JAPAN – Overview
Japan is an East Asia island country, which is also known as the Land of the Rising Sun. It is an archipelago with over 3,000 islands and has a population of approximately 125 million. As the population is concerned Japan comes at 11th number in World.
The climate in Japan is tropical in the southern part, and cool on the opposite side. Most of Japan’s terrain is mountainous and rugged.
Japan is also found in “The Ring of Fire of the Pacific” which is an area famous for volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. In fact, Japan’s history is fraught with sad stories of lives lost and homes ruined because of natural calamities like these.
In addition, since Japan has virtually no natural resources, it has to import most of its oil, LPG and coal.
We have all heard about Sony, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Toyota, and this entire world knew brands that all originate from Japan. The top industries in Japan are machine tools, consumer electronics, steel, nonferrous metals, and of course, motor vehicles.
From these industries, Japan is successfully exporting vehicles, office machinery and semiconductors. The rise in industrial industries in Japan is mainly because it has very little arable land. As a matter of fact, about 15% of Japan’s land can be cultivated. Most farmers have to supplement their income by working part-time in other areas.
Japan is also a very highly religious country. There are two major religions in Japan: Buddhism and Shintoism. Buddhism believes in the afterlife while Shintoism does not. There are other ways that these two religions do not see eye to eye, and yet they are managing to co-exist in one country quite peacefully.
Christianity is the third major religion in the country and started in 1549, and then later reintroduced to the Japanese in 1800. Today, there are about 1.9 to 3 Million followers, including some in important positions in public affairs.
Japan has many popular sites like Mount Fuji which has become a global brand for Japan. It is also home to 23 World Heritage sites like the Sacred Sites of Kii Mountain Range, the monuments of Ancient Nara, Shiretoko, the temples of Nikko, and Yakushima Island.
Japanese food and culture have also been widely published and recognized the world over. All major cities of the world now have a Japanese restaurant somewhere inside their boundaries. Japanese food has crossed many borders and has been accepted as a delightful cuisine by almost all nationalities.
Travelling JAPAN
Visiting Japan for the first time will always be a memory best kept close to your heart. The people and very respectful and pride themselves on honour. Throughout the history of Japan, you read about bravery, determination, and willpower, but most of all, you read about honour. To the Japanese, loss of honour is the worst possible fate, and so they do their utmost to live an upright life.
Tokyo
Tokyo used to be called Edo. It was a small castle that grew to be Japan’s political centre when feudal lord, Tokugawa Ieyasu put up shop here.
Today, Tokyo is the capital city of Japan, and one of the world’s most densely populated cities.
Some of the Attractions to See and Visit in Tokyo :
National Museum
The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation is a great place to go if you have any interest in new technology and innovative designs. Here in this museum, you can get to talk to the different scientists and engineers who work full time in making new gadgets.
Most of the items on display are interactive which should keep the interests of children constantly on a high.
Tama Zoological Park
You can find this park on the hills of Tama. You get to enjoy seeing animals in their natural habitat. This park is only an hour away from central Tokyo, but still in the city of Tokyo.
The park is divided into three main areas: Asiatic Garden, African and Australian Garden, and the Insectarium. Here you can see up close rare animals from all around the world.
Sanrio Puroland
Who hasn’t heard of Sanrio? This is heaven on earth for lovers of the lovable kitty, Sanrio. This indoor theme park is full of Sanrio products, including a history of how Sanrio came to be.
Seeing Hello Kitty in all her beauty, and in as many kinds of products as possible is a little indication of how popular this little pink kitty has become.
Mount Takao Monkey Park
Nowhere else will you be able to see roaming monkeys going about their business without any restrictions. About 70 different monkeys are roaming the area which makes for a lively entertaining day for you.
Tokyo Disneyland
Who would ever want to miss out on visiting Disneyland? It’s the ultimate theme park for children. In this Disneyland, which seems to never have an offseason, to enter you will need to buy a Passport. This Passport will give you privileges to ride and enter all the attractions. There is no general admission ticket.
