Official Author

鈴木 正孝（Masataka Suzuki）

日本三大火祭りの那智の扇祭りを紹介 こちらの動画は「ANA Global Channel」が公開した「NACHI-NO-OGI MATSURI - IS JAPAN COOL? MATSURI - 祭 （那智の扇祭り／和歌山）」です。 こちらでは和歌山県東牟婁郡那智勝浦町の熊野那智大社で執り行われる、那智の扇祭りを紹介します。 和歌山県の無形文化財にも指定されている、那智の扇祭りの歴史や魅力について説明します。 日本三大火祭りでもある那智の扇祭りの動画共にお楽しみください。 日本の伝統文化である那智の扇祭りについて 日本の伝統文化である那智の扇祭りは、那智の神さまを清め、もとにいた場所に戻って貰うための神事です。 松明や扇神輿を使った御火行事や、笛や腰太鼓で演奏する日本芸能の那智田楽などさまざまな行事を行います。 歴史のある伝統文化の那智の扇祭りですが、那智の火祭と呼ばれる御火行事は、とても迫力がありインスタ映えする風景。 インパクトのある光景が楽しめる那智の扇祭りを、一度見学してみてはいかがでしょうか？ 重要無形民俗文化財にも指定されている、那智田楽も必見！ 日本の伝統文化である那智の扇祭りの歴史 熊野那智大社にいる那智の神さまは、もともと那智の滝にてお祀りされていました。 その那智の神さまを今から1700年前に那智山の中腹にお遷ししました。 大松明を炎で燃やすのは、那智の神さまが遷られている扇神輿を清めるため。 日本の伝統文化の那智の扇祭りで、迫力のある光景だけでなく、歴史を学んでみてはいかがですか。 日本の伝統文化である那智の扇祭りの魅力とは 日本の伝統文化である那智の扇祭りは、一度は見ておくべきインパクトのある例大祭です。 大きな松明から炎が燃え盛り、乱舞する炎に目を奪われるでしょう。 また、那智田楽は笛や腰太鼓など日本伝統の楽器で演奏し、それに合わせて踊る日本らしい民俗芸能。心地よいリズムや伸びやかな踊りに心が癒やさます。 魅力たっぷりの那智の扇祭りで、迫力ある風景や癒やされる文化を楽しみましょう！ 日本の伝統文化である那智の扇祭り紹介まとめ こちらの動画は、那智の扇祭りの歴史や魅力を紹介しており、那智の扇祭りの概要を知ることができます。 日本の伝統文化である那智の扇祭りは、とてもインパクトのあるお祭りなので興味を持った方は是非お祭り会場へ足を運んでみてはいかがですか。

The Life of the Jomon People Many tourists come to Japan to enjoy the beautiful shrines, picturesque scenery, delicious food and other uniquely Japanese characteristics. Even Japanese people love to travel to places like Kyoto and Nara where they can enjoy sightseeing at historical buildings and eating delicious food. However, in this article, we'd like to take a break from the standard approach to enjoying Japan and recommend a few lesser-known spots where you can learn about the life of the Jomon people nearly 3,000 years ago. In this article, we'll introduce the Idojiri Archaeological Museum, where you can learn about the life of the Jomon. Be sure to follow along with the video as you read on! Who Were the Jomon People? What Were Their Lives Like? Source :YouTube screenshot The Jomon people lived all over Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa, during the Jomon period approximately 16,000 to 3,000 years ago. In world history, this period corresponds to the Mesolithic and Neolithic ages. The Jomon were a people who devised many different ways to survive. They invented tools and objects that were passed down through the Yayoi period and into the modern day to make life easier. For example, it was in the Jomon period that bows were made, making it possible to hunt from a distance. They also invented stone tools and earthenware, which made it possible to cook and store food. It was also during this period that people began to build pit houses and settle in one place, and villages were established. In this way, the Jomon were able to use their wisdom to improve their lives. The Idojiri Archaeological Museum Source :YouTube screenshot The Idojiri Archeological Museum, which can be viewed from 0:27 in the video, is a facility where you can learn about the life and culture of the Jomon people. There are a number of exhibits on display that tell the story of life in the Jomon period, including pottery and other artifacts from the Jomon period. The earthenware and stone tools are arranged according to the age of the Jomon period, and there are also descriptions on the use of each item. There is also a section where you can see what it would have been like to live in a Jomon period dwelling, as well as a reproduction of their diet and clothing. There is also a place where you can learn about the religion and myths of the time, deciphered from the patterns of the earthenware and stone tools. It's a must-see for history buffs! Many stone hoes have been found at the Idojiri ruins as well. They can be seen at 0:38 in the video. About 4,500 years ago, these stone hoes were utilized by the Jomon people. They were a strong agricultural tribe, and used them to plow their fields. In the spring they sowed millet, and in the summer they sowed buckwheat. You can see a reenactment of their agricultural activities at 1:02 in the video. There are also weeding tools on display at the Idojiri Archaeological Museum. Source :YouTube screenshot In the fall, they used stone knives to harvest their grain (2:10). Threshed grains were transferred to a stone mill to remove the shells. The threshed grains would be hulled in a stone mortar and then cooked into porridge using earthenware, and then the whole family would eat together in the pit dwelling. In addition to porridge, the Jomon also ate river fish, wild vegetables, walnuts, and dumplings. You can check out how the tools they used when cooking were made at 4:59 in the video. Jomon pottery was entirely hand made. First, the clay is kneaded and mixed with sand to make a dough, then the dough is piled to create a pattern without any gaps. Each piece was dried for 2-4 weeks before being baked over an open fire. So how were Jomon period tools made? You can see this process at 