Japan - 日本

Official Sites of Japan



Japan's National Diet Building in NagatachōTokyo. The building is the meeting place of both houses of the national parliament of Japanthe country's bicameral legislature.
Image: Wiiii


Political system
Japan is a constitutional monarchybut the power of the Emperor (Tennō) is limited.
According to the constitution of 1947Japan is a parliamentary democracy.
The ceremonial head of state is the emperor; he appoints the Prime Ministerthe head of the government of Japan.
The legislature consists of a two-chamber parliament (National Diet). The Shugiinthe House of Representatives is the lower housewhich is re-elected every four years. The Sangiin (the House of Councilors) is the upper house of the National Dietits members all serve six-year terms.

Official Sites of Japan

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 The Imperial Household Agency
Official website of the Imperial Household Agency. Introduction to the official duties and various public activities of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empressand other members of the Imperial Family.


Kantei of the Prime Minister
Official website of the Prime Minister of Japan and his Cabinet. The website offers information about the Prime Minister's schedulepress conferencesand major policies.



Japan's National Diet (国会 Kokkai)
Japan's bicameral legislature is composed of two houses:

Shugiin
Official website of the Japanese House of Representatives; the lower house of Japan's National Diet. The website provides legislative informationinformation about members of the Houseand other relevant information. (English version of the Shugiin)

Sangiin
The House of Councillors is the upper house of Japan's legislature. The website provides information about the House of Councillorsupcoming legislationcommittee meetingsand other events.


Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Diplomatic Missions
Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations
Japan's representation to the UN. The mission works to represent the Japanese government at the United Nations.

Embassy of Japan
Official website of the Embassy of Japan to the United States of AmericaWashington D.C. The website provides information about the embassy's services and events and details safety and security information for those traveling to the United States.

Japan Embassies and Consulates Abroad
Websites of Japan Embassies and Consulates around the world.

Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Japan
EmbassiesConsulates and International Organizations in Japan.


Statistics
Statistics Bureau & Statistics Center
Japan in figures.

 

Maps of Japan



Political Map of Japan (click map to enlarge)
Image: © nationsonline.org

Maps

Map of Japan
Political Map of Japan.
Google Earth Map Japan
Searchable satellite view and map of Japan.
Google Earth Map Tokyo
Searchable satellite view and map of Tokyo.

Searchable maps/satellite views of the cities of:
Fukuoka Fukushima Kobe Kyoto Nagoya Osaka Sapporo Sendai Yokohama

Reference Map of Asia
Political Map of Asia.
 

News from Japan



Media In Japan

While the use of online media and social platforms is ubiquitousthe printed press still has a very high readership and is highly trusted.
Japan generally respects the principles of media pluralism. But journalists have a hard time fully fulfilling their role as guardians of democracy due to the influence of tradition and business interests.

Online News from Japan

Japan's five national newspapers

Asahi Shimbun
Asahi Shimbun is a heavyweight in the Japanese media world; it is one of Japan's five leading national daily newspapers. Founded in 1879; it is among oldest and most respected newspapers in the country. Asahi Shimbun offers in-depth coverage of everything from politics and social issues to sports and entertainment. They're known for their investigative journalism and progressive views.

Mainichi Daily News (English version)
National newspaper with Japanese and international news. The website also features editorial content and social media feeds.

Nikkei Shimbun
'Japan Economics Newspaper,' the world's largest financial newspaper.
Nikkei also publishes the Nikkei Asian Reviewan English-language business journal.

Sankei Shimbun
Daily Japanese newspaper. It also publishes Japan Forward, an English-language news and opinion website.

Yomiuri Shimbun
One of Japan's five national newspapers.
The Yomiuri Shimbun English edition (The Japan News)


Other Japanese newspapers
Japan Times
English-language daily newspaperbased in MinatoTokyo. It is the oldest continuously published English-language newspaper in Japan. The newspaper covers a variety of topics including politicsbusinesssocietycultureand sports.

Japan Today
A leading source of Japan News in English. Japan Today is a news organization that publishes articles on various topics including national news businesstechnologysportsentertainmentand life.

