Official Author

鈴木 正孝（Masataka Suzuki）

An Eye-Catching Introduction to Japan This approximately 4-minute video, focusing on modern-day Japan as seen by foreign tourists and travelers, boasts a level of quality that has attracted major interest not only in Japan but in various countries throughout the world. This video's footage goes above and beyond other Japan PR videos and keeps viewers glued to the screen. By the video's end, you'll most likely feel an indescribable surge of emotions, such as those experienced after viewing a magnificent movie of epic proportions! Highlights of the Japanese Introduction Video, "in Japan" This video, "In Japan," taken in 2015 by German filmmaker/creator Vincent Urban, is a nearly 4-minute collection of footage of his 3-week journey in Japan to locations including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima. In taking a look at images of landscapes and scenery natural and commonplace to Japanese people which are projected from a foreigner’s perspective, even we as Japanese natives can perceive such images as unknown, brand new discoveries and never-before-seen sights and scenes, and this video therefore allows us to learn about the appeal and charm of Japan in a brand new light. Viewers of this video can also agree that its high quality BGM and camera work is yet another reason for its high acclaim both in and out of Japan. This video condenses a wide variety of discoveries in Japan ranging from regularly seen daily scenery and landscapes to famous tourist spots. Examples of such sights include Asakusa Temple in the Shitamachi area of Tokyo, festivals, Kendo (Japanese martial art with bamboo swords), Buddhist temples, Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine as well as convenience stores, Tokyo Tower, street performances, Tokyo Skytree, sumo wrestlers, clubs and idols, in addition to shinkansen (bullet trains), natural landscapes, the Atomic Bomb Domes in Hiroshima & Nagasaki, Mt. Fuji and metropolitan night scenes. Japan as Seen Through Cultural Changes Photo：Sumo Learning about shifts in modern Japanese culture gives us deeper insights into the allure and attraction of Japan as a nation in the present day. Japan of yore once had superb classic culture primarily consisting of artistic traditional crafts, and as you can see in the video, festivals and martial arts passed down to Japan from ancient times have been regarded as symbolizing the very culture of "Nihon no Wa," or "The Spirit of Japan." It is also well-known that Japan is the birthplace of kendo and sumo wrestling which are now sports famous all the world over. In addition, present-day Japan is going through transitions in which its forms of entertainment, such as manga (Japanese comics/cartoons) and anime (Japanese animation), formerly considered to be types of sub-culture, have been disseminated throughout the globe to be cherished by multitudes of people as pop culture. This signifies shifts in the image of "Japan" in the eyes of foreigners abroad from that of a land of ninja and samurai to an anime & manga nation. The Akihabara area, now the "Mecca" of anime and manga which serves as the center of Japanese contemporary culture, has become a well-known tourist location which draws huge numbers of sightseers visiting Japan, and it's also popular as a town for shopping. Japan as Seen Through Tourist Meccas & Architectural Buildings Photo：Sensoji Temple and women If you're watching this video you probably know that Japan, due to its also being famous as a country abound with history and nature, sees immense numbers of foreigners who visit for sightseeing on a daily basis. Locations in Japan shown in the video, such as Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo and the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, are highly recommended tourist spots in Japan which are renowned even on a global scale. The existence of temples and shrines in Japan, whose number is too great to mention here, attracts hosts of foreign sightseers day by day, and this is proof of how Japan enjoys deep-rooted popularity as a tourist destination amongst abroad residents all over the world. Japan as Seen Through Nature ©Izu City Modifying The richness and abundance of nature, amongst other aspects, is definitely a thing to behold here in Japan. Japan's largest mountain, Mt. Fuji, and its bamboo forest, also featured in the video, are without a doubt natural tourist spots that represent the glory of Japan. The view from Mt. Fuji's summit, in particular, is easily summed up by the words "magnificent scenery," and once you experience climbing this mountain on your own, you'll be able to appreciate the thrill and excitement of this spectacle all the more. Such natural splendor is just one more example of a globally sought-after sightseeing attraction highly recommended in Japan, a fact testified to by the unceasing droves of tourists from abroad who visit day-to-day without end. Japan Introduction Video Summary We hope you enjoyed this video introduction of Japan with its simple yet profound delivery of information. Year after year, Japan sees increasing numbers of tourists from abroad coming in search of such fascinating sightseeing spots as well as world-renowned gourmet Japanese food. Japan still has yet a great deal of appeal which, unfortunately, we can't completely encapsulate into such a short introductory video on Japan’s culture, history, entertainment, nature and festivals. We truly hope that this video and article have piqued your interest in Japan more than ever before!

