Support
Lang
- Japanese
- English
- Chinese
- French
- Korean
My Page
Cart

月別アーカイブ: 2011年5月

Sometimes Japanese make weird inventions…

One of the things that makes this country interesting is that here you can see some crazy things you normally won’t see anywhere else on earth. Yes! Japan is the birthplace of some wacky stuff. And… even if you don’t personally see them, you won’t get surprised when you are told about their existence in this country because…hey! it’s Japan and you can expect things like dancing robots or used- schoolgirl -panties’ vending machines (I have never seen them, but I have heard so many people talk about them, I got to check them out)

One crazy invention I came across with (sent via facebook by a friend) is … the cat ears that move according to your “mood”. These ears are actually “connected” to your brain! :

Check out the video : Necomimi

Another crazy invention that I actually did see was the …..”Menstruation Machine”. Yep, wacky invention indeed! Now I was in a conference about art in Tokyo the day of the earthquake last march. Just after a couple of minutes the creator of this machine, a girl named Hiromi Ozaki, started to explain how this machine works, the eathquake started… in a conference room in an 11th floor in Ginza (but that is just another story). The machine makes men feel the pain and the whole thing about what we girls experience every month. Not very pretty to see, but yeap, it exists! And boys, you can try it on! ( I do remember her saying that it only fits Japanese man and that she had to create a larger size for American men)

And the video: Menstruation machine

Now what about high tech toilets in Japan? Let’s not go far and find complicated stuff. When you live here for a while, it becomes normal to sit on the sophisticated toilets with complicated array of buttons on the side, ranging from the temperature and force of the water that will clean your bottom to the “Sound princess” ( the button that we girls use to camouflage the ‘unladylike noises’ with flushing sounds). Admit it!!, how many of us Gaijin are baffled by a Japanese high tech toilet when we first see one? 🙂 Not to mention that there are some that are self cleaning!

I could write about a lot of inventions the Japanese have done.. the list is not exhaustive, specially the wacky ones, but here are some that just failed to do the purpose or never really took off, you judge (I even dare you google them, it’s hilarious):

The baby mop (no, really!!! a baby mop?)

My favorite: The helmet that will keep your head from tilting while you sleep and displays a tag with your station name so people wake you up when you get there:

there is also this one, the tripod,because not getting a seat doesn’t mean not being able to sleep:

Anyway, I have never seen these last 3 inventions, like I said , they never took off, but they are funny!!!

and there are more and more…. check them out in the internet 🙂

A French Restaurant in Tokyo…..

I adore Japanese food (no question about that), but when you live here for a while, from time to time you just want to eat something else that is not-Japanese…just for a change. I was a little “homesick” the other day and I had this crazy desire to eat French food ( I am not French but I did spend 7 years of my life there). I discovered this great restaurant in Omotesando called Le Pré Verres. The food is just great! The atmosphere is just like in Paris: the decoration, the food and even the music (they made the effort to put French music all times). About prices….well, I went during lunch time (Restaurant rule in general: lunch time is always cheaper than dinner time). Expect to pay around 1,500 yen for a lunch menu: it includes the starter, main course and dessert. Be ready to pay more if the ingredients you ask have a supplement, even more if you ask for some wine. (But the quality of the food is worth it!)

They also have a restaurant in Paris, in the the Latin Quarter (I didn’t know that, it is a shame I didn’t discover that while I was there, however I heard it is hard to get a reservation there, so feel lucky you will experience that in Tokyo). The story goes like this: two chef brothers, the Delacourcelle brothers, started the difficult task to feed happy customers in Paris. After having a great success there, they decided to transfer all these cuisine values to the metropolis of Tokyo (not long ago). Do you want to venture and taste a bit of this French cuisine? Go to the 4th floor in the Gyre building in Omotensado ( the building that has the MoMa design shop). They open from 11:00 to 23:00 (Lunch L.O. 14：30; Diner 22：00)

For more info about the menu, prices, map access, etc visit (website in Japanese, French and English) :

http://www.lepreverre.com

And here, one of my favorite desserts, “Glacé du persil” or Parsley ice cream!!! with strawberries

BUNRAKU -Japanese drama played by puppets

Last Sunday I had the pleasure to assist to a Bunraku show in the National Theater in Tokyo. This theater art is not as known as Kabuki or Noh, but it very well deserves some attention from the Japanese traditional art lovers. AND….Even if you are not into theater at all, it may be interesting anyway to check out this form of theater for the colors, the singers and the puppets, yes….the puppets: Bunraku is a type of traditional puppet art theater.

