travel in Akihabara

Akihabara first started specializing in electronics when people dealing in black market radio parts began setting up shop under the elevated JR railroad after World War II. As Japan's manufacturing technology and economy grew during the 50's and 60's, the shops starting selling televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, and other consumer household goods.
Many computer stores started opening stores in Akihabara during the PC boom of the 80's and 90's, and otaku obsessed with computers and anime poured into the area. Japanese electronics manufacturers sometimes send prototypes of new products to Akihabara stores in order to see how popular they are with consumers there before release them into the national and international markets.

The urban legend that Coca Cola was originally green when it was first created is actually false (according to the company itself), but the idea still lives on in the hearts and minds of many of us. So it was with no little excitement that I first beheld Asahi's 'Green Cola' sitting on the convenience store shelves. It didn't take me long to figure out what was wrong though, it's not actually green. Sigh. Turns out that the 'green' isn't referring to the colour, but to the supposedly ecological way it's made. However there doesn't seem to be anything particularily environmentally friendly about it, unless the assertion that the drink's lack of colourants, caffeine and preservatives is supposed to equal green? Maybe Asahi is hoping people would focus on the gimmick instead of asking questions.Mt. Kumotori is Tokyo's highest mountain at 2012 meters. The route Kumi and I took started from Mitsumine shrine (Chichibu), finished in Kamosawa (Okutama), and required an overnight stay in a mountain lodge called Kumotori Sanso. The day started grey and overcast (as many Tokyo weekends are prone to do) but we decided to bite the bullet and just go, having planned this hike a number of weeks ago. We arrived at Mitsumine shrine (above photo) at around 11am (about 3.5 hours from our apartment) and took a quick look around the complex. Although the 2000 year old mountain shrine is supposedly worth a second look, we didn't stay long as it was already late in the morning and we had a 6 hour hike ahead of us. Although it wasn't raining, there was a dense mist surrounding everything.Kumi registers us for our hike at the beginning of the trail (below shot), in case we get lost or eaten by bears.
Akihabara now has over 250 electronics stores, from huge megachains to small part suppliers. Most of the shops are gathered around Akihabara Station and along Chuo Dori (Chuo Avenue), and many of the bigger ones have staff that speak English, Chinese, and Korean. Prices can vary significantly between stores and, unlike most places in Japan, are sometimes negotiable.
Many of the electronics in Akihabara are for use in Japan only and overseas shoppers should be sure to check voltage and warranty requirements before buying electronics to use at home. Duty free shopping is also available to foreigners (passport required) on purchases of more than 10,000 yen at some of the larger stores.

Economic and health in japan

The absolute percentages of people reporting poor health declined across all socioeconomic statuses following the crisis. However, after controlling for confounding factors, the odds ratio (OR) for poor self-rated health (95% confidence intervals) among middle-class non-manual workers (clerical/sales/service workers) compared with the highest class workers (managers/administrators) was 1.02 (0.92 to 1.14) before the crisis but increased to 1.14 (1.02 to 1.29) after the crisis (p for temporal change = 0.02). Japan is located in an area where several continental and oceanic plates meet. This is the cause for frequent earthquakes and the presence of many volcanoes. Over 1,000 times earthquakes happen in one year. Additionally, many typhoons make landfall every year because Japan is located in the temperate zone. So government needs to secure a reliable crisis management system. The Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995 was big turning point in the development of contingency planning. 6,400 people died and 43,792 people injured over the disaster. After the earthquake, 16 laws are established or revised based on the lessons and reflections from this incident and Japanese crisis management system had been improved a lot. The association was stronger among males. The adjusted ORs among professional workers and young female homemakers also marginally increased over time. Unemployed people were twice as likely to report poor health compared with the highest class workers throughout the period. Self-rated health of people with middle to higher incomes deteriorated in relative terms following the crisis compared with that of lower income people.

Japan has the world best efficient public transportation network, especially within metropolitan areas and between the large cities. Japanese public transportation is characterized by its punctuality, its superb service, and the large crowds of people using it. Railways are most common, convenient and efficient way of transportation. Dozens of Japanese railway companies compete in regional and local passenger transportation markets. There are 173 airports in Japan and flying is a popular way to travel between cities. The main international gateways are Narita International Airport, Kansai International Airport and Ch?bu Centrair International Airport. The main domestic hub is Haneda Airport, which is Asia's busiest airport. Japan has 1,152,207 km of highways with 863,003 km paved and 289,204 km of unpaved ways, and also there are 1770 km of Waterways and twenty-two major seaports. People can get goods easily and fast.
Conclusions: Self-rated health improved in absolute terms for all occupational groups even after the economic recession. However, the relative disparity increased between the top and middle occupational groups in men.

