Hello! from Japan

About Japan and music

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Visit Mt.Norikura, an excellent hiking place in Japan!

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Hi, how’s eveything?
We just had a terrible typhoon a few days ago. 

It didn’t hit Takayama, the area where I live now, but a lot of places in Nagano have damaged seriously. 
I hope nothing bad will happen this year any more… 

Beautiful view at Mt. Norikura

Last month I climbed Mt. Norikura, which is 3,026m meters above sea level and is one of Japan’s 100 famous mountains. 
It was my first time to get there and I really enjoyed my trip so I would like to share about it here. 

To get there, it is the best to take a bus.
Private cars are not allowed in the area.
Bus goes to a station at 2,702 meters above sea level (which is the highest bus stop in Japan).
You can use Nohi bus from Takayama, Hirayu, or Honoki-daira(takes about 90min, 60min, 45min respectively).

From the bus station, you can choose to climb different areas as shown on the map below. 

Map is provided by Norikura Natural Environment Guide Center,
Hida Norikura Tourism Association

To its highest peak, Mt.Kegamine, it takes about 90 min on foot. 
Although you could wear casual clothes and shoes, you are strongly advised to wear climbing shoes as the way to get there is really steep and can be slippery if it rains. 

This is the way to the highest peak of Mt. Norikura

You can enjoy watching beautiful ponds, flowers, and wild life such as Ptarmigans in Mt.Norikura.

A pond in Norikura

From mid-July to mid-September, you can take early morning bus to see the sunrise, and Norikura is particularly popular during September to October when visitors can enjoy beautiful Autumn leaves. 

Norikura in Autumn

If you are planning to visit Mt. Norikura this year, you need to be hurry because it will be closed at the end of Oct. The opening day is on May 15th every year.

Mt. Norikura is a perfect place to hike in Japan! 
Enjoy visiting there and taking pictures of beautiful nature. 

See you next time!
Taka

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

Visit the majestic Gifu castle on 300m high Mountain

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Hi, How are you doing?
I went to Gifu Castle a few weeks ago and I really enjoyed visiting the place so here’s some info to share. You can not only enjoy the view of the city from the top, but also learn the history (especially about the Warring/Samurai period in Japan).
If you have a chance, be sure to check this majestic castle!

view from gifu castle
View of Gifu city from the top of Gifu Castle.
It was a little cloudy when I was there but was really worth seeing!

About Gifu Castle

Gifu castle was originally named Inabayama Castle. 
It is believed that Nikaido Yukimasa(a butler to the Kamakura Shogunate) was the first one to build fortress on the top of the Mt. Kinka in 1201.

Saito Dosan was the castle lord during the Warring period, and later on in 1567, Oda Nobunaga became the lord and subjugated the area.

He also renamed the area from Inokuchi to Gifu ,and the name of the castle became Gifu castle. With this castle as his base, Nobunaga fought to unify Japan for over 10 years. The castle fell just before the war of Sekigahara, when Nobunaga’s grandson, Nobuhide became a member of the West Squad, and the East Squad invaded the castle.
The castle was destroyed in 1601 ,and some of the structures (castle towers and turrets) were moved to Kano Castle. 

The present castle we can visit is the one that was reconstructed in 1956.
You can enjoy the sight as Nobunaga had once viewed the world from the top of the castle(at 329m above sea level). 
You can take a view of Nagara River(famous for cormorant fishing), city of Gifu, and tall mountains including the Japan Alps. 
The observation area is open at night time occasionally from Spring until December. 

gifu castle on mt.kinka
Gifu castle on top of Mt.Kinka

About Oda Nobunaga

He was one of the most powerful feudal lords in the late 16th century. 
He tried to unify Japan and gained control over most Honshu(main island). 
Nobunaga was born on June 23, 1534, as the 2nd son of Oda Nobuhide, a daimyo in Owari (now part of Aichi prefecture).
Through his childhood, he was known for his strange behavior and people called him Outsuke (meaning, the Great Fool). 

In 1551 Nobuhide died unexpectedly. It is said that Nobunaga threw ceremonial incense at Nobuhide’s funeral, acting outrageously.
To take responsibility for his misbehaviors and to teach Nobunaga the right way of serving as a samurai, his menter Hirate Masahide committed Harakiri (suicide to show obligation). 

Some of the Oda clan were against him for his misbehaviors but Nobunaga destroyed those who came against him including his younger brother, Oda Nobuyuki (He had eliminated all opposition groups within the clan and Owari area by 1559). 

Among a lot of legendary battles he had during the Warring period, one of the most famous is the Battle of Okehazama.
In 1560, he fought against Imagawa Yoshimoto (he was a powerful lord based in Suruga, present-day Shizuoka prefecture). 
Yoshimoto had over 25,000 men, and they were marching toward Kyoto to expand his territories. One day at the narrow gorge of Dengaku-hazama, they were celebrating their victories.
Nobunaga, with only about 2,500 warriors, set some flags and dummy troops some distance away to get attention ,and at the same time, carried out a surprise attack from behind.
This led him to the victory and he became known by many warriors throughout Japan.

Later on, he changed the way people fight from using horses and swords to firearms and that brought him great success in conquering many areas in Japan. 

At Gifu, he instituted Rakuichi Rakuza (Free market, free guild).
With this, he eliminated barriers such as taxes, unions, and trade guilds.
This stimulated the economy and the castle town flourished.

On June 23rd when he was 47, his retainer Akechi Mitsuhide rebelled against him at Honoji temple in Kyoto and Nobunaga killed himself in the burning temple. 
He is still remembered as one of the most powerful, innovative historical figures.

nobunaga
You can see this golden statue of Oda Nobunaga at JR Gifu station.
Notice that he has a rifle instead of a sword!

Access to Gifu castle

To visit the castle, it is the best to use a bus from the train stations.
You can take a but at JR Gifu station or Meitetsu Gifu station and get off at Gifu Koen Mae(is is about 15 min travel) ,and walk to Mt. Kinka ropeway. 
From there, you can get to the station near the top of the mountain.
You can then take a walk to Gifu castle. 

Ropeway fare are 620yen for one way and 1,080yen for both ways.
To enter Gifu castle and Gifu castle museum located nearby, you need to pay the admission fee of 200yen.
Opening hours are 8:30am to 5:30pm during May 12 to Oct 16th, 9:30am to 4:30pm during Oct 17th to Mar 15th, 9:30am to 5:30pm during Mar 16th to May 11th. 

There’s Gifu City Museum of History located near the Ropeway station, in Gifu park. You can learn about the culture and history of Gifu city there. 
It has the permanent exhibition focused on Oda Nobunaga.
It hosts special exhibitions throughout the year displaying some historical art works. It is a good place to stop by before/after visiting Gifu castle.

・Hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm (closed on Mondays, the day after national holidays, and during end of the year and new year holidays)
・Price: 300yen to enter 

Historical places around

Shobo-ji Temple 

Just below the Mt.Kinka, there’s a temple called Shobo-ji, where a big Buddha is enshrined. 
It is 13.63m in height and is the largest dry lacquer Buddha statue and also one of Japan’s Three Great Buddhas (others are Nara and Kamakura’s Buddhas. Some people claim that Takaoka’s Buddha to be one of the greatest). 

Shobo-ji's Budhha

Inaba Shrine

It is a shrine beloved as the tutelary shrine of Gifu.
It is over 1,900 years old and it is believed that it was moved to its current location from Mt. Kinka by Saito Dosan.

Inaba Shrine

By visiting Gifu castle, you can learn what the life during Samurai era was like. 

Many festivals are held throughout the year in the area as well.
Among them, the most famous is Ngara river fireworks festival in the summer(on the last Saturday of July and 1st Saturday of August). 
Over 30,000 fireworks are set of at the event and it is breathtaking.
Have fun visiting Gifu!

See you next time,
Taka

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

Vegetarian & Vegan in Japan: What to eat and avoid

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Japan’s diet is largely based off of fish and seafood products, so being a vegetarian/vegan in Japan can be difficult sometimes.
But now that we have a lot of tourists from all over the world, the number of vegetarian/vegan-friendly restaurants are increasing to meet the demand.
With pre-planning and checking what and where to eat, vegetarians and vegans can fully enjoy their stay!
Here’s the vegetarian/vegan survival guide to Japan.

