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Hanayashiki - Asakusa's Beloved Tiny Amusement Park
Asakusa is an old part of Tokyo. In a city that changes quickly and often, it is not surprising to read about the many changes that have happened in this area. Asakusa was a major entertainment district filled with theaters and restaurants. While many of the theaters disappeared, the small amusemen…(571 words)
David
Japanese Children Celebrate Sports Day
The “undokai” is an annual sports day held at every Japanese elementary and middle school in either May or September. Although schools in other countries also have sports days, the many of the “undoukai” activities are unique to Japan and the event is an important part of Japanese culture. During a…(136 words)
GenS
Children’s Day
Kodomo-no-hi falls on May 5, called "Tango-no-sekku", Boys' festival. In Japan, we have various customs on the day. We hang out carp streamers (Koinobori) or decorate the Boys' May Festival dolls to pray that boys in the house will live their lives strongly as well as to drive out an evil spirit. O…(87 words)
OKAKI-sun
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
Visit Tokyo Toy Museum with your kids
Tokyo Toy Museum is a space full of wooden toys that are attractive for not only kids but also adults. There are traditional Japanese toys such as KOMA(spinning top), toys for playing house, board games, etc.If there is a rainy day during your visit to Tokyo, and if you don't know how to burn you…(118 words)
Akko
Legoland Discovery Center in Odaiba, Tokyo
Legoland is a theme park dedicated to families with children between the age of 2 and 12 that features interactive rides, play space and attractions based on the LEGO toy brand. The park is split into various areas such as a Lego miniland, play fields and model village. The model village is bre…(252 words)
EmiOnishi
Children's Day
If you see giant carp streamers flying over homes or in the fields at this time of the year it isn't because the home owner is bragging about the size of the fish he or she just caught.It's the celebration of Children's Day, which officially falls on May 5, during Golden Week.The village of…(118 words)
Joe Peters
Helping the Children of Tohoku APRICOT News #2
The rainy season it seems has done nothing to dampen the spirits of APRICOT’s supporters. Thanks to the growing number of Team APRICOT Children volunteers,we have been very productive and positive for APRICOT, one that has seen us take a major step towards official NPO status (as a registered NPO …(434 words)
Andrew Grimes
APRICOT NPO Giving to the land that gives so much to guests from abroad.
APRICOT is now officially APRICOT NPO!Let’s start the October newsletter with some good news. As of October 21st, the APRICOT is an officially registered NPO. We now have to pay a final visit to Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s legal section to sign (or rather “hanko”) a document, which will the…(819 words)
Andrew Grimes
How to become an APRICOT NPO Ambassador for the Children of Tohoku
"At Apricot we often get emails asking about how people can get involved beyond donating. There are many ways, as this reply (below) I recently sent to a potential volunteer show..."Hi Laura*,Thank you for your kind wishes ~ responses like yours are both a little rare just now as we are in …(1308 words)
Andrew Grimes
A Pepper By Any Other Name Would Taste As Sweet
Someone asked me a question recently; one, that if you’ve lived in Japan long enough, have surely asked yourself: “Why do the Japanese call green bell peppers ‘piman’ and the red and yellow and orange ones ‘papurika’？”For me, answer the question was confusing on a few levels, seeing as how I, h…(381 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Preserved alpha rice
Have you ever heard of preserved alpha rice? It is packed in pouch and very useful for disaster cases. Even without gas or electricity, it can be cooked with hot water or water! We joined the children's outdoor event the other day and one of the NPO groups was demonstrating how to cook preseved…(165 words)
EmiOnishi
Chindon'ya
