Japan and its capital, Tokyo, are places with a culture that goes back a long way and a lot of traditions. Games are also particularly important. The state’s approximately 126.8 million inhabitants love little more than to relax with electronic and non-electronic games. Especially from the Meiji period, which lasted until 1919, Japan opened up to intercultural influences, which was also reflected in the entertainment and travel culture. How shogi became pachinko and pachinko arcade halls and why holidaymakers are so fascinated by them.

Long history

The Land of the Rising Sun already had a rich entertainment culture over 1,000 years ago. Shogi, for example, is one of the traditional Japanese games imported from China in the 8th century and is considered to be part of the same family as Western chess. With about eight hundred game pieces in the “ultimate” form, it is one of the most complex games ever. Go, a two-player strategy game, has just as long a history as Sugoroku (translated as “A Pair of Sixes”), a Japanese dice game. Games were not only played at court, but also among the general population. Due to Japan’s geographical location as an island nation, the influence of other countries on culture was relatively limited. Only from China were many cultural customs and games adopted. So it’s no wonder that China always attracts tourists .

Opening up to the West

But from the middle of the 19th century, Japan opened up to Western influences in the course of the Meiji restoration, as Monsieur-Becker writes. The combination of tradition and modernity that emerged from this opening is still characteristic of the Land of the Rising Sun today: In Japan, brand-modern influences live alongside millennia-old culture, without the inhabitants being bothered by these contrasts. This is important to understand the impact of technology on the Japanese entertainment industry. Hanafuda was also affected by these influences. Hanafuda are Japanese playing cards, the name can be translated as “flower cards”.

Pachinko boom

From the 20th century onwards, it was pachinko games that dominated the Japanese gaming scene. The first pachinko machines were built as early as the 1920s and were very popular, especially in Tokyo and other major cities. Pachinko is a mixture of a slot machine and an arcade machine. Players buy small metal balls, fill them into the machine and can then use a lever to determine how fast they are transported to the playing field. The aim is to transport the balls through a labyrinth into special holes in order to dust off winnings. Over the decades, the machines became more and more complex and technical and an arcade culture developed around pachinko from the 1980s onwards. In 1994, the Japanese pachinko market was valued at about $300 billion. Tourists in particular are fascinated by the loud and brightly lit pachinko halls. Nowadays, almost every district of Tokyo has the popular arcades, often not far from quiet temples or parks. These contrasts are usually among the reasons why cities like Tokyo or Kyoto are so popular with travelers.

Tradition and modernity in electronic games

After all, it was once again the combination of tradition (pachinko) and modernity (electronic games) that allowed Japanese gaming culture to blossom to new life: Japanese arcade games flourished around 1980. Whether Pac-Man, Donkey Kong or Mario Brothers: They all had their origins in the arcade halls, where they lured customers in droves to the machines to insert yen coins. And this time, the popularity of Japanese games was no longer limited to East Asia: companies like Namco, Nintendo, for example, with the current console Nintendo Switch, which can be bought on Amazon, and later Sony, exported their video games to the West and had an ever-increasing influence on the culture there. Than

And you can see that on every corner and in many areas: Western arcade halls, which still exist sporadically in our country, are strongly inspired by their Japanese counterparts, for example. If you play arcade games today, you will almost certainly enjoy a product from Japan. Whether games from Nintendo, Namco or Sega: arcades are also very Japanese in our country. The principle of arcade gaming, namely offering easy-to-learn games that users want to play again and again in order to get better and have fun, has also become one of the foundations of today’s video game market – all over the world. Video games now generate annual sales of 1.08 billion euros in Germany, according to Statista. Another area is also closely related to the Japanese arcade halls: Online casinos, which now generate more than one billion euros in sales annually in Germany , have already transferred the game principle of the arcade to games such as poker and roulette. A short game round in between, plus a large selection of machines and a modern design. How diverse the offer is due to the high demand can be seen well with providers such as Betway Online Casino. And most recently, it was also the Japanese video games and arcade hits that paved the way for a whole range of other Eastern influences in Europe: manga and anime, for example, became known in Germany.

Vibrant arcade culture for tourists

While there are hardly any arcade halls left in the West today, the arcade in Japan is as alive as ever. If you want to marvel at the rich gaming culture in Japan as a vacationer, it is best to visit Tokyo’s Akihabara district: The district is full of arcade halls, pachinko halls and other electronic and non-electronic entertainment options, as Wanderweib writes. The mega-city, which has a total of around 13.92 million inhabitants, also has a lot to offer in other districts. It can be easily reached by train. And Kyoto, the headquarters of the traditional company Nintendo and the cultural center of Japan, also offers a wide selection from Go to pachinko to slot machines.

