On 8th of August, you can watch Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy) Performance and experience Shodo at our cafe.

You can get more info on our website.

http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/specialdeals.php#events

And you can see the photos of past events too.

http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/hotel_event.php

1st August Kanagawa shinbun fire works festival in Yokohama!

You can see many people who wearing Yukata.

Have you been fire works festival??

Fire works is great, but there is too many people...

I usualy don't go Fire works festival except yokohama festival.

You know why? I live in Yokohama♪

I know great view place but ..it's secret!

Is one of the summer ivent in Japan!

Did you ever seen it??

It's amazing!

I usually cannot make any hit to the watermelon(poor player!)

After hitting it, ofcourse, they eat it!

Please try with your friends beside the ocean in this summer!

(these pictures are from other website.)

I think that Tsukiji fish market is the most famous market in Japan among tourist from abroad.

I'd just like to introduce another market near from our hotel.

The name of it is Tokyo Asaichi or Earth day market.

It is held once a month at Yoyogi Park.

Next market is held on 15 of August (from 10AM to 4PM).

This weekend,many robot character form the animation comes realization.

In Shizuoka,very famous robot character call "Gundam"got down on the ground.

In Yamanashi,a robot from the animation which became the social phenomenon in Japan "Neon Genesis Evangelion" reality shows up the body.

Who is going to be next?

Probably it is transformer,I hope!!

In summer, it's easy to find local festival everywhere in Japan.

Today and tomorrow, local festival is held in Nishihara shopping street.

It takes about 1 minute on foot from our hotel.

I think it's good chance to know much more about Japan.

Here's the entry about the local festival.

http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/blog/2009/09/local-summer-festival-in-hatag.html

Today, Chofu fireworks held on!

Many guest of Sakura Hotel Hatagaya went to watch the great fireworks!

Because it's easy to reach there from this hotel!

Access:

Hatagaya→Keio-Tamagawa station (by Keio-new line to Sasazuka, and transfer to Keio Line)

It takes 30 minutes.

There are many fireworks in Tokyo, on July and August.

http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/fireworks2010.html

Enjoy your tokyo life!

Have you ever heard of waterworks?

It consists of water, light and music. Fire isn't included.

You can watch this interesting art at Tokyo midtown(Roppongi) till 29th of August.

Le Tour de France is going on at France and the surrounding nations right now.

I am looking forward to watching this race every year.

Because the bicycle race has few pleasure for other races.

I think bicycle race is for the human being and the human.

Le Tour de France is until 25th of July.

If you have not see, You should see it!!!

If you are going to ride long distance,please try 『Ekiben』.

『Ekiben』is box of lunch only sale at train station.

There is so many kind of 『Ekiben』 in Japan.

It is different by a season and the area too.

So, if you have a chance to stop at station, try it!!

23 yaers ago today,Nintendo started sale 『Family　Computer(Nintendo Entertainment System)』

It was sensational to me,because you can play video game at home!!

However,It was very expensive and I was not able to buy by my self as student.

But some of my friends bought it.

From the time,his room is became our an amusement arcade.

It is a very good memory for me.

International Tokyo Toy Show 2010 is held this weekend at Tokyo Big Sight.

Here's the URL of website about this event.

http://www.toys.or.jp/toyshow/2010_files/english/outline.html

On 18th and 19th of July, an event is held in Odaiba Seaside Park.

They set out candles on the beach and draw geoglyph like below.

 This year's theme is "summer constellation."

In 1955 July 9th,First real roller coaster was built in Koraku-en amusement park in Tokyo.

So,tomorrow is Roller Coaster Memorial Day in Japan.

It's been 55years,Japanese Roller Coaster is evolved.

This is latest Roller Coaster in Koraku-en amusement park.

It's pass through the building!!

Today is the last day of mornig glory festival in Iriya.

It is held from 6th of July to 8th of July every year.

During the period, there are more than 100 mornig glory shops on the street.

This event attracts about 400,000 people.

Today is Tanabata-festival!

Tanabata is the Star Festival originates from Chinese legend of the two bright stars, Altair and Vega.
Vega, a weaving girl, and Altair, a cowherd boy, loved each other.

They had so much fun being together they stop working hard.

The king got angry and separated them by the big river or the Milky Way.

He allowed them to meet once a year across the Milky Way only on the night of July 7th.
On that day, people decorate bamboo branches with paper strips and ornaments to celebrate their reunion.
It is believed that a wish comes true when you write your wish on the paper strips and hang them on the bamboo.

(This is the content from other website.)

We wished that there will be no war in the world, and happiness for all the people.

↓This is the picture of the festival in Asagaya, Tokyo. One of the biggest festival.

(All of the pictures are from other website.)

Luffy & the Straw Hat Pirates are coming to "Jimbocho" in this Summer!!!

