Advice about Music
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New Year's like a true local
If you want to have a relaxing winter, I recommend staying at a ryokan with a “kotatsu.” Kotatsu are tables with a futon and a heater that keep your feet (and therefore your body) warm during the cold winter months. Families often stay under this and eat mikan (a type of tangerine sold during the w…(108 words)

RieS

Check out Summer Sonic Festival
Summer Sonic is a music festival that takes place in August. They have one in Tokyo and one in Osaka. They have a wide variety of music, including Hip Hop, J-Pop, rock and heavy metal. Tickets are 15,500 yen for one day and 28,000 yen for 2 days, so it is expensive. If you have the money, however, …(65 words)

KurtisW

Suntory hall
I like Suntory Hall in Roppongi! The main hall made of oak is very beautiful and makes the sound very warm. I enjoyed the orchestra concert in the main hall and the chamber music in the small hall.Also the hall is very famous for the pipe organ which is one of the largest in the world! …(99 words)

misa

Edo-Tokyo museum
If you are interested in Edo culture I recommend the Edo-Tokyo Museum next to Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Arena). You can see the lifestyle of people who were living in the big city in Edo period. When I visited there I could enjoy a Japanese traditional music show like Syamisen and Koto performanc…(70 words)

misa

Beach Adventure Time
Tokyo is relatively close to the beach, and there are a decent amount of beach parties and festivals. Many of the beach areas around the Shonan area attract huge amounts of young people who go and party, and occasionally there will be sponsored events by sports, music, or promotion agencies, making…(84 words)

KurtisW

If you stop by the Aqua Lounge at the Imperial Hotel, please say Aloha!
The Aqua Lounge at the Imperial Hotel Tokyo is the perfect place to get away from the busy day of hustle and bustle at the office.I try to entertain the audience with lush and vibrant music on Piano, Vocals ranging from Jazz Standards, Popular, R&B, Funk, Smooth Jazz, and above all.. Hawaiian M…(200 words)

anuhea808

Why Japanese people have been able to live close with nature.
If you go to a Ryokan a traditional Japanese hotel.I'm always amazed how Japanese people use small ponds, trees, plants to make space so as it feels more open then it really is.The Japanese believe so called gods live in many things.They put their hands together and bow to long living trees…(244 words)

Yuuki I

Japanese habits that you catch without noticing...
With friends, we have created a list of Japanese habits that makes Japanese people soooo Japanese. The thing is, these habits rubs off on us too so, here's the diagnostic test (short version), hold on with me!You need to check the number of habits that you have.- you rush to get your train …(564 words)

Claire

nature airliner
nature airliner emerged as a husband-and-wife folk duo in the summer of 2010, when Japanese photographer Eiko Hosaka Tiernan (vocals) and Canadian musician Laurier Tiernan (guitar) joined forces to start playing unplugged shows of Laurier's unreleased songs which suited Eiko's voice. The first sing…(183 words)

Laurier Tiernan

A quiet Italian in Gotanda
Il Cavallo is a bit hidden away on the 3rd floor of Tokyo Design Center Building, but access is easy as it's right in front of exit #7 of Gotanda Station.Set lunches range from 1,050 to 4,000 yen. I had the Pranzo B which included a choice of soup of antipasto and a main course (pork on the day…(141 words)

Joe Peters

La Folle Journee au Japon
If you happen to be in Tokyo during the "Golden Week" as you should prefer to, you can spend time walking the streets of Marunouchi and discover street performances and concerto.What is Golden Week: it is a week blessed with so many national holiday that you do not work at all during that week.…(224 words)

Claire

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

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

Izu Hokkawa Onsen Bousui: A Heavenly Onsen in Japan,
My first experience at Bousui was just 5 years ago and then the second was last month. In 2006 I was a newbie exploring the Hokkawa Hot Spring district , in 2014 it was my second visit as a devoted fan of hot spring perfection wanting to share this haven with my life partner and best friend.htt…(1039 words)


Dance Like Fools
Awaodori is a dance that is performed in summer festivals throughout Japan, but originating in Tokushima Prefecture in the southwestern island of Shikoku. Shikoku is one of the four main islands of Japan, but the one that is often forgotten, because it does not have a major city like Fukuoka or Na…(778 words)

mikekato

Want to be a Hit in Japan?
Ive been in the DJ business since the 70s and maybe because I was so active in Hawaii and Hawaii is one of Japan's favorite tourist destinations, I have ended up in this amazing and endlessly exciting metropolis, Tokyo. I DJ on several stations including InterFM, and I do podcasts about various…(394 words)

Kong

Where to eat Thanksgiving dinner in Tokyo
Looking for a place to eat Thanksgiving dinner in Tokyo? You can find it at Hard Rock Cafe Tokyo (Roppongi). They have Rosat turkey and turkey plate. Both are available from Nov 16th. For Roast turkey, call 03-3408-7018 for order in advance. They also have various kinds of drink menus; wines, beers…(64 words)

shinR

One Vine Day…
Those who follow trends in alcoholic beverages may know, that Japan`s whiskies have done very well in international competitions. For example, Distiller Suntory was named` Distiller of the Year` at the International Spirit Challenge this year-for the third consecutive time. Japanese wines have …(527 words)

