Did you know about these horrors? No, I read it for the first time. I don’t understand how such a civilized nation, in my opinion, could do this. I can't wrap my head around it...
Do you think that if there is an enemy, then it should be destroyed, including women and children?
Original taken from masterok
in Why the Japanese are hated in neighboring Asian countries
During World War II, it was common for Japanese soldiers and officers to cut down civilians with swords, bayonet them, rape and kill women, kill children and the elderly. That is why, for the Koreans and Chinese, the Japanese are a hostile people, murderers.
In July 1937, the Japanese attacked China, starting the Sino-Japanese War, which lasted until 1945. In November-December 1937, the Japanese army launched an attack on Nanjing. On December 13, the Japanese captured the city, there was a massacre for 5 days (the killings continued later, but not as massive), which went down in history as the “Nanjing Massacre.” During the massacre carried out by the Japanese, more than 350 thousand people were slaughtered, some sources cite the figure as half a million people. Tens of thousands of women were raped, many of them killed. The Japanese army acted on the basis of 3 principles of “clean”: “burn clean”, “kill everyone clean”, “rob clean”.
Attention for the impressionable - there are shocking shots!
The massacre began when Japanese soldiers took 20,000 Chinese of military age out of the city and bayoneted them all so that they would never be able to join the Chinese army. The peculiarity of the massacres and abuses was that the Japanese did not shoot - they conserved ammunition, killed and maimed everyone with cold steel. After this, massacres began in the city; women, girls, and old women were raped and then killed. Hearts were cut out from living people, bellies were cut, eyes were gouged out, they were buried alive, heads were cut off, even babies were killed, madness was happening in the streets. Women were raped right in the middle of the streets - the Japanese, intoxicated with impunity, forced fathers to rape their daughters, sons to rape their mothers, samurai competed to see who could kill the most people with a sword - a certain samurai Mukai won, killing 106 people.
After the war, the crimes of the Japanese military were condemned by the world community, but since the 1970s, Tokyo has been denying them; Japanese history textbooks write about the massacre that many people were simply killed in the city, without details.
Singapore massacre
On February 15, 1942, the Japanese army captured the British colony of Singapore. The Japanese decided to identify and destroy “anti-Japanese elements” in the Chinese community. During Operation Purge, the Japanese checked all Chinese men of military age; the hit lists included Chinese men who participated in the war with Japan, Chinese employees of the British administration, Chinese who donated money to the China Relief Fund, Chinese natives of China, etc. d. They were taken out of the filtration camps and shot. Then the operation was extended to the entire peninsula, where they decided not to “ceremoniously” and, due to the lack of people for the inquiry, they shot everyone. Approximately 50 thousand Chinese were killed, the remaining ones were lucky, the Japanese did not complete Operation Purge, they had to transfer troops to other areas - they planned to destroy the entire Chinese population of Singapore and the peninsula.
Massacre in Manila
When in early February 1945 it became clear to the Japanese command that Manila could not be held, the army headquarters was moved to the city of Baguio, and they decided to destroy Manila. Destroy the population. In the capital of the Philippines, according to the most conservative estimates, more than 110 thousand people were killed. Thousands of people were shot, many were doused with gasoline and set on fire, the city's infrastructure, residential buildings, schools, and hospitals were destroyed. On February 10, the Japanese carried out a massacre in the Red Cross building, killing everyone, even children, and the Spanish consulate was burned along with its people.
The massacre also took place in the suburbs; in the town of Calamba, the entire population was destroyed - 5 thousand people. Monks and nuns of Catholic institutions and schools were not spared, and students were also killed.
Comfort station system
In addition to the rape of tens, hundreds, thousands of women, the Japanese authorities are guilty of another crime against humanity - the creation of a network of brothels for soldiers. It was common practice to rape women in captured villages; some of the women were taken away, few of them were able to return.
In 1932, the Japanese command decided to create “comfortable station houses”, justifying their creation by the decision to reduce anti-Japanese sentiment due to mass rape on Chinese soil, by caring for the health of soldiers who needed to “rest” and not get sexually transmitted diseases. First they were created in Manchuria, in China, then in all the occupied territories - in the Philippines, Borneo, Burma, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and so on. In total, from 50 to 300 thousand women passed through these brothels, and most of them were minors. Before the end of the war, no more than a quarter survived, morally and physically disfigured, poisoned with antibiotics. The Japanese authorities even created the proportions of “service”: 29 (“clients”): 1, then increased to 40: 1 per day.
Currently, the Japanese authorities deny this data; previously, Japanese historians spoke about the private nature and voluntariness of prostitution.
Here is an opinion:
Pity for oneself and for the enemy is the highest insult in their culture. They do not feel sorry for themselves, whether in everyday life, during disasters, and naturally in battle, which is what we expect from them in their relations with the enemy. If their lives are nothing, then their enemies are generally trash. You need to understand that pity and compassion are not characteristic of this nation.
Death Squad - Squad 731
In 1935, as part of the Japanese Kwantung Army, the so-called. "Detachment 731", its goal was to develop biological weapons, delivery vehicles, and testing on humans. It worked until the end of the war; the Japanese military did not have time to use biological weapons against the United States, and indeed the USSR, only thanks to the rapid advance of Soviet troops in August 1945.
More than 5 thousand prisoners and local residents became “experimental mice” of Japanese specialists; they called them “logs.” People were cut alive for “scientific purposes”, infected with the most terrible diseases, then “opened” while still alive. They conducted experiments on the survivability of “logs” - how long would they last without water and food, scalded with boiling water, after irradiation with an X-ray machine, withstand electrical discharges, without any cut out organ, and much more. other.
The Japanese command was ready to use biological weapons on Japanese territory against the American landing force, sacrificing the civilian population - the army and leadership had to evacuate to Manchuria, to Japan’s “alternate airfield”.
The Asian people have still not forgiven Tokyo, especially in light of the fact that in recent decades Japan has refused to acknowledge more and more of its war crimes. Koreans recall that they were even forbidden to speak their native language, ordered to change their native names to Japanese (the “assimilation” policy) - approximately 80% of Koreans adopted Japanese names. Girls were taken to brothels; in 1939, 5 million people were forcibly mobilized into industry. Korean cultural monuments were taken away or destroyed.
But not so long ago I saw this news in the news agency feed:
South Korea is calling on Japan to reflect on an episode of its history involving the so-called Unit 731, which tested biological weapons on humans, a South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman said Thursday.
“South Korea expects the Japanese side to reflect on the painful memories of Unit 731 and the corresponding historical context,” he said. “Unit 731 is one of the atrocities committed by the Imperial Japanese Army,” the diplomat noted, adding that “this unit caused enormous suffering and damage to people in neighboring countries.”
As reported, a photo of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the cockpit of a military training aircraft with tail number 731 caused sharp discontent in South Korea.
In particular, a photo of the head of the Japanese cabinet was published the day before on the front page of the largest South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo with the caption “Abe’s endless provocation.”
However, the Japanese Ministry of Defense said that the number of the training aircraft completely coincided with the number of the notorious detachment.
"Detachment 731" of the Japanese Armed Forces operated from 1937 to 1945. during the Sino-Japanese and World War II. In particular, this unit of the Japanese army was engaged in research in the field of biological weapons, testing them on South Korean, Soviet and Chinese prisoners of war.
