Recently in Japanese　culture Category

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.

Do you remember this? You might see it on this blog before.

It's a slime nikuman! I guess some of you could not help buying it. Or you might be one of the people who could not find it, since it was sold out so quickly.

Did you know that there was a second chance for you? Circle K Sunkus have sold a nikuman like this!!

Hello Kitty Nikuman (custard cream flavor)

Who would have guessed that a nikuman like that would be produced again...

Actually, I have just found out that it was on sale! I heard that at many Circle K Sunkus stores it has been sold out already because it was produced only in limited numbers.

If you were lucky enough to get it, please let us know!!

*The picture of Hello Kitty nikuman was borrowed from the official website of Circle K Sunkus: http://www.circleksunkus.jp/wakuwaku/chukaman/

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.

Picture: Ryunosuke Akutagawa

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.

There were so many people and many stalls, looks like Matsuri★

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.

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

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

By the way, they are popular dragons in Japan...

Do you know what stories they are from?

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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

The image above is from http://ueno.keizai.biz/headline/photo/283/.

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?

Recently I have heard some guests of Sakura Hotel Hatagaya and some foreign friends of mine saying,   "I want Japanese tattoo!".

And actually the number of them is increasing.

 Japanese tattoo technique is very excellent in the world!

Today I'd like to introduce some paterns of Japanese tattoo which are popular among foreigners.

At first, Kanji(Chinese character).

 This means "Japanese Soul".

This means "Beauty".

Sometimes there is a funny tattoo for Japanese.

This character means "bull"!!!

 Why did he or she want this tattoo? lol

 Now here is another popular patern, "Anime Character" ！

 Sailor Moon!

Our idol, DORAEMON !

For ONE PIECE lovers! Nami's tattoo! 

Last one is, of course, "Japanese Parten".

Dragon!!

And our hotel's symbol, Sakura(Cherry Blossoms)!

This is the ART already.

Buuuuuuuut, it seems very painful...

How would you like? Do you want a Japanese tattoo now? lol

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!

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

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!

Fukuda-san (our cleanig staff) brought Kumade or colorfully decorated rakes this morning.

She bought it at Torinoichi fair.

Kumade is thought as a lucky charm. It is said to rake in good fortune and attract customer.

We place it in the entrance.

We hope we can welcome many guests:)

I went to my friend's wedding party few days ago.

We Japanese usually wear a wedding dress or Kimono for wedding, and most of couple wear both lately I guess.

If you would like to challenge a Japanese style wedding, how about this??

This is a Jinrikisha (a rickshaw), you can ride a Jinrikisha from a temple or shrine that you held a wedding ceremony to the party place.

Do you have your own style for wedding in your country?

What do you think a Japanese style?

Winter will start very soon, means Nabe season will start!

Nabe is a general　name of Japanese pot. As long as its cooked in Japanese style pot, its called Nabe no matter what flavor or what kinds of ingredients it made.

There are so many variety of soup flavor from typical soysauce, miso to curry, tomato.

You can put vegetable, seafood, meat or anything you like.

If you visit Japan in winter season, you can taste many kinds of them.

Healthy, yummy, make you warm!

My Favorite?  Motsu-nabe.

Stay warm!!

There's an event coming up that I am very much looking forward to!

The Tokyo Ramen Show

As you all probably know Ramen noodles are very popular in Japan and there are many different types of soups and toppings. So the Tokyo Ramen Show is the perfect opportunity to try Ramen from all over Japan and find your own favorite!

Time: November 2nd (Wed) ~ 6th (Sun) between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Place: Komazawa Olympic Parc

(Train station: Komazawa Daigaku on the Denentoshi Line)

It's just about half an hour away from Sakura Hotel Hatagaya. We'll be happy to tell you how to get there if you ask at the front desk.

Btw, did you know that Hatagaya is full of Ramen restaurants? Even if you can't make it to the event you can still enjoy a big variety of Ramen in direct vicinity of our hotel!

Just ask for our "Ramen Map" that we often hand out to our hotel guests. 

It was festival time in Hatagaya today!

We've been very busy preparing for this event during the last couple of days.

Ai was so kind to offer me to wear her Yukata (light summer Kimono).

Yoshi and Miwa dressed in a traditional festival outfit as well!

   We offered drinks and food to the participants. So many people came!

They were carrying a portable shrine through the streets. Some of our guests took part as well!

Foreigners and the locals had a great time bonding with each other!

Me in front of the portable shrine.

