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

Image Credit: bit.ly/1dDgjMI

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.

Post by Beautiful Places to visit in Japan.

Reading Up on Japan Before Discovering It

Image Courtesy: bit.ly/1afiPSW

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

Image Courtesy: bit.ly/1g50SdD

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

Image Courtesy: bit.ly/1h8JkAw

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

Image Courtesy: bit.ly/OH8fcf

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

Image Courtesy: bit.ly/IaT4vL

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

Image Courtesy: bit.ly/17DnVKm

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.

Get Trendy Japanese Apparels at High End Prada Store in Incredible Kobe

Picture Source : bit.ly/1aIj7SK

A large number of people still look up to the old Japan because of the rich culture and heritage of this amazing country. Japanese people feel extremely proud of their culture and faith. In fact, Japan is perhaps the lone major country still maintaining its indigenous faith within one location.

There are many other interesting facets of Japan. In the modern times, one thing that is much talked about in Japan is the fashion trends. Yes, Japanese people are extremely fashion conscious and flaunt a rich and unique fashion sense. In fact, the global fashion is influenced a lot by the Japanese fashion trends.

Among the highly fashionable cities, Tokyo and Kyoto are the names that everybody knows of. Kobe is another city synonymous with high end fashion trends. There are several upscale and swanky brands in the posh city.

Picture Source : bit.ly/1aIj7SK

Recently, the top brand Prada came up with its second store in the Kobe. The store was opened in the vibrant Kowa district that is famous for amazing fashion trends and quality products from different companies. So, it is good to see Prada escalating their charisma in this extremely attractive part of Japan.

Kobe is indeed very much popular tourist destinations and the expatriates in the city love the top-class lifestyle in this incredible city. The proximity to several tourist attractions like Kyoto, Himeji, Okayama and Osaka make Kobe an interesting place to visit. One can reach these places easily by shinkansen. Moreover, other tourist destinations within the Kansai region are Awaji Island, Nara and Wakayama (Shirahama, Wakayam Castle, Negoro-ji and Koyasan).

Prada has an enormous catchment area in the Kobe with around 1.5 million populations in this bustling city. However, if you take into account the Keihanshin area comprising of Kobe, Kyoto and Osaka, the prospective customer base expands to approximately 18 million people. The Keihanshin area is unsurprisingly seventh wealthiest zone in the world in terms of purchasing power and wealth. With trendy Japanese fashion clothing available at the store, the Prada store is going to be thronged by the people all the time.

Picture Source : bit.ly/1aIj7SK

Fashion lovers in the Kobe and adjoining areas have gala time with the opening of another Prada store in their neighbourhood. If you are on a tour to Japan and staying nearby the Kobe or Keihanshin area, do not forget to visit the Prada store, where you can purchase high end Japanese apparels and accessories.

Post by Beautiful Places to visit in Japan.

A Guide Book on Shopping at the Markets of Japan

Image Source : bit.ly/1a8O4

It is usually a pleasant experience to shop around the markets in Japan. Usually polite, attentive and friendly sales persons at the stores take extra care to offer highest levels of customer service. The foreign travellers, who cannot speak or understand Japanese, may encounter some problems in conversing with the staffs, though there are a few stores, serving frequently to the foreign customers, have the staffs who can speak English or other foreign languages.

Shopping Hours

Generally, department stores in the cities serve from 10 in the morning to 8 in the evening. Small shops and stores may remain open for shorter hours. Most shops and stores remain open on the weekends as well as national holidays, other than January 1st. The smaller independent stores may remain closed for one day in a week or a month but large stores remain open every day.

Greeting

It is very much usual for the store staffs to greet you upon your entrance in the store. They generally greet with the expression "irasshaimase", which means “welcome, please come in.”

Consumption Tax and Duty Free Shopping

Like VAT, GST or sales tax in other countries, Japan has a flat 5 percent consumption tax on every item. The price tag on the goods includes consumption tax and customers are required to pay what they see. The consumption tax rate will increase to 8 percent in April 2014 where an increase to 10 percent is scheduled in October 2015.

There are a few licensed stores in the major cities where foreign tourists can indulge in duty free shopping by making purchasing of more than 10,000 yen.

Foreign travellers should know about the items that may invite import duties in their home countries.

Payment

Image Source : bit.ly/1a8O4

Japan is a cash society and cash is accepted everywhere. One can withdraw Japanese yen through ATMs at post offices and 7-11 convenience stores.

Credit cards are not as universally accepted as cash but one can use it at the major retail stores, department shops and electronics shops. The most widely accepted types of credit cards are Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express and Union Pay. On the other hand, traveller’s check can only be accepted at a few major electronic shops and department stores that frequently deal with foreign customers.

Shopping Manners

Put the bill amount onto the tray and the change amount will be returned to you similarly.

Avoid getting indulged in bargaining.

So, now that you are aware of all the shopping tricks, shop freely at the Japanese supermarkets.

5 Major Tourist Attractions in Japan by Pretzel William

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

Image Source : bit.ly/1hz0kM7

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

Image Source : bit.ly/NYfvDZ

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.

Post by Beautiful Places to visit in Japan.

Fashion Trends in Japan are Extremely Outlandish

Picture Source : bit.ly/1eDYI6E

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

Picture Source : bit.ly/1b9di5I

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

Picture Source : bit.ly/1b9di5I

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.

Post by Beautiful Places to visit in Japan.

A Few Facts about Healthy Living in Japan!

Picture Source : bit.ly/VKUeOR

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

Picture Source : bit.ly/19nxB8B

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

Picture Source : bit.ly/KkVXTe

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

Picture Source : bit.ly/15HUru0

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

Picture Source : bit.ly/bGudAH

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.