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MODULE 1

FACTS ON JAPAN

GEOGRAPHY

 Japan is an island nation in the North Pacific, off the eastern coast of Asia.
 Land area is about 144,000 square miles or 372,000 square kilometers.
 Four major islands:
1. Honshu – main island
2. Hokkaido – island in the northernmost
3. Kyushu – island in the southernmost
4. Shikoku – smallest island

 The temperature zones range from the sub arctic to the subtropical
 Hokkaido – far to the north, is cold and snowy
 Okinawa – far to the south, is hot and humid
 Tokyo – on the main island of Honshu, is the halfway point between these
extremes of climate

 Japan has sights and attractions to please every taste:

 The great superhighways
 Advanced computer technology
 High fashion
 Avant-garde pop culture
 Wood-and-paper houses
 Streets too narrow for a car
 Handcrafted folkware
 Tea ceremony
 Kabuki theater
 Sumo wrestling

 Major Cities in order of population size:

1. Tokyo – the capital
o Mt. Fuji (Fuji san)-highest mountain in Japan
o Tokyo Disneyland
o Tokyo Tower
o Narita International Airport
2. Yokohama
3. Osaka
4. Nagoya
5. Sapporo
6. Kobe
7. Kyoto
8. Fukuoka
9. Kawasaki

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 Four Seasons:
1. Spring (haru) – March - mid of May
 Rainy (tsuyu) – mid of May – mid July
2. Summer (natsu) – mid of July – August
3. Fall/autumn (aki) – September – November
4. Winter (fuyu) – December – February

ETIQUETTE

 Japanese culture is not only old, It is also remarkably intact

 Japan was virtually isolated from the rest of the world for TWO AND A HALF
CENTURIES ending in 1868.
 Because the Japanese people were free from outside contacts for so long, their own
traditions became stronger.
 Japan is a safe country, the crime rate is one of the lowest rate in the world.
 It’s unlike that you’ll even need to talk to the police for anything but directions
 Japanese rarely shake hands with each other; they inform Westerners of this, because it
is offensive to them if you extend your hand for a handshake; some might even offer their
hand first but anything more, like a hug or a kiss, could be offensive unless you know the
person very well.
 Japanese open displays of affection rarely.
 When meeting or greeting people, the Japanese bow – (Japanese gesture of respect) it
is an old and important custom; this is according to prescribed rules of etiquette and
respect that has become second nature to them; the kind and degree of bow depends on
the relationship between the two people, the relative status, age, obligation, and feeling
of respect; there are even rules for who bows lower to whom; this custom is so instinctive
that the Japanese often bow when they’re talking on the telephone; they say it helps
them to convey verbally the proper nuances; non-Japanese are not expected to bow; but
people will bow to you; and you’re to follow if you feel comfortable.
 Japan is a country of gift giving and receiving; if you have Japanese friends or
acquaintances, you’ll probably receive some gifts while you’re in Japan; they may be
token, souvenir or much more; although the Japanese will give you gifts, they don’t
expect anything in return, when you give or receive a gift, it’s a good manner to use both
hands, don’t be surprised if, when you give a Japanese a gift, he or she doesn’t open it in
front of you, but waits until you leave, but if you want to open a gift you’ve received, it’s
quite all right.

ACCOMMODATION

 When you stay in Japan, you have a choice between Western style and Japanese inns
style (ryokan) accommodation, staying in a ryokan is a good way to experience everyday
Japanese customs firsthand; it offers traditional and authentic Japanese flavor, from the
architecture and furnishings to the pace and style of life; Minshuku are guest houses that
take in travelers and they are located in resort and vacation areas, and they charge
reasonable rates.

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 Japanese bath (ofuro) is a ritual meant for relaxing and unwinding as much as for
cleansing; the law of the Japanese bath: “no soap inside the tub”; rinse soap and scrub
yourself outside --- you’ll find spigots, basins and perhaps a small stool to sit on --- then
rinse off all the soap and enter the tub, it’s deep and the water is usually very hot.

 The toilet is not located in the bath area, but in a room by itself, usually with a small sink,
leave your slippers outside the door and put on those that you find just inside the door.

