Japan Local Customs

 
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Most Viewed Local Customs in Japan

151.

Etiquettes and Behaviors   Tokyo

Etiquettes and Behaviors, Tokyo

 52 Reviews  Don't be daunted by the huge crowds using the trains in Tokyo. We have all seen how packed the trains are either in photos, in media, etc. No worries, they have a cool system! While there we have not... 

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152.

Visiting Temples and Shrines   Kyoto

Visiting Temples and Shrines, Kyoto

 41 Reviews  It's tradition but a lot of visitors of the temple miss this local custom! There is a covered fountain fronting the gate of the Ginkakuji Temple. The water fountain has a bamboo scooper where you... 

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153.

food & specialities   Osaka

food & specialities, Osaka

 8 Reviews  Our hotel room was included breakfast and when we checked in the receptionist ask if we want to have standard western breakfast or Japanese breakfast? Common, we have "normal" breakfast all over the... 

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154.

Tradition   Tokyo

Tradition, Tokyo

 33 Reviews  On a beautiful Saturday in March, we decided to visit General Nogi's house and its attached Shinto shrine. The General was a count who was involved in the battle for Port Arthur, losing many of his... 

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155.

Geisha and Maiko   Kyoto

Geisha and Maiko, Kyoto

 12 Reviews  In Gion at a Geisha bar. Again, this was only possible via an introduction. The Geisha were more sophisticated than the Maiko. They focused on the male members of our party. I asked a friend who often... 

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156.

etiquettes / behaviors   Osaka

etiquettes / behaviors, Osaka

 10 Reviews  In the streets you will at some places see trees that are lighted at night, that looks quite funny and romantic. It has nothing to do with christmas, because we had been there in March. We had 3... 

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157.

Speak / Learn Japanese (Nihongo)   Tokyo

Speak / Learn Japanese (Nihongo), Tokyo

 9 Reviews  This is the bare minimum to get you by as a tourist. Not enough to live on by any means, but at least it's better than grunting and pointing! - ko-re o kudasai = this, please (good when looking at... 

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158.

Language   Kyoto

Language, Kyoto

 7 Reviews  The Kyoto dialect (Kyo-kotoba) is quite distinct from standard Japanese and other dialects. Because it developed in the ancient capital, the feeling it gives Japanese people when they hear it is one... 

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159.

culture & history   Osaka

culture & history, Osaka

 11 Reviews  There are many interesting classes you can take in a wide range of traditional Japanese arts and crafts. Such things as ikebana (flower arranging), traditional dance, taiko drumming, tea ceremony,... 

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160.

People   Tokyo

People, Tokyo

 33 Reviews  Vending machines seem to be in breeding overdrive in Japan. I heard one source say there were over six million and still going strong. I think they would only work in a society that is on the whole... 

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161.

Public Restrooms   Kyoto

Public Restrooms, Kyoto

 5 Reviews  Most of the bathrooms in Japan (just the local ones not those in luxury hotels and upclass shopping malls), are not equipped with papertowels to wipe hands. By having a wash cloth in your pocket will... 

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162.

language   Osaka

language, Osaka

 4 Reviews  OSAKA DIALECT: Osakaben is a special dialect spoken by the people of Osaka. Some of the commonly used terms are as follows:mo-karimakka Hi! How are you doing? ohayo-okaeri Have a nice day! o-kini... 

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163.

Street Scene   Tokyo

Street Scene, Tokyo

 19 Reviews  I was intrigued to see some workers reinstalling the stanchions around planting beds. I had to take a photograph of the stanchions, because they struck me as quintessentially Japanese -- an attention... 

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164.

Gardens   Kyoto

Gardens, Kyoto

 7 Reviews  Maruyama Park, at the eastern end of Shijo-dori, behind the Yasaka Shrine, becomes a busy and festive place in spring. The many cherry trees there are a riot of blossom and centre-stage stands a giant... 

