The annual festivals accompanying the traditional holidays are among the most spectacular elements of Japanese culture. During the celebrations, one can admire traditional clothes and intricately embroidered altars wandering down the city streets in multicoloured processions.

Japanese culture is ripe with traditions and customs unheard of in Europe. There is a reason why it fascinates so many people, and why so many want to learn more about what makes it different. In Japanese culture, the calendar plays a very important role.

Every country has its traditions. These traditions are often so important to the people in a given country that they become national holidays. The Land of the Rising Sun is no exception. However, Japanese national holidays differ from European traditions.

Good manners are of great importance to the Japanese. Everyone who visits a native Japanese at their home should take the time to learn the rules of politeness according to which the Japanese act. Table manners are also incredibly important.

The culture of Japan is considerably different from that of Europe. If you are planning a trip to Japan, make sure to learn as much a possible about local customs – not only to avoid social blunder but to gain insight into the secrets of Japanese culture and good manners.

Valentine’s Day is an important holiday in Japan but, just as other “borrowed” calendar events, it widely differs from the classic day of love we know in the Western tradition.

The Japanese like to celebrate various ceremonies, such as tea brewing – a custom they consider of great importance. When brewed in a special way, green tea acquires an intensive and distinct taste.

Weddings in Japan are traditionally organised in the spirit of Shintoism. Ceremonies are often interwoven with Christian customs but at times we can also meet Buddhist weddings which are fully in concordance with a traditional model of wedding.

Since 1873, Japan celebrates the New Year on 1 January, according to the Gregorian calendar. Before that, it was celebrated according to the Chinese lunar calendar. In some parts of the country, however, the New Year is celebrated according to Chinese, Vietnamese or Korean tradition. “Shōgatsu san-ga-nichi” means the first three days of January, as the customary New Year’s celebrations in Japan last until 3 January. The Japanese New Year is a unique event and has a symbolical meaning. It is believed that it heralds the coming of the new, and brings a chance of starting a new life and getting rid of all troubles. Unlike in Poland, in Japan the New Year is an event centred around the family rather than an occasion for extensive celebrations.

Karimasu, the Japanese Christmas season, starts as early as mid-November. The Japanese regard Christmas as entertainment and a commercial rather than religious event (only 0.7% of the Japanese population is Christian). The Japanese have adapted Christmas to their own cultural context, with Christmas trees and Santa Clauses accompanied by pandas and other symbols that have nothing to do with Christmas as we know it. According to Shinto and Buddhism, which are practised by the majority of Japanese people, there is no reason against celebrating Christmas. It is popular to send Christmas cards depicting Santa Claus and angels.

While Japan is not a Christian country and there are few Christians living there, Christmas has been viewed by the Japanese as an occasion to adopt a few traditions from the West, including gift-giving. As in Europe, in Japan gifts are brought by Santa Claus (of course adapted to the Japanese context).

Almost every country in the world has its own distinctive holiday that sets it apart from the neighbours. The same is true for Japan, which boasts an extensive tradition that is inextricably linked with its history. Hanami, or the cherry blossom festival, often begins as early as late February.