Info Fiche Japan

Flag    White with red sun

Population  ~125 million

Capital  Tokyo

Language  Japanese (にほんご, Nihongo)

Currency  Yen (¥)

Hello  こんにちは (Konnichiwa)

National Day  February 23 — The Emperor’s Birthday (天皇誕生日, Tennō tanjōbi), honoring Emperor Naruhito

Fun Fact  Japan has more vending machines than people in some towns!

✨ Interesting Facts

• 🚅 The Shinkansen bullet train can reach 320 km/h and has a record of zero passenger fatalities since 1964

• 🍱 Bento lunch boxes are often crafted like little works of art

• 🗻 Mount Fuji is a sacred volcano and Japan’s highest peak (3,776m)

• 🎌 Japan is made up of over 14,000 islands, though only 260 are inhabited

• 🎎 Robots, anime, and traditional geishas coexist in daily life

🧚 Folklore & Symbols

• 👹 Oni — demons from Japanese folklore, often warded off during festivals

• 🦊 Kitsune — magical fox spirits, messengers of the god Inari

• 🌸 Cherry Blossom (Sakura) — symbol of beauty and the fleeting nature of life

• 🎏 Koi Fish Flags — flown on Children’s Day to symbolize strength and perseverance

• 🔮 Daruma Doll — a lucky charm for perseverance and goals

🗿 Famous Monuments & Places

🗻 Mount Fuji  Sacred volcano and national icon⛩️ Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto  Path of thousands of red torii gates🏯 Himeji Castle  A UNESCO World Heritage feudal castle, nicknamed the “White Heron”🏮 Gion, Kyoto  Historic geisha district with tea houses and lantern-lit streets🌉 Tokyo Skytree  Tallest structure in Japan, with panoramic city views

🍽️ Traditional Foods & Drinks

🍽 Dish / Drink	Description	Emoji Feel
🍣 Sushi	Raw fish on vinegared rice	Cool 🍱
🍜 Ramen	Noodles in broth with toppings	Slurpy 😋
🐙 Takoyaki	Fried dough balls with octopus	Hot 🔥
🍡 Dango	Sweet rice dumplings on a stick	Sweet 🍡
🍵 Matcha Tea	Bright green powdered tea, used in tea ceremonies	Calm 🍵
🍶 Sake	Traditional rice wine, served warm or chilled	Cheers 🥂

🎉 Festivals & Traditions

• 🌸 Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing)  Spring festival to admire blooming sakura

• 🎆 Summer Fireworks Festivals  Cities across Japan light up with dazzling fireworks in July & August

• 👹 Setsubun  Festival to ward off evil spirits by throwing roasted soybeans (“Oni wa soto!”)

• 🎏 Children’s Day (May 5)  Families fly colorful koi flags for strength and prosperity

• 🕯️ Obon  Buddhist festival honoring ancestors with lanterns and dances

🧳 Traveler’s Tips

• ✈️ Best time to visit: Spring (March–May) for cherry blossoms, Autumn (Sept–Nov) for vibrant leaves

• 🚉 Getting around: A Japan Rail Pass makes traveling by bullet train affordable

• 🙇 Etiquette: Bow when greeting, remove shoes indoors, don’t tip in restaurants

• 🎮 Must-try experiences: Mario Kart through Tokyo, staying in a ryokan (traditional inn), or soaking in an onsen (hot spring)

• 🎌 Hidden gem: Visit Naoshima, the “art island,” full of outdoor installations and museumsv

Story time.

🏙️ "Tomo and the Robot Adventure in Tokyo"

Tomo was a curious boy who loved robots more than anything. One sunny morning in Tokyo, the busiest and most exciting city in Japan, he visited a special place called Odaiba, an island full of cool tech and museums.

As Tomo walked into the Miraikan (the Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation), he saw a real robot named ASIMO waving at him!

“Hello, Tomo,” ASIMO said. “Would you like to go on a mission?”

“Wow! Yes, please!” Tomo cheered.

Together, they zoomed around Tokyo on a super-fast train called the shinkansen (bullet train), looking for robot parts that had been scattered across the city. They visited the Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in Japan, and flew drones from the top! They even stopped at a cat café, where robot cats helped serve snacks.

Finally, with all the robot parts collected, ASIMO built a mini-robot friend for Tomo to take home.

“Tokyo is amazing!” Tomo said with a grin. “I can’t wait to come back!”

🏯  "Kiko and the Time-Traveling Kimono in Kyoto"

Kiko lived in Kyoto, a city filled with old temples, peaceful gardens, and magical secrets. One day, while playing dress-up in her grandmother’s attic, Kiko found a beautiful kimono covered in golden cranes.

As soon as she put it on—whoosh!—the kimono sparkled and transported her back in time to ancient Kyoto!

She found herself in a palace garden, surrounded by cherry blossom trees. A friendly princess greeted her. “You must be from the future! Will you help us find the missing bell from Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion?”

Kiko and the princess searched through bamboo forests and crossed red bridges. Along the way, they met a wise old fox spirit who led them to the bell hidden beneath a giant rock shaped like a dragon.

With the bell returned, the whole temple glowed in golden light.

When Kiko took off the kimono, she was back in her attic. “Was it a dream?” she wondered. But in her pocket, she found a tiny golden crane.

Kyoto, with its ancient magic, would always be waiting.