Category : Life in Japan | Sub Category : Journeying through Japanese Living: Posted on 2023-11-21 09:03:28
What Is Japan Known For?
Japan is very
high on many people’s travel wish lists, and rightfully so! But what is Japan
known for? Below, we’ll share 30+ amazing things Japan is famous for.
Japan is my
favourite country to visit. From peaceful shrines and stunning nature to
high-tech skyscrapers and futuristic toilets, there are so many Japanese things
that are worth seeing. The country is known to have a very distinctive culture,
so it’s no surprise it’s famous for so many amazing things!
As Japan is an
island, it was isolated from other countries and cultures for centuries. This
allowed it to create its own, unique customs and traditions. Even though Japan
takes ideas and influences from other countries now, it remains to be one of
the most unique places in the world.
If you’re
dreaming of visiting Japan soon, here are 30 awesome things Japan is famous
for. Hopefully, it’ll fuel the wanderlust a little more and get you ready to
start planning your own trip to Japan very soon!
Vending
Machines:
Wherever you
look when in Japan, you’ll be able to spot a vending machine somewhere. Every
street corner has one, and there are even some on hiking trails and near
shrines!
Apart from
selling your regular cans of soda, Japanese vending machines have an array of
different items. Think of anything and there will probably be a vending machine
for it somewhere in Japan. From ties and pizzas to eggs, canned bread, wigs for
dogs (yes, really!) and anything in between.
Cherry Blossom
Cherry blossom,
or Sakura, is by far one of the most popular things in Japan. Not only is it
Japan’s national flower, but the traditions and events surrounding the cherry
blossoms also make spring a very popular time to visit Japan.
Sakura is a
symbol of the fleeting nature of life, but also its beauty. They only bloom for
about a week – so you won’t have much time to enjoy them. If you want to catch
them, March or the start of April is your best chance, but it very much depends
on what area of Japan you’re planning to visit.
When the
blossoms arrive, many people celebrate by gathering under the trees for hanami.
This literally translates to “blossom/flower viewing”, and it’s pretty much
exactly that, along with a picnic with friends and family. You enjoy some
drinks and food under the trees while the petals slowly fall down.
The arrival of
these little flowers is highly anticipated, and every year, you can find the
sakura forecasts to see when you’ll be able to enjoy them in certain parts of
Japan.
Mount Fuji
As Mount Fuji is
one of the most famous landmarks in Japan, you’ll probably already have seen
quite a few stunning photos of it. Not only is it the tallest mountain in
Japan, at 3,776 meters, but it’s also a volcano.
The volcano’s
peak is often hidden in the clouds, making spotting it even more special. On
our first trip from Tokyo to Kyoto, we were lucky enough to see it while riding
the Shinkansen! And he even peaked through the clouds when my fiance proposed
to me on our day trip to Hakone.
During the
climbing season (July to September), you’re able to hike up Mount Fuji.
Depending on which route you take, it takes between five and 10 hours to
complete.
Shinkansen
While the
railway system in Japan is very impressive on its own, the Shinkansen, also
known as the bullet train, is another thing Japan is famous for. These
high-speed trains can reach up to 320 km/h and are the best way to explore the
country.
In total, there
are nine Shinkansen lines in the country, connecting most parts of Japan with
each other.
If you’re
travelling to more than two cities during your trip, it may be worth getting
the JR Pass. This pass lets you take unlimited trips on the JR lines for one,
two or three weeks (depending on what pass you buy). If you want to save some
money, it’s worth checking out!
Technology And
Gadgets
With brands like
Panasonic, Yamaha, Sony, Nintendo and more, Japan is at the forefront of
technology and the latest gadgets. It’s impossible to imagine Japan without its
video games, robots, bullet trains and crazy household gadgets.
If you want to
dive into the world of Japanese electronics, make sure to add Akihabara to your
Tokyo itinerary. This area is also known as “Electric Town” – it’s heaven for
pop culture fans. You can find anything anime, manga, video game and
gadget-related here. It’s such a cool place to explore!
Shinto Religion
Japan has two
main religions: Shintoism and Buddhism – many people in Japan practise both
religions simultaneously. While Buddhism originated in India, Shinto started in
Japan.
In Shintoism,
you worship Kami. This is the spirit that inhabits everything in the world.
From rocks and plants to animals and objects, everything has Kami.
You can find
tons of shrines and temples for both the Shinto and Buddism religions in Japan,
but you can recognise Shinto shrines by their torii gates. These gates are
often painted red and mark the entrance of a sacred place. Fushimi Inari Taisha
is one of the most famous Shinto shrines in Japan – with thousands of torii
gates leading you up Mount Inari
Futuristic
Toilets
With the
introduction of smart technology, the Japanese have taken their toilets to the
next level. They may have more buttons than my TV remote and can get a little
overwhelming (especially if you can’t read Japanese characters), but there are
some clever add-ons we can only dream about in the West.
There are heated
seats, built-in bidets (just press a button to spray and dry), a button for
happy music and a button for the sound of running water… The list is endless.
Punctuality
Japan is known
for its punctuality. The Shinkansen has an annual average delay of 20 seconds
and certain train services are known to hand out certificates to passengers
when a train departs more than five minutes after it is scheduled to.
In the
workplace, this means that you should always show up early. If you’re supposed
to start work at 9 AM, you’re expected to be at your desk starting work at nine
o’clock sharp.
Geisha
The word geisha
translates roughly to “woman of the arts”. They perform traditional tea
ceremonies and entertain guests by playing traditional instruments, singing,
dancing and sometimes playing drinking games with them.
Their unique
white make-up and beautiful kimonos make geishas stand out from the crowd.
Kyoto is famous for its geisha. It’s not unusual to see them when visiting the
city, as they still perform tea ceremonies to this day.
There are some
different terms used when describing geisha, so let’s clear that up:
Geisha – a
geisha from Tokyo
Geiko – a geisha
from Kyoto (although, nowadays they’re often referred to as geisha too)
Maiko – a geisha
in training.
Onsens
Volcanically
active Japan has the luxury of geothermally heated groundwater resulting in
many hot springs. The water’s special mineral is believed to have healing
power. There are many onsen towns in Japan where you can take a dip in these
relaxing hot springs yourself.
Males and
females are often separated since you usually have to enter an onsen naked.
There are some onsens in Japan where you can wear a bathing suit, which may be
a better option for tourists who are visiting an onsen for the first time!
Capsule Hotels
If you’re
looking for unique hotels in Tokyo, you can’t go wrong with a capsule hotel.
With limited space in Japan’s capital city, these sci-fi-like sleeping pods are
an affordable alternative to an expensive hotel room.
The pods come
with a bed, a light and sometimes a TV. There are communal bathrooms and lounge
areas – kind of like a hostel!
Most capsules in
these hotels come with a single bed, but there are some available for couples
too. Either way, it’s a unique experience to have when staying in Japan, Etc….
