Japan tours & trips

Traditional but inventive. Formal but playful. Japanese culture is a unique fusion of centuries old traditions with ultra-modern art, fashion and technology. Traditions such as tea ceremonies, bowing and geishas continue to endure, and rules continue to govern many aspects of how people interact. One of the most prominent symbols of Japan – the selfless samurai warrior – reflects the importance placed on politeness and social harmony over the individual.

Some rules to keep in mind when visiting Japan:
•    Bow when you greet someone, say thank you or goodbye.
•    Always remove your shoes when you visit someone’s home, a ryokan or temple hall. Some restaurants require you to remove your shoes as well.
•    Be quite on public transit. It’s considered rude to speak loudly or be on your phone.

This fusion of old and new, however, is often at odds with each other. Japanese street fashion, for instance, is characterised by a distinct lack of rules. Bright colours, costumes and trends are all mixed in unexpected ways and is meant to reflect self-identity. Kawaii – anything that is considered cute or adorable and provokes feelings of affection or protectiveness – factors prominently in Japanese society and not only shapes pop culture, but also personal appearance and mannerism. Being called kawaii is a compliment. It’s also responsible for the aesthetic of some of Japan’s most famous exports, such as anime, manga and cosplay.

Japanese cuisine is so much more than just sushi and ramen (the latter isn’t actually even Japanese – it’s a Chinese import). Food is an art form in Japan, with many cities claiming their own regional speciality. Proper foodies will know that Osaka is where you order okonomiyaki (Japanese pancakes) and salmon is best in Hokkaido. Within each city, most restaurants focus on one speciality. The exception is izakaya, or pub eateries, that offer typical Japanese foods (like sashimi and grilled fish) alongside Western-style foods (like french fries) and beer and sake.

Tea is a staple beverage in Japan. Sweetened beverages and sodas are rarely found in Japanese restaurants, but tea is provided free of charge. Drinking plays a large role in Japanese society, both socially and as part of Shinto festivals and rites. Though sake, a fermented rice wine, is considered Japan’s national drink, beer is the more popular choice. Noteworthy local brews include Sapporo and Asahi.

Must-try foods in Japan:

Sushi and sashimi: Tokyo is  renowned for having some of the best sushi (raw fish and seafood wrapped in rice) and sashimi (raw fish and seafood without the rice) in the world. Pick up a plate with a side of pickled ginger and fresh (and super spicy) wasabi.

Ramen: Though it has its origins in China, ramen is now ubiquitous with Japanese fast food and is one of the most inexpensive meals you can find. There are countless regional variations but all ramen involves noodles in a meat broth with meat and usually some vegetables. Slurping is encouraged when eating ramen!

Okonomiyaki: A deliciously savoury cabbage pancake from Osaka, topped with meat, seafood or vegetables and mayonnaise.

Yakitori: Charcoal-grilled skewers of meat and vegetables served with salty and sweet sauce

Dining etiquette in Japan:

Japan has quite a few rules when it comes to eating. Some important ones to keep in mind are:

1.    It’s considered bad manners to walk and eat. Always stop when you’re having a bite.
2.    Do not stick your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice or pass food from your chopsticks to someone else’s chopsticks – both are Buddhist funeral rituals.
3.    It’s considered bad form to fill your own glass. Instead, fill the glass of the person next to you and wait for them to do the same.
4.    Most restaurants will give you a hot towel when you arrive. It’s meant to be used to wipe your hands and face, not as a napkin while eating.

Festivals (matsuri) in Japan are usually sponsored by local shrines or temples. With thousands of temples across the country each holding at least one festival a year, there’s almost always a party happening somewhere. Though spiritual elements are often involved, many are joyous affairs involving music, floats, food and games. Some of the best festivals in Japan to look out for include:

Sapporo Yuki Matsuri (Snow Festival): Each February, Sapporo embraces the winter season with a cool one-week ode to snow and ice. Size up massive snow sculptures while having a drink at an ice bar, coast down a snow slide or check out one of the many concerts and performances that take place on various stages made of snow.

Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Season: For two weeks each spring, people of all ages pack picnics and flock to their favourite hanami (flower-viewing) spot. Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa, Hirosaki Castle in Honshu and Onshi Park in Tokyo are just a few places to appreciate Japan’s famous pink blooms.

Sanja Matsuri: Each May the city of Tokyo honours the three founders of the Senso-ji Temple – the city’s oldest and most visited Buddhist temple – with a lively, three-day celebration featuring a procession of priests and geisha, musicians playing flutes and taiko drums, revellers parading large portable shrines, food stalls and games.

Gion Matsuri: Though this Kyoto festival takes place for the entire month of July, the main event is a three-day street festival and float parade. Streets fill with food stalls and drink vendors, and the intricate floats – which depict Japanesee history and are often described as ‘mobile art museums’ – are displayed for people to inspect up close.
 

About the same size as the state of California, Japan is comprised of several thousand islands off the cost of Asia. Most of its land area, however, is contained in four main islands – Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu and Hokkaido. Its proximity to several of the Earth’s major crustal plates has resulted in unstable mountainous terrain, which contains a mix of both active and dormant volcanoes. The tallest and most famous – Mount Fuji – is considered one of Japan’s ‘Three Holy Mountains’ (along with Mount Tate and Mount Haku) and is a popular destination for tourists and climbers. Japan’s geographic location means it experiences frequent earthquakes, as well as occasional tidal waves and typhoon. It also has four distinct seasons that vary geographically.

Renowned for its cutting-edge technology, flamboyant fashion and unusual gadgets – Japan is a shopper’s holy grail. Visit Yodobashi Camera – an eight-story behemoth in Tokyo’s Yurakucho neighbourhood – for a ridiculously wide selection of electronics at a low price. Previously a mecca for all things techy, the Akihabara area in Tokyo has become the place for Otaku (fanboy or fangirl) culture, meaning all things anime, manga or cosplay. If you're interested in adding some Harajuku style to your wardrobe, bear in mind that clothes fit smaller in Japan (and shoes come off in fitting rooms).

Stores increasingly offer tax-free shopping to tourist who spends more than 5,000 yen (USD 44) on consumables (food or stationary) or 10,000 yen (USD 88) on non-consumables (clothes or electronics). Bring your passport to take advantage of this offer. Many, however, do not accept credit card, so make sure to shop with cash.