Japan has dozens of unique garden styles that are tied to other elements of Japanese culture such as Buddhism, Tea Ceremony and Japanese aesthetics. The good news is that there is no need to choose one or the other, as you will experience Japan’s rich and complex traditional and modern culture throughout the country (see a sampling of our favorite places throughout Japan)! Tokyo is full of wonderful depachika (department store food halls), and Shibuya’s offerings are no exception. I never planned on dedicating my life to Japan. (Read my story.). And yet, to a remarkable degree, it’s true. Experiences like this first led me to fall in love with Japan, and thrill me to this day, even after all these years. Things to know about Japanese culture – The Japanese nation is a nation that is very polite and courteous, so the ethics are an integral part of daily life. They’re literally everywhere, around every corner, and they’re definitely part of the modern Japanese culture. Public transportation is super efficient. Whether you’re planning a trip, or just daydreaming for the moment, we’ve compiled essential information about traveling to Japan in…, The best hotels and ryokans in Japan range from charming traditional inns in the countryside, to stylish design hotels and…, Japan has more matsuri (festivals) than almost any other country in the world, and Japanese festivals – in all their…. It is common to see two religious altars in Japanese homes: one is called Kamidana (Shintoism) and the other B… Western whiskeys are popular, same as beer is the traditional spirit of Japan. This article list 25 interesting facts about Japan and its culture that you might not be aware of. Andres founded Boutique Japan to share his passion and enthusiasm for Japan, and over the years he has had the opportunity to help hundreds of wonderful travelers from around the world experience Japan in a truly personal and immersive way. They always include a line that says that tourists represent Japan and should try their hardest to leave a good impressive. From the health benefits of, The world has a lot to learn from Japan | © Yuki Yoshida / Unsplash, Torii mark the entrance to Shinto shrines, Kaiseki is meant to appeal to all five senses, Japanese gardens are a way to appreciate nature, Japan’s service industry is the best in the world. I wasn’t that surprised when we left right on time, but I was amazed when we pulled into Kyoto precisely on time, to the minute. Apart from its amazing record of safety (zero fatalities since its inception in 1964), one of the shinkansen conductor’s responsibilities is to depart and arrive within 15 seconds of the scheduled time – and, as you might expect, their success rate is astronomically high. They host festivals, markets, weddings and other social activities that help bring their communities together. The first thing to do when you get to Japan is to have authentic Ramen at a good outlet. But after moving back to the US, I found I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and ultimately Boutique Japan was born. It is common to have your sake poured so that it flows into a saucer beneath the cup. As night fell and the early spring chill began to envelop us, we packed up and retreated to a cozy neighborhood izakaya to warm up over sake and small dishes of vegetables, seafood and grilled meats. It shows the growing differences in Japanese culture between the old and the young. Take a Close Look at Japanese Culture and its Intriguing Customs. After the flight and a train ride from the airport into the city, I hopped into a taxi from the station for the last leg of my journey. To explain what I feel are the best things about Japan, I’ll begin with a brief story from an early spring day in Tokyo. The Japanese are experts at appreciating nature, and beautiful public parks and gardens can be found throughout the country. Kodokushi. The most popular time for hanami is spring when the sakura blossoms. Japan has been inhabited since 30,000 BC . I was exhausted following the flight from New York, and a little overwhelmed by my new surroundings. Almost without fail, when friends from the United States return to the US after visiting Japan, I receive exclamatory messages of relative shock bemoaning the rundown airport, the inefficiency of the immigration and customs process, the poor condition — or lack — of public transport options (the bullet train spoils people), and the generally disheveled appearance of their post-Japan trip surroundings. Another friend left her passport in a taxi in Kobe. An enduring cliché about Japan is that the old and traditional coexist harmoniously with the modern and futuristic. “Do you have an umbrella?” he asked. Granted, Japan is not the only country where things almost always work as they should (Germany, Switzerland, and Singapore are also great examples of highly efficient countries), but it’s far and away one of the most impressive, particularly considering its size. And many other practicalities of the modern traveler to Nippon. Worshipping of these two religions is commonly practiced in Japan. Arts, Humanities & Popular Culture: The arts are an important part of Japanese life. Similarly, an overnight guest is offered the best sleeping arrangements even if it greatly inconveniences the rest of the family. Kaiseki is Japan’s fine, elevated cuisine and the specialty of the country’s cultural capital, Kyoto. Spending time in nature is known to have numerous health benefits. The world can learn a lot from the world of Japanese cuisine. Japanese people are extremely gracious hosts, and – famously – will often go out of their way to ensure that you have a wonderful experience during your visit. While the country certainly modernized much more quickly than lovers of old Japan (such as the illustrious Alex Kerr) would have liked, Japan — despite its striking modernity — nevertheless retains a rich and enviable cultural heritage that even today feels very alive and relevant. While Japan is mainly a secular society, the country’s Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines still play a role in everyday life. It’s the kind of country where kids can walk and take the subway by themselves to school. Planning to stay a year, I ended up staying several, and now spend several months of every year traveling through Japan. An experienced host