Clothes and Costumes

Japan has a great variety of traditional clothing.

Did You Know? An obi is a wide sash which is tied around the waist to secure the kimono (a traditional Japanese dress)

Japanese Festivals

Japan holds many festivals each year such as Hinamatsuri, Kodomo-no-hi and a kite-flying festival.

Did You Know? The Dolls Festival or Hinamatsuri takes place on the 3rd of March each year. Children (mainly girls) put special dolls on display in their houses.

Japanese Arts

Japan is home to unique musical instruments and art.

Did You Know? In Japan people often use a hanko or personal seal instead of a signature on important documents.

Japanese Food – Gohan

Japanese cuisine is famous the world over. Raw fish is a common part of the Japanese diet.

Did You Know? Before you start eating it is polite to say, ‘itadakimasu’. 

Japanese Theatre

Japan has its own unique theatre, the most famous of which are kabuki, noh and bunraku.

Did You Know? Kabuki, Japan’s most famous theatre, literally means ‘bizarre behaviour’

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is one of the most famous sites in all of Japan. The Japanese believe it is a sacred mountain.

Did You Know? For years, Japanese women were not allowed to climb Mount Fuji. The first Japanese woman to climb it was disguised as a man!

Religion in Japan

Japan’s two main religions are Shinto and Buddhism.

Did You Know? In Japan 80% of people practice Shinto and 70% of people practice Buddhism. This means that many people practice both!

Shinkansen – The Bullet Train

The bullet train, or shinkansen in Japanese, is one of the world’s fastest trains.

Did You Know? The Japanese are testing new technology which will bring the top speed of the shinkansen up to 600kmh! These new shinkansen will be ready in 2027.

Japanese Sport

Sports such as baseball and soccer are very popular in Japan. Martial arts such as karate and kendo are too. The national sport is sumo wrestling.

Did You Know? A sumo tournament is called a basho.