JAPAN
Exploring the
Land of the
Rising Sun
Geographical Hokkaido
Location
J apan is an archipelago, or Honshu
string of islands, on the eastern
edge of Asia.
Kyushu
There are four main islands:
Shikoku
Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku,
and Kyushu.
Regions Hokkaido
Japan is divided into 9 regions,
which are split into 47 smaller
Chubu Tohoku
prefectures.
Chugoku
Each region has its own Kanto
dialect, customs, and unique
Kyushu
traditional culture.
Kansai
Shikoku
Okinawa
Capital of Japan
Tokyo, city and capital of Tokyo to
(metropolis) and of Japan. It is located
at the head of Tokyo Bay on the Pacific
coast of central Honshu.
National Flag
The national flag of Japan is a
rectangular white banner with a
crimson-red circle at its center.
The flag is officially called the Nisshōki
but is more commonly known in Japan
as the Hinomaru.
It embodies the country's sobriquet:
the Land of the Rising Sun.
Japan is called the "Land of
the Rising Sun" because
from China it appears that
the sun rises from the
direction of Japan.
The Japanese people call
their country "Nippon" or
"Nihon," which literally
translated means "source
Government
Japan is a constitutional monarchy with the Emperor as a
symbolic figurehead and no governing power. The
country operates as a parliamentary democracy, with the
Prime Minister leading the government. The National
Diet, Japan's bicameral legislature, consists of the House
of Representatives and the House of Councillors, where
elected officials make laws and govern the nation.
Emperor Naruhito
Naruhito (born 23 February 1960) is
Emperor of Japan. He acceded to
the Chrysanthemum Throne on 1
May 2019, beginning the Reiwa era,
following the abdication of his
father, Akihito. He is the 126th
monarch according to Japan's
traditional order of succession.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida
Fumio Kishida is the Prime Minister
of Japan and the President of the
Liberal Democratic Party since 2021.
A member of the House of
Representatives, he previously
served as Minister for Foreign
Affairs from 2012 to 2017 and as
acting Minister of Defense in 2017.
JAPANESE
Culture and
Traditions
Group Harmony (Wa)
The concept of Wa, or group harmony, is
central to Japanese culture. Individuals often
prioritize the needs of the group over their
own to maintain harmony.
Religious Practices
Shinto and Buddhism are the two major
religions, and many customs and festivals are
rooted in these beliefs.
Traditional Arts Pop Culture
Japan has a rich history of traditional Japan is a global leader in pop culture,
arts, including Ikebana (flower with its anime, manga, video games, and
arranging), Origami, Calligraphy (Shodō), music influencing fans worldwide.
and Tea Ceremony (Sadō).
Tea Ceremony (Sadō/Chadō)
A traditional ritualistic way of preparing
and drinking matcha (green tea),
emphasizing aesthetics, respect, and
mindfulness.
New Year (Shōgatsu)
Celebrated with various customs,
including eating specific foods like
osechi and visiting shrines (Hatsumode).
Calligraphy (Shodō)
The art of Japanese calligraphy, which involves
writing characters with a brush and ink, is both a
cultural practice and a form of artistic
expression.
Cherry Blossom Viewing (Hanami)
A popular springtime tradition where people gather to view
cherry blossoms and have picnics under the trees.
Kimono
Traditional Japanese clothing, worn during special
occasions such as weddings, tea ceremonies, and festivals.
SAMURAI (Traditional Warrior)
The samurai (or bushi) were the warriors of premodern Japan. They later made up the
ruling military class which eventually became the highest ranking social caste of the Edo
Period (1603-1867). Samurai employed a range of weapons such as bows and arrows,
spears and guns, but their main weapon and symbol was the sword.
KIMONO (Traditional Costume )
The kimono is a wrapped-front garment with square sleeves and a rectangular body,
and is worn left side wrapped over right, unless the wearer is deceased. The kimono is
traditionally worn with a broad sash, called an obi, and is commonly worn with
accessories such as zōri sandals and tabi socks.
