Austria Travel

IgoUgo: Austria Tourism, Things To Do In Austria, Austria Travel Earn rewards for every review and photo you submit Log in Register Home Destinations Activities Photos Travel Deals Community Web Search -- Search for Advanced Search S E A R C H O P T I O N S search the web only IgoUgo.com Austria Overview Lodging Dining Photos Activities Culture Nightlife Meeting Place Contact a Travel Expert Pressed for time? Enlist the help of a travel professional when planning your next trip! Find a Travel Expert Austria Journal Spotlight Member lynnerob writes: "We had a week of pure relaxation in Heidi country. Axams is up above Innsbruck on…" read more Tell Us About Austria! Get Writing! Share your travel experiences and photos from Austria to earn GO Points SM redeemable for gift certificates and more! Most Recent Austria Journals Wachau Cycling the Danube Bikeway The Salzkammergut Sit by the Lakes in Sunny Austria! My Austria Journal Sponsored Links Vienna Austria Tickets Classical, Rock, Pop, all Concerts Quick and Safe. Book Now Online! Vienna-Events-Online.wmo.at Tickets for Vienna Events Concerts, Opera, Mozart, Strauss. Quick, Secure Bookings. No Fees ! www.viennaconcerts.com Cheap Flights to Austria Deep discounts on major airlines. Call toll free to compare and save. www.wholesale-fares.com Top Picks as chosen byIgoUgomembers Austria Journals The Salzkammergut An Aussie in............. Bed and breakfast in Leinz See all Austria journals Austria Lodging Where to Stay Birchwood Inn Stripsenjochhaus See all Austria lodging reviews Austria Dining Stiftskeller Gasthof Neuwirt See all Austria dining reviews Austria Activities The High Alps of the Salzkammergut How to Get There The Pre-Alps See all Austria activities reviews Austria Culture No entries available. Write your own review and earn valuable GO Points. Austria Nightlife No entries available. Write your own review and earn valuable GO Points. Austria Photos See all Austria photos back to top Sponsored Links Fly to Austria Up to 50% off fares on major airlines even for last minute trips www.asaptickets.com Visit Austria for Less Escorted Tours & Vacation Getaways Enter to win a trip for 2 to Europe www.gate1travel.com Buy Cheap Tickets Concert, Sport & Broadway Tickets. Cheap Tickets. Trusted Merchant. www.TicketLiquidator.com Austria Photos -- Austria Journal Spotlight Member MChylinski writes: "We spent a lovely holiday in Salzburg wandering through the old town, listening to the…" read more About Us Advertise Contact Us Help/FAQ Partners Playground Press Lounge Sites We Like -- Sites We Like Terms and Conditions 2000-2005 IgoUgo, Inc.

Germany Travel Guide Travel

Germany Travel Guides - Yahoo! Travel Guide UK Travel Home Travel Guides Flights Hotels Holidays Car Hire City Breaks Ski & Snow Search the Travel Guides : Search all Hotels Restaurants Attractions Germany Travel Guide Travel > Guides > Europe > Germany Germany Germany wears its riches well: elegant big-city charm, small picture-postcard towns, pagan-inspired harvest festivals, a wealth of art and culture and the perennial pleasures of huge tracts of forest, delightful castles and fine wine and beer are all there for the savouring. More information about Germany More Germany pictures Explore Germany Germany Guides Introduction Not to miss Facts for the Traveller History Getting there & around Popular Cities in Germany Munich Frankfurt Berlin Dresden Hamburg Cologne Heidelberg Leipzig Stuttgart Nuremberg Duesseldorf Garmisch-Partenkirchen Hanover Kiel Oberammergau See all Cities in Germany Inside the Germany Travel Guide Top Restaurants in Germany Atlantic-Restaurant, Hamburg Yahoo! User Rating Kempinski Hotel Atlantic's restaurant is a popular venue for business meals and festivities. As well as fine dishes like lobster, vierländer duck and venison, the restaurant offers impeccable service and a grand view of Lake Alster. … Da Claudio, Nuremberg Rossini, Düsseldorf Rossini Degustazione, Hanover Osteria Enoteca, Frankfurt Top Hotels in Germany Le