ひだのたか

12 amazing places you should visit in Hokkaido

2019-07-17 by Taka Leave a Comment

It seems that the rainy season this year is going to last longer than usual in Japan.
As the temperature is going high, I already started missing the cool weather.
So, this time I wrote about Hokkaido, which is the Japan’s northernmost area and it is one of the best destinations during hot summer time.
Hokkaido is known for its tremendous land with great nature, landscape, and food culture.
22% Japanese land belong to Hokkaido and many parts of it are unspoiled.
Hokkaido attracts many outdoor lovers from all over the world like hikers, campers, and cyclists in summer, skiers and snowboarders in winter.

Here are 12 places you should visit in Hokkaido with info about food culture there.

1.Sapporo

It is the capital city of Hokkaido and there are about 2 million people there.
Combining both Japanese and foreign cultures, this place has unique atmosphere.
Many foreign cultures were introduced to this area during the Meiji Restoration period, when Japanese people started learning from overseas.

Sapporo Clock Tower, which was build it 1869, is a historical and cultural symbol of Sapporo.
This place was originally used as the first institution for Agricultural Studies in Japan, and students conducted their military training and physical education here. It is now a museum of history and the iconic tower of Sapporo. The bell rings every hour and tells the time to the city.

Beer is a popular product in Sapporo. Sapporo beer, which is the oldest Japanese beer brand is popular all over the areas in Japan. You can find Sapporo beer easily (the one with a Star label on) at any convenience stores or supermarkets. The technique of beer brewery was introduced to Japan from Germany in the late 1860s and the very first one was brewed in Sapporo in 1876 by a Japanese brewer, Seibei Nakagawa, who trained in Germany. At the Sapporo beer museum, you can take a guided tour of the history and brewing methods and taste fresh beer after the tour.

The must-see event in Sapporo is the Sapporo Snow Festival.
It is an annual event held in February. It features about 250 snow/ice sculptures on display outside in Odori Park, Tsudome, and Susukino.
At night, some of them are lit up and you can enjoy viewing/taking pictures of the beautiful art works.

2.Otaru

It is a harbor city which can be reached by train from Sapporo within an hour. This area thrived as a port city, and many western style buildings were made during Meiji era.
Glassware and music boxes are popular products here, and it is also known for its picturesque city view. There are many museums and shops, so this area is a good place to buy souvenirs!
In February, the Otaru Snow light path festival is held every year, when snow lanterns and illuminations light up the city during from 17:00 to 21:00 everyday.

3.Hakodate

Hakodate is the southernmost city of Hokkaido.
This city is the first port to open up to foreign trade, so you’ll find a lot of international influence in this area.
The Hakodate Morning Market (open from 5:00am until 3:00pm everyday), which is just a minute walk away from Hakodate Station is a great place to enjoy fresh seafood.
Major sightseeing spots are the Motomachi area, the Kanamori Red Brick Warehouses, and Goryokaku park with its historic relics.
At night, you can enjoy the amazing view. The night view here is considered one of the most beautiful in Japan along with Kobe and Nagasaki.

4.Niseko

This place is a very popular ski resort that attracts people from all over the world. The powder snow in this area is high in quality and there are a lot of hotels and Onsen spots.
If you like outdoor activities like hiking or skiing, you should definitely check this are out!

5.Asahikawa

This is the 2nd largest city in Hokkaido after Sapporo. There is a popular Zoo called Asahiyama Zoo, which has a glass tunnel through the penguin pool. You can learn about wild animals in Hokkaido such as eagles, deer, wolves, cranes. polar bears, etc.
Asahikawa ramen is a popular local food there. The broth is soy sauce based and a little more oily compared to most ramen in Japan.
Eating the ramen seeing the beautiful nature in Hokkaido will surely be a great experience!

6. Lake Toya

This lake is known for its spectacular view with the active volcano Mt. Usu and the nature around it. Lake Toya is one of the most popular hot spring areas in Hokkaido as well. In 2008, G8 summit was held here.

7.Furano and Bie

Furano and Biei are best-known for their lavender fields.
In Biei area, there is a popular blue pond called Shirogane blue pond and a spectacular waterfall called Shirahige Falls (it means “white beard waterfall”) , where you can see white curtains of water there and from November to April, light-up events take place from 6:00pm until 9:00pm. Biei Shirogane Onsen is another popular spot where you can relax taking a hot spring watching majestic nature around.

8.Noboribetsu Onsen

Located in south-western Hokkaido, it is the most popular hot spring town in Hokkaido.
There are 9 different kinds of hot-springs.
Among them, the most impressive one is Jigokudani, or Hell Valley.
The valley is 450 m wide, and 3,000 liters of hot water is produced per minute. In the north of the town, there are various hiking courses around.
Virgin forests in the area are designated as Japan’s natural monument.

9.Daisesuzan National Park

It is the largest national park in Japan (226,764 ha, more than 3 times bigger than Tokyo).
It is a great place for hikers. There are many different hiking courses, so any levels of hikers can enjoy walking in the beautiful nature seeing wild animals and flowers.
Asahi-Dake (2,291m) is the tallest mountain in the area, and there is a ropeway which goes up to 1,600m above the sea level.

10.Lake Mashu

This lake is considered as one of the clearest caldera lakes in the world.
Visitors are not allowed to go down to the lake, but there are two observation decks from which you can enjoy the views on a fine day.
It is the best if you could rent a car to get there, but you could take infrequent buses that run between Mashu station and the Observation deck 1 (until November).

11.Shiretoko National Park

This national park in the Shiretoko Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2005.
The nature there is unspoiled and it can be accessed only by foot or boat.
It is a home to many wild animals such as beers, foxes, deers, etc.
Just like in all national parks, you are not allowed to feed or throw away trash in the area so you need to follow the rules strictly if you are going.
In winter, drift ice can be seen in the Shiretoko Peninsula.

12.Shikaribetsu Kotan

During winter (from January to March only), there will be a snow village at the highest elevation lake in Hokkaido, which is 800 m above the sea level. This is called Shikaribetsu Kotan and it features numbers of attractions such as ice bars, ice hot springs, and ice concert halls.
At night, some buildings are lighten up.
If you would like to enjoy the winter in Hokkaido, make sure that you check Shikaribetsu Kotan!

Popular cuisine in Hokkaido

・Ramen

There are basically four different kinds of ramen soup in Hokkaido: Miso (Sapporo), Soy-sauce (Asahikawa), Salt (Hakodate), and Curry (Muroran).
You can enjoy locally grown, fresh vegetables with delicious soup and noodles. Eating ramen is great especially during cold winter!

