Japan Flag
Overview
Visitors to Japan should arrive with an open mind and be prepared to be surprised, you may just end up contemplating in a Zen temple, visiting a theme park to surf an indoor wave or see an imitation Eiffel Tower, or find yourself kipping down in a capsule or shacking up in a love hotel.Everyone finds their own vision of Japan, somewhere between the shopping malls and rural festivals, between sometimes boisterous exchanges that take place over a few drinks and the elegant formality of Japanese manners.
Best time to Visit
Spring in Japan (March to May) is the famous for the cherry blossoms, and is the most famous Japanese season. However the Golden Week period (29 April to 7 May) is a national holiday period for the Japanese and popular tourist attractions tend to be flooded with domestic tourists. Autumn (September to November) is a great time to visit Japan as the autumn colours in the countryside are fantastic and the temperature is pleasant. major tourist attractions will generally be quieter in summer (June to August) and Mid-winter (December to February) as the weather hot or cold respectively can be extreme. It’s also worth thinking about the peak holiday seasons when you plan your trip, because transport, and finding accommodation during New Year, Golden Week and the midsummer O-Bon festival can be quite difficult.
japan map
Shopping
If you want to do some budget shopping while you are in Japan, consider visiting a flea market near your hotel or accommodation. You will find pictures, used clothes, toys, accessories, books, shoes, pottery, and all sorts of other goods, even good souvenirs at bargain prices. Flea markets are held in shrines, temples, parks, department stores, parking lots etc. Associations like Japan Garage Sale Association organize many large flea markets.
Japanese Cuisine
Rice is a staple of the Japanese diet, although rice consumption in Japanese households is declining. Rice cakes are commonly served. Japanese people call each meal gohan (steamed rice), for example asa (morning) – gohan is the name for breakfast which consists of steamed rice, miso (soy bean paste) soup, and side dishes. A bowl of rice is included in all typical Japanese meals, as well as side dishes called okazu and soup which are all served at the same time. All Japanese meals typically conclude with drinking green tea. People in Japan generally eat three meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Japanese Cuisine
Religion
Religion
Buddhism and Shinto are the two major religions of Japan. They have complemented each other to a certain degree and have been co-existing for several centuries. Most Japanese consider themselves Shintoist, Buddhist, or both. The average Japanese person typically celebrates the religious rituals at ceremonies like birth, weddings and funerals and may visit a shrine or temple on New Year and celebrate or participate in local festivals, most of which have a religious background. However religion does not play a major role in the everyday life of most Japanese people.
