The three days immediately before and after Shunbun no hi is a seven day period called the spring equinoctial week or higan in Japanese. It is a boundary marking the end of winter coldness.
Showing posts with label Japan 2011. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Japan 2011. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Spring Equinox Day (shunbun no hi)
Today March 20th is Spring Equinox Day or Shunbun no hi (春分の日) in Japan. This national holiday was first established in 1948 as a day to admire nature and the love of living things. The holiday occurs on the date of the vernal equinox in Japan Standard Time and usually falls on March 20 or 21.
The three days immediately before and after Shunbun no hi is a seven day period called the spring equinoctial week or higan in Japanese. It is a boundary marking the end of winter coldness.
The three days immediately before and after Shunbun no hi is a seven day period called the spring equinoctial week or higan in Japanese. It is a boundary marking the end of winter coldness.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Top 5 Must-Read Most Popular Japan Australia Articles of 2011
Hope you all had a great New Year’s (明けましておめでとうございます).
Japan Australia had a great year in 2011 and now it is time to get together a “best of” list to review the year.
Here are the top 5 most popular articles from 2011.
Japan Australia had a great year in 2011 and now it is time to get together a “best of” list to review the year.
Here are the top 5 most popular articles from 2011.
Labels:
about Japan,
Japan,
Japan 2011,
Japan 2012
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Merry Christmas from Japan Australia
Wishing all my followers and friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Let's hope for a great 2012 and many more great years to come.
Labels:
Christmas,
Japan,
Japan 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Japan on a Budget
Japan is a great tourist destination and it is possible to visit Japan on a budget. Here are some money saving tips to help you on your next trip.
In Tokyo, most of the main sights and hot spots can be visited via the JR Train Line (Yamanote loop line) with a one-day JR train pass for 730 yen (about USD$9). You can also look at regional pass like the JR Kanto Area Pass.
Travel
If you plan to do a lot of travelling in Japan then it is worth getting the Japan Rail Pass, which allows unlimited travel on almost all JR trains, including the shinkansen (excluding the Nozomi superexpress). This pass can only be purchased outside of Japan and will save you travel money in Japan.In Tokyo, most of the main sights and hot spots can be visited via the JR Train Line (Yamanote loop line) with a one-day JR train pass for 730 yen (about USD$9). You can also look at regional pass like the JR Kanto Area Pass.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Skiing in Japan
Japan has some of the best ski resorts and powder snow in the world.
The two best areas for skiing or snowboarding in Japan are Nagano on the main island of Honshu and Hokkaido, the island furthest north in Japan.
The two best areas for skiing or snowboarding in Japan are Nagano on the main island of Honshu and Hokkaido, the island furthest north in Japan.
Labels:
about Japan,
Hakaba,
Hokkaido,
Japan,
Japan 2011,
Nagano,
Niseko,
Sapporo,
Skiing,
Snow,
Snowboarding,
Winter
Friday, September 23, 2011
Picture of the Week Halloween in Japan
Halloween in Japan has started gaining in popularity with more and more cities, towns, shopping centers and theme parks displaying colourful Halloween decorations and having fun events. Like most things in Japan, Halloween starts quite early and places will start with the decorations in September through to October.
One of the fun things I enjoy around this time of year in Japan is the Halloween special edition of Japanese treats and snacks. This includes such things as Halloween Pumpkin Kit Kat to Koala no March Halloween.
One of the fun things I enjoy around this time of year in Japan is the Halloween special edition of Japanese treats and snacks. This includes such things as Halloween Pumpkin Kit Kat to Koala no March Halloween.
Labels:
about Japan,
Disneyland,
Halloween,
Japan,
Japan 2011,
Japan photos,
Picture of the Week,
Tokyo
Friday, September 16, 2011
Picture of the Week Former Kaichi School Matsumoto
The Former Kaichi School in Matsumoto City, Nagano, Japan is a Meiji era school that was founded in 1873. The school was used as a functional school for 90 years and is one of the oldest elementary schools in Japan. The building is a mix of Japanese and Western styles of architecture and was designated an important cultural property in 1961.
