Living Tokyo

MONTH

2011年2月

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  • 02/28/2011
  • 02/25/2021

Hinamatsuri, Girls’ Festival

On March 3rd, a festival called Hinamatsuri (???腑???) is held.? Hinamatsuri is a festival for girls, and is celebrated by displaying a set of dolls, Hinaningyo?(???篋阪就) The custom of displaying dolls began during the Heian period.? People believed the dolls possessed the power to?trap bad spirits into itself. Hinamatsuri originates?in an ancient Japanese custom called Hina-nagashi (???羌????), literally ‘doll flowing’, in which straw or paper?Hinaningyo,?believed to take away bad spirits with them,?are set afloat on a boat and sent down a river to the sea. Today, in most homes, the dolls are not flowed, but just displayed.? The dolls are?representing the Emperor, Empress, and their merry men, dressed in Kimono of the Heian Period (794-1185). The arrangement of the doll differ by area, but the popular way of setting the dolls are to place them on a stair-shaped stage. On the top stair is placed the Emperor and Empress.? On the next is the three court ladies. With the dolls, many instruments used in the palace life, such as drawers and oxcarts,?are usually displayed. Families generally start to display the dolls around mid-February and take down the platforms immediately after the festival. Superstition says that leaving the dolls out past […]

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  • 02/27/2011
  • 02/27/2021

Kappabashi Street Kitchen Town

Kappabashi is a street between Ueno and Asakusa, populated with shops supplying the?restaurant trade.? At the entrance of Kappabashi street by?Asakusa street is a giant cook mascot. The shops sell everything from tableware, restaurant furniture, decorations, and stoves, most of them mass-produced. The street’s name is believed to come from either the Kappa?(???臂?, raincoats) of nearby residents which were hang out to dry on the bridge, or from a merchant named Kihachi Kappaya?(???臂遵????????)?who funded the project to build Shinhorikawa River (??医??綏?, doesn’t exist today) for water management. However, due to the homophone with the popular mythical creature, Kappa (羃括?), the group of shops along the street officially adopted the creature Kappa as its mascot.? Images of the Kappa shown on the left?appear on shops along the street and web pages. One of the most popular and entertaining shops is Sample Shop Maizuru.? This is a shop of?plastic display food (sample foods),?found outside Japanese restaurants.? There are many real size sample foods, such as Sushi and cakes, and also miniature samples made into cell phone straps and magnets.? There are also unique interior goods like Sushi clocks! — Higherground Co.,Ltd. 2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan TEL:03-6459-2230 HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/ TOP PAGE:?https://livingtokyo.net/

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  • 02/26/2011
  • 02/27/2021

Golf Bar – New Indoor Sports

Golf is of course an outdoor activity, but with the new virtual golf simulator, you can also enjoy it indoors! Virtual golf may be similar to golf games using Wii, but the difference is that in virtual golf, you actually use real golf clubs and balls.? The sensor analyzes your swing, and decides the speed, direction, and the flying distance.? The result is shown in the large screen in front of you. This new attraction is enjoyable at some bars and cafes in Tokyo.? You can use it for practicing on your own, or have fun with your friends.? If you don’t own your own golf equipments, rental is available at many cafes/bars. — Higherground Co.,Ltd. 2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan TEL:03-6459-2230 HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/ TOP PAGE:?https://livingtokyo.net/

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  • 02/25/2011
  • 02/25/2021

Ameyoko, Shop Street in Ueno

Ameyoko (??≪?≧┴) is a?shop street along the Yamanote line rails between Ueno and Okachimachi Station.? The 400m long street?consist of more than 400 stores. Ameyoko is short for Ameya Yokocho (??≪?＜?ゆ┴筝?).? There are several explanations?regarding this name.? One possible origin is that, because this street was a black market selling items disposed of by the US Army gathered here after WW2, this street came to be called Ame (short for America) – Ya (絮?, shop).? Another is that Ameya means Ame (蕋?, candy) – Ya (shop), and the street was named this because many candy stores are gathered here. Any way, Ameya Yokocho is?usually called by its short term Ameyoko?today, and the sign of the streets also reads Ameyoko, as is in the photo above. Today, various goods, such as food (mainly sea food and dried goods), clothings, and fashin items?are dealt in Ameyoko.??The number of sports equipment stores for youths increased in recent years.? On the basement floor of Ameyoko Center Building is a market of ethnic goods, where many of both the clerks and customers are Chinese. In the photo above is the feature of Ameyoko, ‘Tatakiuri (????紕蚊??)’.? Tatakiuri is a?limited-time sale at a highly discounted price.? In […]

