| Area |
377,864 sq km (145,894 sq miles). |
| Population |
127,450,000 (2002). |
| Capital |
Tokyo- population- 8,130,408 (2002) |
| Climate |
Except for the Hokkaido area and the subtropical Okinawa region, the weather is mostly temperate, with four seasons. Winters are cool and sunny around Tokyo (which occasionally has snow), and very cold around Hokkaido, which is covered in snow for up to four months a year. Summer, between June and September, ranges from warm to very hot, while spring and autumn are generally mild throughout the country. Rainfalls throughout the year but June and early July is the much drier than the Tokyo area. Rainfall is intermittent with sunshine. Typhoons are only likely to occur in September or October but rarely last more than a day. |
| Language |
Japanese is the official language. Some English is spoken in major cities. |
| Religion |
Shintoism and Buddhism (most Japanese follow both religions) with a Christian minority. In Okinawa, however, people believe in Niraikanai, the realm of the dead beyond the sea. |
| Time |
GMT + 9
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| Highlights |
For those seeking active exercise on holiday there is everything from challenging mountains to gentle hill walks. The Japanese Alps will attract the keen climbers, while Mount Fuji offers lakes, hot springs, skating, fishing and camping. One of the world's most important cities with a population of 12 million people and the centre of a vast worldwide network of financial and commercial activity, Tokyo offers a taste of both new and old Japan. Mount Fuji is also well within reach of Tokyo - the area of Fujisan is also the centre of wide-ranging natural recreation zone. Whilst in Japan, do not miss a taste of sake or warm rice wine, this is one of the traditional drinks, but be careful, it is an acquired taste! The ceremonial capital of Japan is Kyoto built in AD 794 in the classic Japanese style. Kyoto has a myriad of temples, palaces and shrines which should not be missed. In Nara you can see the traditional 5-storey pagoda of Kofuku-ji, the Great Buddha Hall and the largest bronze Buddha statue in the world. Okinawa is the collective name given to the South-West Islands which are scattered over 1000 kms from the southern tip of Kyushu to Yonagunijima. Best known for the tragic role they played at the end of World War II, the prime attractions of the islands are the warm climate, beautiful beaches with excellent diving and superb cuisine. The best way to travel around Japan is on the 'Bullet Train' and if you stay in the traditional Japanese-style hotels, 'ryokan' you will gain a fascinating insight into the Japanese way of life.
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| Country Facts |
The population of Japan is presently running at 128,000,000 with a population density of 337 per sq km. Separated from the Asian mainland by 160 kms of sea, The country is made up of a series of mountain ranges that stretch 3,000 kms from the most northern island of Hokkaido down to Kyushu in the south. The highest and best known of the mountains is Mount Fuji at 3,776m (12,388ft). Mountains and hills, many of which are volcanic cover four fifths of the country leaving just small alluvial plains scattered along the coast. |