TRANSPORTATION

 Most major Japanese cities have fast, clean, and efficient subway and commuter train
systems
1. Densha – commercial train
2. Shinkansen – bullet train
 In Tokyo, the Yamanote sen is the line that encircles, or loops around, the city’s
downtown area; in Osaka, the loop line is called the Kanjo sen

TOURIST SPOTS

 Japan is so rich in things to see; if your tastes run to the traditional, you’ll find that Japan
of yesteryears is very much alive today
o Kyoto
o Kanzawa and Kurashiki – you can see what feudal Japan is like

 Throughout Japan, there are homes, temples, and shrines built according to traditional
Japanese styles of architecture, and the century-old art forms are still intact:
o Brush painting
o Flower arranging - Ikebana
o Ceramics
o Tea ceremony
o Woodblock prints

 The highpoints of sightseeing in Japan include

o Castles – joo
o Gardens – niwa
o Hot springs – onsen
o Museums – hakubutsukan
o Palaces - kyuuden
o Imperial villas - gosho
o Shrines - miya
o Temples –
 Buddhist temple – tera
 Technical term – jiin
 Non-Buddhist temple - shinden
o Festivals – matsuri

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 Castles – Japanese castles are spectacular

o Himeji Castle – has a five-storey dungeon at the center, and some buildings
are preserved as national treasures
o Osaka Castle – is famous for its stone walls
o Dramatic Nijo Castle - built in 1603, was where the Tokugawa shogun
stayed when he visited in Kyoto

 Gardens – Japan is a garden-lover’s dream; some of them have been designated

masterpieces to be preserved and maintained under the Valuable Cultural Properties
Act of Japan:

o Kairakuen Garden Mito

o Kanrokuen Garden Kanazawa
o Korakuen Garden Okayama
o Moss Garden Kyoto
o Rikugien Garden Tokyo
o Ritsurin Garden Takamatsu
o Ryuuanji Garden Kyoto
o Shinjuku Garden Tokyo

 Hot Springs

o Noboribetsu – “Valley of Hell” in Hokkaido, columns of steam rising from the

ground which is part of old crater
o Beppu – “hell” in Oita Perfecture, boiling mud ponds

 Museums

o Tokyo National Museum – in Tokyo, specializing in Japanese and Far

Eastern ancient and medieval art; which houses over 85,000 objects, it is the
largest museum in Japan
o Kyoto National Museum – in Kyoto, established in 1868 as a repository for
art objects and treasures form temples, shrines and individual collections,
consists of 10,000
o Kyoto Municipal Museum of Traditional Industry – in Kyoto, houses traditional
industry such as handicrafts, outstanding displays of lacquer; bamboo, silk,
paper, and ceramic objects
o Kurashiki Folkcraft Museum – in Kurashiki, highlights the renowned
throughout Japan for its collection of craft objects used in daily life, the
building itself is an old rice granary, symbolic of the town’s historic role in the
rice trade.

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 Palaces and Imperial Villas

o The Imperial Palace – with its gardens covering 250 acres in the heart of
Tokyo, is where the imperial family resides.
o The Kyoto Imperial Palace – was the residence of the imperial family from
1331 until 1868.
o The Katsura Imperial Villa – represents a high point in traditional Japanese
architecture and landscape gardening found in Kyoto
o Other examples are:
o Hama Rikyu (Imperial Villa) – Tokyo
o Kokyo (Imperial Palace) – Kyoto
o Kyoto Gosho (Kyoto Imperial Palace) – Kyoto
o Shugakuin Rikyu (Shugakuin Imperial Palace) –
Kyoto

 Shrines

o Japanese shrines are sacred Shinto (the indigenous religion of Japan, which
embodies the deep Japanese respect for nature) places of worship. In fact,
most Japanese would say that they are Buddhists as well as Shintoists, no
conflict or contradiction in this dual allegiance.
o The shrines are places of great natural beauty of Japanese.
o The Ise Shrine (Ise Jingu) – is the most venerated of all Shinto shrines.