Jimbocho "ONE PIECE" Carnival
[July 17 ~ Aug 1st]

Do you like Japanese Manga (comics)? One of popular Japanese comics, "ONE PIECE" is coming to Jimbocho!!
Especially on weekend, there are "ONE PIECE" illustrations' exhibitions & many stalls on the street! You can also enjoy stamp rally and "ONE PIECE" original menu/goods to get an original novelty! Stay at Jimbocho hotel and enjoy this event!!

http://www.sakura-cafe.asia/jimbocho/english/news/onepiece.php

We got a Tatami floor at Cafe.

This is for tomorrw's Rakugo event!

We called`Koza　高座' not stage(舞台）,

If you use for rakugo(落語）, we can call `koza'

[Our Event] Enjoy "Rakugo" in English
(A Japanese traditional verbal entertainment perfomed by Oshima Kimie)
[July 3rd 4:00 p.m.~] Place:Our hotel's cafe
4:00 p.m.~ Unplugged Live Music Performance
4:30 p.m.~ Rakugo in English
6:00 p.m.~ Our cafe's first anniversary Party
[Fee] 500 yen for Rakugo in English,
1000 yen for party (beers and snacks)

See you tomorrow
 

26 posters of Studio Ghibli animated films will be exhibited

at Kiyosumishirakawa station from 17th of July to 31st of August.

You can enjoy it from 8AM to 9PM.

About a 20-minute subway ride to get there (from our hotel)

I joined the event of baloon in yokohama.

It was great Event!

Everything made by Baloon♪

From begginer class to Professional, everybody can join end enjoy this event.

                              Baloon Flower

          　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　I made a dog. It takes 20 min♪ 

                                                   It was good experience!

About 19:30 to22:00 tomorrow night (June 26),You can see partial eclipse of the moon.

Half of the moon is going to be lacking about 20:38,So that time Partial eclipse of the moon is easy to observe.

Unfortunately Tokyo is seems to be cloudy tomorrow night.

I wish it is going to be clear night!!!

★☆★Sakura Cafe Hatagaya will be 1 years old on Jun. 30 2010.★☆★

Today, I'll write the top 5 of cafe menu!

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

【drink】  lanking top 5

1.Cofee @190~☆☆☆☆☆　　2.Cafe la te　@250~☆☆☆☆　　3.Darjeeling tea @190~☆☆☆

→4.I miss you(Japanese houji-tea with milk form and chocolate powder ) @250~☆☆

←5.I love you (mate tea with milk form and cinnamon ) @250~☆

 【food】  lanking top 5

　1.sweet snacks @160~☆☆☆☆☆　　

→2.breakfast from outside guest 　　　　　　@350☆☆☆☆　　

　3.toast set @400☆☆☆

→4.pizza Peperroni　@980☆☆

←5.yakisoba　＠500~ &

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Spagetti Bolognaise @650~ &

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Spagetti　Carbonara ＠650~☆

 【beer 】  lanking top 5

1.Premium YEBISU  @450☆☆☆☆☆　　                  4. HEINEKEN @450☆☆

2.SUNTORY The Premium Malt's @450☆☆☆☆       5. BUDWEISER@450☆

3.Colona  @500  ☆☆☆

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

How about to order them when you'll stay at Sakura Hotel Hatagaya!?

Sakura cafe open 24 hours!!         Staff  always waiting you!!

Tonight (Actually tomorrow morning) , Japan VS Denmark from 3:30AM.

Most Japanese are now confronted to make a choice :

Watch game all night long without sleep and next morning become like this at office

And get yelled at by the boss for fall asleep. 

 OR Miss the game and cannot talk about it with co-worlers.

Anyway, Go Japan! Go! Make shoots like

World Cup trophy ismade by Italian sculptor.

The design is chosen from general open call for participants.

This design is player who made decide a shot,raise both hands , and hold out a hands to the earth.

But is this looks like hands for foul?

These past several days FIFA World Cup in South Africa is heating up!!

If you want heat up more,you must go to World Cup in okubo Tokyo!!

World Cup is name of Korean barbecue restaurant,and it is near to Shinjuku station.

If you want try,ask us to direction!!

Back to 2002 FIFA World Cup, my home town MATSUMOTO, Nagano was chosen for Paraguay national team training camp base.

Whole town was so ecited to see the world famous best players. GK at the time Chilavert visited my middle school to practice with school soccer team. Still Matsumotors root Paraguay team!

The last match was draw 1-1 with Italy (Champion of 2006)

Tonight, they will play with Slovakia from 8:30 pm.

Go Paraguay!

  For Ladies,

Found Eye candy from Paraguay Team.

Roque Santa Cruz  9

Now, you cannot miss the game!

Tomorrow is the summer solstice.

Some encourage us to turn off a light from 8PM to 10PM and light a candle instead on the summer solstice and on the winter solstice.

Associated events are held at Zojyoji (from 6PM to 9PM) and Tokyo Midtown (from 7PM to 10PM) today.

Zojyoji is close by Tokyo tower, and the nearest station of Tokyo Midtown is Roppongi.

You can enjoy fantastic scenery there.

This is information of the first anniversary event in Sakura Cafe Hatagaya.

She is the rakugo story teller. Ms. Ohshima!  Very beautiful Japanese woman!

