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Japanese New Year Cards - Nengajo
2008-01-07 16:13:00
???Just as people send Christmas cards in the West to keep in touch with friends and family, a similar tradition exists in Japan of sending New Year cards (nengajo) to arrive on January 1st. It is customary for businesses to send out these cards to clients and customers too.Pre-formatted and postage-paid cards can be purchased from stationery shops which often have the relevant animal of the Chinese zodiac displayed as part of the layout. 2008 is the year of the rat and you will see the rodent as part of the 50 yen stamp at the top left of the card above. The character for the particular animal featured that year is different from that used for the animal in everyday Japanese . Therefore, this year featuring the rat, the character you will see is the one usually used for the word "child" - a somewhat unfortunate, perhaps, double meaning. Speaking of children, families often produced their own designs for the front of the card, usually with cute images of their offspring much to the f...
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Yunoyama Onsen
2008-01-07 12:27:00
?????Yunoyama onsen at the base of Mount Gozaisho (1212m) in Mie Prefecture is an easy day trip from Nagoya for those in search of some hot, healing spa waters during the cold season.Legend has it that the hot springs were discovered in the 8th century by hunters who spotted deer enjoying the hot water. Situated in Suzuka Kokutei Park, the small spa village has a number of Japanese-style inns or ryokan, where you can spend the night or just pop in during the day to take the waters.Bath charges range from around 500 yen to 1,000 yen for entry to the baths at the various hotels, many of which have rotemburo or outdoor pools.Here are a list of some of the options:Otel do Maronie (059 392 3210) 1000 yen for adults; 500 yen for childrenHotel Yunoki (059 392 2141) 800 yen for adults; 400 yen for childrenKuranosuke (059 392 2509) 800 yen for adults; 400 yen for childrenShikanoyu (059 392 2141) 1000 yen for adults; 3-500 yen for childrenIrodorikoyo (059 392 3135) 525 yen for adultsAccessYun...
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Japan This Week 1/06/08
2008-01-06 03:08:00
?????Japan ese rethinking education, and looking to India.NY TimesTokyo rated by Independent Newspaper as the "capital of Asia."Japan Times37,000 year-old frozen baby mammoth goes on display in Tokyo.The Daily YomiuriAfter PM Fukuda's visit to Beijing, whither Japan-China relations?The People's DailyKiller Mochi (sticky rice cakes) strikes again.Mainichi ShinbunSpecial service at Osaka dental clinic.Mainichi ShinbunThe Japanese government takes over the chairmanship of the G8 group of industrialized nations on January 1st.BBCJapanese company offers "pet allowance."BBCWith a conviction rate of 99%, Japan's legal system is about change.Channel 4 NewsLast week's Japan newsJapan Statistics2007 traffic fatalities in Japan were the lowest in 54 Years. The death toll was 5,743, which was a 9.6 percent drop from the previous year. Police attribute this to the new Road Traffic Law, which took effect in September.Source: Kyodo NewsBirths top out at 1.1 million in 2007. According to the Hea...
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Inazawa Mitsubishi Tower
2008-01-04 17:32:00
??Inazawa is an unremarkable, rather grim town, north of Nagoya on the rail route to Gifu. Inazawa's one claim to fame is a 173m (567 foot) tower in the grounds of its Mitsubishi factory complex.According to the BBC the US$ 50m tower will be used by Mitsubishi to conduct research on high speed elevators for the next generation of super skyscrapers.Mitsubishi, the main employer in Inazawa, will "test new drives, gears, cables and other lift systems," according to the BBC article.AccessInazawa is three stops north of Nagoya Station on the JR Line to Gifu and Maibara. The huge tower is visible from the station. Turn left and walk about 15 minutes for a close-up view.Yahoo Japan Auction ServiceBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsTokyo Serviced ApartmentsBudget accommodation in JapanHappi CoatsTagsJapan Inazawa Mitsubishi Nagoya Elevator
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88 Temple Pilgrimage - Kyoto
2008-01-04 09:19:00
????????Japan's most famous pilgrimage route is on the southern island of Shikoku. The 1,200 km route consists of 88 shrines, and is thus called "The 88 Temple Pilgrimage."Many of the temples along the route were founded by Kukai, the monk and scholar better known as Kobo Daishi.Today's pilgrim is more likely to do the Shikoku route in his own car, or a tour bus. Some however still don the white jackets of the pilgrim and walk it. Walking the route takes roughly two months to complete, and many of the temples offer low-priced accommodation.There are however other less arduous pilgrimage routes. Among them is "Hachi-ju Haka-sho" (88 Temple Pilgrimage), a short hike in the hills behind Ninnaji Temple that is modeled on the Shikoku route. Located in northwest Kyoto , Ninnaji is a World Heritage Site and is well worth a visit, but for locals the mountains behind it are perhaps even more inviting.In imitation of the more famous route in Shikoku, there are 88 mini-temples. These temples ...
