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If you live in the States or in Europe, you probably can't imagine going out to eat and not leaving a tip. That’s just rude, right? But in Japan, you're being rude if you do leave a tip.

Many Japanese believe that good service should be the standard and if you attempt to leave a tip, it may well be refused.

A good rule of thumb is not to tip in a restaurant, no matter how odd it may seem to you. Just be polite and thank your server for their service. Hotel staff also don’t expect a tip, but some staff that work for tourist companies are accustomed to receiving tips so may be grateful to receive a small gratuity. Just be sure to be discreet and place the money in an envelope.

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The last 15 minutes of school Japan students pick up brooms and vacuums to pick up after themselves. Japan believes this is teaching a good lesson to the students.

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Should children clean their own schools? Japan thinks so.

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Japanese parents and educators say the children are learning to respect their surroundings.

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Not shaking hands and not hugging when meeting with loved ones.

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In Okayama, there are 9000 men, dressed only in loincloths fighting for 2 sticks. Every year, a priest will throw a pair of lucky sacred sticks into the crowd from a window 4 metres above ground. The crowd then has to fight for these sticks and stick them into a wooden measuring box to receive good luck and happiness for the year.

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Due to more compacted living spaces, arcades never died out in japan. Multiple large venues still exist and host incredibly high level competition

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It is the Festival of the Iron Phallus (Penisfestival) Dating back to the 1600s, this festival was originally held as a means to guard  against sexually transmitted diseases. Be prepared for phallic hats, puppets, floats, costumes and even lollipops!

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https://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/japanese-traditions
Toro Nagashi is also known as floating lanterns. It is a ceremony that represents the journey of souls to the afterlife. It is a time of year when it's believed that the spirits of loved ones return to the world.

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Hatsuhi (First sunrise) is the first sunrise on New Years Day. They have a big breakfast the morning of and there are numerous rituals.

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Hatsuhinode (First Sunrise of the Year) - Japanese Encyclopedia | MATCHA - JAPAN TRAVEL WEB MAGAZINE

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Hatsuhinode, the first sunrise of the year, is an important tradition observed by waking up at dawn to witness the first sunrise on New Year's Day. Whether you're watching from a shrine or mountaintop, this spectacular sight will set the tone for the whole year ahead!

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"karate, (Japanese: “empty hand”) unarmed martial-arts discipline employing kicking, striking, and defensive blocking with arms and legs. Emphasis is on concentrating as much of the body’s power as possible at the point and instant of impact."

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Karate, unarmed martial-arts discipline employing kicking, striking, and defensive blocking with arms and legs, with an emphasis on concentrating as much of the body’s power as possible at the point and instant of impact. Learn more about the techniques and history of karate in this article.

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Pokemon is one of the top brands in Japan and one of the biggest video game series of all time. they have Pokemon themed snacks. almost everything is pokemon themed. there's several of them around the world and there is a game based off of this place.

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CONCEPT

Welcome to the first-ever official Pokémon Cafe.
Enjoy original cute sweets, meals and drinks in a stylish wooden room.
Share an unforgettable time surrounded by your favorite Pokémon!

ACCESS

Pokémon Cafe (Nihonbashi, Tokyo)

Shop information

Nihombashi Takashimaya Shopping Center
2-4-1 Nihombashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-8265

ACCESS

5 minutes on foot from JR Tokyo Station Yaesu North Exit
Direct access from Nihombashi Station B2 Exit on the Tokyo Metro Ginza and Tozai Lines
4 minutes on foot from Nihombashi Station on the Asakusa Line

Note
Nearby roads and parking lots are extremely crowded. Please use public transportation to visit our cafe. We appreciate your cooperation.

Pokémon Cafe (Shinsaibashi, Osaka)

Shop information

Daimaru Shinsaibashi Store, Main Building 9F,
1-7-1, Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Pref., 542-8501

ACCESS

Direct access by underpass from Osaka Metro Midosuji Line Shinsaibashi Station Exit 4

Note
Nearby roads and parking lots are extremely crowded. Please use public transportation to visit our cafe. We appreciate your cooperation.

