Ayumu Hirano: Aiming for a Top 3 Finish at the Olympics! This video is titled "Ayumu Hirano #3 Skater Skateboarder, and Silver Medalist at Winter Olympics" (平野歩選手がスケボー3位 冬季五輪の銀メダリスト). It was released by "KyodoNews." Ayumu Hirano is a halfpipe snowboarder who has won a silver medal at two consecutive Winter Olympic Games. Ayumu Hirano has been attracting attention since he started his skateboarding quest to take home a medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The video shows the results of the Japan Open Park competition, which also serves as a selection event for the strengthening candidates, held on March 16, 2019 at the Kugenuma Seaside Park Skate Park in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture. Kensuke Sasaoka won the men's title at the Japan Open Park, Midori Okamoto won the women's title, and Ayumu Hirano placed third in the men's competition. You can see Ayumu Hirano talking about his passion for skateboarding in an interview in the video. This article introduces Ayumu Hirano and the appeal of skateboarding. What Is a Skateboarding? Photo：Skateboarding Skateboarding is an action sport that involves riding a board with wheels in the front and back. Skateboarding is also called "sukebo"in Japanese. Skateboarding is said to have been created in the 1940's on the west coast of the United States as a way for children to play, and it eventually spread throughout the world between the 1980's an 1990's. Skateboarding competitions include Street, Vert, Freestyle, Slalom, and more. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, there will be two types of events- street and vert. Ayumu Hirano will compete in vert. Vert skating involves using half-pipes, quarter-pipes, and bowls (essentially large, empty pools) to gain speed and doing insane aerial tricks that include grabs and flips. Competitors are judged on how many tricks they can do in the allotted time and how difficult their tricks are. Ayumu Hirano is introduced at 0:20 in the video. Who is Ayumu Hirano? Source :YouTube screenshot Ayumu Hirano is Japan's leading snowboarder at 160 cm tall (5'2"), and has won two consecutive medals in the half pipe of the 2014 Sochi Olympics and the 2018 Olympics at Pyeongchang. His unique hairstyle, which can be seen at 1:28 in the video, is also quite popular. His sponsors are Burton, Kinoshita Group, TEAM FALKEN, and more, and he has signed a global ambassador contract with UNIQLO to develop snowboard gear for competitions. Starting skateboarding and snowboarding at the age of four, he is trying to achieve mastery of both sports. Both his father and brother are athletes. In the interview with Ayumu Hirano at 1:28, he talks about his passion for skating and snowboarding and how he wants to train harder so he can challenge the sports to enjoy them even more. Summary of Ayumu Hirano Source :YouTube screenshot The video introduces Ayumu Hirano as he skates around the park, and also features an interview with the talented skater/snowboarder. To qualify for the Japan team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, you need to be ranked in the top 16 of the Olympic World Skateboarding Ranking as of June 2, 2020, or in the top 3 at the 2020 World Championships. Ayumu Hirano will continue to keep his eyes on the world championships as he aims for a top-3 finish. Be sure to check out Ayumu Hirano at the Olympic games! 【Official Website】Japan Skateboarding Federation http://japanskateboardingfederation.jp/

The Japanese Passport - The Strongest Passport in the World! The video in this article is titled "The World's Strongest Passport 'The Trustworthy Japanese' (18/12/29)" (世界最強パスポートを支える「日本人の信頼」(18/12/29)). In 2018, the Japanese passport became the world's strongest passport, beating out Singapore in the number of countries which you can visit without a visa. The Japanese passport can now take you to 190 countries without visas. In this article, we will introduce information about the Japanese passport. Be sure to follow along with the video as you read on! Research on Visas Photo：Blue City Introduced is a survey by a UK company that ranks the "most travel-friendly passports" in order of strength. According to the survey, conducted in January 2018, Japan was granted visa-free travel to Uzbekistan, famous for the ancient city of Samarkand, also known as the "Blue City," which can be seen at 0:59 in the video, and in October 2018, to Myanmar, which is shown at 1:22 in the video, leading to it being ranked first in the world! As a result, the Japanese can now visit Myanmar's famous world heritage site, the Shwedagon Pagoda, without a visa. Why Is the Japanese Passport Trusted? Source :YouTube screenshot At 2:05 in the video, we're shown an interview with Taro Kono, Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs. According to the interview, the increase in visa-free travel to these areas is largely due to the economic power and reliability of the Japanese people. This means that the world expects and welcomes Japanese tourists because they are safe and trustworthy. Passports and Visas Photo：Passport A passport is an identification certificate that contains information about a person, such as their nationality, etc. When you travel abroad, you need to apply for a passport at your local passport center and have it issued to you. It's important to remember that it takes some time for a passport to be issued and that it's only valid for a certain amount of time. Recently, registration for Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is also required to visit the U.S. A visa is an entry permit, and depending on the destination, you will not be able to leave the country without one. Different Kinds of Passports Source :YouTube screenshot The passport introduced at 3:17 in the video, is an official passport, called a "diplomatic passport" for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, which is different from the red and blue passports (general passports) that most people have. Also, as introduced in the video at 4:57, the imperial couple is treated as head of a state, and therefore do not have passports. Summary of the Japanese Passport Today, we introduced the Japanese passports - Now the strongest passport in the world! The fact that Japan has the strongest passport in the world is just a testament to the trust that Japanese tourists hold around the world. It's great to know that Japanese people are welcome in 190 countries and regions. Do you know how many countries you can visit with your passport?

『Kirakira Donki Video Introduction Sweets and other types of cute goods are very popular on Japanese Twitter and TikTok. Many people are tempted to check out these popular goods, but don't actually know where to buy them. In this article, we'll introduce Kirakira Donki, a trendy shop that recently opened in Odaiba. The video, titled "Kirakira Donki Opens in Odaiba! What's There to See? TBS NEWS DIG" (「キラキラドンキ」お台場にオープン！見所は？【Ｎスタ】｜TBS NEWS DIG), was uploaded by "TBS NEWS DIG Powered by JNN." Be sure to give it a watch! Kirakira Donki in Odaiba, Tokyo Source :YouTube screenshot Kirakira Donki opened in Tokyo's DiverCity, a shopping mall in Odaiba, in May 2022. Don Quijote has developed stores specializing in different concepts, such as "Okashi Donki" specializing in sweets, "Sake Donki" specializing in sake, "Cosme Donki" specializing in cosmetics, and even "Konkara Donki" which specializes in spicy foods. Their newest store, Kirakira Donki, which targets "Generation Z," has now popped up in Odaiba with trendy items, such as cosmetics and sweets that are popular on Japanese social media! About 60% of the staff working there are Generation Z, in their teens and 20s, and they select products that are popular on social media, as well as cutely-colored goods. In the video, you can see the inside of the newly opened Kirakira Donki. When you enter "Kirakira Donki," you'll see Don Quijote's official character "Don Pen" painted everywhere, and the ceiling is decorated in a playful style, reminiscent of an amusement park. In addition, large, cute pop-ups and handwritten product descriptions are meant to make the store catch the customer's eyes. These are just a few of the many creative details that draw customers to the store. Goods Sold at Kirakira Donki Source :YouTube screenshot The store has a wide variety of Korean food products, such as Planet Gummi, that became popular on Japanese TikTok, photogenic candies shaped like stars and hearts, as well as juices and even popular Korean and Chinese cosmetics that can be purchased for 500 yen or less! The store features a whopping 10,000 products that appeal to Japan's Gen Z. In addition, they have "Mobile Foods," like waffles and "Beauty Vinegar" drinks for take-out. 4,000 Kinds of Cute Cosmetics and Nearly 2,000 Varieties of Candy! There are about 4,000 reasonably-priced cosmetics sold at the store. This summer's hot sellers include stick-type A'pieu sunscreen in cute colors and bang styling sticks. The bang styling sticks are a popular product among teenagers that helps neatly tuck away frizzy hair during Japan's rainy season. In addition, there's a selection of around 1,800 kinds of sweets popular on Japanese social media, including cookies, gummies, and all sorts of candies. There's sure to be a candy that you'll like! Gummies Galore! Source :YouTube screenshot The Planet Gummi gummies became a hot topic on Japanese social media because of the sound they make when opened. The video even shows an elementary school girl that came to the store with her parents saying, "I'm happy I got to try the Planet Gummi gummies that I'd seen YouTubers eating! The girl's mom, who came with her to the store, also seemed to enjoy herself. Planet Gummi is a favorite in Japan, and now they're also available in a transparent blue color called "Planet Candy." This product was created by a long-established company founded in 1975. This candy is also slowly gaining popularity and is sure to be popping up on Japanese Instagram in the near future. In an interview with a customer to the store, she says "I was able buy some Korean snacks like Planet Gummi and Ozzy Strawberry so I'm happy!" Some of the items are available on the Internet, but being able to buy them in person is a totally different experience. In addition to the "Planet Gummi," new snacks such as "Pop Eye" and "Monster Gummies" that resemble poke balls are also popular on Japanese social media. Kirakira Donki has tons of products that fulfill the desires of Generation Z. It might even become a new tourist attraction in Tokyo! ◆Kirakira Donki DiverCity Tokyo Plaza Store◆ Hours: 10 AM – 9 PM Address: Tokyo Plaza 2F, 1-1-10 DiverCity Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN, 135-0064 Access: Public Transportation - A 5 minute walk from Daiba Station via the Yurikamome Line, a 3 minute walk from Tokyo Teleport Station via the JR Rinkai Line 【Official Website】Odaiba DiverCity Tokyo Plaza - Mitsui Shopping Park https://mitsui-shopping-park.com/divercity-tokyo/ 【TripAdvisor】DiverCity Tokyo Plaza https://www.tripadvisor.jp/Attraction_Review-g1066449-d2696968-Reviews-Diver_City_Tokyo_Plaza-Koto_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

