Japan: A Land of Traditions and Wonders

The country of Japan is one of the most exciting and popular travel destinations in the world. The culture in Japan is rich and diverse, with many traditional aspects in place all over the country.

Japan is an island nation encompassing four main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.

With 6,852km of coastline surrounding all four main islands, it is nearly impossible to visit every corner of this destination in one trip.

To truly experience Japan’s culture, spend at least two weeks exploring the various regions found within the country.

Things to See in Japan

There are many great things about Japan that make it such an ideal tourist location.

Whether you love modern art, ancient temples or want to take part in Japanese traditions like drinking green tea on a street corner during your daily commute, there is something for everyone who visits this country.

One of the most interesting things about Japan is how traditional it can still be, despite being a part of the technologically driven world we live in today.

Let’s dive in:

Grand Temples

One glorious thing for tourists in Japan is visiting the grand temples found within several regions throughout the country.

These beautiful buildings are located all over Japan and range from ancient to modern additions built within recent years.

Some of these temples are quite famous and popular among many tourists, while others are not well known even to people who live close.

Many of these temples have been designated as “sacred” by government order.

It is also common practice that visitors take off their shoes before entering any sacred or holy building. When entering such a place, ensure that the floors and footwear are clean before removing your shoes.

Some famous temples you want to make sure you visit are:

• Tōshō-gū

The Tōshō-gū temple in Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, is where the sun goddess Amaterasu Ōmikami is enshrined. The compound has been designated as a National Treasure because of its cultural and historical significance.

Outside of Japan, it also known this temple as the White Heron Castle. The castle was built in memory of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who passed away in 1616.

The white heron that lives in the compound’s pond represents the deceased shogun.

There are some unique aspects to this ancient place, such as its features of both Japanese architecture and Chinese influence.

• Kiyomizu-dera

Kiyomizu-dera is in the mountainous regions of Kyoto, Japan. This temple and its surroundings have been designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government.

The building itself has several names, such as Kiyomizudera Temple or just Kiyomizu. The temple is known for being one of the wealthiest Buddhist temples in Kyoto, with nearly 5,000 visitors coming through each day to visit this incredible place.

This temple was founded during the Heian period (794–1192) by Saichō, who converted from Tendai to Pure Land Buddhism while traveling throughout China and India.

Inside this beautiful sanctuary, there is an enormous statue that has been carved from one solid piece of rock.

The sanctuary also has two large bells at the top of the building, one of which is believed to have been made by the famous Buddhist monk Enchin who lived during the late eighth century.

• Kinkaku-ji

Kinkaku-ji is another temple founded in the Heian period, but over a hundred years later than Kiyomizu-dera. This temple is in Kyoto and has been designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the government of Japan over a decade ago.

The compound contains several buildings, including the Golden Pavilion, which is believed to have served as a place for Buddhist worship but was later converted into an imperial villa for Emperor Gomizuno’o since it was so close to his castle’s garden residence.

Another interesting fact about this building is that only two out of four sides are covered with gold leaf panels. The other two sides served as stand-ins when the temple needed new panels to cover up the damage caused by natural weathering or vandalism through the years.

Visitors who have been to this temple have said that they were amazed at the incredible view of the pond, garden, and nearby wooded area.

This place is trendy among tourists who visit Kyoto because it has fabulous scenery combined with an excellent reputation for being clean and safe.

Kinkaku-ji does not host any special events or festivals, but is still visited by many people annually, since it is one of the most famous temples in Japan.

• Chion-in

Another sacred Buddhist place is Chion-in which is in Kyoto. In the past, this temple was known as Kokedera and was once home to a famous priest named Enni, who had written several poems about the different aspects of nature present at Chion-in.

The compound has been designated a National Treasure by the Japanese government because it contains many buildings with unique architectural features.

Tips for visiting these sacred Japanese temples:

• If you visit any of these places, make sure you dress appropriately by wearing formal clothing or long pants and sleeves, typical for visiting places of worship in Japan.

• If possible, learn how to say “hello” and “thank you” before leaving on your trip since most people do not speak English.

• The Japanese people prefer to be on their own. Still, they will welcome foreign visitors willing to respect their culture and traditions as long as they do not misbehave while visiting sacred temples.

• In some places, it is polite to bring a small gift as tea or some flowers when you visit a Japanese temple.

Go to Kyoto

An excellent place to visit in Japan is Kyoto. This city has been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Kyoto has many temples, shrines, and gardens that are often used for religious or cultural purposes. In addition, it is the hometown of many famous Buddhist monks and scholars.

Kyoto is also known for its famous cherry blossom festival,, which takes place each February when the city erupts. Guests enjoy flowers of various colors while taking in the beauty of this historic site.

