http://www.japan-hopper.com For all your Japan related needs - Hotels, Restaurants, Activities, and much more on the map of Japan Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:46:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 ja http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/11/13_112288.php http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/11/13_112288.php#comments Thu, 13 Nov 2008 02:31:00 +0000 akko@hakata http://www.japan-hopper.com/?p=2288


ACROSS FUKUOKA, covered with trees.
It has restaurants, convention rooms, concert hall, studios, and shops.


REDBRICK CULTURE HALL, constructed in 1909, by Kingo Tatsuno, known as a designer of Tokyo Station Building.

Both are in Tenjin area, so you can enjoy the contrast of those two buildings. ]]> http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/11/13_112288.php/feed http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/11/01_142277.php http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/11/01_142277.php#comments Sat, 01 Nov 2008 05:31:45 +0000 akko@hakata http://www.japan-hopper.com/?p=2277 November is Sumo month for Kyushu people. More than a week before Kyushu Basho (the tornament organized in Kyushu every year in November), Sumo wrestlers come to Fukuoka, and you can find huge sumo wrestlers here and there, sometimes, cycling !!


It says, `Yokozuna will visit this shrine for Dohyo-iri, at 12:30, November 1st!’.
The last one was 44 years ago, by Yokozuna Taiho.


Yokozuna Hakuho visited Sumiyoshi Shrine for Dohyo-iri, a special entrance ceremony before the tornament, which will start soon, on 9th November　(and will end on Nov.23).
*You can check Sumo information here.


Many people started to gather long before the event, and there were many policemen as well.


Hello Kitty with Sumo costume!









]]> http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/11/01_142277.php/feed http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/10/30_172273.php http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/10/30_172273.php#comments Thu, 30 Oct 2008 08:58:09 +0000 akko@hakata http://www.japan-hopper.com/?p=2273

Why not joining Japanese local festival, wearing Happi uniform ?
For those who love Japanese Festivals, and are not satisfied with just watching, this would be a perfect opportunity !

H.I.S. Experience Japan Co., Ltd. is going to conduct the tour supported by parties concerned in Saitam prefecture, which is placed next to Tokyo.

Date: November 2nd Sunday
Destination: Hanno Festival in Hanno Saitama Prefecture
Price: \Free　 (discount price: regular price is \8.800)
Highlights: Pulling the festival float wearing Japanese happi coat.
*present! a Japanese washcloth.(Mameshibori Tenugui)
Fixed number: 10 *up to 10 customers are accepted.
Application deadline: October 31st 20:00

You can join in the festival not only watching but also pulling the float in happi coat with other local Japanese.
We are sorry but Japanese people can participate in this tour only with a foreign acquaintance.

When you want to know more information about this tour, check this page at our website.

Please introduce this tour to your friends.

You can apply by e-mail. info@his-exp.jp
Please let us know your following information.
1 Full names of all participants
2 Mobile phone number
3 Nationality
4 Gender
5 PC e-mail address

We　will send you the confirmation slip after 9pm 31st Oct.

Sincerely

H.I.S. Experience Japan Co., Ltd.
President Katsura Nonoyama
Sumitomo Fudosan Shinjuku Oak tower 26F
6-8-1, Nishi-Shinjuku-ku
Tokyou Japan 163-6026
Tel: 03-5322-8966 Fax: 03-5322-8944
http://www.hisexperience.jp
http://truejapan.jp ]]> http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/10/30_172273.php/feed http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/10/30_152267.php http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/10/30_152267.php#comments Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:13:54 +0000 akko@hakata http://www.japan-hopper.com/?p=2267 After exciting Tokyo and traditional Kyoto, why not visiting tranquil Kyushu, where you can experience magic of nature, and what it bring out, such as onsen (hot spring) , beautiful nature, fresh local food, good sake, and friendly people!


Beppu is used to be popular destination for honeymooners, and now is the mecca of onsen.
Beside common onsen where you need to take all your clothes off, there are many footbath places.


Beyond outdoor onsen is graceful Yufudake, a simbol of Yufuin Onsen town.


After onsen, how about softcream to cool yourself?
This is made of soymilk and is very healthy.
(You can find icecreams or softcreams made of soymilk in Yufuin area).



Lotus flower in Beppu. (Photo taken on Oct.26)


Local food is what Kyshu people are proud of.
Thanks to warm weather, rice, vegetables, fruits grow just all right.

Living in Kyushu, you can feel and eat beautiful four seasons.