Plant Hunter Seijun Nishihata If you're curious about what kind of unusual jobs exist around the world, especially in Japan, then this video is just right for you. Many people enjoy learning about unusual professions because of our interest in the unknown. We often find it inspiring to hear about people in unusual professions that are far removed from our norm. This video introduces plant hunting, an occupation that you may not have heard about before. This article will also talk about the famous plant hunter, Seijun Nishihata, and the beauty of plant hunting. Be sure to follow along with the video! Plant Hunting - Searching for Plants Across the Globe Source :YouTube screenshot Plant hunting is an unusual job that involves exploring and collecting valuable plants from around the world. In 18th century England, many products were made from plants, and they played an important role in the country's economy. This led adventurers and explorers that traveled the world in search of precious plants. The people who sought these plants, including ornamental plants and other rare plants requested by aristocrats and royalty, were known as "plant hunters." Although an unfamiliar occupation in Japan, it has quite a long history. Japanese Plant Hunter, Seijun Nishihata Seijun Nishihata is one of the most famous and accomplished plant hunters in Japan. Seijun is also the CEO of the Japanese horticultural studio, Sora Botanical Garden, where you can purchase garden plants. In the video, you can see Seijun answering questions in an interview about plant hunting and talking about his passion towards plants. Seijun hopes to bring a smile to everyone's faces through plants. Throughout his career, he has hunted a variety of plants and has brought smiles to the faces of many. He especially made many people smile at a Christmas event in Kobe. In particular, his project to bring the world's largest Christmas tree to Kobe drew a lot of attention. Be sure to check out the video to see what kind of person he is. What Plant Hunting Is All About Source :YouTube screenshot The beauty of plant hunting comes from the adventurous spirit to seek rare plants even though the environment can sometimes be very tough. In the video, you can see the passion of Seijun when he seeks plants. The appeal of plant hunting lies in the adventurous spirit of searching for rare plants, such as insectivorous plants and other rare plants, in a harsh environment that sometimes can prove to be quite a difficult task. You can feel the passion of Seijun through the video. Summary of Japanese Plant Hunter, Seijun Nishihata This video, created by "SUPER CEO," introduces Seijun Nishihata, the CEO of Sora Botanical Garden, and an honest man passionate about his job. If you are interested in learning more about Seijun after reading this article, be sure to check out the video! 【Official Website】Sora Botanical Garden https://from-sora.com/en/

A Look at Japan's Sumo Wrestling "Sumo Match - Tokyo - 相撲" is a video produced by TokyoStreetView – Japan The Beautiful, featuring Japan’s national sport! Sumo is a traditional martial art loved by the masses since old times in Japan. As the matches are held internationally, the sport has many overseas fans and is capturing the world’s attention. Matches between top wrestlers in the sumo rankings such as Yokozuna or Ozeki, are very spectacular and spectators can fully enjoy the thrilling matches. The video features footage of a match between sekitori (a sumo ranking) during the New Year’s tournament held in January 2017. Check out Japan’s spectacular sport - sumo wrestling! About Sumo – Japan’s National Sport Photo：Sumo Wrestling The first written record of sumo in Japan is said to be found in a Shinto document called Kojiki. Sumo matches used to be held as rituals and festivals dedicated to the deities and was mostly loved by nobles. After gaining popularity among the masses during the Edo period (1603 – 1868 AD), sumo has been enjoyed as a form of entertainment and sport in Japan. Today, matches are held both nationwide and internationally and many Japanese and foreigners enjoy it. The manners and conventions rooted in the rituals are passed down and given special importance even in modern sumo wrestling. The Excitement of Sumo Source :YouTube screenshot As the national sport of Japan, sumo wrestling starts from matches between low-ranking wrestlers, and matches between makuuchi (senior-grade wrestlers) are held in the evening. Honbasho refers to the official tournaments that decide the rankings and rewards of the wrestlers and six tournaments are organized throughout the year: the first tournament in January (Tokyo), the spring tournament in March (Osaka), the summer tournament in May (Tokyo), the Nagoya tournament in July, the autumn tournament in September (Tokyo), and finally, the Kyushu tournament in November (Fukuoka). Many Japanese people have probably watched the official tournaments aired on NHK (the national broadcaster in Japan). Some may have a