Japan Vacations and Holidays See Tokyo and Ride the Bullet Train

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This tourist information Japan vacations article will give you a brief overview of this eastern land, which will enhance your visit.

The country in size is slightly smaller than California.

It is made up of four major islands and is surrounded by more than four thousand smaller islands.

The country’s population is over one hundred and twenty six million spread across the four main islands.

The four main islands are:

Honshu, which is the main island.

Hokkaido, which is the northern island.

Kyushu, which is the southern island.

Shikoku, which is the smallest island.

The archipelago stretches a long way from north to south, which means that each region has a distinct climate.

Japan holidays are simple to arrange because it has a very well-developed tourist industry with tourists mostly visiting the cities of Tokyo and Kyoto on Honshu. Some also travel to the northern island of Hokkaido and the southern islands of Okinawa, Miyako, and Ishigaki.

The country is fairly easy to travel around and most of the major cities offer very efficient public transportation systems Most of the major cities are connected with each other by the famous ‘shinkansen’, the Japanese bullet train.

The country is highly urbanized, with around eighty percent of the population living in urban areas. Tokyo, the capital, is the largest city and some other well known cities are Yokohama, Osake, Nagoya, Sapporo,Kobe, Kyoto, Fukuoka, and Sendai. Each is worthy of a visit in its own right and has much to offer the tourist.

Like most modern countries much of the old has been lost here but there are still places where the traditional culture and buildings have been preserved. A good guide book will highlight them for you.

English is widely spoken and is often displayed in the main tourist areas because English is the one foreign language that is part of the country's education system.

Even if you don't understand the Japanese language it is always fun to learn a few phrases that will undoubtedly make the locals laugh at your pronunciation. It also helps creat a friendship.

So here are a few useful phrases.

Hai Yes

Iie No

Ohayou gozaimasu Good morning

Kon'nichiwa Good afternoon

Kon'banwa Good evening

Oyasumi nasai Good night

Sayounara Good-bye

Sumimasen Excuse me

Gomen nasai I am sorry

Wakarimasen I don't understand

Arigatou Thank you

Japan offers a very wide range of attractions, from historical and cultural treasures to modern and futuristic sights and beautiful forests, mountains and coastlines.

The country's natural beauty includes a coastline of 29,751 kilometers or 18,487 miles. The lowest point is Hachirô-gata at four meters below sea level and its highest poin is the magnificent Mount Fuji or Fujisan at three thousand seven hundred and seventy six meters.

The aray of different habitats is truly out standing from rolling plains to towering mountains. One of nature’s wonders is celebrated from March to April and that is the flowering of the Cherry trees. Open-air parties known as hanami or flower viewing are held under the blossoms

The traditional garden is designed to be a faithful representation of nature and to convey the simple and unspoiled tranquillity of nature. Examples of the three main styles of garden; Tsukiyama, Karesansui, and Chaniwa can be seen throughout the islands.

The country records in the region of fifteen hundred earthquakes every year and minor tremors take place on an almost daily basis throughout the country. This is not surprising as the country is home to ten percent of the world’s active volcanoes.

Japan has several world class skiing and snowboarding resorts and the best are found in Nagano and Hokkaido which have hosted the winter olympic games.

In addition to the many western style hotels and guesthouses there is the uniquely Japanese style accommodation known as ryokan. These are local inns that serve dinner in the evening of your arrival and breakfast the next morning. They pride themselves on traditional service and atmosphere. The rooms are generally traditional-style, with straw tatami mats on the floor. You sleep on futons, which are thin mattresses that are laid on the tatami mats for sleep and stored in a closet during the day.

The cuisine is one of the country’s greatest exports and there is a great variety of numerous local delicacies as well as sushi and tempura. You will be able to select from much more than just raw fish or batter-fried shrimp.

The traditional ‘sake’ rice wine which is brewed with rice and water since ancient times. Can be drunk warmed up or chilled and has a taste similar to good-quality wine.

I am sure that however long you stay in Japan you will love every minute of it.

Sayounara

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