Haneda Airport Garden, Haneda Airport, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Japan Video Introduction This video, titled "[Haneda Airport Garden] Fully Opened and Ready Promote Japanese Culture" (【羽田エアポートガーデン】全面開業　日本文化を発信), was uploaded by "Nihon Keizai Shimbun" (日本経済新聞). Haneda Airport Garden, a commercial complex directly connected to Haneda Airport's international flights and Terminal 3 had its grand opening on January 31, 2023. Stores with noren curtains and other elements of Japanese culture line the aisles. Haneda Sando is store designed to resemble the approach to a Shinto shrine, with stores on both sides of the aisle, which gives visitors a fun experience similar to that of a typical Japanese shrine festival. The Handa Airport Garden was created with the hope that visitors to Japan can experience Japan from the moment they step off the plane. Be sure to check out the video of Haneda Airport Garden as you read along. What is Haneda Airport Garden? Photo：Haneda Airport, Terminal 3 The Haneda Airport Garden, by Sumitomo Realty & Development, was originally scheduled to open in April 2020, following an increase in the number of international flights, but was postponed due to the impact of the novel coronavirus. The full opening of the new building has been planned in anticipation of a recovery in tourism to Japan. Directly connected to Haneda Airport Terminal 3, Haneda Airport Garden boasts 12 floors and a total area of 43,000 square meters. The first floor features restaurants, a food court, and other establishments for food and drinks, while the second floor is lined with shops selling local specialties, souvenirs, and sundries, making it a large-scale facility with approximately 70 tenants. In addition, there's a bus terminal on the first floor, which serves as a direct connection between tourist attractions and Haneda Airport, while the second through twelfth floors include a hotel and hot spring facilities. Haneda Airport Garden is a new commercial complex being called the "new face" of Japan. Haneda Airport Garden – Hours, Recommended Souvenir Shops, and Japanese Culture Source :YouTube screenshot Here we'll introduce the stores featured in the video as wel las their business hours. ●Hakuchikudo, a Fan Specialty Shop in Kyoto Hakuchikudo is a store with more than 300 years of history, founded in 1718. The store is popular for making beautiful and fashionable traditional Kyo-sen (Kyoto-style folding fans) created by techniques passed down from one generation to the next. [Video] 0:28 - Hakuchikudo ●Kurazukuri Honpo, a Shop Selling Traditional Japanese Sweets Established in Kawagoe in 1887, this Japanese confectionery store values "ingredients" and "technique" and sells exquisite wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) that are made with the care and passion of its craftsmen. The "Fukuzo" (福蔵, homemade red bean paste wrapped in baked rice cake skin) and "Beniaka kun" (べにあかくん, a biscuit made with butter, whipped cream, and Japanese sweet potatoes) are especially popular. [Video] 0:38 - Kurazukuri Honpo ●Yamakoshi Honpo, a Shop Selling Local Specialties From Niigata, Japan This shop sells local specialties from Nagaoka, Niigata. You can purchase special types of rice, processed rice products, miso, sake, and more. [Video] 1:02 - Yamakoshi Honpo ●Rokkakukan Sakurado is a shop specializing in cosmetic brushes. Visitors can purchase cosmetic brushes and miscellaneous cosmetic goods only available at Haneda Airport Garden here, as well as products from Chikuhodo, a famous cosmetic brush manufacturer in Kumano, Japan. [Video] 1:12 - Rokkakukan Sakurado From Kyoto ●Hakuchikudo and Kurazukuri Honpo are located in the "Japan Promenade" area, while Yamakoshi Honpo and Rokkakukan Sakurado are located in the "Haneda Sando" area. Both shops are making their first appearance in Tokyo. Business hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Recommended Restaurants at Haneda Airport Garden + Business Hours Source :YouTube screenshot In addition to shopping, visitors to the Haneda Airport Garden can also enjoy a variety of dining experiences. ●OEDO FOOD HALL Food Court (大江戸フードホール) (Hours - 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.) The interior design is a modern interpretation of Edo-period Japan, and the walls are decorated with ukiyoe-style paintings, a type of woodblock print painting popular at the time. The food court serves a wide variety of dishes, including steak cooked on lava rock, juwari soba noodles made from 100% buckwheat flour, and tekkaju, a dish that uses natural tuna directly shipped from Misaki Port. The restaurant also features ingredients from Tokyo and neighboring prefectures. ●The Izakaya Umaiyo Sakana Umaiyo Sakana (うまいよ魚旨いよ魚) (Hours - 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.) A wide variety of fish dishes can be enjoyed here, and customers can enjoy 27 kinds of sake carefully selected from all over Japan. The interior design, reminiscent of a shrine, is also worth noting. ●Hanayama Udon (五代目 花山うどん) (Lunch Hours - 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Dinner Hours 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) The popular "Hishikawa Udon" here has a chewy texture that could be mistaken for rice cakes, with their signature large noodles. Heijoen, a Japanese BBQ Restaurant (Hours 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) Heijoen is a restaurant where patrons can enjoy Japan's world-famous Wagyu beef. The menu includes delicious platters and Kobe Beef Tokusen Gozen, a set meal that includes an assortment of the finest cuts of Kobe beef, and the restaurant is proud of the high quality of its beef, which is mainly Kobe Beef. Haneda Airport Garden – Hotels & Natural Hot Springs Source :YouTube screenshot The Haneda Airport Garden is home to Villa Fontaine, the largest hotel directly connected to an airport, with a total of 1,717 guest rooms. Villa Fontaine is divided into two types: Villa Fontaine Premier Haneda Airport and Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport. Villa Fontaine Premier has parking available for one car per room (reservation required), and is recommended for those who not only want to use the airport, but also those purely interested in staying at the hotel. The hot spring facility "Izumi Tenku no Yu" located on the 12th floor of the hotel is drawing a lot of attention as a hot spring where you can enjoy airplane spotting and views of Mt. Fuji. There are four areas to enjoy, from relaxing hot springs to bedrock baths and saunas. Non-hotel guests can also use the facilities by paying a fee, and it's open 24 hours a day! Summary of Haneda Airport Garden Haneda Airport is aiming to become the new gateway to Japan. Haneda Airport Garden, which has just fully opened at Haneda Airport, is a commercial complex where visitors can fully enjoy Japanese culture. It's a great place for both Japanese citizens and foreign visitors to Japan alike to enjoy the delicious dining experiences, shopping, saunas, and more. The interior design is also really photogenic for any instagrammers looking for a new place to check out! Discover the new face of Japan at Haneda Airport Garden! 【Official Website】Haneda Airport Garden 【TripAdvisor】Tokyo International Airport, Haneda Airport

A First in Japanese History! No.1 in the Popular Online Game "FORTNITE"! Are you familiar with e-sports? E-sports is a form of sport competition using video games. Players compete to show their mastery of the game and win massive prize pools. E-sports has actually been around for decades, but thanks to advances in technology and more and more people being connected to the internet, it has seen a surge in growth in the last 10 years, with professional teams popping up all over the globe. Japan actually has vocational schools that train e-sports players, and sends world class athletes to compete on the world stage. This video introduces Ruri, the first Japanese player to win the Australian Open Summer Smash 2020, a new tournament with 30 million yen (~$280,000 USD) in prize money at stake. What is FORTNITE? Source :YouTube screenshot Let's talk about the rules of FORTNITE, and how it's played. Starting at 0:38 in the video, you can see up close footage of the fast-paced, action-packed gameplay. FORTNITE is an online battle royale game with a twist. One of the main features of the game is called "building" which allows players to use materials they've found throughout the map to construct tactical structures that allow them to outmaneuver their opponents. The online battle royale game "FORTNITE," is developed by Epic Games in the UK. Supported platforms are PC, PlayStation 4, XboxOne, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. There is a "save the world" mode where players work together to fight off waves of monsters, and a "battle royal" mode where players fight against one another to be the last remaining. Because of FORTNITE's in-game transactions, and depictions of violence, the game has a PEGI rating of 12+. The actual game is a 3rd person shooter where characters spawn into a map and have to scavenge the area for weapons, armor, and materials. Players start every match as a blank canvas, forcing them to adapt to their environment and make do with what they have. The story is post-apocalyptic in nature, with 98% of the world's population being eradicated by a sudden storm and the emergence of monsters called "husks." The player's goal is to fight to survive and save the human race. The "Australian Open Summer Smash 2020" Featuring FORTNITE Source :YouTube screenshot Cross-platform online games like FORTNITE, which are also compatible with handheld devices, have evolved remarkably in recent years. Ruri, a member of the Japanese professional team "CrazyRaccoon," managed to win such a large scale tournament at just 16 years old. The "Australian Open Summer Smash 2020" was held at a tennis stadium in Melbourne, Australia, also used for the Australian Open tennis tournament every February. The crowed roared when the Japanese team secured their victory. The second day's solo match (a charity tournament) also drew a large crowd where spectators gathered to see the winner's Victory Royale. The rules are simple- the last player standing wins. Summary of Japan's Australian Open 2020 Fortnite Win Source :YouTube screenshot Ruri is just 16 years old but is already an accomplished player that managed to win a prestigious tournament with a massive prize pool. Players also have rankings, similar to other sports, and it's expected that we'll see Ruri aiming for #1. In the world of e-sports, opportunities for young players like Ruri continue to grow. People even talk about the future of e-sports, saying that it's only a matter of time before it's a part of the Olympics. 【Official Website】Fortnite - Play Now for Free | Official Site | Epic Games https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/home?lang=en-US

