Hello! from Japan

About Japan and music

Places in Tokyo

A great place for camping in Tokyo

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Hi! It’s been a while.
Sorry for not updating anything on this blog for such a long time!!

Since the Corona outbreak, the economic conditions in the local cities got bad and I had to change my lifestyle.
Currently, I mostly work in Tokyo but sometimes go back to Takayama − Going back and forth!

There has been a lot of bad news these days like Corona, war, such and such …, and I feel really depressed. When I feel down, I put my cell phone away in my bag (to stay away from media), and I try to find some time to spend in nature.
The other day, I camped with my friend in Okutama at the Hikawa Campsite. It is a very famous camping site (especially for beginners).
I really like this place because it is very conveniently located, and you can enjoy campfires and tent stays. If you live in Tokyo and haven’t been there yet, I recommend that you go!

Hikawa Campsite

Access（about 2 hours from Shinjuku Station)

Take the JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku Station to Tachikawa Station.
From Tachikawa Station, take the JR Ome Line to Okutama Station.
Hikawa Campground is a 5-minute walk from Okutama Station.
Advance reservation is required for use. Please check the availability on the official website and make a reservation. https://www.okutamas.co.jp/hikawa/

Charge

Camping only 1,000 yen per person per night
Tent stay: 1,500 yen per person per night
Accommodation (lodge) use from 5,000 yen per night per building

There is a hot spring facility called “Moegi no Yu” about 10-minute walk from the campsite, and the “Hikawa International Trout Fishing area” nearby. Great place for fishing, and you can also barbecue on the riverside.

There is also a convenience store and a store selling meat and vegetables near the station, so you can go to the campsite without preparing much.

Be careful of the temperature difference between daytime and nighttime. It was the middle of March when I used it, and it got so cold at night that I hardly slept at night … Me and my friend had to spend the whole day staying close to a fire until morning lol

I really think that it is important to put yourself in nature once in a while.

By the way, Family Planet Japan (a group in Takayama city)’s google site is open now. https://sites.google.com/familyplanetjapan.jp/family-planet-japan-official/

If you are in Takayama (or somehwere in Japan), please sign up for our official LINE account, “Our Planet.” You will be able to get information on our upcoming events, listen to special radio programs, and more.

You can also contact us via Line if you need any help with your life in Japan (or even by commenting on this post). We will do our best to support you.

See you soon!
Taka

こんにちは。コロナ禍に入ってから、長い間全然ブログ更新していませんでしたが久しぶりの投稿です！

コロナの影響で地方都市の経済状態が非常に悪くなったため、現在、僕は東京と高山を行き来する生活をしています。最近は戦争も起きていて本当に良いニュースがなくて気持ちも落ち込みますね、、

気分が晴れない時は、携帯電話をバッグにしまって、自然があるところに行ったりして過ごすようにしています。東京でも最近キャンプが流行っていたりして、先日は奥多摩の方に友人と氷川キャンプ場で宿泊をしてきました。超有名どころで、キャンプも初心者向けですが、焚き火やテント泊も十分楽しめておすすめです。都心に住んでいて、まだ行ったことがない人は是非行ってみてください！

氷川キャンプ場

アクセス（新宿駅から2時間くらい）
新宿駅からJR中央線で立川駅へ
立川駅からJR青梅線で奥多摩駅へ
氷川キャンプ場へは奥多摩駅から徒歩5分です。

利用には事前の予約が必要です。
公式サイトで空き状況を確認して予約をしましょう。

https://www.okutamas.co.jp/hikawa/

料金
キャンプのみ　1名1泊 1,000円
テント宿泊　1名1泊1,500円
宿泊施設利用 1棟1泊 5,000円から

キャンプ場から徒歩10分ほどの場所にもえぎの湯という温泉施設もあり、少し離れたところには氷川国際ます釣場もあり、河原で気軽にバーベキューもできるので至れり尽くせりの都会のキャンプ場という感じです。

