Top 12 Things That Make Japan Famous

Whoever you ask about the things that make Japan famous will usually give you a different answer, as it will depend on what the person is most interested in. That is why we have made a detailed and neutral list with a bit of everything for you to experience and live Japan on your next trip! Find out what things make Japan famous!

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan (it is actually a volcano) It is one of the most famous places in this country and is part of the ” Three Holy Mountains” of Japan ( Sanreizan ) along with Mount Tate and Mount Haku . It is recognizable on the horizon by its symmetrical cone covered with snow almost always (more or less half of the year) And it is considered a symbol of Japan , which is why it often appears in photographs and other works of art related to this impressive country.

Vending machines

You can find vending machines that sell such obvious things as drinks and snacks as well as a range of products such as ramen, socks, umbrellas, fresh eggs, bananas, ties and more! Some even sell lucky charms at temples and shrines. Anyone residing in Japan can have a vending machine, which means that there are about 5 million in the whole country, more or less one machine for every 30 people! Which is not surprising when you are walking through rural areas and you find one in the middle of the forest!

“Konbini” Convenience Stores

In Japan, frozen or packaged food is fresh, prepared that same day and tastes great! Although they tend to be a bit expensive, the truth is that it is worth it, especially if you are a tourist and have a tight schedule to visit places and museums. There is a convenience store on almost every corner in Japan so it won’t be hard to find them. There are even areas where you can find up to two or three stores of different brands on the same street! The main convenience stores are 7-11, Family Mart and Lawson.

Buddhist Temples and Shinto Shrines

You cannot leave Japan without visiting a Shinto shrine or a Buddhist temple because there are more than one in every city and town, even in remote mountainous areas.

Before the Meiji Restoration, the Buddhist and Shinto religions shared symbolism that they used in temples and shrines and that are still maintained. The Japanese adopt different aspects of each religion for various stages of their lives. There is a saying in Japan: “Born in Shintoism and die in Buddhism”.

Geisha and Maiko

Without a doubt when you think of Japan, the first images that come to mind are geisha and maiko walking down the street wearing centuries of tradition in their colorful kimono. The role of a geisha is that of a hostess and entertainer, highly skilled in the areas of traditional dance, tea ceremonies, and musical instruments such as the shamisen. This is why they are considered the guardians of traditional Japanese arts.

Tea ceremony

Japan is famous for its tea ceremonies, known as Sado 茶道. This includes the ceremonial preparation and presentation of the Matcha – powdered green tea. Tea ceremonies are very important in Japanese culture: it’s not really about drinking the tea, but about silently admiring the grace and skill in the movements when preparing it. Even the placement of the utensils is very important. There are many places where you can experience a tea ceremony, so don’t forget to look for options when you come to Japan!

Samurai and Ninja

The Samurai were warriors of the nobility in Japan having their first appearance around the 8th century and gradually increasing in importance during the 12th century to fight against the Mongol invasion. They were granted special privileges as well as land. They wore elaborate armor made of leather and light metal, were highly skilled with a sword or katana, and were highly skilled in defending their region.

Ninjas, on the other hand, date back to the 14th century and were undercover agents hired by feudal lords. Their goals were to deceive, confuse and even kill their enemies and there were also female ninjas!

Calligraphy

Japanese calligraphy is a form of artistic writing of the Japanese language, that is, the kanji and is also known as shodo. There are two types of symbols in Japanese calligraphy: Kana and Kanji. Kana represents syllables and does not have any specific meaning. Kanji are much more complex as they are word symbols and each has a specific meaning.

There are courses that teach you Japanese calligraphy all over the world, so if you want to experience this art you can easily find courses or workshops during your visit to Japan!

Origami

This is another type of art and it is that of folding paper. something that people do all over the world but that originated in Japan. Learning this art form allows you to transform a single square of paper into a beautiful sculpture, with almost endless possibilities.

Onsen

Japan is a volcanically active country so it has many hot springs or onsen as it is known in Japan. Onsens are traditionally located outdoors, although you can find many indoors. Most are located in areas near volcanoes, especially around Mount Fuji and Mount Hakone.

There are many ryokan, which are traditional Japanese-style hotels that have hot springs, making it a good combo for your visit to Japan.

Japanese food

Foods like sushi and ramen are two things that have become incredibly popular all over the world and that make Japan famous, although they are usually just interpretations of the original, as each country adapts it to its own palate. We recommend you try both sushi and ramen prepared in Japan, you will notice the difference in flavor! There are many options throughout the country so you can even compare between restaurants and choose your favorite!

Symbolism and Mysticism

Japan is a very unique culture of contrasts. On the one hand, it is one of the most technologically advanced places in the world and, on the other, it is intimately connected with its ancient historical heritage and its spiritual traditions.

Japan is famous for giving life to the mystical, such as Shinto beliefs around what is known as animism , where a spirit, soul or energy lives within all existence, from everyday objects such as an umbrella, a bowl up the plants and mountains that can be defined as “kami” or deities.

The supernatural can help make sense of the irrationality of life. When you visit Japan, do not stop looking to interpret the symbolism and reflect on the mysticism of everything that Japanese culture has.