All About Japan ☆ Hai
(づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ !!
FEATURED
[Japanese Characters!]
The Sanrio Series:
Sanrio (aka the ‘Hello Kitty’ franchise), is widely known throughout Japan. It started with Shintaro Tsuji, a man that made silk and opened up “Yamanashi Silk Company”. It grew overtime, and he started expanding his expertise in making sandals. On these sandals he added cute flowers, designs, and later, cute cartoon characters (Hello Kitty). Before making his own characters, he added pre-existing characters on his merchandise, the loveable dog, “Snoopy” after getting Japanese licensing rights. Tsuji noticing success, moved on and made his own character, Coro Chan, in 1973. In 1974 came the infamous Hello Kitty herself, not being the original character, she still found her way for being the face of the franchise. The company’s European name comes from the Spanish words ‘san’ (holy) and ‘rio’ (river).
The San-X Series:
San-X (aka the ‘Rilakkuma’ franchise), is also extremely popular among Japan and its culture. Although it’s not as popular as Sanrio, it still has its history of being established. Aki Kondo, one of San-X’s employees created the characters, “Amagurichan” and “Mikanbouya”. At the time, the company ordered all their employees to make one character a month, and Kondo has just the idea. She always envied dogs and their easy lifestyles, but never owned one. She then came up with the idea for “Rilakkuma”. Rilakkuma’s name came from the Japanese words ‘rirakkusu’ (relax) and ‘kuma’ (bear). For the design, she added a sloppy posture because of its amusing looks, and a zipper in the back, for one of his quirks. San-X dismissed the idea, but then it came back in a comic, ‘Rilakkuma Seikatsu’ about a female office worker named Kaoru that appears as a silhouette. Rilakkuma just spends everyday relaxing.
Full Tourist Guide + Common Phrases~!
If you’re just visiting Japan for a short temporary amount of time, make sure to cover the most popular destinations like Mount Fuji, cities, like Tokyo and Kyoto.
1) Tokyo: [ Various Places In The City ]
Shibuya ~ Known for its iconic diagonal crosswalks and trendy fashion.
Ueno Park ~ A large park with a zoo, gardens, and a museum.
Ginza ~ A shopping area with expensive brands.
Sensō-ji ~ A temple with a rich history in the Asakusa district.
2) Kyoto: [ Various Places In The City ]
Kiyomizu-dera ~ A calming temple with a wooden stage overlooking the city.
Fushimi Inari Shrine ~ famous for its huge amount of bright red torii gates.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove ~ A walk through thick, tall growing bamboo.
Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) ~ A vibrant Zen temple covered in gold leaf.
ADDITIONAL PLACES TO VISIT:
Mount Fuji - A beautiful and majestic mountain, also is the national symbol of Japan.
Kanazawa - A city with a rich backstory, beautiful gardens, and a geisha district. (Geisha are professional female entertainers whose skills excel in traditional dance, music, and tea ceremonies.)
Nara - Known for its free roaming deer, that are friendly but wild. (In Nara park, you can feed the deer, if you look around, you will find a stall selling appropriate food for the animal.)
Hiroshima - A city with a heartfelt history and a peace memorial.
Lifestyle Info:
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Transportation: Japan has an efficient and easy public transportation system, including trains (Shinkansen, local trains), and buses.
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Housing/Hotels: Options start from traditional ryokans to modern hotels.
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Food: Japanese cuisine is diverse and delicious, with options ranging from sushi and ramen to tempura and okonomiyaki.
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Cultural Etiquette: Learn about bowing, removing shoes indoors, and proper dining etiquette.
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Budget: Prices can vary, but Japan can be a relatively affordable travel destination, especially with the use of public transportation and value-friendly accommodation.
3. Optional Additions:
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Day Trips: Explore nearby areas like Hakone, Yokohama, or Kawagoe from Tokyo.
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Special Tours: Consider geisha tours, onsen (hot spring) experiences, or cooking classes.
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Local Experiences: Immerse yourself in local festivals, markets, and craft workshops.
4. Tips for First-Time Visitors:
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Travel Experts:
Condé Nast Traveler suggests a 10-14 day trip to get the most out of your first visit.
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Research:
Plan your itinerary in advance and familiarize yourself with transportation options.
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Learn Basic Japanese:
Knowing a few phrases can enhance your experience.
Common Expressions/Phrases
Greetings and Polite Expressions:
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Hello (good afternoon): Konnichiwa (こんにちは)
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Thank you: Arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとうございます)
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Excuse me/Sorry: Sumimasen (すみません)
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Yes: Hai (はい)
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No: Iie (いいえ)
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Please: Onegaishimasu (お願いします)
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You're welcome: Dou itashimashite (どういたしまして)
Asking for Help:
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Where is...?: Doko desu ka? (どこですか)
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I don't understand: Wakarimasen (わかりません)
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Can you speak English?: Eigo hanasemasu ka? (英語話せますか)
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Help!: Tasukete! (助けて!)
At Restaurants/Shopping:
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How much is this?: Ikura desu ka? (いくらですか)
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I would like this: Kore o kudasai (これください)
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Can I get the bill?: Okaikei onegai shimasu (お会計お願いします)
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Let's eat/Bon appétit: Itadakimasu (いただきます)
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Thank you for the meal: Gochisousama deshita (ごちそうさまでした)
Other Useful Phrases:
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Good morning: Ohayou gozaimasu (おはようございます)
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Good evening: Konbanwa (こんばんは)
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Goodbye: Sayounara (さようなら)
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Nice to meet you: Hajimemashite (はじめまして)
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I am from...: Watashi wa (country name) kara kimashita (私は〇〇から来ました)
Anime:
Some popular animes in Japan.
The anime “Demon Slayer” is about a teenage boy named Tanjiro kamado, who joins the ‘Demon Slayer Corps’ after his family was slain. His younger sister, Nezuko was also turned into a demon, and Tanjiro tries to turn her back human by defeating the demon king ‘Muzan’.
“Sazae-San” being the longest running cartoon in Japan, gaining popularity, it is now number one anime in the Japan. The story follows a woman, Sazae, who would rather be with her horse than dress up formally in a kimono, or put makeup on to attract her future husband. She’s a very outgoing person, and many of the plot lines were about bossing around her husband.
The anime “One Piece” is a story about a 17-year old, Monkey D. Luffy, whose body gained the powers of a rubber fruit, after eating a devil fruit unintentionally. making a crew, the ‘Straw Hat Pirates’, searches the ‘Grand Line’ for a treasure, called ‘One Piece’ in order to become the next King of the Pirates.