New Year's Gift Giving
The New Year's season is a time for visiting family and friends in Japan, as it is in many of our home countries too. If visiting family members with small children, the children will often be given gifts of money (called "Otoshi-dama"). Otherwise, a nice box of sweets or rice crackers ("Osenbei")…(158 words)
Andrea Miyata
New year Shopping Department store Rice cracker
Shiba Koen - Zojoji
Zojoji Temple in Shiba Koen has a countdown event we have been going to for close to 20 years. If you get there about 8 p.m. you can get a ticket for an environmentally friendly ballon. Thousands of balloons are released by well wishers to welcome in the New Year after the countdown. The back dr…(70 words)
Ross
Tokyo Park Ticket Event Tera (Temple) Tokyo Tower New year
Hachi-mangu, Kamakura
Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū （鶴岡八幡宮） is the most important Shinto shrine in the city of Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. So, on new years, many Japanese (and foreigners alike) avoid the crowds at Meiji-shrine or Sensoji and go to the seaside in Kamakura to pray for a prospective new year and …(71 words)
E-ric
How to Add a Touch of Cuteness with Your Gift in Japan
During the Holidays or during your visit in Japan, you might want to give your host, hotel concierge, or new friend a little gift of appreciation. You might also be planning to take things back home from Japan to your Japanese friends overseas. Guess what? You want a hint on how to up your polite l…(235 words)
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Okagemairi in Japan 2014- Special Visit to Ise Jingu, the Grand Shrine
Ise Jingu, the Grand Shrine's main pavilions were newly rebuilt and its residing deities were transferred to the new shrines, which is called Sengu. The ceremony is held every 20 years in order to keep the spirit of "Tokowaka" which means "forever young or everlasting purity" and it has been done f…(124 words)
Hatha Yoga Lover
Ise Grand Shrine Jinjya (Shrine) Hatsumode Nagoya New year Region
Karuta !
Karuta is Japanese traditional playing cards and people enjoy Karuta during New Year’s holidays. The game uses two types of cards – Yomifuda and Efuda. When the reader reads out a poem on the yomifuda, players quickly search for matching efuda. Usually there is one reader and Karuta is played by mo…(79 words)
OKAKI-sun
New year Game Holidays Playing
There are many places where you can surf in Japan.
If you live in Tokyo and have interest in surfing or the surfing culture in Japan.Chiba, Shonan area is popular and has a unique culture with shops and cafes along the cost. When big swells come in Shonan area can get crowed by surfers coming from distant places.During the winter season the…(169 words)
Yuuki I
Sushi
Music in Japan is not just about AKB
Are you looking for some good music tracks to put in your IPOD?Well my mistake was relying on watching top ranking music shows on TV.Turn off your TV set and get out to some live music.There are many popular music festivals in Japan.Fuji Rock in Julyhttp://www.fujirockfestival.com/…(156 words)
Yuuki I
Music Camping City Summer Sushi
Spring for HANAMI (cherry blossom viewing) has come !!
In Japan, we have a custom of enjoying changes in nature which occurred as the seasons progresses such as hanami (cherry blossom viewing), Tsukimi (moon viewing) and Yukimi (snow viewing). Hanami is a kind of party to celebrate the upcoming spring and it will be seen throughout the country from aro…(621 words)
fujimorison
Spring Cherry blossom Tokyo Park Etiquette Event Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) City Japan
Tennis in Tokyo for french, english and japanese speakers
Do you like Tennis ???!!Do you want to learn tennis ??!! To train ??!Jinji Tennis can help you !!!Jinji Tennis will offer you his knowledge, his coaches, many different programs and a fantastic place to play your favorite sport !!So Join Us !!!!!!www.jinjitennisfra.comVous aim…(97 words)
jojosan
Tokyo Tennis English Shinjuku Sport Hotel
The power of onsen is truly amazing!
We have recently come to understand the effects of hydrogen sulfide, or "sulfur". Just by sniffing it, the swelling associated with rheumatism can be lessened. Also, we know the effects it can have on the brain, and it is possible that it has a preventative effect in regard to dementia.It a…(117 words)
Eddie
Onsen Play
Want to Disco Down in Tokyo?
