The Beginner’s Guide to Japan

Japan is a tiny country, about the same size as California, which has had a disproportionately large impact upon the rest of the globe and on the course of human history. The traveler can experience some of the unique culture that has both caused and resulted from Japan’s place in the world, and will find that their trip is enhanced by having some prior understanding of what has made Japan into the modern and exciting country that it is today.

Japan is formed from several larger and thousands of smaller islands. Honshu is the largest and this is the part of Japan which most visitors will experience. Hokkaido Island is another popular destination, while Kyushu and Shikoku are the other fairly large islands.

The Japanese islands are volcanic in origin, and they still experience the effects of tectonic activity, particularly in the fairly frequent earthquakes. The countryside is predominantly mountainous. The most famous peak is that of Mount Fuji, and you have probably seen photos of its characteristic snow-capped dome even if you didn’t know its name.

The capital of Japan is Tokyo, and the majority of the Japanese are packed into this and other cities. The population is well over one and a quarter million, but has begun to decline in recent time. The life expectancy in Japan is one of the highest in the world, 77 for men and 84 for women, and the literacy rate is also high, at 99%. The most commonly used language is Japanese.

The Japanese culture has been influenced by its landscape which has forced people to live around the coasts since the interior is to steep for building, and even for cultivation in places. This has resulted in densely populated cities and some beautifully untouched countryside. Another important influence had been the existence of two separate but similar religions, Shinto the “native” religion and Buddhism, which arrived here via China. There both value nature and share similar beliefs, with worshipers from each sometimes using the same temple.

Japan has an Emperor, and the current incumbent is a descendant of the first, Jimmu, who was traditionally believed to have founded Japan when he arrived more than two and a half thousand years ago.

Japan’s first Western visitors were the crew of a ship from Portugal that accidentally landed here after getting lost at sea in the 16th century. Many modern day visitors can feel similarly lost, as if they have stumbled onto an alien world rather than just another part of our own. This is partly because for many centuries there was a policy of isolationism. Foreigners were banned until mid way through the 19th century, and the Japanese culture developed without outside influences.

The changes were rapid once Japan had opened its doors. Unfortunately Japan’s new interest in world affairs resulted in their association with Nazi Germany during World War Two. Japan had fought with the Allies in World War One, and gained a reputation for military might to match its new economic status. It then developed ambitions for dominance in Asia and attacked China, and began a relationship with the Nazis. In 1941 the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor stimulated the US into action. Over three million Japanese people lost their lives during the war, and a huge amount of damage was incurred by the cities. The worst attacks came at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where the US dropped atom bombs, effectively bringing about the Japanese surrender and the end of the war.

Japan has changed a lot since this low point at the end of the war, when it lost its possessions overseas and was placed under the control of General MacArthur. It became a democracy and regained control of its own governance in 1952. While its military ambitions were gone, Japan became an important player in the world economy.

The raid changes that Japan has undergone have created a unique and vibrant culture that provides much of interest for the visitor, especially the Western traveler whose home country will seem a million miles away.

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.

Mount Fuji Japan

Mount Fuji is the highest point in Japan at 12,388 ft (3,776 m). Along with Mount Haku and Mount Tate; it is one of Sanreizan (Three Holy Mountains). An estimated two hundred thousands people climb Mount Fuji annually, thirty percent of whom are non-Japanese. The most popular time to hike up Mount Fuji is from 1 July through 27 August, when resting places and other facilities are fully operating. Buses to the 5th station start running at 1 July. Some prefer to climb the mountain at nighttime in order to have good observation spot when the sun rises.

To reach Mt. Fuji, you can take a bus from Shinjuku West via Keio Shopping Mall. The ticket can be bought in the level two of Shinjuku West Terminal. The staffs can speak English quite fluently. It is possible to make an advance booking, just make a telephone call from your town and collect the ticket in Shinjuku West. The journey with the bus is relatively long, as you will likely encounter a heavy traffic jam. It is important that you arrive 10 minutes before the departure, Japanese are really punctual and they will not wait for you, not even for one minute. The last bus that leaves for Mount Fuji’s Kawaguchiko fifth station is at 3 PM. If you miss it you will waste one night in Shinjuku.

Mt. Fuji is mildly challenging and very pleasant to climb. Be sure, you eat and drink enough but not too much. You will find huts along the way to rest, drink or eat, although you may find that the price is slightly overpriced.

Most choose Kawaguchiko route due to its large parking lot and larger resting places where a climber can eat and drink. In summer season, most Mt. Fuji tours start from there. If you prefer less crowded surrounding, you can choose Fujinomiya route with its highest 5th station, or Gotemba and Subashiri for a quieter climb to the summit.

You can use four major routes from the Kawaguchiko 5th station to the mount summit while from the mountain foot there are four routes. The major routes from the 5th station are Fujinomiya, Gotemba, Subashiri, and Lake Kawaguchi. If you start from the mountain foot, you can choose Murayama, Suyama, Yoshida, and Shojiko routes. Each route has its own stations which are located at different elevations. The highest 5th station is in Fujinomiya route.

The Tokyo Tower

The Tokyo Tower is one of Japan’s most famous structures. It is also one of the tallest towers in the world, the tallest in all of Japan. Although the tower’s design was based on the famous Eiffel Tower, the Tokyo tower differs significantly. Not only is it nine meters taller than the Eiffel, it is also far lighter. The Tokyo tower is only four thousand tons, while the Eiffel tower is over seven thousand tons. This weight discrepancy is due mostly to advances in steel technology.

Unlike the Eiffel Tower, the Tokyo tower has color. It is said to have taken over twenty-eight thousand liters of paint to cover the tower in the international air safety colors of orange and white. These colors even change. Starting at sundown, the tower illuminates in orange during the winter months, and white during the summer months. On special occasions the tower can even illuminate other colors like green or red.

Since low-rise buildings surround the Tokyo Tower, it can be seen from most spots in central Tokyo, such as Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Bay, Shinjuku Station’s promenade, and the Imperial Palace. The Tower’s original purpose was to broadcast signals for television and FM radio.

The special observatory on the Tower’s top floor, which is 250 meters above the ground, lets guests see as far as Mount Fuji and Mount Tsukuba. Most visitors enjoy the late night view of the spectacular neon lights of the city. The tower’s main observatory, about one hundred and fifty meters above the ground, offers guests a 360-degree view of the Kanto region just outside of Tokyo. Guests may also relax in the café or browse the many gift shops and stores on this level.

Even though the Tokyo Tower’s intended purpose is as a radio and television antenna, it is primarily known as a tourist stop. And the Tower’s management has done everything possible to accommodate its many guests. The tower’s first floor houses an aquarium with fifty thousand fish. On the third floor there is a wax museum and a historic tour. On the tower’s fourth floor there is even an Art gallery.

The Tokyo Tower is a symbol of the Japan’s emergence as an economic superpower. It is one of the world’s top tourist attractions and an experience you won’t soon forget.