A Brief Description

Steeped in centuries of Asian culture and history, Japan, an archipelago of 4 major and over 4,000 smaller islands, is a mostly mountainous country with only 15% of its land cultivable.

As a result of that shortage of land, its largest cities ring the coastline. The mammoth metropolis of Tokyo, and the other huge cities along the Pacific Ocean are home to most of its people.

After the
atomic bombs fell on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and its obvious eventual defeat in World War II, Emperor Hirohito surrendered in 1945.

Japan recovered within two decades; becoming a staunch ally of the US, and completely revised their postwar consitution. They went so far as to limit the power of their emperor, making it, as it is today, a ceremonial position.

Japan, within the blink-of-an-eye, (it seems) became one of the world's major economic forces; its high-quality automobiles and electronics cover the planet.

Visitors enjoy the fast-paced culture and excitment of Tokyo and Osaka, the rural coastal villages and wilderness areas, the winter wonderland of Sapporo, and most of all...the courteous and respectful Japanese people.

Learn more about Japan and its history here

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Mt Fuji, Japan
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Facts and Figures

arrow Name Japan

(long form) none

arrow Population 127,417,200

arrow Population & Density (all countries) here

arrow Capital City Tokyo (8.3 mil ) metro (31.8 mil)

arrow Currency Yen (JPY)

arrow Currency Converter here

arrow Languages Japanese

arrow Flag here

arrow National Day December 23

arrow Religions Buddist and Shinto (85%), others

Geographic Coordinates

arrow Latitude/Longitude (Capital City)
35º 45' N, 139º 30' E

arrow Relative Location Japan is in both the northern and eastern
hemispheres. Positioned off the eastern coast of Asia, east of the Korean Peninsula, this island country is bordered by the Philippine Sea, East China Sea, Sea of Japan (East Sea), Sea of Okhotsk and the North Pacific Ocean.

Land Statistics

arrow Coastline 18,486 miles (29,751 km)

arrow Land Areas

(land) 144,689 sq miles (374,744 sq km)

(water) 1,194 sq miles (3,091 sq km)

(TOTAL) 145,883 sq miles (377,835 sq km)

arrow Land Area (all countries) here

arrow Landforms A long ridge of rugged mountains run through the heart of Japan, punctuated by steep tree-lined slopes, and deep valleys on the Pacific Ocean side, and lowers hills and mountains along the Sea of Japan side.

The main interior mountain ranges include the Akaishi, Hido and Kiso, where elevations exceed 9,800 ft. (3,000 m). The country's highest point, Mt Fuji, southwest of Tokyo, is a dormant volcano.

The islands of Japan are located on the Ring of Fire, and as a result suffer from frequent, violent earthquakes and some serious volcanic activity.

A small series of plains are situated along the coastal areas. A notable number of (very short) rivers flow briskly down the mountains into the coastal areas. The largest river in Japan is the Shinano.

arrow Highest Point Mt Fuji - 12,388 ft. (3,776m)

arrow Lowest Point Lake Hachirogata - (-13 ft.) (-4 m) below sea level

arrow Land Divisions 47 prefectures; including: Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gumma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi and Yamanashi.
Maps

arrow Japan (large color) Map
here

arrow Japan Outline Map here

arrow Japan CIA version here

arrow Japan Maps at UT here

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arrow Asia Continent (printable) here

arrow Asia Outline Map here

arrow Asia (Southeast) Outline Map here

arrow Asia (Name the Country) Map Test here

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arrow Indian Subcontinent Map here

arrow Middle East Landforms here

arrow Middle East Map here

arrow Middle East Outline Map here

arrow Middle East Rivers here

arrow Tsunami Map (December 2004) here

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arrow World Outline Maps (printable) here

arrow World Time Zone Map here

Recommended Links

arrow Japan (Complete) info on the (GDP) economy, imports and exports, natural resources, government, population, military, transportation, and more
here!

arrow Japan Times (news) here!

arrow Japan Tourism here!

arrow Japan Guide here!

arrow Japan Info Network here!

arrow Japan Photos at TrekEarth.com here

arrow Japan Regions here!

arrow Hiroshima Peace Site here!

arrow Tokyo Tourism here!

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Tokyo street at night
Travel the World through Poster Art!


Time and Weather

arrow Time Zone (UTC +9) Note that UTC is also known as GMT, or Greenwich Mean Time. Conversion details and additional info:
here

arrow Climate The weather in Japan varies dramatically north to south, and many travelers feel the idea months to visit are March through May.