Meridien Grand Hotel, Nuremberg Dorint Kongress Hotel, Cologne City Hilton, Munich Hotel Martha-Hospiz, Dresden Bülow Residenz Hotel Dresden, Dresden Top Attractions in Germany Potsdamer Platz, Berlin Yahoo! User Rating After the fall of the Wall in 1989, Potsdamer Platz turned from a deserted wasteland into Europe's biggest building site as urban planners worked to create an ultra-modern city centre in the middle of a reunited Berlin. The only remnants … Pergamon-Museum, Berlin Kölner Dom, Cologne Residenz, Munich Heidelberger Schloss, Heidelberg Expert reviews See all articles(3) Visiting Germany German Information Centre : From the German Embassy. TravelNotes.org Overview Columbus Guides Germany Reference and Travel Guide CountriesAndCities.com Search the web for more information about Germany Hotels Offers From supplier -- Prices from: munich £309.25 for 5 night(s), munich From Opodo - Hotels munich germany £64.53 for 1 night(s), munich germany From Opodo - Hotels Munich £271.25 Flemings for 5 night(s), Munich From Octopustravel.com Munich £339.88 1st. Creatif Elephant for 3 night(s), Munich From Venere.com Carhire Offers From supplier -- Prices from: Munich £524.05 Volkswagen Sharan in Munich, Munich From Car Hire 3000 Munich £196.43 Volkswagen Golf in Munich, Munich From Auto Europe Munich £442.11 Audi A8 in Munich, Munich From Auto Europe Munich £151.06 Ford Focus in Munich, Munich From Car Hire 3000 Holidays Offers From supplier -- Prices from: Munich £142.00 Germany : Munich, Munich From Teletext Holidays Munich £139.00 Germany : Munich, Munich From Teletext Holidays Munich £129.00 Germany : Munich, Munich From Teletext Holidays Munich £134.00 Germany : Munich, Munich From Teletext Holidays Sponsored Links "Camping in Germany " Award-winning family camping holidays throughout Europe. Search our extensive list of campsites and accommodation and book direct with Canvas Holidays. www.canvasholidays.co.uk. "This Is Travel Holidays in Germany " Find fantastic deals on holidays abroad. Search for discounted offers from hundreds of the UK's top travel companies at This is Travel. www.thisistravel.co.uk "2,250 Hotels in Germany Online" Save up to 70% on one-star to five-star hotels in Germany . For each hotel there are photos, descriptions and location plans available. No reservation fee, you pay at the hotel. www.booking.com "Find German Supplier of Germany " Find lists of suppliers and exporters of all kinds of agricultural products on the official web site of the Central Marketing Organization of German Agricultural Industries - CMA. www.cma-exportservice.com Advertise here Yahoo! Travel Guides – All you need to know before you go! Popular Travel Guides in Germany Munich Travel Guide Frankfurt Travel Guide Berlin Travel Guide Dresden Travel Guide Hamburg Travel Guide Cologne Travel Guide Heidelberg Travel Guide Leipzig Travel Guide Stuttgart Travel Guide Nuremberg Travel Guide Popular Hotels in Germany Le Meridien Grand Hotel, Nuremberg Dorint Kongress Hotel, Cologne City Hilton, Munich Hotel Martha-Hospiz, Dresden Bülow Residenz Hotel Dresden, Dresden Hotel Schloss Eckberg, Dresden An der Messe, Frankfurt Hotel Robert Mayer, Frankfurt Pension Aller, Frankfurt Raskolnikoff Pension, Dresden Popular Restaurants in Germany Da Claudio, Nuremberg Rossini, Düsseldorf Atlantic-Restaurant, Hamburg Rossini Degustazione, Hanover Osteria Enoteca, Frankfurt Austria, Berlin Yamato, Leipzig Ristorante Bellotto, Dresden Planwirtschaft, Dresden Grand Café Coselpalais, Dresden Popular Attractions in Germany Potsdamer Platz, Berlin Pergamon-Museum, Berlin Kölner Dom, Cologne Residenz, Munich Heidelberger Schloss, Heidelberg Klostergasthof Andechs, Munich Hygieia-Brunnen, Hamburg Unter den Linden, Berlin Frauenkirche (Domkirche zu unserer lieben Frau), Munich Brandenburger Tor, Berlin - cheap airfare

Orlando Vacation Rentals Choose