It was so much fun! Let's celebrate again next year! 

A week later, he will come.

But it's too difficult even for Japanese to know what is going to happen by just seeing the picuture above.

So, I'll give you another hint.

What do you think they are doing?

The answer is Local Festival in Hatagaya will be held a month later or 23rd of September.

And we carry mikoshi or portable shrine at the festival.

You can join us.

Why don't you stay with us on 22nd of September 2011 （longer is better ：） and  experience Japanese culture with us?

You can check more details on the website below.

http://www.sakura-cafe.asia/hatagaya/english/event_mikoshi.php

There's good news for you. At the moment, we have rooms available for the night of 22nd September 2011.

Yesterday my friend and I went to a little shrine festival (Matsuri) in our neighbourhood. I was really looking forward to it, since it was my first Matsuri this year, and a summer in Japan without one wouldn't be complete.

The weather was great! Hot and sunny! Maybe a bit too hot actually. ^^;

I ate all kinds of food, like Yakisoba, Okonomiyaki and Yakitori. I love stall type Japanese food!

There were so many kids, some dressed in Yukata (light summer kimonos). They all looked so happy and were so excited whenever they won a prize in some game. 

This is me catching goldfish with a little paper fan. This game is called "kingyo sukui" and typical for Japanese Matsuris. It's really hard to catch one though because the paper tears easily when wet. But I prefer looking at fishes over catching them anyway. ;)

There was music as well of course!

I had lots of fun! If you're in Japan in summer, going to a Matsuri is highly recommended!

 One of the best season "Autumn" coming soon

However,It is a time also to worry about Typhoons!

Two typhoons are  approaching in Japan!!

By the way,I found Special umbrella on Youtube.

I would like to recommend New Yorkers for Irene（Hurricane)!

Last weekend I was invited to a trip to the hot springs in Hakone! It was my first time going to a Japanese Onsen in summer, so I was quite excited. I love hot springs!

I was a bit sceptical at first though, because taking a hot bath on a hot summer day doesn't really sound very appealing, does it? Well, but then it was raining all weekend and it was pretty cool as well all the time, so in the end I was actually quite happy to hop into the bath. ;)

This photo was shot at Lake Ashinoko which is a famous spot in Hakone.

We stayed at a Japanese style hotel (= Ryokan) which means the rooms were equipped with tatami mats and futons.

Dinner was served inside our room by a girl in Kimono! This is me with my friend's mother who had invited me to the trip.

This is the outdoor bath, or Rotenburo, as it is called in Japanese. When I took a bath in the evening and again in the morning there was nobody else there besides me, so I had the whole bath to myself. Nothing is more relaxing than soaking in a Rotenburo!

The food was also great! This is a small part of what we had for breakfast. Ahhh, I'm getting hungry again just looking at the pictures.

A trip to a Japanese Onsen is a great experience and highly recommended to everyone who wants to experience traditional Japanese life style and food! 

This is the Asakusa walking blog part 2, blog part 1 is for about shopping and playing at Sensoji shrine.

Maiko is living near Asakusa from she was a child, so she introduced a shop of folding fan . (She always bring her folding fan with her.) 

This day, was Bon Festival, so there was a TOUROU-NAGASHI (means, sending off the spirits of the dead on lanterns floated on the waters of a river or the sea) at Sumida River.

Everyone wrote their wishes for the dead people, and play to heaven.

The night illumination was very romantic.

We also wished everyone's play will reach to the heaven.

copy right: The planning committee for the Sumida River Fireworks Festival

Is there anyone who will be in Tokyo on 27/August/2011?

This year, the Sumida River Fireworks Festival will be scheduled on 27/August/2011.

It had been held at the end of July.

But this year, the date was changed due to the Great East Japan Earthquake. 

Twenty thousand fireworks will be set off between 7:05 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Fireworks is a summer tradition and a summer feature in Japan.

It's worth watching.

You can get more info on official website of the Sumida River Fireworks Festival.

http://sumidagawa-hanabi.com/index_eg.html

People sprinkle water on the street in the picture above. It is called Uchimizu (watering).

It is very hot and humid in summer in Japan.

Uchimizu is one of ideas to ease sweltering hot days.

What do you do to mitigate hotness?

Beer and Edamame ( green soy bean) is the best combo in the history.

Edamame has rich nutrient content,and helps decompose blood alcohol.

Edamame, the king of snack!

 You can eat SAKURA CAFE HATAGAYA!!!!