The Chindon'ya are a type of Japanese marching band that wear elaborate costumes and perform in a variety of festivals, shop openings, and other promotions or special events. Originating in Osaka during the late Edo period, most of the remaining Chindon'ya are based in Tokyo. Chindon'ya usual…(511 words)
mikekato
Izakaya: An Insider's Perspective
It can be a little difficult to explain the concept of an “izakaya” in English. They are likened to pubs or bars, essentially being establishments focused on serving alcoholic drinks. However, that’s not all there is to an izakaya. As a former izakaya waitress, I'd like to debunk a few common misco…(591 words)
Sakura
Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Castle is located in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture. The castle was built originally in 1467.I have visited many castles in Japan and this is my favorite. The curved stone walls are known as musha-gaeshi, which were built with wooden overhangs. These were purpose built to fortif…(109 words)
Kevin
Tokyo Tower Monkeys (Sarumawashi)
With it being the 55th anniversary of the Tokyo Tower, I thought it would be suiting to write about the free monkey show that takes place in front. These shows are not put on directly by Tokyo Tower, but permitted to entertain there. I have myself gone back multiple times now to check out this ente…(405 words)
Alex
Watch out for misleading labels in Japan
There have been some convenient, but very misleading trends in consumerism in Japan leading non-Japanese reading visitors and residents to making annoying and sometimes dangerous mistakes.For example, above you can see a だし Dashi (soup stock) vending machine right next to a normal drink machi…(185 words)
jjwalsh
How to spend Halloween in Japan
When I first arrived in Japan in 2001, Halloween was practically unheard of. The only Halloween events to speak of were bacchanalian parties held by foreigners, many inebriated past the point of public decency. The noise, the mess, and the unruly revelry became so bad, in fact, that it eventually b…(495 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
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
Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #6
Cosmo World is located in the heart of Minato Mirai, Yokohama. It is an amusement park famous for its reasonably priced, easily accessed and extremely family friendly entertainment.There are waterfront views wherever you look from, with scenic views making it a perfect place to enjoy an afterno…(188 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Summer Festival in your neighborhood
This useful tip is for short term visitors and for long term residents, both. If you wish to immerse in local japanese culture, make new friends, know your neighborhood, or simply enjoy a fun-filled evening with beer, pan-fried noodles ("yaki soba"), etc. look out for summer festivals organized in …(192 words)
Samir Bodhe
The Best Views of Fuji
Kintoki Mountain is a hiking route starting in Hakone or Ashigara. The trail is steeped in legend and named after the legendary Japanese children`s tale, Kintaro. Kintaro is the story of a boy raised in the mountains with animals as friends. There are tales of him wrestling bears, running with deer…(261 words)
Kintaro-man
"Tanaye" & "Club Harie"
These are special sweets "Taneya" designed for Children's Day this year. Aren't they pretty? Inside the paper boxes, they have several Chimaki, a cake wrapped in bamboo leaves, special sweets for Children's Day in Japan. Their mochi skin is so smooth and I bet you will be impressed with your first …(246 words)
EmiOnishi
Visit Enoshima Aquarium when you visit Enoshima Island
As a former long-time resident of the area, I'll admit: I used to think Enoshima Aquarium was an overpriced tourist trap. But with each new visit, especially after their renewal, I've grown to really appreciate and enjoy the aquarium.First, the price - at 2100 yen for an adult ticket, it's real…(273 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Kirin Yokohama Beer Village
Kirin Beer originates from YokohamaThe Kirin Beer Village, where you can learn about the history of beer, is surely a place that any beer-lover would want to visit.Kirin Beer originates from Yokohama. Kirin Yokohama Beer Village is the oldest brewery in Japan (completed in 1926), and reportedly…(929 words)
Kanagawa P.G.T.D.
Jump!
