{
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    {
    
    "id":"japan-dest",
    

    "smil":"http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/data/xml/japan-dest.smil",

    "title":"Destination: Japan",

    "transcript":"\u003Cp\u003EHi, everyone, I’m Patty Kim.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EToday, our destination is Japan \u002D a country that’s steeped in tradition but one that also lives on the cutting edge of the future.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EIt’s one of the few places in the world where tradition and change go hand in hand.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EA place built on paradox \u002D this is Japan.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EA throbbing country of more than 127 million people, crammed into a chain of islands, an area smaller than California.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EMaybe it’s not so surprising that such a modern place holds such a strong grip on its cultural past.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EIt was only as recently as the late 1800’s, when the country emerged from hundreds of years of isolation brought on by its rulers.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003ENothing embodies the contrasts of tradition and modernism quite like Tokyo.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EStaying in the capital, a city of over 12 million people, you’ll be able to experience some of the best shopping, dining, and cultural treasures the country has to offer.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EAnd if you’re looking for a taste of authentic Tokyo, you don’t have to go far.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EHead out to the Tsukiji Wholesale fish market, handling seafood for the entire region around Tokyo.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EFor a breath of fresh air, plan a daytrip to the iconic Mount Fuji.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003ELocated 62 miles south west of Tokyo in the Fuji\u002DHakone\u002DIzu national park, Mt Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan rising more than 12 thousand feet.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EAlthough it is covered by snow several months out of the year, the sacred mountain remains one of Japan’s most popular attractions.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EJust below Mt. Fuji is a natural wonder of a bay called Saruga.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EHere boaters enjoy pristine water conditions, divers check out the sea life and researchers congregate to study this wonderful marine habitat.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022 style\u003D\u0022text\u002Dalign: justify\u003B\u0022\u003EAbove water the wildlife is no less impressive.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022 style\u003D\u0022text\u002Dalign: justify\u003B\u0022\u003EJapan also offers the opportunity to come face to face with some amazing animals such as the Japanese giant hornet or the Japanese macaque.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EWhen you’re ready for more urban exploration, give traditional kabuki theater a try.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EYou’ll be able to find a good show in Kyoto, Osaka, or Tokyo.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EJapan’s traditional theater, is known for highly stylized drama and the elaborate make\u002Dup worn by its all male performers.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EKeep in mind, though, it might not be a great stop for kids\u003B performances last about 3 hours.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EDrinks and snacks are usually available in the foyer.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EYou can also buy a ticket for a set “bento,” or lunch box \u002D it’ll be served to you in the dining room during the intermission.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EFor those seeking out traditional arts and crafts…Japan won’t disappoint.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EFor ceramics lovers, you’ll think you’ve died and gone to Heaven.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EJapan boasts hundreds of famous kilns and many of the country’s master potters continue the tradition on the island of Kyushu.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EFrom handmade Japanese paper called “washi,” to the centuries –old art of “bunraku puppetry,” to the thrill of watching some of Japan’s finest athletes compete in the sumo rings of Tokyo or Osaka, Japan offers the unique promise of experiencing the past, but with one eye always looking toward the future.\u003C/p\u003E",

    "description":"\u003Cp\u003EHome to the world\u0027s largest urban metropolis, rugged wilderness, and a culture steeped in ancient tradition, Japan is a travelers dream.\u003C/p\u003E",
    
    
    "credit":"National Geographic",
    
    

    
    
    
    "still":"http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/media/japan-dest/japan-dest_480x360.jpg",
    
    
    

    
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    "url":"http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/places/countries-places/japan/japan-dest/",

    "related":
        {
        "link":
            [
                
                {
                 "name":"Japan: Fast Facts, Pictures, Videos, More",
                 "url":"http://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/japan\u002Dguide"
                }
                

                
                ,{
                 "name":"Get the Facts on Japan",
                 "url":"http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Places/Find/Japan"
                }
                
            ]
        }
    }
}