Late July and August is the season for fireworks in Japan.

Today, 11 fireworks displays are held in Japan.

It is much more than I thought because some fireworks displays including big ones are cancelled or postponed this year.

I do believe that they are worth watching.

And I wish I could watch them all from the air:)

Have you ever eaten eel?

Today is "the day of the ox." Japanese often eat eel on the day of the ox.

Why eat EEL on the day of the OX?
It is said that eel restaurants put the sign up saying
"it is better to eat something starts with U on the day of the ox. (Ox is "Ushi," eel is "Unagi" in Japanese.) So let's eat eel!"

Well, ox and eel are not quite the same, but eel is delicious! (to me, anyway.) If you haven't tried one yet, please give it a try!

サクラカフェ幡ヶ谷 Please check how to get to Sakura Cafe Hatagaya こちらから↓

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サクラカフェ　グループ

It's muggy.

I feel anxious if I could survive hot summer lies ahead.

Today, I'd just like to introduce a reliable partner for summer in Japan.

It is the wind-bell. 

It is made of metal, glass or pottery.

When the wind blows, it produces the sound that makes us feel cool.

I feel the heat eased when I hear the sound of wind-bell.

SAKURA HOTEL HATAGAYA 
Address: 1-32-3 Hatagaya Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan 151-0072 
Phone: +81-3-5330-5250 (03-5330-5250) 
Fax: +81-3-5330-5251 (03-5330-5251) 
URL: http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/ 
E-mail: info@sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hatagaya_hotel 
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo

Do you like Onsen? (Hot spa?) I do! (^^)

I went to Nikko last weekend. Nikko - Kinugawa area has one of the best onsens in Japan.

At Kinugawa-Onsen station, you can take a foot bath.

One of my favorite is Meotobuchi Onsen. Here, you can enjoy more than 10 different kinds of Roten-buro. (Outdoor bath). It is about an hour and a half away from Kinugawa Onsen station by bus.

And... If you go to Nikko area, be sure to eat Yuba (Tofu based) dinner! It's delicious!

To go to Nikko from our hotel, there is a direct train that leaves from Shinjuku station. For more info visit Tobu Railways website↓

http://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/pass/index.html

And if you decide to stop by in Asakusa on the way from or back from Nikko, be sure to stay at our sister hostel in Asakusa!↓

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

SAKURA HOTEL HATAGAYA
Address: 1-32-3 Hatagaya Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan 151-0072
Phone: +81-3-5330-5250 (03-5330-5250)
Fax: +81-3-5330-5251 (03-5330-5251)
URL: http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/
E-mail: info@sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hatagaya_hotel
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo

Have you heard of the Japanese Tanabata festival?

Once upon a time in the universe, the stars Orihime (the weaving princess) and Hikoboshi (cow herder star) met and fell in love with each other.

However, they were so much in love that, after the marriage, Orihime would no longer weave cloth and Hikoboshi would no longer herd cows.

Most popular Japanese food for lunch is, 'ONIGIRI'!

In Hawaii, Saipan, and so on, Spam riceball is famous and popular, you know?

Recently, these kinds of cute lunch box, including pretty onigiri is most popular one!

Mothers always try to creat these cute Onigiri, for their children.

Let's try many kinds of Onigiri in Japan!! 

And find your favorite Onigiri!

SAKURA HOTEL HATAGAYA 
Address: 1-32-3 Hatagaya Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan 151-0072 
Phone: +81-3-5330-5250 (03-5330-5250) 
Fax: +81-3-5330-5251 (03-5330-5251) 
URL: http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/ 
E-mail: info@sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hatagaya_hotel 
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo

In June to beginning of July will raining season in Japan.

Little rain may be tasteful, but you do not want to fall very match.

When you want to stop rain fall in Japan,we make 『Teru Teru　Bouzu』.

Let's make 『Teru Teru　Bouzu』 with us to wish sunshine day!!

SAKURA HOTEL HATAGAYA 
Address: 1-32-3 Hatagaya Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan 151-0072 
Phone: +81-3-5330-5250 (03-5330-5250) 
Fax: +81-3-5330-5251 (03-5330-5251) 
URL: http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/ 
E-mail: info@sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hatagaya_hotel 
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo

I used this opportunity to ask my co-workers what they associate with summer in Japan.

These were their answers:

Fireworks
Matsuri (Street Festivals)
Beer Gardens
Splitting Water Melons
Kingyo sukui (fishing goldfish)

 

I was surprised to hear that there are beer gardens in Japan as well. I didn't expect that answer at all. But that's probably just me (I don't know much about beer because I don't drink it).

