Polite or Rude? (Lining Practice)

Japanese people are known for being polite, patient, and considerate. Some visitors to Japan are amazed at well-mannered Japanese drivers: Even at a busy traffic intersection, Japanese drivers do not honk and patiently wait in line. Is this true all the time?

Japanese train system is well organized and operated, as talked about in our previous entry "Modern or Primitive?" On the other hand, Japanese trains are notorious for being very crowded. Especially during the rush hours, trains are literally packed that people have to push themselves into the train. A train conductor also helps people to get on the train in order to close the doors. In general, people neatly wait in line for the train.

On the train arriving at the platform, however, you would sometimes notice an amazing scene: The line gets disorganized and people hurry to the entrance. In order to get a seat, some people use “elbow attacks,” or strategies by which other people are blocked from getting on the train. Even on the train, the elbow strategies to secure their personal space go on. Staying in Japan for a while would get yourself accustomed to a Japanese custom that people don’t say “excuse me” or “sorry” when they bump into someone. Even after being familiarized with this custom, these “elbow attacks” would surely be upsetting.

Another interesting scene can be observed at a supermarket. Think about how you would behave in the following situation. People wait patiently in line at a checking-out counter. You are the third in the line. You notice another cashier, which was closed, start operating. You would start wondering whether or not you yourself could move to the newly-open cashier or you should let the person before you go first. A moment of your hesitation would make a huge difference. You would see the persons behind you in the line quickly move to the cashier, and there is no chance for either you or the person before you. Even your frustrations, which are expressed with “excuse me,” to raise people’s attention would be in vain.

One-day Fall Trip to Kyoto (Part 1)

Kyoto is one of the popular destinations tourists, either Japanese or foreign, want to visit in Japan. All the year round, Kyoto presents every aspect of its seasonal beauty: cherry blossoms in spring; temples and shrines surrounded by bright greens in summer; snow-covered historic scenery lying in the brisk winter air. On top of these, Kyoto in autumn provides magnificent, priceless experiences where you can enjoy great scenery "painted" in different shaded colors, such as red, vermilion, orange, yellow, brown, and green.

You could enjoy one-day autumn trip from Nagoya to Kyoto. For example, when you take a Shinkansen (English:Bullet train) leaving Nagoya around 8 am, you can reach Kyoto before 9 am. Since most of the temples and shrines in Kyoto open around 9 am until 5 pm, you can make the most of these 8 hours by using a one-day pass (shown in the following picture) to visit major historical sites. These sites include Kinkakuji, the rock garden in Ryoanji, Ginkakuji, and Kiyomizu, which scatter across Kyoto.

After 5 pm, you can spend evening hours exploring Gion, where you have dinner and/or drinks, or buy some gifts. If you are lucky, you could encounter Maiko or Geigi, who are specific terms of Geisha girls entertaining diners with dancing and serving drinks. After dinner, you could take Shinkansen back to Nagoya.

We would like to share some pictures which depict Kyoto's autumnal beauty. Pictures in Part 1 show famous temples and shrines you might have already encountered somewhere like in travel booklets. Small and minor places which are worth visiting are also shown. Part 2 depicts an interesting river-cruising in Arashiyama, which is located in the northern part of Kyoto.

This is a one-day pass for the subway and bus ride (which costs 1200 yen). Another pass (500 yen), which is only for the bus ride, is also available.

This is a time-indicator for the upcoming bus. As introduced in our previous blog entry (i.e., Modern or Primitive?), Kyoto has a very unique bus-ride system.

The above two pictures depict the famous Kinkakuji (English: Golden Pavilion). The reflection of the Pavilion in the pond is magnificent.

This bell is located near the entrance of Kinkakuji. You can see a tint of autumnal colored leaves behind the bell. You can actually toll the bell.

The above two pictures show how we can enjoy tea called Matcha (English: powered tea used for tea ceremony) in the garden of Kinkakuji.

Vendors promote free samples of wagashi (English: Japanese sweets) to passengers-by (i.e., students wearing their school uniform) in the garden of Kinkakuji.


