Yokohama

Guide for dating in Yokohama helps you to meet the best girls. This dating guide gives you tips how to date Japanese women. You will learn rules where and how to flirt with local Japanese girls. We advise how to move from casual dating to the relationship and find the real love. We also tell the best dating sites in Yokohama. In this article below you will find more information where to meet and date girls in Yokohama, Japan.

Party at the town bridge club in Yokohama

Girls in Yokohama:

Looks of girls: 3.5 / 5

Attitude of girls: 3.5 / 5

Loyalty of girls: 3 / 5

Education level of girls: 4 / 5

Dating in Yokohama:

Chance of arranging dates: 2 / 5

Casual dating culture: 2 / 5

Online dating popularity: 2.5 / 5

Sex in Yokohama:

Women's sexual activity: 3.5 / 5

One-night stands: 2.5 / 5

More about Yokohama:

Nightlife in general: 3 / 5

Locals' English level: 2 / 5

Moving around the city: 4 / 5

Budget per day: US$XX - $XX

Accommodation: US$XX - $XX

Dating

Japan is an island country in East Asia located in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It borders the Sea of Japan to the west and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south. Japan comprises an archipelago of 6,852 islands covering 377,975 square kilometers. Tokyo is the country's capital and largest city. With a population of approximately 126,150,000, Japan is the 11th most populous country in the world, as well as one of the most densely populated and urbanized. More than 99% of the population speaks Japanese as their first language with English being introduced in schools.

Yokohama is the second-largest city in Japan by population and the most populous municipality of Japan. It is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture. It lies in Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu. It is a major commercial hub of the Greater Tokyo Area.

It is an exciting and challenging experience to date Japanese girls. While there is the usual thrill that comes with approaching a woman, some challenges abound. Japanese women tend to look at marriage as settling down instead of romantic love. Their concept of love is different and when you talk to them about it, they'd say of course they want romantic love. But in reality, they want a nice husband. They will settle for anyone responsible, nice, and committed.

Dating Culture

Whether it is customs around food or manners, Japan is famous for having a rich and unique culture. Some aspects of the dating culture in Japan could be a little tricky to understand. The practice of kokuhaku (confession of love and/or interest) often starts the Japanese dating process. This makes things simpler in a lot of ways according to Yumi Nakata of GaijinPot. With kokuhaku, you're not left wondering if someone is interested in you as a love prospect. Both men and women can be the first one to make a move, and you'll get an answer about whether your would-be object of affection is interested in you very quickly.

Sugar Dating

Sugar dating is one of the best ways to find a date in 2023. Men who are willing to buy gifts for sugar babies, will get physical or emotional pleasure for a return. Take a look of the wide selection of girls from SecretBenefits.

Online Dating

Dating in Yokohama can be a bit tricky due to not knowing if you have a solid connection, so your best bet is to sign up for a dating site before you venture to the night club or bar, so you can meet a few locals ahead of time. AdultFriendFinder.com lets you meet local members in Yokohama and get to know them on a personal basis before you meet in person. Take advantage of site features like live chat and member to member webcams so you can begin flirting before arranging a face-to-face meeting.

Webcam Dating

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Women

With the cosmopolitan population of Yokohama, hooking up is a bit easier as the girls in Yokohama are already familiar with other cultures which will remove the initial apprehensiveness that may accompany being approached by a stranger especially from a different country or culture. Generally, the women in Yokohama can be classified into three broad categories.

The first one is the well-educated girl whose parents were able to take them through school, college and university and so they have a more open world view. If you are looking for someone who can speak and understand English or someone ready for adventure, this is the best shot you have.

The second group is those girls who have the looks that will attract most men. Whether they are schooled or not, these girls know that that they have the looks that can make them stand out in the crowded pond and will enhance to make them even more conspicuous. This type of girl is generally into tourists. These girls will be found in the southern parts of Japan in areas such as Minami.