・Milk and Cheese

Hokkaido is known for its daily product.
Cool summers and snowy winters in Hokkaido is great for farming and agriculture. The quality of milk and cheese produced there is very high and rich in taste.

・Seafood and vegetables

Thanks to the surrounding seas, there are a lot of tasty seafood in Hokkaido such as salmon roes, squids, sea urchins, shrimps, crabs, sea shells, and various Sashimis. All of them are very fresh and taste great!
Hokkaido’s huge land is great for making vegetables.
You can enjoy fresh vegetables throughout the year.

How to get to Hokkaido from Tokyo

The easiest way to go there is by an airplane. The price varies depending on the season and the airline you use, but it usually costs from around 10,560yen to 25,000yen for a round trip. It takes about 1 hour and a half.
As an alternative way, you could take Hotoku Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo station to Shinhakodate Hokuto station. It takes about 4 hours and costs around 22,690yen for one way(reserved seat), but you can enjoy the beautiful view during the train ride.

Enjoy traveling there and embrace the nature!

If you need more info about Japan, give me a comment here or send me a message to[email protected]

See you next time,
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my album below.
Free Somebody
Skyhigh

3 easy steps to use chopsticks (and 9 don’ts)

2019-06-24 by Taka Leave a Comment

Chopsticks were originally from China, and they became popular in Japan and Korea by 500 A.D. Back then, people used chopsticks made from trees and bamboos but nowadays we see many different kinds of them.
Japanese chopsticks are generally shorter than Chinese or Korean chopsticks and we use them when we eat Asian cuisines (and sometimes even when we have food from western countries).
They are hard to use at first but once you get used to them, you will be amazed to know how useful they are.
Here is the easy, 3 steps guide on how to use chopsticks.

3 easy steps to use chopsticks

1.Hold the lower chopstick

Put the lower chopstick under your thumb, resting it on palm.
The end of your lower chopstick should be sticking out about 1 inch.

2.Hold the upper chopstick

Lightly grip the upper chopstick with your thumb, index, and middle fingers just like holding a pencil.
The tips of chopsticks need to be lined up.

3.Move the upper chopstick to pick up food

Lower chopstick remains stationary, and only upper one is moved to pinch and control the food. Be careful not to cross them or force too much.

Etiquette while using chopsticks

Not everyone follow these rules strictly these days, but it is always good to know manners to show your politeness.
Here are 9 things you should avoid doing while using chopsticks in Japan.

1.刺し箸/Sashi Bashi

Do not stub food with chopsticks.
There is another Sashi Bashi with different writing, “差し箸” ,which is to point someone with your chopsticks. This is also considered rude.

2.握り箸/Nigiri Bashi

Do not use chopsticks grabbing.

3.くわえ箸/Kuwae Bashi

Do not hold your chopsticks in your mouth.

4.立て箸/Tate Bashi

Do not leave chopsticks vertically in the bowl of rice as this is only done at the funeral as an offering to the deceased.

5.箸渡し/Hashi watashi

Passing food from one pair of chopsticks to another is rude as this is related to a funeral.
This is done when placing the bone of the deceased in a cinerary urn.

6.舐り箸/Neburi Bashi

Do not lick or suck on your chopsticks.

7.探り箸/Saguri Bashi

Do not use chopsticks to sift through the contents of a dish (or dishes) in search of something. This is considered greedy and rude.

8.寄せ箸/Yose Bashi

Do not pull a dish using chopsticks.

9.叩き箸/Tataki Bashi

Do not play with chopsticks like drumming.

It is also important to place chopsticks across your plate or dish after eating. This is the sign to tell that you are done eating and show appreciation to the one(s) who prepared your meal.

Many restaurants and markets in Japan provide you with a pair of wooden chopsticks that need to be broken apart.
They are called waribashi (割り箸). These are disposable ones.
If they are in a plastic bag, be careful when opening it.
There is usually a tiny toothpick with them and you may hurt yourself if you don’t know it!

Enjoy your Asian food with chopsticks!
See you next time,
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my album below.
Free Somebody
Skyhigh

21 Famous Japanese proverbs

2019-06-01 by Taka Leave a Comment

Hi, How are you?
I’ve been busy working as usual… But I’m making my living doing what I love so I have no complaint! Life is great.
I teach Music and English every week, and I’m getting ready for new music project.
Oh, and me and my friend are planning to start a Youtube channel.
I will inform here when we are ready!

This time I listed some of the most popular Japanese proverbs.
I like learning proverbs because we can learn important teachings.
While I was doing some research, I found that there are a lot of similar sayings in English.
It is very interesting to know different words (often animals or objects) are used to express the same meaning, and see the different way of seeing the world.
Here is the list of them.
Have fun learning Japanese and expressions!

1.船頭多くして船山に上る/ Sendou ookushite funeyama ni noboru.

Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Sendou means “A leader on a ship”.
If there are too many leaders on a ship, it will sail to a wrong place.

2.ちりも積もれば山となる/Chiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru.

Many drops make a shower.
Chiri means “Dust” and Yama means “A mountain”.
Even a very small/little thing like dust, it will be like a mountain if it piles.
It is used to talk about either good or bad result that a habit/practice brings.

3.藪をつついて蛇を出す/Yabu wo tsutsuite hebi wo dasu.

Let sleeping dogs lie.
Yabu means “Bush”, and Hebi means “a snake”.
If you do unnecessary thing like poking at the bush, a snake (or a trouble) will come out, so just let well alone.

4.笑う門には福来たる/Warau kado niwa fuku kitaru.

Good fortune and happiness will come to the home of those who smile.

5.嘘つきは泥棒の始まり/Usotsuki wa dorobou no hazimari.

Lying leads to stealing (and it gets worse, so don’t form a bad habit).

6.二度あることは三度ある/Nido aru koto wa sando aru.

What happens “Nido” (twice) will happen “Sando” (three times).

7.明日は明日の風が吹く/Ashita wa ashita no kaze ga fuku.

Tomorrow is another day.
The direct translation is, “There will be different wind blowing tomorrow”.
This is often used to tell someone to take it easy and be optimistic.

8.終わり良ければすべて良し/Owari yokereba subete yoshi.

All is well that ends well or It will all come good in the end.

9.百聞は一見にしかず/Hyakubun wa iken ni shikazu.

A picture is worth a thousand words or Seeing is believing.

10.二兎を追う者は一とも得ず/Nito wo oumono wa itoumo ezu.

He who runs after two hares will catch neither.

11.残り物には福がある/Nokori mono niwa fuku ga aru.