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Welcome to the first-ever official Pokémon Cafe.Enjoy original cute sweets, meals and drinks in a stylish wooden room.Share an unforgettable time surrounded by your favorite Pokémon!

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Forget the Year party in japan! (BonenKai)  »  holidays and celebrations   »  bonenkai

Forget The Year Parties in Japan (Bonenkai)        posted by John Spacey, June 24, 2014
December is the busiest month of the year in Japan. People aren't busy shopping for Christmas — they're partying.Bonenkai (literally: “forget the year party”) are the most important parties of the year. As the name implies, the purpose of bonenkai is to forget the troubles of the past year and look forward to success in the next.Who Throws BonenkaiEvery company in Japan holds at least one bonenkai. In many cases, bonenkai happen at the company, department and team level.It's also common for friends to hold bonenkai. New Years is the most important Japanese holiday. It's usually spent with close family. Bonenkai is a way to celebrate the New Year (in advance) with friends.Many people are invited to dozens of parties in December.WhereBonenkai vary greatly from company to company. Large companies may rent a ballroom in an upscale hotel.Most small companies book an izakaya. As a result, Tokyo's izakaya are hopelessly booked up this time of year.Companies that are on a budget have their bonenkai on their premises.What to ExpectCompany bonenkai tend to be structured. There are usually a few speeches. Games are also common.Santa SuitsBonenkai aren't Christmas parties. Bonenkai traditions go back hundreds of years before most people in Japan had ever heard of Christmas. In Japan, Christmas is a work day.Nevertheless, a Christmas theme tends to emerge at many bonenkai. For example, people might wear santa suits.Second PartyAfter the bonenkai people usually have a 2nd party. At many companies, the bonenkai has a reputation as the most wild party of the year.If you enjoyed this article, please share it
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Forget The Year Parties in Japan (Bonenkai)

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Why December is the busiest month of the year in Japan.

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Godzilla is a registered citizen of Japan

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Godzilla is a registered citizen of Japan

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In 2015, Tokyo finally recognized Godzilla's fame, by officially making the King of Monsters a citizen of Japan.

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In 2015, Tokyo finally recognized Godzilla's fame, by officially making the King of Monsters a citizen of Japan. On the official citizenship certificate, Godzilla's address is Shinjuku-ku, Kabuki-cho, 1-19-1 [where the famed Godzilla towers over the Shinjuku Toho Building], and date of birth is marked as April 9th, 1954. The reason for Godzilla's special residency is stated as "Promoting Japanese entertainment, watching over the Kabuki-cho neighborhood, and drawing visitors from around the globe". It also mentions the past visits that Godzilla has made to the Shinjuku Ward, once in Godzilla [1984] once in Godzilla vs King Ghidorah [1991],and once in Godzilla 2000 Millennium [1999]. 3,000 copies of Godzilla's limited citizenship certificate were handed out to fans, by the Shinjuku City Office.

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In 2015, Tokyo finally recognized Godzilla's fame, by officially making the King of Monsters a citizen of Japan. On the official citizenship certificate, Godzilla's address is Shinjuku-ku, Kabuki-cho, 1-19-1 [where the famed Godzilla towers over the Shinjuku Toho Building], and date of birth is marked as April 9th, 1954.

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On the day of this tradition families have access to try many different kinds of mochi from different companies and businesses. But instead some families find it an entertaining tradition to make their own mochi on this day and enjoy their own making. Mochi are rise cakes traditionally made by pounding a variety of rice with a wooden hammer.

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Japan uses a different address system than most countries. Instead they use large divisions called prefectures, and are broken down in cities, and some cities are broken down into wards. And these are divided into districts called Chomes.

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Most streets in Japan have no name. They use a different addressing system than what is used in Western countries.

Imagine strolling through a city street and having no street names to find the place you are going to. It sounds like a confusing nightmare, but that's the way things operate in Japan. Most of the streets in the country don't have a name, but there is a method to how things are...

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Most streets in Japan have no name. They use a different addressing system than what is used in Western countries. Imagine strolling through a city street and having no street names to find the place you are going to. It sounds like a confusing nightmare, but that's the way things operate in Japan.

