If you have ever been lucky enough to behold a Japanese Garden then you’ll surely know what it is to truly want something. Everyone who has ever seen one of these gardens wanted one in their home simply because they are that beautiful. Well good news, it’s not that hard so don’t wait any longer, now you can actually have it!
A Japanese garden can be quite versatile although the overall landscape is fundamentally Oriental. But it can include anything from a fish pond with Koi fish to a rock waterfall and even a stream depending on how much space you have and how much of a true Japanese garden you want.
The first task is to dig a ditch for the pond for the Japanese garden since no garden is complete without this. After weeding the desired area and making a sizable ditch, it is wise to go down to your local home and garden store to see what kind of materials, pond molds and other things that you’ll need for the garden to keep it well maintained and healthy even after you complete the project. Pond molds are black containers that are used to protect fish and other livestock from being contaminated but cement and soil that are used in the garden project.
A nice addition to a Japanese garden is not just a fish pond but also to furnish the pond with oriental style plants. Plants like reeds and short filler plants work extraordinarily well with the Japanese garden since these are very easy to maintain and don’t grow very fast.
These plants can be tied into the garden using small pots or flat stones. Pond stones can be purchased or if you live close to a stream you can find a great selection there also. Placing these flat rocks around the rim of the pond will took care of not just the oriental plants but also it will help keep the pond mold in the ditch more firmly in place.
Next up is the task of decorating the Japanese garden. With an actual Japanese garden, less is more. Because plans and rocks are very eye catching, too many of them will overcrowd the balance and take away from the garden as a whole so it’s best to limit the amount of plants and other ornaments like statues and statuettes. Another nice addition is a small Dojo house and an oriental statue, something that perhaps symbolizes peace or tranquility.
Absolutely everything you need for your Japanese garden can be found online but because of the popularity of these gardens in recent times many local home and garden stores carry a wide range of plants, ornaments, statues and other Oriental things that will complete your garden. Just remember that less truly is more and do leave a lot of space in between your decorative ornaments so that you don’t hide the beauty of your garden.
A Japanese garden is simple to make and it is relatively inexpensive. In fact with the right amount of looking around and creative thinking you can put together your very own low cost Japanese garden that looks like you imported it directly from Japan!
One Final Piece Of Advice: Get as many ideas as you can before starting any project so do visit home improvement ideas a site offering resources on issues like landscaping with rocks, laying ceramic tiles and even about low voltage landscape lighting fixtures.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_H
Sunday, August 10, 2008
If you have ever been lucky enough to behold a Japanese Garden then you’ll surely know what it is to truly want something. Everyone who has ever seen one of these gardens wanted one in their home simply because they are that beautiful. Well good news, it’s not that hard so don’t wait any longer, now you can actually have it!
A Japanese garden can be quite versatile although the overall landscape is fundamentally Oriental. But it can include anything from a fish pond with Koi fish to a rock waterfall and even a stream depending on how much space you have and how much of a true Japanese garden you want.
The first task is to dig a ditch for the pond for the Japanese garden since no garden is complete without this. After weeding the desired area and making a sizable ditch, it is wise to go down to your local home and garden store to see what kind of materials, pond molds and other things that you’ll need for the garden to keep it well maintained and healthy even after you complete the project. Pond molds are black containers that are used to protect fish and other livestock from being contaminated but cement and soil that are used in the garden project.
A nice addition to a Japanese garden is not just a fish pond but also to furnish the pond with oriental style plants. Plants like reeds and short filler plants work extraordinarily well with the Japanese garden since these are very easy to maintain and don’t grow very fast.
These plants can be tied into the garden using small pots or flat stones. Pond stones can be purchased or if you live close to a stream you can find a great selection there also. Placing these flat rocks around the rim of the pond will took care of not just the oriental plants but also it will help keep the pond mold in the ditch more firmly in place.
Next up is the task of decorating the Japanese garden. With an actual Japanese garden, less is more. Because plans and rocks are very eye catching, too many of them will overcrowd the balance and take away from the garden as a whole so it’s best to limit the amount of plants and other ornaments like statues and statuettes. Another nice addition is a small Dojo house and an oriental statue, something that perhaps symbolizes peace or tranquility.
Absolutely everything you need for your Japanese garden can be found online but because of the popularity of these gardens in recent times many local home and garden stores carry a wide range of plants, ornaments, statues and other Oriental things that will complete your garden. Just remember that less truly is more and do leave a lot of space in between your decorative ornaments so that you don’t hide the beauty of your garden.
A Japanese garden is simple to make and it is relatively inexpensive. In fact with the right amount of looking around and creative thinking you can put together your very own low cost Japanese garden that looks like you imported it directly from Japan!
One Final Piece Of Advice: Get as many ideas as you can before starting any project so do visit home improvement ideas a site offering resources on issues like landscaping with rocks, laying ceramic tiles and even about low voltage landscape lighting fixtures.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_H
A Japanese garden can be quite versatile although the overall landscape is fundamentally Oriental. But it can include anything from a fish pond with Koi fish to a rock waterfall and even a stream depending on how much space you have and how much of a true Japanese garden you want.
The first task is to dig a ditch for the pond for the Japanese garden since no garden is complete without this. After weeding the desired area and making a sizable ditch, it is wise to go down to your local home and garden store to see what kind of materials, pond molds and other things that you’ll need for the garden to keep it well maintained and healthy even after you complete the project. Pond molds are black containers that are used to protect fish and other livestock from being contaminated but cement and soil that are used in the garden project.
A nice addition to a Japanese garden is not just a fish pond but also to furnish the pond with oriental style plants. Plants like reeds and short filler plants work extraordinarily well with the Japanese garden since these are very easy to maintain and don’t grow very fast.
These plants can be tied into the garden using small pots or flat stones. Pond stones can be purchased or if you live close to a stream you can find a great selection there also. Placing these flat rocks around the rim of the pond will took care of not just the oriental plants but also it will help keep the pond mold in the ditch more firmly in place.
Next up is the task of decorating the Japanese garden. With an actual Japanese garden, less is more. Because plans and rocks are very eye catching, too many of them will overcrowd the balance and take away from the garden as a whole so it’s best to limit the amount of plants and other ornaments like statues and statuettes. Another nice addition is a small Dojo house and an oriental statue, something that perhaps symbolizes peace or tranquility.
Absolutely everything you need for your Japanese garden can be found online but because of the popularity of these gardens in recent times many local home and garden stores carry a wide range of plants, ornaments, statues and other Oriental things that will complete your garden. Just remember that less truly is more and do leave a lot of space in between your decorative ornaments so that you don’t hide the beauty of your garden.
A Japanese garden is simple to make and it is relatively inexpensive. In fact with the right amount of looking around and creative thinking you can put together your very own low cost Japanese garden that looks like you imported it directly from Japan!
One Final Piece Of Advice: Get as many ideas as you can before starting any project so do visit home improvement ideas a site offering resources on issues like landscaping with rocks, laying ceramic tiles and even about low voltage landscape lighting fixtures.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_H
A Guide to Japanese Onsen
Japan is a country which sees a great deal of volcanic activity. This being the case, there are also a lot of hot springs that have cropped up around the countryside, giving to rise to the concept of Onsen. Onsen, singular and plural, are bathing places that are based on hot springs.
Onsen bathing is a variant of the sento baths; however, the distinction is very clear: Sento baths are communal bathing places that use heated water, while the water in onsen bathing places must be of volcanic origin, even if the water has to be reheated for the bath.
Onsen baths, like sento baths, were used to equalize the people in Japan, where traditionally the society had an extremely rigid, defined hierarchy. In addition to this, the onsen baths were considered to cure ailments because of the different minerals that are present in the water. In fact, waters that have different mineral contents are separated into different bathing places.
Initially, onsen attracted mainly domestic traffic, but of late it has started receiving international fame due to the relaxing nature and the healing properties that are associated with the waters. Although recently there has been a controversial ban in some onsen areas based on race and only Japanese have been allowed to enter.
There are a few famous onsen in Japan, with most of them in Hokkaido, since the area has a high concentration of volcanoes. Some of these resorts are Toya, Noboribetsu and Yunokawa.
Additionally, Aomori is considered to be heaven for the true onsen lovers, with its high volcanic activity. Aomori is situated in the mountains and has every imaginable sort of onsen available.
The Hakodate Yunokawa hot springs is one of the oldest onsen in Hokkaido, dating back to more than 300 years. It is easily accessible by air through the Chitose airport. The facilities provided are comfortable and luxurious, ensuring pleasurable experience all around.
As with all Japanese traditional activities, etiquette plays an instrumental role; the original onsen baths did not allow garments of any kind inside the bathing area. However nowadays, a concession to modesty has been permitted and a swimsuit is allowed inside the waters. It is considered completely unacceptable to enter the waters when unclean or even soapy after a shower.
Advanced booking at any of the more famous onsen is a sensible course of action to follow, although the smaller ones will accommodate walk-in visitors.
Paul Symonds writes about Japenese onsen & Sauna and Teaching in South Korea.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Symonds
Onsen bathing is a variant of the sento baths; however, the distinction is very clear: Sento baths are communal bathing places that use heated water, while the water in onsen bathing places must be of volcanic origin, even if the water has to be reheated for the bath.
Onsen baths, like sento baths, were used to equalize the people in Japan, where traditionally the society had an extremely rigid, defined hierarchy. In addition to this, the onsen baths were considered to cure ailments because of the different minerals that are present in the water. In fact, waters that have different mineral contents are separated into different bathing places.
Initially, onsen attracted mainly domestic traffic, but of late it has started receiving international fame due to the relaxing nature and the healing properties that are associated with the waters. Although recently there has been a controversial ban in some onsen areas based on race and only Japanese have been allowed to enter.
There are a few famous onsen in Japan, with most of them in Hokkaido, since the area has a high concentration of volcanoes. Some of these resorts are Toya, Noboribetsu and Yunokawa.
Additionally, Aomori is considered to be heaven for the true onsen lovers, with its high volcanic activity. Aomori is situated in the mountains and has every imaginable sort of onsen available.
The Hakodate Yunokawa hot springs is one of the oldest onsen in Hokkaido, dating back to more than 300 years. It is easily accessible by air through the Chitose airport. The facilities provided are comfortable and luxurious, ensuring pleasurable experience all around.
As with all Japanese traditional activities, etiquette plays an instrumental role; the original onsen baths did not allow garments of any kind inside the bathing area. However nowadays, a concession to modesty has been permitted and a swimsuit is allowed inside the waters. It is considered completely unacceptable to enter the waters when unclean or even soapy after a shower.
Advanced booking at any of the more famous onsen is a sensible course of action to follow, although the smaller ones will accommodate walk-in visitors.
Paul Symonds writes about Japenese onsen & Sauna and Teaching in South Korea.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Symonds
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Japanese Food - Five Dishes for Newcomers
Japanese food, once little more than a niche occupant in the greater scope of American cuisine, has become increasingly popular in recent years. The harmony of flavors and lightness emphasized in the typical Japanese dish appeals to the palettes of many in the United States, where heavy and often deep fried foods have long dominated the market. Many people remain reluctant about exploring this aspect of ethnic cuisine, however, for fear that they'll find something on their plate which appears as though it came from the Iron Chef. This is far from the truth! The intent of this article is to introduce readers to a variety of different Japanese dishes, that they might go out and try something new without fear of what they'll be eating.
Domburi: This dish is quite simply a bowl of rice adorned with some sort of topping. A variety of toppings are popular in Japan, many of which have successfully migrated across the Pacific and into American restaurants. One example of this dish is oyakodon, which uses both chicken and egg for its topping. Another sort of domburi, gyudon, is beefy in flavor and more popular in Japan as fast food. Those of you who are especially outgoing tasters might like to sample unadon, a type of domburi wherein strips of grilled eel coated in a thick soya sauce are used to top the rice bowl.
