Japan Asia

28
Apr

Japan Asia

Travel To Japan And Experience The Far East

If you're determined to explore Asia but unsure which country to visit, you might want to set your sites on Far East Asia and travel to Japan. Here is some general but useful information that is good to know when you travel Japan. It will help you get a better understanding of Japan before your trip and allow you to experience Japan more comfortably.

About the Country

Japan consists of four main islands and several smaller ones. Together the islands take the shape of a sea horse and occupy an area of 377,435 square kms. Tokyo, the capital city, is very modern and bustling with activity, so when you travel to Japan, be ready for a few crowds. The landscape of Japan, away from the big cities, is mountainous with spectacular scenery; some of the mountains are volcanic. Mt. Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan, and is known for its symmetrical slopes.

About the Climate

When you travel to Japan, it's important to know the country's seasons and when they occur during the year. The islands of Japan lie in the temperate and at the northeastern end of the monsoon area. The climate is generally mild, although it varies considerably from place to place when you travel Japan. Summer, which is warm and mild, begins around the middle of July following a rainy season that usually lasts for a month. Except in northern Japan the winter is mild with many sunny days. Spring and autumn are the best seasons of the year with balmy days and bright sunshine.

About the People

Before you depart to travel Japan, it's a good idea to get a sense of the people and their culture. Japan is one of the most densely populated nations in the world, with some 330 persons per square kilometer (almost 860 persons per sq. mi.). The Japanese are a Mongoloid people, closely related to the major groups of East Asia. However, some evidence also exists of a mixture with Malayan and Caucasoid strains. About 750,000 Koreans and much smaller groups of Chinese and Caucasians reside in Japan.

Religious Beliefs

When you travel Japan, you will be exposed to a new world of religious and personal beliefs. Buddhism is important in Japan's religious life and has strongly influenced fine arts, social institutions, and philosophy. Most Japanese consider themselves members of one of the major Buddhist sects.

Shintoism is an indigenous religion founded on myths, legends, and ritual practices of the early Japanese. Neither Buddhism nor Shintoism is an exclusive religion. Most Japanese observe both Buddhist and Shinto rituals: the former for funerals and the latter for births, marriages, and other occasions. Confucianism, primarily an ethical system, profoundly influences Japanese thought as well.

About 1.3 million people in Japan are Christians, of whom 60% are Protestant and 40% Roman Catholic.

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About the Author

Discount airfare to Japan

I would like to go to Asia someday (China, Japan or Korea) How much money should I save up?

I have always wanted to go there in places like Beijing, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Taiwan and get to know their culture and stuff
I speak English, I don't know very much of those languages, if this helps. All I know is hello and good by in Japanese and how to count from one to 10.
I speak English, I don't know very much of those languages, if this helps. All I know is hello and good by in Japanese and how to count from one to 10.
I was thinking like somewhere around $5000 to $15000 dollars

Welcome to Hong Kong, the Pearl of the Orient! Its stunning Victoria Harbour and The Peak have just been rated as Asia's No.1 skyline by a Japanese TV Station. A recent CNN poll also confirms Hong Kong is a must-visit in Asia. The amount of money needed will depend on how long you're staying and the lifestyle you're in. Normally a roundtrip ticket from SFO to HKG is around US$1000, a cheapest hotel room in HK is around US$50 per night, hostels are HK$100-300 per night.

HK has rich culture and history of a perfect blend of the west and east. Walk up the Escalator which begins from Central District and goes all the way up to the mid Levels. Along the Escalator you'll come across the early English settlement near Aberdeen Street, you'll also pass by Soho, South of Hollywood Rd which gives a very distinct bar and restaurant street. Hollywood Rd is the famous antique street where genuine Chinese antique are sold.

From Causeway Bay - Central District - Tsimshatsui District - Mongkok District along the MTR (subway) route are where most of the fascinating shoppings, restaurants, night life and gorgeous harbour view lies.

If you like green, sea and nature, and are not in a rush in going to places visiting one of the outlying islands ie the Silvermine Bay of Lantau Island is quite relax and gives a completely different impression of Hong Kong than the one often see in pictures. You've to catch a ferry from the Central Pier right outside IFC Building. The ferry trip takes about 20 minutes, a very nice ride if you like the sea and not in a rush.

Another beautiful mountain and sea area is Sai Kung District, there's a Seafood Street where you can handpick life seafood, have the restaurant cook them any way you like and enjoy it in front of the sea. There're many beautiful mountain trails in Hong Kong, there's one that goes all the way down to Aberdeen from the Peak. It'll take more than an hour to walk down. In Aberdeen District (you could also take a bus in Central, Causeway Bay or Wanchai Districts to get there), the boat restaurant "JUMBO" lying out in the sea is quite amusing.

HK is renowned as the world's shopping and dining paradise. You can eat like a billionaires, in the same token there're many affordable places with unbelivable prices. HK has the cheapest McDonald's prices on earth. A Cantonese wonton noodle soup is only around HK$15.

Buying brand names is popular in HK since there's zero sales tax nor import tariffs, brand names are often 10% - 50% cheaper than anywhere else in the world. Street vendors or flea markets is another interesting shopping paradise, they have all sorts of products selling at knockoff prices, eg the Ladies Street, the evening Temple Street vendors in Kowloon side, Stanley Market in HK side etc. Small street shops in Mongkok and Causeway Bay Districts may give you surprises too. There're also many street vendors located in small side streets of Central District, Wan Chai District, near Johnston Road and Causeway Bay District that sell factory exports "left-overs". Most prices in HK are fixed, you may be able to bargain a few $ though in small shops and street vendors. You will hardly find any fakes or copies in HK as the law enforcement is rather strict.
Everywhere in Hong Kong is well connected by its efficient and timely public transportation system, the MTR (subway), big and mini buses. Cost is from under US$1 - $2 per ride. It's easiest to travel by MTR which runs pass all the central shopping and business districts, then either connect to a bus or walk to your destination. Separate fares are charged for each ride. Star Ferry that crosses the Victoria Harbour, and the Island Tram that runs from the East (Shaukeiwan District) to the West (Kennedy Town) of the HK Island are only HK$2 per ride which is a must for tourists. If you like exploring on your own, simply follow the map, people on the streets always happy to offer directions. HK is one of the most foreigner-friendly cities on earth, plus lots of fun and excitment, visitors often find the place the most vibrant, exciting city that never sleeps, even when you get bored at 3 AM, you could go and have a drink in the bar or even have a delicious late snack. Convenience Stores are located in almost every corner of the main streets and are opened around the clock. The best of all, HK is extremely easy to get around being supported by affordable and well connected public transportation. Hongkongers are very responsive, efficient and persistent in their work that make shopping, dining or doing business a very wonderful experience. You'll also notice that Hongkongers will automatically stand by the side when walking up and down the stairs and escalators, not blocking those behind, which many Asian places are now following suit. Check www.discoverhongkong.com and have a wonderful stay!

Art of Asia: Japan - Scrolls and Screens