6:23 in the video. They used oval shaped stones to hit a smaller, flat stone to break of thin pieces that will be used to make the hoes. The hoe and other stone tools of the time are shaped the same way as modern hoes. Women's necklaces and other items were also excavated from various ruins. You can also see how people would have hunted with bows during the Jomon period. The Idojiri Archaeological Museum is an interesting spot to learn about the roots of Japanese people and the lifestyle of the Jomon people. Summary of the Jomon Civilization Source :YouTube screenshot This video was created by "IDOJIRIKOKUKOKAN." We recommend it to anyone interested in learning about Japanese history! By implementing reenacted clips in the video, it's easy to understand the lifestyle of the Jomon people and how they made and used tools. Famous Jomon period ruins include Sannai Maruyama (Aomori), Kamegaoka (Aomori), Omori Kaizuka, (Tokyo), Kasori Shellmounds (Chiba), and Nabatake (Saga). If you're interested in the Jomon period, be sure to stop by!

About the video "Until Don Quijote is complete” "Until Don Quijote is complete（ドン･キホーテができるまで）", produced by "Don Qui Channel", is a video showing the construction of the popular shopping spot Don Quijote. The video shows the flow of until the opening of the MEGA Don Quijote Omori Sannou store, and displays the inside labyrinth-like maze of shelves . It's exciting seeing countless shelves filled with various items. In this article, along with the video, we will introduce Don Quijote, the discount store popular among foreigners. Don Quijote's Unique Theme Song Source :YouTube screenshot What is Don Quijote, with its unique theme song? Don Quijote is a hall which is a very popular discount store, nicknamed "Donki" by the Japanese (short for Don Qui). It has a long history going back about 40 years, when the first Don Quijote Fuchu store opened in Fuchu city, Tokyo in 1980. As of February 2020, there are more than 400 stores in places like Hawaii, California, Singapore, Thailand, and more. The official character is "Don Pen", a stylized penguin. You might have seen it before. In recent years, it has become a popular shopping spot for foreign visitors to Japan, and it is loved as an inbound tourist attraction. Don Quijote's appeal is that there are many types of products and the prices are low. Unusual cosplays are also sold here, and it's a popular shop for finding different fandom goods. When using Don Quijote, we recommend using the “majica” smartphone app for electronic money, so you don't need to worry about carrying a bunch of cash and change. Coupons can also be used from the app, and you can shop at great prices. Popular Don Quijote locations include Shinjuku Kabukicho, Ikebukuro, Shibuya, and Roppongi. The store in the video is the Omori Sanno store, which opened in June 2016. It is VERY large. This store is a family-friendly store called "Mega Don Quijote", and it is a lifestyle-oriented donki that focuses on daily necessities. You can see the start to open of the MEGA Don Quijote Omori Sanno store in the video. First of all, from 0:05 of the video, the furniture is arranged and the goods are displayed. In the video, fixed-point cameras are used to record the sections of various items such as daily necessities, beverages, and clothing being made. Don Quijote Store Interior Source :YouTube screenshot The first time you look inside the Don Quijote store, you'll be surprised at the gap between it and ordinary supermarkets. Many products are displayed, advertising and related products are hung from the ceiling, and it can be a little overwhelming to some. However, it's the desire of the manager for customer to be able to find a bargain, when searching for a product of interest in this jungle of a store. This type of layout is called a "compressed display." Various corners such as party supplies, miscellaneous goods, food, liquor, cosmetics, daily necessities, clothing, leisure goods, interior goods, home appliances, jewelry, brand goods, etc. They've got it all, and tons of it. It is very popular for under-the-radar brands so you can purchase quality products at low prices. In addition, many stores are open for long hours late at night, and shops along the main roads have free parking. Summary of Don Quijote Article Source :YouTube screenshot "Until Don Quijote is made" produced by "Don Qui Channel" is a video of the MEGA Don Quijote Omori Sanno store's sales floor. The process of creating a jungle-like selling area that attracts Don Quijote customers is valuable. If you go to Don Quijote after watching this video, you will have a slightly different perspective than before, now that you know how it's built. Even still, try not to get lost inside this discount palace! 【Official Website】Don Quijote Hall https://www.donki.com/en/?pre=le

