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MODULE 1: Introduction Four Seasons

TOPIC: Facts on Japan
TIME: 6 Hours 1. spring – March-May
SESSION: 2-7 rainy – mid of May-mid of July
2. summer – mid of July-August
3. fall/autumn – September-November
Geography 4. winter – December-February

Japan is an island nation in the North Etiquette

Pacific, off the eastern coast of Asia. The land
area is about 144,000 square miles, or 372,000 Japanese culture is not only old, it’s also
square kilometers. That’s about one twenty-fifth remarkably intact. Perhaps geography played a
the size of the United States. Japan’s four main role, perhaps history – Japan was virtually
islands are: (1) Honshu (main); (2) Hokkaido isolated from the rest of the world for two and a
(northernmost); (3) Kyushu (southernmost); half centuries, ending in 1868. Because the
and (4) Shikoku (smallest); and roughly 3,000 Japanese people were free from outside
smaller ones run in a general northeast-to- contacts for so long, their own traditions became
southwest direction. The length is about 1,860 stronger. Even today, with the influence of the
miles, or 3,000 kilometers. West so visible, the Japanese adhere to their
unique customs and values.
The temperature zones range from the sub
arctic to the subtropical. Hokkaido, far to the Japan is a safe country; the crime rate is
north, is cold and snowy. Okinawa, far to the one of the lowest rate in the world. It’s unlikely
south, is hot and humid. Tokyo, on the main that you’ll ever need to talk to the police for
island of Honshu, is the halfway point between anything but directions.
these extremes of climate.
The Japanese rarely shake hands with each
Japan has sights and attractions to please other. They inform Westerners of this, because
every taste. For visitors, it’s a chance to see it is offensive to them if you extend your hand
two different worlds: the great superhighways, for a handshake. Some might even offer their
advanced computer technology, high fashion, hand first but anything more, like a hug or kiss,
and avant-garde pop culture. It has wood-and- could be offensive unless you know the person
paper houses, streets too narrow for a car, very well. Open displays of affection are rare.
handcrafted folkware, tea ceremony, Kabuki
theater, and sumo wrestling. When meeting or greeting people, the
Japanese bow. It’s an old and important
The Japanese themselves are used to this custom. This is according to prescribed rules of
dichotomy of the modern and the traditional in etiquette and respect that has become second
their everyday lives. Turn the corner of an nature to them. The kind and degree of bow
elegant Ginza street in Tokyo, and find a tiny depends on the relationship between the two
temple or shrine. Buy a ticket for the bullet train, people, the relative status, age, obligation, and
and the clerk may verify your seat on a high- feeling of respect. There are even rules for who
tech computer and then figure the price on a bows lower to whom. This custom is so
wooden abacus. instinctive that the Japanese often bow when
they’re talking on the telephone! They say it
To make the most of your visit to Japan, helps them to convey verbally the proper
above all, get out and explore. If you’re in nuances.
Tokyo, try to see more than just the tourist hotel
areas. If you have time, visit Kyoto and other What should you do? To bow or not to bow,
cities, and the countryside as well. In the cities, indeed, how to bow will be up to you.
public transportation is excellent. Inter-city Remember, non-Japanese are not expected to
trains are frequent, fast, and efficient. bow. But people will bow to you, and you’re free
to follow suit if you feel comfortable. Just lean
The major cities in order of population size, forward from the waist, keep your head down,
are: (1) Tokyo which is capital; (2) Yokohama; and you’ll do just fine.
(3) Osaka; (4) Nagoya; (5) Sapporo; (6)
Kobe; (7) Kyoto; (8) Fukuoka; and (9) Japan is a country of gift giving and
Kawasaki. receiving. If you have Japanese friends or
acquaintances, you’ll probably receive some
gifts yourself while you’re in Japan. They may