Since the lines are perennially long at the gate, it would be advisable to buy your Passport from your travel agent or a local travel agency near your hotel.
Tokyo DisneySea
This theme park opened beside Tokyo Disneyland around 2001 and has been attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. It has 7 themes that a guest may see such as the Mediterranean Harbor, Lost River Delta, Arabian Coast, Mysterious Island, Mermaid Lagoon, American Waterfront, and Port Discovery.
Each theme has its own set of exciting, and fun-filled rides that will interest both children and adults. Similar to Tokyo Disneyland, you will need to buy a Passport.
Shopping Paradise
Many of the attractions in Tokyo have something to do with shopping. There seems to be a shopping mall every few miles. You can even choose between specialized shops or just a street market with a mish-mash of everything.
If you look hard enough, you will find factory outlets or budget stores that sell major brands at a discount. The prices here may not be as low as in Bangkok or Hong Kong, but by Japan’s standards, they are a major find.
Other Major Cities in Japan
Japan is a wonderful Asian country with prosperous, yet mystic cities that call you to them. A visit to the major cities of Japan will yield untold treasures and memories that you can take home with you. They say when you visit Japan, you will long to go back because there is just so much to see and so many things to experience.
Hiroshima
Hiroshima is a symbol of world peace. This was the first city to experience an atomic bomb and has become the face of the anguish and terror of the effects of an atomic bomb. To commemorate this historical moment, a Genbaku Dome has been built to serve as a reminder of the horrors of war.
Nearby the Genbaku Dome is a Peace Memorial Park which in 1996 has been recognized as one of the World Cultural Heritage Sites. This shrine, Itsukushima-jinja is believed to be one of the most astonishing sites in the country. It stands out with the amazing Grand Torii gate that rises from the sea.
Other places to see in Hiroshima are the Shukkei-en Garden and the Mitaki-Dera Temple.
Kyoto
This used to be the capital of Japan and was the centre of all political, economical, and cultural events for over 1000 years. Here in Kyoto, you can visit many shrines and temples like the Kiyomizu-Dera Temple and the Nijo Castle, also World Heritage Sites.
The culture in Kyoto is rich with intricate Japanese architecture, and delicate Japanese dances. There are 3 main summer festivals held in Kyoto which are the Gion-matsuri, the Aoi-matsuri, and the Jidai-matsuri festivals. Throughout the city, hundreds of torches to form a figure or a letter are lit along the five mountains around Kyoto, creating a spectacular and fabulous sight.
Nagasaki
This is the 3rd largest island in Japan and has 5 peninsulas and 971 islands. Nagasaki is an important port of entry ever since the 16th century when it started trading with Holland and Portugal.
Some of the must-see places in Nagasaki are the Fugen-dake which is the peak of the Unzen-dake volcano; Huis Ten Bosch, which is a replica of a 17th-century medieval town; Peace Park which commemorates the atomic bomb catastrophe; and the O-ura Tenshu-do which is Japan’s oldest wooden Christian church.
Nara
If you have heard about the beautiful cherry blossoms of Japan, then looking at them will fascinate you even more. At Mount Yoshino-Yama, you can see the most wondrous cherry blossom trees in all of Japan.
Nara is well known for its traditional Japanese architecture and temples. Many of the temples were constructed under the guidance of the imperial family. These are the Todai-Ji Temple which houses the largest wooden Buddha in the world, Yakushi Temple, Horyu-Ji Temple, and the Toshodai-Ji Temple.
Osaka
This is the smallest prefecture in Japan as far as land area is concerned, however, it has an incredibly high population density which comes second to Tokyo. You must take time to visit Osaka Castle with has a 5 layer donjon and covers around 60,000 square meters. It has an underground mall with restaurants and fashion stores.
Minami is another part that is known for being a business district although there are many shopping stores here as well. It is considered to be the entertainment hub of Osaka with its numerous theatres.
