Picture of the Week Usuzumi Sakura, Neo Village, Japan

Neo village located amongst the mountains in Gifu Prefecture is home to one of the three largest cherry blossom trees in Japan. The Usuzumi Sakura or Cherry Blossom in Neo Village is said to have been planted in 487 AD and as such is reported to be the oldest cherry blossom tree in Japan. This unique cherry blossom initially sprouts pale pink flowers, which become white in full bloom. The tree has been appointed as a National Natural Monument of Japan and is one of the great places to visit in Gifu.

Here is a picture of the magnificent tree, which is over 1,500 years old, stands 17.2 meters in height, and 9.2 meters in circumference.

There are also many other magnificent cherry blossoms in the area and park around Usuzumi Sakura and there is a lot to do and see there.

 

The Secrets Of Speaking Japanese Fluently

This is my entry for this week's Show Me Japan

The Black Eyed Peas Video for Japan

The Black Eyed Peas have dedicated their latest single, ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’ music video to the victims of Japan’s tragic earthquake and tsunami. The Black Eyed Peas filmed the video in Japan a week before the earthquake and tsunami that struck. Tokyo’s nightlife is heavily featured with lots of neon lights, the city’s coolest and hottest peeps living it up in the clubs and on the streets.

The video begins with a message from the group:

“This video was filmed in Japan one week before the earthquake and tsunami. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the people of Japan. We love you.”

At the end of the clip, The Black Eyed Peas provide info on how to support the Red Cross relief efforts in Japan.

You can donate to the Red Cross Japan and Pacific Disaster Appeal via their website at
https://www.redcross.org.au/Donations/onlineDonations.asp

Watch the new Video below

Pop Aid For Japan

Pop aid for Japan is coming. Keep an eye out for a compiled star-studded digital album to raise money for Japanese Red Cross. It should be out shortly from Universal Music to support Japan’s earthquake and tsunami victims. Artists including U2, Bon Jovi, Justin Bieber and Rihanna will all donate songs to the album.

You can also support the Red Cross Japan and Pacific Disaster Appeal 2011 at the Red Cross website https://www.redcross.org.au/Donations/onlineDonations.asp

Red Cross Japan and Pacific Disaster Appeal 2011

The Australian Red Cross is running an appeal to assist people affected by the earthquake and tsunami disaster, which hit North East Japan recently. In Japan, more than 9,000 have died, more than 12,000 are missing with many more injured. More than 360,000 people remain displaced or evacuated across the affected region. More than 73,000 houses have been destroyed or damaged and more than a million people still have either no water or electricity. Many areas across the Pacific were also affected due to the tsunami.

The Australian Red Cross is running the Japan and Pacific Disaster Appeal 2011 to assist those affected by the disaster. The Australian Red Cross has been assisting their partner organisation, Japanese Red Cross Society in the response to this disaster.

How can I help?

You can assist those people affected by the disaster by making a donation.

You can make a secure online donation at https://www.redcross.org.au/Donations/onlineDonations.asp

You can also donate over the counter at any Commonwealth, Westpac, and ANZ Bank as well as any Australia Post Office.

Picture of the Week Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, Kyoto, Japan

The Toei Uzumasa Eigamura also called Kyoto Studio Park and Toei Movie Land is a film set and theme park all in one, it is located a short distance from Kyoto. It features a collection of replicas of traditional Japanese building which are used as settings for historical movies and TV dramas. It is an amazing place with whole streets depicting Edo Period town scenes, a replica of the old Nihonbashi Bridge, a traditional court house and a Meiji Period police box. Actual shooting takes place occasionally, and visitors are more than welcome to observe the action. You can also catch various performances, visit a haunted house, large souvenir shop and exhibitions about the popular TV series. One of my favourite things to do there is to dress up as a character and get photographed, you can choose from such things as samurai, ninja and geisha.

This is my entry for This Week's Show Me Japan

The Secrets Of Speaking Japanese Fluently

Earthquake in Japan Man Rescued

The Japanese Earthquake is still creating headlines around the world, but finally some good news. A Japanese man who was swept 15km out to see by the deadly tsunami was plucked to safety yesterday after being spotted clinging to a piece of wreckage. The 60 year old man was discovered floating on a piece of roof in waters off Fukushima Prefecture, two days after the disaster struck. The man is from the city of Minamisoma which has been virtually obliterated by the tsunami and was swept out along with his house after the massive tsunami struck. He is in good condition and was taken to hospital by helicopter.

Earthquake in Japan Update

Friday’s 8.9 magnitude earthquake, one of the biggest ever recorded, unleashed a terrifying tsunami that engulfed towns and cities on Japan’s northeastern coast, destroying everything in its path. Japan’s Prime Minister, Naoto Kan said it was an “unprecedented national disaster”.

The latest new from Japan reports that there has been an explosion at a Japanese nuclear plant, which has triggered fears of a meltdown. An explosion at the Fukushima atomic plant blew off the roof and walls around one of its reactors on Saturday. Japan is desperately trying to bring the overheating reactor under control to avoid further disaster.

In the small port town of Minamisanriku, alone some 10,000 people are unaccounted for, which is more than half the population of the town.

People have reported seeing hundreds of bodies washed up on the shore near the city of Sendai. Up to 400 bodies were recovered in Rikuzentakata, a coastal town of some 23,000 people.