Baseball Ouendan
At baseball games in Japan, the outfield bleachers are used for the ouendan, which is the cheering section for each team (typically right field for the home team and left field for the visiting team). The ouendan will have trumpets, drums, giant flags, and thousands of fans chanting, singing, jumpi…(113 words)
HillaryB
Sport Baseball
It depends!
It depends on what kind of industry you are in and what kind of job you do. If you belong to corporate staff working inside the office, business casual is a norm throughout the year. Shirts tend to be white and pants tend to be dark although more colorful combinations are seen nowadays. If your …(177 words)
Shoken
Fashion Anime Otaku Summer
Do you need to Give Tips in Japan?
In Japan, tipping is never practiced. In fact, people will often be surprised to receive a tip, not know what to do with it, and just decline your offer. Workers in Japan do not expect you to give them a tip. Also, since tips are not expected, workers are paid decently. On your visit to Japan, don'…(86 words)
GenS
Japan tipping Visit
What can you tell me about the various statues at temples and shrines?
Sculpture and funeral rites are the forte of Buddhist temples. Sacred incantations, talismans, christenings and weddings are the specialties of Shintō shrines. Shintō shrines have little to see in the way of statuary. If your goal is to see statuary, please visit Buddhist temples. Shrines have more…(142 words)
mark
Tell me about Japanese graves and graveyards.
Japanese graveyards are almost always linked to a nearby Buddhist temple and feature stone statues of various Buddhist deities, most commonly Jizō Bosatsu, Nyoirin Kannon and Amida. These three Buddhist deities are perhaps the most popular saviors in modern Japan. Curiously, funerals and graveyards…(64 words)
mark
What are popular activities around the new year season?
Hatsumode 初詣 is a major New Year event. Hatsumode literally means "to pay the first visit of the year to the shrine," where one expresses gratitude for divine protection during the past year and gains the blessings of the local shrine for ongoing protection in the coming year. Typically, the Shin…(89 words)
mark
What can I do to learn more about the Kamakura period?
There are dozens of Buddhist temples and Shintō shrines in Kamakura. Kamakura was the thirteenth-century capital of Japan and is sometimes called Japan's "little Kyoto." Visiting its temples and shrines is a fun way to learn about the Kamakura period, which was a turning point in Japanese Buddhism,…(131 words)
mark
No one set server/waiter!
In contrast to Western tradition, in Japan, you do not have one set server for your table. If it is a small restaurant, you will only have a waiter or two serving food. However, in a big restaurant, you will have a waiter taking you to the table and another one asking you what you would like to dri…(104 words)
RieS
Restaurant Etiquette Drink
Go to Sakuragicho or Kannai for music-related performances!
The most popular places in the area for music-related street performances are Sakuragicho and Kannai in Yokohama. Right outside Sakuragicho station, there are many types of music performed, from ballads to acoustic to pop! It may be fun to stop by, listen and perhaps purchase their CD! Kannai i…(82 words)
RieS
Tokyo Yokohama Music
Just say Iie or No
In Japanese, the direct expression for no is iie. However, most Japanese people know the English word no and are more likely to respect a direct refusal. In Japanese culture, refusal is often done out of courtesy and Japanese people will ask a few more times unless your refuse directly. If you …(76 words)
KurtisW
Five Rings
If you are generally interested in Japanese samurai warriors, it is imperative to know about the most famous one: Musashi Miyamoto. Miyamoto was actually a masterless samurai, but in both legend and reality, is credited with the most victories in duels against other samurai.He wrote a book, whi…(110 words)
KurtisW
Samurai Audio
Have your umbrella on hand in June and July
The rainy season starts in June or July depending on the particular year. If you have plans, make sure you allow for extra time as trains and buses are often behind schedule during this time of year.There is also typhoon season which happens in the fall. So, rain gear of all types is worth havi…(62 words)
Kenji
Umbrella
In front of Sakuragicho station
If you're lucky, on some weekday nights, there is a man in front of Sakuragicho performing his shamisen. Although he is probably not a professional, this is a a cheap and great way to enjoy street performances in Japan as well as engrossing yourself into the Japanese shamisen culture like a local.(52 words)
RieS
Tokyo
Everything About the Edo Period At Edo Tokyo Museum in Japan
If you are interested in learning about the Edo period, the Edo Tokyo Museum is THE PLACE TO GO. It is a gigantic museum in Ryogoku (by the Sumo Arena) and is probably the most extensive museum on the Edo Period in the world. The best thing about this museum is that it has volunteer English speakin…(93 words)
GenS
Japan History Tokyo Museum Sumo Visit English Japanese Culture Edo Period
Majestic Japanese Garden and Tea House in the Middle of Tokyo
Although you will not be able to participate in a formal Japanese tea ceremony at Hamarikyu garden, you will be able to relax in a Japanese style gazebo, in the middle of a historical garden where the Shogun used to indulge in his falconry hobby, with a freshly made cup of Japanese tea in your hand…(186 words)
GenS
Garden Tokyo Tea Asakusa River Traditional
Don't litter!
