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Showing posts with label Japanese culture and tradition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Japanese culture and tradition. Show all posts

Thursday, 28 November 2013

Important Things That You Are Expected to Follow While Visiting Japan

If you like travelling around the world and exploring various aspects of human life, Japan can be the place that you cannot afford to miss at any cost. The land of rising sun is said to be the epitome of traditions and culture, history and heritage and science and technology. The Japanese lifestyle is an awesome blend of westernisation and indigenous traditions. Japan has lots of unique things to bestow to the visitors.

So, are you planning a vacation in Japan? If yes, you must know about certain exclusive aspects of Japanese culture and day to day lifestyle. By learning about the customs of Japan your trip is guaranteed to be great and memorable. So, do not spend all of the time just looking at the beautiful landscapes and taking snaps, but also spare a few hours of your busy schedule for learning about the customs and lifestyle of the place.

Greetings and Etiquette

Image Credit: bit.ly/d9Cnrr

Japanese people are quite humble and greet each other and their guests by bowing. They express respect and appreciation to the next person by bending at the level of their waist. This gesture is particularly used to greet “good morning” and “hello, goof afternoon” to the next persons. Bowing also refers to the gesture for apology and gratitude. While bidding adieu, they most frequently use “sayonara” but the world “bye-bye” is also used by many people.

Mobile phones have become quite common in Japan, reaching almost to 90 percent population. However, in spite of increasing use of mobile phones, people are expected to follow the etiquettes in public places.

Meals

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Eating habits vary across the boundaries. So, for the tastiest experience of eating foods from other culture, you should know the food habits and customs of the place. Japan has its own meal etiquette and visitors are also expected to follow their customs. The traditional meal format in Japan is the ozen, which is a mealtime table for single person and attached with legs. These tables are placed on the tatami mats on which people sit in seiza position, legs tucked under thighs. However, chairs and tables have become common for dining purposes in Japanese households. There are many other customs that one requires to follow while eating in Japanese-style dining set-up.

Most Japanese foods are eaten with the help of chopsticks, which are made from wood and have a tapered tip. In every household, each family member will have their own bowls and chopsticks. Children use shorter ones, which fit their hands’ size.

Lodging Accommodations

There are several customs followed at lodging facilities in Japan. You must know of such customs in advance to avoid the feel of embarrassment and surprise. From getting into the bath to the bedding, Japanese people follow different ways for everything.

If you are lodging at the hotels or availing services of taxis, restaurants and beauty salons, you are not required to tip the service providers, as everything is included in the bill itself. Another important thing to know is that many traditional homes want you to remove your shoes at the inner entrance of the building and wear room slippers inside the house or room. This is also applicable at traditional ryokan and other Japanese-style lodging accommodations.

There are many other customs and traditions that you are expected to follow while holidaying in Japan. Take some time off to know more and more about unique Japanese lifestyle.

Wednesday, 28 August 2013

Basic Elements of Japanese Lifestyle and Culture

Japanese Culture
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Japan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in world. Tourists from across the world visit Japan every year. It is said that if you want to see a place where ancient and modern culture exist together, Japan is the place to go.

There are certain things about Japan that you should know before visiting this country. This will help you explore all the aspects of Japan. You will also be able to mingle well with the local people and avoid the feeling of embarrassment at public places.

So, if you are planning to visit the country in coming days, knowing about Japanese lifestyle and culture will help you enjoy your holiday in better ways.

Japan is a Tight Culture

Japanese society is firmly bonded and interdependency is natural in the society. It means that group conformity is encouraged and praised while deviation from the main societal set up is often times discouraged.

Modernisation can be seen taking place almost on each and every walk of life in Japan. These days, individualism is being largely practiced by the Japanese youths but socialism is still favoured by a large chunk of masses. Harmony and accord in society is of greater importance in Japan.

Japanese Culture: Active or Passive?

It’s complex to define whether Japanese culture is active or passive. People in Japan value their proximity with nature and group. Achieving success in academic and professional circles holds significance in society. Japanese people have greater competitive instincts but they always compete with certain group in mind.

