Japan Info

Travelling through Japan is a truly unique experience. With a mix of modern and traditional architecture the sites of Japan are wide and varied. A population of kind and disciplined people living in a culture of highly developed technology and precision makes Japan a breathtaking place to visit. With one of the lowest crime rates in the world you feel very safe travelling throughout their country.

Japan is an island country located in the east of Asia. It is on the edge of the Pacific Ocean and lies to the east of China, Korea and Russia.

Japan is made up of over 3,000 islands, the main four are named Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku.

Japan being north of the equator experiences summer in the middle of the year, June through August, and winter at the end of the year, December through February. Stretching over 1500km north to south there are 6 main climate zones in Japan. Hokkaido, where Niseko is located, is the northernmost zone and has a temperate climate with long, cold winters and cool summers. Precipitation is fairly heavy and the islands usually develop deep snow banks in the winter. Snow usually starts falling in mid November and by mid December Niseko is blanketed in white powder snow. The snow is normally around at ski-able levels through spring until early May.

Listed below are some basic cultural rules that will help you to not offend any locals during your visit to Japan.

• In Japan people greet each other by bowing. When bowing to someone of higher social status, a deeper, longer bow indicates respect. Conversely, a small head nod is casual and informal. However, most Japanese do not expect foreigners to know proper bowing rules and so a nod of the head is usually sufficient. It is also common to bow to express thanks, to apologize, to make a request or to ask someone a favor.
• When entering a Japanese house, outdoor shoes are always replaced by slippers at the doorway (genkan). Slippers are provided by the host.
• Unlike in some other parts of East Asia, it is considered bad manners to burp.
• Blowing your nose in public, and especially at the table, is considered bad manners.

Japan has fairly strict rules regarding certain types of medicines particularly stimulant medications. View the Japanese customs website for customs information (Japanese Customs) and contact your local Japanese embassy before your holiday if you have any specific questions regarding certain medications.

Health care provided in Japan is first class. However it can be very expensive for the international traveller. Medical insurance, which is usually included in travel insurance, is recommended as extreme health issues can cost above $100,000 if evacuation or hospitalisation is required.