News on Japan
Summary of Japan-related news from various sources.


News agencies
Kyodo News
Kyodo News was founded in November 1945; it is one of the leading news agencies in Japan and offers news services in various languages.


TV
NHK World-Japan
State-owned international broadcaster.  
News 7


International News sources
Japan - The Guardian
UK's The Guardian with Japan-related news.

Japan | Reuters.com
Japan news by Reutersan international news organization based in the UK.


 

Arts & Culture of Japan



The Pond Gardenone of the six traditional Japanese gardens at the Adachi Museum of Art in YasugiShimane Prefecture. The museum also houses a collection of modern Japanese art.
Image: Adachi Museum

Arts & Culture

The Japan Foundation
Organization for international cultural exchange in Japan.

Japanese cuisines
There's more than just sushi.

Japanese Food
This page provides an overview of Japanese cuisinehighlighting the variety of dishesregional specialtiesand dining etiquette. It's a good resource for travelers wanting to learn more about what to expect when eating in Japan.

MeijiShowa
Vintage Images of Japan. The agency licenses old photographsillustrationsand maps of Japan for editorialadvertisingand special projects. The images depict everyday life in Japan during the MeijiTaisho and early Showa periods (1860s-1930s).

Kyoko Date
Page about the first virtual cybergirl.

Tokyo Girls' Update
The magazine propagates the "in" things for Japanese gyarus (gals). The website provides news and information about the latest trends in fashionmusicand life for this specific demographic.

Japan's Most Influential Fashion Brands
Article explores both established and up-and-coming Japanese fashion brandsoffering a glimpse into the diverse and innovative world of Japanese fashion.

 Shift
This Japan-based online magazine delves into the world of creative culture showcasing artdesigntechnologyand other creative endeavors with a global perspective.

Tokyo Fashion
The website is dedicated to Tokyo fashion potentially featuring street designer collectionsand fashion events happening in the city.

Virtual Japan
Pink colored page about everything Japan.

Museums

Art Museums
National Museum of Modern Art Kyoto - MOMAK
The National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto was established in 1963. The Collection Gallery exhibits selected works of nihonga (Japanese- painting)and yōga (Western- painting).

National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo
The National Museum of Modern ArtTokyo (MOMAT)consists of the main building and the Crafts Gallery in Kitanomaru Park near the Imperial Palaceand the National Film Center in Kyobashi near Ginza.

Mori Art Museum - MAM
A contemporary art museum in Roppongi HillsTokyo.


Other Museums
Kyoto National Museum
The Kyoto National Museum was established as a National institution for the collection and preservation of cultural properties.

Minpaku
The National Museum of Ethnology in Osaka is one of the major museums in Japan.

Osaka Museum of Natural History
The museum shows more than 10,000 items of speciesincluding a variety of animalsplantsinsects; it also maintains a flowergreeneryand nature information center.

Tokyo National Museum
The museum collectshousesand displays a comprehensive collection of artworks and antiquities from Japan as well as from other Asian countries.


Music
J-pop
The Wikipedia article on the phenomenon of Japanese pop music provides a comprehensive overview of the historycharacteristics and subgenres of J-pop. It also lists influential artists and trends within the genre.

Billboard
This website is the Japanese version of the popular music chart Billboard. It displays the top 100 songs in Japan based on various factors like sales and streaming activity.

Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO or Human Audio Sponge)
Yellow Magic Orchestra was a Japanese electronic music band formed in Tokyo in 1978 by Haruomi HosonoYukihiro Takahashi and Ryuichi Sakamoto.


Otaku
Animage
Japanese anime and entertainment magazine.

Anime-Planet
All things anime and manga.

Cosplay
Wikipedia article about cosplaya performance art where people dress up as characters from media such as animecartoonscomic booksand video games. The first documented instance of cosplay was in 1978 at a fan event in Japan.

HANAMARU CyberManga
The first Manga magazine in the world on the web.

Japanese in Anime & Manga
E-learning site that offers a fun way to learn a number of character/genre-based Japanese expressions that appear in anime and manga.

