Country Facts And Traveller Information
While the archipelago of Japan is actually comprised of around 4000 separate islands, the four largest account for 97% of the total land area and provide home to a vast majority of the country's permanent residents, which amount to approximately 128 million people. Separated from China, the Korean Peninsula and Russia by the Sea of Japan on its western side, Japan faces the mighty Pacific Ocean to the east and stretches from the East China Sea in the south to the northern Sea of Okhotsk. Its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire means that Japan is subject to seismic activity of varying intensity and frequency, where earth tremors could almost be looked upon as part of everyday life on many islands but the mass destruction of full-blown earthquakes and resulting tsunamis thankfully occurs far less often. A number of active volcanoes re-enforces Japan's geologically restless nature, most of the islands being formed from violent eruptions that have occurred throughout millennia and the fact that the topography of the entire country is mountainous is testament to its precarious situation at a notoriously unstable area of the earth's crust.
The lushly wooded, gently sloping, snowy-capped peaks of Japan's largest volcanoes are woven tightly into the country's unique cultural heritage, still providing as symbolic an image in the 21st century as they did in the 18th century when they were often portrayed in the iconic works of artists like Ando Hiroshige and Katsushika Hokusai. Japanese volcanoes not only epitomise the breathtaking scenic beauty of the country but also evoke a powerful sense of history that dates back much further than the accession of the first emperor, Jimmu, in 660 BC, when the volcano was deemed a worshipful deity within the beliefs of the ancient Japanese Shinto religion. Many modern-day visitors to the country rent holiday apartments in Japan simply because of the promise of actually discovering the same spectacular scenery as they are so used to seeing in famous prints or on TV documentaries, and while you might look at Mt Fuji on your living room wall every day, it bears little resemblance to the experience of seeing it in all its real-life glory!
Honshu is the largest island in Japan - lying almost centrally it is connected to the other three main islands by tunnels or bridges. Bisected from end to end by a series of mountain ranges collectively known as the Japanese Alps, and home to Mt Fuji, the highest volcanic peak in Japan, Honshu is dominated by rugged landscapes that are more recently being recognised for their excellent skiing potential. Even though much of the island is rural and scattered with tiny farming communities, being home to the de facto capital city of Tokyo also makes it the most heavily populated, with over 30 million people living in the Greater Tokyo Area alone. Such incredible diversity makes Honshu one of the most fascinating destinations in Japan, providing those hoping to enjoy all aspects of the country's heritage the chance to investigate a nation as famous for its advancements in modern technology as its reluctance to relinquish the customs and traditions of a truly ancient past.
Hokkaido is the northern-most island in Japan and because of its situation is subjected to the coldest winter temperatures of any part of the country. While summer months from June to August are extremely hot and humid everywhere else in Japan, Hokkaido offers far more comfortable conditions more befitting of its location, where a longer winter season and guaranteed snowfall contrasts dramatically with the sub-tropical climate that exists in the southern-most islands of Japan. Having hosted the 1972 winter Olympics, Hokkaido continues to provide some of the finest conditions and facilities for winter sport in the world - a particularly appealing prospect to the dedicated disciples of the ski and snowboard since global travel has become far more convenient and affordable in recent years. So for those seeking new and exciting venues for snowboarding and skiing, holiday apartments in Hokkaido will let you discover a destination that could easily become one of preference rather a one-off alternative to your usual choice of ski resorts in Europe, Canada and USA, the stunning views of Mt Yotei from the perfectly groomed, pristine powder slopes of Niseko-Hirafu being sure to clinch the deal!
Kyushu is the third-largest island in Japan and the most south-westerly, a sub-tropical climate assisting the production of many food crops even though the larger cities and port towns like Nagasaki and Fukuoka are more commonly associated with heavy industry. Mt Aso, thought to be the most active volcano in Japan, rises up near the centre of Kyushu, as does the taller peak of Mt Kuju, both of which are likely to be adorned with a covering of snow during the winter months despite the heat and humidity that endure throughout a greater part of the year in the lowland areas, especially when a number of hot springs scattered across the island do nothing much to help cool things down!
A similar climate exists on the smallest island in Japan, the countryside of Shikoku also being used extensively for agriculture with the alluvial areas in the east given over largely to rice production and a wide variety of fruit being grown in the north of the island. And despite being the only Japanese island without its own resident volcano, Shikoku can still boast a rugged mountain landscape steeped in a deep sense of history and legend that can be fully appreciated by embarking on the famous 88 temple pilgrimage that is traditionally done on foot, visiting all 88 temples in a set order even though there are around 200 other temples scattered across the island that may tempt you to deviate from the route, but at roughly 1200 kms long, this epic journey is certainly not for the faint-hearted!
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