There is fortune in leftovers.
It is often used to tell someone that there is unexpected good in what others have left behind, so don’t give up/let’s be positive even if you are (or something is) left behind.

12.七転び八起き/Nana korobi ya oki.

Ups and downs.
The direct translation is, “Fall seven times, stand up eight times”. Even if you fall seven times, you can be successful by standing up eight times and keep on going, so never give up.

13.石の上にも三年/Ishi no ue nimo sannen.

Perseverance prevails.
The direct translation is, “Three years on a stone (will make the stone warm)”. Be patient and you will achieve your goal.

14.猿も木から落ちる/Saru mo ki kara ochiru.

Even homer sometimes nods.
Saru means “A monkey”. The direct translation is, “Even monkeys fall from trees”.

15.芸は身を助ける/Gei wa mi wo tasukeru.

Art brings bread.
Gei means “Art”. Mi wo tasukeru means, “Help someone”.

16.将を射んと欲すれば、先ず馬を射よ/Shou wo inn to hosureba, mazu uma wo iyo.

Do not shoot straight for the top (instead, see things well first and start with something that will lead to success/goal).
The direct translation is, “If you want to shoot the general, first shoot his horse”.

17.初心忘れる可からず/Shoshin wasuru bekarazu.

Don’t forget your first resolution or Never lose your humility.

18.千里の道も一歩から/Senri no michi mo ippo kara.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Sen means “A thousand”, and Ri is an old unit of measure which is about 4 kilometers.
So, Senri is 4,000 kilometers. “Senri” is used to talk about a long journey.

19.泣きっ面に蜂/Nakittura ni hachi.

It never rains but it pours.
The direct translation is, “A bee comes to someone crying”.
One misfortune rides upon another’s back.
Well, that happens a lot, doesn’t it?

20.出る釘は打たれる/Deru kugi wa utareru.

A nail that stands will be hammered down.
This one explains Japanese society well I think.
If you don’t conform to the rest, you’ll get hammered down….Ouch

21.猫に小判/Neko ni koban.

Cast pearls before swine.
Neko is “A cat”, and Koban is “Gold”, so the Japanese version is “Cast gold before cat”.

Thank you for reading!
If there’s anything that you want me to write, let me know!

Have a great month,
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my album below.
Free Somebody
Skyhigh

All about capsule hotels in Japan

2019-05-15 by Taka Leave a Comment

Paying for food, transportation, shopping, and accommodation….
Traveling in Japan costs a lot of money.
If you are staying for a long time in Japan, you should plan out carefully.
There are a lot of delicious food and interesting goods, so without planning, you will end up spending too much money!

Here is an option for those who want to save some money during their trip in Japan: Staying at capsule hotels.
If you don’t care too much about the place to stay (or if you are a minimalist then definitely!), or looking for an interesting place to stay, booking capsule hotels is a great idea.

It will be a great experience staying at this unique accommodation and most of them are very comfortable and affordable.
Check the info below and learn all about capsule hotels!

Capsule hotels are cheap places to stay.
They were originally made for salarymen when they couldn’t make it home overnight.
Therefore, most capsule hotels are made only for men.
However, more and more capsule hotels are offering accommodation for women and foreigners recently.
At such places, they usually offer gender segregated sleeping floors for men and women and well maintained with security systems.
Such capsule hotels are usually found near major train stations and it only costs around 3,000yen to 5,000yen per a night to stay
(except at some premium capsule hotels that offer more space and luxurious experience).

The type of capsules are different depending on the hotels.
A typical capsule is a fiberglass unit (about 1.2 m wide, 2 m long, and 1 m high), and has a single size futon mattress with sheets, blankets , and pillows, a TV/radio ,bed light, outlet, and WiFi inside with a curtain/door to cover the entrance.
Usually, two units are stacked and lined up side by side along the corridor.

capsule hotel osaka — This is the original capsule hotel in Osaka.

Bathroom/Shower room are shared with other guests like a hostel or guesthouse.
Some places have restaurants, laundry machines, vending machines, lounges with massage chairs, game/manga rooms, or even a Sento (Sento is the communal bathing place. About Sento, check my another post:https://hidanotaka.com/sento/).

Getting interested? But don’t rush!
Here are the things that you should know before going to a capsule hotel.

・You need to remove your shoes upon checking in.
You will be given a key with the number of the capsule you are using. You will have to return the key to check out, so don’t lose it!

・Smoking is not allowed inside of a capsule.

・You need to refrain from making too much noise or mess.
*Note that some capsule hotels are for a single stay.
At such places, you need to check out and check in again if you are staying more than a day.

Here are the recommended capsule hotels

In Tokyo

Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel
It is located close to Shinjuku station, near Shinjuku piccadilly movie theater.
This place has a 24 hour bath and sauna with a lounge, restaurant, and coin-operated laundries.

Check in: From 4:00pm until 3:00am
Check out: 10:00am
Price: 2,500 to 3,800yen for women, 2,600 to 3,600yen for men

Capsule Value Kanda
It is a popular capsule hotel near Akihabara station.
They have luggage storages and 24 hour room service.

Check in: From 5:00pm
Check out: 10:00am
Price: 2,900 to 3,400yen

Hotel Asakusa & Capsule
This place is located near Asakusa station.
It has a large shared bath, free wi-fi, and a lounge, and each capsule has a TV and Yukata robe.
Although they don’t serve food, it is a cheap, comfortable place to stay!

Check in: From 4:00pm
Check out: 9:30am
Price: 2,200yen
*You could choose to stay at a room here. It costs 4,400yen per a night.

In Osaka

Capsule Hotel Inn Osaka
It is the first capsule hotel appeared in Japan in 1979.
I went to this place about 4 years ago and it was quite comfortable!
It has a big sauna and spa, a restaurant, laundry machines, and a spacious TV room with sofas. It’s only for men, however!

Check in: From Noon
Check out: 10:00am
Price: From 3,400yen

In Kyoto

Smart Stay Shizuku
It is a brand new (opened in 2018) capsule hotel near Kyoto Station.
It has a manga/magazine room, massage chairs, coin-operated laundry machines, a sauna, vending machines, and a restaurant.

Check in: From 4:00pm untill 5:00am
Check out: 10:00am
Price: From 3,980yen

If you would like to stay at a luxurious capsule hotel, you could stay at First Cabin Haneda.
It is fancier than average capsule hotels and is inside of the Haneda International airport.
The price is a bit higher than average capsule hotels, but you will be able to enjoy spacious single room.
Check in time is until 7:00pm, and Check out time is 10:00am.
It costs about 6,000yen per a night to stay at a first-class cabin.