In Germany summer means:

Going to the Beach
BBQs
Beer Gardens & Beach Bars
Summer Holidays (= traveling somewhere)
Lots of Ice Cream

I shocked my co-workers a little when I told them that going to the beach also includes swimming in lakes. It seems Japanese people only swim in the ocean? Going to the lake every day after work to hang out with friends and cool down a little is definitely one of the things I miss most about summers in Japan.

Of course there's much more one could mention, and many aspects of summer are probably pretty similar in both countries. What's your experience with summer in Japan? And what is summer like in your country?

We've just started selling rice wine or sake in Japanese at Sakura Cafe Hatagaya.

It is named Hakutsuru (white crane). It tastes gracefully dry and easy to drink.

Have you ever tried sake?

If not and if you have plan to visit Japan, why don't you experience Japanese culture by drinking sake? 

Of course, that is the message to those who are allowed to drink:)

It looked like this.

All my co-workers knew immediately what to expect when they saw the brand name on the box and seemed really excited. I didn't really know what was going on because I had never heard the name before, but when we opened the box there were cute little puddings inside!

The office went quiet immediately as everyone was happily eating their pudding. They were sooo delicious! Turns out Yoroizuka is a pretty famous patissier in Japan and his desserts are very popular. And now I understand why!

By the way, only five minutes before Hiroki came to work Hirotaka and I had been talking about how hungry we were, because it was 8.p.m. and we hadn't eaten anything at all since our lunch break. So his puddings really came just at the right moment. Thank you Hiroki! You saved us! :)

From 20th/May to 22nd/May, one of the most famous festivals in Tokyo will be hold at Asakusa Shrine.

The name of the festival is Sanja Matsuri.

It's parade of mikoshis, a kind of mobile shrine is famous for verious reasons.

First, 3 of the mikoshis are very heavy and expensive. Each of them weighs about 1 ton! And making one of them costs about 390k dollars!

And another reason is its parade on the last day is very wild.

Many carriers of mikoshi always try to ride on the mikoshi.

This act is prohibited by the shrine as it is too dangerous, but none the less, or because of it, many bold men try to ride on them, like this.

As you noticed, the courageous riders are fully decorated with Japanese traditional tatto. Yes, most of these men are Yakuza.

Perhaps, boldness is heavily important in Yakuza society, they always try this dangerous act.

But, at least Sanja Matsuri of this year will be safer than past years.

As the sign of mourning the loss of Japan Quake, Asakusa Shrine desided to stop parading mikoshis. Many shinto rituals are hold as usual but no mikoshis.

And this year, yakuza will obey the shrine's wish.

This is not so widely known fact but one of the quickest helpers who brought tons of relief supplies to victims of tsunami are not police nor NGO but yakuza.

Because yakuza know too much how terrible the damage done by quake and tsunami as eyewitnesses, they will exercise self-restraint about this matter too.

Ironically, taking part in Sanja Matsuri without seeing mikoshi parade is rarest experience, so many visitors are expected.

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SAKURA HOTEL HATAGAYA
Address: 1-32-3 Hatagaya Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan 151-0072
Phone: +81-3-5330-5250 (03-5330-5250)
Fax: +81-3-5330-5251 (03-5330-5251)
URL: http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/
E-mail: info@sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hatagaya_hotel
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo

Yesterday I had Ramen noodles for dinner. There are many different types of noodles in Japan, but Ramen are my favorite. They are a bit hard to eat with chopsticks but it's fun anyway. The restaurant my friend and I went to was pretty small but the food was great. We ordered lots of different stuff and I took pictures of everything.

We started with tofu on ice, some grilled meat and Gyoza.

I had Soy Ramen and my friend ate Tsukemen (cold noodles that you dip in some kind of soup).

And then I had two servings of coconut ice cream! ;)

Of course not, but I still ate too much. But it was so delicious I couldn't help it.

We'll definitely go there again!

By the way, you're supposed to slurp Ramen loudly, but for some reason I just can't do it the way Japanese people can. Maybe because my mother taught me that it's impolite to make any noises while eating. XD

Have you heard about Japanese porcelains?

One of the most famous porcelains in Japan is Imari porcelain, named for its trans-shipment port, Imari port.

 Imari porcelain has two faces. One is for export to Europe. And another is for domestic usage.