The third group of girls is homemakers. These are employed in the urban centers in hotels, supermarkets or other retail outlets. They are generally deprived in the looks department save for a small fraction of them. Of the three, these are the most laidback set. This has the cause and effect of them not being able to speak English. This imperatively deals a blow to your chances to hook up with one of them unless you speak the language or you can come up with a way of communicating.

Japanese Girls (age 18 - 29)

These girls are on the verge of discovering their freedom and what it brings along. Those whose parents had frowned upon such matters as consumption of alcohol will now be experimenting with it. Oftentimes, such girls are less stable as they are discovering what others went through earlier in life. On the other end are those girls whose parents were less controlling and so they went through all the thrills of life at an earlier age. Some of this thrill and adventure was even funded by their parents. Having moved out of their parents' houses, a good number of such girls will be less carefree and present themselves with some restraint as the reality of responsibility slowly dawns on them.

The women falling in this bracket most likely have a source of income and so they carry some sense of financial independence. Anyone wishing to approach such women must be ready to encounter an established lifestyle which they should be ready to adapt to as these women can afford to take themselves out and buy some things for themselves. Accordingly, the apparent or real show of affluence will not be a key factor in hooking up with them.

In terms of their physical appearance, these women have undergone puberty and so their bodies are already well-formed. They have developed fleshy hips, round firm breasts and a curvy derriere that turns heads. These features will invariably be accentuated by their choice of fashion. The clothes that will be favored at this point include tight denim trousers and shorts, skirts and low cut tops that will show a hint of cleavage. Based on the financial ability of the girl the clothes will range from designer to cheaper brands. Irrespective of this, the girls will always try to make themselves noticeable by the choice of clothes that they put on.

Japanese Women (age 30 - 45)

'The women in this age bracket are more settled in life as they are more mature, financially stable and independent. At this point, the women are done with moving from one job to another and a good number of them will have begun their own families. However, this does not mean that there are not a lot of women of this age available for hook ups.

The women are usually juggling their careers, meetings, family life, and other responsibilities. For those who are already married, hooking up with them even for a one night stand may not be very easy as Yokohama women are quite cultured and may not be open to playing infidelity games. For those not yet married, these women are a safe option for dating as their experience means that they are quite flexible and will be ready for whatever arrangement you may be seeking.

These women are already well-established and have a steady source of income and so will be able to afford expensive accessories. They will be dressed slightly more presentable than their younger counterparts as their age and growth bring along more responsibilities in their workplace hence a need to uphold proper appearance. However, like any other rule, the exception to this is that there will always be the few women who will still be thrilled in dressing more provocatively and bit a bit more sense of adventure.

Japanese Ladies (age 45+)

Age is catching up with most women and their feature will be slowly losing shape. The breasts and bum will no longer be as supple as when they were younger. However, some of the women here can afford the most luxurious beauty enhancement products that they will use to slow the deteriorating brought by age.

Most women in Yokohama who are aged above 45 years come from conservative backgrounds, having grown up before the proliferation of Western culture. Some of these women grew up in the village and so they still possess some level of traditionalism. Due to their maturity and upbringing, these women are hesitant to hook up with the young tourists who throng Yokohama. They are also guarded in their conduct especially in public places. This is due to the strong conservative culture of the Japanese people who would not be amused by any perceived dalliance between these women and younger tourists.

Foreign Girls (tourists, expats, students, etc.)

A big group of foreign girls in the city of Yokohama are tourists. Situated only 30 minutes away from the capital Tokyo, many visitors visit or pass by Yokohama on their way to and from the southern part of the country. Another group of foreign girls in the city are students in the colleges and universities in Yokohama. These institutions are famous for their quality studies and attract students from all over the world.

Sex

Despite the general conservativeness, there still exist opportunities for one to enjoy sex with Japanese girls. The influx of foreigners in Yokohama and other cities have had the effect of changing the local girls and opening them up to such things as casual sex and short term relationships. It is with this understanding and knowledge that one should be careful when approaching girls in Yokohama to bed them as they will require a very careful approach. However, like all the good things in life, the sex that will come at the end of the day will be worth the wait.