stiff image of the national sport, but that's not true at all. Spectators can enter the venue at any time and watch the match in a relaxed manner while eating and drinking. Matches between senior-grade wrestlers are a must-watch and you'll surely get excited watching the spectacular matches between well-built wrestlers. Spectators get excited during matches, especially when a maegashira (the lowest grade of the highest ranking sumo class) wins against a yokozuna (the highest ranking sumo class) champion, as well as in deciding matches. Tickets and information of those exciting sumo wrestling matches are available on the official website of Nihon Sumo Kyokai. The Flow of a Sumo Match Source :YouTube screenshot As you can see at 0:22 in the video, wrestlers step into the ring with their colorful ornamental aprons before a match. As businesses can offer rewards to support wrestlers, the “reward banners” with the names of those businesses go around the ring as you can see at 3:14 in the video. With the company names printed on the program of the matches and publicly announced, those businesses play a similar role to sponsors in other sports. Before a match, a ritual called "chirichouzu" is held. You can see this at 3:08 and 7:52 in the video. This is a declaration "to fight fair and square without any weapons." Source :YouTube screenshot Next, the wrestler creates distance from the opponent, bends forward, and places his hands on the ground. This is called "shikiri" (仕切り). Then, with the signal of the referee, the wrestlers push each other. This is called "tachiai" (立合い). This series of events can be seen in the video. There are different means of attacking, such as thrusts, slapping, and body strikes. Kimarite (決まり手, winning move) refers to the move that the opponent is defeated by. Punching and grabbing the opponent's hair are prohibited moves in sumo. Summary of Japan’s National Sport Photo：Sumo "Sumo Match - Tokyo - 相撲," produced by TokyoStreetView – Japan The Beautiful, features conventions before matches and match footage of Japan’s national sport. From the cultural aspect of sumo that originates from Japanese Shinto to the spectacular matches, the video shows the sport at its best. Sumo is a fascinating martial art that a wide range of people including those who are interested in Japanese culture and martial arts lovers can enjoy! 【Official Website】Nihon Sumo Kyokai Official Website http://www.sumo.or.jp/En/

About the Popular Location “Itoman City,” in Okinawa Prefecture “Itoman City Tourism Promotion Video_Meals (Japanese Version)” (糸満市観光ＰＲムービー＿食事編（日本語版)) produced by “itomancityhall” is a video introducing popular cuisine that can be enjoyed in Itoman City (糸満市, Itoman-Shi), Okinawa Prefecture (沖縄県, Okinawa-Ken). There's tons of delicious food introduced in this video, such as classic Okinawan cuisine, and deserts that are ranked highly on Japanese review sights. We recommend taking notes! Enjoy delicious food near the ocean of Okinawa! In this video, two women visit sightseeing spots in Itoman City, Okinawa, and introduce exquisite gourmet dishes. Which one has your mouth watering? Classic Cuisine of the Popular Japanese Tourist Destination “Itoman City, Okinawa” Photo：Okinawa Soba Noodles Itoman City in Okinawa Prefecture, has a lot to offer when it comes to gourmet food. Since the cultures and recipes of China, Southeast Asia, and the Unites States have had influence on Okinawan cuisine, it is quite different from what you can find in other parts of Japan. There are many restaurants and eateries in Itoman City that serve delicious Okinawan food. Let's take a look and see what they've got! If we're talking Okinawan dishes, there's “Goya Chanpuru,” a type of bitter melon and fried meat, “Okinawan Soba,” and “Soki Soba Noodles” characterized by its refreshing soup, are some of the famous dishes of the area. In the video, you can see the delicious “Okinawa Soba Teishoku (Set Meal)” and “Honejiru (Bone Soup),” at 0:06 in the video. Here are some recommended locations with traditional Okinawan cuisine: “Rafuthy”- a typical Okinawan meat dish, “Ishigaki Beef”- excellent to eat as a steak, “Taco Rice” with tomato-based salsa over rice, “Pork Egg,” “Ninjin Shirishiri” (Grated carrot stir-fried), “Irabu-jiru (Soup), and “Tofuyo” (Okinawa-style fermented Tofu)- a classic menu item of Okinawan dinner. As introduced from 2:22 in the video, if you enjoy these typical Okinawan dishes with Okinawa's Awamori at night, you're sure to be satisfied with your trip. Enjoy sightseeing and Japanese food in Itoman City! Popular Ingredients and Deserts in “Itoman City, Okinawa” Source :YouTube screenshot There are some slightly different ingredients and cooking methods, as well as some delicious desserts. The Farmer's Market “Itoman Umanchu market,” in Nishizaki town (西崎町, Nishizaki-Cho) in Itoman City, is a place where you can purchase fresh Okinawan ingredients like “Shima Rakkyo” (a type of leek), and “Umi Budo” (sea grapes) at affordable prices. This is