Japan

Situated in East Asia along the western Pacific, Japan consists of four main islands — Honshū, Hokkaidō, Kyūshū, and Shikoku — bordered by the Sea of Japan to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. Tokyo serves as the capital and is among the world's most populous metropolitan areas. Japanese is the official language and the yen (JPY) the currency. Cultural identity is shaped by a distinct blend of Shinto and Buddhist traditions, a strong aesthetic philosophy, and one of the world's most developed economies.

Citizens of many countries — including most of Europe, North America, and Australia — can enter Japan visa-free for short stays, typically up to 90 days. Other nationalities may apply through Japan's eVisa system prior to travel. Requirements vary by passport, so consulting Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website before travel is advisable.

Mount Fuji, the symmetrical stratovolcano rising to 3,776 metres southwest of Tokyo, is Japan's most recognised landmark. Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Shrine features thousands of vermilion torii gates climbing a forested hillside. The ancient temples of Nara sit alongside a park where freely roaming sika deer have coexisted with residents for centuries. Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park and Museum occupy the site of the 1945 atomic bomb detonation. Tokyo's Shibuya Crossing is one of the world's busiest pedestrian intersections, and Osaka Castle offers a well-preserved example of feudal Japanese architecture.

Japan spans several climate zones. Tokyo and central Honshū experience a humid subtropical climate with summers reaching 30–35 °C and winters averaging 2–8 °C. Hokkaidō in the north has cool summers around 20–25 °C and cold, snowy winters that can drop below −10 °C. Spring (late March to early May) and autumn (October to November) are widely considered the most comfortable seasons. A summer rainy season, known as tsuyu, typically runs through June and early July; a light waterproof layer is practical during this period.

• Home to over 80,000 centenarians nationwide.
• Vending machines outnumber convenience stores tenfold.
• Japan has the world's oldest continuously operating hotel.
• Sumo wrestling has been practised for over 1,500 years.
• Tokyo holds more Michelin stars than any other city.

• japan.travel — Japan Tourism Agency's official visitor information portal
• mofa.go.jp — Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visa and entry requirements
• jma.go.jp — Japan Meteorological Agency, weather forecasts and climate data
• jrpass.com — Japan Rail official information for national rail travel passes