Where will you pay attention to when you walk around the street? According to some article, people tend to look forward and slightly when they walk. Today, I’m going to introduce you the fun of looking on the road in Japan. As you might guess, there are many unique signs on the road such as traffic signs, guardrails, and manhole covers.

If you are already arrived (or lived) in Japan, please looking for manhole covers in the town. Japanese manhole covers has full of variation, because Japanese manholes are designed by each local government. For example, manhole covers, which are draw azaleas, are in Misumi city in Shimane prefecture.

This is because representative flower of the city is azaleas. Likewise, manhole covers in Tokyo is designed with cherry blossom, Kobe prefecture makes manhole covers with its scenery, and the representative bird is in manhole covers in Ikeda Osaka.

　　

Not only manhole covers, but also guardrails have variation in their color in each region. Do you know the default color of guardrail in Japan?  It’s white. However, the color of guardrail is painted in orange on prefecture road in Yamaguchi. This is because these guardrails have been colored to make difference from other prefecture, when the National Athletic Meets was held in there. The reason of choosing orange is that summer orange is representative fruits for Yamaguchi prefecture. This is special color only in Yamaguchi.

As I mentioned above, there are rich variations on the road. If you have a time to travel around Japan, please enjoy finding unique things in that place. And let me know about your findings.

cosmos.jls@gmail.com

As you may already know, Sumo（相撲）is the well-known national sports in Japan. We guess you have ever seen two big Sumo（相撲）wrestlers called rikishi（力士） fight in a ring called dohyo（土俵）. We can enjoy watching Sumo（相撲）both on TV and National Sports Hall（国技館）.

Sumo（相撲）has a lot of techniques to fight against, but if a wrestler（力士） steps out of the dohyo（土俵）or falls down on the ground, he will be loser of the fight.

Well, let me tell you about some famous techniques of Sumo（相撲）here. Greatly famous ones are Yorikiri（寄り切り） and Oshidashi（押し出し）. Yorikiri（寄り切り）is the forcing out, and Oshidashi（押し出し）is the pushing out of the dohyo（土俵）. Also they slapping down called Hatakikomi（はたき込み）, or kifting out called Tsuridashi（つり出し）. Other dynamic techniques are an overarm throw called Uwatenage （上手投げ）and an underarm throw called Shitatenage（下手投げ）.

If you want to be a rikishi（力士）, there is some regulations. You must be at least 173 centimeters tall and weigh 75 kilograms. So they eat a lot to gain weight and also sleep a lot.

By the way, do you know what’s the purpose of sumo wrestlers（力士）’ oicho hairstyle? All of sumo wrestlers（力士）tied up their hair in a certain style called oicho（大銀杏）, but even Japanese people, most of them don’t know the meaning of it. The answer of this question is as follows.

Oicho（大銀杏）’s hair style is not just a matter of aesthetics, but protects the wrestlers（力士）’ heads when they go head-to-head at the beginning of the match or if they fall out of the ring.

Sumo（相撲）is really interesting sport as so far. Why don’t you go to see Sumo（相撲）!!

cosmos.jls@gmail.com

If you came from the country such as US, you might notice that most of Japanese eat very little than people in your country. On the contrary, you may be grieved that most restaurants serve very little food like for a bird. Is there no restaurant which serves enough food to fill your stomach by amount? Of course, there is. We call it 大盛り飯（large serving food）. Today, I would like to introduce you about some famous 大盛りfood restaurants in Tokyo.

1. “スパゲッティのパンチョ（ Supagetti no Pancho）” in Shibuya

This restaurant serves 2.3kg pasta in one plate. The name of 大盛りpasta is ナポリタン星人（Napolitan-Seijin）. It looks so heavy

.

2. “もうやんカレー大忍具(Mouyan curry )” in Shinjuku

This curry restaurant serves curry with large amounts of rice like a mountain. This mountain looks difficult to complete to eat.

3. “魚がし料理　まぐろ亭（Uogashi-Ryori-MaguroTei）in Kanda

This is unique 大盛りfood, because there are a few 大盛りfood except noodles or curries. In this restaurant fresh seafood is in 大盛りdishes.