Suimeikan at Gero Onsen Looking for an awesome ryokan (Japanese style inn) where you can visit some amazing hot springs? Well, look no further! This is the perfect video for people who want to do just that! Relax at the perfect ryokan for visiting Gero City, Gifu Prefecture in Japan's Tokai Region, a popular tourist spot in Japan. This video, titled "(Official) Gero Onsen 'Suimeikan'" (【公式】下呂温泉「水明館」), was created by "Suimeikan." It's a promotional video for the popular ryokan "Suimeikan," located at Gero Onsen (Gero Hot Springs). This video is filled with the attractions of Suimeikan: its Japanese-style landscape, the soothing hot springs, and the delicious Hida beef dishes. Suimeikan has received high ratings on hotel/ryokan review sites and comparison sites as well. This article will introduce the attractions and information regarding Suimeikan alongside the video. Before we begin, immerse yourself in the experience of Suimeikan through the video. What is Suimeikan? Source :YouTube screenshot Suimeikan, a ryokan that you will certainly want to stay in if you are visiting Gero City, is a historical ryokan that has been in business since 1932 (Showa 7). This Japanese style hotel values the spirit of hospitality, soothing its visitors with services such as personally prepared tea. Suimeikan is lined up alongside the Hida River and consists of 4 buildings, each containing unique and distinct rooms. The 4 buildings consist of "Rinsenkaku," an elegant space that emphasizes traditional beauty, "Hisenkaku," which combines the best of both Japanese and Western style, "Sansuikan," which prioritizes traditional design, and "Hanare Seiransou," 5 Sukiya-style rooms. ・Rinsenkaku Four types of rooms: Japanese-style rooms, Japanese-Western-style rooms, rooms with open-air baths, and guest rooms. All rooms feature a hot spring bath made of Koyamaki cedar, room service provided by the head chef, rooms with an open-air bath overlooking the Hida River, and a balcony on which to enjoy the view of the Gero city. ・Hisenkaku Four types of rooms: Japanese-style rooms, Japanese-Western-style rooms, single rooms, and special rooms. The hotel features a wide range of room types from single rooms to spacious Japanese-Western-style rooms, a large bath with a great view from the top floor, Japanese-Western-style rooms with few steps that make it easy to move around, and a reception lounge on the first floor. ・Sansuikaku There are six types of rooms: Japanese-style rooms, Japanese-Western style rooms, Renewal Japanese-Western style rooms, Special rooms, Twin/Triple rooms with a Japanese antechamber, and Twin rooms. Its main features are a “special room” where you can lose track of time watching the koi fish swim about. The large boulders, beautiful nature, endless blue skies, open-air hot spring, and hot spring pool make for the ultimate relaxation experience. ・Seiransou The names of the rooms are taken from The Tale of Genji, and there are five rooms in total: "Aoi-no-Ma," "Yugao-no-Ma," "Takekawa," "Koubai," and "Kashiwagi-no-Ma. It's a luxurious space with a tatami hallway. The cuisine is a special menu prepared by the head chef of Seiranso, using carefully selected ingredients of the day. Each room is equipped with a full range of amenities. Information About Suimeikan's Facilities Source :YouTube screenshot There is a place within Suimeikan where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Japanese Garden. If you enjoy the view while relaxing in a yukata, all of your worries are sure to melt away! You can see the Japanese garden at 1:38 in the video. One of the attractions of Suimeikan is that you can enjoy your time in the way that best suits you. Suimeikan has various inside facilities such as the beauty salon, "Salon de Couleur," on the top floor of Hisenkaku, the inside pool "Suimei Health Club," the lobby lounge "Evian," the bar "Marone," the shop, "Club Jurien," and the karaoke room. You can also enjoy a variety of delicious meals at Suimeikan! Hida beef, with its high-quality fat, is especially delicious and is a must-try! You can observe the meals at 1:08 in the video. Suimeikan offers a variety of food choices and services suited to your preferences, such as restaurants that offer private rooms and lunch menus, "Heyashoku" where you can enjoy Japanese dishes crafted by the head chef with tasty seasonal ingredients, the European-style restaurant "Baden Baden," the Chinese restaurant / Chinese room "Ryuyuri," the Japanese restaurant "Kitanoryou," and "Dining Tokiwa." About Suimeikan at Gero Onsen Source :YouTube screenshot Gero city, a famous Japanese tourist site, is a nature-rich area surrounded by mountains. Gero Onsen has been chosen as one of the three best hot springs of Japan, there is also a "Legend of the White