Event Starts in: 
My 100-year-old Japanese aunt retired in her 90s her 5 rules for a long, happy life
Japan is known for its upscale department stores (デパート depāto), the nicest of which feature beautiful interior architectural ornamentation and still employ uniformed women to operate the elevators while informing customers where to find items. Depāto typically have a food court and groceries in the basement, while the roof often has a garden (which doubles as a beer garden during the summer) and some affordable eateries. IC cards of other regions, such as Kansai’s ICOCA or Chubu’s TOICA, can be used interchangeably with Suica and PASMO too. However, IC cards can only be refunded in the same region from which they were purchased. For example, Suica cards cannot be refunded in Osaka and ICOCA cards cannot be refunded in Tokyo. An exception is TOICA, which can be refunded at JR Central’s shinkansen ticket offices in Tokyo (Tokyo station or Shinagawa station), Yokohama Missav – Mature (Shin-Yokohama station), Kyoto and Shin-Osaka.
For men, speedos or trunks are fine at a bath; for the beach, boardshorts are also okay. For women, a modest swimsuit is better than a skimpy bikini if you’re visiting a hot spring or bath; for the beach, bikinis are okay. At public or private pools, you may have to wear a swimming cap; they may be provided for you, or you can bring your own.
A hornet defending its nest or feeding spot will make a clicking sound to warn away intruders; if you encounter one, retreat. If you are stung, receive prompt medical attention, as prolonged exposure to the venom could cause permanent injury or even death. Volcanoes, storms and typhoons are primarily a potential issue if you are mountain-climbing or sailing, so check the latest information before heading out. Stick to designated footpaths in volcanic areas as volcanic gas may be an issue. Typhoons are rarely physically dangerous, but they still wreak havoc with planes, ferries, and even (if there are landslides) trains and buses. Every neighborhood has an evacuation area, most often the local playground.
Convenience stores
- The ancient Shinto religion says natural features like mountains, waterfalls and forests have their own spirit or soul.
- There are opportunities to spar with Japanese opponents while you are visiting, but you may need to make arrangements through your home dojo, and you may also watch competitions and performances.
- An example of this mixed style is the Kojiki, which was written in AD 712.
- At public or private pools, you may have to wear a swimming cap; they may be provided for you, or you can bring your own.
- Still, with the proper planning, and with expectations held in check, a trip to Japan can be incredibly enjoyable and definitely worthwhile.
It’s comparable with the relationship between Britain and the rest of Europe, but with a much wider channel. Keep in mind that continued demolition of some of Japan’s historic landmarks goes on apace, as with the famed Kabuki-za Theater demolition. Still, with the proper planning, and with expectations held in check, a trip to Japan can be incredibly enjoyable and definitely worthwhile. Many Japanese corporations still dominate their industries yet, if you read the financial news, it seems like Japan is practically bankrupt.
Jōyō kanji and jinmeiyō kanji (an appendix of additional characters for names) are approved for registering personal names. Uchi-soto is a concept embodied in the Japanese language, which involves making a distinction between in-groups (uchi, 内, “inside”) and out-groups (soto, 外, “outside”). When speaking with someone from an out-group, the out-group must be honored, and the in-group humbled. One of the complexities of the uchi-soto relationship is that groups are not static; they overlap and change over time and according to situation. This distinction between groups is a fundamental part of Japanese social custom.
Travel Agency
Tension between old and new is apparent in all phases of Japanese life. A characteristic sensitivity to natural beauty and a concern with form and balance are evident in such cities as Kyōto and Nara, as well as in Japan’s ubiquitous gardens. Even in the countryside, however, the impact of rapid Westernization is evident in many aspects of Japanese life. A smaller fire was detected in the mountainous village of Aso in the Kumamoto prefecture on the southern main island of Kyushu earlier Sunday, but it was extinguished early Monday, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Local media said the fire started while residents were burning trash.
Oddly, some close at night or on weekends, although this restriction is slowly going away. While not all banks accept foreign cards, most of the large banks including Japan Post, Mizuho, SMBC and Aeon do. A particularly convenient option for travelers is 7-Eleven Bank ATMs, which can be found in every branch of 7-Eleven and are usually open 24/7.
The islands are a famous attraction in Matsushima, and are said to be one of Japan’s “Three Great Views.” From day one, resource-poor Japan had looked elsewhere for the supplies it needed, and this soon turned into a drive to expand and colonize its neighbors. The Sino-Japanese War of 1894–’95 saw Japan take control of Taiwan, Korea and parts of Manchuria, and its victory against Russia in the 1904–’05 Russo-Japanese War cemented its position of strength. With an increasingly totalitarian government controlled by the military, Japan overthrew the Korean monarchy and annexed Korea outright in 1910. During World War I, Japan participated in the war as part of the Allies and would subsequently gain control of the German concessions in China.
IC cards sometimes even give a small discount over cash payments. Children between 6 and 11 are eligible for child (子供用 kodomo-yō) cards entitling holders to half fares. Buying one requires ID, so bring the child’s passport to a commuter pass office (定期券売り場) in any larger station.
