Japan — 6852 islands, 125 million inhabitants, 24 UNESCO sites. Country of samurai, ramen and Shinkansen.
- Japan has 6852 islands only 430 inhabited. 4 main: Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku. Tokyo on Honshu.
- Mount Fuji — sacred mountain 3776 m Active volcano (last eruption 1707). UNESCO 2013. Climbing season: July-September. 300,000 people annually.
- Shinkansen — world's fastest passenger train (1964). Average delay: 18 SECONDS/year. Zero fatal accidents in 60 years.
- Japan is 70% mountainous 97% of inhabitants on 30% of land. World's densest metropolises. Tokyo metro: 38 million (world record).
- World's oldest company — Kongō Gumi (578 AD, 1400 years of operation). Building Buddhist temples. Sold in 2006 as subsidiary.
- Japanese cuisine — UNESCO Heritage (washoku 2013). 5 tastes + 'ichiju sansai' principle (soup + 3 dishes). Ramen, sushi, tempura, tofu.
- Cherry blossom (sakura) — national festival hanami for 1500 years. Peak bloom: late March (Tokyo) - May (Hokkaido). Lasts only 7-10 days.
- Japan has 6 seasons (not 4) Spring, rainy (tsuyu), summer, autumn, winter, plus cold rainy period (nyubai). Affects culinary calendar.
- Emperor Naruhito — 126th Emperor of Japan Dynasty since 660 BC (world's oldest dynasty, 2700 years). Emperor doesn't rule — symbol of the nation.
- Japan has 5 million vending machines 1 per 25 inhabitants. You can buy everything: beer, eggs, umbrella, fresh fruit, hot coffee, Japanese bento (lunch).
Sources: Statistics Bureau of Japan, UNESCO World Heritage, Japan Tourism Agency.