Manga Rock
The online Manga Reader features different manga artists and genres. Some of the artists are Yumi UnitaYumi Tamuraand Yuki Yoshihara. The site also offers various genres such as shoujoromance and fantasy.


Artificial Pets
Tamagotchi
The Tamagotchi is an egg-shaped digital pet mini computer and one of the biggest toy fads of the 1990s. As of June 2023over 91 million units have been sold worldwide. In 2023the keychain pet made a comeback at the Tokyo Toy Fair as Tamagotchi Uni.

AIBO
Beagle-like robotic pets designed and manufactured by Sony. The production of the AIBO is now discontinuedyou can not buy any new ones.

Hello Kitty
Hello Kittyalso known as Kitty White (Kiti Howaito)is a gijinkaa comic character of a Japanese Bobtail cat. It is the most famous character created by Sanrioa Japanese entertainment company.

Pokémon (Official Japanese website)
Short for Pocket Monstersthe fictional creatures called "Pokémons," which humansknown as Pokémon Trainerscatch and train to battle each other for sport.


Gaming

Video gaming in Japan
Video gaming in Japan is a major industry. Wikipedia article about Game Boy and co.


Sports

Olympics
Tokyo 2020
Official website of the 2020 Summer Olympicswhich took place in Tokyo from FridayJuly 24 to SundayAugust 92020. The 2020 Summer Olympicsoriginally scheduled for 2020the games were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the first time in Olympic history that the Games were rescheduled rather than canceled.

Martial Arts
Aikido
Aikikai is the original school of Aikidoa modern Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba.

Judo (All Japan Judo Federation)
The Japanese martial artthe 'gentle way,' was created in 1882 by Japanese educator and athlete Kanō Jigorō.

Jujutsu (Jiu-Jitsu Global Federation)
Jiu-Jitsu Global Federation represents Jiu-Jitsua Japanese martial art known for using an attacker's own energy against them.

Japan Karate Association
The Japan Karate Association website provides information on Karatea martial art originating from the Ryukyu Kingdom (modern-day Okinawa).

Kendo
The Art of the Sword. The All Japan Kendo Federation website offers information on Kendowhich translates to "the way of the sword." Kendo is a Japanese martial art that practices swordsmanship using bamboo swords (shinai).

Ogasawara-Ryu
The Ogasawara-ryū is a school of etiquettearcheryand mounted archery that views etiquette as the building block of its techniques.

Sumo
Sumo is a form of competitive full contact wrestling that originated in Japan. Sumo wrestlers (rikishi) aim to force their opponent out of the ring or make them touch the ground with any part of their body other than their feet.



An illuminated nebuta float kept in the Nebuta Museum in Aomori. The Aomori Nebuta Festival is a summer festival that takes place in early August in Aomoria coastal city in the north of the island of Honshu. The festival is famous for the floats of brave warrior-figures which are carried through the center of the city.
Image: Wmpearl


Traditional Japan

Tea
Chado
The Way of Tea - The website of the Urasenke Tradition of Teaa school practicing the Japanese tea ceremony.

East Asian tea ceremony
A Wikipedia article about the ritualized practice of making and serving tea in East Asia.

Ogasawara Sencha Service School
An Introduction to Tea Ceremony by Head Tea Master of Ogasawara Sencha Service School.


Traditional Culture
GODS of Japan
Comprehensive A-to-Z Photo Dictionary of Japanese Buddhism. (Buddhist & Shinto Deities)

Ikebana International
The Art of Flower Arrangement.

Japanese Buddhism
Page about Buddhism in Japan by japan-guide.com

Three Great Gardens of Japan
Article about the most famous Japanese gardens.

Japanese Mythology
Japanese myths site by Shimane Prefecture.

Kabuki-za
Kabuki-za theater in the Ginza district of ChūōTokyois the principal theater in Tokyo for the traditional kabuki drama form.

Kunijo Kabuki Ekotoba
An illustrated manuscript of Japanese classical play Kabuki.


Beautiful Japanese Women

Karyukai
Karyukai means "Flower and Willow World," a poetic term for the society of the Geisha. (comprehensive Wikipedia entry for Geisha)

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Bijinga
The site refers to pictures of beautiful women in Japanese art - Bijinga.