Ramen: This soup dish has been a staple of the American college student's diet for years. Wildly popular around the world, ramen is to the Japanese what a burger and fries are to your average United States native. Ramen comes in a variety of bases and is best recognized for its long, slender noodles. Complimenting these noodles are such ingredients as dumplings, pork, miso (fermented soybeans) and soya sauce. It's interesting to note that ramen originated in China, rather than Japan, but the dish is almost always associated with the latter source nowadays.
Sashimi: This dish is often mistaken for sushi by those still new to the realm of Japanese cuisine. Although it is often presented artistically, the fact remains that sashimi is raw fish, a truth which turns the stomach of many a squeamish American. Several types of sashimi are served, the most popular of which is probably tuna. Diners should be lend particular attention to the scent when partaking of this dish. The fish used to prepare sashimi must be exceptionally fresh and as such, it should be devoid of any fishy scent.
Sushi: Perhaps the most well-recognized of all Japanese dishes, sushi has become particularly popular in trendy regions of the United States. It is served in too many variations to list completely in the space of this article. To be considered sushi, however, the dish must contain rice that has been prepared with sushi vinegar. The most recognized form of sushi is probably norimaki, or sushi rolls. These rolls contain sushi rice and various sorts of seafood rolled in sheets of dried seaweed. Norimaki often includes vegetables, as well.
Tempura: This dish has also become quite popular within Japan and across the globe. Tempura is something of a finger food, consisting of differing types of seafood and/or vegetables fried in a special batter. The end result is a delightful treat which is crisp without being heavy, as is often the case with deep fried cuisine in America. The ingredients featured in tempura are too numerous to possibly list and often vary wildly from one restaurant to the next.
The five dishes listed above should provide the novice gourmand with a particularly tasty introduction to the world of Japanese cuisine. Enjoy!
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Japan
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
Domburi: This dish is quite simply a bowl of rice adorned with some sort of topping. A variety of toppings are popular in Japan, many of which have successfully migrated across the Pacific and into American restaurants. One example of this dish is oyakodon, which uses both chicken and egg for its topping. Another sort of domburi, gyudon, is beefy in flavor and more popular in Japan as fast food. Those of you who are especially outgoing tasters might like to sample unadon, a type of domburi wherein strips of grilled eel coated in a thick soya sauce are used to top the rice bowl.
Ramen: This soup dish has been a staple of the American college student's diet for years. Wildly popular around the world, ramen is to the Japanese what a burger and fries are to your average United States native. Ramen comes in a variety of bases and is best recognized for its long, slender noodles. Complimenting these noodles are such ingredients as dumplings, pork, miso (fermented soybeans) and soya sauce. It's interesting to note that ramen originated in China, rather than Japan, but the dish is almost always associated with the latter source nowadays.
Sashimi: This dish is often mistaken for sushi by those still new to the realm of Japanese cuisine. Although it is often presented artistically, the fact remains that sashimi is raw fish, a truth which turns the stomach of many a squeamish American. Several types of sashimi are served, the most popular of which is probably tuna. Diners should be lend particular attention to the scent when partaking of this dish. The fish used to prepare sashimi must be exceptionally fresh and as such, it should be devoid of any fishy scent.
Sushi: Perhaps the most well-recognized of all Japanese dishes, sushi has become particularly popular in trendy regions of the United States. It is served in too many variations to list completely in the space of this article. To be considered sushi, however, the dish must contain rice that has been prepared with sushi vinegar. The most recognized form of sushi is probably norimaki, or sushi rolls. These rolls contain sushi rice and various sorts of seafood rolled in sheets of dried seaweed. Norimaki often includes vegetables, as well.
Tempura: This dish has also become quite popular within Japan and across the globe. Tempura is something of a finger food, consisting of differing types of seafood and/or vegetables fried in a special batter. The end result is a delightful treat which is crisp without being heavy, as is often the case with deep fried cuisine in America. The ingredients featured in tempura are too numerous to possibly list and often vary wildly from one restaurant to the next.
The five dishes listed above should provide the novice gourmand with a particularly tasty introduction to the world of Japanese cuisine. Enjoy!
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Japan
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
Visit Tokyo and Enjoy the Sumo Wrestling
It is always as well to know at least something of the country you want to visit and the things you want to do. Obvious, you may say but it amazing how many people simply do not do some basic research beyond checking flight and hotel bookings.
Most people know that the official name of The Land of The Rising Sun is Nippon or Hihon with Tokyo as its capital city. You probably know that the yen is the currency and that the Tea Ceremony plays an important cultural role in Japanese society. This ancient tradition encourages appreciation of matters physical, aesthetic, intellectual and spiritual.
With a few words, a visitor will enjoy their stay so much more as Japanese is spoken throughout the country with little regional variation. Picking up a few words or expressions will help you anywhere among the 127 or so million people that call Japan home. Your efforts will be appreciated and doors will open to you.
For conversation, it may be useful to know, for example, how many islands make up the country of Japan. Do you know how many seas and lakes surround these islands? For instance the Sea of Japan, the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk all have different characteristics that in turn affect the Japanese regional culture. Did you know that the ownership of the Chishima Islands (or Kuriru Islands) in the Northern Territories is disputed by Russia, the mainland rival of Japan? Room for debate there and a chance to improve your language skills no doubt.
Nearly three quarters of Japan is mountainous. Mount Fuji is its highest and most famous summit and is also volcanic. Sushi, of course, is famous the world over but did you know that soup is eaten with chop sticks? It might be fun to find out how! If sushi and soup are not your thing then you could explore the ramen or yakinki type restaurants that serve foods more commonly associated with China.
High on the list of many visitors is the Japan national sport: Sumo Wrestling. Steeped in ancient ritual dating back centuries, Japanese sumo wrestling can be enjoyed in Tokyo at the main tournaments during January, May and September. So many visitors want to watch sumo wrestling and it is no wonder that they do.
The traditions during these 15 day sumo tournaments are strictly observed. The wrestlers with their distinctive oicho hair knot and wearing the thick, colourful silk mawashi (belly band) are truly professional in all that the do. They live in stables where their every need is catered for including the large quantities of food they consume. In order to retain and gain the bulk they require, they retire to sleep directly after eating.
The Grand Champion, the yokozuna, is at the pinnacle of his profession, the banzuke. Once a wrestler reaches the rank of yokozuna, the title cannot be taken away from him although he is expected to retire once his powers start wane.
When visiting and enjoying the Tournaments it is a good to have some idea of the etiquette and the vocabulary; it adds to the enjoyment.
- Banzuke The official listing of rank in ozumo.
- Danpatsu-shiki A rikishi's retirement ceremony where his top knot is removed.
- Dohyo The sumo ring.
- Dohyo-iri The formal ring entering ceremony.
- Gino-sho The Technique Prize.
- Gyoji The referees.
- Jonidan The second division from the bottom on the banzuke.
- Jonokuchi The lowest division on the banzuke.
- Juryo The second highest division on the banzuke
- Kanto-sho The Fighting Spirit Prize.
- Kesho-mawashi The ceremonial apron worn by rikishi in the top two divisions during their dohyo-iri or ring entering ceremony.
- Komusubi The fourth highest position on the banzuke.
- Maegashira Indicates a rikishi in the top, Makunouchi division..
- Mage The top knot worn by rikishi.
- Makushita The fourth division from the bottom on the banzuke
- Makunouchi The top division on the banzuke or offical listing of rank.
- Mawashi The loincloth like garment worn by rikishi when they train or compete.
- O-icho The more formal hair style worn by rikishi in the top two divisions.
- Ozeki The second highest rank in ozumo.
- Rikishi Literally, "a gentleman of strength". A competitor registered with The Nihon Sumo Kyokai.
- Sandanme The third division from the bottom on the banzuke.
- Sekiwake The third highest position on the banzuke or official listing of rank.
Shikiri The toeing-the-mark ritual that precedes the start of every bout in sumo.
Shukun-sho The Outstanding Performance Award. .
Tachimochi The yokozuna's sword bearer during his dohyo-iri or ring entering ceremony.
Tate-gyoji The highest ranked gyoji or referees in ozumo. .
Toshiyori A term used to refer to the retired rikishi who remain in ozumo often as trainers of rikishi.
Tsuyuharai Serves as the "usher" of the yokozuna during his dohyo-iri
Yokozuna The highest position on the banzuke.
Yumitori-shiki The bow twirling ceremony performed at the end of every tournament day.
The Grand Tournaments of Tokyo are held in the east of the city at Ryogoku. The grandest of the grand, the one to win, the best of the best is the New Year Tournament. Visit in January, May or September but whatever you do, if you have not booked your tickets in advance, arrive early if you want a ticket to this 15 day spectacular Early is 7am.With plenty of sushi and green tea for nourishment you are bound to enjoy the excitement of the competitors, the crowd and the cultural events surrounding Sumo Wrestling.
When visiting Japan be brave and curteous. Brave in trying to speak a few words, tasting the wonderful foods and be curteous because your hosts will be more than that. Tokyo has much offer and for the afficianados of Sumo Wrestling there is nowhere else to be.
Edward Kirwan resides in Southern Spain and with Danish writer, Dorte Holm Jensen, is co-founder of Finca Fantastica Travel.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edward_Kirwan
Things To Do and Food to Eat in Fukuoka, Japan
Fukuoka isn't that small of a place. Actual numbers bring the population to about the 5 million mark, with the city having roughly 1.3 million people. With that amount of people around, you know there has got to be something to do. On any day of the week if you look you will be able to find something that interests you. There are often festivals in one area or another in Fukuoka city. With a little help from a friend or the domestic foreigner magizines and information centers you will be able to find out where the festivals are being held.
The center of Fukuoka city will have to be Tenjin (though others may argue it to be Hakata). It is the shoppers haven of the prefecture. Feel you need to do a little shopping for some nice named brands from Italy or France? head on over to Tenjin. Want to blow off some steam and hit a bar (including foreigner bars)? Tenjin is the place to be. want to meet some new friends? Rainbow Plaza in... you guessed it, Tenjin, is the place to do just that.
Right next door to Tenjin is Nakasu. Nakasu hosts nightlife entertainment but tends to cater to the more affluent individual. However, Nakasu also has a huge shopping complex named Canal City which has so many shops that you wouldn't be able to count them all. The complex holds many restaurants, two hotels, a large cinema and in the center of Canal City is an area called Sun Plaza where it is common to find street performers doing their acts.
Of course Tenjin and Nakasu aren't the only place you can have fun. I live about 10 minutes away from Tenjin by subway in a town called Nishijin and I can do nearly as many things here as I can in Tenjin. Bowling, swimming, soccer, billards, game centers, and even a movie theater are just a few of the things Nishijin and the nearby area has to offer.
Yahoo Dome (formerly Fukuoka Dome) is located in Momochi which boarders the sea. Yahoo Dome is home to the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. The Hawks are a strong baseball team, beloved by the city and its residents. In fact, there are only two teams in Japan's professional baseball league who attract more than one million fans to their home games per year, and the Hawks are one of them. When the Hawks don't have a home game you can sometimes find other activities occuring in the Dome. Yahoo Dome hosts various flea markets and concerts throughout the year.
Food, food, food!
As far as I'm concerned, Fukuoka has the best food to offer in all of Japan (though I hear food in Sapporo is quite good). Fukuoka has its own well known dishes and of course the chefs here are well capable of recreating dishes found throughout the world.
Yatai When night begins to fall on Fukuoka city you may suddenly notice many little street vendors (usually operating out of their vans) popping up all over the sidewalks. These vendors serve a variety of foods ranging from ramen to yakiniku to tempura. Yatais themselves are really a site to see.
