Japan is a country that has a huge personality and a distinct identity. It’s a place where tradition and modernity co-exist happily, despite the high-tech glamour of its capital.
Japanese people have always been curious about foreign cultures, absorbing and adapting them. This can be seen throughout the country’s architecture, clothing styles, food, music and dance, culture, social customs, and religion.
Summer Break
In Japan, summer break is a little bit different than in America and the allies. First of all, a Japanese student’s summer break is only half the length of an American or European one.
Second, summer breaks in Japan are largely used for travel and eating out. This is because, unlike in the United States and Canada, Japanese workers have two consecutive days off per week.
In addition to this, teachers get Japanese national holidays, three company-designated one-week vacation periods spread throughout the year, and five personal days. This gives them the opportunity to explore all of the amazing destinations that japan has to offer!
Dining Out
Dining out is an integral part of the Japanese experience, whether you’re sampling a centuries-old ryotei in Kyoto or eating at a themed restaurant in Tokyo. Some restaurants are even staffed by maids or butlers while others offer themed menus and entertaining shows to make for a unique dining experience.
While meat is a rare sight on the dining table in Japan, there’s plenty of vegetarian food available. Top of the list is tofu, compacted cakes of soya-bean curd, which are a staple in Buddhist cuisine.
You’ll also find a range of yoshoku (Western) dishes, ranging from omelets with rice and deep-fried potato croquettes to hamburger steaks doused in a thick sauce. But if you’re trying to stick to a strict vegetarian diet, it’s worth visiting specialty restaurants that specialize in tofu dishes such as shojin-ryori.
Shopping
Japan is a shopping paradise and you’ll never run out of places to find unique and exceptional souvenirs. The world’s second-biggest retail market by sales, according to the JETRO, it is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves to shop.
One of the biggest draws for shoppers is the country’s dazzling variety of niche consumer goods, ranging from Gothic Lolita lace dresses to big-eyed ball-jointed dolls called Dollfie. Fans take their hobby so seriously that they treat them like babies and provide them with wardrobes that would be considered extravagant for a human family.
You can also discover traditional crafts, such as sashiko-style embroidered wallets or carved porcelain tea boxes in the D47 Museum on the eighth floor of Hikarie. Located on an elevator above the bustling Shibuya shopping district, it’s a must-see for design lovers and offers a taste of Japanese culture.
Shopping in Japan is a great way to get a feel for local culture and it’s always a fun experience. In addition to major retail stores and department stores, there are many public markets where you can purchase a wide range of foods and souvenirs from local artisans.
Festivals
Japan is home to a huge range of festivals, or matsuri, which are often both traditional and contemporary. They are often held in temples, shrines, parks, and gardens at certain times of the year to celebrate nature, tradition, or community.
They may also be a chance to try something new and meet like-minded people. Some even have a spiritual meaning, such as the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, which commemorates the story of a monk who used a float to spread water and battle disease.
If you’re feeling especially brave, you can even participate in some of the more dangerous and wild festivals that Japan has to offer. There is, for example, the huge Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, where teams toss 2,500 kilograms of mikoshi (a kind of straw ball) into the air as a show of strength.
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