Japanese Discovery

Human Japanese

The autumn leaves are a pretty sight no matter where you are, but the colors are especially delightful decorating the countless temples are gardens of Kyoto. Fall is considered the best time of year to visit the city, and 'kouyou forecasts' tell you exactly where the leaves are out in the most gorgeous display. If you can't visit Kyoto yourself this year, here's a a video by LagoonPhoto showing some of the scenes in store for you someday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ai6Y5GcJVw

 

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Nothing stimulates the appetite like a grand view on a crisp autumn day! And what better place than Tokyo to satisfy your hunger! Tokyo recently won a 2013 Saveur Culinary Travel Award as the Experts’ Choice for best restaurant and dining city with a population greater than 800,000. More here >> http://bit.ly/1bUgPVG

 

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Take in the splendor of beautiful autumn scenery at Ritsurin Park located in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture. It is the largest National Special Beauty Garden in Japan, and was awarded 3 stars by Michelin Green Guide Japan in 2009. Definitely worth a visit, it's great choice for enjoying a Japanese garden in November!

 

Human Japanese
Cultural Note: Kakejiku (かけじく - 掛軸) No traditional Japanese room be complete without a wall hanging featuring a pained scene of Japan or a calligraphy masterpiece. In Japanese, these are called 'kakejiku.' To remember this, it might help to know that the 'kake' part comes from the verb 'kakeru,' "to hang." For example, you can say, 'Asoko ni jaketto wo kakete kudasai,' "Please hang your jacket over there." The 'jiku' part is a root that means an axle, or in this case the wooden part around which a scroll winds. When people show you their homes, they will often have one special room that is more traditionally Japanese than the rest of the house, and in it they will often have a kakejiku featuring a phrase or proverb that is especially meaningful or inspiring to them. Perhaps on your trip, you'll find a kakejiku that means something special to you and hang it on your own wall at home.

Picture source: http://honakote.com/?pid=9742235

 

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Akan National Park is a mountainous park that stretches across the eastern part of Hokkaido. The park includes a group of volcanoes, such as Mt. Meakan-dake, Mt. Oakan-dake and Mt. Akan-Fuji, which are situated around three famous volcanic lakes: Akan-ko; Kussharo-ko; and Mashu-ko. Akan National Park is a very popular destination offering magnificent panoramic views and hot spring baths.
More here >> http://bit.ly/sxkgeu

 

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HOLIDAY ILLUMINATIONS ACROSS JAPAN: FUKUOKA CITY
Hakata is a busy ward of Fukuoka City, east of the Nakagawa River – one of the central areas of Fukuoka, the largest city on Kyushu. It is a well-known nightlife and dining destination anchored by the Canal City complex, popular for their holiday illuminations! More here >> http://bit.ly/ILWoxk

 

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Christmas in Japan has it's own unique traditions and practices. Check out what Christmas in Japan is like through the eyes of an American >> http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/indepth/exotic/JapanesQue/1112/christmas.html

 

Human Japanese
Cultural Note: Toshi-koshi-soba (としこし　そば - 年越し　蕎麦) Meaning: Toshi = Year. Koshimasu = Pass. Soba = Noodle. In Japan, it is traditional to eat buckwheat noodles with one's family on the 31st of December. The soba noodles are representative of a long life. And since buckwheat noodles break easily, they represent the idea that trouble won't carry over into the new year. Many people also see the noodles as representing a long and close relationship with family members. There are a few regional variations on toshi-koshi-soba, some eating it on the 1st instead, or using a different kind of noodle, but the tradition is practiced throughout Japan.

 

A day late, shoot me...


Word of the Day: Merii Kurisumasu (メリークリスマス) Meaning: Merry Christmas.

Example 1: メリー　クリスマス。よい　としを　おむかえ　ください。 良い　年を　お迎え　下さい。/ Merii Kurisumasu. Yoi toshi wo omukae kudasai. = Merry Christmas and a happy new year. ("…welcome a good year."). Note: The astute reader will notice that this is a different version of "happy new year" than we encountered yesterday. The reason for this is that "happy new year" is an example of a set phrase in English (always spoken in those exact words) that has more than one corresponding phrase in Japanese. Since we always expect to see the set phrase in English, any deviation (especially an odd construction like "welcoming" a new year) feels awkward. So in the translation, we must choose something in English that expresses the same feeling and intention. Note also that this version of new years wishes can be said before the new year arrives, since it talks about greeting the new year, whereas the "akemashite" phrase is a congratulations on its arrival.

