Category

Japan Travel Information

Geography

Japan is an island country comprising of 6,852 islands including its 4 main islands, Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. These islands extend over 2,000kms in length but spread only about 300km wide. The country is predominantly mountainous, with a long mountain range running through the middle of the main islands of Japan, dividing the country into two major regions. One fronts the Sea of Japan and the other fronts the Pacific Ocean. The highest point is Mount Fuji, a volcano that rises 3,776 meters above sea level, and is one of about 200 volcanoes in Japan. Because of its volcanic activity, hot springs are numerous in the country, as a...
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Climate & Seasons

The Japanese are obsessed with weather and seasons. Everything, from food, sake, tea ceremony and flower arrangement, to poetry, and daily greetings, reflect seasonality. Seasons are not just changes in nature, but strongly affect their spirituality and way of life. Cherry blossom, for example, is more than just the appreciation of beautiful flowers for the Japanese. It symbolizes something more spiritual or emotional, such as the transience of life, departure or starting new life, encounters and farewells, and even the cycle of the universe. Japan is an island country with a long archipelago extending from north to south, and its climate varies from subtropical zone in the Okinawan islands to...
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Culture & Customs

Japan has a fascinating and multifaceted, yet somehow uniquely Japanese culture and lifestyle. On one hand, it is deeply rooted in traditions dating back thousands of years, on the other hand it is a society with continually and unabashedly shifting fads, fashions, and technologies. Superficially chaotic and fragmented, the core and coherent elements of Japanese culture, its characteristics and spirituality can still be widely seen. This is part of what makes Japan such a fascinating country to visitors. An environment of current Japanese culture, social events, and way of life is deeply rooted in the Japanese indigenous religion of ancient Shinto. Shinto is a polytheistic religion, has no founder or...
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Food

In 2013, Japanese traditional cuisine was added to the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. It is the fifth food related UNESCO heritage recipient after French, Mediterranean, Mexican, and Turkish cuisines. You may have heard or tried some Japanese food such as “Sushi” “Sashimi”, “Teriyaki, “Wagyu Beef”, “Tempura”, “Sukiyaki”, or “Ramen”. However, Japanese food is a whole lot more than just those well-known standards. When it comes to food, the Japanese are among the most enthusiastic and passionate in the world. In fact, for many Japanese travelling outside of their hometowns, food is often one of the primary motivators for their journey. Many towns and cities in Japan are known first...
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Accommodation & Onsen

A Ryokan is a traditional Japanese style inn found throughout the country, especially in hot spring resorts. It offers not only a place to sleep, but also an opportunity to experience traditional Japanese lifestyle and hospitality, featuring tatami-matted floors, futon beds, Japanese style communal baths and local cuisine. Because of its traditional Japanese style and atmosphere, Ryokan may appear intimidating for some visitors, however, it is worth indulging for one special night during your stay in Japan. Almost all ryokan feature communal baths, usually indoor and outdoor, segregated by gender. Typically, guests are provided with a yukata (Japanese bathrobe / light cotton kimono) to wear inside the Ryokan and its...
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Transport

Japan has an excellent public transport system. Whether you are travelling by Shinkansen, (high speed bullet train), express train, subway, local bus, ferry, or taxi, you will always enjoy comfort, safety and reliability from one destination to the other. The Japanese train system is famous worldwide for its punctuality with often less than a minute’s delay recognized as a serious problem and warranting a humbled apology. One of the most advanced high speed railway systems in Japan is the Shinkansen, also known as the “Bullet Train”. This network presently links most major cities, and has been in operation since 1964 without any fatal accidents. Signage and announcements in the main...
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