Only 20 km wide and 15 km long, Iriomote’s infrastructure is limited to a single coastal road between its northern and eastern hamlets. 80 per cent of the island is protected by the state, and a third of it forms part of the Iriomote National Park, which includes Japan’s biggest coral reef – the lagoon between Iriomote and its near neighbour, Ishigaki. Iriomote is covered by dense subtropical jungle and mangrove swamps, threaded through and around a dozen peaks over 420 m. Photo by: kaori

The island has seven kinds of mangrove, including what is said to be Japan’s biggest and oldest, the Sakishimasuou tree. A short walk from the Urauchi brings you first to the exquisite Mariyudo waterfall and then to the Kampire, descending rapids so fast and turbulent they can create a spectacular veil of mist. Part of the thrill is that you are walking in the buffer zone of virgin territory: 30 sq km of Iriomote is closed to all forms of human intervention. Photo by: Internet-Okinawa.com

This is the only home of the Iriomote wildcat, one of the world’s most endangered species. It looks deceptively cuddly, like a large house cat, but has the attitudes of leopard, its nearest relative. It is the highlight of Iriomote’s extraordinary ecology: tourists willing to reach such an isolated outpost find rare and pristine terrestrial and marine environments. Photo by: jsleeuw

When to go: Year-round. Come for the Yamaneko Marathon in February, or the Festival of Shitsumatsuri in November. Population: 2, 251. How to get there: By air, from Japan’s main islands or Taiwan via Okinawa, to Ishigaki Port to Funaura and Uehara. You should know: The after-party of the Yamaneko Marathon starts with a free-for-all grab for two boatloads of sashimi, ans ends in compulsory group dancing. Photo by: ajari

Photo by: twiga_swala

Tokyo’s nightlife is one of the best in the world. Ageha is the biggest club in Japan. It’s  opened in December, 2003.

There are free shuttle busses running from Shibuya and Roppongi all night and the venue is a five minute walk from the last stop, Shin Kiba.

There are a few bar counters that sell beer and cocktails, as well as vending machines for those looking to stay hydrated.

It has a swimming pool outside with shack-style DJ booth, creating something of an Ibiza atmosphere. Several bars and an outdoor terrace overlooking a river.

From multiple dance floors to colorful light displays to big-name DJs like Junior Vasquez, DJ Dan, and DJ Tiesto

Ghibli Museum is located in Mitaka Inokashira Park, Tokyo and features the wonderful art of Miyazaki’s hand-drawn animation. Studio Ghibli is one of  most famous animation studios in Japan. Founded by Hayao Miyazaki in 1985, they have produced many feature length films such as My Neighbor Totoro, Castle in the Sky, Princess Mononoke and the Academy Award-winning Spirited Away – amongst the most prominent exports of Japanese culture. The museum is one of the most attractively placed art space in Tokyo and is a must-see for fans of the films.

Fans of these fantastical works will smile as they wander past the old wooden structures hidden away at the end of the lake or make their way through the almost pathless woods-classic Miyazaki territory brought to life. The first floor of the museum has a permanent exhibit on the history and techniques of animation. On the bottom floor is an exhibit room showing the history and science of animation.

The second floor houses special exhibits that change yearly. Previous exhibits include Laputa: Castle in the Sky; Pixar Animation Studios (Toy Story, Finding Nemo) and Aardman Studios (Wallace and Gromit). The museum also has a The Straw Hat Coffee; children’s play area, a rooftop garden and gift shop.