In the northern reaches of the country the summers are warm and comfortable, while winters are long and cold. In the central regions, summers are hot and humid, and winters short. In the southwestern areas, summer weather can be very hot and humid, with mild winters.

The islands of Japan receive copious amounts of rain, with the highest amounts of percipitation occuring in summer through early fall.
Click for Forecast Click for Forecast
Click for Forecast Click for Forecast

Traveler Info

arrow Attractions The non-stop, pulsating city of Tokyo, the clear skies and cherry blossoms of spring, the photogenic city of Kyoto, the stunning Noto-Hanto Peninsula, a Mt. Fuji area tour, the winter sport's venues on Hokkaido, a ride on the Shinkansen bullet train, any of the countless Buddhist temples and shrines, and the beautiful (and spotless) national parks - to name but a few.

arrow Country Dialing Code 81

arrow Electricity Japan uses 100 volts AC (50 Hz)

Electrical adapters, products and tips
here

arrow Travel Warnings here

arrow Visa Information here

 

The following notes are available for your viewing pleasure!

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P-13, 10 Yen, (1873)
Scan donated by Lyn Knight Currency Auctions
P-13, 10 Yen, (1873)
Scan donated by Lyn Knight Currency Auctions
P-17, 1 Yen, ND (1881)
Scan donated by M.A.
P-17, 1 Yen, ND (1881)
Scan donated by M.A.
P-30c, 1 Yen, (1916) P-30c, 1 Yen, (1916)
P-36, 10 Yen, ND (1916)
Scan donated by M.A.
P-36, 10 Yen, ND (1916)
Scan donated by M.A.
P-39a, 5 Yen, (1930) P-39a, 5 Yen, (1930)
P-40, 10 Yen, (1930) P-40, 10 Yen, (1930)
P-40z, 10 Yen, (1930-ca 1940)
Scan donated by Mark Schiffer (eBay Bisco5)
P-40z, 10 Yen, (1930-ca 1940)
Scan donated by Mark Schiffer (eBay Bisco5)
P-43a, 5 Yen, (1942) P-43a, 5 Yen, (1942)
P-43a, 5 Yen, (1942)
Scan donated by Joe Procopio
P-43a, 5 Yen, (1942)
Scan donated by Joe Procopio
P-44, 200 Yen, ND (1945)
Scan donated by M.A.
P-44, 200 Yen, ND (1945)
Scan donated by M.A.
P-45, 1,000 Yen, ND (1945)
Scan donated by M.A.
P-45, 1,000 Yen, ND (1945)
Scan donated by M.A.
P-49a, 1 Yen, (1943) P-49a, 1 Yen, (1943)
P-50, 5 Yen, (1943) P-50, 5 Yen, (1943)
P-51a, 10 Yen, ND (1943)
Scan donated by M.A.
P-51a, 10 Yen, ND (1943)
Scan donated by M.A.
P-51b, 10 Yen, (1944) P-51b, 10 Yen, (1944)
P-51b, 10 Yen, (1944)
Scan donated by Joe Procopio
P-51b, 10 Yen, (1944)
Scan donated by Joe Procopio
P-52a, 5 Sen, (1944) P-52a, 5 Sen, (1944)
P-52, 5 Sen, (1944)
Scan donated by Richard Tsai
P-52, 5 Sen, (1944)
Scan donated by Richard Tsai
P-53a, 10 Sen (1944) P-53a, 10 Sen (1944)
P-54, 1 Yen, (1944-45) P-54, 1 Yen, (1944-45)
P-55a, 5 Yen, (1944)
Scan donated by Mark Schiffer (eBay Bisco5)
P-55a, 5 Yen, (1944)
Scan donated by Mark Schiffer (eBay Bisco5)
P-56a, 10 Yen, (1944) P-56a, 10 Yen, (1944)
P-56b, 10 Yen, (1945)
Scan donated by Joe Procopio
P-56b, 10 Yen, (1945)
Scan donated by Joe Procopio
P-57, 100 Yen, (1944)
Scan donated by Adam Christopherson
P-57, 100 Yen, (1944)
