Difference of IKEBANA and Western floral arrangement?
When I traveled foreign countries, I found some different customs, cultures, and ideas. It is all new to me and leads me more eager to know its deep culture. I will be frequently asked the difference between IKEBANA and western floral arrangement. Here is my works above the pictures.(Lef…(275 words)
Ami
IKEBANA History Flower Nature Japanese Culture Art
The Top 8 Places to Beat Summer Heat in Japan
Where do Japanese love to visit to avoid summer heat in Japan? I searched the top 8 summer resorts loved by Japanese including Furano in Hokkaido, Okinawa, Karuizawa and Hakone, which are famous among foreigners, but also some hidden places like Okutama, Kamikochi and Nasushiobara that you may not …(757 words)
Alexlovetravel
Japan Summer Visit Tokyo Train Park Hotel Art Spring Japanese
Yakimono: Japanese Pottery and Porcelain
Japanese pottery and porcelain, often referred to as 'Yakimono', is as beautiful as it is useful. It's also one of the world's oldest art forms dating back to the Neolithic period."Yakimono means fired thing. It's an important term that encompasses the entire ceramic culture of Japan," states t…(254 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Gallery Pottery Yakimono Kyoto Art Japanese pottery and porcelain Porcelain
Fierce Protectors of Temples - Nio Statues 仁王
When I come to a temple in Japan, I always stop to take a look at the Nio statues standing guard at the gates. Nio 仁王 means Benevolent Kings. These are fierce-looking protectors, looking like demons or warrior-gods. Sometimes they are life-size and sometimes they are impossibly tall and stron…(193 words)
David
Tera (Temple) Senso-ji Temple Art Asakusa Statue
Where History Meets Art in One Tokyo Landmark
There's no shortage of art galleries in Japan, but in upscale old-school Ginza, there's one that goes back, waaaaaaaaay back.The Okuno Building, built in 1932, was originally constructed to serve as a luxury apartment complex. It has miraculously survived the bombings of World War II, as well a…(449 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Tokyo Building Ginza Gallery Visit City Shopping Art Beer Japan
Discovering Yokohama by Bike
I make no secret about my love and pride for Yokohama. It is beautiful and unique on numerous levels; the city and its people are in a category unto themselves. With a plethora of things to do for every kind of person – from the old-school neighborhoods of Noge and Yoshidamachi to the state-of-the-…(248 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Yokohama Transportation Bicycle Train City Hotel Art Train station Kamakura Yoshidamachi
One of the Most Ancient and Interesting Bridges in Japan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeL_cyyKVeMThis is a place steeped in history, pulsing with riveting stories of banished Samurai, castles and the Iwakuni Han. Home to Japan’s naval air force and the US Marines, Iwakuni is where the US and Japan work together to try and keep this part of the wor…(599 words)
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Must Have Japanese Souvenirs: Tenugui
If you're looking for a souvenir that is truly Japanese, look no further than "tenugui" - a thin hand towel made of cotton. Although the idea of a hand towel as a gift sounds simple, and it well may be, tenugui also happen to be one of the most popular souvenirs you can buy in Japan - popular even …(280 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Japanese Souvenir Japan Train Trip Art Shop Department store Clothes Must have souvenir
Origami Shop & Exhibition at Narita Airport
Flying is not always fun, but this origami paper and book store can help make waiting at Narita a little better. When you fly out of Tokyo´s Narita airport, go to Nippon Origami Museum. It has books about origami, origami papers, and a selection of paper art on display. Check out the origami p…(204 words)
David
Origami Narita International Airport Stationery Souvenir books Play Art
Ukiyo-e (woodblock print) in Asakusa
Sakai Kokodo is one of the oldest stores specialized in UKIYOE established in 1870. You can buy a replica of Katushika Hokusai or Utagawa Hiroshige. Located on the Nakamise Street.Mokuhankan is a newly opened shop, where you can buy beautiful woodblock prints and can experience how to make these.…(147 words)
Keiko, OTT
Asakusa Ukiyoe Museum Shop workshop Art Art museum
The Decorated Trucks of Japan
I had a lot of fun filming an episode about the decorated trucks of Japan for the Travel Channel. Below is the story I wrote about the experience.The rumble of powerful engines, air perfumed by diesel exhaust, bright lights flashing in the night: all ambrosia to the senses of the owners of the …(851 words)
Joe Peters
Decorated Art Hobby Truck Utamaro Decotora Cross cultural communication
Tenugui - Printed Textiles with Japanese Patterns
Tenugui are small pieces of cloth for everyday use. They make perfect gifts and souvenirs. Now many Japanese carry small towels in their bags, but before the more fluffy towels became popular tenugui was widely used.A tenugui is a thin piece of cloth made from cotton. It dries very quickly, is …(334 words)
David
Souvenir Tenugui (Japanese towel) craftmanship Art Asakusa
Hamamatsuya : Observe Hakone’s Traditional “Yosegi Zaiku” Wood Mosaic Technique
osegi Zaiku marquetry, or wood mosaic, originated in Hatajuku in Hakone. The wood mosaic technique is said to have been created here by a man named Nihei Ishikawa in the late Edo period (1800s), and the craft has since been passed down from generation to generation. Hamamatsuya’s president Mr. Ichi…(700 words)
Kanagawa P.G.T.D.
