Japan is a country composed of almost 7,000 islands, although most people live on 5 islands - Honshu, Kyushu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Okinawa. Known for the large cities of Tokyo and Osaka, Mt Fuji, delicious sushi and ramen, anime, bullet trains, sumo wrestling, and thousands of temples and shrines, Japan really does have it all! Read below to learn more about the country.

The Basics:

• Languages: Japan is the official language, and spoken by nearly every citizen, although about 30% of people speak some level of English

• Currency: Japanese Yen, Click here to see the current exchange rate

• Timezone: Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)

• Visas: Tourists from most European and North American countries can visit Japan visa free for up to 90 days

• Driving side: Left

• Tipping: Not required, may be refused, and might even be considered rude

Places to Visit and Things to Do:

• Tokyo: With 40 million people, Tokyo is a part of the world’s most populous metropolitan region. Home to Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo Skytree, Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, cat cafes, and much more, there’s plenty to do in this city

• Kansai Region: Home to Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara, this region of Japan is the cultural center of Japan. Some of Japan’s most famous temples, shrines, and castles are located in this region, including Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Todai-ji, and Himeji Castle. Other notable attractions in the Kansai Region include feeding Nara’s deer, visiting the Iwatayama Monkey Park in Kyoto, and enjoying the food and lights of Dotonburi at night in Osaka

• Mt Fuji: View the famous mountain from nearby cities, or climb Mt Fuji overnight and enjoy a sunrise on top of Japan’s highest mountain

• Hiroshima: Known for the atomic bomb, Hiroshima is now a city of 1 million people, with several sites dedicated to the bombing, such as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Located nearby is the famous Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island

• Okinawa: Japan’s southernmost islands are known for their tropical beaches, snorkeling, and marine wildlife

Travel Tips:

• Buy a JR Pass to get unlimited use of the Shinkansen to get around Japan. Going up to 200 mph, the Japanese bullet trains connect all of Japan, and are a great way to save time while traveling across Japan. While the JR Pass is a significant cost, you end up saving money if you use it several times to travel around the country as compared to buying individual tickets

• Japan is known for their traditional-style Ryokans and futuristic pod hotels. Try to spend at least one night in each for a unique accommodation experience

• Always carry plenty of cash with you. While Japan is a first world country known for their modern technology, cash is the only accepted form of payment at many restaurants and stores

• Do unique things! Whether it’s through watching a sumo wrestling tournament, soaking in an Onsen, or spending a day wearing a kimono, there are plenty of things in Japan which aren’t commonly found elsewhere around the world