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be token souvenirs, or much more. Although Transportation

the Japanese will give you gifts, they don’t
expect anything in return. Whether you Most major Japanese cities have fast, clean,
participate in the exchange or not is up to you; and efficient subway and commuter train
either way is fine. systems. They’re actually a complex system of
public and private trains crisscrossing and
When you give or receive a gift, it’s a good encircling the urban areas, and linking with the
manner to use both hands. Don’t be surprised subways. In Tokyo, the Yamanote sen is the
if, when you give a Japanese a gift, he or she line that encircles, or loops around, the city’s
doesn’t open it in front of you, but waits until you downtown area; in Osaka, the loop line is called
leave. If you want to open a gift you’ve the Kanjo sen.
received, it’s quite all right.
Tourist Spots
Accommodation
Japan is so rich in things to see and do that
When you stay in Japan, you have a choice your only problem will be limiting yourself to
between Western-style and Japanese-style inns those you have time for. If your tastes run to the
(ryokan) accommodations. traditional, you’ll find that the Japan of
yesteryears is very much alive today. There are
First-class hotels in Japan equal fine hotels many places where the past is preserved —
anywhere for facilities and quality of service. cities like Kyoto, for example. And in towns like
There are options, however, Japan has great Kanazawa and Kurashiki, you can see what
Western-style hotels of various types and feudal Japan is like. Throughout Japan there
standards. A relatively new kind of hotel, and are homes, temples and shrines built according
an exceedingly popular one, is the ―business to traditional Japanese styles of architecture.
hotel‖. Hotels are convenient, efficient, and And the centuries-old art forms are still intact:
usually quite reasonable. They offer clean, brush painting, flower arranging, ceramics, tea
comfortable rooms, and no-frills service. ceremony, and woodblock prints, among others.
They’re often located near the center of town The stylized entertainment of theatrical arts like
within easy walking distance from train and Kabuki, Noh and Bunraku also reflect the
subway stations. The lobbies are plain, the preservation of traditional values. The old
rooms are very small, and few have room culture is everywhere.
service. But they’re well run, and for many
travelers, the price is right. The high points of sightseeing in Japan
include castles, gardens, hot springs, museums,
Staying at a ryokan, a Japanese-style inn, is palaces and imperial villas, shrines, and
a good way to experience everyday Japanese temples.
customs firsthand. These inns offer traditional
and authentic Japanese flavor, from the Because Japanese festivals are especially
architecture and furnishings to the pace and colorful and unique, there’s also a list, by month,
style of life. Minshuku are guest houses that of a few that you might enjoy.
take in travelers. They are often located in
resort and vacation areas, and they charge  Castles
reasonable rates.
Japanese castles are spectacular:
The Japanese bath (ofuro) is a ritual meant
for relaxing and unwinding as much as for Himeji Castle – one of the few
cleansing. The law of the Japanese bath: ―no remaining original ones, has a five-
soap inside the tub‖. Rinse, soap, and scrub storey dungeon at the center, and some
yourself outside — you’ll find spigots, basins buildings are preserved as national
and perhaps a small stool to sit on — then rinse treasures.
off all the soap and enter the tub. It’s deep, and Osaka Castle – is famous for its stone
the water is usually very hot. walls.
Dramatic Nijo Castle – built in 1603,
The toilet is not located in the bath area, but was where the Tokugawa shogun
in a room by itself, usually with a small sink. stayed when he visited in Kyoto.
Leave your slippers outside the door, and put on
those that you find just inside the door.

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Here is a list of Japanese castles:

Moss (Kokedera) Kyoto
Name Location (Moss Garden)
Himeji Joo Himeji
(Himeji Castle) Rikugien Tokyo
(Rikugien Garden)
Hiroshima Joo Hiroshima
(Hiroshima Castle) Ritsurin Kooen Takamatsu
(Ritsurin Garden)
Inuyama Joo Inuyama
(Inuyama Castle) Ryuuanji no Sekitei Kyoto
(Rock Garden)
Kumamoto Joo Kumamoto
(Kumamoto Castle) Shinjuku Gyoen Tokyo
(Shinjuku Gyoen Garden)
Matsue Joo Matsue
(Matsue Castle)  Hot Springs

Matsumoto Joo Matsumoto Two of the most famous hot springs are
Noboribetsu in Hokkaido and Beppu in Oita
Matsuyama Joo Matsuyama Prefecture, Kyushu. The former features a
(Matsuyama Castle) Valley of Hell – columns of steam rising from the
ground, which is part of an old crater. The latter
Nagoya Joo Nagoya also has a ―hell‖ – boiling mud ponds. Some are:
(Nagoya Castle)
Name Location
Nijo Joo Kyoto Arima Onsen Hyogo Prefecture
(Nijo Castle) (Arima Hot Springs)

Odawara Joo Odawara Atami Shizuoka Prefecture

(Odawara Castle) (Atami Hot Springs)

Osaka Joo Osaka Beppu Onsen Oita Prefecture

(Osaka Castle) (Beppu Hot Springs)