 Temples

Japan’s Buddhist temples are so varied that choosing among them is especially
difficult.

 Todaiji – near Nara, is famous as the site of the world’s largest

bronze statue of Buddha. The building that houses it’s world’s
largest wooden structure.

 Horyuji – also in Nara, has about 40 buildings, each one of them

designated either a National Treasure or an Important Cultural
Property. These buildings contain fabulous collections of Japanese
sculpture and art treasures

 Among others are:

o Asukasa Temple Tokyo

o Byoodoin Temple Uji
o Chuguji Temple Nara
o ChusonjiTemple Hiraisumi
o Daitokuji Temple Kyoto
o Enryakuji Temple Hieisan
o Ginkakuji Temple Kyoto

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o Kinkakuji Temple Kyoto

o Kiyomizudera Temple Kyoto
o Kofukuji Temple Nara
o Koryuji Temple Kyoto
o Ktotkuji Temple Kamakura
o Nishi Honganji Temple Kyoto
o Ryoanji Temple Kyoto
o Saihoji Temple Kyoto
o Sanjusangendo Temple Kyoto
o Tenryuji Temple Kyoto
o Toji Temple Kyoto
o Toshodaji Temple Nara
o Yakushiji Temple Nara

 Festivals

Here are just a few of the multitude of festivals held throughout Japan each year:

 January
6 New Year Shobo
Fireman’s Parade
(Tokyo)

15 Grass Burning Wakakusayama no

Festival on Yamayaki
Wakakusayama Hill
(Nara)

 February
1st Fri-Sun Snow Festival Yuki Matsuri
(Sapporo)

2, 3 or 4 Bean Throwing Setsubun

Ceremony
(nationwde)
2, 3 or 4 Lantern Festival Kasuga Taisha
Of Kasuga Shrine Mandoro
(Nara)

 March
3 Doll Festival for Girls Hina Matsuri
(nationwide)

12 Water-Drawing Todaji Nigatsudo

Ceremony of Todaiji Omizutori
(Nara)

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 April
8 Buddha’s B-day Hana Matsuri
At Buddhist Temples
(nationwide)

16-17 Yayoi Festival of Futarasan Jinja

Of Furarasan Shrine Yayoi Matsuri
(Nikko)

 May
3-5 Hakata Donkatu Hakata Donkatu
Parade (Hakata)

2nd Sat. & Sun. odd numbered Kanda Matsuri

Years Festival of Kanda
Myojin Shrine (Tokyo)

3rd Sat. & Sun. Festival of Sanja Matsuri

Asakusa Shrine
(Tokyo)

15 Hollyhock Festival Aoi Matsuri

Of Shimogano &
Kamigano Shrines
(Kyoto)

17-18 Grand Festival of Toshogu Haru

Toshogo Shrine (Nikko) Matsuri
 June
14 Rice-Planting Festival Sumiyoshi no
At Sumiyoshi Shrine Onta Ue
(Osaka)

 July
7 Star Festival (nationwide) Tanabata

13-16 Bon Festival Obon

(nationwide)

Mid-July Music Festival of Kangensai

Itsukushima Shrine
(Miyjajima)

16-24 Gion Festival of Gion Matsuri

Yasaka Shrine (Kyoto)

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24-25 Tenjin Festival of Tenjin Matsuri

Tenmangu Shrine
(Osaka)

 August
3-7 Float Festival of Nebuta
Aomori (Aomori)

5-7 Bamboo Pole & Lantern Kanto

Balancing Festival (Akita)

6-8 Star Festival (Sendai) Tanabata

12-15 Awa Odori Folk Dance Awa Odori

(Tokushima City)

16 Daomoji Bonfire on Daimoji Yaki

Mount Nyoigatake
(Kyoto)

 September
16 Horseback Archery Yabusame
Of Tsurugaoka Shrine
(Kamakura)

 October
7-9 Okunchi Festival of Okunchi
Suwa Shrine (Nagasaki)

11-13 Oeshiki Festival of Oeshiki

Honmonji Temple
(Tokyo)

