Photograph by David Guttenfelder, Nat Geo Image Collection Chefs use red pepper ... The spiciest ramen is served in a black bowl. Japan’s favorite comfort food comes in various guises.

This story appears in the November 2010 issue of National Geographic magazine ... Most people think of Japan as a compact collection of large islands, but a map of the country shows otherwise.

What some may not know however, is that Japan’s national parks are where you can ... Known as the Soul of Japan, it is actually a collection of shrines that centre themselves on two shrines ...

Some of the nicest gardens in Tokyo are hidden behind hotels Some of the nicest gardens in Tokyo are hidden behind hotels Everything you should know before visiting Japan Everything you should ...

When visiting Japan, travelers can stay at a traditional ryokan with a communal onsen or opt for a private dip in an open-air bath like this one in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.