Disney World - Orlando Vacation Rentals lodging accommodation condos hotels Ad Your Property | Contact Us | Login | Home 10000 Vacation Rentals Disney World - Orlando Vacation Rentals Choose a location from the list below to view the finest Vacation Rentals Cape Coral Winter Garden Disney World Kissimmee Orlando Cape Coral Vacation Rentals >> Back To Top Beautiful Cape Coral Home: 4-BR 3-BA Sleeps 8 - On water w/dock- Fully Equipped- Pool & Lanai- Non Smoking More Info Website Availability Cape Coral 2 Bdrm, 2 Bth Somerset Condominiums - Beachfront- Newly Remodeled- 2 Heated Pools- Luxury More Info Website Cape Coral Fantastic Sanibel/Captiva Penthouse - New Decor- Panoramic Views- Sugar Sand Bchs- 2 BR - 2 Bath More Info Website Availability Cape Coral Town House. 2 Bedrooms 2 Baths. - New- Waterfront- Fully furnished More Info Website Cape Coral Kona Cutie Condominium - 1 Bd & 1 Bath - (Sleeps 4-5) - Golf, Sail, Fish- Theater, Cinema- Dine Oceanside- Sail & Windsurf More Info Website Availability Cape Coral Condos. 3 Bedrooms 2 Baths. - Luxury Condo- Near The Beach- Pool & Hot Tub- Great For Family More Info Website Cape Coral It's a House not a Condo! - Luxury Property- Private Htd Pool- Gated Resort- Golf & Tennis More Info Website Disney World Vacation Rentals >> Back To Top Disney World Disney Area Vacation Rentals. 3 to 8 Bedrooms, Game Room, Pool & Spa Homes - Pools- Spas- VCR- Cable T.V. More Info Website Disney World Disney Luxury Home 4 Bedrooms 3 Baths. - 6 Mi To Disney- WDW Atmosphere- Resort Features- Pool & Lake View More Info Website Availability Disney World Vacation Home-3 Bedrooms 2 Baths. - Near Attractions- Family Friendly- Fully Furnished- Fully Equipped More Info Website Availability Disney World Choose from over 100 affordable Pool Homes and Condos! - Condos- Private Homes- Private Pools- Rental Cars More Info Website Disney World Orlando Florida Vacation Homes More Info Website Disney World Florida Homes International Vacation Rental Homes - Vacation homes- Fully equipped- Private pools- Near attractions More Info Website Disney World BRAND-NEW 4-bedrooms, three-baths home. - 4 Bedrooms- 3 Bath- Private Pool More Info Website Availability Disney World New Smyrna Beach: Ocean Front Vacation Rental 4 Bdrms 4 Bths - 4/4 & Huge Ver.- Best Swim Beach- BEACH & DISNEY!!- 1 Hr To Disney More Info Website Disney World Orlando Escapes - 1-877-719-2900 More Info Website Disney World Condos, Luxury Villas at Somerset, Laguna Bay, Sweetwater - Luxury- Heated Pool- 5 Min 2- Disney- Families Welcome More Info Website Disney World Porter Vacation Homes - 4 MI to Disney- owner owned- spa/pool- home, not a room More Info Website Disney World Kays Vacation Villas - King Size Bed- Internet- Full Kitchen- Game room More Info Website Availability Disney World White Orchid Beach House With Dock - Beachfront- River Boat Dock- Secluded- Full Amenities More Info Website Availability Central Florida Vacation Homes 3-5 Bdrms, Next To Walt Disney World - Private Pool- 10 Miles, Disney- Nicely Decorated- All amenities More Info Website Availability Disney World Westgate Vacation Rentals - Disney- Universal- Sea World- Water Parks More Info Website Disney World Ocean Properties Quality Condos and Privately Owned Beach Home Rentals - Affordable- Beachfront- Golf Courses- Fully Equipped More Info Website Your Private Escape to Disney World - Near Disney- Enclosed Pool- Furnished- Park for kids More Info Website Availability Disney World Beautifully Furnished Luxury 2 & 3 bedroom condos - Club House- Heated Pool- Hot Tub, Sauna- Exercise Room More Info Website Disney World Winsor Hills 3 bedroom, 2 bath luxury condo - New Resort !!- Tropical Setting- Many Activities- Pool/Waterslide More Info Website Kissimmee Vacation Rentals >> Back To Top Kissimmee Choose from over 100 affordable Pool Homes and Condos! - Condos- Private Homes- Private Pools- Rental Cars More Info Website Kissimmee Orlando Florida Vacation Homes More Info Website Kissimmee Central Florida Vacation Homes 3-5 Bdrms, Next To Walt Disney World - Private Pool- 10 Miles, Disney- Nicely Decorated- All amenities More Info Website Availability Kissimmee Winsor Hills 3 bedroom, 2 bath luxury condo - New Resort !!