Haneda Airport" Video Introduction of Haneda Airport, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Connecting Tokyo Metropolis to the World This video, produced by "Tokyo MX" focuses on the uncompromising facilities and services of Haneda Airport which has been named "the World's Cleanest Airport" by the British air transportation rating organization. Haneda Airport was ranked first among almost 550 airports across the world. It's been awarded first place for the 5th time, and 3 years in a row as of 2018. This article describes the airport's uncompromising commitments to the cleanliness alongside the video. The airport cleaning staff's interview reveals their passion to keep a clean establishment, which explains why Haneda Airport has been named the World's Cleanest Airport. There are also interviews with visitors to Japan praising the cleanliness of Haneda Airport as well. About Haneda Airport Photo：Haneda Airport-International Passenger Terminal-View from the Observation Deck Located in Tokyo, Haneda Airport is one of Japan's most popular airports, connecting flights to Tokyo and the rest of the world, and it is used by many travelers. It has been awarded the World's Cleanest Airport title for 3 consecutive years by the British air transportation rating organization. Chubu Centrair Airport (Nagoya, Japan) was ranked second, and then Incheon Airport (South Korea), Taiwan's Taoyuan Airport and Singapore's Changi Airport followed. Every facility in Haneda Airport is kept clean to provide maximum comfort to travelers, as is shown in the video from 1:12. Haneda Airport has seen an increase in foreign passengers in recent years, with the number of passengers nearly tripling between 2012 and 2017. It is being prepared for an increase in passengers expected at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. The cleanliness of the airport reflects the Japanese concept of "hospitality". Haneda Airport features Terminal 1 & 2 exclusively used for domestic flights and International Terminal (Terminal 3). Haneda Airport has three domestic terminals, Haneda Airport Terminal 1 and 2, and Haneda Airport International Terminal, each of which is used respectively by the airlines JAL, ANA and SKY. It has an observation deck where you can enjoy watching planes taking off and landing, as well as restaurants and shops. Haneda Airport can be reached by train from JR Shinagawa or Hamamatsucho stations, or by limousine buses in the Tokyo Metropolitan area. The hotel and parking garage make it very convenient. The Incredible Hospitabitlity of Haneda Airport Photo：Haneda Airport Terminal 2 The airport is kept clean by the cleaning staff who never cut corners. They fully commit themselves - After washing off the stains on the polished floor, they measure the glossiness of the surface with a gloss meter to keep it at a certain level. This can be seen at 1:38. From 3:11, the video captures the toilet cleaning scene using a hand-mirror as not to miss any dirt. The International Terminal Senior Manager speaks about why they keep the airport so clean from 4:17. The efforts are made not only to offer the hospitality, but also for security and safety reasons as well. If the establishment is clean and in order, suspicious objects stand out and can be spotted immediately. Owing to the efforts made by the airport staff, Haneda Airport has become an airport praised by international travelers. The video contains interviews of the cleaning staff as well as of foreign passengers. Summary of Haneda Airport Tokyo MX's video focuses on the commitment of the Haneda Airport staff that has led to it being crowned the World's Cleanest Airport. The cleanliness of Haneda Airport represents Japanese hospitality. If you watch the video, you'll be able to appreciate the fact that the cleaning staff has received rave reviews from foreigners for the great work they do. Haneda Airport Information 【Address】Hanedakuko, Ota City, Tokyo 144-0041, Japan 【Access】15 minutes from Shinagawa Station by way of the Keikyu Airport Line. 20 minutes from Hamamatsucho Station, by way of the Tokyo Monorail. 【Parking】A toll car park 【Telephone No】03-5757-8111 【Official Website】 Haneda Airport Terminal https://tokyo-haneda.com/en/

Video introduction of "Marugoto Nippon" in Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo This is a news video titled "The appeal of all of Japan, from Asakusa! 'Marugoto Nippon'" (浅草から全国の魅力を！「まるごとにっぽん」開業へ). Built in 2015, Marugoto Nippon, is a new shopping complex built near the popular tourist attraction Sensoji Temple, directed towards inbound tourists. Marugoto Nippon, built under the theme of revitalizing the rural regions, is now a new landmark promoting the attractiveness of regions all over Japan. What Kind of Facility Is Asakusa's Marugoto Nippon? Source :This article's video As shown in the video, Marugoto Nippon is a four-story shopping complex inside the Tokyo Rakutenchi Asakusa Building in Asakusa, of Tokyo's Taito ward. 50 locations have been opened in 17 different municipalities around the nation in an attempt to convey the appeal of local goods from regions all over Japan. With the theme of "see," "eat," and "take home," the store sells seasonal foods, local sake from breweries, traditional crafts from various regions, and household goods. For more than half of the stores this is the first time that they have actually had a physical location. Because of this, what was now only possible to buy over the internet or in rural areas can now be bought in Tokyo. You can feel a sense of closeness to the more rural regions of Japan through this experience. Among the many stores, there are popular restaurants and cafes in which you can drink boba tea (tapioca tea), a occasionally, there are events such as cooking classes or festivals, so you can enjoy the shopping complex in a variety of ways. Learning About Japan Through Asakusa's Marugoto Nippon! Source :This article's video Marugoto Nippon in Asakusa, promotes the appeal of Japan to the world through the sale of regional specialties. For example, at Oita Onsenza, seen from 1:45 in the video, they not only sell products containing minerals from hot springs, but they also provide a foot bath using water from the famous Beppu Onsen (hot springs). Through this, they provide a service in which visitors to Japan can experience Japanese culture. Also, being able to buy umeboshi (salted dried plums) and local sake, which was only available to buy at rural areas, in Tokyo, is another great aspect of the store. There are also many easy-on-the wallet items so you might end up buying a lot of souvenirs albeit for a very reasonable price! Summary of Marugoto Nippon Source :This article Video As of 2020, Asakusa is a popular tourist area that hosts more than 55 million domestic and foreign visitors annually. Being able to buy local specialties from Japan’s rural regions in a location as convenient as Asakusa is nothing short of amazing as well. Marugoto Nippon, shown in the video, is a popular place that not only attracts foreign visitors, but Japanese people as well. Check out the Marugoto Nippon official website where you can see the store information and floor guides. Please be aware that Marugoto Nippon is due to close in November of 2020. Make sure you stop by before it's gone for good! ◆Marugoto Nippon Facility Overview◆ 【Address】〒111-8535　2-6-7 Asakusa, Taito Ward, Tokyo 【Access】A 10 minute walk from Tokyo Metro/ Tobu Railway Asakusa Station 【Operating Hours】10:00-20:00 (Business hours differ for some stores) 【Closures】None 【Parking】Yes 【Telephone No】03-3845-0510 【Official Website】Marugoto Nippon https://marugotonippon.com/ 【Tripadvisor】Marugoto Nippon https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g14134311-d9585851-Reviews-Marugoto_Nippon-Asakusa_Taito_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

