Economy of Japan

Japan is well known to the rest of the world for its economy. In fact, they have the 2nd biggest economy in the world and the most technologically advanced. They have to import resources from around the world because of their low supply of natural resources. Raw materials and energy are examples of what they import. However, Japan does have some industries that are very big and successful. Steel and shipbuilding industries, for instance, are big companies over there. Another thing about Japan's economy is their manufacturing of products. The Japanese people produce many pieces of electronics (like computers) for the rest of the world.

An electronics store in Japan

Holidays in Japan

Japan is a popular place for families to visit. Its interesting and unique features and culture make it an enjoyable and educational holiday. There are many fun and interesting places to visit, famous landforms and delicious foods and to experience.

If you were to travel to Japan, the best and most efficient way to get there would be by plane. A good option is to fly in to Osaka (Honshu) and experience the artificial island where the airport is located. This island was created because of the shortage of space on the mainland. The island is connected to the mainland by a bridge. 

There are many common ways to travel around Japan. The usual car, taxi and bus transportation is, of course, an option. But, if you wanted a change, there is a traditional Japanese way of travelling around the country. Bullet trains are a quick and easy option for getting around. Travelling on these very fast trains are a very traditional Japanese experience. And, these trains are never more than a few seconds late. Furthermore, if you really want to experience Japan and do something different, you can catch a train below ground on the longest and deepest railway tunnel in the world (the Seikan tunnel). This track travels to and from Honshu and Hokkaido. Another alternative for transportation is to travel by ferry. This option is available and is great for visiting smaller islands of Japan, the ones that may not be as well known. However, if you would rather stick to the normal way of getting around, by car, bus or taxi, a way to still enjoy the Japanese life is to travel across the longest suspension bridge. This is otherwise known as the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge.

If you are looking for a country to visit that is both educational, interesting, whilst still being fun and exciting, Japan is definitely the place to go. Japan is home to numerous theme parks, including Disneyland, DisneySea and Universal Studios, plus many other attractions, such as aquariums. All three of these places are extremely popular and have very good reputations. Japan also has very interesting religious temples and statues that interest many people. All up, Japan is one of the best places to go when planning a holiday trip. Everyone is kind and polite, their transportation is convenient, different and enjoyable and there are many well-known places to visit and attractions to enjoy.

A bullet train in Osaka.

A manta-ray at an aquarium in Osaka.

DisneyLand in Tokyo.

Culture of Japan

Japanese people are known for many different things. Whether it's their delicious foods or their elaborate taste in fashion, tourists are very interested in Japan's culture and is one of the reasons they travel there. 

Food

Many people know, eat, make and love the traditional food found in Japan. Some of these foods include: sushi, rice, noodles, seaweed, soya beans, and cooked vegetables. All foods in Japan are expected to: look appetising, be nicely presented and, of course, taste delicious.

Sushi is a popular Japanese food.

Fashion

A very famous and traditional piece of clothing in Japan are kimonos. A kimono is a patterned robe that is worn at traditional weddings and ceremonies. They have 12 layers, a 3m sash, (also known as an 'obi') and can take up to two hours to put on. Kimonos are sometimes worn with thongs with silk on them (also known as 'zoori'). Toe socks (also known as 'tabi') are also worn by Japanese people. Some women wear kimonos around the country as an every day outfit. They have white faces; neat make up with red lips, a traditional kimono and fancy hairpieces put that into their hair. Their hair is done up in a neat hairstyle. These women are known as 'Geisha girls'. A different style of Japanese clothing is 'Japanese street wear'. This style is very different to the original and traditional kimono. Women who wear this style are referred to as 'ganguro girls'. These women wear bright colours, micro-mini skirts, very high platform shoes, pigtails with dyed hair, white eyeliner and have tanned skin.

Geisha Girls walking around town.

Sport

When somebody mentions sport in Japan, most people immediately think of the very famous and popular sport, sumo-wrestling. This is a sport that many Japanese people are passionate about. Many sumo-wrestlers are very famous and big celebrities in the country. This sport is a wrestling match, where two opponents try to push or trip each other to the ground or out of the ring. Two other wrestling sports that are also popular in the country are judo and kendo. Judo players must push their opponent to the ground. This is an Olympic sport. Kendo players must sword-fight their opponents. They use bamboo sticks and must hit their opponent on the head or chest in order to win the game.

