Amazing Japanese Culture! From traditional to modern, everything a foreigner needs to know

update date 2024/11/03

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For those who are interested in Japanese culture, planning a trip to Japan, or for foreigners living in Japan, this article introduces a wide range of fascinating aspects of Japanese culture. Let's enjoy and deepen our understanding of diverse Japanese culture together, from historical traditional culture to the latest pop culture.

■ What you will gain from this article

Deep understanding of traditional and contemporary Japanese culture
Japanese seasonal events and their meanings
How to experience Japanese culture and what to expect
Tips for communicating with Japanese

This article will help you understand the depth of Japanese culture and enhance your stay in Japan.

Japanese History and Spirituality

Traditional Japanese culture reflects the spirituality and aesthetics that have been cultivated over a long history. Here we introduce some of the traditional cultures that are familiar to foreigners.

1. martial arts and samurai

Budo is now a martial art that is popular not only in Japan but also throughout the world. Various martial arts exist, such as kendo, judo, aikido, etc. They are not merely martial arts, but aim to train the mind and body and to build character.

Samurai were a warrior class active in Japan during the medieval and early modern periods. Their way of life and ethics, known as "bushido," emphasized courage, loyalty, and integrity. Even today, this spirit still influences Japanese society.

Incidentally, many dojos offer experience programs for foreigners, so it is a good idea to try them during your stay in Japan.

2. tea ceremony and the spirit of Zen

The tea ceremony is not merely a manner of drinking tea, but is based on the Zen teaching of "Wakei Seijaku," or "harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. The tea ceremony is a ritual that pursues tranquility of mind, and the phrase "ichiki ichikai" ("once in a lifetime encounter") left by Sen no Rikyu, the founder of the tea ceremony, means "once in a lifetime encounter. Rikyu's insistence on the wabi-sabi aesthetic and the design of the tea room were also intended to make this moment special.

During the tea ceremony experience, you can also learn traditional Japanese manners, such as how to sit upright on tatami mats and bow. There are many places, especially in Kyoto and Tokyo, that offer tea ceremony experiences for foreigners, providing a good opportunity to experience Japanese culture.

Ukiyoe and Japanese Art

Ukiyo-e is a woodblock print art developed in the Edo period (1603-1867) that vividly depicts the lives and landscapes of ordinary people of the time. Katsushika Hokusai's "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" is world-famous and helped popularize Ukiyo-e throughout the world. Hokusai's works also influenced European artists and inspired impressionist painters such as Monet and Van Gogh.

The Tokyo National Museum's Ukiyo-e collection, including this masterpiece, is on display, and the exhibits change with the seasons, so there is always something new to discover no matter how many times you visit.

Please read the following article about the National Art Museum of Tokyo!
▶︎Definitely recommended for foreigners! The National Art Center, Tokyo

Japanese Pop Culture

We hope that through traditional culture you have been able to see the background of contemporary Japanese culture. From here, we would like to introduce you to pop culture that symbolizes Japan, such as anime and manga. These have gained popularity around the world and are widely recognized as an attractive aspect of Japanese culture.

1. the world of animation and manga

Japanese anime and manga are loved by people of all ages for their rich imagination and unique expressions, and popular works such as "Dragon Ball," "Naruto," and "One Piece" are favored by many fans worldwide.

Visiting the centers of otaku culture, such as Akihabara in Tokyo and Nihonbashi in Osaka, will allow you to experience the latest trends in anime and manga. Visitors can also enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at anime production at the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo and the Kadokawa Musashino Museum in Saitama.

2. the Japanese game industry

The Japanese video game industry, represented by Nintendo and Sony, is a leader in the global market, and games originating in Japan, such as "Super Mario," "Pokemon," and "Final Fantasy," are well known throughout the world.

At large game centers in Akihabara, Tokyo, visitors can experience the latest arcade games, and at specialty stores such as Nintendo TOKYO and the Pokémon Center, visitors can pick up goods featuring popular characters.

3. harajuku fashion and cosplay culture

Harajuku, Tokyo, is known for its unique, colorful, pop-inspired street fashion that attracts fashion fans from all over the world.

Cosplay culture also spread from Japan and is popular internationally as a fun way to dress up as anime and game characters. The Comic Market, held annually in August and December, attracts fans from all over the world and is the largest cosplay event in the world.