What to be careful

You need to avoid 出汁/Daishi as fish (usually Bonite Flake) is used to make it.
It is the foundation of Japanese cuisine and is found in everything from brought to sauces, etc. 
There are some vegetarian friendly kind of Dashi which is based on seaweed or dried mushrooms, but they are not very common.
So you need to be careful every time you see soup or sauce as Dashi is usually in them.
But don’t worry, we have a lot of rice ,vegetable, and bean products. 
Below are the recommended food for vegetarian/vegan.

Recommended food

精進料理/Shojin Ryori

It is a Zen Buddhist temple cuisine and is entirely vegan (no fish, meat, or other animal products are used).
Tofu and wild plants, and various seasonal food are used to make this beautifully decorated cuisine.

漬物 Tsukemono/Japanese pickled vegetables

There are many kinds of pickled vegetables, or Tsukemono in Japan.
Tsukemono appeared long time ago before refrigeration to preserve food.
Salt,vinegar,rice bran, sake lees, miso, and soy sauce are usually used to make Tsukemono ,and the most popular kinds are Daikon (Japanese radish. This tsukimoto is called Takuan), Cucumber, Eggplant, Carrot, and Ume plums.

蕎麦 Soba/Buckwheat noodles

Soba noodles are made from buckwheat flour and they are thin. 
Soba is served either chilled (called Zarusoba) with a dipping sauce, or in hot broth.
It often comes with onions, sesame, and wasabi.
As hot broth contains Dashi, you need to order Zarusoba.
Note that うどん (Udon/wheat noodles) is also popular, but it is usually comes in hot broth with Dashi in it.
If you would like to try Udon, you should find つけ麺 (Tsukemen/Dipping noodles) that comes with noodles and sauce aside.
As long as you avoid dipping in the sauce, it will be OK!

ラーメン Ramen 

It is probably the most popular kind of noodle in Japan.
Ramen shops are everywhere and every place has its own style so it’s really fun trying the different shops.
For vegans, it is hard to find the one to eat as almost all broths contain Dashi. However, there are some vegan friendly ramen restaurants. 
If you would like to try Ramen in Japan, check these places below.

Tokyo
Sora No Iro  (There’s one in Nagoya as well)
Afuri
OUKA

Osaka
Veggie Ramen Yuniwa

Kyoto
Engine Ramen

カレー Curry 

Japanese curry is different from Indian curry. 
Less spice is used and rice and roux come together. 
You can find vegetable curry at most curry restaurants, but it’s likely that roux was made with meat. 
Coco Ichibanya, one of the largest curry chains in Japan, offer an entirely vegan curry so this is the place to go.
For details, check the link here: Coco Ichibanya

寿司 Sushi 

It is not easy to find vegan/vegetarian sushi, but it’s possible to find some. 
At a sushi restaurant, you can order Kappamaki (seaweed rolls with cucumber) , Takuan-Maki (pickled daikon radish roll), and Inarizushi (Vinegared Rice stuffed in a fried tofu pouch. You need to check it wasn’t made with dashi).
Here are some vegan/vegetarian friendly sushi restaurants.

Tokyo
Mominoki House
Shirokanedai Suchicho

※For other places, check the link of the recommended restaurants at the end.

おにぎり Onigiri/Rice ball

Onigiri, or rice ball is made from white rice and often wrapped in 海苔 Nori/Seaweed. 
Many kinds of Onigiris are available at convenience stores and supermarkets. 
Make sure you find the ones that don’t have any fish or meat inside. 
焼きおにぎり (Yaki onigiri/Grilled rice balls with soy sauce on top) can be found at most 居酒屋 Izakaya/Japanese pub.
It usually comes with cold green onions and pickles on the side. Perfect food for vegans/vegetarians!

You could also try 赤飯おにぎり (Sekihan Onigiri/Red rice and Azuki bean balls) at a convenience store.
It used to be a sacred food and we traditionally eat it on special occasions through out the year such as birthdays, weddings ,and holidays and it is believed that the food ward off the evil spirit. 
I recommend it if you want to try something different!

豆腐 Tofu 

There are plenty of Tofu restaurants in Japan and you can enjoy delicious Tofu meals. 
But don’t assume that all Tofu restaurants offer vegetarian food. 
Most places use Dashi , so you should check before ordering. 
Below are major kinds of Tofu in Japan.

ごま豆腐 Goma Dofu 
It is sesame Tofu, made from ground sesame paste, water, and Kudzu powder (starch powder made from the root of the Kudzu plant). I has the name “Tofu/Dofu”, but actually soy is not used to produce this food.
It is a popular dish served on Shojin Ryori dish.

湯葉 Yuba 
Yuba is Tofu Skin, which comes from boiled soy milk. 
Yuba is formed on the liquid surface during the boiling of soy milk.
It can be a little expensive but has a lot of benefits on health like anti-aging and good for smooth skin.

高野豆腐 Koya Dofu 
It is freeze dried tofu, which is a very old traditional preserved food. 
It is like a sponge, and you need to soak it in the water before eating. 
When you order it at a restaurant, make sure that it is not soaked in Dashi!

湯豆腐 Yudofu 
This is probably the safest for vegans to order. 
Yudofu is boiled Tofu. Kombu kelp is usually put in the hot water with Tofu.
It is especially popular during cold winter season. 

串カツ Kushikatsu/Fried sticks  

It is a kind of fried food with varieties of food on sticks. 
At a Kushikatsu restaurant, you can order Eggplant, Mochi, Mushrooms, Asparagus, Onion, but don’t use the dipping sauce as it usually contains Dashi.

天ぷら Tempura 

There are a lot of vegetable options for tempura. 
Popular ones are, Katocha (pumpkin), Renkon (lotus), Satsumaimo (Sweet potato), Eggplant, Mushrooms, Sansai (wild mountain greens), 
Here again, watch out for the sauce as it contains Dashi.
You can sprinkle some salt instead to enjoy this Japanese food. 
At some places, tempura contains egg in the batter so you need to check before eating out at a restaurant. 

味噌 Miso 

It is made primarily from soy beans and salt and it is generally vegan and vegetarian friendly.
Miso is suitable to people on most diets and it has a number of health benefits. 
But you need to be careful about Miso soup which again contains Dashi.
So, look for miso paste which consists of fermented soy beans, salt and optional grains like wheat and rice. 

Snacks

団子 Dango

It is a Japanese dumpling and sweet, which is made from rice flour. 
It is usually offered on a skewer and has varieties of flavors like sweet soy sauce and red beans. 

餅 Mochi

Mochi is rice cake, and usually served with soy sauce or wrapped with seaweed.
It is popular throughout the year, especially during New year’s days. 

煎餅 Senbei

Senbei is rice cracker.
It’s available everywhere in Japan and there are many kinds of it.
Just make sure you don’t get one with dried fish or shrimp in it.

枝豆 Edamame 

These green, young soy beans can be found at most restaurants and convenience stores. 
It is a very popular snack at pubs and people often order it with beer or sake. 

Recommended restaurants

Tokyo 
Teikoku Hotel(Variety of Food)
Mothers Organic Restaurant (Organic Food)
Komaki Shokudo (Shojin Ryouri)
Veganic to go (Vegan Food)
Omusubi Chaya waseda ten (Organic rice balls)
Organic Vegan Lunch Kaimon Asakusa (Shojin Ryouri)
SUMI-BIO(Vegetable dishes)

Nagoya
ORIBIO Cafe Dining(Variety of Food)
Oyasai (Organic Vegetables)
Vegecafe Lotus (Vegetables and sweets )

Osaka
Sangmi (Healthy dishes) 
Paprika Shakudo Vegan(Variety of Food)
Green Earth (Healthy dishes) 
Atl (Variety of Food)

Kyoto
Ain Spot.Journey (Vegan restaurant)
Little-Heaven (Vegan restaurant)
Biotei (Fresh vegetables)
Shigetsu (Shojin Ryori)
Izusan in Daiji-in Temple (Shojin Ryori)
Dairoku-ji Ikkyu (Shojin Ryori)
Ajiro Main Shop (Shojin Ryori)

When you want to tell Japanese waiter/waitress that you are vegetarian/vegan, it is better to tell that you don’t eat any meat or fish instead of telling them that you are a vegetarian/vegan because some people don’t understand exactly what you can or cannot eat.
Here’s a sentence that might be your help.

“Watashi wa niku to sakana ga taberare masen”

Which means

“I can’t eat any meat or fish”. 

If you are not comfortable saying this, you could write the sentence on a paper and show it.