17 Autumn Festival of Toshogu Aki

Of Toshogu Shrine Matsuri
(Nikko)

22 Festival of the Ages, Jidai Matsuri

Helan Shrine (Kyoto)

 November
3 Feudal Lord’s Daimyo Gyoretsu
Procession (Hakone)

15 Children’s Shrine Shichigosan

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Visiting Day (for 3year

Old boys & girls, or 5-year
Old boys & 7-year old
Girls) (nationwide)

17 On Matsuri of Kasuga On Matsuri

Shrine (Nara)

 December
Year-end Market at Toshi no
Ichi Asakusa Kannon Temple
(Kyoto)

 Religious Services

Although the predominant religions in Japan are Buddhism and

Shintoism, there are also Christians, Jewish, Muslim and other places of
worships.

 Films & Theaters

Foreign-made films are shown with their original sound tracks and
Japanese sub titles. Japanese films, of course, have Japanese sound tracks, but
one might enjoy them just the same.

Three Major Forms of Traditional Japanese Theater

They originated many centuries ago. Although the performances are in

Japanese, English language programs are usually available, so you can also
follow the story. The performance lasts longer that you may expect: A five-hour
show is not unusual, and some Kabuki productions last up to 10 hours. If the
performance lasts, though a meal time, you can buy a boxed lunch from vendors
at the theater, and eat right in your seat.

1. Bunraku – is a kind of Japanese puppet theater dating from the

17th century. It features a special type of accompaniment:
shimasen music, and a reciter who sings or chants both the
storyline and the lines for each character in the play. The
puppets are unique; each is between three and five feet high,
with eyes and mouths that open and close, even eyebrows are
moving. Each is manipulated by three puppeteers wearing black
hoods that cover their heads and faces.

2. Kabuki – is perhaps the most popular of these classical

amusements. The only one of the three where the actors speak
(or chant), their own parts, it features highly stylized delivery and
movement, stunning costumes and make up, and male actors
only. These are three basic types of drama: one deals with
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warriors and nobles, one with the common people, and another
incorporates dance. It’s performed on a revolving stage, with a
runway extending into the audience. Except for certain plays,
music played on classical Japanese instruments is a key
element of Kabuki.

3. Noh – is a highly stylized dance-drama, originally performed at

Shinto religious festivals. The actors wear elaborate, elegant
costumes, but no make-up instead they wear masks
representing different types of people; the actors have to develop
the characters through movements, not facial expressions. The
plays are performed on a square stage with no curtain. The
orchestra sits at the rear. There are drums of different sizes, and
a special Noh flute. The main characters express themselves
through dance. All speaking is done by a special chorus that
sings or chants the narration and the lines. Noh often reminds
Westerners of classical Greek drama.

 Flower Arrangement and Tea Ceremony

Flower arrangement, of Ikebana, originally emphasized natural materials

– flowers, leaves, grasses and branches – and the way they were used to
express harmony with nature. The fundamental traditions continue: the
arrangement of the main branches or sprays signify sky, earth and mankind.
Today, some avant-garde schools use artificial materials as well as natural ones.

The formal art of the tea ceremony was perfected in the 15th century. A
deeply aesthetic experience, the tea ceremony has precise rituals of form and
etiquette for host and guests. They include the tea room itself, the selection of
the tea, and the appreciation of the hospitality. Tea is a basic part of Japanese
life. The custom of serving tea to family or guests in the home may be
considered an informal extension of the ritual tea ceremony.

 Night Life

Japanese cities offer the usual variety of after-hours diversion, with one important
difference, the costs can be astronomical. While some bars, clubs, cabarets, and
discos are reasonable and affordable for most foreign visitors. A few drinks, a
dish of peanuts or rice crackers, and some conversation with a hundreds of
dollars. Not all Japanese nightspots welcome foreigners; some might not admit
you unless you’re with a Japanese. Such places are usually frequented
exclusively by expense- account customers, and the staff might not speak
English.

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 Games

1. Pachinko – is a vertical pinball game played in parlors all over Japan. Cash
in your winning balls for prizes such as chocolate, cigarettes, socks, cooking
oil, mandarin oranges, razors, dolls and other life’s necessities.