Kimono
Kimonomeaning clothing in Japanesean easy-to-read site about Japan's traditional high maintenance clothing.


Japanese games
Nihon Ki-in
Japan Go Association.

Shogi
Wikipedia article about Shogia Japanese board game comparable with chess.




Traditional Crafts
The Samurai Sword
The Japanese sword (日本刀 nihontō)Wikipedia article about the traditional Samurai swords and fittings.

The Japanese Sword Museum
The museum in Tokyo is dedicated to the art of Japanese swordmaking.

Traditional Crafts of Japan
From silkthe aristocratic fiber to paper and porcelain.

The Virtual Museum of Traditional Japanese Arts
A virtual museum by the Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Wajima-Nuri
History and culture of Wajima-Nurithe traditional Japanese lacquerware.


Japanese Zen
Zen - International Research Institute for Zen
Established to promote basic research on Zen Buddhism.

The Institute for Zen Studies
Founded in 1964 to promote research in Zen teachingsthoughtsand various cultural expressions. (in Japanese)
 
 

Business & Economy of Japan



Skyscrapers of Shinjuku in TokyoJapan's financial center.
Image: Kakidai


Economy of Japan
Japan is among the world's most literate and technically advanced nations; its economy is a highly developed free-market economy and the third-largest in the world by nominal GDP. Japan is ranked 7th in the 2020 Best Countries survey power ranking. ^[1] But Japan is also the most indebted country in the worldwith a debt-to-GDP ratio of 235%.
The nation's main export goods are carsconsumer electronicscomputerssemiconductorscopperironand steel. Other key industries in Japan are petrochemicalspharmaceuticalsbio-industryshipbuildingaerospacetextilescosmeticsand processed food.


Bank of Japan
The Central Bank of Japan. The Japanese central bank is a legal person and not a government agency or a private corporation.

Nikkei
Index of the Japanese stock market.

Japan Exchange Group (JPX)
Financial services corporation that operates the exchanges of the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Osaka Securities Exchange.


Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI)
JCCI is a network of local economic organizations made up of the representatives of some 1.26 million member businesses nationwide.

Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI)
The TCCI is an economic organizationfounded in 1878; the chamber represents the commercial and industrial interests of businesses of the 23-ward area of metropolitan Tokyo.

Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)
JETRO is a Japanese government-related organization that promotes mutually beneficial trade and investment relations between Japan and other nations.


Top Japanese Brands

Automotive
Japan's automotive industry is one of the largest industries in the world. Japan was among the three countries with the highest production of cars since the 1960ssurpassing Germany. Japan was the pioneer in robotics manufacturing of autos starting in the late 1970s.

Daihatsu
Japanese automobile manufacturer of small carsthe company was founded in 1907. The company is now a subsidiary of Toyota.
Honda
Japanese multinational manufacturer of automobilesaircraftand motorcycleswith its headquarters at MinatoTokyo.
Isuzu
A Japanese manufacturing company for commercial vehicles and diesel enginesheadquartered in Tokyo.
Kawasaki
Kawasaki Heavy Industries isoutside Japanbest known as a manufacturer of motorcycles and outboard engines.
Mazda
Japanese automobile manufacturer based in Aki DistrictHiroshima Prefecture.
Mitsubishi Motors
One of the three major heavy industrial manufacturers in Japan is also a manufacturer of cars; the company is based in Tokyo.
Nissan
Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Nishi-kuYokohama. By nowit is the world's largest manufacturer of electric vehicles.
Subaru
The automotive division of Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) is the largest manufacturer of all-wheel-drive passenger cars. Its headquarters are in EbisuShibuyaTokyo.
Suzuki
The Japanese manufacturer of motorcyclescarsand outboard motors has its headquarters at HamamatsuShizuoka Prefecture.
Toyota
Japanese multinational company and the world's largest automotive manufacturerheadquartered in ToyotaAichiJapan. Lexus is the luxury vehicle division of Toyota.
Yamaha
Japanese multinational manufacturer of motorcyclespower sports equipmentmusical instrumentsand electronics.


