The latest from YokosoNews.com

Cherry blossom 2012 early forecast released

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 JST

Cherry blossom 2012 early forecast released

A couple days to 1 weeks later than last year

WeatherNews just released the early forecast of Cherry Blossom for this 2012 season. This year, the cherry blossom tends to bloom a little later than last year due to the colder winter weather.

ATTENTION: The beginning dates above are the beginning of blooming. Usually it takes a couple days to a week to reach the full bloom. Cherry blossom is geougous when you are able to catch the right moment.

WeatherNews is one of private weather forcast company in Japan.Other weather forecast agency will release their own prediction soon. But here are the partial list of their prediction from their press release.

Disclaimer: The following forcast is as on Feb 21. The dates are just a forecast. It could change due to various circumstances.

Location	Name	Flowering	Full bloom	Falling
Hokkaido	Shin Hidaka Nijukken Street	May 4	May 7	May 9
Aomori	Hirosaki Park	April 26	May 1	May 4
Mityagi	Shiroishi River	April 17	April 23	April 26
Fukushima	Miharutaki Sakura	April 14	April 20	April 16
Tokyo	Ueno Park	March 29	April 6	April 10
Ishikawa	Kenroku-en	April 10	April 17	April 21
Nagoya	Nagoya Castle	April 2	April 6	April 10
Mie	Ise Shrine	April 5	April 12	April 16
Kyoto	Kyoto Gyoen	March 29	April 6	April 10
Osaka	Expo Park	April 2	April 10	April 14
Hiroshima	Peace Memorial Park	March 31	April 8	April 12
Tokushima	Tateyama Park	April 2	April 9	April 13
Fukuoka	Nishi Park	March 29	April 7	April 12
Nagasaki	Tateyama Park	March 27	April 5	April 10
Kagoshima	Meisho Senganen	March 25	April 3	April 8

Depends on the speices of cherry blossom, the blooming prediction could varies even if they are in the same region.

If you can read in Japanese & want to know specific location, they will soon release the comprehensive forecast of 660 location nationwide in Japan. Please check their website.

Sakura Channel (for PC)
http://weathernews.jp/sakura/

Weather News Touch (for smartphone)
http://weathernews.jp/s/

Mobile site
http://wni.jp/

If you would like to know some specific area, leave us a comment below. Next time when we have more detail, we'll try to give you those locations.

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Christchurch, NZ faces 1st anniversary

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:28:00 JST

Christchurch faces 1st anniversary

The families of 28 Japanese victims arrived in New Zealand to attend the anniversary ceremony

Earlier today, the families of 28 Japanese victims arrived New Zealand to attend the 1st anniversary ceremony of 2011 NZ Earthquake in Churistchurch on Feburyary 22.

On February 22, 2011, a Magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit the core of New Zealand, and killed 185 people including 28 Japanese students who were studying English at CTV building. According to the local investigation team's finding, the CTV building was not even fulfilled the structural safety regulations.

Nobody would imagin that much bigger earthquake hit the east of Japan.

During the incident, a Japanese teacher who was accompanying students got stuck in the debris. She, then, sent a text message to her family in Japan using her Japanese cell phone via roaming service.

YokosoNews realized that it's also important to notify people overseas for foreigners who are residing in a country during the disaster.

The experience of Christichurch indeed helped YokosoNews to started prepping the disaster updates for foreigners although it came way too earlier than expected.

Prayers and thoughts to the people in New Zealand and the Japanese victim and their families.

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JLG: Setsubun Guide

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:20:00 JST

Setsubun (せつぶん or 節分) guide

The basics of setsubun celebration

February 3 is Setsubun (せつぶん or 節分) in Japan. Japanese people all over Japan hold various ceremonies. This is very basic and generic guide of Setsubun.

Setsubun is "change of the season" used to be celebrated 4 times a year

Setsubun means "change of the season". Japanese people used to celebrate 4 times a year; Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

Ancient Japanese belived that the world tends to become unstable during the transition of the season (Setsubun). Therefore, they used to hold various ceremonies to prevent from all kinds of devil or demons invading the society.

But contemporary busy Japanese people decided to concentrate on Spring Setsubun because Spring represents a new start from winter.

The following day, Feburary 4th, 2011 is called Risshun (Lichun or りっしゅん or 立春) - the beginning of Spring.

Feburary 3 is until 2021 or 2025

Because the date is based on solar system, the date of Setsubun will start changing after 2021 or 2025. Once every 4 years, Setsubun will be Feburary 2nd.

What to do during Setsubun

On the day of Setsubun, the people all over Japan cerebrate Sestubun in different ways. The famous celebrations are Mamemaki (まめまき or 豆まき) and eating Eho-maki (えほうまきお or 恵方巻き).

Mame-maki (まめまき or 豆まき)

Mamemaki means "throwing soybeans". The rules of this ritual are varied depends on the regions.

Basically, the people throw a chunk of soybeans away from your home to scare Oni (Japanese fork devil) or bad luck. Then you throw soybeans (or other stuff) into your house inviting good luck.

Oni wa Soto!

When you throw soybeans outside of your house, you would say "Oni wa soto (おにはそと)", which means "Oni out (of my house)".

If you have a kid(s), it's time to dress up (cosplay) like Oni, and have your kids to throw soybeans at you. If you go to the Japanese supermarket or department store, they usually sell cheap Oni masks.

Fuku wa Uchi!

When you throw soybeans inside, you would say "Fuku wa uchi (ふくはうち)", which means "Lucks, coming in".

However, lazy Japanese people no longer want to clean up their room. Many mothers stopped teaching kids to thow soybeans to the inside of the house.

When you go to the famous temple, sometime cerebrities or local politicians throw soybeans to the people. Or Toshi-otoko (としおとこ or 年男) or Toshi-onna (としおんな or 年女) often throw soybeans out.

Toshi-otoko & Toshi-onnna are the men and women who are the age of 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and (12 years cycle thereafter) during the year.

This 12 years were determined by the Earthly Branches (Juni-shi, じゅうにし, or 十二支), the calendar system based on the orbit of Jupiter.

The people belive that the beginning of the new 12-year cycle could become unstable. Therefore, the potentially unstable Toshi-otoko and Toshi-onna throw soybeans to scare Oni away, and bring the good luck in.

In 2012, the people of Dragon (たつ) who are born in 2000, 1988, 1966 and etc, throw soybeans at the major Mamemaki events.

Eat your mame (soybeans)

At the end of the Mamemaki, you will eat soubeans as much as your new age of the year.

For instance, if you are born in 1980, you will eat 32 soybeans in 2012 because you will turn 32 years old in 2012.

Eating Eho-maki (えほうまき or 恵方巻き)

Eho-maki is a large sushi roll with 7 ingredience.

The ritual was only popular in Osaka area for hundreds years. But it started spreading across Japan in early 2000s (mainly due to the commercialism).

Eho (えほう or 恵方) means "good-luck side (or direction)". Maki (まき or 巻) means "rolls"

When you eat Eho-maki, you must face to Eho (good-luch side). The Eho of 2012 is North North West. You must close your eyes all the time, and you must not talk until you finish eating. While eating, think about what you want to achieve after the spring.

We hope you have a good luck for the rest of the year!

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YokosoNews Weekly - Center Shiken 2012

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:00:00 JST

YokosoNews Weekly #022

University Entrance Exam 2012 - Daigaku Nyushi Center Shiken (大学入試センター試験)

Live on Sun, Jan 22, 2012 (JST) at 4pm. Let's experience the college students exam live! No cheating!

YokosoNews Mac has crashed and lost a data on the test. We really apologize but we may have to postpond at the last min.

Katz was going to turn one of his MacBook Pro to Apple Care because HDD was having problem.

When he was copying the HDD files to a temp external HDD drive, it crashed. All data has the backups. No data has been lost. However, it will take 5 hours to restore.

We deeply apologize the inconvenience, but we regret to say we need to postpond or cancel the live cast. We'll let you know the update on what we should do for the live cast.

It's the season of college entrance exam. Many Japanese high school students are trying to pass the college entrance exams.

Daigaku Nyushi Center Shiken (Center Shiken, 大学入試センター試験 or National Center Test for University Admissions) is the standardized test used by public and some private universities in Japan. It is held annually during a weekend in mid-January over a period of two days (Wikipedia)

It was last week. Half a million high school students took this Center Shiken.

YokosoNews got hold of the English test (Major Japanese newspapers usually distribute the tests within a day.)

It's been a while since Katz was one of those students. But now, he can speak English.

Why don't we take the test LIVE during YokosoNews Weekly. We love to see how English native speaker do on these test!