- Tropical Setting- Many Activities- Pool/Waterslide More Info Website Kissimmee Kays Vacation Villas - King Size Bed- Internet- Full Kitchen- Game room More Info Website Availability Kissimmee Orlando Escapes - 1-877-719-2900 More Info Website Kissimmee Condos, Luxury Villas at Somerset, Laguna Bay, Sweetwater - Luxury- Heated Pool- 5 Min 2- Disney- Families Welcome More Info Website Kissimmee BRAND-NEW 4-bedrooms, three-baths home. - 4 Bedrooms- 3 Bath- Private Pool More Info Website Availability Kissimmee Disney Area Vacation Rentals. 3 to 8 Bedrooms, Game Room, Pool & Spa Homes - Pools- Spas- VCR- Cable T.V. More Info Website Kissimmee Westgate Vacation Rentals - Disney- Universal- Sea World- Water Parks More Info Website Kissimmee Your Private Escape to Disney World - Near Disney- Enclosed Pool- Furnished- Park for kids More Info Website Availability Kissimmee Florida Homes International Vacation Rental Homes - Vacation homes- Fully equipped- Private pools- Near attractions More Info Website Kissimmee Porter Vacation Homes - 4 MI to Disney- owner owned- spa/pool- home, not a room More Info Website Kissimmee Disney Luxury Home 4 Bedrooms 3 Baths. - 6 Mi To Disney- WDW Atmosphere- Resort Features- Pool & Lake View More Info Website Availability Kissimmee Beautifully Furnished Luxury 2 & 3 bedroom condos - Club House- Heated Pool- Hot Tub, Sauna- Exercise Room More Info Website Kissimmee Disney World Vacation Home-3 Bedrooms 2 Baths. - Near Attractions- Family Friendly- Fully Furnished- Fully Equipped More Info Website Availability Orlando Vacation Rentals >> Back To Top Orlando Condos, Luxury Villas at Somerset, Laguna Bay, Sweetwater - Luxury- Heated Pool- 5 Min 2- Disney- Families Welcome More Info Website Orlando Westgate Vacation Rentals - Disney- Universal- Sea World- Water Parks More Info Website Orlando BRAND-NEW 4-bedrooms, three-baths home. - 4 Bedrooms- 3 Bath- Private Pool More Info Website Availability Orlando Florida Vacation Homes More Info Website Orlando Central Florida Vacation Homes 3-5 Bdrms, Next To Walt Disney World - Private Pool- 10 Miles, Disney- Nicely Decorated- All amenities More Info Website Availability Orlando New Smyrna Beach: Ocean Front Vacation Rental 4 Bdrms 4 Bths - 4/4 & Huge Ver.- Best Swim Beach- BEACH & DISNEY!!- 1 Hr To Disney More Info Website Orlando Florida Homes International Vacation Rental Homes - Vacation homes- Fully equipped- Private pools- Near attractions More Info Website Orlando Beautifully Furnished Luxury 2 & 3 bedroom condos - Club House- Heated Pool- Hot Tub, Sauna- Exercise Room More Info Website Orlando Porter Vacation Homes - 4 MI to Disney- owner owned- spa/pool- home, not a room More Info Website Orlando Kays Vacation Villas - King Size Bed- Internet- Full Kitchen- Game room More Info Website Availability Orlando Disney Area Vacation Rentals. 3 to 8 Bedrooms, Game Room, Pool & Spa Homes - Pools- Spas- VCR- Cable T.V. More Info Website Orlando Choose from over 100 affordable Pool Homes and Condos! - Condos- Private Homes- Private Pools- Rental Cars More Info Website Orlando Escapes - 1-877-719-2900 More Info Website Orlando Disney Luxury Home 4 Bedrooms 3 Baths. - 6 Mi To Disney- WDW Atmosphere- Resort Features- Pool & Lake View More Info Website Availability Orlando Ocean Properties Quality Condos and Privately Owned Beach Home Rentals - Affordable- Beachfront- Golf Courses- Fully Equipped More Info Website Orlando Your Private Escape to Disney World - Near Disney- Enclosed Pool- Furnished- Park for kids More Info Website Availability Orlando Winsor Hills 3 bedroom, 2 bath luxury condo - New Resort !!- Tropical Setting- Many Activities- Pool/Waterslide More Info Website Orlando Disney World Vacation Home-3 Bedrooms 2 Baths. - Near Attractions- Family Friendly- Fully Furnished- Fully Equipped More Info Website Availability

air travel for pets.

