Clothing

When you refer to the Japanese clothing it may be the kimono, which immediately springs to mind. However, the number of occasions when people wear kimonos is extremely limited. For example, at coming-of-age ceremonies, wedding, and school entrance ceremonies. At these times, it is mostly women who wear kimonos. Generally, people wear western style clothing for everyday wear. The wearing of western style clothing, rather than traditional kimono has gradually been more popular. These days, the sight of young people, irrespective of gender, wearing blue jeans is an extremely common one.
The kimono is stitched in straight lines from a rectangular piece of cloth. Japanese of all shapes and sizes may make due with the same kimono. The kimono may be viewed as a kind of wrapping cloth for the body. There are many different kinds of kimono, which is worn for different occasions and seasons.

Seasons

Spring, lasting from March into May is a time when plum, cherry, and azalea blossoms are gloriously in bloom. From late spring into early summer, Japan experiences their rainy season. A low rainfall at this time may affect the lives of those in the cities. Low water levels in the dams and rivers, which provide the water supply, may lead to the imposition water restrictions.
After the rainy season ends in the middle of July, the summer sun beats down with high temperatures. Daily life is somewhat uncomfortable for two months with these high temperatures. From August to September is typhoon season. With typhoons, there can be localized downpours of rain, flooding and landslides, and high winds, which can result in housing damages.
Towards the end of August, temperatures begin to drop and after the autumn rains the long awaited season of autumn is ushered in. After the sweltering heat, autumn feels refreshing. Autumn is the season for sports, hearty appetites, and study. Autumn’s colors move from the north to the south. 
Depending on what area of Japan, the first snowfall may arrive in the middle of November. Winters may be characterized as being cold, with dry winds and heavy snowfall and beginning in January thru February. This is the season for snow skiing. The Japanese people endure their hard, cold winters with anticipation of spring in March.

Food

Japanese meals fullfill two purposes. They supply nutrition and provide a certain amount of enjoyment. Fruits, vegetables, and rice are eaten in high quantities on a daily basis among the Japanese people. Fish and eggs are enjoyed daily with a very minimal amount of beef, chicken, or pork ever being eaten. The Japanese people are known for their tempura, sukiyaki, curry rice, and soba noodles, to name a few.

Housing

In traditional Japanese house, there will be a number of rooms which are divided by sliding doors and screens, the bathroom, kitchen and garden. The removal of one’s shoes before entering the house is a characteristic of Japanese homes. A Japanese style room can become a dining room at meal times. When it comes time to sleep, the bedding can be rolled out, transforming the room into a bedroom. Western style homes are seen more and more throughout modern Japan as well as increasing numbers of condominiums and apartment buildings, which come with two rooms and a ding room/ kitchen.

Recreation

Japanese people are industrious and hard working but a very large majority enjoys playing golf. Traveling is becoming an increasingly popular sport, not just traveling within Japan but also going abroad. Japanese people enjoy watching sports such as soccer, baseball, and sumo wrestling. Tennis is a sport which is popular with all ages. Gateball especially enjoyed by the elderly. Pachinko and karaoke seem to bring the Japanese people recreational enjoyment, especially the young people. Martial arts, such as Judo and karate, are part of every Japanese person’s life.

Japanese Culture

Within the area of culture, there is the traditional culture passed down through history, for example the performing arts of Kabuki, Noh, and Kyogen, as well as the fine arts of tea, flower arranging and calligraphy. Then, there is also contemporary culture, with modern literature, music, art and movies, as well as unique culture in the world of children.

Japanese Education

Japan is an “education society” where 95% of all students advance into high school, even though only elementary and middle school are compulsory. Also, because graduation from a famous university is necessary in order to find a good job, preparation begins around elementary school for grueling entrance examinations.

Religions in Japan

It is said that Buddhism and Shinto are Japan’s two religions. However, because the Japanese worship at Shinto Shrines at New Year’s and at Buddhist temples at obon, and Japanese homes often have small Shinto Shrines, as well as a much larger Buddhist alter, it can be said that these two faiths have come together in the beliefs of the Japanese.

Japanese Government

The political power in Japan is divided among three braches of government. The legislative power resides in the Diet, the executive power in the Cabinet, and the judicial power in the courts. The Diet selects the prime minister, who is the head of the Cabinet. The Cabinet selects the Chief Justice of the Supreme court, and citizens eligible to vote chose the members in an election.