Hard Rock Cafe Fukuoka On the occasions when I miss American and Mexican food, I always have the option to head on over to Hard Rock Cafe right next door to Fukuoka dome in Momochi. Momochi is adjacent to Nishijin so indeed I am in luck. Hard Rock Cafe Fukuoka boasts the largest restaurant of its kind in Japan. The food is fantastic and of course the atmosphere is like all other Hard Rock Cafes out there. The staff is very friendly and since I frequent their establishment often I am treated extremely well with occasional benefits.
Izakaya Though not only found in Fukuoka, Izakaya restaurants deserve a notable mention. Izakayas offer a wide variety of food and more importantly drinks at a low price. University students as well as business men can often be found in these restaurants chatting with colleagues and drinking up a storm. All Izakayas offer a different ambiance, and with some searching you will be able to find one that suits you.
Famous Fukuoka food
Fukuoka ramen Have you ever had that cup O ramen or that freeze dried packaged ramen? bah! throw that out and try some "Tonkatsu ramen" (pork ramen) famous in Fukuoka and well know throughout all of Japan. First time I tried it I was instantly hooked and to this day try and eat it once every week or so.
Mentaiko Another famous food which Fukuoka is renound for is mentaiko (very tiny fish eggs). To some people mentaiko may not seem very appatizing but please don't knock it till you try it. Mentaiko spagetti, as an example, is a delicious treat around these parts. And there are of course many other recipes which have use for mentaiko.
Transportation
Unlike the nickname given to New York, Fukuoka does tend to get a little tired at night but usually not until quite late especially on weekends. One of the reasons for this in my humble opinion is the transportation shutdown at around midnight. Thats right, the subway, train, and bus system all but stops once you hit the AM. Which leaves the weary and, more often than not, drunk to either take a taxi home, walk, or I have even heard the "I will just stay up until the subway starts again at 6:00 before I go home" line used by those who just aren't finished partying when its time for the transportation system's last call. This isn't just a Fukuoka special, for the shutdown happens throughout the whole of Japan.
Though the transportation system does shutdown at perhaps inconvenient times, it is a wonderful system. Perfectly clean trains, buses and subways (which are amazingly quiet) are the consequence of the shutdown for they are all cleaned during the wee hours of the morning.
Location
Fukuoka is found on the southernmost island of the four main islands in Japan. The name of the island is Kyushu. Fukuoka happens to be closer to Seoul, South Korea than it is to Tokyo. Fukuoka prefecture is located on the northern tip of Kyushu.
http://www.translators.jp/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Brady
The center of Fukuoka city will have to be Tenjin (though others may argue it to be Hakata). It is the shoppers haven of the prefecture. Feel you need to do a little shopping for some nice named brands from Italy or France? head on over to Tenjin. Want to blow off some steam and hit a bar (including foreigner bars)? Tenjin is the place to be. want to meet some new friends? Rainbow Plaza in... you guessed it, Tenjin, is the place to do just that.
Right next door to Tenjin is Nakasu. Nakasu hosts nightlife entertainment but tends to cater to the more affluent individual. However, Nakasu also has a huge shopping complex named Canal City which has so many shops that you wouldn't be able to count them all. The complex holds many restaurants, two hotels, a large cinema and in the center of Canal City is an area called Sun Plaza where it is common to find street performers doing their acts.
Of course Tenjin and Nakasu aren't the only place you can have fun. I live about 10 minutes away from Tenjin by subway in a town called Nishijin and I can do nearly as many things here as I can in Tenjin. Bowling, swimming, soccer, billards, game centers, and even a movie theater are just a few of the things Nishijin and the nearby area has to offer.
Yahoo Dome (formerly Fukuoka Dome) is located in Momochi which boarders the sea. Yahoo Dome is home to the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. The Hawks are a strong baseball team, beloved by the city and its residents. In fact, there are only two teams in Japan's professional baseball league who attract more than one million fans to their home games per year, and the Hawks are one of them. When the Hawks don't have a home game you can sometimes find other activities occuring in the Dome. Yahoo Dome hosts various flea markets and concerts throughout the year.
Food, food, food!
As far as I'm concerned, Fukuoka has the best food to offer in all of Japan (though I hear food in Sapporo is quite good). Fukuoka has its own well known dishes and of course the chefs here are well capable of recreating dishes found throughout the world.
Yatai When night begins to fall on Fukuoka city you may suddenly notice many little street vendors (usually operating out of their vans) popping up all over the sidewalks. These vendors serve a variety of foods ranging from ramen to yakiniku to tempura. Yatais themselves are really a site to see.
Hard Rock Cafe Fukuoka On the occasions when I miss American and Mexican food, I always have the option to head on over to Hard Rock Cafe right next door to Fukuoka dome in Momochi. Momochi is adjacent to Nishijin so indeed I am in luck. Hard Rock Cafe Fukuoka boasts the largest restaurant of its kind in Japan. The food is fantastic and of course the atmosphere is like all other Hard Rock Cafes out there. The staff is very friendly and since I frequent their establishment often I am treated extremely well with occasional benefits.
Izakaya Though not only found in Fukuoka, Izakaya restaurants deserve a notable mention. Izakayas offer a wide variety of food and more importantly drinks at a low price. University students as well as business men can often be found in these restaurants chatting with colleagues and drinking up a storm. All Izakayas offer a different ambiance, and with some searching you will be able to find one that suits you.
Famous Fukuoka food
Fukuoka ramen Have you ever had that cup O ramen or that freeze dried packaged ramen? bah! throw that out and try some "Tonkatsu ramen" (pork ramen) famous in Fukuoka and well know throughout all of Japan. First time I tried it I was instantly hooked and to this day try and eat it once every week or so.
Mentaiko Another famous food which Fukuoka is renound for is mentaiko (very tiny fish eggs). To some people mentaiko may not seem very appatizing but please don't knock it till you try it. Mentaiko spagetti, as an example, is a delicious treat around these parts. And there are of course many other recipes which have use for mentaiko.
Transportation
Unlike the nickname given to New York, Fukuoka does tend to get a little tired at night but usually not until quite late especially on weekends. One of the reasons for this in my humble opinion is the transportation shutdown at around midnight. Thats right, the subway, train, and bus system all but stops once you hit the AM. Which leaves the weary and, more often than not, drunk to either take a taxi home, walk, or I have even heard the "I will just stay up until the subway starts again at 6:00 before I go home" line used by those who just aren't finished partying when its time for the transportation system's last call. This isn't just a Fukuoka special, for the shutdown happens throughout the whole of Japan.
Though the transportation system does shutdown at perhaps inconvenient times, it is a wonderful system. Perfectly clean trains, buses and subways (which are amazingly quiet) are the consequence of the shutdown for they are all cleaned during the wee hours of the morning.
Location
Fukuoka is found on the southernmost island of the four main islands in Japan. The name of the island is Kyushu. Fukuoka happens to be closer to Seoul, South Korea than it is to Tokyo. Fukuoka prefecture is located on the northern tip of Kyushu.
http://www.translators.jp/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Brady
Japanese Travel Guide
Getaways are meant to take a person away from all the hurly and burly of life to perfect peace and tranquility. An ideal getaway vacation can thus be at a place where you embrace the beauty of nature in complete serenity. The paradigm example of this is Japan where visitors themselves have discovered countless beautiful getaways. So lets take a look at some of the popular and ideal getaways in the land of rising sun.
Some frequently visited getaways in the Japan are as follows:
· Hagi- it is a nice historic archaic Samurai and castle town in the rural Japan. It is located near the western tip of the Honshu Island. Hagi has some of the wonderful museums and beaches.
The Joka- Machi old samurai quarter is worth visitng in Hagi. Besides this the Kumaya Art Mueseum, the Kasuga Shrine near Joka Machi and the Sho-in Shrine are the must visit sites in Hagi.
· Idzumo is one amongst the four most important Shinto shrines of Japan. It is also called the home of gods. The shrine has tremendous historical significance.
· Sekigane is also an amazing Japanese getaway. It is a small village that has hot water springs and coastal mountains. At the end of this small but calm and amazing village is a walk up through bamboo groves to Kamei Park.
· The Kyoto Fu peninsula is a small peninsula that makes a great getaway. In order to reach this peninsula you need to drive from Kumihama to Mineyama, Omiya and Miyazu. On the south of Omiya there is a small shrine that too is religiously and historically quite significant.
· The Wakasa Wan (Bay) is another brilliant getaway. The Wakasa Wan National Park is quite popular here.
· The Obama Bay that stretches to the Oshima Peninsula is also a brilliant getaway. Similarly the Tsunegami Hanto Peninsula that has Rocky Mountains is also worth visiting.
· You can also go to see the Tojimbo Cliffs. These are located on a point of the Echi-zen Kaigan (coast) National Park. It is a popular tourist attraction because of its exotic beauty. If you visit here don’t forget to go to the small fishing village, Anto nearby.
· The Central Mountains of Honshu Island are a big lure to visitors. This island has a collection of various mountains known as Central Alps. It is a great delight and lifetime opportunity to see these world famous ice-capped mountains. · The Shiwaku Shoto Islands are a group of islands near Oakayama that has many small collections of islands in the Inland Sea. Hon-Jima and Mukkuchi-Jima islands make desirous getaways.
· Apart from these the place of Hokkaido in Japan is recognized as a top romantic getaway. Similarly there are other passionate getaways such as Ikspiari, Vinus Fort, Lover’s Cape and Kobe Portpia.
But this is just the tip of an iceberg for there are many other known and waiting to be discovered getaways in Japan.
Mansi aggarwal writes about japanese travel. Learn more at http://www.japanesegetaways.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mansi_Aggarwal
Some frequently visited getaways in the Japan are as follows:
· Hagi- it is a nice historic archaic Samurai and castle town in the rural Japan. It is located near the western tip of the Honshu Island. Hagi has some of the wonderful museums and beaches.
The Joka- Machi old samurai quarter is worth visitng in Hagi. Besides this the Kumaya Art Mueseum, the Kasuga Shrine near Joka Machi and the Sho-in Shrine are the must visit sites in Hagi.
· Idzumo is one amongst the four most important Shinto shrines of Japan. It is also called the home of gods. The shrine has tremendous historical significance.
· Sekigane is also an amazing Japanese getaway. It is a small village that has hot water springs and coastal mountains. At the end of this small but calm and amazing village is a walk up through bamboo groves to Kamei Park.
· The Kyoto Fu peninsula is a small peninsula that makes a great getaway. In order to reach this peninsula you need to drive from Kumihama to Mineyama, Omiya and Miyazu. On the south of Omiya there is a small shrine that too is religiously and historically quite significant.
· The Wakasa Wan (Bay) is another brilliant getaway. The Wakasa Wan National Park is quite popular here.
· The Obama Bay that stretches to the Oshima Peninsula is also a brilliant getaway. Similarly the Tsunegami Hanto Peninsula that has Rocky Mountains is also worth visiting.
· You can also go to see the Tojimbo Cliffs. These are located on a point of the Echi-zen Kaigan (coast) National Park. It is a popular tourist attraction because of its exotic beauty. If you visit here don’t forget to go to the small fishing village, Anto nearby.
· The Central Mountains of Honshu Island are a big lure to visitors. This island has a collection of various mountains known as Central Alps. It is a great delight and lifetime opportunity to see these world famous ice-capped mountains. · The Shiwaku Shoto Islands are a group of islands near Oakayama that has many small collections of islands in the Inland Sea. Hon-Jima and Mukkuchi-Jima islands make desirous getaways.
· Apart from these the place of Hokkaido in Japan is recognized as a top romantic getaway. Similarly there are other passionate getaways such as Ikspiari, Vinus Fort, Lover’s Cape and Kobe Portpia.
But this is just the tip of an iceberg for there are many other known and waiting to be discovered getaways in Japan.
