Luck is loved by everyone, especially anyone who runs a business. This is even more important to Japanese merchants because they are extremely superstitious. They often place behind or in front of their stores some kinds of lucky charm, in the hope that their business will run smoothly. The most popular kind of lucky charm in Japanese stores is a figurine which has the shape of a cat waving its paw. That’s the “Maneki Neko”.

Maneki Neko is loved by everyone for its round face and lovely big eyes. That may be the reason why it is chosen as a symbol of luck. It looks like a cat waving his paw to greet the customers but actually, that’s the gesture of a cat washing its face. The cat often washes its face whenever it feels the rain is coming. Moreover, because of its sensitivity, the cat often feels restless when there’s someone coming near it. To release its fear, the cat washes its face. From this gesture of the cat, the Japanese assume that every time a cat washes its face there will come a customer. In addition to that, a cat washing its face looks like it is greeting someone. Therefore, the Japanese believe if they put a figurine of a cat with that “greeting” gesture in front of their stores, the customers will come in.

However, this is just aninterpretation. There are bundles of folktales and explanations why Maneki Neko is chosen as a lucky charm. However, the main characteristic of all the stories about Maneki Neko’s origin is that the cat saved its owner from dangers or illness and poverty and the owner became prosperous.

Most people believe that it has different meanings when Maneki Neko waves its right paw or left paw. If it’s waving with the right paw, that means there will be more luck and wealth to the merchant and if it’s waving with the left paw, more customers will come in. The higher it waves the paw, the more customers, wealth and luck will come to the merchant.

Collecting Maneki Nekos is a hobby of many Japanese people and they even set up Maneki Neko clubs. Maneki Nekos nowadays are not only thought of as lucky charms for Japanese merchants but have become a symbol of luck to everyone in Japan and in many other countries around the world.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Japan

Tokyo is a location where the urgent rhythms of consumer culture collide with the quieter moments that linger from older customs. It’s feverish madness leavened by the most Zenic of calmnesses.

The sheer point of energy is the most striking expression of Japan’s capital city. Tokyo is a location where the urgent rhythms of consumer culture collide with the quieter moments that linger from older customs. It’s feverish madness leavened by the most Zenic of calmnesses.

While it’s true the exciting vibe has a somewhat depressing flip side - shoebox living accommodations estates & office blocks traversed by overhead freeways crowded with traffic - Tokyo remains a glittering example of the ‘miracle’ of post-WWII Japan.

What makes Tokyo intriguing is the tension between mammoth scale and meticulous detail. Sightseeing in its streets can be a neon assault that leaves you elated & breathless, or an encounter with the exquisite art of understatement. Jump aboard the subway & see how one city is actually many.

Feeding is half the fun of being in Japan, and the adventuresome foodie will be enjoyed to know that nihon ryori (Japanese food) is far more than the sushi, tempura and sukiyaki for which it is best known in other nations: there are over 20 different forms of Japanese cooking to sample.

It isn’t difficult to find many things to keep you out of trouble in Tokyo. Or take you into it. Whether it’s kabuki (traditional Japanese theater) or karaoke, izakaya (half eating place-half pub) or hot-spring hopping, the Big Umeboshi - the ‘Giant Sour Plum’ - has it all, all year around.

If you stay in Tokyo or additional major city for one week or longest, gaijin houses (also known as guesthouses) are an cheap accommodation option worth considering. The minimal fee term is commonly one month, but some houses likewise provide weekly or possibly daily rates.

Travel-world-tips Guide

I don’t know about you, but when I hear about Sapporo, the first thing that comes to mind is beer. I’m a long time Sushi eater and Sapporo is my beer of choice when eating. What you might have not known is that there’s an actual city in Japan called Sapporo. In fact, that’s where the beer comes from. Sapporo is a perfect place for making beer. The hops are excellent and it’s cold.

Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido Islandlocated in the West. It’s the fastest growing city in Japan. At last check, there were more than two million living in Sapporo. It is the 5th largest city in Japan.

When many think of Japan, they think of the over crowded life in Tokyo. Life in Sapporo is much different. First of all, the island of Hokkaido is covered with forests. Many Japanese escape to the island and Hokkaido attracts millions of visitors annually. The summer is the peak time.

Earlier I mentioned the beer they make here. Sapporo has been making beer since 1891. If you visit Sapporo, you can take a tour of the facility. It’s one of those must-see attractions. There’s nothing like a fresh Sapporo beer.

Sapporo is also famous for its snow festival, Yuki Matsuri. It takes place for one week each year in February. It continues to grow each year. It started out as a couple of snow sculptures and has now grown to a main event held at multiple sites. Many come for the international snow sculpture competition.

Perhaps the most interest aspect of the Yuki Matsuri is the community effort given to one giant statue each year. If you arrive in Sapporo just before the festival, you can participate in the creating of this statue. It’s advised that you book your stay ahead too. More than two million tourists flood into Sapporo for the Yuki Matsuri.

Another aspect I find interesting about Sapporo, as someone that doesn’t speak fluent Japanese, is the fact that the tourist information centers are English-friendly. They are always staffed with personnel that speak English well. At the International Information Corner, they have maps and information handouts in English. This makes any English-speaking travelerthat doesn’t speak Japaneseat home.

Another great first stop is the Sapporo International Communications Plaza. It’s just across the street from the Tokeidai Clocktower and right by City Hall. It has more literature in English, including newspapers and magazines. You are bound to meet Japanese people there who know English as well. There is so much more to talk about, but this article was meant to wet your whistle for Sapporo, Japan.

Author is the owner of TourismJunction.com, a travel & vacation articles and websites portal. You can find more Japan Travel articles by clicking the link. Read an article about Tokyo travel by clicking the link.

