Latest Posts
Kumade (熊手) & Tori-no-ichi (酉の市)
We bought a “Kumade(熊手)” at the Torinoichi (酉の市) market held in Asakusa! Torinoichi(酉の市) is an event held at temples and shrines associated with eagles and birds, such as Tori-no-temples, which are numerous in the Kanto region.
Held every year on the “day of the Tori”(酉の日) in November, visitors purchase lucky charms such as “Kumade”to report their good fortune for the year and wish for good fortune in the following.
The Kumade, used as a tool for raking up fallen leaves and other debris, is said to be “a tool for raking up luck” or “a tool for raking up gold and silver” because of its shape and function, and has come to be treated as a lucky charm that brings luck, fortune, and prosperity to business.
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“School Revolution” by NTV (Japan)
YJC was featured on Japanese TV program. 📺✨
It was a quiz show where the casts would guess what we were making in the class!
To watch this show, click here for special limited edition broadcasts.
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Tokyo Guide : Azabu Juban
Azabu Juban (麻布十番) is a district of Minato (Minato-ward) in Tokyo. Nestled between Roppongi and Tokyo Tower, Azabu Juban is a surprisingly laid-back neighborhood considering its central location. The convenience of several supermarkets in a central location and the proximity of Hiroo and Roppongi make it one of the more trendy and sought after residential areas of Tokyo. With an old-school atmosphere that retains its Edo period roots, this upscale residential area boasts some of the highest rents in the city.
Azabu Juban is also home to several embassies, making it a popular place of residence for diplomats and globally-minded people. This synergy between traditional and metropolitan gives the neighborhood a truly one-of-a-kind feel.
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Japan Guide : The Railway Museum in Saitama (埼玉県)
Have you ever ridden on a train in Japan? In Japan, there are various railroads running in the east, west, south, and north except for Okinawa.
The place I would like to introduce to you is the “Railway Museum” in Omiya City, Saitama Prefecture. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the opening of Japan’s first railroad between Shimbashi and Yokohama on October 14, 1872 (Meiji 5).
At the Railway Museum, visitors can learn about the role of railroads in Japan, changes in railroad technology, and their impact on society, based on the concepts of “railroads,” “history,” and “education.
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Undo-kai (Sports Day)
Sports Festival (Sports Day), also known as “Undo-kai” (運動会) in Japanese, is a traditional annual event that is generally held in spring or fall. On the day, all students participate in a variety of sports events such as relay and dance performances typically held on the school’s grounds.
There are competitions in which students are divided into two or more teams and compete to win, which is a lot of fun for the students as well as their parents. Here are some typical athletic competition.
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Japan Guide : Ikaho Onsen in Gunma (群馬県)
Ikaho Onsen （伊香保温泉）is a historic hot spring resort located in the city of Shibukawa, in the Gunma Prefecture of Japan. It is renowned for its soothing waters and scenic views, nestled on the slopes of Mount Haruna. The onsen has been a popular destination for relaxation and wellness for centuries, dating back to the Edo period.
Ikaho Onsen is also famous for its seasonal beauty, with cherry blossoms in spring, vibrant foliage in autumn, and a peaceful winter atmosphere. The town is an ideal spot for anyone looking to experience traditional Japanese onsen culture in a picturesque setting.
3 Things to do at Ikaho
- Take 2 kinds onsen
In Ikaho, visitors can enjoy two types of hot springs: “golden hot water” and “silvery white water”.
Originally, the only hot spring in Ikaho was “golden hot water” characterized by its color. The golden hot water was called “golden hot water” because the iron contained in the hot water oxidizes and turns a distinctive brownish-brown color. This soft, non-irritating water warms the body from the core and promotes blood circulation, making it especially popular among women as a “fertility hot spring”. It has also been popular as a therapeutic bath for a long time because it is good for recuperating from illnesses and injuries.
The hot spring “Shiragin-no-yu” is colorless and transparent, and its abundant flow of 110 liters per minute was confirmed in recent years. This hot spring is known to be good for recovery from illness and fatigue, as well as for improving health.
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Back to school in Japan
Summer vacation is over. Even our children, a kindergartener and an elementary school student, they seemed to have enjoyed their month-long free time.
My son, an elementary school student, had homework from school. He had to complete Japanese and math assignments on a tablet PC, a one-line diary (with a checklist to see if he helped his parents), a book report, a diary of his observations of mini-tomatoes, a free craft (in his case, making a LEGO creation), and 10 books to read.
There are also many other contests that are free to participate in, such as contests to draw posters on environmental issues, eco ideas, summer- and autumn-themed haiku, piggy bank designs, and so on.
When I was in elementary school, a special booklet called “Summer Vacation Friends” was distributed. I think there was a little more homework, not only Japanese and arithmetic, but also science and social studies.
On the other hand, some schools did not give homework because it was “summer vacation,” which I felt reflected the times.
Do you have homework in your country? I would be very happy if you could tell me what kind of homework you have.
Summer Festivals in Japan
From May to August, summer festivals of various scales are held in various parts of Japan. These include rice planting festivals, purification festivals, festivals of souls or shinkosai (Shinto festivals in which mikoshi (portable shrines) are paraded through the streets). From the day before the festival, the area is enveloped in a festive atmosphere. The energy of the people carrying the magnificent portable shrines and the enthusiasm of the onlookers seem to bring the summer heat to a peak.
Today’s summer festivals feature mikoshi carried by men wearing hanten (short coat) and matahiki (drawers) and street stalls of goldfish scooping, cotton candy, masks, etc., comprising the festival attractions in summer.
Most summer festivals are observed to thank the gods for a peaceful and happy life in the past half year or to prevent any disaster and appease the spirits of the deceased.
Fireworks displays, the Bon Festival (featuring bon-odori dances), hozuki (Japanese lantern plant) markets and morning glory markets are also regarded as summer festivals.
Tokyo Guide : Adachi Market (足立市場)
Speaking of markets in Tokyo, the Tsukiji and Tsukiji Outside Markets, which have been relocated to Toyosu, are famous for the fresh fish you can buy and the Shokudo (cafeterias) where you can enjoy a breakfast or lunch. On par with the Tsukiji Market is the lesser-known Adachi Market, the Tokyo Metropolitan Wholesale Market, located in Senjuhashido-cho, Adachi-ku, Tokyo. Supplying mainly fresh marine products, it is the kitchen of Tokyo.
Adachi Market is small for a central wholesale market, with approximately 42,000 m2 of land, which is the only market in Tokyo specializing in marine products, and offers a wide range of products such as fresh and delicious fish as well as vegetables and Japanese omelettes (Tamagoyaki). In addition, just like Tsukiji, several cafeterias offer delicious gourmet food for breakfast and lunch. It is not well known, so it is a good place to visit without worrying about crowds.
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Tokyo Guide : Arakawa Yuen (あらかわ遊園)
Arakawa Yuen (Arakawa Amusement Park) is an amusement park in Arakawa Ward, Tokyo.
Being an amusement park with a long history, it had been closed since December 2018, but reopened on April 21, 2022.
The park is located along the Toden Arakawa Line and was opened in 1922. It is an amusement park with a famous history in Japan.
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