 

Human Japanese
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Cultural Note: Hatsumoude (はつもうで - 初詣) - Meaning: First visit of the year to a shrine or a Buddhist temple in Japan. It is traditional to visit a shrine or a Buddhist temple for the New Year. Fortunes (o-mikuji) are drawn, prayers (o-inori) for the new year are given, and amulets (o-mamori) for protection and good luck are purchased.

Example 1: わたしは　いちがつ　みっかに　はつもうでに　いってきました。 / 私は　一月　三日に　初詣に　行って来ました。/ Watashi wa ichi-gatsu mikka ni hatsumoude ni itte kimashita. = I went to Hatsumoude on January 3rd.

Example 2: めいじ　じんぐうは　はつもうでの　ひとたちで　いっぱい　でした。 / 明治神宮は　初詣の　人達で　一杯　でした。/ Meiji-jinguu wa hatsumoude no hitotachi de ippai deshita. = Meiji-jinguu was filled with people for Hatsumoude.

https://soundcloud.com/human-japanese/word-of-the-day-hatsumoude

 

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK:
WINTERTIME BLISS IN SHIRAKAWA-GO
Shirakawa-go is situated at the foot of Mt. Haku-san in northwestern Gifu Prefecture. It is a quiet mountain village with rice fields and a river running through it. 114 thatched roof stand together in the village, which was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. More here >> http://bit.ly/JOlXxK

 

Post roundup
Been a few days so here are a few of the posts I was too lazy to make this week XD



明けましておめでとうございます！！
Wishing all our friends around the world a peaceful and prosperous happy 2014!!



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Cute Tokyo Metro posters remind commuters to behave. Passengers might think twice before blaring music, sneezing on strangers, or falling asleep drunk on the subway with these charming posters >> http://cnet.co/1hlCbeb



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SWEET! The World's First Kit Kat Store Is Opening in Tokyo || http://bit.ly/1fykdrp



PHOTO OF THE WEEK
The Fujikyuko Line is only railway service to access the northern Yamanashi side of Mount Fuji and Fuji Five Lakes, part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. The railroad is the “closest to Mt. Fuji,” ascending nearly 1,500 feet over the course of the journey. The line provides great access to tourism of Mt. Fuji and Fuji Five Lakes. More here >> http://bit.ly/KPvPZm





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Welcome to Winter at Kinosaki Onsen!

Did you know a beautiful land of snow is only a short, comfortable express train ride away from Kyoto? Described as the best hot springs resort town in Japan by Lonely Planet, Kinosaki Onsen is a traditional Japanese town ideal for taking in the natural scenery and indulging in time-honored customs. Feel free to walk about town in a Yukata (a casual Kimono) while enjoying the snowy surroundings. Soak in a mineral-rich hot-springs bath. Simply relax and enjoy the fresh air!



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Kurashiki, an old market town in Okayama Prefecture, is the perfect place to slow down, explore the narrow streets of a remarkably preserved historic district, and learn about Japan’s time-honored ancient traditions. It’s also easy to reach, near the “Golden Route” linking Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima. More here >> http://bit.ly/KmFO7I



Human Japanese
Cultural Note: Biket (バイケット): Here's a product you might not see every day outside of Japan. First, a little background. It's not uncommon to see mothers peddling their small children around in bikes while running errands, and winters in Japan can be quite crisp. The traditional solution has been to wrap your kid in a blanket, but loose fabric and moving bicycle parts can sometimes be dangerous. The natural answer? A bike seat with an integrated blanket. This is apparently all the rage in Japan right now. Check it out at the link below.

Source: http://shop.biket-kids.net/


^ Img : http://cyclist.sanspo.com/62750/img_1945

 

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Setsubun is the day preceding risshun that is the first day of spring according to the old Japanese calendar, the so-called lunar calendar. On the day of Setsubun, there is the custom of throwing roasted soybeans while chanting "In with Fortune! Out with Evil" in order to prevent evil ogres from entering one's house.

 

PHOTO OF THE WEEK
More of the Sapporo Snow Festival. Starting next Wednesday, Feb 5th, in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
More here >> http://www.snowfes.com/english/



Ehime fills the northwest corner of Shikoku. The prefectural capital, Matsuyama, faces Hiroshima across the Seto Inland Sea. It's a land of mountains and coastal towns, dotted with castles and Buddhist temples. The mild climate and varied geography of Ehime produce some of the best food in Japan, with exquisite fish and sake. Come and enjoy the slow life! More here >> http://en.japantravel.com/special/ehime

This is a very important skill to have for when you visit Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrof26qKH40

 

Human Japanese

Cultural Note: Setsubun (せつぶん- 節分) Meaning: Feburary 3rd is Setsubun-no-hi, "The day of Setsubun." Setsubun is a festival in Japan held to herald the coming of spring.