Japanese Food Culture

After experiencing pop culture such as anime and manga, let us turn our attention to another culture that attracts many visitors to Japan: food culture. Japanese food is highly appreciated around the world for its beautiful appearance and delicate taste, and in 2013, "Japanese food" was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

1. kaiseki cuisine and vegetarian cuisine

Kaiseki ryori is a fine Japanese cuisine developed from the tea ceremony. It uses seasonal ingredients and is meticulously arranged. On the other hand, vegetarian cuisine is based on Buddhist teachings and is prepared without animal products.

To experience these traditional Japanese dishes, Kyoto's ryotei restaurants and Tokyo's Japanese restaurants are recommended. However, reservations are required and prices are high, so it is best to try them on special occasions.

2. sushi and sashimi

Needless to say, sushi is one of the most famous Japanese dishes in the world. Nigiri-zushi, which consists of fresh seafood on a bed of vinegared rice, is the most popular type of sushi, while sashimi is a simple dish of fresh seafood cut into thin slices and served with soy sauce and wasabi.

There are many restaurants near the Tsukiji and Toyosu markets in Tokyo that serve fresh sushi and sashimi, and the conveyor-belt sushi chains that operate throughout Japan offer a variety of sushi at affordable prices.

3. ramen and tempura

Ramen is a noodle dish that was introduced from China, evolved uniquely in Japan, and is now one of Japan's most popular dishes. There are many restaurants where you can enjoy regional flavors, such as Fukuoka's tonkotsu ramen and Hokkaido's miso ramen, and you can enjoy the tastes of each region as you visit ramen shops.

Tempura is a dish made by deep frying seafood or vegetables in a light batter, which gives it a crispy texture and the flavor of the ingredients. It can be easily enjoyed in the deli sections of supermarkets and department stores, or at tempura specialty stores.

Annual Events and Seasons in Japan

Japanese culture has developed along with the changing of the seasons, and there are rich traditional events rooted in each of spring, summer, fall, and winter. Let's take a look at some of the annual events that are deeply rooted in the lives of Japanese people. Here are some ways to experience the Japanese sense of the seasons through seasonal events, from hanami (cherry blossom viewing) in spring to hatsumode (New Year's visit to shrines) in winter.

1. spring: cherry blossom viewing and Tango-no Sekku (Boy's Festival)

A typical spring event is hanami (cherry blossom viewing): from late March to early April, cherry blossoms are in full bloom across the country, and people usually enjoy eating and drinking while viewing them in parks or along riversides.

On the Boys' Festival on May 5, there is a custom of decorating carp streamers and eating Kashiwa Mochi (rice cakes with sweetened oak leaves) in the hope that boys will grow up healthy and happy.

2. summer: fireworks display and Bon dance

Fireworks festivals are a colorful summer event in Japan. Large-scale fireworks displays are held in various locations, including the Sumida River Fireworks Festival in Tokyo and the Yodogawa Fireworks Festival in Osaka.

During the Obon season (mid-August), a Bon Odori dance is held to welcome the spirits of ancestors. The scene of people wearing yukata (light cotton kimono) and dancing in a circle is a taste of summer in Japan.

Autumn: Momijigari and Shichigosan

In autumn, the mountains turn their autumn leaves and Japanese people enjoy viewing them, called "Momiji-gari" (autumn leaf viewing). Arashiyama in Kyoto and Lake Chuzenji in Nikko are particularly popular spots.

Shichi-Go-San on November 15 is an event to celebrate the growth of children aged 3, 5, and 7, and it is very funny to see children dressed in kimonos visiting shrines.

Winter: Hatsumode and Setsubun

When the New Year arrives, many people go to Hatsumode (New Year's visit to shrines and temples) from January 1 to 3 to pray for safety and happiness in the coming year.

On Setsubun, February 3, people usually throw beans while chanting "Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uchi" (Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uchi) to ward off evil spirits at the turn of the season. Recently, it has become widely popular to eat one ehomaki (a roll of rice wrapped in a soybean flour) in the direction of the year's blessing, as it is believed to bring happiness if one ehomaki is eaten without saying a word.

Experience Japanese culture!

After experiencing Japanese culture through seasonal events, let's turn our attention to the cultural experiences for foreigners that can actually be enjoyed in Japan. The best way to gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture is to actually experience it. Here are some tips for foreigners to enjoy cultural experiences in Japan.

1. enjoy hot spring culture

Onsen (hot springs) are an everyday place of relaxation for Japanese people, and may be a bit of a hurdle for first-time foreign visitors. The following points should be kept in mind when enjoying hot springs:

Wash yourself in the shower before taking a bath.
Swimsuits are not allowed in many spa facilities
Do not put towels in hot water.
Some facilities may refuse to allow you to bathe if you have tattoos, so you need to check in advance.

