Japan is a country composed of almost 7,000 islands, although most people live on 5 islands - Honshu, Kyushu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Okinawa. Known for the large cities of Tokyo and Osaka, Mt Fuji, delicious sushi and ramen, anime, bullet trains, sumo wrestling, and thousands of temples and shrines, Japan really does have it all! Read below to learn more about the country.

The Basics:

• Languages: Korean is the official language, and spoken by nearly every citizen, although most people are also taught English in school

• Currency: Korean Won, Click here to see the current exchange rate

• Timezone: Korea Standard Time (UTC+9)

• Visas: Tourists from most European, South American, and North American countries can visit South Korea visa free for up to 90 days

• Driving side: Right

• Tipping: Not customary, and may be refused

Places to Visit and Things to Do:

• Seoul: With 40 million people, Tokyo is a part of the world’s most populous metropolitan region. Home to Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo Skytree, Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, cat cafes, and much more, there’s plenty to do in this city

• Busan:

• Jeju Island:

• DMZ:

Travel Tips:

• Buy a JR Pass to get unlimited use of the Shinkansen to get around Japan. Going up to 200 mph, the Japanese bullet trains connect all of Japan, and are a great way to save time while traveling across Japan. While the JR Pass is a significant cost, you end up saving money if you use it several times to travel around the country as compared to buying individual tickets

• Japan is known for their traditional-style Ryokans and futuristic pod hotels. Try to spend at least one night in each for a unique accommodation experience

• Always carry plenty of cash with you. While Japan is a first world country known for their modern technology, cash is the only accepted form of payment at many restaurants and stores

• Get involved in the culture! Whether it’s through watching a sumo wrestling tournament, soaking in an Onsen, or spending a day wearing a kimono, there are plenty of things in Japan which aren’t commonly found elsewhere around the world