Japan - The Facts

Size: 234,010 square miles (606,083sq km)
Capital: Tokyo
Language: Japanese
Currency: Yen
Weather: This long archipelago has considerable variations in climate. Okinawa in the south is subtropical, Hokkaido in the north has long, cold winters with lots of snow.

Japan - Attractions

Tokyo

The capital, a busy commercial centre that never sleeps is a place of vivid contrasts. Buddhist shrines and skyscrapers, love hotels and ryokan, kimono and designer chic, shrines and hostess clubs are all packed in. The business districts is west of the central Ginza shopping precinct, the residential neighbourhoods to the east. Asakusa, once the 'pleasure district' is one of the few places that retains the atmosphere of an older Tokyo. The famous Senso-ji Temple is here and it’s an interesting place to wander round.

Shinjuku is present-day Tokyo's entertainment district. Shibuya is the place for love hotels. These are often themed buildings with fantasy rooms you can rent for a few hours or for the night. Lack of space and privacy in Japanese homes means they're often used by married couples to get away from it all.

As well as the usual museums explaining Japanese life and history, Tokyo has the Button Museum, going dating back to 4000 BC, a Kite Museum, a Cigarette Lighter Museum and a Drum Museum where you can try out drums from around the world.

Kyoto

This was once Japan's capital and is one of the best old cities. Its Buddhist temples, exquisite imperial palaces, wooden houses, traditional Japanese inns and restaurants make it a fascinating place to explore.

National Parks

Japan has 28 national parks and they preserve a variety of landscapes from industrialisation. Those within easy reach of Tokyo include Fuji-Hakone-Izu which is home to the famous Mount Fuji, climbed by 400,000 people each year. The Park has numerous hot springs, lakes and historic attractions. The Japan Alps National Park was the site of the 1998 Winter Olympics and is good for hiking as well as skiing. Nikko is centred around the Toshogu Shrine and famous for its lakes waterfalls and cedar forests. These are particularly spectacular in the autumn. There's cross country skiing here in the winter.

Hokkaido

Japan's second largest island is sparsely populated and has five national parks. Daisetsuzan, the largest and one of the most beautiful gets very busy in the summer. Famous for its volcanoes, fir and birch forests and the Sounkyo Gorge, it has superb hiking, cycling and skiing. Neighbouring Shikotsu-Toya is a place of hot-spring resorts such as Toyako Spa.

Kyushu

The third largest island has Fukuoka as its main city, a place famed for its vibrant nightlife. One of the main tourist attractions on the island is Nagasaki with its A?Bomb museum. The volcano Mount Aso has great hiking around it; Unzen?Amakusa and Kirishima National Parks have mountains to climb and hot springs to relax in. in.

Shikoku

This is the smallest and least visited of the main islands, a relaxed, tranquil place with lovely scenery, splendid castles, beautiful gardens and hot springs. It's one of the best places to see traditional Japanese life.

Japan - Activities

Cycling

A great way to see the rural parts of Japan, cycle touring is a favourite summer activity. Scenic rides include Sounkyo Gorge in Daisetsuzan National Park and Lake Toya in Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Hokkaido has a network of cheap accommodation for cyclists. Bikes can be hired from railway stations in most towns.

Hiking

This is popular with the Japanese so it doesn't always provide an escape from the crowds. The national parks have well marked trails, mountain huts and camp grounds. It's easy to reach many of the parks by public transport from Tokyo. Expect mountains, dramatic volcanic scenery, hot springs, waterfalls and gorges.

Skiing

There are several resorts within two hours of Tokyo. Shiga Kogen in Nagano was used for some Olympic events. The best skiing is on Hokkaido in the north, where popular resorts are Furano and Niseko. All the resorts can get crowded at weekends and during holiday periods.

Sleeping

Spend a night in a ryokan. These traditional inns give a glimpse of old Japan with their futons, tatami floors, sliding paper doors and views of perfect Japanese gardens.

Martial Arts

The Tourist Information Centre in Tokyo has a list of dojo - practice halls which admit visitors. They also have details of early morning Sumo practice sessions you can watch.

Cormorant Fishing

On the rivers, boats decorated with paper lanterns take tourists to watch the local fishermen using cormorants rather than nets. The birds wear tight collars to prevent them swallowing their catch.

Kabuki

This traditional form of Japanese theatre with spectacular costumes is a fascinating experience. Many theatres provide English explanations or translations.

Japan - Entertainment

Every city in Japan has a nightlife district but the most notorious is Tokyo’s Shinjuku, which offers everything. Just strolling through is an experience. The Roppongi district attracts more of an international crowd as the names of its numerous bars and clubs show. Popular haunts include The Dubliners, Gas Panic, Geronimo and Bar Isn't It?

The distinction between restaurants, bars and clubs can be hazy, many offer a range of entertainment. Authentic Japanese bars, nomiya, are all male preserves. More accessible to westerners are the izakaya, Japanese pubs which sell beer, sake and all sorts of food. If you want to experience an original Karaoke Bar, there's no shortage. Live music is performed in several 'live houses', well known ones in Tokyo include Loft, Crocodile and Club Quattro. Blue Note and the Pit Inn are renowned for their jazz and attract international artists.

Hanami, or blossom viewing brings people into the parks to stroll, picnic and celebrate between February to April. It's been a Japanese custom since the 7th century.

Kyoto has three spectacular festivals or matsuri; Aoi in May, Gion in July and Jidai in October. All attract huge crowds.

Hanabi Taikai in July and August are firework displays on rivers throughout the country. Tokyo's Sumida-gawa is one of the most spectacular and includes a competition between rival firework companies resulting in one of the best displays you'll ever see. Watch it from the river or from Asakusa's Sumida Park.

The Mount Tsukuba Toad Festival in August honours the millions of toads made into toad grease which is used on cuts and wounds. It was traditionally believed to provide protection against spears and swords.

The Sapporo Snow Festival on Hokkaido takes place every February and is famous for its snow sculptures and ice carvings.

O Bon, the Festival of the Dead in July and August, is a time when many Japanese return to their home towns and villages. Lanterns are floated on rivers, lakes or the sea to depict the dead returning to the underworld.