Ever tried to win a game of Scattergories and realized your brain just stalls when you hit the letter J? It's weird. You’d think with 195 countries on the planet, we’d have a dozen or so. But nope.
There are only three.
Japan, Jordan, and Jamaica. That is literally the whole list.
Honestly, it’s a tiny club, but it’s arguably one of the most culturally "heavy" letters in the alphabet. You’ve got the high-tech neon of Tokyo, the red-sand silence of the Wadi Rum desert, and the bass-heavy reggae beats of Kingston. It's a lot of personality for just three spots on a map.
Japan: The Land of the Rising Sun (and 5 Million Vending Machines)
Japan is usually the first one people shout out. It’s an archipelago of over 6,800 islands, though most of the action happens on the big four: Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
People come for the sushi, but they stay because the trains are never late. Like, actually never. If a Shinkansen (bullet train) is 20 seconds late, it’s basically national news and the rail company might issue a formal apology.
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Why 2026 is a massive year for Japan
If you’re planning a trip right now, things are getting interesting. The "Nara Prison Project" is finally opening this year. They’ve basically taken a stunning, century-old brick prison and turned it into a luxury hotel. It sounds creepy, but it’s actually gorgeous.
Also, Tokyo is currently dealing with record-breaking tourism numbers. If you want to avoid the "human traffic jam" at Shibuya Crossing, you’ve gotta look toward places like Rebun Island in Hokkaido or the Kuju Mountains in Kyushu. These spots are still quiet.
Pro tip: Don’t tip. Seriously. In Japan, tipping can actually be seen as a bit rude or confusing. The price on the bill is the price. Period.
Jordan: More Than Just a "Petra" Photo Op
Jordan is the Middle Eastern representative of the J-club. Most people know it because of the "Rose City" of Petra—that massive temple carved into a red cliffside that you’ve definitely seen in Indiana Jones.
But Jordan is sort of a "safe harbor" in a region that’s often seen as turbulent. It’s incredibly welcoming. You can spend a morning floating in the Dead Sea (where you literally cannot sink because the salt content is so high) and the afternoon drinking sage tea with Bedouins in the desert.
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The Dead Sea is disappearing
This is the part most travel brochures gloss over. The water level of the Dead Sea is dropping by about a meter every year. If you want to experience that weird, oily, gravity-defying float, you kinda shouldn't wait another decade.
- Jerash: One of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world.
- Wadi Rum: Often called the "Valley of the Moon." It’s where they film almost every movie set on Mars.
- Amman: The capital is built on seven hills and has some of the best street food (get the mansaf) you’ll ever eat.
Jamaica: Small Island, Global Sound
Then there’s Jamaica. It’s a tiny dot in the Caribbean, yet its culture is everywhere. You can’t go to a beach bar in Thailand or a club in London without hearing music that originated on this one island.
It’s the birthplace of Reggae, Ska, and Dancehall. It’s also where the world’s fastest humans seem to grow on trees—shoutout to Usain Bolt.
What’s happening in Jamaica right now?
As of January 2026, the big talk on the island is football. The "Reggae Boyz" are currently fighting through the FIFA Play-off Tournament to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup. Under interim coach Rudolph Speid, there’s a lot of nervous energy in Kingston.
Travel-wise, the island is recovering from Hurricane Melissa, which brushed the coast earlier this month. Most of the main tourist hubs like Montego Bay and Negril are fully operational, but the government is pushing hard for "economic diversification" beyond just all-inclusive resorts. They want you to see the Blue Mountains—where the world’s most expensive coffee grows—not just the beach.
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The "Almost" J Countries
Sometimes people try to sneak Jersey or Jan Mayen into the list.
Jersey is a "Crown Dependency" of the UK. It’s got its own government and its own stamps, but it’s not a sovereign country in the eyes of the UN. Jan Mayen is just a volcanic island that belongs to Norway.
So, if you’re doing a pub quiz, stick to the big three.
How to actually visit all three (The "J-Trip" Logic)
If you were crazy enough to try and hit all three in one go, you’d be looking at a lot of air miles.
- Start in Japan: Spend 10 days doing the "Golden Route" (Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka).
- Fly to Jordan: It’s a long haul, usually connecting through Doha or Dubai. Spend a week trekking Petra and camping in Wadi Rum.
- Finish in Jamaica: Fly through Europe (London or Frankfurt) to get to Kingston. End the trip with a week of jerk chicken and turquoise water.
The Reality Check
Each of these countries is facing its own unique hurdles in 2026. Japan is grappling with an aging population, Jordan is managing a massive refugee influx with new World Bank-funded job programs, and Jamaica is navigating climate change and hurricane recovery.
They aren't just vacation spots; they're complex, living nations that happen to share a first letter.
Your next steps
If you're looking to book, start with the logistics of the "J" countries. Check the current visa requirements for Jordan—they often offer a "Jordan Pass" that waives visa fees if you stay for three nights and visit Petra. For Japan, download the "Visit Japan Web" app before you land to breeze through customs. For Jamaica, keep an eye on the weather reports if you're traveling during the tail end of the hurricane season.