Visitors love some temples because they have incredible scenery and a long history going back centuries.

An outstanding example would be Kinkaku-ji, established initially as an imperial villa during the late Heian period.

Kyoto is a beautiful city because it combines history with modernity, making it one of the most visited cities in Asia.

Visit Osaka

Another place in Japan that is worth visiting is Osaka. This city is known for being home to many great temples, such as the Sensoji temple, established over 1400 years ago.

This site hosts a Sanja Matsuri festival, translating into the “Three Shrine Festival,” during May 13-15th of each year.

The compound contains three buildings with unique architectural designs, which are believed to have originated in China. The main building is also dazzling because it features golden lanterns all around, except for one side where a statue of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, is present.

This temple has been designated as a National Treasure by the Japanese government because it hosts an important statue that was once carried around to protect people from evil spirits and also for good luck. The compound also houses three sacred trees that are protected by rope so nobody can touch them.

There is a unique white pagoda where visitors have left letters with their prayers and wishes written on them that will then be burned in fires near the shrine.

The Sensoji Temple is often visited because it has become quite famous over time because of being featured in many popular movies like “Lupin III” and “Ace Attorney.”

Osaka also includes other magnificent temples, such as the Osaka Castle, a wonderful place to visit because it features a prime location surrounded by many skyscrapers.

The castle compound hosts an extensive area where visitors can enjoy their time walking along the grounds while recollecting what Japanese life was like years ago when these castles were once used as a residence for important people and military officials of Japan.

This site has been designated as one of the most haunted places in Osaka because of several mysterious events that occurred here, such as being burned down or being attacked during wars throughout history.

Be sure to visit the Takatsuki Shrine that contains an unusual statue called “Karumera,” which resembles both human, bird, and beast figures.

This statue is believed to have a powerful spirit that can bring prosperity to anybody who wishes for good luck and protection from evil spirits.

Another grand temple in Osaka is the Abeno Manjusri, built during the late Heian period over a thousand years ago.

This site also contains many poems carved on its walls, written by talented young monks who came to learn about Buddhism.

The main hall is made of wood with beautiful carvings depicting scenes from famous Buddha stories while also respecting Dainichi Nyorai or Mahavairocana, one of the five important Buddhas.

The temple features some statues, such as a hand-carved piece which is believed to represent Vairocana made out of crystal.

This temple also contains an ancient bell that is still used today by monks for Buddhist ceremonies and during important events and festivals. The Abeno Manjusri has been designated as an Important Cultural Property because it contains the “Samboe,” which translates into the “Three Jewels” in English. This statue is sacred because it hosts images of Japan’s three most important Buddhas: Shakyamuni, Amitabha, and Akshobhya.

The temples and shrines are also a great way to communicate with Japanese spirits and ancestors. In addition, some of them host many festivals where people pray for pleasant weather, bountiful crops, protection from evil, good health, building business success, or building relationships.

Some people even visit these places to pray for good luck in examinations, job promotions, or even getting married. So it’s gratifying to make an offering so that your wish comes true!

If you’re looking for an authentic experience while staying at one of our hotels in Osaka, check out the Grand Hyatt hotel, near many attractions like the Namba area, which houses lots of restaurants serving various types of Chinese food, Indian, Korean, and Thai.

There is also the Namba Wal, a shopping district that features many shops with many things to purchase,e such as clothes, foods, and even souvenirs.

The Dotonburi area is also fun because it comes alive at night as people fill the streets to shop for delicious street food or to purchase tons of electronics found in this digital age.

The Shinsekai has been dubbed “Little Tokyo” because of its famous Japanese restaurant, trendy during lunchtime.

This neighborhood is one of Osaka’s most crowded places thanks to being home to lots of stores where visitors can find antique goods or the latest fashions from Japan or even the rest of the world.

Many famous sights like Tenjinbashi-suji, a street made of bridges and canals built during the Edo Period, allow people to walk around without getting their feet wet. As a result, it has been designated as an Important Tangible Cultural Property by Japanese authorities.

The area is very crowded on weekends because it contains rows upon rows of shops that sell many products such as clothing, food, game centers, and souvenirs.

The Dotombori district houses some specialty restaurants that serve Osaka’s popular local dishes, such as okonomiyaki.

There are also many entertainment options in this area, such as a planetarium, an aquarium, and even a museum that hosts many dinosaur fossils.

Here are some things to know before you visit Japan:

• How to hold chopsticks properly in Japan.

This is a skill that takes practice but is very important to know since Japanese food is usually served with chopsticks instead of knives and forks. It can be tricky at first because people will often grip it with their fingers or use too much pressure when trying to grab the food.