dinner in japan

Strange but suggestive, "Noriko's Dinner Table" reps less a sequel to helmer Sion Sono's previous horror satire "Suicide Club" than an existential parallel. "Table" follows two teenage sisters who shed their identities to join a quasi-prostitution ring. Although told through a cascade of flashes forward and back, the puzzle doesn't quite form a complete picture by the end, which may leave genre fans frustrated but the arthouse crowd intrigued. Either way, pic -- which won special jury mention at Karlovy Vary -- is too long by half and will serve meager B.O. portions, but heartier meals on ancillary.
Pic is divided into five chapters, four of them named after major characters. Although each of the characters contributes a lengthy, overextended voiceover spiel explaining his/her thoughts and feelings, storytelling is highly fractured. Shots and scenes from different points in the story are jumbled together throughout to create a kaleidoscopic overall narrative -- and what was probably an editing room nightmare.
The story, in correct chronological order rather than how it is actually told, goes something like this: The Shimabara family -- journalist father Tetsuzo (Ken Mitsuishi), wife Taeko and their two daughters, 17-year-old Noriko (Kazue Fukiishi) and her younger sister Yuka (Yuriko Yoshitaka) -- live in Toyokawa. Shy and vaguely unhappy, Noriko becomes obsessed with a Web site called Haikyo.com (literally "a deserted or abandoned place"), where she makes online friends with other teenage girls. Japanese housewife Kazumi Izaki dutifully prepares lunchboxes for her family at the crack of dawn each morning before hitting the gym to beat up grown men.
Izaki, who became Japan’s oldest professional boxer last year, could soon overtake George Foreman by winning a world title at 46 years old.
However, Izaki still swaps her boxing gloves for an apron at least twice a day, also cooking dinner for her husband and two daughters before her evening training. She survives on barely three hours’ sleep a night.
Izaki’s future hung in the balance earlier this year when the World Boxing Council ruled she was too old to face Mexican Ana Maria Torres for the world superflyweight crown, pulling the plug on her Feb. 28 fight with the hard-hitting champion.
“I’m not scared of Torres,” said a defiant Izaki, who burst into tears the first time she hit another woman after taking up boxing 11 years ago.
Taping her hands beneath black-and-white photographs of Muhammad Ali at the height of his powers, Izaki is aware of the dangers involved, and has the scars to prove it.
“I’ve broken my nose in three places and broken a bone under my eye socket once,” she smiled. “All in sparring against men. Injuries are part of boxing.”
If Izaki beats the red tape and Torres, she will eclipse Foreman, who was 45 when he regained the world heavyweight crown in 1994.
“I don’t think about my age,” she insisted. “Once the gong rings all I can hear is my trainer — and my kids yelling, ‘Go on, mum!’ As long as my body works I’ll carry on.”
Her immediate plans were more clear-cut, involving a visit to the fishmonger.
“I’m doing grilled mackerel with grated radish tonight,” she smiled
Noriko decides to run away to Toyko to meet Haikyo's queen bee, Ueno54, who turns out to be a young woman named Kumiko (Tsugumi), a member of a bizarre group called Family Circle, semi-amateur actors for hire by clients in complex games of pretend.
Adopting her online nickname "Mitsuko," Noriko joins Family Circle and begins to forget her former identity, especially after Kumiko forces her to watch the mass suicide of 54 schoolgirls at Shinjuku station, the key event in Sono's "Suicide Club."
Final act, much too long in the waiting, turns into a Grand Guignol bloodbath, involving the dining table of the title along with other household objects, resulting in a bizarre open ending that hardly answers the most pressing questions but has a compelling mystery about it.
Overlap between "Noriko's Dinner Table" and the gorier "Suicide Club" extends not just to the Shinjuku suicide scene and preoccupation with shadowy cults, but also to thematic interest in alienation and the generation gap. New film, which is big on the nature of role-playing and memory, feels a bit more pretentious, although the occasional scene or image manages to deliver a hefty wallop.
Thesping is mostly OK, though a little hammy, suggesting the helmer is more interested in moving characters like chess pieces around his board.

Travel in Hiroshima

When the first atomic bomb exploded over Hiroshima on 6 Aug 1945 the city became an immediate symbol for the horrors of war. Today Hiroshima (pop. 1 086 000) has several moving reminders of that day of utter devastation.
The centerpiece is called the A-Bomb Dome—it’s the skeleton of a domed building that survived the blast. Across the street is Peace Park where you’ll find the Cenotaph for the Victims (it contains all of their names) and the Atomic Bomb Museum. The museum’s photographs are the most compelling (and perhaps horrifying): They show the actual effects of radiation on human flesh.
The most moving monument is the Children’s Peace Memorial (also called the Sadako Monument) which celebrates the desire for long life and happiness traditionally expressed in the folding of paper cranes. You may see groups of schoolchildren adding more paper cranes strung together in rainbow garlands to the millions that already surround the base of the memorial. It is a tradition that every school group or organization that visits this memorial, will place 1,000 paper cranes there. Our group from Canada placed 1,000 paper cranes and it was a very emotional time for the students.
In the years since the war Hiroshima has been rebuilt into a fairly typical industrial city (Mazda has a huge factory there). It has covered shopping arcades lively department stores (with ardent consumers) and a helpful information office. The city’s streetcar system is not extensive but it is efficient and provides announcements of stops in both Japanese and English.
Miyajima island lies just off the coast from Hiroshima—a short ferry ride from the end of the streetcar line. The main reasons to go there are solitude the view and the Shrine of Itsukushima which is built on wooden piers over the water. The shrine’s torii (the huge T-shaped gate at the entrance to a Shinto shrine) is out at the head of a bay—its orange paint stunning against the blue water has made this one of the most photographed places in Japan. (To get the best pictures be there when the tide’s in.) The shrine was constructed hundreds of years ago when the island was considered holy and commoners could approach it only by boat. Today travelers often find lodging on Miyajima while visiting Hiroshima. They don’t leave the island without sampling the locally made crackers.
Only 30 mi/45 km from Hiroshima on the JR Sanyo railway line in Iwakuni is the most famous bridge in Japan the Kintai-kyo. Built in 1673 the Brocade Sash Bridge is composed of five gracefully arched spans. The bridge was originally meant for the use of samurai—all others were forbidden to step upon it. Vestiges of the Edo-period castle town can be seen in the vicinity of the bridge.
Two nearby villages are famous for their pottery. Bizen has been producing its distinct deep brown pottery for the past 1 000 years. Hagi only began crafting pottery 300 years ago when master craftsmen were kidnapped from Korea to learn the secrets of their art. Hiroshima is 175 mi/280 km west of Osaka.
Contributors

Shopping in Osaka japan

There are almost as many shopping opportunities in the city of Osaka as places to eat out. Perhaps largely to a surge in the yen, Tokyo is back as the most expensive city in the world, followed by Osaka which made a leap from last year when it ranked 11th in the cost of living survey by consultants Mercer. The best department stores can be found around the Umeda Stations and also in the JR Osaka area, where there is plenty to keep you occupied for your whole holiday.