2. Mahjong – a domino-like game of Chinese origin, mahjong has gone through

cycles of popularity in the West, but it is still played in Japan.

 Spectacular Sports

1. Sumo – professional sumo or traditional Japanese wrestling, has a

centuries-old history. There are six major tournaments a year, three in
January, May and September at Tokyo’s Kuramae Kokugikan Sumo Hall,
and others in March at Osaka, in July at Nagoya, and in November at
Fukuoka. Each tournament lasts 15 days and is televised everyday from 4pm
to pm. The sumo events are colorful: They last from early morning until late
afternoon, with spectators usually arriving by early afternoon to catch the
main events. The 250-to-400 pound – (114-to-182 kilogram) wrestlers
provide a lot of drama with their topknots and loincloths, ceremonial aprons,
and costumed retainers. Just before the match, the wrestlers throw salt into
the ring is an old Shinto purification ritual. The match itself is usually over in
seconds. It lasts just long enough for one wrestler to throw his opponent out
of the ring or make any part of his body; except the feet touch the ground.

2. Baseball – it is so popular in Japan that even high school tournaments

attract huge crowds and TV audiences. There are two professional leagues,
the Central and the Pacific, each composed of six teams. The playoff at the
end of the season is called the Japan Series. Each major league team can
have two foreign ballplayers.

3. Golf – is extremely popular in Japan, it’s not easy to go out for a casual
game. The courses are crowded, and even at a public course, you have to
make reservations in advance. Japanese courses are well attended, and
any offer spectacular scenery.

4. Swimming – Japan has good beaches, but they’re crowded – don’t expect to
enjoy the sun and sand in soltitude. Pools are crowded, too. The hotel pool
may be your best if you’re swimming enthusiast.

5. Skiing and Snowboarding – Japan has excellent ski areas, both on

Honshu, where the 1998 Winter Olympics was held at Nagano, and
Hokkaido, where the 1972 Winter Olympics was held at Sapporo.
Transportation to the ski areas is usually by car, bus or train (or, to Hokkaido,
by plane); it’s wise to book travel reservations ahead of time.

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 Food and Drinks

Dining is one of the most pleasurable aspects of visiting Japan. You

have a choice of good Western-style restaurants and an almost endless variety
of Japanese food to explore. If you crave American fast food, you can even get
that. You won’t go hungry in Japan.

Japanese-style eating is unlike Western style. You see chopsticks

(hashi), the food is different, and table manners are different as well.

 Tipping

You don’t need to tip anyone in Japanese restaurants. A service charge

will be added to your bill, so enjoy your meal and the customary service. No one
expects anything more from you.

 Towels

Whenever and wherever you drink or dine in Japan, you’ll begin with a
refreshing hot or cold damp towel (oshibori) for your hands and face.

 Japanese Restaurants

Japanese cuisine is characterized by freshness, presentation and

variety. Some restaurants offer a selection of different kinds of dishes. Others
specialize in one type of food or style of cooking, often prepared in front of your
table or on a grill. Many (though not all) Japanese eateries display replicas of
their offerings outside the front door in glass cases. The dishes look quite real &
may tempt you to enter. It makes ordering easy; just point to what you want.
You can’t do this everywhere, but sometimes it works quite well.

Here are some of the most popular Japanese dishes:

Sushi – (osushi) small blocks of vinegary rice, topped with pieces of

raw fish or other seafood, and hot Japanese horseradish. Some
items, like shrimp, may be cooked; others, like mackerel, may be
pickled or smoked. These and other ingredients may also be rolled
in seaweed, or combined in a bowl or lacquer box. Sushi is eaten
with soy sauce.

Tempura – batter-fried seafood and vegetables, served with a

dipping sauce containing grated radish.

Yakitori – grilled chicken and vegetables on a small skewers.

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Sukiyaki – beef and vegetables cooked in a seasoned sauce, then

dipped into a lightly beaten raw egg.

Shabu shabu – thinly sliced beef & vegetables cooked in a hot broth,
eaten with different dipping sauces.