Osaka has also developed a waterfront with the main attraction being the Tenpo-zan Harbor Village. This tourist spot has a 112 meter high Ferris Wheel, a Suntory Museum, a shopping mall, and several venues for cultural events.
Other Attractions in Japan
Japan has a multitude of places to see, many of them already world-class and very well known. In fact, if you plan to see all of these wonderful places, you should plan to stay around Japan for quite a while.
Mount Fuji
Japan’s highest mountain is Mount Fuji which reaches a height of 3776 meters. It has an almost perfect cone shape and is considered by the Japanese as a sacred place. Many people have been awed by the splendour of Mt. Fuji, and it is very evident in the thousands of artwork using Mt. Fuji as the main object.
The last time Mt. Fuji erupted was in 1708 which makes it a dormant volcano. On a clear day, you can see it from Tokyo or Yokohama, and it is magnificent!
To get to Mt. Fuji easily, you will need to take a train ride on the Tokaido Line. However, if you are interested in seeing the best view of Mt. Fuji, use the shinkansen and go towards the direction of Nagoya, Kyoto, and Osaka. When you get to Sun-Fuji Station, look out from the right side of the train, and you will witness Mt. Fuji in all its beauty. This view is about 45 minutes after leaving Tokyo.
Onsen
Japan is rich in natural hot springs. In every region of Japan, you will see them. There are many kinds of hot springs which are all beneficial to your health. A hot spring is mainly a natural water form that has water that is warm to hot and can be very relaxing and soothing to the senses. It’s nature’s own bathtub.
You should consider an overnight stay in one of the hot springs ryokan because this is truly going to be one of your most memorable times in Japan.
Winter Snow Sports
Japan has one of the most beautiful snow resorts in the world. It has been the stage for the Winter Olympics games twice already. There are more than 500 ski resorts, some of which even have the luxury of their very own hot springs.
Some of the more popular ski resorts are found in the northern part of Japan, more specifically, in Tohoku and Hokkaido, as well as in Nagano and Niigata. Someone lift resorts are smaller in size but not in beauty.
The skiing season starts in December and lasts until April of the following year, and even if there is a lot of snow, the temperature is barely below 10 degrees.
The great part about visiting these ski resorts is that you won’t even need to bring any equipment with you. There are skis, boots, and poles for rent which average about 4000 Yen for the complete set.
Kyoto Imperial Palace
A visit to the Imperial Palace is on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are interested in this 50-minute tour, you must check the tour dates because this particular tour is not an ordinary tour. They have limited tour hours as well as tour days.
Sumo Tournaments
Who hasn’t heard of a sumo wrestler? This is your chance to see one up close since there are 6 annual sumo tournaments in a year. This year, the tournaments will be held in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Nagoya.
Sumo wrestling is considered an art form in Japan, and more a battle of the mind than of the body.
People and Food of Japan
The Japanese people are some of the most respectful people in the world. For them, honour is of the utmost importance, and being honourable is what keeps their head up high.
The Japanese truly practice a word of honour which means that they will never agree to something that they have no intention of fulfilling. For the Japanese, family is very important, and respect for elders is considered also a most valuable trait.
Unlike many western countries, the senior Japanese members of the family are accorded a superior position in the household. Most elderly are taken care of by the younger generation. It has always been the tradition of a Japanese family.
Much of the popularity of Japan in the western world is the familiarity with Japanese food. This cuisine is considered an exotic food because of its uniqueness and flavour.
Much of Japanese food relies heavily on fresh ingredients and strong flavours. Some of the traditional dishes in Japan are sushi, sukiyaki, tempura, sashimi, yakitori, fried rice, udon, and shabu.
