Everything About Japan

Freedom Japanese Market Subscription Box Review

2015-05-30T00:14:00.001+09:00

Freedom Japanese Market is a small business website which specializes in delivering Japanese snacks, cookies and some other foods, to your home with free shipping.
Today, we are going to review the monthly subcription box we got from them.
More on monthly subscription box can be read here.

This is our first review for anything on this blog, but we are happy to review this box as we enjoyed everything that was in it.
What you get on the box are random snacks, as every month you get something different.
The one we got was the february box. We are sorry for reviewing it a little late, but here we go.
Below we will list what was in the box and our impression.

When you open the box there will be a greeting card from Freedom Japanese Market staff and origami of the month.

The letter will also have details of what is on the box with a brief explanation. Since the box we got was the one from february, our origami of the month was a heart for Valentine's Day.

Now, what was on the box. First take a look at the image below.

1. PukuPuku Tai
This was very similar to wafer snacks we have in our parts, but this one was somewhat softer.
And yes, it was with chocholate. I would have loved them to be with bean paste as that would be more japanese, and that would have been the first time trying a fish with bean paste.
Anyway, it was still great as it was.

2. Umaibo
We got two flavors, pizza and onion salad. The one with onion was a little bit spicy, but not that much.
They were similar to other snack we have here, but the one with onion had a better flavour.

3. Hora Dekita DIY Candy
This candies were very special. Probably I never tried before something like this one.
It was apple flavor with sugar cream.

4. Kaki no Mi
These were really good. Somewhat similar to Tornado chips (popular chips in The Balkans), but much softer. That was because they were with rice probably.

5. Maze Maze Drink
This was something I have tried before, since you can find everywhere candies like this. The grape one was my favorite.
I though I was really eating grapes for a moment.

6. Pokemon Karipori
This came with two flavours. The green one was with melon, and the purple one was with grape. I loved both of them.
They reminded me of my childhood.

7. Kanpai Ramune
For this one I'm not quite sure if I ate them as should have. First I tried to eat this candies, well, as candies.
Then I tried to mix them with water in the little glass and I experienced something wonderful.

8. Karamucho
This potato chips were really good, but really spicy. Be sure to have a cup of water beside you if you don't want to choke. First you will say they don't burn that much, but after a couple of seconds you will feel the burn of chili peppers.

9. Rilakkuma Pretzels
I left this the last since I loved it the most. I never tried something like this before, and I really loved it.
These were pretzel sticks with honey flavour. After eating this, I most probably will buy a dozen next time.
And since Freedom Japanese Market offers free shipping, I have a chance to try them again.

As said before, Freedom Japanese Market offers other snacks other than the subscription box.
You can choose to buy something in the beginning, and if you are happy with it, subscribe to the monthly subcription box.
As for me, I hope they add some Kit Kat with different flavours (like green tea flavour for example).
Please let us know your opinion in the comments below or through our social media sites and share this article if you liked it.

Tsukiji Sushi Workshop

2014-11-16T06:42:00.000+09:00

Do you want to learn about the origin of sushi, make sushi yourself or even more? Well, the origin of sushi is from Tsukiji fish market. So where could it be a better place to learn about it? There you can find help from Hirobumi Morita and Nobuyuki Noji. They run Tsukiji Sushi Workshop, which is in English and you can learn even if you don't speak Japanese. Check out the webpage below and learn more about it. Also you can find their profile information there, to know more who they are and what they do.
http://www.tsukiji-market.jp/

Changes on Google+ fun page [All About Nippon]

2014-09-19T19:56:00.000+09:00

To all followers, we will use the new updated Google+ Page:
https://plus.google.com/b/100995322705290434064

We will not update the old g+ page anymore. You can un-circle us and circle us to our new page!
Thank you!

Sakurajima Volcano Erupted Yesterday in Japan

2013-08-19T22:59:00.002+09:00

Sakurajima, one of Japan's most active volcanoes, experienced one of its most powerful eruptions in decades, yesterday, Sunday, sending an ash plume thousands of feet into the air.
The volcano, located in the far southwestern part of Japan's mainland on the island of Kyushu, began to erupt at 4:31 p.m. local time Sunday.