In hot spring resorts such as Hakone and Kusatsu, information and explanations in English are available for foreigners. Many foreign tourists who have actually visited hot springs have said, "Bathing in an open-air bath while viewing the snowy landscape was the most relaxing experience," making it a special cross-cultural experience and a memorable one.

2. appreciation of traditional Japanese performing arts

Traditional performing arts such as Kabuki and Noh play are valuable experiences that allow you to feel the depth of Japanese culture. Some venues have been specially designed for foreign tourists, as shown below.

Kabuki:At the Kabuki-za Theater in Tokyo, simultaneous multilingual earphone guide commentary and tablets displaying English subtitles as the play progresses are also available.
Nohgaku:At the National Noh Theatre in Tokyo, subtitles installed on the seats display the lyrics of Noh plays and explain the rules of Noh and Kyogen in multiple languages.
Bunraku:At the National Bunraku Theatre in Osaka, the script of the story, the lyrics, are projected as English subtitles on a screen above the stage as the play progresses.

If you study the outline of the performance in advance, you will be able to understand the flow of the story better and enjoy it more.

3. experience traditional Japanese crafts

There are many workshops throughout Japan where visitors can experience traditional crafts. The following are particularly popular experiences.

Ceramics:Kyoto and Mashiko in Tochigi Prefecture.
Indigo dyeing:Tokushima prefecture (Shikoku)
Washi making:Kochi and Shimane Prefectures
Gold leaf paste:Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture

Through these experiences, you will be exposed to Japanese craftsmanship and aesthetics, which will make your trip a special and memorable experience.

Enjoy cross-cultural exchange! Communication with Japanese

After enjoying your Japanese cultural experience, try your hand at communicating with Japanese people. Here are some useful tips for communicating with Japanese people.

1. nonverbal communication

In Japan, non-verbal communication is also important.

Bowing:It is used to greet and express gratitude, with the degree of respect depending on the depth of the greeting.
Eye Contact:Long gazes are often avoided and shorter eye contact is preferred.
Distance from people:Japanese people generally tend to prefer a slightly wider distance than Westerners.

2. a culture of reserve and discretion

In Japan, the emphasis is on being sensitive to the feelings of others and avoiding direct expressions.

A little..."It is an understatement, but often implies a soft refusal.
Vague wording:Expressions such as "if possible" and "if you are willing" are frequently used.
Silence:Silence between conversations is often not perceived as uncomfortable, but as a confirmation of thoughts and feelings.

3. culture of gift-giving

Japan has many unique customs concerning gifts:

Souvenirs:Upon returning from a trip, it is common to hand out souvenirs to colleagues and friends.
Mid-year and year-end gifts:It is customary to give gifts in the summer and winter, especially to those who are indebted to you.
Manners of gift giving:In Japan, gifts are carefully wrapped and it is considered polite not to open them on the spot but to open them carefully so as not to damage the wrapping paper.

These points will make your interactions with Japanese people easier.

Tips for Enjoying Japanese Culture

Finally, here are some pointers on how to enjoy Japanese culture more deeply.

Learn basic Japanese:Even learning simple greetings and words of appreciation can help create a warm exchange.
Visit local cities:Not only in Tokyo and Kyoto, but also in regional cities, unique cultures and attractions are spreading.
Participate in seasonal events:Enjoy the Japanese sense of the seasons by actively participating in annual events and festivals.
Touch contemporary art:Also visit Naoshima (Kagawa Prefecture) and the Towada Museum of Contemporary Art (Aomori Prefecture), both sacred places for contemporary art.
Participate in volunteer activities:This is a great opportunity to interact naturally with Japanese people through helping out at local festivals and events.

If you are aware of these points, you will be able to enjoy Japanese culture more deeply. We hope you will experience firsthand the various cultures we have introduced so far.

summary

Japanese culture is a profound and fascinating blend of the traditional and the modern. In this article, we have introduced the following points:

Traditional culture such as martial arts and tea ceremony
Pop culture such as animation and games
Japanese food culture with a focus on Japanese food
Annual events in each of the four seasons
Cultural experiences for foreigners such as hot springs and traditional performing arts
Tips for communicating with Japanese

Understanding and respecting Japanese culture will make your stay in Japan richer and more enjoyable. Enjoy the cultural differences and make new discoveries!