Holidays - Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south. The characters that make up Japan's name mean "sun-origin", which is why Japan is sometimes referred to as the "Land of the Rising Sun". Japanese is a language spoken by over 130 million. people in Japan and in Japanese immigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family. The culture of Japan has evolved greatly over the millennia, from the country's prehistoric Jōmon period to its contemporary hybrid culture, which combines influences from Asia, Europe and North America. The inhabitants of Japan experienced a long period of relative isolation from the outside world during the Tokugawa shogunate until the arrival of "The Black Ships" and the Meiji period. Tokyo, capital of Japan, is a modern city with many of the country's most important cultural attractions including museums and theatres, along with fine restaurants. Kyoto maintains a wealth of historical treasures with countless old temples, many containing fabulous works of art. The city setting is also striking, surrounded by mountains. Osaka is a modern city and an important commercial and industrial center. Stop by the Osaka Castle for a taste of history and then enjoy fine cuisine at local restaurants. Long associated with the Atomic bomb and the impact of WWII, Hiroshima today is known as a city of peace. The Peace Memorial Park is one of the city's biggest attractions.