The Beginner’s Guide to Japan

Japan is a tiny country, about the same size as California, which has had a disproportionately large impact upon the rest of the globe and on the course of human history. The traveler can experience some of the unique culture that has both caused and resulted from Japan’s place in the world, and will find that their trip is enhanced by having some prior understanding of what has made Japan into the modern and exciting country that it is today.

Japan is formed from several larger and thousands of smaller islands. Honshu is the largest and this is the part of Japan which most visitors will experience. Hokkaido Island is another popular destination, while Kyushu and Shikoku are the other fairly large islands.

The Japanese islands are volcanic in origin, and they still experience the effects of tectonic activity, particularly in the fairly frequent earthquakes. The countryside is predominantly mountainous. The most famous peak is that of Mount Fuji, and you have probably seen photos of its characteristic snow-capped dome even if you didn’t know its name.

The capital of Japan is Tokyo, and the majority of the Japanese are packed into this and other cities. The population is well over one and a quarter million, but has begun to decline in recent time. The life expectancy in Japan is one of the highest in the world, 77 for men and 84 for women, and the literacy rate is also high, at 99%. The most commonly used language is Japanese.

The Japanese culture has been influenced by its landscape which has forced people to live around the coasts since the interior is to steep for building, and even for cultivation in places. This has resulted in densely populated cities and some beautifully untouched countryside. Another important influence had been the existence of two separate but similar religions, Shinto the “native” religion and Buddhism, which arrived here via China. There both value nature and share similar beliefs, with worshipers from each sometimes using the same temple.

Japan has an Emperor, and the current incumbent is a descendant of the first, Jimmu, who was traditionally believed to have founded Japan when he arrived more than two and a half thousand years ago.

Japan’s first Western visitors were the crew of a ship from Portugal that accidentally landed here after getting lost at sea in the 16th century. Many modern day visitors can feel similarly lost, as if they have stumbled onto an alien world rather than just another part of our own. This is partly because for many centuries there was a policy of isolationism. Foreigners were banned until mid way through the 19th century, and the Japanese culture developed without outside influences.

The changes were rapid once Japan had opened its doors. Unfortunately Japan’s new interest in world affairs resulted in their association with Nazi Germany during World War Two. Japan had fought with the Allies in World War One, and gained a reputation for military might to match its new economic status. It then developed ambitions for dominance in Asia and attacked China, and began a relationship with the Nazis. In 1941 the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor stimulated the US into action. Over three million Japanese people lost their lives during the war, and a huge amount of damage was incurred by the cities. The worst attacks came at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where the US dropped atom bombs, effectively bringing about the Japanese surrender and the end of the war.

Japan has changed a lot since this low point at the end of the war, when it lost its possessions overseas and was placed under the control of General MacArthur. It became a democracy and regained control of its own governance in 1952. While its military ambitions were gone, Japan became an important player in the world economy.

The raid changes that Japan has undergone have created a unique and vibrant culture that provides much of interest for the visitor, especially the Western traveler whose home country will seem a million miles away.

Ceremonial Tea Drinking in Japan

Drinking tea in Japan is a rich and meaningful cultural ceremony, in which the process of making the drink is elaborately ritualized and every action has an important meaning imbued with ancient symbolism. To the uninitiated guest this can be a confusing experience, as there are so many new names to learn and meanings to try and uncover, but it will always be an elegant and intriguing introduction to Japanese culture, and an impressive display of the value historically placed upon tea.

The tea ceremony usually takes place in the chashitsu, a special room in a teahouse. Water, the symbol of purity, is brought in the mizusashi, a jar made of stone which only the host is permitted to touch. The tea is held in a ceramic box called the chaire, which at the beginning of the ceremony is tucked inside a silk bag, the shifuku. Waiting to hold the tea bowl is a stand, the tana, the design of which is specific to the occasion. Everything is placed carefully, with the tea pouch laid out before the water jar.

As the host enters the room they bring with them the tea bowl, or chawan. Within the bowl is a whisk (the chasen), a white cloth made from bleached linen (the chakin) and a scoop (the chashaku). These are placed with a water jar and bowl that signify the yang of the sun and the yin of the moon, respectively. The bowl for waste water (kensui), ladle (hishaku) and the rest for the kettle’s lid, made from green bamboo, are brought in next.

Once this is all set up the host sets to work, first purifying the tea bowl and scoop using a cloth made of silk (the fukasa). Next, the tea bowl is filled with some hot water, using the ladel. The tea whisk is cleaned in it, and the bowl is then emptied again and wiped with the linen cloth. Three scoops of tea per guest are added to the clean tea bowl. Enough hot water is added to blend into a paste with the help of the whisk. The host continues whisking while adding more water, producing a thick tea.

The bowl is passed first to the most important or highest ranking guest. They should take a drink of the tea, wipe the rim, and pass the bowl on to the next guest, who repeats this action. Every guest takes a turn until each has had some tea, when the bowl is passed back to the host.

The host then rinses the bowl and cleans the scoop and tea container.

Next, a fire is built in order to make a different sort of tea, this one a think liquid which is supposed to cleanse the palate after the first tea. This second tea is a symbol of the guest’s transition back into the real world from the spiritual ceremony they have just taken part in. Although it is rarely done in the tearooms today, it is traditional to offer guests a smoke at this point.

After the second round of tea, guests are made comfortable with soft cushions (zabuton) and teaburi on which to warm their hands, and they are given sweets called higashi.

Before leaving, guests are expected to thank their host for their skill in performing the tea ceremony, and for the attentive care which they have received.

Be sure to visit http://ChineseTeaBenefits.com for more details on tea drinking ceremonies in China!

All About Tokyo Tourism

Speaking of Tokyo, it is one of the most happening places in whole of South East Asia. It witnesses many of people from different parts of the world trying to make a living or pursuing a career. The city hosts people who are here to see the old world charm of ancient Japan. Tokyo Tourism is one of the most flourishing industries in the world tourism.

Japan is one of the most progressive countries still it manages to hold back its age old culture and tradition. People come here in millions just to witness this ancient day charm. The Land of Rising Sun as it is called. This place has a rich culture of music, art, fashion matching its footsteps with science and technology.

People like to visit the stores, entertainment places and towns throughout the neighborhoods of Tokyo. Though no buildings in Tokyo are marked as Heritage sites, it has Jizo Hall, a suburban temple which can be taken to be a National treasure. They get to see the Japanese pop cultural and few museums. Tokyo is connected with major International Airports and the tourists may avail of hotels easily at reasonable rates.

Tokyo is known for its nearby get a ways. Mount Fiji is just one of them from where you can enjoy the rising sun. One cannot miss the Ueno Park and the Roppongi Hill. Tokyo has several tourist attractions, which would takes several days to visit them all. But it has a very well connected train and subway systems for the convenience of the visitors.

Tokyo is also famous for its shopping culture. Tourists visit these places for buying things which are specialities of that place. Anytime, this place is known for its world class electronic goods.

To get information on Tokyo tourism one may visit their Tourist information center. They have many offices to help the tourists plan their trips.

However, Tokyo has had its share of ups and downs with the slide in economy which as directly affected Tokyo Tourism. But still, it has managed to keep up with its quality and services which are very much the characteristics of the Japanese.