*To get to Kyushu Island, you can fly to Fukuoka Airport from Tokyo(1′45”)/Osaka(1′20”)/Nagoya(1′30”), or can take a Shinkansen Bullet Train, or fly from Asian countries such as Korea, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines. From Fukuoka Airport, you can take express trains to variety of destinations. Kyushu express trains are unique and is very comfortable. The view from express trains is something amazing !! ]]> http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/10/30_152267.php/feed http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/10/30_142261.php http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/10/30_142261.php#comments Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:06:04 +0000 akko@hakata http://www.japan-hopper.com/?p=2261 After exciting Tokyo and traditional Kyoto, why not visiting tranquil Kyushu, where you can experience magic of nature, and what it bring out, such as onsen (hot spring) , beautiful nature, fresh local food, good sake, and friendly people!


Aso mountain is the general term referring to 5 mountains.
Nakadake (1592m) is one of them, and is the only one still active.
The photo above is the caldera, which can be seen if the weather and wind condition is all right.
The last large eruption happend 90,000 years ago.


This board tells gas condition, and whether or not you can go close to caldera.


When we say `Aso’, it includes the huge area including caldera. During harvest season, mountains are covered with golden pampas grass.


You can enjoy local food in Takamori Area.


Japanese people love to take souvenior photo.


On sunny days, Aso is a perfect touring route for motorbike riders.


Throughout Japan, you can find variety of softcreams, but this is something special!
(You can get this at Dai-Kan-Bo)


Beside pampas grass, what you can enjoy in this season (Oct-Nov) is cosmos flowers, and leaves starting to get color.

*To get to Kyushu Island, you can fly to Fukuoka Airport from Tokyo(1′45”)/Osaka(1′20”)/Nagoya(1′30”), or can take a Shinkansen Bullet Train, or fly from Asian countries such as Korea, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines. From Fukuoka Airport, you can take express trains to variety of destinations. Kyushu express trains are unique and is very comfortable. The view from express trains is something amazing !! ]]> http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/10/30_142261.php/feed http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/06/26_141748.php http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/06/26_141748.php#comments Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:26:11 +0000 akko@hakata http://www.japan-hopper.com/?p=1748
5 million pixcel digital camera with Hello Kitty design!


Suitcase, with mature kitty design!
There are four colors, black, gray, red and pink.

Light, quiet!


And easy to find out of many others.


Let me just mention that the sparkling round, small stickers on camera and suitcase are my own decoration.


You can find them at Hello Kitty Shops (Sanrio Shops ) in Japan.
The largest Hello Kitty shop is in Ginza, very near to Yurakucho Station,
B1F and 1st floor of the Nishi Ginza Department (Please check the map below .) ]]> http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/06/26_141748.php/feed http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/06/26_141747.php http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/06/26_141747.php#comments Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:03:32 +0000 akko@hakata http://www.japan-hopper.com/?p=1747

Fukuoka, which already has a very good reputation among residents,
business people (especially Tanshin-Funin people* !), domestic tourists,
and also oversea visitors, first appeared in the latest MONOCLE magazine,
and introduced as the best shopping city, and the 16th livable place.



As a resident, Fukuoka is;
-Gourmet! Especially recommendable is ramen noodle, seafood, local shochu (distilled spirit).
-Friendly! People show welcome mood to visitors.
-Modern! Fukuoka has many beautiful architectures in city center area.
-Fashionable! You’ll know once you walk into Tenjin area, especially in the evening.
-Comfortable! 1.5 million population is just OK to make the city exciting, not too crowded.
-Clean. very clean and organized.
-On the sea! Beautiful beach is available within an hour drive from the city center.
-Convinient! Within a walking distance you can find almost everything there’s in Tokyo.
-Accessible! From Tokyo to Fukuoka = 2 hous’ flight. From Tokyo to Fukuoka= 1.5 hours’ flight
(because of the way wind blows. )
-Happy! Fuku means Blessing or Happiness, Oka means Hill. So Fukuoka is literally happy -And lots more things you’ll find when you visit !!


Yatai food stalls are popular among tourists and local people.
Fukuoka is the perfect place to enjoy nightlife !


Another urban area named Momochi is about half an hour from Tenjin, which is a romantic dating spot.
234 meter Fukuoka Tower is amazingly beautiful at night.