Beauty & Fashion
Kanebo
Beauty and Health made in Japan.
Kansai Yamamoto
Japanese Contemporary fashion.
Kenzo
French luxury house founded in 1970 by Japanese designer Kenzo Takada.
Shiseido
The Japanese answer to CHANEL & Co.
Uniqlo
Japanese casual wear designermanufacturer and retailer.

Mikimoto
Japanese luxury pearl company.

Beer
Kirin
Kirin Brewery CompanyLtd.
Sapporo
Japanese Beer.

Cameras
Canon
Fine cameras and copiers.
Konica Minolta
More fine cameras.
Nikon
... and more fine cameras.

Consumer Electronics
Bandai
Manufacturer of toysfrom the Rhythm Ball (1950) to Sailor Moon (1993)to Tamagotchi (1996)Digimon (1997)and much more.
Nintendo
Formerly a Japanese card companynow a multinational manufacturer of video games and game consolesheadquartered in Kyoto.
Panasonic
Japanese multinational electronics corporation headquartered in KadomaOsaka.
Pioneer
Japanese Hifi. Japanese multinational corporation with its headquarters in BunkyōTokyo.
SEGA
Entertainment universe. Japanese multinational video game developer headquartered in Tokyo.
Sharp
Japanese multinational corporationmanufacturer of a wide range of electronic consumer and business productsthey are headquartered in SakaiOsaka Prefecture.
SONY
MULTI-media.


Dentsu
One of the largest advertising agencies in the world.


Heavy Industry
There are three major heavy industrial manufacturers in Japan.

Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI)
IHI Corporation produces shipsaircraft enginesturbochargers for automobilesindustrial machinesspace products like sounding rockets and launch vehiclesenergy systems (industrial power station boilers)and other facilities.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI)
Japanese multinational corporation is a major player in the area of shipbuildingaerospace engineeringvehicle construction (railwaysconstruction vehiclesmotorcycles)building construction and civil engineeringas well as machine and power plant construction (robotsbag conveyor systemsand gas turbines).

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI)
Japanese multinational company with 300 subsidiariesactive mainly in the heavy industrymechanical and automotive engineeringand in the aviation and electronics industryheadquartered in Tokyo.

 

Transportation



The Port of Nagoya with the public Aquariumthe Giant wheeland the Fuji Icebreakerview from the observation deck of the lighthouse. The Port of Nagoya is the largest and busiest trading port in Japan.
Image: Cesar I. Martins


Ports
Cruise Port Guide of Japan
A guide to the ports of Japan.

Aviation
All Nippon Airways
Largest Japanese airline. The Tokyo-based company is listed in the Nikkei 225; it is a member of the global airline alliance Star Alliance.

Japan Airlines
The second-largest Japanese airline is based in Shinagawaone of the 23 districts of the Japanese Prefecture of Tokyo. The flag carrier airline of Japan has its main hubs at Tokyo Haneda Airport and at Tokyo Narita Airport. JAL is a member of the aviation alliance Oneworld.

Peach
First international low-cost carrier in Japan with its hub at Kansai International AirportIzumisanoOsaka. The airline serves destinations within Japan and offers flights to Hong Kong and Shanghai in ChinaBusan and Seoul in South KoreaKaohsiung and Taipei in Taiwanand Bangkok in Thailand.


Airports
Narita Airport
New Tokyo International AirportNarita-shiChiba.
Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport)
The other one of the two primary airports that serve the Greater Tokyo Arealocated in ŌtaTokyo.
Kansai International Airport (Osaka)
Osaka's international airport is located about 50 km (by road) south of the city on an artificial island in Osaka Bay.
Central Japan International Airport (Nagoya)
Chubu Centrair International Airport is located on an artificial island in Ise Bay48 km (by road) south of Nagoya.

The location and information about other major Japanese airports you will find here: Fukuoka Fukushima Kobe Kyoto Nagoya Osaka Sapporo Sendai Yokohama.



