JAPAN
Yokoso, welcome to Japan
From the primeval forests of the historical Nara region to the outrageous, cutting edge fashion display in Shibuya, totally wired by an electronic-mobile phone culture: this contrast of past and future is Japan! There are three dominant social-cultural themes characteristic of contemporary Japan you will notice as you travel around Japan: the revered, rich Cultural-Historic Japan, the Eco-Natural Living and Natural Heritage of Japan and the futuristic Digital (digi) Japan - they live in the 22nd century already :-)
TOKYO, the capital city of Japan, should be considered in the same tourist destination of world class international cities like Paris, London and New York. Tokyo is the financial, political and commerce heart of Japan. And the pace of the city is overwhelming! The city was historically referred to as Edo. The year, 2003, marks the 400th birthday of Tokyo ( formerly known as Edo).
Editors note: a fantastic PBS TV program called Japan Memoirs of a Secret Empire is highly recommend viewing. It is also the 400th anniversary of the Tokugawa Shogunate which established their home and the political capital of Japan in Edo (Tokyo) in 1603.
Map of the country of Japan
General Information for the Country of Japan
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Country: Area: Population: National Language: |
Japan (Nippon) Approx. 377,000 km2 Approx. 127,000.000 Japanese (Nihongo) See here for Japanese Language Help |
| Currency: |
Japanese Yen 1 USD = 83 Yen - 100 Yen (As of January, 2011) http://www.x-rates.com/d/JPY/table.html |
| Business Hours: National Holidays: Day light saving time: |
Bank: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Post office: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM See here for details None |
| Weather & Climate: | One-week Forecasts Daily Forecasts |
| Water: Tipping: |
Drinkable tap water is available throughout Japan Has No custom of tipping |
| Electricity: | Voltage: 100V http://item.rakuten.co.jp/arukikata/11900000/ Utility frequency: Osaka: 60Hz Tokyo: 50Hz |
| DVD: |
Standard: NTSC (National Television System Committee) Region code: 2 |
| Mailing Services: | Post Office hours from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Domestic Mail) 50 Yen for mailing a Postcard 80 Yen for a Letter (up to 25kg) (International Mail) International Mail see this web site. http://www.post.japanpost.jp/english/ |
| National TV Network: | NHK |
| Emergency Calls: |
Police 110 Fire 119 Ambulance 119 |