Mansi aggarwal writes about japanese travel. Learn more at http://www.japanesegetaways.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mansi_Aggarwal
A Trip to Japan
This time I was on an official trip to Japan. The Thai Airways flight from New Delhi had a stop-over in Bangkok and the onwards flight was about 3 hours later on United. I was already so tired that I was sleeping all the way till the landing announcement over Narita Airport. The food was not to my liking at all but I did not mind till they allowed me to sleep peacefully.
Narita Airport arrivals terminal is not big comparing to Bangkok International Airport. After collecting my baggage I moved to the airport bus terminus. The details of the buses were already provided by my colleague in Japan and faced no problems in locating it. I was also told that buses are the cheapest mode of transportation and I paid only US$20 for a journey of approximately 200 kilometers. The normal train charges for this distance could be US$55! The bus were very much Japanese with announcement systems in Japanese and English. My destination was a hotel in Hitachi City which is located north of Tokyo but much south of the snow-capped Osaka. The first shock as soon as I reached Japan was that I had lost signal of my cell phone I kept trying to search for signal but it was not to be as Japanese mobile signals are on a different frequency and does not support the rest-of-world frequencies. Luckily I had my laptop with VPN connectivity and thereby access to the whole world through it. I was also carrying a sprint calling card which all telephone billings on my credit card and probably the cheapest form of staying in touch with the world in Japan.
The only challenge was to find the sprint access code in Japan which the hotel in this small town could not help me- it was 0066-33 which my hotel provided during my stay in Tokyo. Next thing of mention is the level of automation down to the toilet seats. It feels like traveling in a rocket which all the automatic functions build on the toilet seat - the flush controls, person's weight data all are controlled on the toilet seats. I somehow fit myself in the room but was surprised to see that some burly Americans were also able to adjust themselves in similar rooms. Early morning I did realize why people call Japan - "The Land of Rising Sun". It was quite bright at 4 o'clock in the morning itself! Japanese, well known for their timing reached my hotel at 8:23 AM as promised without even half a minutes' delay. The day was consumed in professional discussions. I walked back to my hotel room which was only a short distance away. The streets were very clean and looked uncluttered. A few stores were dotted on the streets with only very few cars plying around. A Macdonald was located close-by and I knew where to go if I did not get appropriate food in my hotel.
I was taken out by my hosts to a typical Japanese style restaurant. This was located at about 20 minute's brisk walk from my hotel. Shoes had to be deposited at the entrance as per Japanese norms. We were seated on chairs but the traditional Japanese custom is to sit on ground. The first serving was 'Tempura" which was mouth watering and I could relate it our very Indian "pakodas" as a close equivalent. Further on, steamed fish and steamed rice were on menu. I tried my hand with the chopsticks but it was difficult for handle for me. Duck and chicken were other delicacies to come besides "Sushi". To provide the final touches to dinner, "Saki" was served; an alcoholic beverage is made out of fermented rice with a live fish in it. The glass had to finished bottoms-up in one gulp. It was difficult to convince my hosts that I am a complete tee-tolar but they understood and did not insist on it. My host was a young Japanese executive who was a Black Belt in karate. Sports is an essential part of Japanese life and they show the same discipline in sports as in other fields. I observed Japanese to be very hard-working and made their great nation not by chance but by continuous and sustained efforts. The commitment to society of Japanese people is exemplary. I learnt that all the citizen volunteer for the security watch-keeping on a regular basis and my host was on that service last night after finishing dinner with me and between catching the train the morning. Traveling on Japanese trains was my next experience. The train timings were accurate without even half a minute deviation. The reservation counter opens later so I took the first train leaving at 6:03AM from Hitachi city in an unreserved compartment. The compartment was very clean and at this morning hours enough seats were available for everyone.
Way back in 2001, Japan was so advanced that internet services were already available on mobile connections. Almost 60% people were carrying laptops and were busy on the internet while traveling. All baggage had to be deposited in the compartment near the door. The view outside was similar to an Indian countryside -houses with sloping roofs to prevent accumulation of snow but strong enough to withstand the frequent earthquakes in this city. Tokyo was much larger with both large streets as well as smaller ones which were off the main streets. It looked like buildings everywhere with the ease of space lost. Walking on the streets one could find lot of stores selling everything from household needs to air tickets to electronic items. I bought a very cheap use-and-throw camera there for US$5.
The shops were clustered with all of them having display windows. Browsing through these shops, one could find some surprise buys. Nobody understood English so I had to get used to the place and explain my requirements either through sketches or by making gestures. Unmanned vending machines were lined on the streets selling packed water, red bull and cold drinks. All the shops accepted mostly cash and many of them regretted credit cards' payments. I used the taxi service a couple of times in Tokyo and they were so expensive that only my heartbeat was running the meter down. The minimum charges were US$6.5 and the meters raced away your money. Anyways, that was the only option left to me to reach the airport back on time. So, I spent a hefty US$80 for which I would have paid no more than US$8 for a bus ticket!
http://locales-travels.blogspot.com/search/label/Japan
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jyotsna_Jha
Narita Airport arrivals terminal is not big comparing to Bangkok International Airport. After collecting my baggage I moved to the airport bus terminus. The details of the buses were already provided by my colleague in Japan and faced no problems in locating it. I was also told that buses are the cheapest mode of transportation and I paid only US$20 for a journey of approximately 200 kilometers. The normal train charges for this distance could be US$55! The bus were very much Japanese with announcement systems in Japanese and English. My destination was a hotel in Hitachi City which is located north of Tokyo but much south of the snow-capped Osaka. The first shock as soon as I reached Japan was that I had lost signal of my cell phone I kept trying to search for signal but it was not to be as Japanese mobile signals are on a different frequency and does not support the rest-of-world frequencies. Luckily I had my laptop with VPN connectivity and thereby access to the whole world through it. I was also carrying a sprint calling card which all telephone billings on my credit card and probably the cheapest form of staying in touch with the world in Japan.
The only challenge was to find the sprint access code in Japan which the hotel in this small town could not help me- it was 0066-33 which my hotel provided during my stay in Tokyo. Next thing of mention is the level of automation down to the toilet seats. It feels like traveling in a rocket which all the automatic functions build on the toilet seat - the flush controls, person's weight data all are controlled on the toilet seats. I somehow fit myself in the room but was surprised to see that some burly Americans were also able to adjust themselves in similar rooms. Early morning I did realize why people call Japan - "The Land of Rising Sun". It was quite bright at 4 o'clock in the morning itself! Japanese, well known for their timing reached my hotel at 8:23 AM as promised without even half a minutes' delay. The day was consumed in professional discussions. I walked back to my hotel room which was only a short distance away. The streets were very clean and looked uncluttered. A few stores were dotted on the streets with only very few cars plying around. A Macdonald was located close-by and I knew where to go if I did not get appropriate food in my hotel.
I was taken out by my hosts to a typical Japanese style restaurant. This was located at about 20 minute's brisk walk from my hotel. Shoes had to be deposited at the entrance as per Japanese norms. We were seated on chairs but the traditional Japanese custom is to sit on ground. The first serving was 'Tempura" which was mouth watering and I could relate it our very Indian "pakodas" as a close equivalent. Further on, steamed fish and steamed rice were on menu. I tried my hand with the chopsticks but it was difficult for handle for me. Duck and chicken were other delicacies to come besides "Sushi". To provide the final touches to dinner, "Saki" was served; an alcoholic beverage is made out of fermented rice with a live fish in it. The glass had to finished bottoms-up in one gulp. It was difficult to convince my hosts that I am a complete tee-tolar but they understood and did not insist on it. My host was a young Japanese executive who was a Black Belt in karate. Sports is an essential part of Japanese life and they show the same discipline in sports as in other fields. I observed Japanese to be very hard-working and made their great nation not by chance but by continuous and sustained efforts. The commitment to society of Japanese people is exemplary. I learnt that all the citizen volunteer for the security watch-keeping on a regular basis and my host was on that service last night after finishing dinner with me and between catching the train the morning. Traveling on Japanese trains was my next experience. The train timings were accurate without even half a minute deviation. The reservation counter opens later so I took the first train leaving at 6:03AM from Hitachi city in an unreserved compartment. The compartment was very clean and at this morning hours enough seats were available for everyone.
Way back in 2001, Japan was so advanced that internet services were already available on mobile connections. Almost 60% people were carrying laptops and were busy on the internet while traveling. All baggage had to be deposited in the compartment near the door. The view outside was similar to an Indian countryside -houses with sloping roofs to prevent accumulation of snow but strong enough to withstand the frequent earthquakes in this city. Tokyo was much larger with both large streets as well as smaller ones which were off the main streets. It looked like buildings everywhere with the ease of space lost. Walking on the streets one could find lot of stores selling everything from household needs to air tickets to electronic items. I bought a very cheap use-and-throw camera there for US$5.
The shops were clustered with all of them having display windows. Browsing through these shops, one could find some surprise buys. Nobody understood English so I had to get used to the place and explain my requirements either through sketches or by making gestures. Unmanned vending machines were lined on the streets selling packed water, red bull and cold drinks. All the shops accepted mostly cash and many of them regretted credit cards' payments. I used the taxi service a couple of times in Tokyo and they were so expensive that only my heartbeat was running the meter down. The minimum charges were US$6.5 and the meters raced away your money. Anyways, that was the only option left to me to reach the airport back on time. So, I spent a hefty US$80 for which I would have paid no more than US$8 for a bus ticket!
http://locales-travels.blogspot.com/search/label/Japan
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jyotsna_Jha
Friday, August 8, 2008
Things You Should Bring When Travelling To Japan
Cash - The Japanese mostly use cash for paying for things. Most stores in Japan don't accept credit or debit cards so you should remember to bring plenty of cash with you. You can also bring traveller's checks and exchange them into yen at a local bank. Moreover, big cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto are very expensive and they are full of things you want to buy as souvenirs. Only buy the most unique things and don't make yourself broke right from the beginning of your trip. You should also be aware of pickpockets in crowded places such as train stations or some festivals.
Shoes and socks - Do remember to bring convenient shoes which are easy to slip on and off because you will visit lots of temples, traditional houses or even changing rooms in clothes shops in Japan. Those places always require you to take off your shoes at the entrance. You should also bring some pairs of clean socks along, especially if you are invited to visit a Japanese family. Clean socks will make you look more polite to them.
Luggage - Light and small luggage is recommended when travelling in Japan. You will have to travel to many places by bus or train and it is usually very crowded, especially in rush hours. Therefore, don't bring much luggage along if you don't want to your travel to be slowed down.
Medicine and rain coats - Bring all medicine which you may need during your stay in Japan, especially in the summer when it is intensely sunny in case you suffer from a fever or headache. Summer is the rainy season in Japan. Therefore, remember to bring a rain coat with you, an umbrella will not be enough to keep you from getting soaked by the rain.
Tissues and handkerchiefs - You may not believe it, but in many Japanese public bathrooms and restrooms there is no toilet paper! Thus bringing some pocket tissues along is essential when travelling in Japan. A handkerchief or a small towel will also be very handy because you may not find hand dryers or paper towels in some public restrooms.
Gifts - If you plan to visit a Japanese family, remember to bring a small gift with you. That's one of the Japanese traditions. The gift should be wrapped carefully but not necessarily be expensive. You should bring something from your home country such as chocolate, postcards, key chains, etc.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Japan
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
Shoes and socks - Do remember to bring convenient shoes which are easy to slip on and off because you will visit lots of temples, traditional houses or even changing rooms in clothes shops in Japan. Those places always require you to take off your shoes at the entrance. You should also bring some pairs of clean socks along, especially if you are invited to visit a Japanese family. Clean socks will make you look more polite to them.
Luggage - Light and small luggage is recommended when travelling in Japan. You will have to travel to many places by bus or train and it is usually very crowded, especially in rush hours. Therefore, don't bring much luggage along if you don't want to your travel to be slowed down.