FUKUOKA Related Posts
Try Maiko Makeup @ Yoji-ya
ICHIRAN Ramen Shop, special lunch box version @ Canal City Hakata !
ICHIRAN Ramen Shop @ Canal City Hakata, more photoes, English order sheet, and my recommendation
Antenna Shops of Hakata; foods, cup-sake, Glico @ Canal City Hakata ]]> http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/06/26_141747.php/feed http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/06/03_151729.php http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/06/03_151729.php#comments Tue, 03 Jun 2008 06:42:52 +0000 akko@hakata http://www.japan-hopper.com/?p=1729 If you are interested in trying Maiko makeup, not in a heavy, authentic way, but in a casual, easy way, Yoji-ya would be the best solution.


These are colors for your eyes and lips. Each is from Japanese traditional natural colors of flowers, fruits, snow, etc.
They may look unusual, but once you put them, you’ll find they fit beautifully.


Lip balm made of Yuzu (Japanese citrus), with relaxing sweet sour scent.
The woman illustrated on the cap is the cover girl of Yojiya’s Aburatorigami, facial oil blotting paper, a popular Kyoto souvenior among girls.


Original makeup tools. These brushes are made of goats’ hair.


Soap, Lotion…skin care items to make moistured skin.


Variety of high quality makeup brushes, all made in Japan.


Adding `red’ to eyelids and lips, `sakura (cherry blossom)’ to cheeks.


Snow-skin is essencial to Maiko makeup.
So finish with a light dusting of translucent snow white powder.


The great advantage of visiting counter is that you can get personal makeup advice face-to-face.
What I found out today is, this Maiko makeup is very cool (I mean not simply traditional), and I can put it on everyday. So please try :>

*Photographed and Reported at Yojiya @Daimaru, Fukuoka Tenjin. ]]> http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/06/03_151729.php/feed http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/04/02_031493.php http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/04/02_031493.php#comments Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:32:15 +0000 akko@hakata http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/04/02_031493.php




Shinto Priest is getting the evel spirit away from the people.

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is the most popular Shinto Shrine, especially for those who want to pass the entrance exam.

For many Japanese students, entrance exam of high schools and universities is a big challenge, so they make special wish at Shinto Shrines.

By the way, Shinto is not a religion. Most Japanese are Budhist, and at the same time, have the Shitoism idea as the basic concept.

In Shitoism, instead of almighty god, we have 8 million `kamisamas‘, who are very friendly, quite humane, and equal to we human beings.

Everywhere in this world, in the sky, on the ground, in fire, water, trees… we see kamisamas’ spirit inside. Even in our words, kamisamas exist, which we call `koto-dama’.

Japanese people visits Shinto Shrines on many events, marriage, Shichi-Go-San (when children reaches 3, 5, and 7 years old), new born baby celebration, new year visit….

Today many Japanese people may not be religeous any longer, but at least are `spiritual’. ]]> http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/04/02_031493.php/feed http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/01/15_181327.php http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/01/15_181327.php#comments Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:33:16 +0000 akko@hakata http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/01/15_181327.php This is Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, where Michizane Sugawara, God of Academy, is worshipped.



People from all over Japan visit Michizane-kou (it’s a way to call him friendly and with respect), and pray `Please let me (or let my son/ daughter) pass the entrance exam!’.

(If you know something about Japanese educational system, to enter good highschools and universities is very hard, and considerd to be crucial to decide future career. Usually, entrance exams are held from Jan. to early Feb., for school starts in April in Japan).



See? lots of people.



On your way to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine from the parking or railway station, is the Sando street, which is a passway to the shrine. There’re many souvenior shops along the sando, and here in Dazaifu Tenmangu, one of the specialities is definitely…



Umegae-mochi, which is a special rice cake with pasted sweet beans inside. Ume means plum, and is the simbol of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, for several reasons.

(First, Michizane, the god of academy loved plum tree. Second, there’s a background story. When Michizane was sent away from Kyoto to Dazafu, it is said plum flower jumped from there, to follow Michizane, missing. The seed of the flower’s grown up to be a Jumping Plum Tree `Tobiume‘ , which you can see today, just next to the shrine building. Besides, Tobiume, here’re thousands of plum trees in Dazaifu which are in full broom and are magnificent in March. )





ACCESS

To go to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, from Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station (Tenjin), about half an hour by Nishitetsu railway (get off at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine station).
By car, it’s about 20 to 25 minutes from Hakata or Tenjin, passing highway.

YOU CAN ENJOY DAY-TRIP IN DAZAIFU AREA!

Next to Dazaifu (you can visit on foot) is Kyushu National Museum, so you can enjoy a day trip in Dazaifu Area, enjoying culture and nature ! Dazaifu is blessed with beautiful nature, especially with flowers in each season ! ]]> http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/01/15_181327.php/feed