Recently in Japanese　culture Category

The end of March, we will meet cherry blossoms season!

Did you already our Blog?

I recommend you where is good place to see Cherry blossoms in Tokyo!

Shinjuku Gyoen Park

Entrance fee: 200 yen 

Covering 58 hectares, Shinjuku-Gyoen is one of Tokyo's largest parks

 (in the city center). 

It was opened to the public in 1949 after it had served as a garden for the Imperial Family since the beginning of the 20th century. Shinjuku Gyoen features three garden types: an English landscape with wide lawns, a traditional Japanese "Niwa" with teahouses and a symmetrically arranged, formal French garden. Besides, there are many types of vegetation as well as a greenhouse (the greenhouse is being reconstructed until 2011). Shinjuku Gyoen also has more than a dozen types of cherry trees, making the park one of Tokyo's most popular and romantic Hanami spots during late March and early April

From Hatagaya to Shinjuku gyoen park

Hatagaya-(keio-new line)-Shinjuku 3 chome.

7 min 270 yen

2nd March Sushi Roll Event!

I will explain more proverbs next time!

November 3^rd is a national holiday in Japan.

It is called the day of culture.

November 3^rd is the birthday of Meiji Emperor as well.

Have you ever heard of Meiji Shrine near Harajuku?

Meiji Emperor is enshrined there (That's why the shrine named Meiji Shrine).

On November 3^rd, an event such as Yabusame (the shooting of arrows while riding horses) will be held to honor the 160^th anniversary of his birth.

From Sakura Hotel Hatagaya to Meiji Shrine,

please take Keio new line from Hatagaya (2 minutes' walk from the hotel) to Shinjuku.

After that, please take JR Yamanote line from Shinjuku to Harajuku.

It takes two minutes from the south exit of Harajuku to Meiji Shrine.

I love Sushi~

I went to Conveyor-belt sushi bar in Shinjuku.

 
Foreign guests sometime ask me

「Is this display?Can we eat them?」

Yes, you can !

On the table, there is Hot water.

We can make green tea by myself.

Green tea and Sushi are good combination!

 How many sushi can you eat,,,???

I ate a lot~! 

Every year I visit Kamakura city.

There are a lot of nature, many temple and good restauraunt!

This is my Sashimi lunch meal.

You can go inside of Budda it cost only 30 yen!

Do you like ' Miso Soup'? You can buy it from Vending machine.

I have never seen before!

I went to "Gonpachi in Shibuya" with my friends.

Gonpachi is Japanese restaurant.

You can feel Japanese atmosphere.

also there is English menu

If you would like go there, you can yake local bus from Hatagaya to Shibuya! 

----Time table----

This is a nice article, "how to wear A YUKATA"

in Japan's No1 English Magazine "METROPOLIS"!!

You know A "YUKATA"?

"YUKATA" is a Japanese garment, a casual summer kimono usually made of cotton.

 People wearing yukata are a common sight in Japan at fireworks displays, bon-odori festivals, and other summer events.

Off course, we can wear it for ourselves!!

(Miwa, Koz, Ai, Miyuki, Mitsuko, all are Sakura Hotel Hatagaya's staff .

some of them are already retired, but they are fine!!)

Feel cool summer in Japan, with wearing Yukata:)

★When You Wish Upon a Star★

♪When you wish upon a star
Make no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you...♪

Do you know the famous song??

The meanings are like star festival, don't you think so?

Star festival will arrive soon!!

This is the picture of Tanabata festival in Sendai city. 

It's usually held on July 7th!!

Will you join a Tanabata event somewhere??

Many Japanese people(mainly children in elementary school)will make these original 'Origami' for Tanabata Bamboo tree.

What will you make a wish upon the star?？

 

★★★Online bookings are 24 hours available HERE . ★★★

Address: 1-32-3Hatagaya Shibuya-ku Tokyo151-0072

Fax +81-3-3468-4307

Email: [email protected]

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

Facebook: http://facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/SakuraCafe_hata

★★★Online bookings are 24 hours available HERE . ★★★

  

When I was waching my photo's data of my camera yesterday,,,

　　　　　　　I found the cutest photo from photos taken in Kyoto!

This is the photo,

 How cute this Torii is!!

How do you think about it!?

During walking on the street, called 'Nene's road', who was a wife of Hideyoshi Toyotomi

( Toyotomi Hideyoshi finally prevail in many battles from the status of farmers is a great military commander in history the whole of Japan was repression)

The minimum torii atracted me strong. 

Is the cutest torii still excist on the road?

 I miss it. 

