Play a CD on your stereo, turn on your TV or computer, pop a tape into your VCR or snap a picture with your camera. Every time you do one of these things, chances are that you are using a product made in Japan! Japan is a bustling, modern country that makes many of our electronic goods, cars and ships. But Japan is not all modern.

This country is also very traditional -- especially during times of celebration. It is not unusual to see women dressed in kimonos, people participating in tea ceremonies or children visiting ancient temples and shrines. Such sights are especially common in the ancient city of Kyoto. Kyoto (key-o-toe) was the capital of Japan for almost 900 years. At first this city was known as Heian-Kyo, which means "capital of peace and tranquillity." Even today, Kyoto feels like a very peaceful and quiet place.

Tokyo, the capital of Japan today, feels very different! Tokyo is the center of Japanese society. It is a very busy, very crowded city. Twelve million people live in Tokyo. Most of Japan's business takes place in Tokyo. In order to get away from the crowds, noise and traffic, people from this bustling city like to visit the countryside.

Japan is a long, narrow strip of islands. The biggest island is called Honshu and it is where most Japanese people live. Most of Japan is covered with rugged, wooded mountains. The mountainous islands of Japan lie on the Pacific Ring of Fire. The Pacific Ring of Fire is a fault line under the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are common. One tenth of all of the world's volcanoes are in Japan! The most famous volcano is Mt. Fuji, which last erupted almost 300 years ago. It is famous for its beautiful, almost perfect, cone shape. Thousands of people visit and climb this majestic mountain every year.

Because Japan is such a crowded place, the people who live there take time to enjoy the peacefulness of nature. Nature is the most important theme in Japanese culture. The Japanese love gardens, and gardeners in Japan are considered artists. Many of the Japanese festivals, such as Gion Matsuri, a summer festival, celebrate nature.

Would you like to visit Japan some day?