Lifestyle in Japan is Unusual yet Wonderful

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Japan is a wonderful experience for people who visit it. If you are a tourist or are going to shift to Japan, then you must do a little bit of reading up on the country. The country is an amalgamation of the new and the old. It could be the technological capital of the world but it is also the epitome of culture, art, history, tradition, customs and heritage. To adjust well in Japan, one has to know about the people of Japan and their lifestyle in depth. If they know how the country functions, then getting around won’t be difficult. Here are a few aspects you can learn about life in Japan.

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Japanese convenience stores

Japanese convenience stores or Konbini, are completely different from the ones in London or any other place. These stores are extremely important to the people there as they sell modern and essential goods to the people of Japan to make life easier for them. These stores are also a blessing to the tourists who visit Japan and the people who have shifted to the country and are new to its culture.

These stores are open 24 hours a day and seven days a week. You can get almost anything in these stores and they also provide various services that are essential to day-to-day life. One can buy theatre or concert tickets at these stores; one can pay bills here, avail courier services and even withdraw money from the ATM. These convenience stores are a part of the lifestyle in Japan. The lives of the citizens are easy because of the conveniences the stores provide.

But That’s not All

These stores also sell unique food items and drinks. The beverages sold are either from popular beverage companies or made by them. Every single store has individual menus and secret recipes. The stores not just sell food and drink products but also cosmetics, household goods and magazines. These stores always have something new to offer. So if you are new to Japan, these stores are absolute life savers.

For Relaxation

If you want to relax in Japan, then you can take off to an Onsen. Onsens are hot springs in Japan and are best during winter. You can take a dip in the warm waters of the springs and unwind. You can stay at ryokans and avail of their private baths. People of Japan also visit hot springs as they believe that these waters are therapeutic.

You can find out a lot more about Japan and its people by visiting blogs on the internet. These blogs have authentic information as they are written by citizens of Japan or tourists.

Onsen Ryokan: A Great Stress-Buster for the Weekend Revellers

On the weekdays, hectic and chaotic lifestyle gives people a little chance to relax and explore themselves. Work pressure and other responsibilities take a toll on them. Most people want to spend some time in solitude or with family and friends but find it hard to do so.

When weekend comes, they find a reason to be happy and do of their mind. Relaxing and spending some quality time with loved ones becomes their priority. Almost every part of world functions in the same way.

Japan and Japanese people are not exception to it. On the weekends, they organise parties and go for relaxation and other therapies to reduce stress that has piled up during the week.

Going for weekend spa breaks is quite popular in UK but it is also well-accepted by their counterparts in the East Asian country. Tokyo is by no means less busy than London. Similar to the Londoners, people living in Tokyo go to spas and other place to relax themselves.

Onsen Ryokan in Japan

There are many places in the vicinity of Tokyo where you can go for weekend spa break in Japan, but Kinugawa in Tochigi prefecture houses some of the best ryokan facilities.

This place is famous for Onsen Ryokan and Wakatake no shou is one of the most frequented ryokans by the tourists and local people. This is situated next to the Kinugawa River. Similar to the name, bamboo tress in the garden of Wakatake no shou elaborate its beauty.

You can book an annex where all the rooms are attached with private onsen bathing facility. From the onsen baths at annex, you will have a wonderful view of Kinugawa River and vegetative mountains.

There are shared onsen baths as well at this ryokan. Besides the main bath, there are two separate outside baths for women and one for men. If you do not want to share the public bath, by paying extra money you can use the private onsen baths.

Before using onsen baths, you should be abreast of a few rules. You must take a shower before entering the bath and use of face towels is not considered an ideal choice inside the onsen bath.

Wakatake-no-shou-Custom

There is a sauna next only to outside baths. Other facilities at the ryokan include aroma therapy treatments and lymphatic massages. The latter one is provided with a slimming effect only for women and prior to taking dinner.

Dinner is booked as soon as you check in to stay at the ryokan. Mainly, you will be provided seasonal dishes and there is a monthly change in menu.

After staying there for whole weekend, you will fall in love with the ryokan and plan to visit it more often.

7 Things You Must Know Before Visiting Japan

Japan is a beautiful country to go on holiday. Japanese people welcome their guests wholeheartedly and help everywhere. The standard of living in the country is very high and it is convenient to move to different locations, as Japan has one of the best transportation facilities in world.

The stunning and eerie beauty of Japan appeals to one and all. If you are planning to go to Japan, there are a few things that you must know before setting foot on the land of rising sun.

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Here is a list that includes some of things that you must know before visiting Japan.

Respect the People: Bowing your head down is a way to greet and apologise in Japanese culture. Japanese people learn to respect elder people since their childhood days. It is important that to whom and how deep you bow your head in respect or to greet the elder person. Japanese people use polite language and talk courteously. While addressing older people, it is common to add “san” at the end of their name.

Table Manners: If you are attending a drinking party, do not just pour beer in own glass and start drinking. Japanese people follow good manners and lead their drinks with the toast. Usually, after taking the seat, a waiter or waitress gives you an “osdhibori” (small wet towel) to wipe hands. They follow strict etiquettes at the dining table.

Japanese Baths: Onsen, hot spring baths, is quite popular in Japan. You can experience it at the different ryokan. The bathing style in Japan is different from the western countries. You need to take a shower before moving into the public or private onsen baths. You can know about the onsen at ryokan from relevant blog about Japan.

Tipping is Not Necessary: It is not necessary at all to tip bar and restaurant, hotel or taxi drivers in Japan. Typically, giving tip is considered a bad etiquette and can embarrass the people you are tipping.

Chopsticks: When you are dining out in the Japanese restaurants, it is essential to use chopsticks.

Entering a House: When you are entering a house, it is important that you take your shoes off. Also, there are some companies where you need to enter without footwear. Usually, there is a rack provided at the entrance where you can keep your shoes and sandals.

Order and Harmony: Japanese people do not value individualism and dislike to disrupt the order and harmony of society. Japanese people refrain from the use of mobile phone on public places, do not blow their nose in front of other people and prefer not to eat food while commuting, as these are considered bad manners.