Roughly 300 km southwest of Okinawa, a low plateau sits above the translucent, turquoise sea. This is Miyako, centrepiece of a small archipelago of the same name, and of the coral reefs, raised from the seabed thousands of years ago. Miyako’s fame in Japan’s main islands is based on its gorgeous white sand beaches, its golf courses and its reef dive sites. Two long bridges unit Miyako with its seven satellite islands, making their coral reefs and wildlife easily accessible. The islanders are proud of their status as a mainstream tourist destination. Photo by: * Yumi *

Most visitors remain oblivious to Miyako’s indigenous culture, a variant developed from ancient Ryukyu kingdom centred in Okinawa. Over 15,000 islanders speak Miyako, a Ryukyu language and four of its settlements have their own dialect, even though they are so close. Photo by: * Yumi *

They are 15 surviving Gusuku sites scattered round Miyako, shrines sacred to a history and way of life veiled to beach holidaymakers. During the years, each district conducts its own sacred rite. Shimajiri district’s Pantu rite consists of three local men daubed in grass and mud, and carrying sticks and a grotesque face-mask. They represent gods and chase people to smear them with mud. Being caught and muddied -up guarantees a year of protection by the deities. The Karimata district has its Uyagan rite, a form of harvest festival.In the sugarcane fields not yet claimed for new tourist facilities, these rites are the public face of Miyako’s cultural soul, and like the island itself, they have a rare and profound beauty. Photo by: * Yumi *

When to go: Year-round. Population: 55, 914. How to get there: By air from Naha (Okinawa), Haneda or Kansai, to Miyako. Photo by: okiraku_diver

Photo by: headpipe

In the far north of Japan off the north-west coast of the island Hokkaido, lie two smaller islands famed for their natural beauty, abundant wild flowers and hiking trails. The island of Rebun and Rishiri form part of national park, along with the island of Sarobetsu and part of Hokkaido. Photo by: k_yamamoto

Rishiri Island has the Mount Rishiri a 1,721-m dormant volcano. Most of the tourists went there to climb the volcano, an enjoyable hike which takes about 12 hours. There is a small shrine at the summit and the views from the neighboring islands from which you can appreciate the wonderful scenery, including a lovely three-hour trail from the lake at Himenuma, crossing the lower slopes of two smaller peaks. Photo by: Rex Missen

Another way to enjoy the scenery is by bicycle. A 20-km cycle track follows the northern coast of Rishiri from Hime Pond to Kutsugata, a lovely route offering stunning views of the volcano. Bicycle can be hired or borrowed from your hotel. The coast of Rishiri is peppered with small fishing villages and the islands is famous for its sea urchins and konbu seaweed. Photo by: yuou

In contrast Rebun is low-lying island.It is most famous for its rich flora, particularly its alpine flowers, some of which are not found anywhere else in the world. The flowers bloom between June and August, so this is good time to visit. Look out particularly for the Rebun Usuyukiso, rather like and Edelweiss. It’s one of the several protected, rare plants found on the island and can be seen in the Rebun Usuyukiso Area, place with a relatively high number of them. Photo by: yuou

When to go: June to August, when the wild flowers are in bloom. Population: Rebun 3,400, Rishiri 6,200. How to get there: travel by air or ferry from Wakanai to Rebun and Rishiri. You should know: Garota Beach is a sandy beach on the western coast of Rishiri, popular with wind surfers. The islands are known in Japan as Rishirito and Rebunto. Photo by: rangaku1976

At the southern-most tip of Japan in the Pacific Ocean near the Tropic of Cancer lies the island of Hateruma, part of the Yaeyama Island group. This enchanting coral island is clothed in banyan trees, Indian almonds, bamboo orchids and colourful hibiscus. There is a blissful feeling of remoteness in this beautiful rural backwater, with no man-made noise and the exotic decent of frangipani perfumes in the air. Photo by: ippei + janine

Tourism is virtually non-existent on Hateruma – there are no big hotels or coach parties making this the perfect place to unwind. The island is best explored by bicycle, at a slow pace fitting the pace of life here. The empty roads lead to endless reaches of sea and sky. There is one just village in the centre of the island, with most of the inhabitants involved in fishing, growing sugarcane or producing Awanami, a highly-priced alcoholic drink. Some of the wooden houses are plain and weathered, others are painted in pretty shades of green or blue, with traditional orange tiled roofs. Photo by: 703

The clear blue waters around the island make this a good place for diving and snorkeling. There is plenty to explore, featuring coral reefs, rock arches and brilliantly colourful tropical fish. In the spring migratory fish, such as hammerhead sharks,can be seen. If you want to relax, the beach at Nishi, edged with pandanus trees, the most beautiful beach in Japan. Photo by: hokipoki