Let's remember some details of this story:
The current negative attitude towards Japan from China, North Korea and South Korea is mainly due to the fact that Japan has not punished most of its war criminals. Many of them continued to live and work in the Land of the Rising Sun, as well as hold responsible positions. Even those who carried out biological experiments on people in the notorious special “detachment 731”. This is not unlike the experiments of Dr. Josef Mengele. The cruelty and cynicism of such experiences does not fit into the modern human consciousness, but they were quite organic for the Japanese of that time. After all, what was at stake then was the “victory of the emperor,” and he was sure that only science could give this victory.
One day, on the hills of Manchuria, a terrible factory started working. Its “raw materials” were thousands of living people, and its “products” could destroy all of humanity in a few months... Chinese peasants were afraid to even approach the strange city. No one knew for sure what was going on inside, behind the fence. But in a whisper they told horror stories: they say that the Japanese kidnap or lure people there by deception, on whom they then conduct terrible and painful experiments for the victims.
"Science has always been a killer's best friend"
It all started back in 1926, when Emperor Hirohito took the throne of Japan. It was he who chose the motto “Showa” (“The Age of Enlightened World”) for the period of his reign. Hirohito believed in the power of science: “Science has always been a killer’s best friend. Science can kill thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions of people in a very short period of time.” The emperor knew what he was talking about: he was a biologist by training. And he believed that biological weapons would help Japan conquer the world, and he, a descendant of the goddess Amaterasu, would fulfill his divine destiny and rule this world.
The emperor's ideas about “scientific weapons” found support among the aggressive Japanese military. They understood that the samurai spirit and conventional weapons alone could not win a protracted war against the Western powers. Therefore, on behalf of the Japanese military department, in the early 30s, Japanese colonel and biologist Shiro Ishii made a voyage to the bacteriological laboratories of Italy, Germany, the USSR and France. In his final report, presented to the highest military officials of Japan, he convinced everyone present that biological weapons would bring enormous benefits to the Land of the Rising Sun.
“Unlike artillery shells, bacteriological weapons are not capable of instantly killing living force, but they silently attack the human body, bringing a slow but painful death. It is not necessary to produce shells; you can infect completely peaceful things - clothes, cosmetics, food and drinks, you can spray bacteria from the air. Even if the first attack is not massive, the bacteria will still multiply and hit targets,” said Ishii. It is not surprising that his “incendiary” report impressed the leadership of the Japanese military department, and they allocated funds for the creation of a special complex for the development of biological weapons. Throughout its existence, this complex had several names, the most famous of which is “detachment 731.”
They were called "logs"
The detachment was stationed in 1936 near the village of Pingfang (at that time the territory of the state of Manchukuo). It consisted of almost 150 buildings. The detachment included graduates of the most prestigious Japanese universities, the flower of Japanese science.
The unit was stationed in China rather than Japan for several reasons. Firstly, when it was deployed on the territory of the metropolis, it was very difficult to maintain secrecy. Secondly, if the materials were leaked, it would be the Chinese population that would suffer, not the Japanese. Finally, in China there were always “logs” at hand - that’s what the scientists of this special unit called those on whom the deadly strains were tested.
“We believed that “logs” are not people, that they are even lower than cattle. However, among the scientists and researchers working in the detachment there was no one who had any sympathy for the “logs”. Everyone believed that the destruction of “logs” was a completely natural thing,” said one of the employees of “Detachment 731.”
The specialized experiments that were carried out on experimental subjects were tests of the effectiveness of various strains of diseases. Ishii’s “favorite” was the plague. Towards the end of World War II, he developed a strain of plague bacteria that was 60 times more virulent (the ability to infect the body) than the normal one.
The experiments proceeded mainly as follows. The detachment had special cages (where people were locked) - they were so small that the prisoners could not move in them. People were infected with an infection, and then observed for days to see changes in the condition of their body. They were then dissected alive, removing their organs and watching the disease spread inside. People were kept alive and not stitched up for days, so that doctors could observe the process without bothering themselves with a new autopsy. In this case, no anesthesia was usually used - doctors were afraid that it could disrupt the natural course of the experiment.
Those of the victims of the “experimenters” who were tested not with bacteria, but with gases were more “lucky”: these died faster. “All the experimental subjects who died from hydrogen cyanide had purple-red faces,” said one of the employees of Detachment 731. - Those who died from mustard gas had their whole body burned so that it was impossible to look at the corpse. Our experiments have shown that a person's endurance is approximately equal to that of a pigeon. Under the conditions in which the pigeon died, the experimental subject also died.”
When the Japanese military became convinced of the effectiveness of the Ishii special squad, they began to develop plans for the use of bacteriological weapons against the USA and the USSR. There were no problems with ammunition: according to the stories of the employees, by the end of the war, so many bacteria had accumulated in the storerooms of “detachment 731” that if they had been scattered across the globe under ideal conditions, this would have been enough to destroy all of humanity.
In July 1944, only the attitude of Prime Minister Tojo saved the United States from disaster. The Japanese planned to use balloons to transport strains of various viruses to American territory - from those fatal to humans to those that would destroy livestock and crops. But Tojo understood that Japan was already clearly losing the war, and if attacked with biological weapons, America could respond in kind, so the monstrous plan was never brought to life.
122 degrees Fahrenheit
But “Detachment 731” dealt with more than just biological weapons. Japanese scientists also wanted to know the limits of endurance of the human body, for which they conducted terrible medical experiments.
For example, doctors from the Special Forces found that the best way to treat frostbite was not to rub the affected limbs, but to immerse them in water at a temperature of 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Found it out experimentally. “At temperatures below minus 20, experimental people were taken out into the yard at night, forced to put their bare arms or legs in a barrel of cold water, and then placed under an artificial wind until they received frostbite,” said a former special squad employee. “Then they beat their hands with a small stick until they made a sound like hitting a piece of wood.” Then the frostbitten limbs were placed in water of a certain temperature and, changing it, they observed the death of muscle tissue in the arms. Among these experimental subjects was a three-day-old child: so that he would not clench his hand into a fist and not violate the “purity” of the experiment, a needle was stuck into his middle finger.
Some of the victims of the special squad suffered another terrible fate: they were turned alive into mummies. To do this, people were placed in a hot room with low humidity. The man sweated profusely, but was not allowed to drink until he was completely dry. The body was then weighed, and it was found to weigh about 22% of its original mass. This is exactly how another “discovery” was made in “unit 731”: the human body is 78% water.
Experiments were carried out in pressure chambers for the Imperial Air Force. “They placed a test subject in a vacuum pressure chamber and began to gradually pump out the air,” recalled one of the trainees in Ishii’s squad. - As the difference between the external pressure and the pressure in the internal organs increased, his eyes first bulged out, then his face swelled to the size of a large ball, the blood vessels swelled like snakes, and his intestines began to crawl out, as if alive. Finally, the man simply exploded alive.” This is how Japanese doctors determined the permissible altitude ceiling for their pilots.
There were also experiments just for “curiosity”. Individual organs were cut out from the living body of the experimental subjects; they cut off the arms and legs and sewed them back, swapping the right and left limbs; they poured the blood of horses or monkeys into the human body; exposed to powerful X-ray radiation; scalded various parts of the body with boiling water; tested for sensitivity to electric current. Curious scientists filled a person's lungs with large amounts of smoke or gas, and introduced rotting pieces of tissue into the stomach of a living person.
According to the recollections of the special squad members, during its existence, about three thousand people died within the walls of the laboratories. However, some researchers argue that there were much more real victims of bloody experimenters.