また、駅の近くにはコンビニやお肉や野菜を売っている売店などもあるので、キャンプ場まで手ぶらで行ってOK。ただやはり山の中なので、日中と夜の寒暖差に気をつけてください！僕が利用したときは3月半ばで、夜中はめちゃくちゃ寒くなってほとんど寝ずに焚き火を朝までして過ごしました笑

たまには自然に身を置くことが本当に大切ですね。

ところで、僕が代表を務めている高山市の市民団体、Family Planet Japanの公式サイトが出来ました。https://sites.google.com/familyplanetjapan.jp/family-planet-japan-official/

外国人移住者と地域住民とのつながりと交友関係を深めるべく様々な活動をしていますので、良ければぜひご覧ください。公式Lineアカウント、Our Planet に登録していただくと今後のイベント情報や特別ラジオ番組の視聴などができるようになります。また、外国人移住者の方は生活面で困った際、Lineアカウントへメッセージを送っていただければできる限りサポートいたしますので、お気軽にご利用ください。

それではまた！
Taka

※ Please note that the translation is not exact. I’m just writing for fun!
※ブログの対訳は気分で書いてるので、厳密な文章ではありません。あしからず

Today’s words and phrases

go back and forth　行ったり来たりする（いったりきたりする）
economic conditions　経済状況（けいざいじょうきょう）
the other day　先日（せんじつ）
once in a while　時々（ときどき）
upcoming　今後の（こんごの）

Maneki-neko : The lucky cat of Japan

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招き猫/Maneki-neko is a cat doll and it is believed that it brings good luck to the owner. It gained popularity in the feng shui movement in China, but it originated in Japan. They are translated as “Lucky Cats” or “Beckoning Cats” in English. Each cat has some meanings and there are interesting legends about its origin.

Common features and meanings

Cat dolls we see these days are usually made of ceramic or plastic, but you may find them made of different materials like wood or even real gold. They are traditionally seated with one paw raised in a beckoning gesture (the Japanese beckoning gesture is done by holding up a hand with palm down, and folding the fingers down and back repeatedly). A doll with the left paw raised is to bring in more customers and the right paw raised is to get more money. If both paws are raised, a cat doll is providing protection. It is believed that the higher the paw is raised, the more luck the cat invites.

Some of them hold a Koban coin, a gold coin used in the Edo period with the amount of money written on it. 千万両/Sen-man ryo is often used, which is ten million 両/Ryo (Ryo was the monetary unit used in the Edo period. 1 Ryo was about $1,000). 

Maneki-neko cats come in different colors and the most common color is white.Some of them are battery- or solar-powered and move arms endlessly in the beckoning gesture.

Cat dolls are often placed at the entrance of shops, restaurants, and other businesses so that they can welcome good fortune from the outside.

History

Although the exact birthplace of Maneki-neko is uncertain, It is commonly believed that it originated in Tokyo, (some insist it was Kyoto). And it is most likely that Maneki-neko first appeared during the later part of the Edo period.

Among many legends about the birth of Maneki-neko, the most popular is the legend of Gotoku temple. Once upon a time in the 17th century in Tokyo, there was a monk lived in a small temple. He was very poor but he cared his pet cat, Tama, and did not forget to share meals. Then there came the feudal lord of Hikone area, Lord Naotaka. He was on his way to do some huntings, and a storm came suddenly. He found a big tree near the temple and decided to stay there for a while. He noticed Tama raising one paw as if beckoning him to the temple. He was very curious and followed Tama and went inside of the temple. It was then that a lightning bolt hit the tree where he was and started pouring down. Thanks to Tama, Lord Naotaka was safe and he didn’t even need to get wet. He became the patron of the temple and repaired it and renamed it 豪徳寺/Gotoku temple in 1697 which made the monk happy as well. When Tama died, he was buried in a special grave and a statue of Beckoning cat was made to commemorate Tama. 

