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.

Japan’s Culture Rules the Lifestyle of its People

Japan is a beautiful country to visit. If you love travelling, then is a country that is worth visiting. Japan is a country that you generally associate with culture, heritage, history and tradition. The Land of the Rising Sun is a wonderful amalgamation of modernity and antiquity. On one hand you will be blown away by technology and skyscrapers in the city while on the other hand you will love the beauty and serenity of the Japanese landscape and its beautiful shrines and temples. It is the culture that people follow in Japan that makes the country so unique.

The people in Japan are extremely well rooted to their past and still follow a few old age customs that makes their lifestyle, one of a kind. When you visit Japan, you should be aware of most of their customs so that, you do not have any trouble adjusting to the ways of Japan and its people.

Following an Age Old Ritual

If you are planning to visit Japan during the months of December and January, remember, that Japan is very cold and experiences snowfall in various parts. Heaters are present in rooms to mellow the temperature but carry sufficient clothing. Now coming back to culture, if you are visiting Japan during New Year, take some time and read up on how the Japanese celebrate it. A blog about Japanese lifestyle and culture can tell you all about New Year celebrations in Japan. During the New Year, the Japanese clean out their homes to welcome the Gods. They do not talk about anything ominous on that day, as they believe that it might bring bad luck. Even the food they consume is considered to bring good luck. They wear new underwear on that day and also use new towels.

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Eating

The Japanese eat with chopsticks. However, if you are not comfortable using them, feel free to ask for silverware. At a Japanese restaurant, wait till you are given an ‘oshibori’ or a wet napkin before you start eating. It is a custom to wipe your hands with an oshibori before you start your meal.

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No Shoes inside the House

This is an old custom that is still followed in most houses in Japan. You must take off your shoes before you enter a Japanese home. You might use house slippers inside but even those must be taken off in the dining area.

Before you plan your trip to Japan it is advisable to read up as much as you can about the country so that you do not face any difficulties when you are travelling. If you indeed love countries that are culturally rich and have a history, Japan is the country to go to.

An Overview of Japanese Lifestyle

If you like to travel and explore the world then Japan is a country you must not miss! Japan is an epitome of culture, tradition, history and heritage. The people of Japan are a blend of western and traditional culture. But before you book the tickets you must find which season is best to see ‘the land of Rising Sun’ (as it is popularly known) in its full glory. Summer, rainy, autumn, winter, and spring – Japan has a different look in every season. But spring is the best time of the year when Japan is in full bloom, colorful and vibrant. Cherry blossom and Plum festivals is the main centre of attraction.

While plum festival comes and departs early, Cherry blossom is celebrated from mid march to April end. Yushima Tenjin shrine is the place to visit in the early spring. In the shrine’s garden, there are different-colored plum trees and blossoms with exceptionally beautiful and striking plum flowers. Fresh after winter Japan looks very beautiful during spring and market is flooded with seasonal and exclusive fruits and vegetables of spring season. You will see many people having the dishes prepared from bamboo shoots, field mustard, Udo and other spring vegetables. Japanese foods are known worldwide for their scrumptious taste. Bamboo shoot is prepared and served in various ways all over Japan. They are extremely health conscious so you will find both vegetable and fruit juice bars everywhere on the street.

In the rainy season, existence of vibrant colors remains very much in place. The incessant rain throughout the season compels people to take extra precautions in living style. Humidity and moisture in the environment cause stinking and foul smells from body, so they put on refreshing and cool perfumes on their bodies. Japanese people follow strict diet and disciplined lifestyle to keep fit and fine throughout the season. Having fermented food is preferred over heavy diets. However, Japan looks quite mesmerizing and attractive during autumn season. With all the new fashion trends, Japanese people prefer stylish and appealing clothes. You can find several eye catchy collections available at the high end shops. Accessories are also a part of Japanese winter fashion trend.

So, you can see different Japanese lifestyle in different season and each being equally appealing and striking. With western influences, they are traditional in many ways such as people still do not wear shoes inside the house. Every house and even offices have a small vestibule where you can keep your shoes before going in. Japanese dine out a lot so there are good restaurants all over the town serving native food and world cuisines. Japanese people shop a lot so don’t surprise if you see so many shopping malls. Japan is all about good living and an equally great lifestyle to make your living worthwhile.

