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.

 

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Tourist Spot: Eiffel Tower: Paris

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

A Bit of History

The Eiffel Tower was built for the International Exhibition of Paris of 1889 commemorating the centenary of the French Revolution. The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII of England, opened the tower. Of the 700 proposals submitted in a design competition, Gustave Eiffel's was unanimously chosen.

However it was not accepted by all at first, and a petition of 300 names - including those of Maupassant, Emile Zola, Charles Garnier (architect of the Opéra Garnier), and Dumas the Younger - protested its construction.

At 300 metres (320.75m including antenna), and 7000 tons, it was the world's tallest building until 1930. Other statistics include:

• 2.5 million rivets.
• 300 steel workers, and 2 years (1887-1889) to construct it.
• Sway of at most 12 cm in high winds.
• Height varies up to 15 cm depending on temperature.
• 15,000 iron pieces (excluding rivets).
• 40 tons of paint.
• 1652 steps to the top.

It was almost torn down in 1909, but was saved because of its antenna - used for telegraphy at that time. Beginning in 1910 it became part of the International Time Service. French radio (since 1918), and French television (since 1957) have also made use of its stature.

During its lifetime, the Eiffel Tower has also witnessed a few strange scenes, including being scaled by a mountaineer in 1954, and parachuted off of in 1984 by two Englishmen. In 1923 a journalist rode a bicycle down from the first level. Some accounts say he rode down the stairs, other accounts suggest the exterior of one of the tower's four legs which slope outward.

However, if its birth was difficult, it is now completely accepted and must be listed as one of the symbols of Paris itself.

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