Another famous legend is a story of a cat sat in front of the store beckoning customers for poor shop owners and the place became popular. Whatever the origin was, the thing in common is that a beckoning cat brings good luck to the owner.  

Gotokuji Temple

So many cat dolls are placed there!

Address: Gotokuji, Tokyo prefecture 2-24-7

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Beckoning 招く
・Material 材料、物質、教材
・Once upon a time 昔々
・On one’s way to 〜へ行く途中で
・Decide to 〜すると決める
・be buried 埋められる

Thank you for reading today’s post!
See you next time.
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

Tokyo Tower : History and Interesting facts

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About Tokyo Tower and its History

Tokyo Tower (officially called 日本電波塔/Nippon denpato, Japan Radio Tower) is an iconic tower in Minato-Ku, Shiba Park in Tokyo. It is 333m tall and it was the tallest tower in Japan until the construction of Tokyo Skytree (634m tall) in 2010. 

Tokyo Tower was built in 1958 as a large broadcasting tower and also as a monument to symbolize a global economic powerhouse.
Since the opening, over 180 million people have visited the tower.
There’s a four floor building under the tower where you can enjoy shopping, eating, and visiting museums. Guests can visit two observation decks. Main Observatory deck is at 150m and the smaller Top deck called Special Observatory reaches 249m. The night view of Tokyo Tower is especially popular with beautiful illuminations.

Interesting Facts about Tokyo Tower

  • This Eiffel Tower-like structure is painted white and vivid reddish, international orange (the color which is used to stands out to comply with air safety regulations. Golden Gate Bridge and many big buildings and towers have this color). 
     
  • Radio antennas were installed in 1961 for television broadcasting.
  • Later upon starting digital television transition, it was found that Tokyo Tower’s height was not enough to cover complete terrestrial digital broadcasting in Tokyo. So the taller tower, Tokyo Skytree was built in 2012. Tokyo Tower broadcasts analog television, digital television, radio and digital radio now. 
  • Tokyo Tower is made of steel, and most of it was taken from US tanks damaged in the Korean War.
  • A small Shinto Shrine is located on the second floor of the Main Observatory to ward off evil spirits and hope for the safety.   
  • It is estimated that it cost around 30 billion yen to build Tokyo Tower. 
  • Tokyo Tower weights about 4000t (Eiffel Tower is about 9700t) and Sky Tree is about 41.000t. Sky Tree is made extremely heavy to be able to stand still in case of an earthquake. 
  • The tower is painted every five years. It takes a year to complete the repainting. It is scheduled to be repainted in 2024.
  • There’s the Tokyo Tower Was Museum in the foot town which displays wax figures such as The Beatles imported from London.
  • Tokyo Tower’s ligting is occasionally changed. For example, Christmas tree like illumination is set during the season and just a few months ago, it turned blue to honour medical personnel fighting the coronavirus.
  • The real estate registration of Tokyo Tower says there are 2 basement floors but there’s only 1 basement floor. This is because the first/ground floor is placed on a slope which is considered as a basement floor on a paper. 

Access

Nearest station is 赤羽橋駅 Akabanebashi station 

From 新宿/Shinjuku Station
Take Toei Oedo Line for Tochomae to Akabanebashi.
It is about a 5-minute walk from the Akabanebashi Exit.

From 東京/Tokyo Station
Take JR Yamanote Line for Shinagawa to Hamamatsucho/Daimon. 
Then take Toei Oedo Line for Roppongi/Tochou-mae and get off at Akabanebashi. It is about a 5-minute walk from the Akabanebashi Exit. 

From 成田空港/Narita Airport
Take Skyliner for Keisei Ueno to Nippori.
Then taake JR Yamanote Line for Ueno to Hamamatsucho/Daimon.
Take Toei Oedo Line for Roppongi/Tochou-mae and get off at Akabanebashi. It is about a 5-minute walk from the Akabanebashi Exit. 

