春の風物詩 (Haru no fuubutsushi) 2 Special Attractions of Spring

花見（はなみ、hanami)  Flower Viewing

Hanami is "Cherry Blossom Viewing." In spring, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, people picnic under the trees. Sometimes the parties last late into the night and can become quite lively.

花見弁当（はなみべんとう）　Boxed Lunch for Sakura Viewing

日本の文化 ( nihon no bunka) 1 Japanese Culture

The importance of blood type in Japanese culture

Many Japanese people believe that each blood type has a certain personality and affinity, so it is a common topic on someone's blood type to predict his or personality, temperament, and compatibility with others similar to how astrological signs are used in other countries. The popular belief originates with publications by Masahiko Nomi in the 1970s.

General personality of people who have type A blood
—Consider things carefully
—Can understand other people’s feelings easily
—Good at hospitality
—Don’t express themselves in order to avoid possible quarrel
—Do things carefully and steadily, and don’t take the next step if they are not satisfied
—Big on cleanliness

General personality of people who have type B blood
—Like to go their own way
—Do what they want without considering other people’s feelings, rules and customs
—Optimistic
—Not pretentious
—Pragmatists
—Don’t get heart-broken over lost love

General personality of people who have type AB blood
—Chase ideals and dreams
—Don’t have secular needs such as greed and a desire to succeed
—Sensitive and easily hurt
—Have a complicated personality
—Vigorous in pursuit of knowledge in wide range of fields
—Have unique ideas and are creative

General personality of people who have type O blood
—Realistic
—Strong in face of adversity
—Dream of getting rich quick, but actually take a steady approach—Go straight toward their goal
—Very cautious
—Don’t care about small things, taking a wider perspective instead
—Devoted, but with a strong desire to monopolize

春の風物詩（haru no fuubutsushi) 1 Special Attractions of Spring

ひな祭り（ひなまつり、hina-matsuri)

Hina-matsuri is the Doll Festival or Girls' Festival observed on March 3. Dolls dressed in beautiful Heian-era costumes and representing the Emperor, Empress, and their court are displayed to celebrate the growth of the family's girls and to express their hopes that they will become as graceful and beautiful as the Heian nobility.

冬の風物詩（fuyu no fuubutsushi) 5 Special Attractions of Winter

雪祭り　(ゆきまつり、yuki-matsuri)

Yuki-matsuri is the Snow Festival held in Sapporo in February. It features elaborately sculptured snow statues constructed along the main streets.

冬の風物詩（fuyu no fuubutsushi) 4 Special Attractions of Winter

節分（せつぶん、Setsubun)


Setsubun is the day before the first day of spring according to the lunar calendar, usually February 2 or 3. Bean throwing ceremonies are held in homes, shrines, and temples in the belief that this will bring in good fortune and drive away evil spirits.

日本の祝日 (nihon no shuku jitsu) 3 --- National Holidays of Japan

成人の日（せいじんの, Seijin no hi）　Coming-of-Age Day


Seijin-no-hi, or Coming-of-Age Day, is celebrated on the second Monday of January.

This day is dedicated to the nation's young people who have reached the legal age of twenty which is and important juncture when one is granted full rights as a citizen, beginning with the right to vote. Drinking and smoking are also permitted from this age.

日本の祝日 (nihon no shuku jitsu) 2--- National Holidays of Japan

正月（しょうがつ、Ｓｈｏｇａｔｓｕ）　New Year


Shogatsu is generally celebrated for the first three days or the first week of January and is the most important period for the Japanese, comparable to Christmas in Western countries. School and businesses close for one to two weeks after about Dec. 29, and many people who live away from their families return home to spend this time with their families. On New Year's Day, people go for the first temple or shrine visit of the New Year and pray for health and happiness in the new year.