A Brief Guide to the History of Japan for Modern Visitors

Japan may appear small when you look at it on the world map, but its history has had a much greater influence than its size would suggest. This is a country packed with historical and cultural sites for the visitor to discover, and a striking combination of scenic mountains and stunningly modern cities. Tourists can often feel overwhelmed by their first introduction to Japan. A brief overview of the history that has made Japan what it is today may help you to adjust more easily.

First, a refresher on the geography of Japan. The total area is a little smaller than California, although it consists of thousands of scattered islands. The main island is Honshu. Hokkaido, together with Shikoku and the island of Kyushu, make up the other three major islands. These islands are all the result of ancient volcanic activity and Japan suffers from earthquakes which are occasionally severe.

The origins of the islands are reflected by their characteristic mountains. The most famous of these is Mount Fuji, which reaches over twelve thousand feet at its summit. The steep slopes covering most of the country have caused the Japanese people to congregate in densely populated cities along the coasts. The majority live in these urban areas, such as the capital, Tokyo.

Japan has a population of over 127 million, which is gradually decreasing at the moment. The term “Japanese” is used to refer to the people, and is also the name of the main language. Japan has a literacy rate of 99%, and life expectancy here is very high, 77 for men and 84 for women. The two main religions have co-existed harmoniously in Japan for a long time due to their similar beliefs. Shinto and Buddhist temples are often shared.

The Emperor of Japan traces back his ancestry to the legendary founder of his nation, Jimmu, who supposedly created Japan as a country in about 600 BCE.

It was by chance that the first Europeans arrived in Japan, when a ship that had lost its way brought some Portuguese sailors to its shores. As more travelers came from the West they were welcomed only with suspicion. They were eventually banned from entering the country, and for two centuries Japan remained isolated. In 1854 this decision was reversed after Japan came to an agreement with the US. This time the contact with the outside world brought change to the people of Japan, and their society changed its traditional feudalism for more modern values.

Japan came out of the First World War, having supported the Allies, as a respected world power of economic as well as military value. This good relationship did not last, however. The then Emperor attempted to spread the influence of Japan by attempting to take over parts of China, hoping to make Japan the dominant power across the whole of Asia. As the Nazi party rose to power in Germany, Japan decided to ally itself with this new power.

Japan entered the Second World War with an attack on the US at Pearl Harbor in 1941. By the end of the war, with more than three million casualties and the horror the two atomic bombs dropped on their soil, Japan was left with no alternative but to surrender. Japan lost most of its overseas territories and was placed under the command of General MacArthur, until it regained its independence in 1952. Japan underwent great changes during this and subsequent times, developing as a democracy and becoming the world’s second largest economy.

Japan can be a confusing and expensive place to visit, due to its unique culture and fast-paced cities, but with a willingness to try to understand its history, modern Japan can be an extremely interesting and exciting destination- and if one thing is sure, it is that you will never be bored.