Shimabara Joo Shimabara Doogo Onsen Ehime Prefecture

(Shimabara Castle) (Doogo Hot Springs)

Joo – means ―castle‖. Hakone Kanagawa Prefecture

(Hokone Hot Springs)
 Gardens
Ibusuki Onsen Kagoshima Prefecture
Japan is a garden-lover’s dream. There are (Ibusuki Hot Springs)
gardens of every size and shape, each one
different from the next. Some 132 of them have Ito Onsen Shizuoka Prefecture
been designated masterpieces to be preserved (Ito Hot Springs)
and maintained under the Valuable Cultural
Properties Act of Japan. They are: Jozankei Onsen Hokkaido
(Jozankei Hot Springs)
Name Location
Kairakuen Mito Kinugawa Onsen Tochigi Prefecture
(Kairakuen Garden) (Kinugawa Hot Springs)

Kenrokuen Kanazawa Kusatsu Onsen Gunma Prefecture

(Kenrokuen Garden) (Kusatsu Hot Springs)

Korakuen Okayama Noboribetsu Onsen Hokkaido

(Korakuen Garden) (Noboribetsu Hot Springs)

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Yugawara Onsen Kanagawa Prefecture Ohara Bijutsukan Kurashiki

(Yugawara Hot Springs) (Ohara Art Gallery)

Yuzawa Onsen Niigata Prefecture Osaka Nippon Mingeikan Osaka

(Yuzawa Hot Springs) (Osaka Japan Folk Art
Musem)
 Museums Name Location

In Tokyo, you can see the Tokyo National Tokugawa Bijutsukan Nagoya
Museum specializing in Japanese and Far (Tokugawa Art Museum)
Eastern ancient and medieval art, which houses
over 85,000 objects. It is the largest museum Tokyo Kokuritsu
in Japan. In Kyoto, the Kyoto National Museum Hakubutsukan Tokyo
is a must. It was established in 1868 as a (Tokyo National Art
repository for art objects and treasures from Museum)
temples, shrines and individual collections.
There are now 10,000 objects there. Also in  Palaces And Imperial Villas
Kyoto, travelers must visit the Kyoto Municipal
Museum of Traditional Industry. Because most The Imperial Palace, with its gardens
of Kyoto’s traditional industry are handicrafts, covering 250 acres in the heart of Tokyo, is
there are outstanding displays of lacquer, where the imperial family resides. The Kyoto
bamboo, silk, paper, and ceramic objects. Imperial Palace was their residence from 1331
There are also demonstrations of centuries-old until 1868, when the family moved to Tokyo.
production methods for these arts and crafts. Also in Kyoto, the Katsura Imperial Villa
represents a high point in traditional Japanese
In Kurashiki, one of the highlights is the architecture and landscape gardening. They
Kurashiki Folkcraft Museum, renowned are:
throughout Japan for its collection of craft
objects used in daily life. The building itself is Name Location
an old rice granary, symbolic of the town’s Hama Rikyu Tokyo
historic role in the rice trade. Some of them are: (Hama Imperial Villa)

Name Location Kokyo Tokyo

Edo-Tokyo Hakubutsukan Tokyo (Imperial Palace)
(Edo-Tokyo Museum)
Katsura Rikyu Kyoto
Fujita Bijutsukan Osaka (Katsura Imperial Villa)
(Fujita Art Museum)
Kyoto Gosho Kyoto
Kobe Shiritsu Hakubutsukan Kobe (Kyoto Imperial Palace)
(Kobe City Museum)
Shugakuin Rikyu Kyoto
Kyoto Shi Dento Sangyo Kaikan Kyoto (Shugakuin Imperial Villa
(Kyoto Municipal Museum of
Traditional Industry)  Shrines

Kyoto Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan Kyoto Japanese shrines are sacred Shinto places
(Kyoto National Museum) of worship. Shinto, the indigenous religion of
Japan, is today as much a value system as a
Kurashiki Mingeikan Kurashiki religion. In fact, most Japanese would say that
(Kurashiki Folkcraft Museum) they are Buddhists as well as Shintoists, and
see no conflict or contradiction in this dual
Nara Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan Nara allegiance. Shinto embodies the deep
(Nara National Museum) Japanese respect for nature, the shrines are
places of great natural beauty.
Kokuritsu Seiyo Bijutsukan Tokyo
(National Museum of Western The Ise Shrine is the most venerated of all
Art) Shinto shrines. Others are:

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Name Location Important Cultural Property. These buildings

Atsuta Jingu Nagoya contain fabulous collections of Japanese
(Atsuta Shrine) sculpture and art treasures. Others are:

Dazaifu Tenmangu Fukuoka Name Location

(Dazaifu Shrine) Asukusa Kannon Tokyo
(Asakusa Kannon Temple)
Fushimi Inari Jinja Kyoto
(Fushimi Inari Shrine) Byoodoin Uji
(Byodoin Temple)
Heian Jingu Kyoto
(Heian Shrine) Chuguji Nara
(Chuguji Temple)
Ikuta Jinja Kobe
(Ikuta Shrine) Chusonji Hiraisumi
(Chusonji Temple)
Ise Jingu Ise
(Ise Shrine) Daitokuji Kyoto
(Daitokuji Temple)
Itsukushima Jinja Miyajima
(Itsukushima Shrine) Enryakuji Hieisan
(Enryakuji Temple)
Izumo Taisha Izumo
(Izumo Grand Shrine) Ginkakuji Kyoto
(Ginkakuji Temple)
Kasuga Taisha Nara
(Kasuga Grand Shrine) Horyuji Nara
(Honryuki Temple)
Kitano Tenjin Kyoto
(Kitano Shrine) Kinkakuji Kyoto
(Kinkakuji Temple)
Kotohira Jinja Kotohira
(Kotohira Shrine) Kiyomizudera Kyoto
(Kiyomizudera Temple)
Meiji Jingu Tokyo
(Meiji Shrine) Kofukuji Nara
(Kofukuji Temple)
Sumiyoshi Jinja Osaka
(Sumiyoshi Shrine) Koryuji Kyoto
(Konryuji Temple)
Toshogu Nikko
(Toshogu Shrine) Kotokuji Kamakura
(Kotokuji Temple)
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Kamakura
(Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Nishi Honganji Kyoto
Shrine) (Nishi Honganji Temple)

Yasaka Jinja Kyoto Ryoanji Kyoto

(Yasaka Shrine) (Ryoanji Temple)

 Temples Saihoji Kyoto

(Saihoji Temple)
Japan’s Buddhist temples are so varied that
choosing among them is especially difficult. Sanjusangendo Kyoto
Todaiji, near Nara, is famous as the site of the (Sanjusangendo Temple)
world’s largest bronze statue of Buddha. The
building that houses it is the world’s largest Tenryuji Kyoto
wooden structure. Horyuji, also in Nara, has (Tenryuji Temple)
about 40 buildings, each one of them
designated either a National Treasure or an

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Todaiji Nara May

(Todaiji Temple) 3-5 Hakata Dontaku Hakata
Parade (Hakata) Dontaku
Toji Kyoto
(Toji Temple) 2nd Sat. & Sun.,
odd-numbered years
Toshodaiji Nara Festival of Kanda Kanda Matsuri
(Toshodaiji Temple) Myojin Shrine (Tokyo)

Yakushiji Nara 3rd Sat. & Sun.

(Yakushiji Temple) Festival of Asakusa Sanja Matsuri
Shrine (Tokyo)
 Festivals
15 Hollyhock Festival Aoi Matsuri
Here are just a few of the multitude of of Shimogano and
festivals held throughout Japan each year: Kamigano Shrines (Kyoto)

Festival Omatsuri 17-18 Grand Festival of Toshogu Haru

Toshogu Shrine Matsuri
January
(Nikko)
6 New Year Shobo
Firemen’s Parade
June
(Tokyo)
14 Rice-Planting Festival Sumiyoshi no
at Sumiyoshi Shrine Onta
15 Grass-Burning Wakaku-
Ue (Osaka)
Festival on sayama no
Wakakusayama Yamayaki
July
Hill (Nara)
7 Star Festival Tanabata
(nationwide)
February
1st Fri-Sun. Snow Festival Sapporo
13-16 Bon Festival Obon
(Sapporo) Yuki Matsuri
(nationwide)
2, 3 or 4 Bean-Throwing Setsubun
mid-July
Ceremony
Music Festival of Kangensai
(nationwide)
Itsukushima Shrine
(Miyajima)
2, 3 or 4 Lantern Festival Kasuga Taisha
of Kasuga Shrine Mandoro
16-24 Gion Festival of Gion Matsuri
(Nara)
Yasaka Shrine (Kyoto)
March
24-25 Tenjin Festival Tenjin Matsuri
3 Doll Festival for Hina Matsuri
of Tenmangu Shrine
Girls (nationwide)
(Osaka)
12 Water-Drawing Tosaiji
August
Ceremony of Nigatsudo
3-7 Float Festival of Nebuta
Todaiji (Nara) Omizutori
Aomori (Aomori)
April
5-7 Bamboo Pole and Kanto
8 Buddha’s B-day Hana Matsuri
Lantern Balancing
at Buddhist temples
Festival (Akita)
(nationwide)
6-8 Star Festival (Sendai) Tanabata
16-17 Yayoi Festival Futarasan Jinja
of Futarasan Shrine Yayoi Matsuri
12-15 Awa Odori Folk Dance Awa Odori
(Nikko)
(Tokushima City)