Some of the Oldest Japanese Swords at Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara: Video Introduction This video, titled "Yasutsuna – An Exhibition of the World of the Oldest Japanese Swords" (最古の日本刀の世界「安綱・古伯耆」展), was uploaded by "Nara Television Broadcasting Co." ( 奈良テレビ放送). This news video introduces an exhibition held in the city of Nara featuring works related to the swordsmith Yasutsuna and his family. It shows works created by swordsmiths active in the late Heian Period (794-1185). Forty articles are on display, including 10 national treasures, such as a famous sword called "Dojigiri," which was used by Minamoto no Yorimitsu to kill Shuten Doji, as well as other swords with a distinguished history. The exhibition also offers a glimpse into the history of how Japanese swords that were once straight, came to have a curved blade. Be sure to check out the priceless masterpieces in the video as you read along. The Black Lacquer Tachi of Kasuga Taisha – One of the Oldest Japanese Swords Source :YouTube screenshot The sword which is kept in the treasury of Kasuga-taisha and is known as Kuro-urushi-yamagane-tachi (黒漆山金作太刀, lit. "black-lacquered mountain-iron blade") was made in the late Heian period (around 1185 AD). It was discovered during a structural renovation of the temple's treasury in 1939 and is now nationally recognized as an important work of art. You can take a look at Kuro-urushi-yamagane-tachi at 0:13 in the video. Every 20 years Kasuga-taisha undergoes renovation and it was when the sword was being cleaned and repaired that it was found out to have been made in the mid to late 12th century, making it one of the oldest swords in Japan. The curved shape of the blade is what helped identify which century the sword was made in. Source :YouTube screenshot The area of the blade near the handle is curved and the tip is straight, a style typical of ancient Japanese swords. It is a real blessing to find the sword in such a good state, along with it's case which shows characteristics of 14th century craftsmanship, leading to the hypothesis that this sword was a precious samurai family heir loom which had been passed down for years and years. You can see the case at 1:17 in the video. Sightseeing Spots at Kasuga-Taisha Shrine Photo：The Large Cedar Tree at Kasuga-Taisha's Central Gate・Nara Kasuga-taisha is a shrine which was built in Nara prefecture in 768 AD. There are approximately 1000 Kasuga shrines in Japan and Kasuga-taisha in Nara is known as the grand shrine and the most important of them all. Kasuga-taisha is known for bringing good luck and happiness in marriage and we highly recommend receiving a stamp or good luck charm (omamori) from the shrine. Many events are held at Kasuga-taisha such as the Kasuga Wakamiya-On Festival (春日若宮おん祭, asugawakamiyaonmatsuri), the Buddhist Lantern Festival (万灯篭, mandoukago), and the Iris Festival (菖蒲祭, shoubumatsuri). We also recommend visiting during fall to see the beautiful changing colors of the leaves or in spring when the wisteria are in full bloom. There are also many spots in the area where you can go for lunch or grab something to eat! Summary of Famous Swords of Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara Source :YouTube screenshot A Japanese sword in the collection of the Nara's Kasuga Taisha Shrine attracted attention in 2018 when it was discovered to be one of the oldest Japanese swords in existence. In addition to this famous sword, masterpieces such as Hizamaru and Higekiri are also on display in the National Treasure Hall of Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara. Kasuga Taisha Shrine is a popular attraction among both foreign and domestic tourists. Please check the official website of Kasuga Taisha Shrine for information on special exhibitions where you can see the masterfully crafted blades.. ◆Nara Kasuga-taisha Information summary◆ 【Address】 Kasuganocho (春日野町) 160, Nara city, Nara prefecture 【Openings】March-October 6.30am-5.30pm, November-February 7am-5pm 【Entrance fee】Free of charge (Kasuga-taisha Museum: Adults: 500 yen, University/High school students: 300 yen, junior high school/elementary school students: 200 yen) 【Access】10 minutes by bus (bound for Kasuga-taisha Honden (春日大社本殿)) from JR Nara Station (JR 奈良駅, JR Naraeki) followed by a 10-minute walk. 【Parking】Available (1000 yen) 【Phone number】0742-22-7788 【Official Website】World Heritage Kasuga-taisha https://www.kasugataisha.or.jp/en/about_en/

What is the Ig Nobel Prize? Do you know of the Ig Nobel Prize? This video, “The Winners of This Years Ig Nobel Prize Are Once Again Japanese (The Daily Saliva of 5 Year Old Children) イグノーベル賞今年も日本人『5歳児の1日の唾液量』(19/09/13)” introduces the awards ceremony of the Ig Nobel Prize, 2019. The Ig Nobel Prize is a parody of the Nobel Prize, with the first awards ceremony held in 1991 at Harvard University in Massachusetts, America. Now, it has become an annual event, and is a scientific award recognized worldwide. The selection criteria is research which “first makes people laugh, and then makes them think”, and similarly to the genuine Nobel Prize, the Ig Nobel Prize is made up of several different categories. In recent years, the Japanese winners of the Nobel Prize have been buzzed about, but in actuality, Japanese researchers have been awarded the Ig Nobel Prize for 13 consecutive years, beginning from 2007. The 2019 winner was Professor Watanabe Shigeru and his 5-man team from Meikai University. They were awarded the prize for their study on the “estimation of the total saliva volume produced per day in 5-year-old children”. What is the content of this year’s Japanese Ig Nobel Prize-winning study? Source :YouTube screenshot In 2019, Professor Watanabe’s team won the Ig Nobel Prize for chemistry. Their study involved measuring the amount of saliva produced by 5-year-olds in order to maintain the cleanliness of their oral cavity. The study consisted of the researchers feeding 5-year-old children a pre-determined volume of food, having them chew and then spit the food out without swallowing, then measuring the spat-out food and comparing the volume to that at the beginning of the experiment. Through this, the researchers estimated that the children produced about 500 milliliters of saliva per day. At the awards ceremony, the researchers reenacted the experiment using a banana. This can be seen from 0:14 in the video. Source :YouTube screenshot The winners of the prize have only 60 seconds to make a speech, with a girl named Miss Sweetie Poo crying out, “Please stop! I’m bored!” if that time limit is breached. This can be seen from 0:53 in the video. The awards ceremony begins with the audience throwing paper airplanes at the stage, followed by the winners entering on a rope. From start to finish, the venue is filled with laughter. It might seem difficult to win an award for science, but the Ig Nobel Prize is a unique international science award overflowing with humor and, occasionally, irony. However, the academic papers concerning these award-winning research studies have even been published in the English science journal “Nature”, showing that these studies have genuine scientific significance. An overview of the Japanese Ig Nobel Prize winners for 13 consecutive years Source :YouTube screenshot These are some of the main Japanese prize winners. ・1992 Kanda Fujihiroshi (Medicine): For the discovery of the chemical compounds responsible for foot malodor. The first Japanese winner. ・1997 Maita Aki (Economics): For “Tamagotchi”, which diverted millions of man-hours of work into the husbandry of virtual pets. That year was a double win for Japan, with the prize for Biology awarded to Yagyu Takashi. ・2002 Sato Keita and others (Peace): For inventing Bow-Lingual, a dog-to-human language translation device ・2004 Inoue Daisuke (Peace): For inventing karaoke, allowing people to spend a peaceful time together ・2016 Higashiyama Atsuki and others (Perception): For investigating whether things look different when you bend over and view them between your legs All of these and more are part of the 71 Japanese winners of the Ig Nobel Prize as of 2019. Summary of this video regarding the Ig Nobel Prize and the study on the amount of saliva produced in one day by 5-year-old children Source :YouTube screenshot Although Japan has a significant number of Ig Nobel Prize winners even compared to countries worldwide, in Asia, South Korea’s professors as well as religious experts have also been recipients of the prize. In addition, the study “cats are liquids”, which trended on the Internet, was actually conducted by a team of researchers from France. Of course, though cats are solid beings, they have extraordinary flexibility, and thus are occasionally seen as liquids. This humorous thesis invited many laughs from the audience. The reward for winning the Ig Nobel Prize is 10 trillion Zimbabwe dollars! However, this is a currency no longer in circulation and thus not even worth a penny…