Scan donated by Adam Christopherson
P-58, 50 Sen, 1938 P-58, 50 Sen, 1938
P-59a, 50 Sen, Showa 17, 1942 P-59a, 50 Sen, Showa 17, 1942
P-59b, 50 Sen, Showa 18, 1943 P-59b, 50 Sen, Showa 18, 1943
P-59c, 50 Sen, Showa 19, 1944 P-59c, 50 Sen, Showa 19, 1944
P-60, 50 Sen, 1945 P-60, 50 Sen, 1945
P-60, 50 Sen, Showa 20, 1945
Scan donated by Tristan Williams
P-60, 50 Sen, Showa 20, 1945
Scan donated by Tristan Williams
P-61, 50 Sen, 1948 P-61, 50 Sen, 1948
P-63, 10 Sen, (1945) P-63, 10 Sen, (1945)
P-64, 50 Sen, (1945) P-64, 50 Sen, (1945)
P-65, 50 Sen, (1945) P-65, 50 Sen, (1945)
P-66, 1 Yen, (1945) P-66, 1 Yen, (1945)
P-67a, 1 Yen, (1945) P-67a, 1 Yen, (1945)
P-69a, 5 Yen, (1945) P-69a, 5 Yen, (1945)
P-71, 10 Yen, (1945) P-71, 10 Yen, (1945)
P-73, 20 Yen, (1945) P-73, 20 Yen, (1945)
P-73, 20 Yen, (1945)
Scan donated by Thomas Moffatt
P-73, 20 Yen, (1945)
Scan donated by Thomas Moffatt
P-77a, 10 Yen, (1945) P-77a, 10 Yen, (1945)
P-77a, 10 Yen, (1945)
Scan donated by Mark Schiffer (eBay Bisco5)
P-77a, 10 Yen, (1945)
Scan donated by Mark Schiffer (eBay Bisco5)
P-83, 5 Sen, (1948) P-83, 5 Sen, (1948)
P-84, 10 Sen, (1947) P-84, 10 Sen, (1947)
P-85, 1 Yen, (1946) P-85, 1 Yen, (1946)
P-86, 5 Yen, (1946) P-86, 5 Yen, (1946)
P-86, 5 Yen, (1946)
Scan donated by M.J.D.
P-86, 5 Yen, (1946)
Scan donated by M.J.D.
P-87a, 10 Yen, (1946) P-87a, 10 Yen, (1946)
P-88, 50 Yen, (1951) P-88, 50 Yen, (1951)
P-88, 50 Yen, (1956)
Scan donated by Claudio Hideki Imai
P-88, 50 Yen, (1956)
Scan donated by Claudio Hideki Imai
P-89a, 100 Yen, (1946) P-89a, 100 Yen, (1946)
P-89, 100 Yen, (1946)
Scan donated by Bill Nelson
P-89, 100 Yen, (1946)
Scan donated by Bill Nelson
P-90a, 100 Yen, (1953) P-90a, 100 Yen, (1953)
P-90b, 100 Yen, (1953) P-90b, 100 Yen, (1953)
P-90c, 100 Yen, (1953) P-90c, 100 Yen, (1953)
P-91a, 500 Yen, (1951) P-91a, 500 Yen, (1951)
P-92a, 1,000 Yen, (1950)
Scan donated by Adam Christopherson
P-92a, 1,000 Yen, (1950)
Scan donated by Adam Christopherson
P-92b, 1,000 Yen, (1950) P-92b, 1,000 Yen, (1950)
P-92b, 1,000 Yen, (1950)
Scan donated by Tristan Williams
P-92b, 1,000 Yen, (1950)
Scan donated by Tristan Williams
P-93b, 5,000 Yen, (1957)
Scan donated by Hariadi Kurniawan
P-93b, 5,000 Yen, (1957)
Scan donated by Hariadi Kurniawan
P-94b, 10,000 Yen, (1958)
Scan donated by Richard Tsai
P-94b, 10,000 Yen, (1958)
Scan donated by Richard Tsai
P-95, 500 Yen, (1969) P-95, 500 Yen, (1969)
P-96, 1,000 Yen, (1963) P-96, 1,000 Yen, (1963)
P-97b, 1,000 Yen, (1984-93)
Scan donated by Thomas Augustsson
P-97b, 1,000 Yen, (1984-93)
Scan donated by Thomas Augustsson
P-97d, 1,000 Yen, (1984-93)
Scan donated by Tristan Williams
P-97d, 1,000 Yen, (1984-93)
Scan donated by Tristan Williams
P-98, 5,000 Yen, (1984-93)
Scan donated by Noel Monroy
P-98, 5,000 Yen, (1984-93)
Scan donated by Noel Monroy
P-100b, 1,000 Yen, ND (1993) P-100b, 1,000 Yen, ND (1993)
P-100b, 1,000 Yen, ND (1993)
Scan donated by Noel Monroy
P-100b, 1,000 Yen, ND (1993)
Scan donated by Noel Monroy
P-100d, 1,000 Yen, ND (1993-) P-100d, 1,000 Yen, ND (1993-)
