Form of government: constitutional monarchy with parliamentary
Capital: Tokyo
Population: 126,048,450
Official language: Japanese
Money: Japanese yen
Area: 377,835 square kilometers
Main mountain ranges: Japanese Alps
Main rivers: Biwa, Inawashiro, Kasumigaura
Time zone: +8h compared to Italy; +7h when daylight saving time is in effect in Italy.
Religions: The religion is predominantly Buddhist and Shintoist and in a very small percentage Christian.
Credit cards: Major credit cards are accepted, while debit cards may not be usable. It is advisable to contact your bank before leaving to avoid unpleasant inconveniences. As of April 19, 2013, it is impossible to use cards belonging to the “Maestro” circuit to withdraw cash from automatic teller machines (ATMs). Although payment by credit card at authorized stores is regularly guaranteed, it is still recommended to bring a suitable amount of cash to change on site or to leave with cash that you can change at your bank. In many small shops, restaurants and street food outlets, it is necessary to pay in cash.
Electricity: In Japan, the electric current is alternating at 100 Volts, but there are two types of frequency, 50 Hertz in the eastern part of the country and 60 in the west. In the main hotels in Tokyo and other large cities there are flat 110 and 220 Volt sockets, even if these generally only accept two-pin plugs. The main hotels are equipped with hairdryers and other electrical appliances that comply with the country's standards. However, we recommend that you get an adapter for Japanese plugs before leaving.
Passport: required, valid (as well as any visa applied to it). When entering the country, you must also have a return flight ticket.
Telephones: Latest generation Italian cell phones work normally or alternatively in Japan you can use the Italian SIM card by renting a local cell phone device upon arrival in the country in one of the mobile phone shops in the main airports. WiFi is available in almost all hotels. If you want to stay connected even when traveling, you can rent pocket wifi by requesting it before your arrival and having it delivered to your first accommodation in Japan.
Entry visa: Italian citizens can travel to Japan without a visa for tourism purposes and for a maximum of 90 days of stay. In order to prevent terrorist acts, a new law was introduced on November 20, 2007 that regulates the procedure for entering Japan. After the passport is presented, the immigration officer explains the procedure: the person applying for entry will be asked to place the index fingers of both hands on a fingerprint scanner. The fingerprints will be read and recorded by an electromagnetic system. A camera placed above the fingerprint scanner will then take a photograph of the face. The immigration officer will then conduct a short interview and the person applying for entry to Japan will be given their passport back. This procedure applies to all foreign visitors over the age of 16.
Japan is an archipelago, or a series of islands, at the eastern end of Asia. There are four main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. There are also nearly 4,000 smaller islands. Japan's closest neighbors to the mainland are Russia's Siberian region to the north, and Korea and China to the south. Nearly four-fifths of Japan is covered in mountains. The Japanese Alps run down the center of the largest island, Honshu. Japan's highest peak and most famous mountain is Mount Fuji, a cone-shaped volcano that many Japanese consider sacred. Japan can be a dangerous place. Three of the tectonic plates that make up the Earth's crust meet nearby and often move against each other, causing earthquakes. More than a thousand earthquakes hit Japan each year. Japan also has about 200 volcanoes, 60 of which are still active.
The Japanese have a deep affection for the beauty of the landscape. The ancient Shinto religion holds that natural features such as mountains, waterfalls, and forests have their own spirit or soul. Japan is home to some amazing wildlife! Some of the country's most incredible creatures
People first arrived in Japan about 30,000 years ago. At that time, the main islands were connected to Siberia and Korea by land bridges, allowing people to cross on foot. The first society, called the Jomon culture, arose about 12,000 years ago. Around the same time, the Ainu arrived by boat from Siberia. The Jomon and Ainu survived for thousands of years by hunting, fishing, and gathering plants. In 300 BC, the Yayoi people arrived on the island of Honshu from Korea and China. The Yayoi were skilled weavers, toolmakers, and farmers, and were the first people in Japan to grow rice in flooded rice paddies. In 660 BC, Japan's first emperor, Jimmu Tenno, came to power. For many years afterward, Japan was ruled by a series of emperors, until the 12th century AD. when military rulers, called shoguns, took control by force. Europeans first arrived in Japan in 1543, bringing with them a range of new technologies and cultural practices, including the Christian religion. But in 1635, the ruling shogun closed Japan to foreigners and banned Japanese from traveling abroad, beginning a state of isolation that would last more than 200 years. In 1868, the shoguns were overthrown and the emperors returned. This was a time of great change and modernization for Japan. During World War I (1914–1917), Japan fought alongside the Allies (Britain, France, Belgium, Russia, and the United States). But in World War II, Japanese military leaders sided with the Axis Powers, joining forces with Germany and Italy.
The Japanese are known for their willingness to work very hard. Children are taught to show respect to others, especially their parents and bosses. They learn to do what is best for their family or business and worry less about their own needs. Japanese cuisine consists of a lot of rice, fish, and vegetables. With little fat and lots of vitamins and minerals, their food is very healthy. Their nutritious diet is believed to be what makes the Japanese, on average, one of the longest-living populations in the world!
Japan is the only country in the world with a reigning emperor. Emperors do not have real power, but they are still respected as a symbol of the country's traditions and unity. World War II devastated the Japanese economy, but the hard work of the Japanese people and smart innovation turned things around. Today, Japan has the third largest economy in the world. The country's high-tech industry produces some of the world's most popular electronic products and vehicles.
