New Year’s Rice Cakes

New Year’s Rice Cakes

Rice cakes, or mochi, are a favorite in Japan, particularly during the New Year, when they are traditionally given as gifts, set out decoratively in the home, or offered at shrines and temples. Their surfaces dusted with flour, the sticky, glutinous cakes are often stuffed with sweet beans or served in soup and, when not made by hand in a complex process, are widely available in supermarkets.

Himeji-Jo

Himeji-Jo

Designated a World Heritage site by the United Nations, Himeji-Jo is one of the finest surviving examples of classic Japanese architecture. Dating from the early 17th century, the striking, white-walled castle is also classified as a national treasure in Japan.

Sumo Wrestlers, Nagoya

Sumo Wrestlers, Nagoya

Sumo wrestlers clash in a ring in Nagoya. Once supported by the patronage of emperors, Japan’s national sport has roots going back nearly 1,500 years. Short but intense, most matches last less than a minute, with the grandly attired gyoji serving as referee.

Whale Sharks, Okinawa

Whale Sharks, Okinawa

Whale sharks thrill a crowd at the Churaumi Aquarium on Okinawa, part of the Ryukyu archipelago south of mainland Japan. The aquarium features marine life found off the subtropical island, which is one of four “Blue Zones” where inhabitants enjoy extraordinarily long lives.

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji

Snowcapped Mount Fuji casts a bright spot on the frozen surface of Lake Yamanaka. The 12,388-foot (3,776-meter) volcano, which last erupted almost 300 years ago, is for the Japanese an enduring national symbol of serenity and strength. On a clear day, the iconic peak can be seen from Tokyo, 70 miles (112 kilometers) away