Japanese New Year: Modernised yet Traditional

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Japan may be the tech capital of the world and highly advanced but the people of Japan still follow many traditions around the New Year. Japanese New Year celebrations may differ from the way the day is celebrated in other places around the world as there are various customs that the people follow which are inherently Japanese.

Importance of Food on New Year’s in Japan

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Food is a very important part of New Year celebrations and a certain kind of food is prepared and eaten during the New Year celebration that start on the 1st of January and continue till the 3rd of January. Different kinds of food items are prepared on these days and families feast together. Usually things get started on New Year’s Eve and as the Shinto bell rings at midnight, the festivities begin. On this day, toshi-koshi soba, a traditional Japanese delicacy is prepared. This dish basically comprises fish broth, soba noodles, solidified fish paste or kameboko, mirin and soy sauce. Each bowl of this noodle soup also comprises a deep fried prawn.

New Year’s breakfast is also something to watch out for as traditionally they are extremely elaborate and time consuming. But these days, people mostly keep it simple by having miso soup and mochi.

A New Year Tradition that isn’t Dead Yet

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New Year in Japan is almost synonymous with Osechi ryori. Osechi ryori is a box that consists of traditional delicacies and sweets. These boxes are usually bought because it isn’t considered auspicious to cook on the first day of the New Year. The box has a lot of goodies like sweet black beans, rolled cakes, small fish, sweet egg, large prawns, etc.

The first day of the year begins by people watching the first sunrise and then digging into a light breakfast as the meals of the day are heavy. On the 2nd, family usually come over for a meal to the main family home and feast on things like crab, pork, etc. People of Japan also believe in eating ‘lucky’ food for the New Year like red snapper, shrimp, etc.

Few Other Traditions

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People also visit the Meiji shrine and other important shrines during the first three days of the New Year. They also engage themselves in activities like Hanetsuki or Japanese badminton, karuta which is a card game and takoage or kite flying.

No matter how modernised Japan has become, most families still follow age old traditions. The New Year holds a lot of significance to Japanese families.

Post by Beautiful Places to visit in Japan.

Reading Up on Japan Before Discovering It

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Japan is a country that is full of surprises. If you think that it is only about all things traditional, cultural and only about customs and the old world, then you are definitely in for a surprise. Japan is highly modernised and is the technological capital of the world, it is just that it is rooted in its past. Therefore, the people of Japan are modern yet rooted. So, if you are planning to visit this wonderful country, it is best that you read up a little about it and people, so that it will be easy for you to adjust to their ways.

There are various things to know and learn about Japan that you won’t find in any old travel guide. You must know about Japanese culture, places to visit in Japan, Japanese food, places to shop in Japan, Japanese fashion, Japanese interiors, beauty & cosmetics, and many more aspects. Now, if you are wondering where you might find authentic details about the country, then the internet is a good place to start.

You can refer to various blogs about Japan that will fill you in with all the details you require. These blogs are a 100 percent genuine as they are written by travellers who have visited the country or frequent the country of Japan or by citizens of Japan. So, all the information you find on these blogs is reliable and can be trusted.

About Japanese Culture

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If you want in-depth details about the culture of Japan, then these blogs will be of great help. They will tell you how the Japanese celebrate various festivals like New Year, for example. They will inform you about every single detail related to the festival, like rituals and customs.

About Places to visit in Japan

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When you go to Japan, it is obvious that you will want to travel the length and breadth of the country. Therefore, you must know where all to go and the places to visit. The blogs about Japan will fill you in with details about beautiful places you can visit. This information can help tourists plan out an itinerary.

About Places to Shop in Japan

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Japan is also a shopper’s paradise. If you love shopping, then you won’t be disappointed in Japan. Blogs on Japan can tell you a lot about where to shop and to shop for. This way, you can plan out your shopping sprees properly.

About Japanese Fashion

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Fashion in Japan is an integral part of lifestyle. The Japanese are extremely fashion conscious and sure do know how to dress up. So, if you are a fashion enthusiast yourself, knowing a little more about Japanese fashion will help you shop for fashion accessories and clothes in Japan.

About Japanese Food

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If you like to eat and are considered a foodie by one and all, you must try out Japanese cuisine while in Japan. The blogs about Japan will give you information about the various kinds of Japanese dishes you must try out and will also let you know about restaurants you must visit.

A blog for Japan is written and constructed in such a manner so as to help travellers get information about the country with ease.

A Few Facts about Healthy Living in Japan!

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Japan boasts of highest life expectancy in the world. It means that Japanese people live for a longer time. Life expectancy of men is 79 years whereas women on an average live for 86 years. What makes Japanese people live for so long?

At the end of World War II, the life expectancy in Japan went down to lowest in the world. It suggests that long life expectancy is not genetics in the country. Also, it’s not that Japanese people go to doctors for medical check-ups every month. The secret of healthy and long living is something else.

