Japan is an archipelago, or group of islands, located in the east of Asia. The country’s four major islands are Kyushu, Shikoku, Honshu and Hokkaido. However, Japan also consists of almost 4 thousand other islands as well. Japan is neighbored by the Siberian region of Russia to the north, as well as South Korea and China to the west. Honshu is the largest Japanese island, followed by Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku. The capital, Tokyo, which has been the city with the largest population in world for decades, is located in the east of the Honshu island. Almost four quarters of Japan is covered in mountains. The Japanese Alps are located in the center of the Honshu island. Their highest point is on Mount Fuji, a cone-shaped volcanic mountain, which most of the Japanese people consider to be sacred. Every year, Japan is struck by more than a thousand earthquakes. The country boasts around 200 volcanos, of which 60 are currently active. The Japanese are known for their amazing work ethics. Japanese food is very different to the food of the western countries. Their cuisine is much healthier, which made the Japanese the longest-living people of the world. The Japanese eat a lot of rice, fish and vegetables, while their meat intake is very low. This is the reason why the Japanese look so youthful.
Tokyo is the capital of Japan. It is the capital with the largest number of people, with an astounding 37 million inhabitants. 13.7 million people live in the narrow region of the city alone. Tokyo is situated on the Honshu Island, at the very top of the Tokyo Bay. It is the largest urban and industrial center of Japan, as well as the seat of the Japanese Emperor, as well as of the national government. Tokyo has been inhabited since ancient times; the city used to be known as a fisherman village named Edo. The village developed into a city under the Tokugawa Shogunate (1603 – 1867). In the 7th century, the oldest Buddhist temple was constructed in the city. Legend has it that two fishermen found a statue of the Goddess Kannon, which prompted them to construct the temple. The temple was named Sensō-ji, and it still exists to this day. Unfortunately, the temple was completely demolished during World War Two, but was completely restored to its former glory in 1958