More About: Kyushu , Nagoya , Temples

Karato Fish Market
2008-01-03 14:38:00
????The Karato Fish Market is on the waterfront in Shimonoseki right next to the Kaikyo-kan aquarium (Tel: 0832 28 1100).In the early hours of the day it is a busy wholesale market, and as the day progresses it turns into a retail market heavily visited by tourists. All kinds of seafood delicacies can be bought and eaten there, and it specializes in fugu (Puffer Fish) as Shimonoseki is the undisputed capital of fugu with 80% of all fugu in Japan passing through here.Images of Fugu are everywhere, even adorning the manhole covers.The market has been here since 1933, but the new 8,000 square meter building was built in 2001. The roof of the market is unusual in that it is covered in grass.Entrance is free and there is a large car park. There are buses from outside Shimonoseki Station with the first one leaving at 5.55am on weekdays.Karato Market5-50 KaratoShimonosekiTel: 0832 31 0001Yahoo Japan Auction ServiceBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsTokyo Serviced ApartmentsBudget accommoda...
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New Year's Day in Meiji Jingu Shrine
2008-01-02 12:08:00
???????Tokyo 's Meiji Jingu Shrine was a hub of New Year 's Day religious activity. Located in sprawling, wooded 170-acre grounds, the Shrine is accessed via grand avenues of trees that form a complete canopy over the paths.Dappled sunlight from a brilliant, crisp blue winter sky played over the thousands who thronged the ways to the shrine. The Shrine is accessible from three directions, the main one being the south gate (see above).The courtyard of the Shrine, while crowded, was not quite as much of a hubbub as the experience of just getting inside suggested. The crowd was concentrated in front of the Shrine, watched over by very conspicuous security as hundreds of coins were flung moment by moment into the big wooden receptacles and hands were clasped in prayer for a year of health and good fortune.Outside the Shrine, there were stalls selling amulets, most of them featuring the rat, which is the Chinese zodiac animal for this year. There was also, of course, the omikuji, or sacr...

New Year 2008
2008-01-01 10:10:00
???2008 ?Today is New Year ?s Day, or gantan in Japanese. Yesterday, New Year?s Eve, or ohmisoka, is just as big a day as New Year?s Day. On the evening of the 31st, Japan?s main TV station, NHK, broadcasts Kohaku from 9pm until just before midnight: an over-the-top variety show that features the creme of the entertainers who have made it big in mainstream Japan, plus some newish talent whose appearance on the show guarantees that they will make it big.Kohaku is an extravaganza that spans the whole gamut of mainstream entertainment in Japan, from the mediocre, maudlin, and manic, to the melodious, and even the magnificent. It is the kind of program that can only really be watched in company, preferably over dinner.A friend and I sat around a lucky-dip stewpot, a typical dish in winter, and watched Kohaku on his massive 72? screen, and toasted each other with an extra cup of sake when the countdown to 2008 was over.We then set out for Toyokawa Inari shrine in Tokyo ?s Akasaka district, ...