Osaka's shopping scene is known for its electronics and Den Den Town is a true highlight, where a huge selection of local stores specialise in electronic goods. It is worth bearing in mind that it is possible to avoid paying sales tax if the store features a tax-free sign. Tourists visiting Osaka and looking to take advantage of this saving should be sure to bring their passport when shopping.
Osaka Shopping: When to Shop / Opening Hours - Osaka, Japan, JP
The general shopping hours in Osaka are fairly simple to predict, with the majority of shops around the city choosing to open seven days a week, from as early as 09:00, until 18:30 or slightly later. The main department stores usually tend to open at 10:00, with the smallest shops closing at around 17:00. Some of the city's smaller shops also remain closed each Sunday and many choose to close each Wednesday.

Osaka Shopping: Where to Shop - Osaka, Japan, JP
For food-related shopping in Osaka, the Doguya-suji Arcade is a good bet and is located in the Minami district, featuring around 40 shops in total. The city is almost over run with enormous shopping centres, malls and department stores, with highlights including the spreading ATC complex, where many popular shops stand alongside restaurants, cafes, waterfront attractions and entertainment venues, such as the ATC Hall.

The America Village (Amerika-Mura) contains a huge selection of shops and restaurants, together with a number of popular love hotels.
At the heart of Osaka's American-style Amerika-Mura district, the Big Street Shopping Mall is not to be missed and boasts nine floors of shops and more, including a cinema and many seasonal events. The nearby Triangle Park is also a good place to visit in this part of Osaka and features plenty of benches, where many people choose to take a much-needed break from shopping.

One of the most popular shopping centres in Osaka is without doubt Namba City, an underground mall in the Minami area and close to Namba train station. With Japanese chain stores, inexpensive goods, many excellent restaurants and a maze of interconnecting halls, Namba City lies alongside the city hall and is also next to the Nannan Town, a further underground shopping complex.
Moscow falls to the third from the top, while New York jumps to the eighth from the 22th last year.

Lagos (32) and Abidjan (34) are more expensive than San Francisco (34) or Luxembourg (38) while Bratislava (30) and Algiers (40) come higher than Frankfurt (48) or Washington (66).

Birmingham (125) and Wellington (139) are cheaper than Guatemala City (119) or Bogota (120).

Residents in Tokyo would pay £3,751.28 a month to rent a luxury two-bedroom unfurnished appartment while those in Johannesburg would pay just £624.16. A cup of coffee, including service, costs £4.08 in Paris, while it is just £1.80 in Sydney.

Warsaw is the cheapest place to buy a litre of pasturtised whole milk, above 2.5 pct fat (£0.55) while Beijing is the most expensive (£1.82) and Tokyo the second most expensive (£1.79).

The main shopping malls and stores in the city of Osaka are shown below.

food in japan

food in japan The objective of this research is to analyze the food consumption patterns and to conduct econometric analysis of food demand structure in Japan. In this study, we pay special attention to the questions on whether or not rice is an inferior good as previous researchers have so claimed and to what extent Japanese food consumption pattern has been westernized.

We use the cross-sectional household data, Annual Report on the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) in 1997 compiled by the Statistics Bureau, Management and Coordination Agency in Japan. For major 11 food items, the total number of observations used for estimation is 95,223. Food items are non-glutinous rice, bread, noodle, fresh fish, and shellfish, fresh meat, milk, eggs, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, fats and oil, and food away from home. For meat items, the total number of observations used for estimation is 94,200, and items in interest are beef, pork, poultry, ground meat, ham, sausage, and bacon.

In order to deal with the zero-consumption problem associated with household-level microdata, we apply various single equation models: Working-Leser model estimated by OLS, Heckman’s sample selection model, and Tobit mode. For a complete demand system analysis, we apply the linearly approximated almost ideal demand system (LA/AIDS).Additionally, we apply the nonlinear almost ideal demand (AIDS) system.

Empirical results from the major 11 food items show that the expenditure elasticity of rice is positive and close to one. This proves that rice consumed in Japan is a normal good, contrary to the results from preceding studies. Marshallian uncompensated and Hicksian compensated own-price elasticities for rice are highly elastic in all models; on the other hand, the own price elasticity for meat is relatively price inelastic. Fresh meats and rice are mild complements in all models; however, fresh fish and rice show the mixed results with repect to their substitution pattern.

Results from meat items show that the expenditure elasticity of beef is greater than unity, while other meat products are inelastic. Additionally, the expenditure and price elasticities look very similar to that of Western nations. This study shows that the Japanese meat consumption pattern has become westernized.