"Information of extreme importance"
The Soviet Union put an end to the existence of Unit 731. On August 9, 1945, Soviet troops launched an offensive against the Japanese army, and the "squad" was ordered to "act at its own discretion." Evacuation work began on the night of August 10-11. Some materials were burned in specially dug pits. It was decided to destroy the surviving experimental people. Some of them were gassed, and some were nobly allowed to commit suicide. The exhibits of the “exhibition room” - a huge hall where cut off human organs, limbs, and heads cut in various ways were stored in flasks - were also thrown into the river. This “exhibition room” could become the most clear evidence of the inhuman nature of “Unit 731.”
“It is unacceptable that even one of these drugs falls into the hands of the advancing Soviet troops,” the leadership of the special detachment told its subordinates.
But some of the most important materials were preserved. They were taken out by Shiro Ishii and some other leaders of the detachment, handing it all over to the Americans - as a kind of ransom for their freedom. And, as the Pentagon stated then, “due to the extreme importance of information about the bacteriological weapons of the Japanese army, the US government decides not to charge any employee of the Japanese army’s bacteriological warfare training detachment with war crimes.”
Therefore, in response to a request from the Soviet side for the extradition and punishment of members of “Detachment 731”, a conclusion was sent to Moscow that “the location of the leadership of “Detachment 731”, including Ishii, is unknown, and there is no reason to accuse the detachment of war crimes.” . Thus, all the scientists of the “death squad” (which is almost three thousand people), except those who fell into the hands of the USSR, escaped responsibility for their crimes. Many of those who dissected living people became deans of universities, medical schools, academics, and businessmen in post-war Japan. Prince Takeda (cousin of Emperor Hirohito), who inspected the special squad, was also not punished and even headed the Japanese Olympic Committee on the eve of the 1964 Games. And Shiro Ishii himself, the evil genius of Unit 731, lived comfortably in Japan and died only in 1959.
Experiments continue
By the way, as Western media testify, after the defeat of “Detachment 731,” the United States successfully continued a series of experiments on living people.
It is known that the legislation of the vast majority of countries in the world prohibits conducting experiments on people, except in cases where a person voluntarily agrees to the experiments. However, there is information that Americans practiced medical experiments on prisoners until the 70s.
And in 2004, an article appeared on the BBC website claiming that Americans were conducting medical experiments on children from orphanages in New York. It was reported, in particular, that children with HIV were fed extremely poisonous drugs, from which the babies experienced convulsions, their joints swelled so much that they lost the ability to walk and could only roll on the ground.
The article also quoted the words of a nurse from one of the orphanages, Jacqueline, who took in two children, wanting to adopt them. Children's Services administrators took the babies from her by force. The reason was that the woman stopped giving them the prescribed medications, and the students immediately began to feel better. But in court, the refusal to give medications was regarded as cruel treatment of children, and Jacqueline was deprived of the right to work in children's institutions.
It turns out that the practice of testing experimental drugs on children was sanctioned by the US federal government back in the early 90s. But in theory, every child with AIDS should be assigned a lawyer, who could demand, for example, that children be prescribed only drugs that have already been tested on adults. As the Associated Press found out, most of the children participating in the tests were deprived of such legal support. Despite the fact that the investigation caused a strong resonance in the American press, it did not lead to any tangible result. According to the AP, such tests on abandoned children are still being carried out in the United States.
Thus, inhumane experiments on living people, which were “inherited” to the Americans by the white-coated killer Shiro Ishii, continue even in modern society.
Here's an opinion:
The Japanese are convinced of their uniqueness. No other nation in the world spends so much time talking about how incomprehensible the Japanese are to other peoples. In 1986, Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakosone observed that the large percentage of black and Mexican populations in the United States were slowing the American economy and making the country less competitive. In the US, this remark caused fury, but in Japan it was accepted as an obvious truth. After the occupation of Japan, many children were born from Japanese and American parents. Half-blacks were sent to Brazil with their mothers.
The Japanese are also distrustful of their fellow immigrants. For them, those who left Japan ceased to be Japanese forever. If they or their descendants ever want to return to Japan, they will be treated the same as foreigners.
In Japanese history students, “exploits” in the occupied territories are practically not covered. AND THE MOST IMPORTANT thing is that if the Nuremberg trials took place in Germany, where Nazism was condemned and military attackers were executed, this did not happen in Japan and many executioner generals are still national heroes.
-Death Squad - Squad 731.
It has been PRACTICALLY proven that the MASSIVE appearance of encephalitis ticks in the Far East in the 30s was the work of “specialists” from the detachment. And judging by how the outbreak of encephalitis in Hokkaido was INSTANTLY suppressed, the Japanese have an effective remedy for this disease.
-Koreans recall that they were even forbidden to speak their native language, they were ordered to change their native names to Japanese (the “assimilation” policy) - approximately 80% of Koreans adopted Japanese names. Girls were taken to brothels; in 1939, 5 million people were forcibly mobilized into industry. Korean cultural monuments were taken away or destroyed.
ALMOST ALL heavy industry and most of the hydroelectric power plants in North Korea, railways in both the South and North of Korea were built by the Japanese. Moreover, the Japanese have strived and strive in every possible way to prove their kinship with the Koreans and have always welcomed the adoption of Japanese surnames by Koreans. It has come to the point that among the particularly distinguished samurai who were awarded the honor of being marked with nameplates in the Yasukuni Temple, there are several Korean generals...
In 1965, the Japanese already paid South Korea a huge amount of compensation at that time, and now North Korea is also demanding $10 billion.
Russophobia in Lurkomorye- hatred and contempt for Russia and Russians artificially instilled in young people on the Lurkomorye website.
In the note to the article, on Lurka it is written:
A forensic examination showed what no one doubted: Anya knew firsthand about sexual intercourse.
While such mocking, malicious texts about the murder of Russian children (and not only) will be on Lurka, self-respecting Russians have nothing to do there, they should not even go there.
A Russian must explain to another Russian that in Lurkomorye they are not just joking, they are carrying out propaganda, instilling Russoskepticism, alienism, Georgianism, ridicule of Russian nationalism and patriotism.
Mocking healthy Russian nationalism, Lurk calls it national homosexuality, the DPNI movement is blasphemously called Jewish, mocks Tradition and its administrators, and portrays Hitler as some kind of emo.
Lurk describes the life of a nationalist (white, of course):
In this life, he loved only two things - his homeland, and sucking dick.
In addition to this role (instilling Russophobia), Lurk also performs another - he is engaged in the same brainless full house-Petrosianism that the zombie boxer is engaged in, thereby turning people into
Brief information about the country
Date of foundation
Official language
Japanese
Form of government
A constitutional monarchy
Territory
377,944 km² (61st in the world)
Population
127,103,388 people (10th in the world)
Timezone
Largest cities
Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Sapporo
$4.395 trillion (4th in the world)
Internet domain
Telephone code
– one of the most developed countries in the world with a thousand-year history, distinctive culture and traditions. This is a country of contrasts: rice-growing rural hinterland and multimillion-dollar Tokyo, Buddhist monks and fashion-obsessed teenagers, solemn religious rituals and the noise of pachinko gambling halls, exquisite temple architecture and multi-story concrete boxes. Japan is located in East Asia, on 6852 islands. The largest: Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku, accounting for 97% of the entire territory. The Japanese archipelago originates from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north and extends far south to the East China Sea and the island of Taiwan. Despite its relatively small area - 377,944 km², the country is densely populated. According to 2018 data, 126,225,000 people live here. According to this indicator, small Japan is inferior to huge Russia by only 17.2 million people.