Sumo-wrestlers preparing for their match.

Religion

The two most common religions in Japan are Buddhism and Shintoism. Shintoism is the traditional religion of this country. People who follow this religion believe that everything in the natural environment has its own God. There are many religious temples and statues stationed around the country.

Traditions

Japanese people have many traditions that may seem unusual to tourists and the rest of the world. However, if these traditions are not abided by, some may take a bad approach and consider it rude.

The following are just a few traditions and etiquette of Japan:

• Remove shoes when entering a house. Slippers may be used as a replacement.
• At meal times, sitting on the floor at low tables to eat is normal.
• 4 is an unlucky number. Tea sets, presents and even rooms are never in groups of 4.
• Origami is a piece of artwork. Artists’ folds paper to make various animals and other objects.
• Teacups don't have handles.
• Chopsticks are used as cutlery for eating.
• For a formal greeting, people are expected to bow to each other. Whereas, for informal or casual situations, a nod of the head is acceptable.

Japan also has several traditional celebrations. For instance, the New Year is a greatly celebrated event. From the 1st-3rd of January, Japanese people thank and welcome gods in houses decorated with bamboo ornaments. Families receive greeting cards, children are given gifts/money and people pray in temples for health and safety.

A Japanese family sit down for dinner.

Landforms and Natural environments of Japan.

Mountains

Japan is very famous for a few reasons. One of these reasons is because of its great number of mountain ranges. Over 3/4 of the country is covered with mountains. This does not help the fact that Japan already is running out of space for the people living there to live and go about their daily life. One of the most famous mountains and a very popular tourist attraction found in Japan is Mt. Fuji. This is an active volcano and the highest mountain in the country. It is approximately 3,776m high.

Rivers

There are many rivers in Japan, but not many are very long. Some of the rivers include; the Yoshinogawa, the Ara-kawa, the Mogami-gawa and the Fuji-kawa, just to mention a few.

Mt. Fuji, in Hokkaido.

Wildlife

Many unique types of flora and fauna species can be found in the country of Japan. Some of the well-known, typical flora species is the cherry blossom flower (also known as Sakura). This particular species is the country's national flower and symbol. The other species is Bamboo. This species is known throughout the world and is used for making numerous things. Just like the flora species, many kinds of fauna species can be found in this country. TheCrane, Japanese deer, foxes, the racoon dog, koi fish, the Tokyo fish (and so on) are only a few of Japan's famous species of Fauna.

This drinking fountain is made from a bamboo stick attached to some wood.

These pictures show Mt. Fuji, Cherry Blossoms and a Japanese Deer.

Cherry Blossoms.

This drinking fountain is made from a bamboo stick attached to some wood.

A Japanese deer roaming around a town.

Climate of Japan

Because of Japan’s wide variety of islands and their spread across the ocean, there are many different climates throughout the country. Because of Japan's location, and all of its mountains (some of which are found in the ring of fire), Japan is prone to earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. Amongst the country, September is typhoon season.

In the northern island of Japan, Hokkaido, there are cool summers and cold winters. This island is a good place to go in the winter if you like snow-sports, because the weather is quite cold, cold enough for snow! Honshu has warm and humid summers. In winter they have mild climates in the South and snowy climates in the North. Both Kyushu and Shikoku have long, hot summers and mild winters.

Some skiers on a mountain in Hokkaido with Mt. Fuji in the background.

Welcome to Japan

Japan is a beautiful country home to thousands of people, interesting features, traditions and many, many mountains.

Japan is located in South-East Asia. It lies just off the continent of Asia in the North Pacific Ocean. Japan's neighbouring countries are China, Russia, South and North Korea and Taiwan. This country is made up of numerous islands, but there are four main islands that are the more well-known to tourists. These islands include: The northern island-Hokkaido, the central –Honshu and the South East islands, Shikoku and Kyushu. However, Japan is best known for the island of Honshu. Honshu is where all the major and most populated cities are found, including the capital, Tokyo.

A map of Japan shows the four main islands and the surrounding sea and neighbouring countries.