Hello! from Japan

About Japan and music

japan

An amazing hot spring spot! Kusatsu-Onsen

by

Hi, it’s been a while.
Good news! Japanese government finally resumed accepting foreign tourists this month. Although we are still only able to welcome people from countries designated by the government (and the escorted package tours only), I’m very happy to know that we are gradually regaining our connection with the world outside. For the detailed information, please visit Japan Tourism Agency https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/en/index.html I have many friends overseas, but I have not been able to see them since the coronavirus outbreak, and it has been a lonely two years … so I really hope that the situation will get better soon.

By the way, on a weekend last month, I took a first trip from Tokyo to Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture. It was a place I had wanted to visit for a long time, and it was really great! Let me share some information here.

About Kusatsu Onsen

Kusatsu Onsen is one of the most famous hot spring resorts in Japan, located in Gunma Prefecture, with a natural gush of more than 32,300 liters of hot spring water per minute. Located at an altitude of 1,100 to 1,200 meters above sea level, the hot springs here have been known since the Muromachi period (1336-1573) as medicinal waters that are “effective for all but love sickness.” Visitors can walk to a variety of hot springs in the area. Recently, buses and other transportation has become more readily available, and the area has become a popular tourist destination for young people.

Yubatake

This hot spring is located in the center of the hot spring resort. Designed by the famous artist Taro Okamoto, it is a popular spot for photographers because of the constant flow of fresh hot spring water and the beautiful lighting at night. Yubatake is for viewing only and you can not take a bath here, though!

yubatake

Yumomi

The onsen of Kusatsu is very hot, around 50°C, so Yumomi is done to lower the temperature. Wooden boards approximately 180 centimeters long are placed in the hot spring water to stir and cool the hot onsen. You can see a performance (named Yumoni) of folk songs sung while the hot water is being stirred at a place called Atsunoyu near Yubatake.

yumomi

3 Major Hot Springs

Visitors can take a tour of three famous hot springs in Kusatsu Onsen, Oza-no-yu, Otaki-no-yu, and Nishi-no-Kawahara Natural Hot Spring, with a 500 yen discount. Tickets are sold at each hot spring location. These three hot springs are definitely worth a visit. You’ll need a towel at the hot springs, so don’t forget to bring one!

3 major hot springs

Souvenirs and Food

Popular foods in Kusatsu Onsen include onsen manju(steamed bun), udon, pudding, and more! Gunma Prefecture is famous for leeks, so you can also enjoy dishes using leeks and fresh vegetables. Glass works inspired by hot springs are also popular as souvenirs. I bought one for myself!

Access

The easiest way to get there from Tokyo is by bus. You can take a direct bus from major bus terminals such as Shinjuku/Shibuya, which takes about 4 hours and costs about 3,800 yen one way.

If you want to get to Kusatsu from Tokyo more quickly, you can take the express train from Ueno Station to Naganoharakusatsuguchi Station and then take a bus to the Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal. The trip will take about 3 hours and cost 5,450 yen one way.

*Since the onsen is shared with other guests, you cannot enter if you have tattoos. If you have a tatoo, you may want to book a hotel with a private hot spring for your own use.

I have visited many hot spring resorts in Japan, but Kusatsu Onsen is the best place to enjoy onsen so far! You can go sightseeing on foot in Kusatsu Onsen area, and it’s a great place to visit with friends, couples, families, or even by yourself. I highly recommend that you visit Kusatsu Onsen when you come to Japan!

See you next time,
Taka

久しぶりの投稿です。

今月、ついに日本でも外国人観光客の受け入れが再開しました！

旅行業者等を受入責任者とする添乗員付きのパッケージツアーの受入れが6月10日にスタートしていて、まだ政府が指定した国からの入国しかできませんが、少しずつ世界とのつながりを取り戻しつつあることは本当に嬉しいことです。

今後、より自由に渡航ができるようになると予想されます。詳細については Japan Tourism Agency https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/en/index.html をご覧ください。

僕は海外に友達がたくさんいますが、コロナウイルスの流行以降会えず、とても寂しい2年間だったので、これからさらに状況が改善されていくことを願います。

さて、先月の週末、東京から群馬県にある草津温泉に初めて旅行に行きました。以前から行ってみたかった場所で、本当に良いところだったので、ここで色々と情報を共有いたします！

