Japan is in the Far East, and it’s one of the most advanced countries in the world – beautiful and, just as important, friendly. It’s an amazing mix of high-tech and business alongside ancient traditions and a calm pace of life.
Japan is a chain of islands at the eastern edge of Asia. There are four main islands – Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu – and thousands of smaller ones. Japan’s closest neighbors on the mainland are Russia to the north, and Korea and China farther south.
About three quarters of Japan is covered by mountains. The Japanese Alps run through the middle of the largest island, Honshu. The highest and most famous mountain in Japan is Mount Fuji, a cone-shaped volcano that is very special to many Japanese people.
Japan can be a dangerous place. Several of the tectonic plates that make up the Earth’s crust meet nearby and often push against each other, causing earthquakes. More than a thousand earthquakes shake Japan every year, though most are too small to feel. Japan also has more than 100 active volcanoes.
Japanese people have a deep love of beauty and nature. Japan is home to wonderful wildlife! Some of its most amazing creatures include the sika deer, the red-crowned crane, Steller’s sea eagle and one of the most special animals on Earth… the Japanese macaque, or snow monkey, which loves to bathe in hot springs!
A lot of Japan is countryside – but with more than 120 million people living in a fairly small country, wildlife has suffered. Pollution is now tightly controlled, but over the years roads and other human activity have damaged natural habitats, and many species in Japan are endangered.
Off Japan’s coasts, the warm Tsushima Current flows from the south into the Sea of Japan, where it meets colder water from the north. Because these different waters mix, the seas around Japan are very rich in fish and other sea life.
When people first came to Japan, the main islands may have been connected to the mainland by land bridges, so people could walk there. Later, the Yayoi people arrived from Korea and China. They were skilled weavers, toolmakers and farmers, and they were the first in Japan to grow rice in flooded paddy fields.
According to Japanese legend, the first emperor ruled long, long ago. For many centuries, Japan was ruled by emperors – though at times military rulers called shoguns held the real power.
In World War I, Japan fought on the side of the Allies (Britain, France, Russia and others). But in World War II, Japan’s military leaders joined the Axis powers, teaming up with Germany and Italy.
At the end of World War II, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, three days apart. More than 200,000 people died. Soon after, Japan surrendered and World War II ended.
Japan is the only country in the world today with a reigning emperor. The emperor has no real political power, but is still honored as a symbol of the country’s traditions and unity.
World War II wrecked Japan’s economy, but the hard work and clever ideas of the Japanese people turned things around. Today Japan has one of the biggest economies in the world. Its high-tech industry makes some of the world’s most popular electronics and cars.
The deer park in Nara:
Deer on the streets! A trip to Japan isn’t complete without a visit to Nara Park, where more than a thousand deer roam freely. According to old local tradition, the deer are sacred, and for centuries they’ve been protected there. Today they wander around the city as its famous symbol. They’re wild animals, but they’re used to people because so many tourists visit – and some of them have even learned to bow politely to ask for special deer crackers!
Hiroshima Castle:
Hiroshima Castle was first built around 1590. It was destroyed by the atomic bomb, then rebuilt, and today it stands proudly as a symbol of the city’s strength and recovery.
Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan, rising 3,776 meters above sea level. On a clear day you can see it from Tokyo, about 100 km away.
Because it’s such an important cultural symbol, UNESCO added it to its World Heritage list in 2013. Mount Fuji is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Hundreds of thousands of people climb it every summer!
👟) In Japan, people take off their shoes before entering a home – and some restaurants and temples too. This isn’t just an old custom: not following it is seen as disrespectful. If you visit, your host will usually give you slippers to wear.
👄) Don’t talk loudly – Japanese people are careful to speak quietly in public, especially on trains, so they don’t disturb others.
💴) Here’s a tip you’ll like – in Japan, you don’t leave a tip! Tipping isn’t part of the culture, and leaving money on the table might confuse the waiter, who may even run after you to return it, thinking you forgot it. Good service is simply expected as part of the job.
🍜) Japanese food includes lots of rice, fish and vegetables. It’s low in fat and full of vitamins and minerals, so it’s very healthy. Many people believe their diet is one reason the Japanese are among the longest-living people in the world!
💗) The Japanese are known for working very hard. Children are taught to show respect for others, especially their parents and teachers, and to think about what is good for their family and community.
