Japan is a small island nation in the western Pacific, with a long history dating back to 35,000 BC. It has undergone periods of decentralization, centralization, feudalism, and militarization. It was isolated from the West for two centuries before opening up to trade in 1853. Japan became an economic superpower after World War II, but it can be expensive for tourists. Popular attractions include Mount Fuji, Kyoto’s temples and gardens, and Daisetsuzan National Park. Flights arrive daily in Tokyo from major airports worldwide, and boats from South Korea are also an option.
Japan is a large island nation in the western Pacific. It covers 145,900 square miles (377,900 square km), making it somewhat smaller than the state of California. It is across the sea from China, Korea and Russia.
When exactly humans began settling this archipelago is a matter of debate. Most people agree that people lived in Japan as far back as 35,000 BC, while some push the date substantially further, some as far back as 100,000 BC. The first sedentary culture that began to demonstrate the characteristics of civilization appeared around 14,000 BC, along with pottery and other signs of a relatively advanced culture. It is also a matter of debate whether the descendants of these people, known as the Jomon, remain in the country, although some claim that the indigenous Ainu are their descendants.
Around 300 BC a new influx of people arrived on the island. They brought with them many new technologies, including bronze and iron working, weaving, and rice cultivation. These people banded together into tribes and began appearing in Chinese written records soon after the turn of the millennium.
For the next few centuries Japan remained a fairly decentralized region, with small tribes occasionally forming larger kingdoms, eventually moving towards greater centralization. The Yamoto Court originated in this early period, from about AD 300 to AD 700. This period also saw the introduction of new agricultural techniques, interaction with mainland Korea, a systematic integration of laws, and the introduction of Buddhism.
By the 8th century it had become a fairly centralized state, built on the Chinese imperial model. The Japanese imperial state continued for the next few centuries, eventually moving away from China and forging its own strong cultural identity. Towards the end of the 12th century the power of the imperial system began to decline, and in its place emerged a feudal system based on samurai clans, powerful families, and the shoguns who led them. Militarization proved beneficial, as it helped repel Mongol invaders in the 13th century.
In the mid-16th century the first Europeans, the Portuguese, came into contact with Japan. Within a decade traders had arrived not only from Portugal but also from England, the Netherlands and Spain. Christianity also arrived in force, with Dominican, Franciscan and Jesuit missionaries coming to preach the faith. In addition to Christianity, Europeans also brought guns, dramatically escalating the battles between the warring clans.
At the end of the 16th century the country was unified again, this time under a military leader. With newfound power and weapons, he crossed the sea and invaded Korea and mainland China, with aspirations of reaching as far west as India. These campaigns failed, however, and the Japanese withdrew.
As Christianity and Western values spread, the Shogunate began to worry about the loyalty of Japanese citizens. This led to a massive campaign against Western ideas and the closure of the country to most trade and visits. This period of isolation lasted for two centuries, until 1853, when a US Commodore forced the Japanese to open their ports to Western trade, under threat of violence. The emperor was restored to power ten years later, and trade with the West was fully implemented.
Japan began an aggressive expansionist campaign during World War I, using the battle against Germany as a pretext to seize land in the Pacific and expand its sphere of influence throughout Asia. He continued his campaign by conquering parts of China in 1931 and continuing to seize the mainland. In 1940 Japan joined World War II on the side of the Axis powers. Following a total freeze of Japanese assets in the United States, the Japanese eventually attacked the US base at Pearl Harbor, starting a war in the Pacific that would last for years before ending in surrender in 1945.
Over the following decades the country rebuilt itself astonishingly quickly, building an industrial sector that rivaled that of any other in the world. The incredible innovation and focus on development has led it to become an economic superpower in a very short time. Although the economy has cooled down since then, it continues to be one of the dominant players in the international market.
Japan is steeped in history and has a cultural depth that is hard to find elsewhere. Visitors should be aware, however, that the country can be very expensive for tourists, with room and board among the most expensive in the world. Popular attractions include Mount Fuji, Kyoto’s hundreds of temples and gardens, and the nearly 1500 square miles (2400 square km) Daisetsuzan National Park.
Flights arrive several times a day into Tokyo from all major airports around the world. Additional flights arrive at a number of other airports, including Osaka and Kyoto. For those entering from Asia it is also possible to travel by boat, especially from South Korea.
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