From 羽田空港/Haneda Airport
Take Tokyo Monorail for Hamamatsucho. Then take Toei Oedo Line for Roppongi/Tochou-mae and get off at Akabanebashi. It is about a 5-minute walk from the Akabanebashi Exit. 

Address: 4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 

Hours: 9:00am to 11:00pm (Last entry at 10:30pm)
※Currently due to the coronavirus, business hours are shorten.
Please check the detailed information here: https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/price/en.html

Price: 
・To Main Deck
Adult(19 years old and over) 1,200yen
High School (From 16 to 18 years old) 1,000yen
Jr.High, Elementary School (From 7 to 15 years old) 700yen

・To Top Deck Tour
Adult(19 years old and over)
[Online Tickets]2,800yen [Ticket counter]3,000yen

High School (From 16 to 18 years old)
[Online Tickets]2,600yen [Ticket counter]2,800yen　

Jr.High, Elementary School (From 7 to 15 years old)
[Online Tickets]1,800yen [Ticket counter]2,000yen

Children (From 4 to 6 years old)
[Online Tickets]1,200yen [Ticket counter]1,400yen

Today’s words and phrases 今日の単語/フレーズ

・Observation deck 展望台
・Iconic 象徴的な
・Broadcasting tower 電波塔
・It is estimated that… 〜と推定されている
・Construction 建設
・Reddish 赤っぽい

Thank you for reading today’s post!
See you next time.
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

5 places to visit in Shibuya, Tokyo

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Shibuya is where young people in Japan hang out and it is a must-visit place if you are coming to Tokyo.
Be prepared to be overwhelmed seeing a lot of people walking! (Just seeing that will be a unique experience for a tourist though)
Shibuya is always busy day and night, and during some kind of events like World Cup, Olympics, or New Year’s, so many people gather at the famous crossing and you can not even move a single step….

Shibuya has a lot of clothes stores, and there are some nice museums and parks as well.
It is a home of Japanese pop culture and it sure is an exciting place.
Here are some areas I recommend that you visit in Shibuya.

  1. Famous spots

    Shibuya crossing

    It is the famous crossing, the busiest intersection in the world.
    Hundreds and thousands of people cross at a time from all directions everyday.
    It is perticularly busy on weekends and at night time.
    It is pretty overwhelming watching so many people walk at a time. People living in Tokyo are so used to walking in crowds that they somehow manage to walk through without hitting each other.
    The crossing is one of the most popular spots for tourists to take pictures.
    It’s pretty cool if you are just visiting but imagine if you are working and living there and have to walk in crowds everyday and night… it’s pretty crazy and stressful. Even I, as a guy grew up in Tokyo, feel really uncomfortable being there for too long!
    You can have a good view of the crossing from the Starbacks coffee and Shibuya station.

    Hachi kou Statue

    There’s a small statue of a dog named “Hachikou” near the crossing.
    He was very loyal to his owner, Hidesaburou Ueno, who was a professor.
    Hachi kou used to greet Ueno every time he goes to work and wait for him to come back at Shibuya station.
    One day during a lecture, Ueno passed away because of a cerebral hemorrhage and did not return to the station.
    Hachi kou waited for his owner to come for over 9 years at Shibuya station, until he was found dead on the street due to the terminal cancer and dirofilaria immitis.
    The dog’s loyalty was highly praised and the statue was made near Shibuya station later on as a great example of fidelity and faithfulness.

    People still respect and adore Hachi Kou by giving the statue coats in the winter and offering some food or drinks.
    Hachi kou Statue is a popular meeting spot as well.

  2. Fashion

    Shibuya 109

    It has been a landmark in Shibuya especially for young girls since it’s opening in 1979.
    All floors are filled with latest fashion brands and you can find the trendy casual clothes just shopping inside of the building.
    As products there are aimed for young people, they are relatively low priced.
    If you are into Japanese pop culture, this place is a really good one to check.
    (Open from 10:00 to 21:00 everyday)

    Shibuya cat street

    Off the main street of Harajuku, there’s a fashion street called Shibuya cat street.
    It connects Shibuya and Harajuku, and there are various clothes stores as well as stylish cafes like The Roasters by Noze Coffee, Gongcha, Number Sugar and more.
    Unlike other fashion areas in Tokyo, this street has some male fashion, and it is a popular shopping street for fashionable young couples.
    I would say it it relatively a short fashion street compared to other streets of the kind in Tokyo, but it is very cozy and you can enjoy drinking/eating plus finding cool clothes.