Sex Culture

In Japan, sex is considered a natural urge and while it may be frowned upon at the overt front, this is fast changing. This collision between the traditional way of life and modernism has led to the emergence of unique sex culture. It is a widely known fact that Japanese men frequent brothels where they procure the services of underage girls for their pleasure. Many rich men also have mistresses who offer an alternative bed to them when they want to get a different experience from the one offered by their wives. On the other hand, many young liberal personalities have been condemned for being obscene in their act.

One-Night Stands

Many young Japanese are hooking up and having sex only to go their separate ways in the morning. This has been also greatly influenced by the great number of foreigners who come into the country for different reasons. These foreign women are seldom looking for long term relationships but will be content with one-night stands.

Best Places to Meet Single Girls

Towards the end of the isolation period, Yokohama was one of the first Japanese cities to be opened up to foreign trade. Over time, Yokohama grew from a tiny fishing village to be a major city with a population of more than 3 million. From its early contacts with foreigners, the port city has remained to be popular with many foreigners such as tourists and expatriates.

Bars, Pubs and Nightclubs

Thrash Zone: Stacked Marshall amps and a hardcore soundtrack set the scene at this L-shaped dive that pours its range of 'extreme' beers (full body and high alcohol) with names like Morbid Red and Speed Kills. A newer branch near Yokohama Stadium also serves food.

Grassroots: Gigs, live art shows, DJ events and pop-up vintage shops are held in this psychedelically decorated basement space a short walk north of Yokohama Station. The cool staffs are tuned in to what's on around town. It also serves tasty pub meals.

Motion Blue: One of the most enticing and enthralling places to be in Yokohama. Motion Blue Yokohama is a restaurant that has all for the visitors. The Jazz and Arts Performance in the restaurant is famous in all over Japan. But it is not only about Jazz Music, but the cuisine and the interior of the restaurant can also equally fascinate the visitors and make a mark on their mind.

Sky Café: Dreams dine at a sky height and enjoying a panoramic view can be as romantic and dramatic, one can think of. Well, the Sky Café in Yokohama gives the same pleasure. The 69th floor of the Landmark Tower has windows facing couple of seats.

Seamen’s Club: The illuminated port city comes to life at night and the Seamen's Club adds some spice to it. It is best for the cocktails with a reasonably fair price range. The blue light makes wonderful contrast and the night view of the Yokohama Bay Bridge makes it even more beautiful. One can even give a shot of the billiards in the club.

Noge Tabemono Yokocho: For a true Japanese experience, we can't recommend the Noge Alley enough. It is one of those rare places which have not changed much for decades so you find lots of traditional style bars that are very cheap and crowded with locals. It is located along a river, so you can enter the stores either by going up on the 2nd floor overlooking the river or by entering them on the street level. The izakaya taverns of that alley are very small, and most of them are of the Tachi-nomi style (drinking while standing).

The Bridge Yokohama Club: For people who are interested in hip-hop music, The Bridge Yokohama would be a good choice to spend the night. The club is popular with Yokohama's youth and there are often special events featuring live hip-hop performers. This is one of the most popular clubs in the city overall.

The Hub: A famous British bar conveniently located next to the main train station. It offers a great selection of spirits, beers, wines and cocktails. The Hub is a terrific place for parties, sports events and anniversary celebrations, and it is a great place to experience genuine British culture in the Japanese city.

Laser Rush: Tucked away in the heart of Motomachi, Laser Rush is a family-run bar that promises a fun evening. The establishment is tastefully decorated with a combination of Scottish and Japanese elements, a testament to the background of the family. Here you’ll be able to enjoy excellent Japanese and Western dishes, but what people really come here for is the beer.

[https://www.facebook.com/BarStardustOfficial/ Stardust: A visit to Stardust is like a trip to the 60s. Stardust might be one of the last bars in all of Japan that still has a functioning jukebox, which allows patrons to enjoy music that keeps playing as long as people keep feeding it. The business has been in operation for over forty years and never fails to impress its clientele, old or new.