★★★Online bookings are 24 hours available HERE . ★★★

Address: 1-32-3Hatagaya Shibuya-ku Tokyo151-0072

Fax +81-3-3468-4307

Email: [email protected]

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

Facebook: http://facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/SakuraCafe_hata

★★★Online bookings are 24 hours available HERE . ★★★

Rainy season has begun in Tokyo.

How many do you think annual sales of umbrellas  in Japan in a year.

130 million umbrellas!!

That is about population in Japan.

About 60% of that is plastic umbrellas.

How many umbrellas do you have?

Rainy season has begun in Tokyo.

How many do you think annual sales of umbrellas  in Japan in a year.

130 million umbrellas!!

That is about population in Japan.

About 60% of that is plastic umbrellas.

How many umbrellas do you have?

I love flowers.  I love them for their beauty, scents, and vanity.

Flowers are alive just as we are, and together we experience the passing of time.

At first glance of the blossom seems helpless, yet it uses all of its energy to continue the beauty of its existance. 

This somewhat seems able to reflect to our beings. 

Flower arrangement allows you to experience the joy of creation of your own arrangement that

represents your thoughts, which springs from your attument to plants. 

It offers you a revelation of plant beauty brings both peace of mind and happiness to you. 

 I went to Tokyo Big Sight to see Design Festa last weekend.

A lot of cosplayers joined here to perform their cosplay.

This is a kind of art!

What cosplay do you like?

Next Design Festa comes in this November.

I recommend you to join or see this big art event.

My friends from Italy whose hobby are Cosplay

They visited Japan many times,but they didn't have SUICA!

*What is Suica?  The Suica is a prepaid e-money card for moving around and shopping in the Tokyo area. There is no more need to buy a ticket from a vending machine. Just touch your Suica to the ticket gate and the fare is automatically deducted from your Suica. The Suica can be used not only for JR East trains, but the subways and buses as well. For shopping, use your Suica card in the place of cash wherever the Suica mark is displayed.

We made it together

There is English Pages

http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html

Golden Week (Japan's huge national holidays ) is almost here in Japan !

 　 Children's day is one of the Golden week's national holidays, 

on which we celebrate  children's health and wish they will grow good !

 ↓↓↓ Here is the photo of seasonal tradition of Children's Day.

( These beautiful decorations are more than 40 years old...! )

Come and visit us to see more Japanese traditional things...

and enjoy a cup of coffee here at Sakura Cafe Hatagaya.

♪♪ We are 24 hours OPEN for you ♪♪

I went to Ryokojin Exhibition in Kagurazaka.Ryokojin used to be a famous backpakers magazine in 1990's,but it ceased publication last year.I of couse subscribed to the magazine for a long time.

Their writers' and  illustrators' works are on display there.

I show you some of them on this post.

We got invitation from Mr.and Mrs Honma san 

who live near Hatagaya Hotel again!

They have Japanese tea Party at their own place,

and the hosts gave us many attractions.

We went there every year,so I look forward seeing them again.

They have small concert.

Or guests also join them 

We tried Japanese tea and Chinese tea!

   And wearing Kimono!

Every time we enjoyed this party a lot.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful hospitality♪

We have Hanami Party under the cherry trees along Sumida River on April 10th.

Hanami , which means cherry blossom viewing, is a Japanese seasonal event in spring.

?  Day : 2012/ Apr / 10(Tue) from PM 03:00 to PM 06:00

?  Fee : JPY 0 (Tax included)

Viewing very beautiful cherry blossoms, we enjoy drinking, eating, talking, etc....

It's FREE of charge, but you have to take potluck.

Please don't forget to bring your own food and beverages.
Meet in the lobby of Sakura Hostel at 3:00 PM, and let's head to Sumida Park together.

******************************************************************************
Date : April 10th ( THU )
Meeting Place & Time : Sakura Hostel Asakusa at 3:00 PM
******************************************************************************

*This event is only for guests who are staying at Sakura Hostel/Sakura Hotel/Sakura House.

Google released 8-bit "Dragon Quest" map on 1st April.

You can see Tokyo Sky Tree in the map.

This is a map of Europe.You may find a dragon in this map.

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.

 

 

 

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 -----

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?

It's still very cold in Tokyo.

However we have the great winter goods, Hokkairo(Pocket Warmer)!

セイコーマート(冬の釧路・厚岸) Kushiro Trip (East Hokkaido) / jetalone 

 

We can see various Hokkairos in the market nowadays.

Attatching Hokkairo and Applying Hokkairo are popular.

Hokkairo for toes and for eyes,

 

 

ホッカイロ(足全体用) / jetalone

Some characters' Hokkairo exist.