When walking around in Tokyo, you should prevent littering. Many Japanese people hold on to their trash and try to keep the city clean. Japanese also tend to recycle their garbage, which makes it harder to sometimes find the right garbage can. If you have garbage that you really want to throw out, …(68 words)
RieS
Tokyo City Etiquette Convenience store
How to Survive the Rainy Season in Japan
The rainy season in Japan is not very long. It is basically the month of June, beginning in early June and ending usually by July. The coming of the rainy season marks the end of Spring and its end marks the beginning of summer. In comparison to Spring, not only does it rain much more frequently du…(100 words)
GenS
Japan Rainy Day Okinawa Kyushu Spring Summer
Aways Stand to Left in Japan on the Escalatr
One basic manner you have to know on your trip to Japan is to always stand on the left side of escalators. Only stand on the right side if you are walking up. This is a rule that everyone follows and you will naturally follow it when you see people doing it. In escalators, there aren’t any rules in…(158 words)
GenS
Etiquette Japan escalators Trip Walk Business
Novelty in the modern day
Japanese swords (nihonto) have been used by Japanese warriors since very far back into the first millennium. The modern day "katana" was actually a more well developed blade that came into popular usage around the 12th century. It was from then that the blade began to have a few changes to length a…(181 words)
KurtisW
History Samurai
Starting Pottery in Tokyo
There are many Japanese ceramics studios in Tokyo and throughout Japan that offer introductory courses for beginners. In fact, most professional studios offer some kind of courses for people to make their own works, either formally or informally. But the easiest places to find out how to get star…(235 words)
mikekato
Tokyo Library
Go out to drink to socialize.
Japanese people like to be in groups.They also take close attention to "Kuki" (air) the atmosphere of the location, the people they are with. You won't be welcomed if you bombard a random group or at an Izakaya.There are many pubs all around Japan now.These places are more open, the Japanes…(129 words)
Yuuki I
Drink Izakaya
Use a sword to know the soul of Old Japan
Kendo is cool, you'll learn how to use a sword without getting hurt.You'll get a feel of the Samurai!But that's not all, and knowing how to use the sword is not the point.Kendo is Budo, you meditate before a session and also after a session.You bow before a match, and you bow after a matc…(169 words)
Yuuki I
Sport Art Samurai Grape
Yakatabune
Yakatabune are, literally "night ships," which are floating party boats. The vast majority are rented out to groups. Some, however, are open for individuals, couples, and small groups. Traditionally, yakatabune serve tempura as the main course. In Tokyo, one of the highlights has been anago…(173 words)
mikekato
Tokyo Yokohama Drink Beer Asakusa Osaka Sake (Rice wine) Tempura Shochu Okonomiyaki
Once a year
There is an "open market" (late October?) for those interested in purchasing a Japanese sword at a building right near the Atago Police Station {across from Japanese Red Cross headquarters}; I don't recall the exact building name [Nihon Token Club Building? Token means "sword & stuff" in Japanese, …(117 words)
Mike's
Tokyo Building Police Art
Turn the slippers around!
It is usually polite to use slippers instead of walk in bare feet or with socks on. When you take your slippers off, to enter a room, you should slip them off quietly and carefully and turn them around so that you (or someone else) can slip it on later with ease.(52 words)
RieS
Etiquette Slippers
What's inside that bag?
On the first three days of January, many people in Japan go to the near by mall, outlets and department stores to get the "Fukubukuro" or Lucky Bags. The customers do not know the contents of the bag, but purchase it because it's cheap price relative to their actual values. It is fun to open the ba…(90 words)
RieS
Department store Stationery
Left hand side in Tokyo and Nagoya & Right hand side in Kyoto and Osaka when you are taking escalators.