Sashimi – (osashimi) fresh, sliced fish or shellfish, eaten raw, dipped

in soy sauce and hot Japanese horseradish or wasabi.

Yosenabe – seafood, chicken, & vegetables cooked in broth, eaten

with several kinds of dipping sauce, & perhaps Japanese noodles.

Teppanyaki – beef, chicken, seafood, and vegetables cooked on a

grill in front of a customer and served with various sauces.

Kushikatsu – pork, chicken, seafood, & vegetables, skewered on

bamboo sticks, breaded, & deep fried, then eaten with salt, hot
mustard & sauces.

Tonkatsu – pork cutlets, breaded, deep fried, & eaten with a special
sauce & thinly shredded cabbage.

Soba & udon – Japanese noodles, served in hot or cold broth, or

with dipping sauce.

Ramen – Chinese noodles, served in hot broth or chilled.

 Special Cuisines

Kaiseki ryori – originally part of the tea ceremony, now a succession

of many small dishes served in formal style. The ingredients change
with the seasons & may include fowl & seafood, but no meat.

Shojin ryori – originally Buddhist temple food, made up of vegetarian

ingredients only

Kyodo ryori – local or regional specialists – this may consist of one

dish or an entire meal that typifies the cooking of a particular area.

Robata yaki – literally “fireside cooking,” these meals were originally

served to travelers. Now they feature country-style service, food,
and atmosphere.

Fugu ryori – meals featuring blowfish, from which the poisonous

organs have been removed by licensed chefs.

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Unagi ryori – meals featuring eel.

Tofu ryori – meals beancurd (tofu)

Tamago yaki – Japanese-style omelet sweetened with sugar &

seasoned with stock.

At many Japanese restaurants you have a choice of where to sit;

the counter, a table, a private room, or a Japanese room. Some of
the best cooking is done behind a counter. If you’re sitting right
there, you get each morsel the moment it’s prepared or cooked. At s
sushi or tempura restaurant, it’s the best place to sit.

A Japanese room is private, but you remove your shoes (with no

exceptions) before entering, & you sit on cushions (zabuton) on the
tatami (Japanese floor carpet) floor, in front of a low dining table
(jaski or the chabu-dai). You may request your desired seating
arrangements when you make a reservation or when you arrive at
the restaurant.

 Basic Food

Bean curd – tofu or otofu

Bean paste soup – miso shiru
Bean paste – miso or omiso
Clear soup – suimono or osuimono
Japanese horseradish – wasabi
Japanese hot pepper – togarashi
Japanese pickles – otsukemono
Japanese rice wine – sake or osake
Japanese tea – ocha
Japanese green tea – ryokucha
Japanese roasted tea – hojicha
Pickled plums – takuan
Cooked rice – gohan
Uncooked rice – kome or okome
Seaweed – nori
Soy sauce – shoyu or oshoyu
Sweet rice wine – mirin
Japanese soup stock – dashi
Dried soup stock – dashi
Dried fish – himono

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Eating The Japanese Way: A few Pointers

Menus – are not always provided. Some restaurants just serve what they have
that day. Others might bring a succession of items served in a set order. Just
tell them when you’ve had enough.
Prices – are not always listed. This may mean it’s a very expensive place, or that
prices vary from day to day, as in a sushi shop. To avoid any surprise with your
check (bill), inquire about the price range beforehand.

Desserts – are not traditional with Japanese meals, but you can usually get fresh
fruit (probably expensive) or sweet bean paste. Some places serve ice cream or
sherbet as well.

Japanese noodles – may be slurped noisily – it’s quite proper, and may even
indicate you’re enjoying the flavor.

Soy sauce – is not poured on white rice. The rice is served in individual rice
bowls, which may be held in the left hand. Dip food morsels, one at a time, in
soy sauce, and then eat together with the rice.

Soup – is served in individual lacquer bowls, without spoons. Sip directly from
the bowl, or with the help of chopsticks if there are vegetables or other bits of
food in it.