草津温泉について

草津温泉は群馬県にある、日本で最も有名な温泉地の一つで、温泉の自然湧出量は毎分3万2300ℓ以上もあります。標高1,100から1,200メートルの高地に位置するこの場所の温泉は、室町時代から「恋の病以外は全てに効果がある」薬湯として親しまれており、歩いてさまざまな温泉に訪れることができます。最近ではバスなどの交通アクセスも便利になり、若者にも人気の観光地になっています。

湯畑

温泉街の中心部にある源泉です。有名な芸術家、岡本太郎によりデザインされたこの場所では常に温泉が流れ、夜には美しいライトアップがされるため、写真家たちの間でも人気です。

湯もみ

草津温泉の源泉は50℃ほどでとても熱いので、温度を下げるためにこれが行われます。温泉の中に約180センチメートルの板を入れて温泉をかき混ぜます。湯もみを行いながら民謡を歌うパフォーマンスを湯畑すぐそばの熱乃湯という場所で見ることができます。

3湯巡り

草津温泉にある、御座之湯、大滝乃湯、西の河原天然温泉の3つの有名な温泉を500円引きで巡ることができます。それぞれの温泉の場所でチケットを販売しているので、この3つの温泉は、ぜひ一度訪れてみてください。温泉ではタオルが必要なので、持っていくのを忘れないように！

お土産や食べ物

草津温泉で人気な食べ物は、温泉まんじゅう、うどん、プリンなどさまざまなものがあります。群馬県はネギが有名なので、ネギを使った料理や新鮮な野菜も楽しむことができます。お土産として、温泉をイメージしたガラス細工も人気です。僕も一つ購入しました！

アクセス

東京からバスで行くのが最も楽なアクセス方法です。新宿/渋谷などの主要なバスターミナルから直行バスを利用することができ、4時間くらいの所要時間で片道3,800円ほどで行き来することができます。

より早く東京から草津に行きたい場合は、上野駅から長野原草津口駅へ特急列車で行き、その後バスで草津温泉バスターミナルまで行く方法があります。その場合、3時間ほどの所要時間で片道5,450円になります。

*温泉は他のお客さんと共有するので、タトゥーがあると入れません。その場合は、プライベートで使える貸切温泉がついているホテルを予約して利用すると良いでしょう。

色々な温泉地を訪れましたが、草津温泉は温泉を楽しむには1番良い場所だと思いました！歩いて観光ができ、友達やカップル、家族でも楽しめるので日本を訪れたらぜひ行ってみてください。

それではまた！
Taka

※ Please note that the translation is not exact!
ブログの対訳は気分で書いてるので、厳密な訳文ではありません笑　あしからず

Today’s words and phrases

foreign tourist　  外国人観光客（がいこくじんかんこうきゃく）
hot spring spot　 温泉地（おんせんち）
folk song　　　　民謡（みんよう）
souvenir　　　　 お土産（おみやげ）
express train　    急列車（とっきゅうれっしゃ）

23 important events/holidays in Japan

by

How’s it going? It is the rainy season in Japan now, but it’s already getting hot! It feels like summer already.
Any plans for the summer this year?
I’m thinking about traveling a lot!

This time I wrote about some of the most important annual events and national holidays in Japan.
Hope this article will help you understand more about my country and culture!

In Japan, when a national holiday is on Sunday, the following Monday will be a holiday and a day between holidays will also be a holiday.

Some events below are from western countries and you can see how much we are influenced by different cultures (but at the same time we do keep some traditional events, which is very cool I think!).

January 1st  
正月/Shogatsu
New year Day

Jan 1st is the first day of the new year in Japan and many businesses are closed until Jan 3rd. Most people go back to their parents’ place and celebrate eating Osechi (An assortment of small dishes. Each dish has meaning, and people traditionally eat it to wish for good health and prosperity for the family for the year) ,and Mochi (rice cake).

Second Monday of January
成人の日/Seijin nohi
Coming of Age Day

Young men and women who are turning 20 are celebrated on this day.
They wear traditional Japanese clothes and celebrate together (legal drinking age is 20 in Japan, so many of them enjoy drinking).

kimono girls

February 11th
建国記念日/Kenkoku kinenbi
National Foundation Day

It is the day to celebrate the mythological foundation of Japan.
According to the earliest Japanese history record, the first Japanese emperor was crowned on this day in the year 660 BC.

