1. Konos Juniors World Geography Week 12
Japanese Culture
Konos Juniors
World Geography
Week 12
This PPT was written and designed by Judy Fruscione

2. Land of the Rising Sun Country name: Nippon Capital: Tokyo
Official Language: Japanese
Monetary Unit: Yen

3. Hinimaro
The Japanese Flag features a red circle, representing the rising sun, centered on a white background.

4. Japan geography
Group of more than islands is a long archipelago in eastern Asia.
It is about the same size as California.
Total length is about miles roughly the same distance from Maine to Florida.
About 71% of Japan is mountainous.
Mt. Fuji is the highest point.

5. Mount Fuji Japan’s highest peak (12,388 feet)
A dormant volcano located on the island of Honshu.
Japan’s highest peak (12,388 feet)

6. Japan’s Climate Ranges from subarctic to sub tropic.
In the north the summers are cool and the winters are harsh and snowy.
In the south the summers are hot and the winters are mild.
They do have distinct seasons much like those in the northeastern part of the United States.
Rainy season is June to mid-July with rainfall ranging from inches a year.

7. There are 4 main islands
Honshu
Hokkaido
Kyushu
Shikoku

8. Honshu About 80 percent of the people live on Honshu.
The Japanese Alps, the country’s tallest mountains dominate the landscape.
Mt. Fuji
Tokyo the nation’s capital city.
Oska Plain to the south produces much of the nations’s food.

9. Hokkaido Japan’s second largest island
Less than 5 percent of the population.
Forested mountains cover much of the island.
Main occupations are dairy, farming, fishing and forestry.
Winter sports are popular.

10. Kyushu Southernmost Island 11 percent of the population
Steep, heavily forested mountains run down the center of the island.
Only small areas along the coast can be farmed.

11. Shikoku Smallest of Japan’s main islands 3 percent of the population.
Mountains cover much of the center of the islands.
Most of the people live in the northern part near the coast.
Farmers grow rice and fruit.

12. Japan’s Cities Did you know Japan’s Streets are free of litter.
About ¾ of the people live in cities along the narrow coastline.
Tokyo is the largest city.
11.8 million people
Two dozen subways and commuter rail lines link the city.
Are extremely crowded
Most of the cities were destroyed during WW2 and have been rebuilt .
Did you know Japan’s
Streets are free of litter.
Graffiti is rare
Crime rate is low.
No fear of robbery
A lost wallet will be returned to its owner.
Virtually no slums

13. Transportation Railroads link all major cities and towns in Japan.
Bullet Trains are super express lines that travel up to 186 mph.
Japan has one of the largest coastal shipping fleets that ships cargo all over the world.

14. Japanese Kanji Language
Written Japanese uses characters called Kanji.
Each character represents both a specific meaning as well as at least one sound.
Requires years of study. High school students must learn kanji symbols.
Chinese Buddhist monks brought it to Japan.

15. Japanese Kana Language
These are phonetic symbols.
Has 48 symbols which represent all possible syllables in the language.
Fairly simple to learn and can be mastered by most children by the time they enter school.

16. Japanese Food
Dependent on the sea for food. Fish is a main part of their diet.
Sushi – raw fish rolled in rice is a favorite.
Nori – seaweed which has been dried and pressed into flat sheets and is eaten with rice.
Rice is eaten at almost every meal.

17. Japanese Food
Many foods are served in a single dish which all the family members share.
They eat with hashi or chopsticks.
Traditional dishes are served on lacquer plates called bentos.

18. Japanese Tea Ceremony A tradition hundreds of years old.
Its focus in on serenity, respect and beauty.
Host invites guest to enter the tea room and admire a few decorations.
Then the host prepares the tea and serves it with a sweet snack. The guest slowly drink their tea and enjoy the simple tranquility.

19. Traditional Clothing Kimono- worn by all classes, men and women.
Materials and colors showed the class. Silk was reserved for the upper classes like the samurai while others wore hemp, ramie, cotton and other common fabrics.
Brought by Buddhist monks in the 8th century.

20. Traditional Clothing

21. Japanese Houses City houses are typically only 980 sq ft.
Rural homes are sq ft.
Most homes do not have much furniture and rooms are often used for several purposes.
Japanese sleep on futons. Many can be put up during the day.

22. Floors are covered with tatami or straw mats.
An alcove called a tokonoma is used to display floral arrangements and scroll paintings. It may contain a Shinto or Buddhist shrine.

23. Terms You need to Know Nippon, Land of the Rising Sun Tokyo Yen
Archipelago
4 main islands of Japan
Mt. Fuji
Main modes of transportation/bullet train
Kanji and Kana Language
Food – fish, sushi, nori, rice, Tea
Hashi and bentos
Kimonos
Futons, tatami