Air Travel Guide to Shipping Birds Visitors Online Now: | BIRD PREP | CONTAINERS | CONTAINER PREP | GUIDELINES | TIPS | WEATHER | COSTS | LINKS | Shipping birds can be made to be less stressful by following some sensible advice from experienced shippers and adhering to the rules and regulations of the shippers. What follows is an outline of how to avoid undue stress, accidents, loss, and/or injury to the birds that you want to ship. This is also a useful guide when buying a bird that needs to be shipped. BIRD PREP - It's important that you condition your birds for at least a week before shipping. Babies on formula don't need any extra vitamin supplements, but an older bird may. Fortify them all with a stress reduction preparation such as Ornabac™. This is a granular powder to be administered to their soft foods for at least a week before shipping and a week afterward shipping. The lactobacillus and low ph level will help avert bacterial infections resulting from stress. The B-Complex vitamins will help with the stresslevel itself. You can administer this freely to babies as well as adults. CONTAINERS - Commercial hard plastic kennel cabs are the standard container for shipping. Some breeders construct heavy-duty wooden crates with a slanted top onone side for better air circulation since all containers may have other cargo stacked around and on top of it. If you are travelling with your bird and taking the bird on board with you, you will need to have an underseat carrier. Large birds cannot travel this way. Costs for containers vary and are usually paid for by the recipient or asked for a deposit untilthe recipient can return the carrier. CONTAINER PREP - Remove the water receptacles included with the kennel cab. It is not recommended placing or installing a perch inside the container since rough handling or air turbulence could cause the bird(s) to injure themselves on it. Line the bottom of the carrier with newspaper or crumpled then tamped down paper toweling so that the bird has a better foothold. You might want to tape a thick piece of cardboard halfway up the front door if the weather is inclement or if you are shipping babies. Fill the bottom of the carrier with seed (and/or pellets if that is their diet). It works as a good bedding liner and gives them nourishment if they want to eat during the flight. Place cubes of juicy fruit in the container on the floor - grapes, apples, oranges, etc. This will provide the bird(s) with liquids during the flightand any layovers. Just be sure that there is enough food for the bird(s) in case of a 1 or 2 day delay! Finally, it would be wise to secure an extra piece of hardware cloth over the entire door of the container so that no one is tempted to open the door to take a closer look or to take the bird. Be sure to advise the recipient to have wire cutters handy to remove the wire quickly after getting the birds home or to be able to examine the bird(s) at the airport. Some carriers now have specific requirements for covering sides and front of the container. Larger parrots with more destructive beaks should be shipped in Vari-Kennels rather than the plastic sided carriers that they can chew out of. Containers must have the " LIVE ANIMAL " label on it. GUIDELINES - Each carrier has special requirements for accepting shipments of birds. They do change from time to time, so you should be sure that you are aware of them before making the trip to the airport. Some states require that the airlines obtain a veterinary health certificate (usually paid for by the recipient with costs ranging from $20 and up) and that the bird(s) be banded. Hawaii has special regulations regarding air travel for pets. Health certificates dated no more than ten days prior to origin of travel are required for all live animal shipments into Hawaii. Some airlines require proof of your business and breeder status. Please note that it is ILLEGAL to ship parrots through the USPS. There are fines and confiscation of birds for doing so. If you are unable to prove that the birds are domestic, you may not be able to retrieve them at all. TIPS - Try to avoid shipping birds around major holidays