Result

Japan’s gaming culture is extensive, rooted in tradition and at the same time modern – this also fascinates holidaymakers. It has been a long way from games imported from China such as shogi, to hanafuda cards and pachinko, to modern arcade halls and video games. It is always impressive how Japan has been able to preserve its own identity without closing itself off from foreign influences. Especially the shrill colors, colorful lights and loud money and sound noises of the Japanese arcade halls attract a large number of tourists every year. Our tip for game fans is: Akihabara.

A mountain book to dream about with the most beautiful photo spots and hikes in the Alps – From Neuschwanstein to Lake Bled in Slovenia. In the new Mountain Moments book by bestselling author, photographer and mountain lover Marius Schwager from Innsbruck, the reader is presented with 30 different routes in a visually appealing way.

Visual photo treats are combined with the most important information about the tour as well as a classification of the difficulty of the route in 5 levels.

But the book does much more. This gives you tips on photography and important information about hiking in the Alps.

We are pleased that the editor Marius Schwager was available for an interview shortly before the next trip to the Dolomites .

Dear Marius, when you hold your book in your hand for the first time, you immediately notice that great importance has been attached to aesthetics. The beauty of the images harmonizes with the clear layout, matching quotes and clear icons. Would you like to tell us a little bit about the development of the book? How do you approach such a project? Do you first determine the tours and then meet with the art directors or do you design in advance and then pick out the “suitable”?

Thank you very much for the compliment, the graphic designers/designers will also be happy. This was not my first book, but the first without an external publisher. The design or the freedom of design was also the main reason for his own project. The existing publishers often have fixed concepts and the design possibilities are correspondingly limited. A different paper, new concept, or unusual size are almost never feasible like this.

For your own book, of course, you need a basic idea of the processes and also the necessary capital to pre-finance the printing. Willingness to take risks, take on the uncertainty oneself and openness to problems that arise are probably the biggest obstacles.

The whole thing dragged on for about 2 years. First, Mathias and I developed the idea and then played through various concepts and tested something, got opinions and, of course, researched some tours.

After that, I looked for a designer and a cartographer at the same time, who were also willing to take a bit of a risk – and luckily I found them in Leon, Lacy and Conny. I trusted the employees to a large extent, “just let them do it”, and tried to have each team critically questioned. This is some effort, but it is worth it, because you can rethink some points and perhaps find new solutions. Our hiking maps, for example, manage the balancing act between being cartographically correct and at the same time blending harmoniously into the concept. And we can also offer the tours for download, so that you can leave the book at home and still have all the information on your smartphone.

In the foreword you mention that not only the factor “beauty” played a role in the selection of spots and hikes for the book, but also the popularity of the corresponding place. To what extent do you think “Insta-tourism” has arrived in the Alps?

Insta Tourism has definitely arrived in the Alps. If you see a picture online, you have the place directly in front of your nose via GPS coordinates in 2 clicks or via an image search. All you have to do is follow the arrow of your navigation system and get to any place. Basically, this is not a problem, only if places are not made or prepared for masses of visitors. In the Alps, there is a lot about the difficulty of the places to get there. Some places, on the other hand, have been tourist magnets for over 100 years and have already found regulations that work locally. For example, Zermatt, which can only be reached by train, car bans on Lago di Braies and the Alpe di Siusi, or a certain limited number of bus connections and car parking spaces in general.

Many places that I know and that are beautiful might not withstand the rapid development that is possible today, or there would be major problems for the residents. These are intentionally not in the book. The tour at the Schrecksee, for example, was such a borderline case. On the one hand beautiful and already quite well-known, on the other hand it is a very fragile ecosystem. In this case, I decided to take the tour because it is quite far there, and the parking lot at the starting point logically restricts access with it.

In general, I chose some spots because of their popularity, but also took an exciting variant hike that not only covers the “Insta-Spot”, but also allows contact with nature. For example, at Neuschwanstein Castle. If you walk the round, you will be stuck in the tourist hustle and bustle, but most of the time of the long hike you won’t meet very many people.

In your workshops, you attach great importance to sustainability and consideration for animals and nature. You also go into detail about the topic in the book. (How) do you think the behaviour of tourists in the mountains has changed in recent years and what measures would have to be taken to protect the environment?