Kaikyo Yume Tower
2007-12-31 06:54:00
??????????At 153 metres, the Kaikyo Yume Tower , built in 1996 in Shimonoseki , is the tallest tower in Western Honshu.The observation deck is reached by elevators travelling at 2 metres a second and offers stunning 360 degree views over Shimonoseki and across the Kanmon Straits to Kyushu.Open daily, year round, entrance is 600 yen for adults, 300 yen for kids.The Kaikyo Yume Tower is a 5 min walk from Shimonoseki JR station.Kaikyo Yume Tower3-3-1 Buzenda-cho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi , 750-0018Tel: 0832 31 5600Yahoo Japan Auction ServiceBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsTokyo Serviced ApartmentsBudget accommodation in JapanHappi CoatsTagsJapan Yamaguchi Shimonoseki skyscraper
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Japan This Week 12/30/07
2007-12-30 12:58:00
????? Japan presses China on pollution.NY TimesFukuda and Hu agree to work on gas exploration issue.YomiuriJapanese New Year food spotlighted.NY TimesThe business of Christmas in Japan.GuardianMichelin Guide Tokyo (Michelin Guides) sells out all 120,000 copies in three days--and, in terms of stars, Tokyo is the leading culinary city in the world, with Paris number 2.Japan TimesBlood products tainted.Asahi HeraldNew Year's sex: order in.MainichiGlobal warming threatens rice cultivation.BBCJapanese husbands join club to give wives more respect.CNNLast week's Japan newsJapan Statistics50,000 pre-war wooden buildings were destroyed in Kyoto between 1978-1988.Source: Japanese Capitals in Historical Perspective as seen in the Kansai Time Out, Dec., 200725 billion pairs of waribashi disposable chopsticks are thrown away each year in Japan.Source: Kansai Time OutDrunken driving accidents decreased 28% in the 3 months since the toughening of the law in September this year. There were 1,402...
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Nagoya Friends Open Mic Night @ Misfits 1/13
2007-12-30 12:29:00
Nagoya Friends Open Mic Night @ Misfits!Date: January 13th, 2008 (2nd Saturday)Time: 19:00 - 21:00 (registration from 18:30-19:00)Place: Misfits, Imaike Bee House 3rd Floor, Imaike 4-chome 10-16Fee: 1500 yen (includes 1 free drink) ... Performers admitted free!Dress code: Anything (Casual, etc)Reservations: No Reservations Necessary. Just show up to the party!Great local musical talent, poetry, comedy, and artContact: 080-5169-1666 (Japan ese) 080-5469-6317 (English)Get off at Imaike Station (Higashiyama Line [Exit #4 or #5])MisfitsImaike Bee House 3rd Floor, Imaike 4-chome 10-16 Train DirectionsFrom Nagoya Station, take the Higashiyama Line and get off at Imaike station Take Exit #4 or 5 and follow the map.ImaikeImaike StationHigashiyama LineYahoo Japan Auction ServiceBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsTokyo Serviced ApartmentsBudget accommodation in JapanHappi CoatsTagsJapan Nagoya
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Nagoya Speed Dating Feb. 2nd in Sakae!
2007-12-30 12:25:00
Nagoya International Speed Dating Returns Feb. 2nd, 2008!!Date: Saturday February 2nd, 2008Time: 6-9pm registration from 6:00 to 6:30pmPlace: STEPS, a new exciting club in the heart of SakaeHasegawa Bldg. 2F, 3-2-29 Sakae, Naka-ku, NagoyaPREPAY FEE: 2500 Yen Gentlemen, 1500 Yen Ladies Price includes 1 free drink!!30 couples only! 30 men and 30 women! Reserve and prepay to join!AT THE DOOR: Men 3000 yen, women 2000 yenDress code: Anything (Casual, etc)Reservations: Pre Paid spots are Guaranteed! only 30 men and 30 women. Reserve and prepay to secure your spot. Nagoya Speed Dating is a great way to meet new people in the Aichi, Gifu and Mie Areas! At Nagoya Speed Dating, you will receive a number, an assigned table, and a personalized Speeding Ticket form. When the host says to start you will have between 3 to 5 minutes to talk to the person at your table. When the time is up the host will give you a signal. At that time the men will change tables and the women will remain seated. All...