Sushi is an appetizer served in a variety of ways. It is best taken with soy sauce mixed with Japanese green mustard called wasabi. It is sometimes served with sweet egg omelette, tuna, shrimp, crab meat, and a host of other flavorful ingredients. Sukiyaki is a light clear soup with vermicelli noodles, vegetables and sliced beef, topped with a raw egg. It is served very hot so that the egg will cook on its own. This soup dish is very popular with the Japanese people. It is your one-dish meal because it contains all you need for a full course (except dessert, of course).
Tempura is a favourite among children. This dish is a deep-fried shrimp or vegetable covered with flour, egg, bread crumbs, and water, and served with a light sauce flavoured with ground ginger.
Sashimi is not for the faint-hearted only because it is raw tuna eaten with soy sauce. It is an acquired taste but once you have gotten over the shock of eating raw food, you will find yourself craving for it every so often.
Yakitori is Japanese barbeque. You can choose between chicken, pork, beef or seafood yakitori that are grilled to perfection.
If you have never tasted Japanese rice before, you have to make time to try some while in Japan. It is very different from Chinese fried rice because it is cooked with butter, and sometimes, very little oil. The Japanese rice also makes a huge difference in the result. Japanese rice is one of the more expensive rice varieties in the world because it tends to stay moist and thick even after cooking.
Shabu Shabu is like a smorgasbord of everything. It’s like tossing in a pot of hot boiling soup, whatever you want to eat. The beauty of eating shabu is the whole process is done right on your restaurant table. The raw ingredients are served to you, and the waiters leave you to mix and match. It’s not just a culinary experience, it a memorable cooking moment for the entire group.
Japanese Culture
When you’re in Japan, you know you’re far from home because everything is different. The scenery, food, people, language, currency, and sights are all strange. And this is what makes Japan such a fabulous place to visit!
The Land of the Rising Sun is full of exciting places to see. Some of the must-see cultural sites in Japan are the gardens. These are detailed works of art that depict Japanese respect for nature and all it can supply them with.
There are different kinds of Japanese gardens like the Karesansui which is Zen-inspired in design. The gravel or sand symbolizes water which in turn focuses on the simplicity yet forcefulness of nature.
The two other kinds of gardens are the Tsukiyama and the Chania. The Chania garden is a tea garden while the Tsukiyama garden is a hill garden.
The Japanese tea ceremony is a wonderful tradition of mental discipline. It was introduced to Japan from China but perfected by Master Sen-no-Rikyu who based the ceremony on the Zen spirituality of the 16th century.
What is looked for in a tea ceremony is control, calm, grace and form. There is a pattern one must use in drinking tea properly which involves holding the cup in a certain way and rotating it several times in a specific direction before actually drinking the tea.
Japanese architecture is also an amazing work of art. You can see much of it when you visit temples and ancient towns. The Japanese pride themselves in their cultural art, and the buildings is one way they can manifest their art.
Most Japanese architecture is centred around nature. The main construction materials used are earth, wood and paper. The Japanese prefer to have a house or building that is elongated horizontally.
The Japanese also have a floral and paper art form. Floral art is called ikebana while paper art is known as origami. Today, there are about 3,000 schools that teach the art of ikebana which just shows how much the Japanese people value their art and nature.
Origami has become a worldwide art ever since it was brought to the western world as a form of craft. Origami is essentially a wonderful way to fold paper to produce art forms of animals or things. Some of the most amazing origami in Japan is as small as a flea.
Another art form in Japan is Calligraphy which is also known as Sho. This is a certain way of writing that the western has adopted eagerly. The beauty of calligraphy is in the stroking of the pen, the force used, and the amount of ink applied. There are many kinds of Japanese brushes and pens that are used to write calligraphy.
We have all heard of Bonsai plants, maybe even seen some plants. If not, then visiting a Bonsai garden will surely amaze you. These are miniature trees or plants that have been cultivated to follow the way an original sized version would look when in full bloom. The Bonsai plants are absolutely incredible art forms that you will not see done more exquisitely anywhere else.
Japan also has dances and festivals that depict life in Japan, and all that is important to them such as the seasons of the year, the Doll Festival, Lantern Festival.