The above two pictures depict the famous rock garden in Ryouanji. The garden is said to represent the universe.

This picture depicts a miniature rock garden made for blind people so that they can sense how the rocks are located in the garden.

These pictures show where we should wash our hands for purification before visiting a temple or shrine. This water basin lies in the garden leading to Ryouanji.

This picture depicts a pond in the garden leading to the rock garden in Ryouanji. This place is very quiet as you can imagine.

These above two pictures show the path called Tetsugaku no Michi (English: Philosophical Path) leading to Ginkakuji (English: Silver Pavilion).


The above three pictures depict Ginkakuji (English: Silver Pavilion, although it is not covered with silver as Kinkakuji, or Golden Pavilion, with gold). This Pavilion was built later than Kinkakuji after the power of Shogunate declined, for which reason this Pavilion is not covered with silver.


The above two pictures show the garden of Ginakkuji.

This picture depicts Kiyomizu (temple). A Japanese famous saying "Kiyomizu no butai kara tobioriru" literally means jumping from the stage of this temple (i.e., the extended balcony in the picture). This saying is referred to mean "making a big decision" because, as you can see, its stage is so high that you have to overcome the fear and anxiety to make a big decision.

This picture shows how high the stage of Kiyomizu is.

The above picture is a path (called Ninenzaka) consisting of stone stairs, which leads to Kiyomizu. Its sides are lined with gift shops, restaurants, and ice cream shops.

This shop is one of the shops lining the Ninenzaka. This is the place where you can transform to a geisha girl by waring white make-up, Kimono, and special raised wooden footwear.

The above two pictures slightly depict how Gion looks like. The exploration in the evening or night time could give you a better sense of Gion.

This is the picture of Nanzenji, which is located to the north of Kiyomizu. This temple has a famous wooden gate, on the top of which you can have a magnificent view of Kyoto. The next picture shows that you have to climb steep stairs to reach the top of the gate.

This is the steep stairs leading to the magnificent view.

The above picture shows a stone monument in the garden of Nanzenji.

The above picture depicts the old water gate near Nanzenji. This place is a very famous spot where scenes in soup drams, e.g., murder scenes, are shot.

The above two pictures are gardens in the Eikando Zenrinji (temple), which is in the vicinity of Nanzenji. Eikando Zenrinji is famous for its fall foliage. This temple is not so well-known as Kiyomizu, but worth visiting. It is quiet and has interesting characteristics, as you can see from the following pictures.

This picture shows an earthen jar in the garden of Eikando Zenrinji. When water drops into the jar, it makes a sound. Since this place is quiet, you can enjoy its delicate sound.

In Eikando Zenrinji, you have to climb these steep stairs to enjoy its garden.

The above picture shows the entrance of another minor but worth-visiting temple called Shoreiin. This temple is in the western part of Kyoto, or more specially is located between Kiyomozu and Nanzenji. This year, they have a special exhibit: a national treasure of scroll depicting Buddha. Check it out at http://www.shorenin.com/gokaicho/index.html

The following pictures depict some other exhibits at Shoreiin.

The above two pictures show a court carriage, where emperors, nobles, Shogunates comfortably sit. You can see sliding doors behind the carriage.

This is a wall decoration inside the Shoreiin temple. Yellow part of the decoration is gold. These kinds of expensive decorations are made for emperors and nobles.

This is another kind of decoration. This depicts a typical feature of the tea-ceremony room.

The above picture depicts a scroll displayed in Shoreiin. It says: We should believe in the existence of Buddha in our heart. Instead of yielding to earthly temptations, such as greed, hatred, and anger, we should always bear in mind the gratitude and considerations for others. Chant the Buddhist scriptures.

Modern or Primitive?

What do you think would surprise you when you first visit Japan? More specifically, what would surprise you when you take a train from the airport to your destinations in Japan? You might be amazed by high-tech train system, such as Shinkansen (English: Bullet trains), skyscrapers, and clean streets.

