A country of staggering contrasts — ancient temples and bullet trains, cherry blossom seasons and neon-lit megacities, serene ryokan inns and Michelin-starred ramen.
- Capital
- Tokyo
- Population
- 123,300,000
- Area
- 377,835 km²
- Languages
- Japanese
- Currency
- Japanese Yen (¥)
- GDP
- $4,186,431M
Good to know
Driving side
Left
National dish
Sushi, Japanese curry,Ramen
Annual visitors
4,115,800 (2020)
Safety
Very low (0.23/100k)
Big Mac
$3.03
Avg temp
11.8°C
Coast
Coastal
☎ Police 110 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 119
Travel guide
Japan, known as Nihon or Nippon (日本) in Japanese, is an island nation in East Asia. Its insular character has allowed it to develop a unique and very intricate culture, while its closeness to other ancient East Asian cultures, in particular China, has left lasting influence. Despite belonging to a nation long at war, Japan's people have always placed emphasis on inner balance, tranquility and natural beauty. These traditional values have become increasingly important now that Japan has grown to be one of the world's most densely-populated countries, and its legendary work ethic makes life in its cities quite hectic. Japan's sophisticated cuisine has spread to all corners of the world, but it is only in the country of its birth where you can appreciate its true form. Japanese pop culture is enormously popular around the world, especially anime, manga and video games, driving tourism to this country. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Japan enjoyed impressive economic growth, putting it among the world's most affluent nations today. This was mostly driven by rapid modernization and specialization in high technology. Japan is full of contrasts between the living tradition and much cherished heritage, and its ultra-modern infrastructure, buildings and facilities. While the Japanese are known to be reserved and their English language skills are not their strongest asset, they will go out of their way to make you feel a welcome visitor. Japanese retail businesses are also known for th
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Explore Japan
Best time to visit
Spring (March–May) for cherry blossoms and autumn (October–November) for foliage are peak seasons. Summer (June–August) is hot and humid with festivals. Winter is cold but ideal for skiing in Hokkaido.
Visa
Citizens of 68 countries including USA, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia receive a 90-day visa-free stay. Most other nationalities can apply for a tourist visa on arrival or in advance.
Highlights
Mount Fuji is with 3776 meters Japan's highest mountain. It is not surprising that the nearly perfectly shaped volcano has been worshiped as a sacred mountain and experienced big popularity among artists and common people throughout the centuries. Mount Fuji is an active volcano, which most recently erupted in 1707. It stands on the border between Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures and can be seen from Tokyo and Yokohama on clear days. Note however, that clouds and poor visibility often block the view of Mount Fuji, and you have to consider yourself lucky if you get a clear view of the mountain. Visibility tends to be better during the colder seasons of the year than in summer, and in the early morning and late evening hours than during the middle of the day. Although clouds frequently obscure the peak, you should be able to see it in the morning. The following locations offer some of the best views of Mount Fuji: Koyo-Dai, Chureito Pagoda, Route 134, Mt. Fuji Panorama Ropeway, and Izunokuni Panorama Park. If you want to enjoy Mount Fuji at a more leisurely pace and from a nice natural surrounding, you should head to the Fuji Five Lake (Fujigoko) region at the northern foot of the mountain, or to Hakone, a nearby hot spring resort. Mount Fuji is officially open for climbing during July and August via several routes.
Public holidays
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (30)
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Major cities
Tokyo
Tokyo is Japan's capital — a thrilling mix of ultramodern skyscrapers and ancient temples, world-class food, and electric nightlife.
Kyoto
Kyoto is Japan's ancient imperial capital, home to over 2,000 temples, shrines, and exquisite traditional Japanese gardens.
Osaka
Japan's kitchen, known for its street food obsession, merchant culture, Dotonbori nightlife, and universal accessibility.
Hiroshima
A city that transformed itself from tragedy to a powerful symbol of peace and reconciliation.
Nara
Japan's ancient capital where free-roaming deer share the streets with eighth-century Buddhist temples and shrines.
Fukuoka
Japan's most livable city, known for Hakata ramen, yatai street food stalls, and the gateway to Kyushu.
Sapporo
Hokkaido's capital, famous for its Snow Festival, ski resorts, bear park, and the freshest seafood in Japan.
Nagasaki
A city of profound historical weight — the atomic bomb, Dutch trading history, and one of Japan's most cosmopolitan cultures.
Kanazawa
Japan's arts city — Kenroku-en (one of Japan's three great gardens), the Higashi Chaya geisha district, and contemporary art.