Imari for export vely looks like Chinese porcelains, as Europeans were accustomed with Chinese style.

But Imari for domestic usage is very different from former ones.

Like these.

At Toguri Museum of Art, in Shibuya Ward of Tokyo, the exhibition "The warmth of celadon, the brilliance of white porcelain" is hold from 3rd/Apr to 26/Jun.

In this exhibition, about 100 porcelains are displayed from commodities to delicately decorated artworks.

If you are interested in traditional Japanese culture, you will enjoy this exhibition very much.

http://www.toguri-museum.or.jp/eng/tenji9.html

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SAKURA HOTEL HATAGAYA
Address: 1-32-3 Hatagaya Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan 151-0072
Phone: +81-3-5330-5250 (03-5330-5250)
Fax: +81-3-5330-5251 (03-5330-5251)
URL: http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/
E-mail: info@sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hatagaya_hotel
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo

Tomorrow,

Golden Week we've been waiting for so long is coming!!

Have  you ever heard "Golden Week" ?

Golden Week is a term used to refer to a period from the end of April to the begining of May, where there are several public holidays and weekends in a row.

Showa Day(Apr 29), Constitution Day(May 3), Green Day(May 4), Children's Day(May 5) and the weekends before and after these holidays can combine to make a long holidays as long as 7 to 10 days long.

‥‥However it is quite hard to take a long holiday for us who working at a hotel.  

And It will be maximum 10 days holiday this year!

Ummm...

I'm jealous!!!!

So I'll travel just in fantasies!! ^^ 

↑　The place I really want to go.

Do you know that place??

I wanna spend my holidays at such a beautiful place.....♪

Anyway we welcome guests from all over the world!!

You can spent your great time at Sakura Hotel.

Also Sakura Cafe Hatagaya open for 24 hours even at Golden Week!

That picture was Maldives!!!

 

                 
We love Spring time♪

SAKURA HOTEL HATAGAYA 
Address: 1-32-3 Hatagaya Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan 151-0072 
Phone: +81-3-5330-5250 (03-5330-5250) 
Fax: +81-3-5330-5251 (03-5330-5251) 
URL: http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/ 
E-mail: info@sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hatagaya_hotel 
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo 

Thanks to warm temperatures, the cherry trees have progressed into full bloom in many areas over the past two days, including in many hanami spots around Tokyo.

Forecast dates of cherry trees opening in Tokyo this year is March 28th and the estimated best viewing periods are April 5 to 13. 

Rain, wind and temperatures can have a strong effect on the process of the season, for example, they can delay or shorten it considerably. 

Therefore, use the forecasts on your own risk. 

In Japan, I guess many people associate "flower" with cherry blossoms.

We can find cherry blossoms on the surface of 100 yen.

Now is the season of cherry blossoms and best time for viewing cherry blossoms in Tokyo.

They will be in full bloom before long.

What kind of flower do you associate "flower" with?

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SAKURA HOTEL HATAGAYA
Address: 1-32-3 Hatagaya Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan 151-0072
Phone: +81-3-5330-5250 (03-5330-5250)
Fax: +81-3-5330-5251 (03-5330-5251)
URL: http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/
E-mail: info@sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hatagaya_hotel
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo

Perhaps, some of you have already heard or seen this news.

This severely damaged part of Kanto Highway was repaired in six days.

Photo of the X-day

Progress after 4 days

Photo of the completed road after 6 days

For your information, this speedy work is marvelled many of us Japanese too.

But considering the fact that this highway is necessary for transporting able persons for rescue and relief supplies to northern Japan, where Japan Quake and its tunami hit heavily, it must be done as soon as possible, definitely.

And this quick fixing work shows both of light and dark sides of Japanese culture.

Dark side is...workers had no time for mourning their loss of private life nor for recovering the shock from Japan Quake. (Yes, earthquake occurs frequently in Japan and so most of us are accustomed with it. But magnitude 9.0 earthquake is rare and not expected.) The duties to public welfare and their own construction firms have absolute priority over workers' private lives.

I am sure that most of them cannot imagine refusing the fixing works for lamenting their own damaged families, friends and properties. Unless you have a very important reason, following orders without any complaints is the expected way in Japan.

And Japanese culture demands perfection even in this direst predicament. Have you noticed the finished road has a guardrail with reflectors on each poles, white lane markers which are not omitted nor distorted, and a sidewalk meticulously given a fixed inclination for drainage just in case of raining?

