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In Japan, it is the responsibility of the teacher to make sure that all students keep up with the curriculum. Teachers meet frequently with one another to discuss students who are having difficulties or need more of a challenge. In Japanese education, mistakes are welcomed and are looked at as learning opportunities that teachers can use to guide their students.

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Pre-primary, or preschool, is very important in Japan and has proven to help students' academic performance in the long run.

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A day in a Japanese High School // japan vlog #1

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In Japanese education, the student-teacher relationship is valued. While class sizes may be larger than American class sizes, Japanese educators make it a point to eat meals with their students and spend quality time together in their homerooms.

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Japan values education greatly and makes their teachers and students a priority. Teaching in Japan is about the quality of the lessons, not the quantity. In Japan it is believed that it's far more effective to have students teaching each other than an instructing simply lecturing.

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Some students from a nearby school were kind enough to take a picture with me during my trip to Japan in 2019, here is a look at the Japanese school uniform:

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Japanese educational values are kind of the opposite of American educational beliefs. Japan is moving away from uniform standards and the pressures of national exams. They are moving more towards the interests and potential of each individual student.

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Here is what the average schedule of school looks like in Japan:

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Here is what the average schedule of school looks like in Japan:

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Inside Japan's Most Expensive Bullet Train | $750 Seat

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Once the capital of Japan, Kyoto is a city on the island of Honshu. It's famous for numerous classical Buddhist temples, gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines, and traditional wooden houses. It’s also known for formal traditions such as kaiseki dining, consisting of multiple courses of precise dishes, and geisha, female entertainers often found in the Gion district.

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Tokyo Skytree is a broadcasting and observation tower in Sumida, Tokyo. It became the tallest structure in Japan in 2010 and reached its full height of 634 meters in March 2011, making it the tallest tower in the world, displacing the Canton Tower, and the second tallest structure in the world after the Burj Khalifa

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Mount Fuji, the highest peak in Japan, is a cone-shaped volcano which is considered sacred by many Japanese.

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The options for seeing Tokyo are varied-from busy trains to taxis, and of course cheapo-friendly feet. But what if you want something different? How about riding a go-kart through the streets of Tokyo? Yes, this is something you can actually do! Read on to find out how.

Wait, wasn't street go-karting banned in Japan? Nope! You can most definitely go-kart in Tokyo, Osaka and some other parts of the country. For example, you can take this go-kart tour of Asakusa, Skytree and Akihabara, or a one-hour Akihabara go-kart tour via Klook and also on Rakuten Travel Experiences. Availability can vary between go-kart experience providers, particularly during peak travel seasons, so we recommend checking the table below.

Go-karting in Tokyo: How it works

While go-karting around Tokyo sounds wacky and carefree, it is not the sort of activity you can just do on a whim. It takes some prior planning.

The first thing you need to do is confirm that you have the correct driver's license (more on that below). You also need to be 18 years of age or older.

Then you need to book a tour online, in advance. Depending on the provider and time of year, you'll need to book between 2 days and 1 month ahead!

At the shop, you'll get a brief tutorial on driving the karts. (It's different from a car, as you'll use a different foot for the gas and for the brakes).

Before scorching the tarmac, you can stash your belongings in a locker at the shop and change into your costume, which is usually included in the price.

In most cases, the tour guide will set the pace and the route, so you don't need to worry about taking a wrong turn and ending up in, say, Hokkaido.

Important: Driving is on the left side of the road in Japan.

Also make sure to show up for your tour on time - or it might leave without you!

Tokyo go-kart tickets

One of the most popular Tokyo go-kart options is Go Karting in Akihabara (via Klook), with a 1-hour ride costing , or 2 hours for (also available from Viator and Rakuten Travel Experiences). You'll likely need to book at least a month in advance during peak times.

Another popular option is this go-kart tour of Asakusa, Skytree and Akihabara. The tour comes with free photography and costs .

Whatever you choose, be sure to read the fine print, especially about cancellations. There's no reason you can't drive a go-kart in the rain, but you probably don't want to.

