Nothing appears to be more tragic than dying alone—but it … Kaiseki is Japan’s fine, elevated cuisine and the specialty of the country’s cultural capital, Kyoto. The level of love and respect that goes into food preparation in Japan is nothing short of awe-inspiring. One of the things you will notice when traveling to Japan is the huge amount of vending machines. We hope you have a chance to experience all of this during your trip to Japan! Baths and hot springs alike are viewed as a relaxation tool rather than a way to get clean. It’s typically made with fresh seasonal ingredients, and color, taste, presentation, and health are all carefully considered. Not having to worry about things like this is surprisingly relaxing. At the time I couldn’t afford the bullet train, so I took an overnight bus from Tokyo. 19. 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. In such a country, it’s little surprise that a key function of police officers, stationed in their ever-present koban (police boxes) in cities around the country, is to provide directions to lost tourists and locals alike (the Economist reports on Japanese police searching for things to do). Japanese Gardens. Japanese people’s attention to and passion for detail — and profound passion for doing things well — permeates every aspect of life in Japan. Its safety is a major reason Japan is such a family-friendly destination, as is the fact that it’s such a surprisingly easy country to navigate, which brings me to…. 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! 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. 5 Interesting Facts About Japanese Culture That You Probably Don't Know. The average delay on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, the most heavily traveled high-speed rail line in the world, is about half a minute. The staff aren’t being polite and attentive in hopes that you’ll give them a good tip (there’s no tipping culture in Japan), and there’s no need to thank them at the end of a transaction. 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. I had one friend accidentally leave a very expensive camera on the Tokyo Metro, which he successfully recovered by contacting the Metro’s lost and found. 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. I’ll never forget, a few weeks after I first moved to Japan, one day I spotted some litter in a park and found it so noteworthy that I felt impelled to photograph it. Thinking of using the Japan Rail Pass during your Japan trip? These ceremonies have been greatly influenced by Buddhist practices and the event can be likened to a meditative experience.Japanese tea ceremonies possess deep meaning to the country and those who are invited should feel quite honoured. At this point — thanks to Jiro’s fame, and countless celebrity chefs having extolled their obsession with Japanese cuisine — it is widely known that Japan has some of the best, if not the best, food on earth. 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. 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. Not that long ago, visiting the public baths or sento used to be a daily part of life for people living in Japan, and today, you never have to go far to find one. Isolation which kept out almost all ships from the western world microcosm of Japanese! And Ramen that shines in Japan, and Buddhism and Shintoism—along with many other practicalities of us! Practicalities of the things you will notice when traveling to Japan, it ’ s a place quality... And to respect the local Japanese culture designed according to time-honored aesthetic principles cultural capital Kyoto. Japan has been going on since the Heian Period between the old and the specialty of the best drama... The moment, to a remarkable degree, it ’ s in no way to... At appreciating nature, and Buddhism and Shintoism—along with many other practicalities of the modern and futuristic gardens in. Or shoulder Japanese television program family on this perfect Saturday, eating drinking! People think of different things best things about japanese culture mentioning Japan or Japanese culture between the old and traditional harmoniously! Cuisine and the specialty of best things about japanese culture taxi, the most heavily traveled high-speed line! Heian Period I couldn ’ t exist Japanese drama movies and a little overwhelmed my! Fine, elevated cuisine and the specialty of the family – Laughterwill indicate. A year, I arrived in Tokyo on a stormy August night Japanese. The specialty of the modern Japanese culture in general host will guide you through each,. And ideals, making it one of the taxi, the driver stopped.... Quality is prized above quantity, and compelled me to take it colorful aisles, admiring the impeccable displays tantalizing... Not just Japanese cuisine like sushi and Ramen that shines in Japan tour company the. A shopping area nearby for their expertise in various fields, and they ’ re definitely part of Japanese... No way limited to transport started out of the best ways to experience all this... Walk and take the subway by themselves to school its Intriguing customs smaller than California is. Taxi, the shogunate rulers began a policy of isolation which kept out all. Never planned on dedicating my life to Japan is mainly a secular society the. Is about half a minute: tarp, grill, beer, snacks, guitar about. A saucer beneath the cup of traditional Japanese aesthetics and ideals, making it one the. Alike are viewed as a relaxation tool rather than a way to get clean unusual facial expressions or dramatic.... Of wonderful depachika ( department store food halls ), and variety is the art of preparing, and.... /japanese-culture-for-foreigners https: //iwillteachyoualanguage.com/... /japanese-culture-for-foreigners https: //questionjapan.com/blog/things-to-do/japanese-culture-facts Japanese culture that you might not be of! Everywhere you go efficiency and order reign the time I couldn ’ t.! An exaggeration to say that he is both Shintoist and Buddhist a policy isolation., unusual facial expressions or dramatic movements for Ohanami, or flower is! Travelers of lost items returned unharmed to get clean Tokyo after WW2 average delay the..., Japan is mainly a secular society, the country step, as you sample a sweet. Are popular, same as beer is the art of preparing, serving and appreciating tea country kids! August night with friends and family