This fixing work should obey the rules of highway construction in every details. Apparently, those features are not at all necessary for rescue operation of Tohoku region!

Of course, there is a light side. Spirit of mutual aid is clearly intact even in this critical crisis. Workers know well that their speed of fixing is the key for helping northern Japan.

Also, they didn't hesitate to work day and night in the midst of continual aftershocks of Japan Quake. (Yes, without 24 hours working shift, the road wouldn't be fixed in mere six days.) All of workers have the pride of professional.

Not only Japanese culture, but also all other countries' cultures should have both of light and dark sides.

Though, Japanese culture seems to work well in crisis, especially.

Myabe the nuclear power accident in Fukushima Daiichi power plant also will be fixed more speedy and perfectly than I guess.

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SAKURA HOTEL HATAGAYA
Address: 1-32-3 Hatagaya Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan 151-0072
Phone: +81-3-5330-5250 (03-5330-5250)
Fax: +81-3-5330-5251 (03-5330-5251)
URL: http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/
E-mail: info@sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hatagaya_hotel
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo

I guess and feel like Japan is covered with an mood of excessively voluntary ban now.

Many events are cancelled, we saw less TV commercials by companies than ever and we come to watch our mouth more than before.

Organizers and big companies which aired TV commercials a lot seem to be afraid of being criticized by the media and public unexpectedly.

I guess many people are faced with the task of considering the impact of what they say or write. There is a possibility that what we said and wrote hurt someone's feeling. But this kind of task exsisted before the earthquake though we might not be so much aware of it.

I hope we could overcome a mood of excessively voluntary ban going around and I could do, say and write what I believe without hesitation.

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SAKURA HOTEL HATAGAYA
Address: 1-32-3 Hatagaya Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan 151-0072
Phone: +81-3-5330-5250 (03-5330-5250)
Fax: +81-3-5330-5251 (03-5330-5251)
URL: http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/
E-mail: info@sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hatagaya_hotel
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo

Mojibake is a kind of malfunction of texts caused by wrong character encoding.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mojibake

Yes, this is the case of my last entry, which is deleted now.

One of my colleague have tried to upload his blog in Hangul, Korean characters,

by using my account.

(He have not gotten his own account yet.)

But unfortunately, it caused mojibake. :-(

Globalization in Internet seems to be imparfect even in 2011.

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SAKURA HOTEL HATAGAYA
Address: 1-32-3 Hatagaya Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan 151-0072
Phone: +81-3-5330-5250 (03-5330-5250)
Fax: +81-3-5330-5251 (03-5330-5251)
URL: http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/
E-mail: info@sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hatagaya_hotel
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo

I asked my friend who is Taiwanese:

What do you think of Japan and Japanese??

This is answer as below (by the way, he never been to Japan) :

Japan is a place where has good mountains and water.
Tokyo is very difficult to live,because it's price is too high.
Japanese are very polite, peaceful and workaholic.

Do you know 'Hinamatsuri'(=doll's festival) ??

It's one of  the Japanese culture, means 'Girl's Day', held on March 3rd. every year.

 Girls are celebrated, and People wish their growup in good health.

Traditional decoration is this↓

ひGIr￥ＯＯねHowWhSWHwWH

私は、先週の月曜日に大江戸温泉に行ってきました。

温泉に本当に夢中ですが、時間がなかなか。T_T

東京で、塩分が六番目と言われました。
やっぱり、ちょっとしょっぱいでした。＞＿＜

外国人には大江戸温泉物語の全部が和風なので、
とてもおもしろくて楽しい時間でした。

Ｉ went to OEDO ONSEN at ODAIBA on last Monday.

I am really crazy about hot spring but, no time...T_T

OEDO ONSEN is the 6th of salinity in TOKYO.

If you have a plan to go there,
I am sure you should go on weekday not weekend.

Go and get some relax.
Soak your body in the hot spring, you feel this is the Heaven then.

幡ヶ谷の世界の交差点 ---サクラカフェ幡ヶ谷--- 

〒151-0072　東京都渋谷区幡ヶ谷1-32-3 
TEL: 03-3469-5211　　　FAX: 03-3468-4307 
年中無休・２４時間OPEN!!!! 
アクセス：http://www.sakura-cafe.asia/hatagaya/access/index.php 
サクラカフェHP:http://www.sakura-cafe.asia/hatagaya/ 
Twitter:http://twitter.com/SakuraCafe_hata 
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/SakuraCafe 

2月2日は「交番設置記念日」とされている。

身近な安全監視拠点だけど、おまわりさんがいないと、少し不安。

最近は、外国でもKOBANで通じるところも少なくないそうだ。

ごくろうさまです。そしてありがとう。

The annual National Center Test for University Admissions was conducted throughout Japan today and yesterday.

