RUTHER'S ROOM

Winter Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 04:52:00 +0000

Some may think of winter as a gloomy time of year when it’s time to hunker down and stay indoors. Others embrace winter as a time to enjoy winter sports and activities. Being diverse in landscapes, Japan has plenty of offerings at this time of year.

Naturally, during the winter there’s skiing, snowboarding and ice-skating to be done. Areas like Hokkaido and Nagano are home to some world class ski-fields. Hokkaido in particular receives good amounts of snow as early as October and can keep its fields open well into the spring months. If you’re looking for somewhere closer to Tokyo, Nagano is only a few hours away by bus or train and was of course the site of the 1998 winter Olympics making it rich in winter sports facilities.

After a day on the ski slopes it’s popular to unwind in one of Japan’s many onsens (hot-springs). Popular winter resort areas are famous for their many natural onsens. The resort town of Nozawa in Nagano is famous for its dozens of onsens throughout the village, many of which are free of charge. Relaxing in hot natural spring water is a great way to sooth the aches, pains and injuries of skiing or snowboarding. You may even be lucky enough to enjoy outdoor springs that are a unique experience if there is snow falling.

If you are looking for things to do in the city, cities like Tokyo are remarkably clear during the winter months. The trees may be stripped bare but the air is fresh and crisp and the sun shines mostly every day. Winter is also the best time of year to view Mt.Fuji. The clear winter air makes it easy to spot the great mountain from far and wide. Its snow-capped peak makes for an idyllic scene.

Animated Characters ARE Giving

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 08:26:00 +0000

You’re never too far from a cartoon character in Japan. Animated characters promote everything from baby food to the police. This year there’s a new trend for animated characters; promoting charity.

During the new year’s break, a man from Nagasaki anonymously donated several school bags to a children’s charity. He did this under the moniker, “Naoto Date” (Tiger Mask), a famous character from the animated series Kamen Rider. Since his generous act, there have been hundreds of cases of anonymous donations made to charities and organizations across Japan, all of whom adopt the names of popular animation characters.

This current fad has highlighted the fact that many Japanese want to donate to charities but lack the channels to do so. Most donations have been to organizations that help children. The ability to do this anonymously has also been a boon.

Anonymity and blending in with the crowd are something of a virtue in Japan. Doing good deeds in secret has accelerated this charitable trend. Using popular animation characters has made it an even more attractive prospect for many Japanese.

The current Tiger Mask fad actually occurred in the early 1970’s and was somewhat short-lived. With any hope, this trend will not only continue, but expand and make donations to charity a commonplace event.

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 02:30:00 +0000

New Year’s, or oshogatsu, is the largest and most important holiday in Japan. There are a multitude of customs and traditions both old and new that Japanese people follow at this time. Some customs have been around for centuries while others are more recent additions to the holiday.

One of the most important customs of the holiday comes days and even weeks before January 1st. People send friends, family and colleagues nengajo (greeting cards). The influx of cards in the postal system causes Japan Post to hire hundreds of temporary postal workers each year. The giving and receiving of cards for new years is a relatively recent custom that was adopted in the 1800’s and is based on the western tradition of sending Christmas cards.

Of course there are many other traditions that you can discover in Japan at this time of year, but for foreign visitors perhaps the most striking is the new year’s celebration itself.

The celebrations and events at stroke of midnight on December 31st in Japan are somewhat different to those that westerners are used to. Instead of huge parties, fireworks and carnivals, towns and cities in Japan are flooded with people travelling to their local shrine. At the stroke of midnight shrines sound their bells 108 times to signal the beginning of the new year. People then give their prayers at the shrine, usually with their entire family. The crowds in larger centers like Tokyo can be massive. To cope with this the city’s train system runs around the clock at this time.

According to the Chinese calendar, this year is the year of the rabbit. Souvenirs and collectibles, featuring the animal of the year are a popular item at the start of the new year and are available at many shrines and shops across the country. The Chinese new year officially begins on February 3rd this year. China-towns in Japanese cities like those in Yokohama will also hold special parades and festivals to see-in the year of the rabbit.

Eco Aware

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 05:38:00 +0000

Being one of the world’s largest industrial economies means that you’re always going to have to deal with one of the world’s largest amounts of industrial waste and pollution. There have been many initiatives in Japan to deal with this problem.

Perhaps one of the most pressing environmental issues of the late 20th century was the problem of greenhouse gases and carbon emissions. It was in Japan that the famous Kyoto Protocol was discussed and put into action. Since its adoption in 1997 there have been various undertakings in Japan towards meeting the protocol’s requirements.

Last year the Japanese government initiated the “Eco Points Program.” This was a program that gave consumers incentives to buy environmentally friendly electrical appliances. Incentives came in the form of “eco points” that could be exchanged for either discounts or cash-back chances. Traditionally environmentally unfriendly appliances, such as air conditioners and refrigerators, often earned the highest amount of “eco points.” The program was due to end this year but the government has decided to extend the program into the New Year. Not only has the program helped reduce Japan’s overall carbon emissions, but it has also proved to be a great stimulus for the electrical appliance industry.

Toyota is also the producer of the Prius hybrid car. The Prius is a common site on Japanese roads. It is now also the world’s most popular hybrid engine car. Other Japanese auto makers are stepping up the competition with numerous hybrid models of their own.

