mischievous youngsters chase each other on the snowy banks before plunging back into the warmth. [Music] Largely indifferent to their human audience, they groom each other, nurse their young, and exist in a state of wild, peaceful harmony. [Music] To witness the snow monkeys of Jigokani is to see a remarkable adaptation to a severe environment. [Music] In the world of winter sports, the name NCO is spoken with a certain reverence, a name synonymous with one thing above all else. Legendary powder snow. Located on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, NCO is relentlessly blessed by Siberian storm systems that dump staggering volumes of the lightest, driest snow on Earth. It’s a place where powder days are not a lucky exception, but the daily standard. [Music] The experience is set against a backdrop of breathtaking beauty. [Music] Dominating the horizon is the perfect volcanic cone of Mount Yote, Hokkaido’s own serene answer to Mount Fuji. To drop into a Nco powder bowl or glide through its famous glades of ghost white birch trees is to experience a moment of near weightlessness. The world dissolves into a silent white cloud as skis or snowboard plane effortlessly through the bottomless depths. A feeling that draws devoted riders from every corner of the globe. But the magic of Nco extends beyond the slopes. Down in the valley, the vibrant hub of HiFu village buzzes with a uniquely international energy. Here, the clump of ski boots on pavement mingles with chatter in a dozen different languages. [Music] The aromomas of sizzling ramen and authentic isakas exist alongside gourmet burgers and wood-fired pizza. A testament to its global appeal. [Music] Yet the quintessential NCO day ends with a quiet Japanese ritual. After the last run, there is nothing more sublime than sinking into the steaming mineral-rich water of an outdoor onsent. Feeling weary muscles surrender to the heat as fat, silent snowflakes drift down from the darkening sky. [Music] High in the volcanic mountains of Yamagatada lies Zhao Ansen, a resort where nature’s extremes converge. [Music] The town itself is a classic hotring village where the air is sharp with the scent of sulfur and steam billows from historic wooden bathous. Visitors come to soak in its highly acidic milky white waters. Famously known as the waters of beauty. But Zho’s true spectacle awaits on the frozen peaks above. here. The legendary snow monsters or juio stand guard. These are not statues, but fur trees in tmbed in layers of wind blasted ice and snow twisted into grotesque and beautiful forms. [Music] [Music] To wander into Kyoto’s Gon district is to cross an invisible threshold, leaving the modern city behind for a world of refined elegance and whispered secrets. [Music] By day, its main arteries may bustle with visitors, but its true character awakens as dusk settles over the narrow cobblestone alleys. [Music] Paper lanterns begin to cast a warm honeyed glow on the dark lattice facads of the Machia townhouses. Their norin curtains swaying gently over doorways, hinting at the hidden worlds within [Music] This is the famed world of flowers and willows. And the air grows quiet, filled with anticipation. [Music] At the base of Mount Inari in southern Kyoto lies a sight of breathtaking, almost surreal beauty, the Fushimi Inari Shrine. [Music] It is not a single building but a sprawling sacred mountain trail marked by thousands of vibrant vermilion tory gates. [Music] To enter the main path, the famous Senbon Tori is to be enveloped in an otherworldly tunnel of brilliant red. [Music] Sunlight filters through the tightly packed gates, striping the stone path in rhythmic patterns of light and shadow, creating a mesmerizing, almost hypnotic effect. [Music] Each gate is a donation offered by an individual or a business as a prayer for prosperity or in gratitude for success. Dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice, sake, and commerce. The back of each gate is inscribed with the name of its donor, a silent record of countless hopes and dreams. [Music] As the path winds higher up the mountain, the crowds begin to thin and the gates become more spaced, opening to reveal glimpses of the city below. [Music] The experience transforms from a bustling attraction into a peaceful pilgrimage. [Music] The main path splinters into smaller trails leading to mosscovered subshrines and quiet clearings where stone foxes or Kitsune Nari’s sacred messengers stand silent guard. [Music] To walk the full circuit is a journey of several hours, a meditative climb through a forest of prayers, [Music] rising with an almost ethereal grace above the modern city of Himi. Himeji Castle is Japan’s most magnificent and best preserved feudal fortress known as