Plan Out a Productive Holiday in Japan

Millions of tourists visit Japan every year. Most of them have to say certain interesting things about the country. Japanese culture and tradition is something that catches attention from every tourist. The unique blend of old and modern culture fairs well in the country.

In spite of modern way of living, Japanese people are still deeply rooted to their ancient culture. Japanese people lead a strict and disciplined lifestyle, which can be experienced everywhere you go in Japan. So, if you are planning a trip to Japan, knowing about Japanese lifestyle can help you plan a better and productive vacation in Japan.

Japanese Lifestyle

Japanese people follow unique and different lifestyle. Take a look at Japanese Lifestyle and what makes it exceptional to the world.

Health and Fitness

Japanese people are very much health conscious and consume healthy and nutritious foods. They are fitness freak and work out a lot to keep their body fit and fine. Lately, a new trend has caught up among the Japanese women. They are going for body suit to keep their body shape and sizes slim and perfect, especially the side portion body.

They have been seen wearing thick padded toe dividers which stretch out between the toes and make them feel good. It also makes their feet thinner and lighter and putting pedicures is so easy with these types of socks.

MOTTAINAI – Green Project in Japan

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Japanese people are quite environment friendly and try to keep the environment clean always. The MOTTAINAI movement is one such step taken to teach people about the benefits of clean and safe environment. Originally started by Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan activist, this movement has become quite popular in Japan.

There are many workshops organised during the event. People take part in this educational and family friendly movement enthusiastically. Kids are taught to make toys using different recycled products.

Weekend Fun and Frolic

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Most Japanese people work hard in the weekdays and spend relaxing weekend at the onsen ryokans. Similar to the weekend span breaks in London, onsen baths are quite popular in Japan. There are many ryokans offering hot spring baths to the weekend revellers.

Most ryokans offer different therapy treatments and lymphatic massages to the visitors. You are also served multi-course dinner at the ryokans.

Healthy Diet

Most Japanese people stay healthy and in shape for a long time. While they follow strict exercise regime for staying fit, their diet chart also contributes a lot. During the warm summer season, most of them take plenty of Kouso in their diet.

Kouso diet helps a lot in shedding oodles of weight by raising metabolism of the body and burns more calories.

There are many other factors contributing to the Japanese lifestyle. If you are planning to stay in Japan even for a short duration, knowing about exclusive Japanese lifestyle can make a happy vacation.

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Fashion Trends in Japan are Extremely Outlandish

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Japan is not just the tech giant of the world and neither is it synonymous only to culture, heritage, traditions and customs. Japan is also well known for its fashion trends. Fashion enthusiasts all around the world know for a fact that Japan’s fashion world is exquisite. It is true that the fashion of Japan is influenced by the West but there are many motifs, patterns and designs that are native to Japan that are inculcated in the fashion trends of the country.

Therefore, if you think that Japan is all about kimonos and geta sandals, you are terribly mistaken. Japanese fashion includes a wide variety of styles. The cities of Osaka and Tokyo are the most stylish cities in all of Japan and Harajuku, an entertainment and shopping district in Tokyo is known as teenager town. Teenagers, every Sunday, flaunt street fashion and loiter around.

There are many fashion trends that are famous in Japan. Some of these dynamic Japanese fashion trends are:

Fandom

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There are many teenagers who are diehard fans of celebrities and anime figures that they dress up like them declaring their fondness towards them. Some dye their hair blue like their favourite rocker, Mana. Some teens even adopt the styles of their favourite anime characters. Some teens blend the styles of these celebrities and rockers and incorporate them in their own wardrobes. This is how the bizarre goggles and crazy hairdos come into being. Some popular accessories include huge boots, sleeves, and ‘over-the-top’ make-up.

Cute

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This style which is called kawaii in Japanese refers to those young women who dress up in lace and ribbons; they wear animal ears and sometimes even wear clothes that are meant for children. The accessories they wear have pictures of cartoon characters of their childhood like Hello Kitty, etc.

Japanese fashion trends include many such exquisite and unique fashion trends. These trends are very popular in Japan and if you take a good look around, you will see many sporting these looks.

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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.

