Hanami refers to cherry blossom viewing, but it literally means “flower viewing”. These beautiful flowers usually come into bloom between March and May. The exact duration will depend on its location. The milder the climate, the earlier they bud. In warm islands of Okinawa for example, you can view the cherry blossoms as early as January. This of course depends on the weather, so the dates may vary a bit each year,

Cherry blossom seasons lasts for a little over 2 weeks if there are no strong winds and rain. They usually come into full bloom (mankai) a week after the first buds blossom (kaika). These lovely flowers are viewable for another week and then they start falling off.

The art of hanami may be done at parks and even tourist spots such as castles, temples or shrines. Hanami parties in form of picnics at parks or gardens are also quite popular. Here is a list of cherry blossom spots which you can visit when you are in Japan.

Tokyo –Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Chidorigafuchi, Sumida Park

Yokohama –Sankeien Garden, Mitsuike Park

Kamakura –Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

Full Five Lakes –Northern Shores of Kawaguchiko, Chureito Pagoda

Matsumoto –Matsumoto Castle

Kanazawa –Kenrokuen

Nagoya –Yamazakigawa Riverside, Nagoya Castle

Hikone –Hikone Castle

Kyoto –Philosopher’s Path, Maruyama Park, Arashiyama, Heian Shrine

Osaka –Kema Sakuranomiya Park, Osaka Castle, Expo 70 Commemorative Park, Osaka Mint Bureau

Nara –Nara Park

Yoshino –Yoshinoyama

Himeji –Himeji Castle

Okayama –Handayama Botanical Garden, Korakuen Garden, Okayama Castle

Hiroshima –Hiroshima Peace Park. Miyajima

Takamatsu –Megijima Island

Matsuyama –Matsuyama Castle

Fukuoka –Fukuoka Castle, Maizuru Park

Kumamoto –Kumamoto Castle

Sendai –Mikamine Park

Tohoku –Miharu Takizakura, Kitakami, Kakunodate, Hirosaki Castle

Hokkaido –Matsumae Park, Goryokaku Fort, Maruyama Park and Hokkaido Shrine

I was quite surprised to see a very long list of interesting things about Japan. I’ve read most of them in other resources, but some sound like generalizations n my opinion. I also did my research about the “blue” traffic light and it is indeed true. It is because of adjective form aoi (??)) -a Japanese color word which includes blue and green.

I decided to compile a list of those that caught my attention.

1.  Sometimes the trains are so crowded railway staff are employed to cram passengers inside.
2. Tokyo has had 24 recorded instances of people either killed or receiving serious skull fractures while bowing to each other with the traditional Japanese greeting.
3. The term karaoke means “empty orchestra” in Japanese.
4.  It was customary in ancient Japan for women to blacken their teeth with dye as white teeth were considered ugly. This practice persisted until the late 1800′s.
5. A can of Coca-Cola costs more than one dollar US from a vending machine.
6. Japanese people, in general, can’t drive very well.
7. At many businesses in Japan, they offer alcohol to the employees after six pm.
8. On Respect for the Aged Day, tobacco companies will hand out free cigarettes to the elderly outside of train stations and department stores.
9. The Japanese love corn, sesame seeds, and mayonnaise on their pizza.
10. There are no 24 hour ATMs in Japan (closed on holidays and many only open during normal bank hours).
11. The green traffic light is called “blue”.
12. Slurp your soup.
13. Newspaper editors make their headlines so as to not attract attention.
14. KFC is the place to be on Christmas Day.
15. In the Japanese language, it is considered rude to say the word “no” directly.
16. You can buy batteries, beer, wine, condoms, cigarettes, comic books, hot dogs, light bulbs, and used women’s underwear from vending machines.
17. Gas station attendants will bow as the car pulls out of the station.
18. McDonalds employees will run outside to give you your drive-thru order.

Image from tinisanto

Love is in the air and most people are probably wondering how the Japanese celebrate this romantic day, given that they are often stereotyped as reserved individuals. Just like most Asian countries, Westernization and commercialization have invaded this love-filled day. Sales of chocolates and other gift items soar at least a week before Valentine’s Day.

The holiday was introduced by Morozof Ltd in 1936 when it released an ad intended for foreigners living in Japan. In 1953, they began the trend of giving heart-shaped chocolates. Japanese confectioners saw the opportunity and started making them. It was in 1958 when a department store launched a “Valentine Sale”, offering a card and three pieces of chocolates for 170 Yen.

What makes Japan unique is the fact that they do not go on romantic dinners on Valentine’s Day; “date night” is celebrated on Christmas Eve. Aside from this, only women give chocolates on Valentine’s Day. It gives them an excuse to express their feelings, which was taboo back in the day.  This custom started because of a typo error which resulted in a mixed up translation during their initial promotional campaigns. The executive of that particular chocolate company is probably amused knowing that he is the culprit of this unique tradition.

