Japan is one of the best locations for tourists as it provides numerous unique experiences. This country’s culture is a fascinating combination of Eastern and Western traditions. Japanese art, dances, architectures, cinemas, and video games—these are just some of the amazing things that await you once you visit Japan.
But, when you plan a vacation to Japan, it may be challenging to determine which attractions to see and how to make the whole experience more unforgettable. Here are the best ways to experience Japan:
Learn The Language
If you intend to visit Japan, a little knowledge of the Japanese language will make traveling simpler and more unforgetable. Why is that so? Road and store signs are written in Japanese. Even when you order food at a restaurant, or call the attention of a waiter or server, knowledge of the Japanese language will make things easier for you.
Well, suppose you already have basic knowledge of the Japanese language. If you want to take things up a notch, you may want to take an advanced Japanese course so that you can have better, much easier conversations with the Japanese locals, contributing to a more unforgettable experience.
Visit The Majestic Temples
Every town and city in Japan has beautiful ancient temples and shrines.
The Byodoin Buddhist temple in Uji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Japan’s most magnificent temples. Meanwhile, the Toji Temple in Kyoto has the highest wooden pagoda in the whole country, apart from having a large park full of cherry trees.
To pay homage to these temples, you may simply light an incense and say a quick prayer. Furthermore, some temples ask you to remove your shoes. So, eave your shoes on the entry shelf or in the plastic bags supplied by certain temples. Also, make sure to wear socks for indoor usage and remove your hat.
Feel The Kimono Experience
The kimono is Japan’s traditional clothing. It features long sleeves that extend from the shoulders to the heels. Kimonos are worn in a variety of ways, depending on the occasion. Those used for daily wear are simpler than those worn for formal events. Kimonos are typically composed of silk and are worn with a broad belt known as an obi.
Travellers to Japan may get a better understanding of this traditional dress style by wearing one themselves. There are many kimono rental businesses in the Kyoto Kiyomizu region. Clients may rent kimonos and learn how to wear them properly. Numerous tourists take advantage of this chance to walk around the Kiyomizudera temple’s historical area and take beautiful photographs of themselves wearing traditional kimonos.
Experience The Spectacular Cherry Blossom Festival
In April, cherry flowers (a.k.a sakura) are quite abundant, and residents and tourists rush to Japanese parks and gardens to participate in Hanami (picnics beneath the cherry trees). The Japanese Cherry Flower Festival, usually held around the end of March or the beginning of April, celebrates the beginning of spring and paints the landscape in beautiful tones.
Join The Tea Ceremony
A tea ceremony is a choreographed process of preparing and serving tea with traditional Japanese delicacies, striving to create the ideal balance of flavors. Tea ceremonies traditionally take place in specific chambers in Japanese gardens. These gardens are designed to provide peace to visitors.
The casual version, known as chakai, is the tea ceremony most visitors witness, and typically runs from 30 minutes to an hour. The more formal variant, called chaji, includes complete meals, numerous teas, and may last up to four hours. The traditional ceremonies typically accommodate about four or five people, each being served a thick green tea, which is drunk from a bowl.
Eat Traditional Japanese Dishes
Japanese food is renowned all over the globe, but this is more than simply a delicious group of meals. UNESCO has included Japanese cuisine to its list of intangible cultural heritages, and is an important and protected element of the culture of Japan. Of course, when you visit Japan, you’ll must try out the traditional Japanese dishes. There include:
- Sushi
- Sashimi
- Unagi-grilled eel
- Tempura
- Soba and udon
- Onigiri-rice balls
- Yakitori
- Sukiyaki
- Oden-simmered ingredients
- Miso Soup
- Ramen
- Donburi
- Natto
- Kashipan
- Okonomiyaki
- Mentaiko
- Nikujaga
- Shabu-shabu
- Onigiri
- Gyoza
- Takoyaki
- Chawanmushi
- Yakisoba
- Wagashi
- Kishen
Conclusion
There are many ways to make your Japanese trip unforgettable, such as those included in the list presented above.
When you visit Japan initially, you may feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of exciting towns, amazing natural landscapes, and distinct historical places to see. So, it should be in your best interest to do some thorough research on these locations. It’s also a good idea to learn some basic Japanese phrases so you can converse with the locals.
