I worked for Japanese Organization for 14 years and part time for 15 years. Worked on International Projects with Japanese Universities as visiting Researcher. So, my short writeup and survival kit during Japan visits/stays.
Location and climate
Japan is an island country forming a crescent-shaped archipelago stretching from northeast to southwest parallel to the continental coastline with the Sea of Japan in between. The land is located between approximately 20 to 45 degrees north latitude and between approximately 123 to 154 degrees east longitude. It consists of the main islands of Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu and Okinawa, and more than 6,800 smaller islands of various sizes. Its surface area totals 377,974 square kilometers.
Japanese archipelago is particularly prone to various geological phenomena. Therefore, the number of earthquakes in the country is quite high, and so is the proportion of active volcanoes. The land is full of undulations, with mountainous regions including hilly terrain accounting for about three-quarters of its total area.
Government
The Constitution of Japan, which went into effect on May 3, 1947, is based on three core principles: sovereignty of the people, respect for fundamental human rights and pacifism. To control governmental power effectively through checks and balances, governmental power is separated into three independent branches: legislative, executive and judicial, and each contains a separate set of agencies and personnel.
Key data
- Area (sq km): 377,974
- Population (million): 123.8 [2024*]
- Labor force (million): 69.6 [2024]
- Median age (years): 49.9 [2024 est.]
- Life expectancy at birth (years): 85.2 [2024 est.]
- GDP (PPP) in billions USD: 6,310 [2024*]
- GDP (PPP) per capita in USD: 50,991 [2024*]
- GDP (official exchange rate) in billions USD: 4,204.5 [2023 est.]
- Exports in billions USD: 707.39 [2024]
- Imports in billions USD: 742.67 [2024]
*GDP per capita (PPP based in 2021 prices) is a crucial economic metric that measures a country's economic output per person. It's calculated by converting a nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) into international dollars using Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) exchange rates, which reflect the actual cost of living within a country. This adjusted GDP figure is then divided by the total population to determine the average economic output per individual.
World Economics measures variation in the quality of both GDP and population data, by the GDP Data Quality Ratings (GDP DQR) and the Population Data Quality Ratings (PDQR) respectively and employs both scores to assess the overall accuracy of GDP per capita data.
[Source: worldeconomics.com]
Science and Technology
Japan's expenditures for the research and development (R&D) of science and technology are at a top level among major countries. The total R&D expenditures in fiscal 2020 amounted to 19.2 trillion yen, a decrease of 1.7 percent from the previous fiscal year. Relative to GDP, R&D expenditures was 3.59 percent, a 0.08 percentage point increase from the previous fiscal year.
As of the end of March 2021, the number of researchers amounted to 515,500 persons in business enterprises, 38,200 persons in non-profit institutions and public organizations, and 336,800 persons in universities and colleges. In terms of R&D expenditures in fiscal 2020, business enterprises spent 13.9 trillion yen (72.1 percent of total R&D expenditures), non-profit institutions and public organizations spent 1.7 trillion yen (8.8 percent), and universities and colleges spent 3.7 trillion yen (19.1 percent).
Unique to Japan
- Work culture: Sincerity, punctualty and Responsibility
- Go out of the way to help visitors and guests. Try their best to make a good impression of the country.
- If you lose something in Japan, chances are it’ll be exactly where you left it or already turned in. Even small things like gloves and umbrellas are neatly placed on fences or handed in. What makes Japan different is a mix of cultural values and efficient systems. Respect for others’ belongings is deeply ingrained, and the lost-and-found process—from koban (police boxes) to convenience stores—is incredibly well organized.
- Japanese kids are incredibly independent—even at age five. This is possible thanks to Japan’s low crime rate, strong community ties, and school systems that promote responsibility.
- Japan’s drinking and smoking culture
Japan - India Spiritual
Japan is primarily a Shinto and Buddhist country, but it offers some spiritual centers for other faiths, especially in Tokyo. For Hindus, places such as the Shiva Shakti Temple and Ashram in Shinjuku and the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Ikebukuro are options for prayer and spiritual guidance. For Sikhs, there are two Gurudwaras, one in Tokyo and the other in Osaka.