travel in Hokkaido

The Nihonshoki is often said to be the first mention of Hokkaido in recorded history. According to the text, Abe no Hirafu led a large navy and army to northern areas from 658 to 660 and came into contact with the Mishihase and Emishi. One of the places Hirafu went to was called Watarishima, which is often believed to be present-day Hokkaido. However, many theories exist in relation to the details of this event, including the location of Watarishima and the common belief that the Emishi in Watarishima were the ancestors of the present-day Ainu.During the Nara and Heian periods, people in Hokkaido conducted trade with the Dewa Province, the outpost of the Japanese central government. From the medieval ages, the people in Hokkaido began to be called Ezo. Around the same time Hokkaido came to be called Ezochi or Ezogashima. The Ezo mainly relied upon hunting and fishing and obtained rice and iron through trade with the Japanese.During the Muromachi period, the Japanese created a settlement at the south of the Oshima peninsula. As more people moved to the settlement to avoid battles, disputes arose between the Japanese and the Ainu. The disputes eventually developed into a battle. Takeda Nobuhiro killed the Ainu leader and established a Japanese victory. Nobuhiro's descendants became the rulers of the Matsumae Han, which ruled the south of Ezochi until the end of the Edo period.The Matsumae Han's economy relied upon trade with the Ainu. The Matsumae family was granted exclusive trading rights with the Ainu in the Azuchi-Momoyama and Edo periods. The Han gradually changed trade conditions so they came to favor Japanese merchants. As a result, some Ainu rebelled against the Matsumae han, but the rebellions were defeated. During the Meiji Restoration, the Shogunate realized there was a need to prepare northern defenses against Russian aggressions and took over most control of Ezochi. The Shogunate made the Ainu burden slightly easier, but did not change the overall form of rule.Hokkaido was known as Ezochi until the Meiji Restoration. Shortly after the Boshin War in 1868, a group of Tokugawa loyalists led by Enomoto Takeaki proclaimed the island's independence as the Republic of Ezo, but the rebellion was crushed in May 1869. Ezochi was subsequently put under control of the Colonization Office. When establishing the Colonization Office, the Meiji Government decided to change the name of Ezochi. Matsuura Takeshirō submitted 6 ideas, including names such as Kaihokudo (海北道) and Hokkaido (北加伊道) to the government. The government eventually decided to use the name Hokkaido, but decided to write it as 北海道, as a compromise between 海北道 and because of the similarity with names such as Tokaido (東海道). According to Matsuura, the name was thought up because the Ainu called the region "Kai." In 1882, the Colonization Office was abolished, and Hokkaido was separated into three prefectures, Hakodate, Sapporo, and Nemuro. In 1886, the three prefectures were abolished, and Hokkaido was put under the Hokkaido Agency. Hokkaido became equal with other prefectures in 1947, when the revised Local Autonomy Law became effective.

Nagasaki travel today

The best and easiest way to travel around the beautiful bay city of Nagasaki is by tram. The logical place to begin is central Nagasaki in the station area, known as Daikoku-machi, which although cluttered and busy, contains dozens of shops and restaurants of interest, as well as a handful of popular and moderately-priced business hotels, including the Hotel Wing Port Nagasaki and the Nagasaki Orion Hotel, whose comfortable rooms are only about a one minute walk from Nagasaki Station. In addition, extra travel information is available nearby at the Nagasaki Tourist Information Centre. After getting some maps and advice, the 26 Martyrs Memorial, in Nishizaka-machi, and Honren-ji in Chikugo-machi are both popular tourist attractions. Make sure to budget plenty of time to see all the sites, however, as Nagasaki's plentiful hills and steep inclines, wear out even the fittest of tourists.
Nagasaki Bay
Continuing south, you will soon be at the Ohato tram stop. Reaching out into the bay to the West is Motofuna-machi, where, besides a few hotels with good views of the bay, you will find the Nagasaki Terminal and port area. From here, boats run tours of the bay and carry passengers to such destinations as Iojima, where you can experience an amazing view from the top of the unmanned Iojima Lighthouse. Pass over the Nakashima River, and you have arrived in Dejima-machi, an area of considerable world fame. Dejima was an artificial island built in 1636 in Nagasaki Bay for foreign traders, as foreigners were barred from the country. Here you will find a park and the Dejima museum, dedicated to the former Dutch outpost of the same name. While there, grab lunch at Chikyukan, a unique restaurant where both the menu and chefs change daily.
Shinchi-machi

Founded before 1500, Nagasaki was originally a secluded harbour village. It enjoyed little historical significance until contact with European explorers in 1542, when a Portuguese ship accidentally landed nearby, somewhere in Kagoshima prefecture. The zealous Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier arrived in another part of the territory in 1549, but left for China in 1551 and died soon afterwards. His followers who remained behind converted a number of daimyo (feudal lords). The most notable among them was Omura Sumitada, who derived great profit from his conversion through an accompanying deal to receive a portion of the trade from Portuguese ships at a port they established in Nagasaki in 1571 with his assistance.Under the national isolation policy of the Tokugawa shogunate, Nagasaki harbour was the only harbour to which entry of foreign ships was permitted. Even today, Nagasaki shows the influence of many cultures such as Dutch, Portuguese, and Chinese.The little harbor village quickly grew into a diverse port city, and Portuguese products imported through Nagasaki (such as tobacco, bread, tempura, textiles, and a Portuguese sponge-cake called castellas) were assimilated into popular Japanese culture. The Portuguese also brought with them many goods from China.In 1587, Nagasaki's prosperity was threatened when Toyotomi Hideyoshi came to power. Concerned with the large Christian influence in southern Japan, he ordered the expulsion of all missionaries. Omura had given the Jesuits partial administrative control of Nagasaki, and the city now returned to Imperial control. Japanese and foreign Christians were persecuted, with Hideyoshi crucifying 26 Christians in Nagasaki in 1596 to deter any attempt to usurp his power. Portuguese traders were not ostracized, however, and so the city continued to thrive.When Tokugawa Ieyasu took power almost twenty years later, conditions did not improve much. Christianity was banned outright in 1614 and all missionaries were deported, as well as daimyo who would not renounce the religion. A brutal campaign of persecution followed, with thousands across Kyushu and other parts of Japan killed or tortured. The Christians did put up some initial resistance, with the Nagasaki Shimabara enclave of destitute Christians and local peasants rising in rebellion in 1637. Ultimately numbering 40,000, they captured Shimabara Castle and humiliated the local daimyo. The shogun dispatched 120,000 soldiers to quash the uprising, thus ending Japan's brief 'Christian Century.' Christians still remained, of course, but all went into hiding, still the victims of occasional inquisitions.The Dutch had been quietly making inroads into Japan during this time, despite the shogunate's official policy of ending foreign influence within the country. The Dutch demonstrated that they were interested in trading alone, and demonstrated their commitment during the Shimabara Rebellion by firing on those Christians in support of the shogun. In 1641 they were granted Dejima, an artificial island in Nagasaki Bay, as a base of operations. From this date until 1855, Japan's contact with the outside world was limited to Nagasaki. In 1720 the ban on Dutch books was lifted, causing hundreds of scholars to flood into Nagasaki to study European science and art.During the Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate governed the city, appointing a hatamoto, the Nagasaki bugyō, as its chief administrator.
Nagasaki History - Modern era
US Commodore Matthew Perry landed in 1853. The Shogunate crumbled shortly afterward, and Japan opened its doors once again to foreign trade and diplomatic relations. Nagasaki became a free port in 1859 and modernization began in earnest in 1868. With the Meiji Restoration, Nagasaki quickly began to assume some economic dominance. Its main industry was ship-building. This very industry would eventually make it a target in World War II, since many warships used by the Japanese Navy during the war were built in its factories and docks.
From this point, the tram veers west toward Shinchi-machi, an area more colloquially known as China Town. This area is similar to other Chinatowns worldwide, with excellent Chinese restaurants and a few specialty shops. From Tsuki-machi, the nearest tram stop, you can then head south toward the Glover Gardens. Glover Gardens are considered an "important cultural asset" by the Japanese government, because it is the home of the oldest wooden building of western design in Japan. The gardens are a relaxing and tranquil place to have lunch, or visit the nearby historical buildings, such as Oura Cathedral and the famed Dutch Slope. The slope is