Finally, still on the subject of automobiles, the world’s first hydrogen fuel-celled bus service is set to start in Tokyo this week. Travellers to and from Tokyo’s Haneda airport will be able to use the environmentally friendly bus service from Shinjuku or the Tokyo City Air Terminal.

The Shaky Islands

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 01:27:00 +0000

One thing you have to be aware of upon visiting Japan is earthquakes. Nowhere in Japan is safe from seismic activity. The entire country itself is a series of land formations produced by tectonic uplift and volcanic activity. Japan is often referred to as the most seismically active region in the world.

Earthquakes happen everyday in Japan. This shouldn’t be of major concern as the vast majority of quakes are so small that they go unnoticed. Nevertheless, if you are visiting, or are here on a longer stay, you do need to be aware that earthquakes are a possibility. If you come from an area that doesn’t experience earthquakes, they can be quite a scare. Fortunately, being a modern and developed country means that Japan is well-prepared for the big one.

Major earthquakes like the Hanshin and Niigata quakes have made Japanese authorities more prepared than ever. If you do find yourself in an earthquake in Japan, the best thing to do is wait it out in a safe place such as under a sturdy table or doorway. In most cases quakes aren’t strong enough to be life threatening. Stay calm and stay in a safe place. Do not run outside as you risk being struck by overhead power-lines, falling glass and other debris. If the quake has been strong enough to cause damage, follow the directions of any building wardens or authorities. You will be directed to an assembly point. All buildings and public spaces have designated “safe areas” for assembly in a disaster. Hotels and lodges always display where this is in each room.

As mentioned previously, most earthquakes won’t cause major damage, but they are fairly common in Japan and it is important to remember this while visiting here. Travel insurance that includes earthquake related injuries is always a prudent move.

Holiday Souvenirs

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 04:53:00 +0000

What’s the most important part of taking a trip? Is it the sights and attractions? Local festivals and events? Unique cuisine? Indeed, all are important but it may be of interest to you that in Japan, acquiring omiyage (souvenirs) is high on the list. In many cases, some may even say that it’s the most important thing to remember while away.

This is because the culture of gift giving is extremely important in Japanese culture. Certain social and business protocols dictate that gifts are to be exchanged. Partnerships with new clients require some form of gift exchange. Likewise does catching up with friends, family and workmates after even a short trip away.

It’s not necessarily the gift that is important but the gesture itself. Most souvenirs found in Japanese cities and towns tend to be small, relatively inexpensive snacks or nick-knacks. Popular types include manju (a soft dough cake with perhaps a sweet bean paste filling) and varieties of mochi (glutinous rice flour cakes).

Because of its place in the culture, the souvenir trade in Japan is worth millions. Each town in Japan knows the importance of having a local specialty to peddle to visitors. Even if there isn’t a distinguishing product, a town will make one. For instance, did you know that the recommended souvenir snack of Tokyo is the Tokyo Banana (a banana shaped and flavored cream cake/cookie)?

You can’t leave town without buying the local specialties and recommended foods. Most Japanese people travelling within Japan will stock up on goodies for their friends, family, colleagues and even boss. This tradition extends to international travel too. Some Japanese tourists to foreign countries even state a particular product or food as their reason for going. Such travelers are usually expected to bring samples of the product back as a souvenir. A few years ago when there was only one Krispy Kremes store in all of Japan, Japanese visitors to the USA were flying back with cases of donuts. Fortunately, there are a lot more Krispy Kreme stores in Japan these days.

So if you’re coming to Japan for the first time, remember to bring an assortment of goods for souvenirs. If you live in Japan and are going to travel domestically, do not forget your all important omiyage!

Train Culture

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 05:11:00 +0000

It may not be at the fore of the Lonely Planet guide to Japan but each year many train buffs come to Japan to experience the country’s state of the art trains and rail network.

Japan is home to some of the largest and busiest rail networks in the world. High-tech trains such as the shinkansen (bullet train) and the new high-speed Keisei Narita Airport Skyliner have always been at the forefront of Japan’s railway industry. There are at least sixteen major train operating companies in Japan. Tokyo itself contains dozens of different train lines operated by at least nine different companies. The Tokyo rail network can at times seem overwhelming but it is however a tourist attraction in its own right.

Train spotters from within and outside Japan can frequently be seen on Tokyo’s train platforms. These are very serious individuals indeed. They pack an impressive array of camera equipment and will travel the lengths of the country to get shots of a rare or special edition train. During peak hours and seasons, rail companies make special provisions and guidelines for train spotters as they can be so numerous and enthusiastic that they may obstruct proceedings. A huge range of collectible goods are also lapped up by train enthusiasts.

You don't have to be a train spotter to appreciate Japan’s trains. A mixture of high technology and quirky themes has kept the industry thriving.

This December train spotters and tourists alike have a new train to marvel over. It’s not a new high-speed maglev train, nor is it particularly modern. The Seibu Electric Railway company have decided to run a “maid train service.” Realizing the popularity of maid culture in places like Akihabara, Seibu are cashing in by staffing fully costumed maids on their express service between Chichibu in Saitama and Ikebukuro in Tokyo. The maids will be selected from some of Akihabara’s most popular maid cafes. A single trip will be 3600 yen for adults, and 3000 yen for children. If you’re interested in trains and anime culture, why not take a ride and experience both!

