DLTK's Countries and Cultures Crafts for Kids
Japan Crafts, Facts, and Activities for Kids

My daughters and I like to explore different cultures -- especially when they are learning about them in school.

As with all of the different countries sections on the site, the information here consists of a combination of simple things most of us know about, some library research, some things the girls have learned in school and some things contributed by viewers.

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind this website is meant for children, so I do generalize and simplify quite a bit!

Japan, a country in Asia, is known for unique culture and cuisine, architectural design, and immaculate city planning.

Kanejima of Matsushima, Miyagi, Japan
Photographed by Sébastien Bertrand; used with permission under C.C. BY 2.0

Since Japan has many languages commonly spoken based on region, Japan has no official language: Japanese is spoken throughout Japan; Amani-Oshima in northwestern Okinawa and northern Amami-oshima, Kakeroma, Yoro, and Uke islands; Kikai in northeastern Okinawa and Kikai island; Kunigami in central Okinawa, central and northern Okinawa island, Iheya, Izena, Ie-Jima and Sesoko island; Miyako in southern Okinawa, Miyako, Ogami, Ikema, Kurima, Irabu, Tarama, Minna islands; Okinawan in central Okinawa, southern Okinawa island, Kerama islands, Kume-jima, Tonaki, Aguna islands, and islands east of Okinawa island; Oki-No-Erabu in north central Okinawa and Oki-no-erabu island; Toku-No-Shima in northern Okinawa and Toku-no-shima island; Yaeyama in southern Okinawa, Ishigaki, Iriomote, Hatoma, Kohama, Taketomi, Kurashima, Hateruma, Aregusuku islands; Yonahuni in southern Okinawa and Yonaguni island; and Yoron in north central Okinawa and Yoron island.

Japan is a country found in the Northern Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere of the globe. As of 2021, Japan is divided into 47 political divisions (called prefectures), more broadly into 8 regions. These regions are divided based on geography and history (each with its own dialect, customs, and unique culture): Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu-Okinawa.

Japan is an island country comprising what is known as a “stratovolcanic archipelago,” meaning that the country contains a stretch many islands with a very steep volcano found on one of the islands. There are 6,852 islands of Japan stretching over 3,000 km along East Asia’s Pacific coast. The five main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku, and Okinawa. Since Japan is an archipelago, it is completely surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. Its closest neighbors are Korea, Russia, and China, and the Sea of Japan separates the Japanese archipelago from the continental mainland of Asia.

Capital city:  Tokyo
Language:  No official language; Japanese, Amani-Oshima, Kikai, Kunigami, Miyako, Okinawan, Oki-No-Erabu, Toku-No-Shima, Yaeyama, Yonahuni, Yoron.
National Bird:  the Green Pheasant (Phasianus versicolor)
National Animal:  Japanese Macaque, or the snow monkey (Macaca fuscata)
National Flower:  Cherry Blossoms (Prunus serrulata)
Currency:  Japanese Yen (JPY)

Neat Facts:

• 60% of the world’s animated-based entertainment comes from Japan (anime)!
• As of 2021, Japan has more than 70,000 people who are over 100 years old!
• Coffee is so popular in Japan; the country imports 80% of Jamaica’s annual coffee production!

 

 

 

Famous landmarks in Japan include:

The Three Views of Japan

1. Matsushima

• Matsushima is one of Japan's three scenic views and is a group of stunning islands in the Miyagi Prefecture in Japan.
• Kanejima is one of the most famous of the islands of Matsushima.
• However, there are 7 other very well-known and named islands in the archipelago: Niōjima, Senganjima, Komonejima, Futagojima, Misagojima, Kaerujima, and Takashima (AKA Meganejima).
• Senganjima was a favourite of Date Masamune, the ruler of Japan's Azuchi-Momoyama period (the early Edo period).

2. Amanohashidate

• Amanohashidate is one of Japan's three scenic views, and is a pine-covered sandbar that covers Miyazu Bay in the coastal region of northern Kyoto Prefecture.
• Amanohashidate translates (more or less) to "bridge in heaven" and is said to resemble a wandering path between Heaven and Earth.
• The narrowest point of the sandbar is only 20 m!
• There are approximately 8,000 pine trees found on the sandbar!

3. Itsukushima Shrine

• Itsukushima Shrine is one of Japan's three scenic views and is located on Miyajima; Miyajima literally tranlates to "shrine island."
• This shrine island is best known for the appearance of its "floating" torii gate; also located on the island is a Noh theatre stage, a main hall, and a prayer hall.
• While Itsukushima Shrine is closed at night, it remains illuminated by light until 11 pm.
• Boardwalks, built above the water surrounding the island, connect all points of interest on shrine island.

Shibuya Crossing

• One of the most famous landmarks in Japan, and located in Tokyo, Shibuya crossing sees approximately 2.5 million people every year (and roughly 2,500 pedestrians are found at the crossing daily)!
• Shibuya Crossing is, no doubt, the world's busiest crossing by far; though it is often compared to New York City's Times Square or London's Piccadilly Circus.
• It was built due to the construction of Shibuya Station in 1885.
• As mentioned earlier, Japan has an immaculate urban geography, and Shibuya Crossing is no different; it serves OVER 8 different metro lines in Tokyo.

Mount Fuji

• Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan, with the highest summit reaching a staggering 3,776 m high!
• Mount Fuji is defined by geologists and geographers as an active volcano but has remained dormant since its last eruption in 1707!
• The mountain is home to a world-renowned site, called Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
• Mount Fuji has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2013.
• There is actually a shrine on Mount Fuji's peak, which sees thousands of adventurous Japanese climbers per year!

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

• Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is a stunning bamboo forest found in the Arashiyama mountains (also known as the Storm Mountains) on the western side of the Kyoto Prefecture.
• It is one of Japan's nationally designated historical sites.
• Visitors can take a scenic river cruise of the Hozu River, and the bamboo grove stands on the mountainous slopes across the Ōi River.

Himeji Castle

• Himeji Castle, also known as White Heron Castle because of its majestic white outer walls, is found in southwestern Hyōgo ken (Prefecture) in western Honshu, Japan.
• It is the largest, most visited, and best preserved castle in all of Japan; the castle was first built in 14-century Japan, was then reconstructed in 1577, and has since been restored in 1964 and again from 2009-2015.
• Himeji Castle was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993, becoming one of the first World Heritage sites in the country.