February 14th
バレンタインデー/Valentine’s Day

It was brought from western countries and it became a tradition in the late 1970s (Chocolate companies ran advertisement and it became popular. Most Japanese chocolate companies make half their annual sales during Valentine season).
In Japan, women give chocolate to men (Chocolate that is given to a loved one is called “Honmei-Choko”, to co-workers/bosses is called “Giri(obligation)-Choko, and to friends is called “Tomo(Friend)-Choko”). March 14th is called “White Day”, when men are expected to return the favor to the ones who gave them chocolates on Feb 14th.

chocolate

February 23rd
天皇誕生日/Nennou Tanjoubi
Emperor’s birthday

It is the birthday of the current emperor, Emperor Naruhito.

March 3rd
ひな祭り/Hina Matsuri
Doll’s Day (Also called Girl’s Day)

It is the day to pray for good health and happiness of young girls in Japan. It is a tradition to display Japanese dolls dressed in decorative robes of the ancient imperial court at home.
Traditional food like Hishi-mochi (diamond shaped rice cakes) ,Chirashi sushi (many ingredients and raw fish are mixed and they are put on top of sweet vinegared rice) are displayed and served on the day.

hinamatsuri

Around March 20th
春分の日/Shunbun nohi
Vernal Equinox Day

It is the day around Mar 20th, when the March equinox occurs.
It is less popular now but people traditionally ate Botamochi on this day (rice cake covered with pasted red beans).

April 29th
昭和の日/Showa nohi
Showa Day

It is the birthday of the former Emperor Showa.

sakura and a bird

May 3rd
憲法記念日/Kenpo kinenbi
Constitution Day

It is the day to celebrate the promulgation of the 1947 Constitution of Japan.

May 4th
みどりの日/Midori nohi
Greenery Day

It is the day to be thankful for nature’s blessings (it was on April 29th until 2006 as Showa Day. It was moved to this date and celebrated as a day of Golden week now).

May 5th
こどもの日/Kodomo nohi
Children’s Day (Also called Boy’s Day)

It is a day to celebrate children’s happiness.
As the counterpart to Hinamatsuri, this day is also known as Boy’s Day.
On this day, Koinobori (carp-shaped windsock) is displayed (there’s a Chinese legend that a carp that swims upstream becomes a dragon).
Traditionally, the big black carp represents father, red one represents mother, and small ones are children.
As it was originally the day for boys, some people display Samurai dolls at home on this day.
Kashiwa Mochi (Rice cake wrapped in Oak leaves), and Chimaki (Sweet rice wrapped in a bamboo leaf) are served on the day (although this tradition is less popular now).

koinobori

July 7th
七夕/Tanabata
Star Festival

It is a Japanese festival originating from Chinese Qixi festival.
It is believed that the Milky Way separates Orihime and Hikoboshi (Vega and Altair stars), and they are allowed to meet once a year on this day.
People write wishes on colored paper and hang them on bamboo trees.

tanabata

July 20th
海の日/Umi nohi
Marine Day

This is the day to give thanks to the ocean.
It was designated in 1995 as the first holiday in the summer months.
Many schools start Summer vacation around this time.

August 11th
山の日/Yama nohi
Mountain Day

This is another relatively new holiday set in 2016 to appreciate blessings from mountains.

August 13th to 16th
お盆/Obon

It is a Buddhist event for commemorating ancestors.
It is said that the spirits of ancestors return to visit relatives during this time of the year.
People visit graves and Obon dance is performed at many temples and shrines.
Some people hang lanterns in front of houses to welcome those spirits.
At the end of Obon season, people float lanterns down the rivers for ancestors’ spirits to go back to their world safely.

obon lanterns

Third Monday of September
敬老の日/Keirou nohi
Respect for the aged day

This is the day to honor and respect the elder people.
Events to assist the elders are held on this day.

Around September 23rd
秋分の日/Shubun nohi
Autumnal equinox Day

People reconnect with their families by visiting temples, shrines, and graves on this day. It is also the day to celebrate autumn harvest.

