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1. Japan has over 6,000 islands
Japan is made up of a whopping 6,852 islands, each with its own distinctive character. The largest, Honshu, is roughly the size of Minnesota, and it’s where you’ll find Tokyo and Kyoto. Next-biggest is northerly Hokkaido, known for its excellent skiing and rugged national parks. Third and fourth are Kyushu and Shikoku in the southwest, with their balmy temperatures, laid-back cities, and little-visited rural communities. That just leaves 6,848 more…
2. Japan is more than 70% mountains
It may be best-known for its huge, neon-lit cities, but did you know that over 70% of Japan is covered in lush green mountains? Criss-crossed with pilgrimage trails and dotted with quaint little villages, the mountains are the place to lose yourself on forest hikes, sleep in traditional Japanese inns, and discover a side of Japan away from the hubbub of city life. Amazingly, among these peaks, you’ll also find a tenth of the world’s active volcanoes — the most famous of which is, of course, Mount Fuji.
3. Japan has tropical beaches — and great skiing
Japan has a huge variety of contrasting landscapes and environments. The Okinawan islands in the far south are closer to Taiwan than Tokyo, and boast jewel-like isles with white sandy beaches, subtropical jungles, and amazing sites to dive and snorkel. Meanwhile, northerly Hokkaido has some of the best skiing in the world, with buckets of fluffy powder snow blown over from Siberia almost guaranteed daily during the winter months.
4 – Japan has the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world
Contrary to popular belief, Japanese food isn’t all about raw fish. Japanese cuisine is actually incredibly varied, which means there’s something for everybody — no matter what your tastes. There are crazy, adventurous dishes you can’t find anywhere else in the world, but there are a lot of things you’ll recognise — from melt-in-the-mouth steaks to pizzas a Neapolitan would be proud of. And did we mention that Japan has the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world? Tokyo alone has 226, which is more than the whole of Spain.
5. Japan is not (that) expensive
Japan isn’t as expensive as you think. It was expensive in the 1980s during the economic boom, but these days it’s far cheaper to visit than Australia, the US, and most countries in Western Europe. That’s not to say you can’t spend money if you want to — but there’s incredibly cheap food and reasonably priced (by Western standards) accommodation, too. For example, you can buy a three-course lunch for approximately £7, a plate of sushi from about 80p, or have an all-you-can-eat session at an izakaya (traditional Japanese pub) for as little as £22. It might not be the cheapest country in the world, but you can’t argue with the quality of the food, the exceptional service and the value for money… and you don’t even need to tip! In fact, leave one and you’ll probably have your waiter running after you to give it back.