Yosakoi festival, Tokyo

Yosakoi is based on traditional `Obon` dancing. Heeding a set of rules, each team designs its own colorful costumes and choreographs a distinctive and uniquely energetic dance set to lively music.





Yosakoi festival 2008, Yoyogi park, Tokyo.

:::***JAPAN:::Tokyo

Japan is an archipelago situated in northeastern Asia between the North Pacific and the Sea of Japna. It is comprised of four main islands; Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku, with over 3,900 smaller islands. Mounatins occupy over 80% of Japan. Many of these mountains are volcanic,　since Japan is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. The most famous volcano is Mt Fuji (3,776m) - the highest point of Japan and one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. Japan is one of the most seismically active regions in the world, and more than 1,000 earthquakes occur each year. Fortunately most of them are too small to notice without sensitive seismic equipment. A positive side effect is that the islands are blessed with numerous hot springs and spectacular scenery.

Tokyo is the capital of Japan. With over 12 million people, the metropolis is the nation`s center of politics, business, mass media and pop culture.

Nijubashi Bridge (Double Bridge) and the Imperial Palace.

Senso-ji Temple, also known as the Asakusa Kannon Temple, takes its name from the Kannon, or the Goddess of Mercy. The temple is said to have bben founded in the 7th century by three fishermen who discovered a tiny 5-centimeter-high image of Kannon in their net while out fishing.