Social and culture
Japanese society and culture are characterized by a blend of ancient traditions and modern influences, emphasizing harmony, group consensus and social hierarchy, with respect for elders and those in positions of authority. Modesty and politeness are important parts of Japanese culture.
Contemporary Japanese society is decidedly urban. Not only do the vast majority of Japanese live in urban settings, but urban culture is transmitted throughout the country by a mass media largely concentrated in Tokyo.
Japanese society consists of intimate hierarchical relationships. In the past, relationships were regulated by clans to ensure trust, respect and fulfillment of social obligations. Major relations are Shintoism 48.6%, Buddhism 46.4%, Christianity 1.1%, other 4% (2021 est.)
One of the defining aspects of life in Japan is its strong work culture. The Japanese people are known for their dedication and commitment to their jobs. Long working hours and commutes are common in many industries, especially in metropolitan areas.
Japanese (日本語 Nihongo)
Japanese is spoken primarily in Japan, where it is the national language. Modern Japanese is written in a mixture of three main systems: kanji, characters of Chinese origin; and two syllabaries: hiragana and katakana. Hiragana is also suffixed to the ends of kanji to show verb and adjective conjugations. Katakana, like hiragana, are a syllabary; katakana are primarily used to write foreign words, plant and animal names.
Useful Japanese Words
トイレ (toire) = Toilet
手洗い (tearai) = Bathroom
助けて (tasukete) = HELP
わかりません (wakarimasen) = I don't understand
やめて！ (yamete!) = Stop it!
英語 (eigo) = English
服 (fuku) = Clothes
警察 (keisatsu) = Police
危ない (abunai) = Dangerous
危険 (kiken) = Peril, Hazard
ASKING
どうした？ (doushita?) = What Happened?
どうして？ (doushite?) = Why?
なに？ (nani) = What?
時間 (jikan) = Time
質問 (shitsumon) = Question
だれ (dare) = Who
いつ (itsu) = When
先生 (sensei) = Teacher
学生 (gakusei) = Student
会社員 (kaishain) = Employee
人 (hito) = Person
私 (watashi) = I
あなた (anata) = You
LOCATIONS
ホテル (hoteru) = Hotel
どこ (doko) = Where
空港 (kuukou) = Airport
駅 (eki) = Station
日本 (nihon/nippon) = Japan
大学 (daigaku) = College
本屋 (honya) = Bookstore
タクシー (takushi) = Taxi
家 (ie/uchi) = Home
FOOD
おなかすいた (onaka suita) / はらへった (hara hetta) = Hungry
食べます (tabemasu) = To Eat
食べません (tabemasen) = To Not Eat
飲みます (nomimasu) = To Drink
飲みません (nomimasen) = To Not Drink
水 (mizu) = Water
飲み物 (nomimono) = Drink
食べ物 (tabemono) = Food
美味しい (oishii) = Good Tasting. Tasty.
不味い (mazui) = Bad Tasting
レストラン (resutoran) = Restaurant
コンビニ (konbini) = Convenience Store
スーパー (suupaa) = Super Market
Greetings
ありがとうございます (arigatougozaimasu) = Thank You
すみません (sumimasen) = Excuse Me
ごめんなさい (gomennasai) = Sorry
いただきます (itadakimasu) = Bon Apetite!
ごちそうさまでした (gochisousama deshita) = Thanks for the food
おはようございます (ohayougozaimasu) = Good Morning
こんにちは (konnichiwa) = Good Afternoon
こんばんは (konbanwa) = Good Evening
ではまた (dewamata) = See You Later
また明日 (mata ashita) = See You Tomorrow
さようなら (sayounara) = Good bye
おやすみなさい (oyasuminasai) = Good Night
Time for sleepy time. Good night!