Eagle," which says that when the water at Gero Onsen stopped flowing, a white eaglet (which was the incarnation of Bhaisajyaguru) made the water start flowing again. You can observe the hot spring at 0:51 in the video. Gero Onsen's spring water is simple alkaline spring water, which is excellent for achieving beautiful skin. The spring is effective against: motor organ disorders, rheumatism, nerve paralysis, post-illness recovery, and recovery from fatigue, and is also good for beauty and health. At Suimeikan, you can enjoy the water flowing directly from the hot spring source with Shimotome hot water, open-air hot springs, large public baths with a beautiful view, reserved open-air hot springs and bedrock baths. You can observe not just the lush green mountains and the Hida river, but also a view of Gero city. It is possible to enter the open-air hot springs and large public bath without staying at the hotel as well. Many people, including men who are tired from work and women who are looking for beauty treatments, visit Gero Onsen to take a bath. Please try the various types of hot springs and find your favorite! Tourist Attractions Around Suimeikan There are many tourist attractions surrounding Suimeikan. Some of these attractions include: Gero Onsen Gasshou Village (下呂温泉合掌村), Gero Onsen Shrine (下呂温泉神社), Onsenji Temple (温泉寺), Nakayama Shichiri (中山七里), Yokoya Gorge (横谷峡), Gandate Gorge (巌立峡), Okuhida Shuzo Brewery (奥飛騨酒造), Gero Onsen deyu Morning Market (下呂温泉 いでゆ朝市), Roadside Station Minamihidaosaka Hanamomo (道の駅 南飛騨小坂はなもも), Roadside Station Hidakanayama Nukumori no Sato Onsen (道の駅 飛騨金山ぬく森の里温泉), Marukarinosato Kuno River (まるかりの里 久野川), Roadside Station Maze Mikinosato (道の駅 馬瀬 美輝の里), Jakoushimizu (麝香清水), Seiryu Maze River (清流馬瀬川), Senshoji Temple (禅昌寺), Johukuji Temple (浄福寺), Tochimoto Farm (杤本農園), Mazekaore Health Farm (まぜ川上健康農園), and Kaeru Shrine (加恵瑠神社). Summary of Suimeikan Access to Gifu Prefecture's Suimeikan is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes by train from Nagoya Station, and the nearest station is Gero Station on the Takayamamoto Line, and it is a 3 minute walk from Suimeikan. Suimeikan is full of relaxing hot springs, delicious meals, tourist spots, and various facilities! Please watch the video and find your favorite thing about Suimeikan! Room rates and prices may vary by season, room and plan, please check the official website or travel websites for booking availability. Suimeikan is the best place to stay when you visit Gifu Prefecture. You can only experience the pleasure of bathing at Gero Onsen, surrounded by Instagram-worthy scenery, here! ◆Gero Onsen's "Suimeikan" Facility Overview◆ 【Address】〒509-2206 1268 Koden, Gero City, Gifu Prefecture 【Access】Takayama Main Line, 3-minute walk from Gero Station 【Parking】Yes. Can fit about 200 vehicles 【Telephone No】0576-25-2801 【Official Website】Gero Onsen Suimeikan 【Official】Guaranteed Lowest Price https://www.suimeikan.co.jp/en/ 【Tripadvisor】Gero Onsen Suimeikan https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g788306-d584914-Reviews-Suimeikan-Gero_Gifu_Prefecture_Tokai_Chubu.html

PR Video of the Traditional Japanese Art, Hitofude-ryuu This video called “ 京都一筆龍【春夏秋冬】- Hitofude-ryu 【Four seasons】” produced by "Kyoto Hitofude-ryuu Orindo" promotes the traditional art Hitofude-ryu, painted with a single stroke. The ability of these artists to create such breathtaking works of art in such a short amount of time is absolutely amazing. Hitofude-ryuu is a very attractive and graceful Japanese art. This video features how the breathtaking Japanese art is painted. Enjoy the techniques of hitofude-ryuu artists. What Is Hitofude-ryuu? Source :YouTube screenshot Japan's traditional art form, Hitofude-ryuu, is a lucky charm used to connect people and bring success in business. Hitofude- ryu has a long history. It has been used as a lucky charm or to expel evil spirits during the Edo Period. There was also another version called Hitofude-hebi that used snakes. A ryu (dragon) was thought to be sacred and enshrined at temples as deities of agriculture because the shape of Japanese islands resembled a dragon. There are two types of hitofude-ryuu in Orindo in Kyoto. The "Ascending dragon" and the "Descending dragon" are drawn to pray for success and protective power, respectively. “Nyoi-hoju” is one dragon that is said fulfill people's wishes and bring them good luck. The painters of hitofude-ryuu all over Japan are called "hitofude-ryuu eshi" (hitofude-ryuu artists). Keisuke Teshima, the painter in the video, is the most renowned and respected hitofude-ryuu artist. You can see his work in this video at 0:05. Don’t miss his amazing skills! The popularity of hitofude-ryuu has increased overseas thanks to the video posted by Keisuke Teshima. His performance in America in 2014 