Most people in our society have an ever-faster life and want quick solutions. At the same time, a kind of longing for nature and simple life and deceleration emerges as a contrast to this and can be seen, for example, in the greater popularity of the topic of hiking and photography. Both are very slow activities that place great emphasis on experiencing nature.

The vast majority of people do not consciously destroy nature, but simply do not think much about what their behavior does.

I think a lot can be achieved with better education. Not every city dweller or every local knows that you shouldn’t jump into a mountain lake smeared with sunscreen, as you might quickly destroy an ecosystem. In my opinion, a lot of positive things would be achieved with more education – e.g. in the form of small signs or software solutions. And especially for mountain sports, better public transport and easier booking and planning would be essential. At the moment, you almost always have to travel by car, so I think there is a lot of room for improvement.

If I want to travel to the Alps for hiking as a young family with two small children. Which hike from your book would you recommend to us?

That depends. Beginners, adults as well as children, should stick to the easy tours. If the kids are fit and can make decisions independently with risk (e.g. risk of falling), they can also tackle the more difficult hikes right away.

Is there a dream place in the Alps that you haven’t been able to explore yet?

This summer I want to go to the Slovenian Alps, where I haven’t really been active yet. The same applies to the other end of the Alps between Briancon and Turin.

Is a holiday in more southern climes an option for you as an alpinist? Or to put it another way: Is a white beach in the Seychelles an attractive motif for you?

A little relaxation rarely hurts, I think. After usually 2-3 days of relaxing, however, I quickly get bored and want to discover or try something or do sports. Seychelles, yes, but then please with diving, snorkeling, surfing or beach runs. Photographically, however, I prefer to stay in the mountains or for a change to something reportage-related with people.

You live in Innsbruck. What does the perfect day in Tyrol’s capital look like for you?

The perfect day for me is a spring day. He starts very early with an Italian coffee and healthy breakfast. It then goes quickly to the first cable car in the morning and 8 o’clock. The first tracks are made in the fresh deep snow as the remaining clouds disappear and the first rays of sunshine appear. Then a small climb to another untouched descent.

At noon, the skis are exchanged for the mountain bike. The last meters of altitude are walked to a summit, the sunset is enjoyed and, of course, photographed. With the mountain bike you go quickly back down into the valley in the headlight of the headlamp and the day ends with a glass of wine reviewing the pictures of the day.

To the editor

Marius Schwager is a social scientist and economist. When he is not leading photo workshops, he is usually on expeditions in the Alps and tries to capture atmospheric, natural images and the stories behind them. The adventures find their way into best-selling books, magazines and international customers from the outdoor industry. He prefers to share experiences with like-minded people and those willing to learn.

To Mountain Moments

Mountain Moments is a portal for photography and mountain experiences. On www.mountainmoments.de , mountain enthusiasts will find a lot of helpful information about mountain sports and mountain photography. In workshops, seminars and trips, nature lovers learn everything they need to know about photography and experience unique adventures in the mountains. The goal of Mountain Moments is to bring the beauty of the mountains and nature closer to alpine lovers all over the world. Mindful and sustainable behaviour is the means of choice to increase the enjoyment of nature and thus protect and preserve it at the same time. The new book “Mountain Moments – The Most Beautiful Photo Spots and Hikes in the Alps” is the latest medium of this project.

Information

Mountain Moments: The most beautiful photo spots and hikes in the Alps

Editor: Marius Schwager
1st edition 2020
ISBN: 978-3-948723-00-2
194 pages, 122 colour photos, 30 topographical hiking maps, 30 hikes, 95 photo spots, overview map, complete tour information, GPS coordinates (online)
Format 18*23 cm
Illustrated book quality

Price: 26,99 Euro (D)

Available at www.mountainmoments.de

Direct link: www.mountainmoments.de/alpen-die-schoensten-fotospots-wanderungen/

Sanssouci Palace, the Babelsberg Film Park, the Tropical Islands amusement park or the idyllic Spreewald: Brandenburg is always worth a trip and relies on tourist magnets as well as real insider tips.

In the 12 different travel regions of Brandenburg, diversity is very important. In addition to diverse landscapes and attractive large and small towns, Brandenburg also has amusement parks and castles and palaces. Small and large water rats are also in good hands in Brandenburg. After all, there are more than 3,000 lakes throughout the state. Tourism is of great importance in Germany’s fifth-largest state – and its popularity continues to rise. More and more people are discovering their love of nature here.