The smoke plume eventually reached a height of 5,000 meters, according to the Kagoshima Local Meteorological Observatory.
Japanese news media said it was the 500th eruption of 2013 at Sakurajima. There are no early reports of any injuries.

Japan Launches Kirobo, The Talking 'Robot Astronaut', Into Space

2013-08-04T17:38:00.001+09:00

Today, Sunday, August 4, 2013, early in the morning Japan launches HTV-4 (Kounotori 4) cargo ship with a talking robot on it's board! The ship was launched by The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) atop of the rocket H-2B.

The mission of this robot is to do communication experiments with commander Wakata in space!

Meet Kirobo, the Astronaut Robot

The Kirobo space robot is a diminutive mechanical person just 13 inches (34 centimeters) tall, built to converse with astronauts on long space voyages. The robot, and its ground-based counterpart Mirata, are part of the Kibo Robot Project to develop new technologies to enhance human-robot interaction in space. Kirobo speaks Japanese and is expected to talk to JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata when he arrives at the space station in November.

Kirobo, comes from the words, "hope" and "robot".
希望 [きぼう] [kibou] = hope
ロボット [robotto] = robot

To check on the lasted updates of the Kirobo mission, follow him @Kibo_robo via Twitter.
Also, check out the video below how Kirobo communicates, and also to find out more about his misson.

Check out for more info, the space.com article.

@Kibo_robo.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

HTV-4 (Kounotori 4)

HTV-4 (Kounotori 4) cargo ship

New Youtube Channel...

2013-06-15T08:04:00.001+09:00

Hello everyone!
I was wondering for any idea how to share something cool and in an useful and easy way to be viewed by people, and I came up with the idea: "A new youtube channel!"
This channel will be only for uploading Anime Opening and Ending videos, and only for that!
Also, we plan to use this channel in serious way... Some of the videos contain copyright (or in other words, some of them are considered as copyright infringement! Since, all of them have copyrights...), and for that reason doesn't have audio, or they get blocked completely and so on...
For that, we sent a request to Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. , to begin with! And in case of other infringements, we will send other requests to others! For the moment, it will be only a Youtube Channel, and later on, probably we'll have to create also a website, more organized, and with more stuff maybe...
For the moment, enjoy the watching the videos that will be uploaded almost daily at our channel!
Also, let's hope together, that we'll get a response, and maybe a confirmation for uploading the videos on our channel!
You can check out the channel if you click here.
And please subscribe! And also we are waiting for your comments on this!

Izanagi and Izanami

2013-01-22T02:04:00.000+09:00

Izanagi and Izanami

According to the Shinto creation myth, Izanagi and Izanami were brother and sister and husband and wife. They were the eighth pair of primordial, or first, beings, existing before the world. When it came time for Izanagi and Izanami to create the earth, they stood on Ama-no-Uki-Hashi, the Floating Bridge of heaven. There they plunged a special spear into the ocean. When they drew it back, the water from the spear fell and formed into the first land, which was the island of Onokoro. They then stuck their spear into the land, forming the heavenly pillar. Later, the two gods realized that their bodies were not the same. Izanami thought that part of her had not been finished. Izanagi thought he had been given too much. They decided to bring these incomplete parts together. Izanagi suggested that when they did so, Izanami would give birth to more islands. She agreed, and they circled the heavenly pillar. “A handsome man,” she remarked when they met. And they immediately made love. Izanami soon became pregnant.

Izumo Taisha, an important Shinto temple in the land where Susano-Wo ruled after his dispute with Amaterasu.