16 Daimonji Bonfire on Daimonji Yaki

Mount Nyoigatake (Kyoto)

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English language programs are usually

September available, so you can also follow the story. The
16 Horseback Archery Yabusame performance lasts longer than you may expect:
of Tsurugaoka Shrine A five-hour show is not unusual, and some
(Kamakura) Kabuki productions last up to 10 hours! If the
performance lasts through a meal time, you can
October buy a boxed lunch from vendors at the theater
7-9 Okunchi Festival of Okunchi and eat right in your seat. It’s standard practice,
Suwa Shrine (Nagasaki) not considered rude. You don’t have to stay for
the entire event — just leave whenever you like.
11-13 Oeshiki Festival of Oeshiki
Honmonji Temple (Tokyo) 1. Bunraku – is a kind of Japanese puppet
theater dating from the 17th century. It
17 Autumn Festival of Toshogu Aki features a special type of
Toshogu Shrine Matsuri accompaniment: shamisen music, and a
(Nikko) reciter who sings or chants both the
storyline and the lines for each
22 Festival of the Ages, Jidai Matsuri character in the play. The puppets are
Heian Shrine (Kyoto) unique; each is between three and five
feet high, with eyes and mouths that
November open and close, even eyebrows that
3 Feudal Lord’s Daimyo move. Each is manipulated by three
Procession (Hakone) Gyoretsu puppeteers wearing black hoods that
cover their heads and faces.
15 Children’s Shrine Shichigosan
Visiting Day (for 3-year 2. Kabuki – is perhaps the most popular of
old boys & girls, or 5-year these classical amusements. The only
old boys & 7-year old girls) one of the three where the actors speak
(nationwide) (or chant) their own parts, it features
highly stylized delivery and movement,
17 On Matsuri of Kasuga On Matsuri stunning costumes and makeup, and
Shrine (Nara) male actors only. There are three basic
types of drama: one deals with warriors
December and nobles, one with the common
Year-end Market at Toshi no Ichi people, and another incorporates
Asakusa Kannon Temple dance. Kabuki is performed on a
(Kyoto) revolving stage, with a runway
extending into the audience. Except for
 Religious Services certain plays, music played on classical
Japanese instruments is a key element
Although the predominant religions in Japan of Kabuki.
are Buddhism and Shintoism, there are also
Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and other places of 3. Noh – is a highly stylized dance-drama,
worship. originally performed at Shinto religious
festivals. The actors wear elaborate,
 Films and Theaters elegant costumes, but no makeup.
Instead they wear masks representing
Foreign-made films are shown with their different types of people; the actors
original sound tracks and Japanese subtitles. have to develop the characters through
Japanese films, of course, have Japanese movements, not facial expressions.
sound tracks, but one might enjoy them just the The plays are performed on a square
same: a good samurai adventure film is always stage with no curtain. The orchestra
exciting! For theater fans, there are good stage sits at the rear. There are drums of
productions in Tokyo and other Japanese cities. different sizes, and a special Noh flute.
The main characters express
Three Major Forms Of Traditional themselves through dance. All
Japanese Theater speaking is done by a special chorus
that sings or chants the narration and
They originated many centuries ago. the lines. Noh often reminds
Although the performances are in Japanese, Westerners of classical Greek drama.

