March 2012 Archives

Japanese Victoire Pisa won the cup 2011

The world richest horse race Dubai World Cup starts at AM2:40(Tokyo time) on 1st April.Japanse champion Victoire Pisa won the cup last year.It was the first win for Japanese horse in Dubai World Cup histiory.

The top favourite is So You Think who was born in New Zealand.He won five Group 1 races in Australia including Cox Plate in 2009. He was transfered to Ireland after coming 3rd in Melbourne Cup 2011.He has still shown his great talent in Europian racing.

Japanese amazing front runner Smart Falcon is second favourite.He extended winning streak to ten races in Japan.In addition the runner-up in 2011 Transcend tries again this year.He lost to Victoire Pisa by half length.Japanese Derby winner Eishin Flash tries to make a long shot.

Which is your bet?

We supposed that the name of Tokyo Sky Tree is 東京天空樹 which is a literal translation of the tower.In fact the official Chinese name is 東京晴空塔 which means "Tokyo clear sky tower".

http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/chinese_t/

The reason is that 東京天空樹 has been already registered in China,so the the official had to make up another name.

Which name sounds better for you?

Hello All!

Have you eaten Teriyaki chicken before? with rice OR with bread as sandwich?

Well.. here is our teriyaki chicken at Sakura Cafe Hatagaya

How do you think? 

We serve with Rice, and use seaweed, mayonase and sesami as topping.

But we are wondering how others like to eat TERIYAKI.

If you have any idea, please let us know.

If so, you have a chance to observe annular solar eclipse.

Annular solar eclipse will be observed over a large region such as Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya on May 21^st 2012.

It will be the first time in 25 years in Japan and the first time in 173 years in Tokyo.

In Tokyo, we can observe it between 7:32 a.m. and 7:37 a.m.

I hope there will not be a cloud in the sky on May 21^st 2012.

They are traveling to Osaka next.
Thank you for staying with us! Have a fun and safe trip! 

We hope to welcome you again some day at Sakura Hotel! (^O^)/

I went back to Nagoya 5 days ago.

The purpose is to make a reservation for travelling abroad with my mother!

Just for one night I stayed in my house. The plum tree near my house was blooming↓

I really love Japan, cause I can feel 4 seasons in one year, now is early in the spring!

But, the most of my favorite seasons is summer. How about you??

Since I can take 7 days-off in April,

I and my mother decided to go to Hawaii♪♪

(these photos are from website free authorized)

Snorkeling, Parasailing, shopping, cannot help waiting:)

If you have 7 days-off like me, where will you want to go for overseas travel??

Hello, everybody, I am Sariko. I've been working Sakura Hotel for 5years.

Here is my information. If you visit Japan, talk to me!

Name: Sariko 
Hometown: Tokyo 
Language: Japanese, English 
Countries visited: Canada, United States, Korea, Indonesia(Bali Island), Costa Rica, France, Spain. India, Jordan, and Thailand!
I like....................... Travel, shopping, hang out with friends, beer, chocolate, sweets, French bread, 
park, river, drive, cherry blossom, shining sunny. 
My memorable episode: When I went to Death Valley national park in west coast of United States, I felt like world is mine. The nature in there is just beautiful and marvelous!!
My favorite movie: Lost in translation, Virgin suicides, Devil's wear Prada, Roman holiday, 
Porco Rosso, Ruokala Lokki(seagal diner). 
Message: I promise you to have great time in Sakura Hotel Ikebukuro. Come and join us!!

The view of Tokyo Tower from NHK Broadcasting Museum,Mt.Atago

The antenna in the centre of this pic is same type as Tokyo Towers'.

This is the enlargement of the top.

As you see the antenna bent to left a little bit.

The earthquake caused this last year.

Cherry blossoms season is coming closer.

I'd like to introduce famous and easily accessible cherry-blossom viewing spot from Sakura Hotel Hatagaya.

That is Shinjuku Gyoen.

There are 1,300 cherry blossom trees (65 kinds) in the garden.

It will be open every day between March 25^th and April 24^th in 2012.

I have to confess some drawbacks.

Entrance fee (age 15 or over: 200 yen, age 6-14: 50 yen) is required and bringing alcohol (one of the things we look forward to) is prohibited.

Even so, it's worth visiting.

Access

Hatagaya→Shinjuku　Sanchome (3 stops) by Keio new line

It takes about 5 minutes walk from C1 or C5 exit of Shinjuku　Sanchome station.

It seems that the best time to view cherry blossoms will be between March 24^th and March 31^st in 2012.

I'm talking about in Washington, D.C. not in Japan.