Food culture in Japan is great and if you choose the right ones, you can enjoy having meals anywhere in Japan.
Eat well and have fun visiting/staying!

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]

7 frequently asked questions about Japan

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Hi, How’s it going? 
Japan is finally getting warmer, and the Spring is coming soon!
You can enjoy beautiful Sakura in Spring, so it is one of the best time of the year here.

This time I wrote about 7 frequently asked questions by foreigners.
I meet and talk to tourists or friends from other countries everyday,
and they often ask me these questions.
I hope this will help you understand how things are in Japan!

  1. Why Japanese wear masks?

    If you go out in city areas of Japan,
    you will see a lot of people wearing masks.
    You might wonder why they do that.
    One reason is for health.
    In big cities like Tokyo (It has more than 9 million people living as of 2019),
    risk of contagion and disease is high.
    People wear it to prevent from getting cold or catching flu.
    The air is polluted in crowded places, so a mask is a good defense against dust and pollen.
    In addition, some people wear masks not to spread their sickness to others.
    “Think of others” is a very Japanese way of thinking and living.

    Another reason is to just cover your face to hide physical imperfections.
    For women, they wear masks on the days when they don’t put make ups.
    Many different kinds of masks are available these days,
    and some people wear a mask as part of a fashion.

  2. Why do people sleep on trains/buses?

    Japan is a very safe country and people won’t steal your stuff even if you fall a sleep in public (except in some dangerous areas).
    So, you can get yourself a break during your commute.
    Most business people work a lot of overtime (it is common to work over 12 hours a day…. very competitive in city areas) ,
    and especially for those who work/study at a place that is a few hours away from home, commuting time is often used for getting some rest.
    But still, don’t forget to keep your variable items with you at all times!

  3. What are the differences between Shinto and Buddhism?

    Shinto is the native religion of Japan.
    Shrines(places with Torii, or holy gates that separate the holy area and the world outside of it) are the places for Shinto, and people worship the gods of nature(or Kami/Spirits) there.
    In Shinto, there is no fixed dogma or book, and the main theme of it is love and reverence for nature.
    Purity is very important and death is seemed as a pollution(sometimes birth as well).
    It is believed that you can bring good spirits by clapping at a shrine, so people do that before a prayer.

    Buddhism is originally from India and came to Japan from China in the 6th century.
    Japanese temples are based in Buddhism,
    and there are a lot of sects of Buddhism in Japan.
    The goal is to learn the teachings of Buddha and reach the enlightenment by praying, meditating, training, etc.
    Temples are the places where monks train themselves.
    Funerals take place at temples as well (Weddings are held in a shrine).


    Both Shinto and Buddhism exist without any conflicts today and they have huge impact on Japanese culture.
    Calming yourself down is important at a temple, so prayers are silent in a temple.

  4. Is it OK to drink tap water in Japan?

    Yes, the purification facilities are excellent and well maintained, so water in Japan is very clear.
    Although, some people (including me!) prefer buying and drinking mineral water, because it taste better and more natural.

  5. Why are people so polite?

    Respecting others (and also to keep some distances) to avoid any conflicts is very important and it is like a nonverbal manner in Japan, especially in crowded areas.
    Unlike western countries, people live/work for groups than for individuals.
    Depending on the person you talk to, people use formal or informal languages,
    and usually to strangers or to someone you meet for the first time, formal communicating is used almost all the times in Japan.
    So, you will think that people are super (or even too) polite,
    and you might find it hard to close the distance with others at first.
    It takes time to build trust and be real friends…!

  6. Why are there a lot of vending machines?

    Vending machines are very useful for busy people, so they are everywhere for their convenience.
    In addition, there is very little vandalism in Japan.
    Vending machines can be anywhere, and they rarely get broken.
    Some companies set vending machines so that they can put some ads on them.

  7. Why the taxies are very expensive in Japan?

    Japanese taxies are expensive.
    It costs about 1,000yen to travel just for 2km, and they cost about 30 times more than in India!
    They are expensive because it costs a lot to maintain the service.
    In order to keep cars clean and safe, taxi companies have to check them regularly.
    Also, government is controlling the price to keep the quality of it ,so they can not lower the price easily.
    However, thanks to that, there is little accident and drivers are usually good.

It’s really fun to travel to other countries,
and learn about different cultures/lifestyles, isn’t it?
I’m planning to visit Korea sometime in May.

Where is your next destination?

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]

4 things you should know before visiting Japan

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Japan is a country with many rules.
If you do not know about them, you could be in trouble with neighbors, friends, etc.
In the worst case, you could be charged or caught by police (or both!).
Here are 4 major things that you should know before visiting/moving to Japan.
Learn about them for yourself and for others to make your stay enjoyable!

  1. Know where to park

    There aren’t many (almost none!) free parkings in Japan.
    You could be charged if you park on the road without any permissions or at someone’s premises.
    If you are going to live in Japan and planning to use a car, you should know where is OK to park.
    If you are travelling by car, you will need to find a coin-operated parking (usually located near a train station)
    It costs around 300 yen for an hour of use.

  2. Follow the rules when throwing away trash

    We recycle trash and you need to separate garbage into categories when you throw away.
    You might find it hard to find a garbage can outside other than at convenience stores or stations (there aren’t many places to throw away trash outside to keep the road clean and tidy).
    This might confuse you if you are traveling in Japan for the first time.
    If you are going to live in Japan, you will have to follow the local rule when taking out the trash as the way to separate trash is slightly different depending on the area (Usually the city office gives you a guidebook after giving you the resident card).
    When you throw away household garbage, you have to check the garbage calendar to know what kind of trash is picked up on the day. Then you have to put it in a specific garbage bag and take it to the designated area.

  3. Keep it quiet on public transport

    You have to refrain from talking on the phone while using public transport.
    Keeping privacy is very important in Japan, and you have to think of others (not to disturb them) in public.
    People keep themselves to themselves and don’t usually get involved in other people’s business.
    It is an etiquette to keep things clean and quiet so that other people around you can be comfortable.
    I think this custom is quite different from western countries where people enjoy interacting with strangers.

  4. Take some cash with you

    If you are planning to visit country side, you should take some cash with you.
    Japan is a very safe country and there isn’t much crime of stealing money.
    So in some places, especially in country side, people still use cash a lot and some stores don’t have card readers.
    It you go to an area where there’s no convenience store, you will have hard time finding an ATM ,so you should get some cash before traveling.
    *Btw, you don’t need to pay any tip at anywhere in Japan, so you don’t need to worry about carrying cash for that.

Above 4 things are major rules that anyone coming to Japan should know.
You might think that following rules can be stressful sometimes, but it is very important to keep things organized and be respectful to others in Japan.
If you are polite and respectful, people will like you and it will get much easier to make friends/settle.
Enjoy your stay in Japan!


This is me writing music at home.
Another recording session in Tokyo is coming soon!

You can listen to my music here:
Skyhigh
Soundtracks

Have a nice day!
Taka

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

6 impressive areas to visit in Aomori

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Hi, everyone!
This time I wrote about Aomori prefecture.
Aomori is located at the northernmost part of Honshu (main island) of Japan.
Since it is located far away from major cities like Tokyo or Osaka, It is relatively unknown to visitors of Japan.
However, Aomori has a lot of things to see: gorgeous festivals, delicious food, and breathtaking nature.
Here are some of the must-visit areas/events in Aomori!

  1. Festivals

    Nebuta Festival

    It is a summer festival held every year from Aug 2 to 7.
    Floats resembling humans (some of them are characters from Kabuki/mythical stories) go around the city and large traditional drums are played during the parade.
    Floats are constructed of painted washi paper (traditional Japanese paper) and it takes a year to make them.
    Lanterns are placed inside the floats which bring out the beautiful colors of washi pater to viewers.
    It is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
    The origin of the festival is not known but it is believed that it started as a shinto festival blending Chinese influence.
    It gets more than 3 million visitors during the festival
    The parade of floats start from 7:00pm until 9:00pm and on the last day, you can watch great fireworks that close the festival.

    Hashinohe Sansha Taisai

    It is another famous festival in Aomori. The festival has a history of more than 290 years.
    It is believed that the sacred procession of mikoshi (portable shrine) held at Horyosan Ogami Shire is the origin of the festival.
    The event is held annually from July 31 to Aug 4.
    During the festival, more than 20 floats are displayed and  he parade of mikoshi and the dance performance called Toramai (tiger dance) is held.
    Is is designated as an Intangible cultural heritage.