will guide you through each step, as you sample a traditional sweet and one or more kinds of tea. It’s no surprise that many Francophiles have fallen in love with Japan, as best put in the Food & Wine article, “7 Reasons Why Tokyo Is the New Paris.” Apart from being delicious, Japanese food is on the whole extremely healthy, and incredibly diverse. Trains are expected to be so punctual that if a train is five minutes late, the railway company may issue official delay certificates, to provide proof for employers and appointments. In an ancient city like Kyoto, it is still easy to find generations-old shops with hundreds of years of history (many of which are featured in the excellent Old Kyoto), where traditional crafts — or in the case of cuisine, dishes — have been steadily perfected for longer than the United States has been a country. Hanami basically describes appreciating the beauty of nature and the seasons, and many people like to host a picnic in the park under the sakura. I found my friends under the trees with all the requisite hanami supplies: tarp, grill, beer, snacks, guitar. This slightly paranoid worry often prevents travelers from asking strangers for assistance, and also has the unfortunate side effect of preventing travelers from more immersive and unscripted interactions with local people. Not realizing that taxi doors open automatically in Japan, I committed my first etiquette faux pas – a very common one indeed, and typically laughed at. – The American ‘OK’ sign (thumb and forefinger shaped like an ‘O’) means ‘money’ in Japan. It does. It’s here that the idea of forest bathing or shinrin-yoku came about. I had my first experience of punctuality in Japan during my first visit to Kyoto. – Do not use large hand gestures, unusual facial expressions or dramatic movements. And thus, with his kindness, the first Japanese person I ever met in Japan had set a tone that would continue to this very day. And walk almost anywhere in any Japanese city, town or village, and you’ll see local people tidying up the streets around their homes and places of business. On the whole, Japan is so safe that it’s commonplace to hear stories from travelers of lost items returned unharmed. Nothing appears to be more tragic than dying alone—but it … It’s a place where quality is prized above quantity, and variety is the spice of life. Thus, it’s little surprise that Japan is home to so many highly-skilled chefs (see above), craftspeople, and a remarkable service culture – not to mention being one of the cleanest and tidiest countries on earth! Particularly since the Edo Period, Japan has undergone incredible transformations — with major events including the Meiji Restoration and World War II — and, despite the post-bubble economic stagnation, remains an economic and cultural powerhouse. Having moved from the United States (New York City no less) to Japan, it took me a few weeks to adjust to the wonderful fact that, unlike in the US, I didn’t need to constantly have my guard up. Going for a nice long soak at the onsen or sento has numerous health benefits as well, from relieving stress to alleviating medical conditions, depending on the type of water used. After almost eleven years of travelling the world, I finally had the time to learn some Japanese and visit this unique country.. The culture of Japan has changed greatly over the millennia, from the country's prehistoric Jōmon Period, to its contemporary modern culture, which absorbs influences from Asia and other regions of the world.. Japan's indigenous culture originates primarily from the Yayoi people who settled in Japan between 1000 BCE and 300 CE. This pride in caring for surroundings is contagious, and chances are you’ll find yourself doing your part to keep Japan clean for others, too! Whether you’re going for a simple, casual meal — or splurging on an exquisite once-in-a-lifetime meal at the counter of a shokunin (master) — you can almost always count on thoughtful and considerate service, and painstakingly prepared food. On my very first visit to Japan, I arrived in Tokyo on a stormy August night. This is not to say that there is no litter, and in particularly crowded areas — for example, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ueno — it’s not rare to see some trash. ... the Japanese head out of the house for Ohanami, or flower sightseeing. Also, a must-see if looking for movies about Japanese culture in general. 19. | Contact & Business Hours | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | CST 2114860-40, a city much larger and more populous than New York, kids can walk and take the subway by themselves to school, Japanese police searching for things to do, Japan is such a family-friendly destination, Planning a Trip to Japan in the Time of Covid, Japan’s Best Boutique and Luxury Hotels & Ryokans. The Japanese do not talk with their hands. https://questionjapan.com/blog/things-to-do/japanese-culture-facts It permeates every aspect of life in Japan, and even short-term visitors come away with an overwhelming sense that respect — both given and received — is huge part of the Japanese experience. A Japanese can say that he is both Shintoist and Buddhist. – Laughterwill normally indicate embarrassment or distress… You can also contact us at +1-619-272-6978 or travel [at] boutiquejapan [dot com]. If you wake up very early on a weekend morning and head to the iconic Shibuya crossing, you may come across an army of locals cleaning up the previous night’s detritus. She didn’t realize until later (and hadn’t noted any details about the taxi in which she left it), but — very thankfully — the taxi driver spent hours researching how to find her, and through the local police department my friend and her passport were reunited soon after. We reached our destination and I paid the white-gloved taxi driver. At the time I couldn’t afford the bullet train, so I took an overnight bus from Tokyo. And few countries (India comes to mind) can match Japan for its wealth of traditional ceremonies and festivals. The more you explore about it, the interesting it gets. When the Japanese visit other countries on tours, the tour company educates the group about local manners and customs on the way. And it’s in no way limited to high-end or fine dining. What to order in restaurants. 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