I try to keep everyone up to date with new events and various concerts going on around Tokyo. You can learn more about various activities by tuning into my weekly podcast here. http://www.japantoday.com/category/podcast/view/kamasami-kong-interviews-lionel-richieIn this edition of the Kong Sh…(173 words)
Kong
Event Japan Travel Disco Party Tokyo Dance Party Tokyo Kamasami Kong Japan Today Podcast Tokyo Events Entertainment Tokyo Nightlife Tokyo
Scramble Crossing in Shibuya
Often referred to as the busiest intersection in the world, Scramble Crossing is certainly a real zoo. It is much more busy on most evenings and on the weekend, but even on this rainy Thursday afternoon, you can get a sense of the real scramble it is to get across the intersection. People walk in…(109 words)
mikekato
Shibuya Zoo
Chiaki Kohara
Chiaki Kohara is an artist from Osaka. Born in 1986, she is still young enough to have the vibrant quality of a J-Pop idol. And her art has the lively quality of anime.But look underneath the surface of her colorful characters and one gets the sense that there is much more to her art than at …(358 words)
mikekato
Art Anime Building Ginza Osaka Fashion Uniqlo Exhibition
InterFM: "Funk 'n' Stuff" with DJ Marvin live from Tokyo & Nagoya
A message to all the funk-a-teers of the world. From Motown to To-Town now to yo town via Interfm; I wanna say “hello” and “how do ya do” to all the folks out there • keeping it real • living ya life day by day • trying to stay above ground • keeping ya noses above the water • making and creating p…(259 words)
DjMarvin
Tokyo Nagoya Live Drink Music Shoes dance radio request Funk
For next year Mother's Day or GW or Whatever....
I know I have posted about "Cruise lunch" before, but I just took my mother and sister on Mother's day to one and once again (this time the ship is bigger than the last one) it was a blast. My mother loved it and I am sure you will love it, too.These cruise lunch or dinner can be used for many…(135 words)
KIH
Tokyo English Lunch Dinner Cruise Tokyo Bay Fireworks
An Exciting Evening of Baseball at Yokohama Stadium in Japan
With the commencement of the interleague baseball season, I got to go and watch the Softbank Hawks from the Pacific league challenge the Yokohama DeNA Baystars at their home stadium in Yokohama last week. While I’ve seen baseball games at many of the stadiums in Japan, I find a unique friendly char…(354 words)
GenS
Yokohama Baseball Park Spring Game Okonomiyaki Food Kanagawa Sport Yokohama Stadium
Many concerts and events happening all the time in Japan
I have had a long and happy relationship with Japan as I cover so many artists visiting for amazing events here in the Land of the Rising Sun.I interview various people on my podcast at Japan Today and invite you to tune in to find out about special events and interesting opportunities to explo…(195 words)
Kong
Tokyo Building Event view Exhibition Stay
Best Way to Enjoy the FIFA World Cup in Japan
Are you a soccer fanatic, bummed out that you won't be in Brazil to witness the excitement of the 2014 FIFA World Cup? Don't worry, even if you're here in Japan, on the opposite side of the globe, there are ways to thoroughly enjoy the world cup. You must go to one of the multiple Public Viewing ev…(290 words)
GenS
Fifa World Cup Public Viewing Sports bar Tokyo Shibuya Event Sport Odaiba Play Soccer
Yoshidamachi-ju Beer Garden Block Party
I mentioned one of Yokohama's summer highlights in my last post: Yokohama Fireworks Show: Sparkling Twilight 2014http://www.deepjapan.org/a/3287Here's another - BEER GARDEN BLOCK PARTY!What started off as an attempt to bring Yoshidamachi's old-school neighborhood businesses together h…(153 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Beer Yoshidamachi Yokohama Summer Drink Music Food dance July August
Summer in Shinjuku Chuo Park