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Feather Museum Seki
2007-12-29 06:42:00
?????????Listen to the sounds of the Feather Museum Japan has some bizarre and quirky museums: a sex museum, a ninja museum and even a sand museum.The Feather Museum in Seki, north of Inuyama in Gifu Prefecture, has nothing to do with feathers or birds. The museum is sponsored by the Feather Company that makes razors, shaving and hairdressing equipment as well as surgical scalpels.The whole area of Seki is known as one of Japan's top locations for the manufacture of high quality steel knives, swords and blades. Sword-making in the area began in the Kamakura Period (1192-1333) and has been going strong ever since.The modern, two-storey Feather Museum - a "razor memorial facility" - is dedicated to the history of shaving, beards and hairdressing both in Japan and the rest of the world. There are interesting dioramas and computer-generated exhibits on men's and women's shaving through the ages, a collection of razors and razor blades from around the world, recreations of historical b...
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Akama Shrine Shimonoseki
2007-12-28 08:42:00
????Akama Shrine is the foremost shrine in the Shimon oseki area and enshrines the Emperor Antoku, the 8-year-old Emperor who drowned at the Battle of Dannoura on March 21st, 1185.This famous naval battle was decisive in concluding the Genpei War with the Minamoto (Genji) clan led by Yoshitsune, defeating the Heike (Taira) clan. The battle was fought in the straits directly in front of where the shrine is now.Until the early days of the Meiji Era (1868) and the almost complete make-over of the Japanese religious landscape, Akama Shrine was in fact a Buddhist Temple called Amida-ji, and the architecture reflects this. Most impressive is the entrance gate Suitenmon (Water Heaven Gate). The front area of the inner shrine (honden) is also unusual in that it is a shallow pool.The shrine looks and feels almost new because it is! The shrine was rebuilt only 50 years ago.Another legend associated with Akama is that of Hoichi the Earless, a ghostly tale known by many through its inclusion in...
More About: Itsukushima Shrine , Monos

Rickshaws and sailing ships
2007-12-27 06:53:00
?????Efficiency is one quality that Japan is taken for granted as possessing. How else is Toyota, for example, world no.1? How?I took an hour's lunch break today here in Kojimachi, one of Tokyo 's CBDs, to do three things: post four letters and a postcard, deposit a sterling check, and have lunch.I got to the post office at 1.10pm, filled out an EMS form for one of the items, and presented them at the desk at about 1.10. The clerk methodically went through what had to be done with the EMS item. When that was done, he looked at the other three - two in standard sized envelopes, one in a large one - and, seeing that they were addressed to the same country, asked me if I wanted to put the two smaller letters inside the large one. As they were all going to different cities in that country, I said no thanks. He then stamped each with an AIRMAIL stamp, then went away with the postcard for about half a minute to parley with another staff member about it. He came back and stamped it with ...
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Tokyo Christmas
2007-12-25 14:12:00
?????????Today is Christmas , but, in keeping with the commercialization of Christmas here - at least as extreme as in the West - it's business as usual. This morning's commute to work was a little less crowded, as some businesses close early for the New Year break, and things weren't that busy at work, but other than that it was just another Tuesday.Christmas Eve, however, happened to be a holiday, but only because the Emperor's birthday, usually reason for a holiday on the 23rd, fell on Sunday this year, meaning the holiday was moved to Monday, the 24th.I went for a long walk yesterday taking in the beautiful crisp winter air and the brilliant blue skies.In Shinjuku, the girls pictured above were practicing their boogy-woogy dance moves in the window of an apartment building and obligingly posed for a shot.In Harajuku the streets were jam packed with shoppers - mainly young couples, as Christmas Eve in Japan is very much a lovers' day - over which towered this very vividly dec...