Downbeat: Downbeat has been in operation for over 40 years. Lovers of jazz music will enjoy their time at this relaxed bar with its lounge-style chairs and low tables. Downbeat boasts a record collection of over 3000 LPs which provide the majority of the music that is played in the bar. Patrons can also look forward to the live music sessions held once a month.

Shopping Malls

Some of the malls in Yokohama include:

Queen’s Square
Marine & Walk
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
Aurora City
Bay Quarter
Landmark Plaza
Yokohama Porta
Mosaic Mall

Queen’s Square

Outdoors

Akarenga Sōkō: This pair of century-old red-brick warehouses by the bay is home to dozens of stores selling quirky gifts, handmade wares and boutique clothing and accessories. Warehouse 2 (the longer one) has the most going on, including varied dining and third-floor balcony bars with harbor views.

Landmark Tower: Yokohama's skyline might not be as crowded as Tokyo's, but the Landmark Tower soars above its neighbors. Looming 296 meters above three Queen’s Towers next door and one mile south of Yokohama’s mind-bogglingly busy train station, this skyscraper was Japan’s tallest building until 2014 and still holds the silver medal spot. Ascend to the Sky Garden observation deck on the 69th floor for 360-degree vistas of the city, and even as far as Mount Fuji on a clear day.

Sankei-en: This beautifully landscaped garden was established by a wealthy silk trader, Sankei Hara, and opened to the public in 1906. Paths winding between ponds lead to 17th-century buildings, several fine tea-ceremony houses and a 500-year-old, three-story pagoda. A highlight is exploring inside the old Yanohara Family Residence in the Outer Garden, a time-warp Edo period abode transplanted from Gifu Prefecture in the 1960s to save it from being submerged by a dam.

Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum: Nine ramen restaurants from around Japan were hand-picked to sell their wares in this theme-park-style replica of a 1958 shitamachi (downtown district) that's lit to feel like perpetual, festive night-time. It's a short walk from Shin-Yokohama station – ask for directions at the station's information center. All of the restaurants offer 'mini' sizes so you can sample a few. Exhibits go into fine detail about the dish reckoned to be first created in Asakusa, Tokyo in 1910.

Hara Model Railway Museum: Hara Nobutaro (1919–2014) was Japan's pre-eminent trainspotter, taking the pastime to a typically Japanese level of obsessiveness as this superb personal collection of model trains and other railway-associated memorabilia shows. Even if you don't care much for trains, the model railway – a mammoth gauge-one diorama of moving locomotives where you can act as a train driver – is a delight.

Yamashita Park- When the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 reduced many buildings to rubble, Yokohama reclaimed this patch of the waterfront as Yamashita Park. Wander through the garden beds and bayside promenade to reach Hikawa Maru – a luxurious ocean liner that ferried precious cargo like Charlie Chaplin and the Japanese imperial family to Seattle and Vancouver between 1930 and 1960 before permanently docking here as a museum – then continue to Osanbashi Pier, the cruise ship terminal whose wooden boardwalk contorts like the waves. Hop on a night cruise to see the city lights shimmer off the water after dark – the bay is the best vantage point for views of the Yokohama skyline.

Sankei-en garden

Universities and Colleges

Some of the universities and colleges found in the country include:

Yokohama City University
Yokohama National University
Kanagawa University
Kanto Gakuin University
Tokyo College of Photography
Nippon Sport Science University Yokohama Kenshidai Campus
Ferris University, Ryokuen Campus
Yokohama College of Commerce
Institute of Information Security

Yokohama City University

Relationship

When Japanese couples start going out, in a lot of cases, the relationship is proceeded by what's called a "confession". This is where one partner tells the other their feelings and asks to date them. This is the point where the relationship begins. In Japan, if you don't properly confess and recognize each other's mutual feelings, you may not know when your relationship as a couple began.