Kumo no Umi (Sea of Clouds) is a trampoline in the Showa Kinen Koen (Showa Memorial Park) in Nishi-Tachikawa, on the west side of Tokyo. The trampoline is built as a clump of hills and valleys of various sizes. The white vinyl looks, from afar, like a sea of clouds in the midst of an ocean of tre…(199 words)
mikekato
Walk & Play at Sumida Park in Asakusa
When you visit Asakusa, don't only go to Senso-ji temple. Also go to Sumida River and take a walk in Sumida Park. The park has great views of Tokyo Skytree and a big playground for children. There are also two small cafes here overlooking the river. To reach Sumida Park go towards the river from As…(143 words)
David
Happy Nogeyama Zoo in Yokohama
We visited Nogeyama zoo today.It is just about a right size zoo for little kids and my little boy was running all over. I admire Yokohama city to run this place as a free zoo beside Kanazawa zoo (also a free zoo) and Zoorasia (Admisson fee 600 yen/person). We would love to visit the other two i…(235 words)
EmiOnishi
JRA Japan Horse Show on Golden Week
Japan Horse Show will be held on May 3 to 5 at Baji-Kouen that is now use for training hurdle race horses. This park contains several small playground for children with lots of big trees and it's a good place to visit taking lunch box. Attention ; no pets allowed inside.This is free charge …(126 words)
Moo Moo
Who'll Stop the Rain
If you come to Japan during the rainy season (June / July) you'll likely see these little dolls hanging in the windows of homes, especially those homes where children are living.No, these are little ghost dolls to chase away the summer monsters, and they aren't angels to bring good luck, nor ar…(227 words)
Joe Peters
Commuting during Rush Hour !
Imagine you have to board your 7:45am train by hook or by crook (so you can arrive in office on schedule). Let's add to this imagination, images of japan train rush and getting shoved by polite train conductors without any apology. So how do you board train now, especially during mad rush on weekda…(303 words)
Samir Bodhe
Nagashi-Somen, Delicious Noodles in Japan
One of the best things I like about Japan is that the 4-season weather system is clearly reflected in the culture. In fall, you enjoy the changing colors and the sanma. Winter is for oranges in a warm kotatsu at home. Spring, is of course SAKURA. Summer has multiple cultural highlights too. Waterme…(286 words)
GenS
Shopping for little ones while in Japan
While in Japan, why not stop in one of the numerous shopping malls and find some Japan fashions for your kids? Motherways www.motherways.com is one of the most popular stores for parents to buy great fashionable clothes for children from toddlers through to 12 years old. Most clothes can be found…(135 words)
Kevin
Tokyo Skytree Cake Factory - Projection Mapping at Dream Christmas 2014
This evening I visited Tokyo Skytree to see the Cake Factory projection mapping for Dream Christmas 2014. It was crowded tonight with people waiting to see where Santa’s sweets are made.We went outside on the 4F Sky Arena to the Christmas market. Exactly at 20:00 the projection started with Santa o…(223 words)
David
2.5 Jigen Kamimatsuri: Anime/Subculture Event
Video coverage by Subtokyo:http://youtu.be/LMFhlqb9JbwI've been to many Anime or Subculture related events during my past 5 years in Japan and even before that when I was back in America. While the most exciting of events usually happen at giant convention centers like Tokyo Big Sight and Mak…(594 words)
Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo
The Birthplace of Yumeji
Do you know Yumeji Takehisa? Even if you don’t know the name you are probably familiar with the work of this artist from the early 20th century. Sometimes referred to as Japan’s Toulouse Lautrec, Yumeji was active during the Belle Epoque of the Taisho era during which the nation lived in relative p…(315 words)
Kenji
Yokohama Treasures: Nigiwaiza
Nigiwaiza opened in April 2002, and is Yokohama’s only vaudeville theater since most of them were destroyed eaither in the fires of the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 or air raids during World War II in 1945.Conveniently located within walking distance of Sakuragicho Station, Nigiwaiza is argua…(320 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Under the Sea at Tokyo Skytree
I wrote about my incredible time at the Tokyo Skytree in my last article:http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4072There are many other things you can do there besides going up. Going down underwater, in a matter of speaking, is one of them! The Sumida Aquarium, which is located just around the entr…(206 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
100 Yen Shop Shopping Sense
I've yet to meet anyone who doesn't think that 100 yen shops aren't great. There's just so much of everything that you can find for a mere few coins. If you can find it at a convenience store or local market, you can bet your nearby 100 yen store probably will, too.It used to be one might hide …(252 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #11
The Equine Museum is a fascinating facility designed to educate and entertain, with exhibits for adults and children alike. Even with limited English support, a trip to its out-of-the-way location is worth the time and energy. It's also located beside a beautiful, expansive park - Negishi Forest Pa…(331 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer