Japan Flag
Why visit Japan?
For the international traveler seeking to enjoy amusement parks, architecture, art, beaches, bicycling, bullet trains, cherry blossoms, culture, fishing, gardens, golf, historical sites islands, hot springs, memorials, mountainous terrain, music, national parks, palaces, religious shrines, sculptures, shopping, spectator sports, surfing, sumo wrestling, temples, theater, volcanoes, and wildlife.
Kiyomizu-Dera (Buddhist Temple), Kyoto, Japan. Photo Credit: Michelle Maria/Pixabay
At a Glance
- Souvenirs to Buy: Art, calligraphy, cameras, ceramics, china, crystal, dolls, electronic goods, flower arrangements, green tea, karate gear, kimono, kites, lacquerware, pearls, poetry, pottery, lacquerware, paper lanterns, porcelain, red coral, rice paper products, swords, and woodblock prints.
- Local Cuisine to Try: Donburi (rice bowl/meat). Green Tea Ice Cream (dessert). Gyūdon (beef dish). Kakigōri (shaved ice dessert). Miso Soup. Nattō (soybean side). Soba (buckwheat noodles). Udon (noodles). Yakitori (grilled chicken).
- Local Drink to Try: Botamochi (sticky rice dumpling). Hamo (eel). Happoshu (malt beer). Matcha (tea). Sake (brewed rice/alcohol). Sekihan (red rice). Shōchū (distilled spirit). Sweet Potato Shochu (whiskey). Tonkatsu (pork cutlet).
Toyko, Japan. Photo Credit: Pierre Blaché/Pixabay
Fun Facts
- During the 16th Century (1501-1600), upon the arrival of Europeans Christianity and guns were introduced to them.
- In 1905, they defeated Russia.
- In 1945, the first atomic bomb in the world struck Hiroshima (Honshu Island). Days later a second atomic bomb struck Nagasaki (Kyushu Island).
- In 1974, "Hello Kitty" was born.
- Capital moved from Nara to Kyoto.
- Origin of Shinto (kami-no-michi) indigenous and nature religion. Beliefs that "gods" or "spirits" inhabit all things. There's 100,000 public shrines.
- Buddhist Temples usually have gateways and tiled roofs vs Shrines always have gates, two horizontal beams and pillars.
- Buildings are numbered by the year built, not according to their street location.
- Gambling and mechanical game parlors (Pachinko) are popular.
- Comic books (Manga) are read by all ages.
- Pristine beaches on islands of Kyushu, Okinawa, and Shikoku.
- Western region of Nagano Prefecture (Kamikōchi) offers spectacular hiking views.
- Skiing is popular on Niseko Mountain (Hokkaido Prefecture).
- Maximum speed of the Bullet Train is 199mph.
- Comprises of 6852 islands.
- Has the sixth longest coastline in the world.
- Known to have 111 active volcanoes.
- Compared to any other country is known to have the largest Military Budget in the world.
- Largely exports auto parts, iron, motor vehicles, semiconductors, and steel products.
- Offers over 1500 registered breweries.
- Supports commercial whaling.
- Home to the world's largest automobile company, Toyota.
- Ranks highest amongst Asian countries to receive international travelers annually.
- A leader in video gaming.
- Japanese writing includes Arabic numerals, Chinese characters, two sets of kana, and Latin alphabet.
- Karaoke is significantly popular.
- Traditional theaters include bunraku (puppet), kabuki (classical dance drama), kyōgen (comedy), and noh (oldest classical dance drama).
- Martial Arts is taught in junior high school curriculum.
- Baseball is their most popular spectator sport.
Matsumoto Castle, Matsumoto, Japan. Photo Credit: René Vlak/Pixabay
- Annual Events: (January) Ball-Catching Festival, Bullfinch Exchange Festival, Candy Fair, Dezomeshiki Acrobatics, Nozawa Fire Festival, Sounkyo Ice Festival, Toka Ebisu Festival, Yaedake Cherry Blossom Festival, (February) Bean-Throwing Festival, Kumamoto Castle Marathon, Lake Towada Snow Festival, Lantern Festival, Oyster Festival, Sapporo Snow Festival, (March) Doll Festival, Matsue Jozan Koen Festival, Tokyo International Anime Fair, Water-Drawing Festival, (April) Flower Festival, Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival, Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival, Kitakai Tenshochi Cherry Blossom Festival, Matsuyama Shiroyama Koen Cherry Blossom Festival, Takato Joshi Koen Cherry Blossom Festival, Takada Koen Cherry Blossom Festival, Takayama Spring Festival, Tsuyama Kakuzan Koen Cherry Blossom Festival, (May) Grand Spring Festival, Hakata Dontaku Port Festival, Hollyhock Festival, Kanda Festival, Mifune Festival, Odawara Hojo Godai Festival, (June) Himeji Yukata Festival, One Million Goku Festival, Otaue Rice-Planting Festival, Sanno Festival, Yamagata Cherry Festival, (July) Fuji Rock Festival, Gion Festival, Ground-Cherry Pod Fair, Japanese Floating Lantern Festival, Kangensai Music Festival, Nachi Fire Festival, Nagoya Sumo Tournament, Nango Summer Jazz Festival, Obon Festival, Star Festival, (August) Aomori Nebuta Festival, Bon Festival, Eisa Festival, Kurayoshi Utsubuki Festival, Matsuyama Festival, Rising Sun Rock Festival, Takamatsu Festival, Yamaga Lantern Festival, (October) Autumn Festival, Festival of the Ages, Kawagoe Festival, Ikegami Honmonji Temple Oeshiki Ceremony, Nada Fighting Festival, Nagoya Festival, Nikko Toshogu Shrine Festival, Okunchi Festival, Tokyo International Film Festival, Tokyo Motor Show, (November) "7-5-3" Festival, Fujiwara Autumn Festival, Kobe Marathon, Rake Fair, (December) Battledore Fair, and Tokyo Comic Con.
