Tokyo is the capital of Japan, whose population is around 127 million people. The main religions are Shinto and Buddhism, and the head of state is the Emperor, while the Prime Minister is the chief of government. Japan comprises over 3000 islands in the Pacific Ocean, over 70% of which are mountainous. The culture combines influences from Asia, Europe and North America, with traditional arts including painting, sculpture, flower arranging, theater, architecture, and kimono clothing. Cuisine such as sushi and tempura are popular worldwide.

1. Land of the Rising Sun

2. The capital city of Japan is Tokyo, while the
official language is Japanese.
The main religions of Japan are Shinto and
Buddhism.
In Japan, the head of the state is the Emperor,
while the chief of the government is the Prime
Minister.
Population is about 127,960,000 people.
Imperial Seal

3. Geography
Japan is an island country
located in East Asia. Situated in
the Pacific Ocean.
Japan constitutes of more than
3000 islands.
More than 70 percent of the
country comprises of mountains
and hills.
Around 10 percent of world’s
active volcanoes are located in
Japan.

4. The culture of Japan has evolved greatly over millennia,
which combines influences from Asia, Europe and North
America.

5. Painting
Painting has been an art in
Japan for a very long time:
the brush is a traditional
writing tool.
Chinese papermaking was
introduced to Japan around
the 7th century.
Native Japanese painting
techniques are still in use
today, as well as techniques
adopted from continental
Asia and from the West.

8. Sculpture
Traditional Japanese sculptures mainly consisted of
Buddhist images.
Wood has traditionally been used as the chief material
in Japan, along with the traditional Japanese
architectures.
Bronze and other metals are also used. Other
materials, such as stone and pottery, have had
extremely important roles in the plebeian beliefs.

9. The oldest sculpture in Japan is a wooden
statue of Amitabha at the Zenko-ji temple.

11. Ikebana
Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. It
has gained widespread international fame for its focus
on harmony, color use, rhythm, and elegantly simple
design. It is an art centered greatly on expressing the
seasons, and is meant to act as a symbol to something
greater than the flower itself. Traditionally, when third
party marriages were more prominent and practiced in
Japan, many Japanese women entering into a marriage
learned to take up the art of Ikebana to be a more
appealing and well-rounded lady. Today Ikebana is
widely practiced in Japan, as well as around the world.

14. Performing arts
The four traditional theatres from Japan are noh,
kyogen, kabuki and bunraku. One of the most famous
theater kabuki. a form of traditional Japanese drama
with highly stylized song, mime, and dance, now
performed only by male actors, using exaggerated
gestures and body movements to express emotions,
and including historical plays, domestic dramas, and
dance pieces.

17. Architecture
Japanese architecture has as long history as any other
aspect of Japanese culture.
Examples of traditional architecture are seen at
Temples, Shinto shrines and castles in Kyoto, and
Nara. Some of these buildings are constructed with
traditional gardens.
Garden architecture is as important as building
architecture and very much influenced by the same
historical and religious background.

20. Traditional clothing
Traditional Japanese clothing
distinguishes Japan from all other
countries around the world. The
Japanese word kimono means
"something one wears" and they are the
traditional garments of Japan.
Originally, the word kimono was used
for all types of clothing, but eventually,
it came to refer specifically to the full-
length garment also known as the naga-
gi, meaning "long-wear", that is still
worn today on special occasions by
women, men, and children.

21. Also, there is a special
kimono for girls, called
Furisode. javascript:;When a
young Japanese woman turns
20 years old, she is recognized
as an adult. She has the right
to vote, is responsible for any
crimes and is allowed to
smoke and drink (officially).
Many parents buy the
Furisode for their daughters
to celebrate this significant
point in a young woman's life.

22. Cuisine
Through a long culinary past, the Japanese have
developed sophisticated and refined cuisine. In recent
years, Japanese food has become fashionable and
popular in the U.S., Europe and many other areas.
Dishes such as sushi, tempura, and teriyaki are some of
the foods that are commonly known. The healthy
Japanese diet is often believed to be related to the
longevity of Japanese people.

23. sushi

24. fresh raw meat

25. Many people aren't aware of some of the quirky and interesting
facts about Japan. There are a whole variety of strange and fun
and cool facts. Here they are:

26. Raw horse meat is a popular food in Japan
For many Japanese couples Christmas is celebrated like
Valentine's Day in the western world.
Religion does not play a big role in the lives of most
Japanese and many do not understand the difference
between Shintoism and Buddhism.
Japan's literacy rate is almost 100%.
Sumo is Japan's national sport, although baseball is
also very popular.

27. When you use the restroom in
some one's home, you may need
to put on special bathroom
slippers so as not to
contaminate the rest of the
home.

28. There are around 1,500 earthquakes
every year in Japan.
In Japan it is not uncommon to eat
rice at every meal, including
breakfast.
Average life expectancy in Japan is
one of the highest in the world.
Japanese people live an average of 4
years longer than Americans.
Some farmers grow square
watermelons in Japan.