Japan - Prepare

Bring cool clothes for the sticky summer and woolly jumpers for the chilly winter. Practise using chopsticks to avoid losing face when munching bowls of slippery soup noodles.

Head for a temple to see in the New Year on 1 January and get frosty in the northern city of Sapporo for February's Ice Festival. Hang out under a cherry tree with a flask of sake to celebrate Hanami (blossom viewing) in spring and geisha-spot at Kyoto's Gion Matsuri Festival in July. Commemorate your ancestors with fireworks and dancing for Obon Festival in July and August and see dragons dancing at Nagasaki's Okunchi Festival in October.

New Year's Day (1 Jan), Coming of Age Day (second Mon in Jan), Founding of the Nation Day (11 Feb), Spring Equinox (20 or 21 Mar), Showa Day (commemorating the former Emperor's birthday, 29 Apr), Constitution Day (3 May), Greenery Day (4 May), Children's Day (5 May), Marine Day (third Mon in Jul), Respect for the Aged Day (third Mon in Sep), Autumn Equinox (23 or 24 Sep), Sports Day (second Mon in Oct), Culture Day (3 Nov), Labour Thanksgiving Day (23 Nov), Emperor's Birthday (23 Dec), New Year's Eve (312 Dec.

The climate varies from the northern tip of Hokkaido to the balmy southern climes of Kyushu. Tokyo and Kyoto, both on the island of Honshu, are hot and humid in summer (averaging 26°C in July) and chilly in winter (5°C in January). Rainfall is highest in June, while spring and autumn are pleasant throughout the country. Hokkaido is cooler than elsewhere, regularly dropping below zero in winter. Kyushu is hot in summer and mild in winter, while subtropical Okinawa rarely drops below 16°C.

100V AC, 50 Hz, two-flat-pin plugs are standard.

+81 (national).

Japanese Yen (¥) is the currency.

GMT +9.

Japan National Tourist Organisation website

When eating noodles in soup, slurp: it is considered rude not to. Have a go at karaoke at least once: almost all Japanese are addicted to it and will applaud any foreigner attempting a song.