I have never been to a Kabuki play, but from what I understand, Bunraku has adopted a lot from Kabuki. However, it has characteristics of it own. The stories in Bunraku are most of the time,like in Kabuki, TRAGIC!. The show I saw was broken down into 3 parts: Part one was only 15min long and it was a dance of two Kamuro ( young courtesans). The second part had nothing to do with the first part, it was a tragedy about a Samurai family . My guess, it was just one scene of a long story of vengance probably adapted from a Kabuki play. The third and last part was also completely different from the first and second. This time, it was a sad story of a long lost love. If you are worried about getting “lost in translation”while watching the show, no worries, before each scene, there is a narrator that will explain the story so you know which scene is being played. Can’t speak Japanese? No worries, for 650 yen more (and 1,000 yen refundable deposit), you can get an English audio that will explain/ translate whatever it is happening.

The puppets are quite unique. They usually wear elaborate customs. They are half the size the human body, and it takes three puppeteers to manipulate one single puppet. The HUGE difference between Western puppets and these puppets? The pupeteers do not try to hide when they manipulate them. They dress in black covering all their body, even their faces. You may see as well on stage one of the three man who is not covered in black: This guy is the puppet master. Puppet masters are recruited into this form of art from a very young age. The average age is 15 years old. After this age the person is considered to be too old to learn. It takes about 10 years to master just the puppet’s feet movements. Unfortunatly, the low pay and the rough discipline that these guys have to endure is not very appealing to young people today. Therefore the future of this art is uncertain: Only 4 young men have enrolled to become masters in the last 2 years.(How long are we going to be able to see this type of show??)These puppets masters are however, amazing to see. They move softly, maneuvering their puppets with a great flow. Most important, their faces do not show ANY kind of expression. They let the emotion flow to their puppets’ movements and not their own bodies. You can almost forget he is there! So how do we know what is going on in the story ig he can speak and he is expressionless? If the puppet master is in charge of the puppet movement, the story teller is the one who will express it all!!! The story teller is the guy who sits next to the musician, and he has the task to do all voices of the story. He will transmit the sadness, anger, joy and frustration of the puppet.

Now, what are the drawbacks of this beautiful show? If you want to see the puppets closely, you have to “fight” the good spot. The most expensive spot is 6,500 yen, but this will not guarantee you will be seeing all the puppet’s facial movement’s ( yes, some of them can move their eyes!!). This is not for everybody, a show can last 4 hours to 6 hours. You got to come to this show with “open minded” and ready to seat 4 to 6 hrs, it is not a movie!!! You will certainly get hungry! Bring your own food ( I did) or your can always buy the bento boxes they sell on the spot ( you have a 25 minute break between long scenes). Like in the opera, you will need binoculars if you want to see more details! I forgot mine!!! ( But they always have a puppet at the entrance to welcome you, so you will get to see at least one

from close distance)

Bunraku is more popular in Osaka than in Tokyo. In Tokyo you can get information, tickets and see a show at the National theater. More info:

http://www.ntj.jac.go.jp/english.html

http://www2.ntj.jac.go.jp/unesco/bunraku/en/

Japanese Bunraku

Here’s That Rainy Day

Here we are… entering the infamous rainy season (Japan actually has five seasons despite their eagerness to tell you about their four seasons!). Rainy season is a time that many people in Japan hate. The temperature is rainy and because it rains (what seems like everyday) it is always wet and humid. Laundry hanging out to dry never does and your clothes can easily acquire that most disagreeable moist smell to them.

So, it’s not really a great season in Japan but it does have a good point to it. For during this period, the range of umbrellas and raincoats are endless. Ones with really useful features and those with colorful patterns. With the variety of goods available, one could easily enjoy themselves during this season. So it may seem like this season wouldn’t appeal to anyone, but if you look around at the store fronts, you will be able to see the one thing that many people look forward to during this season.

Kobuchizawa Art Village

Like I mentioned in my previous post, Golden Week vacation was spent in Yamanashi in the shadow of Mt. Yatsugatake and the Japanese Alps. Being from Colorado, I physically feel at home being surrounded by mountains and blue sky but emotionally, I feel at home surrounded by creative people and the arts. So when I found out we would be staying in the Kobuchizawa Art Village I was super excited. In reality, it isn’t quite as fantastic as it sounds. By this I mean it’s not bursting with creativity around every corner however for being such a little town it does have a good amount of galleries, museums and concerts/festivals.

One of these places, which we were able to visit for free because the resort we were staying at provides a free ticket, is the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection Museum. Keith Haring was a very outspoken artist with a lot he wanted to convene through his art. The current exhibit is really a reflection of this and is moving to see the progression of his work. Although the collection is small and a bit expensive (if you have to pay), I think it’s well worth a visit. The building is really an interesting piece of architecture as well.

I hope that Kobuchizawa continues to nurture art and the relationship it has with nature. One way we can help out is by supporting it. Here are a couple links that may be of interest.

DSCF0960

http://www.digi-joho.com/toyko/japan/tokyo-surroundings/kobuchizawa-art-village/

http://yatsujazz.com/

ok, now the restaurant i was talking about ~

the following is what you can see if you look out from the window of that cute pretty 食べ放題 restaurant ~ sooo pretty.