Video: Japan
general information
The unofficial name of Japan, often found in the press, is the Land of the Rising Sun. The Japanese themselves widely use the name “Nihon”, which translates as “homeland of the Sun”. Daylight only once, back in 1945, faded over Hiroshima and Nagasaki - two cities that became targets for American atomic bombs, which claimed thousands of lives. Thus, Japan today is the only state on the planet against which nuclear weapons have been used. Having survived this terrible tragedy, it was still able to recover, building a strong economy over the years. In terms of living standards, according to the Human Development Index (HDI), Japan ranks 10th, ahead of Canada, the Republic of Korea and Hong Kong and behind Switzerland, Sweden and Ireland.
In Japan, they are sensitive to historical continuity, which is confirmed by the presence of the institution of monarchy as a symbol of the unity of the people. Only in this country and nowhere else is the monarch called the emperor, and this position appeared a very long time ago, back in 660 BC. e. Despite their outward conservatism and adherence to tradition, the Japanese are modern and are making enormous strides in the field of high technology, robotics and biomedicine. The government spends incredible amounts of money on science—$130 billion a year. More than 700 thousand scientists are involved in various studies. Among them are 13 Nobel Prize winners, three Fields Medal winners and one Gauss Prize winner.
Surprisingly, with such scientific and technological progress and a high level of urbanization, the Japanese manage to preserve the natural environment. Not to mention the rich heritage of antiquity: castles, palaces, monuments, temples have survived to this day almost in their original form. Millions of tourists set foot on this ancient land every year, never ceasing to be interested in the history of Japan, sometimes tragic, and admiring the local attractions.
What is the secret of the success of the island state, located, moreover, in a seismic zone? Every foreigner answers this question in his own way. Some see the basis for prosperity in the peculiarities of the local mentality, others in an effective management system, and still others in the virtual absence of spending on military purposes. I wonder what solution to this phenomenon you will find for yourself when you visit Japan and get to know this unique country better?
Cities of Japan
All cities in Japan
History of Japan
During the Paleolithic era, the Japanese islands were connected to the mainland by isthmuses. The primitive population lived by gathering and hunting and took the first steps towards progress by making stone tools. Local ceramics, which appeared approximately 10 thousand years ago, are considered the oldest in the world. And in the annals of the Chinese Han Empire (1st century AD) there are the first mentions of ancient Japan, inhabited by the Wajin people, who had “100 small countries.” Already in the 4th century, there was a noticeable tendency towards unification around one of the states - Yamato, which later became a federation. At the end of the 6th century, its ruler, Prince Shotoku, set a course for centralization. In 604, the monarch issued the legendary “Constitution of 17 Articles,” which declared the monarchy to be the highest authority.
At the same time, the samurai became stronger and were accepted into key positions in the imperial court. They positioned themselves as a separate class and often rebelled against the government. The rebellions of some samurai were suppressed by the forces of others, since there was no army as such in the country yet. In the 14th century, the military-feudal system of government known as the shogunate declined, and the Hojo dynasty moved towards even greater centralization. The samurai in the regions did not like this. Uprisings began, ending with the complete liquidation of the shogunate and the entire mentioned dynasty. Subsequently, from 1338 to 1573, a new shogunate was established in Japan, known as the Muromachi period, as well as its policy of decentralization.
In the 16th century, European sailors began to visit East Asia. In 1543, they set foot on the Japanese island of Tanegashima and passed on to the local population the secret of firearms, which soon began to be produced throughout the country. The Japanese were introduced to Christianity in 1549, when the missionary Francis Xavier arrived here. At the same time, trade with Europe developed: the Japanese paid for purchased goods in silver. At the beginning of the 19th century, the country was struck by famine caused by many years of crop failures. But the government did not even think about saving the population, but bought rice only for itself, which provoked mass protests by peasants and samurai. The latter's 500-year dominance in politics and public life ended in 1868, when opposition to the shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu formed a new government and removed him from power.
At this time, the Cabinet of Ministers formed the Privy Council, prepared a new version of the Constitution and convened parliament. Thus began a period of political, military and socio-economic transformations in Japan, called the Meiji Restoration after the 16-year-old emperor. The reforms ensured the country's industrial dominance in the world and led to military victories over China and Russia, respectively, in 1894-1895 and 1904-1905. Having annexed South Sakhalin, Taiwan and Korea, the powerful island empire became the rightful owner of the surrounding seas.
The beginning of the 20th century was marked by the growth of militaristic and expansionist sentiments in the country. Japan joined the First World War, becoming an ally of the Entente. As a result, its influence increased and its territorial acquisitions multiplied. In the captured Manchuria in the early 30s, Japan formed the quasi-state of Manchukuo, and in the second half it entered into allied relations with the Third Reich, signing the Anti-Comintern Pact. During the same period, she signed the Pact of Mutual Neutrality with the USSR. The document provided for Tokyo's respect for the sovereignty and integrity of Manchukuo and the Mongolian People's Republic. That, however, did not prevent Japan from starting a second war with China. In December 1941, after attacking Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, she declared war on the United States and Great Britain. This was followed by the conquest of Hong Kong, Malacca and the Philippines.
On August 9, 1945, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan. This happened after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by American aircraft. The Kwantung Army was defeated and the once powerful empire signed the Act of Unconditional Surrender on September 2. In 1947, a new pacifist Constitution was adopted in the Land of the Rising Sun. On September 8, 1951, the San Francisco Peace Treaty was concluded, officially ending World War II and depriving the Far Eastern aggressor of all territorial gains. The USSR regained control over southern Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. However, Japan did not recognize the annexation of the Southern Kuriles (Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and Habomai islands), calling it the “problem of the northern territories,” therefore, despite the existence of diplomatic relations, a peace treaty between our countries has not yet been signed.
Nature
The local natural landscape is highly diverse. Its formation was influenced by Japan's location on a large archipelago with many stratovolcanoes. 10% of the world's volcanic activity and up to one and a half thousand earthquakes per year of magnitude 4-6 are all local realities. And ground vibrations with a lower magnitude in different regions are a completely daily phenomenon: the population does not even react to the periodic shaking of buildings.
The flora of the Japanese islands is no less variegated. In the north, coniferous trees grow. In the center and south there are, respectively, mixed and subtropical forests. In total, the country has over 2,700 species of various plants, of which 168 are trees only. The most famous tree in Japan is, of course, the sakura. Two-thirds of the archipelago's territory is occupied by forests, as well as shrub areas and mountain peaks. Landslides and typhoons, not to mention earthquakes, are frequent here, which has made these territories unsuitable either for habitation or for agricultural and industrial activities.
The fauna of Japan is represented by the brown bear, ermine, sable, weasel - they are found on the island of Hokkaido. The fox, wolf, hare, raccoon dog, badger, and otter feel at ease on Honshu. Black bear, antelope, Japanese macaque and even a giant salamander live here and on the southern islands. Among the birds, we will highlight the woodpecker and tit, swallow and stork, black grouse and hawk, eagle and owl, blackbird and crane: the list is as if we are talking about Russia.
