(Article quote from "OKU Japan") The Japanese people often refer to themselves as an island-nation, and the uniqueness this has contributed to the Japanese people and their culture. Japan today is 99% ethnic Japanese. This homogeneity has been an important factor in the way many of the intricate social customs and its unique food culture have persevered. Japanese cuisine has become famous around the world, most notably for sushi, tempura, ramen noodles. However, Japan's culture of food is as long and complicated as its history, and the Japanese have not only invented their own culinary s… Read more

Matsumoto Castle(Matsumoto-jo 松本城), a flatland castle was built in 1504 and was used until 1868. Outer castle was taken down and the land reclaimed in the Meiji Restoration.… Read more

The Shirakawagō (白川郷) and neighboring Gokayama (五箇山) regions, regsitered UNESCO World Heritage (1995) site line the Sho-gawa (庄川) River Valley in the remote mountains that span from Gifu to Toyama Prefectures. In Shirakawagō there are approximately180 thatched farmhouses, sheds, and barns . The Gassho-zukuri (合掌造り) houses of Shirakawagō and Gokayama are rare examples of their kind in Japan. Some of the traditional farmhouses are more than 250 years old. "Gassho-zukuri" means "constructed like hands in prayer", as the… Read more

Awa-no-yu, Shirahone Onsen, Nagano-ken Roten-buro(open-air outdoor bath)… Read more

Up in the far reaches of Gifu prefecture, nestled in the Northern Alps, is Hida-Takayama (飛騨 高山), more commonly just called Takayama. "Hida" is an old administrative name of Gifu-prefecture(ken) and "Takayama" means "tall mountain" and is one of many visitors' favorite choices in terms of tourism, or a must-hit for people with a JR train pass and more than a few weeks in Japan. Takayama city boasts history, culture, and food. They even have their own style of "ramen" or "Takayama Ramen". Within walking distance from the station there are more than 30 ramen restaurants. http://blog… Read more

Up in the North, one of Japan's largest Winter Festival started in Sapporo, Hokkaido today. This is its 67th festival which attracts more than 2 million visitors every winter. (from Live Camera UTC12:30) Total of 208 snow and ice sculptures lined up Odori Park, along the main street of Susukino and the Community Dome "Tsudome" until 11th. ( Tsudome park open until 18th). Sapporo is turned into a winter dreamland of crystal-like ice and white snow. Down in the South, Mount Sakurajima, a volcano that overlooks the ci… Read more

(Article quote from "OKU Japan") There are four main islands in the Japanese archipelago. From north to south these are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. In addition there are the Ryukyu islands that spread south from Kyushu towards Taiwan, and about 3,000 other smaller islands. Japan sits on the Ring of Fire, a ring of volcanoes that encircles the Pacific Ocean. It experiences frequent low-intensity earth tremors and there are numerous volcanoes, some active. About 75% of the country is mounta… Read more

Every year during winter something magical happens to Japan’s tallest mountain, Mount Fuji. As the sun descends in the sky bringing a close to another day, it meets with the summit of Mount Fuji for a few brief moments, making it appear as if the peak is topped with a glistening diamond. Thousands of people flock to vantage points around the area for a chance to see this special phenomenon, so called "Diamond Fuji" and it usually happens twice a year at each fixed place where Mount Fuji can be seen. Today thi… Read more

Today is Risshun (立春), the first day of spring in the traditional Japanese calendar. Until the Gregorian calendar was adopted in 1873, Japan had been counting time on the old lunar calendar. This calendar is based on the waxing and waning of the moon, so it isn't always in sync with the actual seasons. So farmers relied on Niju-shi-sekki (24節気) to know when to start planting or harvesting. The Niju-shi-sekki is a system dividing the year into 24 periods of 15 or 16 days each, corresponding to changes in… Read more