These three restaurants might be able to fill your stomach. Then, you might wonder who can eat such a 大盛りfood in Japan. I would like you to watch this movie; this movie records the most famous Japanese competitive eater Kobayashi.

https://youtu.be/PHAxeTYDSFo

Japanese　people also can eat a lot of food!

cosmos.jls@gmail.com

Have you heard of “Seijinshiki(成人式)”? This is a coming of age ceremony in Japan. New adults (in Japan, 20-year-olds having coming of age ceremony within that year) celebrate their coming of age with their family, friends, and so on.

Ladies usually wear “Furisode(振り袖)”, that is kind of “Kimono(着物)”. Every design of Furisode(振り袖) is totally different (each design of Furisode(振り袖) is having great meaning to celebrate their first step of adult.), but all of them are pretty beautiful.

Let me introduce about some famous design of Furisode(振り袖) and their meanings here.

Frist one is peony(牡丹).

Peony means wealth or rich because it blooms from little bud into big flower. In old time, wearing the design of peony was only allowed to high society.

Second one is crane(鶴).

Crane means longevity because crane is said to live until thousand years. Another meaning is long-lasting harmonious marriage because crane is the only animal getting along with one partner in their life.

Third one is ume blossom(梅の花).

Ume blossom means beauty of patience. Because ume blossom blooms beautiful flower after severe cold of winter. Moreover, it means safe childbirth also.

About Furisode(振り袖), someone borrow, someone buy, or someone receive from their mother and grandmother.

Girls generally start their preparation of Seijinshiki(成人式) from about 1 year ago of the day. They firstly and of course have to decide their own Furisode(振り袖), and then their hair styles. Furthermore, they need to reserve a fitting at salon. Also it is necessary to take a picture with Furisode(振り袖) before the day because most of them likely go for a party with their friends on that night (we often call it “Maedori(前撮り)”). Seijinshiki(成人式) is greatly big event for girls in Japan.

Actually, wearing Furisode(振り袖) is so hard to breath, and difficult to moving smoothly. But all of girls are dreaming to wear their favorite Furisode(振り袖) on the day!

cosmos.jls@gmail.com

If you are familiar with Japanese so called Otaku culture, you might know there are some tendency in popular character. It’s “Personification”.

                

Personified characters increase during a few years in novels, comics, anime and games. Recently, some games from DMM games become popular and earned many player. Kancolle and Tohkenranbu are the popular online games, and these games include personified character in it. These two game is a Japanese free-to-play web browser game, so there are many player not only in Japan but also other countries. Especially, Kancolle has many player because it passed more than three years from it was launched. The common point of these games are personification. Kancolle personified real-life warship in WWⅡ, on the other hand, Toukenrambu personified animate legenmdary swords. These games became popular and there are many collaboration goods and events in everywhere.

                                            

All things considered, and it’s just my opinion but, Japanese people might have a tendency to see the things like a person. The idea of Tsukumogami have long been known by Japanese people. Tsukumogami is a kind of Gods or specter  in animism,it turned into a ghost for a very long time.The transformed things brings not only good fortune but also misfortune, so sometimes they called as a ghost. There are also a belief that things become violent Tsukumogami or good Tsukumogami by treated without or with respect.

This idea of Tsukumogami might support today’s populaｒity of personified character.

Have you ever heard of “Bushido（武士道）”　and “Kishido（騎士道）”?

“Bushido（武士道）” is the famous ideology from Japan, and “Kishido（騎士道）” is also famous ideology from Europe. Surprisingly, they actually have a lot of similarities in their spirit, and they recently are paid greatly attentions in all over the world because of their interesting comparison.

First Question…What’s the similar point of them?

In detail of “Bushido（武士道）”, the spirit was based on several principles;「justice（義）」,「courage（勇気）」,「benevolence（仁）」,「appreciation（礼）」,and「honor（名誉）」.

On the other hand, taking a look at “Kishido（騎士道）”, 「loyalty（忠節）」, 「bravery（武勇）」, 「generosity（気前の良さ）」, and「politeness（礼節）」are the main and basic concepts.