GoodPeople

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

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

February, US Black History Month
February is Black History Month in the US. The Pink Cow was the first place in Tokyo and has been celebrating African-American History Month for 10 years now! We are very proud of the contributions of African-Americans to our rich US culture and history and want to share some of that with people fr…(318 words)

Traci Pink Cow

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

July Events in Asakusa and Ueno
Asagao means Morning Glory. Iriya Asagao Ichi is held at and around Iriya Kishimojin Temple. This event is held on 6, 7 and 8 July every year. This year, the street (Kototoi Dori) will be closed from 17:00 to 21:30 on these days. Time and Place:6, 7 and 8 July at Iriya Kishimojinone minut…(222 words)

Keiko, OTT

Casual Cool Dining in the Hippest Part of Tokyo Town
I knew I wanted to come back after my first visit; now after several, Weekend Garage Tokyo has become my latest favourite Shibuya-Ebisu-Daikanyama hang. They're a unusually large restaurant/live house unconventionally located on an almost hidden street along the JR Yamanote Line train tracks.We…(267 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Spend a day at the Mitsui Outlet Park Yokohama Bayside!
Our favorite family shopping spot is the Mitsui Outlet Park Yokohama Bayside, which is about an hour away from Tokyo. Here, there are stores of all varieties, from sports goods to fancy clothes to delicious food. Although it can get crowded during the weekend, the atmosphere is great with the famil…(106 words)

RieS

An Intimate Live Music Experience
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of live music establishments in Tokyo. Everything from small basement live houses(that's what they are called in Japanese) for any imaginable independent sub-genre, to large concert halls for the classical maestros. A personal favourite for viewing a beloved ar…(88 words)

iensu

Go to Sakuragicho or Kannai for music-related performances!
The most popular places in the area for music-related street performances are Sakuragicho and Kannai in Yokohama. Right outside Sakuragicho station, there are many types of music performed, from ballads to acoustic to pop! It may be fun to stop by, listen and perhaps purchase their CD! Kannai i…(82 words)

RieS

Sakuragicho for live music performances!
I enjoy watching the musical performances in front of Sakuragicho station (in Yokohama which is nearby Tokyo). These performances range from jazz to pop. I find it really entertaining to walk around the Minatomirai area, because there is always a different group performing different styles of music…(83 words)

RieS

Japan Festivals and when, where and how to enjoy.
Wow, where do I begin, there are many many many festivals in around Tokyo to enjoy in the hot hot days of summer.Matsuri, Samba, Fireworks, Music! You name it Tokyo has it. Since there are so many, I'd like to guide you to this link, which has a nice list and lots of info for you to choose fr…(110 words)

DjMarvin

Street performers in Yoyogi Park
I visited Yoyogi Park in Tokyo near Harajuku station recently on a Sunday. As I walked through the park, there were numerous street performers. One of my favorites are the street rockers. They dress in black jeans and 50's style with Elvis style hair and ducktail haircuts. They dance to rockabi…(73 words)

Kevin

Although a little bit far from Tokyo actually, I would like to recommend Kamakura City.
Although a little bit far from Tokyo actually, I would like to recommend Kamakura City, Home of Samurai. The City is a very historical place where Japan's first samurai government was established at the end of twelfth century. You will probably enjoy Rickshaws nearby the historical place, Tsuruga…(100 words)

yiino

Great castle
Please visit Osaka castle. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4000.htmlYou will see not only see the castle tower but also the Nishinomaru Garden with some 600 cherry trees. If you go there in early spring you can see an ume (plum) orchard boasting 1,270 ume trees in 100 varieties, and other spots …(71 words)

Mayu

Christmas 2013 in Tokyo
Highly recommend the Tokyo Union Church in Omotesando for Christmas Eve Candlelight service, and maybe on Christmas day too! I think this year they might also have a special "Blue Christmas" classical concert on Dec 18th, with Ave Maria and other special music. Welcome!http://www.tokyounion.o…(48 words)

Yobochusha

Music games are hot
Music game is one of the newest otaku hobbies. Every game centers install music game machines usually called Oto-ge. It is popular widely among all ages. You can play not only in game centers but also at home. A lot of people play it with their phone.Actually old otaku hobbies are also still po…(67 words)

Kim-san

Looking for a great location outside of Tokyo? Kichijoji is Great!
Staying for more than a few days in Central Tokyo can be a drain, both on the wallet and the mind. There are other cities that don't sleep, but there are few cities in the world that remain as bustling and wide awake 24-7-365 as Tokyo.While both the Imperial Palace grounds - Kokyo - and Yoyogi…(437 words)

mikekato