the most detailed map coverage of any Japan guidebook lead author Chris Rowthorn is a long-term Kyoto resident, Japanese arts expert & sashimi buff Japan's culture & lifestyle is addictive: 38 per cent of travellers to Japan find themselves on a long-haul trip up-to-the-minute advice on getting the most out of your visit the Hamamatsu Matsuri, a spectacular traditional kite festival, turns into a kite-fight. Participants' kites battle to cut the strings of other kites, mid-flight 'Character dolls', the giant, cartoon-like statuettes that sit out the front of Japan's stores, are now being abducted in broad daylight and sold on the black market for up to USUSD3000 Japan received an honourable mention at the Pacific Asia Travel Association's 2004 Gold Awards.