was highly regarded. You should definitely see the video that shows how Teshima draws a hitofude-ryuu in his atelier. How to Draw Hitofude-ryuu Source :YouTube screenshot As you can see from the video (0:05, 2:02, 3:39 and 4:44) , the body of a ryu is painted with the single stroke of a thick brush. The details such as a head or "Nyoi-hoju" are drawn with a thin brush ( 4:38). First, the body of the dragon is drawn in a single stroke using a thick brush starting from the head. Today, various colors such as red, blue, gold, and white are used to draw the dragons. After a dragon is drawn, a painter finishes a background using special techniques such as powders. The colorful dragons on black backgrounds seem to come alive. Where to Buy Hitofude-ryuu Source :Kyoto hitofude-ryuu official website There are various types of hitofude-ryuu, such as Kyoto hitofude-ryuu, Koshu-ya hitofude-ryuu, and Hitofude-ryuu Takase in Nikko. Omamori-hidofude-ryu and Chinese hitofude-ryuu are also popular.　 Hitofude-ryuu can be purchased on the official web-site or on online shopping sites, such as Rakuten or Amazon. For full orders, be sure to check out the international section of Kyoto Hitofude-ryuu's website. Orindo also offers live sales of Kyoto Hitofude-ryuu, which are painted on the spot. If you hang a hitofude-ryuu artist's painting in your room, you'll have a nice change of atmosphere. Hitofude-ryuu are well known as lucky charms and makes great presents that anyone would be happy to receive. Summary of Hitofude-ryuu This video called “ 京都一筆龍【春夏秋冬】- Hitohuderyu 【Four seasons】” produced by “Kyoto Hitofude-ryuu Orindo” features how to draw a traditional Japanese hitofude-ryuu. If you haven't watched it yet, don't miss out on this amazing painting process. Enjoy the traditional Japanese art- Hitofude-ryuu! 【Official web-site】Hitofude-ryuu | Kisuke Tejima, Hisofude ryu artist https://www.onestrokedragon.com/

An Introduction to 5G "[Image Movie] Connect Future- A World Connected by 5G-3-minute ver（イメージムービー】Connect future ～5Gでつながる世界～（3 min. ver））", is a published video released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications video channel that introduces the 5G communication line network. The new communication system is expected to change the future. In the video, you can see a doctor make a remote diagnosis, see a self-driving taxi, and other languages being translated in real time. It also introduces many other things that will change the world in the future. In this article we'll introduce 5G and talk about how it could change life as we know it. What Is 5g? Source :YouTube screenshot 5G is short for "5th generation" mobile communication system, and it is what all major mobile carriers are starting to promote. It is the next generation mobile communication that will replace the 4G line currently in mainstream use throughout Japan. As a next-generation communication system, the frequency band uses the 3.6-6 GHz to 28 GHz band, and is adapted to the IoT (Internet of Things) that will carry the future era with functions such as "high speed", "enormous capacity", "simultaneous multi-connection", and "ultra low delay". With the spread of 5G, you can watch sports on your sunglasses (seen in the beginning of the video), self-driving cars, remote farming with drones like 0:23 in the video, and even tele-medicine. The unmanned shopping scene that can be seen from 1:03 in the video is the future world that 5G aims for. What is IoT? Source :YouTube screenshot IoT is a mechanism called the "Internet of Things". It is a collective term for all things, such as houses, buildings, cars, and home appliances that connect to the Internet to communicate and share information. As the IoT advances, a lot of data can be collected efficiently and various things can be done via the Internet with the rapid development of AI. By combining IoT with the high-speed communication and ultra-low delay of 5G, you can enjoy the scenery of a video in real time as shown at 2:09 in the video. It is also possible to have a session with people in different places and use 3D images like from 2:50. You can truly see the future of technology. Summary of 5g Photo： We briefly introduced the 5G line that will start to become mainstream in the coming era. Overseas, 5G communication lines are already in use. In Japan, services are scheduled to start sequentially from NTT DOCOMO and au from spring 2020, and compatible smartphones will be sold sequentially. With the rapid spread of 5G as a communication line and the use of VR and AI in the future, an age of "smart cities" is closer to reality than ever before. With the arrival of this 5G communication line, it is expected that both life and business will be transformed. We hope this video has sparked your interest in the future of technology.

