Harajuku

The fashion lovers mecca of Japan, Harajuku stretches out along the Takeshita Street, or Takeshita-dori. One can get to the plethora of shops and stalls in this area by getting off at the JR Harajuku station of the Yamanote Train Line. From there, you will get inundated with all the clothes, jewelry, and all sorts of accessories that you can find.

Harajuku mainly attracts the younger crowd who fill up the place, especially during the weekend. More often than not, you will also see large flocks of tourists frequenting the place. Different areas in Harajuku stand for different things. Fashion boutiques are best found in Laforet Harajuku while the hub of young designers is Ura Harajuku. Omotesando on the other hand is the place to go for the chic and sophisticated. Whatever your taste may be, you will surely find something to suit you in this fashionable place. At the very least, it will be a feast for your eyes.
[tags]Japan, tourist spots, shopping, fashion, Harajuku[/tags]

The Jinsei Ginko

Combining the value of saving up and having fun, Japanese toy company Tomy Co., has come up with a revolutionary piggy bank called the Jinsei Ginko. The idea behind this piggy bank is to of course save up money and have fun while doing it. The saving money part is easy to understand – put in money and you have it saved for a rainy day. Yet what about the fun part?

Typically Japanese, electronics have a large role. In the front panel of the white cube-shaped bank, there is a black and white LCD panel. The owner of the bank can input his target amount and date at the beginning. There is a character displayed who initially lives in a tiny room with 3 tatami mats. Depending on the amount of money in the bank and the rate at which the money increases, the character moves on in life. He even finds a job and marries! However, if you take money out of the bank before the target date, he will be relegated to his original situation in life. Fun, isn’t it?
[tags]Japan, technology, piggy bank, innovation, gadget, Jinsei Ginko[/tags]

Winter Fashion

Winter may not be the best season but in Japan, the fashionable and chic take this opportunity to show off the latest in fashion. Japanese fashion has always made headlines due to its uniqueness. This winter, however, one of the most fashionable items in a person’s wardrobe was surprisingly functional as well.

We’re talking about the down jacket. Down jackets are made of the inner layer of feathers of waterfowl, most often geese or ducks. They offer warmth and the convenience of being lightweight at the same time. Combined with the Japanese fashion sense, down jackets have taken the streets by storm.

A wide variety of styles and colors can be seen. From bright colors to the chic black, you would find them everywhere. More than this, new technologies have been applied to the making of down jackets – increasing their functionality together with the price. I wonder where how these jackets would fare as warmer weather arrives?

[tags]Japan, fashion, winter, down jackets[/tags]

Tokyo International Anime Fair

Japanese Anime has long since been one of the more popular hobbies in many countries around the world. For the uninitiated, anime is the term used for Japanese animation. Wide eyed characters with quirky characteristics are the focus of anime. Seemingly suitable for children – as cartoons are normally perceived – anime has captured the interest of people of all ages.

This March, the TAF (Tokyo International Anime Fair) is going to be held at Tokyo Big Sight. Held every year at spring, this exhibit is the largest anime fair in the world. Booths will be hosted not only by Japanese anime companies but entities from other countries as well. Events include stage performances and video/movie showings. More than that, the Tokyo Anime Awards will be held to recognize the best in the anime industry.

Tickets are relatively reasonable at 1,000 JPY for adults and 500 JPY for high school and junior high school students. Younger kids come in for free.

[tags]Japan, Tokyo, Japanese Anime, Tokyo Anime Fair[/tags]

Minamata

Minamata in southern Kumamoto once hit the international headlines when a local factory disposed of its wastes into Minamata Bay. As a result of this reckless act, thousands of its inhabitants fell prey to mercury poisoning. The disease which resulted from mercury poisoning has since then been termed as Minamata Disease. This occurred way back in the 1950s and 1960s.

Today, however, Minamata has overcome the catastrophe that has destroyed the lives of many. Perhaps it is the challenge that gave its citizens the drive. Yet whatever their inspiration is, the local inhabitants of Minamata have created an environmental model city – a far cry from the situation about half a century ago!

Today, Minamata welcomes tourists of all sorts – but only if they are friends of the environment. Major attractions include hot spring resorts, farms, and the eco city itself. Indeed, the locals here have shown how a community can rise above a disaster and turn it into something good.

