John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Lesson: You Too Can Haiku
Here's a creative lesson for students to examine various haikus, and Japanese culture, then write their own haiku poem, and illustrate it using watercolors! Provides plenty of links to more information, a thorough explanation of the...
Other
Japan Society
The Japan Society was founded in 1907 in New York City providing social, cultural, and professional activities.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Japanese Holidays and Cultural Events
This site from Massachusetts Institute of Technology gives a calendar of holidays and culture events in Japan. It gives the history of days, the meaning, and why they are celebrated.
ibiblio
Ibiblio: Web Museum: Japanese Art and Architecture
This Ibiblio.org site is a thorough description of Japanese art and architecture. There are no pictures, but the writing makes up for this in its extensive history and descriptions.
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Multicultural America: Japanese Americans
Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Japanese Americans. (Note: Content is not the most current.)
Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Web Japan: A Japanese Cookbook for Kids
This introduction--suitable for younger students--to Japanese food features a lesson in using chopsticks and surveys popular dishes among school children in Japan.
Google Cultural Institute
Google Cultural Institute: Atomic Bombing in Nagasaki Destruction of a City
Pictorial essay of the Japanese city of Nagasaki before and after the atomic bombing in August 1945.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Being in the Noh: An Introduction to Japanese Noh Plays
For this lesson plan, students will consider "Being in the Noh: An Introduction to Japanese Noh Plays." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Japan
Provides an overview of the culture of Japan. Gives basic information on topics such as geography, ethnic makeup, languages, symbolism, economy, food, customs, social stratification, family life, education, religion, politics, etc....
Other
Tokyo Food Page: Japanese Cuisine
A good introduction to Japanese food and food culture. Lots of illustrations, recipes, and articles on a range of topics, such as how Japanese rice crackers are made.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Japanese Poetry Tanka? You're Welcome
A poem "which expresses a personal response to nature," the tanka is a form of Japanese writing very similar to the haiku. This lesson plan is a great extension to any study or exploration of Japanese art, culture, and writing. Included...
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Alan G. Chalk Guides to Japanese Films
Reviews of 26 Japanese movies that each include a list of suggested reading materials, plot summary, suggested grades, and a brief lesson plan. They are organized into two groups: one for students of literature and the humanities, and...
Other
The Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture
This site contains examples of Japanese art. It is full of colorful images, and an explanation of the pieces.
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Minneapolis Institute of Arts: World Myths and Legends in Art
Fully comprehensive site that dives into world myths and world cultures. View art that expresses mythological themes from various cultures around the world and learn about cultural similarities and differences. Key words for learning,...
Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Web Japan: Japan Fact Sheet
This site actually provides a number of "fact sheets" on a range of topics related to Japan's geography, government, economy, culture, society, and sports. Read online or download handy PDF documents for classroom use. The site has...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Exploring World Cultures Through Folk Tales
Using international folklore as subject matter, lead your students in a unit to research literary forms and foreign countries. There is a printout available for instruction and assessment.
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: Garden Lesson Plans: Gyotaku: Japanese Fish Printing [Pdf]
An activity where learners learn about the koi, an important symbol in Japanese culture, and create a gyotaku fish printing. This is designed to be done in conjunction with a visit to a Japanese garden but can be easily adapted.
ArtLex
Art Lex: History of Japanese Art
A very general survey of the history of Japanese art. Click on any of the time periods to learn more specific information about each one. Includes several examples; click on the title of each work to enlarge the image and to learn more.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: The World of Haiku
A productive, technologically relevant site that provides a lesson plan on the Japanese Haiku. Complete with educational objectives and extensive student-centered lesson development.
Other
Euronet: Japanese Art and Western Influence
This Euronet offers general information about Japanese art and accompanying photos can be found here. Maneuvering around this site is an easy task.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Wide Angle: A Look at a Japanese Classroom
In a video segment, learn about education in Japan by watching Ken, a first-grader, attend school. [3:02]
University of Washington
Digital Collections: Society and Culture Collection
The Social Issues Collection is an image database of the Western United States and the Pacific Northwest region. The collection covers a variety of political and social topics, from women's issues, government, labor organizations such as...
BBC
Bbc: Religions: Divinity of the Emporer
Article on Japanese culture and religion looks at the concept of divinity of the Emporer.
American Forum for Global Education
American Forum for Global Education: The Japan Project
Students will explore the many ways in which China has influenced Japanese culture and cultural borrowing has occurred.