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  • 02/24/2011
  • 02/25/2021

Sengakuji Temple

Sengakuji Temple (羈?絏喝?)?is located in Takanawa, which is near Shinagawa. Sengakuji was founded in 1612 by Monan Sokan (???綺球?????),? on the command of the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (緇喝??絎九嵯).? After the first temple was burnt down in 1641, it was rebuilted in the present location. Sengakuji is famous for the episode of the 47 Samurai of Ako (莎ょ????????筝?紕?). In the 18th century, Asano Naganori (羌??????欠??), the Daimyo (紊у??, feudal lord) of Ako (莎ょ??) was forced to Seppuku (??????, suicide, the word ‘Harakiri’ may be better?known), due to the plot of Kira Yoshinaka (??????奨紊?), Asano’s superior.? 47 of Asano’s men killed Kira for revenge.? For committing? the crime of murder, the 47 Samurais?were sentenced to Seppuku.? The graves of Asano and the 47 Samurais are in Sengakuji. This true story gained big popularity, matched to the Japanese ideal of loyalty, sacrifice, persistence, and honor.? Dramatized stories were made, and were out on theaters.? “Chushingura (綽???ｈ??)”, the fiction story of the Ako Samurais, is still a famous play of Kabuki (罩????篌?). At Sengakuji, there is a memorial hall of Ako Samurais, where items connected to Ako Samurais are exhibited.? Also, Gishisai (臂??腑?, festival for Ako Samurais) is held every December 13th and 14th. […]

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  • 02/23/2011
  • 02/25/2021

Experience Japanese Culture – Tea Ceremony, Kimono, Making Sushi

Though?many explanations are made in foreign languages, it is difficult to actually experience Japanese culture.? However, there is a NPO which helps you do so.? This NPO, Institute for Japanese Cultural Exchange and Experience, holds various programs for foreigners, where you can expereince the traditon of Japan, with a multilingual Japanese instructor.? There are guides in several languages, such as English, Chinese, and French. One popular?program is Kimono dressing. In this program, you can actually wear Kimono.? If weather permits, participants may walk in a nearby park to fully experience life wearing a Kimono. Before wearing Kimono, participants would?explore many aspects of the Kimono,?for example,?the traditional skills of ?Japanese dyeing and weaving. Participants will also understand the versatility and specific features of the Kimono. Even if one’s shape changes (or a Kimono is given to another person), the same Kimono can be worn with just some minor adjustments. Another?program is making Sushi. In this program, participants will learn to make various types of Sushi: Maki Sushi (rolled Sushi), Gunkan Maki (rice wrapped with a strip of seaweed and topped with?ingredients), and Nigiri Sushi (rice topped with a slice of raw fish).? This program will be held at the participant’s home, […]

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  • 02/22/2011
  • 02/27/2021

Outlets around Tokyo

There are few outlets?near the city heart, but most of them have large parking lots, and if you don’t drive, there are shuttle buses from the nearest stations. The excitement of shopping with big discounts is worth everything! Venus Outlet Outlet in Venus Fort.? The first outlet mall in Tokyo’s 23 wards.? There are many shops of brands popular among the youths. Location: Odaiba Website: http://www.venusfort.co.jp/multi/index_e.html (Eng) Grandberry Mall Almighty shopping mall.? Not only outlet shops, but there are grocery stores, pet goods, hair salons are in the site. Location: Tsuruma, Machida Website: http://www.grandberrymall.com/ (Jap) Gotemba Premium Outlet Outlet in Shizuoka prefecture, about 90 minutes drive from Shinjuku.? There are many outlet stores of high class brands. Location: Gotemba, Shizuoka Website: http://www.premiumoutlets.co.jp/en/gotemba/ (Eng) Mitsui Outlet Park Tama Minamiosawa Outlet in western Tokyo.? Many products of the season, samples, and foreign models are purchasable. Location: Tama Website: http://www.31op.com/english/index.html#tama (Eng) — Higherground Co.,Ltd. 2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan TEL:03-6459-2230 HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/ TOP PAGE:?https://livingtokyo.net/