For such a tiny total landmass, Japan has left an undeniable stamp on human history. If you are considering Japan as a destination, here is an overview of the country.

Extending along the eastern coast of Asia, Japan is a country consisting of a collection of islands. The mainland, as we think of it, is the island of Honshu. There are three other large islands, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu, and roughly 3,000 much smaller islands comprising what we call Japan. Put together, the total land mass is slightly smaller than California. The geography throughout the islands is mountainous, best exemplified by Mt. Fuji at 12,385 feet. As you might expect, the island country is inherently recognition of a volcanic are and Japan experiences earthquakes fairly frequently, some on a large scale.

Japan is an extremely urbanized country with most people living in major cities. The two prominent religions are Shintoism and Buddhism. The belief systems are harmonious and often share the same temples.

Per legend, Japan was founded by Emperor Jimmu around 600 BC. The current emperor is a descendent of the first.

The first interaction with the West was in 1542 when a lost Portuguese ship landed in Japan. Over the next century more Westerns came, but they were not trusted. The Japan shoguns eventually banned all foreigners and the country was isolated for over 200 years. Not until 1854 did Japan open its doors to the world under the Convention of Kanagawa with the United States. Once this occurred, Japan quickly evolved from a feudal state to a more modern approach.

World War I was a boon for Japan. Fighting on the side of the victorious Allies, Japan repeated new respect as an economic and military power following the defeat of the Axis. Alas, the emperor of Japan went in a different direction after the war, seeking dominance of China and Asia in general.

In 1937, Japan became an ally of Nazi German. This eventually led to its decision to pursue an attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Following four years of war, the loss of 3 million Japanese lives and two atomic bombings, Japan surrendered to the United States on September 2, 1945. It was stripped of most of its territorial holdings and was ruled de facto by General Douglas MacArthur, designated the Supreme Commander.

Following World War II, Japan turned to a democratic system through reforms. The U.S. and allies returned complete control to Japan on April 28, 1952 via the Treaty of Peace. Although its days as a military power were over, Japan once again became an economic giant. Despite its relatively tiny land mass, Japan has the second biggest economy in the world.

Modern day Japan covers 145,902 square miles. The capital is Tokyo. The terrain is best described as rugged, mountainous islands with varying temperatures.

The people of Japan are called “Japanese.” The total population is just over 127.4 million people, but the population is decreasing slightly in size. Japanese is the primarily language spoken and literacy rates are 99 percent. Japanese males have a life expectancy of 77 years while women live to 84 on average.

With its mountainous island landscape, Japan is a hot destination spot for travelers. It is expensive, but a visit to Mount Fuji alone makes a trip worthwhile.

Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about country facts and Facts about Japan.

Japan, today, consists of four main islands Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku. There are minor island chains, which include Okinawa (also called Ryuku Islands) in the south, the Kuriles north of Hokkaido and the Izu Islands, which extend outwards into the Pacific Ocean.

The archipelago which extends from latitude 45 degrees north to latitude 24 degrees north has a variety of climates and environmental zones. A cool northerly climate characterizes Hokkaido whereas the eastern half of Honshu has a temperate climate and deciduous forests. Also characterized by a temperate climate is western Honshu and Shikoku but the forests in these regions are broadleaf evergreens (palms) and deciduous trees. Kyushu and Okinawa enjoy a sub-tropical climate and the forests are of broadleaf evergreens and oceanic vegetation.

Japan sees an abundance of rain especially in the summer months. Anywhere between 1000 millimeters to 3000 millimeters of rain falls in Japan depending on the location.

Japanese archaeologists (like archaeologists elsewhere) have divided the prehistory of the archipelago into a variety of differing periods. These can be compared with the Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age seen in the rest of the old world. The Japanese have given each period its own name that reflects its own unique Japanese character.

The dates about to be given are approximate dates and different scholars have different criteria for when a particular age ended and a new one began. The Palaeolithic period is 50,000BC-13, 000BC (Use of micro-blade stone tools was characteristic of this period), The Jomon period 13,000BC-300BC (the characteristics of this age were pottery production and a hunting and gathering lifestyle), the Yayoi period 300BC-AD300 (characterized by rice cultivation and new types of pottery) and the Kofun AD300-AD650 (characterized by the construction of large burial mounds for elites).

Archaeology is still done on remains post-dating the Kofun period but it is in the realms of historic archaeology. The unique features of the prehistoric archaeology of Japan are the fairly late adoption of domesticated plants and animals and the absence of a formal Bronze or Iron Age. There is evidence that the Jomon people cultivated some plants but dependence on cultivated plants did not begin until the Yayoi period. This period also sees the use of bronze and iron.

As far as the cultural sequence stands for Hokkaido it is slightly different from the rest of Japan. For Hokkaido the use of pottery began later and agriculture does not begin until the Satsumon period.

Again the dates about to be presented for the cultural sequence for Hokkaido are approximate. The Jomon period 8000BC-300BC (the characteristics of this age being the use of cord marked pottery and a hunting and gathering lifestyle), The Epi-Jomon period 300BC- 3rd/7th century AD (characterized by the continuation of a hunting gathering lifestyle and a pottery tradition akin to the final Jomon pottery styles), the Satsumon/Okhotsk age 3rd/7th century AD-13th century AD (characterized by the use of iron and bronze and also some plant cultivation) and lastly the Ainu period 13th century AD-Present ( this has a mixed economy based on hunting and gathering, sea mammal hunting and plant cultivation).

It should be taken note that the Ainu are still resident in Hokkaido and the cultural groups preceding them are known only through archaeological record.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Japan