Narita Airpot also has this kind of service, at the place called Nine Hours Narita Airpot.
It costs 4,900 per a night on weekdays, and 5,900yen on Friday and weekends.
Check in time is from noon to 5:00am, Check out time is 10:00am.
*There are a lot of First Cabin and Nine Hours in major city areas in Japan! If you don’t know which capsule to stay, you should always look for them.

I hope this post will make your stay in Japan easier.
There are a lot more capsule hotels all over Japan, and they are very convenient.
You will have a very comfortable stay if you can use some Japanese phrases and talk to staff.
Check my another post to learn some useful Japanese phrases: https://hidanotaka.com/17-simple-japanese-phrases-used-in-hotels/

Taka playing the guitar — This is me playing my guitar.

If there’s anything that you want me to write, feel free to send me a message to [email protected]
Or you could simply give me a comment.

Have a great day!(or night)
Taka

*I’m a professional composer.
You can listen/download my album below!
Free Somebody
Skyhigh

4 ways to use a cell phone in Japan

2019-04-13 by Taka 7 Comments

You can’t live comfortably without a phone these days, especially when you are on a trip.
It will be very inconvenient if you can’t get directions, make reservations, or send messages online.
(And if you can’t use the google translation, it will be very hard to communicate with Japanese speakers!)
But the mobile phone use in Japan can be a little confusing for foreigners because there are so many services and mobile phone companies.
So, this time I wrote about phone use in Japan and listed best options for anyone coming to stay in Japan!

1.Get a SIM card

With a SIM card, you can use your own mobile phone in Japan if it is unlocked and work on a network in Japan.
You can simply buy a Japanese SIM card and data plan for your phone.
Note that most SIM cards are for data only and you cannot make a phone call.
You can get a SIM card at airports, retailers in Japan (like at Bic camera or Yodobashi), or online.
The price varies depending on the plan, but usually costs around 4,000yen for 30 days of use (1 or 2 GB).

2.Rent a mobile phone

If you don’t have an unlocked phone, you may want to rent a phone in Japan.
By doing so, it will be very easy and inexpensive to make local calls and you will have no problem using Japanese Apps and online services.
You need a picture ID and a credit card to rent a phone.
Phones can be rented online or at major airports in Japan.
Rentafone Japan and Softbank are the major companies that offer this service.
After using, you can return the phones at the airport or via the mail.
It costs around 200-500 yen a day for regular phones, and for smartphones, 1,000-2,000yen per a day.
Calling rates are usually around 40-100yen per a minute.
(Incoming calls are free)

3.Rent a Pocket WiFi

In remote areas of Japan, it’s sometimes hard to find Wi-Fi connection.
Some trains and buses do not offer Wi-Fi service, so you could be in trouble finding a connection if you rely on Wi-Fi (except at Starbucks and Mcdonald’s).
But don’t worry, Japanese phone companies offer this thing called “Pocket WiFi”.
It’s a small, simple mobile hotspot that helps you connect to the Internet from your devices.
With that, it will be much easier to stay connected no matter where you go in Japan, and you will have the unlimited Internet access.
You just have to charge it and turn it on and connect it to your phone/PC.
Pupuru and Ninja WiFi are two major, reliable companies that carry this service, and you can order online and have it delivered to your hotel.
If you are planning to use it , you should request over a few days before the day of use as it is a very popular service for tourists.
Note that you can’t make phone calls using just WiFi, but internet-based call services (like LINE, WhatsApp, Skype) can be used.
Just like renting a mobile phone, you can send it back to the company you used via mail after using.
It depends on the provider and the service, but it usually costs around 6,000yen for 10 days of use.

4.Buy a prepaid phone

Although it is not very common in Japan, there are some prepaid phone services.
As you can have control over your calling expenses, it is a smart way to prevent from using phones too much.
You just need to go to a mobile phone company that carries this service (Softbank is the most popular) with a passport and tell staff.
The price for the prepaid phones are from about 4,000yen to 7,000yen.
Note that if you have a Softbank prepaid phone, making a call to non-Softbank call can be expensive.
You can buy your own calling minutes for a few thousand yen at a time.
Check the detail about the service here: https://www.softbank.jp/en/mobile/product/prepaid/

Those who are staying for a long time in Japan might want to make a mobile contract.
You can either go to a network store, or to a large electronics store with your alien registration cards and Japanese bank accounts (Mobile bills can be paid automatically from a Japanese bank).
When you make a contract, you might want to go there with someone who can speak Japanese well because the explanation about the services and contracts can be a little complicated.

Have a great time in Japan with a phone with you!
See you next time
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]

13 things you should avoid doing in Japan

2019-04-04 by Taka Leave a Comment

Planning to visit Japan? That’s great! You are always welcome!!
But if you don’t want to be an annoying tourist, you should check these things that visitors should be aware.
Japanese culture is quite different and there are certain manners and don’ts.

I have worked with foreigners for 3 years ,and I have 2 years of experience working at guesthouses in Japan.
I have met over 4,000 visitors all over the world so far, and I sometimes find that some people make the same mistake without knowing that they are bothering others…
So, here are the things to avoid when visiting Japan to make your stay comfortable (for others as well!) and enjoyable.
It’s not so complicated to follow the rules and behave well once you know the things below!

1.Don’t take pictures at cemeteries

Tombstones in Japan are well made and they look very interesting to foreigners.
But please do not take pictures of them unless you were allowed to.
Cemeteries are where the spirits of people passed out are resting.
Please do not disturb them!

2.Don’t be late

Be on time when you are meeting someone or joining an event.
When Japanese people say it starts at 7:00, it starts at 7:00.
Most people even come 5 to 10 min earlier so that the plan goes smoothly for everyone.
This is particularly important at work.
At worst case, you might be considered as inefficient and lose your position if you show up late without any reason.

3.Don’t block the way on escalators

As a lot of people use escalators, you need to stay on the same side as others to make some space.
Don’t stand randomly and block the way for those who want to walk up.
The side you keep varies depending on the area.
In Tokyo, you need to stand on the left. In Osaka, you stand on the right.
(In some places like Kyoto, it’s kind of mixed. Just follow what others are doing!)

4.Don’t forget to take off your shoes when going into a house

In order to keep the place clean, you need to take off your shoes when going into houses in Japan.
This rule applies to other places like temples, shrines, or Japanese style restaurants as well.
At some places, you can find slippers for indoor. If you do, you need to use them!
If you are not sure what to do, just see what others are doing and do the same.