Medicine and rain coats - Bring all medicine which you may need during your stay in Japan, especially in the summer when it is intensely sunny in case you suffer from a fever or headache. Summer is the rainy season in Japan. Therefore, remember to bring a rain coat with you, an umbrella will not be enough to keep you from getting soaked by the rain.
Tissues and handkerchiefs - You may not believe it, but in many Japanese public bathrooms and restrooms there is no toilet paper! Thus bringing some pocket tissues along is essential when travelling in Japan. A handkerchief or a small towel will also be very handy because you may not find hand dryers or paper towels in some public restrooms.
Gifts - If you plan to visit a Japanese family, remember to bring a small gift with you. That's one of the Japanese traditions. The gift should be wrapped carefully but not necessarily be expensive. You should bring something from your home country such as chocolate, postcards, key chains, etc.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Japan
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
10 Top Budget Travel Tips For Tokyo and Japan
Tokyo on a Budget
You're coming to Tokyo but you don't want to spend an excessive amount of money. Follow these tips to help you keep within your budget and have a great vacation!
Trains - Rail fares on local trains are not expensive in Japan. My train route to work costs me 250 yen. This is just over 1 British pound or 2 US dollars. The same distance in the UK on London transport would cost me around 5 pounds. When you get here use the local train system as much as you can to reduce your travel costs.
Rail Pass - Planning on traveling across country from Tokyo to Kyoto, Osaka or other major destinations? Consider buying a Rail Pass. Note that the Pass can only be bought from your home country before landing in Japan. The great advantage of a Rail Pass is that it can be used on the shinkansen/bullet train along with all other JR lines including local. Pay one price and have access to unlimited travel for 1, 2 or 3 weeks.
100 Yen Stores - The 100 yen store is the equivalent of a dollar or pound store. You can buy a multitude of items here. Pick up your souvenir gifts and also stock up on any treats such as crisps or chocolate.
Izekayas - If you want a good night out without spending a fortune, an izekaya is the best and most entertaining way to go. On top of that you'll get a taste of real Japanese culture in action and see the locals really let their hair down as they socialize outside the rigidity of their normal business lives.
Capsule Hotel - Capsule hotels are a great way to save money - particularly if you're a guy. Why guys? Many hotels are still men only, although there are some that now allow women too. Average cost in Tokyo is around 3,000 to 5,000 yen per night. This is approximately 15 - 25 pounds or 28 - 47 US dollars.
Business Hotel - Some hotels are known as business hotels as they do not have the same luxury of space as some of the bigger chains. If you don't fancy staying in a capsule hotel you should consider the business hotel alternative. Prices usually start from around 7,000 yen and go to 15,000 yen per night.
Museums - It's worth including some museums on your itinerary as they are not expensive in Japan compared to many other countries. Some are even free! Choose from science, history, art or technology museums and more.
Kaiten-Zushi - Sit at a revolving conveyor belt and eat to your hearts content. Notice that there are normally 4 or 5 different colours of plate. The reason is that each colour is a different price. Check how much they are and pick the ones that match your budget. Keep each plate after eating and then add them up for your bill.
Noodles and Ramen - Stand up with the locals and enjoy a delicious bowl of noodles or ramen at one of the many restaurants dotted around. Find them either inside, or in close proximity to, both subway and overland train stations.
Lunch - At lunchtimes take advantage of the range of set menus that are available, both Japanese and international. Many places in the center of Tokyo offer an all you can eat option for 1,000 yen - 5 pounds or 10 US dollars.
Want to know more about the city of Tokyo. Check out the link below.
Author: Honor DarganGoal: Tokyo Made SimpleWebsite: http://www.tokyotopia.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Honor_Dargan
You're coming to Tokyo but you don't want to spend an excessive amount of money. Follow these tips to help you keep within your budget and have a great vacation!
Trains - Rail fares on local trains are not expensive in Japan. My train route to work costs me 250 yen. This is just over 1 British pound or 2 US dollars. The same distance in the UK on London transport would cost me around 5 pounds. When you get here use the local train system as much as you can to reduce your travel costs.
Rail Pass - Planning on traveling across country from Tokyo to Kyoto, Osaka or other major destinations? Consider buying a Rail Pass. Note that the Pass can only be bought from your home country before landing in Japan. The great advantage of a Rail Pass is that it can be used on the shinkansen/bullet train along with all other JR lines including local. Pay one price and have access to unlimited travel for 1, 2 or 3 weeks.
100 Yen Stores - The 100 yen store is the equivalent of a dollar or pound store. You can buy a multitude of items here. Pick up your souvenir gifts and also stock up on any treats such as crisps or chocolate.
Izekayas - If you want a good night out without spending a fortune, an izekaya is the best and most entertaining way to go. On top of that you'll get a taste of real Japanese culture in action and see the locals really let their hair down as they socialize outside the rigidity of their normal business lives.
Capsule Hotel - Capsule hotels are a great way to save money - particularly if you're a guy. Why guys? Many hotels are still men only, although there are some that now allow women too. Average cost in Tokyo is around 3,000 to 5,000 yen per night. This is approximately 15 - 25 pounds or 28 - 47 US dollars.
Business Hotel - Some hotels are known as business hotels as they do not have the same luxury of space as some of the bigger chains. If you don't fancy staying in a capsule hotel you should consider the business hotel alternative. Prices usually start from around 7,000 yen and go to 15,000 yen per night.
Museums - It's worth including some museums on your itinerary as they are not expensive in Japan compared to many other countries. Some are even free! Choose from science, history, art or technology museums and more.
Kaiten-Zushi - Sit at a revolving conveyor belt and eat to your hearts content. Notice that there are normally 4 or 5 different colours of plate. The reason is that each colour is a different price. Check how much they are and pick the ones that match your budget. Keep each plate after eating and then add them up for your bill.
Noodles and Ramen - Stand up with the locals and enjoy a delicious bowl of noodles or ramen at one of the many restaurants dotted around. Find them either inside, or in close proximity to, both subway and overland train stations.
Lunch - At lunchtimes take advantage of the range of set menus that are available, both Japanese and international. Many places in the center of Tokyo offer an all you can eat option for 1,000 yen - 5 pounds or 10 US dollars.
Want to know more about the city of Tokyo. Check out the link below.
Author: Honor DarganGoal: Tokyo Made SimpleWebsite: http://www.tokyotopia.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Honor_Dargan
Teach In Japan As A Way To Travel To Japan For Free
Japan is a wonderful place to experience but just traveling to Japan for a week or two will not even scratch the surface of what Japan truly has to offer. To really get the full experience Japan has to offer, you'll need to stay at least a year.
One of the best ways and most hidden ways to experience Japan for free is to just find a job as an English teacher and get paid to stay for a year or two. To get going on this as soon as possible, you'll need to know one Japanese word... Eikaiwa! This is your ticket to a free ride in Japan.
What Is "Eikaiwa"?
For those who have never taught in Japan, you see this term pop up everywhere; for those who have taught in Japan, it can still be a confusing concept. "Eikaiwa" technically means "English conversation," and it refers to schools that teach it.
But, eikaiwa is different from a regular English school. The whole idea behind it is that students are studying conversation. This may seem like a contradiction, after all how can you "study" conversation. For those who think it is a contradiction, you've probably never been to Japan.
In Japan, every one has to study English from the beginning of junior high school to the end of high school, and most study English in college as well. However, almost no one in Japan can actually carry on a conversation in English. This is because they study vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar, but have no real life English experience. Add to this the fact that Japanese people are, by nature, horribly shy, and you can see why the eikaiwa industry exists. Most eikaiwa students are beginner to intermediate level, and they may or may not remember much of the stuff they learned in school.
The whole idea behind eikaiwa is to have friendly, fun, non-threatening teachers who help Japanese students practice their English. In an eikaiwa, you'll almost always see an emphasis put on NOT challenging students. The idea is to always teach below their level and constantly encourage them. Most of the students come to the lessons for fun and entertainment, and not to actually work hard at learning. This is the whole operating principle behind the major English schools like Nova, Geos, Aeon and ECC.
Teaching English means teaching grammar, pronunciation and a bunch of other difficult stuff, complete with homework, tests and everything else. Eikaiwa is different. Your students probably won't do any studying outside of the weekly 40 minute lesson. The emphasis is on speaking tasks. For example, English for traveling, general conversation on certain topics, and other useful things. For the most part, students want to practice their English and have fun.
Lots of eikaiwa teachers get frustrated because they feel like entertainers rather than real teachers. The good news is that there are lots of "real" teaching opportunities available in Japan, but you just have to look harder for them. The eikaiwa's are all right outside the station with big signs, and they are notorious for hiring just about anybody who can string together a sentence in English (being handsome helps, too).
Some teachers think that eikaiwa stinks, but others find it to be more fun and interesting than grammar drills. It presents a different set of challenges to teachers.
The great thing is that you can always get an eikaiwa job to teach in Japan. Like me, you might find that you enjoy doing something else more; in my case, it's teaching kids. But, the big eikaiwa company can at least get you a job, an income and a visa. You get the experience, and that can help you decide what's the next step for you.
Some of the big Eikawa schools to look into with a simple Google search would be, GEOS, NOVA, BERLITZ, AEON and ECC. Some of these schools are known for hiring you and flying you over for a one year teaching contract. Remember, you do not need to be a "teacher" to do this.
For specific information to teach in Japan you can get more information here http://www.teaching-in-japan.com which is a blog updated often by an American living and working in Japan as an English teacher for 12 years.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_M_Desorcy
One of the best ways and most hidden ways to experience Japan for free is to just find a job as an English teacher and get paid to stay for a year or two. To get going on this as soon as possible, you'll need to know one Japanese word... Eikaiwa! This is your ticket to a free ride in Japan.
What Is "Eikaiwa"?
For those who have never taught in Japan, you see this term pop up everywhere; for those who have taught in Japan, it can still be a confusing concept. "Eikaiwa" technically means "English conversation," and it refers to schools that teach it.
But, eikaiwa is different from a regular English school. The whole idea behind it is that students are studying conversation. This may seem like a contradiction, after all how can you "study" conversation. For those who think it is a contradiction, you've probably never been to Japan.
In Japan, every one has to study English from the beginning of junior high school to the end of high school, and most study English in college as well. However, almost no one in Japan can actually carry on a conversation in English. This is because they study vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar, but have no real life English experience. Add to this the fact that Japanese people are, by nature, horribly shy, and you can see why the eikaiwa industry exists. Most eikaiwa students are beginner to intermediate level, and they may or may not remember much of the stuff they learned in school.
The whole idea behind eikaiwa is to have friendly, fun, non-threatening teachers who help Japanese students practice their English. In an eikaiwa, you'll almost always see an emphasis put on NOT challenging students. The idea is to always teach below their level and constantly encourage them. Most of the students come to the lessons for fun and entertainment, and not to actually work hard at learning. This is the whole operating principle behind the major English schools like Nova, Geos, Aeon and ECC.
Teaching English means teaching grammar, pronunciation and a bunch of other difficult stuff, complete with homework, tests and everything else. Eikaiwa is different. Your students probably won't do any studying outside of the weekly 40 minute lesson. The emphasis is on speaking tasks. For example, English for traveling, general conversation on certain topics, and other useful things. For the most part, students want to practice their English and have fun.
Lots of eikaiwa teachers get frustrated because they feel like entertainers rather than real teachers. The good news is that there are lots of "real" teaching opportunities available in Japan, but you just have to look harder for them. The eikaiwa's are all right outside the station with big signs, and they are notorious for hiring just about anybody who can string together a sentence in English (being handsome helps, too).
Some teachers think that eikaiwa stinks, but others find it to be more fun and interesting than grammar drills. It presents a different set of challenges to teachers.
