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General
Information
Japan
consists of four main islands: Hokkaido in the north,
Kyushu in the south, Honshu, the main, largest island and
Shikoku, located between Honshu and Kyushu. Japan extends
3,000 kilometers from north to south, a range equivalent
to that from southern British Columbia to the Mexican Baja
Peninsula.
The
total land area is about 378,000 sq. km., or about half
the size of British Columbia. Japan's present population
is about 125 million, making it one of the world's most
densely populated countries. Japan's inhabitants by race
are 99% Japanese, with minorities of Korean and Chinese.
Japan is 84% mountainous and forested, with only 16% of
the land area habitable and fertile. Japan is located on
the Pacific Ring of Fire, and experiences about 1,500
seismic occurrences per year (mostly tremors). Due to the
volcanic environment, there are many hot springs that the
Japanese can enjoy.
The Weather
There
are a wide range of climates in Japan, ranging from the
freezing conditions of Hokkaido in the north to the
tropical weather in the southern islands of Okinawa. In
the main area of Japan, the four seasons are evident and
similar in time periods to the west coast of North
America. There is a rainy season from mid-June to
mid-July, although the temperatures are still warm and the
humidity rises to very high levels. The typhoon season is
in September, but it is the southern islands that are most
affected by any typhoons.
Historical Recap
660
BC Japan is founded by Emperor Jimmu.
1542 AD Portuguese land in Japan.
1637 All foreigners are expelled.
1854 United States Navy Commodore Matthew Perry forces
Japan to trade.
1868 Meiji Emperor implements westernization programs.
1894 Japanese militarism begins with war on China.
1941 December, Japan attacks the United States at Pearl
Harbour.
1945 August, The United States drops atomic bombs on
Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The war ends.
1952
Japan returns to self-rule.
1960 Japan and the U.S. sign Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and
Security.
1984 Japanese begin to try to reduce their growing trade surplus
TIPPING
By
tradition, the Japanese do not tip. This includes services from taxi
drivers, bell boys, and restaurant staff. Often a service charge of
10% or 15% is automatically added to your bill, especially at Western
style hotels and first class establishments. A cash tip not expected,
and in some cases creates an embarrassing situation. A more
appropriate item might be a small gift or even words of thanks in
Japanese.
On
the other hand, a cash gratuity may be expected in certain
circumstances such as at a Japanese Inn (ryokan) where tipping for
your maid's services is not included in the bill. As well, if someone
provides you with extensive service, such as a translator or a tour
bus guide, a gratuity may be in order. A cash gratuity should always
be wrapped in paper or placed in an envelope. To give money directly
is considered crass.
ELECTRICITY
AND VOLTAGE
In
Japan, the voltage supply of 100 V is the same throughout the country,
however, the frequency is different. In the eastern half (Tokyo), the
frequency is 50 Hz and in the western half, (Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya)
the frequency is 60 Hz. Thus a frequency converter must be used for
sensitive equipment when traveling throughout the country. Many hotels
have 110 and 220 volt outlets to accommodate foreign appliances. For
the average tourist, electrical equipment such as hair dryers and
shavers do not require converters.
VIDEO
and ELECTRONICS
Japan
uses the same VHS video cassette format as Canada. Electronic gadgets
(TVs, etc.) are often as or more expensive than they are in North
America, although product introductions of new technologies are
sometimes a year or two ahead in the local markets. The frequencies
for broadcast television are different than in North America however,
so this together with voltage differences means that tourists should
check for export compatibility.
TAP
WATER
The
water from taps in Japan can be consumed without concern for germs or
other health precaution. But the water in major cities has many
additives and so for taste, sometimes bottled water is recommended. A
two-litre container is about ¥400 ($5.40) in the stores but
considerably higher in hotel rooms.
VENDING
MACHINES
Vending
machines were first sold in Japan in 1888, but only became a common
sight after the second world war. Now, the number of vending machines
seen in Japan far out number those seen in the West. In Japan, vending
machines sell soft drinks, liquor (mostly beer), cigarettes,
magazines, cakes, cooked snacks, ice cream and even batteries. What is
probably most surprising is that vending machines are seen at very
obscure sites including remote country areas.
YEN
or ¥
The
unit of currency used in Japan is the Yen which is symbolized with the
¥ sign.
TRAVELER'S
CHEQUES
Authorized
money changers accept traveler's cheques such as first class hotels,
department stores, duty free shops and generally where tourists
frequent. They cannot be used at most regular stores and restaurants.
Japanese Yen traveler's cheques are available for purchase all money
exchanger's and authorized banks deals in foreign currency.
CREDIT
CARDS
All
major credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, department stores,
restaurants, and many smaller stores. Generally credit cards are
preferred to traveler's cheques. For the traveler, credit cards are
also safer than carrying a large amount of cash.
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