Now, you found that both “Bushido（武士道）”　and “Kishido（騎士道）” respect their morality and virtue.

So, we are totally understanding the similar points of “Bushido（武士道）” and “Kishido（騎士道）” , then do you know any different points of both?

As you already know and no need to say anymore, but the ideology of “Bushido（武士道） ”was originally born in Japan, on the other hand, that of “Kishido（騎士道）” was born in Europe.

Nidobeinazou（新渡戸稲造）, the pretty famous philosopher in Japan mentioned and analyzed the differences between “Bushido（武士道）”　and “Kishido（騎士道）” in his book called ”武士道”.

According to his written, we can distinguish between them with the strength of their religious connection.

Compared with those in Europe, Japanese people don’t devote theirselves to religion so much. It can be said in both old the time and present time in Japan.

Considering the close relationship between religion and their daily life in Europe, the spirit of the “Kishido（騎士道）” is greatly influenced by the Christian religion.

While, “Bushido（武士道）” was also having connection to the religious one such as “Buddhism（仏教）”, “Confucianism（儒教）, “Shintoism（神道）”, however, not so strong connection compared with in Europe.

In other words, “Bushido（武士道）” is rather than regarded and recognized as one of the religions in Japan.

Thus far, “Bushido（武士道）”　and “Kishido（騎士道）” is basically based on the same belief such as loyalty, virtue, courage, and so on.

Otherwise, they are totally different in their attitudes to the religion.

There are some culture which unique in Japan. Today I am going to introduce about fake food culture. Have you ever watched exquisite fake food sample? It looks like completely similar to the real one. You can watch the perfection of the imitation in everywhere such as restaurants and cafés in Japan.

The beginning of displaying the fake food in restaurants was unclear, however, it seems to starts around the end of Meiji period to the early Showa period. This culture had risen in the popularization of restaurants in department store. Fake foods was very useful for customers to know unfamiliar food which were delivered from Western food, so it became to the popular in every restaurants in Japan. The other role of fake food was generalization of popular food from city to country side.

Today, there are many other way to know the food culture such as SNS. Why does this food culture continues? There must be at least three reasons. First, it is still powerful way to tell the menu contents to foreigners who cannot understand Japanese. Most of restaurants display fake foods, so if you has anxious in your Japanese communication skills you might not feel any inconvenience with help by the fake food displays. Second, fake food strongly attract customers to order the menu. And the other reason is that it has already became the “culture” in Japan. On the evidence, there are souvenir shops which deal accessories of fake food. If you like fake food, I recommend you to go to the Asakusa area, there are the most famous fake food shops and these shops has variety of the unique accessories of fake food such as USB, necklace, and mascot!

 

Coming super HOT summer in Japan eventually! Are you ready to enjoy the summer? In this season, lots of events are held in Japan, summer festival, fire works, beach…! Today, we are going to give you some special information about the places where you should go in summer in Japan. Our recommendation will surely help you to enjoy the summer in Japan!

【EPSON AQUA PARK Shinagawa（EPSONアクアパーク品川）】

In 2 minuets walking from Shinagawa station（品川駅）, you can get there. It is located in very city place, so no need to say, location is  perfect for you!

EPSON AQUA PARK Shinagawa（EPSONアクアパーク品川） is basically an aquarium, but not just a normal one though. You can see a lot of creatures with artistic sounds and lights there, and also ride some attractions! You can enjoy unexpected scale of entertainment there!

Especially, the night dolphin performance show is so awesome because of the harmony of dolphins dance and colorful lights stage.  Actually, EPSON AQUA PARK Shinagawa （EPSONアクアパーク品川）firstly succeeded in collaborating light, music, and dolphins’ performance in Japan!

※detail information: http://www.aqua-park.jp

【Akeno Sunflower field in Yamanashi Pref.（明野ひまわり畑）】

Have you seen the unlimited and infinite field whole covered with yellow sunflowers?  It is almost like in a movie scene because too beautiful, but actually it is a real place in Yamanashi Prefecture（山梨県）. Sunflowers are essential for summer season as you know!

