Discover Japanese Culture

One of the coolest aspects of traveling to Japan is discovering the many ways in which traditional Japanese culture and modern Japanese society appear to mesh together seamlessly.

Daily life scenes like an ultra-modern high-rise building right next to an ancient temple, a group of young girls clad in colorful yukata summer kimono texting messages on a train as they head to a fireworks display, or a hard-core punk rocker speaking in the polite, formal "keigo" style of Japanese while being interviewed on TV somehow just seem to make sense in Japan.

In the EJG Japanese Culture section, you'll find a wealth of information on Japanese culture and customs, as well as Japan's unique holidays, festivals, fashions, events, and more!

Japan has many customs that are quite a departure from the way things are done in the West. Learn about Japan's customs of eating, bathing, bowing, conducting business, weddings, funerals, and more. Learn More...

Bowing in Japan
Removing Shoes in Japan
Japanese Gift Giving
Japanese Bathing
Japanese Wedding Customs
Japanese Funeral Customs
Japanese New Year Customs

Japanese Etiquette, Manners, and Mannerisms

Japanese culture is well known for its emphasis on proper manners and etiquette. Impress your Japanese hosts with your knowledge and mastery (or at least well-appreciated attempt!) of proper Japanese etiquette and familiarity with Japanese mannerisms. Learn More...

Japanese Eating Customs
Japanese Business Etiquette
Manners and Mannerisms

Japanese Holidays

Did you know that both Valentine's Day and Christmas are celebrated in Japan, but with a unique Japanese twist? Learn about these and other traditional Japanese holidays. Learn More...

Japanese New Year
Christmas in Japan
Valentine's Day
White Day
Golden Week
Coming of Age Day

Japanese Festivals and Events

From cherry blossoms in the spring, fireworks in the summer, and ice sculptures in the winter, there is a full calendar of Japanese festivals and events to be enjoyed year round.

Cherry Blossom Festivals
Firework Displays
Sapporo Snow Festival
Hakata Gion Yamakas Festival
Jidai Matsuri
Aoi Matsuri
Chichibu Night Festival
Takayama Festival
Tokyo Auto Show
Tokyo Game Show

Japan Fashions

Harajuku, Ginza, kogyaru, hime, and Amura. Stay on top of the ever-changing but always cutting-edge Japan fashion scene.

Harajuku Fashion
Shibuya Fashion
Ginza Fashion
Hime Fashion
Kawaii Fashion
Mori Fashion
Kogyaru Fashion
Amura Fashion
Kimono Fashion
Costume Play (Cosplay) Fashion

Japanese Pop Culture

Japanese traditional culture is kimono, kabuki, temples, and tea. Japanese pop culture is video games, anime, manga, gravure idols, and pop music. In recent years, the popularity of Japanese pop culture has exploded worldwide. Find out what all of the hype is about!

Japanese Video Games
Japanese Manga
Japanese Anime
Japanese Idols
Japanese Pop Music

Japanese Trends

Check out Japan's latest trends in games, gadgets, TV shows, electronics, autos, foods, fashions, and more.

Japanese Electronics
Japanese Gadgets
Japanese TV
Japanese Food Trends
Japanese Fashion Trends

Keep checking back as we continue to update our Japanese Culture section with more and more great cultural info!