Japan Travel Guide
The "Land of the Rising Sun" is a captivating destination where futuristic cities seamlessly blend with ancient traditions and sights. Exploring Japan is an exciting and enriching experience where you can uncover the country's beautiful landscapes, historical sights, fascinating culture and encounter 'omotenashi' - Japanese hospitality.
Japan is a sovereign island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies off the eastern coast of the Asian mainland. The country has a population of 127 million people and approximately 9.1 million people live in Tokyo, the capital of the country. The two major religions in Japan are Shintoism and Buddhism, both have influenced cultural values, especially the importance of social rituals, which can be seen in Japanese tea ceremonies and ikebana.
The modern and traditional blend is unique in Japan. Visit ancient temples and shrines, such as Kinkaku-ji and shrines Fushimi Inari in Kyoto, take the high speed bullet train, be captivated by the neon lights and skyscrapers in Tokyo or Osaka or enjoy the tranquillity of Nara Park and scenic beauty of Lake Ashi where on a clear day you can admire Mount Fuji.
We've outlined some general information that may be helpful to you when planning your next holiday to Japan.
Time Zone & Currency
The entire country is in the same time zone and is nine hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The currency in Japan is the yen.
Weather in Japan
Japan experiences four distinct seasons, mild in the Spring and famous for cherry blossoms, hot and humid summers, cooler Autumns and cold winters.
Reading For Your Trip To Japan
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
A Pale View of Hills by Kazou Ishiguro
Best time to go to Japan
March to May (Spring) and September to November (Autumn) are the best months to visit Japan as they are usually dry months with pleasant weather. Spring is the season of the famous cherry blossoms trees or 'Sakura' and in the Autumn you can experience 'Momiji-gari' and see the colourful foliage.
Top Tourist Attractions In Japan
10 interesting facts about Japan
A worldwide icon and symbol of Japanese culture, Geisha are traditional female entertainers who are skilled in Japanese art, music and dance. There used to be around 80,000 geisha in Japan, but today it's around 1,000 and they are mainly found in Kyoto.
Food and drink in Japan
Japanese cuisine is known worldwide and it is very rare that you will visit any major city in the world that doesn’t have a sushi restaurant or noodle bar. As popular as their food has become in the western world, the authenticity found in Japan will be something you won’t ever forget and we recommend trying something new as often as possible. Japanese food is extremely healthy, based heavily on rice, fish, vegetables and miso. Ramen, sushi, fried dumplings, tempura and noodles are all popular, but there are plenty of Western restaurants for those with a less adventurous palate! Saké, a Japanese rice wine, will be a fantastic complement to your meal.
Japan Travel Guide FAQs
Can you give a brief history of Japan?
Do I need a holiday visa for Japan?
Is Japan safe?
Is English widely spoken in Japan?
What’s the etiquette for tipping in Japan?
What should I pack for my trip to Japan?
What are the plug sockets in Japan?
Useful Links
- For up-to-date information regarding entry into Japan please see: www.dfa.ie
- Official Japan Tourism Board: japan.travel