Hanami: cherry-blossom viewing!!
We, Japanese call cherry trees/blooms “sakura” (さくら, 桜). As you know, Japanese are particularly fond of “sakura” and have planted it throughout the country. During Cherry-blossom viewing called “hanami” (はなみ, 花見) season (from the end of March to the beginning of April in Tokyo), many people can be seen enjoying the cherry blossoms […]
Ready for Hanami? 2012
Hi guys, sorry for long time no update. Finally getting warm and we will have “Hanami” (Cherry-blossom viewing) season soon! The blossom forecast of this year is here. Tokyo are expecting the blossoms to bloom on March 30th, and full bloom on April 6th. “Sakura”(Cherry-blossom) Limited-edition beer cans […]
Tokyo Fireworks 2011 and Senko hanabi
What is a fun in summer, in Japan? One is “Fireworks”! We call them “Hanabi” (はなび, 花火). They color the night sky beautifully. Fireworks displays and events are held at many places in Japan. This summer, some fireworks have been canceled or postponed in consideration of the hardship of the Tohoku Earthquake […]
Teru Teru bozu: an amulet for bring good weather
We have an amulet for bring good weather and to stop or prevent a rainy day. We call it “Teru Teru bozu” (てるてるぼうず, てるてる坊主) in Japanese. “Teru” is a Japanese verb which describes sunshine, and a “bozu” is a Buddhist monk or “bald-headed”. It’s said that at first Farmer started making this amulets, […]
Plastic umbrellas & plastic bags for umbrellas!
The rainy season, known as Tsuyu(つゆ, 梅雨) in Japan, has begun in Tokyo. Not every day, but we have many rainy days for about 1 month. An umbrella is “Kasa” (かさ, 傘) in Japanese. Today’s topic is this “Kasa” ! I think Japanese people hate getting wet more than other nationalities. People bring umbrellas […]
Sakura: full blooming and after photos
The blooming period of cherry blossoms is short. Although the period depends on the weather, normally, it takes 1 week from starting blooming to full bloom. And then, cherry blossoms are gone in a week. I took some photos of full blooming and 10 days later :) […]
Sakura 2011 report vol.1: Start blooming in Tokyo
Finally “Sakura”, cherry flowers start blooming in Tokyo! They began blooming 5 days later than in last year. And this weekend is the best for “Cherry-blossom viewing” :) I took these photo at “Meguro” riverside near Osaki station. I’ll upload photos as much as possible. if you are not japan, enjoy […]
Taste Spring! vol.1: Nanohana
Spring is coming soon in Tokyo. We are looking forward to Cherry and other many blossoms :) “Field mustard” called “Nanohana” (なのはな, 菜の花) is one of major spring flowers in Japan. We rarely see “Field mustard” fields in the city, but we can enjoy beautiful yellow fields in the suburbs. And we, Japanese […]
Masks!! Hay fever in Japan!
You can see a lot people wearing masks in winter and spring, in Japan. One reason is to prevent colds or flue. The other reason is “Hay fever“, allergy to pollens. (Kafun-sho, かふんしょう, 花粉症). Hay fever is an allergic reaction to the pollen of certain plants such as cedar and Japanese cypress. Shortly […]
Yakiimo (grilled sweet potato) truck!