P-101b, 5,000 Yen, ND (1993) P-101b, 5,000 Yen, ND (1993)
P-101b, 5,000 Yen, ND (1993)
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-101b, 5,000 Yen, ND (1993)
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-102b, 10,000 Yen, ND (1993)
Scan donated by Matthew Patay
P-102b, 10,000 Yen, (1993)
Scan donated by Matthew Patay
P-102b, 10,000 Yen, ND (1993)
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-102b, 10,000 Yen, ND (1993)
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-102b, 10,000 Yen, ND (1993)
Scan donated by Noel Monroy
P-102b, 10,000 Yen, ND (1993)
Scan donated by Noel Monroy
P-103, 2,000 Yen, ND (2000) P-103, 2,000 Yen, ND (2000)
P-103, 2,000 Yen, ND (2000)
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-103, 2,000 Yen, ND (2000)
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-104, 1,000 Yen, (2004)
Scan donated by Omer Yalcinkaya
P-104, 1,000 Yen, (2004)
Scan donated by Omer Yalcinkaya
P-104, 1,000 Yen, (2004)
Scan donated by Gergely Scheidl
P-104, 1,000 Yen, (2004)
Scan donated by Gergely Scheidl
P-104, 1,000 Yen, (2004)
Scan donated by Philippe Etienne
P-104, 1,000 Yen, (2004)
Scan donated by Philippe Etienne
P-104s, 1,000 Yen, Specimen, (2004)
Scan donated by Shane Nishi
P-104s, 1,000 Yen, Specimen, (2004)
Scan donated by Shane Nishi
P-105, 5,000 Yen, (2004)
Scan donated by Philippe Etienne
P-105, 5,000 Yen, (2004)
Scan donated by Philippe Etienne
P-105, 5,000 Yen, (2004)
Scan donated by Gergely Scheidl
P-105, 5,000 Yen, (2004)
Scan donated by Gergely Scheidl
P-105, 5,000 Yen, (2004)
Scan donated by Ricardo Ramirez G
P-105, 5,000 Yen, (2004)
Scan donated by Ricardo Ramirez G
P-105, 5,000 Yen, (2004)
Scan donated by Omer Yalcinkaya
P-105, 5,000 Yen, (2004)
Scan donated by Omer Yalcinkaya
P-105s, 5,000 Yen, Specimen, (2004)
Scan donated by Shane Nishi
P-105s, 5,000 Yen, Specimen, (2004)
Scan donated by Shane Nishi
P-106, 10,000 Yen, (2004)
Scan donated by Gergely Scheidl
P-106, 10,000 Yen, (2004)
Scan donated by Gergely Scheidl
P-106, 10,000 Yen, (2004)
Scan donated by Ricardo Ramirez G
P-106, 10,000 Yen, (2004)
Scan donated by Ricardo Ramirez G
P-106s, 10,000 Yen, Specimen, (2004)
Scan donated by Shane Nishi
P-106s, 10,000 Yen, Specimen, (2004)
Scan donated by Shane Nishi
Hansatsu
P-S?, Hansatsu
Scan donated by Thomas Moffatt
P-S?, Hansatsu
Scan donated by Thomas Moffatt
The following scans were donated but I've lost the name of the person who donated them!  Sorry.
Hansatsu #1 Hansatsu #1
Hansatsu #2 Hansatsu #2
Hansatsu #3 Hansatsu #3
Hansatsu #4 Hansatsu #4
Hansatsu #5 Hansatsu #5
Hansatsu #6 Not available
Hansatsu #7 Hansatsu #7
Hansatsu #8 Hansatsu #8

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Banknote reference numbers obtained from the Standard Catalogs of World Paper Money published by Krause Publications


Patrick Kennedy's World Currency Homepage
This page created by: Patrick Kennedy
Creation date: March 2007
Last update: 18 November 2009
URL: http://www.patricksworldcurrency.com/countries/japan.html