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  • 02/21/2011
  • 02/25/2021

Hanami – Bloom Gazing

Hanami (??沿??, viewing the flowers) of cherry blossoms is a major spring event in Japan.? Many people gather around cherry blossom trees and admire the fragile flowers, which will be in bloom for only about a week. Cherry blossoms are not the only flowers to be the subject of Hanami.? Japanese apricot (罌?, Ume)?isalso a beautiful flower of the springtime in Japan. The best time to view Japanese apricots in Tokyo is from mid February to early March, about a month earlier than that of cherry blossoms.? The best time of Japanese apricots lasts for about 3 weeks. The old Japanese name of the flower is Harutsugegusa (??ュ?????), literally meaning ‘plant that announces spring’.? Japanese apricots were admired by the Japanese people as the first flower to show the arrival of spring.? Actually, Japanese apricot was the favorite spring flower of the Japanese, especially the nobles,?until around the 12th century, when cherry blossoms gained much popularity.? Cherry blossoms were?loved by?the Samurai?class, who?started to gain power at this age.? They thought?of cherry blossoms, whose life is brief and?falls beautifully, as the idol image of high-souled?Samurais.? There is a word ‘hana wa sakuragi, hito wa bushi (??宴?????????篋冴???紕?)’ which means ‘the best of […]

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  • 02/20/2011
  • 02/25/2021

Buses in Tokyo

There are many bus routes in Tokyo, but it might take a lot of nerve to use it for the first time.? Actually, it is easy to take the bus once you get used to it, just like taking it in your mother country. If you find a bus stop, the bus route and timetable will be written on the pole.? You can check the destination of the bus there. Hop on the bus.? If you have a Suica or Pasmo (IC cards), you can pay the fee with simply holding it over the sensor.? If you don’t, you can pay by cash, putting in the coins or bill in the box next to the driver. When the bus approaches to the stop you get off, push the button on the wall or poles, and the bus will stop there. Below are some bus lines running in the center of Tokyo. Toei Bus (??遵?吟?????) The routes of?Toei Bus are spread around the 23 wards and Tama. Adult Fee: JPY200 flat price Route map and time table available at: http://www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/bus/map/index.html (Jap) Hachiko Bus (??????????????) Bus lines in Shibuya-ku, named from Hachiko, the most famous dog in Japan, whose statue stands in […]

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  • 02/19/2011
  • 02/25/2021

Nezu Museum, Aoyama

Nezu Museum is a museum located in Aoyama, exhibiting its collection of?Japanese and Oriental art. The museum opened to the public in 1940 and escaped the destruction suffered by the estate property in the bombing of May 1945. Closed due to large-scale renovation and renewal from 2006 onwards, it re-opened in fall 2009 with a completely new museum building by the Japanese architect?Kuma Kengo (?????????). Included in the collection are a pair of Edo period folding-screens of Irises by Ogata Korin. It also includes other paintings of renown, calligraphy, sculpture, ceramics, textiles and archaeological materials, as well as objects in lacquer, metal, and wood. The collection also consists of Chinese bronzes of the Shang and Zhou dynasties. The Nezu Museum is also known for its vast, Japanese-style garden.? This garden is dotted with?tea ceremony houses.? Nezu Kaichiro (??号乾???筝????), the founder of this museum, spent his afterlife in tea ceremony, and his collection of tea paraphernalia is exhibited in the museum.If you are interested in Oriental art, especially concerning tea ceremony, Nezu Museum is worth a visit 🙂 — Higherground Co.,Ltd. 2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan TEL:03-6459-2230 HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/ TOP PAGE:?https://livingtokyo.net/