About from middle of July to end of August, you can see in full bloom sunflowers there. Also this place is quite famous because some popular Japanese films are shoot here.

In sunny day, you can enjoy the special collaboration of Mt. Fuji（富士山） and beautiful sunflower fields!

※detail information: http://www.hokuto-kanko.jp/sunflower_blog/

【Happou-en（八芳園）】

Between July 20 to August 30, the summer festival especially for adult is held in Happou-en（八芳園）, Minato-ku（港区）, Tokyo.

Happou-en（八芳園） is typical Japanese garden（日本庭園）, and we can enjoy green tea beer, DJ music, Wadaiko drum（和太鼓）during this event there.

Of course, beautiful Japanese dishes are provided as usual, and some of them are seasonal menu only for the period of this summer festival!

※detail information: http://www.happo-en.com/event/cuisine/

Did you find your favorite places? You will get memorable experiences there and become to love Japan more and more! Let’s make the unforgettable memories in this summer!

In Tokyo, you may find at least one vending machine in 5minutes walk. There are numerous numbers of vending machine in Japan. Why vending machine became popular in Japan?

According to a book about Japanese culture, there are 5 reasons.
First reason is the lack of labor population in retails store. After high economic growth in 50’s, labor cost rapidly change to higher than before the period. It made difficult to spare enough the labor force in retails store. The second reason is increasing land price, this is also related to economic growth. This increasing land price also made difficulties in running retails store. The third reason is improvement in bottling technology, and the improvement helps to preserve the drink fresh longer than before.

These already mentioned three reasons related to the decline of retails store, and the other two reasons related to the change in life environment in Japan.

The forth reason is changing the life style to 24 hours day. Rapid economic growth also changed life style of Japanese people, and the needs to 24hours store became gradually increased. For that reason, vending machine is effective solution to fill the needs to 24hours store. The final reason is the safeness of Japan. The number of vending machine is directly proportional to the safety. These five reasons explain why there are many vending machines in Japan.
Lastly, I would like to mention the wonderful variation of products which are sold by vending machines. Do you know there are Oden-can　(おでん：a type of boiled and seasoned food in Japanese cuisine)? I wanted to try Oden-can, however, I have not try yet.

On July 7^th in 2015,we all Japanese were full of delight from young to old. Can you guess the reason for? No need to say, Kyoto（京都） won the first prize in the World’s Best City Award held by U.S. famous sightseeing magazine.

To be surprise, Kyoto（京都）won the first prize also in last year , so it was actually the second time that Kyoto（京都）got the first place in that Award.

Why Kyoto（京都）is so attracting the people all over the world?

Today, we would like to clarify the reason of it here.

Firstly, according to the magazine held this award every year, they evaluated the plenty of its sightseeing attractions such as historical temples, shrines and cuisines. Not only the material things, it was greatly focused on its human things, kind-hearted, friendly, and helpful at any time to the people visiting in Kyoto（京都）. Moreover, in old time, Kyoto（京都）was particularly known as its historical aspect but in recently, Kyoto（京都）started to be paid attention to its modern aspect. In other words, we can feel the brilliant harmony of both old and new at the same time and in one place.

In addition to those reasons, Kyoto（京都）has a nice and mild weather throughout the year. For all foreign tourists who came to Japan, it is so unendurable with Japanese climate, high temperature and high humidity. But Kyoto（京都）is relatively confortable among the place is Japan for them.

Also, Kyoto（京都）city decided to start some new and effective systems that are so helpful for the foreigner. For instance, the city is providing the free Wi-Fi network environment to all the people visiting Kyoto（京都） for 3 hours, hiring the bilingual taxi drivers, and making free brochure of Kyoto written in both Japanese and English.

Of course, there are great numbers of attractive points that naturally existed from the old time in Kyoto（京都） such as a calm climate and historical stuffs, but I would like to say with emphasize that the enormous efforts of people in Kyoto（京都）were surely made this honor.

Although Kyoto（京都） is already recognized as a good city to visit, this winning brought more strong awareness that Kyoto（京都）is the no.1 wonderful sightseeing spot in the world!!