Second Monday of October
体育の日/Taiiku nohi
Health and sports Day

In 1964, Tokyo Olympics was held on this day.  
Most schools have an annual sports festival around this time of the year.
In 2020, it will be on July 24th when the opening ceremony of 2020 Tokyo Olympics is held.
After 2020 on, the name of this holiday will be changed to Sports Day.

November 3rd　
文化の日/Bunka nohi
Culture Day

It was originally Emperor Meiji’s birthday.
It is a day to promote culture, art, and academic endeavor now.
Festivals are held in schools and at many places in Japan, and selected artists receive awards. In 1946, post-war constitution was announced on this day.

November 15th  
七五三/Shichi go san

It is a traditional rite of passage and a festival day to celebrate girls of 3 and 7 years old and boys of 5 years old.
Children wear traditional Japanese style clothes and people celebrate the growth and well-being of them.
Chitose ame (kind of a red and white, long candy) is served to hope for their long, healthy life (a crane and a turtle ,which represent long life in Japan, are drawn on the bag of it).

Shihigosan

November 23rd　
勤労感謝の日/Kinrou Kansha nohi
Labor Thanksgiving Day

This is the day to commemorate labor and production.
Labor festival is held in Nagano each year to think about the environment, peace, and human rights.

December 24th and 25th
クリスマス/Christmas

It is not a national holiday, but Japanese people celebrate Christmas just like in many western countries (these days in city areas, people even enjoy Halloween wearing costumes on Oct 31st).
Christmas trees are displayed and decorated at stores and stations ,and people get busy buying presents (and cakes!).

December 31st 　
大晦日/Oomisoka
New Year’s Eve

Families get together and most people clean the house to welcome the coming year. Watching some special TV programs while eating Soba noodle is a typical thing people do on this day.
At midnight, you hear the sound of Joya No Kane (New Year’s Bell).
Monks at temples ring the bell 108 times to remove worldly passions such as anger and pain ,and purify everyone’s minds.

a bell at a temple

By the way, Japan has as many as 16 national holidays (on average) and a worker can take 20 paid days off a year.
However, because the work environment is very competitive and the number of employees are declining in Japan (due to the aging population combined with the diminishing number of children), most people take only about 10 paid holidays.
Reference: https://welove.expedia.co.jp/press/40915/

We do need to improve the work environment to enjoy holidays and event more!
How about in your country?
Do people have enough time to enjoy national holidays and events?
Give me some comments below!

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

by

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!

kids learning

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.

blowing

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.

a lot of books

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”.

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

6 things you should to do in Fukuoka

by

Hi! How’s it going?
It got really cold the other day and snowed a bit but nice and warm these days in Japan.
This time, let me introduce Fukuoka prefecture.
It’s my first time to write about Kyushu area.

Fukuoka is a prefecture in Kyushu, which is located southwest of main island, or Honshu.
Kyushu is Japan’s third largest island.
Fukuoka city in Fukuoka prefecture is one of the largest cities in Japan, and Hakata area has been serving as an important port and commercial center.

Fukuoka is close to Korea and the airport is always busy with people traveling.
It is one of the most progressive cities in Japan and has a lot to offer!
Below are the popular things/places in Fukuoka prefecture.
Be sure to check them out!

    1. See Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival

      It is an annual festival held in July for 2 weeks and has the history of over 700 years.
      Two kinds of floats are used during the festival: Kazariyama floats and Kakiyama floats.
      Kazariyama floats are larger floats which are over 10 meters tall.
      During July 1st to 14th, 14 of them are displayed outside.
      Kakiyama floats are smaller and they are about 5 meters tall.
      In the morning of July 15th (at 4:59am, just before sunrise), the race of festival floats is held using them.
      There are 7 of them and each of them weights about 1 ton.
      Unlike floats in Takayama, they don’t have wheels and participants need to carry them in teams.
      It takes about 30 minutes to complete the course and floats run one by one in five minute intervals.
      Parades and practice runs for the race are held from July 10th to 14th and all floats are lined up in front of Kushida Shrine, where the start line is.
      Kushida Shrine is located about 15 to 20 minutes away from Hakata Station (five minutes walk away from Gion Subway station or Canal city Hakata).
      It gets really crowded during the event but it really is an exciting event!