A train from the N700 Shinkansen seriesa Japanese high-speed trainpasses Mount Fuji in the Shizuoka Prefecture of Japan. Mount Fuji is an active volcano that last erupted in 1707. Fujisansacred place and source of artistic inspirationis a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Image: hans-johnson


Railroads
The Japanese National Railways was privatized in 1987below listed are the seven legally independent successor companies:


Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaidō)
One of the seven successors of the Japanese National Railways. JR Hokkaido operates its route network on Hokkaidothe second-largest island of Japanand the northernmost prefecture.

East Japan Railway Company (JR Higashi-Nihon)
One of the six major passenger railway companies in Japan. Its route network covers the northern half of Honshu.

West Japan Railway Company (JR Nishi-Nihon)
West Japan Railway Company operates its route network in western Honshu. It has its headquarters in Kita-kuOsaka.

Central Japan Railway Company (JR Tōkai)
Railway operator and freight mover with a route network in the Chūbu region in the central area of Japan. Its headquarters is located in NagoyaAichi Prefecture.

Nihon Kamotsu Tetsudō (JR Kamotsu)
Japan Freight Railway Companyor JR Freightoperates rail freight transport nationwide. It has its headquarters in ShibuyaTokyo.

Shikoku Railway Company (JR Shikoku)
JR Shikoku operates the former state route network on the island of Shikokuthe smallest of the four main islands of Japan.

Kyushu Railway (JR Kyūshū)
JR Kyushu operates rail services on Kyushu island and the Beetle hydrofoil ferry service across the Tsushima Strait between Fukuoka and BusanSouth Korea. Its headquarters are in Hakata-kuFukuoka.

Odakyu Electric Railway Co.Ltd.
Odakyu Electric Railway operates limited express luxury tourist services south-west of Tokyoto mountain resorts and beaches.

 

Tourism in Japan



A scene from Matsushima islands in Matsushima Bay in Japan. The group of islands in Miyagi Prefecture is one of the Three Views of JapanJapan's three most celebrated scenic sights.
Image: scottagunn

Destination Japan - Travel and Tour Guides

Discover Japan:
Fushimi Inari-taishaHakoneHimeji-jō hilltop castleKanazawaKiyomizu-dera Buddhist templeMeiji Shinto shrineMount FujiNaoshima IslandOsaka CastleTokyo Skytreethe tallest structure in JapanZen Buddhist Kinkaku-ji temple.



Japan National Tourist Organization
Travel and tourism guide on Japanthe Japaneseand much much more.

Web Japan
Japan-related magazineoperated by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The site was launched to help people around the world get to know more about Japan and the Japanese.

Japan Tourism Agency
The agency website offers information on Japan's tourism destinations.



Islands and Regions of Japan

Attractive Regions of Japan
Attractive Regions and ports of Japan.


Good Day Hokkaido
The official guide to Japan's northernmost prefecture by Hokkaido Tourism Organization.

Travel to Tohoku
Explore the deep north of Japan. Official visitors guide by Tohoku Tourism Promotion Organization to Tōhokua region in the north of Honshu island known for its volcanoesmountainous terrainand skiing.

Go Central Japan - Visit Chubu
Official visitors guide to Central Japan by the Central Japan Tourism Promotion Association; the Chubu region is the central part of Honshu island.


Kansai Region
Official visitors guide to the Kansai or Kinki region in the central south of Honshumain cities are KyotoNaraKobeand Osaka.

Visit Hiroshima
Official visitors guide to Hiroshima Prefecture in Chūgoku region of southern Honshu.

Kyushu Tourism Information
Kyushu is Japan's third largest islandmain cities are Kagoshima Oita Nagasaki Miyazaki Nahaand Kurume.

Tourism Shikoku
Official visitors guide to Shikoku one of the four main islands of Japan.

Okinawa
Official travel and tourism information about Okinawathe southernmost prefecture of Japan in the East China Sea between Taiwan and Japan's main islands.


More Japan Guides
japan-guide.com
The japan-guide provides general information about most aspects of modern and traditional life in Japan.

The Japan FAQ: Know Before You Go
(Or: what I wish I knew before...) The Complete Guide to WorkingVisitingand Living in Japan.