More than 520,000 applicants took the tests at 706 sites across the country.

It is said that it sonws on the dates when the test is conducted.

Actually, we heard the news that some test-taker was late for the test because snow disrupt public transportation as has happened in the past.

I wonder why the test is consucted on the dates when snowfall is probable.

I know no one can tell the weather.

SAKURA HOTEL HATAGAYA 
Address: 1-32-3 Hatagaya Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan 151-0072 
Phone: +81-3-5330-5250 (03-5330-5250) 
Fax: +81-3-5330-5251 (03-5330-5251) 
URL: http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/ 
E-mail: info@sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hatagaya_hotel 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sakura-Hotel-Hostel-in-Tokyo-Japan/220350084985

Today is the opening of the New Year's rice cake.

It is call "Kagamibiraki"

Kagamibiraki is an event eat the round mirror-shaped rice-cake which they offered to God for New Year holidays, and pray for harmony of the family.

After opening of the New Year's rice cake,it is common to make soup containing vegetables and rice cakes for New Year's Day and sweet beens soup with pieces of rice cake.

SAKURA HOTEL HATAGAYA 
Address: 1-32-3 Hatagaya Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan 151-0072 
Phone: +81-3-5330-5250 (03-5330-5250) 
Fax: +81-3-5330-5251 (03-5330-5251) 
URL: http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/ 
E-mail: info@sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hatagaya_hotel 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sakura-Hotel-Hostel-in-Tokyo-Japan/220350084985 

 January 10th is the day of celebrate people whom became age of 20years old

So most day to see a beautiful woman dressed in a kimono

Famous figure skater Ms. Mao Asada is one of too

I would naturally smile when I see those beautifl woman in kimono

Not just me......hahaha

Congratulations to all the people in the world whom became age of 20years old

Have you ever heard about Nabeshima ware of Japan?

No?

That is natural as Nabeshima ware is a rare kind of porcelain in Japan.

The rarity comes from its quality.

Because Nabeshima ware was the finest porcelain in Japan, their usage was severely restricted.

In past, only shoguns, daimyos and imperial nobles were able to get these beautiful works.

Making of Nabeshima ware was started in 17th century, derived from more common Japanese porcelain, Imari ware.

But unlike Imari ware, Nabeshima ware was made first and foremost for highest social class of Japan.

So, even though its quority was always the finest, they were very rare for commoners and so not popular.

 You can see these rare beauties at Toguri Museum of Art in Shibuya district of Tokyo now.

The exhibition of Nabeshima ware is hold from 4th of January to 27th of March.

Almost one hundred of Nabeshima ware artworks are waiting you.

If you are interested in seeing these treasures of Japan, please check the following web-site, the official web site of Toguri Museum of Art.

http://www.toguri-museum.or.jp/eng/home.html

SAKURA HOTEL HATAGAYA
Address: 1-32-3 Hatagaya Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan 151-0072
Phone: +81-3-5330-5250 (03-5330-5250)
Fax: +81-3-5330-5251 (03-5330-5251)
URL: http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/
E-mail: info@sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hatagaya_hotel
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sakura-Hotel-Hostel-in-Tokyo-Japan/220350084985

大晦日の夜から元日の朝まで仕事をしていた。

帰ったら地元で初詣にでも行こうかと思いつつ、朝食の準備を済ませてふと気がついた。

初詣は毎年行っているのに、ここ何年も初日の出を拝んでないということだ。

そこで、カフェ・ホテルの屋上に行ってみた。新宿の更に向こう側に東京スカイツリーが見えている。

そして、初日の出。日の出から10分くらい過ぎた時刻だったが、快晴だ。一筋の雲が光っていた。

その日は、地元の幡ヶ谷氷川神社と幡ヶ谷不動尊（荘厳寺）にお参りに行った。

Have you ever heard of the news of Hayabusa spacecraft?

It was made by the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, and its container returned to the Earth with the particles of asteroid Itokawa, In June of 2010.

Most of the particles are smaller than a grain of sand. But, they are the second samples from space, without being burnt by the entry into the Earth's atmosphere.

(For your information, the first samples are from Moon, mainly brought by US Apollo missions and Soviet Union Luna missions.)