and on Fridays and weekends. It's best to ship in the morning and arrange for arrival times before the regular Air Cargo staff goes home. If there is a flight delay, you may have the bird(s) sitting at an airport for days. Avoid shipping during any national security crisis too. A direct flight is the safest if you have access to a major airport and the recipient does too. There are stopover locations that should be avoided if possible. I believe that one of them is Atlanta GA. Check with your carrier to see how much insurance they will cover your shipment for. They may give you the option of purchasing extra insurance to fully cover the bird(s). Birds are only covered for disappearance, injury or loss resulting from the carrier's negligence. You will not be able to collect anything if itis discovered that the bird(s) health was compromised before shipment. Air Cargo vs. Counter-to-Counter: All birds are shipped air cargo. The counter-to-counter feature pays off when there are layover stops. Rather than sitting on a hot or cold tarmac, the birds are taken inside. On final arrival, the birds are immediately taken to the counter rather than the air cargo office. In most cases, air cargo is sufficient. Sometimes in some locations, it's better because the birds are handled by experienced animal cargo staffers. Counter-to-counter may also not be as secure as air cargo in some larger airports since the carriers are more accessible to the general public. WEATHER - It's wise to check with your airline before shipping to be sure that there will be no weather restrictions. This includes the weather at departure point and the weather at arrival point. The USDA has clear guidelines on temperature limits (45° to 85° limits). SAMPLE COSTS - as of 5/23/00 AIRLINE Delta US Air AIR CARGO $95.63 $93.50 COUNTER-TO-COUNTER $162.50 $170.00 LINKS Delta Airlines - (1-888-736-3738) http://www.delta-air.com Delta Hot Weather FAQs - http://www.delta-air.com/travel/trav_serv/pet_travel/pet_embargo/index.jsp Delta Pet Travel FAQs - http://www.delta-air.com/care/faq/travel_faq/pets/index.jsp Delta Booking Info - www.delta-air.com/prog_serv/cargo/cargo_rates/live_animal/animal_form/index.jsp US Air - (1-800-582-2746) http://www.usairways.com American - http://www.americanairlines.com Continental - http://www.continental.com Continental - 24-hour Live Animal Help Desk (1-800-575-3335) Pet Air Travel - (1-877-FLY-PETS) grandpets@juno.com U.S.D.A. - (1-800-545-8732) Horizon Micro Container (viral shield containers) - (1-800-443-2498) http://www.negia.net/~horizon Shipping birds to the UK - http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/int-trde/animl-im/Captive%20Birds%201.pdf CITES - http://www.ukcites.gov.uk/default.asp

Japan Travel International Travel

Metropolis - Japan Travel: Jesus in Japan JAPAN TODAY | METROPOLIS | CLASSIFIEDS | PERSONALS | JOBS Issue Index Original Features Features Mini Features Cultural Features Life in Japan Big in Japan Rant & Rave Cars & Bikes Health & Beauty Interiors Practical Jobfinder Money Talks Tokyo Tech Web Watch Food & Drink Food & Drink Restaurant Reviews Bar Reviews Word of Mouth Travel Travel Features Japan Travel International Travel Travelogue Style Art Artifacts Fashion Tokyo Talk In Store Buyline Music Japan Beat CD Reviews In Person Concerts Clubbing TRAVEL Jesus in Japan Jesus' supposed resting place Photos by Mary King Mary King hunts down the Messiah in the small village of Herai in the wilds of northern Japan. Church bells will ring out louder this year as millions of Christians across the world join in songs of praise for Jesus Christ's 2000th birthday. While most turn their thoughts to Bethlehem, Nazareth and Jerusalem, few know of the important role some claim Japan played in the life of Christ. There are probably very few Christians who have even heard of the small village of Herai that lies tucked away in the northern reaches of Aomori Prefecture, but some here maintain this to be the place where Jesus settled, married and died at the