Rechargeable Hokkairo! It's very interesting and economic :D

We can overcome this coldness with these excellent Hokkairos!!

 

It has been very cold these days in Japan and flu is epidemicing!
I also caught a cold (but it's not flu!) on last Friday and had a high fever...

風邪/Catching a cold / typexnick

When you catch a cold, what usually do you do to cure in your place?
In Japan, when we caugh, we roll a leeks around throat.

Welsh Onion Field / Dick Thomas Johnson

It is said that the anti-inflammatory component in leeks makes throat better!


And also, we eat something good for digestion or something warm.
For example this!

お粥できたー #dinner / is_kyoto_jp

PorridgeThis is the light-salted boiled rice.


At Sakura Cafe Hatagaya, we're offering the Ginger Hot Drink fair!

Ginger is good for the sickness:)

You take care not to be sick and flu!

Why are the needles put in Tofu and Konnyaku (jelly made from the devil's tongue) for 8th February?

It is for "Hari-kuyo". Hari-kuyo is a dedication ceremony for broken needles.

It is a bit funny to me that there is such a ceremony because I do not do needlework...  However, needles are necessary to make a Kimono; a good Kimono is made only by hand! 

Besides, needles used to be very important when there was not a sewing machine. 

That is why people thank needles soul and do a dedication ceremony. 

But why are needles in Tofu??

The reason why broken needles are put in Tofu is to thank them by putting in something soft (those old needles no longer have to work! :D)! 

chilled tofu / [puamelia]

This is what it looks like from the outside. It's very close to Shin-Yokohama station.

And these are photos from inside the museum. The overall theme is Tokyo during the Showa era, so everything looks really old, just like 40 years ago. There are many Ramen restaurants right next to each other.

In every restaurant you can order a mini-bowl of Ramen, so you can try many different types and find your favorite.

First you choose a dish and pay on the ticket machines in front of the restaurants.

These are Tonkotsu-Miso Ramen from Kumamoto prefecture, and Shoyu Ramen + Shio Ramen from Hokkaido. I was already full after 2 bowls, but I tried the ones my friend ordered as well. So yummy!

There was still enough space left for some ice cream though. XD

We decided to come back soon, because it's impossible to eat all the different styles of Ramen during just one visit!

By the way, our guests at Sakura Hotel can get a free admission ticket to the Ramen museum. You can find more information on our Special Offer site (you need to scroll down till the end). Just ask our staff at the front desk. ^^

If you love Ramen, this museum is highly recommended!

Today is the first day of spring in the traditional Japanese calendar.

The Ministry of Health,Labour and Welfare of Japan announced that

Japan has the lowest rate of smoking after 1986 in which they began

the investigation.

The price of cigarette has been raised in this fifteen years.
Mild Seven,a popular brand in Japan was sold for 230Yen(USD3.00/EUR2.28) in 1997.
Now the price is 410Yen(USD5.35/EUR4.07).Worldwide popular Marlboro is 440Yen(USD5.74/EUR4.37) in Japan.How much is it in your country?

By the way,all guest rooms in SAKURA HOTEL HATAGAYA become non-smoking after 15 February.
We are sorry to say that for smokers.

It shows only 1 day per month, but for all 12 months of the year on one page. So there are 31 pages in total. The page on the photo shows the 17th day of each month, i.e. January 17th, February 17th, March 17th... you get the idea.

I was like, what the heck, at first! It's an upside down calendar! oO; 

The good part about this calender is that you can turn the page and enjoy a different picture every day (though the page will get repeated every month on the same date).

The bad part about it is, that it doesn' t make much sense apparently, and is quite inconvenient in a way.

So I asked the wise Ai-san, who dressed up as a frog today

for a reason that escapes me. XD

She explained to me that this is a popular type of buddhist calendar. Every page provides some words of wisdom in beautiful calligraphic writing. Instead of reading a new advice everyday of the year and forgetting them all immediately, you are supposed to take them to heart. Which is made easy since every page is repeated 12 times during the course of the year.

A very wise calender indead. Thanks for the explanation dear frog Ai!

11^th January is known as the day for "Kagami-biraki."

People eat "Oshiruko," which is sweet red beans soup with pieces of rice cakes in it.

On the other hand, it is not well known that 15^th January was "Koshougatsu," which literally means "Small New Year's Day."

On "Koshougatsu," it is said that they eat "Azuki-gayu," rice porridge with red beans, though I have not had it before...

Here is what it looks like. Unlike "Oshiruko," this does not taste sweet.

Traditionally, red beans are believed to drive away evil spirits and keep you away from diseases. Although "Koshougatsu" is already gone, "Azuki-gayu" is still good for your health and easy to cook. Why don't you try it!?

