Word of Mouth Travel Guide - Japan Hopper » Festival

Join Local Festival for Free ! @Hanno, Saitama (Nov.2.2008)

akko@hakata — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 08:58:09 +0000

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

Katchaman’s Amazing JAPAN guide at Fukuoka Power Spot (Sacred Place) “Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine” [大宰府天満宮・福岡県]

katchaman — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 05:47:46 +0000

According to Dazaifu Tenmangu’s Website, Dazaifu Tenmangu is a shrine built over the grave of Michizane Sugawara venerated by the Japanese throughout the country as the Tenman-Tenjin (the deified spirit of Michizane), or the God of literature or calligraphy. Michizane, who had been a high-ranking government officer, was demoted because of the slander and political chicanery of his rivals, the Fujiwara clan. He endured a life of extreme hardship and misery in exile at Dazaifu, yet preserved his character continuing his scholarly studies and never developing the hatred for those who had exiled him. He died in 903 at the age of 59. His funeral procession was a melancholy occasion, attended only by his faithful follower Yasuyuki Umasake and a few neighbors. The coffin was carried on a cow carriage led by Yasuyuki, according to the legend the ox suddenly came to a halt and refused to budge despite threats and entreaties. The burial therefore took place on the spot, and this became the site of the Tenmangu’s main shrine visited today by so many admirers. Michizane is celebrated as a man, pure in heart and deed, and after his death he was deified and worshipped as a God.

There are approximately 6,000 plum trees of 197 varieties in the vicinity of Tenmangu, reflecting Michizane’s lifelong affection and regard for the trees and their blossoms. Perhaps the most famous is the one to the right of HONDEN (main shrine). Known as TOBIUME (the flying plum tree), legend has it that after Michizane left Kyoto for a life in exile, this particular tree yearned so much for him that, uprooting himself, it flew to reunite with him in Dazaifu.

Shooting date: June 21 2008

Address: 4-7-1 Saifu, Dazaifu-shi, Fukuoka
Access: http://www.dazaifutenmangu.or.jp/other/acc_e.htm
Admission Fee: Free in the shrine precincts Houmotsu-den (Treasury Hall): 300 yen (regular fee
Website: http://www.dazaifutenmangu.or.jp/other/index.htm

Fukuoka, introduced as the World Best Shopping City @ MONOCLE

akko@hakata — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:03:32 +0000

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.

Try Maiko Makeup @ Yoji-ya

akko@hakata — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 06:42:52 +0000

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.

Japan’s Annual Penis Festival (SFW) - Kanamara Matsuri

Bill Belew — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:44:08 +0000

And I thought that Poop Museum might be the last thing I have never seen in Japan.

How about a penis festival that’s safe for work?

Absolutely.

I have been to shrines dedicated to the penis in Japan. But, gosh, I seemed to have missed out on the festival dedicated to the Phallus.

If 10’s of thousands of people, men, women, children, and such will gather in broad daylight to celebrate…it must be safe for work, right?

It’s April - bring out the penises.

As a friend of mine used to say - good googey moogey.

Pink, black, wooden (is this where the term comes from?), steel, (yeah, fellows, dream on), plastic, skewed (Ouch!), frozen, decorated, sucking, licking, and all in good fun.

What’d you do at the festival?

Yeah! Try doing that in America.

Lots of more pix at Japan Photo Guide.

“festival” million of Phlox subulata!

mentalup — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:40:39 +0000

It is a festival of flowers n’ greens.
The festival is held in Gunma. There are many areas so I will introduce one of the OTA satellite.

Here are million ofPhlox subulata(siba-sakura)!!!

Close UP!!!

It”s so beautiful!

You can see the beautiful flowers, but also join some events.
And you can take a free bus that go the rounds of festival area.
You may be grateful for the benefits which nature of Ota has bestowed upon people!

“festival” million of Phlox subulata
*area* Yoshizawa-cho Ota-shi, Gunma
*tel* 0276-47-1840
*session* 5 Apl.-11 May. 2008′
*time* 9:00-17:00
*Access* Take a car, nearest new expressway exit
*web* http://www.city.ota.gunma.jp/gyosei/0072a/006/hana/top.html

Shinto Shrine, Graceful Monthly Event @ Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

akko@hakata — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:32:15 +0000

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’.

Want to pass School Entrance Exam? Visit Michizane-kou @ Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine!

akko@hakata — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:33:16 +0000

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 !

NEW YEAR 2008@ Canal City Hakata

akko@hakata — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 20:00:36 +0000

Canal City Hakata has no new year holiday !

Shimekazari (decoration for welcoming New Year, fixed on the top of shops’ entrance) in Hakata is very unique.

These are very common in here.

*Kyushu Tourism Information Site will also help you discover the charms of Kyushu !

HAKATA PORT, from where LEXUS exported

akko@hakata — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 19:12:46 +0000

HAKATA PORT with Long History

This is Hakata Port, which has 2,000 years of history, is especially well known for the cultural trading between China, that the national treasure Gold Seal (Kinin) were given to Na, the old country of Japan.

This means Hakata Port has been the gateway to Asia since 2,000 years old. Actually it’s the oldest artificial (man made) port in Japan, made by a lord Taira no Kiyomori.
The present Hakata Port opend in 1899, with more than 2 million people pass this port. Well but of course, It’s not only people that Hakata Port is bringing in and out.

TOYOTA LEXUS are also shipped from Hakata Port. (There’re two LEXUS factories in Japan, one is in Toyota city in Aichi, and the other is in Fukuoka. Today Kyushu island is called `Car Island’ for having several huge automobile factories!)

From HAKATA PORT, you can travel to…

From Hakata Port, you can travel to Iki-island, Tsushima-Island, Goto-Island in Nagasaki, to Shikanoshima-Island, Noko-Island of Fukuoka city, Busan in Korea (Have you ever known that from Hakata Busan is closer than Hiroshima? ) and ports all over the world, or just enjoy cruising around Hakata Bay.

Lots of ships comes in and out.