Ohara Festival in Shibuya

In Japan, usually festivals are held in summer, but in May 18th, "The Ohara Festival" was held in Shibuya Tokyo jumped ahead.

To have "The Ohara Festival" in Shibuya. Around the scramble crossing and 109 department,
center of Shibuya was closed to have a big parade.
People wore Yukata and Happi, and dancing the Bon dance on the road. Festival showed a large swelling.

The "Ohara Festival" is a festival originally held in Kagoshima Prefecture in the southern Japan.
In Kagoshima Prefecture, several festivals were held, but after World War 2,
most of the festivals were disappeared because of the damage.

Four years after WW2, a festival had been started in Kagoshima, with the citizen's burning soul of the reconstruction and to cerebrate 60 years anniversary of Kagoshima city.
This is "The Ohara Festival."

It has been 17 years since the first "The Ohara Festival" in Shibuya was held.
In Shibuya's "The Ohara Festival", various groups performs different type of the Bon dance to compete which one is the best.

People can see the dance, and can hear a variety of songs,
so people who didn't know that it's a festival stops by and enjoy the sight opening in front.

Although Japan is a small country, there are difference in between areas in their characteristics.
The people born in Kyushu area, which Kagoshima is located, have power and strong in drinking.
Just as their said characteristics, they performed powerful and energetic dancing.

Visitors to Shibuya on this day must be enjoyed the sound of drums and heat of Bon dance.
You can check the photos for this Ohara Festival at the official website.
Please take a look and try to feel the energy.

Ginza, The Longing Town

What comes up in your mind when you hear "Ginza"?　Brilliant? Fashionable?
Or maybe expensive?

Let me tell you about Ginza a little bit.　Ginza is one of the biggest downtown in Japan.
The name "Ginza" came from the reason that Ginza is used to be a town of foundry in Edo era(1603-1868).　"Gin(銀)" means silver, and "za(座)" means the place that people gather in Kanji.　Around Ginza four-chome intersection is the most expensive place in Japan.

Just as its name, many brand shops are lined in Ginza.
HERMES, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, FENDI, Cartier, lined shops are all distinguished brands.
Not only Japanese, Ginza is a shopping spot for tourists from abroad.

Contrary to the modern downtown, KABUKIZA, where the Kabuki shows are held is located in Ginza as well.

Again, many tourists from abroad are seen here.
Modern and traditional, it is interesting point of Ginza that opposite cultures are co-existing.
There is no wonder Ginza is being a tourist's spot.

Besides brand shops and Kabukiza, there are also department stores located in Ginza.
Mitsukoshi, Ginza Wako, Matsuya, Matsuzakaya, PRINTEMPS GINZA, there are many of department stores in Ginza.

In these department stores, variety of special events are often held for a limited period.
At PRINTEMPS GINZA, there was an event called "Beads Marche" held from May 15th to 20th.
"Beads Mania," an online shop that handles beading goods and kits that used beads, was joining this event.

At the special event venue, many audience and customers visits, and is bustling than usual.
You can check the special events schedule at each department store's websites.

Why not to check them out and come visit if you have chance to visit Ginza?
It must be fun!

”mont-bell," An Outdoor Brand that Japan is Proud of

Today's topic is about outdoor goods.

Although outdoor sports are originated in Europe and the United States, there is an outdoor goods brand called "mont-bell" that Japan is proud of. "mont-bell" shares the majority of Japanese climbing gear market because of their functional and fashionable quality.

Climbing of course, "mont-bell" handles camping, canoe, fishing gears at the shops located all over Japan. 

The difference from other outdoor brands is that "mont-bell" focused on women's wear.

"Mountains are the world of men," is an old fashioned thoughts. Recently, young women tend to go out for outdoor, wearing fashionable outdoor wears. Not only fashionable designs, those wears have to have enough life protective function, light and compact. So, in order to make those wish come true, "mont-bell" has been  developed a new material focused on the items that have ingenuity in design. 

Women's climbing gear shop "arucoco" handles many popular climbing wears, and the most popular items are mont-bell's wrap shorts. It looks like a mini-skirt. It is a popular item for Yama-girls, which I introduced in my previous article. 

Let me explain about the elasticity of wrap skirt.

If you climb the mountain, elasticity is pretty important. The wrap shorts of "mont-bell" has elasticity in its cloth, you can up and down your legs very comfortably, and it will deduct the fatigue of your legs. 