Hateruma is also famous for its astronomical observatory, as this is the only place in Japan from where you can view the Southern Cross. Of the 88 constellations, 84 can be seen from there, and the clear skies and lack of light population make this a great place to view the night sky. Photo by: Akira ASKR

When to go: Mid-December to June to view the Southern Cross. Population: 600. How to get there: By air to Ishigaki Island and then take a ferry to Hateruma. Photo by: kozyndan

This is Tokyo’s most famous club, it was ranked number two in the world by DJ Mag. Womb also houses one of the largest mirror balls in Japan - 1.5m in diameter. Bars are installed at each floor.

Womb gives you the choice of either chilling out in the basement lounge or top floor or dancing in the second floor. On the first floor the guest can enjoy the delicious cuisine of the restaurant and have a rest in cozy interiors.You don’t just hear the music, but you really feel the music at this late night dance club.

The club could boast a team of popular DJs, including Victor Calderone, Jeff Mills, David Morales, Dave Seaman, Danny Howells and so on.

Address: 2-16 Maruyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Business Hours: Thu-Sat 10:00pm-5:00am. The entrance fee is a whopping 5,000 yen.

Cannas are tropical and subtropical flowering plants with large, banana like leaves. They can be grown as annuals in cooler regions, where they add an instant touch of the tropics to gardens. It is a genus of approximately twenty species of flowering plants.

The cherry blossom is Japan’s unofficial national flower. There are many dozens of different cherry tree varieties, most of which bloom for just a couple of days in spring. The cherry trees is known as Sakura in Japanese.

Bleeding hearts usually reach 2′-3′ in height with a similar spread. The bleeding heart, which ranges from California to British Columbia, has several varieties of garden interest. The plants’ flowers are either pink or white, and they appear in April or May. 

Poppies are showy early-summer flowers with petals like crepe paper. They grow 2 to 4 feet tall and bloom in white and all shades of pink and red. These flaunt their gorgeous pinks, reds, oranges, or whites in May or June like silken swatches spread across some central Asian bazaar.

Ixora may be the most common cultivated in South Florida and ‘Nora Grant’. There are some 400 species in the genus Ixora, vary with leaf size, plant height, and flower size and flower color.

Total length 1.189m
Height: 52m Max speed 172km/h
Max Acceleration: 0 ? 106.9 mph in 1.8 seconds
Max height 52m Riding capacity 8 persons
G-Force: 4.3 (Upon entering the vertical tower)
Max Vertical Angle: 90 deg (rise and fall)
Duration: 0:55

Dodonpa is a roller coaster at the foot of Mount Fuji, Japan. Once touted as the world’s fastest roller coaster, built in 2001, it is currently 4th on the list. But still has the fastest acceleration of any coaster, reaching its top speed of 106.9 mph in just 1.8 seconds!

Challenge your limit with the feeling of zero gravity, incredible slope and vertical rise and fall.

Shinkansen is the first high-speed rail network, operated by four Japan Railways Group companies. Built in 1964, it serves as the core of Japan’s rail transportation network. Since the initial Shinkansen ran at 210 km/h. Test run speeds have been 443 km/h in 1996 and up to a world record of 581 km/h in 2003. This network has carried over 6 billion passengers without a single major accident.

This is the Acros Fukuoka building in Fukuoka city, Japan. The structure hosts a number of offices, retail space, a 2?000 seat theatre and a museum. It was built on the last available green space in the city so the design needed to keep as much of that greenery as possible.

The building is designed by architects Emilio Ambasz & Associates and the result is perfect – a normal glass fronted construction. When you approach the other side, you see the huge sloping front, home to around 35?000 plants and 76 different species. The roof also enables the building’s energy consumption to be lower than other buildings of a similar size as the greenery keeps the inside temperature at a comfortable level.

The southern side extends an existing park through a series of terraced gardens that climb the full height of the building, culminating in a magnificent belvedere that offers views of the harbor and surrounding hills.