ripe old age of 106. Although it's commonly held that Jesus grew up as a carpenter in the Galilee town of Nazareth, according to the legend of Herai, or Shingo as it's now known, the 11 "missing years" of Christ's life not accounted for in the New Testament of the Bible were spent in Japan. According to the local legend, Christ first came to Japan, aged 21, during the reign of the 11th emperor, Suinin, and landed at the port of Hashidate on the Japan Sea coast. Apparently, he settled in Etchu province where, under the tutelage of a great master, he studied Japanese language, literature and various other subjects. The Legend of Daitenku Taro Jurai (Daitenku Taro Jurai was the name Christ is said to have later taken) claims that at the end of his 11-year stay, Christ returned to Judea, aged 33, where he taught about the "sacred land" of Japan. But, unfortunately, "Christ's teachings about Japan were considered too radical," and he was condemned to death. The New Testament teaches Jesus was crucified at Golgotha, rose from the dead after three days and later ascended into Heaven. However, according to the legend of Herai, Jesus escaped this fate, and instead his brother Isukiri was nailed to the cross and died. Christ, meanwhile, fled with his disciples and went into hiding, carrying locks of the Virgin Mary's hair and his brother's ear. After an arduous journey across Siberia, Christ finally returned to Japan and settled in Herai where he changed his name, married a Japanese woman called Miyuko, fathered three daughters and lived to the age of 106. Devout Christians may insist that the Garden Tomb, which lies not far from Damascus Gate outside the Old City of Jerusalem, is Jesus' true burial site, but the people of Herai have another story to tell-marked by a large wooden cross, Jesus' tomb ( Juraizuka ) sits alongside his brother's ( Judaibo ) in Herai. Isukiri's tomb holds his ear and locks of the Virgin Mary's hair. It's hard to imagine anyone, let alone Christ, would have schlepped out to one of the remotest parts of northern Japan in days of old, as even today it demands a great deal of effort to reach the village. Herai epitomizes the middle of nowhere. The place is little more than a lonely grocery store, a sprinkling of farmhouses and scraggly garlic fields and rice paddies blanketed with snow at this time of year. Most tourists either already know about the tombs, as well as the "pyramids" said to predate those of Egypt, or are so intrigued by the wild talk they hear of Herai while trekking out near Towadako Lake they can't resist coming to check it out. Remains of the Mirror Stone pyramid Pyramid scheme The first pyramid of the "O-Ishigami Pyramid" circle, we are told, was discovered in August, 1935 on Mt Towari, exactly one day after the discovery of Christ's tomb in the village. According to the "history of the Divine Age" found in the documents of the Takenouchi family, there are seven pyramids in Japan, dating back tens of thousands of years and older than the Egyptian pyramids. Legend has it that the largest of these "pyramids," the Mirror Stone, used to stand upright and had writing engraved on it, but fell over during an earthquake in 1857 and became embedded in the ground. Disappointingly, not one of the rocks slightly resembles a pyramid in the Egyptian or Mexican sense, but apparently Japanese pyramids are different from those found elsewhere. They were triangular rocks situated on the top of mountains and used for sun-worship in ancient times. A local standing by what may be Jesus' grave Tomb of the unknown Savior The "pyramids" are a five-minute drive from the Kirisuto no Sato Denshokan (Village of Christ Legend Museum; Tel: 0178-78-3741), where you can read about the history and customs of Herai, and catch the audio-visual show of the Kirisuto Matsuri (Christ Festival) held in the early summer. The museum is open from April to October. Contact the Shingo Business and Tourist Section at Shingo Village Office (Tel: 0178-78-2111) for visits during other times