Japanese people tend to value privacy, and avoiding PDA helps protect the personal connection that comes with being a couple. The second reason is that people may be seen as lacking in the public moral sense, and some people may even feel that PDA would make the people around them uncomfortable. This is why Japanese couples avoid public displays of affection. Japanese people tend to be shy, and don't come right out with things like "I love you" as freely as people might in the West. Typically, people understand that their partner knows how they feel, even if they don't say it out loud.

Holiday Romance

Holiday romance is described as the kind of romantic relationship that develops when one is a vacation. This can occur when it is either one partner or both who are on holiday. The good part about holiday romance is that you have all the time to spend with your partner. Our normal days are characterized by a delicate balance between work, family, social events and many other engagements which may deny us the opportunity to get romantically involved with someone. The holidays also have a way of making people loosen up making it easier for you to hook up with someone.

Tips for Successful Relationship

We all want to have healthy relationships, but most of us were never really taught about what that means. The key is being communicative and proactive.

As the months and years roll on, we tend to slink into our proverbial sweatpants and get lazy in our relationship. We lose our patience, gentleness, thoughtfulness, understanding, and the general effort we once made toward our mate. Think back to the first year of your relationship and write down all the things you used to do for your partner then start doing them again.

Over time, we assume that our partner knows us so well that we don't need to ask for what we want. What happens when we make this assumption? Expectations are set, and just as quickly, they get deflated. Those unmet expectations can leave us questioning the viability of our partnership and connection. Keep in mind that "asking for what you want" extends to everything from emotional to sexual wants.

Create a weekly ritual to check in with each other. This can be short or long, but it begins by asking each other what worked and didn't work about the previous week and what can be done to improve things this coming week. Additionally, use this opportunity to get on the same page with your schedules, plan a date night, and talk about what you would like to see happen in the coming days, weeks, and months in your relationship.

Unless you have committed to an asexual partnership, sex and touch such as kissing, holding hands, and cuddling are vital components of a romantic relationship. How much sex a couple has is, of course, up to the particular pair of individuals, so you must discuss your ideas about it to manage any desire discrepancy.

Life and work distractions can become paramount in our minds, and that leaves little time or energy for our partner. Barring any emergencies or deadlines, we should be fully present when we are with our mate. We truly hear what they are saying (instead of pretending to listen), we leave our distractions behind, and we don't pick them up again until the sun comes up and we walk out the door.

When conflicts inevitably come up, remember to approach them thoughtfully and with a lot of kindness toward your partner and yourself. If you see the stress beginning to escalate during a conversation about a conflict, one or both of you can call a break so that cooler heads can prevail.

In most disagreements, we communicate from the obvious emotions such as anger, annoyance, and the like. Leading from this place can create confusion and defensiveness, and it can ultimately distract from the real issue. Start communicating from the bottom layer which is the feelings that are driving your reactions, such as disappointment, rejection, loneliness, or disrespect.

Love

Love is often described as the most mysterious phenomenon. One can never be sure of where and when they will find it and it is hard to plan for it. It is a common occurrence for two people who are complete strangers to move from that to being lovers in an instant. In a city as amorphous as Yokohama, you can find yourself with anyone. You just need to be willing to give love a chance.

You may set out for a holiday with everything else planned out but you may be completely surprised to find yourself falling in love at the most unexpected time and place. You just need to be ready for it when it happens as what happens next will be entirely dependent on whether you are willing to be accommodative to each other’s life. At times, this may mean extending your stay in Japan or even moving with your girl back to your country!

How to Make Sure She Is the One

While everyone is looking for different traits in their life partners, there are some essential traits you should seek, from empathy to consistency. These traits help you both to understand and love each other.

A healthy, stable relationship focuses on giving rather than taking. Seeing your significant other happy should make you just as happy, and she should treat you in the same way. Your joy should be her joy, too—it can be as simple as asking about your day or looking after you when you are sick. As time passes, the excitement at the beginning of the relationship will pass, but you should both be just as focused on giving each other happiness.

