Japanese Culture

The population of Japan exceeds 126 million. The Japanese have experienced a period of immigration from China, the Pacific and Korea. Just like its population, religion in Japan is homogeneous and you can discover this during your holidays in this area of the globe like no other.

The traditional religion of Japan is Shintoism. Worshipping different ancestors and gods, it attaches great importance to nature and the emperor. Another important religion in Japan is Buddhism, which is due to Chinese influence. Catholicism is also present, even if it remains a minority. This religion is developing in recent years in Japan.

We can realize that religion nourishes the culture in Japan by its spiritual dimension. When one discovers Japan, one thus feels carried by this particular atmosphere tinged with wisdom and zenitude. A program that comes at the right time for globe-trotting holidaymakers.

The life of the Japanese is punctuated by the spiritual practice of Buddhism. During your visits, you will be amazed by the perfect osmosis between the great buildings and the sanctuaries and temples given the number of inhabitants in Japan, coexisting in architectural harmony. A true immersion in the history of Japan between modernism and tradition.

Japanese is the official language of Japan even though it is not enshrined in the Constitution. 130 million people in the world can speak Japanese. The language has evolved over the centuries in Japan and throughout history, and has even been influenced by other languages. For example, some words resemble Mandarin and Japanese uses European consonants and English words!

With the wave of immigration, other languages have come to enrich Japan such as Korean, Vietnamese, Mandarin and Brazilian. The French language remains almost unknown in Japan, but be reassured, the Japanese speak English.

In Japan, dialects remain and enrich the identity of certain places. This is the case on the islands Ryūkyū: the language spoken is Okinawan in these islands of Japan. Another dialect spoken, although it has fallen into disuse, is Ainu on the island of Hokkaidō. These dialects are a richness and give the culture in Japan a touch of exoticism.

In Japan, traditional festivals, 'matsuri', punctuate the months of the year all over the country. An essential part of Japanese culture, the O-Bon, a Buddhist festival, takes place everywhere in Japan during the summer months. It is the feast of the deceased who, according to the believers, come to see their loved ones.

You will surely have the opportunity to see lanterns on rivers, lakes or the sea, as well as offerings of fruits and vegetables placed on temple altars. You may also be able to listen to monks humming sutras, Buddhist sermons. A highly spiritual festival, it receives the deceased and soothes them before saying goodbye at the end of the festivities. If you have the opportunity to spend your holidays on the island of Hokkaidō, the second largest island in Japan, you will enjoy an exceptional nature, shared between sea and mountains. Among the discoveries not to be missed, the way of life and history of the Ainu people. Museums are dedicated to them and evoke their traditions and festivals.

If you go hiking on Mount Daisetsuzan, less than two hours from Tomamu, you might come across these hunter-gatherers and marvel at their dances advocating respect for the gods and nature, but with another dimension. A true art of living in the Japanese culture. Religions, languages, festivals and nature, everything in Japan breathes symbiosis. Japan is a perfect example of successful diversity. Reserved and shy, the Japanese are very polite, so don't be surprised to see people bowing in the street to express greetings and thanks.