      画像提供:ソザイング

    2. Eat at Yatai/Food Stalls

      If you want to eat out and try some local Japanese food, Nakasu is the place to go!
      There are a lot of Yatai/Food stalls along the Naka River.


      Hakata Ramen is a must-try Japanese food there.
      It has green onions and boiled or roasted pork (called Char Siu in Japanese) on top.
      Although the soup varies slightly from shop to shop, almost every soup of Hakata ramen is whitish and cloudy.
      Pork boned are boiled well until the soup gets white and cloudy and it is mixed with soy sauce.
      It tastes like milk, and goes well with thin noodles.
      If you are really hungry, leave the soup after finishing the first.
      You can order Kaedama, or extra noodle and put it in the same soup to keep enjoying the great taste of Hakata Ramen!
      As an option, you can add some toppings like half-boiled eggs, Takana( Pickled and mustard leaf with red peppers), or
      Beni Shoga (pickled ginger root).

      写真提供：福岡市

      Motsunabe is another popular food in Fukuoka.
      Motsu means offal or internal organs of cows and pigs, and Nabe means hot pot.
      So, Motsunabe is a hot pot with various offal and vegetables like leek, garlic, and cabbage.
      It might sound a little too exotic to people from western countries, but it really is tasty and people say it has good effects for beauty since it contains high amounts of collagen.

      Karashi Mentaiko(Pollock roe with red chili pepper spices) is also popular in Hakata area.

    3. Visit Kyushu National Museum

      Opened in 2005, it is Japan’s first new national museums in more than 100 years.
      The building is carefully designed, and contains large number of historically important artifacts including prehistoric relics that show the history of trading link among Japan, Korea, and China.

      Access: About 10 to 15 min walk away from Dazaifu Station.
      Hours: 9:30am to 5:00pm
      Price: 430yen to enter

    4. Relax at Sumiyoshi shrine

      It is one of the oldest shrines in Kyushu (about 1,800years old) and is surrounded by large Japanese cedars and camphor trees.
      The shrine is dedicated to safe travel by sea.
      Sailors would visit the shrine before leaving the port to pray for the safe trip.
      The main hall is rebuilt in 1623, but it still has the ancient architectural style.
      Inside, there is a Noh theater with a traditional style stage.

      Access: About 10 min walk away from JR Hakata station.
      Hours: 6:00am to 9:00pm
      Price: Free to enter

    5. Pray at Dazaifu Tenman-Gu

      It is a shine dedicated to the spirit of Sugawara Michizane, a scholar and politician of the Heian Period (750-1185), who is known as the god of learning.
      So, this shrine is busy with a lot of students praying for academic achievement and passing exams.
      About 6,000 plum trees are planted around and they bloom beautifully from early February to mid March.Hours: 6:30am to 7:00pm (closed from Dec 31st to Jan 3rd).


      Access: About 5 min walk away from Dazaifu station.

      Hours:
      6:00am to 7:00pm (April and May)
      6:00am to 7:30pm (June to August)
      6:00am to 7:00pm (Until mid September)
      6:30am to 7:00pm (late September to November)
      6:30am to 6:30pm (December to mid March)
      6:00am to 6:30pm (late March)
      ※Opens until 20:30 on Fridays and Saturdays
      Price: Free to enter

    6. Take pics at Fukuoka Castle

      It is a castle also known as Maizuru Castle or Seki Castle made in Edo period (1603 to 1868).
      The construction started in 1601 by the first lord of Fukuoka province, Kuroda Nagamasa, and it took 7 years to complete.
      There are more than 1,000 cherry blossoms around, and it is a very popular place for tourists visiting in Spring.
      Sadly, during the war period around 1873, most of it was destroyed in order to use the site for military and only ruined walls and a few turrets remain on the site now.
      Still, it is a great place to learn about history there and take great pictures!

      写真提供：福岡市

      Access: About 10 to 15 min walk away from Ohori Koen subway station.
      It is always open and the admission is free except during illumination events.

By the way, Fukuoka is known as the place where a lot of beautiful women are.
They are called “Hakata Bijin” (beautiful women in Hakata/around Fukuoka area).
Fukuoka has been an important place for import-export and many different kinds of races were mixed in the area.
It is believed that it contributed to the produce of somewhat exotic, beautiful look!