The question now is when do men get their turn to express their love and affection? Well the get to do so exactly a month after. It was in 1980 when the Japanese National Confectionery Industry Association coined March 14 as “reply day” or “Ai ni Kotaeru White Day” (Answer Love on White Day), now known as White Day, so that men can “return the favor” to those who gave them gifts on Valentine’s Day. On this event, men are supposed to reciprocate by giving gifts which are twice or thrice the value of the gifts they received. If he gives one of equal value it means that he is ending the relationship.

Image from Crickontour

 Akasaki/Roppongi Area

This area has a great night life. You can shop and dine here too. Tokyo Midtown and Roppongi Hills are major landmarks in this area.

Asakusa/Ueno Area

Get a feel of the old Japan in this area. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions. Enjoy shopping at the ameyoko streets, visit Ueno Park and surrounding museums and shopping malls here.

Ginza Area

Here you can find luxurious shops, hotels, theaters, restaurants, clubs and department stores. It is a high end area where adults can shop and dine.

Shinagawa Area

It is the shopping and entertainment central in Tokyo. Here you can find many hotels situated nearby the JR Shinagawa station. The railway hub can also be found here.

Shinjuku Area

Shinjuku is considered as one of the busiest areas in Tokyo. There are many convenient hotels in the area and it is a good spot to shop and enjoy.

Ikebukuro Area

This is another busy Tokyo district where you can find great entertainment. It has a railway hub, shopping malls, restaurants and theaters to name a few.

Shibuya Area

Just like Shinjuku and Ikebukuro, this busy district is great for shopping and entertainment especially for the younger crowd.

With these descriptions, it is easier to choose what to do and where to stay while you are in Tokyo. Enjoy!

The Tokyo Metropolis is Japan’s capital. It is the set of the Japanese government. Here you can find the Imperial Palace where the Royal Family resides. The now developed city was once a small fishing village named Edo. Its whole area is a little over 2 million square kilometers, with a population of over 13 million people as of August 2011.

There are various airports within Tokyo and its islands. Getting around is also not a problem because they have a reliable public transport system. You can take the Metro, bus or taxis easily. Ferries are also available in case you want to visit neighboring islands.

Tokyo houses many museums and theatres all over for you to appreciate art and music. You can visit the Imperial Palace or check the Asakusa Shrine for sightseeing too. You can also enjoy the many festivals they have throughout the year or enjoy the cherry blossoms at bloom in spring. During this time, many people go for walks or have picnics at the Ueno Park, Inokashira Park or the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.

If you are fond of cosplays and modern fashion, Shibuya’s Harajuku is the place to be. Walking around this area is definitely an interesting experience. As for food, there are many fine dining and izakayas all over for you to choose from. Most of them serve traditional Japanese food which you will surely enjoy. You can never go wrong with ramen, tempura, grilled meats/seafood and sushi.

Japanese New Year

The New Year (called “shogatsu” in Japan) is actually the most important holiday in Japan. Shogatsu is a time that families generally spend together, as is customary during our holiday season. Stores generally shut down from January 1 through January 3, and a real celebration ensues.

Party the Old Year Away

In Japan, each year is considered to be completely separate from the year preceding and following it; therefore, both the end of the old year and the beginning of the New Year are celebrated with a number of traditional parties. Bonenkai (“year forgetting”) parties begin during the last few days of the year, and the first day of the year (the first sunrise of the New Year) is a sacred day, when everyone is joyous and stress-free and there is no work to be done. If you want to go crazy then make sure you get financial help in form of loan to help you have a great new year eve.

Visiting the Shrines

A traditional New Year custom is to visit a shrine at the turn of the New Year. This is called “hatsumode.” Beginning at midnight on New Year’s Eve, hundreds of thousands of people flock to popular shrines to ring the New Year in (literally) by listening to the loud gong of the temple bells. People continue to visit the shrines for the first three days of the year, making special prayers and buying lucky charms to bring in the New Year right. Popular shrines to visit are the Meiji Shrine, Sumiyoshi Taisha, and Fushimi Inari Taisha.

Emperor’s Greeting

Head to the Tokyo Imperial Palace on January 2 to take a tour of the palace’s inner grounds and witness the Emperor’s public appearance from a glass-enclosed balcony of the palace.

If you are planning on spending the New Year in Tokyo, then be prepared for days of celebration and paying homage to the old and new years. Plan ahead, keeping in mind that many businesses will be closed, the streets will be packed, and transportation will be hard to find during this most important time of year.

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Kyokyo (The Imperial Palace). This is the actual home of Japan’s Emperor and the Imperial family – a modern reconstruction of the Meiji Imperial Palace, which was destroyed by bombers in WWII. It was also once the site of Edo Castle – the largest castle in the world – and, although the castle is gone, the impressive moats, defense walls, armories and watch towers still remain. Take a guided tour of the palace, itself, and then explore the on-site art museum and the opulent East Garden. And, yes, Aurelio did mention The Imperial Palace in his post 5 Free Attractions to Visit in Tokyo the other day – but this is one site worth mentioning again!

