A Child's Life - Japan

by Robert George, Dec 18, 2002 | Destinations: Japan / Tokyo
In Japan, children are treated with the utmost care and attention. The literacy rate in Japan ranks among the world's highest, and the infant mortality rate is among the lowest. Despite its population density and astronomical cost of living, Japan provides excellent 'quality of life' for its children.

In Japan, children are treated with the utmost care and attention. The literacy rate in Japan ranks among the world's highest, and the infant mortality rate is among the lowest. Despite its population density and astronomical cost of living, Japan provides excellent 'quality of life' for its children.

In Japan, children are treated with the utmost care and attention. The literacy rate in Japan ranks among the world's highest, and the infant mortality rate is among the lowest. Despite its population density and astronomical cost of living, Japan provides excellent 'quality of life' for its children.
One of Japan's most honored traditions is the Omikoshi Matsuri, the annual Shinto festival. Nearly every Shinto shrine in Japan holds a mikoshi parade, in which a miniature replica of the shrine containing an image of the honored deity is transported through the surrounding streets on the shoulders of local patrons.
One of Japan's most honored traditions is the Omikoshi Matsuri, the annual Shinto festival. Nearly every Shinto shrine in Japan holds a mikoshi parade, in which a miniature replica of the shrine containing an image of the honored deity is transported through the surrounding streets on the shoulders of local patrons. Depicted here is a youthful version of a traditional mikoshi parade.
Uniforms seem to offer the people of Japan a sense of purpose and belonging. School children, public servants, and even the majority of private business employees all wear them with pride.

A story told with photos.

More From This Author

Every year on November 15, Japan celebrates Shichi-Go-San--Children's Day. Dressed in their very finest garments, girls and boys aged three, boys aged five, and girls aged seven, go with their families to nearby shrines, where they line up, sometimes for hours, to await their turn to be blessed by the presiding priest. After the blessing, the child is presented with a gift of long sticks of candy called chitose-ame, "thousand year sweets," wrapped in ornate bags decorated with cranes and turtles, both symbols of longevity.

Kimono

Japan
Robert George
The Tokyo district of Rygoku is home of one of Japan's most famous Sumo wrestling facilities. Sumo wrestlers train very strenuously for their six annual basho tournaments, and must consume up to 10,000 calories a day to achieve and maintain their enormous stature. When they're not in training however, they can be seen strolling the city sidewalks wearing blue and white cotton robes called yukata.

Sumo

Japan
Robert George

Shwedagon Impressions

Myanmar
Robert George
Perhaps the most anticipated and beloved celebration in Japan is the season known as Ohanami. The word translates as flower watching, and depending upon the weather in mid-spring, sometime during the month of April, the entire nation of Japan bursts into bloom with the ubiquitous sakura, the flowering cherry tree. The sakura create a frosty-pink canopy over city parks and country hillsides alike, and the people of Japan emerge after the long winter to rejoice in this ephemeral season. Beneath a canopy of blossoms, street vendors offer an array of traditional foods, including yakitori, skewers of savory grilled chicken.

The Taste of Japan

Japan
Robert George
About ThingsAsian

ThingsAsian is an Asia travel website with stories contributed by a worldwide community. Although we cover a wide range of topics, our emphasis is on art, culture, history and travel. Our writers, photographers and contributors are real people who tell you the stories of their personal travels and experiences. Some of the countries we currently cover are Burma, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Email: info@thingsasian.com

© 1994-2015 Global Directions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.