From the majestic cone of Mount Fuji, snow-cloaked much of the year, to the pine islets of Matsushima, seen by moonlight, Japan has a natural grandeur both subtle and dramatic. Wave-pounded crags of wild shores afford sharp contrast with whispers of wind in bamboo groves. The high backbone of the Japan Alps, active and dormant volcanoes, lakes and sea, and the transmutations of nature with changing seasons, all draw visitors to the nation's finest natural attractions, including those in the system of grand national parks. Hot-spring resorts, seaside resorts, ski and other recreational resorts make Japan a country active in land and water sports. From the highland resorts of Hakone and Karuizawa to the ocean beaches of Izu and Okinawa, pleasure in active leisure characterizes the Japanese people.
Domestic cuisine is another kind of delight.
From the grids of countryside rice paddies to the nets of fish and seafood drawn from ocean waters, the basic need for sustenance has, through the centuries, led to food preparation and service raised to the status of a fine art. Even the most modest dishes appeal to the eye as well as the appetite. Japan is both old and new, and the two aspects of its culture coexist in a benign environment. The splendid achievements of Japan's classical arts and architecture are preserved with pride, as seen in Nikko, Kamakura, Kyoto, Nara and Kanazawa. The towers of feudal castles still dominate some cityscapes, the most famous being the Heron Castle at the centre of Himeji City.