introduced in the video from 0:28. In addition to Okinawan ingredients, fresh vegetables are also sold. The fish market “Osakana Center” near Umanchu Market, which is introduced at 0:48 in the video, sells fresh seafood. It is a luxurious place where you can enjoy fish dishes while eating and walking around in style. This is a must-see spot for those who love to eat. Additionally, in Itoman city, desert menus such as “Red Beni Tarts,” “Sata Andagi (Okinawan Donuts),” shaved Ice, “Shirokuma,” and Mango are also popular. After lunch, why not try these deserts to top off a delicious meal. Eat plenty of delicious food in Itoman city, with its amazing Okinawan cuisine! Summary of the Popular Japanese Tourist Destination “Itoman City, Okinawa Prefecture” Photo：Bibi Beach Itoman “Itoman City Tourism Promotional Video_Meals (Japanese Version)” produced by “itomancityhall” is a video introducing gourmet food that can be enjoyed at the popular Japanese tourist destination “Itoman City, Okinawa Prefecture” Good meals are an important thing to consider when traveling. You can dine at hotel restaurants or local ramen shops, but don’t you think that you'll be able to enjoy your trip even more by trying some of the local cuisine? Come visit Itoman City, Okinawa, and visit its many tourist attractions, including “Okinawa Peace Memorial Park,” “Himeyuri Peace Memorial Museum,” “Himeyuri Tower,” and “Bibi Beach Itoman.” 【Trip Advisor】Itoman City https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g1023466-Itoman_Okinawa_Prefecture-Vacations.html

An Introduction to Okashi no Machioka 「「おかしのまちおか」 Okashi no Machioka」, is a video created by 「IKEBUKURO GOURMET」. It introduces the sweets shop "Okashi no Machioka" which is a very popular destination for those visiting Japan. Over 1000 varieties of sweets are sold here at extremely low prices, making this the perfect place for sweet lovers, or those who are looking to buy Japanese souvenirs. This article will introduce the charm of Okashi no Machioka. What is Okashi no Machioka? Source of photo :YouTube screenshot Okashi no Machioka is a popular sweets shop in Japan managed by the Minoya corporation (株式会社みのや, Kabushiki-gaisha Minoya), and there are over 150 Okashi no Machioka locations throughout Japan. A wide selection of snacks from various brands are sold here. As seen from 1:27 in the video, snacks such as candies and gum are sold at very reasonable prices. This shop is popular among people of all ages, from the young to the elderly. The Greatest Attraction of Okashi no Machioka: Unbelievably Low Prices Source of photo :YouTube screenshot Sometimes, up to a 90% discount is available for selected sweets. Information about limited-time campaigns or opening sales is available on online or on flyers, so do make sure to check those frequently. The secret behind the low prices of Okashi no Machioka is that products are displayed in bulk in cardboard boxes, thus reducing the need for additional fixtures and cutting operating costs. You can see the products lined up in the shop from 0:09 in the video. The Products of Okashi no Machioka Source of photo :YouTube screenshot Okashi no Machioka is also popular with foreigners. These visitors mostly purchase sweets as souvenirs. Matcha KitKats, Assorted Kit Kats, Chiroru Chocolate, Matcha Mochi, Kororo, Hi-Chew, and Matcha Oreo are some of the most popular items. Every year around the start of the new year, "lucky bags" are sold for 1,000 yen (~$9 USD). The bags are stuffed to the brim with sweets, making them well worth the price. These bags have received favorable reviews from many satisfied customers as well. Besides this, "dagashi," (駄菓子) or Japanese penny candy, and sweet assortments, are also popular. Where is Okashi no Machioka? Photo：Highrises in Shinjuku There are Okashi no Machioka shops in cities all over Japan. Besides the inner Tokyo shops in Kichijoji (吉祥寺, Kichijoji), Shibuya (渋谷, Shibuya), Shinjuku (新宿, Shinjuku), Ikebukuro (池袋, Ikebukuro) and more, there are also shops in Kawasaki (川崎, Kawasaki), Musashi-Kosugi (武蔵小杉, Musashi-kosugi), Kita-senju (北千住, Kita-senju), Funabashi (船橋, Funabashi), as well as other locations in the prefectures of Chiba (千葉, Chiba), Kyoto (京都, Kyoto), Saitama (埼玉, Saitama) and Osaka (大阪, Osaka). The opening hours vary by location, so we recommend double checking this information on the Okashi no Machioka official homepage. Okashi no Machioka summed up The video 「「おかしのまちおか」 Okashi no Machioka」, by 「IKEBUKURO GOURMET」, introduces Okashi no Machioka, a popular sweets shop in Japan. Sweets are sold at extremely low prices, and with over a thousand varieties of sweets available, just taking a stroll through the shop makes for an enjoyable experience. If you want to eat lots of sweets at reasonable prices, or buy sweets as souvenirs, then this shop is exactly what you're looking for. The producer of the video can also be seen purchasing sweets at 2:24 of the video. If this article has piqued your interest, definitely check out the video!