落語'rakugo' means Japanese traditional verbal comedy.

I guess you cannot stop with laughing!  Hahha!! Hahha!! Hahha----!! :)

【Event information】

Date:July 3rd, 2010        Location:Sakura Cafe Hatagaya (in Sakura Hotel Hatagaya)

Admisshion: 500 yen for English rakugo. 16:30~

                   1000 yen for reception party.18：00~

Please come&join it!

World cup getting heated as all teams finished first matched.

The next day of Japan Team won the first game, people looked like zombi on trains by not had enough sleep of busted all night long.

Next match will be on June 19th: 8:30 pm kick off.

We are airing and recording games you missed. Don't in your room & watch games alone. Cheer your team with our guests and get more excited.

Even during the day (specially rainy days), you can watch recored games @ cafe. Just give us your request of a match.

Let's get excited !!!

Last summer, Gundam appeared at Shiokaze Park in Odaiba.

This summer, Huge Hello Kitty will appear at Odaiba Kaihin Kohen (Odaiba Seaside Park).

The image above is from http://www.kahoku.co.jp/news/2010/06/2010061401000500.htm.

It is about 8 meters tall.

I think it's huge and she is no longer a kitten.

What should we call her?

In the evening, it will be illuminated.

You will be able to see it from 9th of August 2010 to 22nd of August 2010.

FIFA World Cup is started in South Africa.

But did you know the other rugby football has World Cup too?

Rugby World Cup is same as FIFA World Cup.

Once in four years, select world No.1 of the national team of the rugby.

Rugby World Cup become thirdly the bigest sports event in the world,next to FIFA World Cup, Game of the summer olympics.

The Rugby World Cup is held in Japan in 2019.

On 19th , 20th June it is World Juggling Day!!!

Do you know juggling??

Juggling is a skill involving moving objects for entertainment or sport.

The most recognizable form of juggling is toss juggling, in which the juggler throws objects up to catch and toss up again. 

Last year World juggling day in Osaka.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE7zAwHI-s4&feature=player_embedded#! 

If you interested in it, just join them.

No item no experience okay!!!

They will ask you 'do you want to try??'

Guess who's birthday is today?

It's Donald Duck!!

He was born in June 9th 1934.

Donald Duck is 76years old!!

And did you know his full name?

His full name is Donald Fauntleroy Duck.

Happy Birthday Donald Duck!!

We will have a event at Sakura hotel hatagaya!!

Have you seen Rakugo??

Rakugo (落語 literally "fallen words") is aJapanese verbal entertainment. The lone storyteller (rakugoka, 落語家) sits on the stage, called the Kōza (高座). Using only a paper fan (扇子, "sensu") and a small cloth (手拭, "tenugui") as props, and without standing up from the Seiza sitting position, the rakugo artist depicts a long and complicated comical story. The story always involves the dialogue of two or more characters, the difference between the characters depicted only through change in pitch, tone, and a slight turn of the head.

                                      http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/specialdeals.php#events

Also our cafe is 1st Anniversary !!

We will have a party after Rakugo event.

I look forward to seeing you in this events!

★★★Hello  Everybody!★★★

This is an ivent from Sakura Hotel Group!

Please upload your best photo of Tokyo/ Japan.

To Sakura Hostel or Sakura Hotel 'facebook ' fan page (serch sakura hotel).

We will deside the winner by numbers of 'like'. (in a couple of month)

Our first prize is 'free stay for one night at Sakura Hotel/Hostel (you can choose the acommodation) .

 ★★★Join to the contest with your favorite special photo of Tokyo!★★★

Noh Workshop is held from 18:30 today (4th June 2010)

at Sakura Hotel Jimbocho (our sister hotel).

You can get more info about the event at thier website.

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

You can watch the video recorded during the workshop.

It was held on 2nd April 2010, too.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=380774282667

FYI, Noh is a major form of classic Japanese musical drama

(play) that has been performed since the 14th century.

The Furin（wind-bell） is necessities of the Japanese summer.

Because it is got a feeling of enjoying the cool breeze without an electric appliance.

There is the place production experience of such a Fuurin for this summer.

If you are not decided today's destination, how is this experience ?

http://www.edofurin.com/

Summer is coming in Tokyo.

Early summer in Japan is the rainy season, but it is also the season of fireflies.

There is a spot in neighboring town of Tkyo city, where you can see and watch the flight of fireflies.

The spot is Kasayato-Shinsui park in Inagi city.

From 4/Jun to 13/Jun only, you can meet these fragile and beatuiful lights of fireflies in that park.

The park's nearest station is Wakabadai Station on Keio-Sagamihara Line.

From Hatagaya Station which is the nearest station of our Sakura Hotel Hatagaya,

you can reach Wakabadai Station within mere 40 minutes.

From Wakabadai Station, you can go to the park simply following the signboards, like these.

Fireflies need unspoiled running water.

So, seeing them in the midst of Tokyo Metropolis is very exotic.

Let's go and enjoy their pale green signaling lights.

