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Japan: A Land of Contrasts and Wonders

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Nate Great
January 26, 2024

Hi! and welcome, today I’ll share my passion for Japan, a fascinating country that offers a rich and diverse culture, history, and cuisine. So I’ve been talking to Japanese people on a language app called Hello Talk, the things I got to know, about their culture, travel, their lifestyle, food and so much that it amazes me & is everything that I’ve shared today. I’ve tried to divide the things in several parts for the ease of reading. So here we go.

Travel

The best thing about Japan is that it’s a great place to explore so what other topic than Travel is the best to start with. Whether you’re looking for ancient temples, modern cities, natural scenery, or exotic islands, Japan has it all. Some of the places that I think are the best to explore are:

  • Tokyo: The capital and largest city of Japan, Tokyo is a metropolis that never sleeps. You can find everything from skyscrapers, shopping malls, museums, karaoke, parks, to anime, manga, and cosplay shops. Tokyo is also home to some of the most famous landmarks in Japan, such as the Tokyo Tower, the Imperial Palace, and the Shibuya Crossing and The Disneyland in Chiba near Tokyo are all the places worth the visit.

  • Kyoto: The former capital and cultural heart of Japan, Kyoto is a city that preserves the traditional and historical aspects of Japan from the Edo period. You can visit some of the most beautiful and sacred temples, shrines, gardens, and palaces in Japan, such as the Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), the Kiyomizu-dera (Pure Water Temple), and the Fushimi Inari Taisha (Thousand Torii Gates) which are just a spectacle to visit and experience.

  • Hokkaido: The northernmost and second largest island of Japan, Hokkaido is a paradise for nature lovers. You can enjoy the stunning scenery of mountains, lakes, forests, and volcanoes, as well as the wildlife and flora. Hokkaido is also famous for its winter sports, such as skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating. Sapporo, located in Hokkaido is absolute must to visit for famous Ramen, city sights at night, beer, & sights to look wide at.

  • Okinawa: The southernmost and smallest prefecture of Japan, Okinawa is a tropical island chain that offers a different side of Japan. You can experience the unique culture, history, and cuisine of the Ryukyu Kingdom, which was once independent from Japan. Okinawa is also known for its beaches, coral reefs, and marine life.

Technology

Now moving on, we all have hear somewhere that Japan is a leader in technology, innovation, and creativity. You can find some of the best nerds and leaders who have contributed to the most advanced and cutting-edge gadgets, automobiles, services, resources the world has ever seen.

From famous Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Subaru to Sony, Canon, Toshiba, Hitachi, Japan has pioneered in creativity & robotics, as it has developed some of the most sophisticated and versatile robots, such as Aibo, Asimo, Pepper, and Kirobo, that can perform various tasks and interact with humans.

Japan’s automobile, manufacturing, and robotics industries are driven by its culture of excellence, creativity, and efficiency.

Japan’s space & research agency JAXA is regarded in one of the most advanced space agencies, which recently performed a miracle soft landing on Moon’s Southern part and became the world’s 5th country to do so with their terrain mapping & identification tech.

Game Development and Gaming in Japan

And when the topic of gaming comes in play, who doesn’t know that Japan is a powerhouse in game development and gaming & if you never heard about it then I AM HERE 😁 to tell you, as it has produced some of the most influential and successful games, developers, and publishers in the world.

Japan started the era of gaming in the 1970s and 1980s, with arcade games such as Space Invaders, Pac-Man, and Donkey Kong, which became global hits and created a gaming culture.

It has given birth to the legendary Game Designers which I totally respect & admire like Hideo Kojima, creator of Metal Gear Series(aka James Bond of gaming) & Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of legendary Mario & Zelda. Japan dominated the home console market, with Nintendo, Sega, and Sony, which introduced iconic franchises such as Mario, Zelda, Sonic, Final Fantasy, and PlayStation.