Next, let's focus on its fashionably. The inside looks like a pants, but it's like a skirt from the outside. The length is not too long, and not too short, which is ideal. The color is plain, so it's very easy to match colorful leggings or check shirts. This plain color multiplies the fashion coordination. 

Finally, the design is remarkable. With a belt that, to put on and take off, and waist adjustment is pretty easy. Also, you can sit down and stand up comfortably. 

Not a few Japanese women become climbing lover because of the cuteness of climbing wears, so outdoor fashion get a lot of attention just like the wrap skirt. "What's next?" The fans of "mont-bell" is always waiting for the brand's new arrivals. 

For those fans, "mont-bell" continues to provide fashionable products with high functionality.

More Use, More Tasty, The Kendama Apple

Japanese traditional toy, Kendama(bilboquet, cup-and-ball), is being loved since long time ago in Japan. Even though Kendama is a toy, there are a number of tricks to play. For instance, you can stab the sword by the rotation of the sphere, and also you can put the ball on the "dish" located in three places, or,  on the contrary, you can stab the sword to the sphere, thus the skill is different. The is Kendama Championship held in Japan because of its population.

Let me introduce you an interesting Kendama, an apple Kendama.This apple Kendama is invented by Japanese forest conservation organization called "more trees" under a thought of "greens to the future of children." "more trees" is an organization established by a Japanese musician Mr. Ryuichi Sakamoto with a concept of "more trees in the world." Now that deforestation has progressed on a global scale, climate change has become significantly, what can we do? The missions of "more trees" are to plant the trees, grow them with health, to build sustainable local activity through reforestation, and to contribute to long term global environment.

The original products of "more trees" are hand made by forefront designers under a concept of "Wander Forest."

--------------------------------------------
[Materials] wild cherry tree, a birch, hinoki cypress
[Designer] Yasuhiro Suzuki
[Size] W6.5×D6.5×H19cm
[Country of origin] Japan
--------------------------------------------
Apple that triggered Newton to discover the "law of gravitation." In order to make a toy that can experience the gravitational pull of the earth, "more trees" has been cited in the most famous apple.

The paint of this apple Kendama's surface will be off by embezzling,  it will be looks like the skin of a real apple. In addition, 5% of the product's ｒevenue will be donated to "more trees,"
and the income will be used for the activities of the forest conservation organizations involved in reducing CO2 emissions. "More use, more tasty."

A Kids furniture shop "Kodomo to Kurashi(Living with children)" is selling this product to appeal f
or environmental issues. Their wish is to return a lot of trees for the future of our children with feeling a warmth of natural wooden toys.

Japanese Curtain; Sudare

Following the bamboo fence of the previous article, there are other garden supplies using bamboo in Japan.
Now, we tend to rely on air conditioning in summer, but in Japan we used to use "Sudare", which means
bamboo blind as heat protection.

Because Sudare is an old way to block the sunlight, it is no longer found in the old-fashioned houses,
Sudare is like a curtain that is hung down to the edge of the eaves and out the window, and are used as awning.

While the curtains or blinds, screens are disseminating, Sudare is still people's favorite because of its Japanese-tone looking and its ease of use.
In modern architecture, sometimes Sudare is used for interior and exterior.

One of the online shops "Garden Youhin Yasan(Garden Goods Shop)" has Sudare as their popular item.
Especially, the vertical Sudare, which covers and hides the window is recommended.


It is pretty easy to use, you just prop up against the window.
As the picture, if you set a Sudare, it will be a cool garden with a taste at Japan.

One of the items at Garden Youhin Yasan called "High-Quality Sudare" is woven with a bamboo called "Medake," it is strong and last a long time.
It is said that 20 years sevice life.

Because "High-Quality Sudare" is using strong and tough wires to tie, winds cannot blow it away easily since it's heavy.
Wanna see how tough it is?

It cannot be breakable even a man of 176lb gets on it!

And an another good point of Sudare is evergy saving and eco.
Sudare blocks the sunlight and keeps the cool, also cooling effect in the room increase, and power saving effect is expected.
In addition, Sudare also blindfold when people see the room from the outside, and winds through the gaps of Sudare to replace the air.

In Japan, in this year as well, people will enjoy the Japanese style summer of watermelon, Soumen, Uchiwa, and Furin.

Bamboo Fence; The Taste of Nippon

In Japan, May is the time that season changes from spring to summer. The temperature is becoming warm as 60 to 77 degree Fahrenheit.