Holidays and Festivities

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 07:08:00 +0000

It’s around this time of year that those of us from “western” countries tend to start thinking of holidays and how we are going to spend them. In a previous entry we looked at Halloween and how it`s an example of a western festival slowly encroaching into Japanese culture. These days there are many more holidays and festivals from overseas being observed in Japan.

The biggest and most high-brow example has to be Christmas. The non-secular nature of Christmas these days is common everywhere. In Japan Christmas has been spun into a sort of extra Valentine’s Day in which spending time with your significant other on Christmas Eve seems to be the most important act. For those looking for the more traditional Christmas experience, more and more restaurants and hotels are catering to the expat community by offering traditional western-style Christmas dinners with all the trimmings. While only a very small percentage of Japan’s population is Christian, major cities usually contain several churches where midnight mass and Christmas day services are open to the general public.

A similar holiday for any Americans present in Japan is Thanksgiving. Although there is no similar equivalent in Japanese culture, Americans living and working in Japan can still enjoy a traditional thanksgiving dinner. Similar to Christmas, many restaurants that cater towards foreign clientele in cities like Tokyo and Osaka offer special Thanksgiving menus. Bookings usually need to be made very early as seating is often very limited.

Over recent decades there have been an increasingly diverse range of foreigners moving into Japan. These migrants and visitors often bring their festivals and traditions with them. For instance, large numbers of Indonesian factory workers have boosted the number of Muslims in Japan. This has made observance of Ramadan and its rules necessary in some workplaces. Brazilian migrant workers who arrived for work in the car assembly industry of cities like Nagoya have introduced Brazilian carnivals and festivals to that city as well as to other parts of Japan. The size-able Chinese community in places like Yokohama’s China-town has made Chinese New Year a huge event in the area.

While mostly contained to major cities, it is increasingly becoming easier to celebrate or observe a wide variety of festivals and holidays in Japan.

Seasonal Displays

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 06:11:00 +0000

The holiday season is almost here. Despite not celebrating Christmas (at least not as many in the west know it), from the amount of Christmas displays all around Japan, you’d swear it was the most important holiday of the year.

Shop displaying is an art and it’s taken to great heights in Japan. Displaying really goes up a notch in early September when believe it or not, it’s Halloween. Halloween is another festival that has a very short history in Japan and not a lot dedicated followers outside of the children’s and young-adults age bracket. Nevertheless, Halloween seems to be growing in popularity each year. Big department stores such as Loft and Tokyu Hands pull out all the stops with massive amounts of decorations and Halloween themed costumes and paraphernalia on sale. I’d even go as far as saying that the attention and detail paid to Halloween in Japan exceeds that of many English-speaking countries.

Almost immediately after Halloween ends on November 1st Christmas season begins. Department stores have already rolled out their Christmas decorations and trees and it’s only the beginning of November. KFC, a major player in the Japanese Christmas, have already announced their Christmas fried chicken menus and prices. Christmas sponge cakes which are tremendously popular on Christmas day are already available on order.

You needn’t be a predominantly Christian nation to cash in on Christmas. Christmas day is not a holiday in Japan. Students still go to school and everyone else goes to work, yet the season is a major sales period. Another difference is that Christmas abruptly ends on December 25th. In a matter of hours all Christmas decorations give way to New Year’s displays. New Year’s being the most important holiday in the Japanese calendar.

Despite the majority of Japanese people not observing such festivals and holidays, the attention paid to Halloween and Christmas is quite amazing. This time of year really is a treat if you want to see beautiful Christmas light displays. Most cities in Japan dedicate entire parks and neighborhoods to such displays. The displays in Tokyo’s bay-side area, Shinjuku’s Time Square and Roppongi Hills are well worth taking the time to go see.

Pampered Pets

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 01:53:00 +0000

It’s hard to find a person anywhere who doesn’t like animals. Naturally, it’s the same scenario in Japan. In the English speaking world we tend to live in places that allow for keeping large dogs and perhaps a few cats. The love of cats and dogs is shared in Japan but it’s no secret that the average Japanese home is somewhat smaller than that of anything we’re used to. A smaller home means keeping smaller pets.

Probably one of the first pets a Japanese child is introduced to is the beetle. Particularly popular among young boys, beetles are hunted, collected and even sold. Some rare varieties of beetle can sell for staggering sums. The beetle is an ideal pet for Japanese children. Its small size makes it suitable for any home, and their abundance in nature makes them cheap (in most cases).

Other miniature pets that are extremely popular are hamsters and turtles. Again, due to their size they can be kept with a minimum of fuss. These critters are more expensive than beetles but are still relatively cheap. Hamsters typically sell for something around 3-5000 yen, and baby turtles sometimes as cheap as a few hundred yen.

Just as in many other countries around the world cats and dogs are probably the most popular pet. Miniature dogs tend to be most common (again, due to living space), but can fetch some high prices. Even a tiny chihuahua can sell for hundreds of thousands of yen. Cats are a popular choice also. Due to their wild nature, they don’t need to spend a great deal of time indoors which is ideal when you don’t have a lot of space or are busy. Stray cats are often adopted in Japan but pedigree varieties, like their canine counterparts, sell for lofty sums.