The Students Wanted

We're looking for 4 or 5 contestants with Skype with Video chat capability. Please contact YokosoNews with your Skype ID.

The "students" must be 18 year-old or older.

The Winner Prizes

Atsushi, YokosoNews's Comiket master, went to Comiket 81. Japan's biggest artist exhibition (Doujin market). And he gave us souvenir for the winners prize.

Cosplay photography book & Two "Pray for Japan" collection book by artists. The top 3 winners of the Skype test contestants will win these giveaways!

Download the test

Test PDF will beome available during the test. And the answers will be available after the live cast!

Watch

Watch it live at

http://yokosonews.tv/

Date:

Date & Time

Sunday, January, 22, 2012
4:00pm~6:00pm (Japan Standard Time)

* The program is subject to change, postpond or cancel at the last min.

Local times:

Location	Week	Date	Time
USA/Pacific	Saturday	1/21/2012	11:00pm~
USA/Central	Sunday	1/22/2012	1:00am~
USA/Estern	Sunday	1/22/2012	2:00am~
Sao Paulo	Sunday	1/22/2012	5:00am~
London	Sunday	1/22/2012	7:00am~
Madrid	Sunday	1/22/2012	8:00am~
Paris	Sunday	1/22/2012	8:00am~
Kuwait	Sunday	1/22/2012	10:00am~
Moscow	Sunday	1/22/2012	10:00am~
Mumbai	Sunday	1/22/2012	12:30pm~
Bangkok	Sunday	1/22/2012	2:00pm~
Singapore	Sunday	1/22/2012	3:00pm~
Sydney	Sunday	1/22/2012	6:00pm~

Click here for the extended list.

URL:

This page or http://yokosonews.tv

* This schedule may change due to the technical diffculty.

JLG: Earthquake 101 in Japan

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:46:00 JST

Earthquake 101 in Japan

First published: January 18, 2011
Updated: March 11, 2011
Updated: August 2, 2011
Updated: January 17, 2012

* This article will be updated over the period of time.YokosoNews always welcome you to revise this page for better understanding.

What you should know from the experience during Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995

At 5:46:52 am on January 17, 1995, a strong shake hit the center of Kobe area and caused devastated destruction to the modern city of Japan.

At 2:46:18 pm on March 11, 2011, a strong shake and tsunami hit the vast area of North Japan and led to the catastrophic nuclear disaster.

Japan is known to be an eqrthquake nation. However, we've learned to survive and overcome the curcumstances.

Learn what you need to prepare in case of emergency. These knowledge and experience could be useful not only to the people in Japan, but also to the people all over the world.

The encounters to the real big earthquakes

At 5:47am on January 17, 1995 in Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan, I was waken up by a moderate amount of shake. At 7am, I woke up and turned on the TV, and saw a shocking images of buildings and highways torn down in Kobe area.

A couple weeks later, a couple students were temporarily transferred to my middle school because they lost their houses and moved in to their relatives.

At 2:46pm on March 11, 2011, I was working on an article for YokosoNews. Then a small but long-lasting shake hit Yokkaichi, Mie Japan. When I turned the TV, NHK was giving out the tsunami warning.

We immediately started the 1 month long emergency live cast, hoping to help as much English speakers in Japan by providing the accurate and immediate information about the earthquake.

Japan is the beautiful country with culture, nature and food. It's partly because Japan is the country of earthquakes. Little by little, we've learned to live with earthquake.

This is what you need to know to get ready for the major earthquake in Japan & modern cities.

Before Earthquake

What you must know BEFORE

Human beings are not perfect. You sometime forget. But this is one thing that you MUST prepare.

Know your neaby school, parks or community buildings in your neighborhood (Evaculation center, ひなんばしょ or 避難場所) and the one near your workplace.
Remember that you must relax, relax, relax, relax, relax, calm down and be patient in case of this disaster

This is the only thing you must know - where to evaculate.

If you live in a city, there must be designated evacuation area within 1km radius of your home or workplace.

Even if you are just traveling in Japan, just remember to go to neaby community buildings or park to evacuate. Japanese people will assist you even you cannot speak Japanaese.

What you should prepare BEFORE

In the major city, it may take up to 7 to 30 days to restore major inforstructure such as electrocity, water and gas. The agencies recommend people to prepare at least 7 days worth of food and drinks to prepare.

But it's very hard to prepare for 7 days. So, Katz recommends to start accumulating 3-days worth of food and water first. Once you got used to stock for 3-day, then move on to 7-days.

Food (minimum for 3 days)
Drinking Water (minimum for 3 days)
Medicine (minimum for 3 days)

Easiest food stock for disaster preparation is Carolie Mate (カロリーメイト). It lasts for half a year. Buy 3 boxes per day per person.

Don't forget to eat them and buy new one before it goes bad. A good reminder that you will have to prepare for disaster regularly.

For drinking water, try to stock for 1 bottle per person per day.

What you better prepare BEFORE

Once you are ready for above, the next step to prepare the following

Arrange the meeting spot with your friends (*1)
Learn the routes that you can WALK from your workplace or school to home or friends'. (*2)
Permanent marker and a piece of paper
7 days worth of food and drinks
Flashlight
Get a radio
- Buy a portable radio & research the frequency of NHK Radio 2 of your area, STRONGLY REDOMMENDED over the Internet radio method.
- Bookmark NHK Radio 2 online streaminig. (only available in Japan)
- Download smartphone app of NHK Radio
Portable pocket warmer (カイロ) in winter
Layers of clothes
Hand-cart (to carry heavy object on foot)

*1) In the case of major disaster, you will lose all means of communications. Try to arrange with your friends what to do.

*2) If you encounter the earthquake at work in the city, (especially in Tokyo), there are the chance that you will be stuck stall on the street for hours.

Radio will be the sifficient resources of information. During Greater Hanshin Earthquake, they've set up temporarily English radio station.

Arrange the means of communication with your family members and friends in case of disaster

Many of you came to Japan without family or relatives. Your friends could be the great help in case of emergency. It's the best to take this moment to talk with your friends the following

Arrange the meeting spot and dates (e.g., 7 days after the disaster and etc)
Tell each other that you will update your status on Google Person Finder (when they activate it).
Tell each other that you will update your status on Facebook or Twitter profile when you're safe
In case of emergency, YokosoNews may start the emergency live cast. Tell your friends that YokosoNews will try to provide acurate and wanted information of Japan via Twitter, Facebook, and emergency live cast at YokosoNews.tv
Ask them to use "171" disaster voicemail service (Saigai Dengon Dial, さいがいでんごんダイヤル, or 災害伝言ダイヤル) by NTT, online version (www.web171.jp)
Exchange the contacts of someone in your home country with your friends in Japan
Assign your friends (especially Japanes speaking friends) as the emergency contacts
Tell your family or friend which services you will use to confirm your survival (e.g., 171 Voicemail service, mobile phone voicemail service, and/or Internet services).
Try to carry your student ID, employee's ID or business cards, so that if you're unable to speak, someone else can identify you and try to help you to lead the right place.

How to use Saigai Dengon Dial (災害伝言ダイヤル)

The disaster voicemail service (Saigai Dengon Dial, さいがいでんごんダイヤル or 災害伝言ダイヤル) is emergency service provided by NTT West & East (the dominant Japanese telecommunication company).

If you friend or family left the voicemail, you will be able to hear their 30 seconds voicemail, and exchange the information. NTT keeps the voicemail upto 48 hours.

Telephone lines tend to be jammed during the disaster. It'll be harder to connect. NTT saves the voicemail messages onto the servers located outside the disaster area. Therefore, people will be able to keep in touch.

But you have to make sure you tell each other that you will use "171" in case of natural disaster.

If you have multiple house phone or cell phone numbers, make sure to discuss with your friends which number to use.

You can only dial 171 from Japan.

Landline version: Download the PDF guide

This is the procedure of Saigain Dengon Dial, translated from NTT East 171 website.

The yellow box is the translation of automated message. You may have to guess. But this is one of the very useful communications that you may want to consider.

Download a PDF version & print it out before too late. You won't have the Internet connection when you really need this guide!