5.Don’t keep wearing toilet slippers when you leave the restroom

At some toilets, you find vinyl slippers.
These are for the restroom area only, so make sure that you use them when you going into the toilet and take them off when leaving the area (I sometimes see some foreigners walking around the house wearing these toilet slippers…)
Again, this is to keep the house clean.

6.Don’t forget to throw away used toilet paper in a trash bin

In some countries, you throw away toilet paper in a trash bin, but not in Japan.
You have to throw it away in the toilet and flush.
Toilet paper is the only thing that you can throw away in the toilet, and please refrain from throwing away other things like tissue paper as that might be stuck in the pipe.

7.Don’t enter a public bathtub before washing yourself

When you use a public bath at Onsen(hot spring) or Sento, you have to clean yourself first before going into the bath to keep the water clean.
You can learn more about this on my another post :A beginner’s guide to Japanese bath, Sento

8.Don’t disturb others on public transportation

When you are using some kind of transportation such as train or bus, don’t talk loudly or make phone calls.
It is an etiquette to keep the public place quiet and comfortable for everyone.
Also, you should refrain from eating/drinking while you are on public transportation (it’s sometimes OK when there aren’t many people there).
You can learn more about this on my another post : 4 things you should know before visiting Japan

9.Don’t ignore smoking ban

When you smoke, find a smoking area.
According to JT (Japan TABACO INC.), about 18% of people in Japan smoke (the number declined to 1/3 of its peak in 60s) as of 2018 and the number is declining as more people are concerned about the secondhand smoke.
Smoking is a personal choice, but don’t forget that there are some people who don’t like it.
After smoking, throw away the cigarets at the smoking area.
It’s sometimes hard to find a smoking area, so if you a heavy smoker, you might need a portable ashtray with you when you travel (they are available at a 100yen shop in Japan).

10.Do not park at someone’s premises

If you are renting/using a car in Japan, you need to follow the parking rule.
When you park, you have to find the right place to park, and you can’t just randomly park.
You will be most likely be charged/in trouble if you do so.
Even if you find a parking spot, that might be someone’s premises.
If you are not sure, it is always good to park at a coin-operated parking.
I don’t know how many foreigners ignored this and got in trouble…. so please keep the parking rule.
You can learn more about this on my another post : 4 things you should know before visiting Japan

11.Don’t cut in line

When you wait in line, you have to wait and you can’t cut in line even if you were in a hurry.
You need to find arrows that point out where to wait at a convenience store, and when you ride on a train, you need to check what’s written on the platform and know where to stay in line.

12.Don’t misuse your chopsticks

Playing with chopsticks is a bad manner and people don’t like it if you do.
The major things that you should avoid doing are: pointing with your chopsticks, passing food from chopsticks to chopsticks, and resting chopsticks vertically in food.
They are considered in appropriate as they are done at a funeral (and pointing is just rude in Japan, so you should not point someone with your finger).

13.Don’t expect to find a lot of English speakers

This is kind of embarrassing, but you won’t find many fluent English speakers in Japan even though English is a compulsory subject in junior high and high school (according to a Swiss-based international language education organization, English proficiency of Japan ranks 49th out of 88 non-english-speaking countries) Reference: Asahi Shinbun

Most people can (kind of..) understand what English speakers are saying, but many have trouble communicating.
This is because these 2 languages and the way we communicate are very different.
It might be a good idea to make a Japanese friend who can talk in English before visiting Japan.
Or you can contact me when you need help!

If you know these 13 don’ts and follow the manners, you will have no problem staying in Japan!
I’d like to add one more thing that might help.
You should not be too casual to everyone.
It depends on the person you meet, but some people like to keep distance with people they are not familiar with.
If you approach too friendly, they might get scared away or feel uncomfortable.

Here are 2 things to note.
It is always good to use “- san” when you call someone’s name
(for example, if you see a lady named Kayo, you should say Kayo-san to make it polite and show respect in stead of just calling the person’s name).
And avoid too many physical contacts like hugging or kissing until you build good relationships with them.

I hope info here will be your help.
See you next time!
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]

A beginner’s guide to Japanese bath, Sento

2019-03-31 by Taka Leave a Comment

Hi, it’s Taka. How’s everything?
Yesterday, I had a strange dream.
A big gray circle thing appeared in front of me and covered my vision.
And then it pressed me to death!!
Just before dying, I saw 3 white cups with names on them.
They were disappearing but I wanted them to be there so I mentally forced to keep their existence somehow.
And then I could push the circle away and woke up.
What a strange dream it was. I still feel weird that I’m actually alive in this world.
It is said that dying in dream is a good sign, so I guess some nice things are waiting for me (well I want to think that way!).

Anyways, today’s about 銭湯/Sento!
銭湯/Sento is a communal bath house in Japan.
Customers pay for entrance and people of all kinds share the joy of bathing.
Sento is simply a place made for hot water bathing, and it is different from Onsen, which has numerous natural minerals or chemical composition.
The number of Sento grew in the post-war time as the population went up.
Back then, not many people have bath at home, so people would go to public baths.
After 1970, most new houses had a bath and shower unit, so the popularity of Onsen declined.
There were over 17,000 Sentos in Japan in 60s, but we only have about 2,600 now.
It is a fading tradition ,but you can still enjoy the Sento culture throughout Japan.
Here is a beginner’s guide to Sento, including some manners that you need to follow.

Before going to a Sento…

Some Sentos do not have towels for rent, so bring a towel for drying.
You also need to take your soap and shampoo with you.
Some places won’t let you in if you are tattooed ,but you may be allowed to get in if tattoos are not too obvious.
(The reason for the ban was to keep Yakuza/violence groups away from a public area)

入り口/Iriguchi, Entrance

Most Sentos have traditional Japanese house/temple looking building with 暖簾/Noren curtain at the entrance.
Which is usually blue and has the Kanji 湯/ゆ, meaning hot water, or written 男 for men and 女 for women.(Men’s area usually has a blue Noren, and red/pink for Women’s area)
The price for entrance is around 400 per a person (varies slightly depending on the area) and it is fixed by Tokyo Sento Association.
You pay at the front desk and go inside of the dressing room.

脱衣所/Datsui Jo, Dressing room

It is a place to take off your clothes.
At a traditional style Sento, there is a tall barrier separating the sexes within one large room, and between the entrances is 番台/Bandai, which is a place where the attendant sits (this style is not common these days).
Dressing room is about 10 m by 10 m in size, and sometimes partly covered with tatami sheets.

