Introduction
Japan is an island nation in East Asia, situated in the Pacific Ocean on the north-east coast of the Asian mainland. Bordered by the sea of Japan, which extends from the sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea, Japan has a population of more than 125 million as of 2020. The capital of this nation is Tokyo, which is the world’s most populous metropolitan area, with more than 38 million people residing there. Japan ranks 11th in terms of population all over the world and has the fourth largest economy in the world. This small island nation is spread across 377,000 km2 of area.
What is Japan famous for?
This beautiful Asian nation is known for its stunning scenery; it offers landscapes like Mount Fuji and serene bamboo forests. Japan offers a wide variety of breathtaking landscapes, but landscapes are not only what Japan is famous for. Japan also offers a wide variety of delicious cuisine. Japanese food is known for its fresh ingredients, delicate flavours, and beautiful presentation. Some prominent examples of Japanese cuisine are sushi, sashimi, ramen, and many other popular dishes.
Japan has a rich culture with fascinating history and traditions that are still practiced today, but tradition is not what Japan is stuck on, as the country features cutting-edge technology that the world is proud of. Japanese technology is considered one of the best in the world, and many great countries look forward to new Japanese innovations that may change the world as we know it.
As Japan is one of the few countries that still follows and sticks to its roots of traditions, the people of Japan are known to be very polite and respectful to visitors. Tourists that visit Japan are often treated with high respect and are struck by the high level of customer service that Japan offers.
So here are 10 more things to know about Japan if you’re planning to visit the country or if you’re just a curiosity seeker for this amazing country.
1. Japanese Culture
The traditional Japanese cuisine is often based on one staple food and a combination of clear soup, also known as miso soup. For example, the staple food could be rice or noodles, which are side dishes that generally range from fish to picked vegetables or vegetables cooked in broth.
For example, fish and seafood are consumed in three basic forms: grilled, raw, or deep-fried. If the food is not cooked, I eat it. It is raw. It is known as sashimi, and a very popular dish that is also eaten raw is sushi, which uses raw fish. And if the fish is deep-fried, it is known as tempura.
The most common Japanese dishes are soba or udon. Udon, in Laymen terms, are just noodles. So it is important to know that Japanese cuisine consists of a lot of seafood, as typically a nation that resides on the sea coast should have, but if you are vegan or vegetarian, you might have trouble finding the right food for you as most of the Japanese dishes consist of meat, fish, and a lot of seafood. On the other hand, if you are perfectly fine with eating non-vegetarian meals, then Japanese cuisine is truly a delight for you.
The country offers a wide variety of street food as well as traditional foods that consist of seafood and meat, but it is also important to know that traditional Japanese cuisine uses one staple food that is usually vegetarian, for example, rice or noodles.
2. Travelling by Train.
The people of this wonderful nation are heavily dependent on trains for the daily commute. Every nation heavily depends on trains, and Chinese and Indians show their appreciation for trains by overbearing and using them extensively. However, it is astonishing to know that out of the 51 busiest train stations in the world, this country houses 45 of them, and the busiest and largest of them all is Shinjuku station, which is located in Tokyo, and it sees a whopping 3.6 million travellers every single day. The travellers are day-to-day commuters that commute from their homes to their work places.
An interesting fact about the Japanese train. Japan not only makes one of the fastest trains in the world, but the trains here are considered one of the safest as well. It is known that train accidents in Japan are very, very rare, unlike in many other countries like India, the UK, or China.
And another interesting fact about Japanese railways is that due to the rush in Japanese trains, companies often employ people known as “pushers,” and the sole purpose of their job is to push the maximum number of people they can into a train carriage. Believe it or not, this job takes about six months of training just to qualify for this position. So while travelling through the country, be safe on these Japanese trains. Although they offer a cheap travel medium, they can be quite frantic for people who aren’t accustomed to such rushed routes.
3. Tipping Customs
Tipping is not a customary part of the tradition of Japan; naturally, many restaurants in the country don’t accept tips, and an attempt by you to tip in Japanese restaurants will make the staff make the staff more embarrassed than grateful towards you, although in place of tipping, some bars and Japanese restaurants charge a service fee, which typically varies from three hundred to five hundred yen per person, and the most fancy restaurants often charge a ten percent service fee on the bill.
4. The best time to visit Japan
While visiting, visitors expect to enjoy the scenic beauty of the country, and hence the best time to visit this country is generally around March and May or between September and November. During this time, the country is both warm and dry, so there will be no risk of rainfall, and hence it won’t ruin your travel experience. One thing everyone looks forward to while travelling to the country is seeing the cherry blossom trees.
