TOKYO, JAPAN

When we arrived, I noticed two things:

1. The streets were so clean.

2. Matcha was featured everywhere.

JAPAN FUN FACTS:

1. There are 5 million vending machines (1 for every 24 people).

2. Over 80% of Japan is mountainous.

3. The average life expectancy is 84 years old.

4. There are about 1500 earthquakes every year.

5. Around 24 billion pairs of chopsticks are used every year.

Japanese Tea Gardens

Did you know when you approach a Japanese garden, they are built so that every step you take, you see something different? Every rock, tree, plant, lantern, structure, and moving water serves a purpose in a Japanese Garden.

Oftentimes, they will lead the guest towards a traditional tea house, where one must remove their shoes upon entering.

The Tokyo Skytree is the tallest building in all of Japan. It is also noted as the tallest tower in the world! It is reported to have cost 806 million dollars and the color white it is painted with, is named specifically “SkyTree White”, which has a blueish white tone.

How to visit a Japanese Shrine:

1. Pay your respects before entering into the front gate (bow once).

2. Purify and cleanse your hands with water (right hand first, bring the water to your lips but do not drink, then cleanse left hand).

3. Make a five yen offering upon entry.

4. Bow before the Tori before leaving.

The railways in Japan are the most punctual in the world! The trains of Japan hand out certificates for delays of more than five minutes. These documents can be used to show the reason for the delay in being late. They are also the creators of the bullet train, a train that can carry passengers between cities at speeds up to 200 mph!

The railways in Japan are the most punctual in the world!

The trains of Japan hand out certificates for delays of more than five minutes. These documents can be used to show the reason for the delay in being late. They are also the creators of the bullet train, a train that can carry passengers between cities at speeds up to 200 mph!

Bonsai Trees

Bonsai refers to miniaturized, container grown trees of Japanese tradition! Bonsai focuses on long-term shaping of one or more smaller trees in a container. Bonsai can be created from any perennial woody-stemmed tree or shrub. It can be cultivated through pot confinement with pruning. Bonsai trees are said to have originated from the Chinese practice of penjing but was introduced in the 6th century in Japan!