Culture of Japan
Many students who are thinking of studying in Japan have become interested in Japan because of its culture. Japan has developed its individual culture by partially taking in cultures from neighboring Asian countries as well as Western countries and merging it with Japanese culture. Additionally, Japan’s pop-culture represented by anime, manga, and games are also popular among young people all over the world.
A Country with Numerous World Heritage
“World Heritage” is the landmark or area which are listed in the “World Heritage List”, created based on World Heritage Convention. There are three types of World heritage: "Cultural heritage" such as buildings and ancient ruins, "Natural heritage" such as natural areas, and “Mixed heritage” which contain elements of both natural and cultural significance. As of 2021, a total of 1,154 World Heritage Sites (897 cultural, 218 natural, and 39 mixed properties) are listed around the world. Of this, Japan has 25 world heritage sits (20 cultural, 5 natural) listed.
UNESCO “World Heritage List Statistics”
Traditional Culture
Japan, an island country full of nature, has a culture with different characteristics from that of Western countries. Especially, the view of religion and nature is significantly different. Japan has developed its individual culture by partially taking in cultures from neighboring Asian countries as well as Western countries and merging it with Japanese culture. Japan has numerous traditional cultures which have been developed over a long period of time such as kimono, the art of flower arrangement, tea ceremony, Kabuki, and martial sports.
Pop-Culture
Pop-culture, or popular culture, is the overall culture for the general public but now is used as a term meaning “highly attractive and showing the real modern Japan”. Japanese pop-culture such as anime and manga attract many young ones not only in Japan but from around the world. Not only various anime, manga, games, music, and fashion are introduced globally but there are a variety of events that share Japan’s pop-culture attractiveness in many countries.
Food Culture
Japanese food, washoku, has been registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2013, attracting attention from overseas. Japan, blessed by the rich nature with four distinctive seasons of spring, summer, fall, and winter, has developed its individual food culture in harmony with nature and the four seasons. Several of washoku that represent Japan are “sushi” “tempura” “soba” and “sukiyaki”. Moreover, Japan’s washoku culture has constantly evolved with influence from overseas. In modern days, there are many Japanese dishes which have merged with Western dishes or Chinese dishes such as tonkatsu, curry, and ramen.