Each October, Shinto gods are supposed to gather here. (Photo by 663Highland/Used under a Creative Commons license)

Their child, however, was deformed. He was called Hiruko, or “leach child.” The couple abandoned him to the sea. Perhaps, thought the gods, they had come together in the wrong way. They decided that Izanagi should have spoken first as they circled the pillar, not Izanami. They repeated the ceremony, this time with Izanagi talking first. It worked. Izanami gave birth to the islands of Japan. She also gave birth to gods and goddesses of waterfalls, the wind, trees, and other vegetation. But tragedy followed when she gave birth to Kagutsuchi, the god of fire. His flames burned her so badly she died. In grief, Izanagi chopped off Kagutsuchi’s head. More gods sprang to life from the dead deity. Izanagi’s tears brought still other gods to life. But his wife had gone to Yomi, the land of the dead. Izanagi decided he would find her and bring her back. But when he arrived in the underworld, Izanagi discovered that Izanami had already tasted the food of the dead. She would not and could not return with him and stayed locked behind closed doors. Izanagi would not give up. Finally he charged into the palace where she was. When he lit his comb as a candle, he saw worms crawling through his wife’s distorted, rotting corpse. Eight thunder gods lived in her body, next to the maggots. Izanagi flew away in terror. Angered that he would not stay with her now, Izanami sent thunder gods and demons to bring him back. They sealed the underworld to try to keep him from escaping. Izanagi had his own magic, however, and was finally able to escape. As he reached the
outer limits of hell, he found three peaches. He hurled them at the last demons following him; the
devils ran away. From that day, peaches have helped humankind. Izanami made one last attempt to grab her husband and bring him down to the underworld, but Izanagi rolled a giant boulder across the entrance to hell, blocking her in. “I will kill a thousand people each day,” she promised, angry that he had defeated her. “Then I will create one thousand five hundred,” he promised. Upon his return to the world, Izanagi washed his left eye. This created the sun goddess Amaterasu. When he washed his right eye, the moon god Tsukiyomi was born. Susano-Wo, the god of the seas and storms, was created from his nose. Susano-Wo, jealous because his sister was chosen to rule the earth, soon disobeyed his father and was banished from heaven. In the story, the two gods discover that, in order to have a child born properly, the man must speak first during courtship. This may tell us something about the courtship customs at the time the myth was created. It may also tell us about the status of women, and refer to a change from a matriarchal society (one ruled by women) to a patriarchal one (ruled by men).

From the book: Japanese Mythology A to Z < second edition > by Jeremy Roberts

Next time, Tsukiyomi & Tsukiyomo

For more cool stories, info, great wallpapers and more from Japan, follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook.

Snow monkey at Jigokudani hot-spring in Nagano, Japan

2012-12-03T22:52:00.000+09:00

The photos tell more than the words! Just wonderful! Japan has entered in the winter season....

To download this album in full quality, click the download button above!
To find more of these wonderful wallpapers check Kiyo Photography's photostream:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockslide_photography/

Private Lesson - Otakuology

2012-11-17T02:34:00.001+09:00

「Private Lesson - Otakuology with Nakagawa Shoko and Wada Akiko」
Shoko Nakagawa, an otaku idol, teaches otaku definitions, and the different types of otaku.

Kamakura Sakura Season

2012-11-06T23:05:00.003+09:00

To download the photos in full quality, click the download button above!
The rar pack contains all the images above with high resolution!
You can check a similar article at japan-guide.

©Photos by OlgitosK from Greece

You can find her photos on this sites:
Photopedia | Deviant | Flickr

Fushimi Inari Shrine

2012-11-06T22:55:00.004+09:00

To download the photos in full quality, click the download button above!
The rar pack contains all the above images with high resolution!
To read more about Fushimi Inari Shrine, read the english wikipedia article or the japanese wikipedia article.

©Photos by Aimmochan Pinyosunun
Camera: Panasonic DMC-GF1
NIKON D60

Nijo Castle

2012-11-06T22:28:00.001+09:00

To download the photos in full quality, click the download button above!
The rar pack contains all the above images with high resolution!
To read more about Nijo Castle, read the english wikipedia article or the japanese wikipedia article.

©Photos by Aimmochan Pinyosunun
Camera: Panasonic DMC-GF1
NIKON D60

Todai-ji

2012-11-06T22:16:00.001+09:00

Todai temple (Todai-ji) is a temple located in Nara, Nara Prefecture! Check this great photos from it!

