General information Location - Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the East Sea of Korea Area - 377,835 sq km in total (land: 374,744 sq km, water: 3,091 sq km) Climate - Varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north Elevation extremes - Lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m - Highest point: Fujiyama 3,776 m Natural resources - Negligible mineral resources, fish Religions - Observe both Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16% (including Christian 0.7%) Languages - Japanese Economy - Government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation have helped Japan advance with extraordinary rapidity to the rank of second most technologically powerful economy in the world after the US and third largest economy in the world after the US and China. One notable characteristic of the economy is the working together of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors in closely-knit groups called keiretsu The much smaller agricultural sector is highly subsidized and protected, with crop yields among the highest in the world. Japan maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch. For three decades overall real economic growth had been spectacular: a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s, and a 4% average in the 1980s. Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s largely because of the aftereffects of overinvestment during the late 1980s and contractionary domestic policies intended to wring speculative excesses from the stock and real estate markets. Government efforts to revive economic growth have met little success and were further hampered in late 2000 by the slowing of the US and Asian economies. The crowding of habitable land area and the aging of the population are two major long-run problems. Japan is now undergoing an economic reconstruction to save its economy. Sightseeing area Asakusa - Inside the gate is a long market along the path leading to the inner tori(gate). You can pick up various traditional snack foods here, such as shaped sponge pieces filled with sweet bean paste. As well as the main temple building there are many others which served a different functions. There are statues, little gardens and many other things to see. You also get Rickshaws waiting to take you where ever you want outside the temple. Harajuku - On weekdays, Harajuku is an area filled with street cafes, boutiques, restaurants and many interesting shops. But if you visit on Sunday and you get all that as well as a whole range of bands, dance troupes and people dressed up in all sorts of costumes. One of the top tourist places to visit is the famous Oriental Bazaar on Omote Sando. The Oriental Bazaar sells all things touristy and from Asia. You can buy a range of things here: from Kamikaze headbands to top quality furniture. Behind Harajuku station is the Meji-Jingu shrine. You can spend some time strolling in the grounds or just looking at the architecture. The shrine was built in memory of the Emperor Meji. This is a replica of the original that was destroyed in the war, but the quality of construction is so good it is hard to tell. Shinjuku - Shinjuku has the busiest train station in the world. Walk through it at peak hours and you will find out for yourselves. Around Shinjuku there are many shops, bars, restaurants, hotels and parks. Be careful around Shinjuku station, there are 60 exits in all and it's easy to get lost. The park - Shinjuku goen - gives a welcome respite to the rush of city life. The park will close before dusk and it will also cost you 200¡Í to get in. Kabuki Theatre - The Kabuki theatre is the most famous of the traditional Japanese theatres. The full performance is very long, it is split up into different acts. It is possible to stay for the entire performance or you can also choose just to see one act at a greatly reduced price and sit somewhere up near the ceiling. But even from here the view is generally OK. Unfortunately if you take the one act option translating headsets are not available. But this is not a real problem as you can work out what is going on from the actors, the tone of voice and the music.