What animals live in Japan?

Japan is home to some truly interesting creatures! The Japanese macaque, also called the snow monkey, is one of the most well-known — these sturdy monkeys actually sit in hot springs to stay warm during cold winters. Japan also has red foxes, Asian black bears, and the adorable tanuki, which is a raccoon dog that looks like a mix between a raccoon and a small dog. In the forests and mountains, you can find the Japanese serow, a goat-antelope that climbs steep rocky slopes with ease. The waters around Japan are rich with life too — from giant spider crabs in the deep ocean to Japanese giant salamanders in clear mountain streams. These salamanders can grow nearly five feet long, making them one of the largest amphibians on Earth! God packed a lot of variety into this island nation.

What do kids eat in Japan?

Herman here, and Rusty is already reaching for chopsticks! Kids in Japan often eat rice at almost every meal — breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A popular school lunch might include a bowl of rice, miso soup (a warm broth made from fermented soybeans), grilled fish, and milk. Japanese kids also love onigiri, which are rice balls sometimes wrapped in a sheet of dried seaweed called nori. Rusty wants to tell you about ramen, which is a noodle soup that comes in all kinds of flavors — soy sauce, miso, or a rich pork broth called tonkotsu. For snacks, kids might enjoy takoyaki, which are little round dough balls filled with pieces of octopus and topped with a savory sauce. Food in Japan is often beautiful to look at, too — Japanese cooks take great care in how a meal is arranged on the plate, even a simple one.

How do people say hello in Japan?

In Japan, the most common way to say hello is 'Konnichiwa' (say it like this: kon-nee-chee-wah). It means 'good day' and you would use it in the afternoon. In the morning, people say 'Ohayou gozaimasu' (oh-hi-oh go-zai-mas), which means 'good morning.' But in Japan, saying hello isn't just about words — it also involves bowing. Instead of a handshake or a hug, people bow their heads and upper bodies to greet each other. The deeper the bow, the more respect you are showing. It is a quiet, dignified custom, and it is one of the things that makes Japan feel like a truly distinct place in the world.

What sports or games do kids play in Japan?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Japan love baseball — it's practically a national passion, with school teams practicing hard after class every day. Sumo wrestling is another big one, and even young kids learn the basic moves. Soccer and basketball are hugely popular too, and you'll find kids playing them in school yards all across the country. Rusty wants to add that Japan has some unique games you might not know. One is called 'kendama,' a wooden toy with a ball on a string that you flip and catch on different cups and spikes — it takes real patience to master. There's also 'karuta,' a card game where players slap down cards matching lines from old Japanese poetry as fast as they can. It's a great reminder that every culture has its own clever ways to play, and God gave people everywhere the joy of fun and friendship.

What's the weather like in Japan?

Japan has four very distinct seasons, which means the weather changes a lot throughout the year. Winters in the north can bring heavy snow — the island of Hokkaido gets some of the deepest snowfall in the world — while summers in the south are hot and humid. Japan also sits in a part of the Pacific Ocean where powerful storms called typhoons can sweep through in late summer and autumn, bringing strong winds and heavy rain. Spring is famous for cherry blossom season, when pink flowers bloom across the country and people gather under the trees to enjoy the beauty God placed in His creation.

Tell me a fun fact about Japan.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Japan is a chain of about 6,800 islands sitting in the Pacific Ocean, but most people live on just four big ones. The country has over 100 active volcanoes, and Mount Fuji — the tallest — is considered a sacred mountain by many Japanese people. Rusty loves this next part: Japan has some of the most unusual vending machines in the world. You can find machines selling hot ramen noodles, fresh eggs, and even umbrellas on busy street corners. It shows just how inventive and orderly Japanese culture tends to be — and it makes walking through a Japanese city feel like exploring a place unlike anywhere else on earth.

What is school like for kids in Japan?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! School in Japan is taken very seriously — kids often go six days a week, and the school day is long. One thing that stands out right away: students clean their own classrooms, hallways, and even bathrooms themselves. No janitors for that job! It teaches everyone to work together and take care of shared spaces. Rusty wants to add that Japanese students also study really hard after regular school hours, often going to extra study classes called 'juku.' There is a lot of pressure to do well on tests. Most kids wear uniforms, eat lunch together in their classrooms, and learn to be very polite and respectful to teachers. It is a busy, structured life — and many of those students have never heard the good news about Jesus, which is one reason missionaries and Japanese Christians work so hard to share the gospel there.

