Japan flag

Japan

History

Traditional accounts place the founding of Japan under Emperor Jimmu.
Nara became Japan's first permanent imperial capital.
Tokugawa Ieyasu founded the shogunate that ruled Japan from Edo until 1868.
The Meiji Restoration returned imperial rule and accelerated modernization.
The postwar constitution came into force, renouncing war and vesting sovereignty in the people.
Asia thumbnailPart ofAsiaMore countries, cities and routes.
CapitalTokyo
Population123.2M
Area377,975 km2
CurrencyJapanese yen

Short facts

RegionEast Asia
LanguageJapanese
Time zoneJST (UTC+9)
Drives onLeft

Worth seeing

  • Kyoto: Thousand-year imperial capital of geisha, zen gardens, bamboo forests, and 2,000 temples.
  • Mount Fuji: Japan's sacred volcano and highest peak, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Tokyo: Hyper-modern megalopolis blending neon technology with ancient shrine culture.

Find a city in Japan

Showing all cities

Motegi thumbnailMotegiCityNagoya thumbnailNagoyaCityTokyo thumbnailTokyoCity

Planning questions

What is Japan known for?Kyoto, Mount Fuji, Tokyo.
What is the capital?Tokyo.
Which language is useful?Japanese.
When is the national day?11 February (National Foundation Day).
How should I browse it here?Start with the facts, jump to linked cities, then check events and topics.

Upcoming events

Baycurrent Classic2026-10-08 - 2026-10-11 - PGA TourTOTO Japan Classic2026-11-05 - 2026-11-08 - LPGA TourMotoGP Japan thumbnailMotoGP JapanAutumn 2026 ยท Japan

Use Tokyo as the first planning anchor for Japan, then compare the city, food and worth-seeing notes on this page.

Food & drink

Street food thumbnailStreet foodSignature dishTea thumbnailTeaLocal drink

Known for

KyotoMount FujiTokyoTokyoStreet foodTea
Eurovision Song Contest thumbnailMusic & CultureFestivals, concerts and cultural calendars.Asia thumbnailCoasts and islandsMarine calendars, islands, reefs and coastal travel timing.