"JAPAN" Japan by kiwigal_1

Japan Travel Guide: 22,704 reviews and 48,192 photos

Working Holiday

I was lucky enough to live and work in Kitakyushu, Japan for two years so I have seen a lot of what the country has to offer. I have first hand knowledge of the Japanese culture. After a four month break I came back to Japan to teach English in a small school in Nagano City where I was living for over a year. In May 2002 I left Japan for the time being but maybe one day I will return to see all the wonderful people I have met during my time here.

General Information

Japanese Macaques in Nagano

Japan is an archipelago extending in an arc more than 2,790 kilometers (1,744 miles) from northeast to southwest in the Pacific, Japan is separated from the east coast of Asia by the Sea of Japan...Japan's four main islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku...The Ryukyu chain to the southwest was U.S.-occupied from 1945 to 1972, when it reverted to Japanese control, and the Kurils to the northeast are Russian-occupied...The surface of the main islands consists largely of mountains separated by narrow valleys.

Located within a geologically active region, Japan sustains approximately 1,000 earthquakes per year, although most are minor...Offshore earthquakes can produce tsunamis, massive ocean waves that can wreak destruction along the Pacific shore...Several of Japan's mountains are active volcanoes (The Learning Network Inc., 2001).

Official Name: Japan (national name is Nippon)
Population: 126,771,000
Area: 377,765 sq. km
Capital (population): Tokyo (34,750,000 in metropolitan area)
Major Cities: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Yokohama, Nagoya, Sapporo
Language(s): Japanese
Monetary Unit: Yen

Useful Japanese Websites

The Japan Times - An English Language Newspaper in Japan

Japan National Tourist Organisation

Japanese Embassy in the USA

Japan Sumo Association

Jobs in Japan website

Guide to Ski locations across Japan

Japan Visa Information

Pros and Cons

Pros:Excellent transportation systems, food is devine and most are people wonderful
Cons:Being labelled a "gaijin" (foreigner) made life difficult at times
In a nutshell:Japan is an interesting mix of both traditional and modern

Last visit to Japan: May 2002
Intro Updated May 2, 2005
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Reviews (36)

BEING A GAIJIN (FOREIGNER) IN JAPAN Warnings Or Dangers (2)

Not so much a danger but a warning to foreigners travelling in some of the smaller towns in Japan. Towns like Naoetsu... more travel advice

FIRST YEAR AT SCHOOL Local Customs (5)

The Japanese start school at the age of 6. When they go to school in their first year they wear a little yellow hat... more travel advice

NIIGATA Things to Do (14)

Niigata is a city located in northern Japan. It is very cold in winter and has some of the heaviest snowfalls in Japan.... more travel advice

NAGANO Things to Do (14)

Nagano is a one of the largest Prefectures in Japan. It is located to the east of Tokyo and is connected by Shinkansen.... more travel advice

Favorites (6)
See All MOUNTAIN CLIMBING
Transportation (3)
See All BY SHINKANSEN
Restaurants (1)
FUGU - Japanese Blowfish

Off The Beaten Path (2)
See All JIGOKUDANI PARK
Hotels (2)
See All HOTELS IN JAPAN
What to Pack (1)
MY PACKING EXPERIENCES

Travelogues (1)

Written Mar 31, 2004

2 photos

Kanji

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Comments (134)

Marisola Aug 1, 2010 at 1:30 PM Report Abuse

Today is the 11th Anniversary of My Climb to the Summit of Mt. Fuji. What a Wonderful Day! I love and miss Japan, too - Especially today!
Toshioohsako Nov 24, 2009 at 5:39 AM Report Abuse

Hello, luck monkeys in hot spring! Its funny.
nepalgoods Apr 25, 2009 at 1:21 AM Report Abuse

Very interesting! Nice pics of the monkeys!
desert_princess Feb 22, 2009 at 1:17 PM Report Abuse

"in spring with Cherry Blossoms" is the picture that pops in my mind when I hear "Japan". I will probably never get there , but thanx for telling us about that marvelous land .I can at least dream of it...
DaveyJones Nov 8, 2006 at 8:19 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for the tips! I enjoyed your pages and it will be useful when I go to Japan next year. Thanks!!
terps94 Apr 30, 2005 at 8:41 PM Report Abuse

awesome pages!! I really have to hit mainland japan and explore it more...dewa matta
FelixB Feb 5, 2005 at 1:40 AM Report Abuse

Hi. Cool pages! I am going next month until the beginning of April. How's the weather in Nagano and especially Matsumoto? Still lots of snow?
urban4est Nov 15, 2004 at 5:01 PM Report Abuse

Dried Fugu is also available. I think it is over rated especially at the price. The attraction is that, while remote, the fish has poison glands and you could die eating it. This makes it exotic in Japan. Nice pages.
jamiesno Nov 15, 2004 at 4:49 PM Report Abuse

Japan looks very cool. Can you get by with just English there? The monkey picture is neat too! Cheers from Labrador, Canada! Hitting that toilet would be impossible after pub crawling, I know! LOL, hehehehe.
elcbw Jul 29, 2004 at 9:24 PM Report Abuse

I enjoyed reading your Japan pages very much. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.