An archipelago in the Pacific, Japan is separated from the east coast of Asia by the Sea of Japan. Japan's four main islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku.
Japan is located in East Asia in the Pacific Ocean. Japan’s nearest neighbors include China, North Korea, South Korea, and Russia. Japan is actually an archipelago made up of nearly 7,000 separate islands; however, the four largest islands make up nearly all of the country’s land mass.
The capital, Tokyo, is one of the world’s largest cities and the surrounding metropolitan area is the largest in the world, with 30 million residents. Japan is a highly industrialized country where one finds a rich history, diverse cultural festivals, outstanding cuisine, beautiful gardens, majestic landscapes, and breathtaking mountains, including Mount Fuji, one of the world’s most recognizable peaks.
The country is also known for industries that make some of the highest-quality products in the world such as automobiles and electronics.
Climate
Due to Japan’s diverse geography, the climate varies widely across locations; however, the country generally experiences four seasons. Average temperatures in Tokyo are about 27 degrees Celsius in August and about 5 degrees Celsius in January.
Culture
Japanese culture is a diverse blend of ancient Eastern traditions and modern Western society. Japan boasts a wide range of cultural expressions, from Buddhist temples dating back more than 15 centuries to fine Japanese porcelain and beautiful wood prints. In addition, the qualities of Japanese animation, poetry, dance, and music are recognized throughout the world.
Cost of Living
The average monthly cost for an international student to live in Japan is about ¥87,000 (about $925 US), excluding tuition. Smaller cities cost about ¥60,000 per month and larger cities cost about ¥100,000 yen per month.