Friday Roundup: March 20, 2015

Welcome to the third edition of the Unique Japan Tours Friday Round Up. The purpose of this post is to collect in one place the best things we've shared on social media during the week. Follow us on Twitter,Facebook, Google+ and Instagram to get great Japan content from around the web we think is worth reading!

Friday Roundup: March 13, 2015

Welcome to the second edition of the Unique Japan Tours Friday Round Up. The purpose of this post is to collect in one place the best things we've shared on social media during the week. Follow us on Twitter,Facebook, Google+ and Instagram to get great Japan content from around the web we think is worth reading!

Friday Roundup: March 6, 2015

Welcome to the first edition of the Unique Japan Tours Friday Round Up. The purpose of this post is to collect in one place the best things we've shared on social media during the week. Social media? Yeah, we use Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Instagram. Follow us on any one of those platforms to get great Japan content from around the web we think is worth reading!

Reflections on a trip to Japan

     Recently, one of our staff here at Unique Japan Tours, returned to Japan for his first trip since moving home. He spent two weeks there, and we've asked him to share some of his thoughts on his trip. Thoughts about Japan, life there and the country in general. So, without further ado, here is Patrick, sharing his reflections on Japan.

Romantic Japan: Winter Illuminations

     What if you’re in Japan, and want to get out and about at this time of year? You’re on your honeymoon in Japan, and looking for something romantic to do? Is there any kind of special, romantic event you can go to? Something unique, and beautiful to capture your imagination and create enduring memories? We know there is!

Tourism to Japan hits all-time High!

What a year 2014 has been, not only for us here at Unique Japan Tours, but for Japan Tourism in general. It was only announced last month that the number of foreign visitors to Japan topped 11,000,000 in the first 10 months of 2014, more than all of 2013!

What this did mean is that we’ve been incredibly busy for the past year, and we have neglected our friends in cyberspace, both on the blog, Twitter and Facebook. But we’re going to do better so watch this space!!

Is there anything you would like us to talk about? Particular destinations in Japan? Tourist etiquette? We are happy to share our knowledge with our followers & friends. Let us know in the comments below!

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Giving goes a long way in Japan

                                    Immaculately wrapped gifts are the norm in Japan

Anytime a Japanese person goes abroad, he or she will go armed with a long shopping list – not of things for themselves but those for their loved ones, friends, work colleagues, bosses, people in their hobby group. The list is sometimes longer than their arms, if you know what I mean.

In some ways the Japanese have perfected the art of giving gifts. If you have ever been to a Japanese department store, just as you are being asked to make a purchase the person on the cash register will always ask you, “Is this item for yourself or a present for someone?” In the case of the latter, it means that the store assistant will meticulously wrap the item and even ask you if you would like “a free ribbon” to go with it. Have you encountered such service anywhere else in the world?

In addition to incorporating the times of year that people in the West traditionally give gifts – Valentine’s Day, birthdays, Christmas Day, etc. – there are two times of year that gifts are traditionally given in Japan. “O-seibo” (year-end gift) and “O-chugen” (mid-year gift) are given as a form of greeting. Recipients will generally be people who have helped you out recently, such as work colleagues or relatives.

At these times of year department stores will often set up whole sections of their stores dedicated to promoting these gifts. The items on sale are usually something functional but a bit “luxurious” – something that you would not usually buy yourself. Sets of luxury branded towels or $100 melons are just some of the things on offer. 

                                               Too pretty to eat?

Although it is generally older people who still send such presents, it is perhaps because they know the value of keeping good relations.

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