Aogashima Island - A Hidden Sightseeing Destination Rich in Nature Photo：Aogashima's rich natural scenery If you're looking to enjoy the sights and sounds of Japan but looking for a less crowded location with all sorts of beautiful scenery, then look no further than Aogashima Island, a hidden gem located among Tokyo's Izu Islands! You're actually not alone in this thinking. While Japan is full of beautiful temples and shrines, stepping away from the cliche sightseeing destinations to enjoy some lesser explored locations is something many people want to do. The problem is that they don't know how... Popular tourist sites are so packed with people that it can often be difficult to relax during your vacation, especially if you aren't good with crowds. Which is why we're introducing this video, titled "Aerial view of Aogashima Volcano, Aogashima Aerial Drone Footage [4K]" (Aerial view of Aogashima Volcano,青ヶ島 ドローン空撮【4K】). It's a video showing the entirety of Aogashima from up high. It's hard to believe this is actually part of Tokyo. This article will give you an overview of Aogashima, one of Tokyo's best-kept secret sites, including its attractions, and how to get to it. Aogashima Island Near Hachijojima Island, Tokyo Located 358 kms from Tokyo, Aogashima is a unique island with rich natural scenery. Aogashima is an isolated island with a distinctive double caldera topography. The unique shape of Aogashima, which was created by an active volcano, is growing in popularity, both inside and outside of Japan, as this type of landscape cannot be seen in many other places, especially in one so beautiful. In the olden days, the island was forbidden to women, and they say there was a time when it was called "Onga-Shima" (男ヶ島, Onga-Shima), meaning roughly "Man's Island." The island has the smallest population of any village in Japan, and is full of beautiful scenery. Aogashima - An Isolated Island in Tokyo Photo：Aogashima Observatory Park Aogashima, a hidden tourist site outside of Tokyo, has a variety of attractions. First of all, Aogashima offers a spectacular view of the island's natural scenery. Aogashima has a number of observation decks, which are famous places where you can admire the island's distinctive scenery and spectacular views of the beautiful ocean. When you travel to Aogashima, the observation decks are a must-visit. Tokyo's Aogashima is also famous for its beautiful starry sky. The starry sky seen from the vicinity of Ikenozawa (池ノ沢, Ikenozawa) is spectacular and you'd be missing out if you didn't take the opportunity to admire it. Aogashima is a great spot for those who want to enjoy the beautiful scenery as the area is still relatively untouched humans. The Isolated Island of Tokyo - How to Get to Aogashima, the Hidden Gem in the Izu Islands Access to Tokyo's Aogashima Island is as follows: First, take a ship from the mainland, passing Miyakejima Island (三宅島, Miyakejima) and Mikurajima Island (御蔵島, Miyakejima), to Hachijojima (approx. 11 hours). Alternatively, you can fly to Hachijojima from Haneda Airport. This takes about 50 minutes. From the relay point on Hachijojima, you take a helicopter to Aogashima, which takes about 20 minutes. It takes some time to get to the island, and you may feel it's inconvenient, but once you are surrounded by the stunning nature of Aogashima, you'll feel that it was worth the effort. Summary of Aogashima, a Hidden Gem in the Izu Islands Source :YouTube screenshot The video "Aerial view of Aogashima Volcano, Aogashima Aerial Drone Footage [4K]," produced by winteroptix, is a 4K video that captures the charm of Aogashima. You'll be absolutely amazed at what you can see and discover. It will have you wondering if it's really part of Tokyo. If you're curious about Aogashima, the hidden sightseeing destination in Tokyo, be sure to check out the video!

Adventurous Footage of Nakano Broadway This video, titled "【Nakano, Tokyo】Walking around Nakano Broadway（【中野 東京】中野ブロードウェイを散策）," allows you to experience the famous out-of-the-way tourist destination in Nakano Ward (中野区, Nakanoku), Tokyo: Nakano Broadway. They say Nakano Broadway has everything. And it's probably not much of a stretch to say so. It's a chaotic place where everyone’s needs are met. It has become particularly famous for its subculture, which attracts huge numbers of foreign tourists visiting Tokyo. It is known as "the mecca of subculture", "post-Akihabara" and so on. In this article, we will introduce Nakano Broadway in detail alongside the video. What Is Nakano Broadway? And What Does Is Look Like? Source :YouTube screenshot Nakano Broadway is a commercial complex constructed at the end of Nakano Sun Mall Shopping Center (中野サンモール商店街, Nakano Sun Mall Shotengai) in 1966, which combined a shopping center with housing. The lower floors are dedicated to the use as a shopping center and the floors above are for housing. You can actually live in Nakano Broadway as some rooms are up for rent, although it is a bit pricey due to its location. From 0:33 in the video, you can take a walk through