A trip to a Japanese pet shop is quite the experience. There are all manner of species available; birds, reptiles and even small monkeys can be found. Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of pet shops in Japan though is the range of pet supplies and accessories one can find. Treats, toys, clothes and even goggles for your pet do a healthy turn-over in Japan. A recent government survey found that growth in pet-related expenses for Japanese families has exceeded regular family expenditures.

The pet-industry in Japan is big and is getting bigger. Small dogs in sweaters may sound odd at first but for their owners doggy fashion is no laughing matter.

Korea: Big in Japan

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 08:45:00 +0000

The title maybe somewhat misleading for a blog about Japan, but there is a good reason for this.

Since the 2004/2005 period, the Korean pop culture has been on a roll in Japan. It was in this period that Japanese TV stations began screening Korean TV drama shows subtitled in Japanese. The first big Korean hit was Fuyu no Sonata (Winter Sonata). The show had already been a success in Korea and its popularity in Japan caused an explosion of Korean actors, singers and culture to burst onto the Japanese scene. The Japanese have named this the “Hanryu boom” (Korean culture boom).

During the height of the boom there was a rush on all things Korean. Japanese people flocked to Korean restaurants, traveled to Korea in greater numbers and idolized Korean TV personalities and singers. The most popular being the actor Bae Yong-Jun who is affectionately known in Japan as “Yon sama.” Yon sama can still be seen on billboards and magazine covers throughout Japan. It would be fair to say that a large number of Korean actors and singers earn a significant portion of their income in Japan.

The Hanryu boom may have peaked but it is still big business. TV and music aside, there are tons of great Korean restaurants and shops in Japan. Japan’s Korean population, both immigrant and Japanese-born, is sizable. This makes for communities of Koreans throughout the country. The largest and most famous Korean community in Japan is Shin Okubo in Tokyo. Only a short distance away from Shinjuku, the town is packed with Korean shops and restaurants. Signs written in Hangul almost outnumber signs written in Japanese. If you enjoy Korean food, Shin Okubo is a must visit. Other areas in Tokyo like Akasaka also have small Korean towns. The Korean community in and around Osaka is also a large well-established community.

So if you don’t have time in your schedule to hop over to Korea while you’re in Japan, there’s no need to worry. The popularity of Korean TV, music and food in Japan means that a small taste of Korea is not hard to come across.

Going places the HIGH way in LOW cost

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 04:09:00 +0000

At the stroke of midnight, it arrives and while you are asleep it takes you to the destination. No, I am not talking about any magic carpets or Cinderella's pumpkin carriage; I'm talking about the overnight bus.
This overnight bus, also called the highway buses, could be the alternative way of going to places here in Japan.

Japan is not one of those places where you just “go to” for a 3-4 day vacation. It is somewhere you visit once and try to see the most out of. And when trying to do so, I hear many people say how everything is so expensive in Japan, and how the transportation fee is so expensive, too. So for those people, I suggest this highway bus.

There are some disadvantages too, but if you are looking for something cheap to travel around Japan, I highly recommend it.

Since they have dense networks, there are many routes going all over places. The bus covers most of the major cities in most prefectures, but usually many of the buses leave from Shinjuku station or Tokyo station. (If you are staying in the Yokohama area, there are a couple of buses that leave from Yokohama station as well)

The prices are very cheap also. For example, if you take the bullet train to Osaka, it may cost you somewhere from 14,000 yen but if you take the bus, it is somewhere from 4,500 to 6,000 yen. You could save yourself the cost worth one way on the bullet train!

If you are planning to actually see many places in Japan, I 'HIGHLY' recommend you use the high-way bus!

Japanese Burgers

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 09:22:00 +0000

When you think of burgers, names like McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy’s probably spring to mind. These are the American-based companies that have popularized the hamburger and its many varieties around the world. Since the dish’s origins in Germany many years ago, the burger has traveled to every continent and has spawned many variations.

The burger may be something of an American icon, but the dish is also immensely popular in Japan. The dish gained popularity in Japan after World War 2 due to the number of American servicemen stationed throughout the country. By the 1960’s “hamburger-steak”, a beef patty with no bun and often served with demi-glace sauce, had become a regular fixture in restaurants and households throughout Japan. In 1971 Asia’s first McDonald’s store opened in Tokyo’s Ginza district. Japan’s love for McDonald’s quickly developed. Only the United States has more McDonald’s restaurants than Japan. At the time of writing, there are over 3,500 McDonald’s across Japan.

Probably the first true Japanese variant of the burger was the previously mentioned hamburger-steak. However, up and down the country there are all sorts of Japanese burgers. One of the most famous is the Sasebo burger. The city of Sasebo lies on the island of Kyushu. A US naval base was established there in the 1950’s. As a result, the city soon adopted burgers into its local cuisine. The Sasebo burger is famous throughout Japan. The burger typically consists of at least one burger patty, lettuce, tomato, omelet, ground chicken, mayonnaise and a variety of vegetables. There are however numerous variations of the burger throughout Sasebo city.

The burger business is a big business. Each year the major burger vendors; McDonald’s, Burger King, Lotteria and Mos Burger spend huge amounts of time and money developing and promoting new burgers to the Japanese public. The public appear to love it. McDonald’s in particular regularly changes its seasonal menu. Earlier this year McDonalds promoted a series of regionally themed American burgers which were a massive hit. Right now they are releasing a series of new chicken burgers with flavors such as; carbonara, German sausage and cheese fondue.