Video introduction of “Gozan-no-Okuribi” in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture This video, titled "Gozan no Okuribi 4K" (五山送り火 4K Gozan no Okuribi), was uploaded by "MOVIE JAPAN." The video begins with scenes of spectators at Gozan no Okuribi, part of the obon festival in Kyoto, on the banks of the Kamo River, and shows the different bonfires floating up into the summer night sky. What are "Gozan-no-Okuribi" and "Daimonji-yaki"? Meaning and History Photo：Gozan no Okuribi (Daimonji), Kyoto Gozan no Okuribi (Daimonji) is one of the four major festivals in Kyoto, along with Aoi Matsuri, Gion Matsuri, and Jidai Matsuri. The five mountains of Gozan no Okuribi, called 'Daimonji Yaki,' are all registered as Intangible Folk Cultural Properties of Kyoto City. In Kyoto, the souls of one's ancestors are called "Oshorai-san." Gozan no Okuribi is an event held every year on the night of August 16 to send the spirits back to the realm of the dead after they have returned during the Obon Festival. During Gozan no Okuribi, visitors can offer a homa stick, a prayer stick used in a ritual burning to ask for blessings. It is said that if you write your name and the name of your illness on the homa stick and offer it, your illness will be cured. The homa sticks will then be carried by the preservation group to the fire beds at the top of the mountains, where they will be burned in bonfires. For a donation of 300 yen per homa stick, anyone can make an offering, not just local residents. ※Homa sticks are only accepted at specific locations at specific times. Please confirm the acceptance periods, etc., via the FAQ on the official website as they differ for each location. As for how long the Gozan no Okuribi has been held, there are actually few historical documents of the event, and almost no records remain. The oldest documented historical account is from Ozuki Tadatoshi (Tadatoshi Sukuneki), which records that in 1649 Ozuki Tadatoshi saw the Nishiyama Daimonji, Fune (boat), Higashiyama Daimonji, and Minami (South) bonfires. The locations for Gozan no Okuribi are as follows. Bonfires will be lit at different times. Nyoigatake (Mt. Daimonji) on Mt. Higashiyama 【Daimonji】8:00 PM... Nyoigatake (Mt. Daimonji) on Mt. Higashiyama 【Myoho】8:05 PM... 'Myo' (妙) West Mountain of Matsugasaki; 'Ho' (法) East Mountain of Matsugasaki 【Funagata】8:10 PM... Funeyama in Nishigamo 【Hidari Daimonji】8:15 PM... Okitayama (Mt. Daimonji) 【Toriigata】8:20 PM... Mt. Mandara in Saga-Toriimoto In the past, many other characters were lit as send-off fires. Where to See Gozan no Okuribi Photo：Kamigamo Misono Bridge, Kyoto Here are some viewing locations where each of the five bonfires can be seen clearly. Daimonji: Around Misono Bridge, Marutamachi Bridge, Mt. Funaoka, Matsugasaki Station, Takano Bridge Myoho: The area around Notre Dame Jogakuin/Mt. Funaoka/Matsugasaki Station/Shogunzuka Toriigata: Seiryouji Temple North (清涼寺北)/Hirosawa Pond (Matsuo Bridge) Hidari Daimonji: Mt. Funaoka/From Kinkakuji Temple to Saiin on Nishi Oji Street/Shogunzuka Funagata: Around Misono Bridge/Mt. Funaoka/Kitayama-dori/Northwest from Kitayama Bridge/Around Matsugasaki Station/Shogunzuka Gozan-no-Okuribi can be viewed from restaurants, such as those on the Kamogawa Nouryou-Yuka (summertime decks with restaurants). Advance reservations are recommended for those who wish to view the bonfires while enjoying a meal in a relaxed atmosphere. Viewing the event and the bonfires in this way is sure to be an exceptional experience. If you're looking for some Instagram shots, you can also view the bonfire from higher places. From the observation deck of Kyoto Tower in front of Kyoto Station, you can enjoy Gozan no Okuribi along with a night view of Kyoto. A viewing event will be held for the first time at Kyoto Tower in 3 years. Tickets for this event will be sold in advance, so be sure to look up the information if you wish to attend. When is the Gozan no Okuribi (Bonfire on the Five Mountains) in 2024? Introduction of "Arashiyama Lantern Floating Ceremony" and "Hirosawa Pond Lantern Floating Ceremony Photo：Hirosawa Pond Toro Nagashi Lantern Float, Kyoto The Gozan Bonfire is held annually on August 16; in 2024, it will be held on Friday, August 16. On the same day, the "Lantern Floating Ceremony" is held to send the spirits of ancestors to the Pure Land in lanterns. Let us introduce you to the lantern floats held at Arashiyama and Hirosawa Pond. From both locations, you can also see the torii-shaped Gozan-no-Okuribi (bonfires). Arashiyama Lantern Festival Date: August 16, 19:00-21:00 Venue: Arashiyama Nakanoshima Park (Kyoto Prefectural Arashiyama Park) Access: Kyoto City Bus 28 "Arashiyama Koen Hirozawa Henshoji Temple Lantern Floating (Hirozawa Pond) Date/Time：August 16th, around 19:00 Place：Henshoji Temple Access: Kyoto City Bus 26 "Yamakoshi You can apply for the lanterns at Hirozawa Henshoji Temple using the application form on the official website or at the Henshoji Temple counter (1000 yen per lantern). In 2024, the festival will be broadcast live by KBS Kyoto. Summary of Gozan no Okuribi in Kyoto, Japan In the video, you can see tourists gazing up at the bonfires of Gozan no Okuribi. [Video] 0:45 - People Admiring the Bonfires of Gozan No Okuribi This short video contains the charms of Gozan no Okuribi, an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Kyoto. Unfortunately, the 2020 and 2021 festivities were greatly reduced due to the novel coronavirus, and although the bonfires were lit, the floating letters could not be viewed. 2022 is scheduled to be the first time in three years that the entire festival will be able to be viewed. Bus tours that include meals, lantern floating, and viewing of Gozan no Okuribi are also available. Consider joining one one if you're traveling to Kyoto in the summer! The bonfires of Gozan no Okuribi, a summer tradition, float silently in the night sky of Kyoto. Enjoy the end of summer by remembering your ancestors. 【Tripadvisor】Kyoto Gozan no Okuribi https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298564-d8820274-Reviews-Kyoto_Gozan_no_Okuribi-Kyoto_Kyoto_Prefecture_Kinki.html

Weathering with You - Best Animated Picture This video, titled "44th Hochi Film Award｜Best Animated Feature｜"Weathering with You," by Makoto Shinkai" (新海誠監督 第44回報知映画賞 アニメ作品賞「天気の子」), was produced by "Sports Hochi." It shows the 44th Hochi Film Award Ceremony and the acceptance speech by Makoto Shinkai. The movie "Weathering with You," won the Hochi Film Award in 2019. This article will introduce "Weathering with You," alongside the video. Weathering With You - Hochi Film Award for Best Animated Picture Source :YouTube screenshot The 2019 blockbuster "Weathering with You" received the Hochi Film Award for Best Animated Picture. As you can see from 0:10 in the video, director Makoto Shinkai was interviewed at the award ceremony, and went on to say that he wanted to create a film that would take audiences to a world full of different types of entertainment. The voice actor, Daigo Kotarou, who voiced protagonist Morishima Hodaka, and voice actor, Mori Nanana, who voiced heroine Hina Amano, also visited to congratulate him. The 2019 Hochi Film Award nominees for Best Picture included "Listen to the Universe," " Tonde Saitama," "Confidence Man JP-Romance", and "Kingdom", etc. Weathering with You Source :YouTube screenshot Weathering with You, which won the Hochi Film Award for Best Animated Picture, is a feature-length animated film about the weather. The slogan for the movie was "This is a story about the secrets of the world that only her and I know." This is the 7th film directed by Makoto Shinkai, the first in three years since his previous film "Your Name." Weathering with You is the story of how the protagonist Hodaka, who ran away from his home on an isolated island, to Tokyo, where he meets Hina, a girl who can clear the skies with her prayers, and together, they choose how to live. The film was shown on 448 screens at 359 theaters, one of the largest screenings in history. It also broke the record for first day screening attendance. In the first three days after the screening, it recorded an attendance of 1.15 million people and grossed 1.6 billion yen at the box office, surpassing Shinkai's previous work "Your Name." By April 2020, the film had earned 14 billion at the box office, making it the 12th highest-grossing film of all time. It was also released in 140 countries and territories overseas, and was the number one film at the box office in its first week in Hong Kong and Taiwan. It has become a popular work all over the world. The music was composed by RADWIMPS as in the previous work. There are 5 songs, including "Is There Still Anything That Love Can Do?," "We'll Be Alright," "Grand Escape feat. Toko Miura," "Celebration feat. Toko Miura," "Voices of the wind" and the ending theme. Popular actors Shun Oguri and Tsubasa Honda also provided the voices of the characters in the film. It has become a very popular work due to the beautiful images and music. Summary of Weathering with You Source :YouTube screenshot Published by "Sports Hochi," "44th Hochi Film Award｜Best Animated Feature｜"Weathering with You" gives a look at the animated picture "Weathering with You," by Makoto Shinkai, and also shows an interview with the famed director, where he talks about his films and his thoughts on his works. We recommend the video to both those who have already seen Weathering with You and those who have plans to see it in the future! As of May 2020, Weathering with You is also available on DVD. Be sure to check it out! 【Official Website】Movie "Weathering with You" Official Site (JP) https://tenkinoko.com/