ちょっと残念けれど、that day was not completely sunshine, so the photo might not seem very blue sky sharp, but it was very 涼しい〜気分いい〜 ^^.

ok, the above might not be the best photo ever, but trust me, that “CARROT” thing, is SOOOOO delicious!!!!!!!!! omg. taste great.

OK, NOW, i am really talking, THAT SHRIMP dish, goodness, HEAVEN ON EARTH, it was not only shrimp, it also has scallops!!!!!!!! CAN U BELIEVE IT? soooooo unbelievably wonderful. i think this dish TOPS my tasting list, EVER.

this is nice … the orange thing, the above … SOOOO good!

the above is the dessert plate, but look at them like it was nothing, it really taste GREAT! actually, more than great … 胡麻 pudding … my goodness.

Such a nice pretty place … the surroundings is so sweet ~

after i moved here for a week or so, some loved one took me to a very very wonderful buffet, soooo pretty. the little restaurant was in a very pretty shopping mall, well, just about all the shopping malls here are very pretty, HEAVEN ON EARTH.

but first of all, i would like to show you some of the pictures of the surroundings here.

these are the places that some special one took me walked through ~ so cute, i wish i can be with him every single day.

The place inside ~

and of course, the building itself here is also not bad, not bad AT ALL!

just like how my friends said, it is a completely different level.

the room, the ONLY one that can fit my budget and is available for me, is this cutie share room, i was warned that it was a 二段 bed, it did not extremely bothered me, cause when i moved in, i had no roommate.

and, the thing that really attract me, is the wood part of the bed, it made me feel so comfortable, it is a REAL room, yes, it is true that it is smaller compare to Warabi, however, since it has TONS of cupboards and drawers, it is SOOOOOO much better!

the atmosphere, it just made me feel like i am in a ROOM ^^.

i actually had longed for a REAL room for a long time. i am ok with the last place, cause it seemed so big, but somehow, also because the ceiling was SOOO high, it makes the AC just not work very well, and i just always seem not very comfortable for some reasons. but no complaints of course, just that, last summer, it really scared me, i almost got suffocated >.<

I moved

2 weeks ago, i moved to a very wonderful new place, with a wonderful promotion, it was SOOO much more awesome than i thought, i made the decision in just 1 day, 結構迷ったんだけど、but it was decided fast, because i just have to go, i know, otherwise, i would be even MORE 落ち込んでる、and ONLY think negatively every single day, missing the person that lives across the corridor …

yes, i have moved to one of the best OakHouse in the world, i mean, i know it is a pretty place, but, after i lived here for 2 weeks and occasionally checked out some of the stores here, omg, … sooooo pretty …

even the flowers here are prettier … goodness ~

Nakasendo Trail : The samurai trail from Kyoto to Edo (Tokyo)

The Nakasendo trail is one of the old 5 routes that connected Edo (today’s Tokyo) and Kyoto. It takes about a month to do the whole trail, maybe more depending on your speed to hike. We only did the Kiso Valley part. Most travel guide books and agencies talk about the Magome-Tsumago part and suggest to stay in 10,000yen Ryokans (Japanese inns) While it is worth considering spending a night in a Ryokan at least once during your stay in Japan (or in your lifetime), we did not have the money to do so for 10 days, so we did the trail the old way: camping. This however, proofed to be difficult for me (lets say I was spoiled during my life as a hiker in Europe): Japan does not have as many campsites scattered everywhere like you can see in France, Germany or even Switzerland. Finding a camping spot in strategic places when everybody goes to Ryokans was quite difficult but not impossible. We fortunately bought maps of the area and we spotted some campsites and mountain lodges that are open to hikers from spring to fall. If you plan to do this trail, don’t forget your maps (and your bell as there are bear warning signs everywhere)!

The most famous towns in this trail are Magome and Tsumago. If it is true that these two towns are astonishing, there are as well many little towns on the way that travel guides seem to have forgotten to mention or give very little credit to them. Kiso-Fukushima has lost most of its “Edo charm”, nonetheless, there are still some areas that have been preserved (perhaps reconstructed) and are worth to give it a little tour. My favorite was Narai. This town seems to have more authenticity and you can very well picture the samurais passing by the main street of this place. However, if you expect to find the whole Nakasendo trail as it was during the Edo period, you might get disappointed. Today you can very well see parts of the old path, but a lot of it has been erased or parts of the trail are pavement roads. Not to mention that the Chuo railway goes through the whole Kiso valley, “killing” a bit the antique atmosphere. This said, the mountains and the natural scene make up for everything.

If you don’t have a month to spare, you can always hike parts of it and cut others by train. For more information, contact the tourist office in each town, they were very helpful, or send me a message; I’ll be happy to suggest itineraries, restaurants, etc.

Here are some websites:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6075.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6078.html

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/topics/nagano/jnto/83dn3a000000dppf.html

very useful site:

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-408.pdf