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Aquas Aquarium Hamada
2007-12-24 12:42:00
????Aquas, located in the city of Hamada, is the largest aquarium in Western Honshu (JR Hashi station). Built in 2000, the aquarium houses over 10,000 animals and fishes from over 400 species, including many Flying Fishes (the Prefectural fish of Shimane ).The main attraction is a show of performing Beluga whales.There is also Aquas Land, a huge playground/amusement park for the kids. Entrance 1,500 yen, 500 yen for kids. Free parking and free audio guide in English.AquasKudai-cho, Hamada, Shimane, 687-0004Tel: 0855 28 3900Hours: 9am-5pm (till 6pm from July 20-August 31)Aquas is closed Tuesdays.Yahoo Japan Auction ServiceBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsTokyo Serviced ApartmentsBudget accommodation in JapanHappi CoatsTagsJapan Tokyo Kyoto Nagoya Kyushu
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Japan News 12/23/07
2007-12-23 16:11:00
????? Japan ese Minster of Defense: OK to fire on godzilla.NY TimesJapan's sea-based anti-missile defense system works in tests with US military.GuardianPolice crack down on Yakuza (Japanese mafia).Japan TimesJapan cancels humpback whale hunt after international pressure.BBCHumping on Tokyo's Yurikamome Line: an exhibitionist reveals all.MainichiTatsuya Ichihashi, the prime suspect in the murder of Briton Lindsey AnnHawker, is still on the lam.MainichiA video look at Tokyo.Washington PostJapan's food "crisis" in pictures.BBCLast week's Japan newsJapan StatisticsFinancial assets held by Japanese households rose to 1.54 quadrillion yen by September 30, 2007. These figures include shares, insurance polices, government bonds, bank deposits and cash.Source: Bank of JapanJapan ranks third in donations to the International Development Association (a World Bank affiliate) behind the USA & UK. Japan will donate US$3.2 billion over a 3-year period beginning July 2008.Source: Finance Mi...
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Road Safety
2007-12-23 06:29:00
????The caption reads: "Please raise your hand on the crossing," followed by an ad for a clinic. Kindergarten-aged children are taught to raise their arms as they cross the road to be more visible. The old and vulnerable can often be seen doing the same as they navigate Japan's busy, vehicle-choked streets.Things are improving slightly for Japan's luckless pedestrians as the annual cull of their number by drunk and incompetent drivers is falling. In a country where sidewalks are a luxury, it pays to "be seen, be safe" and wear something bright at night. Public outrage at the number of deaths caused by drunk drivers finally forced the government to increase the penalties for such offences. Road deaths in Japan reached an all time high of 16,765 in 1970 gradually falling to 6,352 in 2006. The UK with roughly half Japan's population recorded 3,201 traffic fatalities in 2005, the USA with nearly triple Japan's population had a staggering 42,636 traffic deaths in 2004.Yahoo Japan Auc...
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Ozu Yasujiro Seishunkan Museum
2007-12-22 10:42:00
????????Matsusaka in Mie Prefecture is situated a little way north up the Ise coast from Toba. Matsusaka is worth visiting not only for its picturesque castle walls and former samurai houses (Gojoban Yashiki), but also for the small but fascinating Ozu Yasujiro Seishunkan Museum - dedicated to the famous film director, who spent his youth here in rural Mie Prefecture.Ozu Yasujiro, is best known for his classic film Tokyo Story which was released in 1953. His major themes of family life portray ordinary people in ordinary situations struggling to adapt to the changes of post-war Japan. Ozu's movies such as Early Spring, The End Of Summer and Early Summer are both mysterious and poignant.Ozu (1903-1963) was born in Tokyo but moved to his father's home town of Matsusaka aged 10 and lived in the town until 1923 when he returned to Tokyo to begin work for the Shochiku Film Company as a cameraman.The museum details Ozu's seemingly happy, though wild childhood with displays of his coppe...
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Chofu Shimonoseki
2007-12-21 08:46:00
?????Chofu is a small castle town of the Mori Clan just east of central Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture.It's not large and can be pleasantly explored on foot by following the free guide map available at the tourist office in the centre of town on Route 9.There are many Edo-period buildings behind the high earthen walls that line the streets and along the picturesque small river that is populated by many ducks and carp.Some of the samurai residences are open to the public as is the Chofu Mori residence, the mansion of the last Lord of the Chofu Domain. Not completed until 1903, but it has two nice gardens.Kazan-ji Temple (Tel: 0832 45 0258) was built in 1321, though much restoration was carried out in the 17th Century. The main building, the Butsu-den, is original and is designated a National Treasure.In the centre of the town is Iminomiya Shrine. August 7th to 13th is the best time to visit the shrine, during the Suhouteisai Festival . During the day the area in front of the shr...
