Toyko Disney Land (Tokyo)

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Tokyo Disney Resort is extremely popular with the Japanese and has been very profitable for the Oriental Land Company, which owns and operates the resort. (That's right, the Walt Disney Company does not own or operate Tokyo Disney. It provides the Imagineers and gets a piece of the profits, but that's it.)

Tokyo Disney Resort has two theme parks: Tokyo Disneyland, which opened in 1983, and Tokyo DisneySea, which opened in 2001. The resort also includes three luxury resort hotels, the Art Deco-style Disney Ambassador Hotel, the Italian-themed Hotel MiraCosta and the traditional-style Disneyland Hotel. Rounding out the resort is Ikspiari, a shopping and dining center.

Tokyo Disneyland is sort of a cross between Disneyland in California and Magic Kingdom in Florida, but it has a unique layout and there are quite a few other surprises. Some of the attractions are different. For instance, Pooh's Hunny Hunt is nothing like the Pooh rides in the US. It's a spectacular ride in Tokyo. Some of the shows at Tokyo Disneyland do not exist elsewhere. There is also a do-not-miss, spectacularly-themed buffeteria restaurant called Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall.

Tokyo DisneySea is ocean-themed, with "ports" instead of "lands." It is a fantastic theme park that no Disney fan should miss. Start saving your pennies for a trip to DisneySea now! You won't believe what Disney's Imagineers can do when provided with the necessary resources. It puts the other new Disney theme parks, such as Disney's California Adventure, to shame. Virtually all of the attractions at DisneySea were created especially for this park and so far have not been duplicated elsewhere.

Read more...

Japan Attraction: Cherry Blossoms

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Cherry blossoms, sakura, is the national flower of Japan. Cherry blossom viewing has been a Japanese custom since the 7th century when the aristocrats enjoyed looking at the cherry blossoms and wrote poems. If you never seen cherry blossoms, plan a trip to Japan in spring.

Cherry blossoms usually begin blooming in January in Okinawa, and they are at their peak in late March to April in Honshu region. In Hokkaido, sakura usually become in their peak in late May. But, cherry blossom flowering dates change every year, and Japan Meteorological Agency announces cherry blossom flowering forecast in early March.

In spring, cherry blossom festivals are held all over Japan. In the festivals, traditional Japanese dances, tea ceremonies, and other events are often held. It's fun to eat various food from the vendors, viewing the cherry blossoms. Visit castles, parks, temples, or shrines near your destinations. Here are lists of great places to visit for cherry blossoms.

 

Here are over four hundred varieties of cherry trees in Japan. Yama-zakura, Shidare-zakura, Higanan-zakura, Kan-zakura, and Miyama-zakura are very popular.

 

source

Read more...