Connecting with Japanese Culture

Gain a deeper understanding of Japan’s rich history and traditions through its culture

There are many ways to experience Japanese culture, from tea ceremonies and tours of samurai battlefields to overnight stays in World Heritage temples. All offer the opportunity to learn something new about the country and its customs. Here are some ideas for connecting with Japanese culture.
 

Visiting Cultural Sites

Visiting Japan's cultural sites offers a captivating journey through history and tradition. Each location, from ancient shrines like Ehime’s Ishizuchi-jinja to the serene gardens of Kagawa’s Ritsurin Park, tells a unique story of Japan’s cultural heritage.

Dotted across the country are national treasures and important cultural properties, many of which date from before the Meiji period (1868–1912) when buildings were primarily made of wood. This makes the surviving structures incredibly rare and valuable. For help deciding where to visit, browse Japan Heritage designated destinations.

Discovering Ainu and Ryukyuan Cultures 

Japan is a country of diverse islands, stretching from the northernmost island of Hokkaido to the southern archipelago of Okinawa. While Hokkaido was largely settled by mainland Japanese (Wajin) during the Meiji Period (1868–1912) and Okinawa came under mainland control in the seventeenth century, these islands are home to their own peoples and cultures. 

In Hokkaido, Ainu have a deep spiritual connection to nature, reflected in their traditions of hunting, fishing, and crafts. You can learn about the life and culture of Ainu people at museums, such as the National Ainu Museum and Park, and through cultural activities, including guided walks.

In the south, the Ryukyu Kingdom, which encompassed the islands of Okinawa Prefecture, developed a vibrant culture shaped by trade with Japan, China, Korea, and Southeast Asia. Castle sites, royal palaces, and ancient worship sites preserve the heritage of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Some are designated world heritage sites and comprise the Gusuku Sites & Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.

Enrich your visit by learning more about these cultures that thrived independently of, yet interacted with, mainland Japan.

Understanding Japanese History 

Japan’s culture, traditions, customs, and even everyday etiquette are deeply rooted in its rich history. Understanding some key moments of this history can greatly enhance your visit, providing context for cultural sites and practices, and inspiring exploration of historically significant areas beyond the typical tourist spots.

Japanese history can be divided roughly into six periods as per this handy overview, ranging from prehistoric times when hunter-gatherers roamed the archipelago, to the modern developments of the twentieth century. Exploring these periods provides essential context for visiting Japan’s castles, temples, and shrines, which reflect the country’s fascinating past. For a deeper dive into Japan’s history, visit the country’s four national museums in Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, and Kyushu.

A good starting point for understanding modern Japan is the Edo (1603–1867) and Meiji (1868–1912) periods. During the Edo period, urban culture flourished, solidifying many aspects of what is now considered traditional Japanese culture, from kabuki theater to ukiyo-e woodblock prints. The Meiji period brought rapid modernization, transforming Japan from a feudal society into a modern nation, profoundly affecting everything from politics and social structure to fashion and architecture. Many sites from these two periods have been preserved, such as the Edo-period post town Narai in Nagano and Meiji Mura in Aichi, an open-air architectural museum that displays over 60 buildings from the Meiji period.

Learning the Language 

Learning how to greet people and use key phrases like “please” and “thank you” is a great first step in learning Japanese. The more you progress beyond that, the more meaningful your interactions become, and the deeper your understanding of the culture. Recognizing certain characters or being able to read even a little opens up more opportunities, giving you the confidence to venture beyond typical tourist areas and try restaurants without foreign-language menus.

The Japanese language is made up of three writing systems: hiragana and katakana, which are syllabaries with 46 basic characters each; and kanji, which are Chinese characters. High-school students in Japan learn more than 2,000 commonly used kanji characters, but recognizing just 10 or 20 characters often found on signs can be extremely useful. Flashcards and language learning apps are helpful for learning how to read and recognize different characters. Many foreign language learners begin with katakana, then move on to hiragana, and end with kanji.

Japanese pronunciation is straightforward compared to English, with fewer vowel and consonant sounds, and the words are generally pronounced as they are written. The sentence structure differs, as Japanese is an SOV (subject-object-verb) language, meaning verbs come at the end. Other notable features include nouns, which don’t have gender, plural forms, or articles; and subjects, which can be omitted when understood from the context.

Learning Japanese takes time and effort, but it can be rewarding. As you progress, you will encounter unique words and phrases that don’t have direct translations or equivalents in English. “Itadakimasu” (lit., to humbly receive) is said before meals to express gratitude to everyone and everything that made the meal possible. Words and phrases like these are valuable windows into the culture