But, Inagi city is one of the residential suburbs of Tokyo,

and so the surrounding area of the park is full of common houses.

To keep its quiet atmosphere, even if you get excited with the scenery full of fireflies,

do not be noisy please.

Cherry Blossom season is over in one month ago in Tokyo.

Usually Cherry Blossom is bloom from the south to the north in Japan,like starts from Okinawa and end it Hokkaido.

Normaly it is takes about one month and half.

But this year,earliest bloom was march 2nd and slowest bloom was Yesterday in Hokkaido.

It is takes 73days.

It was the longest days sence 1953.

Will this be an influence of Global warming?

Are you looking for cool night clubs?

You should check this out!

http://www.clubberia.com/

http://www.clubberia.com/clubs/Tokyo

Spend a special night out!!!

went to Tokyo Tower to see 『MICHAEL JACKSON　The Official NEVERLAND Collection』 last week.

There is over 280 mements from his mansion "Never Land" of State of California Santa Barbara.

The gate of "Never Land" made from black marble.

If interested in, You must go to Tokyo Tower!!

The exhibition opens until July 4!!

Design Festa vol.31 is going to be held in Tokyo Big Sight this weekend.

http://www.designfesta.com/index_en.html

Design festa is the international art event that is held biannually since 1994. 

You can get admission free ticket at the reception of Sakura Hotel Hatagaya

or Sakura Cafe Hatagaya http://www.sakura-cafe.asia/hatagaya/.

How are you?

It' a beautiful sunnyday!!

Yesterday I went to the MATURI .

They carried a mikoshi portable shrine in a festival.

I like MATURI style!!!Wasshoii!!!

she is Irina (sakura hotel Jimbocho staff)

The sounds of drum and flute made me happy during the MATURI.

The MATURI was over and everyone was tired but look happy.

Thank you very much!

We have a sister hotel in Jimbocho (Sakura Hotel Jimbocho).

They take part in local festival with their guests at this time of year.

You can carry portable shrine and share atomophere in Japanese local festival.

You can get more info there↓

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

It might be a precious experience for you, I think and I hope.

If you have a plan to visit Tokyo in late September, you can join local festival and carry  portable shrine with us.

The below is the article about last year's local festival in Hatagaya.

http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/blog/2009/09/mikoshi.html

Throughout the year, you can buy strawberries in Japan, because of greenhouse cultivation.

But the best season of strawberry is May and June.

I had not known about its best season.

But Thai girls who were our guests asked me where is the best place to go to strawberry picking,

I checked and noticed about it.

For your information, the place I recommend for strawberry picking in Tokyo is Niikura-Noen, which means "Niikuras' Farm".

From here Sakura Hotel Hatagaya, going to Niikura-noen is rather easy.

By using Keio New Line / Keio Line, you can reach it's nearest station "Seiseki-Sakuragaoka."

If you are lucky, no need of transfer of train. (But most of the cases, you need 1 transfer.)

From Seiseki-sakuragaoka station, there is a buss line (No. 9).

And with 10 minutes riding, you can arrive at "Ochikawa" buss stop, which is almost next door of the farm.

http://niikuranoen.com/

At our Sakura Cafe Hatagaya, we sell fresh drink full of strawberry.

This drink is named as "Shinkai-no-berries", which means berries in the deep sea.

Please come and enjoy our spcial drink!

Sakura Cafe Ikebukuro is sister cafe of Sakura Cafe Hatagaya:)

With popular bartenders and Japanese guests from "Ginza 300 bar",
our international party will be held at our open-air terrace
in Sakura Cafe Ikebukuro!
Make new friends and enjoy a range of cocktails, beers and snacks.

The first 50 people admitted will receive a ticket to participate
in a special game! Don't miss this oportunity!

-------------------------------------------------------
 Sakura International Party
 - 300BAR Party @ Sakura Cafe Ikebukuro
-------------------------------------------------------

[Date] Friday, April 23rd, 2010 / 7:00 p.m.~ 10:00 p.m.

Special Guest, "VJ KAZ"
Large outdoor rave started, playing in a number of Top Club.
Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert and DJ Adam Freeland,
Freq-nasty and played a co-star.

[Location] Sakura Cafe Ikebukuro

[Access] 5 min. walk from Ikebukuro Station

[Map] http://www.sakura-cafe.asia/ikebukuro/english/access.php

* Please wear a pink collared item on your clothes when you come to the party:)
* Please buy 2 Drink & Food tickets (315yen each) when you arrive.

サクラカフェでは、明日4月17日、17時から、英語の紙芝居と居酒屋さんでのマナー教室を行います。

外国の方だけでなく、近所にお住まいやお勤めの方も、よかったら見に来て下さい♪

18時からは、外国のお客様と一緒に、実際に居酒屋さんに行ってオーダーしたり、日本食を堪能します。（こちらは参加費3000円です。）

このようなイベントを定期的に行いますので、興味のある方は、フロントにお問い合わせください♪

 KAMISHIBAI (=paper drama of Japan) ivent will held tomorrow, at Sakura Café　Hatagaya.

