The empire of Japan, better known as "the Land of the Rising Sun", lies off the east coast of Asia and was founded - so legend holds - in 660 B.C. by Jimmu, a direct descendant of the Sun Goddess. After centuries of self imposed isolation, Japan has become one of the major industrial nations in the world, and is definitely the most westernized country in Asia. To find the traditional Japan, one has to tour the countryside. The country's best-known features are the spectacular Fuji-san, a perfect cone-shaped volcano, and the old town of Nikko, which houses some of the most beautiful buildings in the world.