Know Japan before you Visit the Country

If you like travelling, and want to visit an interesting country, then the best place would be Japan. Many of us have misconceptions about the country of Japan as we think that is only a country where tradition exists. However, along with traditions and customs the people of Japan are extremely modernised. The country is the tech capital of the world but is also rooted in their history. If you want to visit Japan, it is extremely necessary that you study the country and its people before you reach your destination.

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The country of Japan is picturesque and exudes culture blended with modernity. The temples and shrines will give you an extremely spiritual feeling and the castles will take you back in history. Also, it is very important to know the kind of lives the people of Japan lead. The people of Japan are essentially busy and hardworking, the busy streets and train stations are proof of this fact. They are also extremely keen on fashion and you will seldom find a poorly dressed person on the streets of Japan.

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The Japanese lifestyle is a combination of following old customs and new trends. Japan could be really advanced in technology but there still are customs they follow like taking off shoes before entering the house. If you want to blend in to the Japanese culture, it is best to read up on the country and its people on a Japanese lifestyle blog. The city is always bustling with energy but the Japanese do go on weekend trips to take some time off in some peace and quiet.

A weekend getaway to hot spring resorts or onsen ryokans is a fabulous way they let their hair down. The warm water of the hot springs is tremendously relaxing and the comfort and delicious cuisine available at the ryokans is really something to look forward to. Another thing that Japanese people can’t do without are Japanese convenience stores or Konbini. These stores have become an integral part of Japanese life. These stores sell a lot of interesting and useful items like tea, puddings, eye masks, make-up items, various other sorts of edible items, etc.

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Life in Japan is extremely busy and the country is full of fun things to do. So, if you want to gear up to visit Japan, it is essential to read up on the country and also the lifestyle of the people. You can refer to a Japanese lifestyle blog or even read travel books.

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The Lives Japanese People Lead

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Japan is a country that is usually associated with culture, heritage, history and tradition. However, Japan is way beyond that. Japan is not just associated with the past but it is also an extremely advanced and modernised country. As we all know, Japan is the tech capital of the world but along with keeping up with modernity, the people of Japan are very well rooted in their customs and traditions.

The People of Japan

Japanese culture speaks volumes about the kind of people that live in the country and the lifestyle they follow. The people in Japan still follow a few important customs, especially during festivals. As the New Year celebrations are drawing close, you will find how the Japanese follow age old customs to celebrate it. Before the New Year begins, they clean their homes as they believe Gods will enter to bless them. As they step into the new year, they do not utter any bad words or recall any unlucky events as they believe that it might impact the new year negatively. They eat lucky food like, prawn and red snapper; they wear new underwear and use a new towel on that day as they hope for a new beginning. This is just an example of a few traditions they follow.

Their Habits and Lives

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When it comes to food, the Japanese believe in eating healthy food and they mostly eat a lot of seafood, juice, and herbal or organic tea. If you take a look at Japanese fashion, you will see how modern it is. If you believe that it is restricted only to kimonos, then you are highly mistaken. People in Japan are extremely fashion conscious and religiously follow trends that are current in the fashion capitals of the world. They are also ‘brand conscious’ and love shopping. However, the people of Japan don’t just shop at boutiques and they also shop at small shops in the shopping districts of Japan.

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Japan is a picturesque country and the people of Japan love to indulge in short weekend getaways. They go to bathe in Onsens or hot water springs and stay at comfortable ryokans (bed and breakfast). They basically like to mix work and pleasure to balance their lives. If you want to visit Japan anytime soon, then you can read up blogs about Japanese lifestyle, people and culture, so as to learn more about the country. This will help you adjust well once to reach Japan.

Japanese Fashion Blogs: Filling you in on Latest Trends

People in Japan are extremely fashion conscious. People from all walks of life are never seen ‘under-dressed’. Whether it’s a teenager or an office goer, everyone walking the streets of Japan is dressed for the occasion. The people of Japan seem to have an innate sense of style. Japanese denizens follow current trends of the fashion capitals of the world including Paris, Milan and New York. The trends in Japan change every season. Here are a few of the fashion trends that are doing the rounds in Japan presently.

Houndstooth

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If you go by pattern, then the houndstooth print is extremely ‘in’ this season. It can be incorporated in any piece of garment, be it the jacket, top or pants, the print adds a certain zing to the entire ensemble. It can be sported in casual wear, you can also wear the print while you’re going clubbing and a houndstooth printed jacket will look fabulous when paired with semi-formals.

Colours this Season

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One of the best colours in this season is definitely navy. This colour can be sported very well in winter this year as it has the seriousness winter requires yet adds a dash of brightness that will turn the dull season around. The usual colours black and grey can never really go out of style as they are winter staples. Other colours that are ruling the fashion scene this season are emerald green and red. These two colours are bold and add a sense of vibrancy to winter.