In 1965 the former school was opened as a museum of education. The museum inside the fantastic looking building showcases the history of some of the education material and architectural materials of the period. The education materials contain some old textbooks that were used during the Edo period as well as textbooks, diaries and certificates from the Meiji era.
In 1965 the former school was opened as a museum of education. The museum inside the fantastic looking building showcases the history of some of the education material and architectural materials of the period. The education materials contain some old textbooks that were used during the Edo period as well as textbooks, diaries and certificates from the Meiji era.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Tsukimi Burger
September in Japan usually brings with it Autumn or Aki (秋) with cooler weather, beautiful fall leaves and Autumn food and drinks. One of my favourite Autumn foods in Japan during this time is the Tsukimi burger. When this starts appearing on The McDonald's menu I know for sure that Autumn has arrived in Japan. The burger is only available for a limited time during the Autumn and is currently on the menu again.
Labels:
about Japan,
Aki,
Autumn,
Japan,
Japan 2011,
McDonalds,
Only in Japan,
Tsukimi
Monday, September 12, 2011
Japan’s Road to Recovery
It has now been 6 months since the March 11th earthquake and tsunami disaster that devastated Japan, but unfortunately Japan is now suffering a second devastation with tourism to the country dropping dramatically since the disaster.
The earthquake and tsunami, followed by the radiation leak in Fukushima caused an instant drop in tourist arrivals in Japan. Arrivals in March were about half those of the same month last year. The number of Australian visitors to Japan had been booming in January and February due to the snow season but also plummeted in March by about 47 per cent.
The earthquake and tsunami, followed by the radiation leak in Fukushima caused an instant drop in tourist arrivals in Japan. Arrivals in March were about half those of the same month last year. The number of Australian visitors to Japan had been booming in January and February due to the snow season but also plummeted in March by about 47 per cent.
Labels:
about Japan,
Japan,
Japan 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Picture of the Week Kamikochi, Nagano, Japan
Kamikochi is a beautiful area that lies in the center of the Northern Japan Alps and has some of the most spectacular scenery in Japan. It has become famous as a base in the Japan Alps for strollers, hikers and climbers with magnificent mountain scenery and lakes. Kamikochi can be visited as either a day trip from Matsumoto or Takayama, but I highly recommend enjoying the pleasures of staying in the mountains in Kamikochi and taking an early morning or late evening walk before the crowds appear.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Picture of Week Festival Floats in Takayama
This is one of the four famous yatai or festival floats, displayed at the Takayama Yatai Kaikan (Festival Floats Exhibition Hall).
The yatai, some of which date from the 17th century, are spectacular creations with flamboyant carvings, metalwork and lacquerwork.
The hall is 800 yen to enter and is open from 8am to 5pm.
The yatai, some of which date from the 17th century, are spectacular creations with flamboyant carvings, metalwork and lacquerwork.
The hall is 800 yen to enter and is open from 8am to 5pm.
Labels:
about Japan,
Festivals,
Floats,
Gifu,
Japan,
Japan 2011,
Japan photos,
Japan travel,
Picture of the Week,
Takayama,
Tokai Japan,
Yatai
Events in Japan - Obon
www.fotopedia.com |
Labels:
about Japan,
Events,
Japan,
Japan 2011,
Obon
Monday, August 29, 2011
Reasons to Visit Japan
Japan is a must see destination for the traveler that is rich in unique traditional culture and historical ambience. The following are some of my favourite reasons for visiting Japan.
Natural Beauty
Japan is made up mostly of mountains and is surrounded by the sea. This spectacular landscape offers a bevy of dramatic views overlooking lush mountains, valleys, seascapes, waterfalls, autumn foliage and white powder snow just to mention a few.
Cultural Heritage
Japan is a country where the past meets the future. Japan has a traditional culture that stretches back millennia, and is a country of contrasts with beautiful temples and gardens along with ultra modern and high tech cities.
Culinary Excellence
Japanese cuisine is renowned for its emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Japanese cuisine is a kaleidoscope of diversity ranging from well known sushi, tempura and ramen noodles to the full course dinners called kaiseki. Travelling within Japan will lead you to discover the local specialities of each region.