#	Steps	Record		Playback		Fee
1	Dial	Dial 171				FREE
2	Message	GUIDE: "This is Saigai Dengon Dial Center. If you want to record a voicemail, press 1. If you want to play back, press 2. If you want to record a voicemail with PIN, press 3. If you want to play back PIN-protected voicemail, press 4."
	Select to record or play. You can also set PIN number to protect your message	No PIN	With PIN	No PIN	With PIN
		Press 1	Press 3	Press 2	Press 4
			GUIDE: "Please Enter 4 digit PIN"		GUIDE: "Please Enter 4 digit PIN"
			XXXX		XXXX
3	GUIDE: "If you want to record a voicemail, please dial phone number. If you want to playback, please dial the phone number of your contact".
	Dial the phone number with the area code (0XX - XXX - XXXX)
	Connecting to the server	Connect		Check if a voicemail exists
4	Record or playback the message	GUIDE: "We will record (or playback) the voicemail of 0XXXXXX (with PIN XXXX). If you are using pulse phone, please hold. If you are using touch tone (push button), press 1#.				Paid
		Touch Tone	Pulse	Touch Tone	Pulse
		Press 1#	Hold	Press 1#	Hold
		GUIDE: We'll start recording after the beep. Please finish within 30 seconds	GUIDE: We'll start recording after the beep. Please finish within 30 seconds. Once finish recording, press 9#.	GUIDE: We'll playback the newer voicemail first. Press 8# to go back. Press 9# to proceed.	GUIDE: We'll playback from the newer voicemails.
		Record a voicemail		Playback a voicemail(s)
			Press 9#	GUIDE: We have played all of existing voicemails of the designated number. You can press 3#, to record new voicemail.	GUIDE: We played all of existing voicemails.
			GUIDE: We'll playback the recorded message. Press 8# if you want to cancel and re-record.	If you press 3, follow the recording procedure (on left)
			Check the recording	Or proceed to the end.
		GUIDE: Your message has been saved.		GUIDE: We played all of existing voicemails.
5	End	Finish (Hang-up)

Web171 - Online version

NTT West & East provide online version. We'll add the English instruction later.

How to record new message (Japanese)
How to playback & add new message (Japanese)

"171" services only becomes available in case of natural disaster. First, the people who are located within the disaster zone can leave a message. Then the people, who are calling outside, will be able to leave a voicemail after the certain period of time (depends on how much volume)

Mobile Phone

In addition, cell phone carriers usually provide their own voicemail service, or online services such as Google, Facebook or Twitter may be useful tool

Cell Phone Carriers
- NTT Docomo Saigai Dengon Dial (Voicemail Service)
  - Web (Only to check the voicemail. Available only during the disaster)
  - Phone (Available only during the disaster from i-Mode menu)
- AU Saigai Dengon Dial
  - Web (Only to check the voicemail. Available only during the disaster)
  - Phone (Available only during the disaster from au One Portal)
  - Android App
- Softbank Saigai Dengon Dial (Voicemail Service)
  - Web (Only to check the voicemail. Available only during the disaster)
  - From Phone (Available only during the disaster from Yahop! Ktai or My Softbank menu)
  - iPhone App (You need an Apple ID in Japan)
  - Android App
- E Mobile
  - Web (Only to check the voicemail. Available only during the disaster)
  - From Phone (Available only during the disaster)
- Willcom
  - Web (Only to check the voicemail. Available only during the disaster)
  - From Phone (Available only during the disaster)

Online Services

Online Services
- Google Person's Finder
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Skype

During earthquake

What to expect during earthquake

When earthquake hits the ground. The best advice is to calm down.

If you are inside the building

Protect your head
Lower your body
Try to climb under the table
Try to stay away from large furniture, which may fall on you.

In addition, If you are outside

Stay away from tall building (rubble or window glasses may fall onto you). DO NOT try to get close to any building.

If you are at home

TOILET: If you can move, fill water in your bathtub all the time, or buy enough portable toiletory products (*1)
DOORS: If you can move, go open a door or a window that you can go out. Earthquake may bend the door and you won't be able to get out from your home.

*1) One critical concern is the bathroom use. You won't be able to flash your body waste. Once you kept water on the bathtub, you can use those water for flashing. But you may only want to flash once every other times.

To be honest, if you encounter major earthquake, you won't be able to do anything no matter how strong you are. All you need to think during the shake is to stay calm.

After Earthquake

Immediate actions

This is the check-list after the eathquake

Check if building is in good standing, or hear some unusual noise
Check if you smell the gas
Check if there is any fire
Check if there is Tsunami

If you see any sign, (especially the smell of gas) evacuate immediately. If you see the fire, check the building structure and smell of gas first to decide whether you want to try to cease the fire.

Staying home - First 3 days

If your house is safe, or agency declars that your house is safe, you should stay your house to make a room for who really lost the place to sleep.

If water is running, try to fill the bath tub with water for toilet use ASAP.
Try to communicate with your family and neighbor
Listen to battery-operated radio
Visit nearby community building to gather information
Don't trust negative rumors at first
Forget about work, concentrate on cleaning up the room until everything is settled
Try to calm down

Evacuation - First 3 days

If you lost your house, go to nearby school or community buildings.

LEAVE A NOTE
- If you need to evaculate away from home, LEAVE A NOTE on the door of your house or the entrance of the apartment.
- If your friends or family visited your house, they'll know you're safe.
- When you leave a note, you may want to write down where you are going, or tell them to call 171.
- You can arrange the place to hide the note
- Use permanent marker, or the letters may disappear by rain and sunlight
Bring only a few clothes but 3-4 changes of underwear.
There will be a lot of waiting - bathroom, food, water and etc. Relax and be patient. Try to calm down

First 4-7 days

After the first 7 days, cell phone should restore its services. YokosoNews will be able to start assisting. The first 7 days may be the most difficulty and lonely moment.

Go to the nearby community center to volunteer some work
Try to contact your schools and workplace to check-in
Be careful with bad rumors. Everybody will confused by false information. Get ready for it.

After 7 days

After 7 days, you should get the Internet connection back in Japan. YokosoNews will try to bring the disaster information to the locals as much as possible in case of natural disaster.

Something that you may want to know

Priority of lives: Respect rescue workers and volunteers

Make sure to prepare mentally how to relax, be patient and not to panic.

Everything will move slow.

In case of major emergency, the rescue workers will priotize the injury from serious to light. If you just broke your bone, and have no life threatening risk, you may not be treated right away.

The rescue workers will try to rescue the ones who have a chance to live. Even if your loved one was stuck under rubble, if there is no sign of life, the rescue workers will leave you alone. You must respect the decision(s) of rescue workers, volunteers and neighbors.

Know your funeral rituals

If the disaster was occured during summer, the government may have to conducr cremation before the body start decomposing.

Great Hanshin Earthquake was happened in winter. They were able to keep the bodies and carry them to the crematory outside Kobe. But the city officials were debating if they should conduct the cremation on the ground of elementary school.

If you happened to believe in non-Budhist religion, and saw bodies at the evaculation sites. Please try to teach Japanese volunteer how to take care the ritual according to your religion.

* This page will be updated over the period of the time for bettern understanding.

* Please leave us a comment, and suggestions.

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The Year 2012 Countdown Live Cast at Kazami Guest House, Ise, Mie, Japan

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:00:00 JST

Watch the 2012 Countdown

The archive video and photos of the countdown live cast from Kazami Guest House, Ise, Japan with Mie Life Magazine.

Watch Hatsuhinode 2012

The archive video and photos of the first sunrise of 2012.

The Year Going, The Year Coming

The Year 2012 Countdown Live Cast at Kazami Guest House, Ise, Mie, Japan

Co-hosted by YokosoNews and Mie Life Magazine

What a year we have been through. But it's about to end the hardship. So let's go over the year which is about to go away, and cerebrate the year coming.

YokosoNews and Mie Life Magazine present, "The Year Going, The Year Coming - The Year 2012 Countdown Live Cast at Kazami Guest House in Ise, Mie, Japan" starts at 10pm on Saturday, December 31, 2011 (JST) for 3 hours.

Katz and Sarah from YokosoNews, Daniel from Mie Life Magazine are planning to join the "family" who stay at Kazami Guest House to cerebrate the coming year.

Ise Japan is known to have the Japan's most sacred shrine, Ise Jingu. Over 8.6 million people came to pray at Ise Shrine to thank during 2010.

Kazami Guest House is located a few minutes walk from one of Geku, one of the Ise Shrine. The building was based on 80-year-old Japanese Inn (Ryokan) converted into a youth hostel.

You're welcome to join via social timeline and look back the year 2011. Then we will talk about the year 2012.

There are still some room available at Kazami Guest House, reserve your room by calling them now, and join the live cast with YokosoNews and Mie Life Magazine!

After the live cast, YokosoNews and Kazami's guests will be visiting the Ise Shrine (no live cast)

The First Sunrise 2012

Later, we live cast the First Sunrise of 2012 from Chiyozaki Beach, Suzuka, Japan.