BASIC VERBS
行きます (ikimasu) = To Go
帰ります (kaerimasu) = To Return (home)
食べます (tabemasu) = To Eat
します (shimasu) = To Do
見ます (mimasu) = To See
買います (kaimasu) = To Buy
待ちます (machimasu) = To Wait
書きます (kakimasu) = To Write
止まります (tomarimasu) = To Stop
教えます (oshiemasu) = To Teach
話します (hanashimasu) To Speak
ADJECTIVES
新しい (atarashii) = New
嬉しい (ureshii) = Happy
大丈夫 (daijoubu) = Okay
すごい (sugoi) = Amazing
高い (takai) = Expensive / Tall
大きい (ookii) = Big, Large
小さい (chiisai) = Small
近い (chikai) = Near
遠い (tooi) = Far
悪い (warui) = Bad
いい (ii) = Good
面白い (omoshiroi) = Interesting
楽しい (tanoshii) = Fun
熱い (atsui) = Hot
寒い (samui) = Cold
上手 (jouzu) = Good At
下手 (heta) = Bad At
赤 (aka) = Red
青 (ao) = Blue
黒 (kuro) = Black
緑 (midori) = Green
黄色 (kiiro) = Yellow
白 (shiro) = White
馬鹿 (baka) = Stupid!
NUMBERS
一 (ichi) = One
二 (ni) = Two
三 (san) = Three
四 四 (shi/yon) = Four
五 (go) = Five
六 (roku) = Six
七 (nana) = Seven
八 (hachi) = Eight
九 (ku/kyuu) = Nine
十 (juu) = Ten
百 (hyaku) = 100
千 (sen) = 1,000
万 (man) = 10,000
Vegetarian Survival kit for Japan
肉と魚は食べません
(niku to sakana wa tabemasen) I don’t eat meat and fish.
肉と魚を使わない料理をお願いできますか
(niku to sakana o tsukawanai ryouri o onegai dekimasu ka)
Could you make a meal without meat and fish?
Watashi wa vegetarian desu. = I am a vegetarian
Shojin ryori [show-zine ryo-ree] = (vegetarian cuisine, usually Buddist style)
Saishoku-shugi ryori wa arimasuka? = (Do you have any vegetarian meals?)
Shoujin ryori wa yatte imasuka? = (Do you serve vegetarian foods?)
Watashi wa ..(insert one of the following words here) o itadakimasen. (I don't eat ......)
doubutsu wa taberemasen (I can’t eat animals)
katsuo dashi mo taberemasen (I can’t eat fish stock)
doubutsu sei no mono wa subete taberemasen (I can’t eat any animal products)
wa taberemasen (I can’t eat _________) niku nashi (no meat)
Shojin ryori wa yatte imasuka? (Do you serve vegetarian foods?)
Thus "yasai dake o tabemas" means "I only eat vegetables"
"niku" = (nii-koo) (meat)
"sakana" = (sa-kah-nah) (fish)
"tori" = (tor-ri) (chicken (or any type of poultry) )
"tamago" = (tah-ma-go) (egg)
"gyunyu" = (giu-new) (milk)
"nyu seihin" = (new say-hinn) (dairy products)
"kani" = crab
"ebi "= shrimp
"kai" = shells
"ikka" = eel
"tako" = octopus
"buta" = pig (buta niku is pig+meat = {pork, bacon, ham,...}
"gyu" = cow (same pattern as above)
"hito" = humans
And while we're doing words:
"da-mei" = bad
"yasai" = vegetables
"dakei" = only
"tabemas" = I eat
Konbini can provide an array of foods for all your dietary needs. There are more than 56,400 convenience stores in Japan, one is almost never more than a short walk away. There are a number of vegetarian options at any konbini you can turn into your own meals. Here are seven ideas to get you started.
1. Pizza buns ピサマン.
The ピザまん (piza-man) variety are gooey, delicious buns available at 7-Eleven and Family Mart made of only tomato sauce, cheese and a soft outer bun. Hot, filling and delicious, these are a common konbini staple.
2. Onigiri or rice balls. Ume (plum) onigiri is shaped like a triangle, wrapped in seaweed and filled with plums. There are a number of other vegetarian flavors including yaki (plain grilled), kombu (kelp), mame (bean), plain salt and seaweed.