Japanese Diet

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Even those who are not diet experts can tell you that food habits of Japanese people are lot healthier than rest of the world, especially Westerners. Having sumptuous diet is the most highlighted aspect of healthy Japanese lifestyle. So, if you want to increase your life expectancy, feel healthy, avoid heart ailments, follow Japanese-style dietary chart. In nutshell, Japanese diet is just way healthier and sumptuous.

Japanese people prefer not to consume lots of red meat; they go for fish dishes instead. Milk, butter and dairy products are avoided by them, as most Japanese are lactose intolerant. They also include lots of soy, tea, seaweed, seasonal vegetables and many other healthy foods in their diet.

Walking

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Japanese people do not only eat well but they walk and stand lot more than others. Like Westerners, they do not drive everywhere and sit for long periods after driving. Most of them use public transport to commute from one place to other. Driving cars is kind of luxury in Japan.

Cleanliness

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Japanese people are very much conscious about their hygiene and cleanliness. Japan is considered one of the cleanest countries in the world. Their houses are always neat and clean and most of them keep their hands washed all the time. Maintaining hygiene leads to healthy lifestyle and helps avoid diseases.

Family and Social Life

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The family and social values of Japanese people are something to stand them apart from Westerners. They take care of elderly people in their houses and maintain harmony in society. When it is about business in Japan, you will require socialising, drinking and having work post work hours. All these factors give them psychological boost and they are able to live for long periods.

So, if you want to live longer, you need to alter your lifestyle little bit. Follow Japanese lifestyle by eating right foods, walking more, maintaining hygiene and socialising and live for a long time.

Try the Local Flavours the Next Time you go to Japan

If you are a globe trotter or love travelling, then one country you must visit is Japan. Japan is a lovely blend of the east and the west. Although the country is rich in heritage and culture and its people are well rooted in its traditions, the country has raced ahead with Western influences. However, if you go to visit Japan make sure you try out the local cuisine. Japanese food is tasty and extremely flavourful.

You can try out rice delicacies like Donburi which is basically cooked rice with a topping. This dish is found mostly in specialty restaurants. The toppings include katsudon, gyudon (stewed beef), kaisendon (raw seafood), oyakodon (egg and chicken), tendon, tekkadon, etc.

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Another rice delicacy is Onigiri or rice balls. This scrumptious dish is made of cooked rice and is covered in nori seaweed. They are lightly salted and contain a filling of umeboshi (a Japanese pickled plum), okaka (konbu and shavings of dried bonito) or even salmon. Rice balls are available even at convenience stores and are a very popular snack in Japan.

Japanese food is incomplete without seafood. One of the most popular Japanese seafood dishes is Sashimi. Sashimi is basically raw seafood. Many types of seafood and fish can be eaten raw if they are prepared properly. Sashimi is eaten mostly with wasabi and soy sauce.

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Japanese cuisine without noodles is not complete. If you are in Japan you must try Soba. It is a type of noodle that is made of buckwheat flour and is typical of Japan. The noodles are as thick as spaghetti and can be served with different kinds of toppings, hot and cold.

You can also try the Japanese noodles called Udon and is made of wheat flour. Udon is actually thicker than Soba. It can be served hot or cold with toppings like tempura, fried tofu and mountain vegetables.

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Japanese cuisine also consists of tasty meat dishes like Yakitori. It is basically parts of a chicken seasoned with sauce or salt, skewered and grilled. Even the gizzard and skin is used in this dish. Another dish is Tonkatsu. This dish is basically deep fried pork cutlets. This dish is served with rice (katsudon) or can be topped with shredded cabbage. This dish is also served with the famous Katsukare (curry rice).

Lotus root or renkon is another very popular food cooked in Japan. The lotus root can sandwich some minced chicken which can then be coated with potato starch and fried in a well oiled pan. There are various other types of food native to Japan that are delicious and if you are a foodie who likes to travel, you must try out some of them.

Study the Land of the Rising Sun before Visiting

If you are a globetrotter then the beautiful country of Japan must be on the top of the list, of the ‘places you must visit’. Japan is an amalgamation of modernity and antiquity. It is well known for its picturesque landscapes, tradition, culture, heritage and art forms. However, there is more to Japan than the eye can see. If you have plans of visiting the Land of the Rising Sun anytime soon, make sure you read up on it properly so that you don’t have trouble adapting to its ways.

The main aspects of Japan that you must read up on are

• Fashion and Accessories
• Interiors
• Food
• Culture
• Shopping and
• Places to visit

Fashion and Accessories

Japanese fashion is not just about their traditional attire, the Kimono. People of Japan are extremely fashion conscious and trends keep changing every season. In autumn you might see the men wear jackets and trousers that are well tailored and blocked hats. The women may also wear the same. The shoes men wear are stylish and resemble slippers. Cardigans are also in fashion during autumn. Sportswear is also very much in fashion. Accessories like scarves, bags and hats are popularly sported. Fur coats, trench coats and knitwear are also very popular in Japan.