Nonverbal Communication

Photo Credit : abt.cm/gjnh94 


As far as physical appearance is concerned, Japanese society is greatly influenced from fashion. Even the creative and attractive uniforms also make desirable and well accepted fashion statement in Japan.




  • Unlike western countries, Japanese believe in longer distance proxemics. However, body touch cannot be avoided at the public places in large cities.




  • Japanese people are very strict when it comes to starting their formal activities on time. They are known to be workaholics and do not end professional meetings until unanimous decisions are made.




  • Bowing is still an appropriate form of kinesics greeting in Japan. They avoid touches at the time of greeting each other. So, if you are in Japan, do not shake hands or hug until the Japanese person initiates it.




  • Make sure to avoid eye contacts, as it considered rude, disturbing or even threatening in the country.


  • So, if you are visiting Japan, make sure to follow aforementioned tips. By doing so, you will be considered humble and well mannered person by the Japanese people.


    Tuesday, 6 August 2013

    How to Make your Stay in Japan Interesting and Fun-filled?

    Are you planning to go on a sojourn to Japan? If yes, collecting enough information about the land of rising sun would only help you plan out a productive and entertaining vacation in the country. Most people before landing in the country have a preconceived notion that Japan is all about technology and modern cityscapes. But, Japan is much more than that.

    Traditions and culture of Japan have always been attracting visitors from around the world. In fact, you can see that in spite of the modern way of living, most Japanese people are still deeply attached to their old customs and traditions.

    There are plenty of castles, shrines and temples recalling the spiritual and religious aspects of Japanese lifestyle. Besides, there are many landscapes and sea beaches where you can spend some quality time with your loved ones.

    You must be known to the places to visit or Japanese culture and traditions, here are some other interesting aspects of Japan and lifestyle of Japanese people, take a look.

    Overview on Japanese Lifestyle

    Shape up your Body Japanese way:

    If you are looking to get into the shape like Japanese women, try out the products they use. You can buy a body suit to shape up the side of body where extra fat is accumulated. The Wacoal’s MODELCA lets you feel light and comfortable. If you wear shoes that squeeze your toes quite often, try out thick padded toe dividers. It stretches out between each toe and makes you feel comfortable. You can also go for CUVILADY Air for exercising wherever and whenever you want. This product will help you in getting toned inner and oblique muscles. 

    CUVILADY Air


    MOTTAINAI – Green project in Japan:

    When you are in Japan, the MOTTAINAI festa will help you understand the Japanese culture more. This is basically a movement with the name MOTTAINAI and MOTTAINAI festa is one of their projects. This movement is about protecting environment and resources that people use. Many family friendly workshops are organised during the event. 

    MOTTAINAI Market


    Onsen Ryokans:

    If you are missing the weekend spa breaks of London, go to a ryokan that facilitates hot spring baths. You can find several ryokans available with onsen bath facilities in and around Tokyo city. Most ryokans provide you visual delight of beautiful landscapes. You can also get different aroma therapies at the ryokans. 

    Onsen Bathroom

    KOUSO Diet:

    Do you know the secrets of healthy living among Japanese people? It’s the intake of seasonal fruits and vegetables that keeps them fit and fine for a long time. Japanese people include KOUSO diet in their daily habit and follow their dietary chart strictly. KOUSO diet is all about mixture of fresh vegetables and fruits on the daily basis. 

    KOUSO Diet Ingredients


    There are many more interesting aspects of Japan. To read more about exclusive Japanese lifestyle, you can go through blogs from Japan.

    Monday, 3 June 2013

    A Few Exceptional Ingredients of Japanese Lifestyle

    Japan is a tourist’s delight. With so many inimitable facets to experience, any visitor would fall in love with the land of rising sun. A host of choices to visit, peerless lifestyle, outstanding fashion trends and delectable recipes are some of the things that tell the tale of culturally rooted country of Japan.

    Fashion trends form an integral part of Japanese lifestyle. It has carved a niche amongst the young and adult Japanese population. They follow modern fashion trends fervently. The best thing about contemporary fashion in Japan is that it blends well with the traditional form of fashion.