The great thing is that you can always get an eikaiwa job to teach in Japan. Like me, you might find that you enjoy doing something else more; in my case, it's teaching kids. But, the big eikaiwa company can at least get you a job, an income and a visa. You get the experience, and that can help you decide what's the next step for you.
Some of the big Eikawa schools to look into with a simple Google search would be, GEOS, NOVA, BERLITZ, AEON and ECC. Some of these schools are known for hiring you and flying you over for a one year teaching contract. Remember, you do not need to be a "teacher" to do this.
For specific information to teach in Japan you can get more information here http://www.teaching-in-japan.com which is a blog updated often by an American living and working in Japan as an English teacher for 12 years.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_M_Desorcy
Japan Tourist Attractions & Must See Places in Japan
Identified as the "Land of the Rising Sun", Japan is a country which is comprised of islands . As a travel destination, it offers a fascinating time for the visitors. A wide range of attractions, sights, historical places and natural beauties of the country combine with a colorful cultures in this country. In Japan the past meets the future.
Japan attractions can be visited by dividing the country into regions. Eastern and Central Region, Northern Region, Southern Region and Western Region. In Japan, there are hundreds of cities. Also, these regions are named as Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu and Okinawa.
There are hundreds of cities in Japan each of which has its own aspect. Among top cities in Japan are Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, Nara, Kyota, Hiroshima, Kamakura, Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Chiba, Kawasaki etc. Tokyo is the modern capital and densely populated city of Japan. It is a fabulous city. Some of Tokyo attractions are Imperial Palace, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Sensoji Temple Asakusa, Shibuya, Meiji Jingu Shrine, the Yashukuni-jinja shrine, Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo Disneyland.Hama Rikyu Garden is considered to be the best garden in Tokyo. For sure Tokyo is the must see city of Japan.
The Kyoto Imperial Palace Park, Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji - Golden Pavilion, The Museum of Kyoto, Ryoanji Temple, Gion, Kiyomizu-dera Temple are popular places to see in Kyoto. Hiroshima is a port city which was destroyed by an atom bomb. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, the Asa Zoological Park are must-see places for the travelers. In Kanazawa, the visitors can see Kenrokuen Park and Honda Museum. Popular sights of Osaka are Osaka Aquarium, Osaka Castle and Universal Studios Japan.Yokohama is Japan's second largest city. Nagasaki Peace Park, Confucian Shrine, Chinatown are popular places to see in Nagasaki. Fukuoka has several beautiful attractions: Hakata Canal City, Tochoji Temple, Sky Dream Fukuoka, Hokozaki Shrine, Ohori-koen Japanese Garden.
Hokkaido with its beautiful natural suroundings attract many travelers. Mt. Fuji is one of the must see places in Japan. Kumamotojo has a fame as a Japanese castle. Shikoku -88 Temple Pilgrimage- owns sacred Buddhist temples. Nikko National Park, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Japan Alps National Park are among popular National parks of Japan.
If what kind of things can be done in Japan is asked, these may be listed:
Attending a Sumo match.Participating in meditation in a Buddhist temple.Taking part in a traditional tea ceremony.Climbing Mount Fuji.Enjoying and visiting cherry blossom spots.Fishing.Tasting sake and sushi.Attending festivals.
Japan owns hundreds of places to see. The names given above are just some of the travel attractions.
In order to watch videos about Japan and have idea about the sights, Travelovideo will give information with the videos of it.
- Copyright © 2008 Travelovideo: Online Travel Videos -
Feel free to use this article on your website or ezine with the information about author/website info & links is included. (URLs in should be set as hyperlinks)
Gokhan Ozbal is the travel writer for Travelovideo - the place to watch travel videos online for free. Visit Travelovideo to view Japan travel videos and top places to visit in Japan.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gokhan_Ozbal
Japan attractions can be visited by dividing the country into regions. Eastern and Central Region, Northern Region, Southern Region and Western Region. In Japan, there are hundreds of cities. Also, these regions are named as Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu and Okinawa.
There are hundreds of cities in Japan each of which has its own aspect. Among top cities in Japan are Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, Nara, Kyota, Hiroshima, Kamakura, Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Chiba, Kawasaki etc. Tokyo is the modern capital and densely populated city of Japan. It is a fabulous city. Some of Tokyo attractions are Imperial Palace, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Sensoji Temple Asakusa, Shibuya, Meiji Jingu Shrine, the Yashukuni-jinja shrine, Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo Disneyland.Hama Rikyu Garden is considered to be the best garden in Tokyo. For sure Tokyo is the must see city of Japan.
The Kyoto Imperial Palace Park, Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji - Golden Pavilion, The Museum of Kyoto, Ryoanji Temple, Gion, Kiyomizu-dera Temple are popular places to see in Kyoto. Hiroshima is a port city which was destroyed by an atom bomb. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, the Asa Zoological Park are must-see places for the travelers. In Kanazawa, the visitors can see Kenrokuen Park and Honda Museum. Popular sights of Osaka are Osaka Aquarium, Osaka Castle and Universal Studios Japan.Yokohama is Japan's second largest city. Nagasaki Peace Park, Confucian Shrine, Chinatown are popular places to see in Nagasaki. Fukuoka has several beautiful attractions: Hakata Canal City, Tochoji Temple, Sky Dream Fukuoka, Hokozaki Shrine, Ohori-koen Japanese Garden.
Hokkaido with its beautiful natural suroundings attract many travelers. Mt. Fuji is one of the must see places in Japan. Kumamotojo has a fame as a Japanese castle. Shikoku -88 Temple Pilgrimage- owns sacred Buddhist temples. Nikko National Park, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Japan Alps National Park are among popular National parks of Japan.
If what kind of things can be done in Japan is asked, these may be listed:
Attending a Sumo match.Participating in meditation in a Buddhist temple.Taking part in a traditional tea ceremony.Climbing Mount Fuji.Enjoying and visiting cherry blossom spots.Fishing.Tasting sake and sushi.Attending festivals.
Japan owns hundreds of places to see. The names given above are just some of the travel attractions.
In order to watch videos about Japan and have idea about the sights, Travelovideo will give information with the videos of it.
- Copyright © 2008 Travelovideo: Online Travel Videos -
Feel free to use this article on your website or ezine with the information about author/website info & links is included. (URLs in should be set as hyperlinks)
Gokhan Ozbal is the travel writer for Travelovideo - the place to watch travel videos online for free. Visit Travelovideo to view Japan travel videos and top places to visit in Japan.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gokhan_Ozbal
Unique Shopping Experience in Japan
Japan is a shopper's paradise and it offers diversified range of products from high-tech electronics items to traditional art and craft. Cameras, CD players, silk goods, watches, woodblock prints, Japanese dolls, electronic toys are some of the most preferred products bought, while shopping in Japan. At authorized tax free stores of Japan, purchases of over ¥10,000 on selected items are exempt from Japan's 5% consumption tax. Duty-free shopping is only available in Japan's international.
Shopping in Japan is always fun and interesting and it is known to give you a unique experience of shopping. One can buy many unique and rare products, which are not available outside the market of Japan. Many beautiful souvenirs and gifts are available in the market, which one can buy and keep it as a memorable item.
If you want to save money while shopping, you should visit flea market. Every product is available in this market from cosmetics to electronics at a reasonable price. Shopping in flea market is fast, easy and convenient. One can get effective and quality products in the market at cheaper prices. These flea markets are usually arranged in parks, department stores, parking lots etc. Flea markets are very popular among young people who do not have good source of income.
Japan has great shopping malls which attract shoppers from all over the world. These malls have collection of all types of products under a single roof. One can shop for Japanese clothing, electric gadgets, appliances, shoes, books, accessories, well known brands of the industry and products of all categories and many more at the discounted prices from such a one stop shop. These malls give you the pleasant experience of shopping with complete convenience. If you get tired while shopping, they also have restaurants and eating corners.
Apart from shopping malls and flea market, Japanese markets also have department stores for all products. Japan also has some specific local markets which are famous for particular products such as Akihabara, known for electrical items and coined as the Japan's electric town. Aoyama is famous for traditional crafts of Japan, and eatables like fish, vegetables, fruits etc can be purchased at cheap cost from Ueno Ameyoko markets. The Japanese shopping gives you the worthwhile experience of shopping in Japan.
Japanese merchants are quite honest and fair and they do not take any undue advantage of foreign customers. The price of the products is usually reasonable and has the right value of the products. So you should not waste your time in comparing the price of a product.
Shops and stores of Japan are generally open on Saturday, Sunday and national holidays as well as weekdays. Many smaller specialty shops are closed on weekends, national holidays and over traditional Japanese holiday seasons. Departmental stores are usually open on weekends and national holidays. Each store is closed one day in a week.
Fromjapan is a great service for Japanese Shopping at reasonable prices. It is also a Japanese Fashion market that is offering the fashionable apparel to world wide customers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Albert_Smith
Shopping in Japan is always fun and interesting and it is known to give you a unique experience of shopping. One can buy many unique and rare products, which are not available outside the market of Japan. Many beautiful souvenirs and gifts are available in the market, which one can buy and keep it as a memorable item.
If you want to save money while shopping, you should visit flea market. Every product is available in this market from cosmetics to electronics at a reasonable price. Shopping in flea market is fast, easy and convenient. One can get effective and quality products in the market at cheaper prices. These flea markets are usually arranged in parks, department stores, parking lots etc. Flea markets are very popular among young people who do not have good source of income.
Japan has great shopping malls which attract shoppers from all over the world. These malls have collection of all types of products under a single roof. One can shop for Japanese clothing, electric gadgets, appliances, shoes, books, accessories, well known brands of the industry and products of all categories and many more at the discounted prices from such a one stop shop. These malls give you the pleasant experience of shopping with complete convenience. If you get tired while shopping, they also have restaurants and eating corners.
Apart from shopping malls and flea market, Japanese markets also have department stores for all products. Japan also has some specific local markets which are famous for particular products such as Akihabara, known for electrical items and coined as the Japan's electric town. Aoyama is famous for traditional crafts of Japan, and eatables like fish, vegetables, fruits etc can be purchased at cheap cost from Ueno Ameyoko markets. The Japanese shopping gives you the worthwhile experience of shopping in Japan.
Japanese merchants are quite honest and fair and they do not take any undue advantage of foreign customers. The price of the products is usually reasonable and has the right value of the products. So you should not waste your time in comparing the price of a product.
Shops and stores of Japan are generally open on Saturday, Sunday and national holidays as well as weekdays. Many smaller specialty shops are closed on weekends, national holidays and over traditional Japanese holiday seasons. Departmental stores are usually open on weekends and national holidays. Each store is closed one day in a week.
Fromjapan is a great service for Japanese Shopping at reasonable prices. It is also a Japanese Fashion market that is offering the fashionable apparel to world wide customers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Albert_Smith
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Dining Etiquette In Japan
Japan is a country of many traditions and etiquettes. Everything in Japan has its own way to be done and if you do something different, everyone will look at you wonderingly. Tourists coming to Japan are amazed and interested by the large variety of food available. However, there are some basic table manners that foreigners should know so that they don't feel like a fish out of water in Japan.
In Japan, it is an important etiquette to say traditional phrases before and after a meal. People start a meal by saying "itadakimasu" ("I gratefully receive") and after finishing eating they say "gochisosama (deshita)" ("Thank you for the meal") with a bow. It is crucial for you to say these phrases, especially when you are invited for a meal or someone cooks for you.
Chopsticks are used widely in all Japanese homes and restaurants. It may be very difficult for foreigners to become familiar with using Japanese chopsticks. Besides knowing how to eat using chopsticks, foreigners have to know some rules of this kind of utensil. One of the most important rules is not to pass food with your chopsticks directly to somebody else's chopsticks and vice versa. You shouldn't point your chopsticks at somebody or something. Playing with your chopsticks at a meal is also inadvisable. When you want to get food from a shared plate to your own plate, use the other ends of your chopsticks. This is considered polite and considerate in Japan.
