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Planet Tokyo News
- Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Sento
December 1, 2006
In the last article, I told you about onsen, or hot springs, and explained how bathing in natural spring waters is a ritual in Japan, especially in the wintertime. Today I’m going to tell you about something even better, and something very few travelers know about—the sento. A sento is a public bath. Of course, onsen are also a form of public bath. The difference between a sento and an onsen is that onsen use natural spring water (which is reflected in their 1,000 yen and up price) while sento use just hot tap water. In the old days, sento served the entire neighborhood as older Japanese houses were not equipped with baths or showers. These days, however, since all new Japanese houses have baths, sento are on the decline. In the not too distant future, sento will be extinct and their flashier counterparts, the onsen, will be the only public baths available. Sentos give you a rare glimpse into Japanese culture that you won’t find at an onsen which is full of tourists. Don’t miss your chance to get naked with the locals at a neighborhood sento!
« read more » - What's Hot: Onsen
November 15, 2006
As it gets cooler in Japan, Japanese people start heading to "onsen" or hot springs. Not just a mere soak in the tub, onsens have developed their own onsen culture. Many Japanese will take a weekend vacation to an onsen village and spend their time walking around the town in hotel yukata and testing the different hot springs. And they are HOT! Most onsen waters are 25 degrees Celsius (77 Fahrenheit). If it’s your first time to an onsen, you may feel it is too hot, as if the water is burning your skin when you get in. Rest assured, the water is not hot enough to burn you, so just ease in slowly. You may feel the same kind of trepidation felt when getting into a swimming pool of cold water slowly. After the initial shock, it feels great.
« read more » - Night Views of Fall Foliage
November 1, 2006
It’s autumn in Japan and Japanese are crazy about "kouyou," the changing of the leaves. Most Japanese will make a special trip to view fall foliage and Kyoto is the most famous kouyou destination. Surrounded by mountains with Japanese maple trees that turn bright red, amidst a backdrop of temples and shrines, Kyoto makes for a truly memorable experience. Kyoto also offers a unique take on fall foliage—night viewing.
« read more » - Budget Transportation: Bike Rentals In Japan
October 16, 2006
If you love sightseeing but hate tired feet, you’ll be happy to know that at most major railway stations in Japan you can rent a "jitensha" (bicycle) for about 1,000 yen per day. Many Japanese people travel to work and back by bicycle, so there is no need to feel self- conscious careening through crowds of pedestrians either. As there are no bicycle lanes in most cities in Japan, Japanese people are used to sharing the sidewalk, and the road, with bicycles.
« read more » - Cheap Digs
October 1, 2006
If you're looking for affordable, alternative places to stay overnight, don't overlook Japan's numerous internet cafes offering services such as overnight accommodations, showers, food and beverages in addition to the usual internet access, DVD rentals and manga comic books.
« read more » - The Best Holiday Ever
April 26, 2006
How does a holiday rise above the ranks of regular holidays to become the best? By existing just to give people a day off from work. Between Day is a holiday that doesn't celebrate a historical event, a religious moment, or patriotic principles. It is, plain and simple, just May 4. And a Japanese national holiday.
« read more » - Introducing Planet Tokyo Robot Theater
April 17, 2006
It's no secret that Planet Tokyo is obsessed with robots. While we've written extensively about how Japan leads the world in the field of robotics, we haven't offered much in the way of visual evidence. That's about to change as we introduce a new semi-regular feature: Planet Tokyo Robot Theater.
« read more » - Hanami Has Started
March 29, 2006
The harbinger of Spring in Japan is the cherry blossom. When the weather turns warm, the trees respond by bursting into flower -- thousands of blooms cover branches and fill the senses. When the flowers appear, people engage in an activity known as hanami -- flower viewing. Specifically, cherry blossom viewing.
« read more » - JBall: A Real Japanese Pennant Race
March 28, 2006
It was the middle of a heated pennant race, and there were only three games left in the season when we decided take in a Japanese baseball game. We boarded the train to the Tokyo Dome (aka The Big Egg) with no tickets and no plan.
« read more » - Burning Dolls in Ueno Park
March 20, 2006
I wandered into Ueno park with every intention of spending a quiet afternoon watching pandas and penguins at the zoo. I started the day with a visit to the statue of Takamori Saigo, the legendary Ronin then wandered among the various shrines and temples located in the park.
« read more » - Gin Margaritas in Roppongi
March 1, 2006
One of the joys of travel is to experience a favorite cuisine first-hand. Even the best ethnic restaurant seems to be missing something when compared to the same restaurants in a home country. But no matter how incredible the cuisine, you'll want something different every now and then.
« read more » - You Say Romanji
February 26, 2006
One of us has been worried about romanji (also spelled romaji) this week. To misparaphrase The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, romanji is similar to, but not quite like, English. If romanji were submitted to a duck test, it would look like a duck and walk like a duck...but not talk like a duck.
« read more » - Love, Japanese Style
February 12, 2006
Though Valentine's Day is not a national holiday in Japan, the tradition of celebrating with chocolates has grown. Only in Japan, it's the men who get the chocolates. Seems fair to us, especially since just one month later, "White Day" -- a manufactured holiday -- was established to allow men to assuage their guilt by giving gifts to women.
« read more » - Art In The Streets - Japanese Style
February 8, 2006
Chances are you have a image in your head when you hear the words "Japanese art". You probably imagine a Ukiyoe print of Mount Fuji or perhaps a Sumi painting. You almost certainly are not reminded of the covers over sewer holes. Yet, that's exactly where you'll find a unique form of Japanese arts.
« read more » - Goodbye Robot, Hello Robot
February 3, 2006
Planet Tokyo's love for robots knows no bounds, and it's with great sadness that we say goodbye to Sony's Aibo, that lovable little robotic dog known for its unique personality, stubborn streak (building a little defiance into a robot is pure genius), and scampering gait. As the tiny robot lopes off into the sunset, a giant robot, designed to help in avalanches, is making the scene.
« read more »