Japanese Culture is one of the most well preserved and interesting in the modern world.

Perhaps it's because of Japan's mountainous terrain, where people living in villages were forced to work closely together. Or maybe it has to do with Japan's long periods of isolation from the rest of the world all the way up until recent times(if you look at the 2.5 million year human history).

Whatever the case is, Japan has an extremely unique culture that can now, in the age of the internet, be shared with the entire world.

Everything in Japan, from the Japanese language to Japanese holidays all the way to Japanese table manners is an effect of that same Japanese culture.

If you look on the internet, you can find a lot of really great sites out there about Japan, whether you want to learn the Japanese language or buy tickets to Japan. I'm not trying to compete with them. In fact, I encourage you to check them out as well, if that's what you're looking for.

Here at Japan-San though, I'm doing my best here to bring you the things I think will be valuable to you. That's what I mean when I say your "personal guide."

You say: Yeah, that's great, but why can you write something personal about Japan?

I'm glad you asked...

Moving to Japan straight out of high school was an amazing experience. I can't say it was the easiest thing I ever did, but it was definitely one of the most exciting.

Now that I live here with a Japanese host family and go to a Japanese University, I get to experience something I don't think a lot of people have a chance to do, genuine Japanese culture.

When I talk to people about Japan they usually ask me two questions...

What's your favorite part about Japan?

I never can answer. it's too hard! There are just too many things.

Wow, do they have anything you don't like?

Well, to put it simply....

Yes. There are a lot of things.

But that doesn't mean I don't love it here. I do.

And since I do, I want to write about it, and share my passion with you on this website.

For all the latest updates and news about our website, please subscribe to the Japan-San Mini-Blog. There are a lot of things going on both in Japan and with the site. The Japan-San blog is the best way to keep up with it.

The Best Of Japan-San

• Japanese Slang Jisho (Dictionary)

• Firsthand Guide to Culture Shock

• The 10 Most Useful Japanese phrases. (Every Visitor should read this)

• The Japanese Bath (Ofuro) and how to bathe in Japan.