Japanese people go see the first sunrise of the year to pray for their fortune. YokosoNews is planning to live cast the first sunrise of 2012 whereas many parts of the world are still in the year 2011.

Let's enjoy the future a bit early with YokosoNews.

Extra Photo Gallery

Kazami Guest House Photo Gallery

YokosoNews thanks Kazami Guest House for letting us use their space. Check out the pics of Kazami Guest House where we will be live casting from.

http://yokosonews.tv/

Date:

Date & Time

Countdown Live Cast

Saturday, December 31, 2011 ~ Sunday January 1, 2012
10:00pm~1:00am (Japan Standard Time)

The First Sunrise of 2012

Sunday January 1, 2012
6:45am~7:20am (Japan Standard Time)

* Since we live cast from outdoor using mobile internet, we may have to cancel the sunrise live cast if we have a poor connection and/or bad weather.

* The program is subject to change, postpond or cancel at the last min.

Local times (Countdown show)

Location	Week	Date	Time
USA/Honolulu	Saturday	12/31/2011	3:00am~
USA/Pacific	Saturday	12/31/2011	5:00am~
USA/Central	Saturday	12/31/2011	7:00am~
USA/Estern	Saturday	12/31/2011	8:00am~
Sao Paulo	Saturday	12/31/2011	11:00am~
London	Saturday	12/31/2011	1:00pm~
Madrid	Saturday	12/31/2011	2:00pm~
Paris	Saturday	12/31/2011	2:00pm~
Kuwait	Saturday	12/31/2011	4:00pm~
Moscow	Saturday	12/31/2011	5:00pm~
Mumbai	Saturday	12/31/2011	6:30pm~
Bangkok	Saturday	12/31/2011	8:00pm~
Singapore	Saturday	12/31/2011	9:00pm~
Sydney	Sunday	1/1/2012	12:00am~

Click here for the extended list.

Local times (Sunrise):

* Since we live cast from outdoor using mobile internet, we may have to cancel the sunrise live cast if we have a poor connection and/or bad weather.

Location	Week	Date	Time
USA/Honolulu	Saturday	12/31/2011	11:45am~
USA/Pacific	Saturday	12/31/2011	1:45pm~
USA/Central	Saturday	12/31/2011	3:45pm~
USA/Estern	Saturday	12/31/2011	4:45pm~
Sao Paulo	Saturday	12/31/2011	7:45pm~
London	Saturday	12/31/2011	9:45pm~
Madrid	Saturday	12/31/2011	10:45pm~
Paris	Saturday	12/31/2011	10:45pm~
Kuwait	Sunday	1/1/2012	12:45am~
Moscow	Sunday	1/1/2012	1:45am~
Mumbai	Sunday	1/1/2012	3:15am~
Bangkok	Sunday	1/1/2012	4:45am~
Singapore	Sunday	1/1/2012	5:45am~
Sydney	Sunday	1/1/2012	8:45am~

Click here for the extended list.

####

JLG: Get ready for the year 2012 in Japan

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:24:00 JST

Getting ready for New Year's Day (Oshogatsu, おしょうがつ, or お正月) in Japan

Kadomatsu, Kagami-mochi, Shimenawa and Greetings

If you happened to spend Shogatsu (New Year's Day) of 2012 in Japan, why don't you get ready for New Year's cerebration.

There are a couple ways you can do without spending too much money. Alll you need is Kadomatsu (かどまつ or 門松), Oranges and Kagami Mochi (かがみもち or 鏡餅) and a Shimenawa (しめなわ, or 注連縄).

You can taste the tradition under 2,000 yen!

NOTE: I'm writing a very basic common sense of Japanese culture based on Wikipedia, other news sources and the ritual of Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan. However, the ritual and roots may be varied depends on the region you are in.

Kadomatsu (かどまつ or 門松)

Kadomatsu (かどまつ, or 門松) [ Wikipedia ] is the decoration for the house entrance made of bombo or pine trees. It means "the gate of pine tree" (Although some parts of Japan don't use pine trees).

On every New Year's Day, Japanese Shinto (religion) thinks that Toshigami (The god of New Year, としがみ, or 年神) [ Wikipedia ] is visiting at every house.

Toshigami is the god of grain or rice. So if Toshigami visits your house on New Year's Day, you will have the good luck for successful harvesting.

Kadomatsu is the object that welcomes Toshigami. The bigger and more geouges Kadomatsu, you have better chance.

Usually people start setting up Kadomatsu around December 20th. But because Christmas cerebration became popular in Japan, most Japanese people set it up after Chritmas these days.

However, DO NOT set up Kadomatsu on or after December 29th. You will be considered "being too late."

You must keepe it until Toshigami God leaves your house. You take it off on January 7th with Kagami-mochi or January 15th depends on the region you live.

Japanese used to set up a big Kadomatsu in front of the house. But more people start living in the apartments, so you can now buy a miniture version of Kadomatsu at the local supermarket.

Miniture kawaii Kadomatsu should cost around 1,000 yen or less. Just choose one according to the spcae and the budget.

If you have Japanese supermarket in your neighboehood outside Japan, they may sell it there.

Kagami-mochi (かがみもち or 鏡餅）

Kagami-mochi (かがみもち or 鏡餅) [ Wikipedia ] is the thin circular rice cakes (mochi), usually comes with a small mochi on a larger one.

"Kagami" means a mirror. In the ancient Japan, mirror was used to communicate with God. Japanese resemble the shape of mochi to look like a mirror.

Kagami-mochi is the offerings to the Toshigami god.

You want to place it at the living room (or similar place) on December 28th. Like Kadomatsu, don't set it up on or after December 29.

Some pople put an orange onto the Kagami-mochi and/or dried Japanese persimmon (かき or 柿).

January 11th is Kagami-biraki (かがみびらき or 鏡開き) which mean "Opening Kagami-mochi". (The date may be varied according to the region.) You take your kagami-mochi off the stage, and put it onto Zenzai (ぜんざい or 善哉) or Oshiruko (おしるこ or お汁粉) [ Wikipedia ].

For a couple hundreds yen, You can find the vacuated and packed Kagami-mochi that won't crcked or go bad easily.

Shimenawa (しめなわ or 注連縄)

Shimenawa (しめなわ or 注連縄) means "enclosing rope". [ Wikipedia ]

Shimenawa is made of rice straw rope. Japanese farmers usually save the last season of rice straw. My grandfather used to make the Shimenawa.

It is the spiritual barrior that prevent from bad luck or bad thing coming into the house, shrine, holy places or objects.

You want to set it up by December 28th, NOT on 29th and 31st.

Usually Japanese take the Shimenawa off on January 7th or 15th. Many Japanese shrines keeps the big Shimenawa throughout the year.

Recently, Japanese started placing Shimenawa in front of any kind of transports to pray for safety.

If you go to the supermarket, you can find various kinds of Shimenawa. The Shimenawa (the top photo) are for smaller entrance, such as the apartment.

The following is very small Shimenawa for traffic safety. You place it in front of your car, motorcycle or bicycle.

Since there is a couple kinds of Shimenawa, you may want to use the following Japanese to ask your store people.

Quick Japanese: Choosing the right kind of Shimenawa

Here are a couple sentences that you may be able to use to ask store staff to choose the right Shimenawa.

If you are having the diffulty memorizing the Japanese, just print this out, and show it to the staff.

Q1: I want to buy a Shimernawa for my house entrance

Q1: いえのげんかんようのしめなわをかいたいです？

Q1: 家の玄関用のしめなわを買いたいです？

Q2: Which Shimenawa is for the apartment entrance?

Q2: アパートのげんかんにいちばんいいしめなわはどれですか？

Q2: アパートの限界に一番いいしめ縄はどれですか？

Q3: I want to buy Shimenawa for my car.

Q3: くるまようのしめなわをかいたいです

Q3: 車用のしめ縄を買いたいです

Q4: I want to buy Shimenawa for my bicycle or motorcycle

Q4: じてんしゃかバイクようのしめなわってどれですか？

Q4: 自転車かバイク用のしめ縄ってどれですか？

Buy animal symbol (Oriental Zodiac, えと, or 干支) of the year

Japanese imported the Chineses astrogical calendar system. They assign 12 animals.

2012 is the year of Dragon (Tatsu, たつ or 竜). 2013 is Snake.

Buy an object (accessaries or cell phone straps) of the animal as a good luck charm.

Now, you are ready to cerebrate Japanese style New Year - Oshogatsu (おしょうがつ)

Japanese greeting for New Year's Day

Now you are physically ready for New Yer's Day. Next, memorize these Japanese to surprise your Japanese friends.

