Japanese Culture and Traditions by Adam Acar, PhD | Japanese Culture

Japanese culture is a set of values that puts importance on social harmony and hard work. Up until the 10th century, Japanese culture was similar to the Chinese culture, but the rise of the samurai in the Heian Period and the isolation during the Edo Period changed the rules of society. Overall, the culture was influenced by the local Shinto religion, Buddhism, Confucianism and the limited natural resources.

While Japanese lifestyle has been Westernized recently, Japanese people still do everything possible to preserve their rich cultural heritage by practicing tea ceremony, wearing kimono and studying traditional arts and crafts from early childhood.

Lastly, in Japan, people are obsessed with hygiene: they take off their shoes when entering someone's house and take a bath almost everyday. Many foreigners are surprised that there are no trash cans in public areas but everywhere is still clean.

Festivals in Japanese Culture

There are relatively a higher number of festivals in Japan compared to other countries because Japanese religions are related to celebrating the harvest seasons and seasonal changes. Each of the 47 Japanese prefectures has a different festival which usually takes place in the summer. Locals usually participate in these festivals by wearing a yukata and sandals. The most famous Japanese festivals are:

Gion Festival in Kyoto. The largest parade in Japan which started in the 800’s when there was an epidemic similar to the Coronavirus.

Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima. A Dance festival held during the Obon-Week (the week when the spirits of the deceased are believed to visit the world).

Nebuta Festival in Aomori. A festival dedicated to ancient warriors in Northern Japan.

Japanese culture is a set of values that puts importance on social harmony and hard work. Up until the 10th century, Japanese culture was similar to the Chinese culture, but the rise of the samurai in the Heian Period and the isolation during the Edo Period changed the rules of society. Overall, the culture was influenced by the local Shinto religion, Buddhism, Confucianism and the limited natural resources.

While Japanese lifestyle has been Westernized recently, Japanese people still do everything possible to preserve their rich cultural heritage by practicing tea ceremony, wearing kimono and studying traditional arts and crafts from early childhood.

Lastly, in Japan, people are obsessed with hygiene: they take off their shoes when entering someone's house and take a bath almost everyday. Many foreigners are surprised that there are no trash cans in public areas but everywhere is still clean.

Festivals in Japanese Culture

There are relatively a higher number of festivals in Japan compared to other countries because Japanese religions are related to celebrating the harvest seasons and seasonal changes. Each of the 47 Japanese prefectures has a different festival which usually takes place in the summer. Locals usually participate in these festivals by wearing a yukata and sandals. The most famous Japanese festivals are:

Gion Festival in Kyoto. The largest parade in Japan which started in the 800’s when there was an epidemic similar to the Coronavirus.

Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima. A Dance festival held during the Obon-Week (the week when the spirits of the deceased are believed to visit the world).

Nebuta Festival in Aomori. A festival dedicated to ancient warriors in Northern Japan.

source: Https://mai-ko.com/travel/culture-in-japan/japanese-culture-1/?gad\_source\=1&gclid\=Cj0KCQjwkdO0BhDxARIsANkNcre-56fbwmygI4qaZU4VhqtByRbBO5ySvKTcymg1\_Nb5vNlRFURlEwkaAmRpEALw\_wcB

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