Japanese liquor - Sake

Almost all areas in the world have their own distinct alcohol. For Japan, one such alcohol would certainly be sake/nihonshu, or in other words, Japanese liquor.

Basic information
Nihonshu is a traditional Japanese alcohol made from fermented rice, made mostly in northern Japan. It is made under strict conditions by professional toji (Nihonshu makers) to achieve the flavor of their dreams. Nihonshu can be enjoyed in various temperatures from 5 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius. Drinking it hot is known as atsukan, drinking it cold is hiya/reishu. Similar to wine, nihonshu's flavor changes with age, so you can enjoy different flavors even with the same brand.

Health
Generally, alcohol is likely to have an image of being unhealthy. That does not always apply to nihonshu. It is said to enhance blood circulation, and to relax stiff areas of your body. However, please be aware that drinking too much is not recommended. If you don't like drinking it, enjoy it another way by taking a nihonshu bath! Just adding two or three cups of nihonshu into a filled bathtub will warm you to the core of your body.

Now, why not go outside and grab a Nihonshu of your own?

Odaiba

Have you ever heard of or been to Odaiba? It is an area at the westernmost tip of Tokyo Prefecture. Unlike other areas of Tokyo, it is very unique in that it used to be an open ocean. In other words, Odaiba is an artificially created landfill site that has made drastic changes to its appearance over a long period of time.

History: Before being filled, Odaiba was first used as a gun battery during the Edo Period (1603-1868) to protect Japan from foreign attacks and invasions by ship. In 1853, when Commodore Perry arrived, Japan created gun batteries named Odaiba as an emergency method of protection. Although the gun battery was never used, weapons were said to be kept in those areas.

Odaiba became as it is today when a plan to vitalize the sub-centers of Tokyo was put into place during the 1980s. The area was rapidly filled, and Odaiba soon became an area of land where nature is combined with modernism. Now, shopping malls and residential districts exist in the area. Odaiba is linked to mainland Tokyo by the Rainbow Bridge, a 798 meter long bridge that opened in 1993 and is essential for getting to and from Odaiba.

Odaiba today: In modern day Japan, Odaiba is a place for entertainment. Especially due to the romantic and fulfilling atmosphere it creates, Odaiba is popular among young couples that enjoy dating. Here are some of the recommended areas of Odaiba.

Fuji TV: This is the corporate building for Fuji Television. The building's unique appearance with a large spherical object in the middle is very famous and has now become one of the most notable landmarks in Odaiba. You can enjoy visiting sets and viewing props once used on television. From the globe at the top of the building, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Tokyo, though fees are required.

Statue of Liberty: In the late 1990s, the Statue of Liberty was brought to Japan for a month. Because this event was so popular among people in Japan, the French government allowed the Japanese to create a replica in bronze. Thus, the Statue of Liberty appears in Odaiba as it does now. It is also called the Daiba no Megami (Goddess of Odaiba).

AQUA CITY Odaiba: One of the largest shopping malls in Odaiba. With nearly 140 shops and restaurants, it is a great place to find the item or fashion you desire. Also, there is a movie theater inside so that you can spend your whole day in this wonderland for shopping-lovers!

Here, I have only mentioned three of the recommended places in Odaiba. Other than these, there is a beach, a giant Ferris wheel, the Museum of Maritime Science, Oedo-Onsen Monogatari (a hot springs theme park), parks filled with greenery, and many other theme parks and entertainment spots. There are many recommended hotels in Odaiba as well. So what are you waiting for? Grab a hotel and enjoy the excitement of Odaiba!

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Tokyo Tower

At 333m high, the glowing orange structure towering over Shiba Park is the tallest self-supporting building in the world and a major Tokyo landmark.

Tokyo Tower, opened on December 23, 1958 (building was completed on October 14th, 1958) has been celebrating the 50th anniversary of its opening. First built as a transmission tower for all the television broadcast in Tokyo, the tower is constructed of steel - a third of which was salvaged from 90 US tanks used in the Korean War. It takes about 28,000 liters of paint to cover the whole tower, which undergoes a makeover every five years.

Even as we change our outfits according to the seasons, Tokyo Tower does the same. Its lightings are changed to suit the seasons or for particular events. For example, Tokyo Tower was lit green for the premiere of "The Matrix: Reloaded" in 2003. More recently, the tower was illuminated with the Olympics logo to commemorate the 2016 games to take place in Japan.

Tokyo Tower has two observation decks inside. On a clear day, you may be able to see Mount Fuji from the 145m deck which grants you a 360 degree view of the whole Tokyo area. The second deck, located at 250m, requires an additional fee to visit. Also providing a 360 degree view but with most of its walls being made of glass, you can view Tokyo in the best possible way. There are also a few places where the observatory deck has a glass floor, so you can see what it is like right beneath your feet. Best seen during the day - and a bit scary at first - the view itself is both beautiful and unforgettable.