  3. Parks

    Yoyogi Park

    It is one of the biggest parks in Tokyo and there are always a lot of young people (and sometimes you see street performers) .
    The park has a lot of Sakura trees, and it is a very popular place especially during Spring.
    Very good place to relax reading books, or exercise jogging.

    Meiji Jingu

    There’s another big park area called Meiji Jingu which is a shrine build in 1920, dedicated to the sprits of Emperor Meiji and the consort, Empress Shoken.
    There are a lot of beautiful trees inside and if you go inside, you will feel that a small forest suddenly appeared in front of you in Tokyo.
    There’s a inner garden(it requires an entrance fee of 500yen), and this shrine is packed especially during New years with people coming to pray for good luck for the new year.
    To get there, it is the best to go from Harajuku or Meiji-Jingu-Mae station.<

  4. Museums

    Bunkamura

    Bunkamura has been one of the largest cultural hubs in Tokyo since its opening in 1989.
    It has not only a museum but also a theater, concert hall, and some shops and restaurants.
    About 3 million people visit the place every year and it is a good place to check some contemporary art works.
    (Open from 10:00 to 22:30 everyday)

    Ota Memorial Museum of Art

    It has a wide collection of Ukyo-e by Ota Seizo V.
    There are about 12,000 pieces of art works and is a great place to learn about Japanese visual arts.
    It is quite inspiring to see different art works from different times.
    Highly recommended for artists and for people who like manga or Japanese paintings.
    (Open from 10:30 to 17:30 everyday)

    Toguri museum of art

    It is a museum near Bunkamura, which has more than 7,000 pieces of Japanese(as well as Chinese and Korean) ceramics from Edo-era.
    It is amazing to see the detailed drawings on potteries.
    The colors and designs on them are very unique and inspiring.
    (Open from 10:00 to 17:00, 10:00 to 20:00 on Friday)

  5. Night life

    Dougenzaka

    It is a street where a a lot of bars and restaurants stand.
    There are also many night clubs as well as love hotels.
    It is a good area to hang out at night and enjoy drinking till sun rises.
    Many places in Tokyo are very clean, but this area is always crowded and messy.
    It is not recommended for anyone wants a peaceful night, but if you want the lively, party-hard atmosphere of Tokyo, Dogenzaka is the place to go!

    Center Gai

    It is a short street in the middle of Shibuya.
    It is one of the most popular places for young people to hang out all night. If you go there, you will see at least a few people walking drunkenly.
    Many fast-food restaurants there are open 24 hours and the street is always busy and bright.
    Many fashionable young people often take the street, and it is a popular place to take pictures for tourists nowadays.

    Ebisu Garden Place

    If you like Japanese beer, you should visit Ebisu(or written as Yetisu) Garden Place at Ebisu station in Shibuya-ward.
    There is the museum of Ebisu beer where you get to taste the fresh beer and learn about the history of the beer brewery.
    It also has a lot of fine restaurants. The area is much more calm than places around Shibuya crossing, so if you would like to enjoy your visit with less noise, it is a good place to visit.
    (Open from 11:00 to 20:00 everyday)

Access

From Tokyo Station

Take JR Yamanote line Bound for Shinagawa, Shibuya
(Time: About 23 min  Price:200yen)

Where do young people hang out in your country?

Taka

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

See you next time!

