(by 5 people)
Let's Learn About Japan
Have you always wanted to visit exciting and exotic places, but haven't had the time or money? Well, now you can take that trip, without ever leaving your home! Hop on board the Lilliput Express as we go adventuring in Japan. Bring along your camera; you'll want to take pictures along the way. And don't forget to pack your notebook so you can keep a journal of your experiences. We'll even give you some ideas for creating a vacation scrapbook (Some people like to call these "lapbooks.") Are you ready for an adventure? Then let's go!
Contents at a Glance
Where To Go For Info
Great Websites To Explore
- Time for Kids: Japan
- Sightseeing Guide
History
Timeline
Native Lingo
A Day in the Life
Japan Challenge
Post Cards - Japan Through Young Eyes
- Our hope is to present Japan as it appears in the eyes of young people living in Japan today.
- Travel for Kids: Japan
- Fun things to do with your kids in Japan. Lots of great info and pictures.
Mapping Lessons
Where Is Japan?
If you want to get where you are going, then you must first know where you are. So, pull out your globe and find your starting point. Mark it with your finger. Now find Japan.
The country of Japan is an archipelago made up of thousands of islands, but only six hundred of them are inhabited. It sits in the Pacific Ocean, just off the eastern coast of China. The four main islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku.
Trace the path from your home to Japan. What would it take for you to get there? Would you need to travel by boat or plane or could you drive there? How long would the trip take? Do some research to find the answers to these questions and record them in your trip journal. You might want to include a map of Japan as well.
Here are some things you could add to your map:
* label the four main islands of Japan
* draw a star to show the location of the capital city of Tokyo
* label the Pacific Ocean
* label the Sea of Japan
* draw a mountain to mark the location of Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain
* mark Hiroshima and Nagasaki
* label Lake Hachirogata, the lowest point in Japan
Then create a minibook to include in your scrapbook.
You may also want to read a version of the traditional Japanese creation myth . You could create a minibook for this as well.
The country of Japan is an archipelago made up of thousands of islands, but only six hundred of them are inhabited. It sits in the Pacific Ocean, just off the eastern coast of China. The four main islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku.
Trace the path from your home to Japan. What would it take for you to get there? Would you need to travel by boat or plane or could you drive there? How long would the trip take? Do some research to find the answers to these questions and record them in your trip journal. You might want to include a map of Japan as well.
Here are some things you could add to your map:
* label the four main islands of Japan
* draw a star to show the location of the capital city of Tokyo
* label the Pacific Ocean
* label the Sea of Japan
* draw a mountain to mark the location of Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain
* mark Hiroshima and Nagasaki
* label Lake Hachirogata, the lowest point in Japan
Then create a minibook to include in your scrapbook.
You may also want to read a version of the traditional Japanese creation myth . You could create a minibook for this as well.
Language Lessons
Nihongo o hanashimasu ka?
Japanese is the language spoken in Japan. While we are traveling, let's learn a little Japanese so we will be able to speak with the locals.
First, let's learn the Japanese numbers by making a counting book.
Next, let's learn the Japanese alphabet. Try copying some of the letters onto a page in your trip journal. When you are familiar with the Japanese characters and their sounds, try some of the other lessons on the sites listed below. Then make a minibook or two to add to your scrapbook.
First, let's learn the Japanese numbers by making a counting book.
Next, let's learn the Japanese alphabet. Try copying some of the letters onto a page in your trip journal. When you are familiar with the Japanese characters and their sounds, try some of the other lessons on the sites listed below. Then make a minibook or two to add to your scrapbook.
- Japanese Lessons
- This website provides you with the reedited versions of "Basic Japanese for You" and "Brush Up Your Japanese" that are designed for the Internet users.
- Kids Web Japan
- In this section you can take Japanese lessons and try speaking the language. You can also learn the characters used to write Japanese.
- Little Explorers Picture Dictionary
- An English - Japanese picture-dictionary for children, with links to educational activities and games. The format is an easy to use, illustrated word book.
- Learn Basic Expressions
- Select a language to hear some basic expressions
Some Books That Might Also Be Useful
Dressing For the Occasion
When in Japan, do as the Japanese?
According to our tour guide, Western clothing was introduced to Japan less than one hundred years ago, and is now the everyday dress for most Japanese people. However, modern Japanese clothing is really more of a mix between traditional and Western styles.
More Information on Traditional Japanese Clothing
- Japanese Clothing - Clothes
- Kimono site offers information about japanese clothing and kimonos.
- Kimono Encyclopedia
- Over 55 pages of kimono pictures, kimono style descriptions, kimono history, kimono fashion competitions, places to buy kimonos and articles relating to kimonos.
