About
Japan is an island nation in East Asia, and the name you are most likely to find on a map or in conversation is simply Japan. It is also known as Nippon or Nihon, the names used within the country, and as the Land of the Rising Sun. Those names give a hint of what visitors tend to notice first: a country where the old and the new sit close together.
What the country offers
Japan is known for its advanced technology, and that is visible in everyday life, from transport to shops to the way cities are organised. Visitors who enjoy seeing how a modern society works will find plenty to look at in the bigger cities.
Its cultural heritage runs deep, and it sits alongside the contemporary side of the country rather than apart from it. Many travellers come to see traditional forms of art, architecture and daily custom, then move on to places where those traditions meet modern design and ideas.
What kind of trip it makes
- A city-focused visit, for those drawn to technology, design and the pace of modern urban life.
- A cultural journey, for those interested in heritage and the way traditional practices have carried into the present.
- A mixed itinerary, moving between the two, which suits many first-time visitors.
Because Japan is a whole country rather than a single site, the best approach is usually to choose a few regions or cities and plan around them, rather than trying to cover everything. Pay attention to how you will move between places, since the country's transport network is one of its notable features.
If you are deciding whether to go, consider what you want from a trip. Japan rewards visitors who are curious about how tradition and innovation coexist, and who are willing to explore beyond a single city.
