Japan

LAND JOURNEYS

Highlights of South Korea & Japan

From$4,968

10 days – 9 nights

Highlight Japan

Tokyo – Hakone – Kyoto (6 days / 5 nights)

Japan Cultural Immersion

Tokyo – Takayama – Kanazawa – Kyoto – Osaka (12 days / 11 nights)

Overview

Japan is a fascinating country of economic and business prowess, with a rich culture and a people who have a deep affection for the beauty of nature. Their ancient Shinto religion says natural features like mountains, waterfalls, and forests have their own spirits, like souls. Japan is an archipelago of about 6852 islands on the eastern edge of Asia. Almost four-fifths of Japan is covered with mountains and countryside. There are four main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu making up 97% of Japan’s total land area. Honshu is home to Tokyo, the world’s largest metropolitan area with a population of 32.5 million and also many of Japan’s largest cities. The Japanese Alps run down the center of the largest island, Honshu. The highest peak is Mount Fuji, a cone-shaped volcano considered sacred by many Japanese.

Traditional Japanese society and culture stress the value of harmony and social conformity. The society is strikingly homogenous with ethnic Japanese accounting for 98.5 percent of the country’s population. Japan is also the only country in the world with a reigning emperor.

A country made of such amazing natural wonders also offers the visitor many enchanting festivals and events, temples and castles, hot springs, beaches, and outdoor activities. Whether you are an art lover, a nature enthusiast, a history buff, a foodie or just looking to relax on a beach, the possibilities in Japan are endless.

Language

Japan’s official language is Japanese, but English is generally understood in major cities and designated tourist sites. Japanese cannot be easily related to a single family of languages but is believed to be in the Altaic family which includes Turkish, Mongolian, and Korean. The sound pattern for most syllables ends in a vowel and unlike English which has a stress accent, Japanese has a falling pitch accent. Most people speak what is called the “common” dialect of Tokyo as well as the dialects from their own area.

Religion

Shinto and Buddhism are Japan’s two major religions. Shintoism is Japan’s polytheistic indigenous spirituality. The focus of Shintoism is on keeping evil spirits away. It is more of a moral code than religion with no religious text or set doctrine. Shintoism is generally associated with the most important life ceremonies such as the rites of passage to adulthood or the birth of a child. Buddhism was imported from the mainland in the 6th century and has set rules and doctrine and more concerned with the soul and afterlife. They coexist successfully together, and most Japanese are both Shinto and Buddhist.

Public Holidays

Among the most important holidays in Japan is Shogatsu, the Japanese New Year celebration. It is an extremely important holiday and stretches out days before and after January 01. Between March and May, the Hanami (Cherry Blossom Festival) is a major event celebrated nationwide with tea ceremonies, flower viewing, traditional dances, and pageants. Golden Week from the end of April to May 06 is one of the most important holiday periods in Japan consisting of four holidays combined in one week. Most offices close during this period for vacation. Obon is a Buddhist 3-day celebration when many return to their ancestral homes to honor their ancestors. Obon is the most widely observed of Japanese summer festivals and can vary from region to region but is celebrated in mid-August and based on the lunar calendar. The Emperor’s Birthday is a patriotic occasion in Japan and is one of only two days each year when the inner grounds of the Imperial Palace are open to the public, December 23.

Dress Code

The traditional dress of Japan is the kimono (meaning thing worn), generally made of silk and tied with a wide belt called an obi for both men and women. They are now worn mostly on special occasions such as weddings, graduations, etc. Japan is a conservative country and modest dress is important when visiting temples and shrines. It is essential to remove your shoes when entering temples and slippers are usually provided at the entrance. Japan can be more formal, so jeans and shorts are not allowed at more expensive restaurants. Women should wear skirts or dresses and men should wear a jacket.

People

The Japanese people are ethnically closely related to the other ethnic groups of eastern Asia.Japanese regard themselves as belonging to a single ethnic group. A few exceptions include those classified as resident alien Koreans and the indigenous Ainu on Hokkaido Island and, to a much lesser degree, those of Okinawan origin. Japan also has a small population of Chinese descent.

Cuisine

The preparation and presentation of Japanese cuisine reflect the traditional emphasis on form, color, and texture. Japan’s huge dependence on fish and seafood is famous. Less well known is the fact that Japan has many indigenous vegetables, edible roots, grasses, and even flowers that are simply not found elsewhere. Traditional Japanese cuisine called Washoku is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. This cuisine consists of a bowl of rice prepared with several side dishes. It is vital that all of the dishes fit well with one another as a whole and create a perfect balance of flavors. Originating in the 15th century, other important food ingredients include products made from soybeans such as soy sauce, miso, and tofu. Also, popular today are Chinese-style ramen restaurants and food stalls. Most large cities have considerable numbers of foreign-food restaurants serving French, Italian, Indian, Chinese, Korean, and other cuisines. Tokyo has an almost unlimited selection of the world’s available foods. Unlike Japanese restaurants abroad, restaurants in Japan generally specialize in a single type of cooking such as sushi, tempura, shabushabu, and sukiyaki, etc.

Climate

The weather in Japan can vary wildly depending on the area. Spring is generally from March to May in Japan and a great time to explore the cities and countryside. The rainy season usually begins in late May and early June and continues through July. Summer in Japan can be intensely humid and hot. Between June and August, the beaches are packed, but the mountains offer respite from the stifling hot weather. The normally pleasant weather of Fall occurs from September to November. The peak season for viewing the changing colors of leaves starts in the north and continues to the south between October and late November.

Winter from December to February brings different conditions between the Pacific side and the Sea of Japan side. The Sea of Japan has very cold winters with heavy snow in mountainous areas. Western Japan has moderately cold winters and Okinawa has a subtropical oceanic climate.

Currency

The Japanese yen is used throughout the country and foreign currency can be changed at the airports and at most major banks and some hotels. Although Japan is a cash-centric country, credit cards are usually accepted in most shops, restaurants, and taxis in major cities. However, it is important to carry cash for smaller shops and restaurants and for time spent in smaller towns and rural areas. Many ATMs do not accept cards issued outside of Japan with the exception of ATMs which can be found at post offices and 7-11 stores throughout the country. Bills come in 1,000-yen, 2,000-yen (very rare), 5,000-yen and 10,000-yen denominations. Coins come in 1 yen, 5-yen, 10-yen, 50-yen, 100- yen, and 500.