To download the photos in full quality, click the download button above!
The rar pack contains all the above images with high resolution!
To read more about Todai Temple, read the english wikipedia article or the japanese wikipedia article.

©Photos by Aimmochan Pinyosunun
Camera: Panasonic DMC-GF1
NIKON D60

Ueno and Shinobazu Pond

2012-11-06T21:51:00.004+09:00

Photos taken from Ueno and from Shinobazu Pond in Ueno.. Take a look at this wonderful pictures.

To download the photos in full quality, click the download button above!
The rar pack contains all the above images with high resolution!
To read more about Shinobazu Pond, read the english wikipedia article or the japanese wikipedia article.

©Photos by Aimmochan Pinyosunun
Camera: Panasonic DMC-GF1
NIKON D60

Kamakura Senior Shrine

2012-11-06T21:42:00.001+09:00

Check below some of the greatest pictures from Kamakura Senior Shrine

Drums to the Senior Shrine

Kamakura Main Gate

Outside the Senior Shrine

Red Doors - Senior Shrine

Senior shrine Gardens

Senior Shrine Prays

Senior Shrine

Senior shrine Gardens

Torii at Entrance to Shrine

To download the photos in full quality, click the download button above!
The rar pack contains all the images above with high resolution!

©Photos by OlgitosK from Greece

You can find her photos on this sites:
Photopedia | Deviant | Flickr

Anime Season Winter 2012-2013

2012-10-28T00:33:00.000+09:00

Click here to download the chart

Matsumoto Castle

2012-10-27T23:53:00.001+09:00

To download this wallpapers in full quality, click the download button above!
To read more about Matsumoto Castle check the article in enlgish wikipedia! (or the japanese article)

©Photos by Aimmochan Pinyosunun
Camera: Panasonic DMC-GF1
NIKON D60

Kawaguchiko Music Forest

2012-10-27T23:30:00.004+09:00

To download these wallpapers in high quality, click the download button above!
For more info about Kawaguchiko Music Forest read the this article, also the article from japan-guide!

Kamakura Bamboo Forest

2012-10-27T19:11:00.001+09:00

Kamakura Bamboo Forest is located in Kamakura, Kanagawa! Take a look at this wonderful photos, and download them if you like!

Path of Bamboo Forest

Bamboo Garden Moso

Bamboo Trees at Kamakura

Bamboo Trees

Gorinto Steps

Gorinto

Kamakura Bamboo Forest

Moso Gardens Entrance

Stone Latern

Trough the Forest

To download the photos in full quality, click the download button above!
The rar pack contains all the images above with high resolution!

Maiko (Apprentice Geisha)

2012-10-22T05:40:00.003+09:00

Maiko (舞妓?) is an apprentice geisha in western Japan, especially Kyoto. Their jobs consist of performing songs, dances, and playing the shamisen (three-stringed Japanese instrument) for visitors at a feast. Maiko are usually aged 15 to 20 years old and become geisha after learning how to dance (a kind of Japanese traditional dance), play the shamisen, and learning Kyō-kotoba (dialect of Kyoto), regardless of their origins.

Maiko with umbrella in Kyoto Streets

Enchanting Firefly Forest in Japan

2012-09-25T07:30:00.001+09:00

The Enchanting Firefly Forest in Japan is located in Chugoku region in Japan! Even the photos below may look unrealistic, they are true pictures! This Firefly Forest is like a wonderland in our world! Hope you like the pictures.. I don't have anymore words to add, since the images tell more than the words! :)

Myōtsū-ji [Obama, Fukui]

2012-09-17T05:15:00.001+09:00

Myōtsū-ji (明通寺) is a Shingon temple in Obama, Fukui Prefecture, Japan. The Kamakura-period Hondō and three-storey pagoda are both National Treasures, a number of Heian-period statues have been designated Important Cultural Properties, and there is a garden with a pond.

Details:
The .rar pack contains the 15 above images in Full HD! If you want to have them on your computer, please, download them!

Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival

2012-09-16T21:41:00.003+09:00

Yokote is a city in Akita Prefecture, in Tohoku region in Japan!
Yokote is known for its Kamakura Festival, a midwinter festival in which igloo-like snow houses are made throughout the town. It's held in the days leading to the Bonden Festival (mid February) and its location is focused around the city hall area. Take a look at the picture below...

