Ohio! Welcome to Japan!
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Japan, in far east Asia, is known for its
rich cultural arts, archipelago of islands,
mountainous landscape and active volcanoes.
Japan is also referred to as the ‘Land of the
Rising Sun’, because of its Japanese name, Nippon
which means ‘sun origin’. Did you know that the
origami paper crane was first created in Japan
and is a symbol of peace? So, let’s start exploring
Japan!
Basic Facts
Capital !Tokyo is the capital city in Japan.
Population ! 127,000,000 (U.S. is 308.7 million)
Area ! Japan is 145,834 square miles
Language ! Japanese
Religion(s) ! Shinto, Buddhism
Main Exports ! Motor vehicles, electronic equipment,
ships, chemicals, textiles, processed
foods machine tools, steel
Currency ! Yen
Did You Know…
1. Japan consists of more than 6,800 islands.
2. Japan experiences 1,500 earthquakes every year.
3. Japan has a building with a highway running through it.
4. Samurais were the ancient warriors of Japan.
5. The national sport of Japan is sumo.
6. Ikebana is the art of Japanese flower arrangement that
incorporates the ideas of aesthetics, spirituality, discipline
and harmony with nature.
7. The art form of origami probably began in China, but
has been practised in Japan since the 6
th
century AD.
‘Ori’ means folding and ‘kami’ means paper in Japanese.
8. There are over 50,000 people who are greater than
100 years old in Japan.
9. Sushi and tempura are two very popular Japanese
foods.
Variety of Sushi
10. Bonsai is a traditional Japanese art form that is the
creation of a small perinnial tree planted and nurtured to
grow in a small shallow container. The art form
originated in China thousands of years ago where it was
called ‘penjing’.
11. In the early 17
th
century, a form of classical theatre
called Kabuki evolved. Kabuki incorporates colourful and
detailed makeup along with special effects.
Origami Paper Cranes
Traditions
1. It is customary to always remove your shoes before
entering a Japanese home.
2. There is an art to preparing a Japanese tea ceremony,
which is like a process of meditation and a ritual where
all the elements have a symbolic meaning.
Japanese Tea Ceremony
3. A Ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn with rooms that
include tatami mats (straw mats). Guests take a bath
in the same tub rooms and wear yukatas, which are a
more casual kimono.
Ryokan in Kyoto
Festivals
Japan is a haven for colourful and extravagant festivals
around the year. Some of the festivals include….
Cherry Blossom Festival
One of the most popular festivals in Japan in spring is the
Cherry Blossom festival that takes place at Okinawa and at
Matsuyama Castle in Ehime prefecture. The cherry trees
create a magnificent landscape of lovely pink flowers in full
bloom where people drink tea and sake, and picnic. Cherry
blossom designs have become a part of Japanese art and music
and are incorporated into the designs of kimonos.
Sapporo Snow Festival
One week, early in February in Sapporo, Japan beautiful large
snow and ice sculptures are created in Odori Park. Nearly two
million people come to see the spectacular ice sculptures that
make you feel like you are walking through a winter
wonderland.
Ice Sculptures at Sapporo Snow Festival
Yokote Kamura Festival
The 400 year old Yokote Kamakura Festival is held yearly on
February 15
the
and 16
th
in Yokote in southeastern Akita
Prefecture. In different locations across the city, you will see
many igloo shaped snow houses, called kamakura,
There is a snow altar inside each kamakura that is dedicated to
the water deity to whom people pray for sufficient water. In
the evenings, children welcome visitors into their kamakura and
offer them rice cakes and a type of warm sweet rice wine
known as amazake. In exchange the visitors make an offering
to the deity.
Igloo Shaped Snow House
Omizutori
One of the oldest festivals, known as Omizutori, a collection of
Buddhist repentance rituals, has been held at the Todaiji Temple
for over 1250 years.
Otaimatsu, one of the events held during Omizutori, is the most
spectacular with giant torches, six to eight meters in length,
that are lit and carried up to Nigatsudo’s balcony just after
sunset every night between March 1
st
to the 14
th
. It is believed
that the embers that fall from the torches will bestow the
visitors with a safe year.
Gion Matsuri
The most famous festival in Japan is Gion Matsuri. The
festival of Yasaka Shrine takes place over the month of July
where there is a magnificent procession of floats on July 17
th
called Yamaboko Junko. There are also many evening festivities
before the processions. The floats in the procession are up to
25m tall and weigh up to 12 tons. The festival originally started
in 869 as a religious ceremony to calm the Gods.
Tenjin Festival
The Tenjin Festival, which started in the 10
th
century in Osaka,
is one of the most important festivals in Japan. The main
celebrations take place on July 25
th,
which include two vibrant
processions, one on land and one on the river with fireworks.
The festival honours the main deity Sugawara Michizane, the
God of scholarship of the Tenmangu Shrine.
The start of the festivities begins with a ritual on the morning
of July 24
th
at Tenmangu Shrine, followed by prayers for peace
and safety of Osaka at the river. To inform everyone that the
preparation of the festivities are complete, men in tall red hats
sound drums. The next day, on July 25
th
the drummers in red
hats lead the procession through Osaka that features a
spectacular parade of lion dancers, umbrella dancers, a
ceremonial float, and a long nosed goblin on a horse called
Sarutahiko.
After the procession reaches Okawa River, the portable shrines
are loaded on the boats for the river procession. At night the
fireworks light the sky as the illuminated boats continue
drifting along the river, their reflection shimmering in the
water, making it a magnificent sight. Finally the convoy heads
back to the shrine to end the festivities for the year.
Nagasaki Kunchi
For over 370 years, the Nagasaki Kunchi festival of Suwa
Shrine, has been celebrated between October 7
th
and 9
th.
The
festival incorporates aspects of the Chinese and Dutch cultures
as they have both played an integral role in the history of the
city.
The festival includes traditional Japanese dances, Chinese
dragon dances and floats that are shaped like ships, which
travel across several cities in the area.
Famous Places in Japan
Mount Fuji
The tallest peak in Japan is Mount Fuji at 3,776m or 12,388ft.
Every year, approximately 200,000 people climb Mt. Fuji,
which usually takes about three to eight hours. The volcano is
almost perfectly symmetrical and has become a famous
landmark in Japan.
The Golden Pavilion
The most popular tourist sttraction in Japan and Kyoto is the
Golden Pavilion or Kinkaku-ji. Originally the pavilion was built
as a retirement home for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in the
14
th
century, but it was burnt down in 1950. Five years later
the temple was rebuilt as an exact copy of the original temple.
Kyoto
Did you know that the ancient capital of Japan is Kyoto? Kyoto
is known for its beautiful temples, teahouses, geisha and
ryokans (traditional Japanese style).
One of the highlights in Kyoto is the Himeji Castle, which looks
like a bird just about to take flight. Therefore, it is also known
as the ‘white egret castle’. Himeji Castle was fortunately
saved during the World War II bombings.
Street in Kyoto
Kanagawa
Just an hour outside of Tokyo is the town of Kanagawa with a
huge statue of Buddha, ancient temples and calm beaches.
Visitors travel to Hakone to experience the hot springs, to enjoy
a captivating view of Mount Fuji and stay in a ryokan.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial
On August 6, 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped on
Hiroshima during World War II killing Japanese men, women
and children. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial, set in a park,
features the Genbaku Dome, the only structure that survived
the bombing. The Memorial is a reminder to everyone of the
harsh reality of war and the value of every life regardless of
culture, race or religion.
Nara
The very first capital of Japan, even before Kyoto was the city
of Nara, which is known as the birthplace of all Japanese
traditions.
Nara Park and Todai-ji Temple
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