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Welcome to Japan
GENERAL INFORMATION
 Japan is said to be the most modernized of all the Asian countries and is a fascinating blend of East meets West. In Tokyo or Osaka, you will find bright lights, skyscrapers and businessmen and women fighting their way to the top. Don't be surprised to discover such Western restaurants as Tony Roma's, McDonald's or Kentucky Fried Chicken as well as traditional-style Japanese restaurants or Sushi bars. Shrines and temples or gorgeous traditional gardens are interspersed amongst these modern additions.
If you would like to experience the tranquility of the "gentle" Japanese with traditional lifestyles, travel into the less heavily populated regions of Japan, perhaps Matsumoto or Kamakura. Though many people in Japan's cities may appear modernized, the people in these rural areas keep their traditional values. There you will enjoy magical scenery, majestic temples with beautiful surroundings and wondrous castles that were once occupied by ancient Emperors.
From the spectacular sight of Mt. Fuji to a sparkling view of the city lights from a high-rise building in Tokyo; Japan, with its beauty, culture and people will delight and intrigue you.
PEOPLE AND CULTURE
 Japan has many Western qualities; however, behind the decor of the cities, you will find that the Japanese respect their honorable traditions with great pride.
During the day, most people work in Western-style clothing, but it is not uncommon to see people come home from work, slip off their shoes at the door and then find comfort in their traditional kimonos.
In Japan, the family is of great importance, and you will often find several generations living under one roof. You are expected to respect and honor elders and obey family laws. You are not likely to see a Japanese man lose his temper or show immense emotion; this results in a loss of integrity, therefore, a loss of face.
Ethnic Groups: 99.4% Japanese and .6% other.
Languages: The official language of Japan is Japanese.
Religion: The main religions of Japan are Shinto and Buddhism.
LOCAL CUSTOMS
General:
It is customary in Japan upon entering a home to remove your shoes at the door (they can be left on in a Western-style building). Most places will accommodate you with a pair of house slippers. You also remove your slippers before entering a bathroom. You will be provided with a pair of special slippers only for use in the bathroom; when you leave the bathroom, don't forget to retrieve your house slippers at the bathroom door.
The traditional way to bathe in Japan is not in a bathtub. Instead, you first sit on a low stool facing a pair of hot- and cold-water faucets or a bathpan. While sitting on your stool, you then proceed to pour the bathpan water over yourself, soaking your entire body. After you have completed rinsing yourself off and are soap-free, you go into a deep, hot tub to soak.
When greeting people, always bow before the person, and they will bow to you as well. The other person's age, status and social connections determine how deeply he or she will bow and for how long. This is the customary meeting procedure and usually is used in place of the (Western) handshake.
The handshake is used sometimes. If you do shake hands, do not do so forcefully - the Japanese do not share the notion that strength of grip is a reflection of one's character.
When invited to a Japanese home, take a gift such as candy for the hostess. Do not take flowers; they are not considered an appropriate gift.
Business:
Allow plenty of extra travel time when you have an appointment. The Japanese expect punctuality.
When addressing Japanese colleagues, it is best to use their family names with the honorary suffix "san."
The Japanese do not like an aggressive approach to negotiations, and losing your temper or showing impatience when things are not moving along will invariably ruin your business deal.
Business cards are essential in Japan. It is helpful to have your cards printed in both English and Japanese. The Japanese like to be aware of exactly who they are dealing with. Japanese make a point of reading business cards; in fact, it would be considered impolite simply to put someone's card inside your jacket pocket.
Gifts play a major role in Japanese business. It is customary to exchange gifts. It is considered good luck to give gifts in pairs, such as a double pen set. Do not give gifts in groups of four, as the Japanese word for four means death. Wrap the gift in pastel colors, but not white, as this color is associated with death.
Tokyo Real Estate - Narita Real Estate - Kyoto Real Estate - Shizuoka-ken Real Estate - Fujisawa Real Estate - Toyama Real Estate - Ebina Real Estate - Fukuoka Real Estate - Okayama Real Estate - Itami Real Estate - Kitakyushu Real Estate - Matsuyama Real Estate - Nagoya Real Estate - Osaka Real Estate - Saipan Real Estate - Sendai Real Estate - Shimonoseki Real Estate - Chiba Real Estate - Uozu Real Estate - Ikebukuro Real Estate - Guam Real Estate - Otaru Real Estate - Mito Real Estate - Kobe Real Estate - Yokohama Real Estate - Nagasaki Real Estate - Hokkaido Real Estate - Aichi-ken Real Estate - Kochi Real Estate - Yamanashi Real Estate - Tochigi-Ken Real Estate - Takamatsu Real Estate
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