Basic Elements of Japanese Lifestyle and 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

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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.

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What You Need to Know about Japan Before Going on a Tour

Japanese traditions signify the age old customs and practices that Japanese people have been following religiously till today. These traditions have been passed on to different generations from their forefathers.

Like other societies in the world, Japanese people also follow a precise code of conduct. The social behaviour of people is defined by the etiquettes and mannerisms they adhere to.

The term "Japanese Traditions" signifies the customs or practices that have been passed on from one generation to another in Japan. Japanese people are deeply rooted to their culture and follow specific traditions without fail.

With modernisation taking place on each and every walk of life, some traditional Japanese lifestyle have been modernised in new and modern ways. So, if you are on a trip to Japan, you are expected to follow the laid out social norms and Japanese traditions. By doing so, you can escape embarrassment and will be able to enjoy your stay at the fullest.

Here are a few conventional Japanese Traditions and Customs:

• Giving gifts on special occasions is an age old custom in Japan. If someone from family goes out of town, they are supposed to bring back some souvenir from the place. For keeping intact the feel and authenticity of gifts and souvenir, people buy exclusive item from the place and keep it affordable.

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• Business relationship develops in Japan with the exchange of business cards. So, if you are on a business trip to Japan, make sure to go with plenty of business cards. Furthermore, go through the business cards with interest and make generous comments whenever you receive a business card, otherwise it is considered rude.

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• Greeting each other by bowing is the most common part of Japanese culture and tradition. They show gratitude and respect to each other by bowing at times of meeting and parting ways.

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• One of most prevalent practices in Japan is to remove shoes outside before entering the house. People are expected to remove footwear at the entrance of houses, schools and many other buildings.

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Similarly, there are many other customs that you are expected to follow during your stay in Japan. Go through each and every traditional customs before landing on the land of rising sun.

Japanese Lifestyle - An Amalgamation of Modernity and Antiquity

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Summer Street Fashion Trends of Japan

Japan is an extremely fashion conscious country; therefore, do not always connect the land of the rising sun with tradition, heritage, history and technology. The people of Japan like their fashion and have a unique sense of style. They do not ape the West but their clothes are mostly definitely influenced by Western culture. You will seldom find an ‘under-dressed’ person in Japan. People in Japan are always dressed for the occasion, whether they are teens or office goers, they always look suave and chic. Here are a few street fashion trends of Japan that were ruling the streets recently:

Streets Fashion Trends of Japan

The Crop Top

In Japan, people could wear tiny shorts and miniskirts but showing off the belly button or midriff was a strict ‘no’. However, this summer, with crop tops reining the streets, almost everyone was seen showing off their tummies.

The Dolman Sleeve Top

This was considered to be the modest version of a crop top. If you really want to wear a crop top but do not want to show off any skin, this is the top for you. The sleeves are wide and loose at the armpits but do not narrow down. In fact, some of the sleeves are also rolled up. These tops are cut in a short and wide shape, but they aren’t too short.

Platform Sandals

This is one of the bizarre street fashion trends of Japan. These sandals were really ‘big’ this summer and almost every other person were seen walking around in them. However, it is hard to say whether it was just a summer trend or are these slippers here to stay.

Statement Necklaces

Like the clutch bags, statement necklaces were extremely popular this spring and was also seen adorning many necklines in summer. This trend might be on the decline but it is not going anywhere any soon.

Winged or Cat Eye Make-Up

Different varieties and variations of the cat eye make-up were seen doing the round on the streets this summer. This sort of look is definitely not new but was seen sported by many people on the streets. It is also difficult to say whether this look will stick or not.

Cartoon Characters

Cartoon character t-shirts, pants and bags were seen a lot on the streets of Japan this summer just when we thought the trend was dying out. People saw a lot of Bart Simpson and his friends do the rounds on the streets. The batman logo was also seen a lot.

These street fashion trends were noticed a lot this summer in Japan. Many more trends like high waist skirts and pants, clutch bags, tie and dye and vertical stripes were seen ruling the streets in Japan this summer.

Blog about Japan to Help you Plan an Entertaining Vacation by Pretzel William

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.