of the year. The present museum, open for the past five years, also records the uncanny circumstances surrounding the tombs of "Christ and his brother Isukiri" as well as old folk songs and customs that resemble ancient Judaic-Christian ones and various theories that either support or quash links between the Japanese and Christians of Jewish descent. Even the name of the village, Herai, is said to be derived from the word Hebrai (Hebrew). It sounds like a tall tale, but no stranger than stories of burning bushes, the parting of the Red Sea and water being turned into wine. For the people of Herai too, the revelation that Christ is buried in their village came as a shock when documents claiming Jesus had resided in Japan were discovered in Ibaraki Prefecture in 1935. Said to be Christ's will and testament and the proof that he had lived and died in Japan, the "Takenouchi documents" later proved to be fake. For years, many villagers felt that the shroud of mystery surrounding the large ancient tombs in a bamboo thicket had finally been lifted. The documents explained some of the village's customs, such as marking a cross on the forehead of a child when it first leaves the home and why Sanjiro Sawaguchi, a village elder, had "blue eyes like a foreigner." The museum explains mysterious local customs The tombs are located close to the Kirisuto no Sato Denshokan, marked by two large wooden crosses and are sitting on a small hill overlooking those of the Sawaguchi family-local garlic farmers who are said to be the descendants of Christ and who, to this day, care for their great ancestor's tombs. "Somebody special lies there but I don't really believe it's the tomb of Christ. It's probably the tomb of a foreigner who settled in the village at some point. It's certainly interesting that some of the old customs in this village are said to be similar to those of ancient Judea, and it may explain why some people in the village have blue eyes. But this village has always been Buddhist and the Shinto shrine in the village is more than 1000 years old, so I really don't think that there are any ancient links between Japanese and Jews or Christians of Jewish descent," said Yoshiteru Ogasawara, who runs Nobara Pension (Tel: 0178-78-2484). Regardless of what you believe, Herai makes an interesting-if somewhat barren-destination, and you're guaranteed a great travel story to share with friends. Getting there: From JR Ueno stn, take the Tohoku shinkansen to Morioka stn and change to the express train for Hachinohe. From Hachinohe, take a bus to Gonohe, where you can change to a bus for Shingo (Herai). For information on the local bus service, contact the tourist section of the Shingo Village Office (Tel: 0178-78-2111; Fax: 0178-78-2118). Getting around: Those seriously thinking of venturing out to this part of the world to see the tombs and the "pyramids" should consider hiring a car or taxi from Hachinohe or Gonohe as the local bus service is irregular, and getting around Herai on foot is nigh-on impossible, especially during the winter months. TRAVELOGUE WORLD TRAVEL TRAVEL FEATURES JAPAN TRAVEL: SEPTEMBER 389: God speed The mother of all Shinto temples, Ise Grand Shrine AUGUST 385: Hattoji Highland hamlet JULY 380: Nagasaki Remembrance of things past 378: Kawagoe From modern Tokyo to "Little Edo" 376: Tottori Tottori's stunning landscapes JUNE 375: Kyushu Bed and bath under the volcano 373: Ryogoku Land of the giants 372: Osaka Universal Studios Japan MAY 371: Osaka Amerika-mura: Osaka's funky town 369: Mie Mikimoto Pearl Island 368: Takarazuka Hyogo-ken's all women theater group APRIL 365: Kawasaki Kawasaki's annual fertility festival 364: Aomori A day on Fear Mountain MARCH 362: Nagano Chill out snowboarding 361: Asuka One foot in the grave FEBRUARY 356: Yamanashi Hakushu's hidden treasures 355: Waseda Tram Trip A streetcar named... 352/3: Aomori Jesus in Japan 351: Kumamoto Under the volcano in Kyushu 350: Sado Island Explore the forgotten charms of Shukunegi ISSUES 348- ISSUES 298- TOP