Access

From Tokyo

Take an airplane at Haneda Airport to Fukuoka Airport.
One way flight costs around 16,000yen to 41,390yen and it takes about 2 hours.

From Nagoya

Take an airplane at chubu centrair international airport to Fukuoka Airport.
One way flight costs around 6,000yen and it takes about 1 and a half hours.

From Osaka

You could either take Shinkansen (bullet train) or airplane.
By train, take Nozomi, Hikari, or Kodama train at Shin-Osaka station and it goes directly to Hakata station.
One way fare is 14,480yen for non-reserved seat and it takes about 2 and a half hours.

By airplane, take a flight at Osaka International Airport to Fukuoka Airport.
It takes about 1 hour and the fare ranges from 13,400 to 27,000yen.

As an alternative way, you could take Kansai International Airport to Fukuoka Airport.
They have LCC flights and the ticket price can be as low as 3,690yen for one way and it takes about 1 hour to get to Fukuoka.
However it has less daily flights so be sure to check the flight schedule!


Here’s today’s music!
This instrumental tune is called “Lotus”.

I came up with the main theme while I was walking through the garden in Kyoto (and also in Himeji).
Featuring Banjo by Ryosuke Toyomaki and Violin by Mori de Maigo (They are my friends).

I carefully constructed the beat for this tune.
If you listen carefully, you hear the hi-hats are beating slightly differently on left and right.
I did that purposely so that it would create more space and make the music alive.
And I played the bass, piano, synth, and guitar over it.
Hope you dig it!

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]

People and Music: 2 things I love in life!

by

Hi, how are you?  It’s already the end of Feb now. Time goes so fast!
We get a lot of tourists from all over the world in Japan these days.
It’s always fun to meet someone new from a different country and be friends.
A few weeks ago, I met a singer from China.
We both like Jazz, so we hit it off well.
Music is great because it is universal.
It’s about the feeling we share, and that’s all you need to be close!
You can do that even with someone you don’t know.
Isn’t that great?

Here is the movie of our acoustic session at home.
This is a famous Jazz tune, “Lullaby of Birdland ” composed by George Shearing in 1952 with a slight variation to it.
She’s got a really great voice and I hope for her success in the future.

Talking about the relationship between China and Japan, China has been a huge influence on Japan with its religion, food, language (kanji), philosophy, law, and architecture.

It is believed that the relationship started sometime in the 1st century according to “History of the Later Han Dynasty” (it says that King of Japan received the Golden Seal of the King of Japan from the emperor Guangwo of the later Han dynasty in 57).
Since then, there have been a lot of import and export activities, and we are the top two-way trading partners now.

However, there have been large mutual dislikes between Japanese and Chinese in recent years due to the wartime crimes, The Senkaku Islands dispute, and etc.
It has been only these few decades since we started improving the relationships after the wartime, and there are a lot more to work on.
I hope that our relationship will continue to get better.

By the way, here is 19 years old me playing the guitar in Florida.

I’ve been trying to be with people from all over the world to learn more about different cultures.

It’s has been my big dream to get everyone from different countries together to create a place where we can understand each other.

Music and English have been my great tools to do that ,and I feel that I’m very fortunate to have been able to meet amazing people!

If you haven’t visited Japan yet, come visit!
And let me know if you need any help with your trip.

See you next time,
Taka

※Complete song is available here Skyhigh Or click on the band camp link below.

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

What’s it like to be a Japanese student?

by

Hi! This time I wrote about the school life in Japan.
I have experience being a student both in Japan and the US and I can tell that the education system in Japan and in other countries are really different.
In Japan, we are required to take classes at an elementary school for 6 years and then at a junior high school for 3 years.
After junior high, most people go to a high school for 3 years and then to a university for 4 years.
Education we get from elementary school up to high school is mandatary.
There are a lot many things to talk about when it comes to the education system in Japan and I can’t cover everything here so I focused on the school life in junior high school and high school.
Below is the typical day of a junior high/high school student in Japan.
Please note that it is just a sample schedule and it slightly varies depending on the school you attend. Here we go!

