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The Japanese flag is made up of a red circle, symbolizing the sun, against a white background.

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Tokyo is the capital city of Japan; Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, and Sapporo are other major cities. Places of a particular importance include Mount Fuji, Golden Pavilion, Tokyo Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, Todaiji Temple, Great Buddha of Kamakura, Himeji Castle, and Hiroshima Peace Memorial.

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Japan’s most recognizable landmark is Mount Fuji, which is the country’s tallest peak. Mt. Fuji, also called “Fuji-san”, is an active volcano. It is Japan’s sacred symbol; temples and shrines are located around and on the volcano.

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“The typical Japanese meal consists of a bowl of rice (gohan), a bowl of miso soup (miso shiru), pickled vegetables (tsukemono), and fish or meat” (Japan Zone, n.d.). While rice is the staple food and several thousand varieties are grown in Japan, there are several types of noodles that are very popular for light meals such as udon, soba, and ramen.

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A few popular instruments are the lute, koto, taiko, and shamisen. According to Dr. Acar, “The most well-known Japanese folk song is called sakura-sakura which talks about how beautiful the feeling of the cherry blossom in Japan is” (2021).

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Relaxing With Japanese Bamboo Flute , Guzheng, Erhu | Musical Instrument Collection

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Shinto is a religion unique to Japan, and is a blend of local spiritual beliefs and myths. Shinto rituals will look different region to region.

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The most celebrated holiday in Japan is New Year’s Day. Millions of people participate in hatsumōde by going to Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples to pray for a successful year ahead of (Motto Japan Group, 2020).

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Shinto, Buddhism, and Christianity are all commonly practiced in Japan. Despite participating in religious rituals, the majority of the population identifies as secular.

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Politeness, hospitality, and punctuality are highly valued and expected traits. Phrases such as “I’m Sorry” (Gomen nasai) and “Excuse me” (Sumimasen) are used frequently to indicate politeness in everyday interactions.

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Seijin No Hi occurs a few days after the New Year’s celebration. This is the Coming of Age Day where

people who recently turned 20 celebrate their entry into adulthood by listening to encouraging speeches from government officials and taking on their new societal responsibilities (Motto Japan Group, 2020).

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There are three alphabets in Japan: Kanji, Hiragana, Katakana

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Communication is based on context, using vague and brief statements to get a point across. The language is also very literal. The hierarchical structure of the culture heavily influences how they act and speak around other people. If someone is not a peer there is a very formal way they are expected to speak to them.

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The hierarchical structure of the culture makes family a large influence on individual identity. Patriarchal standards are held where the male is traditionally the head of household.

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A geisha is a woman of art who has completed a special school where they learn dance techniques, crafts, and are taught about culture and important ceremonies.

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Student life is very busy. Students attend Monday through Friday along with some Saturdays, and they stay late to clean and for extracurriculars. Teachers often spend years working with the same class of students and are expected to make home visits. This closeness does not change the fact that teachers and students have a very formal and respectful way of communicating with their teacher. The schools are competitive, time consuming, and have a large amount of pressure put on testing that can sometimes be to a fault but the Japanese education system is also worldrenound.

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Maneki-neko cat figurines are known for bringing good luck and prosperity. In restaurants or sanctuaries, this type of figurine can be found at the entrance to welcome visitors.

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Sakura (cherry blossom trees) are connected to the

Spring. Cherry blossom viewing in spring is a

popular cultural activity for both locals and tourists, as well as other seasonal blossom viewing.

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Bonsai is another symbol that represents positive energy as it is a miniature tree of happiness and fortune.