[tags]Japan, Minamata, Minamata Disease, eco city, environment, hot springs, tourist attraction[/tags]

The Edo Period

Anyone who has seen the Japanese anime, Samurai X (or Kenshin Himora) would at least know a little something about this period in Japanese history. One of the most prolific eras in Japan’s history, the Edo Period was a time of glory and controversy.

The Edo Period covers the years 1600 to 1867. Perhaps one of the most glaring symbols of this period was the samurai. Known as the toughest and most skilled of warriors, samurai were quite distinct from other classes in society. In fact, they were dressed differently from farmers and merchants. More so, they were not allowed to visit places of entertainment. Who’s to say they didn’t though?

During this period, monks and priests – believe it or not – were considered to be marginal elements of the society! They in fact lived in the outer edges of Edo, together with other marginal groups such as gangs and prostitutes!

[tags]history, Edo Period, samurai, Edo[/tags]

Japanese New Year

The New Year is always one of the most celebrated holidays all over the world no matter what the culture. Most people know about the Chinese New Year, which is different from the Western New Year. The Japanese New Year, or shogatsu, on the other hand, is celebrated at the same time the Western New Year is. From January 1 to January 3, all businesses are closed all over the country and families take the time out to spend these days with each other.

Parties are held, not only to welcome the coming year, but to forget the past year. These parties are called bonenkai, or “year forgetting parties.” Decorations usually involve plum trees, pine, and bamboo. The traditional food for New Year’s Eve is buckwheat noodles or toshikoshi soba. These noodles symbolize longevity.

Recently, a tradition has emerged which involves watching a music show called kohaku uta gassen. This TV program showcases the most popular J-pop and enka singers.

Japanese Beer

Beer is one of the most consumed drinks all throughout the world. Though Japan is most known for its traditional alcoholic drink, sake, it also boasts of several beer brands that are quite popular in many countries. There are different kinds of beer in Japan, the lager being the most popular.

Under the category of lager beers, Japan’s number one bestseller is Asahi’s Super Dry. Other beers worth trying out are Sapporo’s Black Label and Ebisu, and Kirin’s Lager and Ichiban Shibori. Japan’s breweries also produce seasonal beers. These are generally lagers as well and are sold only for few months at a time.

Aside from the lagers, Japanese also patronize dark beers called stout. Happoshu, or low malt beer, is also popular. In fact, it is more popular than stout. This is perhaps due to the lower prices attached to them.

Wherever you go in Japan, it is not hard to find a place to sit down and have a cool drink. From beer to sake to whiskey, you will certainly find something to suit your taste.

[tags]Japan, beer, alcohol, leisure, Asahi[/tags]

Valentine’s Day in Japan

One more day and the Day of Hearts comes around again. For many people around the world, this is the day when lovers celebrate their passion for each other. Japan is no different. However, their celebration takes on a slight twist. While in the Western world, men generally give their partners chocolates and gifts for Valentine’s, in Japan it is the other way around.

Women are the ones who give chocolate to the men! There are two different kinds of chocolate gifts on Valentine’s Day. One is the giri choco (obligatory chocolate). This is given by women to male colleagues, friends, and superiors at work. The other is honmei choco (chocolate for the man the woman is serious about). Quite obviously, this is for the special man in a woman’s life. In addition to the honmei choco, a woman may give her man something special like a tie for example.
[tags]Japan, food, culture, Valentine’s Day, chocolate[/tags]

Japanese Mushrooms

I don’t know about you, but mushrooms are one of my favorite food. Give me anything with mushrooms and chances are that I’ll eat it! Anyhow, Japanese mushrooms are some of the best in the world. Both for flavor and textures, these mushrooms just spice up a dish – or serve as a dish on their own! Here are some of the more popular Japanese mushrooms.

Shiitake – almost every person in the world has heard about this mushroom. You can buy these either fresh or dried. If you get them dried, you’d have to soak the mushrooms in water before using them.

Maitake – the King of mushrooms. Light brown in color all throughout, these mushrooms grow in large colonies and are often part of Japanese dishes.

Hiratake – oyster mushrooms. They are cultivated and have a lot of varieties. Try mixing this with tofu and soy!

There are definitely more varieties of mushrooms in Japan but these are some of the easiest to use. Why not try them yourself?
[tags]food, mushrooms, agriculture, cuisine[/tags]