Animated Pictograms

Fun and easy-to-understand presentation of historical culture and traditional customs that are uniquely Japanese.

  • VISIT TO TEMPLE / SHIRINE
  • BOWING
  • POUNDING RICE CAKE
  • HAILING A CAB / TAXI
  • TAKING A BATH
  • WATER ABLUTION
  • TEA CEREMONY
  • RHYTHMIC CLAPPING AT CELEBRATIONS
  • RIDING THE TRAIN
  • WINNING MOVES IN SUMŌ
  • AWA DANCE FESTIVAL
  • Coming Soon

About The Project

EXPERIENCE JAPAN PICTOGRAMS were developed to provide visual support for tourists in Japan.
For more information about the objectives and design concept of the project, please click here.

Request

If you would like us to create new PICTOGRAMS for you or have other requests, please contact us here.

AMAKUSA ISLANDS

天草諸島[AMAKUSA SHOTŌ]

A group of over 120 islands of various sizes off the southwest coast of Kumamoto Prefecture in Kyushu. The islands are rich in culture and natural beauty and connected to the mainland by the Five Bridges. You can enjoy dolphin watching there or visit the remnants of a once flourishing community of hidden Christians who kept their faith for over two centuries during the ban on Christianity. Sakitsu Village was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018 as part of the Hidden Christian Site in Nagasaki and Amakusa Regions. Amakusa is the birthplace of Amakusa Shiro, who led the Shimabara Rebellion of 1637 in defense of the Catholic faith. Legend has it that Amakusa Shiro hid a great amount of treasure somewhere on the islands. There is a mysterious inscription on the cross displayed outside the Santa Maria Museum, implying to some that God’s treasure is kept hidden. Whether you believe it or not is up to you.