Japan's Four Seasons ［日本の四季］

Spring (March-May)
Temperatures start to increase in the later March, reaching around 15 degrees Celsius in April. Winter clothing such as coats are no longer necessary.
In May, temperatures hover around 18 degrees Celsius and plants start blooming as the air temperature increases.
Transplanting of rice seedlings, rice being the staple food in Japan, begins around May.


Summer (June-September)
A rainy front stays around Japan in June, increasing humidity and bringing considerable amounts rain, it is called "rainy season" and this weather continues approximately one and a half months.
Rainy season ends around the middle July, then full-fledged summer begins.
In August, there are often consistently hot days with temperatures climbing to over 35 degrees Celsius.
There is no rainy season in Hokkaido.


Autumn (End September-November)
Once entering in autumn, day length starts to shrink and the sun sets earlier.
As the summer heat wanes; this is a comfortable season to spend outdoors.
However, a lot of typhoons approach Japan until the beginning of October in this season and caution is required.
In November, the autumn leaves appear nationwide.
Exquisite colors can be observed across the country due to the climate shifting from summer to autumn.
Snow starts to fall in the mountainous areas.


Winter (End November-February)
The atmospheric pattern of the western high and eastern low, characteristic weather of this season, brings a strong stream of cold air flows from northwest.
Snow falls in Hokkaido, the Japan sea side, and regions located inland and in the mountains.
In places enduring heavy snowfall, sometimes depths of over four meter of snow are recorded.
On the Pacific Ocean side, there are many clear days, and the air becomes dry.

MIKI
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Traditional Japanese Footwear

Traditional Japanese footwear tends to have thong toes, like modern day flip-flops. The thong part is called the hanao and can usually be replaced if it is damaged or a change is wanted. The thong between the toe is believed to press on acupressure points, aiding the body.

This kind of footwear could be easily made using nothing more than woven and twisted reeds, the woven reeds providing a sole, the twisted reed providing the string for the hanao or to simply tie the sole onto the foot. While wafuku (traditional Japanese clothing) can be very complicated and time consuming to put on, the fastening of it is done with just simple ties, although the different and very specific knots used for each tie can be somewhat complex. This simplicity meant almost anyone could make themselves simple footwear. You can see a pair of tatami, waraji sandals below.

Waraji tatami sandals

The traditional footwear worn with kimonos is, for women, geta or zori. The spelling of zori varies a lot, you may see it as zouri or zoori.
Geta are wooden soled shoes, with solid platforms or with little stilts, called ha (teeth), on the bottom of the soles; they can be found with one, two or three teeth, the most usual being two. Paulownia wood is popular for geta. They are still worn nowadays and tend not to be too terribly high now, though, in the past their height was often much greater. The design of geta is a practical one; they keep the wearer’s expensive kimono from touching the ground and becoming dirty or damaged. Very high toothed geta were used in winter to keep the kimono off the snow.

The wooden bases are sometimes ornately decorated. The images below show you a very plain vintage pair, a vintage pair of lacquered wood geta, an antique pair and a pair of ama geta, with toe covers, to keep the toes dry in rain.

Plain wood geta

Lacquered wood geta

Antique geta

Ama geta, with removable toe covers, for rainwear

Snow geta – the wooden teeth on the sole raise the kimono off the snow and the spikes give grip, like crampons.

Generally most Japanese people call this style of geta, with the slant-cut front on the underside, senryou-geta. The reason they are called this is that in the 37th year of Meiji (1904) the Russo-Japanese War started and was won by Japan. The Japanese Army then began to occupy many countries on the continent of Asia. In those days, this style of geta, with the slant-cut front on the underside, was very popular in Tokyo. Someone named this style of geta, Senryou, or Senryou-geta because of the patriotic feeling of that time. One meaning of the word Senryou is “occupation”. This meaning was depicted by one particular kanji (Japanese text symbol) but many people felt that this use was very harsh and direct and that it showed an attitude that was not welcome, so, in order to keep the word but soften it, a different kanji began to be used. This different kanji had the same sound “Senryou” but its roots were very different. This new kanji became a lucky word and is still used today. Now the word Senryou means sen = 1000 and ryou = a currency unit from the Tokugawa Period (1603-1867).  This high amount of money was considered large and lucky, so senryou-geta started out as meaning “occupation geta”, then, while it kept the same name, the meaning changed to that of being a “very lucky geta” or “great geta”.