  2. Museums/Historical ruin

    Wa-rasse

    It is a museum where you can learn the history and charms of Nebuta festival.
    4 full sized floats are on display and you get to play taiko drums inside.
    On weekends and holidays, Hanato festival dancers perform occasionally accompanied by live music.
    There are restaurants and stores where you can get some local souvenirs and food.

    Hours: 9:00 to 19:00 (9:00 to 18:00 from Sep to Apr)
    Closed from Dec 31 to Jan 1, Aug 9 to 10

    Price: 600 yen per a person

    Towada Art Center

    It is a contemporary art museum in Towada city.
    Opened on April 26 in 2008, it was built as an “open space for providing new experiences”.
    It has collections of modern artists from all over the world including Ron Muck, Jeong Hwa Choi, and Yoko Ono.
    Works are displayed indoors as well as outdoors. It also holds a gallery space and cafe. Free English audio guide is available.

    Hours:9:00 to 17:00
    Closed on Mondays and during the End of the year and New Year
    Price: 1,200yen to enter Collection and Exhibition

    Sannai Maruyama ruin

    It is a Jomon period (130,000 to 300BC) archaeological site.
    The large part of it was discovered in 1992 and was designated as a Special National Historical Site of Japan in 2000.
    Over 500 pit houses that were used by the settlers as well as a lot of artifacts have been found on the site.
    People living the area used to store food in underground pits until 2,900 BC.
    Later on, they started to store food above ground in houses as they became more sedentary.
    You can visit this site and see reconstructions and learn the history at Jomon Jiyukan, an exhibition hall of objects excavated from the area.
    Also, Aomori Museum of Art is located close to the ruin. It is another good place to check!

    Hours:
    9:00 to 17:00 (From Apr 1 to May 31, Oct 1 to Mar 31)
    9:00 to 18:00 (From Apr 28 to May 6, Jun 1 to Sep 30)
    Closed on Dec 31 and Jan 1

    Price:
    Free to enter

  3. Nature

    Lake Towada and Oirase River

    Lake Towada is a large caldera lake located on the border of Aomori and Akita prefectures.
    The lake is particularly beautiful during Autumn when you can enjoy Autumn colors. There is a river named Oirase River nearby.
    The sound of flowing water at this rive was chosen by the Ministry of the Environment as one of the 100 soundscapes of Japan.

    Lake Juniko

    It consists of 33 lakes and ponds in the western part of the World national Heritage Site, Shirakami-Sanshi.
    There is Aoike (Blue pond) in the area.
    The surface of it reflects the nature around and very photogenic.

    Shirakami Sanchi

    It is an extensive mountain at the border between Aomori and Akita prefectures and is designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    You can enjoy hiking and watching Anmon Falls (a set of 3 waterfalls) on the north eastern side.
    To access the heart of Shirakami Sanchi’s forest, you need to contact an office to get a permission at least 7 days prior to the visit.
    Shirakami Sanshi can be accessed from the north from Hirosaki.
    If you are going there from the south, you could go from Noshiro in Akita prefecture by taking one hour train ride.

    Choshi Otaki

    It is a waterfall that is 20 feet high and 66 feet wide.
    It flows in gentle slope and the waterfall makes beautiful mist.
    If you like taking pictures of beautiful nature, be sure to check this out!

    Zuirakuen

    It is a dry landscape garden in Hirosaki and is designated as a scenic spot by Japanese government.
    It was made by a great gardener, Teizan Takahashi and it took him 15 years to complete the garden.
    Hills, stone bridges, and plants are beautifully placed and you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

    Hours: 10:00 to 16:00
    (Closed every Monday and during Dec 1 to Mar 31)
    Price: Free to enter

  4. Castle

    Hirosaki Castle

    It is a three-store castle built in 1611.
    Originally, it was a five-story castle, but was burnet down by lightning in 1627 and was rebuilt in 1810.
    A lot of cherry trees are there around the castle, and Hirosaki Castle is one of the most popular destinations to enjoy Sakura in Spring.
    Annual festival is held from April 23 to May 5.
    It is really amazing watching the castle moat filled with petal of Sakura.

    Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (Open From Apr 1 to Nov 23)
    Price: 310 yen per a person

  5. Onsen (hot spring)

    Sukayu Onsen

    It is a large public bath (also called “Sennin Buro”, a large bath that can have 1,000 people) located in the snowiest place of Japan.
    It has been accessible for 300 years and has both gender mixed and separated baths.
    The baths are all natural with water coming directly from the source.

    Hours:
    Gender mixed From 7:00 to 18:00 (From 8:00 to 9:00, women only)
    Separated From 9:00 to 17:00

    Price: 600yen per a person

  6. Food and drink

    Aomori is famous for producing high quality apples and has the largest apple farming land in Japan.
    Apple production in Aomori is about 56% of the domestic market and over 446,000 tons of apples are sold every year.
    Another popular food is Tuna. The blue-fin tuna caught in Aomori is called “black diamond” for its highest quality in Japan.
    If you are into Sake, you can visit a Hachinohe brewery and try fresh sake.
    You can fully enjoy the taste of Japanese sake together with fresh seafood in Aomori.
    Miroku yokocho is a good place to try different kinds of local food and enjoy chatting with locals.

Access

From Tokyo

By Train

Take Tohoku Shinkansen (Hayabusa) from Tokyo to Shin Aomori, and then take JR Ohu honsen bound for Aomori station.
(Time: About 3 hours and 30 min. Price: 17,750 yen for one way)

By Train, Airplane, and Bus

Take JR Yamanote line to Hamamatsu Cho and then take Tokyo monorail to Haneda airport.
Take a flight to Aomori airport. Then, take JR bus Tohoku bound for Aomori ekimae station.
(Time: About 3 hours and 15 min. Price: 35,150yen for one way)

From Nagoya

By Airplane and Bus

Take a bus at Nagoya ekimae station bound for Aichi Kukou Museum.
Take an airplane at Nagoya airport(Komaki) to Aomori Airport.
Then, take JR bus Tohoku bound for Aomori ekimae station.
(Time: About 3 hours and 20 min. Price: 35,400yen for one way)
※If you are going by trains, it is the best to go to Tokyo first.

From Osaka

By Airplane and Bus

Take Hankyu Takarazuka Exp to Hotarugaike, and take an airplane at Osaka Itami to Aomori Airport.
Then, take JR bus Tohoku bound for Aomori ekimae station.
(Time: About 3 hours and 50 min. Price: 42,220yen for one way)
※If you are going by trains, it is the best to go to Tokyo first.

Aomori has both beautiful mountains and the view of the ocean.
It surely is a great place to visit!

Taka

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

See you next time!

5 things to do in a great Onsen area,Gero

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Japan has 10% of the world’s active volcanoes (over 100) and thanks to that,
we have a lot of high-quality Onsen, or hot springs.
Among a lot of great Onsen, Gero in Gifu, Arima in Hyogo,
and Kusatsu in Gunma are considered as 3 major Onsen areas.

This time I wrote about Gero, which is close to Takayama city where I live now.
The area has a lot of nature and a popular resort for both foreign and Japanese tourists.

Onsen has been used as a cure for disease and pain for over centuries in Japan.
It is said that various minerals penetrate the body and promote hormone selection resulting the restoration.

Gero’s Onsen is high in Alkaline (ph 9.2) and it makes your skin smooth and great for your relaxation and prevention of aging.

It is good for most people, but if you are a pregnant, have some kind of skin problem,
or heart disease, you should refrain from soaking.
Those who have sensitive body can still enjoy Ashiyu (foot bath) in Gero.
There are 8 free foot baths in the area.

It might be the best to use a car to get around in Gero because you need to walk up to visit some places, but Gero is a compact city and you can enjoy just by walking.
Here are 5 things to visit/try in Gero.

  1. Go to Onsen (Hot springs)

    Go to Onsen is of course the best thing to do in the area.
    There are a lot of places to enjoy Onsen.

    Funsen chi
    It is a free, open-air hot spring that is right next to the river.
    It is a gender mixed bath, and you need to wear bathing suits to enter the bath.

    Shirasagi no Yu
    You can enjoy the view of the river and mountains while enjoying the bath here.
    This place does not have an open-air bath, but one of the most visited and loved Onsen in the area.