3. Natto or fermented soy beans: Natto rolls are widely available and the flavor isn’t quite as strong when it’s in rolled up like sushi
4. Pancakes: These mochifuwa (kind of “soft and fluffy”) pancakes from 7-Eleven are pre-wrapped with butter and syrup on the inside.
5. Cooked and pre-packaged udon noodles in the refrigerated section. Also soba (buckwheat) noodles or thin, white rice noodles.
6. Many types of sandwiches including fruit cream mix sandwich (blueberry, chocolate and cream mix), egg salad, Japanese omelet etc.
7. Hash browns and french fries you can find under the names ハシュポテト (hashupoteto) and フライドポテト (furaidopoteto).
Laundry Management
Japanese Rōmaji English
洗剤 senzai Detergent
漂白剤 hyōhaku-zai Bleach
柔軟剤 nyūnanzai Fabric softener
Washing Modes
洗濯コース sentaku kōsu Washing course
標準 hyōjun Standard
お急ぎ oisogi Fast
毛布 mōfu Heavy (blankets/linen)
手洗い/念入り tearai/nen iri Gentle wash
わが家流 wagaya-ryū Personalized settings
洗濯/洗い sentaku/arai Wash
すすぎ susugi Rinse
排水 haisui Drain
脱水 dassui
Spin dry
一時停止 ichiji teishi
Pause
洗濯のみ sentaku nomi
Wash only
乾燥のみ kansō nomi
Dry only
洗・乾切替 arai・inui kirikae
Switching between washing/drying
Water
Japanese Rōmaji English
冷水 reisui Cold water
温水 onsui Warm water
水量 suiryō Water volume
水位 suii Water level
給水 kyūsui Water supply
Dryers and Washers/Dryers combo
洗濯～乾燥連続運転 sentaku ~ kansō renzoku unten Continuous wash to dry operation
乾燥 kansō Dry
室内干し shitsunaiboshi Indoor drying / Hanging clothes inside
ソフト温風 sofuto onpū Soft warm air
送風 sōfū Cool air
高温 kōon Hot/High temperature
控えめ hikaeme Low temperature/Controlled drying
Source: nationsonline.org
Some Good Places to visit
- Tokyo Tower is a television tower in Tokyo city, which is also considered a symbol of this country's rebirth after the war. The tower has a height of 333m and is inspired by the Eiffel Tower (France) with the tallest self-supporting steel architecture in the world.
- Kamakura is a prominent resort town with dozens of Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto shrines. Its most recognizable landmark is the Kotoku-in Temple’s Great Buddha, a roughly 13m-high bronze statue still standing after a 15th-century tsunami.
- Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan with an altitude of 3,776m and lies across Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures. This place is covered with white snow all year round, creating a beautiful natural landscape. Every year in May, the flower fields in Shibazakura at the foot of Mount Fuji bloom with many colors such as bright red, pink and white, creating a beautiful natural picture. Hakone National park with views of Mount Fuji.
- The Kyoto Monuments Complex is the name of a complex of many famous places and beautiful sights located in Kyoto, Uji and Otsu. Many historical and cultural relics, dating back more than 1,000 years. This place converges more than half of the temples and pagodas, many of the most ancient mansions in the land of the rising sun. Kyoto Monuments cluster includes 14 Buddhist temples, 3 Shinto shrines and Nijo castle. Kozanji Temple deep in the forest, Kiyomizu Temple built on high with traditional wooden architecture, Kinkakuji Temple covered with leaves of pure gold and Ryoanji Temple famous for its Zen-style rock garden.
- Himeji Castle is an ancient Japanese castle located in Hyogo Prefecture and 650km west of Tokyo. This place was built on top of the 45.6m high Himeyama hill with a large main tower and 83 small sturdy buildings, as complex as a maze.
- Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture, is one of the famous Shinto shrines in Japan. This place was built into a complex consisting of a main temple, many small temples arranged around it, many bridges and corridors connecting the areas above the sea in front of Mount Misen of Miyajima Island. The 16m high red O-Torii gate is made from dugout trees.