Also more than 100 mini-kamakura are build, which produce a beautiful spectacle against the darkness.

BEGIN Japanology Season 1

2012-09-14T18:33:00.000+09:00

As you will see from the list below, some episodes are not there! They are nowhere to be found! If you have them, please mail me, so I can add them to the site!

Episodes list:
BEGIN Japanology S1E01 - Bento [2008.04.14]

BEGIN Japanology S1E02 - Miyazawa Kenji [2008.04.21]
BEGIN Japanology S1E05 - Tsukiji Market [2008.05.12]
BEGIN Japanology S1E06 - Yoshoku [2008.05.19]
BEGIN Japanology S1E07 - Kyudo [2008.05.26]
BEGIN Japanology S1E09 - Dagashi-ya [2008.06.09]
BEGIN Japanology S1E10 - Nihon Buyo [2008.06.16]
BEGIN Japanology S1E11 - Abacus [2008.06.23]
BEGIN Japanology S1E12 - Ryukyu Kimono [2008.06.30]
BEGIN Japanology S1E13 - Bamboo [2008.07.14]
BEGIN Japanology S1E14 - Shirakawa-go [2008.07.21]
BEGIN Japanology S1E15 - Firework [2008.07.28]
BEGIN Japanology S1E16 - Hanging Scrolls [2008.08.17]
BEGIN Japanology S1E17 - The Tale of Genji Part 1 [2008.08.24]
BEGIN Japanology S1E18 - The Tale of Genji Part 2 [2008.08.31]
BEGIN Japanology S1E19 - Matcha [2008.09.07]
BEGIN Japanology S1E20 - Tokyo Tower [2008.09.14]
BEGIN Japanology S1E21 - Dashi [2008.09.21]
BEGIN Japanology S1E25 - Sushi [2008.10.19]
BEGIN Japanology S1E32 - Castles [2008.12.08]

Let's Learn Japanese - Basic II

2012-09-11T20:24:00.000+09:00

List of episodes:
1. Japanese Basic II - 27 - I think I can be there by 4pm
2. Japanese Basic II - 28 - Maybe You Should Go And Meet Her Soon
3. Japanese Basic II - 29 - He said he's going to Nagasaki today
4. Japanese Basic II - 30 - I got them from a friend
5. Japanese Basic II - 31 - We're thinking of singing Bethoven's ninth
6. Japanese Basic II - 32 - Try reading the Japanese
7. Japanese Basic II - 33 - It's nice and clean now
8. Japanese Basic II - 34 - Will you turn up the volume on the TV a little.bit
9. Japanese Basic II - 35 - Turn the stove off when you leave the room
10. Japanese Basic II - 36 - I'm so bored I don't know what to do
11. Japanese Basic II - 37 - Shall I change the towel
12. Japanese Basic II - 38 - Mr Terada has been taking care of me
13. Japanese Basic II - 39 - If this design is chosen I'll go back to my country
14. Japanese Basic II - 40 - You mustn't tell Yan
15. Japanese Basic II - 41 - He doesn't seem to be there
16. Japanese Basic II - 42 - Even if we invite him I don't think he'll come
17. Japanese Basic II - 43 - I was in a hurry so I couldn't buy it
18. Japanese Basic II - 44 - I'm planning to see the sea visit old houses and so on
19. Japanese Basic II - 45 - It's hard, working like that in this snow
20. Japanese Basic II - 46 - What's this fish called
21. Japanese Basic II - 47 - The sakura hasnt bloomed yet has it
22. Japanese Basic II - 48 - Theres Only One Bottle Left
23. Japanese Basic II - 49 - We'll Miss You When You'Re Gone
24. Japanese Basic II - 50 - I've Never Traveled Abroad Before
25. Japanese Basic II - 51 - Give it to him when he's come down
26. Japanese Basic II - 52 - If you're ever in Japan again please stop by

Read more:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let%27s_Learn_Japanese