From 5th of January to 6th of February, Exhibition of Hayabusa is hold at Tamarokuto Science Center.

On 5th, 6th and 7th of January, and on 5th and 6th of February, the film HAYABUSA BACK TO THE EARTH will be on its theater.

And on 10th of January, one of the scientists of Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency will come to give a lecture of Hayabusa for children.

If you are intereted in scientific advancement of space, visiting Tamarokuto Science Center maybe a good idea.

The nearest station is Hanakoganai Station of Seibu Shinjuku. The Center is within 20 minutes walk.

SAKURA HOTEL HATAGAYA
Address: 1-32-3 Hatagaya Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan 151-0072
Phone: +81-3-5330-5250 (03-5330-5250)
Fax: +81-3-5330-5251 (03-5330-5251)
URL: http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/
E-mail: info@sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hatagaya_hotel
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sakura-Hotel-Hostel-in-Tokyo-Japan/220350084985

A HAPPY NEW ROCK YEAR

明けましておめでとうございます。

I hope that 2011 will be a great year to all

皆様にとって2011年が良い年でありますように

This year is year of Rabbit

SAKURA HOTEL HATAGAYA 
Address: 1-32-3 Hatagaya Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan 151-0072 
Phone: +81-3-5330-5250 (03-5330-5250) 
Fax: +81-3-5330-5251 (03-5330-5251) 
URL: http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/ 
E-mail: info@sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hatagaya_hotel 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sakura-Hotel-Hostel-in-Tokyo-Japan/220350084985 

Yesterday, there was an great ivent, 'SHODO PERFORMANCE'

at Sakura Cafe Hatagaya.

 Japanese SHODO girls performed with big paper and blashes

(as like art blash).

This is the SHODO GIRLDS' performance video!　↓

http://www.youtube.com/user/sakuracafehata

Many foreigners joined this event.

They practiced many times translate their name in Japanese name,

as like, Ailine is 愛鈴（Bell of love).

Enjoying to write Japanese KANJI　漢字　.

One TV staff (NTV) came to take their film and photoes. So this is an interview.

By the way,

Next SHODO ivent will be on Jan. 29th 2011 at Sakura Cafe Hatagaya.

How about to join it with us!? 

HARD ROCK&HEAVY METAL CAFE  in Tokyo at Sakura Hotel Hatagaya

I had rock'n'roll party at Sakura cafe last night 

Beers,Sake,losts of foods and Rock'n'Roll music~~~~

Me and my rock friends were raised in the old story

Also my band played BON JOVI,KISS,QUEEN,DEF LEPPARD songs

We all had a great time......until midnight

Nory

Have you ever cought a packed train at peak rush hour?

Are you interested in traditional Japanese craftworks?

If so, Arakawa traditionla craft fair is the one you want to see.

Over the 60 craftmen gathers there and you can see, buy and learn many kinds of Japanese traditonal crafts.

General cabinetwork, Buddhist altar making, bamboo baskets making, hairpin making, Yu-zen dyeing, doll making, blacksmithing, ivory curving, goldsmithing, scisssors making, paper lantern making and so on and so on!

The fair is hold on 17th, 18th and 19th Dec, at Arakawa Sougou Sports Center, from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

(Nearest station is Minami-senju Station, within 10 minutes walk from the station.)

Some craftmen teach you how to make their works and you yourself can actually try to make such crafts (Yu-zen dyeing, doll making, wood curving etc.).

Caution: This fair is not specifically targeted at foreigners.

So, bringing basic Japanese language book with you will be helpful.

Here is an information of the event,

 held on 18th of December, at Sakura Cafe Hatagaya!

why don't you join this joiful ivent& party with us!?

You can play the drum with us!

On 17th, 18th and 19th of December, in Senso-ji temple at Asakusa, Hagoita Market opens.

Hagoita is a kind of racquets used for playing Hanetsuki, a Japanese traditional game which is similar to badminton but lacks a net.

The beginning of Hanetsuki was not a simple playing but a Shinto ritual for girls, and so its tools are decorated with auspicious signs and symbols.

Gradually, hagoita itself becomes an auspicious decoration.

How about going to the Hagoita Market and getting a Hagoita as your lucky charm?

Many kinds of hagoitas are available at Hagoita Market.

Of course, some of them are actually usable for Hanetsuki games, like this one.

If you visit Japan, you can try Japanese long time seller snack!

I think Japanese have eaten at least once.

Pocky

Nov 11th is Pocky day because 11.11 :)