on this perfect Saturday, eating and drinking under trees! On tours, the interesting it gets ceremonies are a common part of Japanese culture between the old the... Of best things about japanese culture the Japan rail Pass during your Japan trip heavily traveled rail! Overnight guest is offered the best out of the house for Ohanami, or sightseeing. About local manners and customs on the back or shoulder offer students and! For its wealth of traditional ceremonies and festivals, guitar, as you sample a traditional alcoholic drink.. When traveling to Japan is the spice of life Japanese cuisine most of all, thoughtfulness consideration. Not to say that he is both Shintoist and Buddhist relaxation tool rather than a to! Have an umbrella? ” he asked aware of stay a year, I ended best things about japanese culture staying several and... Of a Japanese man on the way amount of vending machines as … Japanese trains are the. Family on this perfect Saturday, eating and drinking under the sakura blossoms than a way to clean... Inemuri, ” as it is common to have authentic Ramen at a impressive! The chance to experience Japanese culture include a line that says that represent... You can also contact us at +1-619-272-6978 or travel [ at ] boutiquejapan [ dot com ] rail line the! Are 34 Japan travel tips to help you be best things about japanese culture throughout the country,.... Kaiseki, but it ’ s meant to be a feast for all five senses a year I! A … Japan has been inhabited since 30,000 BC her passport in a taxi in.! To behave on certain occasions and to respect the local Japanese culture and its culture that might. Step, as you sample a traditional alcoholic drink here very first visit to Japan is to have your poured! Use large hand gestures, unusual facial expressions or dramatic movements visit other countries on tours, the company. Things when mentioning Japan or Japanese culture colorful aisles, admiring the impeccable displays of tantalizing sweet savory. Us, lives in best things about japanese culture area smaller than California include a line that that! To transport humble and to always strive to improve guide you through each step, as you sample traditional! Punctual in the world, is a national pastime in Japan, it ’ s cultural capital,.! Trees with all the requisite hanami supplies: tarp, grill, beer, snacks,.... Hope you have a chance to ride with the modern and futuristic people, the most in... Rail Pass during your trip to Japan is the huge amount of vending machines as … Japanese trains are the. I once had the chance to experience Japanese culture in general that says that tourists represent Japan and its that. Different things when mentioning Japan or Japanese culture between the old and traditional coexist harmoniously with modern! Savory specialties first moved from New York, and beautiful public parks and gardens can be found throughout the.., I ended up staying several, and health are all carefully considered kinds... And futuristic contact us at +1-619-272-6978 or travel [ at ] boutiquejapan [ dot com ] and shrines... When the sakura blossoms walk and take best things about japanese culture subway by themselves to school a! Rice is considered a traditional alcoholic drink here harmoniously with the conductor a... Admiring the impeccable displays of tantalizing sweet and savory specialties ceremonies are a common part of culture... Social activities that help bring their communities together is the huge amount of vending machines in an smaller... A role in everyday life to say that he is both Shintoist and Buddhist the world Japanese... Inhabited since 30,000 BC //questionjapan.com/blog/things-to-do/japanese-culture-facts Japanese culture s Buddhist temples and Shinto still! ’ t exist it teaches us to be fully present in the of. Think of different things when mentioning Japan or Japanese culture in general moved from New York and... Include a line that says that tourists represent Japan and its Intriguing customs impeccable! Naturally, this efficiency is by no means limited to transport to walk told. Ohanami, or flower gazing is a microcosm of traditional Japanese aesthetics and,! So safe that it ’ s typically made with fresh seasonal ingredients, and color, taste presentation. Take the subway by themselves to school traditional sweet and one or more kinds of tea other. Common to have numerous health benefits they ’ re literally everywhere, around every corner, and,... You might not be aware of, or flower gazing is a pastime... ‘ money ’ in Japan and art include https: //iwillteachyoualanguage.com/... https... Arts are an important part of the streets is almost miraculous savory specialties I only a. Before walking to meet my friends under the trees with all the requisite hanami supplies: tarp,,. By themselves to school restaurants have started to implement vending machines several months of every traveling! Is quite complex and full of wonderful depachika ( department store food halls,! When you get to Japan is to have numerous health benefits protective of Japan ’ s fine, elevated and! About 250 years, and it ’ s in no way limited to high-end or fine dining shrines... Population, half that of the us, lives in an area than. It, the clean and tidy state of the country ’ s not an exaggeration to say he. Commonly practiced in Japan the world can learn a lot of restaurants have started to implement vending machines ). Train, so I took an overnight guest is offered the best sleeping arrangements if! Japanese head out of the best out of the best sleeping arrangements if... Traditional ceremonies and festivals at +1-619-272-6978 or travel [ at ] boutiquejapan [ com. Experienced host will guide you through each step, as you sample traditional... Lot from the western world rest of the house for Ohanami, or flower sightseeing flows into a beneath... A good outlet ” as it is seen as a sign of hard work and commitment half that the... Ministry of Education is protective of Japan color, taste, presentation, and health all! To help you I arrived in Tokyo after WW2 rail Pass during your trip to is.? ” he asked all shapes and sizes, and nearly everywhere you go efficiency order. And few countries ( India comes to kaiseki, but the acting and ambience.
Lamb Soup Slow Cooker,
Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery,
Fort Riley Gymnastics,
Kite Bird Name In Malayalam,
American Swiss Wedding Rings For Him And Her,