The season of cherry blossom is over, but then tulips and roses are blossoming.
Gardening events are held over country in this season.
For instance, around Tokyo area, 160,000 of tulips are in full bloom at Yokohama park.
At there, because the Yokohama Stadium is contiguous to the park, several baseball game watchers with their kids and bird watchers, and couples visit the place.




Also, at the Hitsujiyama park in Chichibu, a city of Saitama prefecture which located in next to Tokyo, has Phlox sublata in full bloom. The Phlox of Hitsujiyama park boasts one of the largest in the Kanto area, and the Phlox drawn with colorful design is overwhelming. (Planting area is about 176,000 m2, 9 types of Phlox, and about 40 million roots.) 
 Moreover, the Phlox subulata in the area of Mt. Fuji is also famous, and the Fuji Phlox Festival will be held in the Mt. Fuji area from April 19th to June 1st. Fuji Phlox Festival is one of the largest flower festival around Kanto area. It is amazing to watch, so if you have plan to visit Fuji in this season, it is recommended to go watch it.

 As Japan gets into the season of flower festivals, Japanese people starts to take care of their gardens at house. One of the online shop called "Garden Youhin Yasan", which means garden goods store, handles several stylish and fancy gardening items. Items of European style is also popular, but here I would like to focus on the fences of Japanese taste "Takegaki (bamboo fence)". 

 Takegaki is a fence that woven with bamboos. Takegaki is an essentioal for the gardens of Japan, and any gardens will be changed to Japanese garden once Takegaki is set. These Takegakis are seen especially in Kyoto, and bamboo forests to make bamboo fences are also recommended as one of the tourist spots.

 Finally, in June, Hydrangea macrophyla will be in full bloom, so if you would like to enjoy Japanese temples and beautiful flower, Kamakura is the recommended place to visit.

By this article, I hope you to have even a little bit of interest to the beauty of the four seasons of Japan.

Summer in Japan; Yukata, A Seasonal Tradition

 Yukata, a Japanese traditional clothing, is probably one of the most well known costumes of Japan. Yukata is used to worn as pajama during summer, and hotels and Onsen still serve Yukata as nightwear. Most of Yukata that hotels provide are designed pretty simple and have traditional sober color, but recently, some hotels are starting to provide colorful type. Those new type Yukata is becoming very popular among young women. In addition, some hotels have a service to present the Yukata to the passengers, thus Yukata is becoming a sort of resort wear.

 Since the summer festival is carried out throughout the country between July-August in Japan, sales of Yukata grows from that time. At the same time, you will see Japanese fan, clogs, as well as hair ornaments that are worn to match the Yukata at shops.

 Cotton was originally used for the traditional Yukata, but those mixed polyester or hemp were also increased in recent years. The hand-sewn made ​​is the basic method of manufacturing a Yukata. but because the youth who wear Yukata only during a summer period of summer has been increased, Yukata that mass-produced by sewing machine is being popular among the youth and as a souvenir to overseas.

 Now, Yukata for kids are attracting attention in the market. One of online shops called "I Love Baby" has been making a good sales on kid's Yukata every year. Yukata that they sale is a modernistic, pretty Yukata which a frill and a lace are garnished with. The tie looks like a big ribbon is easy to tie, and the design is cute and very easy to move for the children. The new models for 2014 is on its way. 

  The benefits of wearing Yukata is not only as a fashion or because it's cute. In Japan, some amusement park offers a privilege for the customer if they visit them wearing Yukata. It will be fun to join the event if you have a chance to visit Japan during summer.

 Moreover, as a famous summer event of Japan, there is a Tanabata on 7/7. In Japanese legend , on the special and romantic day of Tanabata, a separated couple "Orihime" and "Hikoboshi" are allowed to meet across the Milky Way. On this day, Japanese people write their wish on a strip of paper, and decorate it to the leaves of bamboo. In Japan, it is said that wish comes true by doing so on Tanabata day.

 Finally, I would like to introduce you the fireworks shows, the best part of summer in Japan. Intense sound of explosion, hot air, and beautiful fireworks...you will never forget once you see the show. Fireworks shows are held here and there between July to August. 

 If you never experienced the summer in Japan, I highly recommend you to come enjoy the gracious summer festivals and the comfort of yukata once. Hopefully, it worth for you.

