Hatsumode ; the first shrine visiting of the New Year

For Japanese people, “Oshogatsu”, the New Year’s holiday time is a more important festivity than Christmas. Many of us‘d go to shrines and pray for a happy life in the new year.

Taga Taisha

I have been to two shrines, one is Taga Taisha in Taga-cho, Siga Prefecture & the other is Kanda Myojin in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

Ise bridge by Mr. Mark

The most famous shrine in Japan is the Ise Jingu in Ise-shi, Mie Prefecture. The Japanese Prime Minister goes there, too. Above all, this is the shrine where the Imperial ancestors are enshrined.

Kanda Myojin

Kanda Myojin is known as the God of Business. And many companies from all over Tokyo, - form the largest business enterprise to the business owners of small & medium sized companies visit there and pray for a good business for the year. Well, well what will this year be like?

Hatsumōde - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Japanese New Year - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

USJ’s souvenirs

I went to Universal Studios Japan which is one of three Universal Studios theme parks, this one in Osaka, Japan.

I got some souvenirs at the Universal Studios. They are all sweets. These packages are sooo fun.

Universal Studios Japan

Hikone Castle (Hikonyan on YouTube)

Hikone is a city located just in the middle between Kyoto and Nagoya. There is the Hikone Castle, which was built in 1600’s, and is now designated as a national treasure.

This year, the mascot character “Hikonyan”, created for their tourism campaign has become very popular, triggered by the video clip introduced on the YouTube. It has been played more than 200,000 times in total.

There were groups of very excited girls exclaiming “Kawaii!!!” and taking photos in front of the Hikone Castle.

and brodcasted to all japan.

Hikone Castle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hikone, Shiga - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
hikonyan

Kyoto Tower : Kyoto Trip Part 2

The Kyoto tower just stands out most, around the Kyoto station. But in fact, the local people in Kyoto think that the Kyoto tower is a shame for them.

They say because it looks like a stick of candle that is kind of indicating a stereo type of Kyoto, and it is not as high (131m) as to be called a “tower” etc.

There are souvenir shops, a book store, restaurants and even a hot spa inside the Kyoto tower. So why don’t you visit?

Kyoto Tower - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Welcome to Kyoto - Kyoto Tower -

Autumn in Kyoto : Kyoto Trip part 1

Hey, I’ve just been to Kyoto by bullet train! In this time of the year in Kyoto, “Koyo”（紅葉）- autumn colored leaves are the best thing, more than anything else.

At temples and shrines, there were many people from all over Japan to enjoy the beautiful “Koyo” landscape.

Maybe due to the global warming, the season of “Koyo” has been shifted year by year. You know it’s already December, and we say it is the best time for the autumn leaves. That sounds a bit wired, don’t you think?

The photo of Maiko（like “Geisha”）is probably a tourist in that costume. They said that the make-up services for the tourist have been very popular recently. This is not a real Maiko, so don’t mistake!

Autumn leaves (koyo) in Japan
Japanese fall foliage destinations in Kyoto - Autumn in Japan
Kyoto Winter Special 2008

Hunting golden leaves : Jingu-Gaien park in Aoyama

We went to Jingu-Gaien park in Aoyama to enjoy golden ginkgo leaves.

In Japanese, We did “momiji-gari”, means “color-tinted leaves hunt” Hunt nothing, just go out to enjoy leaves ;)

Maybe most of the time we are going to mountain, so it calls “hunt”. I think it’s peaceful recreation!

These ginkgo woods are becoming 100 years old in 2008! wow!

Tokyo by Area -Jingu Gaien(Meiji Shrine Outer Garden Area)-

Tokyo tower (and wax museum)

by kobakou

The Tokyo Tower is 333 meters high. Since 1958 is has been the world’s tallest self-supporting iron tower.The tower is painted in white and orange to meet aviation safety regulations. The Tokyo tower broadcasts 14 signals for radio and television.

by kobakou

An aquarium, wax museum and several more attractions can be found on the ground floors of the tower.

by marahami

This is Frank Zappa wax dall. The wax museum director may likes progressive rock.

TOKYO TOWER / Tokyo Tower Data

“The Rainbow Bridge”

by LE Eyes

by etrepum
It named because of its changing nighttime lights, Rainbow Bridge spans the bay from Minato-ku to Odaiba one of Tokyo’s premier wining and dining areas.

Flickr: Search “Rainbow Bridge Tokyo”
Rainbow Bridge (Tokyo) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

“TORINOICHI” ： Japanese festival　

Yeah, I have been to “TORINOICH” in Asakusa!

“TORINOICH” is a local festival held in many places around Tokyo in Nov. And the most famous is this one at Asakusa’s.

There are many stalls lining up and selling the good-luck charm “kumade“（Japanese pitchfork）and many people buy them.

It is said that “kumade” would “sweep in the good-luck to you” so even famous politicians, artists or big companies get them every year. For example, The Governor of Tokyo and the Sony are among them! （I wonder that it’s hard for the people other than Japanese to get it !? ）

This slidshow is by titanium22 (Hanazono-jinjya at Shinjuku 2006)

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

ASAKUSA Torinoichi