Nakano Sun Mall Shopping Center from the North Exit of JR Nakano Station. At first, you might be surprised at the number of shops in the shopping street. Nakano Sun Mall Shopping Center is famous for having countless watch shops, but besides that, there are many bubble tea stands, cafes, soft-serve ice cream shops, and restaurants offering lunch. Photo：Nakano Broadway Nakano Broadway stands right in front at the end of Nakano Sun Mall Shopping Center. This can be seen from 4:05 in the video. Take a step in and a chaotic world in a different dimension greets you! Around 300 shops squeeze inside the building. They specialize in manga, anime, figures, toys, and recently, 3D printers and Bitcoin. Curious as to why Nakano Broadway came to be known as the epicenter of pop culture and subculture? A company called "Mandarake," which played a major role in bringing Nakano Broadway to the world stage, was a particularly important stakeholder in regards to this. What Is Mandarake? Photo：Nakano Broadway, Mandarake Mandarake, which inextricably shares history with Nakano Broadway, started as a secondhand bookshop. At first, its specialization didn’t match the surrounding environment, but it became exceedingly popular as many Otaku, more interested in subculture than in pop culture, visited the place partly due to its location. Soon, the company Mandarake was founded. It gained a lot of fans by contributing to the permeation of subculture through launching many new shops inside Nakano Broadway dedicated to manga and anime for popular demand, and figures, diorama, video games and gaming arcades for hard core fans. As a result, it has grown to be known today as "the mecca of subculture," and a stunning number of foreign customers visit every day, thanks to the global popularity of otaku culture. Walking around and visiting the many different shops is certainly exciting, but you can even sell your own goods using the "rental showcase" system. Mandarake can be seen throughout the video, so if you’re interested, be sure to check it out. Summary of Nakano Broadway in Tokyo Source :YouTube screenshot In this article we introduced Nakano Broadway, now one of the most famous otaku sites, not only in Tokyo, but in all of Japan. It's the epicenter of pop culture and subcultures in Japan, and many people, both Japanese and foreigners alike, visit it every day, owing partly to its easy accessibility, being located near JR Nakano Station. A whopping 10 million people visit there annually. Nakano Broadway guarantees a fulfilling experience for every visitor! If you're traveling to Tokyo, we highly recommend visiting Nakano Broadway! ◆Nakano Broadway Facility Information◆ 【Address】5-52, Nakano, Nakano Ward, Tokyo 161-0001 【Access】5-minute walk from JR Nakano Station 【Hours】10:00-20:00 (Be careful as this varies by location) 【Closures】Vary by location 【Parking】No parking lot provided 【Telephone No】03-3388-7004 【Official Website】Mandarake HOME – MANDARAKE https://order.mandarake.co.jp/order/?lang=en

The Adachi Museum of Art in Yasugi, Shimane This video, titled "足立美術館　日本一の庭園　ADACHI MUSEUM OF ART - The Best Japanese Garden [4K60p]," was released by "Japan Explorers." The Adachi Museum of Art in Yasugi, Shimane is a registered museum of Shimane Prefecture, focusing on modern Japanese paintings. The museum is famous for its 130 works by Yokoyama Taikan and its Japanese gardens, known as the best in Japan. It has been highly evaluated in the Michelin Green Guide Japan and on Japanese garden rankings, and has become famous as a place to visit in Shimane Prefecture. The History of the Adachi Museum of Art Photo：Adachi Museum of Art, Shimane Prefecture The history of the museum, located in Yasugi, Shimane in Chugoku area, began in 1970, when local businessman, Adachi Zenko was 71 years old. There are 130 works by the artist Yokoyama Taikan, who is known to be the best in Japan in terms of both quantity and quality. There are also rare works and traditional crafts at the Adachi Museum of Art. In addition to Yokoyama Taikan’s works, the museum also displays works by modern Japanese art masters, such as Takeuchi Seiho, Hashimoto Kansetsu, Kawai Gyokudo, and Uemura Shoen, as well as other famous paintings by children, woodcarvings, and pottery. The Gardens at the Adachi Museum of Art Photo：A Japanese Garden at the Adachi Museum of Art, Shimane Prefecture Adachi Zenko dedicated his life to building the museum. It is famous for its gardens, which is said to be the best in Japan, as well as for its famous collections. The huge museum is divided into five areas: The "Dry Landscape Garden" is shown from 0:11, the "Moss Garden" is shown from 0:18, the "White Gravel and Pine Garden" is shown from 0:45, the "Pond Garden" is shown from 1:45 and the "Kikaku Waterfall" is shown from 2:18 in the video. Adachi Zenko believed that a garden is also a piece of art, and the gardeners and museum staff work hard to preserve it every day. The gardens are full of different faces in every season. The red leaves in autumn and the snow-covered