Shiasagi Joe or the White Heron Castle. Its name is a perfect testament to its appearance. A brilliant intricate complex of white plastered walls and gracefully layered roofs. It seems poised to take flight against the blue sky. A vision of sublime elegance and power. [Music] But this breathtaking beauty conceals a formidable military genius. [Music] The castle is not a palace but a masterpiece of defense. The approach is a deliberately confusing maze of winding paths, fortified gates, and walled baileies designed to disorient and trap invading forces. [Music] [Music] Overlooked by many in favor of its more famous counterpart, Kanazawa is a city that rivals Kyoto in grace, but offers a more intimate soul. [Music] Having escaped the destruction of World War II, it stands as a treasure chest of preodern Japan, a place where art, history, and daily life are elegantly intertwined. [Music] Its heart and most celebrated jewel is Kenrokuin, one of Japan’s three most beautiful landscape gardens. [Music] To walk its paths is to witness a living masterpiece meticulously sculpted over generations with every stream, mosscovered stone, and ancient pine tree placed in perfect harmony. [Music] Beyond the garden walls, Kanazawa’s history unfolds in its beautifully preserved districts. [Music] In the Higashi Chaya district, the lattest facads of traditional tea houses line the streets. [Music] A short walk away, the atmosphere shifts in Nagamachi, the former samurai district. [Music] Here, stoic earthn walls and private canals protect the historic residences, offering quiet, dignified whispers of the warrior class that once resided there. [Music] This deeprooted artistry spills into the city’s vibrant core at Omicho Market. Kanazawa’s kitchen, a bustling labyrinth where vendors hawk glistening fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan. [Music] Tokyo is a living paradox. A city where the future arrives at lightning speed while the past breathes quietly in its shadow. [Music] To experience it today is to be immersed in a dizzying ballet of order and chaos. [Music] It is a city of Michelin starred temples of gastronomy and humble ramen counters of gleaming architectural marvels and the quiet narrow alleys of Yanuka where time slows to a stroll. [Music] But this shimmering megalopouloolis is a relatively recent creation. A phoenix built on a complex history. [Music] Emerging from the ashes of World War II, the Tokyo of the 1,952nd was a city of grit and determination, focused on rebuilding. [Music] This relentless drive culminated in the 1964 Olympics, a monumental coming out party for a resurrected Japan, symbolized by the debut of the Shinkansen bullet train and the proud spire of the Tokyo Tower. [Music] The decades that followed saw the city surge into a dizzying crescendo. [Music] The 1,982nd bubble era transformed Tokyo into the futuristic cityscape imagined in science fiction, a neon drenched world of seemingly limitless economic power and consumer excess. [Music] When the bubble burst in the 1,992nd, the city didn’t crumble, but began a subtle reinvention. It solidified its status not just as an economic hub, but as a global epicenter of culture, exporting its unique style in anime, fashion, design, and cuisine to the world. Today, the Tokyo Skytree has supplanted the Tokyo Tower as the city’s loftiest symbol. But the layers of its recent past are everywhere. The sleek efficiency is a legacy of the 60-second ambition, the neon glow, a ghost of the 82nd boom, and the quiet dignity of its preserved neighborhoods, a testament to an enduring core. Tokyo is a city constantly rewriting itself. Yet, it never erases the previous chapter, creating a metropolis that is endlessly, fascinatingly complex. While Tokyo hurdles towards the future, Kyoto moves to a different rhythm. One set by the chime of temple bells and the rustle of bamboo in the wind. [Music] [Music] For over a millennium, from 794 until 1868, Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan, the seat of the emperor, and the cradle of the nation’s most refined arts. [Music] It is a city built not on commerce but on culture. A place where the pursuit of beauty was elevated to a way of life. This profound legacy is not confined to history books. It is etched into the very stones of its landscape. You feel it while standing before the shimmering golden pavilion as it mirrors itself perfectly in its tranquil pond. A testament to the aesthetic ideals of the courtly nobles. You walk through it in the ethereal green light of the Arashiamyama bamboo grove and you can almost hear the whispers of the past along the cobblestones of Gillon, the famed Geisha district. [Music] Kyoto was the heart of a world where the tea ceremony was