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- About Japan
Japan is an archipelago in East Asia containing the four main islands of Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Japan has the world’s tenth largest population, and the largest metropolitan area of the world with Tokyo.
Japan is the juxtaposition of the modern and old, as you will see from massive skyscrapers and endless rows of green rice-fields ready for harvest. Mount Fuji, a symbol of the county, has just recently been named a cultural heritage site by UNESCO. Aside from Mt. Fuji, there are mountains all around the country that beckon hikers and adventure seekers. In Tokyo, the Tokyo Sky Tree, the tallest manmade structure in the world, lights up the night in color. And although most Japanese people say that they are not religious, Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples line the landscape of towns and cities.
Japan has some of the best transportation in the world. Trains and buses are frequent in many areas, and are almost always on time. The bullet trains link East and West Japan and outlying areas, so it is easy to travel from one end of the country to the other. Japan is reknowned for its clean tap water and for its high living conditions, making it one of the most comfortable places on earth.
The people of Japan tend to be reserved, but extremely friendly and helpful. If you become lost, you may be approached by someone who is ready to give you directions or even take you there. Japanese society is highly group-oriented, so it's important to be observant and align your behavior with those around you. Japanese people will open their heart to you, if you show that your heart and mind is open to their culture.