4 places to check in Otaku’s paradise, Akihabara

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For Anime and manga lovers and computer geeks(We call them Otaku in Japanese),Akihabara is like a heaven.
The area is full of Japanese electronics, anime, and manga products.
I grew up in Tokyo but even now I still feel that I’m on a different planet in Akihabara area. It is that unique!
The lively music and lightings never stop all day, all night.
Tall buildings with colorful ads of so many anime characters welcome you right after exiting the station.
You can’t really see/experience everything there within a few days but here are 4 major place that you don’t want to miss in the area!

1.Maid Café (and other uniqueCafés)

Akihabara has many interesting (and very weird if you do not anything about our culture!) cafes that will surely make your visit memorable.Among them, maid café(a cosplay restaurant) is widely known even to a lot of foreigners.At the café, maid girls act as servants and serve customers as masters.Food and beverages are decorated with cute designs on the table.You will see some young girls dressed up and handing out coupons/flyers of their café on many streets of Akihabara.Note that they are just entertainers and maid cafe is not a place to hook up.Also, in most maid cafes, taking pictures of maids or interior is forbidden.Please pay respect to maids there.

Maidreamin
Hours: 11:30 to 23:00(Mon to Fri)
10:30 to 23:00(Sat, Sun, and holiday)

@home Café
Hours: 11:00 to 22:00

Gundam café is another popular café in the area.Gundam(giant robot, or mobile suit) is one of the most popular Si-Fi anime in Japan.Gundam café is an anime café for giant robot fans, and the interior and the design of menu are based on the characters/robots of the anime. Even if you don’t know about the anime, it is a good place to visit to enjoy the atmosphere.

Gundam Café
Hours: 10:00 to 22:30

There’s also AKB48 café. If you like Japanese idols, it is a nice café to stop by.
Though taking pictures is not allowed inside, you can enjoy colorful items and sweets. Stationery and other items are on sale as souvenirs.

AKB48 cafe
Hours:10:00 to 22:00 (Sun to Thu)
10:00 to 23:00 (Fri and Sat)

2.Anime Markets

dragon ball

There are a lot of anime shops in Akihabara as well as figure shops, video game stores, and arcade centers. In fact, it is so full of them that I can’t even tell how many there are…!You can find your favorite anime character goods and costumes for cosplay by just walking around, but here are some of the most popular places.

Animate Akihabara
Open: 10:00 to 21:00

K-BOOKS
Open: 11:00 to 20:00

Tokyo Anime Center in DNP plaza
Open: 11:00 to 20:00 (Closed on Tue)

3.Electronics stores

Akihabara has varieties of electronics stores from a big store like Yodobashi Camera(it has as 9 floors and each floor has full of latest gadgets, it is near the station) to small shops that sell niche products for computers.It is very easy to find good electronics there, and I would say there’s nothing you can’t find to build or customize your computers.Do you need a different type of LED light? They have it.Are you looking for a crazy colored buttons for a controller? They have it.Here are most visited electronics areas

Denkigai (Electric town)

Yodobashi camera
Hours: 9:30 to 22:00

4.Kanda Myojin shrine

It is a shrine located about 5 min walk away from Akihabara.Even a traditional shrine like this one has Otaku influence inside.You can buy good luck charm(Omamori) for IT workers.Most Omamoris that you can get at a shrine are made to protect the holder from having bad lucks, but this one is believed to protect the holder’s computer from virus attacks.You will also find a lot of anime/video game characters on Emas, wooden plates where people normally write wishes. It is also a popular spot as a place that was featured in the anime called “Love Live!”

Kanda Myojin shrine
（Open 24 hours）

If you like anime, manga, or electronics, Akihabara is a must-visit place.
Even if you are not too crazy about those things, you can still enjoy watching Otaku guys and cosplay girls in the area.
I remember going to a maid café with the bass player of my band a long time ago.
It was quite an interesting experience to be said “Welcome home, master!” and watch them dance and sing. My country really is a strange island!