Enjoy the Cuteness; "Yama-Girl," A Climbing Style of Japanese Girls

A word "Yama-Girl," which means "girls who enjoy mountain climbing with kawaii (cute) mountaineering wear ," was started to seen on Japanese media around 2009. The trigger of the mountain climbing boom among Japanese young people was advent of the fashion items including "Yama(mountain)-skirt." These new fashion items have colorful and fashionable appearance, and they turned over the sober image of mountaineering wears until then. Young people became to choose and enjoy their own combination of mountaineering clothes, and that triggered the boom of mountain climbing among young people. 


This revolution in mountaineering wear pulled the people who had never interested in mountain climbing into the scene. Even non experienced people started to climb the mountains because the they want to wear the kawaii mountaineering clothes.

The good is that the companies began to plan several environmental cleaning events triggered by the boom of "Yama-girl."

A culture like this may be born since there are many Japanese women who love kawaii things.

As the typical coordinate of Yama-girl, wear skirts over leggings, and leg warmers on the foot. An online shop "Arucoco" has been making a good sales on Yama-skirt. The triple combination of Yama-skirt and leggings and leg warmers is the classic.

Playing in the nature is a good opportunity to learn the rules and manners of outdoor, and if you wear a cute climbing fashion,  it's speechless. Try serve the fruit and pancakes on cute tableware, or try to decorate the tent with garlands, you can also try to take nap in the hammock and sleeping bag! It's a nature resort. Why do not you play with nature away from the life? There may be a new discovery that you look for.

Kindness of Japan-Made

Recently, a word "JAPAN-MADE" is often heard on media. The most well-known products of Japan-Made are appliances because of their high technological functions, safety. Not only in technological and scientific field, Japan has several high function products. Just like Japan-made appliances and electronic devices are invented with study and precision, Japan-made apparels are also created under the same philosophy.

Today, I would like to introduce a Japanese men's apparel brand "BODY BUTTER."
BODY BUTTER produces original clothes under a concept that makes sense.
 "Always have fun to choose, joy to wear."

As one of BODY BUTTER's best-seller items, there is a bag called "The Standard Bag".
This bag has been sold over 13000 pieces through the years. Since they offer oversea shipping, international orders are more than a few.

The Standard Bag has many different variations on its shape.

The latest type of the series is called "The Standard Bag Travel", and is the successor type of the original. It is a traveling bag with well-considered functions to support your trip. For instance, its capacity and rain protection material of course, a pocket that stores a passport perfectly, and mesh pocket that permits towels to breathe, also the design that matches both casual and formal outfits, and more. All these ideas are the result of researches and studies considering about the functional needs that people demanding for a travel bag. These fine considerations could be said as the features of Japan-Made.

Even though every one of us has different demands, needs, wishes, however, it's always great to meet the things that concerns about the users. If you have never touched the kindness of Japan-Made yet, how about trying it at least once?

Make A Wish for Children: Decorate A SAMURAI Doll on Children's Day

Hi, there! This is a blog that introduces Japanese cultures and some interesting product of Japan. I hope my article gives you an opportunity to learn about Japanese cultures.

The very first topic I would like to choose is about Japanese national holidays. Japan has many continuous national holidays called "Golden Week" starting from the end of April to the beginning of May. April 29th is Showa Day, Constitution Day on May 3rd, Greenery Day on May 4th, and Children's Day on May 5th. During the Golden Week, several events are held in many different places, and people go out for a trip.  Tourist resorts and all the highways get pretty crowded and prospering.

This time, I would like to focus on the Children's Day(May 5th) to introduce. Children's Day is defined as a day of the boys after Edo era(1603–1868). All the families that have boys decorates "Musha Ningyo ( a SAMURAI doll)" and "Koi-nobori ( a Koi-fish streamer)" at home. People make a wish on SAMURAI doll for boys to grow up with strength like a SAMURAI, and a carp streamer for wellness and success just as carps go against water stream. Thus, Japanese people make a wish for their children on Children's Day.

As you can see SAMURAI in many of Japanese movies and readings, SAMURAI spirit is very familiar and valuable for Japanese people. SAMURAI doll is one of valuable things for Japanese people to value their own cultures. From the importance of SAMURAI spirit, Japan has many SAMURAI related items sold in stores. Beads Mania, an original beading goods store, has very interesting products that represent a SAMURAI DOLL.
Who could imagine this SAMURAI doll is all made by beads! Surprisingly, this SAMURAI doll is all made by Swarovski and golden beads. Not only this SAMURAI doll, Beads Mania has other Japanese style works. You can check their product at "Beads Mania".

It would be fun if you try this Japanese culture on Children's Day. Don't you think?
That's all for today. See you next time!