Since TV broadcasting is planned to be digital by 2011, and the New Tokyo Sky Tree is also planned for construction, it is being discussed whether or not to tear down Tokyo Tower or to continue to use it for radio wave transmissions. While still under discussion, visit soon to experience the best view of Tokyo from the best landmark in Tokyo, just in case it gets torn down.

Shinjuku

Shinjuku can definitely be said to be one of the most important areas in the extremely busy city of Tokyo.

When talking about Shinjuku, you can never avoid speaking about Shinjuku Station. Ranked by the Guinness Book of World Records as the busiest station in the world, it is used by 3,640,000 people daily. It is one of the terminal stations for many lines, and an important station for transporting people throughout Tokyo. The Odakyu Line, JR Chuo Line, JR Yamanote Line, and Saikyo Line are just some examples of the trains that run to and from Shinjuku Station. As you can see, this is a station only for the important lines in Tokyo. However, it is not a station for bullet trains.

Stepping out of Shinjuku Station is, without a doubt, interesting as well. Outside of the South Exit, you will first see Docomo Tower, the third tallest tower in Tokyo Prefecture (please be aware that there is no observatory). Shinjuku Takashimaya, one of the major department stores in Japan is also there as well. Step out of the West Exit, and you will see various electronics stores and numerous office buildings. This area is, compared to other areas of Shinjuku, mainly for businessmen. At the East Exit of Shinjuku, the famous Kabuki-cho district will appear. This area is famous for having many nightclubs and izakayas (Japanese drinking spots). At night, many people gather here to enjoy partying with their friends or colleagues. Thus, it can definitely be said that there is never a time when Shinjuku is not busy.

It is never an exaggeration to say that you can afford anything you want in Shinjuku. Why not experience the busyness of Tokyo?

SUMO

Sumo is a sport where two wrestlers known as rikishi attempt to push one another out of a circular ring known as the dohyo. Additionally, if a rikishi has been thrown, or any other part of his body aside from the bottoms of his feet has touched the ground he has lost the match. Although it looks an awful lot like it, it's not a sport where two overweight persons try to shove each other out of the ring using their body fat. It's an ancient sport with a long history and background.

It is said that Sumo first began as a religious ritual. Over the years, its ritualized origins have faded away to unveil the sport's face as a fighter. It is said that the first Sumo tournament was started in the 16th century by Oda Nobunaga (shogun). During the following 300 years, the sport underwent a tremendous cultural change; and in 1909, the Ryogoku Kokugi-kan was constructed in Ryogoku as an arena exclusively for sumo.

Basic Rules:
1. The first wrestler to be pushed out of the dohyo, loses.
The wrestler to be thrown or any part of his body aside from the bottoms of his feet has touched the ground, loses.
2. Wrestlers shall not grab on to their opponent's neck.
3. Wrestlers shall not twist their opponent's fingers.
4. No punching.
5. No kicking.

Professional Divisions of Sumo:
Makuuchi
In this division, 42 rikishi are ranked according to their abilities. There are five groups within this division (listed from highest to lowest): yokozuna, ozeki, sekiwake, komusubi, and maegashira.

Juryo
The second highest division of rikishi; ranked immediately below the Makuuchi. The Juryo receive an allowance instead of a salary when placed into this division.

The division of unpaid wrestlers continue below; Makushita, Sandanme, Jonidan, Jonokuchi.

How to wear a mawashi, the formal garment for sumo wrestling:
1. Get a long scarf or cloth to practice with.
2. Have someone available to assist you.
3. Follow the steps as illustrated.

Maneki-neko - the ancient "hello kitty"

When entering a Japanese restaurant or when walking out of it, have you ever seen a cat shaped sculpture with a golden coin? That is called a maneki neko, and it is said that these cat sculptures bring and welcome luck to the store. In Japanese "maneki" or "maneku" means to welcome and by having the gold coin (symbol of luck and fortune) it means "welcoming the fortune".

Another thing, have you recognized that there are some maneki neko with right paw raised and some with their left? Well if you haven't, look carefully next time because there is a reason why some kitties are raising the right paw or the left.

If the maneki neko is raising its right paw, it means "welcoming the fortune" and it is mainly used for stores or restaurants with business hours in the morning or the afternoon. When it is raising the left paw it means "welcoming the customers" and it is mainly placed in the stores or restaurants which circles their business around night time.

Maneki neko also have different meanings by color as well. These different colored maneki neko are not usually seen in front of stores or restaurants as they are used privately or for lucky charms.

Red maneki neko - get well soon or to wish for good health.
White maneki neko - welcome fortune and to purify one's property or oneself.
Black maneki neko - get rid of bad luck and to welcome good relationships.
Gold maneki neko - welcome wealth and fortune. Placing it towards a western position brings more luck.

