facts about japan culture

1. Japan, island country lying off the east coast of Asia. It consists of a great string of four
main islands and numerous smaller ones in the North Pacific Ocean. The capital of
Japan is Tokyo and the largest city in Japan.
The Japanese landscape is rugged, with more than four-fifths of the land surface
consisting of mountains. There are many active and dormant volcanoes.
Japanese is the country national language, with a small minority of people speaking
other languages, all of which belong to two language families: the Japonic language
family, and the Ainu family. Within these two families lie various sub-families of
languages and dialects that are spoken in different areas of the country.
The indigenous religion of Japan is Shinto which most of the population practices, then
Buddhism and a small part of the population practices Christianity and some ancient
shamanistic practices, as well as a number of “new religions”.
Japanese cities are jumbled mixtures of old and new. Mixed land use, including
agricultural activity, can be found side by side with the most modernized business
centers and industrial establishments.
Housing is typically apartments or ‘mansions’ as they are known to the Japanese. More
traditional style homes can be found in the suburbs, while western style housing is
becoming more popular in rural towns.
Japan is a country with a rich and interesting history devoted to music and dance.
Many of these are totally unique to Japan and differ greatly from international styles.
The music of Japan includes a wide array of distinct genres, both traditional and
modern, often associated to musical instruments. Traditional Japanese music has a
highly ritualized performance – sharing much in common with martial arts, and other
Japanese art forms.
Taiyaki-kun" is the best-selling single in Japan. Japanese pop culture is well-known and
popular worldwide. Especially, female idol groups are one of the symbols of J-POP and
the pop culture.
Japanese traditional dance describes dance styles with a long history and prescribed
method of performance.
Japan has held on too many traditional dance styles which have developed over
centuries. You can find them in various festivals and events all over Japan, and they
may differ slightly depending on the area of the country. Some popular traditional
dances from there are:
1. Bon Odori

2. 2. Nihon Buyo
Japanese festivals are traditional festive occasions. Some festivals have their roots
in Chinese festivals , but have undergone great changes as they mixed with local
customs, and many no longer resemble their originating festival. Traditional festivals in
Japan are particularly special because many of them have perfectly preserved
customs that have been passed down through the generations.
Some popular festivals in Tokyo:
Koenji Awa Odori,
Kanda Matsuri,
Kanamara Matsuri
Japanese cuisine encompasses the regional and traditional foods of Japan, which have
developed through centuries of political, economic, and social changes. The traditional
cuisine of Japan (washoku) is based on rice with miso soup and other dishes; there is
an emphasis on seasonal ingredients. Side dishes often consist of fish, pickled
vegetables, and cooked vegetables. Seafood is common, often grilled, but also served
raw.
Japanese food is one of the most popular cuisines in the world.
Sports in Japan are a significant part of Japanese culture. Both traditional sports such
as sumo and martial arts, and Western imports like baseball and association football,
are popular with both participants and spectators.
Sumo is considered Japan's national sport. Martial arts such
as judo, karate and modern kendō are also widely practiced and enjoyed by spectators
in the country.
Japan is a very rich and proud country when we are talking about their culture.