Japan Bursting into Cultural Vividness

Japanese lifestyle embraces the various philosophies and principles followed by people residing here. The average Japanese citizen will showcase a practical bent of mind and a steadfast nature which has already helped them from political and natural calamities. Japanese traditions surface in the Samurai, Geisha, Japanese gardens, Japanese tea festival and kimonos. Plus one should hardly overlook the fashion culture and style statements donned by people from across the country. Some people say that Japanese traditions and culture have their roots settled in Chinese culture.

The younger generation finds the current fashion culture quite inspiring as it grips the western style statements while holding onto the traditional trends. Interestingly, the small island country holds much more to it, than what one can imagine.

Japanese Culture: the Japanese couture is an assorted blend of Asiatic subcultures. From the Geisha and Samurai traditions to Japanese chopstick manners, isn’t the country gifted with a plush range of cultural traits? The geisha culture is much observed in the Japanese society; they are female entertainers adept in singing, dancing and playing instruments. Let us not also forget about the samurai culture which has been in existence since ancient times. Samurais belong to the warrior class who the only persons, permitted to carry two swords.

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Additionally, the Japanese are known to be quite possessive about their traditions. They seem to be quite serious about their chopstick norms. Understanding the little intricacies of Japanese dining customs is indeed crucial before you sit along with a couple of Japanese men and women. Moreover people here take to certain bath etiquettes as well. The Japanese natives usually wash their body before stepping into a bath-tub. Quite amazing as this may seem, one cannot offer tips to a waiter tending the individual.

Japanese Lifestyle: A nutritious diet is the secret to a healthy lifestyle and the Japanese seem to have an idea about this truth. These hardworking people believe that a healthy meal will render possible benefits one would need, to stay active to comply with demanding work schedules. The average Japanese boasts of peculiar tastes and preferences. Somewhere it has been said that people here are fond of stuffs that are tiny and cute. Bigness doesn’t seem to attract them much. Japanese are quite finicky about their toilet etiquettes. Such etiquettes are part of the Japanese lifestyle and are observed in order to keep a toilet clean; people here wear slippers that are quite different from the normal ones and are usually worn to prevent the dirtiest elements from spreading inside a residential premise. Japan’s lifestyle is 100% scientific and is based on the goodness of a great life. 

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Have you really heard about the Japanese onsen? These take root in the volcanic hot springs and offer a wealth of health benefits and relaxing moments to people living here. The onsen is the major reason for people considering weekend getaways to countryside. In fact travelers find it quite relaxing to indulge in an onsen bath which is naturally fed with all kinds of minerals. However, mineral content usually varies from one onsen to the other. This blissful indulgence also focuses on a “natural connect”.

Have you heard of the “Mama chari”? It is typically referred to bicycles added with baskets. In Japan most bicycles reveal the mama chari deign as these two-wheelers are quite helpful for women to carry their babies or grocery products. Among the various other lifestyle aspects, Japan reveals modernity in different segments of fashion culture. Modernity is something they are in love with; yet one can also say that people here are also fond of keeping the old.

Good news for travelers!! Unlike polices in other countries, those in Japan are quite friendly and approachable. So, you are least likely to face any problems while convesing with a policeman in Japan.

Japanese Festivals: The local festivals are countless, because people here celebrate almost every single shrine existing here. Japanese festivals feature processions, annual celebrations and historical events. During a festival, people visit deities present in shrines. Some of the major festivals have been discussed below: 

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• Sapporo snow festival
• Yokote Kamakura festival
• Omizutori
• Takayama Matsuri
• Aoi Matsuri
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa
• Gion Matsuri
• Nebuta Matsuri
• Kanto Matsuri

Well!! The list is almost endless, but those of you really love to taste the unknown and the beautiful will love to travel across this land of rising sun because of its diverse culture, lifestyle and festive offerings.

Shopping has a Fresh New Address at KITTE Mall

The Tokyo central office has witnessed a recent development with its makeover as the “Kitte” shopping mall. Situated at the heart of Tokyo, the commercial space has been redeveloped as a new concept not only welcoming Japanese natives, but also travelers from across the world; thus adding a new functionality to the formerly JP tower. This impressive facelift of the Japan Post Tower has added on a new meaning for people residing across the Japanese capital. Structured at 9440sqm, the commercial structure has witnessed its opening on 21st of March, this year. Homing, a striking array of food joints and shops, the Kitte mall take pride in accommodating around hundreds of them.