Video introduction of "Nishinoshima" in Ogasawara Village, Tokyo Check out the news video “New footage of research in Nishinoshima. Nishinoshima growing to the size of 60 Tokyo Domes!（西之島調査の最新映像　東京ドーム約60倍に成長中！）” publicized by FNN.jp Prime Online. Nishinoshima is a newborn desert island that was born in the 2013 undersea volcano eruption, swallowing up preexisting islands. In the area around Nishinoshima, which was previously an isolated island far off in the sea, seabirds and fish have settled down and created a new ecosystem. Please enjoy this amazing footage of the new, growing Japanese island. How Big Is Nishinoshima? Source : YouTube screenshot Nishinoshima is a desert island located in the Ogasawara Islands (小笠原諸島, Ogasawarashoto),and is located about 1000 kilometers from Tokyo and about 130 kilometers from Chichijima Island (父島, Chichijima). Currently, as you can see in the video from 2:08, its land mass is about 2.9 square kilometers (1.1 sq. mi.), 1000 times the size of the original island. Nishinoshima, created by a volcano in Japan, is expanding little by little due to cinder from the mouth of the volcano building up and then hardening due to the flow of magma. Nishinoshima's New Ecosystem Source :YouTube screenshot Nishinoshima, the newly formed island in Japan, is made of black rough walls of cooled, hardened lava. The ground surface is covered with andesitic lava flow, creating the landscape of a precipitous cliff. The Geographical Survey Institute (国土地理院, Kokudochiriin) has been visiting the island to research its mantle and magma composition. According to this research, the island has expanded since it was born in 2013, and its ecosystem is changing as well. The masked booby (アオツラカツオドリ, Aotsurakatsuodori), shown from 0:23 in the video, is thought to have inhabited Nishinoshima very recently. As you can see from 1:38, the boobies have been spotted laying eggs inside of the island. A new life, that of a baby bird, is being born on this island. Summary of Nishinoshima, Japan's Newest Island Source :YouTube screenshot On Japan’s seafloor, active volcanic activity still continues and the continent is set to slowly grow bigger. When you see new islands appear and change the size of the continents, it reminds you that the shape of the continents shifts each and every year. Many experts are continuing research in Nishinoshima, so keep an eye out for any new information! Please enjoy this amazing footage of Nishinoshima, an island where very few have set foot. 【Official Website】Nishinoshima｜Marine Volcano Database｜Japan Coast Guard Marine Information Department https://www1.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/GIJUTSUKOKUSAI/kaiikiDB/kaiyo18-e1.htm

Japanese Adventurer Ogita Yasunaga! This video, titled "'The Earth is Huge!' Mr. Ogita, who walked to the South Pole" (「地球って大きいな」歩いて南極点に立った荻田さん), was created by "ANNnewsCH." It's a news broadcast about Japanese adventurer, Ogita Yasunaga, who reached the South Pole solo, with no resupply aid. He walked 1,130 kilometers across the Antarctic continent by himself, being the first Japanese person to best the journey without aid. After achieving the feat, he says in the interview "The earth is huge." This can be seen at 0:10 in the video. About Ogita Yasunaga Source :YouTube screenshot Japanese adventurer Ogita Yasunaga is from Hokkaido, Japan. He has walked the Canadian Arctic, Greenland, and Hokkaido alone. From 2000 to 2019, he went to the North Pole a whopping 16 times! In April 2019, he traveled 600 kilometres in the Arctic Circle with young travelers. He is noted as Japan's only Arctic adventurer and gives various lectures and talk events. In 2000, he participated in "Adventure Walk aiming for North Magnetic Poles," a 700 km walk from Resolute to the North Pole. In 2003, he walked to Victoria Island in the Canadian Arctic Circle, and in 2004, he went on a dog sledding trip in Greenland. In 2011, he received the Faust A.G. Award for Adventurer of the Year and in 2017, he received the Naomi Uemura Adventure Award. He appeared in "Crazy Journey" on TBS, "News Watch 9" from NHK and WOWOW's "Nonfiction W." When he appeared in Crazy Journey, Matsumoto Hitoshi, the host of the show, was amazed by his feats and the episode was well received by audiences. The DVD is available on Amazon, so check it out if you're interested! The First Japanese Person to Reach the South Pole Unassisted Source :YouTube screenshot As you can see in the video, he was the first Japanese person to reach the South Pole unassisted. He left the coast of Antarctica in November 2017 and pulled a 100 kg sled loaded with food and other supplies, and skied roughly 1,130 km in 50 days. He reached the South Pole as planned, despite being faced with difficult conditions, including strong headwinds and snowfall. You can see Ogita Yasunaga posing with his fist in the air after reaching the South Pole at 0:17 in the video. During the Journey, his daily diet was 1 kg of food/day, roughly 5000 kilocalories. He had oatmeal for breakfast, biscuits, nuts, and chocolate bars for lunch and instant rice for dinner. He was able to survive and complete his journey by eating foods high in calories. At the end of the video he introduces his next goal. To make it to the North Pole unassisted! Summary of Ogita Yasunaga Photo：Base in Antarctica The video introduces Ogita Yasunaga the Japanese adventurer who reached the South Pole completely unassisted. His achievement was widely covered by the media. If you want to learn more about the awesome Japanese adventurer Ogita Yasunaga, be sure to check out his official website and Instagram! 【Official Website】Ogita Yasunaga https://www.ogita-exp.com/english/

The Announcement of the New Era Captured on Video! This video "New era name "Reiwa（新元号「令和」（れいわ）菅長官会見　ノーカット）," Chief Cabinet Secretary, Press Conference Uncut" is a video showing footage of the announcement of the new era name by the Chief Cabinet Secretary which took place at the Prime Minister's official residence. On May 1st 2019, a ceremony was held to announce to the public the new era name, which would be changing from Heisei to Reiwa in accordance with the enthronement of the new emperor. The Announcement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary Source :YouTube screenshot A special exemption of the Imperial House Law concerning abdication of the Emperor was passed to allow the former emperor to step down from the position early (normally emperors in Japan serve until death). 50 seconds into the video you can see the scene where Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga raises the placard displaying the new era name "Reiwa". This scene was shown countless times on news programs and the majority of people in Japan are likely to remember it. The room, packed with the press, was filled with the sound of shutters closing as the Chief Cabinet Secretary held up the work of calligraphy displaying the new era name "Reiwa". Source and Selection of the New Japanese Era Name Source :YouTube screenshot Before the announcement of the new era name on April 1st, all cabinet ministers attended a meeting to make a final decision together. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga explains during the press conference that the new era name was taken from an 8th century collection of Japanese poetry called Manyoshu , specifically the poem "Baika no uta". He also expresses his hopes that the new era, name taken from classic Japanese literature, is widely accepted by the public. What Are Japan's Era Names? Photo：Japan's era name For a long time both the Japanese and Western calendar have been used in Japan. The Japanese era name was first used in the Asuka period (592-710AD) starting with the Taika era, more recently there has been the Showa era from 1926-1989 AD, the Heisei era from 1989-2019AD and now Reiwa has become the 248th era name to be used in Japan. In the past, the era name frequently changed, however more recently it has been established that only one era name shall be used for the entire reign of one emperor. The Announcement of "Reiwa" The era name is something that is very important TO Japanese people. Many people all over the country tuned in to witness the eagerly awaited announcement of the new era name. After the press conference with the Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga on April 4th, a message from Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was also broadcast live on television. May 1st marked the end of the Heisei era and beginning of the Reiwa era, coinciding with the abdication of former Emperor Akihito and the enthronement of his son, the new Emperor Naruhito.