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JAPANESE ETIQUETTE

JAPANESE MANNERS AND ETIQUETTE

Here's a word about good manners while living in Japan. Up to now, unless you've been living in a cave, you must have heard about taking off your shoes before entering a residence and not getting into a bath while still soapy, since others have already talked these issues to death. But there are a lot more items you may not know. Japanese are very conscious about hygiene (except for the park and train station toilets, which are LETHAL), and Japanese are a very sensitive people -- more fastidious about etiquette and proper form. Many Japanese already have a negative image of westerners after observing how some have acted in Japan--hence the reputation of some landlords and real-estate agents not to rent their apartments. Whether you help dispel their preconceptions, or just reinforce them by acting like you belong in a zoo is entirely up to you.
Whether you are in Japan for tourism, travel, or living, your actions have a profound impact on how others perceive you, particularly important if you're looking for work. As anywhere, many social customs are done away with when in the company of family and close friends, but for coworkers and more formal situtations, it can help a lot to remember these.

Here then are a few do's and don'ts you should know --

Eating--

It is impolite to eat or drink something while walking down the street.

Do not bite or clean your fingernails, gnaw on pencils, or lick your fingers in front of others.

In restaurants or when visiting it's customary to get a small, moist rolled-up towel (cold in summer, hot in winter) called an "oshibori" to wipe their hands with. It's impolite to wipe the face and neck with it though some do in less formal places.

In Japan it is impolite to pour your own drink when eating with others--you pour your companion's drink and your companion pours yours.

If you don't want any more to drink, leave your glass full.

It's customary to say "Itadakimasu" before eating and "Gochisosama deshita" after eating, especially if you're being treated, as well as "Kanpai" for "Cheers".

When sharing a dish, put what you take on your own plate before eating it.

Do not make excessive special requests in the preparation of your
food, nor wolf it down.

Do not use your chopsticks to skewer food, move dishes around, and
NEVER dish out food to another using the same ends you just ate
from--use the top ends.

Don't use your chopsticks to point at somebody.

Don't leave your chopsticks standing up out of your food.

It is normal in Japan to pick up your rice or miso soup bowl and hold it under your chin to keep stuff from falling.

Traditional Japanese food is served on several small plates, and it's normal to alternate between dishes instead of fully eating one dish after another.

Don't leave a mess on your plate--fold your napkins neatly.

Don't take wads of napkins, sugar packs, or steal "souvinirs" when you leave a restaurant.

Do not put soy sauce on your rice--it isn't meant for that.

Do not put sugar or cream in Japanese tea.

There is no real custom like "help yourself". Wait until the host offers something.

If you act as host, you should anticipate your guest's needs (cream/sugar, napkins, etc.).

If you must use a toothpick, at least cover your mouth with your other hand.

Be aware that in Japan it is normal to make slurping sounds when you're eating noodles.

In Japan, it's good (in commercials, anyway) to make loud gulping noises when drinking. Expect to hear lots of it in ads.

It is normal to pay a restaurant or bar bill at the register instead of giving money to the waiter/waitress. There is no tipping in Japan.

It's considered rude to count your change after paying the bill in a store or restaurant, but the Japanese themselves do give it a cursory lookover.

Everyday Living--

Thou shalt NOT BE LATE for appointments.

There is no custom of "Ladies First".

Avoid excessive physical and eye contact--forget the back-slapping,
prodding, and pointing directly at someone with your finger (use
your hand to point, if you must).

It is considered rude to use your cell phone on trains and buses.

Japanese often use silence for communication as much as speaking.