coffee shop in tokyo

Whichever caf้ you decide to visit, you may be surprised to find that Caf้ culture is a little different as I explained in, Marking Your Spot. Now I would like to tell you about my attempt to mark, ‘My Own Spot’.
After carefully watching how Japanese people get seats in their very crowded cafes I felt somewhat confident that I could do it. I had to do it, for sitting down with a cup of coffee what my favorite past time. It was more than just a past time; it was a way of life.
I entered the caf้ and quickly spotted the perfect table. I walked up to it and proudly placed my belongings on one of the chairs and made my way to the counter and ordered. My timing was impeccable, my technique cool, smooth and accurate. “This wasn’t so bad,” I thought to myself. As I waited for my fresh brewed coffee and dessert I noticed that other people in line were staring at me. It’s not uncommon for Japanese people to stare at strangers, especially foreigners, but this felt different. I thought I had done something wrong or someone had made of with my things? But, I was wrong. Instead to my disbelief there was a small group of people sitting at MY table and my things and the chair that they rested on had been pushed into the middle of the aisle.
I wasn’t prepared for this. I had no experience on how to handle this situation. So, I thought that there might have been some kind of misunderstanding. Perhaps they had not seen my belongings or perhaps someone else might have pushed my things into the aisle. Maybe they just didn’t realize. So, I approached the table and politely explained to them in Japanese and accompanying hand gestures that I had marked this table as my own, just as everyone else does in Japan. It was then that the three older ladies all looked up at me, as if I had done something wrong. There was a brief and tense moment until one of the ladies replied, “Ki-ni-shi-nai.” Meaning, “ I don’t care.”
At that moment many ideas ran through my mind and a small crowd was starting to form around me and I felt that I must do something, but what? Perhaps I should completely lose it and throw my coffee in their faces and watch them scream in agonizing pain, but then I remembered that I ordered an iced latte. Then I thought I should make my plastic fork into a weapon and create a scene much like those found in a prison movie. But before I could even begin to think of how to create such a weapon, the person at the next table got up from their seat and left. Leaving me the perfect opportunity to redeem my self-esteem. No one would dare try to take my new established territory seeing that my manhood was on the line. So, I finally sat down to my coffee. One of my favorite spots I'll usually hit up in Culver City. It's a little hard to find; the place is located in an alleyway next to one of the public parking structures. The place itself is small.I'm a fan of the Royales - basic scrambled eggs mixed with various ingredients. Usually when I come here this is what I get. Cheap food, great service, and basic but good breakfast. Cash only and good parking since it's located next to a parking structure. Nothing special about the interior - it's old, wood paneling plastered with various pictures of actors and what not. My kind of joint. This is old school and will be back for more. One of my favorite "hole in the wall" places
When I told my friends of this story, they all laughed. Unknowingly, the rules of claiming your domain in a cafe do not apply to older women in Japan.
Please don’t get me wrong. I have always considered myself a gentleman of sorts. I willingly open doors for women and often give up my seat on the subway, and bus. But, older women or oh-ba sans as they are referred to here, are much more different than anything I have experienced back home. If you cross their path they will push, shove or hit you at the drop of a hat. Of the social hierarchy they are the most feared next to roving thugs and gangsters.
They usually travel in packs of three or more, but are just as potent by themselves. They are not concerned with the taste of coffee or the aroma. Nor are they interested in the ambience, caffeine buzz or even the people in the caf้. The reason they come to the caf้ is to get out of the house and exert their powers on innocent victims. It is not uncommon for these groups of women to sit down at a table, whether it’s occupied or not, with one cup of coffee for four hours or more. In some areas they completely dominate the local cafes causing certain death to the caf้ owners. Really a great place to have a quick, cheap breakfast. Usually not too crowded. Saturdays you might see a short line, but nothing to worry about, five minutes maybe. I liked my Hawaiian royale last time, and it was excellent, especially the Portuguese sausage part (the char siu was a little dry). I've had lots of the other breakfast items, and never disappointed. It's in the alley. Find it. Go. It's not pretty, but it gets the job done.
As I sit down at my seat in one of the most crowded areas of central Tokyo. Where the most ruthless caf้-goers can be found I am proud to say that I crossed their paths and was able to live and tell about it. And as I finish my decent cup of coffee, I get up and watch people scuttle and dash for my seat I smile to myself, then pass through the crowd and make my way to the door. It’s then that I see a fellow foreigner remarking to his friend, “Sure is crowded, How do you get a seat around here?”