The Beginning of the Year in Japan: Setsubun

In the lunar year, setsubun is counted as the New Year. To celebrate the New Year, people from the past created a ritual known as mame-maki to cleanse away evil spirits by throwing soy beans at them.

Mame-maki
Usually a man who was born in a year sharing the New Year's Chinese zodiac sign puts on a demon mask and runs around the house. If there is no one who fits, then the head of the house becomes the demon. When the demon is running around the house, everyone throw soybeans at him and yell: "Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi" (demons out, good fortune in).

After the mame-maki, each person eats the amount of beans matching their age. Pepeol also eat eho-maki, a long rolled sushi eaten facing the lucky direction of the year. Every year, the direction is different depending upon the year's Chinese zodiac sign.

Onsen (hot springs)

Even though there still isn't any snow outside here in tokyo, it's cold! And this is the best time to enjoy hot springs. There are many onsen (hot springs) in Japan and they have been enjoyed by many for a long period of time. For those who are not familiar with onsen, here is some step-by-step tutorial.

1) Get naked - Usually, Japanese onsen are enjoyed naked. No swimsuits. You can, however, bring in a small towel provided by the accommodation where you are staying, or one of your own. Remember, do not soak the towel into the bathing water.

2) Quick shower - Go to one of the stools and quickly rinse your body before entering onsen.

3) Warm the body - Get into onsen for the first time to warm your body. Usually, onsen water is very hot (around 44 degrees Celsius), so be careful when entering.

4) Clean it up - After you are warmed up, get out of the spring and wash your body again. Shampoo your hair if needed. When rinsing yourself, be very careful to rinse away all the soap suds from your body. In Japanese custom, no soap residue should wash into the bathing water.

5) Enjoy the bath - Bath again in the hot spring. But this time, don't just soak to warm up, enjoy the view and the scene you can see from the hot spring, and relax in it. You can also repeat bathing in the different hot springs.

6) Keep the good - Another clean-up is not necessary when you finish the bath. Onsen contain many minerals, and if you rinse them off, you will not be able to benefit from their continued good effects. However, if you have sensitive skin, it might be better to rinse them off.

Seijin-shiki

Coming of Age Day is a National Holiday in Japan to celebrate the Shin-Seijin's "New-Adults" (people who turn 20 on that year). This year, Coming of Age Day was held on the 12th of January for people who were born from April 1988 to March 1989.

There is long history to the current Coming of Age day. The holiday was established after World War 2 to encourage and celebrate the independence and birth of adults helping to construct the future of their country. Until the year 2000, Coming of Age Day was celebrated on the 15th of January. Today, it is celebrated on the second Monday of January.

Coming of Age day is a very important once-in-a-lifetime event for the new adults, especially for women. Women on that day wear a traditional Kimono called a Furisode. A Furisode is the most prestigious type of Kimono worn only by unmarried women and is unique in a way that it has very long wings. Although it takes two professionals to assist a woman in wearing a Furisode properly, it is definitely one of the most important pieces of art that express the beauty of Japan. On Coming of Age day, women wearing Furisode can be seen all over the cities. Men, on the other hand, mostly wear black or navy suits on the big day. However, the number of men who wear Hakamas (traditional Japanese clothing for men) has recently been increasing. Both women and men wearing such traditional clothes later attend the Coming of Age Day ceremony that is held in the district that they live in. There, the new adults not only listen to speeches made by the mayor, but also enjoy meeting their old friends.

Overall, Coming of Age Day can definitely be described as an important National Holiday in Japan.

Sapporo Snow Festival

It doesn't snow much in Tokyo, but it does in Hokkaido! Up there, they are starting to prepare for the Sapporo Snow Festival coming up in February. The Sapporo Snow Festival is one of Japan's largest winter events. It has been attracting many visitors from Japan and abroad every year.

Many come to Sapporo to see the hundreds of beautiful snow statues and ice sculptures which line up along the walkways of Odori Park, the Community Dome Tsudome, and the main street in Susukino. The statues and sculptures are made with tons and tons of snow. It does snow in Hokkaido but it doesn't snow that much! So where do they get the huge amounts of snow? Every year the snow is transported from fifteen locations in and around Sapporo between the beginning and end of January. Last year, the amount of snow transported for the festival was equivalent in volume to 7.490 five-ton truckloads.

Beginning in the late 1940s, this year marks the 60th Sapporo Snow festival. Every year sculptures are carved by many artists from all-around Japan. The artists direct military personnel and volunteers to carve the amazing snow masterpiece. Every sculpture and statue is breath-taking. They are made with the smallest details and they look so real, it's almost impossible to believe. Also, some sculptures portray the events that have taken place during the year. So for the year 2008, they are planning to display the gold medal winners from the Beijing Olympics.

