The Emperor's Birthday

📣 Traveler notes

Japan is an East Asian island nation blending ancient influences with a modern, organized culture. While highly populated and fast-paced, traditional Japanese values remain significant. Travelers should anticipate highly efficient, organized, and generally reserved service.

• New Year (Oshōgatsu) is the most significant holiday, causing nationwide closures (typically December 30 - January 3).
• Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) occurs in March or April, leading to large crowds.
• Golden Week (late April to early May) is a major holiday period causing high travel congestion and increased prices.
• Summer includes numerous local festivals (matsuri) and fireworks (hanabi).
• The New Year period sees massive travel congestion as people return to their hometowns.
• Tourist spots are often extremely crowded during major holiday seasons.
• When dining, use chopsticks for most Japanese meals. Etiquette includes: never sticking chopsticks upright in rice, and never passing food from one set of chopsticks to another person's. It is standard practice to drink soups and broths, and eat contents of rice bowls. Use the provided hot towel (o-shibori) for hands, but not the face. Do not pour soy sauce onto plain rice. If assistance is needed, use "sumimasen" (excuse me), as staff typically wait until prompted. Pay at the counter; tipping is not customary.