travel in osaka

Towel manufacturer associations in Osaka Prefecture and the Shikoku region both claim to be the top producers in the country, but base their claims on different calculation methods.
With a longer history in towel production, Osaka Prefecture used to be the runaway market leader before World War II. In the late 1950s, however, Shikoku overtook Osaka, thanks to success in making cotton blankets.
But the towel gap has narrowed in recent years, with 9,381 tons produced in Shikoku and 9,209 tons in Osaka Prefecture last year. The combined volume accounted for 99 percent of domestic towel production.
The Osaka Towel Industrial Association in Izumisano in the prefecture, which has 102 member firms, cites the volume of towels brought to dye houses as its production figure.
On the other hand, the Shikoku Towel Industrial Association in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, with 132 members, calculates production by using the yield rate, which shows the percentage of cotton yarn that is actually turned into towels without being wasted. The association multiplies the amount of yarn by the yield rate to calculate towel production.
The association had set the yield rate at 84 percent until 2007 but gradually raised it to 90 percent in 2008, 94 percent in 2009 and 95 percent in 2010. It is known that humans have inhabited what is now called Osaka since more than 10,000 years ago. Around the 5th century A.D., Chinese culture was introduced to Japan via the Korean peninsula, and Osaka became the center of politics and culture of Japan.
In the 7th century, the first capital of Japan, modeled after the capital of China, was established in Osaka. Thereafter, though the capital was subsequently moved to nearby Nara and Kyoto, Osaka continued to flourish uninterruptedly, serving as the gateway of culture and trade.
Around the end of the 12th century, political power fell into the hands of the warrior class and Japan entered an age of civil strife; however, Sakai (south of present-day Osaka City) developed as a free city of the type seen in medieval Italy. Furthermore, in 1583, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who accomplished the great task of unifying the country, chose Osaka as his base and constructed the magnificent Osaka Castle, making Osaka the political and economic center of Japan.
In the 17th century, though the political center shifted to Tokyo, called Edo at the time, Osaka continued playing a vital role in managing the nation's economy and distribution of goods, and was therefore named the "Nation's Kitchen". During this period, a broad town-based culture flourished and reached maturity in Osaka. Private schools, such as Kaitokudo and Tekijuku not under the educational dictates of the government, also took root in Osaka. In this way, open-mindedness and a vigorous enterprising spirit were nurtured, forming a rich setting for a soon-to-be modern metropolis.
Then, in the 19th century, the confusion brought on by the Meiji Restoration as well as the building of a modern state dealt Osaka merchants a severe blow. However, Osaka rose from this hardship and developed into an industrial area, emerging as a modern district. Recovering again from devastation by repeated air raids during World War II, Osaka, as a commercial center of Japan, has played a major role in distribution, trade, and industry.
Osaka is now making the next leap forward to becoming an international city for the exchange of goods and information between people from all over the wo
The Osaka side argues the yield rate should be set at about 90 percent. "Using this rate, Shikoku's towel production should've been less than 9,000 tons in 2009, meaning Osaka Prefecture was the top production center," an association official said.
The Osaka association printed the phrase "Japan's largest towel production center" on a promotional poster at the end of last year.
If Osaka really is on top, it would be the association's first No. 1 billing in half a century. "[The title] will enhance our name recognition and encourage towel producers," the official said.
However, the Shikoku association still boasts on its Web site of being the nation's largest towel production center.

travel in nagoya today

Nagoya is located at the heart of central Japan, some 1,5 hours by train south of Tokyo. Some of the scenic areas of the region include Nobi Plain, and the Omo River valley. As the nucleus of this central area, Nagoya, with its population of more than 2.15 million, is one of Japan's major cities, and an important industrial and cultural center.
The main sight in town is undoubtedly the Nagoya Castle, famous for the golden dolphins adorning its rooftop, was constructed in 1612 and a new castle town formed. Nagoya is actively preparing for a future in which lifestyle, technology, and culture work together to create a harmonious environment.

The nearby Shikemichi quarter is well worth a visit. Its history dates back to the days of commodities merchants of the 18th century. Old warehouses, private homes, temples and shrines remain to this day.

Downtown Nagoya is bustling and busy. It's a good place for shopping but it often leaves the visitor out of breath. The Hisaya Odori Park is the place to head for then. It consists of a series of parks in the downtown area and it's great for relaxing a bit.
The implementation of an efficient and convenient transportation system made up of railways, ports, and canals led to the rapid development of these industries. In 1907, Nagoya Port was opened and along with the reinforcing of the connecting Shinhori River helped popularize Nagoya merchandise throughout Japan. Nagoya established itself as a modern commercial and industrial city. During World War I (1914-1918), the demand for metals, machinery, and the heavy industry continued to increase. Nagoya stepped in to meet the demands. In the 1930’s, exports from Nagoya increased remarkably, especially in heavy industries. As a result, employment in related areas such as machinery and metals boomed.

　

Around 1920, the automobile industry began to lay its foundations with the announcement of the "Chukyo Detroit Plan". Five companies worked together and produced a domestic passenger car in 1932. Later this automobile industry was succeeded by the famous Toyota Motor Corporation. The airplane industry started at about the same time. Before and during World War II, Nagoya was the largest industrial center for production of military materials. More than 10,000 Zero Fighters, 60% of the national total, were manufactured here.

　

The central water supply system began in 1904 and by 1923, drains and sewers had been installed in the central part of the city. Four sewage plants were built between 1930 and 1934 to ensure the purity of the rivers. In the early 1900’s, the City constructed and improved the city road network. Between 1908 and 1924, five main streets were constructed. Together with the opening of the Nagoya port, rivers and waterways were also improved, bridges were built or repaired, and special consideration was given to the efficiency of water transportation.