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 Flower Arrangement and Tea  Spectacular Sports

Ceremony
1. Sumo – professional sumo or traditional
Flower arrangement, or Ikebana, originally Japanese wrestling, has a centuries-old
emphasized natural materials — flowers, history. There are six major
leaves, grasses, and branches — and the way tournaments a year, three in January,
they were used to express harmony with nature. May and September at Tokyo’s
The fundamental traditions continue: the Kuramae Kokugikan Sumo Hall, and
arrangement of the main branches or sprays others in March at Osaka, in July at
signify sky, earth and mankind. Today some Nagoya, and in November at Fukuoka.
avant-garde schools use artificial materials as Each tournament lasts 15 days and is
well as natural ones. televised everyday from 4pm to 6pm.
The sumo events are colorful: They
The formal art of the tea ceremony was last from early morning until late
perfected in the 15th century. A deeply afternoon, with spectators usually
aesthetic experience, the tea ceremony has arriving by early afternoon to catch the
precise rituals of form and etiquette for host and main events. The 250-to-400 pound
guests. They include the tea room itself, the (114-to-182 kilogram) wrestlers provide
selection of the tea bowls, the making and a lot of drama with their topknots and
serving of the tea, and the appreciation of the loincloths, ceremonial aprons, and
hospitality. Tea is a basic part of Japanese life. costumed retainers. Just before the
The custom of serving tea to family or guests in match, the wrestlers throw salt into the
the home may be considered an informal ring in an old Shinto purification ritual.
extension of the ritual tea ceremony. The match itself is usually over in
seconds. It lasts just long enough for
 Night Life one wrestler to throw his opponent out
of the ring or make any part of his body
Japanese cities offer the usual variety of except the feet touch the ground.
after-hours diversion, with one important
difference, the costs can be astronomical. While 2. Baseball – it is so popular in Japan that
some bars, clubs, cabarets, and discos are even high school tournaments attract
reasonable and affordable for most foreign huge crowds and TV audiences. There
visitors, many are not. A few drinks, a dish of are two professional leagues, the
peanuts or rice crackers, and some Central and the Pacific, each
conversation with a hostess could add up to the composed of six teams. The playoff at
yen equivalent of hundreds of dollars. Not all the end of the season is called the
Japanese nightspots welcome foreigners; some Japan Series. Each major league
might not admit you unless you’re with a team can have two foreign ballplayers,
Japanese. Such places are usually frequented and each farm team, one.
exclusively by expense-account customers, and
the staff might not speak English. 3. Golf – is extremely popular in Japan, it’s
not easy to go out for a casual game.
 Night Life The courses are crowded, and even at
a public course, you have to make
1. Pachinko – is a vertical pinball game reservations in advance. Japanese
played in parlors all over Japan. Cash courses are well tended, and many
in your winning balls for prizes such as offer spectacular scenery.
chocolate, cigarettes, socks, cooking oil,
mandarin oranges, razors, dolls, and 4. Swimming – Japan has good beaches,
other life’s necessities. but they’re crowded—don’t expect to
enjoy the sun and sand in soltitude.
2. Mahjong – a domino-like game of Pools are crowded, too. The hotel pool
Chinese origin, mahjong has gone may be your best if you’re a swimming
through cycles of popularity in the West, enthusiast.
but it is still played in Japan.
5. Skiing and Snowboarding – Japan has
excellent ski areas, both on Honshu,
where the 1998 Winter Olympics was
held at Nagano, and Hokkaido, where
the 1972 Winter Olympics was held at

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Sapporo. Transportation to the ski bowl or lacquer box. Sushi is eaten with
areas is usually by car, bus or train (or, soy sauce.
to Hokkaido, by plane); it’s wise to book
travel reservations ahead of time. Tempura – batter-fried seafood and
vegetables, served with a dipping sauce
 Food and Drinks containing grated radish.

Dining is one of the most pleasurable Yakitori – grilled chicken and vegetables
aspects of visiting Japan. You have a choice of on a small skewers.
good Western-style restaurants and an almost
endless variety of Japanese food to explore. If Sukiyaki – beef and vegetables cooked
you crave American fast food, you can even get in a seasoned sauce, then dipped into a
that. You won’t go hungry in Japan. lightly beaten raw egg.

Japanese-style eating is unlike Western Shabu shabu – thinly sliced beef and
style. You see chopsticks, the food is different, vegetables cooked in a hot broth, eaten
and table manners are different as well. with different dipping sauces.

 Tipping Sashimi – (osashimi) fresh, sliced fish

or shellfish, eaten raw, dipped in soy
You don’t need to tip anyone in Japanese sauce and hot Japanese horseradish or
restaurants. A service charge will be added to wasabi.
your bill, so enjoy your meal and the customary
service. No one expects anything more from Yosenabe – seafood, chicken, and
you. vegetables cooked in broth, eaten with
several kinds of dipping sauce, and
 Towels perhaps Japanese noodles.

