A trip to Japan is a pleasure for one and all, before stepping into the country, just have a glance about the code of etiquette which is considered as very important among Japanese people. One has to appreciate the Japanese people by preserving their traditions and Manners from the ancient times. Japanese culture is fascinating and at the same time inscrutable for the first time travelers to accustom for the etiquette of the Japanese.

How to Greet People in Japan?

Japan has a unique culture of greeting people. Bow your head to greet someone. A small bow of the head indicates a casual greeting. A small nod of the head is suffice for thanking, requesting, apologize and for favor also. Shaking hands is very uncommon, and it is best for you to wait if the other person offer their hand. Keeping your palms upto the chest level and bowing is not common greeting for the Japanese people.

Etiquette While Giving Gifts

Giving gifts is a common culture of Japanese people. Gifts are given usually in different occasions like returning from a trip, changing the house, for seasonal changes and so on. You have to pay attention while giving a gift to Japanese people. Make sure before giving a gift that it has to be properly wrapped and remember that gifts in four sets must be avoided, because number four is considered an unlucky number for Japanese people. In Japan people use the number four for "death". It is very important for one to remember that while giving or receiving a gift, handle it with two hands. For the first time visitors, it is the best idea to keep small gifts from their native country to distribute someone in their trip. A simple nod and a small gift from your home country is highly appreciable. Giving gifts on special occasions like birthdays and festivals is not Japanese tradition. However with some western influence, some families are exchanging gifts on special occasions also.

Exchanging Business Cards

For formal introduction, it is better to exchange a name card with your two hands. It is always suggestible to stand and exchange the business cards with higher rank people. Place the card in your shirt pocket or in a wallet if you meet any one while you are passing. A small bow is suffice to give or receive a card from Japanese people.

Public Observance

You must be very polite when you are travelling in a public transport. Mobile phones are kept in silent mode, not to disturb fellow passengers. You are not supposed to speak loudly in public places. Follow queue while boarding a train, to guide the people, passenger lines are drawn on the platforms. It is very barbaric if you blow your nose in public. Always better use masks if you have cold.

Visiting temples and shrines

Behave very gently and respectfully in temples. Just throw a coin into the offering tray, followed by a prayer. You are asked to remove your shoes while entering into the temple. Many temple authorities permit you to take photographs, but in some place you are not supposed to. Better watch the sign before you enter the temple. While visiting a shrine if you are sick, you are not permitted, because Japanese tradition indicates that it is a cause of impurity. So, if you are sick or having any open wound better not to visit a shrine.

Eating Habits

There are things to remember when you are using chopsticks. Some of your actions may be associated with the funeral actions, for example, don't leave chopsticks in a rice bowl straight upright . You have to hold your chopsticks at the end not in the middle. Don't point anybody with your chopsticks. Do not use chopsticks to spare your food. You are not supposed to play with the chopsticks even after you finished your eating, just lay them down with tips to left on the table in front of you.

Simple and basic formalities make your trip enjoyable. Follow the Etiquette tips and enjoy the trip.

Few people know that hiking is by far the best kept secrets of Japan. You can simply go to one hut to another in the Japan Alps, climb the Kyushu volcanoes, climb the Big Snow Mountain of Hokkaido and you can also walk through the hills around Kyoto. Anywhere you go, you will not be left alone. The Japanese are very fond of hiking and there are also powerful hikers as well. One of the very first mountains that you can climb is the Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido. The name says it all, Big Snow Mountain. When the snow melts over the mountain, the hiking will be very vivid. It is also the biggest national park in Japan. The wild area has soaring mountains, remote Onsen, active volcanoes, thick forests and pristine lakes. This is the kind of place that can help in getting rid of your stress. There is the onsen hotel where you can rest while in the premises of the forest.

Kamikochi or Nagano-Ken is a sanctuary that is located at the center of the Japan Alps. It has some of the best scenery in Japan. This is where you can find some hiking trails too. In the latter part of the 19th century, it was the foreigners who discovered this place. This has been the base for hikers, walkers and climbers. There is also a riverside that is in line with the sasa or what they call the bamboo grass in English. Another option for climbers is the Fuji-San or the Shizuoka- ken. Why will the climbers and hikers go to Japan if they do not want to try the trails of the highest peak of Japan? It is best visited from July to August where you can find the highest and the most popular peak that draws tourists to this part of the world. Climbing this mountain can lead you to some of the best views of the untouched volcano from the Fuji Five Lakes. During winter and spring, you can see the beauty of the mountain. The snowcapped peak will be visible then in the morning.

Yakushima Kagoshima-Ken is an island of the southern part of Kyushu, which is a home to the old Jomon Sugi tree and some beautiful mountain hiking. It is tagged as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. What makes the concept of World Heritage exceptional is its universal application. World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located. Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. It is one of the best and the most beautiful islands in the Southwestern part of the Island. The peaks of the island mountain are the home of the world renowned Yaku-sugi. It is the old cedar tree that has been said to have the inspiration for some of the scenes in Miyazaki Hayao's classic animated tale Princes Mononoke. Hiking is the primary activity in this place, however the island is also a home to some of the best coastal onsenand and some sandy beaches. Bear in mind that this is also a place where the mountains wring every drop of the moist from the clouds passing through.

Don't go hiking without a map and a gear to keep you protected and help you enjoy the activity. Aso San is a semi-active volcano that provides some of the best hiking trails and views. The threat of eruption is what makes it more thrilling and exciting. Nearby this place is also a beautiful and pristine view of the Aso San volcano caldera. It is by far the biggest in the world. You can see the entire view over the windows of your car. It just erupted 3 Million years back; the outer crater of the volcano is around 90,000 years old already which is now surrounded by villages, towns and train lines as well.

