Cherry and Ume in winter: Jan.14, 2010

It is still winter, but some trees have started to bloom in Tokyo.

Ume (Japanese apricot) trees have just started to open their flowers. I found beautiful white and pink flowers here and there in central Tokyo.

I also found a cherry blossom in Otemachi, central Tokyo. It is surprising. It’s still mid January!

We usually have the Ume bloom from January to February and the cherry blossom in March and April in Tokyo.

Ginza Walk: Jan 9, 2010

Ginza has long been one of the most fashionable towns in Japan. Many Tokyo people enjoy "Ginbura", which means getting around Ginza without any special purposes. I walked around the area today (It was Saturday). Some roads are off vehicle in the weekend.

A stationary shop Kyukyodo locates in the center of Ginza. Its land price has been higher than any other places in Japan for decades. They have galleries in the building (see below in the article).

There are many fashion stores (including luxury brand stores) at Ginza. Uniqlo’s Ginza shop is probably most often reported in these days. They sell various clothes at low prices.

Foreigners as well as Japanese visit the store. Tourists from China and other Asian countries visit the store by signtseeng buses and buy lots of clothes. The store was crowded as I had expected.

The store’s operator, First Retailing, is one of the most successful firms at the moment in Japan. Chiairman Tadashi Yanai is widely known and is regarded as a charismatic business leader. Some critics, however, blame the company for triggering deflationary spiral in the country’s economy.

There are many galleries in the district. I visited two exhibitions of Noh masks and Japanese writings (calligraphy) in small galleries in Kyukyodo Building.

A free 3D movie of animals was played at the Sony Building. A small playground, which was covered with snow, was arranged for the children in front of the building.

Tsukiji Fish Market: Jan 9, 2010

Tsukiji Market of fish and vegetable is one of the most popular sightseeing spots among foreign tourists in Tokyo.

It is known as the world’s largest fish market.

The market is run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. It has an area of about 23 hectares and is divided into several parts: tuna auction area, seafood intermediate wholesalers’ area, vegetable and fruits intermediate wholesalers’ area etc.

The wholesale traders start tuna auction as early as five o’clock in the morning. Hundreds of intermediate wholesale traders have their spaces in the market and many customers (including fish shop owners and sushi chefs) come here to buy fish.

There were many consumers when I visited the market in the Saturday morning. Various kinds of fresh fish were displayed. Many vehicles were moving around (Be careful !) The fish prices at the market were far cheaper than those in the town.

Outside the official market, there spread street markets of fish, vegetable and dry foods. The prices of them are cheap, too.

There are also many sushi bars and restaurants in the area. I saw a big tune head in front of a sushi bar (picture). I had a sushi lunch, which was so delicious.

There is a shrine named "Namiyoke Jinja" outside the market. It was build to pray for the peace of the sea and the safety of the fishermen.

New-year decoration 2010.1.5

Japan’s houses and offices are decorated with traditional garnishes in the new-year season.

We see Kadomatsu, a pair of decorations consisted of bamboos, pine leaves and papers in front of the entrances of houses and offices.

We also find Shimekazari, a decoration made of strews, grasses and papers on the doors.

With Kadomatsu and Shimekazari, people celebrate a New Year and pray for happiness.

Some people display the decorations in the first seven days of the year. Others show them in the first 15 days.

Yoyogi Hachiman Shrine: Jan 3, 2010

Many Japanese people go "Hatsumode" or new-year’s visit to the shrine in the first several days of the year. I visited Yoyogi Hachiman Shrine near Shibuya.

It is not difficult to make new year's pray in the shrine. (1) throw coins or notes into a wooden box in front of the main building (2) pray for happiness and good health (and anything else) in the coming year.

When I arrived in the shrine, I found a long line in the garden. I had to wait around 30 minutes before finishing my pray.

Some people need additional pray services by the Shinto priests. The services are offered inside the buildings.

I saw a small girl in traditional kimono costume and her parents waiting the services. The Shinto priests said that they would be busy throughout January.

There were open-air stalls of traditional Japanese foods in the shrine garden. The foods included Takoyaki, Yakisoba and Amazake.

Lucky Cat @ Gotokuji Temple Dec 29, 2009

Gotokuji Temple is just one of many temples in Japan as far as its religious function is concerned, but it is very famous for its “Lucky Cat” (Maneki-Neko) legend.



Lucky Cat is a sculpture of cat sitting with one hand up. The cat is believed to bring good fortunes to the owner.

Some people believe that the cat brings guests when it holds up its left hand and brings money when it holds up its right hand. Many restaurants and stores keep the cat.

There are several legends behind the birth of the cat. One legent was born in Gotoku-ji Temple. The story tells –-

When a famous political leader in the Edo period was passing outside the temple, he saw a cat making a motion as if it was inviting him into the temple. When he entered there, it began to rain heavily and he escaped from getting wet. He thanked the cat and honored it.



It was calm inside the temple. There were pine trees along the front approach and in the garden. The tower was beautiful.



Many Lucky Cats were honored in the temple. Some of them were dedicated by restaurants, shops and citizens.

 

 

 

Mori Art Museum 2009.12.27

Winter is the season to visit museums.

I visited an exhibition titled “Medicine and Art” at Mori art Museum @ Roppingi Hills.

The museum is in the 53rd floor of the building or about 220 meters high from the ground. Many Japanese museums are in the upper floors.

The exhibition is held jointly by Mori Art Museum and Britain’s Wellcome Collection.

Drawings, life-size models, artificial hands legs and other things related to medicine are displayed. The exhibits from the Wellcome Collection include Charles Darwin’s stick and other interesting things.

Gilles Barbier’s work “The Nursing House” was very impressive for me. Aged Superman, Mister Fantastic (of the Fantastic Four) and other American heroes (and heroines) live in a nursing house. The extended hands and legs of Mr. Fantastic no longer return to the original shapes. Superman carries a drip pole. Even the heroes cannot resist aging...

I took pictures outside the museum as it is prohibited to take photos inside.

Tokyo's Christmas 2009.12.25

Tokyo celebrates Christmas, but howto celabrate it is different from Western countries.

Statistics show only 1-2% of Japanese are Christian. Only limited number of people go church.

Christmas is just a holiday to enjoy shopping and dinners and recieving (giving) presents. Shops, hotels and streets are covered with glittering Christmas decorations.

Most people know Vatican’s Christmas mass or Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree in NY. In Tokyo, however, there is no such symbolic Christman scene.

On 26th of December, shops and streets quickly take off the Christmas decorations and change them to the New Year decorations.

Funny English Expression in Japan

You may find funny English expressions when you walk around in Japan.

Examples include:

Flesh Juice (not fresh juice) -- in a menu of a coffee shop
Our city is fruity (not fruit-rich city)

In this blog, there may be many “funny” English expressions (in addition to simple grammatical errors). Please do not be angry and enjoy them when you find them. They must be typical mistakes made by a Japanese (^^)

I am trying to take laughter-evoking pictures in the streets in Tokyo. It is yet successful. Instead, I show some examples I found in the web.

http://www.eigotown.com/bikkuri/popup3.html

http://www.eigotown.com/bikkuri/popup2005_1.html

http://www.eigotown.com/bikkuri/popup2005_3.html

Tokyo Map

There are some easy-to-read Tokyo Maps I have found.
You may find it easier to read this blog with these maps.

Useful links:

Tokyomap.com’s broad area map

Japan-hotel-reservation.net’s map

Japan National Tourism Organization’s map

You may find various maps – nationwide, broad area Tokyo and local maps, in these sites.