Hakone Traditional Art History Bus Beauty Cherry Region Trip Japan
Tokyo Midtown is A Great Place to Hangout in Japan
Since the trains start so early and there is an Oedo line exit for Roppongi station under the Midtown shopping area, this place is buzzing and fun from about 7:30 a.m. If you get there too early, you can rest right outside in the park right next store. There is a lovely little stream there, open ya…(227 words)
Tokyo
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Analogue Photography Darkroom and Photo Gallery in Yokohama
The Dark Room International was created in 1999 to be Japan's first public rental darkroom. It is located in Yokohama's famous Noge district, an old-school area near JR's Sakuragicho Station.The brainchild of Hisao Saito, a professional commercial photographer who is well-known in Yokohama for …(197 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Yokohama Gallery Photography Visit Japan City Art Event Flower Exhibition
Top 10 things to do in Okayama Prefecture: Summer
If you're visiting western Japan in the summer, you should try some of these specialties of Okayama prefecture. Here are my top 10 things to do / try in Okayama (Summer version), in no particular order:1. Enjoy a lazy afternoon on a golden sand beach. There are loads of beaches in the sout…(885 words)
Andrea Miyata
Summer Okayama Visit Park City Trip Art
The Three Wise Monkeys
Ever since I was little, storybooks, cartoons, and popular culture, have depicted the story of The Three Wise Monkeys. You know the image, three monkeys sitting there; one covering his ears, another covering his mouth, and the third covering his eyes. In the western world, we often relate this to t…(356 words)
Alex
World Heritage Site Nikko Tera (Temple) Park Visit Jinjya (Shrine) Art Souvenir Monkey Three Wise Monkeys
Anime Come To Life
Japanese pop culture, particularly anime (short for “animation”) has become one of the country’s iconic exports in recent years and many people globally have become acquainted not only with internationally famous anime as Pokemon, but also more eclectic characters as well. An entire subgenre has s…(1100 words)
jdlawrence
Anime Tokyo Visit Event Art Music English Fashion Otaku
Shibuya' Traditional Festival - Portable Shrines (Mikoshi) go along Omotesando Street
Shibuya is one of the most popular places to visit in Tokyo.What are the things to do in Shibuya?TripAdvisor recommends you to do (http://goo.gl/e1hJHq)x Meiji Jingux Yoyogi Parkx Shibuya Center Townx Shibuya Pedestrian Scramblex Omotesandox Ota Memorial Museum of Artx National Ch…(452 words)
Cecilia Reiko
Shibuya festival Omotesando Tokyo Park Visit Beer Art Museum Jinjya (Shrine)
Journey on the Tokaido (Shinagawa is Stop Number Two)
Now that we have left the first stop Nihonbashi (described in my previous article), we are approaching our next stop of Shinagawa. Imagine you are traveling from Edo (Present Tokyo) to Kyoto during early 1800’s. It is highly likely that Tokaido Road was used to make your journey. It runs north and …(630 words)
AustinA
Shinagawa Tokyo Tokaido 53 Tsugi Train Summer Art Kyoto Hara Museum
Suginami Animation Museum
This past week I visited the Suginami Animation Museum, located in Kamiogi, Suginami-ku near Nishiogikubo station. It was a wonderful 3 floored museum that all ages can go and enjoy.The museum often features an exhibition of different artists works periodically. I attended this time to check ou…(616 words)
Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo
Museum Suginami Anime Tokyo Visit Art History activities
Photography Workshops in English
If you are a foreigner in Tokyo looking to learn some photography techniques in English, then you have some excellent opportunities here. In the almost 15 years that I have been in Japan, it was only about 4 years ago when I took up photography more seriously. I believe learning is a continuous pro…(396 words)
Ani
Photography English workshop Art Internet Tokyo Hobby Nature
Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #5