The cherry blossom season is a spectacular site and a crowded time to visit the country. These pink-coloured trees and flowers attract the attention of all visitors, and the best time to see such trees is generally during mid-May. Although the southern regions experience these cherry blossoms emerge earlier, during the season that is around the start of April, and the northern regions may experience the same thing a little later, by the month of May or by the end of May.
Therefore, plan accordingly while visiting if you want to enjoy cherry blossoms. You might also want to check the part of the country that you are visiting and if it is the correct time for cherry blossom season. There are quite a lot of websites that are dedicated to keeping travellers updated on this beloved cherry blossom season, and the Japan Meteorological Corporation even provides blue maps and forecasts beginning in January every year, so if you would like to maximise your chance of experiencing the true scenic beauty of this amazing nation, you should plan the visit after checking online for different weather conditions throughout the country.
If you are unable to visit during the peak season, you should be prepared for the summers in Japan, as they are hot and humid and the winters are cold with snow showers throughout the country. During this season, you can experience Japan with much less hustle and bustle and enjoy the scenic beauty with a sense of peace and isolation. It is important to check for storms and typhoons, as the country is pretty prone as a coastal area to such calamities.
5. The Cash Transaction-Based Country
Cash is essential in the country of Japan. Despite how modern the country might seem, cash is still much more preferred than any online means of payment, although there have been digital payment methods that have been adapted after the pandemic. Still, there are many situations in which you would need cash to save yourself in the country. From street shops to big stores, cash is easily accepted and is generally preferred over any digital means of payment. So remember to carry cash during your visit to the country.
6. Manga and anime
Another thing that this amazing country is famous for introducing to the world is anime and manga. These animated cartoons have created a worldwide fan following and continue to inspire youth and kids. Japanese comics are known as mangas and are usually printed in black or white, but they offer all kinds of genres to explore and are usually very exciting and thrilling to read, and the adaptations of these mangas into animated shows are known as anime.
A lot of manga is devoted to children and contains charming characters and extravagant features that depict the culture of the country. There are also manga and anime that are based upon fictional stories and characters that are no different from our favourite superhero stories. It has provided the world with quite a lot of really famous anime and animated cartoon shows. Some prominent examples of such are cartoon shows known as Shin-chan and Doraemon and anime known as Naruto Attack on Titan, One Piece, et cetera. If you want to know more about cartoons and animated shows, read our other article.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Japan is a fascinating country that offers a unique mix of tradition and modernity. Ranging from its delicious cuisine to its efficient transportation system, this country does not stop to amaze its visitors. Japan has something to offer for everyone, be it scenic beauty, delicious cuisine, or manga and anime.
This country attracts all age groups. However, there are a few things that should be kept in mind before planning a visit here, like the importance of cash and the tipping customs of the country, and the best time to visit the country depending on your preferences. With a little planning, you can have an unforgettable trip to Japan and make it a trip you will remember. To Know More About the sountry Visit Japan/wiki.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is the best time to visit the country if I am not afraid of large crowds?
If you are not accustomed to large crowds, I would say the best time to travel to Japan would be during the winter or summer season, during which the crowds are usually pretty low and the scenic beauty is enhanced.
Q: If I’m planning to visit here in May, should I book my hotel in advance, or will I be able to find one after reaching the country?
It is highly recommended to book your hotel and stay destinations in advance, even if you’re visiting in the off-season of summer or winter. If you’re visiting in May, it is very necessary to have your travel accommodations ready beforehand.
Q: What are some traditional vegetarian dishes from the cuisine of the country?
This country offers a wide variety of vegetarian dishes as well, namely Shojin Ryori, Hiyayakko, Yodofu, Agedashi Tofu, and many more.
Q: What should I prefer if I’m travelling to here—a cruise or a flight?
A cruise, which is generally more relaxing and calming, usually takes a lot more time when compared to a flight. A cruise for Japan is usually available from most of the world’s main ports, although if you are in a country that is not near seashore, it is generally preferred to travel by flight as it is much cheaper as well as faster than a cruise.
Q: Is it useful to learn the Japanese language before travelling to Japan?
Although it is not required to fully learn the Japanese language, some basic phrases like sorry, thank you, no, and other such daily use phrases will greatly help you during your travels in the country.
Q: What are the times in the year that I should refrain from travelling to Japan?
The country may look like a safe haven, but there are times in which people should refrain from travelling, which is during the storm season, which runs in Japan from May to October and whose peak months vary from August to September. During this season, there is a frequent occurrence of storms and typhoons all over the country.