- Holidays: New Year's Day, Coming of Age Day, National Foundation Day, The Emperor's Birthday, Vernal Equinox Day, Shōwa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, Children's Day, Marine Day, Mountain Day, Respect for the Aged Day, Autumnal Equinox Day, Health and Sports Day, Culture Day, and Labour Thanksgiving Day.
Mt Fuji, Shizuoka, Japan. Photo Credit: bewkaman/Pixabay
Good to Know
- Consists of five main islands spanning from north with Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu and Okinawa in the south.
- Major cities visited include Fukuoka, Kobe, KyotoOsaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Toyko, and Yokohama.
- Primary regions include Hokkaido, Tōhoku, Kantō, Chūbu, Kansai, Chūgoku, Shikoku, and Kyūshū.
- Nanpō and Ryukyu Islands are subtropical.
- Rainy Season begins in Okinawa (early May) and moves North.
- A costly destination to visit, not for the budget conscious traveler.
- During major holidays many businesses are closed and public transportation is fully booked. Avoid traveling the first week of January, last week of April, first week of May, late July or early August.
- Written English is often better understood than verbal amongst locals.
- Okinawa is known for scuba diving. Beach is best visited from July - August.
- Tipping is not practiced.
- Akihabara (Tokyo) is a shoppers mecca.
- Cities of Kyoto, Hokkaido, and Nagano are popular during the Fall and Spring Season.
- Travelers pay a 1,000YEN Departure Tax.
- Restaurants often provide moist towelette for hand washing before eating.
- Bullet train seats are designed for short(er) individuals.
- Crowding and shoving is a regular occurance.
- Credit or debit cards are not widely accepted for purchases.
- Requires a International Driving Permit to drive.
- Popular attractions: Disneyland (Tokyo), DisneySea (Tokyo), and Universal Studios (Osaka).
- Pick pocketing is known to occur in tourist areas.
- Spiking of drinks is known to occur in bars and nightclubs. Never leave your drink unattended.
- You must carry your U.S. Passport with you at all times.
- Possession of ammunition or a gun is a crime.
- Carrying a knife longer than two inches is illegal.
- Driving is not advisable due to signage and inability to read. Traffic drives on the left side of the road.
- City traffic is often very congested.
- The standard blood-alcohol-level is 0.03 percent, driving under the influence is 15 years in prison.
Itsukushima Floating Torii Gate (Shinto Shrine), Hiroshima, Japan. Photo Credit: pen_ash/Pixabay
This international destination requires:
- A valid passport and one blank page for entry stamp.
- Tourist VISA not required for visits under 90 days.
- Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000USD.
Prone to earthquakes, humidity, snowstorms tsunami, and volcano eruptions.
Rokuon-ji (Zen Buddhist Temple), Kyoto, Japan. Photo Credit: Marie Wakefield/Pixabay
- Best Time to Visit: April & October
- Coldest Months: December - February
- Hottest Months: June - August
- Peak Season: April - November
Osaka (Island of Honshu), Japan. Photo Credit: Gaby OBS/Pixabay
Your Must-See & Do
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area, Fujisan sacred place and source of artistic inspiration, Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region, Himeji-jō, Hiraizumi Temples Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land, Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome), Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara, Historic Villages of Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama, Itsukushima Shrine, Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape, Mozu-Furuichi Kofungun Ancient Tumulus Clusters, Ogasawara Islands, Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region, Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range, Shirakami-Sanchi, Shiretoko, Shrines and Temples of Nikkō, Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel Shipbuilding and Coal Mining, The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement, Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites, and Yakushima.
Mount Chōkai (Tōhoku Region), Japan. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay
Ready to embark on custom and personalized services, your journey begins with Louvet Travel?
Your one stop source: Accommodations I Air I Car Rentals I Cruises I Disney I Excursions I Tours I Transfers I Travel Insurance I Villa Rentals
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine
Hokkaido, Japan. Photo Credit: Jacqueline Macou/Pixabay
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.
No comments:
Post a Comment