Chopsticks – are easy! Rest one at the base of the thumb & index finger &
between the ends of the ring & middle finger. So that the chopsticks will remain
stationary, grasp one between the ends of the thumb & with the first two fingers,
& enjoy your food.

 Department Stores

Japanese department stores carry all the things you would expect, & a
lot more as well.

The folkware or mingei sections have crafts from all over Japan;
handmade dolls, toys, pottery, paper crafts, bamboo baskets, lacquer trays,
bowls, chopsticks, handmade and dyed fabrics.

 Books

Bookstores, newsstands, and stationery stores are usually separate in Japan –

although some bookstores do sell newspapers. At bookstores & newsstands in
large tourist hotels you can find some American & European newspapers, & also
weekly news magazines, usually international or Far East editions. You can also
buy English language newspapers written & published in Japan; these are
available at most newsstands throughout the country.

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 Clothing

Shopping for clothing in Japan yields basic styles as well as designs, patterns &
fabrics unavailable anywhere else. Most Japanese designers have boutiques in
the department stores, & elsewhere; some feature lines of clothing are more
affordable than you may expect, both high fashion items & simple, well-made
sportswear. And don’t overlook traditional Japanese clothing. A silk or cotton
kimono, either antique or modern, makes a stylish gift – perhaps for yourself.

 Electrical Appliances

For a look at the latest in electrical appliances & electronic equipment, visit
Tokyo’s Akihabara wholesale – retail district. It’s the biggest discount center in
Japan. While fixed prices are standard almost everywhere else, shops in
Akihabara offer large discounts & bargaining is commonplace.

 Traditional Treatments

Acupressure (shiatsu) and Acupuncture (hari)

Although most Westerners think of acupuncture as Chinese, it’s also widely

practice in Japan. You can have acupuncture or acupressure treatment at the
therapist’s office; or where you’re staying. Payment is usually by the hour.

 Communications

Post Office

Post offices are open from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. weekdays. Main

offices are also open Saturdays. You can buy stamps at shops & kiosks
that display the red symbol.

Telephone

On a public telephone, a 3-minute local call costs 10 yen. If you

are going to speak more than 3 minutes, insert the coins at the
beginning; otherwise, you risk being cut off abruptly. If you deposit more
than you need, your unused coins will be returned at the end.

Your best bet is to buy a telephone card, available at vending

machines, kiosks, convenience stores, train stations – even in some
phone booths. It’s like a disposable fare card. You can buy a card for a
certain denomination – 500 yen, or 1,000 yen, for example. When it’s
used up, you throw it away. It beats carrying coins! And it’s quicker to
insert when you hear the cutoff buzz.

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Most public phones are green or gray. Both take telephone

cards; most take coins as well, although some green ones don’t. The
gray phones are the newest; they have monitor scenes with simple
instructions for use in English, as well as information about your call.

 Driving a Car

Foreigners driving in Japan must contend with certain realities: The

steering wheel is on the right side of the car, & you drive on the left side of the
road; most expressway signs are in Japanese; non-express roads may be
narrow & usually have no sidewalks. Speedometers are only in kilometers;
streets are crowded with pedestrians, bicycles, vendors, & cars; & penalties for
accidents are high. In short, for the visitor in Japan, driving is not recommended.

Do you still want to drive? If so, you’ll need an International Driving

Permit. You’ll also need to be familiar with Japanese road signs & traffic signs.
Many are International Traffic Signs, which are clear & easy to read. The Japan
Automobile Federation in Tokyo has a useful booklet called “Rules of the Road,”
which you should read if you’re planning on driving. There are road checkpoints
for intoxicated drivers, & penalties can be severe.

 Governance

Japan is a parliamentary form of government. The Prime Minister is the

head of the State; & Emperor is the head of the Monarchy

 Other Informations

Travel time – it takes 3 and a half hours by plane directly from Manila
going to Narita International Airport in Tokyo.

Time difference – Japan time is advanced exactly by one hour compared

to Philippine time.

Japanese Educational System

o 6 years Elementary
o 6 years High School
 3 years – Junior High School
 3 years – Senior High School
o 4 years Tertiary level

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