Clearly, the Japanese have really taken to the burger and have developed it to some remarkable extremes. Some may not be “traditional”, and some may not be the best tasting, but Japan has certainly been creative with this humble dish.

Haneda Airport’s New International Terminal

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 09:19:00 +0000

From this month if you’re arriving to Japan (to Tokyo in this case), then there’s a chance that you may be arriving at Tokyo’s newly opened international terminal.

The new terminal is part of Haneda airport’s expansion program which began some six years ago. In addition to a new terminal, a new runway is currently under construction. When completed at the end of this year, Haneda airport will be able to handle over 400,000 take-offs and landings per year. It currently handles around 285,000.

An official opening ceremony for the new terminal was held last week. The grand opening revealed a unique feature; a shopping and viewing area called Edo Komichi, an area resembling a traditional Edo-era Japanese street-scape. Waiting travelers can also pass the time in a full range of duty-free stores restaurants.

The addition of a new international terminal and runway has been applauded by many frequent travelers in and out of Tokyo. Until now, international travelers have had to make the journey to Narita in neighboring Chiba prefecture which could take at least an hour from downtown Tokyo by express train.

Currently, international flights from Haneda go to Asia, Hawaii, North America, the United Kingdom and France. More slots are expected to be added soon.

Haneda airport is located in Tokyo Bay and is accessible by monorail or the Keikyu railway line. Both lines will take you into the heart of the city within thirty minutes.

To take a further view of the new terminal, check out this video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ojf8MJgbz0&feature=player_embedded

The Tastiest (but not always the prettiest) Restaurants

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 09:12:00 +0000

It’s often remarked how clean and organized Japan is, and for the most part, this is true. However there is an interesting, less tidy culture of street scape and architecture still present in Japan’s larger cities. It would be fair to say that in every major Japanese city there are dozens, perhaps even hundreds of “kitanai” restaurants.

The term kitanai literally means dirty or unclean. That’s not to say that the previously mentioned restaurants are dirty and unhygienic, it’s more a comment on their general appearance than anything else. Although in some of these establishments, it may be a good idea to concentrate on the food only completely ignoring the aesthetics. So why mention these seemingly unsavoury eateries? The answer is that they are often delicious, not to mention cheap, quirky and cheerful.

Just recently on Japanese TV a “kitanai restaurant award” was the feature of a popular show. The show’s hosts travelled all around Tokyo visiting and sampling the cuisine of Tokyo’s best kitanai restaurants. The eventual winner was a Thai themed izakaya situated under the train tracks of the JR lines. The decor of all the contest’s finalists was shabby to say the least but all agreed that the food and manner of the hosts was top rate.

Naturally, you’d expect to find such places in the older quarters of town. Tokyo’s shitamachi area, the alleyways surrounding Tokyo station and older parts of Shinjuku are great places to start on searches for such places. Make sure your Japanese skills are ready for a good workout as most of these places obviously don’t see a lot of tourist customers.

So if you’re ready for a culinary and sensory adventure, keep an eye out for interesting little eateries along Japan’s less trodden paths. Search hard enough and you may find veritable diamonds in the rough.

Gamer’s Heaven

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 08:54:00 +0000

It’s common knowledge that Japan is at the forefront of the gaming world. Brands such as Nintendo and Sega are known all over the world. Ever since Nintendo released its first game Donkey Kong in 1981, video games and their associated characters and sub-cultures have been an integral part of Japan’s economy and modern identity.

The video game industry is so deeply-rooted in Japan’s post-war image that certain locations in Japan are even defined by it. Take Akihabara for instance. Of course you can buy all manner of electrical goods in Akihabara, but the town is considered a Mecca for gamers worldwide. On the release day of a new game or game console, huge lines forming on the streets of Akihabara is a common scene. However, it’s not just new games and hardware that Akihabara is famous for. Fans of retro games from the 1970’s and 80’s often scour Akihabara for popular games and game consoles of that era. The town has dozens of such stores dotted along its back-alleys. Then there’s the entire back-catalog of action figures, collectible cards and so on based on popular game characters themselves; a thriving industry in itself.

About a thirty minute train ride from Akihabara is Odaiba. Here the gaming giant Sega has created the theme-park “Joypolis.” Joypolis is filled with new and classic Sega games and characters. The company’s flagship character, “Sonic the hedgehog”, and his supporting cast are plastered on every wall.

True game freaks make a trip to the annual Tokyo Games Show though. Each September the giants of the Japanese gaming industry assemble on Makuhari-Messe just outside Tokyo to showcase their latest developments. It’s considered one of the most important gaming events in the world. Execs and fans from around the world come to the Tokyo Games Show to see what Japanese gaming companies will unleash in the year to come. This year 3-D gaming devices are the buzz of the industry. The industry’s major players, Nintendo and Sony, are all releasing 3-D consoles next year.

One thing’s for sure. Japan is a gamers’ paradise. Whether you’re a casual player, or a hard-core gamer, exploring the history and locales of the gaming industry in Japan is great fun.