Before the New Year's Day

Please be good for the up-coming year.

らいねんもよろしくおねがいします
Rainen mo Yoroshiku Onegai Shimasu

Rainen = next year
Yoroshiku = be good
Onegai = please
Shimasu = polite ending

When New Year's Day comes

A Happy New Year!

あけましておめでとうございます
Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu

Akemashite = New year opened
Omedetou = Congratulation
Gozaimasu = polite ending

Now you're ready

Have a Happy New Year of 2012.

####

Hatsuhinode (The First Sunrise) of 2011 from Suzuka, Japan
Nanakusa-gayu (七草粥)
JGL: Sagicho (Donto-yaki) ceremony
YokosoNews on Facebook (occational updates & photos during New Year's season)

The autumn in Korankei

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:52:00 JST

The autmn in Korankei Canyon, Aichi, Japan

We made a day trip to Korankei (こうらんけい or 香嵐渓) on November 22, 2011.

Korankei Canyon is located in Toyota, which is 1.5 hrs drive from Nagoya. It's a narrow canyon but famous for the night illumination. It's just stunning view when you see it with your own eyes!

Photos by Achim Runnebaum, (Albas Inc., Photography).

NTT Docomo to carry iPhone 5 in Japan

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:47:00 JST

NTT Docomo to carry iPhone 5 in Japan

Predicted to be out in the market next summer 2012

The next generation iPhone 5 is likely to debut to NTT Docomo users in the next summer 2012, Nikkei Business, which scooped about KDDI to carry iPhone 4S, did it again earlier today on December 1, 2011.

NTT Docomo has the number one market share of mobile phones in Japan. According to Nikkei Business, they have been losing the market share especially after iPhone 4S came out from AU by KDDI and Softbank.

The various rumors from Japanese mobile experts said NTT Docomo has been trying to secure the rights to sell iPhone in Japan last a couple years.

According to Nikkei Business, NTT Docomo executives were finally able to hold the meeting with Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, Inc., in the mid November, and reached the agreement to carry iPhone 5 under the circumstances.

The next iPhone 5 is likely to support NTT Docomo's Xi (pronounced as crossy), the next generation broadband mobile Internet connection service (It is also called as LTE, Long Term Evolution).

NTT Docomo's LTE system has 5 times as fast connection speed (approx 100Mbps). Other major cell phone players in Japan, KDDI and Softbank, have the late start to support LTE system. NTT Docomo already have the infrastructure available. Apple requested that iPhone 5 can support it. They seems to have reached the agreement.

Now Japanese cell phone carriers, Softbank and KDDI, will loses the advantage of "we carry iPhone". It would be the competition of the network availability.

####

Foreign Artists Exhibition 2011 - YokosoNews Weekly #20

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:00:00 JST

YokosoNews Weekly #20

Foreign Artists Exhibition 2011
At noon on Sat, Nov 5, 2011 (JST)

Live at noon on Saturday, November 5 (JST) from Nagoya International Center, YokosoNews introduces Foreign Artists Exhibition 2011 (FAE 26). Watch our coverage from the last year.

During the live cast, various professional and amature foreign artists, who reside in and around Nagoya, will showcase their art works as well as their lifestyle in Nagoya.

We will discuss if it's easy or difficult to do an art in Japan. The artists include from college students to veteran woodprint artists. Some of them have lived in Japan and continued their art over 30 years.

This live cast is the open-to-the-public. If you live near Nagoya, please come to Nagoya International Center and join or watch the live cast live!

The Foreign Artists Exhbiition (FAE 26) / 第26回外国人芸術作品展

This art exhibition starts on November 1. You don't have to wait for the live cast.

Date: Novemer 1 through 6, 2011
Time: 10am-7pm (5pm on the last day)
Where: 4th Floor Exhibition Room at Nagoya International Center (名古屋国際センター)

Web: FAE 26 Event information on NIC Website (or in Japanese / 日本語 )

Access:
Direct access from the International Center Station on Sakuradori Line of Nagoya Subway. Or 10 min walk from Nagoya Station. Visit NIC Access map for more detail

Watch

Watch live at yokosonews.tv

Date:

Date & Time

Saturday, November 5, 2011
12:00pm~2:00pm (Japan Standard Time)

* The program is subject to change, postpond or cancel at the last min.

Local times:

Location	Week	Date	Time
USA/Honolulu	Friday	11/4/2011	5:00pm~
USA/Pacific	Friday	11/4/2011	8:00pm~
USA/Central	Friday	11/4/2011	10:00pm~
USA/Estern	Friday	11/4/2011	11:00pm~
Sao Paulo	Saturday	11/5/2011	1:00am~
London	Saturday	11/5/2011	3:00am~
Madrid	Saturday	11/5/2011	4:00am~
Paris	Saturday	11/5/2011	4:00am~
Kuwait	Saturday	11/5/2011	5:00am~
Moscow	Saturday	11/5/2011	7:00am~
Mumbai	Saturday	11/5/2011	8:30am~
Bangkok	Saturday	11/5/2011	10:00am~
Singapore	Saturday	11/5/2011	11:00am~
Sydney	Saturday	11/5/2011	2:00pm~

Click here for the extended list.

####

The 19 year-old gets FREE lift tickets at 70 ski resorts in Japan during 2011-12

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:13:00 JST

The 19 year-old gets free lift tickets at over 70 ski resorts in Japan during the season 2011-12

Jalan, the Japanese travel portal by Recruit, Ltd., will launch the Yuki Maji program on November 1, 2011 with over 70 skiing resorts in Japan.

If you're 19 years old, your lift tickets may be free during 2011-12 season.

According to the blog post, Ikenotaira Ski Resort in Nigata came up with this idea since the winter sports population of Japan has never stopped declining since the mid 1990s.

Especially, the young people lost their interest in skiing and/or snow boarding because it cost money to rent or buy ski or snow board. And there are many other alternative entertainment compared to the decades ago.

By doing this promotional campaign, they hope that more young people start skiing or snow boarding.

The rules & guideline

The detail rules will be revealed on their Yuki Maji program website on November 1, 2011. However, there is the official Facebook page. And Ikenotaira Ski Resort already made the promotional page to explain the rules.

The eligible people

The people who are born between April 2, 1992 and April 1, 1993 (According to Japanese school calendar year)

Participating ski resorts

Scroll down to the bottom of the page

4 patterns of free programs

Not all ski resort provides free lift tickets to all 19 years old all the time. There are 4 patterns of free programs which depends on ski reports. You must check the regulations of each place.

Some ski resorts provide either of the following:

Free lift tickets for ALL DATES during 2011-12
Free lift tickets EXCEPT during the busy season (12/23/2011~1/3/2012 & 1/7/2012~1/9//2012) during 2011-12
Free lift tickets during WEEKDAYS, but EXCEPTS the busy season (12/23/2011~1/3/2012 & 1/7/2012~1/9//2012) during 2011-12
Free lift tickets to AFTER peak hour (e.g. after 4pm. The time varies depends on the ski resorts).

How to claim free lift tickets

The eligible people must register at Jalan's Yuki Maji website after November 1, 2011.
You will receive the membership number via email. Print it out, or save it in your mobile or smart phones.
Bring your original picture ID (Student ID, Japanese driver's license, Juki card or passport)
Show your membership ID number and picture ID and receive the lift tickets at the ticket box office in the ski resort

Useful links

Yuki Maji 19 Official site
http://www.jalan.net/yukimaji19/

Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/yukimaji19

Ikenotaira Resort promotional page
http://www.ikenotaira.net/yukimaji19/

Participating ski resorts

The list of participated ski resorts will be availalbe on their program website after November 1, 2011.

However, according to the unconfirmed sources such as this, the following ski resorts already claimed to take part. This is PARTIAL LIST and some ski resorts may not have official English name.

Hokkaido

Tomamu / トマム (web)

Aomori

Naqua Shirokami Ski Resort / ナクア白神スキーリゾート (web)

Iwate

Shizukuishi Snow Resort / 雫石スキー場 (web)

Nigata

Ikenotaira Ski Resort / 池の平温泉スキー場 (web)

Yuzawa Nakazato Ski Resort / 湯沢中里スキー場 (web)

Fukushima

Alts Snow Park / アルツ磐梯 (web)

Inawashiro Ski Resort / 猪苗代スキー場 (web)

Gunma

Norn Minakami Ski Resort / ノルン水上スキー場 (web)

White Valley Ski Resort / ホワイトバレースキー場 (web)

Nagano

Kurohime Kogen Snow Park / 黒姫高原スノーパーク (web)

Kurumayama Kogen Ski Resort / 車山高原 (web)

Mt. Norikura / Mt.乗鞍 (web)

Mt. Kosha Group

XJAM Takai Fuji / XJAM高井富士
Yomase Onsen / よませ温泉
Makinoiri Snow Park / 牧の入スノーパーク

Nomugitoge Ski Resort / 野麦峠スキー場 (web)

Shiga

Hakodate Yame Ski Resort / 箱館山スキー場 (web)

Kunizakai Kogen Snow Park / 国境高原スノーパーク (web)

Hyogo

Banshu Tokura / ばんしゅう戸倉 (web)

Hiroshima

Utophia Saioto / ユートピアサイオト (web)

As on October 27, 2011.