    Hours: 10:00 to 22:00 (closed on Wed)
    Price: 370yen

    Ogawa Ya
    It is a popular Ryokan (Japanese Inn) with Onsen.
    It has a very nice atmosphere and what is unique about their bath is that there are tatami around the bath.

    Hours for visitors: 12:00 to 20:00 (13:00 to 20:00 on Wed and Thu)
    Price: 1,000yen

    Miyabitei
    It is a Ryokan that has an open air bath with a great view of the surrounding mountains.
    This place might be the best in terms of enjoying the view!

    Hours for visitors: 18:00 to 20:00
    Price: 1,000yen

    Yunoshima Kan
    This 4 star Ryokan has great open-air baths and the building itself is registered as an important cultural building of Japan.
    It is right behind Onsen ji and you need to walk up a bit to get there and a use of bath for a visitor is limited from 13:00 to 14:00 , but it really is worth visiting!

    Hours for visitors: 13:00 to 14:00
    Price: 1,000yen

    These are just major places and there are lot more Onsen to check!

    Gero Onsen Festival is held annually on August 1st to 4th.
    You can enjoy watching a sacred dragon dance performance called
    Ryujin-no-Mai during the festival.

    Yumeguri Tegata, or a wooden spa pass tablet is available at the tourist office, souvenir shops, convenience stores, and ryokan.
    It is 1,300 yen and can be used for 6 months.
    With it, you can visit any three of 30 participating ryokan.

  2. Pray at Onsen ji

    It is the most important temple for locals with a famous legend of a white heron.
    Up until 1265, Mt Yugamine(a mountain on the east of Gero) was active and people in Gero enjoyed Onsen.
    One day it suddenly stopped producing Onsen (probably due to the earthquake).
    People were very disappointed and lost what to do.
    Next year, a villager found a white heron came to the same place everyday.
    The villager wondered why.
    He went to see the bird and followed where it went.
    Then, the heron pointed out a place where new hot spring was.
    Villagers were very thankful and believed that Nyorai (a buddhist figure of the highest degree of respect) turned into the white heron to help villagers.
    Later, to worship Nyorai, Onsen ji Temple was built.

    Just in front of the temple, there is a statue called Yukake yakushi Nyorai.
    It is a statue of Nyorai, with hot spring around.
    It is believed that if you pour hot spring to the body of Nyorai where you (your body) need a healing, your pain and disease will go away.

    Near the Nyorai statue, there’s a small building where Saruya no ishi (Saruya’s stone) is enshrined.
    Saruya was a monkey that villagers petted to get mice away.
    When Saruya passed away, a round stone was found near its grave.
    People believe that still after its death, Saruya turned itself to a stone to protect the area.


    Onsen ji

  3. Learn at Gero Museum of Hot spring

    It is a museum near Onsen ji.
    You can learn about hot spring from the view of both science and history.
    It has a lot of information about Onsen in Gero and other hot springs in Japan.

    There are 5 sections inside: Welcome to Gero Onsen, Science of Hot spring, History of Hot spring, Libraly, and Onsen try out where you can try some experiments like checking the minerals inside of hot spring in a bottle.

    There’s a foot bath right in front of the museum where you can walk inside to relax.

    Gero Museum of Hot spring
    Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (closed on Thu)
    Price: 400yen

  4. Eat Onsen Tamago

    Onsen Tamago is a soft-boiled egg prepared in hot spring and it is a popular food in Gero Onsen area.
    There’s a store place called Ayumi-ya where you can try this egg while enjoying foot bath.
    They also sell Onsen Tamago ice cream and pudding!

  5. Visit Gero Onsen Gassho Mura

    This is an open-air museum of traditional style houses (called Gassho style. More about this, check Shirakawa-go).

    It also has a museum of Enku, a great carver who made more than ten thousand of wooden Buddhist statues.
    There are also souvenir stores as well as a place to try making potteries.

    Gero Onsen Gassho Mura
    Hours: 8:30 to 17:00
    Price: 800yen

In Gero, there are places called Onsen stands.
Just like a gas station, Gero citizens can bring their tanks and take Onsen from an Onsen stand for private use.
This city really is full of Onsen!

Access

From Tokyo

Take Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya, and then take Wide View Hida express to Gero.
(Time:About 3 to 4 hours   Price: 12,890 yen for oneway)

From Nagoya

Take Wide View Hida express to Gero
(Time:About 2 hours  Price: 4,100 yen for oneway)

What do people in your country do to relax/get rid of stress?

Taka

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

See you next time!

What to do in Hakone? 5 popular places

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If you are looking for a place to enjoy the view of Mt.Fuji or a relaxing day at hot springs near Tokyo, Hakone is the place to go!
Because it is only a few hours away from Tokyo, it attracts a lot of tourists from overseas as well as residents of Tokyo.
Besides plentiful hot springs, it has a lot of museums and is rich in nature.
If you are visiting Tokyo, be sure to check Hakone and take a lot of beautiful pictures!

During the edo period(from 16th to late 18th century), Hakone was a station along the Tokaido Road, which was a way for Daimiyo(Powerful Japanese feudal loads at the time) to travel between Edo(the old of Tokyo area) to other places of Japan.
There was the system to control the rulers.
Daimiyo were required to visit Edo once a year and their families had to live there throughout the year.
Hakone was not only a station for people visiting Tokyo but also a security check point.
One of the biggest Sekisho (a gate/the facility for inspection) was in this area where governors inspected passengers to prevent weapons to be taken to Edo and also to check if any wives and children of Daimiyo were fleeing from Edo.

Hakone is also known for Hakone Ekiden running race.
It has its origins in the course that messengers took between Tokyo and Hakone.
Every year on Jan 2nd and 3rd, college students run the course and is is broad casted live on TV.

Here are the 5 must-visit spots of Hakone.

  1. Hakone Shrine

    It is a shrine on the shore of Ashinoko Lake.
    The original shrine was made on Mt.Hakone, and it was relocated to the current place in 1667.
    It was a popular place for Samurai worriers to pray for winning the battle and making their wishes come true.
    There’s another shrine called Kuzuryu(nine-headed dragon) shrine nearby.
    According to the legend, Priest Mangan pacified the nine-headed dragon that lived in the bottom of the Ashinoko Lake, and the shrine was made to worship the dragon.
    You can enjoy the view of Mt.Fuji together with Ashinoko Lake and the shrine.
    The main festival of the shrine is held every year on August 1st.

    Hakone Shrine

  2. Hakone Hot Springs

    To fully enjoy Japanese hot springs, it is the best to stay at a Ryokan (or Japanese inn) with hot springs.
    Among a lot of hot spring places in Hakone, Hakone-Yumoto, which is located near Odawara is the most famous kind.
    At Hakone-Yumoto, there are over 40 Ryokan with hot springs and you can enjoy your bath whole day.
    Even if you are not staying at a Ryokan, you can still enjoy hot spring as a visitor.
    Here are some of the popular places to enjoy bath.

    Hakone Yuryo
    It is a popular public bath that is 10-15 min away from Hakone Yumoto Station.
    (You can get there by shuttle bus)
    It has both indoor and outdoor baths and they are gender segregated.
    If you would like to share a bath, you can ask for a private baths with additional fee.
    Hours: 10:00 to 21:00
    Price: 1,400yen to enter

    Tenzan
    There are many kinds of baths inside including both outdoor and indoor.
    You can also enjoy sauna and private room and baths are available upon request.
    Hours: 9:00 to 23:00
    Price: 1,300yen to enter

    Hakone Kamon
    It has about 10 unique baths including a cave bath.
    Everything inside is decorated in Japanese style and it only takes 5 min by a shuttle bus from Hakone Yumoto Station.
    Hours: 10:30 to 17:00
    Price: 2,000yen

  3. Owakudani

    It is an area of volcanic valley with active vents(sulphur) and hot springs.
    It is a popular place for tourists and Kuro tamago(hard-boiled black eggs in the hot springs) is made there.
    To get to the place, it is the best to use the Hakone Ropeway.
    That way, you can enjoy the view of the mountains and the nature.
    As an alternative way to get there, you can use a bus line from Odawara or Hakone-Yumoto station.
    Anyone with asthma, heart disease, pacemakers, bronchitis and pregnant women are advised not to enter the valley because of high volcanic activity.


