Planet Tokyo News
- Moon Viewing in Japan
September 17, 2007
If you are in Japan Sept. 23rd-25th then you are in for a real treat. Perhaps in your home country the Autumn Equinox passes by barely noticed. But in Japan, this day in September with equal lengths of day and night, is cause for celebration. The Autumn Equinox is a national holiday and in parks all over Japan people will gather for moon viewing, an activity called “o-tsukimi.� In the Heian period (794-1192), courtesans would write poetry under the moon, but nowadays most people stake out a patch of grass, spread out a cloth and eat sweets and drink tea or sake while watching the moon. Where I live, this is the only day of the year the botanical park is open at night and people are allowed to sit on the grass. A very special occasion indeed.
« read more » - Camping In Japan
September 2, 2007
Ever considered camping in Japan? It’s a cheap, fun way to travel around and an easy way to meet Japanese people. Not only that, but you get to meet Japanese insects up close and personal. Don't wrinkle your nose! The Japanese love their insects. Everything from the sound of cicadas and crickets to the sighting of a giant stag beetle are prized occurrences in Japan. So get out there and get to know your smaller neighbors!
« read more » - "Fire Flower" Festivals
August 15, 2007
The hot Japanese summer is the perfect time for something even hotter: fireworks. Where in the U.S. and Australia buying fireworks is either illegal or strongly discouraged, in Japan you can buy your fireworks at the convenience store. All summer long you’ll see Japanese of all ages setting off fireworks in any open space from a vacant parking lot to larger displays with family and friends on the beach. In Japan, as in many countries in Asia, summer just wouldn’t be the same without fireworks. So go ahead, let out your inner child that never got to play with fire! This is your chance to BE JAPANESE.
« read more » - Bon Dances
August 1, 2007
The Obon period, from Aug. 13-15 is one of the most exciting times to visit Japan. O-bon, or the “Festival of the Dead,� is the time of year Japanese people worship their ancestors, and everyone and their dog returns to their ancestral home to pray, take care of the family graves, and dance the Bon dance. As this is a nationwide holiday, trains, busses and ferries will be crowded, so be sure to make reservations ahead of time. Although it can be a tough time to travel, it’s worth it once you get to your destination as you will see some very traditional festivals all around Japan.
« read more » - Weather and when to Travel
July 16, 2007
Japan’s position as an island archipelago in the Pacific Ocean means that several different factors affect the weather during the year. Being aware of these weather patterns will help you plan your trip.
« read more » - Japan' beaches
July 1, 2007
The swimming season officially opens in Japan with a ceremony by a Shinto Priest declaring the waters safe to swim in. This ceremony, called "Umibiraki" (literally sea-opening), happens at beaches all over Japan and most Japanese people will not swim in the sea until then.
« read more » - WWOOFing in Japan
June 15, 2007
If you’re looking for a cheap, off-beat way to travel Japan, consider WWOOFing. WWOOF, (pronounced “woof�) stands for World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, and helps connect travelers with organic farms around the world. Travelers volunteer a few hours a day of their time in exchange for room and board.
« read more » - Japan on 100 Yen
June 1, 2007
We've all heard that Japan is expensive. And it can be extremely expensive in a Paris, New York, Sydney kind of way. Public transportation, for one, is very expensive. But many things are cheaper in Japan. Most people don't realize that Japan is much cheaper than it was 10 years ago.
« read more » - Who Are Those Gods?
May 15, 2007
Anyone who has ever been to Japan has seen the various little stone figures alongside the road or sitting inside a neighborhood shrine. Who are they, and what are they doing there?
« read more » - An Introduction to Love Hotels
May 1, 2007
Love hotels in Japan are as ubiquitous as pachinko parlors. I avoided Japanese love hotels for a long time, equating them with ones I had seen in other parts of Asia. But make no mistake—Japan’s love hotels are first class: they’re clean, cheap and oh so fun!
« read more » - Finding Enlightenment Through Pilgrimage
April 16, 2007
Buddhist pilgrimage, or holy hiking as I call it, has been around for thousands of years in Japan. There are over 100 pilgrimages in Japan and the Japanese are known to go out on weekends and do pilgrimages the way westerners tackle hiking or climbing trails. Although most Japanese pilgrims are retired people, with time on their hands, pilgrimaging is experiencing a bit of a revival in Japan. Young people are discovering the fun of taking off a few weeks from life just to go walking.
« read more » - 4 Tips for Ohanami
April 2, 2007
It's everyone's favorite time of year-cherry blossom season. The opening of the cherry blossoms is the first sign of spring, and everyone is anxious to get outside and party under the cherry trees. "O-hanami," or cherry blossom viewing, starts in Okinawa, the warmest part of Japan, in February and steadily continues sweeping northward as the weather warms up, hitting Hokkaido in May. Cherry blossom inspectors announce the official start of the viewing season in each area.
« read more » - Fertility Festivals
March 15, 2007
It's March, it's fertility time! According to ancient Japanese Shinto rituals, Spring is the time to celebrate fertility, fecundity and rebirth. Consequently, fertility festivals in Japan abound around this time of year. Today, I'll introduce you to two of the most famous fertility festivals in Japan: the Hounen Matsuri and the Kanamara Matsuri.
« read more » - 12 Eclectic Museums in Japan
March 1, 2007
If you're looking for something really different consider visiting some of Japan's unique museums. Here is a list of 12 museums, from the North to South.
« read more » - Snow and Ice Festivals
February 15, 2007
If you're traveling in Japan in February looking for fun, cold things to do, Hokkaido has some great snow festivals. You may have already heard about the Sapporo Snow festival that attracts over 2 million visitors to see the Japanese castles, Chinese dragons, and other mammoth ice sculptures. The Sapporo Snow Festival is made up of international teams who compete for the best ice sculpture. But should you miss Sapporo's festival, or should you just want to get away from the crowds, there are other, more local and equally interesting snow festivals to enjoy.
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