Japanese Culture: Where the past and the future meet

Japan is steeped in cultural traditions and a connection to the past. Yet, at the same time, it has a modern, youthful collective ambition to embrace the future. At its heart, this push and pull from the past to the future defines Japanese culture.

A brief guide to Japanese culture

Japan is a land of contradiction. Ancient shrines rest stoically and are only steps away from modernist architecture. The buzz and hum of city life and the tranquil pull of a pastoral heritage flow beside one another like sand and stone. Coming to grips with this balance, where tradition meets modernity and ancient and anime walk together down the same block, is one of the great rewards of a visit to Japan.

A nation consisting of four large islands stretching north to south, Japan is about one and a half times the size of New Zealand. In contrast to the five million Kiwis who call Aotearoa home, Japan has a population of 121 million. Located in the northern hemisphere, Japan has four distinct seasons: warm summers give way to chilly winters and great skiing in the north.

Sprawling cities like Tokyo, with their Blade Runner-esque labyrinth of twisted urban existence, are only a (bullet) train away from rural villages, where with only a hint of imagination, you feel like you have wandered into a Kurosawa film.

Couple having traditional meal

Language

Unsurprisingly, Japanese is the main language you will hear in Japan. It might be the only language most travellers encounter. Very few people you meet will speak fluent English – and many Japanese people who are learning English may feel hesitant to speak English with you if they don’t feel like they have mastered the language. This can sound like an intimidating prospect for non-Japanese speakers, but the Japanese people are incredibly hospitable, welcoming, and polite. You will be amazed at how well you can get by with gesturing and pictures. Do try to learn a Japanese phrase or two – the locals often appreciate the effort.

Japanese religions

Signs of religion are everywhere in Japan. Two faiths dominate: Shinto and Buddhism. Shrines and temples dot the city streets and pepper the towns. A rule of thumb is that shrines are Shinto and temples are Buddhist. Many Japanese people actively subscribe to both religions – often at the same time.

Shintoism, native to Japan, is concerned with the spirituality of all living things and informs the Japanese about their connection to nature.

Buddhism is more focused on the afterlife and the idea of the soul – so you can see how embracing Shintoism for now and Buddhism for what comes next fits neatly together.

For the visitor, this means there are ample religious sites to visit. Most Japanese people are religious but not overly spiritual. They enjoy the beauty and tradition of these sites, but they don’t let the dogmatic nature of religion dominate their lives.

Visiting shrines and temples in Japan

Visitors are welcome to visit both Shinto and Buddhist shrines and temples. The protocols vary, but really come down to visiting with quiet respect and following the lead of the locals. Shinto Shrines will often have a flowing fountain at the entrance for you to wash your hands and then an altar to drop coins in for good luck. Clap three times, and on the third clap, clasp your hands and, if you wish, pray.

Temples are beautiful places to visit and often contain magnificent wooden carvings and traditional architecture. You’ll need to remove your shoes and place them on a rack before entering the temple, so don’t forget to wear clean, matching socks!

Food and dining

For many first-time visitors to Japan, your previous exposure to Japanese culture probably came in the form of food. Japanese food has taken the world by storm, and you can get sushi in every mall from Istanbul to Auckland. Eating in Japan is a delicious adventure, and like nearly every other element of Japanese life, there are some crucial cultural rules to keep in mind.

Shoes, slurping and serving

Just like when you visit a temple, if your restaurant of choice has tatami mats, remove your shoes before entering. Likewise, a raised floor often indicates that you should remove your shoes before entering.

When you are eating some delicious ramen or noodles, it’s considered the highest compliment to slurp up those noodles.

When serving water, saki, or anything else to drink, it’s bad luck to serve yourself when you are dining with a group – fill up for your friends and have them fill you up.

Woman eating noodles

Chopsticks

There are lots of rules in Japan for eating with chopsticks. Some important chopstick etiquette rules to remember are:

Don’t stab or poke your food with a chopstick.
Avoid sticking your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice. Known as tate-bashi, it is considered rude as well as bad luck because this is how rice and chopsticks are presented to the dead during traditional Japanese funeral rites.
When not using your chopsticks, use the chopstick rest provided, the edge of a plate, or make your own using the paper wrapper from disposable chopsticks.
It’s bad luck to drop your chopsticks on the ground and offensive to leave your chopsticks crossed on your plate.

Vending machines

Walking the streets of Japan, you will be met with countless vending machines. Japan is said to have around 5.5 million vending machines and the highest ratio of vending machines per capita in the world. You can get hot and cold food and drinks, headphones, diapers – you name it, you can get it from a machine.

You’d think that this was the sign of the ultimate grab-and-go culture, however, it’s more grab and less go. It’s bad form to eat or drink while walking, so if you buy food or drink, pause by the machine and imbibe.

You’ll also struggle to find a bin – Japan has some of the cleanest streets in the world and nowhere a bin in sight. How does that work? Well, you should find a bin beside the vending machine, or do as the Japanese do: take your rubbish home with you and dispose of it there.

Vending machines

Anime and pop culture

Japanese pop culture has gone global. Anime (Japanese animation) and manga (Japanese comic books) enjoy a niche but passionate following around the world. These influential pop culture art forms are mainstream in Japan. The otherworldly characters dominate the arts and culture of young people and the young at heart and are a staple in advertising. Don’t be surprised when you see a suit-wearing middle-aged man reading graphic novels on the train.

Tokyo has some of the best attractions for anime, manga and computer game fans. Otaku (geeky superfans of Japanese pop culture) should check out the Tokyo neighbourhood of Akihabara, where games arcades, comic book stores, and multi-storey electronics stores abound.

Onsen

Visiting an onsen – a hot spring or public bath – is a great way to soothe sore muscles after a big day and a longstanding Japanese tradition. But this isn’t like popping down to the local pool – before you slip out of your gear and into the hot water, there are some rules and protocols to follow.

For a start, they are gendered – so men and women will visit different onsen. The reason for this is that you don’t have to worry about bringing your bathing suit – everyone is naked. This can be a bit confronting at first, but it is part of the culture of onsen.

Before entering the public bath, you’ll get undressed and then head to the shower area. All the soaps, perfumes and oils must be washed off your body before going into the onsen as it could contaminate the water.

Some very traditional onsens won’t allow you to enter if you have visible tattoos. The reason for this is that tattoos in Japan are associated with the yakuza (Japanese gangsters). If you’ve got ink, it’s best to check with the facility before entering.

Manners Matter

Japan is built on good manners. Being polite is a way of life in Japan. Whether it’s taking off your shoes when you enter a home as a sign of respect, not talking on your phone while on a train, or the little bow that you will give and receive countless times every day, it all adds up to a harmonious, peaceful existence that is unforgettable.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do

Take your shoes off when entering someone's home or in restaurants where you are walking on tatami mats.
Bow. In Japan, bowing is a way of showing respect or saying thanks. A small bow, just from the head and shoulders, to anyone you interact with will be appreciated.
Try to speak Japanese. Japanese people will be flattered and appreciative of anyone who gives their language a go – even if it’s a bit rough around the edges.

Don’t

Show your tattoos. Tattoos are still taboo in Japan. They have long been associated with the yakuza (Japanese gangsters), so they are not as mainstream as they are elsewhere and certainly not as prolific as in New Zealand.
Make a mess. Littering and any form of creating rubbish is a big no-no.
Make too much noise on public transport. On Japan’s trains, silence is golden and eating and drinking are forbidden.

Japanese culture is truly unique. For many visitors, the intricacies of dining, visiting shrines, onsens and interacting with a population so firmly attached to their traditions make for an unforgettable stay.

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