grounds of the gardens in winter show us a different aspect of the gardens. You can get information about the current landscapes of the gardens through the live camera on the official website. Be sure to take a look at them if you're planning on visiting. Summary of the Adachi Museum of Art Photo：Adachi Museum of Art, Shimane Prefecture There are other sightseeing spots around the museum as well. Saginoyu Onsen where you can relax and unwind, Gassantoda Castle where you can enjoy learning about Japan's history, and Adachi Vineyard where you can enjoy a family grape picking experience. The Adachi Museum of Art is easy to access and there are free shuttle buses from Adachi Station. Bus tours are held frequently as well, so consider stopping by the Adachi Museum of Art when you travel to Shimane! ◆Information◆ 【Address】320 Furukawacho, Yasugi, Shimane 692-0064 【Access】20 minutes by shuttle bus from Yasugi Station 【Hours】9:00 am to 5:30 pm from April to September and 9:00 am to 5:00 pm from October to March 【Closures】None 【Parking】400 standard parking spaces, and 40 spaces for buses 【Admission Fee】2,300 yen 【Phone】0854-28-7111 【Official Website】Adachi Museum of Art https://www.adachi-museum.or.jp/en/ 【Tripadvisor】Adachi Museum of Art https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1023585-d1371499-Reviews-Adachi_Museum_of_Art-Yasugi_Shimane_Prefecture_Chugoku.html

Explaining how to spin a top The video “How to Spin the Top（【改訂版】コマのまわし方（ヒモの巻き方）【 How to spin the top 】）” was created by “Seiai Kindergarten - Fussa, Tokyo” and it explains how to wrap a string and how to spin a top. The video is for kids, so the basics of how to play with the top is easy to understand. This article introduces how to wind a top up and spin it. Be sure to follow along with the video! Traditional Japanese Tops Photo：Old-fashioned top Traditional Japanese tops are a toy played with by attaching a spindle to a circular piece of wood and using a string to spin it. The tip of the stem is thin, maintaining the balance in the center while the top spins. There are tops all around the world and each country has their own version with unique characteristics. For example, there are gasing in Malaysia that adults use and make bets with, diabolos in China that are known for their acrobatics, and spinning tops, used in performances, in Japan. The top has a very long history and it is said that they originally started from the spinning of snail shells. The oldest top in the world, was found in Egypt, and said to have been used around 2000 to 1400 B.C. It is believed that “finger twirling,” tops twisted using one's fingers, were the first kinds of tops invented. In fact, the oldest top is a simple hand-spun top made of carved wood. The whip top is still created as a Japanese folkcraft and wooden toy in Japan. How to Wind up and Spin a Top Source :YouTube screenshot As you can see in the video from 0:03, hold the top in your left hand and the string in your right. The string will have a knot at the end. Put the string on the left side of the stem and pull the knot towards your body on the right side of the stem. From there, place the long end of the string over the knot that you just pulled to the right side of the stem. It's difficult to explain, but you can see this at 0:18 in the video. Then, turn the top to the side while keeping the string tight, and hook the string on the stem on the bottom of the top. After wrapping the string tightly twice on the bottom stem, gradually wrap the rest of the string to cover the bottom of the top. When wrapping the string, it's easier to move the top to wrap it, as opposed to wrapping it using the hand holding the string. When you've finished wrapping it, you'll know you did it correctly by the nice pattern on the bottom of the top. How to Spin and Throw the Top Source :YouTube screenshot After winding the top up, it's finally time to let it rip! As shown in the video, hold the top in your left hand and dangle a bit string. Hold the dangled string between your right ring and pinky fingers, and make a fist around the string. Make a finger gun with your hand and hold the top with your thumb and index finger. After that, face the direction where you want to throw the top, open your legs slightly wider than your shoulder, lower your body and throw that sucker! It is better to throw it as horizontally as possible. Be careful not to throw it straight down as it won't spin and you might break your top with the force. You can watch how to throw it starting from 2:45 in the video. You can see man in the video doing tricks, such as placing the spinning top on the palm of his hand, and rope-walking, from 4:14. Summary of Japan's Traditional Tops Photo：Whip Top The video “How to Spin the Top,” created by “Seiai Kindergarten - Fussa, Tokyo,” introduces how to spin a top, a toy often used during New Years in Japan. The video explains how to wrap the top string as well, so it's great for beginners. It can also be enjoyed by advanced top users since there are difficult tricks in the video.