Whenever and wherever you drink or dine in Teppanyaki – beef, chicken, seafood,
Japan, you’ll begin with a refreshing hot or cold and vegetables cooked on a grill in front
damp towel for your hands and face. of you and served with various sauces.

Hot or cold towel – oshibori Kushikatsu – pork, chicken, seafood,

and vegetables, skewered on bamboo
 Japanese Restaurants sticks, breaded, and deep fried, then
eaten with salt, hot mustard, and
Japanese cuisine is characterized by sauces.
freshness, presentation and variety. Some
restaurants offer a selection of different kinds of Tonkatsu – pork cutlets, breaded, deep
dishes. Others specialize in one type of food or fried, and eaten with a special sauce
style of cooking, often prepared in front of your and thinly shredded cabbage.
table or on a grill. Many (though not all)
Japanese eateries display replicas of their Soba and udon – (soba to udon)
offerings outside the front door in glass cases. Japanese noodles, served in hot or cold
The dishes look quite real and may tempt you to broth, or with dipping sauce.
enter. It makes ordering easy: just point to what
you want. You can’t do this everywhere, but Ramen – Chinese noodles, served in
sometimes it works quite well. hot broth or chilled.

Here are some of the most popular  Special Cuisines

Japanese dishes:
Here are some kinds of cooking you
Sushi – (osushi) small blocks of may encounter or seek out during your stay
vinegared rice, topped with pieces of in Japan.
raw fish or other seafood, and hot
Japanese horseradish. Some items, Kaiseki ryori – originally part of the
like shrimp, may be cooked; others, like tea ceremony, now a succession of
mackerel, may be pickled or smoked. many small dishes served in a
These and other ingredients may also formal style. The ingredients
be rolled in seaweed, or combined in a change with the seasons and may

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include fowl and seafood, but no Japanese green tea – ryokucha

meat. Japanese roasted tea – hojicha
Pickled plums – umeboshi
Shojin ryori – originally Buddhist Pickled radish – takuan
temple food, made up of vegetarian Cooked rice – gohan
ingredients only. Uncooked rice – okome or kome
Seaweed – nori
Kyodo ryori – local or regional Bean paste – omiso or miso
specialties — this may consist of Soy sauce – oshoyu or shoyu
one dish or an entire meal that Sweet rice wine – mirin
typifies the cooking of a particular Japanese soup stock – dashi
area. Dried fish – himono

Robata yaki – literally ―fireside Eating The Japanese Way: A Few

cooking,‖ these meals were Pointers
originally served to travelers. Now
they feature country-style service, Menus are not always provided. Some
food, and atmosphere. restaurants just serve what they have that day.
Others might bring a succession of items served
Fugu ryori – meals featuring in a set order. Just tell them when you’ve had
blowfish, from which the poisonous enough.
organs have been removed by
licensed chefs. Prices are not always listed. This may mean
it’s a very expensive place, or that prices vary
Unagi ryori – meals featuring eel. from day to day, as in a sushi shop. To avoid
any surprises with your check, inquire about the
Tofu ryori – meals featuring price range beforehand.
beancurd (tofu).
Desserts are not traditional with Japanese
Tamago yaki – Japanese-style meals, but you can usually get fresh fruit
omelet sweetened with sugar and (probably expensive) or sweet bean paste.
seasoned with stock. Some places serve ice cream or sherbet as
well.
At many Japanese restaurants you have a
choice of where to sit: the counter, a table, a Japanese noodles may be slurped noisily —
private room, or a Japanese room. Some of the it’s quite proper, and may even indicate you’re
best cooking is done behind a counter. If you’re enjoying the flavor.
sitting right there, you get each morsel the
moment it’s prepared or cooked. At a sushi or Soy sauce is not poured on white rice. The
tempura restaurant, it’s the best place to sit. rice is served in individual rice bowls, which may
be held in the left hand. Dip food morsels, one
A Japanese room is private, but you at a time, in soy sauce, and then eat together
remove your shoes (with no exceptions) before with the rice.
entering, and you sit on cushions (zabuton) on
the tatami (Japanese floor carpet) floor, in front Soup is served in individual lacquer bowls,
of a low dining table (jaski or the chabu-dai). without spoons. Sip directly from the bowl, or
You may request your desired seating with the help of chopsticks if there are
arrangements when you make a reservation or vegetables or other bits of food in it.
when you arrive at the restaurant.
Chopsticks are easy! Rest one at the base
 Basic Food of the thumb and index finger and between the
ends of the ring and middle finger. So that the
Bean curd – tofu or otofu chopsticks will remain stationary, grasp one
Bean paste soup – miso shiru between the ends of the thumb and with the first
Clear soul – suimono or osuimono two fingers, and enjoy your food.
Japanese horseradish – wasabi
Japanese hot pepper – togarashi  Department Stores
Japanese pickles – otsukemono
Japanese rice wine – osake or sake Japanese department stores carry all the
Japanese tea – ocha things you would expect, and a lot more as well.