The backstreets of Koganecho are steeped in history. Once infamous for being a neighborhood that catered to drugs, prostitution, and other illegal trades, has, since 2008, experienced a revitalization of extreme proportions.By bringing in and promoting artists, merchants, and other creators, th…(327 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Yokohama Art Quick and easy things to do Entertainment Japan Food English Walk Children Culture
Today, in Japan, I Fell in Love With Kyogen
My friend invited me to watch him perform “Kyogen” in Shibuya Today. It was my first experience, seated in a perfectly constructed Nogakudo deep in Cerulean Tower’s basement (B-2, five minutes walk from Shibuya Station), to spend an extended time in awe of the art form known as Noh.Here is the …(802 words)
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Where can you buy a Kimono for a good price in Japan?
I love to wear Kimono to weddings and parties in Japan. It is also really fun to get dressed up early on a Saturday morning and spend the day at Midtown or Shinjuku Gyouen in Kimono. You would be very surprised at how easy it is to wear and how comfortable the little zori slippers are. You will fee…(190 words)
Kimono
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Hard Rock Cafe Tokyo
Gekka Bijin Beauty Salon Roppongi
Bizen Osafune Sword Museum
I studied ancient Greek when I was in college and although fascinating, it was hard to use phrases like, "the donkey pulls my cart" in everyday conversation. Sword making is an ancient tradition in Japan and as with ancient Greek, I was curious as to whether it held some utility in today's society.…(403 words)
Kenji
Museum City Visit Art Samurai Movie tradition
Doraemon in Roppongi Hills
Doraemon everywhere. I'm not sure how many there are, but I'd say around a hundred of them. There all over the plaza, on the walls, in the water fountains.There's Doraemon doing magic. Singing. Dancing.I understand it is to celebrate the movie that came out recently. The Stand By Me 3D…(341 words)
mikekato
Roppongi Hills Doraemon Public art Roppongi Kids Art
Crazy Colorful Nails: A very unique Japanese souvenir
For people who are interested in fashion and playing with their look, getting gel nails done in Japan is a must-try experience.Unlike a regular manicure, gel nails and art can last for up to 6 weeks. You can get any design imaginable, from a basic lame' gradation (where the tips of your nails a…(198 words)
Chiara
Souvenir Art Fashion design Rainy Day Nail art
The Street Photographer’s Photowalk Kit
Of all the genres of photography, the one that I enjoy the most is street photography. The freedom of being able to walk around (alone or in a group) the streets and capture what’s happening around me is a wonderful experience that not just feeds my passion for the art, but also calms my mind and w…(1406 words)
Ani
Walk Camera Wi-Fi Mobile Photography Art May Juice
Bizen Osafune Sword Museum
Japan is synonymous with master sword-making. This status has been cultivated through popular culture with the myriad of samurai and ninja movies that have been made over the years. While Hollywood often focuses on the fanciful side of the Japanese sword, within Japanese popular culture it tends to…(307 words)
Kenji
Museum City Visit Food Art History Play Samurai Okayama
Yokohama Treasures: Yokohama Museum of Art
Yokohama is rife with things to do and see, boasting countless places to eat and enjoy oneself. There is old and new, local and international, every shade of interesting to delight in. Soon, visitors from all over the country and world will flock here to marvel at blossoming "sakura" (cherry trees)…(309 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Yokohama Art Museum City Restaurant Visit Building History Landmark Tower Yokohama Treasures
Nihon Minka-en Enjoy a quiet stroll through a collection of old style traditional village houses
Escape the busy city for a while and let the olden days of Japan enrich your life. Located in Kawasaki's Ikuta Ryokuchi Park, the "oasis for the heart" of Nihon Minka-en might just bring traditional Japanese scenery alive for you (photo 1).Nihon Minka-en has 25 structures on display, including tr…(622 words)
Kanagawa P.G.T.D.