About Hachioji's Promotional Tourism Video The video, titled "Hachioji Promotional Video 'Colorful Life'" (八王子市シティプロモーション動画「Colorful Life」), was uploaded by "HachiojiCityOffice." It captures the various charms of Hachioji. Being a part of the Greater Tokyo metropolitan area, Hachioji features many shopping districts such as "CELEO," a mall that is attached to the station. But being the closest hiking destination from Tokyo is what makes it popular among the city dwellers who day trip up there to get some fresh air. Hosting as many as 23 university campuses, Hachioji is also known as a college town. There are many historical and cultural sites where one can be exposed to Japanese culture and tradition as well. In this article, we'll introduce popular tourist spots in Hachioji alongside the video. The video includes a powerful image of a basketball game that the local team, "Tokyo Hachioji Bee Trains," is playing in. It also showcases the natural scenery that makes Hachioji a popular day-trip destination for local Tokyoites. Take a Hike and View Hachioji From the Summit of Mt. Takao Source :YouTube screenshot Hachioji is a popular natural recreational area in Tokyo. From 0:06, the video captures refreshing images of Hachioji's natural environment such as the "Takatsuki paddy field zone" (the largest agricultural zone in the Tokyo metropolitan area), or the stunning rows of Ginkgo trees. Mt. Takao is the most popular natural attraction in Hachioji. The 2,000 ft. tall mountain debuts at 0:32. Awarded 3 stars by the Michelin Green Guide, it is the most visited mountain in the world, with 2.6 million visitors annually. There's also a chair lift and cable-car that can take you halfway up the mountain, which makes it suitable for casual climbers as well. Climbers can enjoy a beautiful view and magnificent autumn colors, as well as the get an overlook of the city of Tokyo. Source :YouTube screenshot Introduced from 1:09 is "Takaosan Beer Mount," a renowned beer garden where we you can enjoy a stunning night view from up high. It even offers a view of the urban core of Tokyo or Yokohama on clear days. The open air beer garden and breathtaking view are sure to get you in the spirit for some spirits! The temple introduced at 2:03 is Mt. Takao Yakuoin, which is said to be a very spiritual site. The statue found by the cable-car stop is of Saburo Kitajima, a well-known Japanese enka singer who lives in Hachioji. The statue is popular among Instagrammers! Hachioji’s Gastro Culture! Source :YouTube screenshot Don't forget to explore the foodie attractions during your trip to Hachioji. The video introduces some recommended restaurants and local dishes as well. Spotlighted from 0:39 is a bakery "Boule Beurre Boulangerie". The specialties here are the butter-rich croissants or pain au fruit with walnuts. Photo：Hachioji Ramen Hachioji Ramen is a great choice for lunch as well! Its distinguishing features are the simple soy sauce-based soup and the chopped onion topping. There are also many different Hachioji Ramen specialty restaurants around the train station. The most celebrated ramen restaurant is "Goemon" located by the JR Chuo Line Nishihachioji Station, which is introduced at 0:55. The image is sure to make your mouth water. Other hidden gems throughout the city include "Nameko-jiru" (Miso-soup with Nameko mushrooms) of Shiroyama Chaya, a tea-house that sits on the summit of Shiroyama, the Konnyaku of the long standing shop "Nakano-Ya," or the old-fashioned izakaya "Shimura Hall"'s Satsuma-age (deep fried fish paste). "Hachioji Neapolitan," a favorite among the locals, is also a must-try. In 2019, the breakout TV celebrity Roland opened his bubble tea store "The Pearl" in Hachioji. Hachioji also features farmers' markets such as "FIO" (FIO野菜直売所) or "Juke Juke" (ジュークジューク) to provide a direct sale of locally grown organic vegetables. Japanese History and Culture in Hachioji Source :YouTube screenshot There are many cultural or historic sites and events in Hachioji. The Hachioji Festival in August is the city's primary event. The parade floats, gorgeous Mikoshi (portable shrines) carried around the city, and the Lion Dance performance are the highlights of the festival that attract many visitors from the Kanto area. Some other notable cultural or historic sites/events are: Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo (a traditional puppet theater), Hachioji Geisha, Hachioji Firework Festival, Tokyo Fuji Art Museum, Mt. Takao Trick Art Museum, Musashi Imperial Graveyard, Takaosan Yakuoin Yukiji Temple, Hachioji Castle, Takiyama Castle, Nakamachi Kurobei (black wall) district (a remnant of old geisha district), and the Okuda silkscreen factory. The rows of ginkgo trees shown in the video from 0:53 were planted by the Imperial Household Agency in 1929 to commemorate the completion of the Musashi Imperial Graveyard. The annual Ginkgo Festival is held in November along the Koshu Kaido Road where the stunning ginkgo trees are lined up. A Summary on the Introduction of Hachioji Photo：Hachioji, Minamiasa River cherry blossoms The Hachioji promotional video captures the charm of the city that's a hometown to many different Japanese musicians, comedians, and TV personalities. Featuring Mt. Takao that captures the attentions of instagrammers, Hachioji is a great destination for a wide range of travelers. Having turned 100 years old in 2018, Hachioji is a city loved by many people. We definitely recommend giving it a visit! 【Tripadvisor】Hachioji https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g1060898-Hachioji_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto-Vacations.html