It teaches us to be fully present in the moment, to be humble and to always strive to improve. How is that so? 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. The Japanese are known for their expertise in various fields, and their example sets a high bar for the rest of us. The world can learn a lot from the world of Japanese cuisine. 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. The winter chill had just begun to give way to the first tinges of spring warmth, and I got off the train at Shibuya Station. It shows the growing differences in Japanese culture between the old and the young. It is seen as a sign of hard work and commitment. They host festivals, markets, weddings and other social activities that help bring their communities together. There are over 100,000 shrines and 80,000 temples in Japan, and Buddhism and Shintoism—along with many other faiths—coexist peacefully. 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. 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. But, thankfully, crime rates are far lower in Japan than in almost anywhere else on earth (it’s one of, if not the safest large countries in the world), and you can tangibly sense it after spending a bit of time here. ... the Japanese head out of the house for Ohanami, or flower sightseeing. Having picked up some lovely seasonal items, along with a bottle of sake from snowy Niigata Prefecture, I began walking towards the charming Naka-Meguro neighborhood. The first thing to do when you get to Japan is to have authentic Ramen at a good outlet. One of the best things about Japan – and an unexpected highlight for so many travelers – is how beautifully and efficiently everything works. 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. “Do you have an umbrella?” he asked. 5 Interesting Facts About Japanese Culture That You Probably Don't Know. 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. https://questionjapan.com/blog/things-to-do/japanese-culture-facts One of the best things about Japan – and an unexpected highlight for so many travelers – is how beautifully and efficiently everything works. – Do not grab your host’s hand when first meeting and give it a hearty shake – many Japanese seldom shake hands and can be so uncomfortable doing so as to avoid meeting again! In 1639, the shogunate rulers began a policy of isolation which kept out almost all ships from the western world. How to move around efficiently. The trains run on time, drivers arrive on time or early, and nearly everywhere you go efficiency and order reign. And yet, to a remarkable degree, it’s true. While tea ceremonies are organized according to traditional conventions and aesthetics, it’s a process that can never be perfected, so practitioners are always trying to improve their technique. Learn how to behave on certain occasions and to respect the local Japanese culture. I never planned on dedicating my life to 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…. Experiences like this first led me to fall in love with Japan, and thrill me to this day, even after all these years. Traditional Japanese gardens come in all shapes and sizes, and they are often designed according to time-honored aesthetic principles. When the Japanese visit other countries on tours, the tour company educates the group about local manners and customs on the way. 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. Japan is a land of wonders and surprises at every step. There are no rules when it comes to kaiseki, but it’s meant to be a feast for all five senses. This could mean a taxi driver offering you an umbrella in the rain, a stranger offering to help when you’re lost (and walking you well out of their way until they’ve made sure you’ve reached your destination), or another touching surprise along the way. I found my friends under the trees with all the requisite hanami supplies: tarp, grill, beer, snacks, guitar. Nothing appears to be more tragic than dying alone—but it … Public transportation is super efficient. And it’s in no way limited to high-end or fine dining. And few countries (India comes to mind) can match Japan for its wealth of traditional ceremonies and festivals. If you like cleanliness and organization, prepare to love traveling around Japan, where people take great pride in taking loving care of their surroundings. 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. The level of love and respect that goes into food preparation in Japan is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The Japanese are very particular about their food and considerate it to be very important, and Ramen sits on top of their most prized food list. What to order in restaurants. 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. 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. A number of schools and colleges offer students training and preparation for careers in performance and art. While Japan is mainly a secular society, the country’s Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines still play a role in everyday life. An experienced host will guide you through each step, as you sample a traditional sweet and one or more kinds of tea. 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). 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. The Japanese do not talk with their hands. “Inemuri,” as it is known, is a quick cat-nap meant to recharge the batteries. This is certainly not to say that crime in Japan doesn’t exist. https://bucketlistjourney.net/japanese-culture-tradition-facts Kaiseki is Japan’s fine, elevated cuisine and the specialty of the country’s cultural capital, Kyoto. That case is a difficult point for Westerners in Japan, who usually have to taught to be polite by refusing accommodations that inconvenience others. In case you are planning a trip to Japan or would just like to increase your knowledge about Japanese culture and customs, here's a glimpse into the amazing world where traditional culture and … Sake, a wine made from fermented rice is considered a traditional alcoholic drink here. But he was having none of it. Japanese trains are among the most punctual in the world. As I described above, Japanese people are among the kindest and most helpful people with whom I have ever interacted, and once you have traveled around Japan chances are you will agree that the honesty and kindness of the local people is a huge factor in what makes Japan such a wonderful place to visit. Temples and shrines bring communities together While Japan is mainly a secular society, the country’s In Japan, it’s not an exaggeration to say that almost everyone is out to help you. We hope you have a chance to experience all of this during your trip to Japan! While I love the US dearly – and also love traveling in parts of the world where things don’t run nearly as well as they do in Japan – whenever I land in Japan it’s a huge relief (and pleasure) to know that pretty much everything is going to work beautifully. I once had the chance to ride with the conductor of a shinkansen (bullet train) as part of a Japanese television program. One of the things you will notice when traveling to Japan is the huge amount of vending machines. Tea ceremonies are a common part of Japanese culture. I was exhausted following the flight from New York, and a little overwhelmed by my new surroundings. Traveler stories like this abound. At the time I couldn’t afford the bullet train, so I took an overnight bus from Tokyo. Spending time in nature is known to have numerous health benefits. We joined hundreds of other revelers in relaxing with friends and family on this perfect Saturday, eating and drinking under the sakura. They always include a line that says that tourists represent Japan and should try their hardest to leave a good impressive. But after moving back to the US, I found I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and ultimately Boutique Japan was born. Also, a must-see if looking for movies about Japanese culture in general. Another common concern while traveling in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language is the fear of being taken advantage of. 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 average delay on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, the most heavily traveled high-speed rail line in the world, is about half a minute. Japanese culture is quite complex and full of mysteries. This formal yet stylised custom is taken quite seriously. Western whiskeys are popular, same as beer is the traditional spirit of Japan. I had my first experience of punctuality in Japan during my first visit to Kyoto. 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. – The American ‘OK’ sign (thumb and forefinger shaped like an ‘O’) means ‘money’ in Japan. It is common to see two religious altars in Japanese homes: one is called Kamidana (Shintoism) and the other B… This article list 25 interesting facts about Japan and its culture that you might not be aware of. Naturally, this efficiency is by no means limited to transport. Baths and hot springs alike are viewed as a relaxation tool rather than a way to get clean. It’s a place where quality is prized above quantity, and variety is the spice of life. Never pat a Japanese man on the back or shoulder. Japanese people’s attention to and passion for detail — and profound passion for doing things well — permeates every aspect of life in Japan. 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