More About: Kyushu , Monos

Roppongi Tunnel art
2007-12-20 07:39:00
??????????I was walking home from Roppongi last night, all the way to Nakano, about a two-hour hike, but?it was a beautiful crisp, cool winter night with stars twinkling in the crystal clear air and a yellow crescent moon low in the sky.I walked though Roppongi Tunnel , which comes out at the National Art Center Tokyo. Inside the tunnel are several murals sponsored by the Tokyo metropolitan government. One of them was the one pictured here: a series of stiched together slices of typical street scenes in Tokyo - although definitely of the city's better off areas.Anyway, I liked the clean, airy effect that comes across even in the somewhat dingy tunnel, and even after sundown. (BTW, the mural was taken as a panorama later stitched together, thus the wonkiness.)Yahoo Japan Auction ServiceBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsTokyo Serviced ApartmentsBudget accommodation in JapanHappi CoatsTagsJapan Tokyo Roppongi Tunnel art

The Office Hours Are Un-Japanese
2007-12-19 15:31:00
??????????????????????People are always telling me I work really un-Japanese hoursTo emphasis the point of un-Japaneseness the girl in this ad on a Nagoya subway is wearing a blond wig and a false nose.It's been a while since I've seen the false nose used in advertising...though buying a gaijin set of false nose and accessories is not a problem. They are lots of fun at parties and Halloween and available on Rakuten.To emphasise "nose" (hana) there is probably a play on words with hanareshita (????) and dana (??) in the copy. Cool!Yahoo Japan Auction ServiceBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsTokyo Serviced ApartmentsBudget accommodation in JapanHappi CoatsTagsJapan Advertising gaijin Nagoya nose
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Onizuka Mara Kannon
2007-12-19 09:08:00
????I was driving along Route 495 from Munakata to Fukuoka City, in northern Kyushu , when I spotted what looked like a really interesting Chinese-style roof on a small roadside shrine.Turned out to be another Mara Kannon temple specializing in fertility.As well as a some fine examples of carved penises, there were a couple of sculptures very reminiscent of Hindu sculptures, including one of a couple engaging in coitus.The shrine is located right on Route 495, just outside Tsuyazaki Town.Yahoo Japan Auction ServiceBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsTokyo Serviced ApartmentsBudget accommodation in JapanHappi CoatsTagsJapan kannon Shinto shrine Kyushu
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Book Review: The Asian Vegan Kitchen
2007-12-18 08:37:00
??????????????????? The Asian Vegan Kitchen The Asian Vegan Kitchenby Hema ParekhKodansha InternationalISBN 4-7700-3069-6192 ppEven the unreconstructed meat-eater in me could not resist this book. Hema Parekh has collected a wide variety of recipes from around Asia that look and sound wonderful. She is a well-known teacher of vegetarian cooking in Tokyo, and has chosen 200 recipes from many countries in the Far East.The recipes include sushi, northern Indian curries, Vietnamese spring rolls, and spicy Chinese tofu. There are also recipes from Burma, Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.The recipes are simple, and the book contains an easy-to-use glossary.This carnivore was nearly converted.Review ed by C. Ogawa Buy this book from AmazonUSA UK JapanBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsJapanese FictionHappi CoatsTagsJapan Hema Parekh Asian Food Vegan
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Anti-Racist Graffiti Poster
2007-12-17 02:38:00
???????On the way back from an outing to a hot spring in Shiga Prefecture, which is just east of Kyoto, this poster stared me in the face as I stood at a urinal in a JR train station toilet.What this poster says, literally, is:"If you find racist graffiti, please tell a station employee immediately. People hate [the red is peeled back] thoughtless, crude graffiti..."The word covered by the "Graffiti Banned" poster within a poster is no doubt "buraku" or perhaps worse.Any reference to "human rights" in Japan--from the small signs on Kyoto buses to large banners outside schools near certain stigmatized communities--is code for Japan's "buraku" community, and to a lesser extent Koreans.These signifiers--the signs and banners and pleas for "thinking about human rights"--tell the uninformed that Japan's outcaste population lives nearby in one of the many buraku, or "villages," spread throughout Japan.The amazing thing, in the case of the burakumin people, is that they are racially and ...