Boy's Bands&Girl's Bands

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 08:35:00 +0000

Outside the USA, Japan has the next largest music industry in the world. It’s no wonder then, that the Japanese music business is a colorful array of genres and characters. Rock, pop, hip-hop, visual-rock and Enka are just a few of the many musical styles that thrive in Japan. Perhaps the most successful, or rather the best-selling artists in Japan though are the boy’s and girl’s bands.

At any given time it seems as though there are always two or three incredibly popular boy and girl bands in Japan. Right now the most popular boy’s band appears to be “Arashi.” You can’t go anywhere in Japan without seeing all or one of their members promoting a product or starring in an upcoming TV show. The female equivalent of Arashi would have to be “AKB48.” AKB48 is no ordinary girl’s band though. They are more of a team of 48 teenage girls who regularly compete to be the leading representatives on the group’s music singles, music-videos and TV appearances. Between them, Arashi and AKB48 dominate the TV, radio and TV commercial air time. They are almost industries in themselves.

The idea of cult-like boy’s and girl’s bands is nothing new in Japan. Years ago “Morning Musume” were the female super group that dominated the charts and media of Japan. Though not as large in numbers as AKB48, the band held regularly auditions for new talent. Many former Morning Musume stars have furthered their careers in the entertainment industry. On the other hand popular boy bands of the past probably never became bigger than SMAP. SMAP was formed by the music industry giant “Johnny’s Entertainment” (the same agency that manage Arashi) in the early 1990’s, and have been one of the most succesful bands in the history of Japan’s music industry. Musically they are somewhat quiet these days, but on TV and film, the members of SMAP are still going very strong. Turn on the TV and you’ll still see a SMAP member promoting a product or acting in a drama.

Who knows who the next big band will be? For now the teeny-boppers of Japan seem to be engrossed in the movements of Arashi and AKB48. It seems as though they’ll be around for at least another year or two at least. If SMAP is anything to go by, they could continue well into the future.

A Touch of the South Pacific

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 03:53:00 +0000

Each year thousands of Japanese holidaymakers head to island resort locales such as Guam, Saipan and Hawaii. These three locations account for the bulk of Japanese travel overseas. Like anyone else, people just want to get away from it all and soak up some rays on an idyllic sun-drenched beach. Places like Guam and Saipan are only a three hour flight from Japan and are relatively cheap to get to. In these tough economic times however, even cheap package tours to Guam can be out of reach for tired workers in need of a getaway. Luckily Japan has no shortage of seaside resorts towns of its own. One such resort area is only two hours away from central Tokyo by local train.

Situated on the upper half of the Izu peninsula lies the town of Atami. It’s long been a popular spot for residents of the greater Tokyo area and when a shinkansen (bullet-train) station was added there, even more people came. The town is nestled between steep forest-clad hills and a beautiful harbor. Beautiful yellow-sanded beaches are also dotted along the town’s coastline.

During the days of Japan’s bubble-economy period dozens of huge condominium complexes were built along the hillsides overlooking Atami. These days a few condominium buildings have been closed down but most still stand and are available at prices vastly cheaper than those of when they first opened. Some are even available for reasonable nightly rates. Most hillside hotels and condominiums command a spectacular view of the harbor and town.

Just across from Atami lies the island of Hatsushima. A ferry leaves for Hatsushima every hour. It’s a pleasant twenty minute journey. Once on the island you can enjoy the abundant local seafood, visit the resorts, or just take a walk around the island’s circumference. It only takes an hour or so. The more adventurous may want to take a boat out to the larger island known as Oshima which is famous for its hot-springs and wildlife.

The entire Izu peninsula in summer is somewhat sub-tropical in appearance. It really is hard to believe that you are only an hour or two away from Tokyo. With such a location within easy reach, you’d have to wonder why people would want to spend their time and hard-earned money flying to Guam or Saipan.

Healthy Eating - Japanese Style

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 06:05:00 +0000

When you think of Japanese food, the first thing that comes to mind is probably sushi, or maybe even sashimi. With Japanese cuisine becoming more and more popular around the world, more people come to Japan to try the local delicacies, or at least to explore the wonders of Japanese food.

It is widely known that the Japanese diet is one of the healthiest in the world. Rates of heart disease and obesity are among the lowest in the world while life expectancy is the highest. A lot of this is attributed to the properties of the food. For example, miso soup is a common staple of Japanese food. Fermented foods such as miso have been shown to contain essential properties that, among other functions, aid digestion and slow down the visible traits of aging. Other popular fermented Japanese foods include: tofu, natto (fermented soy beans) and tsukemono (pickles).

One other possible benefit of the Japanese diet is in regard to mental health. A recent study undertaken at the National Center for Global Health and Medicine in Tokyo concluded that eating a traditional diet of fish, rice, seaweed and a variety of fermented dishes may decrease the likelihood of depression. While other diets tested in the study weren’t considered to be depressive, they did find the diet of Japanese dishes to be somewhat less depressive.

Next time you take a bite of some sashimi or a bowl of natto, you’re not just doing your body a favor but you’re possibly doing your mind a world of good as well.

Sports in Japan

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 02:29:00 +0000

Just like other facets of contemporary Japanese culture, the sports scene in Japan is an interesting blend of both domestic and international games and activities.