    Owakudani
    Hours: 9:00 to 17:00

  4. The Hakone Open Air Museum

    This museum was founded in 1969 to inspire people and to bring new energy to Japanese art scene.
    The museum has sculptures in a natural setting.
    Visitors can not only enjoy watching the art works but also admire the combination of the picturesque scenery of the Hakone mountains and the art.
    At The Picasso Exhibition Hall, paintings, sculptures and ceramic works are on display.


    The Hakone Open Air Museum
    Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
    Price: 1,600yen

  5. Amazake Chaya

    It is a traditional Japanese style cafe that has been running business for over 400 years.
    It was a place where people rest before entering Sekisho.
    Nowadays, a lot of hikers stop by to enjoy traditional sweets like Rice Cake and Amazake(sweet sake).
    What’s great about Amazake here is that no sugar is added to it.
    Instead, traditional way of brewing is used to add sweetness to the drink.
    Don’t miss this place if you are a sake lover!


    Amazake Chaya
    Hours: 7:00 to 17:30

Access

From Tokyo

Take Odakyu line from Shinjuku to Hakone Yumoto station.
(Time:About 2 hours Price: 1,190 yen for oneway)
※Hakone Free pass is also available at Shinjuku Station.
It only costs 5,140yen and you can ride on Odakyu express train, Tozan train, cable car, ropeway, pirate ship, and three other buses as many times as you like for 2 days.

From Kyoto

Take JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Kyoto station to Odawara station（either Hikari or Kodama) and then take Tozan Railway to Hakone Yumoto station.
(Time:About 5 hours and 30 min in total Price: 11,310 yen for oneway)

From Nagoya

Take JR Tokaido Shinkansen (Hikari) from Nagoya station to Hakone Yumoto Station.
(Time:About 2 hours and 30 min Price:8,730 yen for oneway)

Are there any hot springs 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!

Top 7 places to visit in Hiroshima

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Hiroshima is in the Chugoku Region of the main island of Japan and it has two world heritage sites: Itsukushima Shrine and Atomic bomb dome.
During WW2, an atomic bomb was dropped over this area on Aug 6 in 1945 and it wiped out nearly 90 percent of the area.
80,000 people were killed immediately, and tens of thousands more were dead because of the radiation exposure.
After the war, a lot of efforts were taken to rebuilt the city, and it is a popular sightseeing destination for tourists nowadays.

  1. Peace memorial park

    It is a memorial park located in the center of Hiroshima.
    It was built so that people won’t forget about the tragic history of atomic bomb and for the memories of direct and indirect victims.
    It was created on the field that was made by the explosion of the bomb.
    Every year on August 6th, Peace memorial ceremony is held here.
    There are also museums, monuments, and lecture halls around.


    Peace memorial park

  2. Itsukushima Shrine

    It is a shrine on the island of Itsukushima(also known as Miyajima) .
    It is said that a shrine was built here sometime in the 6th century and then it was rebuilt several times to this date.
    Retaining the purity of the shrine was(and still now is) so important that people were not allowed to set foot inside and since 1878, neither deaths nor births have been permitted near the shrine.

    There’s the torii gate, which is set away from the main buildings to welcome visitors.
    It is accessible from the island only during the low tide.


    Itsukushima Shrine
    Hours:
    <Jan 1st>0:00 to 18:30
    <Jan 2nd and 3rd> 6:30 to 18:30
    <Jan 4th till the end of Feb> 6:30 to 17:30
    <Mar 1st till Oct 14th> 6:30 to 18:00
    <Oct 15th till Nov 30th> 6:30 to 17:30
    <Dec 1st till Dec 31st> 6:30 to 17:00

  3. Atomic Bomb Dome

    This building was the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall.
    Atomic bomb exploded 600 meters above the ground of Hiroshima, 160 meters to the southeast side of this dome.
    Thick walls and the steel dome prevented the complete destruction of it(however people inside were killed instantly), and it was left there as a reminder of the suffering caused by the bomb.


    Atomic Bomb Dome

  4. Shukkei-en Garden

    It is one of the most popular gardens of Japan.
    The construction of the garden is said to be started in 1620 during the Edo period.
    It used to be served as the villa of the Asano family(a powerful feudal lord in Hiroshima), and it was opened to the public in 1940.
    It was badly damaged by the atomic bomb in 1945 but has been restored and reopened in 1951.


    Shukkei-en Garden

    Hours:
    <April ~ Sep> 9:00 to 18:00
    <Oct ~ Mar> 9:00 to 17:00

    Price: 260yen to enter

  5. Hiroshima castle

    Mori Terumoto (a powerful shogun who governed 9 provinces) built the Hiroshima castle between 1589 and 1599.
    It was destroyed by the atomic bomb in 1945 and was rebuilt in 1958.
    It is a 26m-high building with 5 floors, and inside is a history museum of Samurai era.
    It is a great place to learn about Japanese history and samurai!


    Hiroshima castle

    Hours:
    <April ~ Sep> 9:00 to 17:30
    <Oct ~ Mar> 9:00 to 16:30

    Price: 370yen to enter

  6. Onomichi

    Onomichi is a town located in the east side of Hiroshima, between Hiroshima and Kyoto.
    There are a lot of temples and historical buildings and it is a popular spot for photographers.

    If you like cycling, you should try taking the Shimanami Kaido.
    It is a 70 kilometer long road for cycling that connects Japan’s main island(Onomichi) and Shikoku island.
    It takes about 3 hours to complete the course and you can enjoy the beautiful view of the sea along the way.


    Onomichi

  7. Rabbit island

    Ookunoshima, or Rabbit island is located in eastern Hiroshima.
    There are hundreds of wild rabbits living there and you can feed them.
    This island has a sad history of the war time.
    There used to be a poison gas factory and rabbits were used to test the chemicals.
    After the war, rabbits were set free and the Poison Gas Museum opened in 1988 to let people know about the dreadful research that was carried out.
    We should not forget about the past and live peacefully with these cute animals.


    Rabbit island
    (You can get the to the island from JR Tadanoumi Station by ferry.
    It costs 310yen and takes 12min)

In hiroshima, you can eat delicious Okonomiyaki.
This pancake like food with sweet sauce on top is one of the most popular foods in Hiroshima.
Okonomiyaki in Osaka is also popular, but Okonomiyaki in Hiroshima has a different style:Less flour is used(this is because flour was very expensive in Hiroshima), and ingredients are layered rather than mixed.
Also, fried egg and noodles are used for Hiroshima style.

If you have enough time, I recommend that you visit both Osaka and Hiroshima and try Okonomiyaki to see the differences!(to learn more about Osaka, please check the link:Osaka)
Most Okonomiyaki places have a huge hot griddle where the chefs cook right in front of you.

Access

From Tokyo

Take JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen (Nozomi)
(Time:About 4 hours Price: 18,040 yen for non-reserved seat)

From Nagoya

Take JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen (Nozomi)
(Time:About 2 hours and 17 min Price: 13,290 yen for non-reserved seat)

From Kyoto

Take JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen (Nozomi)
(Time:About 1 hour and 40 min Price: 10,570 yen for non-reserved seat)

From Osaka

Take JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen (Nozomi)
(Time:About 1 hour and 25 min Price: 9,710 yen for non-reserved seat)

I really hope that a lot of people will continue to visit Hiroshima, learn the history, and pray together for peace.

Taka

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

See you next time!

5 places to visit in Shibuya, Tokyo

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

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

  1. Famous spots

    Shibuya crossing

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

    Hachi kou Statue

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

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

  2. Fashion

    Shibuya 109

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

    Shibuya cat street

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

  3. Parks

    Yoyogi Park

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

    Meiji Jingu

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

  4. Museums

    Bunkamura

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

    Ota Memorial Museum of Art

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

    Toguri museum of art

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

  5. Night life

    Dougenzaka

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

    Center Gai

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

    Ebisu Garden Place

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

Access

From Tokyo Station

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

Where do young people hang out in your country?

Taka

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

See you next time!

Visit Okinawa, amazing southern islands of Japan!

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Okinawa is in the southernmost prefecture of Japan,
and is the perfect place to enjoy the beautiful sea and delicious, exotic food.
It has a unique culture and full of beautiful nature.
Your visit to Okinawa will surely be relaxing and peaceful!

Okinawa(which means the rope in the open sea) is a chain of islands.
It consists of 49 inhabited islands and 111 uninhabited islands.

Okinawa used to be called “Ryukyu kingdom”.
In 1429, Shouhashi ruled the entire area,
and built Shuri castle as the center of Ryukyu Kingdom,
and it became more and more prosperous as they promoted foreign trades with China and Japan.
Thus, Ryukyu had both Chinese and Japanese cultural influences.