PhotoGuide Japan
A Guide to Photography in Japan.


Official City Sites and City Guides

Tokio
Tokyo
Travelers guide to Tokyo by the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Tokyo National Research Institute of Cultural Properties
The Tokyo National Research Institute of Cultural Properties.
Tokyo Food Page
More than 800 Tokyo-area restaurants.


Chiba
City of Chiba
Fukuoka
City of Fukuoka
Hiroshima
Hiroshima City
Kobe
City of Kobe
Kyoto
City of Kyoto
Osaka
City of Osaka
Sendai
City of Sendai
Yokohama
Yokohama City

 

UNESCO World Heritage Sites


Richu-tenno-ryo kofunalso known as Mozu-mimiharathe Southern Mausoleum of Emperor Richu in the city of Sakai. The keyhole-shaped kofun has a mound length of 365 m; it is the third-largest kofun in the country. Japan's kofuns are megalithic tombs or tumuli constructed between the early 3rd century and the early 7th century CE. The term is the origin of the name of the Kofun period.
Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: Mounded Tombs of Ancient Japan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Image: © Sakai City Government
 

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan
There are 19 cultural and four natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japanand seven sites on the Tentative Listan inventory of those properties that each State Party intends to consider for nomination. (see the List of World Heritage Sites in Japan).


Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area
The 48 Buddhist monuments in the Horyu-ji area were the first World Heritage Sites in Japan.
A variety of Buddhist pagodas and temples in the town of Ikaruga in the Nara Prefecture are some of the oldest preserved wooden buildings from the 7th to 8th centuries CE.

Himeji-jo
Himeji Castle is a Japanese hilltop castle complex from the beginning of the Shogun period and one of the finest surviving example of an early 17th-century Japanese castle. The buildingalso known as the White Heron Castleis situated in the city of Himeji in the Hyōgo Prefecture. Located on a hilltop in the central part of the Harima Plainthe castle covers 107 hectares and includes eighty-two buildings.

Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
The Gassho- houses found in the historic villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama are rare examples of their kind in Japan. These three villages are located in a river valley surrounded by the rugged high mountain region of Chubu in central Japan. The villages were remote and isolated for a long time. The property includes the villages of "Ogimachi" in the Shirakawa-go region and "Ainokura" and "Suganuma" in the Gokayama regionall located along the Sho River in Gifu and Toyama prefectures.

Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group
The Mounded Tombs of Ancient Japan is the country's latest World Heritage Site. Located on a plateau above the Osaka Plainthe property includes 49 kofun (“old mounds” in Japanese)tombs for members of the elite.


Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range
In the dense forests of the Kii Mountains are three sacred sites - Yoshino and OmineKumano Sanzanand Koyasanwhich are connected by pilgrimage routes to the ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto. These pilgrimage routes reflect the fusion of Shintorooted in the ancient tradition of nature worship in Japanand Buddhismintroduced from China and the Korean peninsula.



Himeji Castle in Himeji city in the Hyōgo Prefecture; view from southwest. The hilltop castle complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Image: Seattleite7
 

Education in Japan



Clocktower of Kyoto University.
Image: Soraie8288


Japanese school system
The Japanese school system consists of the primary school (six years)the middle school (three years)the high school (three years)and the university (four years). Compulsory schooling is only for the nine years of elementary and middle schoolbut 98% of students continue to high school.



Japan's Imperial Universities
The Imperial Universities were founded at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. Until the end of the Second World Warthey were run by the imperial government. Today they are among the most renowned universities in Japan.


National Universities

Hokkaido University
Hokudai in Sapporo is one of the top universities in Japan.

Kyoto University
Kyoto University has three campusesKatsuraUjiand Yoshida. It is one of Japan's oldest universitiesfounded in 1897.

Kyushu University
Kyudai in Fukuokaon the island of Kyushuis a leading university in the country.

Nagoya University
Meidaia Japanese national universityis located in Chikusa-ku ward of the city of Nagoya.

Osaka University
Handai is a public research university and one of Japan's most prestigious institutions; it was founded as a merchant academy (Kaitokudō) in 1724.