This year is the 100th anniversary since 3,020 cherry trees were sent as a gift from Japan to U.S (Washington, D.C.) in 1912.

Incidentally, it seems that the best time to view cherry blossoms in Tokyo will be between April 4^th and April 10 ^th in 2012.

 Do you know the highest mountain in the centre of Tokyo?

It's Mt.Atago which is located near Kamiyacho station(Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line).

http://g.co/maps/hqjvh

You guess how tall it is.

It is 26 meters high.It is the highest mountain in Tokyo central district.

There is Atago Shrine on the top.You can see Tokyo Tower there as well.

The Triangulation point(26 meters high).

Steps to the top.

14^th March is the White Day. Though this anniversary is widely known in Japan, it is not at all in the other areas, especially in western countries.

*Many females give chocolate (or other sweets) to males on Valentine's Day in Japan. On the White Day, males give sweets to females in return.

ホワイトデー / mersy

I googled "white day" just out of curiosity and got the following result.

"About 4,880,000 results"

This number is more than I thought I would get!

However, the contents of the results were mainly introduction of Japanese culture. As I thought, it seems not to be so common (it is known in countries in Eastern Asia such as China and Korea).

Males are supposed to give sweets like these:

 

Candy / Smabs Sputzer

Cookies / Moyan_Brenn

As usual, these pictures make me hungry... (but candies seem too sweet!!)

I wonder what everyone gives on the White Day.

 

 

 

Hello, everybody!

Today, we have big news. Our home page is renewal open.

How do you think?

We have many different contents on our HP.

Please check check!!

http://www.sakura-hotel.co.jp/

Time flies since Japan disaster occurred in 11/3 March 2011.

 We lost a lot of things at the instant because of Tsunami, Earthquake and Nuclear incident.

 I believe that japanese people will be able to overcome this harmful happend strongly even more than before. We would like to offer our deepest sympathy to victims and their families.
I found that Japan is loved by many foreigner. Thank you so much!!

I love Japan so much!!Do our best!!

Shinichi Tada

Today it has passed 1 year since the earthquake occured.

(at Shibuya Koen street) 

Some other time, we are deeply sorry for injured people.

Then, thanks for many country's huge support, Japan (mainly in Tohoku area) is about to revive, however it's by little.

 ■Today, please just pray for Japan.■

We are very appreciated for anything you (and your country) did for us, including guests come to Japan after the earthquake.

(some guests' photos, came in last month...)

 ------ From Sakura Hotel Hatagaya -----

Nice to meet you everyone.

My name is Shinichi Tsda. Please call me 'SHIN'

I started to wark at Sakura Hotel Hatagaya from March 2012!!

I hope I wanna meet many people and talking.

Please come Sakura Hotel Hatagaya for meeting Meeeee!!!

I'm looking forward to meeting you!!

Do you know when Tokyo Sky Tree will be opened?

It will be opened on May 22^nd 2012.

From when can we buy a ticket on the day of the viewing deck for individual customer (under 25 people)?

From July 11^th 2012.

We cannot enter the viewing deck without buying a ticket (a date and a time designated) in advance.

Those who can buy a ticket are selected by lot.

From when can we buy an advance ticket?

From March 22^nd 2012.

I have one last question.

When will Tokyo Sky Tree be lit up on the date of most recent?

It will be on March 10^th and 11^th (between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.).

How about having a party at Sakura Hotel Hatagaya?

Do you know our party plan? 

We have several party plans at Sakura Cafe Hatagaya on the 1st floor of Sakura Hotel Hatagaya.

My recommendation is My cafe plan:

For 840 yen per 2 hours you can host your own workshop or club activities at our cafe.

For example, 

Making small accessories, 

Teaching languages, 

Reading　club, and more!

Enjoy your own cafe.

March 3rd is Doll's Festival (Hina Matsuri) in Japan.

This festival is a traditional event held to wish for girls' growth and happiness.

Families with girls display a set of hina dolls at home.

Do you have similar event in your country?

JR East announced that JR East Pass Special is on sale from 1st March in overseas.

What is JR East PAss Special?

☆Unlimited rides for only 10000yen!(3000yen cheaper than last year's rate!)

☆You can use the JR East Pass Special for any three of the 10 days.

☆Valid for unlimited travel on Shinkansen lines and Narita Express.

☆Go anywhere in Iwate,Aomori,Sendai,Fukushima and Niigata with this pass.

☆Use period:Sunday, April 1 to Saturday, June 30, 2012

This is very very good value pass.(We,Japanese can not buy it...)

 Please see JR East official website to check the details.