Operation Iceberg: The Battle of Okinawa
South of Kyushu in Japan is a string of small islands leading to Taiwan. The largest of these is Okinawa, scene of the last battle of WWII.
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Japan
Climbing Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is undoubtedly one of the world’s most famous mountains but it’s not its height that’s elevated its stature – at 3776 meters or 12,380 feet Fuji is certainly not one of the world’s highest.
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The Kanto Festival
Most guide books will tell you to steer clear of Japan in the summer months because of the intense heat and crippling humidity; it’s not bad advice but you’ll miss out on some of the best festivals Japan has to offer – with their roots based in ancient folklore, these colorful spectacles are still very much part of contemporary society.
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The Nebuta Festival
The Nebuta Festival takes place from August 2th to 7th in the city of Aomori, which is located at the northern tip of Honshu, Japan’s main island. Nebuta means drowsiness. Similar to the Kanto Festival taking place in Akita during the same week, the festival has it’s origins in waking up sleepy souls with the fall harvest season coming up.
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The Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
In the final year of World War II in the Pacific the Allied forces led by the United States were preparing for a costly invasion of the Japanese mainland. This undertaking was preceded by a massive aerial bombing and firebombing campaign that devastated 64 Japanese cities.
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