The list will expand to over 70. Please check the official website after November 1, 2011.

Some ski resorts do not have official English name. Katz just translated those names in English. Please use Japanese name as their official name of the ski resorts.

####

NHK Net Radio App for iPhone

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:50:00 JST

NHK Net Radio app for iPhone

Listen to NHK Radio while you're in Japan

NHK just released an iPhone Radio app, "Rajiru" that you can listen to the NHK Radio programs while you're in Japan.

Unfortunately, you cannot listen to the stream if you are outside Japan.

The R1 is their AM Ch.1 which include Japanese news and talk programs. The R2 is their AM Radio Ch.2 which mainly airs educational programs. The FM channel mainly broadcasts music programs.

Mainly their programs are in Japanese. It may not be useful for non-Japanese speakers in Japan.

However, this is a must-install iPhone app for everybody since the R2 becomes English channel in case of the natural disaster. It's good to remembe just in case.

Rajiru is also available online via web browser (but restricted to the people in Japan).

If you would like to listen to private radio stations, go to Radiko website, iPhone or Android app. Listen to Japanese radio and practice your Japanese skills. (Radiko service is also restricted in Japan)

####

The 34th Osu Chonin Festival

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 09:09:00 JST

The 34th Osu Chonin Festival

The complete guide and live cast

Photos by Achim Runnebaum

From Saturday, October 15, 2011 through Sunday October 16, 2011, the 34th annual Osu Chonin Festival will take place in Osu, Nagoya, Japan.

Witness the mixture of the traditional to modern performances.

This is the complete guide of the festival in the year 2011. Check out the YokosoNews coverage of OCF 2010 (Formerly as Osu Street Performance Festival 2010)

Please scroll down for the live cast detail.

Festival guide

Day 1: Saturday, October 15, 2011
Time: 11:00am~8:00pm

Day 2: Sunday, October 16, 2011
Time: 11:00am~6:30pm

Location: Osu Shopping District, Nagoya, Japan (Google Interactive Map)

Access

Please use the public transportation. Please scroll down to the bottom of the page for the detail.

Osu Kannon Station (Tsurumai Line on Nagoya Subway)
Kamimaedu Station (Tsurumai Line and Meijo Line on Nagoya Subway)

Featured Programs

The detail is TBA. While you're waiting, check our detail report of previous year.

Parades
- Oiran (Geisha) Parade
- Aichi Omotenashi Samurai Parade
- Samurai Princess parade
- Nagoya Matsuri Eiketsu (Shogun) Parade
Street Performances
Wrestling Show

Osu Chonin Festival Interactive Map

View Osu Chonin Festival English Map in a larger map

Live cast

Please check the Japanese channel of OCF 2011 on Ustream to check if we're behind or not. We'll conduct Japanese live cast at the different channgel before and after the English live cast.

Watch

Watch at YokosoNews.tv

Date:

Date & Time

Saturday, October 15, 2011
12:00pm~1:00pm (Japan Standard Time)

* The time is subject to change since the weather forecast doesn't sound good.

* The program is subject to change, postpond or cancel at the last min.

Local times:

Location	Week	Date	Time
USA/Honolulu	Friday	10/14/2011	5:00pm~
USA/Pacific	Friday	10/14/2011	8:00pm~
USA/Central	Friday	10/14/2011	10:00pm~
USA/Estern	Friday	10/14/2011	11:00pm~
Sao Paulo	Saturday	10/15/2011	12:00am~
London	Saturday	10/15/2011	4:00am~
Madrid	Saturday	10/15/2011	5:00am~
Paris	Saturday	10/15/2011	5:00am~
Kuwait	Saturday	10/15/2011	6:00am~
Moscow	Saturday	10/15/2011	7:00am~
Mumbai	Saturday	10/15/2011	8:30am~
Bangkok	Saturday	10/15/2011	10:00am~
Singapore	Saturday	10/15/2011	11:00am~
Sydney	Sunday	10/15/2011	1:00pm~

Click here for the extended list.

The Jpn gov't to invite 10,000 travelers to Japan for free

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:11:00 JST

The Japanese government plans to invite 10,000 tourists to Japan for free

UPDATE: (Dec 27, 2011): Japan Tourism Agency announced that the program has been cancelled since it didn't pass as a governmental draft budget of FY 2012 as I mentioned in this article.

Make an action!

Show your support, get organized or contact your local Embassies or Consulates of Japan and tell them that you are sorry about the disapproval of the plan and you would like it to be re-considered.

On Monday, October 10, 2011, Yomiuri reported that Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) is planning to invite 10,000 travelers to Japan for free in 2012 in order to revive the tourism industry of Japan.

They will submit the budget for Fiscal Year 2012. Then, the National Diet of Japan needs to approve the budget.

Since East Japan Great Earthquake, the number of the tourists sharply dropped. The Japanese tourism industry is still suffering from the loss.

If approved, they will start accepting the applications via online.

The applicants must submit their travel plan in addition to the passport information. The Japanese government will judge the plan, and investigate if the applicant has the intention to overstay ilegally or not. If the applicant passes, she or he will given a free round-trip ticket to Japan.

After the trip, the winner may be asked a survey and asked to give suggestions to JTA.

JTA is hoping that the winners would help promoting Japan tourism by using social media and/or blogs.

Let's hope that the Diet of Japan will approve the plan. YokosoNews will give you more updates once they make more announcements.

####

Hiroshima Sake Matsuri 2011

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 09:00:00 JST

Saijo Sake Festival 2011

Live from Higashi Hiroshima, Japan on Saturday October 8, 2011

On Saturday, October 8, 2011 (JST), YokosoNews will be live casting Saijo Sake Festival (西条酒祭り) from Higashi Hiroshima, Japan all day long from 9am to 5pm (subject to change).

Saijo Sake Festival started in 1974, and they finalized the style in 1990 to celebrate the sake from all over the world.

Saijo is located approx 30km min East of Hiroshima. Saijo is known for its clean water. Therefore, they are known for the sake factory since Edo era. Now Saijo still has 8 Sake breweries,

Every October, Saijo holds Sake festival. People can go to each Sake brewery to take a look, and taste each Sake. They will also invite Sake from all over Japan.

YokosoNews was invited by Sake Festival committee to live cast the event in English.

Since this is the first time to live cast at this festival, the live cast time is subejct to change. Please make sure to follow YokosoNews on Twitter or like YokosoNews on Facebook.

For more information about Saijo Sake Town and direction to go to festival, visit saijosake.com.

Location	Week	Date	Time
USA/Honolulu	Friday	10/7/2011	2:00pm~
USA/Pacific	Friday	10/7/2011	5:00pm~
USA/Central	Friday	10/7/2011	7:00pm~
USA/Estern	Friday	10/7/2011	8:00pm~
Sao Paulo	Friday	10/7/2011	9:00pm~
London	Saturday	10/8/2011	1:00am~
Madrid	Saturday	10/8/2011	2:00am~
Paris	Saturday	10/8/2011	2:00am~
Kuwait	Saturday	10/8/2011	3:00am~
Moscow	Saturday	10/8/2011	4:00am~
Mumbai	Saturday	10/8/2011	5:30am~
Bangkok	Saturday	10/8/2011	7:00am~
Singapore	Saturday	10/8/2011	8:00am~
Sydney	Sunday	10/8/2011	10:00am~

Stay hungry. Stay foolish

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:45:00 JST

Stay hungry. Stay foolish.

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

I would like to take this opportunity to share my personal thoughts and condolence.

I still remember watching his speech for the first time at the coffee shop in LA back in 2005.

I was originally a PC user, but I had to make the switch to Mac because of Final Cut Pro, the video editing software. After spending a lot of money to PC, I was very reluctant to switch to Mac.

But his Stanford speech and the outstanding keynote presentation during 2005 WWDC changed my mind to true fan of Steve Jobs.

YokosoNews could not exist without his vision.

