The Japanese Star Festival
Monday, July 21, 2008
When it comes to July, everyone in Japan are celebrating what they call as Tanabata. As the word means "Evening of the Seventh", the celebration derived from the similar Chinese tradition, Qi Xi which means "The Nights of the Sevens".
The Japanese believe that once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the lunisolar calendar, the Orihine (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair) is having reunion as they separated by the Milky Way. A river made of stars across the sky. Since the stars come out at night, everyone then celebrates it at night.
Everyone is writing wishes, sometimes in the form of poetry on tanzaku on a piece of paper. Then they hang it on a bamboo with decorations, or float them on a river. In other occasion, the wishes are burned after the festival on midnight or the next day. This resembles the custom of floating paper ships and candles on rivers during Obon. Many areas in Japan have their own Tanabata customs, which are mostly related to local Obon traditions.
The Japanese believe that once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the lunisolar calendar, the Orihine (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair) is having reunion as they separated by the Milky Way. A river made of stars across the sky. Since the stars come out at night, everyone then celebrates it at night.
Everyone is writing wishes, sometimes in the form of poetry on tanzaku on a piece of paper. Then they hang it on a bamboo with decorations, or float them on a river. In other occasion, the wishes are burned after the festival on midnight or the next day. This resembles the custom of floating paper ships and candles on rivers during Obon. Many areas in Japan have their own Tanabata customs, which are mostly related to local Obon traditions.
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posted by Daniy @ 12:12 AM,
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Tokyo Disneyland's Admission Fee
Friday, June 20, 2008
The Magic Kingdom of Disneyland in Tokyo are the place that you shouldn't miss when you take the trip to Japan. When you get a little bit bore with any Japanese attractions, you might take a little refreshment along with your kids in Disneyland. You can have them play with Mickey, learn the sea life at DisneySea, or enjoy the Disney park which presents the Cinderella castle.
Before you get yourself into the Disneyland, there is nothing to lose to watch the following park admission lists. Ticket prices seem decent by Japanese standards, but in truth, visiting Tokyo Disney Resort is about as equally expensive as visiting any of the other Disney theme parks around the world. Children aged 3 and under are admitted free.
1-Day Passport: You can enter Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea all day long with this ticket, but not both.
o Adult (18+) ¥5,800
o Junior (12-17) ¥5,000
o Child (4-11) ¥3,900
o Senior (60+) ¥5,100
Multi Day Passport: You can enter one park on the first day, the other park on the second day, and then you may move between the two parks (called "park-hopping") on subsequent days. If you find that you need to upgrade your ticket, you can do so simply by paying the difference.
o 2 days: Adult (18+) ¥10,000, Junior (12-17) ¥8,800, Child (4-11) ¥6,900
o 3 days: Adult (18+) ¥12,900, Junior (12-17) ¥11,500, Child (4-11) ¥8,900
o 4 days: Adult (18+) ¥15,000, Junior (12-17) ¥13,500, Child (4-11) ¥10,500
Starlight Passport: You can use this ticket from 3:00 PM on Saturdays, Sundays, and National Holidays.
o Adult (18+) ¥4,700
o Junior (12-17) ¥4,100
o Child (4-11) ¥3,200
After 6 Passport: You can use this ticket from 6:00 PM on weekdays. It is sold from 5:00 PM for ¥3100 (all ages).
Before you reach the ticket counters, your bag will be inspected by a clerk, but you don't need to show your ID card. Generally the check is very brief, and not at all thorough. At the ticket counter, you will not need to show any ID either. While not everyone speaks English fluently, most employees understand enough to get you the basics. You will receive a receipt, your passport (ticket) and a map.
Before you get yourself into the Disneyland, there is nothing to lose to watch the following park admission lists. Ticket prices seem decent by Japanese standards, but in truth, visiting Tokyo Disney Resort is about as equally expensive as visiting any of the other Disney theme parks around the world. Children aged 3 and under are admitted free.
1-Day Passport: You can enter Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea all day long with this ticket, but not both.
o Adult (18+) ¥5,800
o Junior (12-17) ¥5,000
o Child (4-11) ¥3,900
o Senior (60+) ¥5,100
Multi Day Passport: You can enter one park on the first day, the other park on the second day, and then you may move between the two parks (called "park-hopping") on subsequent days. If you find that you need to upgrade your ticket, you can do so simply by paying the difference.
o 2 days: Adult (18+) ¥10,000, Junior (12-17) ¥8,800, Child (4-11) ¥6,900
o 3 days: Adult (18+) ¥12,900, Junior (12-17) ¥11,500, Child (4-11) ¥8,900
o 4 days: Adult (18+) ¥15,000, Junior (12-17) ¥13,500, Child (4-11) ¥10,500
Starlight Passport: You can use this ticket from 3:00 PM on Saturdays, Sundays, and National Holidays.
o Adult (18+) ¥4,700
o Junior (12-17) ¥4,100
o Child (4-11) ¥3,200
After 6 Passport: You can use this ticket from 6:00 PM on weekdays. It is sold from 5:00 PM for ¥3100 (all ages).