JAPANESE
Sports and
Festivals
Sumo Wrestling Baseball (Yakyū)
Japan’s national sport, deeply rooted in One of the most popular sports in Japan,
Shinto traditions, with tournaments held with a strong professional league
six times a year. (Nippon Professional Baseball) and
enthusiastic fanbase.
Soccer (Football)
Soccer has gained significant popularity,
with the J-League (Japan Professional
Football League) being one of the top
leagues in Asia.
Martial Arts
Traditional Japanese martial arts like
Judo, Karate, Kendo, and Aikido are
widely practiced both within Japan and
internationally.
Gion Matsuri (Kyoto)
Held in July, one of Japan’s most famous
festivals, featuring elaborate floats (Yamaboko)
paraded through the streets.
Awa Odori (Tokushima)
A dance festival in August where groups of dancers
perform traditional Awa dances, attracting over a million
visitors.
Sapporo Snow Festival (Hokkaido)
Held in February, known for its massive ice and snow
sculptures, drawing visitors from around the world.
Obon Festival
A Buddhist event in August where people
honor the spirits of their ancestors,
often with lanterns, dances, and visiting
graves.
Tanabata Festival
Celebrated on July 7th, Tanabata is based
on a romantic legend and involves
writing wishes on small pieces of paper
and hanging them on bamboo trees.
JAPANESE
Cuisine
Sushi
A dish of vinegared rice accompanied by seafood,
vegetables, and occasionally tropical fruits. Varieties
include nigiri (hand-pressed sushi), sashimi (sliced raw
fish), maki (rolled sushi), and chirashi (scattered sushi).
Ramen
A popular noodle soup with Chinese origins, featuring
wheat noodles in a meat- or fish-based broth, flavored with
soy sauce or miso, and topped with ingredients like sliced
pork, nori, menma, and scallions.
Sashimi
Thinly sliced raw fish or seafood, often served with soy
sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger. Sashimi emphasizes the
freshness and quality of the fish.
Yakitori
Skewered and grilled chicken, typically seasoned with salt
or a tare sauce (a sweet soy sauce-based glaze). It is often
enjoyed with a variety of different cuts of chicken.
Tonkatsu
A breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet, usually served with
shredded cabbage, rice, and a thick, savory sauce.
Variations include chicken (chicken katsu) and fish
(katsudon).
Okonomiyaki
A savory pancake made with a batter, shredded cabbage,
and various ingredients like meat, seafood, and vegetables.
It is typically topped with a special sauce, mayonnaise,
dried seaweed, and bonito flakes.
Soba and Udon
Two types of traditional Japanese noodles. Soba noodles
are made from buckwheat flour and are often served cold
or in a hot broth. Udon noodles are thicker, made from
wheat flour, and usually served in a hot soup with various
toppings.
Takoyaki
A popular street food, these are small, round, battered balls
filled with pieces of octopus, green onions, and pickled
ginger. They are usually topped with takoyaki sauce,
mayonnaise, and bonito flakes.
JAPANESE
Popular and
Unusual
Vending
Machines
In Japan, a hanko is a stamp
that works similarly to a
signature in the West, used
to sign official documents.
And that’s where this hanko
stamp seal vending machine
comes in, allowing you to
create your own stamp in 10
minutes for ¥1,000. Add your
name, choose your design
Hanko Stamp Seal and you’ll have your very
own stamp in record time.
At this idol cards vending
machine, you can buy
something known as photo
cards, depicting each
member of the group. They
vary in price depending on
the popularity of the
member and the rarity of
the card, but you could also
go all out with the full set of
Idol Cards
100 photo cards for ¥1,000.
