Japan is a country of many traditions and etiquettes. Everything in Japan has its own way to be done and if you do something different, everyone will look at you wonderingly. Tourists coming to Japan are amazed and interested by the large variety of food available. However, there are some basic table manners that foreigners should know so that they don’t feel like a fish out of water in Japan.

In Japan, it is an important etiquette to say traditional phrases before and after a meal. People start a meal by saying “itadakimasu” (”I gratefully receive”) and after finishing eating they say “gochisosama (deshita)” (”Thank you for the meal”) with a bow. It is crucial for you to say these phrases, especially when you are invited for a meal or someone cooks for you.

Chopsticks are used widely in all Japanese homes and restaurants. It may be very difficult for foreigners to become familiar with using Japanese chopsticks. Besides knowing how to eat using chopsticks, foreigners have to know some rules of this kind of utensil. One of the most important rules is not to pass food with your chopsticks directly to somebody else’s chopsticks and vice versa. You shouldn’t point your chopsticks at somebody or something. Playing with your chopsticks at a meal is also inadvisable. When you want to get food from a shared plate to your own plate, use the other ends of your chopsticks. This is considered polite and considerate in Japan.

It is appreciated in Japan to wait until everyone is served before you start eating. It is also considered considerate to empty your dishes completely because the Japanese are very economical. When eating, try to chew with your mouth closed and don’t burp during the meal because that is considered bad manners. If you are given some extra food, for example a bowl of rice, accept it with both hands. When eating, try not to eat in big pieces. You should separate the large piece with your chopsticks and eat every small piece. In contrast to some Western countries where people are often taught not to make slurping noises when eating soup or noodles, it is considered a normal thing in Japan. It even seems strange in Japan if you eat noodles without a sound!

If there are alcoholic drinks at the meal, you shouldn’t just pour the alcohol into your own glass. You should check your friends’ glasses frequently and if their glasses are getting empty, you should serve them with more. It is considered bad manner to be seen drunk in public in some formal restaurants. However, in some informal ones drunkenness is acceptable as long as you don’t bother others.

There are usually no napkins used at Japanese meals, thus you should prepare for yourself some tissues or a handkerchief. In Japan and in some other Asian countries, during the meal you shouldn’t talk about anything related to the toilet or any similar topics. This is strictly unappreciated because it is assumed that people lose their appetite when hearing about those things.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Japan

After almost six months of working very hard, I’m taking my break to the premier city of Japan Tokyo. Since I was a kid, I really wanted to go and visit the different exciting sceneries in this part of the world. I have been to Disneyland many times but that’s in US, this time I want to see how Tokyo Disneyland fairs with that in America. Some of my friends, who have been there, already told me that there’s not much difference between the two. However, I am not satisfied with their stories; I want to see it personally before my very eyes.

Since, this Tokyo Disneyland is one of the main attractions in Japan, I am bringing my whole family with me so that the children will be able to see the difference. My wife is also excited about this trip and she’s preparing the things already. The children are also excited about our vacation because this will be their first time in an Asian country. Hopefully, after this trip in Tokyo, we can still go to Hongkong Disneyland as well as other tourist spots in Asia. But for now, Tokyo Disneyland is our main destination to have fun and enjoyment.

After my family and I visited the beautiful Tokyo Disneyland, I suggested that we visited Mt. Fuji. We were a bit disappointed since it’s not one of the popular tourist spots in Japan like we thought. We then decided to visit Kinkaku-ji, the Temple of the Golden Pavillion located in Kyoto. It is the most famous of all the tourists attractions in Japan. Some of my friends were shocked when I told them that Mt. Fuji is not the most famous attraction in Japan but Kinkaku-ji. This temple was said to be built originally in 1933 and served as home for retired Shogun Yoshimitsu Ashikaga. It became a Buddhist temple when the retired leader died. The temple is famous for having pillars over the lake which was designed to emphasize its place between heaven and earth.

It was also said that this Buddhist temple was reconstructed back in 1955 after a young Zen Buddhist set fire inside it. Reports said that the man despised beautiful things like the temple that’s why he tried to destroy it. After the reconstruction, the temple became beautiful and spectacular. It’s really stunning being wholly covered with gold leaf with a phoenix on top. Therefore, the Temple of the Golden Pavillion is another must-see attraction in Japan aside from Mt. Fuji. So, if I were you, I would start saving money for a chance to see this remarkable Japanese creation.

For more valuable information on Japan and Japan Travel Tour, please visit www.japantraveltour.blogspot.com

Six thousand miles separate Japan and Cabo San Lucas. The two countries and cultures could not be more different. Yet, here in the coastal desert at the tip of Baja you’ll find a little piece of Japan that even the Japanese would envy… Nick San Japanese restaurant.

Eleven years after it’s opening, Nick San still remains the most popular Japanese
restaurant in Los Cabos, and with good reason. Owned by Angel Carbajal and
Masayuki Nikura, the restaurant produces one of the most creative menus you’re
likely to find anywhere. From Sushi to Tempura, this place has it all when it comes
to Japanese cuisine. But it’s the special touches influenced by Angel’s devotion to
traditional Mexican cooking that make it unique. When was the last time you saw a
Jalapeno Chile at a Japanese restaurant?

Located in Cabo San Lucas, Nick San faces Marina Blvd. from Plaza de la Danza next
to Costa Real Cabo Hotel. The d