Thinking about travelling to Japan but it’s your first time?
Japan has got to be one of the best places to visit around the world. Not only is it safer and cleaner than other common travel destinations, but it also has many different cultures, traditions and attractions made for the whole family. In this article, you will find chapters on common languages, culture, and traditions, the top 4 food locations around Japan, my top 5 street foods, the top 5 sightseeing attractions and family-friendly activities and finally, the do’s and don’ts in Japan.
Japan is known for its technologies but the country has a history of over 2,000 years and also it is very rich in nature. Japan is also known as the land of the rising sun. Many people wonder why Japan is called the land of the rising sun. The reason is because the country is located in the east of China i.e. in China the sun rises in the direction of Japan. You will also notice that the Japanese flag has the sun in the center.
Common Languages, Culture, and Traditions
With the population of Japan being just over 126 million, Japan has got to be one of the most diverse countries in the world. There are many languages and dialects spoken throughout the archipelago of Japan, which to simplify is split into two main groups.
The two main linguistics groups are Japonic and Ainu languages. Japonic is divided into numerous dialects. These languages and dialects include Hachijo, Kyushu, Kunigami, Miyako, Okinawa and Hokkaido Ainu. The two most common languages spoken and that you should at least attempt to learn before your travels is Japanese, which is known to be the de facto official language of Japan. Japanese gets spoken by almost 122 million people and Okinawan with over 980,000. Japanese are also divided into a large number of dialects. Japanese and Okinawan are similar and speakers of these two languages can understand each other but only to some extend.
With adopting many cultures from around the world, Japan has two main religions, including Shinto meaning “way of gods”) and Buddhism. But there are many smaller religions as well.
Japanese cultures are continually innovating, from the people, religions, social conventions, food and beverages, sports, Geishas, Samurai, manga, comedy, games and anime. These cultures are a combination of both traditions and modernity. The combination of the old and the new is also what make Japan so unique and a country worth visiting.
Japan’s traditions and culture get influenced by many other Asian and European countries. Some of Japan’s popular cultures and traditions that interest visitors from other countries include:
- Tea ceremony
- Bonenkai parties (end of the year parties)
- Yamayaki (mountain burning)
- Miyamairi (shrine visiting)
- Eating soba (buckwheat noodle) on New Year’s Eve
- Mochi (rice cake) making
- Floating lantern
- Local Festivals
Top 4 Food Markets
As many tourists too Japan know, you want to learn the Japanese way, eat their food, drink their drinks, see all the attractions, learn their history. What better way to learn by experiencing their street foods? Japan’s top four food streets include, Yanaka Ginza, Togoshi Ginza, Ameyoko Market, and Asakusa’s Nakamise Dori Street.
Yanaka Ginza
Perhaps try unique foods from Yanaka Ginza like, Yanaka Shipoya which is a cattail inspired doughnut. Seafood on a stick called Maruhatsu Fukushima Shoten, or even some Taiyaki which is a red bean-filled pancake. The Yanaka Ginza is open from 10 am – 6-7 pm.
Togoshi Ginza
Togoshi Ginza. Also known as one of the longest street food markets in Japan. I recommend you trying some popular foods like yakitori, sashimi, and oden. Togoshi Ginza are open from 3 pm – 6 pm from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays and public holidays, the opening hours are from 2 pm – 7 pm.
Ameyoko Market
Ameyoko Market gets situated outside of Ueno station. This market isn’t just food-based, it also has cosmetics, medicines, and everything to do with fashion. I recommend that you try the Tokumori-don, honey-filled hotteok, Menchi or Chicken Karaage from this bustling market. The Ameyoko market is open from 10 am – 10 pm every day.
Asakusa’s Nakamise Dori Street
Asakusa’s Nakamise Dori Street is one of the most famous street markets throughout Japan. It connects from the Sensoji Temple and to the main hall. This market is open from 10 am – 5 pm every day, making it easy to buy your favourite treats any time of the week. Try some of the Asakusa’s famous street foods like kibi dango, Asakusa kurikoan, Sekine, or even some delicious toyofuku Curry Bread.
Top Sightseeing Attractions and Family-friendly Activities
Apart from eating and drinking all day, some of the best places to visit whilst planning or when travelling to Japan has got to be the six regions. Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Takayama, Hakone, and Osaka. How about trying:
- Visit the historical shrines in Kyoto and Nara
- Take the kids for a day to Universal Studios, or Disneyland, or Disney Sea.
- Go-kart through Tokyo at night.
- Visit many temples in various areas.
- Visit the Hiroshima atomic bomb dome and learn the history of the bombing.
- View Mount Fuji from Lake Ashi.
- Experience onsen (hot springs)
- Get your fortune from the golden temple.
- Explore Kyoto’s cherry blossom locations in spring.
- Take a bullet train (Shinkansen) across Japan.
- Join a DIY workshop to make wax display food at Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya.
- Make your cup of noodles at the cup noodles museum in Yokohama.
My Top 5 Street Food
From my days of travelling, I recommend that you try these foods at least once in your life to experience the Japanese food culture.
- Takoyaki :
Takoyaki is known as ‘octopus ball’. It gets filled with chopped up octopus, pickled ginger, and green onion in a wheat-flour based batter.
- Gyoza:
Even though this dish, originally came from China, it has become popular in all parts of Japan. Gyoza is a dumpling that gets filled with ground meats, or even some seafood. Vegetables gets added and wrapped in a thin layer of dough.
- Okonomiyaki:
Okonomiyaki is a Japanese style savoury pancake. It has many ingredients within the dish such as eggs, tempura scraps, wombok cabbage, and meat of your choosing. You can also select a variety of condiments like okonomiyaki sauce, Japanese mayonnaise, and even dried seaweed.
- Mochi:
Mochi is a Japanese rice cake that can gets filled with many different fillings. This dish can be served with sweet or savoury and is a popular treat in Japan especially during New Year Holiday season.
- Ikayaki:
Ikayaki is a popular fast food option in Japan. It is squid on a stick topped with some soy sauce.
Do and Don’ts
When it comes to the dos and don’ts of Japan, you may be overwhelmed with how small these requests are. But, like the rest of the world, the larger things often start small too. You will soon realise how clean the streets, parks, restaurants, public transport systems are and why these little things matter most.
When eating or drinking –
- Do not tip the restaurant or staff.
- Do try new food.
- Do not pour your drink.
- Do say ‘Itadakimasu’ before eating, meaning thank you.
- Do not stick your chopsticks into your meals.
- Do lay chopstick flat across the rim of the bowl.
- Do not blow your nose at a restaurant or in public.
When on the train –
- Do not answer your phone during the train ride.
- Do turn your phone onto silent mode to avoid disruption.
- Keep your belongings to your side, and do not have a backpack on your back.
- Do not drink or eat anything on the public trains. Chewing gum gets considered eating.
- Do not speak loudly.
- Do not put makeup on in the train.
When in public –
- Do not drink alcohol away from restaurants or private areas.
- Do take off your shoes when visiting a home or hotel.
- Do not eat in public spaces.
- Do not show intimate affection in public.
- Do not bow stop bowing until they do.
Summary
That concludes the article and what I would recommend to know before travelling to Japan, and I hope it has helped you with your travels ahead. Best of luck and stay safe.