It's free ivent for foreign guests, and other cafe guests (Japanese).

After watching it 30 min, there is a table-manner class for 30 min., to go to Japanese bar!

How to order drinks to the staff, and how to use hot towel (after you sit down, staff will give you!) and so on.

How about to join this tour!? Please ask Hotel Staff  if you are interestead in. 

(This tour charge is 3,000 yen, just only bar charge.)

Japan is full of fortresses and castles.

Shoguns, daimyos and other warlords constructed so many of them to protect their lands.

Sadly, many of them were totally destructed in Edo era by Tokugawa Shogunate, in order to eliminate possible independence movements of subjugated regions.

And survived castles were lost due to indiscriminate incendiary bombing in World War II.

So now, genuine Japanese castles are very rare.

Most of castles are reconstructed replicas, so to speak.

Only 12 castles are left untouched, and they are called "Genzon 12 Tenshu", that means "Preserved 12 Donjons".

These 12 castles only are the real witnesses of Japanese Warring States period.

One of them is Himeji castle, which is UNESCO World Heritage Site, and nickbnamed as White Heron Castle with respect.

Unfortunately, Himeji castle is now under large-scale repair work, so visitors cannot enter the main part of them. Its donjon will be coverd from June to October as belows.

But do not be dissapointed. I can recommend you another castle.

That is Hikone castle.

This one is also the one of "Preserved 12 Donjons" too, and designated as a Japanese National Treasure by the goverment like Himeji castle.

This castle is famous for not only its historical importance, but also its mascot character, Hikonyan.

Hikonyan is so pretty and one of the most favorite mascot of Japanese child tourists.

Till 20th of April, Hikone castle holds "Cherry Blossoms Festival".

And till 5th of May, a market full of traditional Japanese foods is also opened in a park near the castle too.

日本には数々の名城がありますが、その多くは復元されたものや模造なのは知っていますか？

現在まで残っている天守閣までそろった城はたったの12。それを「現存12天守」と呼びます。

なかでも有名なのはやはり、白鷺城の別名で愛される姫路城でしょう。

当ホテルにお泊りのお客様にも姫路城観光に行かれる方が多いのですが、あいにく姫路城は大補修工事に入ってしまい、しばらくは天守閣に入ることはもちろん、6月からは覆いを掛けられて見る事も難しくなるそうです。

代わりにお薦めしたいのは彦根城です。

かわいらしいマスコットキャラクター、「ひこにゃん」で一躍有名になった彦根城ですが、今は桜祭りの真っ最中。

またご城下にぎわい市なども開かれて彦根の名産品やひこにゃんグッズがいっぱいだそうです。

姫路城とは逆に補修工事が終わったばかりで白壁の眩しい彦根城。

子連れでも楽しめる史跡として今一番ホットかも？

It's gettig warmer and warmer everyday in Tokyo!!

日に日に東京も暖かくなって来ました

Don't you want to go to the waterfront at such time?

こんな時は水辺に行きたくなりませんか？

If you wont go to waterfront from SAKURA HOTEL HATAGAYA, I recommend go to Toyosu area.

もしサクラホテル幡ヶ谷からなら豊洲エリアをお勧めします 

Toyosu has the big waterfront park and at neighborhood, there are shopping center and a movie theater .You can enjoy it with scenery all day long.

豊洲は海の見える大きな公園の近くに ショッピングセンターと映画館があり、景色と共に一日楽しめるところです

You can see and ride the such a  futuristic ship too!!

近くにこんな近未来型の船も見れますよ!!

You should visit Toyosu area tomorrow!!

是非豊洲へ足を運んでみてください!!

I like it!

As Hirotaka wrote the information, we held a workshop to make a Japanese Handmade craft, and watch&listen a Shamisen parformance on March 20th,2010↓

8 foreign guests, joined this workshop, and they become good creaters!

They can choose the design of cloth, color of sred and string, and beads for theirselves.

I assisted the guests when they get in a bind.

Shogo (rightside in this picture) translated teacher's explanation from JP into EN.

Of course, I assist the guests, too.

These girls made 2 and 3 kinds! For their friends's suvenior.

Good job!

After the workshop, we took a break with Japanese cake and drinks.

They ordered Café　menu (including original drink of Sakura Café !)

http://www.sakura-cafe.asia/hatagaya/menu/world-tea.php

They enjoyed to create their own suvenior, and waching& hearing the Samisen parformance!

Shamisen player played soulfully!