Access

From Shibuya:Take JR Yamanote Line Bound for Shinagawa, Tokyo
(Time:28min Price:200yen)

From Tokyo: Take JR Yamanote Line Bound for Ueno, Ikebukuro
(Time:5min Price:140yen)

Where’s a strange/interesting spot in your country?
Send me a comment!
Taka

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

Modern side of Japan: 3 ares to visit in Roppongi, Tokyo

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Let me introduce Roppongi, where I used to live.It is one of the busiest business districts in Japan.I lived in Nogizaka area near the National Art Center.Back then, I had three kinds of jobs: English teacher, Web marketer, and Composer. I worked day and night till I pass out!Roppongi is known for nightlife and cosmopolitan atmosphere.People there never sleep and make a lot of money and party everyday.There are a lot of stores for fine clothes, so if you would like to enjoy shopping in the modern area, it is a great place to go. Here are 3 major areas to visit in Roppongi.

1.Tokyo Midtown and Roppongi Hills

Tokyo Midtown and Roppongi Hills are iconic towers of Roppongi.
A lot of people gather for shopping, eating, or joining events everyday.
Tokyo Midtown is a complex in the center of Roppongi area.
Inside, there are restaurants, shops, offices, museum, garden, etc. There’s one of the tallest buildings of Tokyo, Midtown Tower(248m) in the center. The Ritz Carlton Tokyo occupies the top floors.
Bars and cafes are open to anyone visiting the area.
There’s another tower called Roppongi Hills that is about 10 min walk away from Tokyo Midtown.
This place is also a nice place for shopping, and the view from the observation deck (on 52nd floor) is spectacular.
Best (yet the most expensive!) restaurants are around the tower and there is Toho Cinema Theater.
The headquarters of TV Asahi are located right next to it and they often hold events.

Tokyo Midtown (Open from 11:00 to 21:00)
Roppongi Hills(Open from 8:00 to 21:00)

2.Museums

There are a lot of museums in Roppongi. Some kind of event is usually taking place in each museum.The art works gathered in the area are very inspiring and the buildings of museums are carefully designed.Here are some of the best places that I recommend that you visit!

The National Art Center
(Open from 10:00 to 17:30. Closed on Tue)
Nezu Museum
(Open from 10:00 to 17:00. Closed on Mon)
Mori Art Museum
(Inside of Roppongi hills. Open from 10:00 to 22:00, until 17:00 on Tue)
Santory Museum of Art
(Open from 10:00 to 18:00, till 20:00 on Fri and Sat. Closed on Tue)
Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum
(Open from 10:00 to 18:00. Closed on Tue)


3.Night Clubs

If you like parties and music, Roppingi is one of the best places to go in Tokyo.
It has the best nightclubs and each of them is within walking distance. You can find the club that you like enjoying drinking and chatting.
Note that most clubs are very lively and loud.
If you want to spend a quiet night, you should go to Omotesandou area.

Maharaja (Open from 19:00 to 0:00, from 18:30 to 23:30 on Sun, from 19:00 to 5:00am on Fri and Sun)

MUSE (Open from 21:00 to 5:00am. Closed on Sun and Mon)

Esprit Tokyo (Open from 22:00 to 5:00am. Closed on Mon)

ODEON Tokyo (Sun: Midnight to 12:00, Mon: Closed, Tue and Wed: 20:00 to 8:00am, Thu: 20:00 to 10:00am, Fri: 20:00 to midnight, Sat: Midnight to 12:00 and 20:00 to Midnight)

V2 Tokyo (Open from 21:00 to 5:00am)


I personally think that a place like Roppongi is a really nice area to visit for tourist, especially for those who would like to enjoy the modern side of Japan, but it is not a great place for living.I mean, the rent is expensive (usually from around 200,000yen a month for a single room!), and it is kind of difficult to find real friends.People living there are mostly presidents or executives of Internet business related companies and they seem friendly but most of them are just thinking about making profits..It is the same for other big cities in the world I guess, but I prefer living with nature and good friends/people with less stress.Thanks to the advance of technology, we can get what we want wherever we are anyways, so!