The Whole World Is Watching! The Amazing Technique of ‘High-Speed Mochi Pounding’! Japanese food culture, ‘Washoku’ was registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO and is currently gaining attention worldwide. Recently, Japan has been welcoming a lot of foreign tourists whose main purpose is enjoying Japanese food culture. Mochi rice cakes are one of the most popular foods among the attractive Washoku. To make a delicious rice cake, it is not only important to pay attention to the ingredients, but also to the way it is prepared. Mochi Pounding is essential to creating great tasting rice cakes. ‘Mochi-tsuki,’ is a tradition of using a large mortar and pestle (in this case a mallet) to make mochi on New Year's day. Photo：Mochi pounding Have you ever seen high-speed mochi pounding? It's performed at Nakatani-dou, a Japanese confectioner, in Nara prefecture. Two or three confectioners pound mochi rice cakes using a mortar and mallet together at extremely high speeds, exchanging shouts to encourage one another. ‘Mochi-pounding at high speed’ is not only a performance for onlookers, but it is also an ideal method to make tasty mochi. You'll be baffled at the speed and accuracy of these mochi makers! High-Speed Mochi Pounding- Reasons for Pounding Mochi at Such High Speeds Source :YouTube screenshot Mochi-tsuki requires both a kaeshite, (mochi turner) and a tsukite, (mochi-pounder). It also requires a high level of skill to pound the rice evenly in the mortar, and the skill to control the moisture content of the rice by matching the movements of the pounder. When the temperature of steamed mochi-gome (a kind of rice suitable for mochi rice cake) becomes low, mochi may not have its ideal texture and easily falls apart and won't stretch well. Quickly pounding the rice while it is hot enough to keep it soft and stretchy results in a tasty rice cake with a rich flavor. ‘Mochi-pounding at high speed’ has its origin in Kamikitayama-mura village, Yoshino-gun, Nara prefecture where the Nakatani family is from. It is a traditional Japanese method that reflects the local history and culture. The master mochi-pounder is particular about the tools he uses for mochi pounding. The mortar, made by an artisan in Sakai city, is specially designed to be shallow so that the turner can easily turn mochi. The kine pestle should be heavy enough to pound mochi with its own weight. The master mochi-pounder of Nakatani-dou has various preferences for mochi-tsuki. They are shown in the video. Only the Best Ingredients Source :Nakatani-dou Yomogi-mochi is one of the most popular confectioneries of Nakatani-dou. The master mochi-pounder is very particular about the ingredients of Yomogi-mochi, as well as the mochi-pounding method. They use Hiyoku-mochigome rice from Saga prefecture to make good mochi rice cakes and also use top quality azuki beans from Tokachi, Hokkaido, along with young Yomogi (mugwort) leaves from Uwajima, Ehime prefecture. Yomogi-mochi is the result of a quest for excellence in cooking methods, ingredients, and taste. Summary of High-Speed Mochi Pounding Being shown on TV, ‘Mochi-pounding at high speed’ performed by the master mochi-pounder of Nakatani-dou attracted the national attention. And now, is gaining popularity from overseas as well, introduced by foreign media. The high-speed rice cake pounding by the masters of Nakatido, who drew the attention of the whole country with their amazing feats of craftsmanship on TV, has recently been picked up by international media and is becoming increasingly popular. Nakatido's high-speed mochitsuki chefs are not only popular in Japan, but also among people around the world. Nakatido says in the video that he wants his customers to be happy when they see the high-speed mochi pounding and even more happy when they eat it. These are words of someone who truly loves, and is dedicated to their craft. As a Japanese citizen, I am proud to see not only Japanese food, which is listed as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, but also Japanese culture being admired by the world. 【Official Homepage】Nakatani-dou http://www.nakatanidou.jp/english/

PR Video of Shinjuku's Robot Restaurant This video called “ ROBOT RESTAURANT in JAPAN - CRAZY!!! ロボットレストラン - HD 4k “ produced by “ beatdownboogie” is a video promoting the robot restaurant in Kabukicho where customers can enjoy a variety of performances. As you can see from this video, this restaurant is very popular for foreign tourists in Tokyo because of its unique services. According to trip advisor, the famous travel website, this robot restaurant is chosen as one of 10 best tourist spots in Tokyo and is a favorite among foreign celebrities and famous artists. This video features how interesting this robot restaurant in Shinjuku is. What Is Shinjuku's Robot Restaurant? Source :YouTube screenshot This robot restaurant was established as an amusement spot in a building in Kabukicho, and cost a total of 10 billion yen (~$92.3m USD) to make. This is popularly known as “Robo-res”. The gorgeous interior decorations and various forms of entertainment attracted a lot of public attention and it quickly became a popular spot for foreign tourists as a store that provides original entertainment shows in Tokyo. You can take many instagrammable pictures while riding a fancy robot! All areas in this restaurant from the floors to ceiling are flashing. Stepping inside this restaurant is like stepping into another dimension. The scene at 0:13 shows this overwhelming atmosphere. There's also a bar in the same building. Guests can bring food and drinks purchased at the cocktail lounge to the show rooms as well. If you make a reservation for a