Please join this workshop next time! （*^_^*）

自分だけの手作りの物を作るのは好きですか？

私は好きです。

スタッフの大敬（ひろたか）さんが既にブログに書きましたが、

3月20日14時から和ストラップ作り＆三味線演奏会をサクラホテル幡ヶ谷のカフェ内で行いました♪

女性の先生の指導の元、（スタッフの落合さん通訳）、お客様はまず自分で好きな布や糸、ビーズを選んで、自分用や友人用に可愛いストラップを作りました。生地を選ぶところから、ワクワクが伝わって来ました。

コツをつかんで、時間内に3つも作る、上手な方もいらっしゃいました★

ストラップ作りの後はティータイムで、和菓子とカフェのドリンクで振る舞いました。

桜餅は大好評でした。

ティータイムの後は、三味線演奏会。

外国のお客様はその独特なメロディや音に聞き入ってらっしゃいました。

今回は有名な青森のじょんがら節等5曲程演奏して頂きました。

どんなストーリーがあるの？との質問も飛び、LOVE　STORYだったり、伴奏（本来唄付き）だったり、さまざまです、との答えに、スタッフも勉強になりました。

またこのような楽しいイベントを開きたいと思います♪

Hi everyone,
how are you doing?

Well, have you ever experienced "Shamisen Performance"?

"Shamisen" is a three-stringed musical instrument in Japan.
It's a kind of Japanese traditional music,
but it has been more popular with all generation recently.

On March 20th, We 're gonna have a Japanese Handicraft event here.

Never handcraft anything before?  Want to make own cute Japenese souvenir?

You are most welcome! 

Handicraft proffessional will teach you how to make from start to the end.

I bet you will have a fun!!  

Allo, tout le monde!!

Tsukiji Fish Market est l'un des fameux marchés au Japon, je crois.

Mais, il y a beaucoup de marché a Tokyo.

Par exemple, le parc Yoyogi détient le marché appelé "Tokyo Asaichi (Farmer's Market)" une fois par mois.

*L'image ci-dessus est de leur site web.

Ils détient demain (21 Février).

Vous pouvez voir beaucoup de légumes frais et biologiques et des fruits.

Vous pouvez également apprécier la communication avec les agriculteurs est là.

S'ils ne peuvent comprendre ce que vous dites et si vous pouvez uderstand ce qu'ils disent.

Tout autour de la navigation pourrait être suffisant pour vous faire plaisir.

*Avant de finir cette entrée, je dois avouer que j'ai utilisé Google Translate pour écrire ces phrases.

Malheureusement, il semble que leur site est écrit en japonais uniquement.

http://www.earthdaymarket.com/

We would like to thank all the guests who stayed with us in 2009 and hope you had a memorial time with your family, partner or friends during your stay.

We wish you all have a happy new year 2010!!

See you again next year in Tokyo! 

"What`s your Japan?" 

Sakura Hotel Hatagaya

On December 12^th, Sakura Hotel Hatagaya will be holding its 5^th guest event " Harajuku & Meiji shrine Tour.

This tour includes visiting the following places;

1. The famous Shinto shrine, Meiji jingu

2. Harajuku, the unique fashion capital of Japan   

3. Design Festa Gallery, the famous art gallery for young artists in Japan

(The gate of Meiji shrine)

 

(Japanese style wedding at Meiji shrine)

 

After walking around Harajuku area we will be having a lunch at SAKURATEI where we enjoy Japanese style pancake called OKONOMIYAKI. It is all you can eat with one free drink!!

 

(The main street in Harajuku "Takeshita dori")

 

 

(Design Fetsta Gallery)

 

(OKNOMIYAKI)

 

If you are staying with us on that day it will be one of the best times to explore the city of Harajuku!! so let`s have fun time with us!!  

For more information please click on the following link;

http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/specialdeals.php#events 

To review our previous guest event;

http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/hotel_event.php

Have a nice day!!

Tokyo Tower had Olympics colored lighting-up to support the campaign to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games last night. It was raining and a little bit foggy.

Where will the 2016 Summer Olympics be held?

Washoi Washoi Washoi........

On September 23rd, Mikoshi Matsuri was held at Hatagaya area.

Unfortunately, I could not join coz I worked at Ikebukuro on that day ... TEARS

Congratulations on the 100th anniversary ! It has been 100 years since Yamanote line was named on October 12th, 1909.

I bet you have used JR Yamanote line once if you have ever visited Tokyo.

Yamanote line is one of the world's crowded rail lines and it runs in the center of Tokyo as a circle in which the clockwise is known as soto-mawari (outer circle) and the counter-clockwise is called uchi-mawari (inner circle). It takes about an hour to go around the Yamanote loop line.

Yamanote line has 29 Tokyo's major stations:

Tokyo-Yurakucho-Shinbashi-Hamamatsucho-Tamachi-Shinagawa-Osaki-Gotanda-Meguro-Ebisu-Shibuya-Harajuku-Yoyogi-Shinjuku-Shin-Okubo-Takadanobaba-Mejiro-Ikebukuro-Otsuka-Sugamo-Komagome-Tabata-Nishi-Nippori-Nippori-Uguisudani-Ueno-Okachimachi-Akihabara-Kanda

COOL T-shirt !

Speaking of T-shirt, would you like to buy our Sakura group T-shirt?

It is September 11th today.

8 years have passed since the September 11 Attacks on the United States in 2001.

I was in Toronto, Canada on that day and I saw a lot of airplanes in the sky that attempted an emergency landing to Toronto Pearson International Airport.