His Stanford speech was the one of the reason why I started YokosoNews.

None of my friends believed in YokosoNews. Nobody believed in the importance of disaster coverage before March 11.

I don't just believe his words, but also to execute it.

Stay hungry

I, Katz, worship Japanese curry.

When I was a starving student and startving filmmaker, a dish of $6.99 chicken cutlet curry rice at the LA's Japanese fast food restaurant was a only treat.

I do not want to forget the hungry and frontier spirit that I gained when I was in LA.

This is the reason why I chose Japanese curry rice for YokosoNews signature dish.

Stay foolish

Well, Japanese food has other delicious foods, such as sushi, ramen and etc. But I decided to focus on Japanese curry.

There is only one reason. I wanted to stay foolish.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Steve Jobs.

Without him, there were no YokosoNews. I couldn't have had my guts to follow my passion. I could not built the courage to continue the disaster updates.

We have no time to sob. We stay hungry. We need to eat. We stay foolish. We continue to produce entertaining contents.

Thank you.

Ask Dr. Shinsaku #005 - Let's learn Hiragana

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 12:00:00 JST

Ask Dr. Shinsaku #005 - Let's learn Hiragana

The basic of Japanese

Live at 12pm on Sunday, October 2, 2011 (JST), 3 year-old Dr. Shinsaku is your teacher.

In this episode, Dr. Shinsaku will learn how to read Hiragana (Japanese characters). You can join Dr. Shinsaku to learn together.

Photo gallery

Photo by Dr. Shinsaku's assistant

Dr. Shinsaku Profile

Dr. Shinsaku is very smart. You can try asking question in Japanese to him.

His Japanese skill are between N5 and N4 of The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test.

Name	Dr. Shinsaku
DOB	Aug 30, 2008
JLPT Level	Between N5 and N4
Education	Kindergarden 3-year class
Major	Watching YouTube on iPhone
Specialty	Make sound of a driving car
Favorite Food	Puffed grain (or Pakkan)
Food dislike	Mushroom
Hobby	Collecting miniture cars - Hot Wheels
Favorite TV Program	Pythagora Switch - NHK Education
Favorite characters	Woody and Buzz from Toy Story
Staus	Single
Favorite type of girl	Anyone in swim suits

Skype students wanted!

We're looking for Skype students! Check your local time, and join our lesson live! Please fill out the form at the bottom of this page to attend the show! The first-come, the first served.

This is not "regular" Japanese lesson. This is fun and out-of-control Japanese lesson!

Requiment

You're time for one hour (need to be online 15min before the show)
Skype with web cam with mic
A couple pieces of paper and something to write

Skype tech specification

Install Skype
Possibly have a headset to avoid feedback noise
When calling, MUTE USTREAM SOUND to avoid feedback (press "speaker" icon at the right bottom of the video section)

Skype Instruction

Apply at the bottom of this page
Wait for Katz to add you on his contact list.
Katz will call you around 11:45am (JST)
Please keep Dr. Shinsaku happy!
No too complicated questions!

Watch

Watch at yokosonews.tv

Date:

Date & Time

Sunday, October 2, 2011
12:00pm~1:00pm (Japan Standard Time)

* The program is subject to change, postpond or cancel at the last min.

Local times:

Location	Week	Date	Time
USA/Honolulu	Saturday	10/1/2011	5:00pm~
USA/Pacific	Saturday	10/1/2011	8:00pm~
USA/Central	Saturday	10/1/2011	10:00pm~
USA/Estern	Saturday	10/1/2011	11:00pm~
Sao Paulo	Sunday	10/2/2011	12:00am~
London	Sunday	10/2/2011	4:00am~
Madrid	Sunday	10/2/2011	5:00am~
Paris	Sunday	10/2/2011	5:00am~
Kuwait	Sunday	10/2/2011	6:00am~
Moscow	Sunday	10/2/2011	7:00am~
Mumbai	Sunday	10/2/2011	8:30am~
Bangkok	Sunday	10/2/2011	10:00am~
Singapore	Sunday	10/2/2011	11:00am~
Sydney	Sunday	10/2/2011	1:00pm~

Click here for the extended list.

AU by KDDI to carry iPhone 5 in Japan

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:24:00 JST

AU by KDDI to carry iPhone 5 in Japan

* The AU's iPhone is appeared to be iPhone 4S.

Nikkei Business scooped the news on Thursday, September 22 that AU by KDDI, a Japanese mobile phone carrier, will carry the new iPhone 5 in November 2011.

UPDATE: Nikkei (The different entity from Nikkei Business) said here that AU's iPhone 5 may come out in early 2012 instead of November 2011 (2:22p, Thu 9/22/2011, JST)

UPDATE: The rumored iPhone 5 is now called iPhone 4S.

Like AT&T had their exclusive deal to sell iPhone for a several years in the US. Softbank, a Japanese mobile phone company, had the exclusive deal for 3 years.

Now the chain will be released to other starving Japanese mobile phone carriers who thought that the traditional Japanese Ktai phones could thrive for a while. They had the late start to be in the smart phone business.

AU by KDDI is the second biggest mobile phone carrier next to NTT Docomo. Their system is CDMA (same as Verizon in the US). Nikkei said they will likely to sell the same model as Verizon Wireless would carry in the US.

Nikkei Business said that KDDI may have to made the tight contrast with Apple, such as the guaranteed number of units being sold, and cheaper data rate plan than other cell phones as Softbank had to make.

This could be the hardship to Softbank. Like AT&T's slow connectivity criticism in the US, Softbank is known for the worse availability than NTT Docomo and AU by KDDI.

This will be a pleasing news for former AU users who had to switch to Softbank because of iPhone.

Many Japanese mobile phone analysts would think that this could be the turning point to Softbank.

####

Typhoon Roke alert in Tokyo and Tohoku

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:16:00 JST

Typhoon Roke (2011-15) alert in Tokyo (Kanto) and Tohoku

Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) just held the press conference before 11am on Wedesnday September 21, 2011. They gave the high alert from Tokai, Kanto (Tokyo) and Tohoku (North Japan) today as Typhoon Roke (2011-15) travels fast.

As at 11am on September 21, evacuation orders and advisories are still being issued to over one million people in 13 prefectures.

[UPDATE] City of Nagoya canceled the evacuation advisory to 800,000 people as the threat of Shonai River was loosened according to NHK as at 12:13pm. Now the total number of the residents, that evacuation advisories or orders were issued to, are down to approx. 250,000.

NHK said there are reportedly 4 death and 2 missing.

According to JMA, Typhoon Roke still gained its strength as it has traveled on Pacific Ocean yesterday. At 11am (9/21), it was located on the south of Mie, bringing heavy rain and wind in those area.

In this afternoon, it's expected to land Shizuoka Pref, travel through Tokyo, and then Tohoku (North Japan)

JMA recommended the people in Tokyo to go home early. Typhoon Roke travels fast. It may gain the speed as fast as 60 km/h. And it is expected to reach Tokyo in the evening.

The public transportation in Tokyo may get canceled or delayed this afternoon as it already has in Osaka and Tokai area.

After this evening, it will travel through Tohoku (North Japan). JMA warned the people in Tohoku where the land was sunk because of March 11 earthquake. The higher tide may worsen the flooding.

The people in South Mie, South Nara and Wakayama are still on high alert due to extra unstable land condition from previous rain storm from Typhoon Talas. The historical rain storm from Typhoon Talas caused massive landslides. It stopped the couple streams of the rivers and created the natural dams. Now they are facing the threat of flooding as the water may be overflown. Or those natural dam could get broken.

Because Typhoon Roke used to travel very slow on Pacific Ocean, it gained its strength. As it approached Japan, it started to catch the speed by mid-latitude westerlies. Typhoon Roke may be able to travel fast without losing the strength.

Read the earlier news: Typhoon Roke (2011-15) bringing another rain storm to Japan through Sep 22

YokosoNews is providing the latest and immediate updates on Twitter or Facebook as long as the threat lasts. Feel free to ask us a question.