Japanese train system is well organized and operated: trains come on time and digital indicators for the next train coming are operated at almost all major train stations. Turnstiles at the wicket are sophisticated and effectively control the in-coming and out-going passengers. To get on a train, you insert your ticket into a turnstile and pick it up. At your destination, you insert the ticket again into another turnstile. The turnstile somehow checks the fare you paid at your entrance and collects the ticket if the fare is right. If not, the turnstile blocks you and gives you some embarrassment. You can pay the fare by placing your cell phone (which carries prepaid electronic money like Edy) over the turnstile.

You would notice, as in New York and other big cities in the US, skyscrapers during your trip. Some highways are elevated and go through such downtown. You might also notice how clean, in general, Japanese streets are. Your prior image about Japan of being a high-tech, modern, and clean country might be confirmed.

However, once your train hits a residential area, even in downtown, you would start noticing something unfit to your image of Japan: laundry hung in one balcony after another of houses and apartments. For example, on a sunny day, laundry in the balcony swims like carp streamers shown in our previous blog entry. To Japanese people, who do not have the custom of using a dryer, this practice is not strange at all. Rather they consider this environmentally-friendly. They do not consume electricity to dry their clothes. One study conducted in 2005 reports that only 50 percent of the Japanese households own a dryer. However, to those who are not used to hanging laundry in the balcony, this practice might be evaluated pretty primitive, unattractive, or unsophisticated, which does not fit to the image of Japan.

Food Delivery Service in Japan

There are some unique delivery services available in Japan. Food industry has been taking the advantage of this kind of service to fulfill various needs of their customers. Some sit-in restaurants, especially local restaurants, deliver their dishes to your house. When you see a wooden box called Okamochi placed on the doorstep of a house, you should know that food was delivered to the house. Special types of dishes, such as dishes for people on a diet or under some medical condition, are also delivered. These types include food specifically targeted for the elderly. Another service delivers only ingredients, not dishes themselves, for such special food.

Some specialize only in delivery service without having the place where they serve their food. Bento boxes (English: boxed lunch) are one of the ready-made foods delivered, for example, to offices as well as houses. People can buy bento boxes at a convenience store, but when you place an order beforehand, you do not have to get out of your office to get lunch.

Pizza delivery is also pretty common in Japan. Though being very expensive in Japan compared with in the US (e.g., a medium size pizza with 25 centimeters in diameter costs 2,000 yen or more), pizza is a popular item for a party, especially among young people. More interesting and common, Japanese people use sushi delivery service. “Gin no Sara,” one of the sushi delivery specialists, provides high quality but reasonably-priced sushi to your home. As seen in the pictures, you can order for from one person to a party. You can check it out on their website: http://www.ginsara.jp/

Nagoya Festival 2009

We would like to share some video clips and pictures which show part of Nagoya Festival 2009. One of the main features of Nagoya Festival is the parade of Samurai warriors called "Eiketsu Gyoretsu (English: warriors' procession)." "Eiketsu," literally meaning heroes, are Nobunaga Oda, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, and Ieyasu Tokugawa. These three (in the above order) contributed to unifying the war-torn Japan around 16th century. They are originated from Aichi Prefecture, where Nagoya is located. Every year, on the first weekend of October, Nagoya Festival features the procession to commemorate these three hero warriors.



This above clip shows how warriors wear a suit of armor, which looks very heavy.




This video clip shows the procession of Nobunaga Oda. He is the first warrior who rides on a horse. You can see his wife, Nohime, on the roof of a car after the process of her maids (in yellow kimono with a Naginata sword).

These are infantrymen in armor. You can see how heavy their armor is.

The samurai warrior on the horseback is a little higher ranking warrior than infantrymen shown in the previous picture.

This picture shows a unit of Horagai, which announces the start of a battle with the sound of trumpet shells.

This picture shows Nobunaga Oda's family crest (on the top of the pole), which was hoisted in the battle with other warriors.

The above two pictures show the procession of Hideyoshi Toyotomi. The second one shows Hideyoshi himself.