The refurbished mall mainly lies its focus on Japanese cuisines and aesthetics; two of the major aspects shoppers die for. Wedge-shaped and beautiful, the Kitte shopping mall boasts of a central atrium rising to the 6th floor where a beautiful outdoor garden exists. Being centrally located the shopping facility shows off superb connectivity and commutation advantages. The shopping complex links with the Tokyo station though a subterranean tunnel (information source: timeout.jp/en/tokyo/venue/16325/Kitte)

 Recent years have witnessed a rapid development of the area as people are yet to see a couple of more developments down the line. The place has now become one of Tokyo’s major attractions rather than any transit spot. Shoppers who have already visited the mall have talked about its attractive and airy entrance area. There is yet another surprise awaiting the first-time visitor; and its none other than the outdoor garden launched on the 6th floor. While going through a shopping guide of Japan one may find more about Kitte offerings.

The 5th floor as well as the 6th floor is dedicated for food lovers. Ginpei, is a fish restaurant attracting attention of the gourmand. Some people who have tried the red snapper rice at the restaurant have opined on its marvelous taste. Now, if this seems a bit costlier, one can try the affordably priced lunch meals. Da Boccaiano is also worth mentioning; the Italian restaurant constantly tries to keep up to the expectations of gourmands. The much appetizing pizza sold here are a must-have if you visit the food corner. Cuisines sold at the restaurants are majorly inspired from the delicacies prepared in different parts of the world; though a lot of shops chiefly emphasise on Japanese cuisines.

This re-launched shopping complex also homes 71 shops amongst which some showcase and sell a wonderful range of clothing line. The Kitte mall has become a must-visit spot for travelers.

Read up on Japan’s Lifestyle before you Visit the Place

If you are planning to visit Japan the next time you go on vacation make sure you read up properly on the country and culture of the people before you start packing so that it becomes easier for you to fit in and adjust when you go to the foreign land. Read up properly on the climate of The Land of The Rising Sun, because the weather in Japan is quite erratic and you might be faced with extreme weather conditions. Try and avoid visiting Japan in peak monsoon or peak winter.

The Japanese are very particular about a few things as they are culturally rooted. If you are visiting the house of a Japanese family, make sure you take off your shoes before you enter. They might give you house slippers but when you enter the tatami room, you must take off these shoes as well.

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Most of the Japanese and Chinese restaurants serve food with chopsticks. If you do not know how to use chopsticks feel free to ask for silverware. At most restaurants, you have to pay the bill in total at the end of your meal, even at bars, you have to pay the bill at the end, after you have finished eating or drinking.

There are two styles of toilets in Japan. One is the traditional Japanese style toilet where you have to squat and the other is the Western style toilet. Please check before you use the washroom as you might not be comfortable in a traditional Japanese toilet.

While shopping you should not have any sort of trouble communicating as most shopping plazas have signs in English and many people can speak in English. However, while shopping, it is advisable to carry cash as many shops do not accept credit card and personal cheques. If you read properly about Japan before visiting you should not have any trouble.

Hanami Parties: A Wild and Fun-Filled Affair

The beautiful country of Japan boasts of unique and peculiar sightseeing experiences to the visitors. Though it’s good to visit the country during any time of the year but spring has its own forte. This is the season of flower blooming, as the whole country is immersed in the beauty of cherry blossom and plum flower. 

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Typically, the plum flowers bloom in the early spring and continue for a longer duration. Family and friends enjoy together at the hot spots and soak in the glory of plum flowers. They revel and party till late night and relish good foods and drinks on the location.

This season continues for a good part of spring months. Once the plum trees start shedding their flowers, cherry blossom festival sets in. This festival is one of the major attractions in Japan during the spring season. Tourists from around the world flock this country especially to view blossoming of cherry flowers.

There is a special term for flower viewing in Japan, Hanami. This term can also be referred to taking a walk under or partying under Sakura trees.

Hanami parties are quite popular in this country. Virtually, you can find whole country participating in such parties at different locations.

It’s a tradition in Japan to reserve the party spots by placing blue coloured plastic mats under the Sakura trees. You can see people rushing to reserve the spots as before as 12 hours from the party time. Most commonly, junior colleagues at the work places are entrusted with the task of reserving the party spots.
The blue mats are treated as if a house floor. People do not step on mat in shoes.

An old saying goes in Japan, dumplings over flowers. It suggests that foods and drinks and not the flowers are most interested things in Hanami parties.

However, you might see a quiet and introspective affair at a few party spots but most of the Hanami parties are wild and fun-filled.