Culture
Tokyo is the main cultural city of Japan. It's culture is originated from the Jomon culture. Tokyo's main culture are reflected on the traditional arts of 'ikebana' (flower arranging), 'origami' (making objects out of a piece of paper) and 'ukiyo-e' (woodblock printing). There are also some other cultures which are crafting things like dolls and lacquer ware, pottery, 'kabuki' (performances like drama performed in costumes), 'noh' (highly customized drama), 'bunraku' (puppet theater), 'kyogen' (short plays), 'kamishibai' (storytelling using animations, sound and music), traditions such as games and 'onsen' (hot springs used as public bathing places), and tea ceremony.
The Tokyo culture also includes festivals, rituals and celebrations. One of them includes the traditional New Year festival. The Tokyo calendar is separated into two groups of festivals, 'matsuris' (religious festival) and 'mikoshis' (portable shrines). The Cherry Blossom festival is the most popular festival in the month of April.
Japanese people may seem shy to the western people such as Americans, but the Japanese culture is unique to some other cultures in the world. Any non-Japanese people aren't accepted to the Japanese culture, but the visitors have to be very careful to do some of the basic traditions that Japan offers. These can be like bowing in front of someone before saying 'Hello' or 'Hi' in Japanese, if you fail to do this tradition, you will be considered impolite to the Japanese culture. Some other basic traditions include, not wearing shoes inside homes, temples and other places and after purchasing something do not count the change, this is considered rude. Doing these basic traditions can lead to being accepted in the society of Japan.
Tokyo fashion include, the most common traditional dress, 'Kimono'. It is only worn in events of the present Tokyo. The costume is sometimes said to be useless, but it gives the person an elegant and graceful look.
Traditional Clothing:
The person first wears the normal clothes along with the kimono. 'Nagajuban', a long undergarment which is worn underneath the kimono and on top of the normal clothes. An unmarried woman wears a kimono dress which has long baggy sleeves while a married wears a normal-sleeves dress called, 'Tomesode'.
Kimono comes in various different types and are used in a numerous numbers of events or traditions. A women's kimono include different parts to the dress, these are, the furisode and tomesode (for a formal wear), homongi (for paying calls), rsukesage and komon. A men's kimono includes the following, montsuki hakama (for a traditional events) and the haori (for going for a visit). 'Yukata' is a dress mostly worn by both men and women at homes or for attending local festivals.
The cloth that is used to make the kimono dress is carefully made material. There are different styles you can have your material in. These are, weaving, dyeing the colour, different patterns and a choice of 'obi'.
Religion:
The two main religions in Tokyo are Shintoism and Buddhism. Some Japanese people may follow both of the religions. Shinto has existed in Japan longer than Buddhism.
Shintoism focus on the worship of ancestors, natural things (both living and non-living) and national heroes. The natural things are thought to be the feeling of the gods, these can be mountains, trees, the moon, stars, rivers, seas, fires, animals, rocks and vegetables. This religion also accepts half of the religion, Confucianism. Confucianism in Japan was first founded in the 5th century and is considered to be loyal and family-like religion. Shintoism doesn't have any scriptures, morals or neither ethics. Jinja or in other words, 'Shrine', is the place of worship for Shintoism. The shrine's entrance is called a torri. It is made out of wood, has two poles on both sides and has one or two crossbeams on top. There's a water trough provided for the community to wash their hands in or their mouths. Purification and cleanliness is the key to give respect to the gods of Shintoism. At the shrine, the people will put money in the money box (provided by the shrine), clap two times to get the god's attention and then bow their hands to make a wish or pray to the god for something or someone. The Meji Shrine is the most popular shrine in Tokyo to visit.
Buddhism was founded in India in the 5th century and was made it's way to Japan in 6th century through China and Korea. At the end of the 6th century is gained popularity and is now the state religion of Japan. There are many different types of Buddhists in Japan, but the most famous one is Zen Buddhism. It is mainly found in the west side of Japan. It focus on meditation and a strict lifestyle so you can achieve a spiritual life. Zen Buddhism does not offer any celebrations, faith and theology for their god. Zen's strict lifestyle made interset to the Japan's warrior class, Japan's arts and the tea ceremony.
Buddhism offers temples called otera. They don't have entrance gates like Shinto's shrines, but have a raised door sill and heavy doors. These temples have a cemetery on their grounds and have a pyramid-like tower temple. The most famous temple in Tokyo is the Sensoji Temle in Asakusa.
The Tokyo culture also includes festivals, rituals and celebrations. One of them includes the traditional New Year festival. The Tokyo calendar is separated into two groups of festivals, 'matsuris' (religious festival) and 'mikoshis' (portable shrines). The Cherry Blossom festival is the most popular festival in the month of April.
Japanese people may seem shy to the western people such as Americans, but the Japanese culture is unique to some other cultures in the world. Any non-Japanese people aren't accepted to the Japanese culture, but the visitors have to be very careful to do some of the basic traditions that Japan offers. These can be like bowing in front of someone before saying 'Hello' or 'Hi' in Japanese, if you fail to do this tradition, you will be considered impolite to the Japanese culture. Some other basic traditions include, not wearing shoes inside homes, temples and other places and after purchasing something do not count the change, this is considered rude. Doing these basic traditions can lead to being accepted in the society of Japan.
