Zenko-ji is the largest temple in Japan after Todai-ji in Nara. The vast complex with numerous subsidiary temples can be called "original" on more than one count. First, it houses both the Jodo and Tendai sects which take it in turns to hol..

At first glance, the Japan Alps look a lot like their European counterpart; they too have hosted the Winter Olympics (Nagano, 1998) and offer a comparable range of activities, from downhill skiing and walking to whitewater sports. But they also boast..