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The folkware or mingei sections have crafts Post offices are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
from all over Japan: handmade dolls, toys, weekdays. Main offices are also open
pottery, paper crafts, bamboo baskets, lacquer Saturdays. You can buy stamps at shops and
trays, bowls, chopsticks, handmade and dyed kiosks that display the red symbol.
fabrics, and more.
Telephone
 Books
On a public telephone, a 3-minute local call
Bookstores, newsstands, and stationery costs 10 yen. If you are going to speak more
stores are usually separate in Japan — although than 3 minutes, insert the coins at the
some bookstores do sell newspapers. At beginning; otherwise, you risk being cut off
bookstores and newsstands in large tourist abruptly. If you deposit more than you need,
hotels you can find some American and your unused coins will be returned at the end.
European newspapers, and also weekly news
magazines, usually international or Far East Your best bet is to buy a telephone card,
editions. You can also buy English language available at vending machines, kiosks,
newspapers written and published in Japan; convenience stores, train stations — even in
these are available at most newsstands some phone booths. It’s like a disposable fare
throughout the country. card. You can buy a card for a certain
denomination — 500 yen, or 1,000 yen, for
 Clothing example. When it’s used up, you throw it away.
It beats carrying coins! And it’s quicker to insert
Shopping for clothing in Japan yields basic when you hear the cutoff buzz.
styles as well as designs, patterns and fabrics
unavailable anywhere else. Most Japanese Most public phones are green or gray. Both
designers have boutiques in the department take telephone cards; most take coins as well,
stores and elsewhere; some feature lines of although some green ones don’t. The gray
clothing are more affordable than you may phones are the newest; they have monitor
expect, both high fashion items and simple, screens with simple instructions for use in
well-made sportswear. And don’t overlook English, as well as information about your call.
traditional Japanese clothing. A silk or cotton
kimono, either antique or modern, makes a  Driving a Car
stylish gift — perhaps for yourself.
Foreigners driving in Japan must contend
 Electrical Appliances with certain realities: The steering wheel is on
the right side of the car, and you drive on the left
For a look at the latest in electrical side of the road; most expressway signs are in
appliances and electronic equipment, visit Japanese; non-express roads may be narrow
Tokyo’s Akihabara wholesale — retail district. and usually have no sidewalks. Speedometers
It’s the biggest discount center in Japan. While are only in kilometers; streets are crowded with
fixed prices are standard almost everywhere pedestrians, bicycles, vendors, and cars; and
else, shops in Akihabara offer large discounts, penalties for accidents are high. In short, for the
and bargaining is commonplace. visitor in Japan, driving is not recommended.

 Traditional Treatments Do you still want to drive? If so, you’ll need

an International Driving Permit. You’ll also need
Acupressure (shiatsu) and Acupuncture to be familiar with Japanese road signs and
(hari) traffic signs. Many are International Traffic
Signs, which are clear and easy to read. The
Although most Westerners think of Japan Automobile Federation in Tokyo has a
acupuncture as Chinese, it’s also widely useful booklet called ―Rules of the Road,‖ which
practiced in Japan. You can have acupuncture you should read if you’re planning on driving.
or acupressure treatment at the therapist’s There are road checkpoints for intoxicated
office, or where you’re staying. Payment is drivers, and penalties can be severe.
usually by the hour.
 Governance
 Communications
Japan is a parliamentary form of
Post Office government. The Prime Minister is the head of
the State.

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The head of the Monarchy is the Emperor.

 Other information

Travel time – it takes 3 and a half hours by

plane directly from Manila going to the Narita
International Airport in Tokyo.

Time difference – Japan time is advanced

exactly by one hour compared to Philippine
time.

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