Akita City "Akita Kanto Festival" Video Introduction This video, titled "Akita Kanto Festival to Be Held for the First Time in 3 Years" (秋田竿燈まつり 3年ぶりに開催), was uploaded by "The Asahi Shimbun Company." The Akita Kanto Festival, held in Akita City, Akita Prefecture, is known as one of the three major festivals in Japan's Tohoku region. Approximately 280 poles and 10,000 lanterns light up the summer night sky. This year's festival, which was held for the first time in three years due to the effects of the novel coronavirus, can be enjoyed in this immersive video. Akita Kanto Festival – The History of the Festival Photo：Akita Kanto Festival The Akita Kanto Festival attracts people with its amazing lantern-balancing performances. The festival is held every year from August 3 to 6. Along with Aomori's Nebuta Festival and Sendai's Tanabata Festival, the Akita Kanto Festival is one of the three major summer festivals in Japan's Tohoku region. It's an event that has been passed down for approximately 270 years to pray for the exorcism of evil spirits and a good harvest, and is designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. According to literature, the Akita Kanto Festival first appeared in 1789 in a travelogue by Tsumura Soan, a merchant, poet, and scholar of Japanese studies in the mid-Edo period, titled "A Snow-Covered Road." It is said to have originated from an event called "Neburi Nagashi" held around Akita City on July 6 of the lunar calendar, in which people decorated bamboo branches and silk trees with strips of paper with wishes written on them, walked through the town, and finally floated them away in the river. Later, the spread of candles during the Horeki period (1750-1765) and the use of tall paper lanterns were combined to form what we see today. Akita Kanto Festival 2023 - Highlights, Goods, and More! Source :YouTube screenshot The many hanging lanterns shown in the video show the beauty of the event as they light up the summer night sky. [Video] 0:16 - Lanterns Lighting Up the Night Sky The largest of the poles, called 'Owaka,' is 12 meters long and features 46 64cm x 45cm lanterns hanging from it, weighing a whopping 50 kilograms (110 lbs)! The highlight of the festival is watching the skilled performers holding these lanterns high in the air on the palm of their hand, while transferring them to their foreheads, shoulders, and even waists. [Video] 0:31 - Skilled Performers Balancing Lantern Poles The Akita Kanto Festival is also popular for the many food stalls set up at the festival site, including Kanto Yatai Village (竿燈屋台村, Kanto Yatai Mura), which has two locations, and the Local Gourmet Festival (ご当地グルメフェスティバル, Go-Touchi Gurume Festibaru) hosted by the Akita Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where visitors can enjoy local delicacies. In these food and beverage areas, consideration has been given to preventing the spread of the new coronavirus, such as by changing spaces to avoid dense crowding. Access to Akita Kanto Festival + Spectator Tickets Photo：Akita Station The venue for the Akita Kanto Festival is Kanto Odori Street (竿燈大通り, Kanto Odori), a 15-minute walk from JR Akita Station. Spectator seats are set up around the center strip of the 800-meter-long boulevard, and traffic will be limited around the venue in the evening. Tickets for spectator seats are also available, with prices varying by seat type. The price for the "Masu-seki" (box seating with a capacity of 6 people) is 28,000 yen, S seats are 4,500 yen, A seats are 4,000 yen, and B seats are 3,500 yen. If there are too many reservations for box seats, a lottery will be held. Please check the official website for more details, including the timing of ticket sales. In addition, events such as "Fureai Kanto" and the "Citizens' Parade" (市民パレード, Shimin Pareido) will be cancelled due to the coronavirus, and pre-recorded voices will be used for chanting. Summary of Akita Kanto Festival The many lanterns that light up the night sky and the skill of the performers who manipulate the lanterns is what makes the Akita Kanto Festival one the most popular summer events in Akita Prefecture. Each year, the festival attracts many people from both inside and outside of the prefecture. There are many hotels near Akita Station and the festival site where visitors can stay overnight. Easy access from the station makes it convenient for travel and sightseeing. In this exciting video, you can see the charm and highlights of the Akita Kanto Festival, as well as the fresh faces reflecting the joy of the people who are celebrating the festival for the first time in three years. [Video] 1:05 - Comments from Performers at the Festival We hope that at next year's Akita Kanto Festival, we'll be able to hear the taiko drums, hayashi band, and the chanting of the performers and crowd instead of prerecorded voices! 【Official Website】Akita Kanto Festival https://www.kantou.gr.jp/english/ 【TripAdvisor】Akita Kanto Festival https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298239-d8820142-Reviews-Akita_Kanto_Festival-Akita_Akita_Prefecture_Tohoku.html

Kanji of the Year” video to be announced at Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan This video, titled "The Announcement for the Kanji of the Year for 2022 at Kiyomizudera Temple, Kyoto, Japan (December 12, 2022)" (京都・清水寺で2022年「今年の漢字」発表（2022年12月12日　京都市東山区）), was uploaded by "Kyoto Shimbun" (京都新聞). Every year around December 12, Japan's Kanji of the Year is announced. When the announcement is made each year at Kiyomizudera, a famous temple in Kyoto, it attracts a large crowds and media outlets from all across Japan and is broadcast live on the news, making it a well-known event. The powerful kanji written on Japanese paper and placed on a special stand on the stage of Kiyomizudera is both powerful and elegant. The time has come for the announcement of Kanji of the Year for 2022. For many people in Japan, it's a year-end tradition to watch the announcement. It's become a symbol of the year's end. So, without further ado, let's take a look at 2022's Kanji of the Year. The Kanji 戦 (Ikusa, 'War') and Why It Was Chosen Photo：The kanji for 'war' The Kanji of the Year for 2022 was announced on December 12, 2022. The Kanji 戦 (Ikusa), meaning "fight" or "battle," received 10,804 of the total 220,000 votes that were cast. The following is the list of kanji that came in places 2 through 10: 2. 安 (An, Stable/Calm); 3. 楽 (Raku, Comfortable/Peaceful); 4. 高 (Taka, High/Expensive); 5. 争 (Arasou, Conflict); 6. 命 (Inochi, Life); 7. 悲 (Hi, Grieve/Sadness); 8. 新 (Shin, New); 9. 変 (Hen, Change), 10. 和 (Wa, Peace/Harmony). This is the second time that 'War' has been chosen, as it was also chosen in 2001. What events in the year 2022 come to mind when you see this kanji? Themes that may come up when you hear the words "fight" or "battle" might be Japan's strong battle in the World Cup... However, that's not the reason why the kanji was chosen. According to the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation, the organizer of the event, the reason for 'War' being chosen is that the world was stunned while witnessing the horrors of the war caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and also because of the battle fought by people in their daily lives while trying to survive with a weakening yen and rising costs of living, as well as heated sports competitions. Where Japan's Kanji of the Year Was Announced and Why Photo：Autumn at Kiyomizudera Japan's Kanji of the Year is usually announced around December 12 every year. Now you might be wondering, "What's the significance of December 12?" Well, there's actually a good reason for this. December 12 is recognized as "Kanji Day" in Japan, and it's hoped that people will learn at least one kanji every year. Since the headquarters of the organizer, the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation, is located in Kyoto, the world-renowned temple Kiyomizudera is the setting for the presentation. Hopefully this helped you understand the significance of the date and location of this Japanese year-end tradition. When the 'Kanji of the Year' Tradition Began in Japan, Who Writes Them, and More! It's no exaggeration to say that the announcement of the Kanji of the Year is a year-end tradition, but, when did this tradition start exactly? The first Kanji of the Year was announced in 1995, 27 years ago. The Kanji of the Year is a one-character description of the year. The person in charge of writing the kanji is Seihan Mori, the chief abbot of Kiyomizudera Temple, who is also the chief priest in charge of the temple. The ceremony has been conducted by Seihan Mori since 1995, when it was first announced. The kanji is written by chief abbot Mori on the famous stage of Kiyomizudera. [Video] 0:00 - The Kanji of the Year Being Written Kanji of the Year From Previous Years Source :YouTube screenshot Here is a list of Kanji of the Year from previous years. 1995 - 震 (Shin, Quake/Tremble) The year 1995 was marked by a series of astonishing events. This kanji was chosen as a year of "trembling" due to natural disasters, such as the Great Hanshin Earthquake, and the Tokyo Subway Sarin Attack, as well as political turmoil. 1999 - 末 (Sue, End) In this year, which marked the end of the century, events that seemed like the "end of the world" occurred frequently. The Tokaimura Nuclear Accidents, police scandals, the collapse of the myth of bullet train safety, restructuring due to economic downturn, and many other seemingly "end-of-the-century events" occurred in this year. However, the character "End" was chosen in the hope that the following year will be a year of "Sue-Hirogari" (末広がり, Prosperity). 2005 - 愛 (Ai, Love) Despite the marriage and love (愛) of Princess Nori, the success of Expo 2005 Aichi (愛知), and the success of women named "Ai" (愛), the year was also marked by a number of incidents without love. While in Japan, people were taught the importance of both loving things close to them, and loving things on a global scale, 愛 (Ai, Love) was chosen because there were many incidents involving children and juvenile crimes where there was not enough "love." Photo：The Japanese era Reiwa 2019 - 令 (Rei, Order/Decree) In this year when a new emperor acceded to the throne and a new era began, it can be said that the Kanji of the Year expressed people's joy at the dawn of a new era as well as their hope for brighter days. The character 令 (Rei, Order/Decree) was also chosen due to events related to order, such as the revision of laws and regulations and compliance with laws and regulations among other things. 2021 - 金 (Kin, Gold) Up until this point, the character for "gold" had been selected three times. Its selection in 2021 marked the 4th time it was selected, making it the most selected since the tradition began. Amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics were held a year late, with many Japanese athletes winning gold medals. They provided courage and inspiration not only to the people of Japan but also to people around the world. It was also selected because of milestones reached in various fields and money-related topics, such as the announcement of a new banknote. Despite the fact that the Kanji of the Year is in the news every year, many people don't know they can actually participate in the tradition. How Are Japan's Kanji of the Year Chosen? This year's Kanji of the Year will be chosen by the general public from all over Japan. Submitted kanji will be used as candidates, and the kanji with the most submissions will be selected and announced at Kiyomizudera around December 12. The application process is very simple: access the website of the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation and cast your voter using the Kanji of the Year Application Form. Postcard submissions are also accepted, so you can submit your entry through the application boxes located in bookstores and libraries throughout Japan, at Kiyomizudera, and the Japan Kanji Museum & Library in Kyoto. The submission period is usually from November 1 to around December 5. You can submit any kanji you like. If you're interested in participating in 2023, give it a shot! Summary of Japan's Kanji of the Year for 2022 Photo：The Kanji Museum After seeing the Kanji of the Year being announced in the video, are you sad or excited that the year is over? The Kanji of the Year is announced on or around December 12 every year. If you decide to participate your kanji might even be chosen! Now that it has become a year-end tradition in Japan, the Kanji of the Year is an event loved by many people. For many people it's fun trying to guess what the kanji will be for that year! The Kanji of the Year will be exhibited at Kiyomizudera and from late December at the Kanji Museum in Gion, Kyoto. While it's wonderful to visit the photogenic spots in Kyoto during winter, consider stopping to take a photo of the Kanji of the Year for 2022 and sharing it on social media as a year-end greeting!