Do not chew gum when working or in other formal situations.

When Japanese start work at 9 AM, they START WORK at 9 AM.

Avoid lots of jewelry or very colorful clothes when going to work.

White-collar Japanese typically leave the office only after their superiors have done so. Do not expect someone to be instantly free once the official business hours are over.

Exchanging business cards is de rigueur in formal introductions. You should extend your card to the other person with both hands, right side up to them (upside down to you). You receive cards with both hands also. Be sure to look at the card and not just pocket it. Never put it in your pants pocket and sit on it in front of them.

It is polite to put "-san" after anothers name, or "-chan" after a young girls name, or "-kun" after a boy's name, but NEVER use these after your own.

Do not scream about why nobody speaks English, why there aren't
5 different varieties of a product you want, or why workplaces or
restaurants are filled with chain-smokers. The "health thing" is
not big here yet.

Avoid shouting loudly at someone to get their attention--wave, or go up to them.

If you have to blow your nose, leave the room, or at the very least try to face away
from other people--and use a tissue--not a handkerchief!

Don't wear tattered clothes outside, nor socks with holes when visiting someone.

On escalators, stay on the left side if you plan to just stand and not climb them.

Japan has no tradition of making sarcastic remarks to make a point,
nor "Bronx cheers" or "the Finger" -- avoid using them.

The Japanese gesture of "Who, me?" is pointing at their nose, not their chest.

The Japanese gesture for "Come here" is to put your hand palm out, fingers up, and raise and lower your fingers a few times. The western gesture of palm-up, closing your hand is only used to call animals to you.

The Japanese gesture for no is fanning your hand sideways a few times in front of your face.

Japanese residences have thin walls and poor insulation - don't blast your stereo or television.

Don't wear your slippers into a tatami (straw) mat room.

It's customary to sit on the floor in a tatami room (called "washitsu").

Don't wear your slippers into the genkan (at the entrance to a home, where the shoes are kept), nor outside.

Don't wear the toilet room slippers outside the toilet room.

It's better to wear shoes slipped on easily when visiting someone.

Japanese wear kimono or yukata (light summer kimono) with the left side over the right. The reverse is only for the dead at funerals.

It's polite to initially refuse someone's offer of help. Japanese may also initially refuse your offer even if they really want it. Traditionally an offer is made 3 times. It may be better to state you'll carry their bag, call a taxi, etc., instead of pushing them to be polite and refuse.

When they laugh Japanese women often cover their mouths with their hand. This comes from an old Buddhist notion that showing bone is unclean, as well as a horrendous lack of orthodontics in Japan. If you're a woman you have no obligation to copy this, but you will soon notice how frequently Japanese do this.

It's polite to bring some food (gift-wrapped in more formal situations) or drinks when you visit someone.

Gift giving is very important in Japan, but extravagant gifts require an equal or slightly higher extravagant gift in return. Avoid giving pricey gifts.

Giving cash is normal for ceremonies like weddings and funerals; but given in special envelopes with a printed or real red tie around it (available in stationary and convenience stores). Use new and not old bills.

After coming back from a vacation it is normal to bring a small gift for all those you work with, even if you don't really like them a lot. Nothing expensive is required, however.

It's polite to belittle the value of your gift or food when you offer it, even if it's blatantly untrue.

In more formal circumstances it's impolite to unwrap a gift someone brings you as soon as you receive it. In casual surroundings it's normal to ask the giver if it can be opened now.

It's polite to see a guest to the door (or the front of a building even) when they leave.

When someone visits it's polite to turn their shoes around and put them together so they can put them on easily.

This is older custom, but in a home the guest is seated facing the room entrance. The highest ranking host sits across from the guest.

Again old, but in a car the highest ranking person sits behind the driver. The lowest rides shotgun.

For taxis the driver will open/close the rear left hand door for you.

Japanese often compliment eachother to promote good will, but it is polite to deny how well you speak Japanese, how nice you look, etc.