A typical day of a Japanese student


7:00am
Good Morning! Have breakfast and wear Seifuku

Most students wake up around this time, eat breakfast, and get ready for school.
Seifuku is a school uniform with a school badge on it.
Usually they have a formal look with a white shirt, black jacket with black pants for men and skirt for women. (Btw, I attended a high school that didn’t require students to wear uniform which is kind of unusual. So I used to wear leather jacket and I had yellow hair(sometimes Orange) because I was so into rock music. haha)

Don’t forget to take your textbooks and be on time for school before the morning meeting starts!

8:30am to 8:40am
Short morning meeting/Attendance confirmation

There’s usually a brief morning meeting of the classroom you are in.
Homeroom teacher will talk about upcoming events and check who came and who didn’t.
So if you skip a class, it will be on a record and teachers will most likely tell your parents…!

8:50am to 12:40pm
Study 4 subjects and then the lunch time!

Subjects you study are Japanese, History, Society, Math, Science, PE, Art, English, Home economics, and Information(PC class).
At lunch time, most school provide Kyushoku(school meal).
At a high school, there’s a cafeteria where you can buy your lunch.
Better go to the cafeteria as soon as the lunch time starts or you will have to wait in line!
I remember working with my friends taking turns the responsibility of getting food at the cafeteria for our group.lol

1:40pm to 3:30pm
2 more classes to go!
(Sometimes 3 more)

Most students get really sleepy during the afternoon classes after eating.
If the afternoon subjects are boring, it is very hard to stay awake…
But it will be over by 3:30pm so keep it up!

3:30pm to 3:15pm
End of classes of the day.
Now, clean up the class room!

All students are required to work together to clean up the room.
Classroom is usually divided in some groups.
Each group takes turn the responsibility of cleaning the room.
It really sucks when you have plans after school, but I think it is a good custom to learn to keep things organized.
Also, you become more considerate of your classmates and you will stop making mess in a classroom because you know that if you do, your friends will have to work more overtime.

3:45pm to 7:00pm
Club activities

Club activities are called, Bukatsu.
There are many kinds of Bukatsu: Baseball, Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, Swimming, Judo, Music, Reading…
And those who belong to a club but don’t show up for the activities are called Yurei Buin (Phantom member).
I belonged to a soccer club, badminton club, and music club.
But I was a Yuhei Buin for a few years in junior high and also in high school because there were some people I didn’t like!

Some students go home immediately without taking part of any club activities to attend Jyuku(cram school).
Usually, those who go to Jyuku to study more are from rich family and parents put emphasis on education.
Indeed, Japan has a very competitive society, which makes some parents Monster Parents(Parents who raise their children with an excessive authoritarianism and overprotectiveness)

By 7:00pm, all students are required to leave school.
The gate of school is locked at 7:15pm.
You’ve got to go home and do your homework!

More about Japanese school life

Senpai-Kouhai system

Senpai means earlier colleague(older person), and Kohai means later colleague(the junior or lower person).
It is an hierarchical relationship found in an organization especially in schools.
Kohai is expected to show respect to Senpai because they have more experience in life.
They need to use formal way of speaking(Keigo)when they talk to Senpai.
Senpai often helps Kohai giving advice to succeed in life. Kind of a mentor.
If you are entering a Japanese school or going to work in Japan, you have to learn and follow this rule/custom to keep the good relationships with others.

Summer vacation

Usually, students have summer vacation that lasts for about 40 days from the end of July until Sep.
A lot of homework is assigned to all students… and at some schools, it is required to study what you want and make a report about it which is called Jiyu-Kenkyu (Free Research/Study)
I think Japanese students should have longer vacation to enjoy life like in other countries.
Minimum number of school days in a year is 210 in Japan, compared to 180 in the States.

Test

There are three terms in a year and the new year starts in April.
Each term, students are required to take mid-term and the end of the term tests.

Kokuhaku

It is to confess love.
Back then(when?lol), it was popular to write a love letter and give it to someone you like, but these days it is getting normal to confess love using SNS like LINE (however, you still need to confess love face to face or the person you like might think that you are not brave enough and turn it down).
The most common phrase that is used to confess is “Sukidesu. Tsukiatte Kudasai”(I love you. Can we start seeing each other?)
If you are accepted, you can officially date with the person.
You must not go out with another man or woman after the confession or you will be considered that you are cheating.
Well, I guess that is the same in every country!

Did it make you feel like being a Japanese student?
Tell me what’s it like to be a student 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!