Tohoku University
Tohokudailocated in Sendaiis a national university and among the most prestigious universities in Japan.

University of Tokyo
The former Tokyo Imperial University was the first Japanese institution of higher learning founded in 1877.


Other Universities
Tokyo University of the Arts
Tokyo's university for fine artsmusicfilmand new media is one of the most prestigious art schools in Japan.

Chiba University
National Universityestablished in 1949.

Chuo University
Founded as Igirisu Horitsu Gakko (The English Law School) in 1885.


Study in Japan Guide
Study in Japan
A guide to studying in Japan.


Research
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Official website of the independent administrative institution of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA.)

The National Institute of Informatics
Computer Science and Information Engineering Research.

National Science Museum
National Museum of Nature and ScienceTokyo.


 

Environment & Nature



Mount Yōtei seen from Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area. Mt. Yōtei is an active stratovolcano in Shikotsu-Toya National Park in south-western HokkaidōJapan.
Image: MIKI Yoshihito


Japan's environmental issues
The island country is prone to natural disasters such as earthquakestsunamistyphoonsand volcanic eruptionswith fatal consequences for people and the environment. The country lies in the western part of the Pacific Ring of Firethe belt of active volcanoesvolcanic arcsand tectonic plate boundaries with seismic activity surrounding the Pacific Ocean.

In addition to the threat of natural disastersthere is homemade damage to the environment caused by man. Japan's rapid industrialization since the early Showa period has imposed severe pressures on the environment. The damage to the environment and people caused by industrialization was preprogrammed.
Japan is a member of the Group of Eight (G8)the highly industrialized countriesand it ranks 6th among the countries with the highest CO2 emissions.
Japan's most recent environmental problem is a million tonnes of radioactive water from the ruined Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco)the operator of the plant will run out of storage facilities and will eventually be forced to empty the radioactively contaminated water into the Ocean. ^[2]


Ministry of the EnvironmentGovernment of Japan
Official website of the ministry.

National Parks of Japan
Information about Japan's National Parks.

Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan's agency for the observation and study of natural phenomena in the fields of weatherwaterearthquakesand volcanism.

Geological Survey of Japan
Official Japanese geoscientific information.



Japan for Sustainability (JFS)
JFS was a non-profit group that provided environment-related information from Japan.

Friends of the Earth Japan
Tokyo based environmental advocacy group.

Environmental Organizations in Japan
List of environmental conservation activities in Japan by Japanese NGOs.



Two Gassho- houses in Shirakawa-go mountain villagea Japanese UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Image: Alexis
 
 

Japan History



Reconstruction of a Jomon period longhouse building at the Sannai Maruyama site in AomoriAomori prefectureHonshu.
Image: 663highland


Sannai-Maruyama site
The Sannai Maruyama site was inhabited by hunter-gatherers in the Jōmon periodaround the time from 3900 BCE – 2900 BCE.


Japan Guide - History
Most general facts of Japanese history.

National Museum of Japanese History
The museum's homepage.

National Archives of Japan
Japan's official documents and records.

Samurai
Wikipedia entry about the hereditary military nobility and officer caste of medieval and early-modern Japan.
 
 

Additional Information

Selected country profiles of Japan published by international organizations.


Amnesty International: Japan
Amnesty International is a non-governmental organization focused on human rights.

BBC News Country Profile: Japan
Country profiles by the British public service broadcaster.

FAO: Japan
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a UN agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.

GlobalEDGE: Japan
The Global Business Knowledge Portal about Japan.

The Heritage Foundation: Japan
Index of Economic Freedom by The Heritage Foundationan American conservative think tank.

Human Rights Watch: Japan
HRW conducts research and advocacy on human rights.

OEC: Japan
The Observatory of Economic Complexity provides the latest trade data.

Reporters Without Borders: Japan
RSF (Reporters sans frontières) is an international NGO that defends and promotes media freedom.

Wikipedia: Japan
Wikipedia's Japan page in many languages.

The CIA World Factbook -- Japan
The CIA World Factbook intelligence on Japan.