First forecast : February 3, 2016 According to an early cherry blossom forecast by the Japan Weather Association, the cherry blossoms are expected to follow a relatively average to rather late pace in 2016. They are predicted to start opening in late March and reach full bloom around early to mid-April in many of Japan's major cities. (Forecast subject to change. Next forecast : February 24 ） --------- March 25 Fukuoka, Kumamoto March 26 Tokyo, Nagoya, Kochi March 27 Nagasaki, Wakayama March 2… Read more

" Driving out evil spirits and inviting in good fortune " Today is "Setsubun". It is the day preceding "Risshun=立春" that is the first day of spring according to the old Japanese lunar calendar. On the day of Setsubun, there is the custom of throwing roasted soybeans = Mamemaki (豆まき) while chanting "Fuku-wa-uchi (福は内) "="In with Fortune!" and "Oni-wa-soto (鬼は外) " = "Out with Evil " in order to prevent evil ogres from entering one's house. (＊Note "Mamemaki" at bottom) It is believed that the ogres… Read more

Teppan-yaki (鉄板焼き) Restaurant, not yet ready .... A style of Japanese cuisine that uses an iron griddle to cook food. The word teppanyaki is derived from teppan (鉄板), which means iron plate, and yaki (焼き), which means grilled, broiled, or pan-fried. Do not grill and eat Pai-chan ... I'm not yet ready ...… Read more

---- An introductory guide by "OKU Japan" ---- quote While the image of modern Japan in the West is of large cities and heavy industry, 75% of the country is mountainous forest, and the country offers terrain ranging from sub-tropical islands to alpine peaks. The Japanese landscape - the rivers, trees, mountains, natural hot springs - are at the heart of Japanese culture and religion. Japan's Shinto religion worships sacred spirits (call… Read more

Aragi-island (nickname) in Arita, Wakayama-ken is not an island but a terraced pad Its unique terrain created by the winding river… Read more

Yunishigawa Onsen (湯西川温泉) is a small hot spring town in a remote valley in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture(栃木県), about a one hour bus ride deeper into the mountains from Nikko Kinugawa Onsen(鬼怒川温泉). Yunishigawa during the Kamakura Festival The town was founded after the Taira clan (also known as the Heike clan) was defeated by the Minamoto clan (also known as the Genji clan) for political supremacy over Japan towards the end of the Heian Period (710 - 1185), and many members of the Taira clan… Read more

Go to the Hotel tonight ?… Read more

A Fantasy Picture Story - Pai-chan was totally unaware that the bearded Tranny Hunter was near ... This guy, the famous Tranny Hunter, has a special GPS tracker and weapons .... It was such a beautiful day and Pai-chan was taking relaxing time for a foreplay .... The guy was so naughtily peeping how innocent Pai-chan was playing ...… Read more

The 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake diminished much of the port city's prominence when it destroyed and halted much of the facilities and services there, causing approximately ten trillion yen or $102.5 billion in damage, 2.5% of Japan's *** at the time. Most of the losses were uninsured, as only 3% of property in the Kobe area was covered by earthquake insurance, compared to 16% in Tokyo. Kobe was one of the world's busiest ports prior to the earthquake, but despite the repair and rebuilding, it has never regained its forme… Read more

Karakuri puppets (からくり人形 karakuri ningyō) are traditional Japanese mechanized puppets or automata, originally made from the 17th century to 19th century. The dolls' gestures provided a form of entertainment. The word "Karakuri" means "mechanisms" or "trick". It is used to describe any device that evokes a sense of awe through concealment of its inner workings. (Kyoto Gion Float Karakuri Clock at Kyoto Station) Three… Read more

Shikotsu-ko Hyoto Matsuri ( Winter Ice Festival ) January 29 - February 21, Lake Shikotsu, Hokkaido Many ice sculptures made from the lake water exhibited on the shore are lit up during evenings. Some more events are scheduled during the festival period. Schedule & Key events: ● daily 4:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Ice sculptures light up ● Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 6:30 p.m.-6:50 p.m. Accompanied by Winter Fireworks on the lake shore. http://blog-imgs-87.fc2.com/s/k/b/skbjkjsk/1454075167xqnmPvRU1_G… Read more