Want a place to entertain your kids in the midsummer in Tokyo for free?Well, look no further than Shinjuku Chuo Park The paddling pool じゃぶじゃぶ池 is fantastic. It is fairly big.It seems that the water of these paddling pools are drained on a daily basis, so in theory, the water should…(116 words)
Steve
Park Summer Shinjuku Tokyo Beer Play Garden Kids Playground Pool
Yakatabune Harbor in Tokyo - One of the most convenient and comprehensive "harbors" in Tokyo
Firework, Cherry Blossom, just Lunch or Dinner, etc.... Yakatabune is very attractive play spot (?) nowadays.Tokyo is, more than you may imagine, harbor city and water front city as well (like Manhattan) and Yakatabune harbor is conveniently located near Shinagawa (the first stop - 5 min. - of…(213 words)
KIH
Tokyo Yakatabune Train Cherry blossom River Tempura Dinner
PLAY BALL! Baseball in Japan
Certain things go with Japan in summer: fireworks, matsuri (festivals), cold beer on a rooftop and, of course, baseball. Between the months of April through October, you can flip through TV channels and, somewhere, odds are better than even that a game will be shown somewhere. Known as Yakyu (野…(586 words)
jdlawrence
Play Baseball Tokyo Summer Yokohama Shinjuku Osaka Game Koshien
Drop-in Yoga Workshop at Temples in Tokyo
The following links (I believe their sites are all in Japanese....)are temples in Tokyo area, where they do provide a yoga workshop:@"Kongoin," Toshima-ku every Mon.(10am-) and Wed.(7:30pm-) starting from Aug 4 and 6豊島区 金剛院(8月4日～、6日～開講)※毎週月曜日、水曜日開催詳しくは:h…(249 words)
Hatha Yoga Lover
Tokyo Chiba Shinjuku Trip Tera (Temple) Stay
How to Enjoy Japanese Summer : Yukata
One of the joy in summer is to wear Japanese summer version of Kimono “Yukata” and go out. People enjoy taking walks in the city in their favorite Yukata or shopping at food stalls on the day of Hanabi festivals. Please enjoy fabulous fireworks in the summer night sky! *Staff*Kimono dresser…(108 words)
OKAKI-sun
Summer Yukata (Light kimono) Japanese Summer City Shopping Food Kimono Fireworks Stalls
First time we've seen free entrance for all internationals at a Huge Tokyo Anime Event
Last weekend there was another brick laid in to the proverbial wall of internationalization in Japan.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLtlwT_UT3QAfter many years in Japan, I have never seen a huge anime event mostly in Japanese that was so well attended by internationals. Yes, everyone turns…(309 words)
Kong
Tokyo Event Anime festival Tourism
Join the Tokyo Harvest Festival in Roppongi
We have traditional customs to thank for a successful harvest on the autumn. As harvest of each year becomes important stock for the country to survive, it is said the customs started about 1,500 year ago. November 23 is designated as a national holiday called “Labor Thanksgiving Day". Autumn is th…(295 words)
Eddie
Roppongi Hills Event Food English Roppongi Tokyo Autumn Stay
Be A Princess at the ACCJ Annual Charity Ball
Stately men in tuxedos escort elegant ladies into a brightly lit ballroom. Each holds a tall glass of tasty champagne and as they seek out their place at the decorative reception tables, they greet friends and colleagues with a smile. The Ball has a theme like “New York, New York” or “Saturday Nigh…(303 words)
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5 Offbeat Tips for Travelers
Looking to get beneath the surface of Japan, instead of just seeing the main tourist spots? Well, here are a few tips:1- Read UpBesides Deep Japan, check out English language publications (like Time Out) and see what is going on. Join in food festivals (for instance Tokyo Harvest in Novembe…(312 words)
Chiara
Tokyo Train City Food Kyoto English Hokkaido Tours offbeat
I'm Punched
At a recent bonenkai (year-end party), one of the entertainers was Neko Punch. Neko Punch is a band, led by singer/songwriter Leanne and producer/bass player Macc. Later, the duo was joined by dancer, Pinky. The group formed, apparently, in London in the summer of 2012, but has recently caught sto…(291 words)
mikekato
Music Pop culture dance Tokyo Summer Event style Party
Party in the 2.5th Dimension!