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165.

castle   Osaka

castle, Osaka

 2 Reviews  The old classic Japanese construction and architecture is obvious very local. However, OSaka is very large business modern city, there is not much about temples and history to see with the exception... 

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166.

Religion   Tokyo

Religion, Tokyo

 19 Reviews  Before visiting a shrine in Japan, you should purify your body. Here, at the Meiji Shinto Shrine, you should take a ladel of water, swish it around in your mouth, and spit it out, preferably not into... 

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167.

Festivals   Kyoto

Festivals, Kyoto

 4 Reviews  Gion Matsuri is held annually in Kyoto and is probably one of the most famous festival in all of Japan. It is on during the entire month of July and the Yama-boko Junkō, which is the parade with... 

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168.

Have you ever seen this before?   Tokyo

Have you ever seen this before?, Tokyo

 14 Reviews  The Japanese obsession with automation, astronomical land prices and sense or order all come together when you look at car parking. There are a good number of these giant vending-type machines all... 

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169.

Infrastructures   Tokyo

Infrastructures, Tokyo

 18 Reviews  Most guides will advise buying Yen before you go to Japan to cover initial expenses but then buying more once there as there is a better exchange rate in the country itself. You also avoid the... 

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170.

Japanese Style Room / House   Tokyo

Japanese Style Room / House, Tokyo

 1 Review  If you get the chance, there is nothing that beats putting up a night at a traditional inn or RYOKAN. There are quite a few within Tokyo city, but those that offer better facilities and a more... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Wedding Ceremony in Japan

by gogonicetrip

About 70% of Japanese weddings are conducted in Shinto style.The next most common are those conducted in Christian style, followed by Buddhist-style welding.Most couples do not associate their chosen style of wedding with a religious faith.In olden times the wedding ceremony was held in husband home.Ceremonies in shrines became common in the Meiji period(1868-1912).Christian-style ceremony in churches are usually open only to Christians, but recently some churches admit couples who have taken classes on Christianity.Hotels and wedding halls have facilities for both Shinto-style and Christian-style ceremonies where Shinto priests and ministers come to preside over the ceremonies.After the ceremony, commemorative photos are taken and wedding receptions are held.A wedding reception is an event to make couple’s marriage public, to which friends and acquaintances are invited.

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Geta, are a kind of sandal

by gogonicetrip

Geta are a form of Japanese footwear that resembles both clogs and flip-flop.They are a kind of sandal with an elevated wooden base held onto the foot with a fabric thong. They are worn with traditional Japanese clothing such as kimono or yukata, but also with Western clothing during the summer months.

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Ukiyo-e, is the woodblock painting

by gogonicetrip

Ukiyo-e is a genre of Japanese woodblock print and paintings produced between the 17th and the 20th centuries, featuring motifs of landscapes, actors, the everyday lives of common people, and licensed entertainment quarters.Hokusai is best-known as author of the woodblock print series Thirth-six Views of Mt.Fuji, which includes the iconic and internationally-recognized print, The Great Wave off Kanagawa.

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Golden Week

by gogonicetrip

Golden Week is a vacation that begins at the end of April and lasts until the beginning of May.Many national holidays are concentrated together during this week.In the case of in 2007, this is from April 29 to May 06.

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No shoes!

by Mr.Sparkle

If you visit a Japanese house or even some restaurants you will have to don your shoes. Better make sure you wash your feet and wear good socks. As well, don’t be surprised if you see Japanese people walking around barefoot in a restaurant. It’s a little gross, but they don’t seem to mind.

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Surippa o haite kudasai! (Pls put on slippers!)

by Pixiekatten

Taking off your shoes and instead putting on slippers is a custom as old as Japan. And is the custom in all Japanese homes, temples, shrines, many hospitals and small offices, schools, restaurants, etc. All shoes worn outside are taken off at the entrance called "genkan" and you are provided your own guest slippers to be worn inside. These slippers however are removed before entering the tatami room, the traditional Japanese room where the floor is covered with a number of tightly woven straw mats used for sleeping at night or for a traditional ceremony like a tea ceremony.There are special slippers designated for use while in the toilet room. This is also a signal that the toilet is occupied.

