Japan Guide

Japanese rites and rituals, plus much much more

Need to know why you shouldn't pass food to someone else using your chopsticks? Are you interested in earthquakes? Want to know more about the 125 th Emperor, who met his wife while playing tennis?

The Japan Guide is a huge and varied resource for background information on every aspect of traditional and modern Japan . Pitfalls of etiquette are flagged for the forgetful or careless. For instance, to avoid getting into people's bad books, before getting into a house bath, wash all of the soap off first in the shower next to it (the whole family has to use the same hot water).

Each subject warrants its own page, with concise, informative chunks of text and a variety of links for further research. Clicking onto 'How to use a Japanese toilet' is essential for sheer humour value alone. The site also points out some quirky Japanese superstitions worth watching out for - such as: "if you lie down immediately after eating, you will become a cow." Oh, and by the way, why can't you pass food with chopsticks? After a cremation ceremony, this is the way in which the bones of the deceased are passed from person to person. A good enough reason, we think.

The Japan Guide is packed with useful, and delightfully useless, information on all aspects of life in modern Japan . Plus there's a comprehensive sightseeing guide, news feed and an addictive forum. A one-stop-shop for even the most culturally curious.

www.japan-guide.com

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