Cool Japan
Japan is the land of high tech x culture x art, the birth place of exciting unique technologies, street fashion and sub-cultures rich in vitality. Japan is home to anime, manga and video games. Japan has a fascinating harmony between the old and the new.
Adventure
Experience some of the finest powder snow and ski resorts in the world in Hokkaido, Nagano and Niigata. Summer is the time for rafting, canoeing and trekking in the Japan Alps, or just dancing with the locals at festivals around Japan.
These are just a few of things that keep me coming back to Japan for more.
There are many more reasons out there for visiting Japan, so why don’t you tell us yours.
This is my Submission for the September 2011 Japan Blog Matsuri
Natural Beauty
Japan is made up mostly of mountains and is surrounded by the sea. This spectacular landscape offers a bevy of dramatic views overlooking lush mountains, valleys, seascapes, waterfalls, autumn foliage and white powder snow just to mention a few.
Cherry Blossoms |
Japan is a country where the past meets the future. Japan has a traditional culture that stretches back millennia, and is a country of contrasts with beautiful temples and gardens along with ultra modern and high tech cities.
Kinkaku-ji Kyoto |
Culinary Excellence
Japanese cuisine is renowned for its emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Japanese cuisine is a kaleidoscope of diversity ranging from well known sushi, tempura and ramen noodles to the full course dinners called kaiseki. Travelling within Japan will lead you to discover the local specialities of each region.
Kaiseki meal |
Cool Japan
Japan is the land of high tech x culture x art, the birth place of exciting unique technologies, street fashion and sub-cultures rich in vitality. Japan is home to anime, manga and video games. Japan has a fascinating harmony between the old and the new.
Facial recognition vending machines |
Adventure
Experience some of the finest powder snow and ski resorts in the world in Hokkaido, Nagano and Niigata. Summer is the time for rafting, canoeing and trekking in the Japan Alps, or just dancing with the locals at festivals around Japan.
Skiing in Hokkaido |
These are just a few of things that keep me coming back to Japan for more.
There are many more reasons out there for visiting Japan, so why don’t you tell us yours.
This is my Submission for the September 2011 Japan Blog Matsuri
Labels:
about Japan,
Cherry Blossom,
Japan,
Japan 2011,
Japan Alps,
Japanese Food,
Skiing,
Snow,
Temple
Friday, August 26, 2011
Rikugien Garden Tokyo
Rikugien Garden (六義園) is one of Tokyo’s most beautiful and a rare place in Tokyo where you can escape one of the loudest cities in the world. By some measurements, Tokyo is the largest urban area on Earth but in the middle of it is a garden modelled on poetic principles – the words and images of 17th century haiku master, Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu. Inside the garden, a Zen calm prevails in the shadow of neon signs and skyscrapers.
Labels:
about Japan,
Japan,
Japan 2011,
Places in Japan,
Rikugien Garden,
Tokyo,
Zen
Friday, August 19, 2011
Air Conditioned Clothing
http://www.inhabitat.com |
Monday, August 15, 2011
Shopping in Tokyo
Tokyo is one of the best places in the world to go shopping. Tokyo offers everything for the keen shopper ranging from flea markets to high-end department stores. Most of the shopping hotspots in Tokyo are accessible via the Japan Rail (JR) Yamanote Line with a one-day JR train pass for 730 yen (about $9).
The following are the best spots in Tokyo for shopping.
Shinjuku – around Shinjuku station are lots of major discount camera stores and music shops. Shinjuku also has most of the major big department stores on Shinjuku Dori (avenue). One of the best is Takashimaya department store and food hall. Tokyu Hands is an eight level craft store and Uniqlo is a great store for really cheap, high quality, basic clothing.
Harajuku - home to Japanese street fashion. Harajuku Station and Takeshita Dori have many shops that cater to teen fashion and Japanese street fashion. For cheap knick-knacks, souvenirs and bargain gifts check out Daiso in Harajuku, which is one of the famous 100 Yen Shops where nothing costs more than 100 yen ($1.25) plus 5 yen tax. The Daiso in Harajuku is one of the biggest and best in Japan.