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Naki Sumo is a baby crying competition involves two sumo wrestlers each holding up a baby each. The referee then puts on scary masks in attempts to make the babies cry. The loudest and longest crier is declared the winner. This 400 year old tradition is said to keep the babies in good health!

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She showers with panteen but i use water melon to keep me clean.
look at these exspensive melons 😏😏😏

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“Cube watermelon” redirects here. For the American cartoonist who uses the pseudonym Cube Watermelon, see Mary Cagle.

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Sumo is said to have its roots in a Shinto ritual dance where the most powerful men displayed their strength in front of the kami (gods or spirits) as a sign of respect and gratitude to bring in a good harvest.

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Sumo: The History & Rules of Japan's National Sport - japanistry.com

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At first glance sumo is nothing if not bizarre: overweight men dressed in an enormous thong pushing each other inside a small ring where the pre-ceremony is usually longer than the actual fight. However, delve a little deeper and you will find a unique and technical sport with a rich history and wrestlers whose rigorous training regime and dedication cannot fail to impress.

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Creepy Or Curious? The Rent-A-Cuddle CafeView this post on Instagram

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Creepy Or Curious? The Rent-A-Cuddle CafeView this post on Instagram

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Bunka No Hi is a public holiday celebrated in the first week of November. Public Holiday since 1948

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By Emma Regan

Every year, on November 3rd, the nation comes together to celebrate the culture of Japan through many festivities and events in all prefectures for Culture Day (文化の日). But what do these celebrations consist of and how will Culture Day in Japan be celebrated this year amid the global pandemic?

What is Culture Day in Japan?

Culture Day is the national event to honour traditional Japanese culture and promote the love of freedom and peace that was enshrined in the Japanese constitution. It has been a public holiday since 1948, yet officially adopted in 1946 after the Second World War. The first week of November is known as Education and Culture Week (教育と文化の週), where events relating to education and culture in Japan are carried out to deepen the interest and understanding of the general public, with schools and universities across the country taking part.

But November 3rd has always been a notable date. It was the birthdate of Emperor Meiji, who ruled Japan from 1867 until 1912 and became a national holiday in 1927 known as Meiji Setsu (明治節) to honour the late Emperor until it was transformed into Culture Day. Celebrations for Culture Day do not strictly run on November 3rd but can span across a few days.

The festivities held in different prefectures encourage everyone to engage with traditional Japanese culture, with museums around the country often offering free admission on the day to allow the general public to be able to delve into the history and culture of Japan. There are even prestigious award ceremonies to highlight an individual's prowess in promoting Japanese culture.

How is Culture Day Celebrated in Japan?

Order of Ceremony Award

The Order of Culture Awards Ceremony takes place at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. It is a Japanese medal awarded to individuals who have achieved remarkable accomplishments in promoting Japanese culture in sectors such as science, technology, academics and arts. The order was enacted in 1937 by the then prime minister Hiroyuki Hirota and is bestowed by the Emperor of Japan on Culture Day every year.

In order to be nominated for the award, the individual will have already been given the Person of Cultural Merit, functioning as a tandem. The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology recommends candidates to the Prime Minister for the Cabinet Bureau to decide.

Over 400 people have received the prestigious award and not all recipients have been Japanese, including Japanologist Donald Keene. Other notable winners have been fashion designer Issey Miyake, artist Ikuo Hirayama, and academic Haruko Wakita. People are allowed to refuse the order, which is what the novelist Kenzaburō Ōe did. Last year, Nobel laureate Akira Yoshino was among the six selected for the Order of Culture award. This year sees five recipients, including script writer Sugako Hashida and sculpturer Kiichi Sumikawa.

Meiji Shrine Autumn Festival

Taking place over 3 consecutive days including Culture Day, the Meiji Shrine Autumn Festival celebrates the birthday of Emperor Meiji using cultural demonstrations that introduce visitors to a wide range of Japanese performances and martial arts. The festival includes; Bugaku (舞楽), a dance that was performed to select elites, Noh (能), a dance-drama that has been performed since the 14th century, Kyogen (狂言), a comic theatre which developed alongside Noh, Hogaku (邦楽), traditional Japanese music, and Aikido (合気道), self-defence martial art.

