634 meters

The official height of Tokyo Skytree is 634 meters. Opened in 2012, this tower is the tallest freestanding broadcasting tower in Japan and is also very popular as a tourist attraction. The height “634” is a reference to Musashi, an old name for the Tokyo area.

Sato

The most common surname in Japan is Sato. The origin of the Sato surname is said to date back to the Heian period, beginning when Sato Norikiyo, a grandson of Minamoto no Yoshiie, adopted the name. Through the formation of many branch families and lineages that spread across the country, it has become the most frequently seen surname today.

Takamori Saigo

The Satsuma Rebellion was an armed uprising led by disaffected former samurai who, based in Kagoshima Prefecture, took up arms against the Meiji government. The leader of this war was Saigo Takamori, who was active from the late Edo period through the Meiji Restoration. A former samurai of the Satsuma Domain, he fought in opposition to the new policies of the Meiji government.

Kasumigaura

The second-largest lake in Japan is Lake Kasumigaura. Spanning Ibaraki and Chiba Prefectures, the lake covers an area of about 220 square kilometers. Following Lake Biwa, which has an area of about 670 square kilometers, Kasumigaura is also known for its vast expanse of water. Thanks to the surrounding nature and rich ecosystems, it is used for various recreational activities and as a venue for environmental education.

Mount Kita

The highest mountain in Japan is Mount Fuji at 3,776 meters above sea level, and the second highest is Mount Kita in the Southern Alps at 3,193 meters. Mount Kita is known for its stunning views and hiking routes and is beloved by many mountaineering enthusiasts. From the summit of Mount Kita, you can look out over the surrounding peaks, including Mount Kaikomagatake and Mount Kobushigatake—truly a paradise for hikers.

Kagawa Prefecture

Kagawa Prefecture is known for its extremely high production and consumption of udon and is famous nationwide as the birthplace of Sanuki udon. For that reason, it uses the nickname “Udon Prefecture” in tourism promotions and officially runs campaigns to showcase its udon culture.

To eliminate worldly desires

The New Year’s Eve bell is rung 108 times. This is said to remove each of the 108 earthly desires that humans possess. The tradition originates in Buddhism and is practiced to cleanse the sins and impurities of the past year, so that people can welcome the new year with a pure heart.

Taika

Japan’s oldest era name is “Taika,” pronounced “taika.” Taika was established in 645. This change of era was linked to a major political reform known as the Taika Reform, through which the first era name in Japanese history was proclaimed. The Taika Reform was part of a series of efforts to establish a ritsuryō state, and since then, era names have long been used as period designations in Japan.

Hirobumi Ito

Hirobumi Ito was Japan’s first Prime Minister and one of the central political figures from the early Meiji government. He assumed office as the inaugural Prime Minister on December 22, 1885, when the cabinet system was established in Meiji 18, and subsequently served as Prime Minister a total of four times.

Takeda Castle

Japan’s “Machu Picchu” refers to Takeda Castle in Hyogo Prefecture. Takeda Castle sits atop a mountain at an elevation of 353.7 meters and is known as the “castle in the sky” or a castle floating in a sea of clouds. Because of its appearance above the clouds and the beauty of its ruins, it is sometimes called Japan’s Machu Picchu.