Urushi-nuri, is the lacquer ware in Japan

by gogonicetrip

Urishi-nuri is a Japanese traditional craft that is the exquisite lacquer ware.The most famous lacquer ware is Wajima-nuri, that producing in Wajima Ishikawa-ken.Using handmade tools the Kijishi prepares the wooden bases for the Togishi, who duplicate with amazing accuracy the desired shapes.The Nushi then lacquers these wooden bases repeatedly until achieving a finish worthy of the name of Wajima-nuri.The lacquer base is finally enhanced with ornamental work done by the Makieshi.The process bestows Wajima-nuri object with a finish and durability admire throughout the world.

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Miko at Shinto Shrine

by gogonicetrip

Miko are young female attendants at Shinto shrines. They are often the daughters of the priest who presided over a given shrine. Roles of Miko included performing in ceremonial dances and assisting priests in various ceremonies, especially weddings. You can meet a Miko at many Shinto shrines.

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Hatsumode, first shirine visit

by gogonicetrip

Hatsumode in Japanese is the first shrine visit of the New Year.Many people go to a shrine during the first, second, or third day of the year, then they pray for the health, happiness and success of the business in the New Year.What did you pray for?[Back to Japan]

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JPOP

by Pixiekatten

J-pop = Japanese pop. The term is widely used in Japan to describe many different musical genres including pop, rock, dance, hip hop, and soul. Now in the mid 00's, R&B and Hip Hop influences in Japanese music are stronger than ever. J-pop music is an integral part of Japanese popular culture. It is used everywhere: anime, stores, commercials, movies, radio shows, TV shows, and video games. Some television news programs even run a J-pop song during their end credits.The sheer number of songs that are released means the faces of J-pop are constantly changing. Many artists will only release one album and several singles before fading back into anonymity. It is very difficult to stay prominent for longer than this, and artists who sustain their popularity for a decade are considered outstanding.If you're new to Japanese music, you're sure to find that it is not necessary to have an...

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Local traditions and culture in Japan

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Local Customs: Cities in Japan
  1. Tokyo Local Customs
  2. Kyoto Local Customs
  3. Osaka Local Customs
  4. Nagoya Local Customs
  5. Sapporo Local Customs
  6. Hiroshima Local Customs
  7. Sasebo Local Customs
  8. Nara Local Customs
  9. Fukuoka Local Customs
  10. Nikko Local Customs
  11. Narita Local Customs
  12. Takayama Local Customs
  13. Yokohama Local Customs
  14. Nagano Local Customs
  15. Yokosuka Local Customs
  16. Hakone Local Customs
  17. Nagasaki Local Customs
  18. Hamamatsu Local Customs
  19. Fuji-Hakone-Izu-kokuritsu-koen Local Customs
  20. Niigata Local Customs
  21. Naha Local Customs
  22. Himeji Local Customs
  23. Okayama Local Customs
  24. Kanazawa Local Customs
  25. Miyajima Local Customs
  26. Kamakura Local Customs
  27. Beppu Local Customs
  28. Kawasaki Local Customs
  29. Otaru Local Customs
  30. Kumamoto Local Customs
  31. Hakodate Local Customs
  32. Kitakyushu Local Customs
  33. Sendai Local Customs
  34. Iwakuni Local Customs
  35. Chiba Local Customs
  36. Harajuku Local Customs
  37. Yokohama Local Customs
  38. Shizuoka Local Customs
  39. Ise Local Customs
  40. Toyama Local Customs
  41. Komaki Local Customs
  42. Utsunomiya Local Customs
  43. Tsukuba Local Customs
  44. Matsuyama Local Customs

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  Hi there, Will arrive in Tokyo, Narit Airport for a layover and wanted to take advantage of seeing something. I will arrive at... 

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A: youre lucky to be arriving so early, so you will likely pass through immigration fairly quickly. lets still count with an hour just in case. you can either take the... 

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