If you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you must find that person intellectually challenging. Looks are fleeting but personality is forever—your conversations together should be interesting, insightful and full of depth. Your partner should be able to challenge your opinions, opening up your mind to new ideas and concepts.

An ideal wife is someone who will do good things, not just because other men's wives do them too, but because they are the right things to do. She surpasses other women, not because she competes with them, but because she competes with herself and tries to improve every day a little bit more.

Before marrying a woman, you must be sure that she will always support you in any situation, especially in the presence of other people. If she is very considerate, then you won’t have to worry that she somehow will disgrace you. For example, a tactless woman may make a toxic comment to your relatives or may comment on your shortcomings in front of the guests. It doesn’t mean that she should always agree with you. She just has to know how to gently tell you about your problems.

In addition to supporting and encouraging you to pursue your own goals and dreams, she will have her own as well. A mature woman has a vision for her future and chases after it with voracity. A mature woman will be someone you can take on the world with. She will be your partner in crime, a teammate in your relationship, and life.

Being consistent is a valuable virtue because it lets your partner know that you are who you are. You haven't sent your "representative" to get to know them during the first couple of months of dating, but then suddenly transform once they've committed themselves to you. Consistency is the opposite of volatility. If someone is unpredictable and volatile, it’s difficult to know how they will be acting towards you on a certain day, and that gets old no matter how aesthetically pleasing she is.

Marriage

Marriage is an important institution in Japan, and births occurring outside of wedlock represent only 2% of the Japanese population. So marriage is popular or at least rooted in morals.

To get married in Japan men must be at least 18 years old and women 16 years old. However, surveys show that marriage now occurs on average at age 30 in men, and age 29 in women. This age has risen significantly in recent decades. Marriage in Japan is a legal and social institution at the center of the household. Couples are legally married once they have made the change in status on their family registration sheets, without the need for a ceremony. Most weddings are held either according to Shinto traditions or in chapels according to Christian marriage traditions.

You don’t need to be a Japanese citizen or resident to get married in Japan. As long as you’re able to get married in your country of origin, you can be married in Japan. Marriage in Japan can be expeditious - couples can be married on the same day that they apply for a marriage license.

All couples planning to wed must submit the following:

• An application for registration of marriage (called a konin todoke)

• A birth certificate

• A passport

• An affidavit of competency to marry

Every civil office has slightly different requirements, so you should contact the local Japanese office where you'll be married for any additional paperwork.

Japanese law requires all foreigners who marry in Japan to prepare an Affidavit of Competency to Marry, affirming they're legally free to marry, from their own country's embassy or consulate in Japan. The embassy will typically charge a fee for the affidavit and require proof of the dissolution of any prior marriages. In general, this should be conducted within two months of the marriage registration date. It's best to get in contact with your local embassy for any other specific requirements.

Japanese citizens will also require a certified copy of their family register that's been issued no more than a month before marriage registration. For foreign nationals, all submitted documentation must be translated into Japanese.

The marriage registration must be filed at the local government office closest to the legal residence of the Japanese citizen getting married. If both parties are non-citizens, the local office should be the closest to where you are to be married. To officially register, the application must be signed by both partners and two additional witnesses. The witnesses can be from any nationality but must be at least 20-years-old.

Wedding

Despite the many western influences on Japan, the Japanese wedding has maintained most of the Japanese traditions. There are a few aspects borrowed from western customs, but they have not replaced original Japanese traditions.

A Japanese wedding is an all-day event. It usually begins with the traditional ceremony held at a shrine. A Shinto priest will perform the wedding ceremony. Sometimes, Japanese couples are married in a Christian church by a minister or priest. Several couples opt for two wedding ceremonies - one Shinto and one Christian. This is not because the bride and/or groom necessarily believe in the Christian faith, but because it is fashionable. At one such Christian ceremony, the minister addressed this issue by saying he hoped some in attendance believed or would begin to believe, in the Christian faith.

At a traditional Japanese wedding, the bride and groom usually wear Japanese wedding kimono. The bride wears a white wedding kimono called "uchikake" with a white headdress. The headdress is big and bulky and is said to hide the bride's "horns" as a symbol of submission. The groom's kimono is usually black and has his family's symbol embroidered on it in white.