There are lockers for the clothes.
Some places have metal or wooden keys for the lockers, while some don’t have them but just some baskets to keep your stuff.
The ceiling is usually 3 to 4 m high and there are coin-operated massage chairs and a scale to measure weight.
The women’s side usually has some baby beds.
At most Sentos, Milk drinks are available.
Drinking Milk after taking a bath is kind of a tradition that many people like.
Before entering the bathing area, make sure that you bring a small towel to dry yourself when you come back after bathing.

風呂場/Furoba, Bathing area

Going through the sliding door, you can find a spot and wash yourself.
There are usually buckets called 桶/Oke in front of each faucet.
You can use it to wash yourself.
Baths are not for washing yourself in, so make sure you clean before getting in.
After washing, make sure that you return your Oke at the place where you found.

If you have long hair, you need to be careful not to get your hair in the water.
You should pull your hair back with a hair elastic or clip.
Also, you can not bring towels into the bathtub, so keep it outside of the bath.
When you return to the dressing room, make sure that you dry off so that you won’t get the floor wet.
It is a manner to keep Sento clean for other guests.

Popular Sentos

Here are the popular Sentos in Japan.
Once you experience the joy of bathing at a Sento, you will find it very convenient and relaxing!

Tokyo

Kyoto

Osaka

Nagoya

Bathing at a Sento, you can not only warm your body up but also relax and keep your health.
Some Sentos are very big and have lounges where you can read manga, watch movies, and take a nap (this style is called “Super Sento”).
Visiting Sento will surely be a great experience.

See you next time!
Taka

※I’m a professional composer. My songs are available here: Skyhigh
Or, you can click on the band camp link below to listen.<a href="http://taka09090909.bandcamp.com/album/skyhigh">Skyhigh by Taka</a>

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

What is Zen? A basic guide to Buddhism

2019-03-29 by Taka Leave a Comment

Hi, How are you doing today?
These days, Mindfulness meditation is gaining popularity internationally.
A lot of leaders know and practice it including Steve Jobs.
He used Zen mindfulness meditation to enhance his creativity.
But what really is Zen?
What are the benefits of doing it?
Are there places to try Zen meditation in Japan?
Check the info below to learn about Zen meditation!

What is 禅/Zen?

It is very difficult to define what Zen is.
Zen is not a religion, belief, knowledge, or a theory.
It is to attain the spiritual enlightenment by controlling yourself.
Zen is based on Siddhartha Gautama’s teaching (He’s also called Buddha. Anyone who reached the enlightenment can be Buddha.
Buddhas are not gods, but teachers who help people to live life peacefully and not to suffer in after life).
It involves self-control, meditation practice, and the perception of the true nature.
And the enlightenment can be achieved by doing the proper meditation, or 座禅/Za-zen, which is a seated meditation (座 Za means to sit).
It is said that at the age of 35, Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment while he was doing Za-zan style meditation.

This attitude of spiritual awakening is the experience of “living here and now”.
In order to do the meditation well, you need to understand the followings.

中道 /Middle way

It was the first teaching that Buddha taught after his spiritual awakening.
In order to stay free from possessions/greed, he found that taking the way between the extremes of self-mortification and self-indulgent is needed.
He believed that the oneness of the sprit and body is in the middle way of them ,and embracing both materialism and spiritualism is important.

四諦 Shitai/Four noble truths

These 4 teachings are to understand what is going on in the living world and how to deal with them.

To live is to suffer

We are not perfect being because we have physical and psychological sufferings.
One can not live without aging, sickness, separation, encounters with unpleasant situations, etc.
Knowing that to live is to suffer helps you understand that we are imperfect from birth to death.
Attachment is the Cause of Suffering

We have wants/desires and we get stressed or depressed because we can’t satisfy all of them.
A person has to rise above attachments and should know where to put an end to his/her desires.
The cessation of suffering is attainable

By controlling desires, we can stay free from attachment, sorrow, troubles, and worries.
The condition where one can calm his/herself down and feel completely peaceful is called 悟り/Satori, or Nirvana/Enlightenment.
The path to the cessation of suffering

There are 8 important ways to put these teachings above in practice.
By learning the Eightfold path and leading a balanced life, one can live life peacefully.

八正道 Hashou dou/Eightfold path

It is the 8 ways to put thoughts into actions.

The right view

It is necessary to see things in the right perspective.
Salvation is only attainable by knowing things as they are and doing the right things to stop making troubles in life.
The right intention

We are what we are because of what we think.
We should aim at peaceful renunciation of non-sensuality and non-ill-will.
Staying away from cruelty and having the right intention is needed.
The right speech

Avoid slander and gossip and stay clear of mindless idle chatter.
One should not lie or deliver rude speech because that will distract your right intention.
The right action

Behaving peacefully and harmoniously with people/things around is needed to do the right action.
The right action includes no killing, injuring, stealing, or having material/sexual desires.
The right Livelihood

Having more than enough will disturb you from seeing what really is important.
One should only possess what is essential to sustain life.
The right effort

Clearing away unnecessary thoughts, controlling our minds ,and replacing unpleasant things with positive ones will help us take the right direction.
The right mindfulness

Focus on the emotions mentally and stay away from distractions to improve the ability to see things as they are.
The right concentration

Following the 7 things above and doing Za-Zen properly with concentration is the way to reach the enlightenment.

It is believed that Buddhism was founded based on these teachings (and some more) by Siddhartha Gautama about 2,500 years ago in India.
In the 6th century, his teachings were introduced from India to China, and to Japan in the 12th century by a monk named Eisai ,who trained himself in China and brought the teachings to Japan.
There are many kinds of Schools of Buddhism in Japan.
Among them, 曹洞 Soto, 臨済 Rinzai ,and 黄檗 Obaku are the three traditional schools of Zen Buddhism.

Benefits of doing Zen meditation

A lot of psychical and psychological researches have been done to find out the benefits of doing Za-Zen.
Researchers have found many benefits such as reducing stress, controlling anxiety, promotes emotional health, increasing focus, generating kindness, improving sleep, and decreasing blood pressure. (Reference: Healthline Media)

Where can you practice Za-zen?

Although you can do Za-Zen meditation anywhere quiet, you will learn a lot by doing it at a temple with a monk. (Here is a link to learn how to do it if you would like to try it by yourself: SOTOZEN-NET)
Below are some of the foreigner-friendly temples where you can try the meditation in Japan.