“Yakiimo” (やきいも, 焼き芋) is a Japanese grilled sweet potato. “Yakiimo” are a popular winter snack in Japan. The potatos are cooked over an open flame or on stones heated by fire. They are often sold from a “Yakiimo truck”, which drives around cities playing music and a Japanese lantern written “Yakiimo” to get […]
February 3rd, Setsubun: Bean throwing
“Setsubun” (せつぶん, 節分) literally means “the day between two seasons”. Although It’s not a public holiday, it’s one of annual events in Japan and “Bean throwing”, called “mame-maki” (まめまき, 豆まき), is done at home on the day of “Setsubun” (the 3rd or sometimes 4th of February) between winter and spring according to the lunisolar calendar. […]
Setagaya Boro-ichi: the oldest flea market in Tokyo
“Setagaya Boro-ichi” (せたがやぼろいち) takes place in Setagaya on 15th, 16th December and 15th, 16th January every year. This market has taken place since 16th century and the oldest flea market in Tokyo. This area “Setagaya” was one of thriving area as a post station of a road between Kamakura and Edo (Tokyo). People […]
Kotatsu: a unique electronic heater in Japan
Do you know “Kotatsu” (こたつ, 炬燵)? “Kotatsu” is a unique electronic heater in Japan. It’s a low table with an electric heater attached to the underside. Japanese place it on a quilted mat and cover it with a blanket or quilt to keep the heat in. They then put a square board on […]
Osechi: traditional new-year dishes in Japan
Most Japanese people enjoy special new-year dishes called “Osechi” during the first three days of January. “Osechi” includes a lot of food that can be kept for a long time. This means people can also relax a little during the holiday. Although there are some regional differences in the contents of osechi, most of […]
New Year’s Decorations in Japan
Many Japanese have decorations for new years. 1. Kadomatu (かどまつ, 門松) “Kadomatsu” are a pair of pine decorations which are placed in front of the gates of houses and buildings from January 1st to the 7th. “Kadomatsu” usually consist of three bamboo poles of different lengths which are cut diagonally. Pine tree branches and sprays […]
New year Sale & lucky bags in Japan!
If you are a shopping lover, don’t miss “New year sale” in japan. Almost of all department stores and shopping malls start it from 2nd or 3rd of the the new year. Sale 20-50% off! Great chance for shopping!! But if you hate “crowded”, I recommend not to go to sales on […]
Hatsumode; New Year’s visit to a shrine
Happy New Year! Hope this year is going to be a great year for you! In Japan, we have a custom called “Hatsumode” (はつもうで, 初詣). “Hatsumode” means New Year’s visits to shrines (recently visiting temples also is ok) and many people visit shrines to pray for happiness and a healthy year. Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, […]
Illuminated Tokyo City
Streets in Tokyo are illuminated now, during Christmas and new year. At Tokyo International Forum in Yurakucho station, A Christmas market is being held to 25th Dec. www.t-i-forum.co.jp/noel/ (Japanese) We can enjoy food, beer, Christmas decorations from Strasbourg, France and see a very beautiful tree :) At […]
Things to do in December!
- Doing a big cleaning at home. Japanese people have a custom of doing a general year-end cleaning of both the inside and outside of their homes to greet the New Year. – Writing new year’s cards called “Nengajo” (年賀状, ねんがじょう). It’s like your Christmas card. We believe “Oriental Zodia” called “eto” (えと, 干支) […]
Ways to stay warm in winter
It’s getting colder in Tokyo, but we have good stuffs to stay warm in winter :) The first one is “Hokkairo” (ほっかいろ, ホッカイロ), small pouch that contains hemicals that heat up when exposed to Oxygen in the air. “Hokkairo” is not expensive (less than 100 yen per packet) and provide up to 8~24 […]
The Waka poetly garden, Rikugien: Autumn leaves Light-up
This strolling, mountain and pond-style garden was created basted on the theme of Waka poetry in the 15th year of the Genroku Period (1702) by the shogun, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi’s trusted confidante Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu. This garden is a typical example of the famous gardens of the Edo Period. In the Meiji Period, this garden became […]
Taste Autumn!: Ginnan(ぎんなん)
In Autumn, we can enjoy beautiful yellow of ginkgo trees. And we have another way to enjoy ginkgo trees! It’s….. “ginkgo nut”! We call it “Ginnan (ぎんなん, 銀杏)” We could see very smelly fruits under ginkgo trees. Ginkgo nuts are seeds of them. We could see some people picking them up […]
Autumn leaves at a Japanese garden
“Showa kinen park” is a huge park located in Tachikawa city, a suburb of Tokyo. It takes about 1 hour from Shinjuku on “JR Chuo Line” (orange line). For more detail of the information, Please check the park website. The park is good to enjoy Cycling, BBQ, Boat, Picnic, Pool in Summer… etc. […]
“Edamame” （えだまめ） is superb!!
“Edamame” (えだまめ,枝豆) is a preparation of immature soybeans, green soya bean. The best season to buy fresh “edamame” at stores is summer, from June to August. Cooking Edamame is very easy.The pods are boiled in water together with condiments such as salt, and served whole. That’s it! “Edamame” is rich in nutrients. Especially it’s said […]