If you’re a game geek like me 😄 & want to check out more about game development and gaming in Japan, you can jump on these websites:

Culture & Tradition

“Wherever you live, you come to love it.”

A country like this, that has a rich and diverse culture, reflects its long and turbulent history, as well as its modern and global influences. It’s known for its unique and fascinating aspects, such as:

People: The Japanese people are polite, respectful, and hardworking. They value harmony, loyalty, and honor. They also have a sense of aesthetics, creativity, and innovation. They are proud of their heritage, but also open to new ideas and trends & how they’re amazingly Kind who praise and respect and care for other people.

Anime: Anime is a form of animation that originated in Japan, and has become a worldwide phenomenon. Anime has a wide range of genres, themes, and styles, such as action, comedy, romance, horror, sci-fi, and more. Anime also has a subculture, such as cosplay, where fans dress up as their favorite characters, and conventions, where fans gather and celebrate their passion.

Origami: Origami is the art of folding paper, and it is very popular in Japan. Origami has a history of over a thousand years, and it was used for ceremonial, religious, and recreational purposes. Origami also has a symbolic and spiritual aspect, as some origami, such as cranes, represent peace, luck, and happiness.

Japan has a variety of traditions and festivals that celebrate its culture, history, and nature. Some of the most important and popular ones are:

Shogatsu: The Japanese New Year celebration, which lasts from December 30 to January 3. It is a time to pray for good fortune, eat special food, and visit temples and shrines. On January 2, the public can enter the inner palace grounds in Tokyo, which is only open twice a year1.

Hanami: The Cherry Blossom Viewing, which is from late March to early April. It is a tradition to enjoy the beauty of the Sakura (cherry blossoms), by having picnics, parties, and concerts under the trees. Some of the best places to see the sakura are Ueno Park in Tokyo, Maruyama Park in Kyoto, and Hirosaki Castle in Aomori3.

Obon: The Festival of the Dead, which is from August 13 to 15. It is a day to honor the spirits of the ancestors, by visiting their graves, making offerings, and performing dances. One of the most famous events is the Toro Nagashi, where lanterns are floated on rivers to guide the spirits back to the other world.

Food

Foody?? Yeah me too, then this is for you cuz can taste and enjoy some wonderful & tasty dishes of Japanese cuisine, such as:

  • Sushi: A dish that consists of vinegared rice, topped or wrapped with raw or cooked seafood, vegetables, or eggs. Sushi is a healthy and tasty dish, as you can choose from a variety of combinations, such as nigiri, maki, sashimi, and more. Sushi also has a etiquette, such as using chopsticks, dipping in soy sauce, and eating in one bite.

  • Ramen: A dish that consists of wheat noodles, served in a broth, usually with meat, eggs, seaweed, and bamboo shoots. Ramen is a hearty and satisfying dish, as you can choose from different types of broth, such as shoyu, miso, tonkotsu, and more. Ramen also has a culture, such as slurping, which is considered polite and shows appreciation.

  • Tempura: A dish that consists of seafood or vegetables, coated in a light batter and deep-fried. Tempura is a crispy and flavorful dish, as you can dip it in a sauce, usually made of soy sauce, mirin, and dashi. Tempura also has a history, as it was introduced by Portuguese traders in the 16th century.

  • Mochi: A dessert that consists of glutinous rice, pounded into a sticky and chewy paste, usually filled with sweet or savory fillings. Mochi is a sweet and soft dessert, as you can choose from different fillings, such as red bean, sesame, peanut, cheese, and more. Mochi also has a tradition, such as making and eating it during the New Year.

That’s all folks for this edition. Hope you enjoyed reading it and learned something about this wonderful country called Japan, how I call it the Land of Contrast and Wonders and how it amazes me. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please feel free to shoot a reply.

Thanks for your attention, share with your friends and see you in the next one! 😊

Jake Gyllenhaal Reaction GIF by MOODMAN