- Shirakawa-Go and Gokayama Historical Village in the northern Tokai region in central Japan, are two famous ancient villages. This place is famous for its more than 100 ancient houses, all built in gassho-zukuni architecture with roofs covered with thick thatch or straw to support the layers of snow in winter.
- The Nikko temple complex in the mountains of Tochigi prefecture, are two temples and one pagoda here: Nikko Toshogu temple, Nikko Futarasan temple and Rinno temple, along with 103 unique architectural buildings located amidst colorful nature. The highlight of the Nikko temple complex is the carving of three monkeys covering their eyes, mouth, and ears at Toshogu temple, which means "don't listen - don't see - don't say bad things". As for Nikko Futarasan Temple, this is the place to worship the three most sacred mountains in the region and display two national treasure swords of Japan. Finally, Rinno Pagoda is famous for its three golden statues sculpted from the early Edo period: Adida Buddha, Bodhisattva Buddha and Bodhisattva Buddha 8 meters high.
- Nara ancient castle relic cluster includes 8 attractive destinations: Todai Temple, Kofuku Temple, Gango Temple, Yakushi Temple, Toshodai Temple, Kasuga Shinto Shrine, Heijo Palace and Kasugayama Primeval Forest. Todaiji Temple is where the world's largest bronze statue of Mahavairocana or Vairocana Buddha is kept. Inside and around the temple grounds, there are many species of deer, sacred symbols of Shinto, roaming freely next to people.
- Horyuji Buddhist architectural complex includes 48 architectural monuments in Ikaruga town, Nara province. Among them, Horyuji Temple is one of the oldest wooden structures in the world to date. The highlight of Horyuji Temple is the majestic and sacred 11-faced Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara statue and more than 100 artifacts of unique artistic value. Despite being built more than 13 centuries ago and experiencing many devastating earthquakes, Horyuji Temple still retains its artistic value. Horyuji Temple is one of the oldest wooden structures in the world today.
- Kanazawa is the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, on Japan’s central Honshu Island. It's known for well-preserved Edo-era districts, art museums and regional handicrafts.
- Hiroshima is the Regional capital with a tragic history. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park commemorates the 1945 event. In the park are the ruins of Genbaku Dome, one of the few buildings that was left standing near ground zero. Other prominent sites include Shukkei-en, a formal Japanese garden, and Hiroshima Castle, a fortress surrounded by a moat and a park.
- Takamatsu is a port city on Japan’s Shikoku Island. It’s known for the sprawling Ritsurin Garden, with a teahouse, koi ponds, landscaped hills and pine forests. To the east, atop Mount Yashima, Yashima-ji Temple offers panoramic views over the Seto Inland Sea.
- Nagasaki on the northwest coast of the island of Kyushu, is a large natural harbor, with buildings on the terraces of surrounding hills. Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park is an important landmark, after nuclear attack in August 1945.
- Niigata is a port city on Honshu, Japan’s main island. The Minatopia history museum complex includes heritage buildings like the 19th-century Niigata Customs House. Along the seacoast, the Marinepia Nihonkai aquarium has sea otters and dolphins.
- Kaikoji Temple is home to Sokushinbutsu, known as Living Buddha or Buddha Mummies, who are monks who mummified themselves as a sacrifice to pray for the people. These mummies, sometimes referred to as 'living Buddhas' or 'Sokushinbutsu', attracting Shinto and Buddhist ascetics.
- Sapporo, capital of the mountainous northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, is famous for its beer, skiing and annual Sapporo Snow Festival featuring enormous ice sculptures.
- Okinawa is a subtropical island chain in Japan, comprising over 150 islands between mainland Japan and Taiwan. It's known for its unique history as the Ryukyu Kingdom, subtropical climate, and beautiful beaches and coral reefs.
Administrator:NARA is a Consultant by profession and an Engineer by qualification. Nara holds an Engineering Masters degree and have worked 25 years for leading organizations.
Now working part time on country/technology research projects and Maintaining community Web sites.
Spending more time to pursue his interests on studying: ancient scriptures; maths & astronomy; physics; philosophy; history & culture and so on.