It starts on February 5th, 2009 and ends on the 11th. It's only for a week and the admission is totally free! So what are you waiting for?

Juken

The New Year has started and the morning rush is back. People are going back to the office and kids to school. Not everyone is very enthused to go back, but if you hear this schedule, you might feel a little better.

Mon: Cram School
Tue: Monthly EXAM
Wed: Cram School
Thu: Mid-term TEST
Fri: Cram School
Sat: Cram School

Above is an example of the afterschool schedule for a senior high school student in January. They go to normal school from morning to afternoon, and then they go to a cram school to study some more. So that they can get into the University of their Dreams, they go through "juken." Juken, is a way to get into a university in Japan. Students take tests as often as every two weeks, one big exam (called "Center shiken") in January, and a big entry exam for each university in February and March. Yes, it is a big deal in Japan, and many students suffer with the study.

As said in previous writings, Japan is a very superstitious country. When we feel anxiety or feel we need help, we go to temples or shrines to pray and buy lucky charms known as "omamori." This goes for the students going through juken too. They buy omamori and good luck supplies to comfort their anxiety. One of the best known shrines for education in Japan is the "Yushima Tenjin" near Tokyo University. The shrine worships Sugawara Michizane, a scholar and a government official in the Heian period (794-1192) known for his talent in education. Many students come here to buy omamori (lucky charm) and to wish themselves good luck.

Another thing in Japan is that many students buy "gokaku goods" around this season. In Japanese, gokaku means to pass an exam or another challenge. Many merchandise brands such as snacks, office supplies, and drinks, produce these goods. The students believe that by buying the gokaku version of the products they will feel more comfort than when buying the normal version of the products. These products will be lined up at the nearest convenient stores and supermarkets soon so if you have a chance, please try one out. Some products offer you a different flavor than the usual ones, or limited time pen colors and containers.

The Beginning of the Year in Japan: Omikuji

An omikuji is a strip of paper with fortunes written upon it. You never know what's written inside, because it's all mixed up randomly. There's usually a box or a cylinder shaped box that one needs to shake and a chest with numbers written on each drawer. By shaking, a wooden stick from the bottom of the box slides out with a number on it. Then, you look for the drawer with that number written on it. Inside, will be your "omikuji" and it will have your fortune written on it.

There are usually seven results. They are:
Dai-kichi - excellent luck - The best result, great blessings.
Chu-kichi - Fair luck - Not the best but good enough.
Sho-kichi - Small luck - Could be better but you might bump into something nice. Rate definitely goes up.
Kichi - Blessing - Life may be normal yet there might be something special.
Sue-kichi - Near-blessing - Cloud be pretty close, but not good enough yet.
Kyo Cursed, bad luck - Not a great omikuji to pull out on New Year's or before promotion.
Dai-kyo Great curse, great disaster, the worst - If you pull this one out, I'd consider buying a life insurance policy ASAP.
If you pull out something nice like dai-kichi or chu-kichi, you could take the omikuji strip with you. It is said that the omikuji paper will protect you from bad spirits and lead you to the good way. But if you pull out something bad, or a result you are not very happy with, then you tie it around the pine tree in the shrine. In Japan it is said that by pinning the unluckiness onto the pine tree, the spirits will stay there and won't come near you.

Comparing your results with friends or family is always fun too. It's part of the omikuji's fun to predict each other's year and how it will go.

The Beginning of the Year in Japan: Hatsu-mode

Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu! (Happy New Year!!).

It is New Years Day in Japan and here's a great way to start it off! Go to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and make your New Year's resolution by going on a Hatsumode (Going to a shrine to make the first wish of the year). The Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is located in Kamakura, south of Kanagawa Prefecture. As soon as you walk into the shrine, an 800 year-old gingko tree, known as the Oicho (The great gingko tree), welcomes you (as seen on the picture above). On New Year's Day, hundreds of people gather at the shrine to make their resolutions for the year. Although you must wait in line for about an hour or so to get to the main shrine, no better refreshment can be felt than tossing your coin into the osaisen bako (Wish box) and making your wish.

After finishing your Hatsumode at the shrine, I recommend that you walk to the nearby Komachi Dori (Komachi Street). Around the New Year's season, stores provide visitors with sweet sake, which is a must-have sake for New Year celebrations. Also, there are Japanese tea shops, sushi restaurants, and Japanese-style confectionary stores. Many stores there have wonderfully Japanese tastes and smells and are a perfect match for the atmosphere of Kamakura. Still haven't decided how to spend your New Year's Day in Japan? Go to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura and start off a great New Year!

*ACCESS to Tsuruogaoka Hachimangu: 10mins walk from JR Kamakura Station West Gate (Yokosuka Line / Shonan-Shinjuku Line).