If you like a certain go-karting game, then you'll love the Nintendo Museum. Slated to open in March 2024, here's what we know so far.

Not in Tokyo? Japan go-kart tours are also available in:

Go-kart locations in Tokyo

There's quite a bit of choice - whether you want to cruise by Shibuya Crossing or drive through the Akiba gaming district, here's a quick overview of the main go-karting locations in Tokyo.

Getting kitted out to go-kart in Tokyo

If you're going to zoom through the streets, you'll need some accessories-either for safety or fun. Rentals typically include a face-guard mask and shades, to protect you from dust or other irritants the street might kick up, plus your favorite costume.

All the operators mentioned in this article include costume rental in the price, but no all of them have Mario character costumes. However, if there's a specific character on your go-kart bucket list, you can probably buy it yourself quite cheaply at the variety store Donki.

Depending on the shop, you can also sometimes rent LED shoes, a bluetooth speaker or a 4K action camera. Memory cards might also be available if you need one-just ask.

One great element is that the shops don't prevent you from bringing your own cameras, costumes or anything else - and don't charge you either, so you can use your own equipment as you please.

Go-karting in Tokyo: Safety precautions

Riding through the streets at knee-level might seem a bit dangerous when confronted with trucks, boy-racers, and never-re-tested pensioner-drivers, but the rental companies do have safety measures in place. Accident insurance is included, and there are some general rules to follow that are designed to keep you alive that little bit longer.
Rules:

No racing allowed

Dress appropriately: no heels, sandals, or long skirts allowed

Follow your guide's advice and route, including hand gestures and speed

Editor's note: I have tried this (in the name of research) and frankly found it terrifying, even though the tour I participated in was conducted responsibly. Just that, well, riding through the streets at knee-level alongside trucks is terrifying. But everyone else seemed to be having fun, so I guess it's just me.

What license do you need to drive a go-kart in Japan?

Although it might look like a game, this adventure takes place on real-life streets and is regulated by Japanese law. Anyone wanting to drive a "Mario Kart" in Tokyo will need to have one of the following:

A full Japanese driving license

An International Driving Permit (used with your passport and home country license)

This permit can only be obtained outside of Japan and lasts for one year from the date of entry to Japan and/or issuance. It is easy to get, for example, it can be obtained from the AAA for around $20 in America.

It must be issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention; the permit cannot be issued under the 1926 Paris Convention, the 1943 Washington Convention, or the 1968 Vienna Convention.

A SOFA driving license for members of US military forces in Japan
An American driving license with US military ID is also acceptable.

A foreign driving license issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Estonia, Taiwan, Slovenia, or Monaco. Residents of these countries are allowed to drive in Japan for one year from entry, provided they have a Japanese translation by an authorized organization. Bring these two documents and your passport with you. Pro tip: You can get your license translated here.

What about the non-drivers?

If you can't drive, don't have the paperwork, or just don't trust yourself (or others) on the road, you can still take part in the fun. There is sometimes an option for a non-driver to travel in a special tuk-tuk or convertible to take photos of the team. The boarding fee of approximately may be waived if the person travels in the same car as the staff. If that isn't available, you can always park yourself at a cafe along the driving route and wave as the go-karts cruise past.

A word of warning before you roar off

There have been a few incidents with people driving a go-kart in Tokyo, including a hit-and-run with a cyclist and some very, very dodgy driving on very busy roads. It can't be stated enough that you need to drive responsibly at all times. Enjoy the experience, but keep in mind that you need to be extremely careful-and also respectful of your surroundings. Some go-karts have been getting on the nerves of local residents, so try to keep the peace.

Copyright issues: A couple of years ago, Mari Mobility (the old MariCar company) found itself in very hot water with a certain video game company. Fortunately for folks wanting to rent a street kart in Tokyo, they weren't the only provider on the block.
While we do our best to keep things current, all prices and other details are subject to change. Last updated in March, 2023.

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Mario Kart in Tokyo: Everything You Need to Know | Tokyo Cheapo

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Drive a real-life Mario Kart in Tokyo! Dress up as your favorite character and have fun in a custom-built go-kart. Here's how to do it:

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Sega Corporation is a Japanese multinational video game developer and publisher headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo.