Before you reach the ticket counters, your bag will be inspected by a clerk, but you don't need to show your ID card. Generally the check is very brief, and not at all thorough. At the ticket counter, you will not need to show any ID either. While not everyone speaks English fluently, most employees understand enough to get you the basics. You will receive a receipt, your passport (ticket) and a map.
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posted by Daniy @ 8:16 PM,
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Best Places to Go in Japan
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Japan is notably one of the best destinations in Asia, if not one of the better know. Japanese culture has found its way throughout the world and common cultural items are recognized just about everywhere. Getting to vacation where these popular trends came from is like a dream come true. The wealth of cultural diversity is almost dizzying and its not hard to find something for every type of traveler.
Tokyo is the capital of Japan. Most tours of Japan start or end in Tokyo if they ever leave. Tokyo is a very large, and very expensive city but well worth the time. There are many great sites to be visited among its crowded streets. Among the must-visit wonders are Akihabara, Tsukiji, and the Imperial Palace. Akihabara is the electronic gadget lover's paradise. Many goodies are found here in the wall to wall electronic shops, and may never see the mass market. Tsukiji is the world's largest open air fish market. It reportedly sells hundreds of different types of fish each day. The Imperial Palace is not generally open to the public except twice a year, and then only the outer areas. The gardens and grounds around the palace are open and a wonderful place to get glimpses of the Palace. The Tokyo National Museum is also a great stop to view a large suppository of Japanese antiques and artifacts.Some other things to take into account while traveling in Tokyo is the transit system during peak times might be a little uncomfortable to the average traveler who isn't use to packing into a subway car like a sardine.
Another city of interest is Hiroshima. Hiroshima is the site of the world's first atom bond detonation used in war. The Peace Memorial Museum is located here which houses a large collection that includes artifacts from its militaristic past, the events leading to the dropping of the bomb as well as the fallout afterward and Hiroshima's anti-nuclear movement. Living in the shadow of great tragedy has allowed a great place for wisdom to flourish.
Another great city is Kyoto and its famous geisha houses. You can easily tour some lovely historic structures as many made it through the war, and the basic grid structure makes it easy to navigate. There are numerous walking tours, including one by a native English speaker, Peter Macintosh, who helps the crew of Memoirs of a Geisha scout locations.
There are plenty of Japanese cultural events you can participate in no matter what city you are in. What trip to Japan would be complete without attending a Traditional Tea Ceremony? While it is usually not in English, several hotels in Tokyo offer it in English to accommodate tourists. Attending a sumo match is also great cultural events. Even if you can't actually attend one, they are highly televised during the tournaments. After a long day of touring the wonders of Japan, a shiatsu massage is a great treat. They are available at most first class hotels and many others as well. If massage isn't your thing you can also go to a hot springs. While not very common in some countries they are incredibly popular and can be found in all parts of the country.
Tokyo is the capital of Japan. Most tours of Japan start or end in Tokyo if they ever leave. Tokyo is a very large, and very expensive city but well worth the time. There are many great sites to be visited among its crowded streets. Among the must-visit wonders are Akihabara, Tsukiji, and the Imperial Palace. Akihabara is the electronic gadget lover's paradise. Many goodies are found here in the wall to wall electronic shops, and may never see the mass market. Tsukiji is the world's largest open air fish market. It reportedly sells hundreds of different types of fish each day. The Imperial Palace is not generally open to the public except twice a year, and then only the outer areas. The gardens and grounds around the palace are open and a wonderful place to get glimpses of the Palace. The Tokyo National Museum is also a great stop to view a large suppository of Japanese antiques and artifacts.Some other things to take into account while traveling in Tokyo is the transit system during peak times might be a little uncomfortable to the average traveler who isn't use to packing into a subway car like a sardine.
Another city of interest is Hiroshima. Hiroshima is the site of the world's first atom bond detonation used in war. The Peace Memorial Museum is located here which houses a large collection that includes artifacts from its militaristic past, the events leading to the dropping of the bomb as well as the fallout afterward and Hiroshima's anti-nuclear movement. Living in the shadow of great tragedy has allowed a great place for wisdom to flourish.
Another great city is Kyoto and its famous geisha houses. You can easily tour some lovely historic structures as many made it through the war, and the basic grid structure makes it easy to navigate. There are numerous walking tours, including one by a native English speaker, Peter Macintosh, who helps the crew of Memoirs of a Geisha scout locations.