Although soccer has been increasing in popularity in recent years, the most popular and commercial sport in Japan today is probably baseball. Baseball is typically known as yakyuu in Japan. The term literally means “field ball”. It dates back to the 1870's when the game was introduced by an American English professor. By 1920 the first professional baseball league had started in Japan, and from then on it quickly became a national past-time. High-school tournaments, such as the one held in Koshien annually, have become iconic. Many teen-aged Koshien participants have gone on to become professional baseball players in Japan and the USA.

As mentioned earlier, soccer is also a very important sport in Japan. Soccer was first introduced to Japan around the same time as baseball. Despite being a hugely popular international game, the sport never gained much interest in Japan until the 1960's when Japan won an Olympic bronze medal for soccer. Since then soccer’s popularity rapidly increased, leading to the formation of professional “J-League" in the early 1990’s. In 1998 Japan made its first appearance at the soccer World Cup finals. The team didn’t win a game but its appearance at the tournament was seen as a sign that soccer was now a major sport in Japan. Interest in the game peaked in 2002 with Japan co-hosting the World Cup with Korea. Earlier this year Japan recorded their first ever victory in a World Cup tournament.

Traditional Japanese sports are still very important. The most popular Japanese sport by far is sumo. Sumo is hundreds of years old and today the sport is fully professional with approximately 700 registered professional sumo wrestlers affiliated with 54 stables. The sport is administered by the Japan Sumo Association. The top-most sumo division receives a great number of spectators both on television and at the match with the highest ranking yokozuna receiving great prestige and financial reward. Sumo traces its origin to ancient Mongolia where wrestling had been a hugely popular sport for thousands of years. As a result the sumo leagues of Japan feature a number of Mongolian wrestlers. The most famous being the recent yokozuna, Asashoryu and Hakuho.

Of course there are many more sports to watch and participate in Japan. Here we have only touched on the top three. Joining a club or a team is an important part of Japanese culture. Consequently, sports thrive in Japan. Team members and supporters are incredibly organized in their chants and cheers for their teams. If you can’t join a Japanese sports team, being a spectator is also a great experience.

School’s out!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:56:00 +0000

With the school summer vacations almost over, students of all ages across Japan are gearing up for the start of another school term. But there’s still some vacation time left.

Summer vacation for schools and universities in Japan usually commences right after the national holiday known as “Marine Day” in mid July. During this period it’s not uncommon for Japanese junior high and high school students to go on overseas exchange trips. Popular destinations for these school trips include New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Hawaii. Students often return from their trips more tanned, heavier and sometimes more proficient in English.

One thing that may differ from school vacations in other countries is that Japanese school students may actually spend a lot of their summer vacation in school anyway. Term may have ended but extracurricular clubs go on. In fact, with studies out of the way, many after school club teachers see the summer vacation as a good opportunity for tournaments and extra practice. Busy parents are also appreciative of the school club schedule.

But what if there are no exchange trip or club activities? No need to worry because there is always juku. A juku is basically an after-school school. During the summer vacation, many jukus thrive. The emphasis on education and getting into the right school is intense in Japan. As a result jukus do a lot of business in the summer. Extra study classes in your summer vacation may sound like a chore, but believe it or not, some students actually want to go to juku. If many of your friends will attend juku, then it suddenly becomes a more interesting prospect.

By the time September rolls around and it’s time to go back to school, a lot of students may be all studied/activated out. But kids will be kids and it’s questionable whether they actually finished all their homework and studies over the break at all. Luckily there are a string of holidays in September and October to catch up anyway.

Sports in Japan

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:12:00 +0000

Just like other facets of contemporary Japanese culture, the sports scene in Japan is an interesting blend of games and activities from both Japan and overseas.

Probably the largest spectator and commercial sport in Japan today is baseball though in recent years soccer has been increasing in popularity. Baseball is typically known as yakyuu in Japan. The term literally means “field ball.” It was a term coined when the game was introduced by an American English professor in the 1870’s. By 1920 the first professional baseball league had started in Japan and from then on it quickly became a national past-time. High-school tournaments, such as the one held in Koshien each year, have become iconic. Many teen-aged Koshien participants have gone on to become professionals in Japan and the USA.

As mentioned earlier soccer is also a very important sport in Japan. Soccer was first introduced to Japan around the same time as baseball. Despite being a hugely popular international game, the sport never really gained a lot of interest in Japan until the 1960s when Japan won an Olympic bronze medal in the sport. Since then soccer’s popularity has snowballed until in the early 1990’s the professional “J-League” was formed. In 1998 Japan made its first appearance at the soccer world cup finals. The team didn’t win a game but its appearance at the tournament was seen as a huge sign that soccer was now a major sport in Japan. Interest in the game peaked in 2002 with Japan co-hosting the world cup with Korea. Earlier this year Japan recorded their first ever victory in a world cup tournament.

Traditional Japanese sports are still very important. The most popular Japanese sport by far is sumo. Sumo is hundreds of years old and today the sport is fully professional with approximately 700 registered professional sumo wrestlers affiliated with 54 stables. The sport is administered by the Japan Sumo Association. The top-most sumo division receives a huge live and television audience with the highest ranking yokozuna receiving great prestige and financial reward. Sumo can trace its origins to ancient Mongolia where wrestling has been a hugely popular sport for thousands of years. As a result the sumo leagues of Japan feature a number of Mongolian wrestlers. The most famous of whom being recent yokozuna Asashoryu and Hakuho.