This is Hideyoshi's wife Nene.

This is Nene's maid. The below two pictures show how lower-ranking maids look like, compared with this high-ranking maid in this pictures.

The above picture (in white kimono) shows that maids are supposed to protect their master called hime (Englsih: princess) with Naginata (longer blade) swords.

This picture shows Ieyasu Tokugawa, who started the Tokugawa or Edo Shogunate in 1603. Although Ieyasu himself is far back of this picture, you can see his family crest clearly.

The above picture shows a carrier in the Edo era. Interestingly, the shown carrier was actually for Tokugawa's dog called Oinusama, which was adored and protected by Tokugawa Shogunate.

Wagashi in Autumn

Today is Autumnal Equinox Day. These days, due to the change of weather (i.e., despite the heat in the daytime, the air is getting cooler and cooler both in the morning and evening), Japanese people have started enjoying the coming of autumn. Officially, however, the autumn has come to Japan. Here are some pictures of Wagashi featuring Japanese autumn. The above picture shows a box of Kurikinton (English: Japanese chestnut sweets) which contain 6 delicate pieces of Kurikinton.

This is one piece of Kurikinton, which is made from Japanese chestnuts and a little taste of sugar. This small piece costs over $2. However, you can definitely enjoy the autumn with its delicate taste along with hot green tea. Kawakamiya, which is located in Nakatsugawa, Gifu prefecture, is one of the best Kurikinton manufacturers. You can check out their websites:

http://www.kawakamiya.co.jp/
http://www.kawakamiya.co.jp/webshop/user_data/products.php

This picture shows Ohagi (English: red-bean rice cake), which is also called Botamochi. This is made from red beans and a special type of rice called Mochigome. Ohagi is a generic name for this type of rice cake (the one on the left is a typical example of Ohagi), but has some varieties, which include Kinakomochi, Ohagi powdered with sweetened soybean flour (on the right of the picture) or covered with sesame. This is called Onimanjyu (English: sweet potato Manjyu or sweets), which is made from sweet potatoes and a little taste of sugar. This is steamed, not baked. Although you can taste this throughout the year, you can enjoy Onimanjyu made with newly-harvested sweet potatoes in Autumn.

The above picture shows Uirou (English: steamed cake), which is made from rice powder or flour. As you can see, there are several types of Uirou available. The one on the right has chestnuts in it. This shop sells particular types of Uirou featuring a season, along with standard types of Uirou. Nagoya is famous for Uirou.
This is a little different version of chestnut Uirou (from the right one in the previous picture).

This picture shows Gozasourou (English: baked bean cake). On the heated board (shown above), red and white beans are baked along with the solution of flour. You can eat this all the year round, but in Autumn you can enjoy Gozasourou with chestnuts in it.

Some Secrets of Japanese Longevity

Japanese life expectancy has been known highest in the world: 86.05 years for women and 79.29 for men (according to the survey released in 2009). Since diets and exercises are reported to play an important role in maintaining good health, Japanese people must have some secrets in their diets and exercises.

Japanese eating practices have a very unique characteristic. They not only eat Sushi and Sashimi (English: raw fish), which are typical examples of healthy Japanese dishes, but they also eat food on special occasions. For example., they eat BBQ eels on specified days in summer because they believe that the affluent nutriment (e.g., Vitamin A and Bs) of eels helps them to combat the summer heat. Vegetables, such as pumpkins, are also eaten on special days in winter. Japanese people follow these eating traditions to take in important nutrients in accordance with seasonal changes.

Morning exercise may contribute to Japanese longevity. In summer, people get together somewhere (e.g., in the nearby park or on the street) and do so-called radio exercises called Rajio Taisou. Children are expected to participate in this morning exercise as early as 6 am. Their participation brings them a stamp on their stamp card (one stamp per participation) and eventually some rewards around the end of summer vacation (i.e., August 31st). This radio exercise is pretty common at workplaces as well. You could see, if you are lucky, workers do exercises together to the tune of radio before they actually start their work.