There are plenty of Japanese cultural events you can participate in no matter what city you are in. What trip to Japan would be complete without attending a Traditional Tea Ceremony? While it is usually not in English, several hotels in Tokyo offer it in English to accommodate tourists. Attending a sumo match is also great cultural events. Even if you can't actually attend one, they are highly televised during the tournaments. After a long day of touring the wonders of Japan, a shiatsu massage is a great treat. They are available at most first class hotels and many others as well. If massage isn't your thing you can also go to a hot springs. While not very common in some countries they are incredibly popular and can be found in all parts of the country.
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posted by Daniy @ 11:51 PM,
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The Southern West Islands of Japan, Ryukyu
Friday, April 18, 2008
Known as the South-West islands, the Ryukyu Islands are located in the south-west of the archipelago. The Ryukyus were nominally independent until 1879, when they were made an administrative unit of the Japanese government. Despite becoming a prefecture, Okinawa did not become part of the Japanese political mainstream until after the United States returned it Japan in 1972.
The islands retain the strong sense its regional identity: they were independent for a long time, given short shrift by the national government, burdened by heavy taxes, suffered terribly during the war, and were occupied the longest by the United States.
Among the Islands, Okinawa is the largest and most famous. It is a well known popular destination for the domestic visitors who live on mainland Japan.
In Okinawa, resort hotels can be easily found in the northern half of the island. Okinawa is also known as the home of U.S. military bases. Naha city is located in the southern end of the island where you can find the monorail, airport, and the other city life.
The next island, Miyako, is much smaller than the previous. The good thing is Miyako has beaches with some good diving. Among the culture issue, it preserved some remnants from the native Ryukyu culture.
Another place which are great for diving found on further south: the Yaeyama islands, Ishigaki and Iriomote; both great places for diving.
Some opinions said that the Yaeyamas are the one place in Japan where you feel least like you are in Japan. The perception of otherness is certainly felt by the Taketomi islanders themselves: On the huge map in the visitor center “Japan” is written over distant Honshu in the same script and style as “China” is inscribed below Beijing, as though signifying some foreign land.
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posted by Daniy @ 6:42 PM,
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The Mountainous Beauty of Shikoku Island
Friday, December 28, 2007
Shikoku island is the fourth largest, but the least visited of Japan’s main islands. A more rural character than that found in much of Honshu is the thing that Shikoku offers. Shikoku renowned domestically for its large numbers for its 88-temple circuit –Hachiju-hakkasho, but unfortunately it sees fewer foreign tourists than any other region of Japan.
The name Shikoku itself stems from the four historic provinces of Tosa, Sanuki, Iyo, and Awa, who have their modern inheritors in the prefectures of Kochi, Ehime, Kagawa, and Tokushima respectively. The principal cities of the region which also serve as convenient tourist centers: Takamatsu, Kochi, Matsuyama, and Tokushima, are the prefectural capitals. Other cities like Marugame, Uwajima, and Kotohira have their own attractions for tourists, but the charm thing which the island offers is in the mountainous countryside.
If you seek an extended stay, the 88-temple pilgrimage is probably the island’s greatest attraction. In the older days, pilgrimage naturally is most properly pursued on foot, for which one should allow for one to two months. But nowadays, some modern pilgrims often choose to go by bicycle or car, because they tend not to spend such an extensive time in the region. They may choose to base themselves in the cities, which have more option to have occasion to jaunt the surrounding areas.
Many of the island’s rural attractions are best visited with private transportation, although train service runs to most cities. You can visit one of them such like the Iya Valley which located west of Tokushima. It’s well-known for the traditional folk architecture and vine bridges. Despite the mountainous terrain, Shikoku is considered one of Japan’s best areas for cycling.
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posted by Daniy @ 7:09 AM,
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Books, Gadgets, Shops, and Crowds: Shinjuku Has It All
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Shinjuku is one of the most busiest city in Japan. But if we discover, we may found that there are differences between Shinjuku west of the station and Shinjuku east of the station. Probably more like Berlin in the early days when the great walls separated the country. The west side called Nishi is full of skyscrapers and many other high rise buildings which looks immensely like big forest of steel from afar. Meanwhile, the east side of the station is the lively quarter, where the activity begin to rise at midnight.
For visitors, it's advisable that you shouldn't travel there on rush hour. It's the busiest station on the planet.Photographers addict and digital gadget can stumbled them self on Sakuraya, Bic Camera and Yodobashi Cameras.
Places to shop abound in this popular area. Sbove the Seibu train line Shinjuku station, a huge 100Yen shop can be found on the 7th floor of the department store . Booklovers and bookworms will love large collection of foreign language books at Kinokuniya store. Just head for Takashimaya department store, walk through Tokyu Hands and accross the above the street walkway from (possibly) level 5 of Tokyu Hands to Level 6 of Kinokuniya book store.
Kinokuniya has a fabulous selection of books on Japan, including english anime. Tokyu Hands offers an array of quirky products, you can even get your own Japanese name stamp made for you, taking only one hour and about 600Yen.
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posted by Daniy @ 6:04 AM,
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