To avoid these mistakes, here are four steps how to hold chopsticks:

1. Hold your hand out as if you’re going to shake someone’s hand, then place one stick between your index finger and middle finger and the other stick so that they cross over each other halfway up from your gripping point (near the base).

2. The lower stick should be perpendicular to the upper stick, while both should remain parallel inside your hand. Again, take a test grip before actually picking up the food to see if they feel comfortable.

3. Use your thumb and forefinger to grasp the sticks at your gripping point just below where they cross over. This part is significant since you’ll need to apply pressure for them not to slip out of your hands while eating. Do this after feeling how easy it would be to pinch between these points while still holding onto both sticks with two other fingers at their midpoints at their midpoint.

4. Extend your middle, ring, and pinky finger so that you can hold the upper stick firmly in place as shown in the photo above, then use these three fingers along with your index finger and thumb wrapped around the lower stick as the grasping points.

• How not to be rude during mealtime.

The most important thing to remember is that you need to be respectful of others around you. For example, whenever someone reaches for a dish, do not reach for the same one simultaneously. The person first should get what they want, then you proceed.

Another way not to be rude during Japanese meals is to say “itadakimasu” before eating and “gochisosama deshita” after finishing. These phrases basically mean that you’re grateful for the food they served to you and delicious,s respectively.

More tips on being polite at the table:

1. When sitting down, never turn your back towards people who are still standing up because it’s disrespectful.

2. Always use both hands when eating and avoid eating until everyone at the table has been served their food because people won’t start without you. It’s also considered bad manners not to eat everything served to you (even if it’s something that you don’t like).

3. Be aware of other people eating around you since slurping while drinking or moving too fast with your chopsticks can be very off-putting. Move slowly so as not to make a mess and leave any food that cannot fit into your mouth on the plate instead of dropping it down onto the table where others are trying to eat peacefully.

• What is onigiri?

Onigiri is a popular snack food in Japan comprising white rice wrapped inside seaweed with different fillings.

The onigiri above contains tuna sashimi made by mixing diced tuna, finely shredded nori (seaweed), and green onion, then seasoning with salt and soy sauce. Allow this mixture to sit for five minutes before stuffing it into your rice ball. Other fillings include squid flakes, salmon flakes, katakuriko dissolved in water that’s been seasoned with mirin and soy sauce, miso paste mixed with diced tofu or octopus, or even Japanese mayonnaise.

• What is shōchū?

Shōchū is a distilled beverage made by fermenting mash made from sweet potato, barley, rice, and/or buckwheat.

The shōchū is called “Korobuta” which means “pig’s trotters” since it’s distilled with the shōchū maker’s own roasted pigs’ trotter stock. There are many kinds of shōchū to sample. You can find it at supermarkets or liquor stores (called izakaya). They’re usually sold in glass bottles that come with a small cup called “tsubo” which can be used not only for drinking straight from the bottle but also to pour yourself shots.

• How do you say “Cheers” in Japanese?

Japanese people drink alcohol at almost all social gatherings and holidays because it’s believed to warm your heart and soul. A very common way of saying cheers is to raise your glass up over your head while taking a sip and then lower it while saying “kampai”. Other variations include clinking glasses, pulling your glass in towards yourself (called “ganko”), or doing a quick toast by holding up your glass, then putting it back down.

• How do you say “bathroom”?

This might be an important word to know since you won’t want to be caught off-guard by the sudden need to go while in Japan. Since there is no such thing as “restrooms” in Japanese, the common term used for referring to bathroom facilities is “benjo” or “toire”.

Transportation

In Japan, transportation can be pretty expensive, so you’ll want to plan by checking the different passes available. For example, the Seishun 18 Kippu (Seishun = youth) is a rail pass for students or young people that costs 3,900 yen (~$35USD) for 4 days and 5,800 yen (~$54USD) for 8 days.

This pass will only work on certain trains but might save you some money if you’re planning to take them often during your stay in Japan.

The trains running on Shinkansen bullet lines are not covered by this pass but can be used with the JR Pass, which is a lot more expensive (26,700 yen for 7 days) and will only work on certain Shinkansen bullet lines.

Also, remember that some transportation such as monorails, cable cars, gondolas, or funiculars might require you to pay extra for riding them if you’re using a rail pass since they’re considered separate from ordinary railways.

Final Thoughts

Japan has so many interesting and exciting things to do that it’s almost impossible to experience everything on a single trip.

From the fantastic food and drink to the beautiful architecture, there is something special for everyone who visits this unique part of the world. So be sure to explore these amazing landmarks and enjoy the delicious Japanese dishes and drinks.

Sayōnara!