Destination: East Meets West in Japan by John Hawks

Ancient temples with monks in saffron-colored robes and a hint of sandalwood incense in the air.

The world’s speediest trains zipping you at 180 mph from one end of this island nation to the other, past the images of farmers working their rice paddies and pilgrims making their way to the snow-capped top of Mount Fuji.

Scrubbing your cares away before soaking in an almost-too-hot-to bear hot springs bath and falling onto your futon for an uninterrupted night’s sleep.

Taking in a traditional kabuki play (or the tea ceremony led by a third-generation geisha) before changing into your walking shoes to search for bargain prices in Tokyo’s ultra-chic shopping districts.

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