The largest lakes and rivers in Japan, where catfish, carp, lamprey, and eel are found, are located on large islands. Due to the peculiarities of the local landscape, the river beds are not very long, barely exceeding 200 km. The longest river in the country is the Shinano, which flows on the island of Honshu. The second longest is Tonegawa: actively used for shipping and fishing. Rafting championships are also held here - sports rafting on mountain rivers. And the waterway of Hokkaido is Ishikari, which originates in the mountains. Of the lakes, the largest in Japan is Biwa; its area is 640 km². Many fresh water bodies - Asi, Shinano and others - were formed in the craters of dormant volcanoes. There are salt lakes in the coastal zone. For example, Kasumigaura is the second largest in the country.
Climate and weather
Although Japan is a small country, it has as many as six climate zones. Temperatures range from fairly cool in the north (Hokkaido Island) to subtropical in the southern regions (Ryukyu Islands, Bonin Islands). Climatic indicators directly depend on seasonal movements of atmospheric air. So, in winter, a northeast wind blows from the Sea of Japan, which drives clouds with all the ensuing consequences - heavy snowfalls.
Seasonal winds also determine the weather in the Pacific Ocean. This area is characterized by rare snowfalls, but winters are cold. Summer is usually humid and hot due to the influence of the seasonal southeast wind. In the extreme southwest, as already noted, a subtropical climate prevails. Winters here are warm and summers are hot. There is a high level of precipitation, and even has its own rainy season. Typhoons are common.
Weather is a very popular, inexhaustible topic of conversation throughout the year, especially rain, the arrival of which is unpredictable in most cases. For this reason, a durable folding umbrella is an indispensable item of equipment for any enlightened traveler to Japan. If you find yourself caught in the pouring rain without an umbrella, take shelter in the nearest store.
Attractions
Let's start our acquaintance with the sights of Japan from the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in the special Chiyoda district. It functions as the official residence of the head of state, Emperor Akihito, and as a museum where tourists can experience Japanese history, culture and art. The palace was built on the ruins of the old Edo Castle, which was destroyed by fire. The residence features many reception rooms and is surrounded by traditional Japanese-style gardens.
One of the symbols of Japan and the highest mountain in the country is Fuji (or Fuji). The mountain is located on the island of Honshu, 90 km southwest of the capital, its height is 3776 meters. Fuji is well recognized due to its symmetrical cone. This volcano is loved to be photographed and is often depicted on souvenirs or paintings. More than 200 thousand people conquer Fuji every year, spending 5-8 hours on the ascent (the descent usually takes less time).
But the main symbol of the capital is the Tokyo Television Tower, whose height is 332.6 meters. The structure was designed with an eye on the Eiffel Tower in Paris: its structure is the same lattice. She appeared 69 years later than her French “sister”. The Tokyo Tower has become the embodiment of the most modern technologies. Its observation decks offer stunning views not only of the city, but also of the surrounding area. There are shops and restaurants where you can shop and eat delicious food.
Let's move to Kyoto, the capital of Japan from 794 to 1869. Located in the central part of the largest island of Honshu, it is famous for one of the country's most popular attractions - the Buddhist Temple of the Golden Pavilion or Kinkaku-ji. It was erected at the end of the 14th century, but in 1950 it was burned by a monk who apparently suffered from a mental disorder. In 1955, the temple was restored and is an exact copy of the original. Kinkaku-ji was covered with gold leaf, giving a beautiful reflection in the surrounding pond.
There is also the “Silver Pavilion” or Ginkaku-ji in Kyoto, built in 1483. Only its coating is not actually silver - the application of the noble metal was prevented by the war that had begun at that time. The temple was intended for the rest of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa. The area where it is located is very quiet, and the surrounding nature is the embodiment of harmony and beauty. Note to tourists: in Japanese temples (there are about 1,600 of them in Kyoto alone), you should take off your shoes before entering and carefully read the explanatory signs. Taking photographs is usually allowed, but it won’t hurt to ask the attendants again.
In addition to local sanctuaries, ancient castles are also open for tourists to visit, of which there are about fifty preserved in the Land of the Rising Sun. Many have survived to this day almost in their original form, while others were destroyed during the Second World War. Thus, the oldest of them is Inuyama Castle (XV century). It is just an hour's drive from the port city of Nagoya, the capital of Aichi Prefecture. The castle is well preserved and has original architecture. The object has been awarded the high status of a National Treasure, which not all monuments are awarded.
One of the most beautiful castles in Japan is Matsumoto Castle. It is located in the city of the same name (Nagano Prefecture), built in the hirajiro style. The black color of the outer walls and the side towers, reminiscent of outstretched wings, led to its unofficial name: Raven's Castle. Another black “crow castle” is Kumamoto, located in the city of Kumamoto, the center of the prefecture of the same name. It is also called the gingko castle. Kumamoto Castle was built in 1601-1607. Today it serves as a museum. Among the exhibits are samurai armor, weapons, and national clothing.
Among the most beautiful castle complexes is Nijo Castle in Kyoto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Treasure of Japan. At the beginning of the 17th century, it was built by Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty. In addition to the central building - the Ninomaru Palace - it has many buildings and several gardens. In the Seiryu-en garden, municipal authorities hold official receptions for city guests, and tea ceremonies for the Kyoto residents themselves.
Japanese monuments cannot be ignored either. They are not at all similar to the sculptures and busts that are familiar to us, decorating squares and parks in Russian cities. Many are thousands of years old. Ancient representatives of Buddhism, for example, left a legacy to their descendants of statues in the Horyu-ji area of Nara Prefecture. To them, which have come down to us through the centuries, today not only believers, but also tourists come to pray. In the city of Nara itself you can also see many magnificent ancient monuments. Some of them are concentrated in the Heijo Palace, which in the 8th century was the residence of Japanese emperors.
Many monuments in Japan represent war times, of which there were many in the country's history. In Hiroshima, for example, two are dedicated to the atomic bombings of 1945. The first one looks like the skeleton of a stone house destroyed by an explosion, the second one depicts the nuclear bomb itself. Even the funny and completely “peaceful” monument to pumpkin and sweet potatoes, located in the city of Urawa, has a meaning associated with the war. It is intended to remind the residents of the country that it was these plants that saved them from hunger during periods of hostilities. Tokyo also has “military” monuments, two of them: to the Kabuki theater actor, who embodied the images of the great samurai on stage, and to the dog of the popular Akita Inu breed, known to us from the film “Hachiko: The Most Faithful Friend.”
Special mention should be made about Japan's national parks, since the local structure is predominantly urban and environmental issues are extremely pressing here. In the central part of the island of Honshu there is one of the most famous parks: Fuji Q Highland. Its dominant feature is the legendary Fuji. Both the Japanese and tourists love to relax at the foot of this most beautiful conical volcano in the world, which is called the “Area of Five Lakes”. The park contains many ancient temples, waterfalls and thermal springs.
All sights of Japan
Recreation and entertainment
Coming to Japan and not visiting Tokyo Disneyland? That would be unforgivable. It is located in the capital's suburb of Urayasu, being part of the Disney amusement park, which opened in 1983 and became the first such establishment outside the United States. Another part of it is the Tokyo DisneySea theme park. Moreover, both of these places are extremely popular among tourists, and no less so than the famous Disneyland in America.
The latter's Japanese competitor is the Universal Studios amusement park located in Osaka. Here you can have a great holiday with the whole family. There are many attractions and a variety of shows to choose from, and there are themed areas. The attractions are designed in the spirit of reality; their main theme is films shot at the Universal Pictures film studio. Having visited the Tobu World Square park in the city of Kinugawa, you will feel like a real Gulliver from a fairy tale. And all because its attractions are small copies of the most famous buildings in the world. The unusual panorama of the park is complemented by figures of people walking between the buildings, which can be counted as many as 140 thousand. There are also miniature copies of real trees (bonsai) in the amount of 20,000 pieces.
