FEATURES

In the Diamond Highlands

Chapada Diamantina in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia is an area of lush rainforest that, with its highly varied flora and fauna, has been referred to as Brazil’s lost world.

By Colin Barraclough

At the Silk Road’s End

This year marks the 1,300th anniversary of Nara becoming the first true capital of Japan, and this attractive city retains many of the cultural splendors from ancient times.

By Rachel Blake

The Queen of Hills

The splendid mountain setting and cool climate of Shimla in northern India made this hill station an obvious choice of summer capital for the British colonial government in India.

By Peter Aronson and Yésica del Moral

DEPARTMENTS

BUSINESS TRENDS

The Soft Cell

Robert Gilhooly surveys the market for mobile phones with safety features designed for young children.

DOWN TO EARTH

Justin McCurry looks at the offbeat and unusual side of modern-day Japan.

WHEELS

Alfa Numerics

Justin Gardiner takes Alfa Romeo’s lively new MiTo hatchback for a spin.

BOOKSHELF

Legendary Tono

Mark Austin reviews a new edition of eerie tales from Japanese folklore.

SKYWARD INTERVIEW

Michio Kaku

Owen Pye interviews the physicist who is one of the leading figures in the field of string theory.

TABLE TALK

Root Words

Steve Ford outlines some of the uses burdock root is put to in Japanese cookery and suggests a couple of recipes.

ENCOUNTERS

Around the World in 10 Seconds

Roff Smith takes in the unique atmosphere of the old South Pole base and details a circumnavigation.

BRAIN BUSTERS

Some puzzles and a crossword to while away the hours on high.

JAL'S WORLD

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

What’s on this month in Japan.

Cover illustration by Koji Fujikawa (Hiroshima, Japan)