Facts about Japan

Facts

About Japan

Japan provides plenty to occupy the traveler. It is country that can seem elegant and formal when you consider their manners, but also lively and colorful whether in one of the hundreds of karaoke bars populating the urban centers or in the picturesque rural festivals that dot the Japanese countryside. The contrasts continue to unfold once you can go from the serenity and purity of a Zen temple to entering one of the country's famous "love" hotels. If you try to establish an idea of Japan in you mind you will be sorely mistaken. Each person comes away from visiting with their own unique take on the culture and the people.

Best Time To Visit

Although the spring season from March to May is an amazing time to visit the country and is considered the most celebrated Japanese season. But its proximity to the Japanese holiday called Golden Week period, which occurs from April 29th to May 7th can mean an influx of domestic and international tourists. This makes visiting any of the more popular travel destinations nearly impossible. Thus, it is better to wait until the holiday is over. September through November is probably the best time to travel. Then you have great temperatures and the colors of autumn are in full view. Most travelers will want to avoid the frigid winter months of December through February as well has the humid summer months from June to August. Of course, if you don't care about the temperature extremes. Your travel plans should take New Year, Golden Week and the midsummer O-Bon festival into consideration, as those will be heavy traffic times and accommodations will be sparse.

Japan Facts

Full Name: Japan (Nihon)
Capital City: Tokyo
Area: 377,835 sq km/145,882 sq miles
Population: 127,000,000
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +9 ()
Languages: Japanese (official) Note: Although it has one of the most complex writing systems in the world, the Japanese language is distinct from other Asian languages in that it is not tonal and it pronunciation is far simpler so the traveler may be able to pick up a few short phrases.
Religion: Shintō, Buddhism, Christianity
Currency: Yen (¥)
Electricity: 100V 50HzHz
Electric Plug Details: Japanese-style plug with two parallel flat blades
Country Dialing Code: 81