Country: Japan
Where is it?: Japan is in eastern Asia, east of the Korean Peninsula.
Why do people go here?: Japan is an enigma. It is the land of sumo, sushi and kimono, a land where the delicate kimono clad lady fights against drunken salary men for a seat on the subway. A land where one’s preconceived ideas are often shattered and replaced by something much more surreal.
What are the main entry points?: Japan is a strange mixture of overload consumerism and century old customs and manners.
Currency used: Yen
Country Code for Phones: 81
Area codes for Major Cities: Tokyo 3, Yokohama 45, Kyoto 75
Religion: Both Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16% (including Christian 0.7%
Population: 127.5 million
Ethnic Groups: Japanese 99%, others 1%
Government: Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
Languages: Japanese
Major Cities: Tokyo, Yokohama, Kyoto, Kobe, Sapporo
Attractions: Kyoto, Tokyo
Accommodation: Japan Hostels
Tourism Office locations and links: Japan Tourism Office
Off-the-Beaten-Path: Noto-Hanto Peninsula
Health Issues: Malaria, Dengue Fever, Tuberculosis, Rabies, Japanese B Encephalitis
When to go: July into the middle of November can be the best time to see Japan.
Common Phrases: Good morning=ohayou; Hello=konnichiwa; Good evening=konbanwa; Good night =O yasumi nasai; Good bye=sayonara; Bye!=Baibai; Yes=Hai; No=iie; Thank you=Arigatou
Specific Events/Holidays: New Year: December 29 to January 3, Golden Week: April 27 to May 6, Tanabata Matsuri: July 7, O Bon: July 13-16, Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri: July 17
Getting Around: Japan has an extremely efficent transportation system. Rail is easy and the best price.
Good to know: Japan is one of the most expensive countries to travel in throughout the world. Be prepared to drop a fortune.
Cheapest airport to fly into: The cheapest airports to fly into Japan are the Fukuoka Airport, Tokyo Haneda Airport, Nagoya Centrair International Airport, Tokyo Narita International Airport, Osaka Itami International Airport and Osaka Kansai International Airport. To obtain a cheaper flight, choose the airport that is near your trip destination.
Need more information?: Check out the Japan travel guide for more on what to see, where to stay, and how to get there.
