Japan Hotels
Japan Destinations
Japan is a country that consists of a
number of islands in the North Pacific Ocean. Sea of Japan occupies
the west of the country and reaches to Korean Peninsula.
The Japanese are very proud of their
four season climate. The surrounding Ocean supports high humidity
levels. This effect turns the winters towards mild. However hot and
humid summers turn unbearable sometimes. Only Northern regions and
high altitudes experience snow in winter. The spring and autumn
weather is just lovely.
All throughout the history, Japanese
were almost never disturbed by other nations because the land is
somehow cut away from the rest of the world. In this secluded
location, a very unique Japanese culture thrived. Even in todays
modern world of global media networks and global trade, the
authenticity of Japanese culture isn't spoiled much and still serves
an unmatched mystical atmosphere. There is so much to see of this
culture, so much to discover... It's not only the sights and
monuments, the people's conception of the world around them, is
immensely different from the rest of the world. At first, it feels
weird to the outsider but as you spend time and try to discover the
philosophy behind the customs and traditions, your mind will purely
be blown away. This feeling really cannot be described but has to be
experienced first hand. Still, we advise you to prepare for the
culture shock before you set off to your vacation.
Manners, kindness and respect are very
important in Japanese culture. A westerner, might think that they
overdo it, but the consequences are enough evidence. The society is
very peaceful and organized. Everyone does their jobs with utmost
care and consideration. We all know how hardworking they are. On the
other hand, some other aspects of life might feel rude or over
complex to us. The directions on the walls or on the vending machines
that supply everything (we mean EVERYTHING), even on a public toilet
might give you a nervous breakdown. Try to think like a Japanese and
act like a Japanese, or if both fails, communicate to a Japanese...
English is not very known in this society overall, though most
youngsters know enough for basic to conversations.
Almost all of the populace is of
Japanese origin. As we mentioned earlier, this land has mostly been
closed to outside influence. One exception is Buddhism. Traditional
Japanese religion is called Shinto. It is an animist religion,
putting emphasis on spirit of the land. Modern Japanese society
however, combined Buddhism and Shinto together in their lives. Most
people are not very pious and practice both Buddhist and Shinto in
different periods of daily life. For example, Marriage ceremonies and
festivals are mostly based on Shinto traditions whereas funeral
ceremonies show more Buddhist influence. Shinto philosophy places
utmost respect to the nature. The mystical atmosphere of Japanese
temples and shrines in the middle of lush green gardens is an
other-worldly experience. On the other hand, modern and high flowing
cities too have preserved the traditional architecture. You might
spot little old Japanese huts next to high rise apartments or office
complexes, that is no surprise at all. Cities are very lively and
possess that special aura combined with the superior technology.
Shopping options are plentiful. We would highly recommend shopping
for high quality electronics and casual clothing, though larger sizes
on clothing may be hard to find. Young pop culture is very different
in Japan. It is like a combination of tradition with global trends.
Anime and Manga -if you are interested- displays very good examples
to this fact. Game consoles and arcade saloons have turned into
obsessions long ago. Another surprise would be the popularity of
baseball.
The countryside of Japan is even more
intriguing and spectacular than the urban districts. All of the
islands are covered by emerald green. The oceanic views complete the
already spectacular setting. The iconic Fuji mountain smiles from the
clouds, coral reefs, ancient trails, need I count more?
Japanese cuisine is one of the most
prospered ones of the world. To this day, the culture has shaped it
into a unique blend of rice, seafood and fresh local ingredients. Of
course rice is the main dish here, along with seafood. And as this
land has very different conceptions of the world, seafood doesn't
only include fish, many weeds are prepared in delicate ways too.
Those who like trying new things will be astonished. Preparation of
Sushi is an art that chefs dedicate their lives to.
Soybeans and Tofu is for the
vegetarian, noodle is common. First thing to do of course, is to
learn table side manners and how to use the chopsticks. Traditional
green tea holds a very important place in daily life. Sake is the
alcoholic beverage somehow fermented from rice.
Every moment of your stay in Japan will
definitely be a unique experience for you. For those who like trying
new things, Japan should be the obvious choice.

