All about JapanAll about Japan

JapanJapan

There are 4 main islands in Japan

Honshu Shikoku

Hokkaido Kyushu

FACTS ABOUT JAPANFACTS ABOUT JAPAN

THE CAPITAL CITY OF JAPAN IS TOKYOTHE CAPITAL CITY OF JAPAN IS TOKYOTHE CURRENCY THEY USE IS CALLED THE CURRENCY THEY USE IS CALLED

‘YEN’. THERE ARE ABOUT 230 YEN(‘YEN’. THERE ARE ABOUT 230 YEN(¥)¥) TO TO £1.£1.

THE MAIN RELIGIONS IN JAPAN ARE THE MAIN RELIGIONS IN JAPAN ARE BUDDHISM AND SHINTOISM.BUDDHISM AND SHINTOISM.

THE FLIGHT TIME FROM THE UK TO THE FLIGHT TIME FROM THE UK TO JAPAN IS AROUND 15 HOURS!JAPAN IS AROUND 15 HOURS!

There are 2 alphabets that are used, each containing 46 sounds.

Hiragana 　（ひらがな） is for Japanese words.

Katakana 　（カタカナ） is used for words that are borrowed from other languages.

Kanji, which originated in China, is also used.

きんかくじ きんかくじ KinkakujiKinkakuji

Golden TempleGolden Temple

The outside is coated with gold leaf. The outside is coated with gold leaf. It was built as a retirement home for It was built as a retirement home for the Shogun at the time.the Shogun at the time.

ふじさん ふじさん Mount FujiMount Fuji

A very popular tourist attraction. Located to A very popular tourist attraction. Located to the west of Tokyo.the west of Tokyo.

Stands 3,776 metres high.Stands 3,776 metres high.Classed as an active volcano but hasn’t Classed as an active volcano but hasn’t

erupted since 1707.erupted since 1707.Top of the mountain is covered in snow for Top of the mountain is covered in snow for

several months of the year. The lowest several months of the year. The lowest recorded temperature was -38 degrees!recorded temperature was -38 degrees!

Tokyo TowerTokyo Tower

333 metres high!

Finished in 1958

Weighs 4,000 tonnes

150 million visitors since it opened

Featured in the film ‘Tokyo Drift’

Cost 2.8 billion yen to build, which is around £5.2 million.

The biggest city in the world!

Nagoya CastleNagoya CastleThe original castle was built in 1925.

In World War 2, the castle was used as an army headquarters and as a prisoner of war camp.

Reconstructed in 1959, after being damaged severely in the war.

Golden tiger headed dolphin!

HiroshimaHiroshima

The Peace Park in Hiroshima has been The Peace Park in Hiroshima has been created to remember the people who died in created to remember the people who died in the atomic bombings of 1945.the atomic bombings of 1945.

The Sadako ↑ memorial

Paper cranes

MatsuriMatsuriThere are many festivals held in Japan every year, to celebrate a variety of events or special dates.

Hina Matsuri- Girl’s day, which is on the 3rd of March.

A display of dolls is put up in the house and special food is made and eaten.

Children/Boy’s day is held on the 5th of May. This is a day to celebrate the health and happiness of children.

Flags are made with tall canes and paper koi carp are strung from the canes and then they blow in the wind, making it look like they are ‘swimming’.

The koi carp are a symbol of strength and health.

YUKI MATSURI

The Sapporo snow and ice festival is held in early February.

Around 2 million people attend this festival to see the beautiful carvings made of ice!

七月　七月　 shichigatsushichigatsuJulyJuly

たなばた A princess called おりひめ wove cloth on the banks of the あまの川 for her father てんてい (sky king). Because she worked so hard, she was afraid she would never meet anyone and fall in love. Her father arranged for her to meet ひこぼし , a cowherd. The pair fell in love and married soon afterwards.

However, after they were married, Orihime would no longer weave cloth for her father, and Hikoboshi let his cows stray all over Heaven. In anger, Tentei separated the two lovers across the Amanogawa and forbade them to meet.

Orihime cried so much though, that her father allowed them to meet once a year, on the 7th of July, at night when the stars had come out.

During this time, wishes are written onto paper and hung onto bamboo, which is then either burnt or set afloat on a river. This resembles the custom of おぼん .

Expressive ArtsExpressive Arts

Calligraphy, flower arranging, dance and playing instruments are traditional Japanese past times.

Some traditions in Japan include-Some traditions in Japan include- Taking off your shoes and putting on Taking off your shoes and putting on

slippers before going into the houseslippers before going into the house Eating with chopsticksEating with chopsticks Bowing when greeting someone( the lower Bowing when greeting someone( the lower

you bow, the more important the person you bow, the more important the person is!)is!)

Having rice as part of every mealHaving rice as part of every meal Not wearing outside shoes in school. In Not wearing outside shoes in school. In

school you wear ‘wabaki’-inside slippers!school you wear ‘wabaki’-inside slippers!