Shibuya - has a little bit of everything. Tokyu Hands is a must visit as it is the complete do-it-yourself department store as well as Parco and Shibuya 109 the 10 level fashion emporium.
Akihabara – known as electric city this is where dozens of stores sell everything electronic. You will find dozens of mainly duty free stores selling computers, cameras and TVs. The Yodobashi Akiba megastore houses nine floors of electronics.
Ginza – home to exclusive department stores, galleries and coffee shops. This is where some of the best high-end shopping can be done or like me some great window shopping. At the Ginza intersection is Wako, Japan’s most exclusive department store, and Mitsukoshi, known as the Harrods of Tokyo.
The following are the best spots in Tokyo for shopping.
Shinjuku – around Shinjuku station are lots of major discount camera stores and music shops. Shinjuku also has most of the major big department stores on Shinjuku Dori (avenue). One of the best is Takashimaya department store and food hall. Tokyu Hands is an eight level craft store and Uniqlo is a great store for really cheap, high quality, basic clothing.
Harajuku - home to Japanese street fashion. Harajuku Station and Takeshita Dori have many shops that cater to teen fashion and Japanese street fashion. For cheap knick-knacks, souvenirs and bargain gifts check out Daiso in Harajuku, which is one of the famous 100 Yen Shops where nothing costs more than 100 yen ($1.25) plus 5 yen tax. The Daiso in Harajuku is one of the biggest and best in Japan.
Shibuya - has a little bit of everything. Tokyu Hands is a must visit as it is the complete do-it-yourself department store as well as Parco and Shibuya 109 the 10 level fashion emporium.
Akihabara – known as electric city this is where dozens of stores sell everything electronic. You will find dozens of mainly duty free stores selling computers, cameras and TVs. The Yodobashi Akiba megastore houses nine floors of electronics.
Ginza – home to exclusive department stores, galleries and coffee shops. This is where some of the best high-end shopping can be done or like me some great window shopping. At the Ginza intersection is Wako, Japan’s most exclusive department store, and Mitsukoshi, known as the Harrods of Tokyo.
Labels:
Akihabara,
Ginza,
Harajuku,
Japan,
Japan 2011,
Only in Japan,
Roppongi,
Shibuya,
Shinjuku,
Shopping,
Shopping in Tokyo,
Tokyo,
Ueno,
Yoyogi Park
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Skiing in Hokkaido Japan
Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido offers some of the country’s best snow and has been unaffected by the recent earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan.
Hokkaido’s winter season is November to early April with some ski resorts still having snow until early May. Sapporo is the cosmopolitan main city on Hokkaido, but does not get a lot of snow until early December. The best places are ski resorts like Niseko, Furano, Rusutsu and Kiroro.
Hokkaido’s winter season is November to early April with some ski resorts still having snow until early May. Sapporo is the cosmopolitan main city on Hokkaido, but does not get a lot of snow until early December. The best places are ski resorts like Niseko, Furano, Rusutsu and Kiroro.
Labels:
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Furano,
Hokkaido,
Japan,
Japan 2011,
Kiroro,
Niseko,
Only in Japan,
Places in Japan,
Rusutsu,
Sapporo,
Skiing,
Snow,
Snowboarding,
Winter
Monday, August 8, 2011
Nissan Leaf
Have you heard about the Nissan Leaf? The Nissan Leaf is Nissan’s electric car and was unveiled on August 2, 2009. The Leaf went on sale in Japan and the US in late 2010 and will make its debut across global markets from 2012. The great thing about the Leaf is it does not emit any CO2 when driven and doesn’t even have a tail pipe.
The Leaf also comes in handy in other areas. The electric car can also feed power from its battery back into a family home and run appliances for up to 2 days. Using the “Leaf to Home” system, the lithium-ion batteries of the car’s zero exhaust emission can be used as an emergency power backup. Great for any emergencies that pop up and that sudden loss of power. The system works by linking the car to the house’s electricity distribution panel. Power can also be fed the other way if the house generates its own electricity with rooftop solar. The Leaf batteries have a capacity of 24 kilowatt hours when fully charged, enough for two days for the average household.
Amazing stuff and Only in Japan
Read more about the Nissan Leaf at the Nissan Website
Find Out How To Import Cars From Japan and Save $$$$$$$!