 

Hi, everyone. It is new from an old thing today but subject is the Shinkansen. Various Shinkansen appeared from commencement of business in 1964, and it retired to private life.

It continued the other day also at first 0 series, and, as for 100 series and 300 series, retirement was decided. If a new thing is made, the old thing is lost someday. The time is progressing.

Although the appearance of the newest N700 series and E5 series are good looking, if it is called the Shinkansen, are they the Shinkansen of a round nose which is first generation!?

It is said that there are more than 500 literary awards in Japan. 

The most famous prizes are Akutagawa Prize and Naoki Prize. 

These were established by a famous author Kan Kikuchi in 1935 in honor of great authors, Ryunosuke Akutagawa and Sanjugo Naoki.

The winners of 146^th Akutagawa, Naoki Prizes will be chosen on 17 January!

Some of the nominated stories are as follows:

"Shiro wo kamaseta otoko" by Jyun Ito (The man who made a castle bitten) (Nominated for Naoki Pirze)

 "Yumechigai" by Riku Onda (Different dream) (Nominated for Naoki Pirze)

*English titles are not official; I translated Japanese titles literally just for this blog article.

Since the winners of these prizes will be very popular, past nominated works might have been translated from Japanese already. 

If you look for books written by Japanese authors, I recommend you to check them out!

Hello world,Let's say "Late Happy New Year!!!"

So,,,This is Masaru.
I went back to my hometown in Kyoto and My wife's hometown Kawachinagano for new year.

Kawachinagano is border area between Osaka Pref, and Wakayama Pref.
Especially, Kakihata area is beautiful area for awsome waterfalls.

Tram in Kyoto is so cool!

I like that modern design.

I met nephew!!!
He is super Kawaii!!

 

January 1st is Japanese New Year's Day.

On New Year's Day, people pay a visit to shrines to pray for happiness and good health, it called Hatsumoude.

So I went Sensoji in Asakusa for Hatsumoude on January 1st.

I drawed Omikuji at Sensoji and I got the best one Daikichi!!

Yeah~~~~!!

I hope..all this Daikichi will bring all the hapiness to me :)

Omikuji sold at Sensoji have English explanations as well, so please try!!

Gook Luck!

* More information for Sensoji, Omikuji...Check here.

You wanna go Sensoji, Asakusa?

About 30-40 minutes from Sakura Hotel Hatagaya. 

A happy new year!! 

Since 2011 is the year of the rabbit in Chinese Zodiac, 2012 is the year of the dragon!

Though the dragons only exist in stories, we know several kinds of them.

This is a European dragon.

Dragon / fireflythegreat

And this is an Eastern dragon. In Japan dragons are illustrated like this.

Dragon / miheco

It seems that the biggest difference is whether it has wings or not...

Although dragons are thought to be good creatures generally in Japan, they are not in Western countries (right?) Maybe you can tell us what you think about dragons. J

-------------------------

Thank you very much for supporting us last year, 2011!

We are all looking forward to seeing you next year here in Japan.

We hope you have a great year!!

 

I went to Doraemon museum with Yoshi and Ryoma.

It takes only 30min 210yen from Hatagaya Sakura Hotel to there.

If you would like to go,you should make reservation before.

Lovely character "Korosuke" welcoming to us!

Photo spot 1!

Photo spot 2

Photo spot 3!!

Welcome to Sakura Hotel~~ 

You can enjoy Cafe.

There is Manga area

Doraemon comics are not only comedy but also touching..

This is one of the best scene ....Ohhhhhh

Tomorrow (December 22nd) is the Winter Solstice.

In Japan, people take yuzu bath.

It is said that we can stay healthy during the cold winter to do that.

In addition, the Winter Solstice is called Touji in Japanese and Touji means hot spring cure as well.

What do you do on the Winter Solstice?

I love Sushi~

I went to Conveyor-belt sushi bar in Shinjuku.

 
Foreign guests sometime ask me

「Is this display?Can we eat them?」

Yes, you can !

On the table, there is Hot water.

We can make green tea by myself.

Green tea and Sushi are good combination!

 How many sushi can you eat,,,???

I ate a lot~! 

It's November! Almost a week has passed already...How fast!

By the way, did you dress up on Halloween?

I think many people wore the costumes of monsters... like them!

Monster / annabellaphoto

They all look scary and bad. On the contrary, look at Japanese ghosts and monsters.

Catgirl statue 猫娘 / urawa

Don't you think they are humorous?

I have never seen people in costumes of Japanese monsters.

If you have ever tried before, let me know and show me pictures please!