Introduction to Japan PDF

JAPAN Exploring the Land of the Rising Sun Geographical Hokkaido Location J apan is an archipelago, or Honshu string of islands, on the eastern edge of Asia. Kyushu There are four main islands:...

JAPAN Exploring the Land of the Rising Sun Geographical Hokkaido Location J apan is an archipelago, or Honshu string of islands, on the eastern edge of Asia. Kyushu There are four main islands: Shikoku Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Regions Hokkaido Japan is divided into 9 regions, which are split into 47 smaller Chubu Tohoku prefectures. Chugoku Each region has its own Kanto dialect, customs, and unique Kyushu traditional culture. Kansai Shikoku Okinawa Capital of Japan Tokyo, city and capital of Tokyo to (metropolis) and of Japan. It is located at the head of Tokyo Bay on the Pacific coast of central Honshu. National Flag The national flag of Japan is a rectangular white banner with a crimson-red circle at its center. The flag is officially called the Nisshōki but is more commonly known in Japan as the Hinomaru. It embodies the country's sobriquet: the Land of the Rising Sun. Japan is called the "Land of the Rising Sun" because from China it appears that the sun rises from the direction of Japan. The Japanese people call their country "Nippon" or "Nihon," which literally translated means "source Government Japan is a constitutional monarchy with the Emperor as a symbolic figurehead and no governing power. The country operates as a parliamentary democracy, with the Prime Minister leading the government. The National Diet, Japan's bicameral legislature, consists of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors, where elected officials make laws and govern the nation. Emperor Naruhito Naruhito (born 23 February 1960) is Emperor of Japan. He acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne on 1 May 2019, beginning the Reiwa era, following the abdication of his father, Akihito. He is the 126th monarch according to Japan's traditional order of succession. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Fumio Kishida is the Prime Minister of Japan and the President of the Liberal Democratic Party since 2021. A member of the House of Representatives, he previously served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2012 to 2017 and as acting Minister of Defense in 2017. JAPANESE Culture and Traditions Group Harmony (Wa) The concept of Wa, or group harmony, is central to Japanese culture. Individuals often prioritize the needs of the group over their own to maintain harmony. Religious Practices Shinto and Buddhism are the two major religions, and many customs and festivals are rooted in these beliefs. Traditional Arts Pop Culture Japan has a rich history of traditional Japan is a global leader in pop culture, arts, including Ikebana (flower with its anime, manga, video games, and arranging), Origami, Calligraphy (Shodō), music influencing fans worldwide. and Tea Ceremony (Sadō). Tea Ceremony (Sadō/Chadō) A traditional ritualistic way of preparing and drinking matcha (green tea), emphasizing aesthetics, respect, and mindfulness. New Year (Shōgatsu) Celebrated with various customs, including eating specific foods like osechi and visiting shrines (Hatsumode). Calligraphy (Shodō) The art of Japanese calligraphy, which involves writing characters with a brush and ink, is both a cultural practice and a form of artistic expression. Cherry Blossom Viewing (Hanami) A popular springtime tradition where people gather to view cherry blossoms and have picnics under the trees. Kimono Traditional Japanese clothing, worn during special occasions such as weddings, tea ceremonies, and festivals.  SAMURAI (Traditional Warrior) The samurai (or bushi) were the warriors of premodern Japan. They later made up the ruling military class which eventually became the highest ranking social caste of the Edo Period (1603-1867). Samurai employed a range of weapons such as bows and arrows, spears and guns, but their main weapon and symbol was the sword.  KIMONO (Traditional Costume ) The kimono is a wrapped-front garment with square sleeves and a rectangular body, and is worn left side wrapped over right, unless the wearer is deceased. The kimono is traditionally worn with a broad sash, called an obi, and is commonly worn with accessories such as zōri sandals and tabi socks. JAPANESE Sports and Festivals Sumo Wrestling Baseball (Yakyū) Japan’s national sport, deeply rooted in One of the most popular sports in Japan, Shinto traditions, with tournaments held with a strong professional league six times a year. (Nippon Professional Baseball) and enthusiastic fanbase. Soccer (Football) Soccer has gained significant popularity, with the J-League (Japan Professional Football League) being one of the top leagues in Asia. Martial Arts Traditional Japanese martial arts like Judo, Karate, Kendo, and Aikido are widely practiced both within Japan and internationally. Gion Matsuri (Kyoto) Held in July, one of Japan’s most famous festivals, featuring elaborate floats (Yamaboko) paraded through the streets. Awa Odori (Tokushima) A dance festival in August where groups of dancers perform traditional Awa dances, attracting over a million visitors. Sapporo Snow Festival (Hokkaido) Held in February, known for its massive ice and snow sculptures, drawing visitors from around the world. Obon Festival A Buddhist event in August where people honor the spirits of their ancestors, often with lanterns, dances, and visiting graves. Tanabata Festival Celebrated on July 7th, Tanabata is based on a romantic legend and involves writing wishes on small pieces of paper and hanging them on bamboo trees. JAPANESE Cuisine  Sushi A dish of vinegared rice accompanied by seafood, vegetables, and occasionally tropical fruits. Varieties include nigiri (hand-pressed sushi), sashimi (sliced raw fish), maki (rolled sushi), and chirashi (scattered sushi). Ramen A popular noodle soup with Chinese origins, featuring wheat noodles in a meat- or fish-based broth, flavored with soy sauce or miso, and topped with ingredients like sliced pork, nori, menma, and scallions.  