Japan Sheila M. V é lez Loucil #S Sheila M. V é lez Loucil #S Sheila M. V é lez Loucil #S ENGL 115 Sheila M. Vélez Loucil #S

 Visiting Japan is like visiting a whole new world. You get to experience a new culture.  I would like to go to Japan because I'm curious about their culture and people.  I want learn new things, learn about different artistic tradition, learn how most people live on a daily basis, and maybe make lots of new friends. I believe Japan is also beautiful

Geography  Japan, a country of islands, extends along the eastern or Pacific coast of Asia.  The four main islands, running from north to south, are Hokkaido, Honshu (or the mainland), Shikoku, and Kyushu.  About 3,000 smaller islands are included in the archipelago.

 Japan is situated in a volcanic zone along the Pacific depth, frequent low-intensity earth tremors and occasional volcanic activity are felt throughout the islands.  Destructive earthquakes occur several times a century.  A massive earthquake and tsunami struck northeastern Japan's Tohoku region on March 11, 2011.

 Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area in the world.  It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family.  Tokyo is on the southeastern side of the main island Honshu.

 Japan is a constitutional monarchy where the power of the Emperor is very limited.  As a ceremonial figurehead, he is defined by the constitution as "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people".  Power is held chiefly by the Prime Minister of Japan and other elected members of the Diet, while sovereignty is vested in the Japanese people.

 Akihito is the current Emperor of Japan; Naruhito, Crown Prince of Japan, stands as next in line to the throne.

 The Japanese economy is one of the strongest in the world. Japan's industrialized, free- market economy is the third-largest in the world.  The Japanese currency is the Yen.  Japan's reservoir of industrial leadership and technicians, well-educated and industrious work force, high savings and investment rates, and intensive promotion of industrial development and foreign trade produced a mature industrial economy.  Japan's main export goods are cars, electronic devices and computers.

 Because of its complexity and varied grammatical system, the Japanese language plays an important part in the culture of the country.

 Japanese culture is rich and diverse.  Japanese culture is unique in many aspects.  Japan is characterized for not forgetting its traditions.  Today in Japan it is still possible to see kimono-clad women shuffling down the street with umbrellas overhead.,

 Geisha are famous female traditional entertainers, who sing, dance, play traditional Japanese musical instruments and engage their clients with interesting conversation.  Today there are still some active Geisha in places such as Kyoto and Kanazawa

 The Kimono is the most famous form of traditional Japanese clothing for women.  The Kimono is actually a style with many different forms; from the casual to the wedding style, all which have a particular meaning and are wore to different events or occasions.  The Japanese Tea Ceremony is a highly developed art form, with several different schools or styles of Japanese Tea Ceremony in existence.  The Japanese Tea Ceremony is a very formal event in which many exacting steps are followed.

 Japanese Music is a major part of Japanese culture which spans from the traditional Japanese music and instruments to modern Japanese music including J-POP and Japanese Rock Music.  Traditional Japanese music is called Hogaku.  There are many types of music played with a variety of instruments from flutes to drums to stringed implements.  The Koto is one of the most refined and sophisticated of the traditional Japanese musical instruments. To the western ear the Koto would sound similar to a harp.

 Japan’s national and most popular traditional sport, sumo wrestling, includes much traditional ceremony.  Sumo wrestlers are generally between years in age and weigh several hundred pounds.  Other sports that are popular in Japan are baseball, soccer, swimming and golf. Various Martial Arts are also popular.

 Shintoism and Buddhism are Japan's two principal religions.  The two religions comfortably coexisted, and Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples often became administratively linked. Today many Japanese are adherents of both faiths.

 In Japan, educations are compulsory, includes elementary school and junior high school.  Educational standard are high with 99% literacy  Over 90% of all students also graduate from high school and over 40% from university or junior college.

 There is so much to see historically in Japan. In Nara there are temples that represent Buddhism and Shinto, which could be very interesting to see.

 There’s Hiroshima, which is now known for its Peace Park and Peace Memorial Museum. Hiroshima was destroyed during World War II by an atomic bomb, so there’s a lot of history behind it.  Kamakura is a great place to visit as it has the Great Buddha statue. Tokyo, of course, has the Sensoji Temple, the Imperial Palace, and much more

As you can see there are many reasons to visit Japan. It is a beautiful country with a lot to offer. There is so much to see and do..