City style Traditional Train Trip Art Kawasaki Visit
Enjoy Yokohama on Discount Tickets
The only thing better than visiting Yokohama is visiting Yokohama at discount prices! Thanks to several -often unknown about- special discount tickets - you can!Here's a list of the best values (all tickets are good for one day only):Yokohama-Minatomirai Pass (JR East)The Yokohama-Minat…(547 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Yokohama City Trip Tokyo Park Hotel English Art Museum Shibuya
Kokonotuido Home-Fired Suenosato Hand-blown Glassworks Make your own original glass creation
“Kokonotuido Home-Fired Suenosato Hand-blown Glassworks”, where you can try your hand at glassblowing, is a 10-minute bus ride from JR Ofuna Station. After walking through a peaceful rural area for around five minutes, Haruka Sato and Kaname Onoguchi came to meet me from the glassworks (photo 1).…(777 words)
Kanagawa P.G.T.D.
Make your own Tokyo Restaurant Food Summer Art Shibuya Bus Sake (Rice wine) Cuisine
Sushi With a Special Twist
Sushi for all intents and purposes is synonymous with pretty Japanese cuisine, which specifically is fairly significant. Many people the world over basically enjoy this delicious really Japanese treat every day in all corners of the globe, which is quite significant. However very few may particular…(453 words)
CHIBA-KUN
Sushi Art Cuisine Visit City Japanese Nature Shop Eat festival
Fun Children Activities in Japan, Learn Martial Arts
Bushido refers to the samurai way of life, the "yamato damashii" or the samurai spirit. It is a general attitude towards life including things like respecting hierarchal relationships, putting great emphasis on loyalty, and dying with honor. Since samurai don't exist anymore, its difficult to see o…(575 words)
GenS
Japan Children activities Convenience store Building Sea Sport Samurai Art
Learn how to arrange a beautiful, traditional Japanese bouquet
Well, one of my favorite things about traveling around Tokyo is the Ekibana (Station flower arrangements) you can find at many of the local stations. I wrote about this in my book because it is such an amazing way to welcome people back after a long day at work as well as to send them off in the mo…(153 words)
Flower
Traditional
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Tempura
My favourite Japanese fried food is called "Tempura" and it is a dish of seafood or vegetables that have been battered and deep fried in around 180 degrees (Celsius) oil. When you see the chef preparing the meal, it looks very easy but it is an art and to make this meal is not so simple. When it co…(172 words)
AustinA
Tempura Art
Asakusa's Secret Kabuki Gallery - Shotengai Streets
Asakusa has many small shopping streets with old-fashioned cafes and restaurants. Okuyama Omairimachi Shotengai is one of these streets, but it is special. The shutters of the shops here are painted with famous scenes from Kabuki plays. This gallery only reveals itself when shops are closed.Asa…(168 words)
David
Asakusa Kabuki Japanese style shopping arcade Art Visit Senso-ji Temple painting Shop
Traditional TV Dramas Jidaigeki - Mito Koomon (Mito Mitsukuniko)
Jidaigeki and Traditional Japan Mito Koomon (AKA - Tokugawa Mitsukuni)This past weekend, I decided to take a trip to a place call Mito city located in Ibaraki prefecture, north – north - east of Tokyo and with a train, it takes a little over an hour with rapid express or bit more than 2 hours w…(469 words)
AustinA
Japan History Samurai Hero Japan Travel Samurai Japan Travel Mito Plums in Japan Art Museum History Samurai Jidaigeki