Who are the unreached people in Japan?

Great question! Japan has more than 125 million people, and most of them have never put their trust in Jesus as their Savior. In fact, less than 1% of Japanese people are Christians — that means out of every 100 people you might meet on a busy street in Tokyo, fewer than one would know Jesus personally. Many Japanese people follow a mix of Shinto and Buddhist traditions, which are ancient religions that don't teach about the one true God or about Jesus. Some of the most unreached groups in Japan are people in small rural towns and villages, where churches are very rare or don't exist at all. There are also the Ainu people, an indigenous group in northern Japan with their own language and culture, who have very few Christians among them. Japan is a place where people are often polite about religion but keep it at a distance — so missionaries and Japanese Christians work hard and patiently, sharing the gospel one conversation, one friendship at a time. You can pray that God opens hearts across Japan to hear and believe the good news about Jesus.

How can I pray for the people of Japan?

Great question — Japan is a place with millions of people who have never heard the good news about Jesus. Most people in Japan follow a mix of Shinto and Buddhist traditions, which means very few — less than 1 out of every 100 people — trust in Jesus as their Savior. That is a lot of people who have not yet heard that Jesus died for them and rose again. Here is how you can pray: Ask God to bring Japanese people into contact with Christians who can share the gospel clearly and kindly. Pray for the small but faithful churches in Japan to grow strong and bold. Ask God to raise up Japanese pastors and leaders who will share the gospel in their own language and culture. And pray for courage for missionaries working there, since sharing the gospel in Japan can be slow and hard work — but nothing is too hard for God.

What is a holiday or celebration in Japan?

One of the most beloved celebrations in Japan is called Obon, held each August. Japanese families honor their ancestors by lighting lanterns, dancing in the streets, and floating tiny boats with candles down rivers. It is a beautiful and ancient tradition that shows how much Japanese people value family and remembrance. Japan also celebrates New Year, called Oshogatsu, which is the biggest holiday of the year. Families visit Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples, eat special foods like mochi rice cakes, and spend time together. Most Japanese people follow these old traditions, but only about one or two out of every hundred Japanese people know Jesus as their Savior. That means millions of people are celebrating without yet knowing the God who truly gives life — which is one big reason missionaries work hard to share the gospel in Japan.

What language do people speak in Japan?

People in Japan speak Japanese, which is one of the most interesting languages in the world. It uses three different writing systems all mixed together — that means a Japanese child learns to read in a way that looks completely different from the alphabet you might know. One of those writing systems uses tiny pictures called kanji, which originally came from China long ago. The good news is that the Bible has been translated into Japanese, so people in Japan can read about Jesus in their own language — and missionaries have worked hard for many years to share the gospel there.

What's a famous place to visit in Japan?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the most famous places in Japan is Mount Fuji — a tall, snow-capped volcano that rises up like a giant cone from the land around it. People have been climbing it and painting pictures of it for hundreds of years. It stands about 12,389 feet high, which makes it the tallest mountain in all of Japan. Rusty wants to add that Japan also has thousands of old temples and shrines tucked into forests and hillsides — places like the city of Kyoto, which has over a thousand of them. Many Japanese people visit these places to pray to gods that are not the God of the Bible. That is one big reason missionaries work so hard in Japan — so that people there can hear about Jesus, who the Bible says is the only true way to God. Only about one out of every hundred people in Japan follows Jesus, so there is much work still to be done.

Japan — Kids Missions Explorer

Japanese Macaque

These snow monkeys are famous for soaking in natural hot springs during winter, making them one of the only non-human primates known to do so.

Red-crowned Crane

One of the rarest cranes in the world, this large white bird with a bright red cap is considered a symbol of long life in Japanese culture.

Japanese Giant Salamander

Growing up to five feet long, this ancient amphibian lives in cold, clear mountain streams in Japan and is one of the largest salamanders on Earth.

Ramen

A rich noodle soup with broth, meat, and toppings like soft-boiled eggs, ramen varies by region and is eaten by people of all ages almost every day across Japan.

Onigiri

These handheld rice triangles wrapped in seaweed are a common quick meal or snack, often filled with salmon, pickled plum, or tuna.

Taiyaki

A fish-shaped waffle cake filled with sweet red bean paste, taiyaki is a popular street food with a crispy outside and warm, soft inside.

Japan

Things you should know about Japan

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

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Life in Japan

Missions in Japan

Pray for Japan