The Japanese culture is very much beauty and refined custom – but also so much more. What do you think is hiding behind these glass doors?
Pachinko! Pachinko is a mechanical game originating in Japan. It is used as an archade game and for gambling. These parlors are widespread in Japan, and is comparable to slot machine palaces in the West. Althought it has now declined in popularity, in 1994 the sales and revenues from Pachinko parlors contributed 5.6% of Japan’s 500 trillion yen GDP and employed 330000 people. (Wikipedia)
Gambling for cash is illegal in Japan, but the popularity has enabled a legal loophole allowing it to exist.
Machines for children wanting toys and candy? We have some quite similar ones here in the West.
In Japan, Karaoke is extremely popular – and maybe posing with pretty girls! This guy posed with paper girls, happily smiling, while his little son ran away from the scene – I wonder why…
I must post a piece of the young Japanese literature and film culture too. Anime. Manga. And a couple of girls dressed in stylish street fashion. (There are MANY styles – from Dolly Key to Genderless)
There’s no end to the popularity of these stories and charachters in Japan – you see them everywhere. In Sweden they enjoy massive attention. I know. My daughter and her friends still watch some of those movies, and I have watched a couple of them, because I wanted to understand why youngsters love them. In fact I found them very intricate, well written, and morally and ethically wise. But on the other hand, I haven’t seen them all…
Hayao Miyazaki’s masterpiece Spirited Away teaches friendship, love and bravery in a universal way which made the movie famous world wide. I must say I liked it. It is worth seeing even if you are an adult or an elderly person.
Leya 
The Japanese culture is a tapestry of beauty and refined customs, but it’s also a realm of hidden wonders and surprises. Beyond the serene glass doors lies a world of Pachinko parlors, where the thrill of the game and a touch of nostalgia blend seamlessly. Though Pachinko’s popularity has waned, it once played a significant role in Japan’s economy, demonstrating the nation’s unique approach to entertainment and innovation.
Karaoke, another beloved pastime, brings people together in joyous harmony, while the vibrant world of anime and manga continues to captivate hearts globally. From the intricate narratives to the diverse street fashions, Japanese culture offers a rich and varied experience. Spirited Away, a masterpiece by Hayao Miyazaki, exemplifies the universal themes of friendship, love, and bravery, resonating with audiences of all ages.
Japan’s cultural landscape is a testament to its ability to blend tradition with modernity, offering a treasure trove of experiences for those who seek to explore its depths.
Lovely photos, Ann-Christine. (the one with the guy and the paper girls made me laugh.) I’ve never watched anime but I think I’ll give it a go after reading your post 🙂
Thank you – try the one I recommended if you want to! It is great.
I love the way many young Japanese dress, they have such vivid imaginations it seems! And they’re not afraid to stand out from the crowd 🙂
True, they choose a group to belong to, and then they go for it. Interesting.
Thanks for the lovely cultural insights and photos Ann-Christine.
You are welcome!
Well, you certainly seem to have visited to try to understand the Japanese
Trying, yes, but they are very special. Grown-ups wearing those symbols of anime on clothes and bags and glasses…
You seem to have got ‘under the bonnet’ and discovered Japan as the Japanese, rather than the tourists see it. Great posts!
Thank you, Margaret – a little scratching the surface at least!
I don’t think I would like to have grown up in the Japanese culture, but then, I wouldn’t know any different, would I?
I agree!
I’m not really into anime but my son adores it and to get him talking, I’m dipping my toes in it. It is work in progress but I did watch Spirited Away. I loved it as much as the Japanese love their onsen. Guess that means a lot considering the whole film was set in one. 😊 I believe there is a theatre production of the same playing in London and from the trailer, it looks absolutely stunning.
♥
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