perfected, where flower arrangement became a philosophy, and where literature flourished. [Music] [Music] Crucially, its immense cultural value led it to be spared from the devastating air raids of World War II, leaving its treasure trove of over 2,000 temples and shrines intact. [Music] Today to visit Kyoto is to witness this history made manifest. It is to find serene contemplation in the stark beauty of a Rioanji rock garden. To follow the thousand vermilion gates of Fushimi Inari up a sacred mountain. And to feel a sense of profound peace that seems to seep from the very earth. If Tokyo is Japan’s polished mind and Kyoto its serene soul, then Osaka is its roaring unapologetic heart. This is a city that doesn’t whisper. It shouts with joyous, uninhibited energy. It lives by the creed of cudaware means to eat until you drop. And this philosophy is the electric current that powers its streets, especially in the dizzying neon-drenched district of Dottenbore. [Music] To stand on a bridge over the Doenbury Canal is to witness a sensory assault of the best kind. A river of neon reflects on the water below while giant mechanized crabs and blowfish beckon from building facades. The air is thick with the irresistible aromomas of sizzling takoyaki, savory okonomiyaki, and deep fried kushi katsu skewers. Here, food isn’t just sustenance. It’s a boisterous, passionate celebration. And the shouts of vendors and the buzz of the crowd are the city’s theme song. Yet amidst this modern revalry stands the imposing Osaka Castle, a powerful reminder of the city’s past as a formidable center of commerce and political power. [Music] It stands in proud contrast to the chaos below. Its formidable stone walls and elegant keep overlooking the urban sprawl. More than its sights, the true spirit of Osaka lies in its people. Famously friendly, quick-witted, and refreshingly direct, Osakans infuse the city with a warmth and humor that is immediately welcoming. [Music] A short train ride from the bustling hubs of Kyoto and Osaka lies Nara, a city that feels like a tranquil journey back to the very dawn of the Japanese nation. [Music] Before Kyoto, there was Nar [Music] as Japan’s first permanent imperial capital established in 710. This is where the foundations of Japanese Buddhism and government were laid, and that profound sense of ancient history permeates the air. [Music] But the city’s most famous and enchanting feature is its free roaming population of secure [Music] considered sacred messengers of the gods. These elegant creatures are not confined to a zoo, but are the city’s official residents, wandering through temple grounds, napping in the shade of ancient trees, and interacting with visitors. To witness a deer perform a solemn, well practiced bow in exchange for a shikbe is one of Japan’s most astonishing and endearing rituals. The deer are the living guardians of a vast park that holds some of the nation’s most significant cultural treasures. [Music] Dominating the landscape is Todai Temple, a monumental wooden hall that houses the colossal bronze dbutsu or great Buddha. To stand in its presence is a humbling experience dwarfed by its serene, timeless gaze. [Music] Nearby, the path to Kasuga Taisha Shrine is lined with thousands of mosscovered stone lanterns leading to a vibrant vermilion sanctuary hung with countless bronze lanterns. [Music] To speak the name Hiroshima is to conjure a shadow, a moment in history that forever altered the world. [Music] To visit the city today is to witness one of humanity’s most profound stories of resilience and hope. At the heart of this narrative lies the Peace Memorial Park, a vast green expanse that occupies the ground zero of the 1945 atomic bombing. Here the past is not hidden but faced with unflinching honesty. [Music] The skeletal framework of the Abomb dome stands as a haunting skeletal witness. Its ruined structure preserved exactly as it was in the blast’s immediate aftermath. [Music] Across the river, the Peace Memorial Museum presents a sobering and deeply human account of the tragedy, moving beyond statistics to tell the stories of those who perished and those who survived. [Music] The Children’s Peace Monument draped in thousands of colorful paper cranes offers a heartbreaking prayer for a future free from such devastation. [Music] [Music] Yet to only see Hiroshima as a memorial is to miss its most powerful lesson. [Music] Just beyond the park’s serene grounds, a vibrant, modern city thrives, [Music] the clang of street cars, the bustle of shopping arcades, and the irresistible aroma of Hiroshima style okonomyaki grilling in crowded restaurants speak of a community that refused to be defined by its destruction. [Music] In the heart of Japan’s vast northern island