FOOD
Sushi is the most famous Japanese dish outside of Japan, and one of the most popular dishes among the Japanese themselves who usually enjoy sushi on special occasions.
Ramen is a noodle dish that was originally imported to Japan from China. Over the last few decades, however, ramen has become a typical Japanese dish and gained great popularity inside and outside of Japan. Ramen noodles are about as thin as spaghetti and are served in a soup with various toppings.
Rice is Japan's most important crop, and has been cultivated by the Japanese for over 2000 years.Wasabi is Japanese horseradish. It is most famous in form of a green paste used as condiment for sashimi (raw seafood) and sushi. However, wasabi is also used for many other Japanese dishes.

MONUMENTS
The most important monuments in Japan are in Tokio, the capital city:
- The Rainbow Bridge, a suspension bridge. Its total length is 918m and the distance between the two main towers is 570m. The bridge has 2 stages: the upper stage is used for an express way while the lower one is for an ordinary road and sidewalks as well as an unmanned seaside express train, called Yurikamome (sea gull).
- The Tokio Tower, the world's tallest self supporting steel tower. In the postwar boom of the 1950s, Japan was looking for a monument to symbolize its ascendancy as a global economic powerhouse - it was also looking to build a television and radio relay tower. Looking to the occident for inspiration, the Tokyo Government decided to erect its own Eiffel Tower. Constructed by Takenaka Corporation, Japan' oldest architecture, engineering and construction firm, and completed in 1958.

Click here to see the Rainbow bridge and the Tokio Tower.

- Himeji Castle, also called Shirasagijo (White Heron Castle) due to its white outer walls, is the best preserved castle in all of Japan. It serves as a classic example of Japanese castle architecture, having been designated a national treasure in 1931. Incorporating both strategic design as well as a very conscious awareness of space, it functions as a military command, a center for political life, and as a monument to the glories of an earlier age.
- Tokio Olimpic Stadium was built as a stadium of Tokio Olimpic Games in 1964.
An important building in Japan are the temples, are very elaborated. Click here to see an exemple of Japanese temples.

                     
TRADITION
Kimono and yukata are traditional Japanese clothing.
Kimono are made of silk and are usually very expensive. Nowadays they are worn at formal or traditional occasions such as funerals, weddings or tea ceremonies.
The yukata, on the other hand, is more of an informal leisure clothing. It can even be worn without underwear and is very comfortable on hot summer days.

The tea ceremony (Sado) is a ritual way of preparing and drinking tea. Nowadays, the tea ceremony is a relatively popular kind of hobby. Many Japanese who are interested in their own culture, take tea ceremony lessons with a teacher. Tea ceremonies are held in traditional Japanese rooms in cultural community centres or private houses.

The cherry blossom (sakura) is Japan's unofficial national flower. It has been celebrated for many centuries and takes a very prominent position in Japanese culture.

The Japanese plum or ume (sometimes referred to as Japanese apricot) has played an important role in Japanese culture for many centuries. It was originally introduced from China.

Another important fact in Japan is the manga, is a tipe of cartoon very famous in Japan. The majority of manga writers are Japanese. Click here to see an exemple of manga.