Of course there are many more sports to watch and take part in in Japan. Here we’ve only touched on the top three. Joining a club or team is an important part of Japanese culture. Consequently, sports thrive in Japan. Team members and supporters are incredibly organized in their chants and cheers for their teams. If you can’t join a Japanese sports team, being a spectator is also a great experience.

Say Cheese!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:30:00 +0000

If you are asked to think of stereotypical Japanese pursuits, you’d probably think of karate, origami, ikebana and so on. I’m sure though that I’m not the only one who thinks of photography. Japanese manufacturers are recognized to be some of the best producers of cameras and photography equipment in the world.

During the 1970’s and 80’s, when the Japanese economy was booming, it was quite common to see busloads of Japanese tourists in popular vacation spots around the world. One of the hallmarks of these tourists was their penchant for photography. Being home to companies like Canon, Fuji and Olympus meant that these tourists were always well equipped with the very latest cameras and technology.

These days the Japanese economy may not be what it once was, but the photography business is still big in Japan. If you’re a photographer of any level of proficiency, Japan is a must visit. Cameras and equipment abound in places like Akihabara, but you don’t have to go to Akihabara for the best deals. Most Japanese electronics stores carry a full range of cameras and camera equipment. The west exit of Shinjuku station is also famous for it’s mini camera district.

Photography in Japan isn’t just about camera shopping and technology. You will meet some of the most patient and dedicated amateur photographers here. Every weekend you will see keen photographers setting up their gear on train platforms waiting for a good shot, or even travelling miles into the countryside to secure a prime spot for the perfect sunrise or sunset. Visitors to Japan can be seen with camera in hand snapping such popular sights as: Shibuya crossing, Mt Fuji, Tokyo Tower and believe it or not, according to a recent survey, automated parking towers.

If you just want a cheap new digital camera or the latest SLR, Japan is the place for you. While you’re here you can test out that new camera on the many interesting sights and attractions Japan has to offer.

All you can eat........and drink!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:53:00 +0000

Perhaps it’s the fact Japan has been in an economic downturn for almost twenty years
now, or maybe it’s because Japanese people love to eat, drink and be merry, but there can be no mistake that affordable "all you can eat and drink" plans are extremely popular in Japan.

Tabehoudai (all you can eat) and nomihoudai (all you can drink) are the virtual
cornerstone of partying in Japan. Space is always at a premium in Japan so house
parties are almost non-existent. The result is that most Japanese people like to party it up in an izakaya (a Japanese style bar) or restaurant.
Izakayas and restaurants are everywhere in Japan and competition for customers is intense. As a result many izakayas offer affordable "all you can eat and drink" plans.

Such plans usually adhere to a strict time limit of two hours. During this time it’s as the name suggests; all you can eat and drink inside these two hours. Keep this time limit in mind as the time limit is usually very strict.
Staff will alert you twenty minutes beforehand so you can make last orders.

Most plans typically start at prices of two thousand yen per person for a simple
nomihoudai. A lot of izakayas have plans of three thousand yen per head for "all you
can eat and drink". Of course, these are the cheapest examples and it can sometimes be a case of “you get what you pay for", especially in large chain izakayas. For the
most part though these plans have decent quality. In more recent times, the "all you
can eat or drink" phenomenon has spread to certain restaurants too, most of which are yaki-niku (barbecue style) restaurants.

The old assumption of Japan being an expensive place to visit is not so true as it
once was.
Nomihoudai and tabehoudai are part of the culture and are only becoming more and more common in the current global economic climate.
Eating and drinking in Japan couldn’t be cheaper or easier as it is today.

All the Flavors Under the Sun

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:33:00 +0000

If you’ve ever stepped into a Japanese supermarket or convenience store, you would have noticed the vast display of drinks and confectionery. In fact, some of my favorite souvenir items I like to purchase for friends and family back home are snacks and confectionery. They are not only cheap and delicious, but incredibly varied.

Even a short stay in Japan will make it clear that the Japanese love food and drink. TV here is plastered with shows where people do nothing but eat local cuisines from around the country. It is so big of an industry, that food and drink manufacturers here spend an enormous amount of time and money inventing new product lines.

The beverage industry in Japan is a great example of this. Each year major Japanese beverage companies like Kirin, Suntory, Asahi, Coca-Cola and Pepsi flood convenience store shelves with a huge variety of “seasonal specialties” or limited edition flavored drinks. This year alone we’ve already seen African tea-flavored coke, white coke, green coke, slime coke, coke and orange mix, caffeine-free diet coke. And that’s just coke. There are dozens more flavors and limited edition runs for other beverages too. Many drinks often only sell for a month or so before they are replaced with the new “flavor of the month.”

One reason for such high turnover of product lines is that the industry is extremely competitive. Regular new flavors guarantee a sales spike for the initial period. Food and beverage companies in Japan produce a larger variety of product lines than any other country in the world, sometimes researching new recipes and ideas months or years in advance. Another reason is that the industry has by itself created a collectors market for new and limited edition snacks and beverages. Collectors race to buy these items as soon as they are released. Some items are so limited that they require a waiting list and command a high price.

Consumers in Japan have a busy time keeping up with all the new flavors of drinks and snacks each year. Every flavor under the sun is an expression that accurately sums up Japan’s ever changing convenience store display shelves.