- Japanese Clothing
- Photos of Japanese clothing.
- Reconstructing History: Japanese Clothing Research
- Historical documentation and information on historical clothing to re-enactors and the just-plain-curious to help them learn about historical clothing and construct accurate replicas of this garb for living history demonstrations.
- Make Your Own Geta
- This page tells you how to make Japanese shoes. It isn't really a project that a child could do, but I thought it was interesting enough to include.
Some Fun Things To Add To Your Study
Learn more about Japanese clothing from these activities
Let's Eat!
It's been a long trip, and I bet you're hungry. Let's stop in at this Kaiten-zushi and get something to eat. Our tour guide informs us that Kaiten-zushi are sushi restaurants, where the sushi dishes are presented to the customers on a conveyor belt. Customers can then pick the dishes that they like or order dishes which are not available on the belt. The color of the plates tells how much each dish costs.
Sushi is popular in Japan and is the most well known Japanese dish outside of Japan. The word "sushi" means "sticky rice" and originally refered to fish which was preserved by being wrapped inside fermenting rice. It is a lot of fun to eat. You can use chopsticks or fingers.
It is also a lot of fun to make. Maybe someday you will be a sushi chef!
Sushi is popular in Japan and is the most well known Japanese dish outside of Japan. The word "sushi" means "sticky rice" and originally refered to fish which was preserved by being wrapped inside fermenting rice. It is a lot of fun to eat. You can use chopsticks or fingers.
It is also a lot of fun to make. Maybe someday you will be a sushi chef!
- Vegetarian Sushi
- easy directions- add meat if you like
- Fishless Sushi
- another one with easy directions. Again, meat can be added.
- Sushi Bug Bites
- very cute
- Mock Sushi
- Made with candy
- Twinkie Sushi Recipe
- Another recipe for those who would rather not try the real thing.
Sushi!
Kanten
6 oz. can frozen fruit juice
4 envelopes unflavored gelatine(Knox)
1 cup cold water
6 0z. package orange Jello*
1 cup sugar
4 cups boiling water
Soften unflavored gelatine in cold water. Add frozen juice. Dissolve sugar and orange Jello in boiling water, then add juice mixture. Mix well
Place in a 13"X9" pan and refrigerate. After hardened, cut into blocks and serve.
*We used to make these in other flavers too. We called them "Knox Blox."
Japanese Cuisine
more recipes
If you'd like to learn more about Japanese cuisine, you might want to try a few of the recipes from the sites listed below. Also, remember to write about Japanese food in your trip journal and add some recipes to your scrapbook as well.
- Japanese recipes
- three easy recipes
- A Japanese Cookbook for Kids
- Recipes for dishes that are popular with kids in Japan and are easy to prepare. If you want to know more about Japanese food, read the feature articles.
Write A Haiku Poem
The haiku is a short, non-rhyming poem that suggests a mood or a picture, often a season. It contains 17 syllables and usually 3 lines.
First line- setting of the poem (5 syllables)
Second line- action of the poem (7 syllables)
Third line- conclusion of the poem (5 syllables)
First line- setting of the poem (5 syllables)
Second line- action of the poem (7 syllables)
Third line- conclusion of the poem (5 syllables)
Practice the Ancient Japanese Art of Paper Folding
- Tammy Yee's Origami Page
- Easy origami and crafts for children. Learn the art of paper folding with these instructions and diagrams.
- Origami Resource Center
- Over 500 free diagrams. Includes: history of origami, Sadako's story, benefits of origami, book reviews, model databases, professional artists, books, and merchandise.
- Edible Origami
- Crane croutons for your salad.
- Origami & Math
- So exactly how do origami and math relate to each other? The connection with geometry is clear and yet multifaceted; a folded model is both a piece of art and a geometric figure.
- Origami Mountain Scene
- Hands-On Crafts For Kids
- Canon 3D Papercraft - Origami
- Use this page to download free 3D papercraft patterns. Learn about the science and culture of the world by building it yourself!
Project Ideas
more things you can do to learn about Japan
If you've enjoyed this study and would like to do some more projects, you could try some of the ones listed below. There is lots more to learn about Japan. The Lilliput Station Japan Learning Journal and Scrapbook Kit is a great tool for creating lasting memories of your studies.
- Japan Eraser Prints
- Hands-On Crafts for Kids
- Japanese Wall Hanging
- Hands-On Crafts for Kids
- Tanabata Lantern
- Hands-On Crafts for Kids
- Paper Bonsai
- Hands-On Crafts for Kids
- Explore Japanese Gardens
- Japanese gardens are designed to inspire a feeling of beauty and simplicity. You can learn about Japanese Gardens here. Then create a "bonkei"- a miniature garden on a tray. Start with a shallow dish filled with dirt or sand. Then arrange in it a combination of plants, flowers, moss, rocks, pebbles, and maybe a small mirror to give the effect of a pond. Try to keep your arrangement uncluttered.