 

19th July 2009 local summer festival in hatagaya with guests and children( wearing yukata )

 

 

 

 

 

  When  When you have a summer what would you like to do?

Go for swimming and go for a trip ...

When you come to Japan in summer, please join us local summer festival.

You can see, eat and feel something new experience there.

 

( He is joining our summer festival tour )

In your country what is the typical food in summer?

If you ask for Japanese people,

A　lot of Japanese will answer

It is watermelon!

We put some salt on it to make it sweeter.

Please try it.

 ( She is join our summer festival tour )

 When we had a summer festival in hatagaya ( 19th July 2009 ),

it was very hot and temperature was over 30℃.

We need to have something cold!!

She had a cup of Japanese sorbet (green color one).

Can you guess what it tastes?

For example red is strawberry, yellow is Lemon so...

Answer is ...................................  melon

( He is joining our summer festival tour )

What is he taking for ...?

                  

Is it he or ...?

He has a cucumber'pickled,we ate it but it wasn't popular to our guests.

He has a Japanese lemonede.

It is very popular to drink for all generation.

When I was a child, I used to drink it a lot.(still drink it ...)

It reminds me of my childhood...i don't konw why...

During the summer festa, we had a beautiful rainbow !

After summer festa we went Japanese style pub with our guest.

If you are intrested in Japanese festival.

Let's bear a Mkoshi and enjoy many stands at Hatagaya local festival. 

http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/blog/2009/09/hatagaya-local-festival-2009.html

And we still have room avaialble around 23 Sep when Hatagaya local festival is held.

'Sora wo koete  ra ra ra hoshi no kanata  yukuzo atomu ......'

I got off at the JR Takadanobaba station and then I heard the melody of the theme song of 'Astro Boy (Tetsuwan Atomu)' from the next platform.

When I was on my way to Yodobashi Camera at Shinjuku this morning ... 

Huge crowd of spectators came into my sight. Kazuo Shii, chairman of the Japanese Communist Party, spoke for election kickoff at the west exit of the Shinjuku station quarter past 10am. Around that time, Yukio Hatoyama, the leader of the Democratic Party of Japan, was in Osaka and Taro Aso, President of the Liberal Democratic Party, was in Hachioji, Tokyo.

Today, it officially announced the campaign for the 45th House of Representatives election (the Lower House election). Election day is August 30th.

According to a female police officer at the gate of the National Diet Building,

the National Diet Building is in the middle of washing exterior wall.   

I hope that Japanese politics will be completely cleaned up as well.

I want to say that politics is not for the politicians but for the people.

As the 16th President of the United States Abraham Lincoln said,

 Have you ever heard of Fukagwa?

 If you are interested in downtown and/or the road less traveled, I strongly recommend you to go there.

 They hold Fukagawa fair three times a month (1st, 15th and 28th of each month).

 On 1st June and on 28th June, we went there with our guests.

 On 1^st June, 3 guests joined our tour.

And, on 28^th June, 13 guests joined our tour.

 We browsed around in street stalls that come up only on fair days,

If you are a big fan of sumo, you might enjoy Tomioka Hachiman.

 It has

 handprint of sumo wrestlers (much bigger than mine),

 stone monument all the names of Yokozuna (the title given to the strongest sumo wrestlers) on it,

huge portable shrines (the below is heavier one),

 and a shrine (of course).

As for Fukagawa Fudo Temple,

 There are a lot of statues in the temple.

 Unfortunately, taking photo is prohibited inside the temple, so we cannot show you how the inside of it is.

 It means that you need to go there if you are attracted.

 The picture below is Kiyosumi Garden (the Japanese garden located near from Fukagawa).

We haven't been there in these tours, but if you feel tired owing to much sightseeing, why don't you go there and take a rest.

 It is the very place to make you relax and take a nap or siesta.

↓me

Sorry, just kidding.

more info : http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/index.php

much more info : Asking us

A great news for rugby fans!

On July 28th, it was announced that Japan will host the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

The National Stadium

I have gone to watch rugby games since I was a small child, actually it was the first time when my father took me to the game at the National Stadium to cheer for the University where my father graduated from. Horizontal stripes with dark red and black color were vivid. Every time I see the games, I still get hot all over.

Chichibunomiya Rugby Field

A long time ago, 'rugby fever' was amazing and it was hard to get tickets even for regular season ticket for university games and my father and I used to wait in lines in front of the ticket shops from very early in the morning.

Now, baseball, soccer, basketball, tennis, swimming and judo are popular sports in Japan, but on the other hand, popularity of rugby has declined ... that's ok ... we do not need non-fan spectators. When we had 'rugby boom,' a lot of couples or groups came to the rugby field as a part of fashion. The real fans are who have passion (not fashion) and love the rugby ... I have seen many many old men who watch the game alone. They are real fans.

On July 11, 2009, Sakura Hotel Hatagaya did a tour to watch FIREFLY in the night.

They are guests who joined our tour! (10 people joined. They are from Spain, USA, Germany, Thayland, and Sweden!)

Most of the guests haven't ever seen frying and lighting FIREFLY.

