Japan

 Japan is island nation in East Asia. It has the world’s tenth-largest population with over 127 million people.  Japan’s capital city is Tokyo, that is one of the largest cities in the world.

Language

•     More than 99% of the population speak Japanese as their first language

Japanese Flag

•     Japanese writing uses kanji  - Chinese characters - and two sets of kana (syllabaries based on simplified Chinese characters), as well as the Latin alphabet and Arabic numerals

•  Most public and private school requires children / students to learn Japanese and English

Culture

The modern culture combines  influences from Asia, Europe and North America.

Traditional Japanese :

•  Arts includes crafts such as ceramics, textiles, lacquerware, swords and dolls   
• performances of 

 Bunraku – form of traditional Japanese puppet theatre

Kabuki  - classical Japanese dance-drama

Noh – form of Japanese musical drama with many masked characters, with men playing male and female roles. Traditionally, a Noh "performance day" lasts all day.

Dance

Man doing Rakugo

Rakugo - is a Japanese verbal entertainment. The lonely storyteller sits in seiza sitting position on the stage, called the Kōza. Using only a paper fan and a small cloth as props, presents  a long and complicated comical story. The story always involves the dialogue of two or more characters.

•  Other practices:

Tea ceremony

Ikebana - Japanese art of flower arrangement

Geisha

Origami - traditional Japanese art of paper folding

Onsen – hot springs in Japanese

Geisha - traditional Japanese female entertainers, act as hostesses and whose skills include performing various Japanese arts - classical music, dance and games.

Japanese Martial arts

Judo

Karate

Kendo

Kyudo

Aikido

Sumo

Samurai

Swords

Traditional Japanese Building and Sakura tree

Japanese architecture : The traditional houses and temple buildings uses tatami mats and sliding doors

Cherry blossoms (sakura)

is Japan's unofficial national symbol and occupies a significant position in the Japanese culture. In Japan, there are dozens of different varieties of cherry trees, most of which bloom in spring for only a few days. In those days the Japanese celebrate Hanani (enjoying the cherry blossoms), arranging the parties and picnic under trees.

Ume

Ume, or Japanese plum plays an important role in the culture of this country. It is connected with the beginning of spring because the blooms very early and sets the beginning. The Japanese celebrate this event in parks and temples around the country, and is named ‘Plum Festival’’.

Male Kimono

Female Kimono

Traditional clothing : Kimono and Yukata

The traditional kimonos are made from silk and currently, there are only worn on celebrations such as weddings, funerals and tea ceremony.

Yukata is more every day clothes made of cotton - great to wear in summer months.

Traditional Food 

Misoshiru - Traditional Japanese soup, consumed in Japan almost every day in addition to meals (including breakfast) Is made on the basis of ''dashi'' (boullion) with addition of soybean paste called miso and many other ingredients depending on region and persons preference.

Gohan - cooked rice, present at all meals, prepared in different ways, served in cups, but also can be molded into balls 

Sushi

Sushi - most famous Japanese dish in the world. Made with rice and a variety of seafood, fish, vegetables, mushrooms and eggs.

Maki Zushi - made by putting rice and fish on seaweed sheet and also by wrapping together the seaweed with other ingredients. To wrap it they often use a bamboo mat. This way a roll is made and is cutted into smaller pieces.

Dango - traditional Japanese noodles made from mochiko. Often served with green tea

Ramen - Japanese dish made from soup, noodles and other ingredients depending on the recipe.  It's different from other Japanese soups as it contains meat. Traditional Japanese soups are manly made from fish and vegetables.

Daifuku - Japanese fluffy, stuffed cookies

and lots more xD

Ramen

Dango