Later on in 1609, it was occupied by Tokugawa Shogunate of Japan,
but it still maintained the relationship with China.
In 1879, Japanese government at the time(Meiji government) ruled the Shuri Castle,
and changed the area from Ryukyu kingdom to Okinawa prefecture of Japan.
Okinawa has a tragic history of the horrible loss of WW2.
A lot of people were killed in the area.
After the WW2, Okinawa was governed by the U.S until 1972 (This added American cultural influence) and a lot of the U.S military bases are still remain in the area.

People use the Okinawan language, which is unique to the area.
Most people in Okinawa can communicate using regular Japanese,
but you might have hard time understanding what people are saying if you hear this type of distinctive language.
But you don’t need to worry too much about it.
People in Okinawa area are generally very friendly and open-minded,
so even if you can not say a single Japanese sentence(or Okinawan language),
you can somehow communicate with body language and smile.

To get to Okinawa, it is the most convenient to use an airplane.
There’s an airport in the main island(or Hontou) and you can go sightseeing there first.
Using ferries and airplanes, you can go to one island to another.

Here are some popular places and activities in the main island.

Main island

There are coral reefs around the island and view of the ocean is breathtaking.
Sand is white and sparkling.
Just relaxing on the beach will be very nice , but if you have enough time,
swimming in the sea with colorful marine life will surely be a memorable experience!

  • Snorkeling/Diving at Blue Cave

    It is the most popular place for visitors of main island.
    Blue Cave is a natural cave and you can swim inside.
    The view from the underwater is particularly beautiful when the ray of light go through the water.
    You do not need a license of diving to join the experience.
    There are varieties of programs and the price and the activities differs depending on the tour.

    In addition, there are some other marine tours that you can join such as,

    Swim with sea turtles (There’s Swim with Mantas tour in Ishigaki Island)
    Sail with whales

  • Chura Umi Aquarium

    It is one of the world’s largest Aquariums.
    This place has the gigantic tank with the windows that are 8.2m high, 22.5m wide and 60cm thick.
    You can enjoy watching sharks, mantas, many different kinds of fishes, coral reef as well as the deep sea creatures.
    Great place to learn about marine life in Okinawa and it is very relaxing watching them swim!

    Hours:
    8:30am to 17:30pm (Oct to Feb)
    8:30am to 19:00pm (Mar to Sep)
    *Closed on the first Wed and Thu of December

    Price:1,850yen (1,290yen for the entrance after 16:00) to enter

  • Shuri Castle

    It was the main castle of Ryukyu Kingdom and around it flourished with foreign affairs and trade.
    The design of the building shows the influence of China and Japan and it has the exceptional cultural and historical values.
    It was designated as a World Heritage Site in 2000.

    Hours:
    8:30 to 18:30 (April to June, Oct to Nov)
    8:30 to 19:30 (Jul to Sep)
    8:30 to 17:30 (Dec to Mar)
    *Closed on the first Wed and The of July.

    Price: 820yen to enter

  • Kokusui Douri

    Kokusui Douri is the main market area in the capital of okinawa, Naha city.
    This place (which is about a mile long) has been developing after the war,
    and is a great place to enjoy local food (Okinawa Soba,Umibudou,Champuru, and etc), drink(Awamori), and music.
    There are a lot of souvenir shops which sell glass crafts, potteries, and colorful clothes.
    Things are relatively low priced and the area is lively day and night.

Other islands

  • Ishigaki island

    It is one of the most popular islands near the main island of Okinawa.
    There are the finest beaches(it has both sandy and rocky beaches) and it is rich in nature.
    At Yurateiku Market, you can get some local fruits, vegitables, and souvenirs.
    There’s beautiful bay called Kabira Wan, and the lighthouse named Oganzaki light house.

    Access from the main island
    You can take an airplane to get there.
    It takes about 50 min and the price is 25,800yen for one way.

  • Taketomi island

    It is an island located close to Ishigaki island.
    Traditional Ryukyu style villages are preserved,
    and they can be observed well from Nagomi Tower.
    The island has a lot of beautiful flowers and there are some great places to stay like
    Hoshinoya Taketomi island and Hotel peace island Taketomi Island, and some guesthouses.

    Access from Ishigaki island
    You can take a ferry to get there.
    It takes about 15 min and the price is 690yen for one way.

I wrote just major places in Okinawa on this post, but there are are lot more to see!

You can enjoy relaxing on the beautiful beach and at night, you can see a lot of stars.
A lot of people visit there especially during winter to get away from the cold weather.（The temperature stays around 15℃ even in the coldest month)

That reminds me of my days in Florida. Many people from north part of the U.S came down to Miami and I saw them partying hard in the winter on the beaches haha

Access

From Tokyo

You can take an airplane to get to the main island.
(Time: About 2 and a half hours  Price:From around 6,160yen~ for one way)

From Nagoya

You can take an airplane to get to the main island.
(Time: About 2 hours  Price:From around 5,500yen~ for one way)

From Osaka

You can take an airplane to get to the main island.
(Time: About 2 hours  Price:From around 4,012yen~ for one way)

Where’s the best resort area 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!

Top things to do in Osaka, energetic Kansai city

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Osaka is Japan’s second largets area after Tokyo.
It is a very lively, energetic place.
It is famous for delicious food and entertainment like comedy shows.
People living there are generally open to foreigners and you will feel that you are welcomed.
Local people are called Kansai people, (people living in the west part of Japan),
and they are generally more friendly and open compared to Kantou people (people in the east part of Japan).
While Kantou people respect personal spaces and tend to have certain distance from others, Kansai people like to interact with others and talk about business.

It is very interesting to see people behave differently in different parts of Japan.
If you are visiting Tokyo(which is in Kantou), I highly recommend that you visit Osaka(Kansai) as well to see the differences.
Here are some of the best things to do in Osaka.

Visit Osaka Castle

In 1583, Toyotomi Hideyoshi started building the castle to be the center of Japan under his rule.
It is one of the most famous castles and was the largest castle during the sixteenth century.
The castle grounds cover about 60,000 square meters.
The main central tower is 55 meters high.
There is a museum inside and garden around it.
You can enjoy the panoramic view of Osaka city.

Osaka Castle
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
600yen to enter

2.Eat at Dotonbori

Dotonbori is the center of food culture of Osaka(The culture is called Kuidaore, meaning to eat yourself into bankruptcy).
People in Osaka are very passionate about food,
and serve a lot of delicious food that make you spend a lot!
This area has been a busy district with entertainment and food stores since the Edo period.
Below are some of the must-try food and famous restaurants.

•Kushikatsu
(Deep fried meat,seafood, or vegetables on a stick)

Restaurant: Kushikatsu Daruma
Hours: 11:30 to 22:30
Price range:Around 2,000yen per a person

•Okonomiyaki
(It is a pancake like food with fluffy batter and lots of ingredients such as vegitables, noodles, siced pork, and eggs. The taste varies depending on the restaurant.)

Restaurant: Mizuno
Hours: 11:00 to 22:00
Price range: Around 1,500yen

•Takoyaki
(They are ball shaped dumplings with batter or eggs and flour with sliced octopus, onions, and ginger. Usually some sweet source and mayonnaise are put on top with green onions and bonito flakes. They are VERY hot inside so becareful when you eat!)

Restaurant:Kururu
Hours: 12:00 to 23:00(Mon to Fri), 11:00 to 22:00(Sat, Sun)
Price range:1,000yen to 2,000yen

•Yakiniku
(It is barbecued beef. Usually customers cook themselves on a grill on the table. Osaka has the most Korean influence in Japan, and it is believed that this style is brought from Korean culture)

Restaurant:Sora
Hours:17:00 to 23:30(Mon to Fri), 16:00 to 23:30(Sat, Sun)
Price range:3,000yen to 4,000yen

•Fugu
(Blowfish that is eaten raw. It is poisonous to eat blowfish without a careful preparation, but fugu chefs are trained three years to get a license to serve at a restaurant so you don’t need to worry. Enjoy the rare opportunity to try fugu in Osaka!)