Around 5 PM, we depertured of our hotel.

So, we could watch nice Japanese garden and livers in this area,on day-time(can watch clearly, and on night time(light up garden!).

This is cascade.It's dinamic.

This is Japanese liver　(carp was swimming peacefully).

But, I heard that several countries eat them at chrismas day!

It's amazing!

One of the guest, from Sweden, had a very good video camera, so he could take good shot of firefly.

It's too bad that our camera couldn't take a good shot of firefly in the night...

(The light is too small to take a good picture...)

If you go there, and watch them, that would be much better than pictures.

We had UCHIWA (paper fan) workshop at our café on July 25th.

Miyuki and Mitsuko were instructors. GOOD JOB !

After the workshop, they moved to Sakura Hostel Asakusa and enjoyed Sushi Party and then went to see Sumida River fireworks.

Zoe and Viivi, from Finland, had a good time with UCHIWA workshop, SUSHI PARTY at Sakura Hostel Asakusa and Sumida River Fireworks.

I am jealous. I was too tired from working a night shift to join the events. Shame on me.

Also, I wanted to meet 3 sisters in Yukata at Asakura ... well, I have to wait until next year.

Finland ...I bring up the image of 'Kamome Shokudo' (The movie is set in Helsinki, Finland and I like the atmosphere in the film) and Kimi Raikkonen (my favorite Finnish Formula One race car driver and he was the 2007 Formula One World Drivers' Champion)

To be honest, I was not interested in solar eclipse and I could not understand why people got crazy about it because it seemed to me that it did not mean much to our life and the event was made for romantics.

However, since I learn how a solar eclipse occurs, I appreciate the greatness of the universe and science. SUN is 400 times bigger than MOON, but the sun is totally obscured by the moon and complete darkness appears in the total solar eclipse that is unbelievable mysterious natural phenomenon.

The Japan Meteorological Agency announced the end of the rainy season in Kanto region yesterday.

No more rain! I saw a lot of women put up their umbrella for the protection against the sun rather than from the rain in the street

It is time to come to Japan. We will have 'HANABI' fireworks displays almost every weekend, from July to August, and also there are many local summer festivals called 'MATSURI' and outdoor rock festivals, such as FUJI ROCK, SOMMER SONIC and more...

Sumida River Fireworks Festival, July 25, 2009

Sakura Hostel Asakusa will have a party.

http://sumidagawa-hanabi.com/

 Our local shopping area 'Nishihara Shotengai' will have summer community festival on July 19.

I went to SOMMER SONIC last year. COLDPLAY was awesome and Allicia Keys was beautiful and sexy. http://www.summersonic.com/

My favorite 'ap bank fes' will be held on July 18, 19 and 20 at Tsumagoi, Shizuoka.

Kazutoshi Sakurai (Mr. Children) that I respect is one of the founders of the fes and the fes brings up environmental issues. http://www.apbank-ecoreso.jp

We will have a workshop of UCHIWA , paper fan, on July 25. Come & join us!

Don't miss them!

Yesterday was the election day of Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election.

The election for the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly is said to be a prelude to the election for Japan's House of Representatives.

Tokyo Metropolitan City Hall

If we want to make things better, we have to take action.

One of the actions we could take is vote in elections.

Undecided voters look at a billboard displaying posters of candidates

Voting station, elementary school gymnastic hall

We have to open our eyes and see what's going on in front of us.

Ignorance is a dangerous thing.

July 7th is the day of Star Festival called Tanabata in Japan.

Rinshinomori Park - I often take an hour-long walk there

The Star Festival is considered to be a mixture of Chinese tradition and indigenous religion of Japan. Actually, it was introduced into Japan in the 8th century and became popular during the Edo Period.

In the story, a couple, Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair), can only meet across the Milky Way once a year on the night of July 7th.

Beautiful Hatagaya ladies

This is Hatagaya Mikoshi Festival at September, 2008.

 

At this traditional Japanese festival, people hold a Mikoshi (a portable shrine) with many people.

We,Sakura Hotel Hatagaya's staff and our guests joined in this festival.

During walking around the street, we could have some drinks, and foods.

This time, we had sushi(delicious!), beers, miso soup with pork and vegetables, snacks, Oden (Japanese Pot-au-feu) and soft drinks when we have a break.

We will join this festival in this September.

If you'll stay our hotel, enjoy this festival with us!!

These pictures are taken at Design Festa (at Tokyo Big Sight)on 16^th November, 2008.

This picture is postcards I bought. How cute these kits are!

 It's hard to find the darkness in Tokyo even in the night.

 I'm not kidding.

 Once you come to Japan and hang around, you can find that I am an honest.

 However, 21^st June (the summer solstice), lights are switched off and people light candles instead at some famous place including Tokyo Tower.

 Unfortunately, I need to stay at our hotel for work till 10 PM (after such events are done)... I wish I could watch the darkness in the center of Tokyo...

 Then, should I make up my mind to do almost same thing at my home?

If you're interested in this event, I recommend you to check the website below.

http://www.candle-night.org/english/