Yoshiwara - Center of Nightlife in Old Times

July 21, 2007 - 5:51 pm by kiokitok in Travel  

Yoshiwara has been a representative of sex industry. There are famous soaplands which allow their guests to have sex with girls legally. As few of them offer such services to foreigners, this essay cannot be their guide unfortunately or not. However, if you understand their history, you can be more fascinated with [...]

Furusato Antenna Shops; you can find Local Food of all over Japan in Tokyo !

- 1:25 am by akko@hakata in Food, Travel  

Furusato antenna shop (furusato means hometown) is where you can find variety of local products, mainly food and drinks, in one particular shop.
The mecca of antenna shops is Kotsu Kaikan Building in front of Yurakucho station, (near Ginza), Tokyo.
Out of 15 Antenna Shops in this area, I especially recommend `Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza’.
(Hokkaido is the northern [...]

Try Best and Freshest Ikesu squid ? Visit koga @ Hakata

- 1:12 am by akko@hakata in Food, Travel  

Among gourmet businessmen in Japan, Hakata has a good reputation as the best place for business trip.
Out of many Hakata food, the most dynamic one should be ikesu squid!
Ikesu is alive seafood, and in Hakata Ikesu restaurant, squid are directly sent from Yobuko port nearby.

This is the shop I was recommended by Hakata locals, and [...]

i get bored of tokyo

July 20, 2007 - 11:19 am by ichris in Travel  

if you came to japan stay just a few days in tokyo, the best is on mountains, outside the city, why? if you go to ropogni the only thing you see its americans and europeans trying to hit whit the jap girls, if you go to shibuya you just see japanese tryin to be americans,
go [...]

What is a similarity between Kyoto International Manga Museum and Kyoto Art Center?

July 16, 2007 - 7:53 pm by Yuk in Culture, Travel  

I took only 2minutes to walk from the Oike station (Karasuma line of Kyoto subway) to there, and I saw people who sat on the square covered with artificial turf.

It is Kyoto International Manga Museum which was opened on 25th November 2006 (the admission fee is 500 yen). It was a manga that people were [...]

Sugamo

July 14, 2007 - 4:22 pm by kiokitok in Travel  

Sugamo is called Harajuku for old ladies as it is popular for shops and restaurants targeting them. There are also some temples being believed to give certain effects on their lives.
Leaving Sugamo station from the South exit, you are facing Route #17. Walking along the street, you will get to Jizodori Shotengai (commercial [...]

Hashima Island: Visions of a Post Apocalyptic Future

July 4, 2007 - 12:44 pm by AmherstIsland in Travel  

Hashima (Gunkanjima) Island which translates to Border Island is among 505 uninhabited islands lying just outside of Nagasaki, Japan. However, unlike most of these islands at one time Hashima Island was inhabited. In fact it was one of the most densely populated places in the world. What happened to these people? Click [...]

Coal Mine King, Ito Denemon’s residence is now open to public! @Izuka, Fukuoka

July 2, 2007 - 6:50 pm by akko@hakata in Travel  

Coal Mine King, Ito Denemon(1860-1947)’s old residence is now open to public, with the support to preserve it by Iizuka City citizens.
It’s modern Japanese, partly Victorian, and is just amazingly graceful.
Photo taking is not allowed inside, so please visit and see it by yourself.

Ito Denemon’s beautiful ex-wife, Byakuren is famous with her nickname, `flower of [...]

This is Hakata; Yamakasa season has come! and about Motsu-nabe

- 5:56 pm by akko@hakata in Travel  

From July 1st to July 15th is the hottest season of Hakata, the traditional merchant town of Fukuoka.
It’s the season of Gion Yamakasa Festival.

It’s related to Shintoism.
Hakata merchants are protected by Kamisama (`God’ in Shintoism, existing in every natural things, such as tree, land, fire, mountain, sky, etc.).
They show special respect by praying in Kushida [...]

Visit the only Lemon soda factory in Japan, @ Hita Soy Sauce Shop of 15 generations!

- 7:09 am by akko@hakata in Food, Travel  

Hita is also famous for delicious soy sauce!

This is rainbow ramaune（lemon soda）, gently sweet, and the color is all natural !
It’s another simbol product of Hara Jirozaemon Soysauce shop.

It has the only ramune factory open to public in Japan!

Marbles used for ramune tap.

Now this is the soysauce factory.

Good soysauce is made from good water.
Attached with [...]