Japanese Etiquette: How to Save Yourself from Embarrassment in Japan

If you’ve ever considered a trip to the land of the rising sun you’ve probably done some research on proper Japanese etiquette. Many daily customs are significantly different from those of the western world. Hopefully this compiled list of proper manners will be all you’ll ever need to survive your stay in Japan. Check out these etiquette resources and never again bring shame and dishonor … [ Read more ]

Children of Japan

This pre-WWII video from Encyclopaedia Britannica Films, shows home, work and school activities of a middle-class Japanese family.

Japan’s Crisis of the Mind

Washington may see Japan, the world’s second-largest economy, as a powerful nation, but the Japanese don’t see themselves in the same light.

Chopstick bad habits in oneself and others

For those of you interested in some of the less well-known manners surrounding chopstick usage, check out these survey results.

Let’s Die Together

Why is anonymous group suicide so popular in Japan?

Total Quality Japanese

This site claims to be a one-stop shop for all your Japanese language needs. It isn’t that, but it does have some interesting articles, interviews, and reviews.

Famous Personages in Japan

These pages have been developed by the students of Kyoto Sangyo University for non-Japanese who would like to learn about famous personages in modern-day Japan. The people selected for these pages reflect the interests and opinions of university-age Japanese students.

Japanorama

Japanorama supplies Japan-related products and information to Japanophiles throughout the world. The site is mostly collections of Amazon affiliate links, but there are some free downloads, especially free e-books and screen savers that might be worthwhile.

Japan Desu!

Japan Desu! offers an expanding collection of articles on Japanese culture, travel, history; an extensive picture library (you can use the library pictures for free) and a comprehensive set of links to the best specialist sites on the Web.

Japancast.net

Learn Japanese with our free Japanese lessons in podcast format. We use examples from anime and everyday conversation to teach you Japanese that is useful for everyday life. Hitomi-sensei is from Tokyo and will teach you to speak with the most common Japanese accent.

世論 What Japan Thinks

Translations of Public Opinion Polls and other surveys of Japanese opinion, and comment on said polls.

Water Therapy for Better Humans

This Wired article discusses the pros of the Japanese public bathing and private bathroom culture/technology.

Men in Land of Samurai Find Their Feminine Side

The so-called feminization of Japanese men has become a topic of TV talk shows, magazine articles, academic research, films and, perhaps most notably, public acceptance.

Japanese Tattooing from the Past to the Present

A history of tattooing in Japan. Section headings include:
– The Jomon to the pre-Edo period
– Tattooing in the Ainu and the Ryukyu
– Socio-cultural Background
– Legal prostitution
– Kishobori – the vow tattoo
– Penal Tattooing
– The Origin of Pictorial Tattooing
– The Meiji Era (1868-1912) to the Present
– Nakedness
[ Read more ]

Oldmind: Yakuza

A website dedicated to information about the Yakuza.

Trends in Japan

Trends in Japan is a site that introduces the latest developments in Japanese business, entertainment, fashion, science, society, sports, and more through short, engaging dispatches. The aim of the site is to deepen understanding of Japan around the world.

Trends in Japan is part of Web Japan, which is sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and operated by a Japanese nongovernmental organization.

Yoko’s Photo World

This site features candid photographs by Yoko Yamamoto of aspects of traditional Japanese culture, including Kagurazaka district geisha, Edo (Toyko) geisha, Noh drama, and karate. Also includes some images of Scanno, Italy. In English and Japanese.

Tim’s Takamatsu: Culture

Contents:

1. So you’re thinking about hosting a Japanese student…
2. Students’ Questionnaire Results why they go and what they get out of it
3. Scrapbook of Japanese Art
4. Audrey Hepburn Alive and Doing Commercials in Japan
5. The Name Game What would it take to get you to change your name?
6. Japan Fact File
7. Operation Slipstop: Extortional Education a peek at the school … [ Read more ]

Visiting Someone’s Place

Japanese seem to have many formal phrases for certain actions. Learn some common expressions you are likely to use when visiting Japanese homes.