It's funny because people in Tokyo and Nagoya are stopping on the left hand side when they are walking up/going down in hurry while people in Kyoto and Osaka are stopping on the right hand side of the escalators. There is no regulation, but almost all people follow this kind of rule without notific…(55 words)
Shinji
Tokyo Etiquette Kyoto Osaka Nagoya
Check out Ryogoku
If you go to Ryogoku, you can find a wide variety of sumo stables and see sumo wrestlers going about their daily business. Ryugoku has its own sumo stadium as well, called the Ryugoku Kokugikan. You can watch sumo wrestling matches there on occaision. I also recommend trying Chanko Nabe, which is a…(66 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Sumo Hot pot dish
Toshima-en fishing area
Located in Nerima, which can be accessed on the subway from Tokyo (either on the Fukutoshin line from Shibuya, or Oedo line from Shinjuku), has a very nice fishing area that caters to all levels.The fishing area is more geared however toward those who want to leisurely fish on the weekend, or w…(130 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Park Shinjuku Shibuya Subway
Watch Hanabi while cruising the Sumidagawa river in Tokyo, Japan. Perfect for Summer Fireworks and amazing memories.
A Yakatabune is a narrow and flat but long, Japanese-style boat used to hold arties. Yakatabune are popular, especially to hold business related parties. A company would hire one yakatabune and then employees would hold a party on the boat. These boats cruise leisurely on rivers, like the Sumidagaw…(186 words)
GenS
Tempura Yakatabune Yokohama
Go to Kamakura in Japan
If you are interested in learning about the Kamakura period, there is nothing more you can do than to actually go to Kamakura. From Tokyo, Kamakura is less than an hour away towards Yokohama on the Yokosuka line. Just one train ride to the former capital of Japan. When you arrive, you will definite…(268 words)
GenS
Kamakura History Tokyo Train City Yokohama Building Museum Sea Kanagawa
Check out governmental facilities!
There are cooking classes offered at governmental facilities in Tokyo and Yokohama. These governmental facilities are called "chiku center （地区センター） and hold events to train sports clubs to hold cooking lessons. Although the majority of these classes will be in Japanese, it is worth giving a t…(156 words)
RieS
Tokyo Train Yokohama Sport
An integral part of Japanese sports games
Ouendan is an important part of the sports culture in Japan. When you go to Japanese baseball, soccer and other sports games, the Ouendan lead the cheers so that the supporters can follow them. Although most of them are at the front of the stadium (near the sport players), there are several others …(144 words)
RieS
Sport Baseball Soccer
One of the best sword museums and sword artisans communities can be found in Okayama Prefecture
Bizen Osafune Sword Museum and Craft Center is located in Setouchi city, Okayama Prefecture. Just a short train ride from Okayama station to Osafune station and a 10 minute taxi ride for 500yen to the museum. You can walk to the museum (it takes about 25 minutes) but if you are unfamiliar with gett…(218 words)
JudithMikami
Okayama Train City Museum History Taxicab Samurai
Tipping in Japan
One of the best cultural differences between Japan and the U.S. (my home country) centers around the custom of tipping. While tipping is not generally necessary in Japan, some service providers actually do appreciate it; for example, I've never known a taxi driver to refuse a tip!In the U.S., …(222 words)
Andrea Miyata
Restaurant Taxicab Hair
Tokyo Sumo Stable Tours for a Memorable Japan Experience
If you are interested in visiting a Sumo stable and watching the wrestlers train for the day, there a many many opportunities available to do so.Most stable now have their own websites and I am guessing that you the visit may have a particular wrestler that you are fond of a know the name of th…(132 words)
DjMarvin
Sumo Tokyo Train
Conversation clubs
Japanese people are very interested in speaking English. It is quite the phenomenon, as it seems that a huge majority, of people in Tokyo at least, want in some way to make English a part of their lives. Some need it for work, others want it as a tool to be able to handle foreign customers, some li…(164 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo
Check out Shunkaen Bonsai Museum
There is the Shunkaen Bonsai Museum in Edogawa, Tokyo if you're looking for something other than the Bonsai Art Museum in Omiya. They're open from 10am-5pm everyday except Monday. Address:1-29-16 NihoriEdogawa-Ku, TokyoPhone Number:+81 03-3670-8622(40 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Museum Art Art museum