In Japan the whole family uses the same bath water -- as a guest you will probably be given the priviledge of using the bath water first. Do NOT drain the water out after you have finished your bath!

 

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Weird Drinks

Same as with the snack business, you really need a gimmick in order for your drink to stand out east of China. This applies even to giants as Pepsi, who during the course of several years came up with such Japan-exclusive Pepsi flavors as: Yogurt, Cucumber and Shiso (which is something like a cross between basil and mint).

Ah, curry and lemonade, together at last! Wait, what?! This has got to be either a joke or some sort of Fear Factor merchandise tie-in. But we all know that is not the case, otherwise it wouldn’t make the list. No use fighting it, let’s just acknowledge that somewhere in Japan there is a person (a whole lot of persons to boot) who willingly swig curry flavored lemonade. Let’s now acknowledge that this is really freaky.

Oh, and look at the label: “A miraculous collaboration of curry and lemonade”. Can’t argue that this product is a miracle. This Curry Lemonade had to be devised, presented in front of a group of businessmen, taste-tested and then marketed. And during that time no one stopped to say “Guys, isn’t this product actually very strange?” A miracle if I ever saw one…

This drink is good.

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Hakuba is located around 300kms northwest of Tokyo, in the heart of theJapanese Northern Alps. The valley incorporates 10 ski resorts, over 200 runs, 139 lifts, huge towering peaks, a local village, ski/snowboard shops, a combination of traditional or western dining and après entertainment. This combination of facilities, tradition, and an annual snowfall average of over 11 meter’s makes Hakuba the perfect destination for your next ski holiday.

Hakuba is part of the Nagano prefecture of Japan, which, if you can remember that far back, played host to the 1998 Winter Olympic Games.Hakuba hosted the ski jumping event (the stadium still stands) as well as the super G and some downhill skiing. The Olympics left a good infrastructure in the area, making it easy to go on day trips to other areas. They also left a thriving après ski scene in Hakuba, where there is no shortage of international restaurants, bars, and traditional Japanese onsens (natural hot springs).

PLACES TO STAY IN HAKUBA

TOKYO HOTEL

HIGHMOUNT HOTEL

 DOUBLE BLACK HOTEL

      

VILLA HAKUBA

    

YAMATO HOTEL

People have many choices, where to stay in Hakuba. Above is just few of them. Like Hakuba here in PROSPER CO. LTD 

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KATANA `or` The Samurai Sword

The katana (刀?) is a type of Japanese sword (日本刀 nihontō?), also commonly referred to as a "samurai sword",[1] and generally defined as the standard size moderately curved (as opposed to the older "tachi" style featuring more curvature) Japanese sword with a blade length greater than 60 cm (23.6 inches).[2]


The katana is characterized by its distinctive appearance: a curved, slender, single edged blade, circular or squared guard, and long grip to accommodate two hands.[2] It has historically been associated with the samurai of feudal Japan, and has become renowned for its sharpness and cutting ability.

Quizzes on Japan

The previous quiz was hard, well that`s a different kind of a warm up, now try to take this one seriously and you might get a $100 discount on your first car, try to contact me if you get all correct answers.

Rounin course (Level of friend)

Please answer "yes" or "no".
Click "answer" to check if you're right or not.

1	Japan is the islands in the Pacific Ocean. answer
2	The cars run the left side of the road in Japan.answer
3	Osaka is the second metropolis of Japan.answer
4	Nara is one of the old capitals.answer
5	Japanese say "Ohayo" before going to bed.answer
6	Japanese call X'mas holidays "Golden Week". answer
7	"Ichiro" has elder brothers.answer
8	Japanese character "Kanji" originated in China.answer
9	Tokugawa Ieyasu was one of the most famous ninjas.answer
10	Oishi Kuranosuke was the lord of Akou.answer

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How many questions did you answer correctly ?

0 - 3	4 - 7	8 - 10
Don't mind. It is important to love not to know.	It will be joyful whenever you travel in Japan.	You are a complete friend of Japanese !

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by ken

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