Where Is Japan?

Japan is on the continent of Asia.

Japan is an archipelago off the east coast of Asia. An archipelago is a chain of islands
scattered across an ocean. Japan’s four main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and
Kyushu. There are also thousands of smaller islands!
Where Is Japan?
 Quick Facts

Capital City: Tokyo

Population: Over 123 million people

(2023)

Currency: Yen Flag

Major Language: Japanese

Major Religion: Shinto The Japanese flag features a white

background with a red sun at its centre.
Japanese people refer to the flag as
Hinomaru. This means ‘circle of the sun’.
What Is the Climate Like?

Japan’s climate can vary depending

on the region.
Generally, it experiences a temperate
or tropical climate and has four
seasons. Spring is warm, summer is
hot and humid, autumn is cool and
winter is cold.

Japan tends to be coldest in the north

(where it can snow heavily) and
tropical on its small southern islands.
What Are the Physical Features?

Around 75% of Japan is covered by mountains,

with most of these featuring dense forests. The
Japanese Alps can be found on the island of
Honshu (the country’s largest island).

Mount Fuji is the highest peak, standing at 3776

metres (12,388 feet) tall. It is regarded by
geologists as an active volcano, although it last
erupted in 1707.

Shinano River
What Are the Physical Features?

Earthquakes can be common but these are usually

small and mostly go unnoticed by the people who
live in Japan.

The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995

and the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011
both caused significant damage and loss of life.

The longest river is the Shinano, at 367

kilometres (228 miles) long.
Shinano River
What Are the Human Features?
Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo (Japan’s capital city) is
one of the world’s busiest pedestrian crossings. It is
around 100 years old and features enormous
advertising screens. It has been compared to Times
Square in New York and Piccadilly Circus in
London.

Shibuya Crossing Himeji Castle is a well-known landmark which

was originally built in the 14th century. It consists
of over 80 buildings which are connected by a
number of gates and winding paths.

Himeji Castle
The Itsukushima Shinto Shrine is an ancient shrine
on the island of Itsukushima and is very popular
with tourists. It is thought that it was
first constructed in the 6th century and rests on
Shinto Shrin
e pillars over the water of the Seto Sea.
Itsukushima
What Wildlife Lives There?
Around 130 species of land mammals live in Japan. These
include two types of bear: the Ussuri brown bear (which
lives in Hokkaido) and the Asian black bear (which lives in
the mountains).

Smaller mammals include two types of wildcat, the red fox,

the raccoon dog and the sika deer.

Over 600 species of bird inhabit Japan,

including the country’s national bird, the green
pheasant.

One of the most famous fish is the koi carp,

which can be found living in rivers and ponds
and even in shrines and gardens. In Japanese
culture, this freshwater animal symbolises
strength and success.
What Wildlife Lives There?
Japan is famous for its cherry blossom trees. They are
known as ‘sakura’ and usually begin flowering in spring.

As well as the cherry blossom, other trees include the oak,

fir and spruce, which grow in the many forests of Japan.

Cherry Blossom Tree

Bonsai trees are miniature trees and growing
these is a popular hobby. They are considered an
art form due to the trimming and cutting that is
needed to maintain them.

Bonsai Tree
What Food Is Popular?
Sushi is a popular dish. Fillings include fish, seafood or
vegetables which are formed into small bites or rolled with
rice.
Ramen is a Japanese noodle soup made with a selection of
meats or vegetables. It is often topped with a boiled egg.

Teriyaki is a sticky sauce commonly served with

meat or fish. It is made from honey, ginger, garlic
and soy sauce.

Taiyaki is a sweet, fish-shaped cake. It is made

from pastry and can be filled with sweetened red
beans, chocolate or custard.
What Is Education Like?

Education is highly valued in Japan and children are

taught to be very respectful.
Children begin school at six years of age and their
education is compulsory for nine years.
First, children attend elementary school (for six
years) before going on to middle school (for three
years). Despite compulsory education being over by
this stage, the majority of pupils attend high school
and then continue studying at university.
What Is Education Like?

Subjects studied include: Japanese, mathematics,

science, social studies, music, art and physical
education.

School holidays are shorter than in some

countries and children can attend school at the
weekend.
Which Sports Are Popular?

Did You
One of Know…?
the most popular sports in Japan is baseball.
A professional league was formed in 1936.
Tokyo hosted the 2020 Summer
Olympics but this was postponed
Sumo wrestling is another popular sport. The aim is
due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It
for one wrestler to force the other out of a circular
was eventually held in the summer
ring. Many tournaments take place in Tokyo, Osaka
of 2021.
and Nagoya.
Other sports which people enjoy include football,
tennis and golf.
What National Symbols and Events Are There?

The national dress is the kimono.

The national bird is the green pheasant.

Persimmon is the national fruit.

National Foundation Day is on 11th February.

 Quick Quiz
1. On which continent is Japan?

2. What is its capital city?

3. What is the name of the highest peak?

4. Name one place Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo is compared to.

5. Which popular tree in Japan blossoms in the spring?

6. What is teriyaki?

7. What are the differences between schools in Japan and your school?

8. Why was the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics held in 2021?

9. What is the national dress?

10. Name a place in Japan that you would like to visit. Explain why.
Quick Quiz Answers
1. On which continent is Japan?

Asia

2. What is its capital city?

Tokyo

3. What is the name of the highest peak?

Mount Fuji

4. Name one place Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo is compared to.

Times Square in New York or Piccadilly Circus in London

5. Which popular tree in Japan blossoms in the spring?

The cherry blossom tree

Quick Quiz Answers
6. What is teriyaki?
A sticky sauce made from honey, ginger, garlic and soy
sauce
7. What are the differences between schools in Japan and your school?
Pupils’ own answers, such as: The school holidays are shorter
and you can go to school on a Saturday.
8. Why was the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics held in 2021?
It was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
9. What is the national dress?
The kimono
10. Name a place in Japan that you would like to visit. Explain why.
Pupils’ own answers, such as: I would like to visit the Itsukushima Shinto Shrine
because it is ancient and it would be unusual to see a building built above water.