Mt. Fuji, sakura, and bonsai are the icons of Japan’s beauty, but the truth is there is an abundance of reasons that make Japan beautiful.
Having lived in Japan for over a year now, I thought I’d highlight a few of the reasons why I can’t help but see Japan as such a beautiful country.
My three main reasons are architecture, culture, and nature. As you can see through the links, I’ve covered each of these topics individually, so this is more of a summary post that brings it all together!
Architecture
Japan’s unique architecture comprises a combination of modern buildings and skyscrapers and traditional structures such as temples and shrines. Particularly in cities like Kyoto, the former capital of Japan, you can find these types of traditional architecture everywhere, typically featuring kirizuma (Japanese-style roofs).
While Japanese cities look breathtakingly beautiful from observatory points with the mountain backdrops and all, even on the grounds they give off a special and unique charm. Small, narrow streets, the absence of street parking, small wooden structures, and spotless roads are all a part of it (if you’re lucky, you may see bonsai trees lurking about too)!
Culture
In many ways, these three topics regarding Japan’s beauty are intertwined. For instance, the existence of bonsai trees is a result of cultural practices in agriculture, demonstrating how culture can affect nature. Preserving the natural surroundings and promoting sustainability are fundamentals of Japanese culture, so you’ll typically find most people following the rules and keeping their surroundings clean and tidy.
Similarly, culture can affect architecture, because Japan uses its traditions of mindfulness and thinking of others first in order to get away with cute aesthetics such as narrow roads in a dense population. They also do not place bins on the street as it encourages people to carry their rubbish with them and also prevents bins from overflowing and spilling over.
This is all reinforced when you consider the etiquette of the Japanese to not eat or drink while walking on the streets, again promoting cleanliness, hygiene, and mindfulness (i.e. being more in tune with your surroundings instead of being distracted by your sandwich!). That being said, it’s easy to see how culture is a big factor in maintaining Japan’s natural beauty and even enabling aesthetic architecture in condensed areas.
Nature
Preserving nature is one thing, but the reality is a large part of Japan’s beauty is simply God-given. A small island nation that is girt by sea and full of mountainous ranges, lakes, and flowing rivers passing through, it’s not far off from what one would imagine to be “paradise.”
Native cherry blossom trees and stunning autumn leaves also play a role in adding to Japan’s beauty, not to mention snowfall in the winter and bright sparkling beaches in the summer. You really can’t go wrong coming to Japan at any point in the year, as each season has its own charm with amplified beauty features.
A Beautiful Combination!
Indeed, it is a combination of Japan’s unique architecture, mindful culture, and breathtaking natural scenery that makes it so incredibly beautiful. In my humble opinion, there is no country quite like Japan, and if you haven’t already been, I suggest checking it out ASAP. You may just find yourself obsessively writing about it like this crazy Japan-obsessed foreigner!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!