Geography
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/6/5/16653686/3127109.png)
Japan is an island nation in East Asia comprising a stratovolcanic archipelago extending along the Pacific coast of Asia. Measured from the geographic coordinate system, Japan stretches
from 24° to 46° north latitude and from 123° to 146° east longitude. The country
is southeast of the Russian Far East, separated by the Sea
of Okhotsk; slightly east of Korea, separated by the Sea of
Japan; and east-northeast of China and Taiwan, separated by the East
China Sea. The closest neighboring country to Japan is the Russian
Federation.
from 24° to 46° north latitude and from 123° to 146° east longitude. The country
is southeast of the Russian Far East, separated by the Sea
of Okhotsk; slightly east of Korea, separated by the Sea of
Japan; and east-northeast of China and Taiwan, separated by the East
China Sea. The closest neighboring country to Japan is the Russian
Federation.
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/6/5/16653686/7282884.jpg)
On the other hand, cold winds from the northern Asian continent blow east
over the Sea of Japan, dumping deep, heavy snow on the northwestern coasts of
Japan. There is a marked contrast between winters on the coast facing the Sea
of Japan, called Japan's "snow country," where people often have to tunnel
under the snow to move from house to house, and the clear, crisp winters on the
eastern shore, with little snow at all, leaving dry winters on the more heavily
populated side of the main islands.
Even on the eastern shores, however, Japan has abundant rainfall, since
seasonal winds carry moisture into the country from its surrounding waters. In
fact, in addition to the four seasons similar to those of our U.S. temperate
zone climate, there is a rainy season, lasting about a month in June, followed
by a hot summer. This is important for the cultivation of rice, Japan's
traditional staple food.
over the Sea of Japan, dumping deep, heavy snow on the northwestern coasts of
Japan. There is a marked contrast between winters on the coast facing the Sea
of Japan, called Japan's "snow country," where people often have to tunnel
under the snow to move from house to house, and the clear, crisp winters on the
eastern shore, with little snow at all, leaving dry winters on the more heavily
populated side of the main islands.
Even on the eastern shores, however, Japan has abundant rainfall, since
seasonal winds carry moisture into the country from its surrounding waters. In
fact, in addition to the four seasons similar to those of our U.S. temperate
zone climate, there is a rainy season, lasting about a month in June, followed
by a hot summer. This is important for the cultivation of rice, Japan's
traditional staple food.