Cuddle and getting involve with the animal is one way to get the stress out. But not all of people could have a pet at their house because of their busy life or the circumstances. If you want to sneak out a little and get relax, go to your favorite café at Tokyo. There are a lot of this kind of café at Tokyo, but we present you with three good choices. Here are the options.

Little Zoo Café

You can find this restaurant in Narashino, Chiba Prefecture, outside of Tokyo. Little Zoo Café presents a reptile to be pet while you eat and drink, iguana to talk to while sipping coffee, an owl to stroke while eating a cake, or a snake to cuddle with. The other option is to choose your favorite corner and has a sight of all of this reptiles. This restaurant only has 20 seats, so you just need to look around to be able to see a lot of different animal at a time. You don't need to worry about hygiene either, since they have an open air separate kitchen to make the food, and an alcohol based dispenser to totally clean up your hands.

The background of this restaurant to be built is the pet therapy effects. In Tokyo, a lot of people decide to live in an apartment. And one of the strict rules of the apartment is pet are not allowed. The research has proofing that animal can make people less stress and fatigue. It is good for health, both physically and mentally. An animal therapy or activities with the animal can help reducing anxiety and get the blood pressure lower. It also makes a better cope with cancer, heart disease, and mental disorder.

This café has been open since 2011, and a bunch of tourists has visited the place, because of their love for the animal, curiosity of the unique restaurant, and also the new experience eating with reptile and bird around.

Sakuraoka Café

You can get into this restaurant for only five minutes from Shibuya JR station. This is the only café with a goat to pet with. With not so many rules, people in many different interests besides animal can also go to this café and only enjoy the meal and drinks. There are two goats live here at the Café, named Chocolat and Sakura. They are free for pet and stroke, and they seem to love it. They really get used to human and even try to attract people to come closer, people in the restaurant, and people passing by on the street. Their droppings are also valuable to nourish the flower beds. Opened in 2009, this café has 50 seats, a bar, and a unique goat décor to be staring at. You can enjoy pasta, salad, or a bowl of rice with pork.

Hapineko Café

As its name in The Japanese language, hapi refer to happy and neko means cat, this café allowing guests to interact with cats while enjoying their drinks. This restaurant has some rules to obey, include to let the cat to approach, and no chasing for a cuddle. A lot of variety of cat live here, without a cage, so they could easily interact with guest, receive their love and stroke. People can see how cute their attitude is, and adorable, just the way they do anything, they look so cute. The best part is people can give them a treat or play along with them with fox tail toy, or any other cat toys. This café suits every people, adult, children, and also for a family activity to get a quality time together. With only about $10 per person, you can enjoy a cup of coffee, or chocolate, or tea, and half an hour to enjoy your cat time. This cat cafe locates in Shibuya. A lot of Japanese people also believe that cat will bring luck to their life.

Exploring Tokyo need not be expensive with all the places that do not ask for a registration fee such as Place your bid for Tsukiji. Are you interested in auctions? The Tsukiji market is just the best for you, but this is different, because here you will bid for tuna. You must go there before 5 in the morning, since the registrants accepted are only 120 daily. This is a market with an off, they do not operate daily and they will move to a new location this year, so you need to check the website for more details. Check the Senso-ji is another option. Be one of the pilgrims by going to Senso-ji. It is a popular Buddhist Temple in Tokyo. It is lined with vibrant stalls that sell souvenirs from big rice crackers to well embellished battledores.

Discover Harajuku. The environment surrounding Harajuku has been a beautiful in the eyes. It is a classy boulevard of boutiques that are housed in a one of a kind architecture. Relax in the Meiji-Jingu. When the Harajuku impends the sensory overload, run to the thick wooded grounds that enclosed the premier capital of the Shinto Shrine of Meiji-jingu. During the festivity, you can find men and women dressed in beautiful kimonos. Oh! Odaiba is a reclaimed land at the Tokyo Bay, which is connected to the city through the Rainbow bridge. There is an artificial beach there where you can sunbathe. Get to see the washi making. The art of paper folding is being offered free of charge at the Origami Kaikan. This is a free art workshop for everyone.

Shibuya scramble will make you find the Myth of Tomorrow in this place. Drop by the Tokyo Museum. The old ads give an illuminating visual history of the trading in Japan in this place. The culture in Akihabara is one of the best if you are a fan of Atom Boy, this place is just the best for you. You can find everything about manga as well as anime here. Art crawl on the other hand, offers a mixture of exhibits as well as interactive installations. Political junk tour is an option too if art or anima is not your preference, how about touring learning the political side of Japan? Here you can find the seat of governance of Japan.

Green areas. The traditional gardens in Tokyo are the best. You can check the Hotel New Otani, Hotel Chinzanso and the greeneries on the grounds of Happo-en. Tokyo has some of the best and the nicest parks in Asia. Join some festivals is another option. Weekly there is a Matsuri of various types in Tokyo. That starts from the Cherry Blossom viewing to fire walking as well as grand parades of costume parties. Stroll around the Yanesen. The streets of the Yanaka, Sendagi and Nezu can give you a hint of what the pre-World War 2 Tokyo was like. You can find small temples as well as shrines, galleries, coffee shops and others. It is by far the cities ancient graveyards. Witness the sumo practice. Though, you cannot make it to the sumo tournament, you can see the wrestlers with your own eyes as they go through the training and the drills. You can watch their morning practice.

Take a peek at the Depachika. It is the abbreviation of the department store basement food halls. They are drooling places to divert your appetite and satisfy your cravings. Be familiar with the newest innovations. You will be able to see the newest gadgets since Toyota as well as Sony has their showrooms here that are open to the public. Art and architecture. There are so many public arts that are scattered around the commercial complexes in Tokyo.