Although Japan is not Africa, it still has its own monkey parks. One of them is located on Mount Takao. Having climbed it by cable car, you can immediately get acquainted with its humanoid inhabitants, mainly macaques. These pranksters walk freely along the paths and look expectantly at visitors: maybe they will treat you to something tasty. The panorama of the park, or rather its surroundings, is complemented by a real herb garden. Some biologist tourists even try to establish the exact number of species represented, but with great difficulty. The official data is as follows: there are about 500 species here. The second monkey park is called Jigokudani (translated as “Valley of Hell”), which is located in the city of Yamanouchi and also became the home of Japanese macaques.
A garden with tea ceremony houses, a French-style garden and the Taisoji Buddhist Temple all define the appearance of Shinjuku Imperial Park. It is located in the capital's district of the same name and is one of the most famous parks. The Imperial Park welcomes visitors at any time of the year, but is especially beautiful in the spring, when sakura, one of the symbols of Japan, blooms. Its flowers are short-lived and encourage us to think about the transience of our lives.
After drinking tea, you can get some adrenaline pumping by visiting the Tokyo Dome City Attraction park. It became famous thanks to the Thunder Dolphin attraction, one of the most extreme in the world. Just saying that it’s scary here won’t be quite right. You can feel how your soul “rushes” to your heels only when you are here: no descriptions or even video materials will give an accurate idea. In general, all Tokyo attractions claim that it will be impossible to forget about them. Just imagine: a train with a visitor in the cabin reaches speeds of up to 130 km/h, passing through the openings of buildings, and one thought is drilling into your head - how not to crash into a wall and remain unharmed!
National cuisine
Japanese cuisine is recognized as the standard of healthy eating not only by culinary specialists, but also by many specialists in the field of nutrition and medicine. Therefore, it is quite understandable why there are so many centenarians here who have crossed the 80-year mark. In Japan there is a cult of food, but in the best sense of the word. For the Japanese, food serves not only to satisfy hunger - it should please the eye, smell... and even the ear. In national cuisine, they adhere to the age-old rule of “five colors”, that is, the products from which dishes are prepared must certainly be red, green, yellow, brown and black. If in most developed countries, to be honest, they often have breakfast or lunch in a hurry, on the go, then in the Land of the Rising Sun such “liberties” are not welcomed. Various food rituals are common here. The spoon is rarely used, and the fork and knife are not touched at all during meals. The symbol of local cuisine is hashi sticks. This is what the Japanese eat with.
Rice, called gohan in Japanese, is present in many dishes. Priority is also given to seafood and fish (the latter is usually not subjected to deep heat treatment). Often the diet is dominated by buckwheat soba noodles, which are very long and thin and are usually served hot with soy sauce. Another hallmark of the local cuisine is sushi, where boiled rice is often accompanied by raw fish. A must-try is sashimi - thinly sliced raw fish, octopus, scallop or squid served with daikon, shiso leaves and wasabi sauce. An analogue of the shish kebab beloved by Russians can be considered kushiyaki - small pieces of fish and seafood cooked on the grill. People in Japan also love pork: a chop made from it, fried with egg and breadcrumbs, is called tonkatsu. A very tasty dish - chakhan. This is a Japanese pilaf prepared with pork, shrimp and other seafood.
Money
The basis of the monetary system is the Japanese yen (¥). In circulation there are coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen, banknotes in denominations of 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10,000 yen. 10 and 100 yen coins are required for calls from pay phones, 50 and 100 yen coins are required for bus tickets, vending machines and train tickets for short distance trips. 2,000 yen notes are rare and are not accepted by vending machines, as are 1 and 5 yen coins. 5,000 and 10,000 yen notes are readily accepted, even for small purchases.
Currency exchange. In international hotels, you will be exchanged for yen and traveler's checks, and foreign currency (subject to the established exchange rate). Accredited banks, of course, will do the same at a slightly more favorable rate. Shops in many tourist areas are increasingly accepting not only yen, but also other currencies for payment, you just need to show your passport.
At the entrance to the bank you will probably be greeted by an employee who will lead you to the desired window. Otherwise, look for the desired symbol with your eyes. While the operation is being carried out (may take 15 minutes or more), you will be invited to sit, and when the money is ready, you will be invited by name.
Most banks have a special currency exchange section where you can exchange traveler's checks and foreign currency for yen (on presentation of your passport).
ATMs and credit cards. Despite the sophistication of Japan's financial system, there are very few places where you can withdraw money using an international credit card and PIN, although in principle most post offices should have one. However, since the streets of Japanese cities are quite safe, you can simply carry as much cash with you for the day as you expect to spend.
As for more significant expenses, large hotels, small inns, restaurants and shops will most likely accept Visa, American Express and MasterCard for payment. But not traveler's checks.
Religion
Although Shintoism and Buddhism are the main religions, there are more than 1 million 400 thousand Christians in the country, and there are churches in most cities. Services in English, however, are rare. For information about the times of Protestant, Catholic, Greek and Russian Orthodox, Muslim and Jewish services, check in English newspapers or inquire at the local tourist information center.
Shopping
Many cities around the world have their own shopping streets and districts, and Tokyo, with its 13 million population, is no exception. The Ginzu district is the shopping center in the capital of Japan. At the beginning of the 17th century there was a mint here, then jewelry shops opened. Their modern “successors” are the expensive Louis Vuitton store, Miximoto boutiques (selling pearls) and Chanel. The 3 Mx department store chain offers products from such popular local brands as Matsuzakaya, Mitsukoshi and Matsua. But remember that the products here are expensive.
Don't want to spend a lot? Look for 100-yen stores (“hyakuen shops”). They have a fixed price for personal hygiene items, dishes, souvenirs and even food. Another opportunity to save money will appear in the capital's suburb of Minami Machida. It only takes 40 minutes to get here. It became famous thanks to Grandberry Mall, the largest outlet in the country, the prices of which will pleasantly surprise you with their affordability.
Do you need high-quality and, accordingly, inexpensive Japanese electronics? Then you should head to the Ajihabara area, where you will find TVs, computers, and smartphones of the coolest models. But Seibu and Kimuraya department stores in the Shibuya district are considered youth stores. Many retail outlets participate in the value added tax refund system (Tax free). In general, department stores in Tokyo and other large cities - Yokohama, Sapporo, Osaka, Kyoto, Kawasaki, Nagoya, Kobe - occupy huge areas. On the underground floors they usually sell food products, on the first - shoes and haberdashery, on the second, third and above - clothes for adults and children, household goods and souvenirs, on the last - restaurants.
By the way, about souvenirs. Travelers often bring home Japanese porcelain and ceramics, wood carvings, and bamboo products. National robes made of silk and cotton, folding paper lanterns, and fans are very popular among tourists. Separately, it should be said about wooden hair clips, the fashion for which was brought by geishas, as well as samurai katana swords (of course, not real ones, but souvenir ones). Maneki-neko – cute figurines of cats with a raised paw – are selling well among foreigners. Among the edible souvenirs of Japan, preference is given to shelf-stable sushi, dried and dried squid and, of course, high-quality local green tea.