It is appreciated in Japan to wait until everyone is served before you start eating. It is also considered considerate to empty your dishes completely because the Japanese are very economical. When eating, try to chew with your mouth closed and don't burp during the meal because that is considered bad manners. If you are given some extra food, for example a bowl of rice, accept it with both hands. When eating, try not to eat in big pieces. You should separate the large piece with your chopsticks and eat every small piece. In contrast to some Western countries where people are often taught not to make slurping noises when eating soup or noodles, it is considered a normal thing in Japan. It even seems strange in Japan if you eat noodles without a sound!
If there are alcoholic drinks at the meal, you shouldn't just pour the alcohol into your own glass. You should check your friends' glasses frequently and if their glasses are getting empty, you should serve them with more. It is considered bad manner to be seen drunk in public in some formal restaurants. However, in some informal ones drunkenness is acceptable as long as you don't bother others.
There are usually no napkins used at Japanese meals, thus you should prepare for yourself some tissues or a handkerchief. In Japan and in some other Asian countries, during the meal you shouldn't talk about anything related to the toilet or any similar topics. This is strictly unappreciated because it is assumed that people lose their appetite when hearing about those things.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Japan
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
In Japan, it is an important etiquette to say traditional phrases before and after a meal. People start a meal by saying "itadakimasu" ("I gratefully receive") and after finishing eating they say "gochisosama (deshita)" ("Thank you for the meal") with a bow. It is crucial for you to say these phrases, especially when you are invited for a meal or someone cooks for you.
Chopsticks are used widely in all Japanese homes and restaurants. It may be very difficult for foreigners to become familiar with using Japanese chopsticks. Besides knowing how to eat using chopsticks, foreigners have to know some rules of this kind of utensil. One of the most important rules is not to pass food with your chopsticks directly to somebody else's chopsticks and vice versa. You shouldn't point your chopsticks at somebody or something. Playing with your chopsticks at a meal is also inadvisable. When you want to get food from a shared plate to your own plate, use the other ends of your chopsticks. This is considered polite and considerate in Japan.
It is appreciated in Japan to wait until everyone is served before you start eating. It is also considered considerate to empty your dishes completely because the Japanese are very economical. When eating, try to chew with your mouth closed and don't burp during the meal because that is considered bad manners. If you are given some extra food, for example a bowl of rice, accept it with both hands. When eating, try not to eat in big pieces. You should separate the large piece with your chopsticks and eat every small piece. In contrast to some Western countries where people are often taught not to make slurping noises when eating soup or noodles, it is considered a normal thing in Japan. It even seems strange in Japan if you eat noodles without a sound!
If there are alcoholic drinks at the meal, you shouldn't just pour the alcohol into your own glass. You should check your friends' glasses frequently and if their glasses are getting empty, you should serve them with more. It is considered bad manner to be seen drunk in public in some formal restaurants. However, in some informal ones drunkenness is acceptable as long as you don't bother others.
There are usually no napkins used at Japanese meals, thus you should prepare for yourself some tissues or a handkerchief. In Japan and in some other Asian countries, during the meal you shouldn't talk about anything related to the toilet or any similar topics. This is strictly unappreciated because it is assumed that people lose their appetite when hearing about those things.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Japan
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
Weekly Mansions in Japan
What is a Weekly Mansion?
A weekly mansion is a furnished apartment for short-term stays. From a size vs price perspective, they are generally more expensive than other housing such as guesthouses and ryokans. One of the big differences between a guesthouse and a weekly mansion is that guesthouse accommodation is conducive to meeting other people and socialising, whereas weekly mansions are private rooms with no 'social space' to mingle with other guests. Weekly Mansions are predominantly used by Japanese people and often by those on business trips. The rooms are fairly small and in most cases not ideal for families. Meals are not included and at most places there is no housekeeping. The rooms are set up to cater for travelling business people so all rooms have a high speed internet connection. The company which runs the weekly mansions in Tokyo is called Weekly Mansion Tokyo. They offer accommodation in 44 locations in the Tokyo area.
Unfortunately their site is only in Japanese so you may need some assistance when choosing a room from their site. They do have an English site but they only offer accommodation in two areas in Tokyo (Akasaka and Asakusa) and two locations in Osaka (Otemae and Shinsaibashi). The rooms advertised on the English sites are called the 'comfort selection' and are a bit larger and can cater for families.
Prices
If you stay longer than a week, many of the monthly mansions provide a discount. The weekly prices are about 5,000-6,000 yen/night although you can receive a discount of about 500 yen to 1,000 yen per night depending on the location if you stay for a month. The average price at Weekly Mansion Tokyo is about 5,000 yen per night for a monthly plan.
Location
One good thing about weekly mansions is that there are a lot of them and they are nearly always located within walking distance of a station. The main locations in Tokyo are in the following areas: Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Gotanda, Shinagawa, Akasaka, Roppongi, Ueno, Asakusa, Nihonbashi, Koto, Kawasaki, Yokohama and Chiba. Most of the weekly mansions have essential facilities such as a microwave oven, air conditioner, desk lamp, iron etc. They also have free internet access, television, phone, fridge, dryer and also some other creature comforts such as video on demand.
Alternatives to Weekly Mansions
Another type of housing similar to Weekly Mansions are Montly Mansions. Because many of the Weekly Mansions in Tokyo are run by the same company there is a fair degree of standardization in the facilities. There are a larger number of Monthly Mansions run by various operators so the pricing, size and standard of facilities varies quite a bit.
Richie Johns, a long term resident of Japan, runs a site called Bignavi.jp, which allows users to easily search for information on housing, classifieds, jobs, travel and other Japan related topics. This site also includes unique tips on living and working in Japan.
Article source: Weekly Mansions in Japan
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richie_Johns
A weekly mansion is a furnished apartment for short-term stays. From a size vs price perspective, they are generally more expensive than other housing such as guesthouses and ryokans. One of the big differences between a guesthouse and a weekly mansion is that guesthouse accommodation is conducive to meeting other people and socialising, whereas weekly mansions are private rooms with no 'social space' to mingle with other guests. Weekly Mansions are predominantly used by Japanese people and often by those on business trips. The rooms are fairly small and in most cases not ideal for families. Meals are not included and at most places there is no housekeeping. The rooms are set up to cater for travelling business people so all rooms have a high speed internet connection. The company which runs the weekly mansions in Tokyo is called Weekly Mansion Tokyo. They offer accommodation in 44 locations in the Tokyo area.
Unfortunately their site is only in Japanese so you may need some assistance when choosing a room from their site. They do have an English site but they only offer accommodation in two areas in Tokyo (Akasaka and Asakusa) and two locations in Osaka (Otemae and Shinsaibashi). The rooms advertised on the English sites are called the 'comfort selection' and are a bit larger and can cater for families.
Prices
If you stay longer than a week, many of the monthly mansions provide a discount. The weekly prices are about 5,000-6,000 yen/night although you can receive a discount of about 500 yen to 1,000 yen per night depending on the location if you stay for a month. The average price at Weekly Mansion Tokyo is about 5,000 yen per night for a monthly plan.
Location
One good thing about weekly mansions is that there are a lot of them and they are nearly always located within walking distance of a station. The main locations in Tokyo are in the following areas: Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Gotanda, Shinagawa, Akasaka, Roppongi, Ueno, Asakusa, Nihonbashi, Koto, Kawasaki, Yokohama and Chiba. Most of the weekly mansions have essential facilities such as a microwave oven, air conditioner, desk lamp, iron etc. They also have free internet access, television, phone, fridge, dryer and also some other creature comforts such as video on demand.
Alternatives to Weekly Mansions
Another type of housing similar to Weekly Mansions are Montly Mansions. Because many of the Weekly Mansions in Tokyo are run by the same company there is a fair degree of standardization in the facilities. There are a larger number of Monthly Mansions run by various operators so the pricing, size and standard of facilities varies quite a bit.
Richie Johns, a long term resident of Japan, runs a site called Bignavi.jp, which allows users to easily search for information on housing, classifieds, jobs, travel and other Japan related topics. This site also includes unique tips on living and working in Japan.
Article source: Weekly Mansions in Japan
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richie_Johns
The Magic of Kyoto
Japan. The name evokes images of cherry blossoms and temples, of Samurai and Kimono clad Geisha. The contemporary Japan of today is a diverse conglomeration of history and tradition merging with a future that often struggles to understand itself. A country vibrantly alive and awaiting the traveler who seeks to experience a culture replete with skyscrapers and bullet trains, of castles and paddy fields lined with rustic wooden homes. What better place to begin your journey within this exotic land than the city of Kyoto. This extraordinarily beautiful city with its abundance of shrines, temples, palaces, gardens, and historically priceless buildings, exemplifies the essence of Japanese culture and history. With over 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines architecturally still intact, it is one of the best preserved cities in Japan, and a top tourist destination for foreigners and Japanese alike.
One of the most frequently visited sites is the Zen Temple of Kiyomizu. Its wooden veranda supported by hundreds of pillars located on a mountain slope overlooking the region provides an awe inspiring view of the city below. Visitors are also able to stand beneath the temple's waterfall Otowanotaki and collect water in tin cups to quench their thirst before hiking the mountain path that leads from the structure to the tranquility of the forest above.
Two additional temples which are also popular attractions are Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji. Construction of Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) began in 1397 as part of a new residence for the retired shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and was converted into a Zen Sanctuary after his death in 1408. The Pavilion is covered in gold leaf, and houses sacred relics of the Buddha. Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) was modeled after Kinkakuji, and is located at the foot of Kyoto's Higashiyama mountains. Built as a villa for Ahsikaga Yoshimasa, (a descendant of Yoshimitsu) the building was also converted into a Zen Shrine after his death in 1490.
Another impressive structure that is a well known tourist destination is Nijo Castle. Located on the eastern edge of a 70 acre compound, the building consists of 33 rooms, and is famous for the intricate paintings of landscapes which adorn the Palace's sliding doors, and for the innovative construction of wooden floors that squeak like nightingales when walked upon which was employed as a security measure against intruders.
Other memorable sites in and around Kyoto include the "Philosophers Walk", the Gion District, and Arashiyama, a charming tourist area distinguished by its landmark Togetsukyo Bridge, with Mount Arashiyama standing peacefully in the background. A wide selection of cafes, restaurants and shops are located near the famous bridge. If you venture a short distance north you'll also come across a cluster of bamboo groves and residential district with several small temples placed placidly among the wooded hillside.
The "Philosophers Walk" refers to a scenic two kilometer path running south from Ginkakuji Temple along a meandering river to Nyakuoji Shrine, and was named after philosophy professor Kitaro Nishida, who could often be seen using the pathway. The Gion District located northwest of Kiyomizu Temple consists of flagstone paved lanes lined with traditional buildings, where if you're lucky you may catch a glimpse of Geisha as they make their way gracefully down the cobblestone streets.
Jim Sherard is the author of "Land of the Rising Sun, A Guide to Living and Working in Japan", which can be found at: http://www.escapeartist.com/e_Books/Living_and_Working_in_Japan/Living_and_Working_in_Japan.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Sherard
One of the most frequently visited sites is the Zen Temple of Kiyomizu. Its wooden veranda supported by hundreds of pillars located on a mountain slope overlooking the region provides an awe inspiring view of the city below. Visitors are also able to stand beneath the temple's waterfall Otowanotaki and collect water in tin cups to quench their thirst before hiking the mountain path that leads from the structure to the tranquility of the forest above.