These two rocks are called Meoto Iwa, situated just off the coast of Mie, Japan. The rocks are meant to signify marriage. The larger one is male and the smaller one female. The rope which connects the rocks weights over a ton and is changed during the year due to various ceremonies.

This rock is called Kjeragbolten, situated between the walls of a mountain crevice in Norway. The rock is often spot by tourists for a crafty photograph while attempting not to look down at the 3000ft. I’m very surprised of the sheep in the picture.

This rock has the shape of a bugger and also is a member of the Brimham Rocks family in North Yorkshire, 50 acres of strange rock formations visited regularly by members of the public.

The picture displays Kyaiktiyo Pagoda rock situated in Burma. According to locals the rock was  placed on the cliff edge by spirits and the Pagoda resting on top apparently contains a hair belonging to the Buddha.

This impressive Mushroom Rock is situated in the North Atlantic Ocean and also the most isolated part of the British Isles. Numerous landings have been made on the rock and various disputes have arisen over its ownership, a matter which is still unresolved.

I couldn’t find much information about this attractive rock, but I was really glad when I found it. All I know is that the rock is named Piedra del Penol and you have to pay to get to the top and that the stairway that sits in the rock’s crevice must have been an absolute ball-ache to construct.

Star forts are amazing and really become visually stunning when you look down on them from above. This style of fortification design was adopted in the early 16th century as people realized that simpler, often circular forts were pretty crap when it came to the job in hand: defense. Photo: Bourtange Netherlands

Many of them still stand today in varying sizes. Some are empty, some contain ruins. some, as you’ll see below, contain entire villages. Here are 5 of the best star forts on Earth… Photos: Palmanova Italy

Photos: Goryokaku Japan

Photos: Almelda Portugal

Photo: Naarden Netherlands

The ultra-chic construction – Namba Parks, is built in 2003 in Japan, according the architectural project by Obayashi Corporation. This large extraordinarily designed complex with total building area – 130,000 sq m, consists of a 30-floor office building and a 120-tenant shopping mall with eight floors of terraced gardens. The Parks Tower with a height of 150 m now is considered as a new landmark of the Namba area.

At Namba Parks you’ll spend half your time shopping and the other half admiring the design. There are more than 200 boutiques stores, restaurants, big brands, also and cinema complex with 11 screens. On the roof of this building is a spacious park with a total area of 11,500 sq. m and approximately 70,000 plants of 300 species. It is open to all, offering dining venues and opportunity of relaxation in a natural setting. So successful Namba Parks, added a new dimension to the shopping options of the city.

This is Beipanjiang River Railroad Bridge located in Guizhou, China. The bridge is a huge railway bridge that was built as part of the much larger ‘guizhou-shuibai railway project and connects two mountains. Its highest point is 918ft above the ground. The bridge has succeeded in connecting 2 of the country’s poorest areas.

This one is a Pedestrian Bridge located in Lake Austin, Texas. The bridge looks enjoyably risky to use, and is in fact not for public consumption – it links the main house on the estate to a guest house, across the lake. The 100ft arch structure has a main span of 80ft, achieved through the ‘nesting’ of five 5 inch diameter pipes that diverge from the spring point of the main span and the abutments.

This is Kintaikyo Iwakuni Bridge in Japan. The original Kintai Bridge was built in 1673 and didn’t last long until it was damaged due to flooding. It was then rebuilt and survived for more than 200 years until a typhoon battered it to death in 1950. The bridge that is now over the Nishiki river is the 3rd one and looks magnificent, it’s 5 wooden arches displaying an anamazing amount of detail and craftsmanship.

‘Henderson Waves’ is the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore and can be found in a beautiful 9km stretch of gardens and parks. The bridge is a spectacular landmark. The horizontal part is made of thousands of balau wood slats, perfectly cut and arranged, and along the length of the deck a huge snaking, undulating shell cleverly forms sheltered seating areas on every upward curve.

This is a bridge. The only difference is that the bridge can’t be used by humans because of the fact that its purpose is to support 2 pipelines – 1 gas, 1 oil – across the extremely high gap in Papua New Guinea.