Only close family members and the matchmakers (nakodo) attend the wedding ceremony. The mothers of the bride and groom are often dressed in "tomesode," which are formal, black kimono embroidered with colorful designs. The men wear black suits with white ties.

A Shinto wedding ceremony starts with the priest offering prayers to the gods. The couple is purified, and the groom gives his oath to the bride. The couple partakes of "san-san-kudo." This is literally, 3 x 3 = 9. The bride and groom share three nuptial cups of sake. Each takes three sips from the small, medium, and large cups. The ceremony ends with symbolic offerings to the gods. Many couples now exchange wedding rings, which is one of the traditions borrowed from the West.

After the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom change their clothes and meet their families and matchmakers for a celebratory meal. The groom wears a suit and tie, and the bride changes her hair, make-up, and kimono. This second kimono is brightly colored. The place and small meal are usually traditional Japanese. Tables are arranged in a tatami room with the head table seating only the bride and groom looking over the party.

The wedding reception includes family and friends and can be quite large. There is usually a set entrance fee for the party. These fees can range anywhere from $50 to over $100. It all depends on where it is held, how many people are attending, what is being served, and other various things.

This party begins with the entrance of the bride and groom. They are now in traditional western-style wedding clothes. The groom wears a tuxedo, and the bride is in a white wedding gown. The bride's hair and make-up have changed again to go with the new dress. A wedding day is often an all-day beauty make-over for many Japanese women. Selected family members and friends approach the microphone to talk about the bride and groom. This is an organized event with a speaker schedule. Many times another entertainment is included in the schedule.

There is an intermission during the reception to allow the bride and groom to leave the room and change their clothing one more time. The groom may change his tuxedo, or maybe just his waistcoat. The bride, on the other hand, will go through an entire overhaul for the last time. It is common for a bride to wear a brightly colored gown for her last entrance.

The couple gives gifts to their wedding guests. This is an old tradition that is meant to display the family's wealth. There is no wedding registry or gift list, and guests do not bring store-bought gifts. It is a tradition to give a gift of money. There are elaborately decorated envelopes specifically designed for wedding money gifts. The amount given depends on the relationship between the guest and families.

Family Life

The Japanese feel a heightened sense of belonging and loyalty to their family as interdependence is emphasized in the collectivist society. Individuals are expected to serve their family's interests before their own and show preferential treatment to fellow family members. Furthermore, families also have a collective face in Japan. The act of a single individual impact the perception of one's family name by others.

The typical Japanese household follows the nuclear family model; however, the extended family is usually kept near and is visited often. Paternal grandparents may live with their families as they grow older, but Japan's small living spaces usually limit multigenerational household situations.

The archetypal Japanese man works 6 days a week for long hours. It was once considered inappropriate for mothers to hold jobs. While, gender equality is now embraced, with women receiving equal educational and employment opportunities, men still dominate the workforce.

Within the family, the structure is generally patriarchal. The husband/father is expected to be the breadwinner and receive the utmost respect from his family. The wife and children should facilitate his home-life needs as much as possible. Most mothers devote their time to domestic duties and raising children. They have a lot of authority in their households over their children. They make most of the decisions for their children’s future, seeking the best educational opportunities available to them.

Many Japanese parents are utterly devoted to their children’s success. They want their children to receive a good education and attend university. However, this is often expressed in a way that places heavy expectations on the child to excel to reach their parent’s aspirations – particularly in wealthier families.

In the Japanese family today, the roles of mother, father, child, and grandparent are in some ways very much like the contemporary American family. In many families, the father goes out to a job — that is, does not work at home, though of course there are many family-owned businesses where the family may be living in the same building where their place of business is. In that case, we don't necessarily see a separation between the family and the place of the man's work. However, it's probably more common for there to be such a separation, and that separation, so that the man is at a job for many long hours, creates a distinctive dynamic in family life.