　

Approximately one-fourth of Nagoya was destroyed during World War II. Almost half of the population evacuated the city and most city functions were brought to a standstill. However just 45 days after the war ended, the City Assembly approved an extensive reconstruction plan. It was to be a long and arduous assignment. This plan included everything needed for a modern city such as city streets, subways, parks, and greenery. One of the central features of the plan was the construction of two 100 meter-wide roads and nine 50 meter-wide road which would serve as the main routes for automobile transportation in a city of two million people.

　

In the public transportation sector, construction of a subway system linking Nagoya Station and Sakae began in 1957. Subway construction has moved along at a rapid pace over the last 40 years. In order to fulfill the responsibilities for the Tokyo Olympics, the Tokaido Shinkansen and the Nagoya to Kobe Expressway were completed in early 1964. An efficient and convenient bus network has also been set up throughout the city.

　

In September 1959, the most severe post-war disaster struck Nagoya. The Ise Bay typhoon struck the southern part of the city, flooding the entire area. The west bank of the Shonai River collapsed, and 1,851 residents were killed, 118,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed, and over 530,000 people were made homeless by the catastrophe. The city implemented a comprehensive relief effort and at the same time, received help and support from its sister-city, Los Angeles, and many other cities both in Japan and overseas. In order to prevent a recurrence of such a disaster, the city has taken extensive measures to improve the breakwaters in the port area, and to strengthen and heighten the embankments along the rivers in the city

Osu is perfect for shopping or to visit one of the many museums in the area. The last sight not to be missed is the Atsuta Shrine. One of the three major shrines in Japan along with Ise and Meiji. Atsuta Shrine houses the Kusanagi (grass-mowing) Sword, one of the three Sacred Treasures of the Imperial Family.


Sakae is a busy shopping area, and recently has added a new Apple store, for those in need of a little free internet.

Hokkaido

Hokkaido is a sport and nature lovers paradise and also offers some of the largest and most Can't decide if a tour or activity is right for you? Viator travelers have reviewed thousands of tours and things to do: what they love, what they like and what they think could be better. Make the most of your next trip with the following Japan traveler reviews.beautiful cities in Japan. Hokkaido offers the spectacular Sapporo Snow Festival, skiing and snow boarding mountains, river rafting, hiking and hundreds of wonderful and relaxing Japanese style “Onsens” or natural hot spring baths. The people are friendly and the food and sea food is perhaps the freshest and most delicious in all Japan.The Japan Labor Review is a quarterly journal of research in the field of labor studies. For the purpose of providing valuable information on Japanese labor issues to the broad range of overseas readers, articles are selected, edited, and published by an editorial board of the Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training.

japan tour part 2

There has been some concern that Japanese travelers are not adequately protected against malaria, especially when compared to Western travelers. Multi-national studies of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding malaria risk have previously been conducted in travelers.

We conducted a KAP study in Japanese travelers using the same standardized questionnaire as the previous studies. Unlike those studies, questionnaires could not be distributed at departure lounges/gates at international airports, and therefore, travelers were sourced from several different study sites, targeting different populations.

A total of 212 Japanese travelers who had visited malarious areas were enrolled, of which 63.2% had visited Asia and 28.3% visited sub-Saharan Africa. Significant shortcomings in KAP were noted with respect to lack of knowledge about symptoms of malaria, poor awareness of malaria risk at their destination, and non-adherence to adequate antimosquito measures. Chemoprophylaxis use was lower among Japanese travelers than travelers from other countries, even when confining to those traveling to sub-Saharan Africa.

Japanese travel medicine providers and general practitioners who engage in pre-travel consultation should raise awareness of travelers about the seriousness of malaria, the need for improved compliance with chemoprophylaxis, and the importance of being properly prepared prior to departure

Fukuoka Japan

Fukuoka is considered as one of the oldest cities of Japan. Located in Kyushu Island, Fukuoka is formed by the fusion of Hakata the port city of Japan and Fukuoka. As among the oldest city of Japan Fukuoka city still follow traditional Japanese culture and customs that can be clearly reflected in the surroundings as well as in the cuisines. Fukuoka Travel Guide offers lot of information about the history, geography, culture and attractions of city to the tourists.
The places that one must visit in Fukuoka are the Nokonoshima Island, the Fukuoka Castle Ruins, the Tohori Park, Museums, Marine Park Uminonakamichi, Sky Dream Fukuoka, shrines and temples, which are many in number, Fukuoka Dome, the Canal City etc.

Fukuoka is also home to innumerous hotels. One may have varied choice of accommodation that ranges from budget hotel to five - star hotel or from cheap hotels to resorts that provide you with the perfect ambience required to spend good times with friends or family.

As far as shopping is concerned you need to make a trip to the Canal City, the most famous shopping complex of Fukuoka. The other places to visit for shopping purposes are the Tenjin Underground Shopping Arcade, Kawabata Shopping Arcade, Marina Town and many others. At these shopping malls you can pick up a souvenir of your choice.

The cost of food at most of the restaurants at the Fukuoka is within one's budget. At the local restaurants one can try out the Mizutaki, (water# skimmed chicken stew). The local food stalls also serve variety of Japanese cuisines. One can try out the Ramen (a whitish soup made out of a broth of boiled pork bones) garnished with leaf mustard and red pickled ginger. At the Fukuoka city one must try out the cod roe or the spicy mentaiko.

For transportation within the city you can opt for the bus service, that is quiet frequent or can hire a taxi. If you want to avoid the bus or a taxi, then you can avail the subway trains


An ancient and key point of exchange between Japan and the rest of Asia. A cradle of culture.