Two additional temples which are also popular attractions are Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji. Construction of Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) began in 1397 as part of a new residence for the retired shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and was converted into a Zen Sanctuary after his death in 1408. The Pavilion is covered in gold leaf, and houses sacred relics of the Buddha. Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) was modeled after Kinkakuji, and is located at the foot of Kyoto's Higashiyama mountains. Built as a villa for Ahsikaga Yoshimasa, (a descendant of Yoshimitsu) the building was also converted into a Zen Shrine after his death in 1490.
Another impressive structure that is a well known tourist destination is Nijo Castle. Located on the eastern edge of a 70 acre compound, the building consists of 33 rooms, and is famous for the intricate paintings of landscapes which adorn the Palace's sliding doors, and for the innovative construction of wooden floors that squeak like nightingales when walked upon which was employed as a security measure against intruders.
Other memorable sites in and around Kyoto include the "Philosophers Walk", the Gion District, and Arashiyama, a charming tourist area distinguished by its landmark Togetsukyo Bridge, with Mount Arashiyama standing peacefully in the background. A wide selection of cafes, restaurants and shops are located near the famous bridge. If you venture a short distance north you'll also come across a cluster of bamboo groves and residential district with several small temples placed placidly among the wooded hillside.
The "Philosophers Walk" refers to a scenic two kilometer path running south from Ginkakuji Temple along a meandering river to Nyakuoji Shrine, and was named after philosophy professor Kitaro Nishida, who could often be seen using the pathway. The Gion District located northwest of Kiyomizu Temple consists of flagstone paved lanes lined with traditional buildings, where if you're lucky you may catch a glimpse of Geisha as they make their way gracefully down the cobblestone streets.
Jim Sherard is the author of "Land of the Rising Sun, A Guide to Living and Working in Japan", which can be found at: http://www.escapeartist.com/e_Books/Living_and_Working_in_Japan/Living_and_Working_in_Japan.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Sherard
Kyoto Japan -5 Fantastic Things to Do Where Traditional Japanese Culture Blends With Modern Miracles
Japanese society, being an intriguing mix of the old and the new, is one of the many reasons to visit Japan and find out more about Japanese culture and history.
One of the most popular tourist destinations is Kyoto Japan, an ancient city that was fortunate to have escaped the bombing during World War II. Its architectural glory has remained intact and Kyoto history can visually unwind before your eyes.
Kyoto, once the capital of Japan, is renowned for its wealth of shrines and temples. There are so many that you will need several vacations if you wanted to visit them all.
And because there are so many possible things to do you should be quite selective in planning your itinerary.
You may want to enjoy exploring the region and absorbing Kyoto history either on a bicycling or a walking tour.
The railway station in Kyoto Japan
Ironically, if you arrive by train, the first image you will see in this ancient city is a very modern structure.
The railway station itself in Kyoto Japan is huge and worth exploration in its own right. If you take the escalators up to the top you will go above roof level and enjoy spectacular views of the city from the viewing area.
This, the most important link in Japan's railway system, was opened in 1997.
Within the 15-story complex you will find a shopping center, a hotel, a department store and a cinema.
And, yes, there's even a helipad.
If you're traveling on a budget you can easily find numerous accommodations.
The Ryokan Guest Houses
The Ryokan Guest Houses, which are very popular, present the traditional side of Kyoto Japan.
Within them you'll find tatami floors and shoji screen doors, true symbols of Japanese culture.
Their furnishings are simple yet comfortable.
There are also a number of other guest houses, hostels, and budget hotels for business travelers as well as tourists.
Toji Temple
Toji Temple should be high on everyone's list of things to see.
It's Japans tallest wooden structure and has the largest pagoda of any in Japan on its grounds.
Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle is one of the finest examples of a castle in Japan and it also is in Kyoto Japan.
The castle is comprised of a large moat, various gardens, two tea houses, buildings, and beautiful cherry trees.
Nijo Castle was completed almost 400 years ago, in 1626, and was given to the city in 1939.
The Kyoto International Manga Museum
The Kyoto International Manga Museum is one of the more unusual attractions you might want to visit.
The museum is the home of a collection of 200,000 comic books.
Realize that Manga Comics are a central part of Japanese culture and you'll see not only why they have become popular in the west as well, but also why you might want to read some of them on your visit to the Manga Museum.
To learn how to get the lowest possible prices on airfare, car rentals, hotels and cruises, take a look at a review of Save on Airfare now and learn how to make it happen. And, to find out how to make your greatest dream vacations come true, check out http://TheGreatestDreamVacations.com
(c) Copyright - Steve Schulman. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Schulman
One of the most popular tourist destinations is Kyoto Japan, an ancient city that was fortunate to have escaped the bombing during World War II. Its architectural glory has remained intact and Kyoto history can visually unwind before your eyes.
Kyoto, once the capital of Japan, is renowned for its wealth of shrines and temples. There are so many that you will need several vacations if you wanted to visit them all.
And because there are so many possible things to do you should be quite selective in planning your itinerary.
You may want to enjoy exploring the region and absorbing Kyoto history either on a bicycling or a walking tour.
The railway station in Kyoto Japan
Ironically, if you arrive by train, the first image you will see in this ancient city is a very modern structure.
The railway station itself in Kyoto Japan is huge and worth exploration in its own right. If you take the escalators up to the top you will go above roof level and enjoy spectacular views of the city from the viewing area.
This, the most important link in Japan's railway system, was opened in 1997.
Within the 15-story complex you will find a shopping center, a hotel, a department store and a cinema.
And, yes, there's even a helipad.
If you're traveling on a budget you can easily find numerous accommodations.
The Ryokan Guest Houses
The Ryokan Guest Houses, which are very popular, present the traditional side of Kyoto Japan.
Within them you'll find tatami floors and shoji screen doors, true symbols of Japanese culture.
Their furnishings are simple yet comfortable.
There are also a number of other guest houses, hostels, and budget hotels for business travelers as well as tourists.
Toji Temple
Toji Temple should be high on everyone's list of things to see.
It's Japans tallest wooden structure and has the largest pagoda of any in Japan on its grounds.
Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle is one of the finest examples of a castle in Japan and it also is in Kyoto Japan.
The castle is comprised of a large moat, various gardens, two tea houses, buildings, and beautiful cherry trees.
Nijo Castle was completed almost 400 years ago, in 1626, and was given to the city in 1939.
The Kyoto International Manga Museum
The Kyoto International Manga Museum is one of the more unusual attractions you might want to visit.
The museum is the home of a collection of 200,000 comic books.
Realize that Manga Comics are a central part of Japanese culture and you'll see not only why they have become popular in the west as well, but also why you might want to read some of them on your visit to the Manga Museum.
To learn how to get the lowest possible prices on airfare, car rentals, hotels and cruises, take a look at a review of Save on Airfare now and learn how to make it happen. And, to find out how to make your greatest dream vacations come true, check out http://TheGreatestDreamVacations.com
(c) Copyright - Steve Schulman. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Schulman
Japan - What to See and the Best Way to Travel
In my capacity as the UK Director of Operations for One World Tours Limited, I am often asked all kinds of travel questions.
A client recently enquired about travelling to Japan for the first time and wanted my advice on what to see and the best way to travel when visiting this remarkable land. Here are my tips....
Because only 30% of this beautiful country is inhabitable, as you can imagine everyone is packed into these small areas so the public transport has to be good!
I found that one of the better ways to get around was on the Japanese Rail (JR) system. You will have to book a rail pass for this facility before leaving home to start your journey, up to 3 months before you plan on travelling.
Once you have activated your pass, you will be free to travel almost anywhere in Japan.
The interesting thing about this method of travelling is that the trains are never late and although they can become very crowded at peak times it is a very efficient way to get from A to B. There are specific carriage numbers on the platforms where the trains stop at precisely when they pull in at the stations. There are even colour coded lines on the floors of the station that lead you to the train that you need to catch. The whole system is designed with the customers requirements in mind.
The Japanese are a very respectful race and some of the rules that they display in their carriages are most welcoming and amusing when you compare them to our own rules in England.
For example you are advised not to play loud music, take up more space than is necessary or talk on a mobile phone all things that are freely ignored on our trains!
The bullet train was a really effective way to cover long distances in a relatively short space of time. It was refreshing to see the uniformed staff all lined up on the platforms embarking on the trains, giving them a thorough but quick clean before the next passengers got on.
It is quite impressive to watch these magnificent works of technology zooming through the stations and then to see one slowing down with its sleek design commanding attention.
You can maneuver the seats that all face one way if there is more than 2 in your group so that you can all sit facing one another.
Refreshments are bought to your carriage many times throughout your journey to ensure that you have all that you require.
The down side though is that you can still smoke in designated carriages in Japan and if you do not note this when you are reserving your seats, which you can do for your entire stay when you activate your pass, you could be stuck in a smoke filled environment for your whole journey.
You don't really feel the speed that you are travelling at but it is quite an achievement to cover such distances in such a short passage of time, opening up the whole of Japan to you even if you are only visiting for a week.
The only problem that I genuinely had with getting used to the whole system, was when I reached the station that led back to my hotel, because there were so many exits, I never came out at the same place twice! More of a bad judgement on my behalf I would say. I do think however that I finally found the correct exit the day before I was scheduled to leave after 9 days!
As you can imagine the roads in the major towns and cities are generally very busy and slow moving, so travelling by train is the best way to go when in Japan.
Stuart Cheese is the UK Director of Operations for One World Tours and having visited over 110 countries, has a wealth of travel experience.
One World Tours / The Holidays in Japan Specialists
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Cheese
A client recently enquired about travelling to Japan for the first time and wanted my advice on what to see and the best way to travel when visiting this remarkable land. Here are my tips....
Because only 30% of this beautiful country is inhabitable, as you can imagine everyone is packed into these small areas so the public transport has to be good!
I found that one of the better ways to get around was on the Japanese Rail (JR) system. You will have to book a rail pass for this facility before leaving home to start your journey, up to 3 months before you plan on travelling.
Once you have activated your pass, you will be free to travel almost anywhere in Japan.
The interesting thing about this method of travelling is that the trains are never late and although they can become very crowded at peak times it is a very efficient way to get from A to B. There are specific carriage numbers on the platforms where the trains stop at precisely when they pull in at the stations. There are even colour coded lines on the floors of the station that lead you to the train that you need to catch. The whole system is designed with the customers requirements in mind.
The Japanese are a very respectful race and some of the rules that they display in their carriages are most welcoming and amusing when you compare them to our own rules in England.
For example you are advised not to play loud music, take up more space than is necessary or talk on a mobile phone all things that are freely ignored on our trains!
The bullet train was a really effective way to cover long distances in a relatively short space of time. It was refreshing to see the uniformed staff all lined up on the platforms embarking on the trains, giving them a thorough but quick clean before the next passengers got on.
It is quite impressive to watch these magnificent works of technology zooming through the stations and then to see one slowing down with its sleek design commanding attention.
You can maneuver the seats that all face one way if there is more than 2 in your group so that you can all sit facing one another.
Refreshments are bought to your carriage many times throughout your journey to ensure that you have all that you require.
The down side though is that you can still smoke in designated carriages in Japan and if you do not note this when you are reserving your seats, which you can do for your entire stay when you activate your pass, you could be stuck in a smoke filled environment for your whole journey.
You don't really feel the speed that you are travelling at but it is quite an achievement to cover such distances in such a short passage of time, opening up the whole of Japan to you even if you are only visiting for a week.
The only problem that I genuinely had with getting used to the whole system, was when I reached the station that led back to my hotel, because there were so many exits, I never came out at the same place twice! More of a bad judgement on my behalf I would say. I do think however that I finally found the correct exit the day before I was scheduled to leave after 9 days!
As you can imagine the roads in the major towns and cities are generally very busy and slow moving, so travelling by train is the best way to go when in Japan.
Stuart Cheese is the UK Director of Operations for One World Tours and having visited over 110 countries, has a wealth of travel experience.
One World Tours / The Holidays in Japan Specialists
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Cheese
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)