Shogan-ji in Oita prefecture
Chokai-san International Zendo for foreigners in Akita prefecture
Shunko-in in Kyoto
Koyasan (temple lodging) in Wakayama prefecture
Horakuan Temple in Nagano
Tosho-ji International Zen Center in Tokyo
Rinzai Myoujinji in Tokyo
Daihonzan Kofukusan Kenchouji in Kanagawa prefecture
Soutoushuu Gyokuhouzan Chokoji in Tokyo

I tried Za-Zen meditation several times at a temple in Takayama in Gifu prefecture.
One session lasts 40 min.
At first, it was very hard to concentrate just sitting, but after a while I got used to it and it made me feel so peaceful after trying.
Although I closed my eyes, I say a lot of black dragons (and once a golden Koi fish) during meditation.
I wonder what they were… (Sometimes say them, other times I didn’t)

This is the place where I tried Za-zen.

I even got myself 座布/Zafu (a round cushion that you use during the meditation) and do it regularly at home.
Zen is not a religion and anyone can try at anytime.
If you are interested in Asian culture, I highly recommend that you experience Za-Zen meditation!

See you next time.
Taka

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

3 things you should know about Japanese tea

2019-03-25 by Taka Leave a Comment

Do you like drinking tea?
Japanese people drink a lot of tea, especially green tea.
Tea culture is one of the most important parts of our food culture.
According to the survey done by Ministry of Agriculture, the market size of tea in Japan is about 100 billion yen a year (as of 2016).
Among a lot of prefectures that produce tea, Shizuoka, Kagoshima, and Mie prefectures take 70% of the tea farms (17,800, 8,610, and 3,040 hectare respectively).
Thanks to the growing popularity of Japanese food, the amount of Japanese tea exported increased 4 times during ten years from 2006, and the number is expected to get bigger each year.
It’s all about Japanese tea this time.
Have fun reading!

History of Japanese tea

About 1,300 years ago, tea was introduced to Japan from China.
It was only available to riches and noblemen who used it to cure illness.
Later in the Kamakura Period (1192 to 1333), the custom of making/drinking tea from
powdered leaves (Matcha of today) became popular thanks to the founder of Japanese Zen Buddhist, Eisai, who learned the tea culture in China and brought it back (this was the start of tea ceremony in Japan).
Drinking tea became popular among people of all social classes during the Muromachi Period (1333 to 1573).
Kiki-cha, or the game of guessing the names of tea by sipping and smelling became popular and to this date, we enjoy drinking teas on various occasions.
Tea ceremony

The Japanese tea ceremony is called 茶道 (Sado/the way of tea).
Zen Buddhism was the main influence that created this art of serving and sharing time of drinking tea in a group.
Matcha is usually drunk during the ceremony with certain manner.
Seasons are important elements to the enjoyment of tea, and 手前 (Temae), the art of serving tea differs every season.
Different utensils, equipment, hanging scroll are used according to the season, and the configurations of the tatami (4.5 mat room) changes.
Types of Japanese tea

There are many types of Japanese teas and their taste and smell differ greatly.
Below are 5 major kinds. All of them are available at a major supermarket in Japan.
If you have a chance, you should try them all to see which one you prefer!

抹茶　Matcha/Powdered green tea

Tea plants that have been grown under shade are used to make Matcha powder.
They are ground down and whisked with hot water to make Matcha tea.
It has bitter flavor and refreshing, enjoyable scent.

煎茶　Sencha/Loose leaf green tea

It is the most popular kind of tea and widely available in Japan.
Unlike Matcha leaves, it is made from tea plants that were grown in full sun.
To make tea, you need to put Sencha leaves in hot water and wait until the water turns green.
It is said that drinking Sencha has many benefits for health such as lowering cholesterol and body fat.

ほうじ茶　Hojicha/Roasted green tea

Roasted stems and leaves are used to make Hojicha.
It has a nutty, warm flavor and the color is brownish.
Since it doesn’t have much caffeine compared to other types of tea, it is an ideal drink for the morning or late at night.

玄米茶　Genmaicha/Green tea with roasted brown rice

It is made from green tea with roasted rice.
Roasted rice adds nutty flavor making the tea less bitter.

麦茶 Mugicha/Barley tea

Roasted barley is used to make this type of tea.
It is usually packed in a small bag and infused in water.
It doesn’t have much bitterness, and is caffeine-free.
It is usually served cold and especially popular in the summer time.

Not to mention, Japanese tea goes really well with Japanese food.
Paring Japanese teas with vegetable and seafood is very common.
You can find Green tea (usually Sencha) at any Japanese restaurants.

My brother is a tea specialist by the way.
He visits farms to find fine tea leaves and blends them.
He makes many kinds of teas from Green tea to Chai tea.
Although he is only 2 years older than I am, we live very differently! haha

This is me and my brother in Kyoto.
About 10 year ago!

What’s your favorite kind of drink?
Post a comment below!

See you next time.
Taka

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

Japanese secret agent “Ninja” explained

2019-03-24 by Taka 1 Comment

Hi! How are you doing? March is almost over!
Most schools and companies start new year on April 1st and people are busy preparing for the change during this season.
I don’t have many changes except that I will be busier from next month. haha
I will keep on creating music and posting useful information here.
Please come visit here sometimes!

Alright, about “Ninja” this time.
If you are interested in Japanese culture, I’m sure you have heard the word “Ninja” somewhere.
Maybe from Anime, Manga, Movies, or Magazines.
But what really is Ninja? Do they still exist?
What did they do? Where can we appreciate Ninja today?

I gathered info and wrote about this mysterious agent.
Have fun learning about Japanese culture and Ninja!

What is Ninja?

Ninjas are assassins, spies or secret forces with special techniques in feudal Japan.
Their work were espionage, infiltration, sabotage, assassination and guerrilla attack.
As the name 忍者 (忍/Nin means to hide, and 者/ja means person. The word 忍 can also be pronounced “Shinobi”, so Ninjas were called Shinobi as well) shows, they were the ones that lived in secrecy like CIA of today.

It is believed that they existed and were particularly active from Muromachi period to Edo period (From 1,336 to 1,868).

Most records of Ninja were destroyed or well-guarded.
Therefore, there are very few official documents about their activities and existence.
We only know some of the secret information passed down orally, and have little information from very few books written about Ninja.

Iga and Koga (Mie and Shiga prefecture today) are the two places that are rich in Ninja history.
Those places were ideal hideouts for refugees and bandits who became Ninjas.
A lot of Daimiyos(warlords) would hire ninjas of Iga and Koga in the 15th and 16th century to bring victories to the battles.

In the 17th century, they were hired as spies or guards by the central government, Tokugawa Shogunate, to protect the government and the Edo Castle (They were called “Oniwaban”. Some people claim that Ninja and Oniwaban were different, but we do not have enough information about their activities and relations).