special boxed lunch made by this restaurant, you can eat it during a 90 minute show. If you are interested, check the official web-site. The entrance fee is rather expensive at 8500 yen (as of January, 2020), But you definitely won't regret experiencing the unique atmosphere provided by this robot restaurant. Reputation of the Robot Restaurant Source :YouTube screenshot About 90% of the customers of the robot restaurant are foreigners. They can enjoy a unique culture in Kabuki-cho. If you look at the many photographs of foreign celebrities or prominent figures hanging on the walls of this robot restaurant, you'll know that it's not over-hyped. It attracts a lot of people for a reason. The restaurant is a really popular spot in Tokyo for foreigner visitors. Before shows start, you can buy food and drinks or souvenirs on stage. This 90 minutes entertainment show begins with a Japanese drum performance (0:37). Enjoy the fantastic atmosphere of Japanese drums with gorgeous illuminations. There's also the near-future robot show, the robot beat-em-up game, electronic dance performance, robot parade show, huge dinosaurs, and performances by female dancers. You can see the digest version of these performances in the video. If you watch the video, you'll see how satisfied audiences are by the live performance in the robot restaurant called “Monster Entertainment Show.” It makes sense that so many visitors want to see this live performance one more time. Summary of the PR Video for Shinjuku's Robot Restaurant Source :YouTube screenshot This video called "ROBOT RESTAURANT in JAPAN - CRAZY!!! ロボットレストラン - HD 4k" produced by “beatdownboogie” promotes the robot restaurant in Shinjuku where so many guests have enjoyed entertainment shows with great originality influenced by the cultures of Kabuki-cho. Bathrooms are also unique and the interior decorations of the restaurant are instagrammable. Many experience-based shows such as dance performances or Japanese drum performances are held in this restaurant. These various types of performances of robots or dancers take audiences to another world. Why not give it a visit if you're coming to Tokyo ? A shop serving tea with tapioca located on the first floor of the same building of this robot restaurant is also quite popular. ◆ Detailed information of Robot Restaurant◆ 【Address】2nd floor of Shinjuku Robot Building 1-7-1 Kabuki-cho, Shinjuku, Tokyo 【Access】A 5 minute-walk from the East entrance of JR Shinjuku Station 【Entrance fee】8,500 yen (* As of January, 2020, No discount coupon is used) 【Hours】16:00 to 23:00 【Closures】None 【Parking】None 【Telephone No】03-3200-5500 【Official Website】Robot restaurant http://www.shinjuku-robot.com/sp/index.php?lng=en 【Yelp】Robot restaurant https://www.yelp.com/biz/%E3%83%AD%E3%83%9C%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%83%AC%E3%82%B9%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3-%E6%96%B0%E5%AE%BF%E5%8C%BA-3?osq=Robot+restaurant

Introducing the Traditional Japanese Theater, "Noh" I reckon that many international tourists who visit Japan are interested in experiencing a traditional Japanese performing art. If you're one of those people, I recommend catching a Noh performance that integrates a number of performance elements handed down over the centuries. "ANA Global Channel" aired the promotional video "NOH- Yaemon Yamashita／Interview - IS JAPAN COOL? " (NOH - Yaemon Yamashina／Interview - IS JAPAN COOL? DOU（能 - 山階 彌右衛門), (English subbed) featuring Noh actor, Yaemon Yamashita. The video contains his interview where he talks about the history and charms of Noh as well as his actual performance of "Aoi no ue" from 9:29 which is even more eloquent than he describes. Noh: Origins Yamashita talks about the history of Noh from 0:34. The classical Japanese performance art, Noh was formalized into the present-day's form (known as Kanzeryu) during the Muromachi period (1336-1573) by Kan'ami and his son Zeami. Noh involves chants, drama, dance, basic movement patterns (known as Kata) or narration (known as Katari) and actors convey the emotions of characters using the entire ensemble. The audience is increasingly captivated by the effects. According to Yamashita, Noh can be compared to western theater, such as opera or musicals, that is loved around the world. Noh was designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property in 1957, and as a UNESCO intangible Cultural Heritage in 2001. Noh is often confused with Kabuki outside of Japan. While Kabuki performances are attended by the general public, Noh is a refined performance art meant for the upper classes and was later made the official ceremonial art by the shogunate. Noh is a comprehensive art form that involves dance, music and drama, just like western theater, but what makes it unique is that it is based on a stylization of the external expressions. The Charms of Noh Photo：Noh Yamashita speaks about the Noh performance from 1:13. On a mysterious stage known as Noh Butai, a story unfolds through the performances of Shite (the leading character) and Waki (the supporting actor), where plots are usually drawn from legend, history, and literature. Shite is also a main organizer of the Noh performance, and furthermore, a prop maker. The instrumentalists (known as hayashi) play the four Japanese instruments used in Noh theatre: transverse flute, hip drum, the shoulder-drum, and the stick-drum. Kyogen is a comedy piece performed at intervals between the main Noh performance. Thus, a Noh program usually includes both Noh and Kyogen, and offers 2 types of entertainment. Shite wears a mask as seen in the video from 3:14. The masks tell the audience what kind of character he portrays, such