2.

Traditional Customs and

Festivals in Japan
2-1 New Year

The Japanese New Year (正月, Shōgatsu) is an annual festival

that takes place in Japan. (1st of January)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Joyanokane-groupringsbell-
tokyoarea-jan1-2008.ogv
Toshikoshisoba and osechi ryouri
Nengajo and kadomatsu
2-2 Hinamatsuri (Dolls Festival) 3rd March
2-3 Kodomo no Hi (Children’s day)
It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to
celebrate their happiness. (5th May)
2-3 Golden Week
Golden Week holidays

Shōwa Day (昭和の日, Shōwa no Hi), 29th April

Constitution Memorial Day (憲法記念日, Kenpō Kinenbi), 3rd May
Greenery Day (みどりの日, Midori no Hi), 4th May
Children's Day (子供の日, Kodomo no Hi), also known as Boys' Day or
the Feast of Banners, traditionally celebrated as Tango no Sekku (端午
の節句). 5th May
2-4 Tanabata Festival
It celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi
(represented by the stars Vega and Altair respectively). According to
legend, the Milky Way separates these lovers, and they are allowed to
meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month
of the lunisolar calendar.
2-5 Bon Festival
It is a fusion of the ancient Japanese belief in ancestral spirits and a
Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the spirits of one's ancestors.
2-6 Christmas Illumination
3. Social Norms and Values
3-1 Ojigi (Bowing)
15°/30°/45°
3-2 Meishi (Business Cards)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOtjQ0H9BPA
3-3 Sekiji (Seating order)
• Very unique business manner in Japan

• In business situation, have you ever considered well which chair

to sit down in a room? Where to be in an elevator? What about
in a taxi? Maybe never. You just take a seat where it’s available,
go to the place you feel comfortable.

• But if you are in Japan, you need to be careful where to be

because we have a strict manner about that. Today, I introduce
you this manner called “sekiji “.
• If you get on a taxi with your boss or clients, you still have to
show them respect by sitting on a proper seat. Let’s see this
picture.

• The lowest person stands in front of an operation panel and

push bottoms for others. When getting off, keeps pushing
“open” button until everyone gets off.
In a Taxi/Train/Elevator
3-4 Personal Space
3-5 Knocking a door
3-6 Mobile phone etiquette
It is considered a violation of good etiquette to answer a cell phone in
certain public places. For example, on trains it is rude to answer or
talk on cellphones. Many people keep their phone in 'manner mode'
(silent mode) in order to not bother others and to avoid
embarrassment on trains.