More About: Poster , Discrimination , Racist , Anti

Japan This Week 12/16/07
2007-12-16 12:03:00
????? Japan stunned by shooting at sports club.YomiuriJapanese wives forcing men to sit on the toilet while peeing--lest they"miss" and foul the bog. Almost half of men surveyed admitted to sittingwhen taking a leak.GuardianBusiness sentiment in Japan is falling in part because of the US economy,the rising yen, and the cost of oil.AsahiMan arrested for throwing panties into neighbor's gardens described as"friendly and a stickler for cleanliness."MainichiLast week's Japan newsBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsJapanese FictionHappi CoatsTagsJapan Japan News Japan Statistics sex politics
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Nima Sand Museum
2007-12-15 10:33:00
???????????How long does it take for 1 ton of sand to fall through an aperture 0.85mm wide?Exactly one year!At least according to what is believed to be the largest hourglass-sandtimer in the world, located in the Nima Sand Museum in Nima, Shimane .Every December 31st at midnight the huge timer, measuring 5 metres in height with a diameter of 1 meter, is ceremonially turned over to begin marking time for the next year.Opened in 1991, the Sand Museum was built because the local mayor thought that the sand at a nearby beach, Kotogahama, which squeaked and "sang" when walked on, was worthy of being a tourist attraction. Other than the giant sandtimer, the museum has a handful of artworks that utilize sand, but like many attractions in Japan, the architecture is far more interesting that what is housed inside.The Sand Museum is built into the side of the hill, and is topped by 6 glass and steel pyramids, the largest of which houses the Sandtimer.The Sand Museum was never a great draw, an...

Nanachan Nagoya
2007-12-13 16:00:00
?????Nagoya is a fashion-conscious city. The prevailing creed: "If you have the cash - flaunt it!"This industrial, no-nonsense city has even spawned its own look among young women - the "Nagoya gyarusu" trend.Carrot beehives, feather boas, tight, satin hot-pants even when the weather is hovering just above zero, high-heels, shed loads of make-up and a Louis Vuitton accessory or six all thrown together for the complete $50 "hooker look."Well, its understandable when you consider one of the city's defining icons is the 7m tall mannequin Nanachan. Turn right out of the Hirokoji exit of Nagoya Station and there she is -- white, bald, legs akimbo and very, very tall.Nanachan gets a makeover two or three times a month and usually dresses according to the season. This year the 600kg girl with the 2m bust has been seen in a bikini, a festival happi coat and a Chunichi Dragons uniform after the local team won the Japan Series.At the minute Nanachan is in a fetching Santa kind of thing.To se...
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Chinese Character of the Year: "False"
2007-12-13 01:42:00
???????Every December the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation chooses a single Chinese character that is supposed to best represent the past year.Submissions are sent in from around Japan.Then, at Kyoto 's Kiyomizu Temple, the head priest reveals the kanji that has been chosen. On December 12, Seihan Mori drew the chosen character on a sign measuring 1.5 meters high by 1.3 meters wide.This year's "winner" was ?, which can be read "gi" or "nise." The meaning is "false."In addition to the usual political and business-world scandals, 2007 witnessed many cases of mislabeling by some of the big names in the food industry: Senba Kicho, Shiroi Koibito, McDonald's, Akafuku, Fujiya, and more.The sign bearing the kanji will be on display at the Temple until December 31.Yahoo Japan Auction ServiceBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsTokyo Serviced ApartmentsBudget accommodation in JapanHappi CoatsTagsJapan Tokyo Kyoto Kanji Kiyomizu Temple
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