Later on, Ninjas were romanticized in plays like Kabuki (Japanese traditional drama) to entertain audiences.
Many of the images that people have about Ninjas today are exaggerated or unreal mostly because of Kabuki, movies, and animes.

Ninjutsu(Ninpo)

忍術 Ninjutsu (or sometimes called 忍法 Ninpo) were the many different kinds of skills practiced by Ninjas.
It is believed that Ninjutsu was developed by the samurai of Nanboku-cho period (1,336 to 1,392) and polished by groups in Iga and Koga later.
Ninjutsu involved training of disguise, escape, free running, assassination, medicine, etc.
Below were the famous Ninjutsu using the 5 elements of nature.

Katon(Fire) no Jutsu

Using fire, make smoke to block enemy’s view and run away.

Suiton(Water) no Jutsu

Hide underwater (most people could not swim back then, so trained Ninjas had advantages just being able to swim).
Ninjas used bamboo pipes to stay in the water for a long time.

Mokuton(Plant/Tree) no Jutsu

Hide yourself using a cloth that looks like the skin of tree/plant.

Kinton(Metal/Gold) no Jutsu

Distract or misdirect using concealed weapons like Shrunken (hidden hand blade).

Doton(Earth) no Jutsu

Make holes on the way of escape, and stay there to hide yourself from enemies when running away.

Famous Ninjas and legends

As we have very limited information of Ninja and their activities, we can not know if all information about them are correct, but below are the popular Ninjas and legends that exist on old books.

Fujibayashi Nagato

He was a leader of the Iga ninjas in the 16th century.
They fought against Oda Nobunaga, the most powerful daimyo at the time.
Later on, Nobunaga invaded Iga to kill all Ninjas there.
Fujibayashi’s family escaped and went into hiding to preserve their culture.
Nagato’s descendant, Yatake wrote the book about the training of Ninja called Bansenshukai.
Another famous leader of the Iga ninjas was Momochi Sandayu, who taught Ishikawa Goemon and Kirigakure Saizo.

Ishikawa Goemon

He was a Ninja in Iga and was a student of Momochi Sandayu.
After the attack of Nobunaga, he ran away and spent 15 years stealing things from wealthy family and temples.
He planned to assassinate Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s (he was a preeminent daimyo at the time) wife in 1594.
He was caught and put alive in a cauldron with boiling water.
The execution took place at the gate of Nanzenji Temple in Kyoto.

Hattori Hanzo

He trained Ninja skills in Iga and served Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Together with remaining Ninjas after Nobunaga’s attack, he helped Ieyasu to become the ruler of Japan ,and his family worked as guards of Edo Castle.
Even to this day, Hanzo’s legacy remain.
There’s a gate called Hanzo’s Gate/Hanzomon at Imperial Palace in Tokyo, and Hanzomon subway line runs from Hanzomon Station in the center of Tokyo.

Mochizuki Chiyome

She was the wife of a samurai, Mochizuki Moritoki of Shinano (Nagano prefecture today) and worked as a female ninja in the 16th century.
She is from Koga and formed the all-women ninjas known as Kunoichi and served under Takeda clan.
She recruited prostitutes, refugees, orphans, etc and trained them to be entertainers like Gaisha or Miko (Shinto maiden),who were allowed to travel freely.
They disguised and worked as spies to gather important information from rival warlords or sometimes to assassinate them.

Ningu, the unique weapons

Ningus were the tools that Ninjas used.
Most of them were portable and very well designed.
Here are the 4 major Ningus.

Shuriken

It is a hidden hand blade.It was used to distract or misdirect, or to kill the target at a distance.
There are many shapes of shrunken.
The major kinds are Bo shrunken (Stick shrunken),Hira Shrunken (flat shuriken), and Shaken (wheel shuriken).

Fukiya

It is a Japanese blowgun.
They were typically around 50 cm long and Ninjas used special darts with poisoned tips.
(The pipe was sometimes used for Suiton no Jutsu as well).

Kunai

It is a multi-functional weapon.
Ninjas used it to make holes in walls and grounds.
A rope can be attached to the ring and it helped Ninjas climb the walls or trees.
It could also be used in hand to hand combat.

Makibishi

They are sharp, spiked small objects.
Ninjas would throw them behind to slow down pursuers.
There were mainly two kinds of it: Tetsubishi (Iron caltrops) and Tennenbishi (Natural type of caltrop).
Some planted on the ground in advance and used it to defense.

Shuriken and Kunai

Where to appreciate Ninja/Ninjutsu today

Below are the places where you can learn more about Ninja today.
They are great for both visitors and those who want to deeply understand its art and culture.

Modern Ninja school/Shop

There are many Ninja schoold where you can experience being a Ninja.
Among them, NINJA DOJO and STORE is one of the most popular.
You can learn to use Shrunken and Fukiya ,and get some Ningus as souvenirs.

Hours: 10:00am to 6:00pm (Closed irregularly)
Access: 3 min walk away from Shijo station

VR Ninja Dojo

On March 18th of this year, VR Ninja Dojo opened in Kanda, Tokyo.
You can were Ninja clothes and enjoy the world of Ninja using VR technology!
*There is VR Ninja Dojo in Kyoto as well.

Hours: 9:30am to 9:30pm
Access: 5 min walk away from Kanda station

Ninja museum of Iga-ryu

Ninja museum of Iga-ryu is a museum of Ninja in Mie prefecture.
It is a great place to learn the history of Ninja.
On display, there are a lot of tools and clothes that actual ninjas used.
Visitors can enjoy watching a show of Ninja as well.

Hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm (Closed from Dec 29th to Jan 1st)
Access: 5 min walk away from Ueno-shi station

Edo Wonderland

Edo Wonderland is one of the most popular Ninja spots located in Tochigi prefecture.
As the name shows, you can fully enjoy the atmosphere of Edo period here.
It is like an amusement park with a lot of attractions including Ninja shows.
You can also appreciate cuisine from Edo-period and the place makes you feel like
you were a citizen of Edo!

Hours: 9:00am to 17:00pm
Access: 15 min by bus from Kinugawa Onsen station

Ahh, Ninjas are so cool, aren’t they?
I remember reading books about Ninja like crazy when I was a kid.

Although most of the Ninja culture has already died out and we don’t have real Ninjas alive now, the mysterious/secret skills they had still attracts a lot of people.

Btw, this is me wearing Ninja like clothes! Looks so evil lol
(This attire is called Kuroko, clothes for assistants of stage performers)

The pic was taken when I was a stage actor.
I used to appear on the stage in Shinjuku Kinokuniya where as many as 418 people can seat. It reminds of the good old days.

See you next time!
Taka

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