- Japanese Entry Gate
- The Torii (Shinto gate) is a familiar symbol of Japan. This craft from Crayola.com would make a great decoration to create a "Japanese atmosphere" during your study.
- Star Festival Poetry Strips
- This colorful Japanese holiday weaves together astronomy, language arts, culture, and design. Kids can fly their poetry strips on July 7, a date that springs from an ancient Chinese legend, or any day of the year. Crayola.com is a free site, but you must register.
- Kimono Doll Bookmark
- Print, color, cut, and assemble. From Crayola.com
- Japan's Hina Matsuri Festival Doll Display Box
- In Japan March 3rd is Girls' Day, Hina Matsuri. Hina means small doll and Matsuri means festival in Japanese. It is a holiday that celebrates traditional female values. On this day, girls display their special doll collections. These miniature dolls are elaborately dressed, decorative figures. They are exhibited on red cloth in tiered boxes or on a staircase. This craft is from Crayola.com
- Canon 3D Papercraft - ARCHITECTURE MUSEUM
- Create models of several Japanese castles
- Bunraku Theatre Scene
- Pop-up
- Japanese woodcuts
- Coloring pages
Play Janken
a Japanese version of "Paper, Rock, Scissors"
First, choose a "changer," who is the player who sets the challenge for the rest. You use your hand to represent stone, paper, scissors. Stone is a closed fist. Scissors is two fingers extended. Paper is the hand held flat with the palm turned up. The changer stands in front of the group with his hand as a fist and moves it up and down three times from the elbow saying, "Jan, ken, pon." At the last "Jan, ken, pon," the changer quickly makes either stone, paper, or scissors.If he makes stone, the other players must make paper because paper covers stone. Similarly, scissors cut paper and stone sharpens scissors. The person who twice makes the correct sign the quickest becomes the next changer.
If you liked this game, you may want to try some more games that Japanese children play.
Tour Japan Through Literature
Stories From or About Japan
- The Japanese Twins
- by Lucy Fitch Perkins
- Japan-in-America: Books for Children
- Story of Little Metzu: The Japanese Boy
Little People of Japan: A Story of Japanese Child-Life
History of Japan: In Words of One Syllable
Our Little Japanese Cousin
Japanese Fairy Tales - A Boy Of Old Japan
- by Robert Van Bergen
- The Story of Japan
- by Robert Van Bergen
- Child Life In Japan
- by William E. Griffis
- Fairy Tales of Old Japan
- by William E. Griffis
- Historical Tales: 12-Japanese and Chinese
- by Charles Morris
- Japan: Peeps at History
- by John Finnemore
Resources Available From the HomeschoolEstore
digital downloads to enhance your study
- Ancient Japan Thematic Unit
- Lesson plans and cross-curricular activities based on the following pieces of literature: Exploration into Japan, The Samurai's Tale, and The Sign of the Chrysanthemum. This reproducible resource is filled with ready-to-use lessons and cross-curricular activities.
- Exploring Cultures Through Art: China and Japan
- Twenty-five beautiful art projects and related activities that enhance your study of these cultures.
- Ancient China, Japan & India History Notebooking Pages
- This set of 93 notebooking pages covers a variety of topics pertaining to the ancient Far East and India cultures.
- A Fragrant Journey to Japan
- This Enrichment4You e-guide takes you on a fascinating journey to ancient Japan with an overview of the role scent has played in Japanese culture, art and history. In this e-guide you will read a brief overview of how fragrance has played an important role in Japanese culture and the history behind Japanese scent games. Includes a step-by-step presentation with photographs on how to reproduce a Japanese Inspired Fragrance Game Set. Your finished Fragrance Game Set incorporate artistic elements from traditional Japanese designs.
Additional Resources
- Water Colors of Japanese Businesses
- Great images to add to your learning journal or scrapbook.
Send Me A Postcard
write me a few lines telling about your trip
Hi! Please let me know what you think about this lens. And if you appreciate the work I've put into creating it, please take a few minutes to scroll back to the top and give me some stars. Thanks!
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Joan4
very very educational! Thank you! my sister is going to Japan soon. This is great information for grown-ups, too! Posted August 30, 2008 |
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gods_grace_notes
Nice...very nice! I love origami, I'm just not very good at it! I love all of the creative ideas you have provided. Thanks for helping to make learning a great adventure! Posted April 12, 2008 |