Somewhere between the real and virtual is a strange and exciting dimension that is absurdly geeky and gorgeous. On the one hand, there is an abundance of beautiful women, powerful cars and motorcycles, and tasty food. On the other, there are a panoply of geeky and nerdy otaku, as well as fun-seek…(761 words)
mikekato
Yokohama Event Otaku Food Music Kanagawa Building
Dinner Cruises in Tokyo: Awesome Yakatabune
Want to celebrate a special occasion, or experience an only-in-Japan cruise? Then look no further than the 'yakatabune'.These are the descendants of the 'pleasure boats' owned by the ancient nobility of Japan, where they held parties and other raucous events. The interior of most of these boats…(184 words)
Chiara
Tokyo Dinner Yakatabune Tempura Christmas Seafood Party Cruise Tatami
Looking for Outdoor Adventure? Look No Further!
Japan is a country rife with mountains, forests, and unusual curious terrain. Who hasn't wanted to get out and explore it all? Whether your're experienced in hiking trails and combing the wilderness or completely with a yen to try, I highly recommend you let Kanto Adventures show you how.Kanto …(378 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Climbing Outdoor recreation Hiking Adventure Trip Mountain Bank Kanto Yen
SKY HOP BUS
SKY HOP BUS is a sightseeing bus you can freely hop on and hop off as much as you want within the validity period of your ticket. The ticket is available in 1 Day or 2 Day Pass. There are three tour routes; Asakusa-TOKYO SKYTREE course, Odaiba course, and Roppongi-Tokyo Tower course. You can hop on…(202 words)
OH
Bus Tokyo Asakusa Hotel Building English Ticket Roppongi Japan view
What to do on a rainy day in Tokyo
Many who long for the summer to arrive here in Tokyo scorn the rainy days they must endure during June and into the beginning of July here in Japan. After thirty years in this country and more than my share of sweaty sleepless and humid summer nights, I actually have come to like the rainy days in…(328 words)
HealthyTokyo.com
Tokyo Rainy Day Summer Japan Shopping Walk Odaiba Hotel
Sumida River Fireworks Festival
Sumida River Fireworks Festival is one of the major annual events of summer in Tokyo. The evening sky of Tokyo turns into dazzling colors with spectacular fireworks.Good spots for viewing the fireworks display are along the Sumida River from downstream of Sakurabashi Bridge to upstream of Kotot…(177 words)
OH
River festival Fireworks Tokyo Japan Summer Asakusa Event Walk Ginza
Wear Yukata (summer Kimono) and stroll around Tokyo!
Do you know a Japanese summer garment called, Yukata? Yukata is often worn at festivals and fireworks displays, which has been summer feature of Japan.Yukata is a kind of Kimono which is more casual and easer to wear, comparing with traditional Kimono.Would you like to visit a festival or strol…(63 words)
OH
Tokyo Summer Kimono Visit Japan festival Traditional Yukata (Light kimono) Fireworks Japanese Summer
Jazz Music Sounds Abound in Yokohama
Yokohama is no stranger to jazz. In fact, Yokohama is regarded as the jazz capital of Japan. The Kannai area is especially known for its abundance of live jazz clubs and jazz events. Perhaps the biggest and most popular of them is Kamome - in the Bashamichi area.Owner Sasaki Motoyoshi opened Ka…(333 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Yokohama Music Jazz Sounds Visit Japan Food Beer Walk Subway
Onsens and Outdoors in Kusatsu
Ranked for last 12 years straight as one of the Top 100 onsens in Japan, it really is for the onsens that visitors come to Kusatsu. There are public onsens and of course ryokan and resort hotels with their private onsens. A few of the the famous public onsens are Sainokawahara （西の河原露天風呂）…(307 words)
Alana
Japan Onsen activities Spring Bus Kids Japanese inn Outdoor recreation Yen Snow
Who would ever think up a festival like this and then keep it going for 1,200 years
Who would ever think up a festival like this and then keep it going for 1,200 yearsIt was our second day of pulling a ten-ton log down a mountain with 50 hefty men clad in fancy gear riding on top of it that my friend Andrew visiting from Australia turned to me and said, "who would ever dream up …(971 words)
Phil
festival Jinjya (Shrine) Japanese festivals Japan Spring Nature Sake (Rice wine) River Children