State capital Potsdam as a tourist stronghold

One of the most popular destinations in Brandenburg is the state capital Potsdam. In the most populous city in the state, you can’t get past the world-famous Sanssouci Palace and the associated parks, among other things. These are just as much a UNESCO World Heritage Site as Lindstedt Castle and Lindenallee as well as the neighboring Kaiserbahnhof. The Babelsberg Film Park also attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world every year. In the amusement park, which is located right next to the famous film studio, there is something to see and experience on every corner. In the Filmpark, you can immerse yourself in the “secrets of filmmaking” and look behind the scenes of a wide variety of film and series productions. After all, Babelsberg is one of the largest and most modern centres of film and television production in Europe.

Caribbean flair in the “Tropical Island”

For a real dream vacation in the Caribbean, you don’t have to travel thousands of kilometers by plane. In the impressive Tropical Island on the former Brand Airport, about 50 kilometers south of Berlin, you can enjoy Caribbean flair in the middle of Brandenburg. Open all year round, the theme park, which is located in the largest cantilevered hall in the world, consists of many different themed areas.

For example, you can relax on a ten-metre-wide sandy beach in the “South Seas” and enjoy the 31-degree water. In the fascinating Bali Lagoon, two waterfalls, several whirlpools and two water slides await bathers. A large sauna area and various sports facilities such as beach volleyball and football fields are also very popular. In the true-to-the-original tropical village, there are also more than 50,000 rare tropical plants and more than 600 different animal species such as flamingos or turtles, which can otherwise only be experienced in the wild in the tropics. More than 300 overnight accommodations are distributed throughout the hall – including tents, rooms and lodges of different sizes.

“Pure idyll” in the Spreewald

If you like it really idyllic, the southeast of Brandenburg, in the Spreewald, is the right place for you. The protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Nature Reserve is one of the most popular travel destinations in Brandenburg. There is a lot going on on the various branches of the Spree and the various small canals, especially in the spring and summer months. The Spreewald, which is also known as a historic cultural landscape, can be experienced on your own with a paddle boat or even with a large barge. With this you can be “chauffeured” through the Spreewald and get the feeling as if you are in the middle of Venice. Around the extensive network of rivers and canals there are countless cycling and hiking trails that invite you to cycle and hike. In the small and large campsites as well as the many guesthouses you can really have a good time.

A real insider tip: The “European Stork Village” Rühstädt

“Pure nature” is also the motto in the Prignitz in northwestern Brandenburg. Here, in the village idyll, you can actually fall in love with the simplicity of country life. The region between Berlin and Hamburg is a real paradise for cyclists and horseback riders. And not only that: storks also feel really at home here, in the middle of the Elbe valley floodplain. If you are traveling here, you should definitely make a detour to the “European Stork Village” Rühstädt. This is – away from the big tourist crowds – a real insider tip for holidaymakers and nature lovers.

Lusatian Lakeland: Pure relaxation on the beach

In the far south, on the border with the Free State of Saxony, those seeking relaxation in particular get their money’s worth – in the Lusatian Lake District. Because where lignite used to be mined, Europe’s largest artificial water landscape and Germany’s fourth-largest lake district have been created in recent years. And the flooding of the disused lignite opencast mines is far from complete. At the lakes that have already been artificially created – including Lake Senftenberg, Lake Altdöbern or Lake Lichtenau near Lübbenau – large local recreation areas with beaches, campsites and numerous activities have been created.

Recreation and sporting activity on the water, away from large tourist crowds, are very important in Havelland in the west of Brandenburg. After all, there are also many beautiful small lakes and canals and “pure nature” here. On weekends, many Berliners in particular take advantage of the popular local recreation area, which is located just a few kilometres from the German capital. Also in the south of Brandenburg is the almost 500 square kilometre Lower Lusatian Heathland Nature Park. In recent decades, the landscape has produced special habitats for various animal and plant species.

Impressive historical technology

For the numerous friends of historical and special technology, the Niederfinow ship lift is a real must. The oldest still working ship lift in Germany is located at the eastern end of the Oder-Havel Canal in the small town of Niederfinow in eastern Brandenburg. The huge F60 conveyor bridge in Lichterfeld in southern Brandenburg should also not be missed by fans of old technology. The 500-metre-long, 200-metre-wide and 80-metre-high former overburden conveyor bridge has been attracting thousands of visitors young and old as a visitor mine for several years. The imposing dimensions and the impressive weight of about 11,000 tons have also earned the F60 the popular nickname “lying Eiffel Tower”