Tartan Print

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Another pattern that is very ‘in’ this season is the tartan print. The print that has its roots in Scotland is not just ruling the streets in Japan, but has the whole world at its mercy. From coats, to caps to jackets to bags to blouses, everything has been touched by this print.

Short Blouson

For all the tomboys and women who like sporting a boyish style, the short blouson is here to save the day. Though made of a light material, the blouson is perfect when it comes to layering in winter.

Big Silhouette Jackets

This fashion trend has not died and continues its run this season as well. These big and slightly mannish jackets are still very popular with the crowd. This too is very good for layering in winter.

Japanese fashion trends are hard to keep up with because they aren’t widespread but if you do want to keep track of the trends read a blog about Japanese fashion. These blogs are written by citizens of Japan or people from the ‘in circle’ of the fashion world, therefore, they will have authentic information.

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Japanese Lifestyle Reveals a lot about Japanese People

If you are a globe trotter and love travelling to various countries all over the world, then Japan must be on top of the list of places you must visit. Everyone knows Japan as the epitome of culture, tradition, history and heritage, however, even though the people of Japan are well rooted, Western culture has influenced their lifestyle in ways more than one.

Even with many western influences, the people of Japan are still very traditional, but that does not mean that they roam the streets wearing kimonos or holding Samurai swords. Before visiting the land of the rising sun, it is very important, to read up on the lifestyle of the people of Japan so that you have no difficulty fitting in when you visit the country.

In Japan, people still do not wear shoes inside the house. Outside the homes, there is a small vestibule in where you can remove and keep your shoes. Sometimes, in few Japanese households, you are allowed to wear house slippers but even these slippers have to be take off before you enter the tatami (straw mats) room. Nowadays,’ modern’ offices allow you to wear shoes inside; however, few traditional businesses still follow the rule of ‘no shoes inside the house’.

In Japan, people dine out a lot and therefore, the restaurants do good business at all times. There are good restaurants all over town that serve food native to Japan as well as world cuisine. Restaurant that serve Japanese or Chinese food, serve chopsticks. However, if you are not comfortable with chopsticks, you can ask for silverware.

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You must get accustomed to the Japanese lifestyle so that you do not feel out of place in Japan. Shopping is a huge part of the Japanese lifestyle. The towns and cities are filled with shopping malls, departmental stores and arcades. These shops sell everything from designer labels to electrical appliances. Japanese people are extremely fashion conscious and almost all the fashion labels of the world are available in Japan.

The Japanese are also very enthusiastic about food. One Japanese delicacy is the bamboo shoot and is prepared and served in various ways all over Japan. People of Japan are also extremely health conscious, therefore you will find juice bars all over the cities and towns that sell both vegetable and fruit juices. Language should not be a problem as most people can communicate in English. However, it is highly advisable to read up as much as you can about Japan on blogs to learn more about the country, before you visit.

Let Japanese Culture Sweep you off your Feet

If you are a globetrotter and love visiting new places, then Japan should be on top of your list. The lovely country of Japan is rich in culture and heritage. Sometimes, The Land of the Rising Sun is also referred to as the epitome of traditional beauty. The country is a lovely blend of antiquity and modernity. On your trip to Japan, you will be able to experience the best of both worlds. In recent times, Japan has been influenced by the West but the people of Japan have not let go of their roots. Japanese culture is upheld beautifully and the country does not ape the West.

Japan is different in different seasons but the essence of the country is unchanging. If you happen to be in Japan during the New Year celebrations you can see how wonderfully the occasion is celebrated. This event is considered auspicious to the people of Japan and they make it a point not to do anything that will bring bad luck. They mostly celebrate this day doing things that will bring them luck. Even the food they prepare and eat is considered to harbour luck.

If you are in Japan during this time you will see that the people in Japan eat food like red snappers, prawns, black soya bean, etc. According to the Japanese these food items are supposed to be lucky. Another interesting point that can be noted about this day is that, the people of Japan believe that wearing new underwear and using a new towel will bring them luck in the New Year and they consider it as a bearer of good luck. You can check out a blog about Japanese culture to find out more about Japan during the New Year.

While in Japan you will hear of and see new and fun things that are native to the country. However, if you are a tourist, you might want to keep a few important points in mind. You must know that the banking system in Japan is different from the one in the UK. If you want to buy something from a shop in Japan using your UK debit card, make sure they accept it because most shops in Japan don’t accept UK debit cards. The best way to pay in Japan is by cash or by using credit cards. If you are not fond of rain, make sure you don’t visit Japan during the rainy season as it pours incessantly and you are likely to fall ill.

Experience the Quintessence of Japan through Exclusive Blogs by Pretzel William