Japan uses not only the Western calendar, but also its own era name system called “gengō.”
For example, the year 2024 is written as “Reiwa 6” in Japan.
This can be confusing at first, but Japanese era names are an important part of Japanese history, culture, and everyday life.
In Japan, people often say “Itadakimasu” before eating and “Gochisousama deshita” after finishing a meal.
These phrases are taught from childhood and are deeply rooted in everyday Japanese life.
To many foreigners, they may look like simple mealtime greetings, but they actually express gratitude, respect, and an awareness of life.
One thing that often surprises foreign visitors in Japan is how often Japanese people bow.
They bow not only when saying hello, but also during conversations and even several times when saying goodbye.
To outsiders, this may seem unusual.
But behind this custom lies a deeper Japanese way of expressing respect, gratitude, and social harmony.
Japan has countless hot springs, and many travelers choose them for beautiful scenery or famous destinations.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with that. But for Japanese people, hot springs have long meant much more than a photogenic stop on a trip.
They are places to restore the body and calm the mind.
In this article, we will look at the history of Japanese hot spring culture, explain the different effects of hot spring water, and introduce how to choose an onsen based on the condition you want to improve.