The most popular demonstrations are the Yabusame (流鏑馬), horseback archery where the archers are dressed in traditional costumes from the Kamakura period, and the Sumo ring entering ceremony. The Meiji Shrine is an imperial shrine with connections at the top levels of society, therefore the performers at the festival are often at the top of their art. For example, the Sumo ring entering ceremony is performed by a Yokozuna champion, the highest rank in Sumo wrestling, with only 72 men having attained this title since the 1700s. A lot of these events are now only performed on Culture Day in Japan, making the festival an unmissable event.

Hakone Daimyō Gyōretsu

The Hakone Daimyō Gyōretsu (箱根大名行列), otherwise known as the Procession of the Feudal Lord, is one of the most famous events that take place on Culture Day in Japan, as well as Hakone all year round. It reenacts the processions of the feudal lords who were forced to visit Edo (Modern-day Tokyo) during the reign of the Tokugawa family. During this time, regional feudal lords were forced to spend alternate years in Edo to keep any possibility of an uprising at bay.

The feudal lords would spend enormous amounts of money to fund their long procession of protectors, administrators, and entertainers. The re-enactment was introduced in 1935 and sees just under 200 men and women dressed as samurai, Yakko warriors, workers, and princesses commemorate the Old Tokaido Road, which travels through the heart of Hakone and connects Tokyo to Kyoto.

Tokyo Jidai-Matsuri and Shirasagi-No-Mai

The Tokyo Jidai-Matsuri (時代祭), Festival of the Ages, is a historical parade held on Culture Day in Japan that recreates the history and culture of Tokyo along the streets of Asakusa. It was first held in 1999 as part of the Tokyo Reinsassaunce, an attempt to publicise Asakusa's unique presence as the historical and cultural centre of Tokyo, and sees 1600 volunteers participating by dressing up in historical attire, representing various eras, dating back to the 7th century. The parade starts behind Sensoji Temple and ends up at Asakusa Tawaramachi.

Another event that takes place at the Sensoji Temple on Culture Day is the Shirasagi-No-Mai (白鷺の舞), White Heron Dance. It was reconstructed in 1968 to mark the 100th anniversary of when Edo became Tokyo. The original event is found in the Keian Engi Emaki (けいん縁起絵巻), a historical picture scroll owned by the temple which includes various rituals of peace.

There are eight dancers dressed in heron costumes accompanied by three attendants who have different roles- a bird feeder, baton twirler, and a parasol carrier. The dancers are also accompanied by a float of musicians and guardian children. It is only performed a couple of times throughout the year, Golden Week and Culture Day in Japan.

ACA National Arts Festival

As well as the Order of Culture, other culture-related award ceremonies take place around Culture Day in Japan. Since 1946, the Agency of Cultural Affairs (ACA) National Arts Festival has been held with aims of enabling a wide segment of the public to enjoy outstanding works of art from Japan, to encourage creativity and develop the arts.

The event takes place in autumn and consists of sponsored performances, cosponsored performances and participating performances and works, that can either belong in the categories of performance (theatre, music, dance, and popular entertainment) or production (TV dramas, TV documentaries, radio, and recordings).

Performers who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of arts and culture receive awards for a grand prize, excellence award, and newcomer award. They are appointed by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

Culture Day in Japan 2020

Unfortunately, Japan has cancelled the Meiji Shrine Autumn Festival, Hakone Daimyō Gyōretsu, Tokyo Jidai-Matsuri, and Shirasagi-No-Mai this year to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The ACA National Arts Festival is still being held and has already opened to the public at the National Theatre in Tokyo, with appropriate safety measures in place.
See also: Halloween in Japan 2020
Keep checking back or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter to get notified about our latest posts. We'll be adding more articles on various seasonal and cultural occasions in Japan, so watch this space!
Alternatively, feel free to get in touch and see how we can help you develop your offering in the Japanese market.

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Culture Day In Japan: An Annual Celebration Of National Pride & History - Tokyoesque

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Every year, on November 3rd, the nation comes together to celebrate the culture of Japan through many festivities and events in all prefectures for Culture Day (文化の日). But what do these celebrations consist of and how will Culture Day in Japan be celebrated this year amid the global pandemic?