as a divine, old man, old woman, villain, or demon. Although there are a few roles Shite plays without wearing a mask, such as Musashibo Benkei (a Japanese warrior monk from the 12th century), Yamashita says that an actor plays the part without any facial expression as to convey emotion through only movements and body language (3:42~). The masks cover an actor's facial expression, but this stimulates the imagination of the audience. Plot development and the accompanied music induces a variety of emotions and creates an illusion of reality. Another interesting aspect of Noh is that each viewer has their own understanding of the scenes being portrayed. From 5:13, Yamashita says that an essential part of Noh performances is to maintain a stable posture, known as "Kamae," while using the basic Hakobi step where the feet are slid across the floor one after another without lifting them. In Noh performance, the beauty must lie in the visible elements (movement, body language or posture) rather than on the inside of actors, and this external beauty is what brings out the internal beauty. - This is the Noh aesthetic handed down for generations. Noh Is Performed at Theaters Called "Nohgakudo" Noh is typically performed at theaters called "Nohgakudo." There are plenty of renowned Noh theaters including Kongo-Nohgakudo in Kyoto, National Nohgakudo and Hohsho Nohgakudo in Tokyo, and Nagoya Nohgakudo in Nagoya. The visit will afford you the opportunity to experience Noh performance. Source :YouTube screenshot Summary of Noh Theatre The video captures Yaemon Yamashita's performance of "Aoi no ue" from 9:29, after his interview. The video deepens our understanding and gives the performance depth. It's worth watching to get an idea about the history and aesthetics of Noh. It leads us into the profound beauty of the art form. If you want to experience a Noh performance, "Nohgaku Dairengin" is a great program to check out. It allows beginners to take a 4-month training of "Takasago" and perform it on stage. If you want to know more about Noh, check the lineup of items published from Nohgaku Shorin, a publishing house specialized in Noh. It also stocks the audiovisual materials such as CDs, DVDs and cassette tapes that non-Japanese speakers can enjoy, as well as a variety of Noh props and stationary goods.

What Does Top Kendo Athlete, Yukiko Takami, Have to Say About Kendo? In this video "KENDO - Yukiko Takami／Interview - IS JAPAN COOL? DOU (剣道 - 鷹見 由紀子), Yukiko Takami, one of the top Kendo practitioners in Japan, introduces the sport representative of Japanese martial arts. What does this female Kendo practitioner have to say about the sport? About Yukiko Takami Source :YouTube screenshot Yukiko Takami is a Kendo practitioner who has won world championships in both single and group Kendo competitions and is regarded by many to be one of the top Kendo practitioners in Japan. In this video, she talks about the traditional martial art. The Ancient Japanese Martial Art, Kendo Kendo is a Japanese martial art where one fights using a bamboo sword whilst wearing a Kendo uniform which includes protective equipment such as a mask and gloves. The martial Kendo was developed hundreds of years ago (near the end of the Edo era: 1750 AD-1860 AD) in Japan as a way of practicing sword fighting using bamboo swords whilst wearing protective equipment. It has grown in popularity over the years with many competitions being held all over the world. One can compete in Kendo in both single and group competitions, much like other martial arts such as Judo and Karate. One does not simply improve at Kendo by winning matches, training is geared towards improving not just physical strength but also fighting spirit and technique. Moving up the ranks in Kendo also requires more than just strength. There are more than 1.7 million Kendo practitioners competing in Japan, which is more than ten times the number of Judo practitioners currently competing, which number around 160,000. Photo：Kendo The ancient martial art of Kendo is taught to children in Japan as an after-school club activity. There are Kendo halls and classes held all over the country, where one can learn not only technical sword-fighting skills but also about etiquette and Japanese spirit. Yukiko Takami talks in the video of how she used to let her performance in competition affect her emotionally. However, she describes that now, the process is more important than the end result in Kendo, and that learning to respect one's opponent is necessary to grow. From 3:45 in the video, Yukiko Takami talks about the importance of respecting one's opponent instead of focusing on winning or losing. Kendo, the Japanese Martial Art That Begins and Ends With a Bow Photo：Kendo One of the appealing features of Kendo is that it is a martial art one can continue practicing for a lifetime. Yukiko Takami explains that in Kendo, one fights not only using power and speed, but also one's spirit, and that this feature sets Kendo apart from other martial arts such as Karate or Judo. As Kendo is a martial art that wouldn't exist without an opponent, learning to respect each other is a key part of training. In the training hall, known as a dojo, it is custom for students to bow to the shrine and train with their opponents safety in mind. A Top Kendo Practitioner's Thoughts – Summary We hope you enjoyed watching the video of top Kendo practitioner Yukiko Takami! She explains in detail the history of the martial art and also her personal feelings regarding the practice and training. Yukiko Takami also explains in detail the techniques and rules involved in Kendo. We hope you enjoyed learning more about this ancient Japanese martial art.