Preparing against Typhoon

In case of typhoon disaster

Know the nearby evacuation center
Tell your friends and family to get contact point besides telephone
- YokosoNews recommend
  - Twitter
  - Facebook
  - Skype
  - NOT cellular phone or landline
  - Telephone line should be used for immediate emergency calls
Buy a portable radio and batteries
Don't leave any easy-to-be-flown objects outside of your house
Check the weather forecast extra carefully and more frequently
Expect the delays or cancellations of the public transportation and road closure

What not to do

Don't go close to river.
Don't go close to ocean.
Don't go close to mountain or cliff where the possibility of landslides.
Don't do anything that you are not 100% sure that it's safe

When the situation gets serious

Evacuate before dark
Don't hesitate to evacuate if you feel threatened. Don't wait for the warnings from the authorities.
Do not evacuate after dark, try to stay inside of the building
- You may fall into the hidden opened manholes or trench
If you're too late to evacuate, try to stay in the higher place
If there is cliff behind your house, stay on the other side of the cliff
Don't hesistate to call 119 if you feel threatened

Useful weather info sites

Ask YokosoNews

If the typhoon gets serious, YokosoNews will provide up-to-date weather forecast via Twitter and Facebook, and may start emergency broadcast at YokosoNews.tv .

You're welcome to leave a comment in this page, Facebook or mention @YokosoNews on Twitter if you want to know about the particular region.

####

Typhoon Roke (2011-15) bringing another rain storm to Japan through Sep 22

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:57:00 JST

Typhoon Roke (2011-15) bringing another rain storm to Japan through Sep 22

CHECK OUT NEW UPDATE: Typhoon Roke alert in Tokyo and Tohoku

Typhoon Roke (2011-15) is bringing another large amount of rain storm mainly to Kyushu, Awaji, Hyogo and especially Nagoya region. Evacuation orders were issued in some regions. There are already many reports of flooding and landslides.

Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the people should be careful through tomorrow (Sep 21) in those affected area in Kinki & Tokai, and through September 22 in North Japan and Hokkaido.

YokosoNews is providing the latest and immediate updates on Twitter or Facebook as long as the threat lasts. Feel free to ask us a question.

As at 4pm on Sep 20, according to JMA, Typhoon Roke is located in the south of Kyushu, traveling north east.

It has brought a large amount of rainfall to Kyushu, and Awaji Island, Hyogo. The heavy rainstorm is expected in Wakayama and Mie where it had already damaged by previous Typhoon Talas. The authorities are giving the caution to those unstable areas.

The partial list of the places that are on the high alerts as at 9pm on Sep 20, 2011 (JST).

Nobeoka, Miyazaki
Usuki, Oita
Awaji, Hyogo
Tanabe, Wakayama
Nachi-katsuura, Wakayama
Shingu, Wakayama
The South part of Nara Pref
Nagoya, Aichi
Kasugai, Aichi
Kiyosu, Aichi
Southern part of Gifu

Shikoku region may also experience a large amount of rainfall.

JMA gives out the warning of heavy rain, flooding, land slides, wind, high tides and tornades.

Nagoya & Gifu weather warning

Currently (Sep 20, 2011), the threat is moving towards Nagoya and surrounding region.

City of Nagoya has issued evacuation advisories to its 1.13 million residents. The evacuation order was issued to the 80,000 residents of Kita-ku and Moriyama-ku.

The additional evacuation advisories are issued to the surrounding regions of Nagoya.

At around 3pm, the City of Nagoya asked Japan Self-Defense for the disaster assistance.

The people who live near Shonai River, Tenpaku River and ocean front are on the high alert.

According to NHK at 4pm, Shonai River was overflown. 50 workers of a paper factory near the River were once trapped. Some were rescued and some were able to get out by themselves. Kozoji Station of JR Tokai, Kasugai-city were also beein flooded.

JMA advised the people to evacuate early before the sunset.

Many of the public transpotations has been canceled or delayed now. Some express ways are being closed.

Typhoon Roke will travel through Tokyo, Tohoku (North Japan) then Hokkaido

Updated at 9:57pm on Sep 20, 2011 (JST)

(NEW UPDATE -> Typhoon Roke alert in Tokyo and Tohoku)

JMA held the press conference at 4:30pm (JST).

According to JMA forecast, Typhoon Roke is expected to land on Mie and Aichi in the early morning of Wednesday, September 21, 2011. In addition to the rain storm, it may experience relatively strong wind.

JMA gives extra caution to the people from Shikoku and Tokai through tomorrow (Sep 21)

Then, it is expected to reach Tokyo area by the evening. It may increase the speed, and move though Tohoku (North Japan) and Hokkaido by Thursday, September 22.

JMA gives extra caution to the people from Hokuriku to Tohoku through September 22.

Because it may move very fast (as fast as 60 km/h), Roke may be able to keep the strength of wind and rain.

JMA also gave the extra warning to Pacific Ocean as the waves could become dangerous all of sudden.

Make sure to pay attention to the local authorities and weather forecast if you're in Japan.

Check Tropical Cyclone Information and Weather Warnings / Advisory.

If you need the particular assistance in the particular region of Japan, please tweet us or post on the wall of YokosoNews on the facebook.

Preparing against Typhoon

In case of typhoon disaster

Know the nearby evacuation center
Tell your friends and family to get contact point besides telephone
- YokosoNews recommend
  - Twitter
  - Facebook
  - Skype
  - NOT cellular phone or landline
  - Telephone line should be used for immediate emergency calls
Buy a portable radio and batteries
Don't leave any easy-to-be-flown objects outside of your house
Check the weather forecast extra carefully and more frequently
Expect the delays or cancellations of the public transportation and road closure

What not to do

Don't go close to river.
Don't go close to ocean.
Don't go close to mountain or cliff where the possibility of landslides.
Don't do anything that you are not 100% sure that it's safe

When the situation gets serious

Evacuate before dark
Don't hesitate to evacuate if you feel threatened. Don't wait for the warnings from the authorities.
Do not evacuate after dark, try to stay inside of the building
- You may fall into the hidden opened manholes or trench
If you're too late to evacuate, try to stay in the higher place
If there is cliff behind your house, stay on the other side of the cliff
Don't hesistate to call 119 if you feel threatened

Useful weather info sites

Ask YokosoNews

If the typhoon gets serious, YokosoNews will provide up-to-date weather forecast via Twitter and Facebook, and may start emergency broadcast at YokosoNews.tv .

You're welcome to leave a comment in this page, Facebook or mention @YokosoNews on Twitter if you want to know about the particular region.

####

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Date:

Date & Time

Sunday, January, 22, 20124:00pm~6:00pm (Japan Standard Time)

Local times:

URL:

JLG: Earthquake 101 in Japan

Earthquake 101 in Japan

What you should know from the experience during Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995

The encounters to the real big earthquakes

Before Earthquake

What you must know BEFORE

What you should prepare BEFORE

What you better prepare BEFORE

Arrange the means of communication with your family members and friends in case of disaster

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Landline version: Download the PDF guide

Web171 - Online version

Mobile Phone

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After Earthquake

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Staying home - First 3 days

Evacuation - First 3 days

First 4-7 days

After 7 days

Something that you may want to know

Priority of lives: Respect rescue workers and volunteers

Know your funeral rituals

The Year 2012 Countdown Live Cast at Kazami Guest House, Ise, Mie, Japan

Watch the 2012 Countdown

Watch Hatsuhinode 2012

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The Year 2012 Countdown Live Cast at Kazami Guest House, Ise, Mie, Japan

Co-hosted by YokosoNews and Mie Life Magazine

The First Sunrise 2012

Extra Photo Gallery

Kazami Guest House Photo Gallery

Date:

Date & Time

Countdown Live Cast

Saturday, December 31, 2011 ~ Sunday January 1, 201210:00pm~1:00am (Japan Standard Time)

Sunday January 1, 20126:45am~7:20am (Japan Standard Time)

Local times (Countdown show)

Local times (Sunrise):

JLG: Get ready for the year 2012 in Japan

Getting ready for New Year's Day (Oshogatsu, おしょうがつ, or お正月) in Japan

Kadomatsu, Kagami-mochi, Shimenawa and Greetings

Kadomatsu (かどまつ or 門松)

Kagami-mochi (かがみもち or 鏡餅）

Shimenawa (しめなわ or 注連縄)

Quick Japanese: Choosing the right kind of Shimenawa

Buy animal symbol (Oriental Zodiac, えと, or 干支) of the year

Japanese greeting for New Year's Day

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Saturday, December 31, 2011 ~ Sunday January 1, 2012
10:00pm~1:00am (Japan Standard Time)

Sunday January 1, 2012
6:45am~7:20am (Japan Standard Time)

Foreign Artists Exhibition 2011
At noon on Sat, Nov 5, 2011 (JST)

The Foreign Artists Exhbiition (FAE 26) / 第26回外国人芸術作品展

Saturday, November 5, 2011
12:00pm~2:00pm (Japan Standard Time)

Saturday, October 15, 2011
12:00pm~1:00pm (Japan Standard Time)

Saturday, October 8, 2011
9:00am~5:00pm (Japan Standard Time)