All purchases are subject to a 5% consumption tax, and stores are required by law to post prices that include the tax. Department stores have special tax refund programs for foreign customers who make large purchases (usually over 10,000 yen). Some stores only accept returns when purchasing clothing. Before making any purchases, check with the information desk, which is usually located on the ground floor next to the main entrance. To be exempt from paying tax, you will need to present your passport.
Cloth
Clothing should be versatile, lightweight and easy to wash. Don't forget to bring a jacket or raincoat. In winter you will need a sweater and a warm jacket. Do not bring tight, restrictive clothing; remember that you will have to sit at low tables with your legs tucked under you or crossed, which will not be easy to do in a tight-fitting skirt. Also keep in mind that your socks will often be visible, and they must be clean and intact. You will have to take off your shoes so often that you should consider purchasing shoes without laces. There's nothing better than comfortable sneakers for sightseeing, as the paths are mostly gravel.
If you're looking to buy clothing in Japan, keep in mind that both men's and women's clothing are designed for the country's body types, which differ from most Westerners. The same goes for underwear. However, in Tokyo and other major cities the supply of clothing in Western sizes is gradually expanding.
Language
If you don't speak Japanese, use English. Of course, it can be fun to exchange a few words or phrases like “thank you,” “hello,” or “goodbye” with the Japanese. However, if you pretend that you can maintain a full-fledged conversation, you risk drowning in a stream of incomprehensible sounds, and the simple communication that you were counting on will not work out.
Speak English slowly and clearly. Try to avoid complex expressions and figures of speech when formulating your questions and answers, use simple grammar.
Opening hours
Banks: on weekdays 9.00-15.00, Sat, Sun closed. Government agencies: weekdays 9.00-17.00, Sat, Sun closed.
Post offices: main on weekdays 9.00-19.00, Sat 9.00-15.00 or 17.00, closed on Sundays.
Hairdressers: daily 9.00-20.00, except usually Mon for men and Tue for women.
Museums: Tue-Sun 9.00-17.00 (visitor entry until 16.30), including national holidays.
Shops: most daily 10.00-20.00. Universal on weekdays 10.00-20.00 (Sat., Sun and national holidays until 18.30 or 19.00); Usually one day a week is a day off.
Temples: daily 8.00 or 9.00-16.30 in summer, until 16.00 in winter.
Crime and safety
Given Japan's relatively low crime rate, the likelihood of you being attacked or robbed is low. Yet the country is far from crime-free, and the number of crimes of all types, including sexual assault and other types of violent acts, is steadily increasing. As everywhere in the world, reasonable precautions will not be superfluous. In Tokyo and other major cities, most major intersections have police boxes (koban), easily identified by the large red light above the entrance.
Police
For immediate assistance or in an emergency, dial 110. There are small police stations, or booths, at most busy intersections. Police officers wear a blue uniform and cap. They are very kind and ready to help you at any time. When dealing with the police, always show your passport.
Pay phones vary in color and size. You can make local, long-distance and international calls from all of them. The gray ones marked “ISDN/ International & Domestic Card/Coin Telephone” allow direct dialing. For domestic calls, NTT cards are available and are sold in convenience stores and many other stores and vending machines. Services such as calls on credit and at the expense of the called subscriber are not available in all countries (check in advance).
Cell phones. There are three main cellular operators in the country: NTT DoCoMo, AI and Softbank. DoCoMo (tel: 0120-680-110) and Softbank (tel: 3560-7730) rent cell phones for domestic use.
Tips
Tipping is not a Japanese custom (perhaps except when it comes to some additional service) and is officially frowned upon. However, a small gift, such as a souvenir from your country, would be an appropriate token of gratitude to the people who helped you. It is considered polite to politely refuse an offered gift once or twice. Neither taxi drivers nor hotel staff expect tips from you. Porters at airports and railway stations work at a set rate. In hotels, ryokans and some restaurants, the bill will be increased by 10-15% service surcharge.
Toilets
Apart from train stations, public toilets are rare. Use the typically Western-style restrooms in department stores, as in larger hotels they are floor-level ditches with no seats facing the drain. The stall doors are usually locked, but it is still common practice to knock twice to make sure the toilet is clear. If not, you will hear two knocks in response. Sometimes the toilets are shared between men and women (men in front of the urinals don’t seem to exist). Toilets in Japan are kept immaculately clean. You should always have toilet paper with you.
Public transport
In addition to Tokyo, there are subways in cities such as Kyoto, Yokohama, Sapporo, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka and Sendai. They love the metro here because it is fast and convenient, and the Japanese value their personal time very much. Subway tickets are sold in special machines. Those who find it difficult to understand hieroglyphs can use diagrams. They are intuitive, and deciding on the route and price is usually not difficult. A trip on the Tokyo Subway starts from 160 yen and depends on the distance. A day pass will cost you ¥400.
The most difficult type of public transport for tourists is the bus. Flight names and route numbers are almost always written only in hieroglyphs, without duplication, for example, into English. It is clear that this creates certain difficulties. As for the cost of travel, in the capital and a number of other settlements in Japan it does not depend on the distance, but in others it is the other way around. In some cities - Nagasaki, Kagashima, Kumamoto and others - there are trams. Travelers often use this type of transport.
And finally, taxis in Japan. There are many of them, they are available, but the cost of the trip is off the charts. Just for landing you will be charged 640-650 yen, and then the meter charges 80 yen every 280 meters. God forbid you get stuck in a traffic jam: every 2.25 minutes of idle time will cost you 90 JPY. These are Tokyo prices. In other cities, prices are slightly lower, but still hit the wallet. How to determine whether a machine is busy or not? If the “light” on the windshield is green, pass by: there are already passengers. If you see red, feel free to approach, taxis are available. A yellow “light” means that the car, even if it is empty, is on its way to an emergency call. It happens that passengers in a hurry forget things in the cabin. Call the Unified Lost and Found Bureau of taxi companies, and your lost property will be returned.
Hotels and accommodation
The most expensive hotels in Japan are business class, where a night’s stay will cost a tourist 55,000 yen or more. Prices in first class hotels start from 15,000 ¥ and on average range from 45-75 thousand yen. Having rented an inexpensive double room for 15 thousand, for example, at the Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo, for an additional fee you can use the SPA salon, fitness center, and dine on dishes of national, European and Chinese cuisine. As a “bonus”, the windows offer a beautiful view of the city, not to mention free Internet and a TV, air conditioning and tea making facilities.
Among the budget options, hostels are in demand. The rooms are clean and tidy, designed to accommodate 2-4 people at a time, with each guest paying an amount of 24 euros and above. Household amenities are shared, but some rooms have a shower. Mini-hotels are popular among travelers, where you can only spend the night and have breakfast in the morning. There are also so-called capsule hotels in Japan. They do not provide full-fledged rooms, but only sleeping places (“capsules”). But it’s also convenient, because in addition to your bed, you have a TV, radio and even a personal alarm clock.
It is not customary to walk along the corridors of Japanese hotels, regardless of their level of stardom, in street shoes. Upon entering, you need to take off your shoes, leave your shoes or boots in a special drawer and change into something indoors. How to book a hotel? We recommend the hotellook service, where you can compare hotel prices from leading booking systems and book a room with a maximum discount. And preferably in advance, before the trip. This will be more reliable and save money.
Communications and Internet
Many tourists would like to get a SIM card from Japanese mobile operators, but it won’t work: tariff plans are available only to citizens of the country. But immediately upon arrival at the airport, you can rent a phone - just a device, not a card - from a local cellular operator, which you will return at the end of the trip. The pleasure will cost $100 a week, not counting the rather expensive negotiation fee. Inbox, however, is free.