Sashimi Thinly sliced raw fish or seafood, often served with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger. Sashimi emphasizes the freshness and quality of the fish. Yakitori Skewered and grilled chicken, typically seasoned with salt or a tare sauce (a sweet soy sauce-based glaze). It is often enjoyed with a variety of different cuts of chicken.  Tonkatsu A breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet, usually served with shredded cabbage, rice, and a thick, savory sauce. Variations include chicken (chicken katsu) and fish (katsudon). Okonomiyaki A savory pancake made with a batter, shredded cabbage, and various ingredients like meat, seafood, and vegetables. It is typically topped with a special sauce, mayonnaise, dried seaweed, and bonito flakes.  Soba and Udon Two types of traditional Japanese noodles. Soba noodles are made from buckwheat flour and are often served cold or in a hot broth. Udon noodles are thicker, made from wheat flour, and usually served in a hot soup with various toppings. Takoyaki A popular street food, these are small, round, battered balls filled with pieces of octopus, green onions, and pickled ginger. They are usually topped with takoyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes. JAPANESE Popular and Unusual Vending Machines  In Japan, a hanko is a stamp that works similarly to a signature in the West, used to sign official documents. And that’s where this hanko stamp seal vending machine comes in, allowing you to create your own stamp in 10 minutes for ¥1,000. Add your name, choose your design Hanko Stamp Seal and you’ll have your very own stamp in record time.  At this idol cards vending machine, you can buy something known as photo cards, depicting each member of the group. They vary in price depending on the popularity of the member and the rarity of the card, but you could also go all out with the full set of Idol Cards 100 photo cards for ¥1,000.  There’s a King’s Treasure Box in almost every major transit hub in Tokyo, including Dōgenzaka in Shibuya and next to KFC in Akihabara. Despite being around for a while, these fun boxes aren’t out of style just yet. All you do is put in PHP391.58 and click a Mystery Vending Machine button, and then you’ll get a surprise present.  Cakes and cans are not something you’d usually put together, but this slightly odd combination has caused quite a stir on social media. The patisserie Okashi Gaku is the most popular, selling creamy Hokkaido-born canned cakes in vending machines Cakes in a Can at Shibuya Mark City and in Oshiage near Tokyo  There’s nothing unusual about selling juice in a vending machine, but there is something special about selling freshly squeezed juice. The Feed ME Orange vending machine peels, squeezes, presses, and Fresh Juice pours you a cup of pure orange juice in 40 seconds.  There’s the MOGBUG vending machines in Takadanobaba and Akihabara — don’t be fooled by the cutesy pink exterior — as well as machines from Konchu Shoku with many places all around Tokyo, including Nakano Insects Broadway, Kichijoji, and JAPANESE Architectures and Attractions Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) Kinkaku-ji is a Zen Buddhist temple covered in gold leaf, reflecting beautifully on the surrounding pond. Originally built in the 14th century, it’s one of Japan’s most famous landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tokyo Tower Inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Tokyo Tower is a 333-meter tall communications and observation tower. It has been a symbol of Tokyo since its completion in 1958. Himeji Castle Also known as the White Heron Castle due to its elegant white appearance, Himeji Castle is a well-preserved example of Japanese feudal architecture. It dates back to the early 17th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Fushimi Inari Taisha A famous Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari, the god of rice and agriculture. It’s renowned for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that form a tunnel-like path up Mount Inari. Mount Fuji Mount Fuji is Japan’s tallest and most iconic mountain, standing at 3,776 meters. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has been a symbol of Japan for centuries. JAPANESE Writing Systems Hiragana (ひらがな) A phonetic syllabary used primarily for native Japanese words and grammatical functions. Each character represents a syllable. Hiragana is often used for verb endings, particles, native Japanese words that don’t have kanji, and for words where the kanji is either not known or not commonly used. It is also used in children’s books because it is simpler to learn than kanji. Katakana (カタカナ) Another phonetic syllabary, similar to Hiragana but with a more angular and sharp appearance. Katakana is primarily used for foreign loanwords, onomatopoeia, scientific names, company names, and the names of plants and animals. It can also be used for emphasis, similar to italics in English. Kanji (漢字) Logographic characters borrowed from Chinese, each representing a word or a concept. Kanji characters are often complex and can have multiple readings and meanings. Kanji is used to represent the core meaning of words, especially nouns, stems of verbs, and adjectives. Most written Japanese combines kanji with hiragana to convey meaning efficiently and clearly. TOP 3 Unknown Facts about JAPAN DID YOU KNOW? In Japan, there’s a unique trend called “silent karaoke,” where people sing into a special microphone that mutes their voice to the outside world, allowing them to enjoy karaoke privately through headphones without disturbing others. DID YOU KNOW? Japan has a category of cuisine called Yoshoku, which consists of Western-style dishes adapted to Japanese tastes. Dishes like katsu (breaded cutlet) and omurice (omelette rice) have become so uniquely Japanese that many people don’t realize they originated from Western cuisine. DID YOU KNOW? The Japanese philosophy of mottainai emphasizes avoiding waste and making the most of resources. This cultural value encourages recycling, repairing, and reusing, reflecting Japan’s deep respect for nature and mindful living.