Tokyo fashion include, the most common traditional dress, 'Kimono'. It is only worn in events of the present Tokyo. The costume is sometimes said to be useless, but it gives the person an elegant and graceful look.
Traditional Clothing:
The person first wears the normal clothes along with the kimono. 'Nagajuban', a long undergarment which is worn underneath the kimono and on top of the normal clothes. An unmarried woman wears a kimono dress which has long baggy sleeves while a married wears a normal-sleeves dress called, 'Tomesode'.
Kimono comes in various different types and are used in a numerous numbers of events or traditions. A women's kimono include different parts to the dress, these are, the furisode and tomesode (for a formal wear), homongi (for paying calls), rsukesage and komon. A men's kimono includes the following, montsuki hakama (for a traditional events) and the haori (for going for a visit). 'Yukata' is a dress mostly worn by both men and women at homes or for attending local festivals.
The cloth that is used to make the kimono dress is carefully made material. There are different styles you can have your material in. These are, weaving, dyeing the colour, different patterns and a choice of 'obi'.
Religion:
The two main religions in Tokyo are Shintoism and Buddhism. Some Japanese people may follow both of the religions. Shinto has existed in Japan longer than Buddhism.
Shintoism focus on the worship of ancestors, natural things (both living and non-living) and national heroes. The natural things are thought to be the feeling of the gods, these can be mountains, trees, the moon, stars, rivers, seas, fires, animals, rocks and vegetables. This religion also accepts half of the religion, Confucianism. Confucianism in Japan was first founded in the 5th century and is considered to be loyal and family-like religion. Shintoism doesn't have any scriptures, morals or neither ethics. Jinja or in other words, 'Shrine', is the place of worship for Shintoism. The shrine's entrance is called a torri. It is made out of wood, has two poles on both sides and has one or two crossbeams on top. There's a water trough provided for the community to wash their hands in or their mouths. Purification and cleanliness is the key to give respect to the gods of Shintoism. At the shrine, the people will put money in the money box (provided by the shrine), clap two times to get the god's attention and then bow their hands to make a wish or pray to the god for something or someone. The Meji Shrine is the most popular shrine in Tokyo to visit.
Buddhism was founded in India in the 5th century and was made it's way to Japan in 6th century through China and Korea. At the end of the 6th century is gained popularity and is now the state religion of Japan. There are many different types of Buddhists in Japan, but the most famous one is Zen Buddhism. It is mainly found in the west side of Japan. It focus on meditation and a strict lifestyle so you can achieve a spiritual life. Zen Buddhism does not offer any celebrations, faith and theology for their god. Zen's strict lifestyle made interset to the Japan's warrior class, Japan's arts and the tea ceremony.
Buddhism offers temples called otera. They don't have entrance gates like Shinto's shrines, but have a raised door sill and heavy doors. These temples have a cemetery on their grounds and have a pyramid-like tower temple. The most famous temple in Tokyo is the Sensoji Temle in Asakusa.
Tourism
Tokyo offers numerous numbers of entertainment districts, shopping centres, stores, temples, parks and culture places to vist. In 2006, more than 4.81 million non-Japanese and 420 million Japanese people visited Tokyo. This led to an increase to the economic value because the government made over 9.4 trillion yen.
Culture attractions includes, Japanese pop culture and districts in Shibuya and Harajuku. Other cultural attractions includes, Studio Ghibli (anime center) and National Museum (the musem has about 37% of the national treasures). Tokyo's popular attractions includes the Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine and Senso-ji. Most of the tourists also visit the Tsukiji Fish Market. Many transportation vechiles and planes are provided by Tokyo for travel. These are the Narita Airport, Tokyo International Airport and the Shinkansen. Popular hotel districts in Tokyo to stay in include, Shinjuku and Tokyo Bay.
Attractions to visit include:
Akihabara
Koishikawa Korakuen
Hama Rikyu
Imperial East Gardens
Shibuya
Shinjuku
Harajuku
Shinjuku Gyoen
Yoyogi Park
Tokyo Skytree
Asakusa
Sensoji Temple
Edo-Tokyo Musem
Rikugien
Ueno Park
Tokyo Disney Sea
Tokyo Disneyland
Ghibli Musem
Culture attractions includes, Japanese pop culture and districts in Shibuya and Harajuku. Other cultural attractions includes, Studio Ghibli (anime center) and National Museum (the musem has about 37% of the national treasures). Tokyo's popular attractions includes the Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine and Senso-ji. Most of the tourists also visit the Tsukiji Fish Market. Many transportation vechiles and planes are provided by Tokyo for travel. These are the Narita Airport, Tokyo International Airport and the Shinkansen. Popular hotel districts in Tokyo to stay in include, Shinjuku and Tokyo Bay.
Attractions to visit include:
Akihabara
Koishikawa Korakuen
Hama Rikyu
Imperial East Gardens
Shibuya
Shinjuku
Harajuku
Shinjuku Gyoen
Yoyogi Park
Tokyo Skytree
Asakusa
Sensoji Temple
Edo-Tokyo Musem
Rikugien
Ueno Park
Tokyo Disney Sea
Tokyo Disneyland
Ghibli Musem