Mode of Transport in Japan
Bullet Trains
The Shinkansen are Japan’s bullet trains. These are lightning-fast trains that are also very comfortable to ride in.
To ride on a bullet train, all you need to do is go to the Midori-no-Mado-guchi counters located in all the major Japan Railway stations. Buy your bullet train fare which is an additional fee on top of the regular train fare. You can also request special seats at this time. However, you will be required to pay extra.
Inside the bullet trains, it is very easy to find your seat since they are all numbered properly. You can even buy Japanese meals in a box from roving girls on the train. These trains are usually packed which means that the additional fee for reserving a seat will be well worth it.
Going around in the Bus, Car or Taxi
Travelling by road in Japan is so easy with all the efficient bus routes in each city. The weather is also usually very pleasant for a walking tour.
The Nihon Bus Association, which consists of bus companies from all around Japan, has been operating since 1927. They have been responsible for most of the development and management of the bus transportation industry in Japan.
In fact, if you try going on a bus in Japan, you will be amazed at how efficient they are, not just with the timetables and schedules, but also with how they run the bus trip itself.
For instance, when you get on the bus, you need to get a ticket from the machine. This ticket will tell the driver your point of entry and help him in determining your fare. When you want to get off the bus, all you have to do is ring a bell near your seat to tell the driver that someone wants to get off.
You will then have to pay for your bus fare based on your ticket. The fare rates are posted in an electronic sign above the driver. Only the exact change can be paid. If you do not have it, you must use the changing machine on the bus.
Planning A Trip to Japan ?
Planning a visit to the Land of the Rising Sun? These are what you will need: Passport, Visa, and travel tickets. You must also carry some Japanese currency because they normally do not accept foreign currencies. So, if you are thinking of buying a bottle of water after landing in Japan, you might be a little inconvenienced with having to convert your money to the Yen.
The high season in travel to Japan is from December to May. This is when travel tickets are at a premium. To be able to avoid the high ticket prices, you can book your ticket well in advance to get a good price.
Travel by Sea
Several cruise ships travel to Japan regularly from all major ports in the world. From China, you can take a 2-day trip using the China Express, or a 1 day trip on the Orient Ferry.
If you are coming from Russia, there is a ferry that travels to Japan under 36 hours from Vladivostok. There are also ferries and ships from South Korea and Taiwan.
The beauty of being able to travel to Japan by sea is the sheer luxury of being away from the busy airports or train stations. You can relax for at least a day, and bask in the warm sun while enjoying a cool breeze.
Travel by Land
If you are interested in a scenic route and prefer land over sea, try the Trans-Siberian Railway which starts from Russia. There are 3 options in using this route. You could travel by train to Vladivostok then take a ferry ride to Fushiki, or your could start in China and use the Chinese Trans-Mongolia or Russian Trans-Manchuria which will connect you to a ferry to Japan.
Travelling by land is a little difficult if you plan to bring along a lot of baggage. This is why the Trans-Siberian route is not that popular among tourists. However, the landscape and beauty of the surroundings more than compensate for the troubles you may have en route to Japan.
Travel by Air
The quickest and most convenient way to enter Japan is by Air. All the major airlines land in Japan. There are also many airports in Japan like the Narita International Airport, Kansai International Airport, or the Tokyo International Airport.
The Tokyo International Airport used to be the airport used by the US forces which they first called Haneda Airport. Today, most of the local flights use this airport while the international flights land in Narita International Airport.
Narita is the most crowded of all airports in Japan because this is the one airport where all airlines land except for China Airlines. Another reason is that flight thru Narita is generally cheaper than other airports.
If you are budget conscious or would rather spend your money on shopping and tours, you can always book in advance to avoid the last-minute rush, especially during peak seasons. If you are enrolled in a mileage program with any airline, then use that airline to earn points for your mileage card.
Regardless of your point of departure, there is always a flight to Japan because it is one of the superpowers of the world, and travel there is always at a premium.
