Japanese Culture

In the 1900s, China and Japan embarked on two historically divergent paths: China into economic and political disintegration, which would result in a socialist system; Japan into industrialization...

Japan has the highest per capita concentration of vending machines, called Jidohanbaiki (jido: "automatic"; hanbai:"sell"; ki:"machine"), in the world. They dispense a wide variety of beverages,...

If you love food and are seeking a healthful lifestyle, convenient public transportation, quality education for your children, beautiful, historic sites and the latest in high-tech gadgetry, Japan...

A city with a military past, almost destroyed by an atomic bomb, and later a center of peace, Hiroshima has a marked place in history. It continues to be a place of fascination and sorrow for...

Lolicon is the romanization of a Japanese term that refers to the obsession of young girls, particularly in a sensual sense, and a mental disorder known as a "Lolita complex" that is a common...

Japan has one of the most recognized flags in the world. The flag--known as the Hinomaru or "sun disc"--features a red circle against a white background. Nippon, Japan's name among the Japanese,...

Samurai warlords emblazoned flowered designs on their kimonos as a family crest. Men and women receive gifts of flowers on their anniversaries and flower language (hana kotoba) is used in all...

The topography and climate of Japan is vast for the small land mass found within the borders of the country. The vastness of the climate and topography provides conditions suitable for numerous...

The issue of runaways living in Japan has received increased public scrutiny in recent years, largely due to the employment of underaged girls in the sex industry and the fact that an increase in...

In Japan, a person's surname, or family name, comes before the given name. Most Japanese surnames is made up of two separate Chinese characters, called kanji. Many of these characters refer to...

Few warriors in history are as revered as Japan's storied Samurai, a culture of highly trained fighters who readily accepted death over defeat and whose determination is still admired today....

Airsoft, the name of the popular "toy" guns that are used in firearms training and play with almost the same regularity, has spawned quite a following. Originally created in Japan, airsoft guns...

The katana, one of the twin swords worn by the Japanese samurai, or warrior class, is a weapon that even today excites fascination. Curved and honed to a razor's edge, the katana evolved out of a...

Japan has a long history of culture but a short modern history of war. Japanese wars have been fought primarily over land in the Asian sector of the world.

Japanese girls like to be treated well, like any girl. Unlike other girls, they have been influenced by the societal norms of Japan. Cultural standards in Japan might seem more traditional and...

Japanese immigration laws are complex and strictly enforced. The first laws to control post World War II immigration into Japan were passed in 1950. These basic laws have been amended to result in...

In Japan, hand gestures and facial expressions are very different from the Western ones. There are some signals that we can look for and try to understand them. Remember that in Japan avoiding eye...

Clothing in Japan is a mix of traditional and trendy. Much of modern day clothing in Japan is like clothing in the Western world. However, Japanese clothing also include traditional pieces like...

In Japan, the addresses are written in the opposite order from the ones used in Europe or in the United States. The following steps will help you to address a letter or a parcel that needs to be...

Of the many aspects of Japan that foreigners often find mysterious, few are as confounding as the address system. Streets in Japan rarely have names, and building numbers are not sequential as you...

For much of Japan's history, women held second-class status in a patriarchal society. Women's status began to change in the late 1860s, with greater educational opportunities. Japanese law,...

Though originally designed to be a practical part of Japanese clothing, netsuke have become valuable and highly sought pieces of miniature artwork. Once only common to Japan, some of the largest...

Visiting Japan includes looking at the array of beautiful stone and paper lanterns so long a tradition in the small nation. With its introduction by a traveler from the Asian continent in the...

The popularity of tattoos may appear to be a current fad but history shows this unique art form dates back thousands of years. What began as a brand to mark outlaws has transformed into a...

Often times, we need to send mail to Japan to our loved ones or for business purposes. Rates differ based on the type of package, weight, and the service you would like to use. You can save money...

Are you in Japan and miss your loved ones? Well making a phone call in Japan to anywhere in the world is very easy. It is even easier if you want to make a residential call. Learn how to get a...

The gong is something many people associate with Asian culture. Japanese gongs can be used as musical instruments, displayed as pieces of art or placed in an outdoor garden, porch, patio, deck or...

Rates of Japanese adoption by foreigners are quite low compared to many other countries. One reason for this is that Japanese law requires at least one parent to be a Japanese citizen who can...

In Japan there are many traditions that are part of New Year's festivities. Special foods are eaten, postcards are sent, shrines are visited and houses are cleaned. To throw your own...

Japan was founded as a land of fishermen and hunters. While the fishing industry may still thrive to some degree, other jobs have popped up in a variety of markets. Some require lots of training,...

Japanese culture is unique in many aspects. Japan is characterized for not forgetting its traditions, which means modern Japanese culture is made up of both old and new ideas, a point obvious in...

The country of Japan has has the second largest economy in the world. Japan has a population of nearly 127 million people, most of which live on one small island. Japanese culture is of growing...

Here are the steps required for addressing a letter to Japan.

Japanese Kamikaze pilots are legendary for their willingness to sacrifice their lives for their emperor and country during World War II. The Kamikaze campaign was a last ditch effort by the Empire...

In further discovery of my historical and biographical searches of the sketches of notable individuals outside of my own nation, I ran across the interesting life sketch of Masayoshi...

Finding apartments in Japan is one of the most difficult tasks that any gaijin (foreigner) must face. Many landlords do not want to rent their apartments to anyone who is not Japanese. In addition...

Can't find any Japanese teacher nearby? Your schedule not allowing you to take a class? There are many ways to do it online, for free. Here's my review of various websites and online services for...

So you want to get married in Japan, huh? Are you a little lost when it comes to actually making it happen? let me help ...

The Japanese love of gifts may seem harmless, but the act of giving gifts in Japan is actually laden with meaning and social obligation. Japanese gift-giving is a relentless cycle, and you are...

Japan has a seemingly infinite number of beliefs which regularly confound unwitting foreigners. One little-known example is the widespread Japanese belief that blood types help determine...

Japanese culture is unique and much different from that of most European countries. If you're visiting Japan, you'll want to make sure you are aware of some specific cultural practices. But don't...

Hiring geisha in Japan is often believed to be virtually impossible for an outsider to their world, especially a foreigner, to pull off...but not always. These artisans work hard to make a party a...

Kabuki is a traditional Japanese form of theater that uses a high degree of stylization and formalism to evoke subtle emotion and dramatic themes. As one of the oldest and most prominent modes of...

On the second Monday in January, celebrate Coming of Age Day, also known as Adult’s Day in Japan. To help you, we’ve gathered a list of fun things to do.

On the second Monday in January, join the Japanese in celebrating Coming of Age Day. Celebrate this day yourself every year with your family and friends. To help you, we’ve gathered a list of fun...