Tsukiji Central Fish Market. You’ll have to get up bright and early for this one – the market opens around five in the morning – but it’s well worth it to watch Tokyo’s world-famous, bustling marketplace come alive. Practically everything that lives in the sea is sold in this market, so Tsukiji really does offer a fascinating feast for the eyes, from giant octopi to tanks of live exotic fish.

Akihabara Electric Town. This is the largest electronics store in Tokyo, but is it also so much more. Akihabara is a testing place for the newest technological gadgetry – much of which is even yet to hit the market – so touring this store is an unforgettable hands-on experience.

Ueno Park. This is the oldest public park in Tokyo, and is a great change of pace if you want to escape the frenetic pace of the city. Ueno Park is definitely a day-long excursion, as it is not just a park, but rather more of a city within a city, featuring museums, art galleries, shrines, pagodas and temples that take you through Japan’s fascinating history.

Tokyo Dome City and the Tokyo Dome Attractions. The Tokyo Dome is a massive, awe-inspiring work of architecture that serves as a gaming and event stadium, as well as the central hub to the variety of amusement parks and attractions that make up Tokyo Dome City. Purchase a pass to explore the multitude of experiences the Dome City has to offer, from Parachute Land to LaQua – a natural hot springs complex.

Your trip to Tokyo will be packed full of experiences that you will never forget. Use this lists as a guide to take in Tokyo’s best.

Use a Proper Greeting

No, it isn’t just something Hollywood does to stereotype the Japanese. Bowing really is a common custom and the way you bow to someone depends on your relationship to him. For example, you may briefly bow to your friend at a 30 degree angle, but when bowing to a business superior, you should bow at 70 degrees to show full respect.

Do Not Tip Anyone

As Americans, we are accustomed to tipping everyone from the pizza delivery boy to our hairdressers. Here in the states, many people in those positions turn to lenders for help because their salaries are so low and their expenses so high. Japan isn’t America though and the customs are quite different. In fact, tipping anyone is considered an insult in Japan. You should simply thank the person for his service, bow and be on your way.

Switch Shoes When Entering Buildings and Rooms

One piece of etiquette advice you will need to know no matter where you go in Japan is proper shoe customs. When entering a home, business or even a hotel, it is customary to remove your shoes. The owner of the building will have provided a place to store your shoes and a pair slippers to wear. The biggest piece of advice to remember is switching slippers before entering the bathroom. The Japanese reserve a pair of slippers to be worn in the bathroom and these should never be worn outside the room.

Blend In

Americans are born and bred to be individuals. While we may stand alone though, the Japanese do not. In Japan, people strive to blend in and be a group. You should do the same. Try to follow the lead of the people you are around so that you fit in as best you can.

Slurp Away

You mother may have told you not to slurp your soup a thousand times, but in Japan, you can slurp your noodles all you want. In fact, this is seen as a compliment to the cook. It is even acceptable to raise your plate or bowl to your mouth when eating difficult foods with chopsticks, such as rice.

A trip to Japan isn’t as intimidating as you may think. While the culture may be different, the customs the people use aren’t that strange, even though they may be opposite to our way of living. Either way, it’s easy to conduct yourself in a proper manner when visiting Japan.

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Imperial Palace. This is the residence of Japan’s imperial family, and is in a picturesque park-like setting and surrounded by awe-inspiring moats, bridges, and massive walls. Take a guided tour through the palace, take in Emperor Showa’s art collection at the on-site museum, and walk through the majestic East Garden area for a taste of ancient Asia that you will never forget.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. This super skyscraper has two observation galleries on the forty-fifth floor, where you can take in a breathtaking view of the Tokyo skyline, as well as Mount Fiji and Yokohama.

Yoyogi Park. Pack a picnic lunch and plan to spend an entire Sunday taking in the sights at this free park, home to numerous street performers and bands that provide a wide variety of free entertainment all day long. You might even be lucky enough to stumble into a rave or join in on a drum circle.

Harajuku District. This world famous voyeur’s delight is the perfect place to go if Japanese pop culture and people watching are your thing. Take in the sights of the Cos-play-zoku (“Costume Play Gang”) and eat some authentic Japanese fare at one of the charming street-side bistros.

Akihabara. Japan is known for being a technological leader, so you can’t exactly visit Tokyo without taking in the latest technology Japan has to offer. Akihabara is Tokyo’s largest electronics store, and is a real feast for the senses. Browse the aisles and tickle your imagination by trying out all of the unique gadgets and gizmos Japan has to offer. When you have tired out, visit the furniture department for a free massage – from a high-tech massage chair.

Tokyo, Japan is an exciting world of fast-moving images and eccentric characters. Make the most of your Tokyo vacation by taking in Tokyo’s many colors – and do it for free – by exploring these fascinating Tokyo tourist attractions. And don’t forget your camera!