The Leaf also comes in handy in other areas. The electric car can also feed power from its battery back into a family home and run appliances for up to 2 days. Using the “Leaf to Home” system, the lithium-ion batteries of the car’s zero exhaust emission can be used as an emergency power backup. Great for any emergencies that pop up and that sudden loss of power. The system works by linking the car to the house’s electricity distribution panel. Power can also be fed the other way if the house generates its own electricity with rooftop solar. The Leaf batteries have a capacity of 24 kilowatt hours when fully charged, enough for two days for the average household.
Amazing stuff and Only in Japan
Read more about the Nissan Leaf at the Nissan Website
Find Out How To Import Cars From Japan and Save $$$$$$$!
Labels:
about Japan,
Car,
Electric,
Japan,
Japan 2011,
Leaf,
Nissan,
Only in Japan
Friday, July 29, 2011
Lady Gaga Promotes Japan
Japan has recruited Lady Gaga to promote and spread the word that much of Japan is safe for visitors. Japan is still recovering from March’s devastating earthquake and tsunami, but has now stepped up efforts to draw foreign travellers back to Japan. The Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) efforts include online videos of race car drivers, ice skaters and other celebrities like Lady Gaga urging travellers to visit the country. In an online video shot before a benefit concert in Tokyo in June, Lady Gaga says “I can’t say enough to people all over the world that the majority of Japan … is very safe”.
The northern summer months are vital to Japan’s foreign tourism industry with the nation traditionally reporting some of its highest tourist numbers in July and August. As part of its effort to lure visitors before the northern summer ends, the JNTO recently posted online the radiation levels for down town Tokyo that the tourism group says are lower than in tourist destinations such as New York, Singapore and Hong Kong.
The JNTO has been focusing its efforts on showing people that Japan is safe for travel and that it’s business as usual in Tokyo and most other major cities in Japan.
You can read more here about Is it Safe to Travel to Japan
The northern summer months are vital to Japan’s foreign tourism industry with the nation traditionally reporting some of its highest tourist numbers in July and August. As part of its effort to lure visitors before the northern summer ends, the JNTO recently posted online the radiation levels for down town Tokyo that the tourism group says are lower than in tourist destinations such as New York, Singapore and Hong Kong.
The JNTO has been focusing its efforts on showing people that Japan is safe for travel and that it’s business as usual in Tokyo and most other major cities in Japan.
You can read more here about Is it Safe to Travel to Japan
Lady Gaga Promotes Japan as a Safe Destination
Labels:
about Japan,
Japan,
Japan 2011,
Japan earthquake,
Japan news,
Japan tsunami,
Lady Gaga
Friday, July 22, 2011
TripAdvisor World’s Best Destinations
The list is in for the World’s Best Destination in the annual TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards
The Top 12 World Destinations are:
1. Cape Town, South Africa
2. Sydney, Australia
3. Machu Picchu, Peru
4. Paris, France
5. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
6. New York City, US
7. Rome, Italy
8. London, UK
9. Barcelona, Spain
10. Hong Kong, China
11. Kyoto, Japan
12. Queenstown, New Zealand
Congratulations to Sydney for 2nd position and my favourite place in Japan, Kyoto for 11th.
What do you think of this list? Do you Agree or Disagree with the choices?
You can view the full list of the Top 25 World’s Best Destinations with the link below
TripAdvisor World’s Best Destinations
The Top 12 World Destinations are:
1. Cape Town, South Africa
2. Sydney, Australia
3. Machu Picchu, Peru
4. Paris, France
5. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
6. New York City, US
7. Rome, Italy
8. London, UK
9. Barcelona, Spain
10. Hong Kong, China
11. Kyoto, Japan
12. Queenstown, New Zealand
Congratulations to Sydney for 2nd position and my favourite place in Japan, Kyoto for 11th.
What do you think of this list? Do you Agree or Disagree with the choices?
You can view the full list of the Top 25 World’s Best Destinations with the link below
TripAdvisor World’s Best Destinations
Labels:
Japan 2011,
Japan travel,
Worlds Best Destinations
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