Interiors

If you want to know how the Japanese decorate the interiors of their home then you can read up on blogs. Some beautiful furniture can be found in various parts of the country. A shop called Furniture Truck in Osaka. The furniture is vintage and tasteful. The Tim Tam Stool, the wire zigzag stool, and various other furniture pieces are available in various shops in Japan. The furniture can be both modern and classic

Japanese Food

If you are in Japan you must try out the various sorts of food found in the country and not just Sushi. Bamboo shoot, shiro dashi (white stock) and wasabi are used very commonly in all the dishes. Another very popular Japanese food trend is Vegetable Tea. The various kinds include Jerusalem artichoke, onion, Asparagus tea and Burdock tea. Lotus root and tofu are also used commonly. So, keep experimenting with food while in Japan.

Shopping

Japan is also a shopper’s paradise. The latest shopping mall has seven floors and is called Kitte. It is in Tokyo, and there is nothing you can’t find in this mall. From clothes to souvenirs to food, everything is available here. Everything from clocks toys and gadgets are available in shops all over Japan.

 Places to Visit

Apart from the grand shopping malls, the places to visit in Japan are, Yushima Tenjin (for the cherry blossom festival), Kanda Myoujin (a red painted shrine en route Ochanomizu), Yushima Seidou (it was built by the 5th Samurai shogun), museum of Yebisu beer in Ebisu, the hot springs in Niigata, and many more.

Culture

Japanese culture is really exquisite and you must read a blog about different aspects of Japan to really learn about their culture before you visit the country. New Year celebrations are a huge part of Japanese culture and all things lucky are done on this day. Even the food they eat is supposed to bring them luck. New underwear (Fundoshi) is worn and new towels are used. The banking system in Japan is also quite strange, only a few shops accept debit cards. Cash and credit card is the most common mode of payment.

It is always nice to know about the country and its ways before visiting it so that you can adjust well. Read up on Japan and its people before you visit.

Wide Variety of Seasonal Recipes on your Platter in Japan

Japanese food can be described in these simple words: clean, pure, fresh and delicious! If you are in this country, you can have insanely fresh sushi to flavoured and textured pancakes. The Japanese dishes are all about balance of flavours and rightly added ingredients.

Sea foods are the exclusives of Japan but these people also like to prepare dishes from seasonal vegetables. In the months of spring, you have several choices available in the seasonal food category. You can either prepare a culinary dish or go to upscale restaurants in search of your favourite seasonal recipe.

Bamboo shoot recipes

With the onset of spring, whole Japan has started talking about bamboo shoot vegetable and recipes prepared from it. Bamboo shoots are one of the most consumed vegetables during spring months. They are easily available in the supermarkets all over the big cities.

You can enjoy delicious grilled spring bamboo shoot at a Japanese Izakaya restaurant named Ate. This place is thronged by most visitors, who come to taste the delicacy of this recipe. To keep the original flavour of bamboo shoot, this recipe is seasoned with soy sauce.

On the other hand; bamboo shoots with skin also made exceptionally tasty recipes. Most people prefer to have bamboo shoot omelette, skewed bamboo shoot with chicken dumplings and bamboo shoot rice in spring season.

A right and palatable bamboo shoot recipe can only be prepared by adding proper ingredients in appropriate amount. You should know when to stop while adding ingredients. Taste of Japanese foods is enhanced by adding ingredients.

Field mustard and Udo are the next popular spring vegetables. You can go to nearby supermarkets and fetch these seasonal vegetables to prepare different variety of dishes.

Recipes from Field mustard and Udo

You can prepare exceptionally scrumptious and nutritious salad with Udo. It is easily supplemented with Miso. Then there is field mustard that is used in preparing mouth-watering Peperoncino pasta. This recipe is also known as chilli and garlic pasta.

You need to have certain ingredients like spaghetti, olive oil, shrimp, garlic, chilli, field mustard and seasoning to prepare wonderful pasta recipe. If you are planning to cook the pasta in own kitchen, you will have to follow a simple preparation method that does not take more than 30 minutes before the finished product is available on your platter. However, you can have delicious Peperoncino pasta at Goemon restaurant.

Renkon recipe

Renkon or lotus roots also make wonderful recipe. You have the option to make Renkon sandwich with chicken mince. Just a few ingredients in your hand and simple preparation method prepare a tasty Renkon recipe. This is a late-winter recipe and goes down well with Miso soup.

Rainy season recipes

Rainy season in Japan can have ill-effects on your health. To fight infections and allergies, you can prefer to have seasonal Japanese food, which are commonly prepared from Miso, soy sauce and Natto. The fermented salty rice, Shio-Koji, is a new food trend in Japan. It helps in better digestion and tastes milder.

In a nutshell, Japan is a gourmet’s delight. If you love to eat experimental dishes, Japan is the place where your love meets its fate.