INTL 2990

Study Abroad to Japan

Land and Nature of Japan
Geography and Climate
Japan is an island nation extending in a curve
along the eastern cost of the Asian continent.
Japan consists of four main islands:
a. Hokkaid
b. Honsh
c. Shikoku
d. Kysh
e. & almost 7,000 islands altogether
Geography and Climate (cont.)
Japans land area is about the same as that of
Germany (357,000 km
2
= 137,838 sq mi).
Total Area: 377,864 km
2
= 145,894 sq mi,
including 5,036 km
2
(= 1,944 sq mi) of the
Northern Territories
Japan has 47 prefectures.

Topography
Japan is surrounded by sea. A large portion of
the land consists of mountains, most of which
are steep and covered with forest.
Some 67% of the country = mountains
Only 13% of the country = plains
There are seven volcanic zones.
Most rivers are narrow and rapid, with flat
plains surrounding the areas where rivers run
into the sea.
Top 5: Mountains (Height)
1. Fujisan: 3,776 m = 12,388 ft
2. Kitadake: 3,192 m = 10,472 ft
3. Oku-hotakadake: 3,190 m = 10,466 ft
4. Ainotake: 3,189 m = 10,463 ft
5. Yarigatake: 3,180 m = 10,433 ft
Top 5: Rivers (Length)
1. Shinanogawa: 367 km = 1,204 ft
2. Tonegawa: 322 km = 1,056 ft
3. Ishikarigawa: 268 km = 879 ft
4. Teshiogawa: 256 km = 840 ft
5. Kitakamigawa: 249 km = 817 ft
Seasons
There are four seasons in Japan:
o Spring (March May)
o Summer (June August)
o Fall (September November)
o Winter (December February)
The Japanese note with great pleasure the
transition of the seasons.
Seasons (cont.)
Spring = After the first storm of spring, the
temperature rises and beautiful flowers
bloom. April 1 is the beginning of the
academic and business year.
Summer = The rainy season is followed by hot
weather that sends people flocking to the
mountains or beaches. Summer is very humid
and hot.
Seasons (cont.)
Fall = Typhoons come periodically, but fall is a
beautiful season with its colored leaves.
People enjoy local festivals and going on
excursions.
Winter = It is cold in winter, and snows in
many regions. In areas without snow, a
piercing cold wind blows.
Climate
Stretching from north to south, Japan has
different climates from region to region.
Due to seasonal winds, the Sea of Japan
coastal area and the Pacific Ocean side have
different climates.
Climate (cont.)
The Climate in Hokkaid
o Severely cold in winter, cool in summer.
The Climate along the Sea of Japan Coast
o Heavy snow in winter.
The Climate in the Southwest Islands
o Warm in winter, hot in summer, much rain.


Climate (cont.)
The Climate on the Pacific Ocean Side
o Cold in winter but not much snow.
o Many clear days, not too cold in winter.
o Warm in winter and much rain in summer.
o Cold in winter, cool in summer.
o Mild throughout the year with little rain.
o Not very cold in winter but cloudy.