Access

From Shibuya

Take Tokyo metro Ginza line bound for Asakusa and change train to Toei Oedo Line Bound for Roppongi at Aoyama-itchome.
(Time:11min  Price:280yen)

From Shinjuku

Take Toei Oedo Line Bound for Roppongi
(Time:9min Price:220yen)

From Tokyo station

Take Tokyo metro Marunouchi line bound for Shinjuku and change train to Tokyo metro Hibiya Line bound for Nakameguro at Kasumigaseki.
(Time:12min Price:170yen)

Do you prefer living in big cities or countryside?

Taka

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

See you next time!

3 places you should visit in my hometown, Kichijoji in Tokyo

by

This is my first post! Let me start by introducing my hometown, Kichijoji.
It is in Tokyo, and about 30 min away from Shibuya.
It is one of the most desirable places for young people in Japan because there are a beautiful park(Inokashira park), a lot of stores(especially secondhand clothes stores), and nice bars and restaurants.
It is also known for the place where artists gather.
There are a lot of concert halls and some famous manga artists/writers live in the area.
I love my hometown. Everyone there has their own style and people are energetic and creative. As a kid, I grew up playing music with my band wearing used clothes, trying to find my style. Me and my friends often spent time talking about art, films, and manga.

Although the trains are super crowded every day(Especially Inokashira line which connects Shibuya. The trains are usually packed around 8:00 and from around 18:00), Kichijoji is really worth going. Here are the areas that you don’t want to miss.

1.Inokashira Park

It is a popular spot to enjoy sakura in Spring and Autumn leaves in fall. Many people jog in the park in the morning and you often see street performers entertaining people. Inside of this large park, there’s a lake where you can rent swan pedal boats. There’s a zoo and a shrine as well(in the shrine, Benzaiten, a god of water and music is enshrined. It is open from 7:00 till 16:00). The Inokashira Park Zoo is especially popular for families. There are many kinds of birds, fishes, and other animals inside. The Zoo is open from 9:30 to 5:00, and closed on Mondays.Admission fee is 400yen for adults, 150yen for kids.

Inokashira Park(About 8 min walk away from Kichijoji Station)

2.Harmonica-Yokocho

On the north side of Kichijoji, there’s this area called Harmonica-Yokocho. Many small ,but excellent restaurants are inside.You can try different kinds of Japanese food from sushi to yakitori(skewered chicken). Most of the restaurants are open until late at night and it is a perfect place to enjoy local food and meet locals.

Harmonica-Yokocho(About 1 min walk from Kichijoji Station)

3.Secondhand stores

Kichijoji has a lot of secondhand stores.
It is really fun looking for the clothes that fit your style hopping these kinds of stores. You can find many different kinds of clothes gathered from everywhere in Tokyo. The most popular area is the street that goes to Inokashira park. Below are the places that I recommend that you take a look.

Ragtag Kichijoji (Open from 11:00 to 20:00)

Mode Off Kichijoji (Open from 11:00 to 21:00)

Besides those places above, there are many animal cafes like cat café, owl café, rabbit café, and more.

Cat Cafe Temari no Ouchi (Open from 10:00 to 21:00)
Owl Village in Kichijoji (Open from 12:00 to 18:00)
Rabbit Cafe, Cafe Mignon (Open from 11:30 to 19:00)

Kichijoji is close to the Famous Ghibli museum, which is located in Mitaka(just one station away). Come visit my hometown!

Access

  • From Mitaka Take Chuo train line bound for Nishi Funabashi.
    (Time:3 min Price: 140 yen)
  • From Shibuya Take Inokashira line bound for Kichijoji
    (Time:31 min Price: 200 yen)
  • From Shinjuku Take Chuo train line Rapid bound for Musashi Koganei
    (Time:15 min Price: 220 yen)

Where is your hometown btw?
Send me some messages!

Taka

※I’m a professional composer. My songs are available here: Skyhigh 
Or, you can click on the band camp link below to listen.

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]