of Hokkaido lies Saporro, a city that feels both distinctly Japanese and refreshingly different. [Music] Its identity is forged in winter when the world famous Saporro Snow Festival transforms the central Odori Park into a breathtaking wonderland of crystalline sculptures and gleaming ice palaces. [Music] The sheer volume of crisp, powdery snow that blankets the city each year is not a burden, but a cause for celebration. Unlike the winding ancient alleys of older Japanese cities, Saporro is defined by its spaciousness. Its broad treelined boulevards are arranged in a neat grid, a legacy of its 19th century origins as a planned frontier city. This spaciousness gives way to a vibrant concentrated energy in its culinary heart. [Music] Saporro is a paradise for food lovers famous for its rich steaming bowls of miso ramen, the communal sizzle of grilled lamb known as Genghaskhan, and the crisp clean taste of its world famous beer. [Music] Often positioned as the pragmatic middlechild between Tokyo’s futuristic pulse and Kyoto’s ancient grace, Nagoya is the powerful industrious heart of Japan. This is the city that gets things done. It is the historic heartland of the samurai elite, the birthplace of the great unifiers Oda Nobanaga and Tokugawa Ayasu who forged the nation. [Music] Nagoya Castle with its magnificent keep topped by gleaming golden Shachihoko stands as a proud reconstructed symbol of this formidable feudal power. But to mistake this pragmatism for a lack of soul is to miss the city’s true flavor, which is quite literally its food. [Music] Nagoya Meshi is a bold, savory and utterly unique culinary identity. [Music] From the deep, rich flavor of red miso slathered over a crispy pork cutlet to the elaborate multi-stage ritual of eating grilled eel, the city’s cuisine is as robust and confident as its history. [Music] Just a short train ride from the relentless pace of Tokyo, Yokohama offers a deep breath of fresh sea air and a distinctly different rhythm. [Music] While Tokyo is the nation’s political and economic core, Yokohama is its historic gateway to the world. [Music] Born in 1859 when Japan opened its ports to foreign trade, this city grew from a sleepy fishing village into a cosmopolitan hub. And that legacy of international exchange is etched into its very soul. [Music] The city’s identity is most powerfully expressed along its sweeping waterfront. The ultramodern Minato Mi 21 district skyline dominated by the landmark tower reflects a forward-looking spacious city. [Music] Yet just a short walk away, the handsome historical red brick warehouses stand as a proud reminder of its 19th century port heritage, now repurposed with chic boutiques and cafes. [Music] The energy shifts dramatically as you pass through the ornate gates of Japan’s largest Chinatown. Here [Music] the air fills with the scent of steaming buns and star anis and the streets are a vibrant chaos of crimson and gold alive with the clatter of ma jong tiles and the shouts of vendors. [Music] Japan is a land of contrasts where ancient shrines stand beside neon skyscrapers and peaceful mountains meet buzzing city streets. [Music] Despite its economic challenges, Japan continues to captivate the world with its rich culture, deep traditions, and remarkable resilience. [Music] From the spiritual calm of Kyoto’s temples to the vibrant energy of Tokyo, from snowy peaks in Hokkaido to the tropical beaches of Okinawa, Japan offers something unforgettable at every turn. Whether you’re drawn to its history, nature, cuisine, or innovation, Japan is more than a destination. [Music] It’s an experience that stays with you long after you’ve left.

Wonders of Japan | Why Japan’s Economy Is Awful | Travel Video 4k

Despite its economic struggles, Japan remains a country of extraordinary beauty, rich culture, and timeless charm. Beyond the numbers and policies lies a land filled with serene temples, bustling cities, and breathtaking natural landscapes. To truly understand Japan, one must also explore the places that capture its heart and soul.
Let’s take a journey through some of the most amazing destinations Japan has to offer.

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00:00 Welcome to Japan
08:47 Mount Fuji
11:56 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
15:05 Hakone
16:37 Nikko National Park
20:24 Okinawa Islands
23:30 Shirakawa-go
26:35 Takayama
28:59 Tottori Sand Dunes
30:06 Aso Volcano
32:27 Jigokudani Monkey Park
34:11 Niseko
37:15 Zao Onsen
39:24 Gion District
40:40 Fushimi Inari Shrine
43:52 Himeji Castle
45:31 Kanazawa
49:17 Tokyo
54:32 Kyoto
58:34 Osaka
1:01:35 Nara
1:05:03 Hiroshima
1:08:13 Sapporo
1:10:44 Nagoya
1:13:06 Yokohama
1:16:13 Outro

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