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Japan
is the subject of more gullible and misguided musings than
perhaps any other place in the world: the best way to approach
it is to discard your preconceptions. Somewhere between the
elegant formality of Japanese manners and the candid, sometimes
boisterous exchanges that take place over a few drinks, between
the sanitised shopping malls and the unexpected rural festivals,
everyone finds their own vision of Japan. Whether you end
up taking photos of a reproduction Eiffel Tower, surfing an
indoor wave, shacking up in a converted love hotel or kipping
down in a capsule, you'll do best to come with an open mind
and be prepared to be surprised.
Full
country name: Japan (Nihon)
Area: 377,835 sq km (147,356 sq mi)
Population: 126.9 million
Capital city: Tokyo (pop 12 million)
People: Japanese (including indigenous Ainu & Okinawans),
Korean
Language: Japanese
Religion: Shinto, Buddhist, Christian
Government: Constitutional monarchy
Head of State: Emperor Akihito
Prime Minister: Junichiro Koizumi
GDP: US$3.15 trillion
GDP per head: US$24,900
Annual growth: 1.3%
Inflation: -0.7%
Major industries: High-tech electronic products, motor vehicles,
office machinery, chemicals, steel, textiles, processed foods
Major trading partners: USA, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea,
Germany, China
"Japan
is situated in northeastern Asia between the North Pacific
and the Sea of Japan. The area of Japan is 377,873 square
kilometers, nearly equivalent to Germany and Switzerland combined
or slightly smaller than California. Japan consists of four
major islands, surrounded by more than 4,000 smaller islands.
Every region in Japan celebrates its own festivals and events
in response to the transition of the four seasons. Called
matsuri, festivals can be found almost everyday somewhere
in Japan. Many festivals have their origin in Shinto and Buddhism,
while other events, such as snow festivals and fireworks displays,
are wonderfully staged for the local populace and visitors
alike. Or relax in one of the thousands of hot springs right
across the country. At some 1,800 of these hot spring areas,
a large number of special hot spring resorts have sprung up
over the 2,000 years or so that the Japanese have being enjoying
a good, hot bath. Japan's hot spring resorts, known as onsens
in Japanese, are among its most enjoyable destinations for
visitors, and offer a mind-boggling array of variations on
the seemingly simple act of soaking in hot mineral waters.
And of course shopping you can find a wide range of products
in hotel arcades, shopping centers, department stores, and
specialty shops at duty-free prices. Supermarkets and bargain
markets are among other recommendable places to explore. "
Japan
Flight from UK
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