Access to the World Wide Web can be obtained both in hotels (most rooms have a landline connection) and for free in public Wi-Fi points, which are found in every major metropolis. But the first Japanese city to have a wide network of “street” Internet access was Osaka. There are 163 points here so far, but soon, as they promise, there will be many more of them. Meanwhile, the Japanese prefer portable wireless access points, which they carry with them. Mobile routers are also available to tourists, but for temporary use. You can rent it at the airport.
Car rental
Car rental companies operate in all major cities. Numerous local firms compete with international agencies by offering competitive rates. With the exception of citizens of France, Germany and Switzerland, who will only need a certified translation of their national driving license, foreigners must have an international license. You can rent a car with a driver who speaks English through a hotel or travel agency.
Driving a car in Japan
The difficulty of driving in the country should not be underestimated. Driving standards differ significantly from Western ones, and the roads are very narrow. Visitors should exercise extreme caution and caution on Japanese roads.
The traffic is on the left, and most foreign drivers will be shocked by the degree of tension. The streets are clogged with cars and there are few parking spaces. The problem of orientation is aggravated by the fact that very few streets have names. Instead, the blocks are numbered, and the streets only separate them. Most road signs and indicators have inscriptions in hieroglyphs and Latin script.
Speed is limited to 40 km/h in cities, 60 km/h in suburbs and 100 km/h on motorways.
The Japan Automobile Federation (emergency tel. 0570-00-8139, www.jaf.or.jp/e/) publishes an English-language guide to driving in Japan, Rules of the Road.
Entry requirements
To enter Japan, you will need a valid passport as well as a completed Passenger Card. Upon arrival, you will be asked to show your return ticket and proof of funds to stay in the country.
Visas
A tourist visa allows citizens of the Russian Federation to stay in Japan for up to 15 days, in some cases up to 90 days. A prerequisite for obtaining a Japanese tourist visa is to book a hotel for the entire duration of your stay.
The usual visa processing time is three weeks. The consular department reserves the right to delay the processing of documents for obtaining a visa for up to one month, as well as to refuse to issue a visa without explaining the reasons for the refusal.
Customs regulations
Formally, items imported into Japan must be declared, either verbally or in writing. In practice, there is a system of random baggage checks adopted in many other countries. There are no restrictions on the import and export of currency, however, if you want to export an amount over 1 million yen, you will have to notify customs. It is prohibited to import certain types of fruits and vegetables into Japan. A number of stimulants used in Western medicine are also prohibited from import.
Embassy and consulates of the Russian Federation
Embassy of the Russian Federation in Japan
106-0041 Tokyo, Minato-ku, Azabudai 2-1-1.
Tel.: +81-3-3583-4224.
Fax: +81-3-3505-0593.
Consular Section of the Embassy
Tel.: +81-3-3583-4445.
Fax: +81-3-3586-0407.
Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Sapporo (Hokkaido)
Address: Sapporo City, Chuo District, Minami 14, Nishi 12, 2-5. Tel: 011-561-3171 /3172. Fax: 011-561-8897.
How to get there
Aeroflot operates direct flights to Tokyo and back from Moscow, Khabarovsk and Vladivostok. A one-way flight from these cities takes 9 hours 30 minutes, 2 hours 40 minutes and 2 hours 10 minutes, respectively. The exact departure time and availability of seats can be checked on the official website of the domestic air carrier.
Planes of the Japanese company Japan Airlines also fly from Moscow to Tokyo. International flights are served by Narita Airport, which is located 65 km from the capital. Electric trains and buses run regularly from here to the city; travel time is no more than 60 minutes. Since Japan is an island state, and also has maritime borders with Russia, regular ferry service has been established between our countries. The ferry departs from Vladivostok. You can check the flight and availability of seats on the Internet resource of the sea terminal of the capital of Primorye.
Calendar of low prices for air tickets to Tokyo
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Lurkomorye mainly covers events related to imageboards, less often - with diaries, blogs and the like. In other words, everything that amuses anonymous Internet users, otherwise known as Anonymous or Anons, whose name is Legion, and later spreads throughout the Internet. Often these are banal phrases. For example, “I’m 20 and have a beard.” But there will be no more examples, because this is already a violation of the first and second rules of the Internet.
By the way, the rules of the Internet have also become a kind of meme. It contains things that every self-respecting anonymous bitard must know. And more for your own sake: people do a lot of incomprehensible and useless things, especially on the Internet, and knowing the rules will help protect you from searching for meaning, and as a result, from trauma to your own psyche.
Topics related to anime are also described on Lurkomorye, but their reliability is questionable. It’s not that they didn’t strive for this, it’s more about their contingent, which is already one of their disadvantages. For example, some commercially successful, but rather dull, generally speaking, shonen can gain enormous popularity, as a result, there will be heaps of praise sheets all over the Internet, which will reach Lurk. Naturally, after a while, justice will prevail, but exactly how much time should pass before that moment?
Inconstancy, by the way, is another drawback of the wikiproject. It is difficult to say what exactly determines their attitude to the subject of discussion, otherwise - the subject, the opinion of the Legion or their own, but it tends to change. Specific articles may be “full of love and adoration” at first, “contain overwhelming amounts of hate” later, and vice versa. No, for a reasonable person, figuring it out is, of course, not a problem, but for others...
Speaking about the bias of articles, the question in itself arises about the contingent of the resource. If some are completely sane, then others are schoolchildren or simply inadequate, who almost live on this resource (popularly called lurkoyobs). There is a separate article about them, but for the average user it is enough to know that such people excessively abuse slang, but write little that is sane.
From everything described, it becomes clear that the anime part of the project is not very competent. No, there are good articles there, but they are written, as they say, “for themselves.” That is, for people who visit this resource. There are many nuances to which “everyone is as always.” Again, the subjectivity of specific articles. However, subjectivity is an eternal problem with absolutely all resources and not only those related to anime...
Lurkomorye does not like Wikipedia. And, in principle, there is a reason: after all, using facts, as well as resources from among those that Wikipedia loves to refer to, you can greatly distort the information. For example, at one time in the article “Lurkomorye” it was stated that the project was developed on outdated media wiki engine, as if hinting. That is, you can keep silent about something, focus attention on it, adjust it to the rules, and you get an article that inclines the reader to a specific opinion, despite the fact that they declare their neutrality. And then, not all the resources they like to link to are truly neutral and worthy (WorldArt, for example), which again casts doubt on the reliability of their information. There is nothing like this in Lurkomorye: they state the facts ahead of everything(sign “Caution! Lies, bullshit and provocation!”). Moreover, there are facts that really deserve attention (the boxes “Your article is crap, you don’t understand anything about [subject]” and “You don’t understand the essence of /lm/ at all”).
Typically, Lurkomorye is often criticized. The resource does have some disadvantages, but How These users criticize the project, causing... not even laughter, but pity. Most of them are offended schoolchildren, half-trolls, and various kinds of blondes. In other words, people who are unable to deal with the facts, and therefore are simply trying to denigrate the project. Low, isn't it?
However, Lurk does have a bad influence. The materials contained there can greatly help sane people who are capable of extracting value from information, but some users simply clutter their brains, as a result, only accelerating the degradation of these same users. At least there, this is also taken into account, and articles are compiled in such a way as to try to awaken the mind, but in most cases it is in vain. Alas.