Holidays to Japan
The geography of Japan often comes as a surprise to those who go for holidays to Japan. Situated in eastern Asia with the Pacific off its eastern shores Japan consists of four main islands and 4,000 smaller islands; Japan covers a land mass larger than Germany.
Something else that can shock those lucky enough to go for holidays to Japan is the very large population. For such a relatively small country, at the time of writing the population of Japan is approximately 130 million people. What makes this figure even more astounding is that three quarters of the landmass of Japan is mountainous. Despite the large numbers, even in the densely populated cities, Japan remains a peaceful, safe and orderly place, ideal for holidays and travel.
Holidays to this fascinating island reveal the contrast between the still very traditional and highly structured life of the days when Japan elected to cut itself off from trade or traffic with the rest of the world. It is only in the last century and a half that modern trade has led to the development of exciting modern neon-lit cities. Despite the clamour for all things electronic when you travel to Japan for your holidays you realise that the traditional life and values are not far from the surface.
Japan still retains plenty of its mystical oriental charm; from the etiquette demanded in social situations, to the minimalist décor behind rice paper screens, Japanese culture is alive and well which means that going to Japan for holidays is a rich and fascinating experience.
A good time to take a visit to Japan is the week from the 29th April to May 5th. This has four national holidays and so is a busy week for holidays. The first of these holidays is the former Emperor of Japan, Showa's birthday. Three further holidays follow, the final one being Children's day on May 5th. On children's day families pray for the health and future success of their sons by hanging up carp streamers and displaying samurai dolls. This week of national holidays is known to the people of Japan as Golden Week.