     Another thing to notice about Japanese fashion is in its ever-changing approach. With the start of every new season, some innovative fashion trends evolve with exclusive themes in the country. If dark colours are for winter, summer is all about light and flowery pattern of clothes.

    Following culture and traditions is amongst the specialities of Japanese lifestyle. In spite of modernisation on all the walks of life, people of Japan are still culturally rooted and follow their traditions eagerly.

    Celebrating festivals is a part of Japanese culture and tradition. People from all the strata of society rejoice each and every festival with lots of enthusiasm. Some of the most celebrated festivals in Japanese culture are cherry blossom festival, plum festival, New Year and Christmas.

    Travelling around the country during holidays and free time is another facet of Japanese lifestyle. Most people prefer to explore the scenic beauties with friends and family members. There are several eye catching places to visit in the country. Whether you are interested in seeing the shrines, temples or picturesque locations, Japan is blessed with lots of options.

    Image Courtesy: bit.ly/18LoPWh
    With modern skyscrapers everywhere to see in the bustling cities, old temples and other monuments have not lost their sheen. Buddhist temples are one major attraction for most of tourists. Lots of restaurants and marketplaces are available around each and every tourist hot spot.

    If you talk of lifestyle in Japan, you cannot ignore Japanese food and dishes. It contributes a lot to the upsurge of tourism in the country. Many foreign visitors come to Japan exclusively to taste the yummy delights of this country.

    Japanese food habits are known for its ever changing features. If spring is all about seasonal fruits and vegetables, people prefer to have sea foods during the winter. Most of the people follow strict diet in the summer months.


    In a nutshell, Japan offers some of the best tourism experiences. If you are visiting the country anytime in the near future, make sure to know a lot about the Japanese lifestyle.

    Thursday, 2 May 2013

    Japan: A Saga of Traditions and Urbanisation

    Japan is a perfect blend of traditions and modernisation. If at one part of Japan, you find conservative and orthodox society, urban Japan is quite liberal and flaunts western mindset. On the global platform, Japan is considered economic and technology giant and attracts millions of tourists from around the world.

    When it comes about living a fluent lifestyle, Japanese people are no less than any other in world. They have carved a niche for own on the global platform because of unique fashion sense and exceptional style statement.

    If you talk of innovative way of living, Japanese can give others a run for their money. At times, they are extremely casual and all of sudden, you will find them awfully sophisticated. Japanese people can mould themselves according to the circumstances.

    Japanese fashion trends is considered one of the most influential in present times. The unique concept and awful designs of clothes are enough to entice you.

    Fascinating Japanese Fashion Trends



    The most interesting aspect of Japanese fashion is its ever changing concepts. The same trend does not exist for long amongst Japanese people. Other than fashionable clothes, you have fascinating choices available in the accessories segment. Shoes, hats, bags, scarves and all are available in varied range of colours and designs.




    Discipline and perfection is an integral part of Japanese life style. People are disciplined in wearing clothes and mannerism is at its best in the country. You will be greeted with happy faces wherever you go in Japan.

    Japanese Dishes and Food Habit of People


    While talking of food habit, Japanese people are very much disciplined in having healthy diet. It seems that obesity is non-existent in this country, thanks to good food habit and their lifestyle.

    It’s a known fact that Japan is a haven for foodies. Whether you like to have sea foods or vegetarian dishes, Japan can offer anything and everything to suit your taste. Fishes are the most commonly have seafood in Japan.



    In the spring season, you will find restaurants thronged by the people, who like to have taste of seasonal vegetables. Just coming out from winter, Japanese supermarkets are filled with green and leafy vegetables, fruits and sea foods.

    Traditional Festivals are Celebrated Passionately


    Traditional festivals are inseparable from day to day living in Japan, as Japanese people feel a sense of pride in celebrating these festivals. If New Year and Christmas Eve are awaited with much eagerness, cherry blossom and plum festivals are revelled with lots of enthusiasm.




    It’s spring in Japan, although cherry blossom festival is near about at its end, yet you can have a beautiful experience of spring in Japan.