Restaurant:Zuboraya Doutonbori
Hours:11:00 to 23:00
Price range:2,000yen to 8,000yen

3.Go sightseeing around Tsutenkaku

It is a tower known as the Eiffel Tower of Osaka.
It is a symbol of Osaka, and it is in the district called Shinsekai(New world).
In the area, there are a lot of stores and huge bath complex as well as large pools.
You can go in side of the tower and enjoy the view from the 5th floor!

Tsutenkaku
Hours:9:00 to 21:00
700yen to enter the tower

4.Take pictures at Shitennoji

It is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan(founded in 593),
built to save the souls of people and bring peace to Japan.
Gates at Shitennoji temple are guarded by wooden statues,
or Niou(Benevolent Kings).
There is the Gokuraku-jodo Garden(Pure Land Garden, or Buddhist paradise) and the Treature House (Buddhist statues, paintings, various documents, and national treasures are stored inside)
The area is great for taking pictures.
Enjoy seeing this historical building and beautiful garden!

Shitennoji
Open 24 hours
300yen to enter the garden, 500yen to enter the Treasure House

Osaka is a perfect place to enjoy Japanese cuisine and the lively atmosphere talking over drinks.
Osaka never sleeps like other big cities of Japan, and you will never get bored shopping and checking restaurants that serve delicious meals.
Be prepared to Kuidaore there!

Access

From Tokyo

•By train: Take Nozomi Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka and take JR train to Osaka
(Time: About 2 hours an 45 min　Price:13,780yen)

•By bus: There are various buses go to directly to Osaka.
Please refer to the link Kosokubus
(Time: About 9 hours, Price: 3,000yen ~)

From Kyoto

Take JR Tokaido Sanyo Main Line New Rapid Bound for Himeji
(Time: About 29 min, Price: 560yen)

From Nagoya

Take JR Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi Bound for Shin-Osaka and then take JR train to Osaka
(Time:About 1 hour, Price 5,830yen)

Where’s the best place to eat in your country?
Taka

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

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

4 places to check in Otaku’s paradise, Akihabara

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

1.Maid Café (and other uniqueCafés)

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

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

@home Café
Hours: 11:00 to 22:00

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

Gundam Café
Hours: 10:00 to 22:30

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

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

2.Anime Markets

dragon ball

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

Animate Akihabara
Open: 10:00 to 21:00

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

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

3.Electronics stores

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

Denkigai (Electric town)

Yodobashi camera
Hours: 9:30 to 22:00

4.Kanda Myojin shrine

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

Kanda Myojin shrine
（Open 24 hours）

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

Access

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

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

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

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

Shirakawa go and Hida furukawa: 2 beautiful places near Takayama

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I wrote about the areas near Takayama in Gifu prefecture this time!Shirakawa go and Hida Furukawa are very popular places for tourists these days.People all over the world(especially from Europe) come visit to enjoy historical places. These places are great for taking pictures and feel traditional Japan!

1.Shirakawa go

In the north part of Gifu, there’s an old village called Shirakwa-go.Forest area covers 95% it, and most of the nature around it has been undisturbed for ages. It snows a lot in winter there, so the iconic Gassho style houses (wooden houses with steeply sloped thatched roofs) were built. In 1995, Shirakawa-go was registered as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since then, it has been one of the most popular places for tourist visiting Japan. In January and February, night illumination events take place. It is particularly beautiful during the winter, seeing the houses covered in snow with illumination.


2.Hida Furukawa

Thanks to the big hit of the anime “Your Name”(some of the scenes are based on this place), Hida Furukawa is gaining popularity among anime fans all over the world.It is a small town near Takayama city. It is smaller and also quieter than Takayama and just like other areas in Gifu, old wooden houses are well preserved. Furukawa festival is held on April 19th and 20th.Festival floats are displayed from 6:00am and traditional drum performance takes place in the evening of the 19th.Santera-mairi(pilgrimage of three temples in the area) is held on January 15th. During Sandera-mairi, about 1,000 Japanese candles are lined up near the river.
Thousands of Koi fishes are swimming in the rivers of Hida Furukawa, and it is a perfect place to enjoy the scenery and beautiful traditional architecture of Japan.

Access

・Shirakawa-go

From Takayama to Shirakawa-go

Travel Time: About an hour
Price: 2,470yen (One way) 4,420yen (Round-trip)
Bus ticket reservation/Bus Schedule: Nohi Bus

・Hida Furukawa

From Takayama to Hida Furukawa

<By Train>
Travel Time: About 20min
Price: 240yen (One way)

<By Bus>
Travel Time: About one hour
Price: 370yen (One way)
Bus ticket reservation/Bus Schedule: Nohi Bus

What are traditional houses/areas in your country like?
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]

See you next time!

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

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

1.Tokyo Midtown and Roppongi Hills

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

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

2.Museums

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

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


3.Night Clubs

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

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

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

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

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

V2 Tokyo (Open from 21:00 to 5:00am)


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

Access

From Shibuya

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

From Shinjuku

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

From Tokyo station

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

Do you prefer living in big cities or countryside?

Taka

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

See you next time!

What to do in Kyoto? Top 3 things to try

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A little away from Tokyo this time: Kyoto.
Like Tokyo, it is one of the most visited places by foreigners in the world.
You never get bored visiting the place, really!
It is full of historic buildings and entertainment.
It is some of the places where you feel, “Ah, I’m in Japan now!”
I remember going to Kyoto with my brother when I came back from the States.
That moment was like a re-discovery of Japan to me.
When I was in my country, everything I saw in Japan was so natural to me that I didn’t really pay attention or notice the uniqueness of our culture…!
I’m sure you will be amazed to see things there.
Here are 3 things I recommend that you try in Kyoto.

1.Visit Amazing Temples and Shrines

It is the best way to learn about history and culture of Japan.
You can enjoy Sakura in Spring, Green leaves in Summer, Autumn Leaves in Fall, and Snows (if you are lucky!) in Winter.
Every season is beautiful and Temples and Shrines give different impressions.
There are hundreds of historic buildings(more than 1,600), so you cannot see the whole things within a few days but if you have enough time, you should definitely try to visit as many as possible.
Here are some of the major places.

Kinkakuji Temple (A zen temple covered in gold leaf)
Ginkakuji Temple (A zen temple with sand and moss garden)
Kiyomizu Temple (A temple with wooden stage)
Fushimi Inari Shrine (A shrine with thousands of torie/holy gates)
Shimogamo Shrine (One of the oldest shrines)
Yasaka Shrine(A temple between Gion and Higashiyama district)
And I recommend that you visit these places if you have more time!

Tetsugaku no Michi/Philosopher’s path
(Stone path along a canal. There are a lot of Sakura trees)
Nanzen-ji Temple
(One of the most important Zen temples in Japan)
Sanjyu Sangendou
(A temple where thousands of Kannon Statues)
Honen-in Temple
(A temple with beautiful gardens)
Chion-in Temple
(The head temple of Jodo sect of Buddhism)

2.Try traditional Japanese food and Drinks

You can try some refined and delicate taste of traditional Japanese food in Kyoto. They are carefully made and decorated beautifully.
Along with food, Japanese green tea is also very popular there.
Here are some of the popular kinds of food that you should try.
Tofu
(I personally recommend this restaurant named Nanzenji junsei. They have amazing Tofu set!)
Kaiseki dish
(Traditional Japanese multi-course dinner)Shojin ryori (Japanese Buddhist vegetarian dish)
Wagashi
(Traditional sweets)
Matcha
(Japanese green tea)

3.Join Experience programs

Kyoto is a perfect place to learn about Japanese culture.
Joining some culture experience programs will surely make your visit memorable!
Here are some of the experiences that I recommend that you try.

Kimono wearing (You should care more about the quality than the price!Some of the cheap Kimono wearing experiences fake Kimono with wrong way of dressing that looks very embarrassing)

Tea ceremony (If you are not used to sitting on the floor for a long time, your legs will go to sleep so be prepared!)

Zen meditation program(Just like tea ceremony, it really improves your focus and help you get rid of stress. You must be quiet during the session so if you can’t stay still for a while, you should refrain from trying…!)
More about Zen, check this link: https://hidanotaka.com/zen/

Access

From Tokyo

Take Nozomi Shinkansen(the fastest bullet train)
(Time:2 hours and 15 min Price:14,110yen for one way, unreserved seat.
*The price is for the peak season.)

From Nagoya

Take Nozomi Shinkansen
(Time:35 min Price:5,070yen for one way, unreserved seat)

From Osaka

Take JR Kyoto line
(Time:About 28 min Price:560yen for one way)

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]