Fukuoka is situated in the northern extremity of Kyushu, facing the Sea of Suo to the northeast, the Sea of Genkai to the northwest, and the Sea of Ariake to the southwest. As the prefecture borders the Korean Peninsula to the continent of China with a strait in between, Fukuoka was the first place in Japan to be exposed to the culture of the continent. Ever since the Government-General of Kyushu, Dazaifu, was set up in the 7th century, Fukuoka has grown as the hub of the Kyushu region.


In Dazaifu, the ancient capital of the Kyushu region that lasted for 500 years, is Dazaifu Tenman-gu Shrine, where about 6,000 red and white plum trees of 200 varieties and 30,000 irises of 50 different varieties lie, as well as other seasonal flowers that can be enjoyed. As Tenman-gu enshrines the god of academic achievement, it is visited by many people, students seeking luck in their entrance examinations mostly, all year round. Also, the prefecture has scenic spots such as the Senbutsu limestone cavern, a national natural treasure with beautiful stalagmite and stone pillars, as well as Space World, the world's first space theme park.

The city of Fukuoka, also known as Hakata, is not only the center of administration and economy in the Kyushu region but also a terminal for air routes and railroads. The Hakata Dontaku is a colorful port festival held in summer each year. Highlighted by a parade of children in traditional dress, men and women in fancy costume, and 'te-odori' dancing (dancing with nothing in hand) people through the streets, this event draws more than 580 groups and about 31,000 citizens,

nakoya so cool

Nagoya
Nagoya City breathes history, as testified by the epic movies (such as Shogun and Ran) centred around Nagoya Castle. But it was Expo 2005 that put Nagoya on the world map. A total of 121 countries participated in the event, which attracted more than 22 million visitors over the six months of the Expo. Post-Expo, Nagoya is positioning itself both as a centre for hi-tech industries and as a tourist gateway. Toyota Cars, old and new famed ceramics Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples dolls and robots castles, feudal villas and farmhouses pearls, art and a plethora of shopping and nightlife.

The City Nagoya successfully lives up to the expectations placed upon it as Japans fourth largest city. The “Greater Nagoya area” (a 100 km-square area with Nagoya City at its centre, encompassing the three prefectures of Aichi, Gifu and Mie) is indisputably THE manufacturing hub of Japan, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and automobile manufacture. But the city is not all about industry and industriousness. Nagoya is poised to become the transport hub of Japan, with Chubu Central Japan International Airport (CENTRAIR), Japan’s first 24-hour airport, just 30 minutes by fast rail from downtown Nagoya. In Nagoya, super-modernity blends seamlessly with timelessness. As former home to the Edo-era shoguns (Emperors) of Japan, the whole city breathes history. In a bid to boost tourism to Nagoya, the area stretching from Nagoya Castle to Tokugawaen has been dubbed “The Cultural Path”, billed as a living testimonial to 400 years of Nagoya history. The Cultural Path is lined with many historic buildings that have survived from the Edo (1603-1867), Meiji (1868-1911), Taisho (1912-1925) and Showa (1926-1988) periods. Just hanging out in Nagoya is one of life’s supreme pleasures. Check out Central Park with its striking TV Tower. Walk the streets of Nishiki precinct, a Soho or Montmartre on steroids. Then step back 250 years, on a trip out of town to the super-scenic Kiso Valley. Within a loose triangle formed by Sakae, Yaba-cho and Osu Kannon stations is the city’s principal shopping and entertainment district called Sakae. Here streets are lined with department stores, huge malls and an endless choice of eating and drinking venues. The port district is going through some major redevlopement too and now hosts a number of museums and attractions.

Read more about Nagoya:
The City, Do & See, Cafés, Eating, Bars & Nightlife, Shopping, Sleeping, Essential Information

1300th Anniversary of Nara Capital

In 2010, Nara is celebrating its 1300th anniversary!
In ancient times, Japan's Imperial Palace would move with the ascension of every new Emperor. This tradition was discontinued in 710, when Heijo, present day Nara, was selected as the site of the country's first permanent capital. Despite the intentions to make it permanent, Heijo-kyo (Nara Capital) lasted less than a century. Because the city's large temples exerted too much political influence, the capital was eventually moved to Nagaoka in 784 and then to Kyoto in 794.

On the 1300th anniversary of Heijo-kyo, some major reconstruction works have been carried out on the former grounds of Heijo Palace, and various special events will be held. Anniversary related events started from January 1, 2010, but the celebration will not be in full swing until April 24, when the main venue is opened on the former grounds of the Heijo Palace.


Reconstruction of historic buildings

After the capital had been moved out of Nara, the palace structures were moved or abandoned, and within a relatively short time period there was little evidence left of the area's glorious past. For the following millennium, the former palace grounds were mainly used as rice fields until major excavation works were started in the 1950s.

In 1998, the South Gate and the East Garden of the former palace grounds were reconstructed and opened to the public. And for the big anniversary in 2010, the former Imperial Audience Hall has been reconstructed and will be opened to the public in April. The palace grounds will serve as the main venue of the celebrations.

Apart from the palace grounds, some of Nara's major temples have been engaging in renovation and reconstruction projects as well. In time for the anniversary, Toshodaiji Temple, southwest of central Nara, finished the extensive renovation of its main hall, which lasted for almost a decade. And Kofukuji Temple in the city center has completed excavation works and the construction of the foundation for the reconstruction of its main hall, which had been lost in the past (to be completed in 2015).

Events

The main celebrations and events will be carried out from April 24 to November 7, 2010 on the former grounds of Heijo Palace. Among the announced events and attractions are exhibitions on the history of Nara, a life-size replica of a ship used for diplomatic relations with the Asian mainland, parades, hand-on experience opportunities and music and light shows.

The events and reconstructions surrounding the anniversary create an additional reason to visit Nara in 2010, besides the city's regular historic sights and annual events. Some events will also be held in other locations of Nara Prefecture, the cradle of Japanese civilization, such as in the lesser known towns of