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This is not your average "health kick" but instead the meeting place of both houses of the national parliament of Japan.

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Japan is also home to about 200 volcanoes, 60 of which are active.

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The main islands of Japan are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Japan is made up of more than 4,000 other islands as well.

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Wall of Sake Barrels at Meiji Jingu Shrine

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Wall of Sake Barrels at Meiji Jingu Shrine

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The bullet train is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan. Initially, it was built to connect distant Japanese regions with Tokyo, the capital, to aid economic growth and development.

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Wooden sculptures of protectors of Buddha such as Nio and Shitenno guard the gates to many temples. Shinto gods known as Kami are often depicted in sculpture at shrines.

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Tokyo is the capital of Japan which is the largest metropolitan area in the world, hosting over 36 million people spread over three prefectures.

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Sashimi is a Japanese delicacy consisting of fresh raw fish or meat sliced into thin pieces and often eaten with soy sauce.

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Thick slices of pork that are breaded and deep fried in a manner similar to German schnitzel.

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Takoyaki or "octopus balls" is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special molded pan. It is typically filled with minced or diced octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger, and green onion.

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Fish-shaped snacks made of batter similar to pancake batter and filled with sweet bean paste, although alternative, modern fillings include custard cream, chocolate or cheese

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Chewy, small, steamed dumplings made of rice flour

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Tempura are pieces of lightly battered, deep fried seafood and vegetables.

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Godzilla is a fictional monster originated from Japan which became a worldwide pop culture icon appearing in various media, including 32 films, 4 Hollywood films, and numerous video games novels, comic books and TV shows.

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Temari means “handball”, and is a Japanese folk craft created with an old silk kimono as a toy for children.

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A type of battle armor designed to protect the face and strike fear into the heart of an opponent.

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Cherry blossom  is considered the national flower of Japan

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Buddhism is the second most popular religion found in Japan and while it did not initially spread among the common people due to conflicts with Shinto, the two religions were soon able to co-exist and actually complement each other.

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Japan is most famously known for Anime, Japanese animation.

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Byobu are Japanese folding screens used to partition rooms for privacy, usually adorned with shodo or landscape paintings.

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10000 yen is approximately equivalent to $92.66, while 1000 yen is approximately equivalent to $9.27

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Used for luxury interior fashion.

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A collapsible bamboo lantern traditionally hung at temples, restaurants, and shops.

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The oldest forms of Japanese music are Shomyo, which is a form of Buddhist chanting, and Gagaku, which is orchestral court music. This type is mainly enjoyed by the older generations.

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Shinto is the oldest practicing religion in Japan and remains a major religion in the country. This faith is seen as optimistic and is deeply rooted in the Japanese people and traditions. Followers believe that they become "kami", or sacred spirits, after they die and are revered by their families as ancestral kami.

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Three of the tectonic plates that form the Earth's crust meet nearby Japanand often move against each other causing earthquakes and other natural disasters. More than 1,000 earthquakes hit Japan every year.

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J-Pop is the most mainstream genre of music that hit Japan in the 1990s. This musical genre has become more of a lifestyle rather than simple a genre and it's popularity is increasing internationally.

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BEST OF JPOP || 2019 Edition (January - June)

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The country of the Japan speaks Japanese however there are a variety of dialects found in the country. The dialects from the different regions of Japan are so different that they are not mutually intelligible, however most speakers are able to communicate in standard Japanese which is based on the Tokyo dialect.

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Many wedding ceremonies are held in Shinto style however death is considered a source of impurity and is left to Buddhism to deal with. There are no Shinto cemeteries and most funeral are held in Buddhist style.

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Noh theatre is the most prominent form of traditional Japanese musical theatre. In these productions, all actors are male, playing both male and female roles, and all are masked.

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90 million people consider themselves Buddhists in Japan however the religion does not directly affect the everyday life of the average Japanese very strongly. Funerals are typically carried out in a Buddhist way and many households keep a small house altar in order to pay respects to their ancestors.