Perhaps the most eye-catching aspect of the festival is a tradition in which children get to pelt their dads with beans. Mame-maki, as this is called, is about chasing out evil spirits from one's house, and it works like this. A male member of each family, either someone whose zodiac sign is the same as the sign for the current year, or the father, puts on a demon (oni) mask and visits each room in the house while making scary poses. The children, armed with dried beans, bombard the oni while shouting 'Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!' = "Demons out! Luck in!" Afterward, the beans that were not used as projectiles are eaten to wish for good luck in the coming year. These days, not everyone actually performs this tradition at home, but many families head to the local shrine to take part in other festivities.

Photo: Keiji Koizumi



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PHOTO OF THE WEEK
With around 30,000 cherry trees decorating the mountain range, Nara Prefecture's Mt. Yoshino is proudly regarded as Japan's best cherry blossom site







Record snowfall in Tokyo means awesome snowman photos on the interwebs! http://bit.ly/1kt3LtF

 

Over the weekend, Japan was hit with a heavy snow storm. Traffic came to a halt. It was hard to get around. Even instant noodles were affected.

The above photo was taken over the weekend by Twitter user Kyazupon_z, and the below photo was taken by Twitter user Itoto0912.



Pretty the Cup Noodle character only shoveled for three minutes before he or she was done.
http://kotaku.com/cup-noodles-shoveling-snow-is-heart-melting-1519746268

 

In Japan, turning 20 is a big deal for most young people. It's the year when society welcomes them into adulthood. Seijin no hi (Coming Of Age Day) is celebrated in the second week of January, and is usually celebrated with big ceremonies and parties. Young girls who attended the O-mato Taikai festival at Sanjusangen-do festival, celebrated their 'Seijin no hi' in a very interesting way.

Young girls from all over Japan gathered at the temple to participate in an archery display. Archery in Japan was one of the disciplines practiced by the Samurai during the feudal times. Dressed in their Harege Kimonos, girls shoot their arrows into a target 60meters away. The girls looked beautiful and strong, no doubt it was a memorable and exciting way to celebrate their special day.

http://youtu.be/r371ncSot0I

 

Here is a 2014 Cherry Blossom Guide. Hope to see you out by the cherry trees this year! http://bit.ly/1lzRq7y



These Amazing Illustrations Are Like Google Maps For 1900s Japan. More here >> http://bit.ly/1fHr69h



Fushimi Inari Shrine - Kyoto, JP







Check out these 25 Foods to try in Japan! http://icosnap.com/tasty-tips-25-foods-try-japan/



Ikura (salmon roe), nama shirasu (baby sardines), ebi (shrimp)... some of our favorite things. Have you tried it?



Human Japanese

Cultural Note: Kotatsu (こたつ　炬燵) - First-time visitors to a Japanese home are always impressed when they discover the 'kotatsu,' which is a table with an integrated blanket and heater.
The blanket flows out from under the table top and over the lap of people sitting at the table. Underneath, in the center of the table top, is a small heater (today it's electric, but in the past charcoal was used). Kotatsu are usually kept in storage during the summer months, but come wintertime, they are a warm and welcome sight. Kotatsu are usually placed on the floor in a tatami room, often in a common living area where the family will sit in the evening and watch TV, do homework, or read the newspaper together. If you visit Japan in the winter, you'll likely get to meet the kotatsu, and we're betting it will be love at first sight.



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PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Soft, warm water springs up and gradually soaks into your soul... In the mountain area bordering Gunma and Niigata Prefectures, the headwaters of the Tone-gawa River form a narrow stream with a swift current, rushing between the towering peaks. Minakami Onsen (hot spring) is located along this river valley. More here >> http://ow.ly/uQ2Ix



Riverside onsen



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PHOTO OF THE WEEK
As spring quickly approaches, nighttime strolls in Ginza become all the more fantastic!



For sakura season McDonald's new Cherry Blossom Burger Has pink buns! http://bit.ly/1fyt62o



PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Kenroku-en, located in Ishikawa Prefecture – one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan, it is also known as a famous spot for viewing splendid cherry blossoms (Sakura). In the beginning of April, Kanazawa Castle and the garden will be lit up at night to enjoy these beautiful springtime blossoms! Let’s enjoy spring in Japan!



Hey kids! Conveyor belt sushi train (w/sushi making kit) soon to be available for home use. On sale in Japan starting this spring. Would you buy one if available in your country? >> http://bit.ly/1g1qxWe