The Great Japan Beer Festival

I have never really associated Japan with beer – it has always been sake in my mind. However, come to think of it, Japanese beer is quite well known around Asia, and even in the Western parts. Thus, it should not be a surprise that they have their own version of a beer festival.

This year, there are three periods wherein people can participate in the Great Japan Beer Festival. The first one is over – it was held from May 5 to 6 at the Ebisu Gerden Hall in Tokyo. The second one is being held right now (it started yesterday) at the Kyosera Dome in Osaka. The third one gives you more time to prepare as it is going to be held from September 6 to 7 at the Osanbashi Hall in Yokohama.

What can you expect at the Great Japan Beer Festival? Let me tell you, the Japanese know how to celebrate and when they do, they make it BIG. At the events of the Great Japan Beer Festival, participants are treated to more than 120 microbrews and craft beers – all of these available for tasting! If you want to drown yourself in the finest beers available, you just have to pay the entrance fee.

Information for the Osaka festival:

Ticket at Enterance: 4,100 yen per person per day
Advanced tickets(date designated ticket): 3,600 yen per person per day
Lawson　Lcode 59253　　
Ticket PIA　Pcode 612-254
FamilyMart/CircleKSunkus　Pcode 612-254

For the Yokohama festival:
Ticket at Enterancet: 4,100 yen per person per day
Advanced tickets(date designated ticket): 3,600 yen per person per day
Lawson　Lcode 33598　　
Ticket PIA　Pcode 612-433
FamilyMart/CircleKSunkus　Pcode 612-433

Kodomo no hi Or Children’s Day

In the last post, I talked about Hinamatsuri, or the festival for girls. Though this is quite an important part of Japanese culture, it cannot be denied that there is another similar festival that puts the nation at a standstill - Kodomo no hi. Kodomo no hi is actually Children’s Day and takes place on the 5th of May – yes, yesterday. It is considered a National Holiday and is meant to celebrate children (of course) and their varying personalities and to wish them happiness.

It was not always known as Children’s Day, however. Prior to 1948, when it was changed to Children’s Day and proclaimed a National Holiday, this day was called Tango no Sekku, or Boys’ Day. This was also known as the Feast of Banners.

The reason behind the Feast of Banners tag is that tradition dictates that families fly fish banners or fish kites on this day. These fish are actually koi and the banners have come to represent the hopes of the parents for their children – in particular, their sons. Koi fish are known to be full of energy and courage and they can swim against strong currents.

Today, Children’s Day is celebrated all over the country for both boys and girls. Many Japanese communities outside of Japan also celebrate with festivities of their own. Indeed, those fish kites flying are a sight to behold.

For Doll Lovers Only: Hinamatsuri

Japan is well known for its exotic festivals that attract people from all over the world. For the Japanese, though, these festivals hold much deeper meanings than merely showcasing what their culture has to offer. One of the longest running traditions in the Japanese culture is called the Hinamatsuri, or Japanese Doll Festival.

Hinamatsuri started way back in the Heian Period and has its origin in an old Japanese belief that dolls contained evil spirits. In the old days, dolls made of straw were sent floating down the river out to the sea. The goal was to send away the evil spirits.

Today, the festival takes on a different light and is celebrated on the 3rd of March. The festival is actually aimed at little girls, wherein the family prays for their happiness, safety, and prosperity. Those who take part in the celebrations display special dolls if they have girls in the family.

Another name for Hinamatsuri is Momo no Sekku, which translates to Peach Festival. The dolls which are displayed are called Hina dolls and they are placed on tiered platforms with following configuration:

• Sitting at the top center are Emperor and Empress. They are wearing the twelve-layered ceremonial robe called juhni-hitoe).
• On the next step stand three Court Ladies.
• On the 3rd step play five Musicians.
• On the lowest two steps are miniatures of tableware used to serve these people.
• Small set with Court house: two Warriors guard the Court people.
• On the right are peach blossoms.

This configuration actually follows the hierarchy of the Heian Period Imperial Court.

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.

Plum Festival

Japan is more well known for its Cherry Blossom Festivals rather than the Plum Festivals. However, that is not to say that the Japanese Plum, or Ume, does not hold an important place in Japanese culture. Introduced from China, the Ume is the harbinger of spring. Plum trees flower in February and March and as such, Plum Festivals (Ume Matsuri) are held during these months.

Different places have their own festivals. Most of the time, though, these celebrations are held in public parks, shrines, and temples. Unlike cherry blossoms, plum blossoms emanate quite a strong fragrance. Imagine being surrounded by plum trees with flowers ranging from white to dark pink and inhaling the aroma that permeates the atmosphere. It’s enough to make one want to be there for a Plum Festival, isn’t it?

If you’re looking to go to one, some of the famous “plum spots” are: Kairakuen (Ibaraki Prefecture), Hanegi Park (Tokyo), and Yushima Tenjin Shrine (Tokyo).
[tags]Festivals, Plum festival, ume, spring[/tags]