‘NATIONAL FLOWER’There are 2 national flowers in Japan. One is SAKURA( cherry blossom) the other is KIKU( chrysanthemum). Cherry blossom is very popular not only for Japanese but also foreign people as a symbol of spring in Japan. KIKU( chrysanthemum) is a family crest of the imperial family and symbol […]
‘YABUSAME ( horse back archery)’YABUSAME ( horse back archery) is a popular exhibition of Japanese festivals. There are 116 YABUSAME festivals in Japan all year around. Some of them perform in autumn festival . This is the one of MEIJI shrine in center of Tokyo last year 3rd November. Unfortunately […]
‘FOX GOD?’If you visit FUSHIMI-INARI and other INARI shrines ( there are over 30,000 INARI shrines in Japan)you notice that there are many fox statues in shrine area. Some people misunderstood that these are the object for prayer. But these foxes aren’t the object for prayer but, the servants of […]
‘HOW TO DRINK JAPANESE TEA?’I went to the MIHAMAEN Japanese garden in Chiba prefecture next to Tokyo. There is a Japanese tea house in the garden and offers us traditional Japanese green tea and sweets by traditional way. The woman here explained the history of the tea house and Japanese […]
‘SHICHIGOSAN,7,5,3 years old celebration’ I came across the 7,5,3 years old celebration at nearby shrine. I saw some cute little SAMURAI ( warrior)and HIME( princess)! 7,5,3(SHICHIGOSAN) is the custom we celebrate the children’s growth and offer gratitude to the God in middle of November at the shrine.3 years old is […]
‘HOW TO ENJOY FUSHIMI-INARI SHRINE’FUSHIMI-INARI shrine is the main shrine of over 30000 INARI SHRINES in Japan. INARI literally means ‘ rice harvest’, the symbol of harvest, prosperity , wealth and business success. If you pray here and have a good results, people donate the TORII gate even small one […]
‘CONTEMPORARY ART’This is the art event ’ YOKOHAMA TRIENNALE ‘ in Yokohama which is held every 3 years. Many contemporary artists present their master pieces . Not only this one , but there are many art events are happening all the time in Tokyo area . If you like art […]
‘SHIBA INU as a family’Shiba Inu is one of the most popular pets in Japanese family . The hight is 35-40cm as an adult, proper size for Japanese house . 80% of dog owners have Shiba Inu .Akita is also popular but 65-70cm tall and a bit big in ordinary […]
‘OMAMORI( amulet, lucky charm)’Have you bought OMAMORI( amulet, lucky charm) in shrine or Buddha temple in Japan? It’s a common culture we buy OMAMORI at shrines and Buddha temples when we visit there .OMAMORI literally means ’ protect ‘. It’s date back to 10th century HEIAN era and had been […]
‘Water mill ‘ Do you like a water mill ? I like it very much. There were 1190 water mills in Tokyo area 100 years ago to use them as a power to thresh and grind the crops by farmers. But it’s reduced rapidly by replacing other powers .Today still […]
‘AUTUMN LEAVES FORECAST’The temperature is slightly going down day by day, the humidity of summer has gone .There will be hot days and typhoons still but autumn is getting closer. Autumn is a colorful leaves season and popular travel season for Japanese people just see the beautiful scenery! Autumn leaves […]
‘CHUSHUNO MAIGETSU ( moon viewing night )’1st October is CHUSHUNO MEIGETSU the most beautiful full moon night in the year. We offer rice dumplings and Japanese pampas on the wagon and enjoy moon viewing. The round rice dumplings represent the moon and also celebrates the rice harvest which is the […]
‘HIGAN , AUTUMNAL EQUINOX DAY’Autumnal equinox day is 19-25th September. The middle day is the national holiday in Japan. It is the day the length of daytime and nighttime is the same. In Buddhism we call it HIGAN, the day this world and other world get closer , so we […]
‘TRAFFIC RULES IN THE STATION ‘If you come to Japan you always use train in Tokyo, other parts of Japan.You have to notice that traffic rules are well organized in Japan. As the video shows if you get off the train you should get on line the stairs and escalator. […]
‘HALLOWEEN IN JAPAN’Halloween sales battle has started in Japan! I bought this mask at DAISO( 1 dollar shop ) . Halloween has become a big event in Japan similar size as Valentine’s Day . The main feature is costume play not like ‘ trick or treat’ . People dress up […]
‘LOOKS NATURAL’This is the open air bath in YAHATAYA RYOKAN in Fukushima prefecture. This is one of my favorite open air bathes , really relaxing and refreshing.It looks as if these are natural rocks and slope. But it’s well designed same as other Japanese arts and crafts .We try to […]
‘NATURE AND RELIGION’This shrine is FUTARASAN SHRINE, the object of worship is Mt.SHIRANE behind, the active volcano. In SHINTOISM ( Japanese indigenous religion) the object of worship is sometimes big rock , mountain, waterfall, ocean, river , big tree . These are thought as the border between sacred world and […]
‘FOOT BATH’This is the foot bath of 2000m observation area of Mt.SHIRANE. Yes we always set ‘leisure ‘and ‘onsen ( natural hot spa) together !The foot bath is good to relax tired legs and muscles. Many people try to refresh their foot before and after walking and trekking. If you […]
‘BAMBOO TREES AND JAPANESE GARDEN IN CENTER OF TOKYO’There is a Japanese garden in the TODOROKI VALLEY in Tokyo. You can see bamboo trees and traditional Japanese house and garden.There is a free Japanese tea server in the house . If you walk around TODOROKI VALLEY, it’s a nice stop […]
‘VALLEY IN THE CENTER OF TOKYO’TODOROKI VALLEY is the small valley in the center of Tokyo. Still it’s a natural valley and atmosphere is very calm and quiet. There is a long walk way under the trees shade , the popular spot for walking. There is a TODOROKI FUDOSON temple […]
TOKYO travel TIPS is the site which offers local updated information of Tokyo and Japan. There are many traditional, modern culture , festivals and beautiful nature in Tokyo and Japan. We want to share with travel beginners and repeaters to Tokyo and Japan! Let’s enjoy as locals do!