| Japan is a country with a rich, endearing history full of | | | | situation where you're not around English-speaking |
| culture, tranquility and excitement all at the same | | | | Japanese citizens. Also, make sure to print out a |
| time. Most of us who take a trip to Japan soon | | | | schedule of the train schedule to ensure you'll get |
| realize upon touching down that Japan is a | | | | where you want to go at the time you want to go. |
| magnificent land with some of the most beautiful | | | | As for buses, check online and see the databases for |
| scenery of any country in the world. However, | | | | the schedules. |
| before taking a tour to Japan, travelers should | | | | Money |
| educate themselves on this land to get a better idea | | | | The currency for Japan is yen. Coins are available in |
| of what to do when visiting The Far East. Read | | | | denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen with |
| below for some interesting tidbits on the country of | | | | paper currency in denomination of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 |
| Japan: | | | | and 10,000 yen. Make sure to check the exchange |
| Population | | | | rates before you head out on your Japan vacation to |
| Despite its relatively small size compared to some of | | | | make sure you bring enough cash for your trip. |
| the world's other larger countries, Japan's population | | | | Traveler's checks are accepted in most banks, hotels, |
| is a little more than 126 million people, with most of | | | | inns and stores throughout most of Japan's major |
| these residents living in some of the country's more | | | | cities as are most major credit cards including |
| densely-populated areas. In fact, the Tokyo | | | | American Express, VISA, Diners club and MasterCard. |
| Metropolitan Area alone houses an estimated 12 | | | | These credit cards can also be used at most ATMs |
| million people or roughly ten percent of the country's | | | | throughout the cities as well and in fact, most |
| population. In fact, it's estimated that during the day | | | | 7-Elevens also have ATM machines that accept these |
| that number might increase to up to 15 million with | | | | credit cards as well. However, most of the areas |
| people commuting to work in the city, so if you're | | | | outside the major cities do not accept these credit |
| planning a trip to Tokyo, prepare yourself for some | | | | cards, so make sure to take some yen when |
| crowds. | | | | traveling to these areas. |
| Language | | | | Fun Facts |
| The people of Japan has become more accustomed | | | | And if you want to brush on some interesting facts |
| to visitors from the United States, so language is | | | | on Japan before you go, consider the following: |
| less-likely to be an issue now compared to past | | | | Japan is 70% mountains |
| times. Still, do yourself a favor and take along a | | | | Japan is made up of over 6,000 islands |
| translating device of some sort or just a phrasebook | | | | The most popular pet in Japan is the Golden |
| dictionary to prepare yourself for those times when | | | | Retriever |
| you run into residents that aren't familiar with the | | | | Japanese pizza traditionally has mayonnaise, corn |
| English language. | | | | and seaweed on it |
| Transportation | | | | Watermelons can often cost up to $100 |
| Public transportation is readily-available in most of the | | | | KFC is a really popular place to visit on Christmas |
| larger cities with trains, buses and taxis providing the | | | | A trip to Japan provides a fantastic chance to |
| primary source of public transportation in these | | | | experience the culture of a rich and endearing land |
| locations. Make sure to keep that translating device | | | | while providing memories that will last a lifetime. |
| or dictionary handy just in case you get into a | | | | |