There’s a King’s Treasure
Box in almost every major
transit hub in Tokyo,
including Dōgenzaka in
Shibuya and next to KFC in
Akihabara. Despite being
around for a while, these
fun boxes aren’t out of style
just yet. All you do is put in
PHP391.58 and click a
Mystery Vending Machine button, and then you’ll get
a surprise present.
Cakes and cans are not
something you’d usually put
together, but this slightly
odd combination has
caused quite a stir on social
media. The patisserie
Okashi Gaku is the most
popular, selling creamy
Hokkaido-born canned
cakes in vending machines
Cakes in a Can at Shibuya Mark City and in
Oshiage near Tokyo
There’s nothing unusual
about selling juice in a
vending machine, but there
is something special about
selling freshly squeezed
juice. The Feed ME Orange
vending machine peels,
squeezes, presses, and
Fresh Juice pours you a cup of pure
orange juice in 40 seconds.
There’s the MOGBUG
vending machines in
Takadanobaba and
Akihabara — don’t be fooled
by the cutesy pink exterior
— as well as machines from
Konchu Shoku with many
places all around Tokyo,
including Nakano
Insects
Broadway, Kichijoji, and
JAPANESE
Architectures and
Attractions
Kinkaku-ji
(Golden Pavilion)
Kinkaku-ji is a Zen Buddhist temple
covered in gold leaf, reflecting
beautifully on the surrounding pond.
Originally built in the 14th century, it’s
one of Japan’s most famous landmarks
and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Tokyo Tower
Inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris,
Tokyo Tower is a 333-meter tall
communications and observation tower.
It has been a symbol of Tokyo since its
completion in 1958.
Himeji Castle
Also known as the White Heron Castle
due to its elegant white appearance,
Himeji Castle is a well-preserved
example of Japanese feudal architecture.
It dates back to the early 17th century
and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Fushimi Inari Taisha
A famous Shinto shrine dedicated to
Inari, the god of rice and agriculture. It’s
renowned for its thousands of vermilion
torii gates that form a tunnel-like path
up Mount Inari.
Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is Japan’s tallest and most
iconic mountain, standing at 3,776
meters. It is a UNESCO World Heritage
site and has been a symbol of Japan for
centuries.
JAPANESE
Writing Systems
Hiragana (ひらがな)
A phonetic syllabary used primarily for
native Japanese words and grammatical
functions. Each character represents a
syllable.
Hiragana is often used for verb endings,
particles, native Japanese words that
don’t have kanji, and for words where the
kanji is either not known or not
commonly used. It is also used in
children’s books because it is simpler to
learn than kanji.
Katakana (カタカナ)
Another phonetic syllabary, similar to
Hiragana but with a more angular and
sharp appearance.
Katakana is primarily used for foreign
loanwords, onomatopoeia, scientific
names, company names, and the names
of plants and animals. It can also be used
for emphasis, similar to italics in English.
Kanji (漢字) Logographic characters borrowed from
Chinese, each representing a word or a
concept. Kanji characters are often
complex and can have multiple readings
and meanings.
Kanji is used to represent the core
meaning of words, especially nouns,
stems of verbs, and adjectives. Most
written Japanese combines kanji with
hiragana to convey meaning efficiently
and clearly.
TOP 3 Unknown
Facts about
JAPAN
DID YOU KNOW?
In Japan, there’s a unique trend called “silent
karaoke,” where people sing into a special
microphone that mutes their voice to the outside
world, allowing them to enjoy karaoke privately
through headphones without disturbing others.
DID YOU KNOW?
Japan has a category of cuisine called Yoshoku, which
consists of Western-style dishes adapted to Japanese
tastes. Dishes like katsu (breaded cutlet) and omurice
(omelette rice) have become so uniquely Japanese
that many people don’t realize they originated from
Western cuisine.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Japanese philosophy of mottainai emphasizes
avoiding waste and making the most of resources.
This cultural value encourages recycling, repairing,
and reusing, reflecting Japan’s deep respect for
nature and mindful living.