Antenna Shops in Ginza and Yurakucho! “Strengthening Cooperation! Antenna Shop Battlefield（連携強化！　アンテナショップ激戦区）,” created by “Tokyo MX,” is a news clip that was broadcast on January 18th, 2017. There are many antenna shops that are operated by local governments and companies from all over Japan. Antenna shops are shops that sell local products, foods, traditional crafts and souvenirs. There are also sightseeing information booths and restaurants/cafés that sell local cuisine and sweets. It is like a showroom and gallery for local governments. As you can see at 0:27, there are a lot of antenna shops inGinza and Yurakucho, creating a sort of "antenna shop war-zone." In this article we'll introduce popular products at antenna shops in Yurakucho. Be sure to follow along with the video! Antenna Shops around Yurakucho Source :YouTube screenshot The antenna shop battlefield from Yurakucho to Ginza is 300 meters in diameter. According to research, annual sales of Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza reached over one billion yen; 100 million yen of which is from soft-served ice cream. You can see the survey results at 0:35 in the video. Soft-served ice cream costs 350 yen (~$3.50 USD), which means there are a lot of people visiting this place. At 2:18 in the video, you can see Hiroshima Brand shop TAU and Okinawa Ginza Washita Shop, which have sales between 700 million and 1 billion yen. As introduced at 1:45, Oishii Yamagata Plaza sells "tama konjac," a local specialty, as well as fresh local vegetables from Yamagata. Antenna Shop Cooperation Source :YouTube screenshot The antenna shops around Yurakucho cooperated to bring more visitors to the area. The "National Men's Ekiden Stamp Rally," a coordinated event that ran from January 6th to the 22nd in 2017, was a stamp rally event to visit 16 shops in the Yurakucho area with a stamp collecting card. If you collected seven stamps, you could enter to win a gift from the local government and merchandise for Ekiden. The main antenna shop during the event is “Hiroshima Brand shop TAU.” The branch manager talks about why he started the event and introduces the popular product “Hassaku Orange Rice Cakes” during his interview. Summary of Yurakucho's Antenna Shops Photo：Raw Yatsuhashi “Strengthening Cooperation! Antenna Shop Battlefield” introduces how lively the antenna shops in Yurakucho are. There are other antenna shops in Kochi, Tokushima, Kagawa, Hakata, Akita, Toyama, Osaka and Shizuoka as well. There's also Hokkaido Foodist and Kyoto Kan around Yaesu, Tokyo. The antenna shops in Ikebukuro, Kansai, Fukuoka, Nagano, Aomori, Gifu, and Aichi are gaining popularity as well. Be sure to check out the homepage to see store hours and holidays. Enjoy buying local products from all over Japan in the heart of Tokyo!

Shutdown of the Supercomputer "K" This video titled "The Curtain Has Come Down on the Supercomputer 'K' and Fugaku Will Serve as Its Successor,（スパコン「京」幕下ろす 後継・富岳、運用へ）, released by "KyodoNews," is a video on the shutdown ceremony of supercomputer "K"- the former fastest computer in the world. The supercomputer “K” was used in various fields after achieving first for two consecutive years in the category of fastest calculation speed of a supercomputer, in 2011 during the test run. In the video of K's shutdown ceremony "Fugaku”, the successor to “K” , is also reported. You can find out how powerful the Japanese computer is. The video features the supercomputer "K" and its successor. What Is "K"? Source :YouTube screenshot The supercomputer "K" was jointly developed by the Riken Center for Computational Science and Fujitsu. NEC and Hitachi were also involved in its development at the beginning, but withdrew. This supercomputer, completed in 2012, contributed to the development of various fields including life science, healthcare, disaster defense, and space technology. It was also referred to as a "Next Generation Supercomputer," "General Purpose Hyper Speed Calculator" or "Kyosoku." This supercomputer achieved the fastest calculation speed in the world at the beginning of it development and has been used for about 7 years. According to the latest world ranking, it has currently dropped all the way to 20th . It was finally decided to put an end to the 7 year history and to make room for its successor "Fugaku," the next generation, most advanced supercomputer. In the video you can see that about 860 units of the supercomputer “K “ were shut down in turn during this ceremony. Hiroshi Matsumoto, President of the Riken Center talked about the expectations for the next generation supercomputer in this video (1:11). It is expected that Fugaku's calculation speed is more than 100 times faster than "K," and it will be used as AI (Artificial Intelligence). K's Specs Photo：CPU Next, we will show you what kind of specs "K" has. First, its high-end CPU capable of performing highly advanced arithmetic processing was developed by Fujitsu. 88,128 pieces are connected in parallel to calculate 10 petabytes worth of information per second. There is some concern about error because of the scale that the supercomputer has. However, they built a unique system that could avoid errors and continue high-speed arithmetic processing. Also, high-performance memory is used. This supercomputer consumes powers equivalent to the amount used by about 30 thousand households. Therefore it costs about 1.2 million yen to operate the whole system of "K" per hour, Running the supercomputer "K" full for a day costs about 28 million yen (~$260,000 USD), so the electricity bill can get a little high. “Fugaku," the Next Generation Supercomputer Source :YouTube screenshot “Fugaku," successor to "K," had a development costs of about 112 billion yen (~$1.38b USD). The development of Fugaku started in 2014, and it is scheduled to used starting in 2021. Its calculation speed is more than 100 times faster than that of "K." It is aiming to achieve the worlds top level utility. 150 thousand units of CPU are connected to improve its computing power. According to the world supercomputer ranking as of November, 2019, "Summit" developed by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory is top the list, followed by "Sierra" developed by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and "Sunway TaihuLight" (神威・太湖之光). Summary of the Supercomputer "K" The video, titled "The Curtain Has Come Down on the Supercomputer 'K' and Fugaku Will Serve as Its Successor," released by "KyodoNews" is a video on the shutdown ceremony of supercomputer 'K' that was used for 7 years. These computer technologies that have been developing day to day may change our futures. 【Official Website】K Computer | Riken Center for Computational Science (R-CCS) https://www.r-ccs.riken.jp/en/k-computer/about/ 【Official Website】The supercomputer "FUGAKU"｜Riken Center for Computational Science (R-CCS) https://www.r-ccs.riken.jp/en/postk/project

Japan has been the "wealthiest country" for 24 years?! Let’s take a look at the video of a news report from 2015 titled [Japan, “ the wealthiest country in the world” for 24 years- a “crucial asset”]（【日本、24年連続“世界一の金持ち”に「大事な財産」】） This news report is about Japan staying at the top of the list of wealthiest countries in the world for continuous years. “Net Foreign Assets” is defined as the value of foreign assets owned by Japan's government and its companies, minus liabilities. So what exactly do they mean when they state that Japan is the wealthiest country in the world? Let’s look at some of the details. What exactly is a “Net Foreign Asset” Photo：Tokyo Stock Exchange At 0:06 in the video, Net Foreign Asset are explained. Essentially, it is the amount of the foreign assets owned by a nation minus liabilities. Surprisingly, Japan has 367 trillion yen worth of Net Foreign Assets, and it is the largest amount in the nation’s history. This means that Japan owns many external assets in foreign countries, such as security and foreign investments. From 0:23 in the video, the Minister of Finance in Japan, Taro Aso, is seen speaking in an interview. Aso states, “Net Foreign Asset is crucial” at the Ministry of Finance. As explained at 0:19, the Top 5 countries in terms of Net Foreign Asset goes Japan first, followed by China, Germany in third, Switzerland in fourth, and Hong Kong in fifth according to 2014 data. How Japan Has Continued to Own the Most Foreign Assets in History, and Remained the “Wealthiest Country in the World”. Source :YouTube screenshot There are several reasons why Japanese foreign assets have been increasing and why Japan has remained the most wealthy country in the world. As the yen depreciates, the amount of receivable yen-denominated shares and bonds has increased. Another reason why Japan's foreign assets have increased is because there are more Japanese companies starting foreign investments. Overseas liability is also on an upward trend as more foreigners have begun investing in Japanese stocks. Japan as the wealthiest country Photo：Building in Shinjuku subcenter It might be difficult to believe that Japan is the wealthiest country in the world, but as explained in the video, it is true that Japan owns the most Foreign Net Assets in the world. Japan actually is the wealthiest country in the world, and as of 2019 it has stayed on top for 28 years. Expectations are high for Japan's economic future.

Video Introduction of "Yanmar Tokyo" in Chuo-ku, Tokyo This video, titled "'Yanmar Tokyo' Opens in Yaesu, Tokyo – A Complex Directly Connected to the Station (January 12, 2023)" (「ヤンマー・トーキョー」東京・八重洲に開業　駅直結の複合施設（2023年1月12日）), was uploaded by "TV TOKYO BIZ" (テレ東BIZ). Yanmar, known as a major agricultural equipment manufacturer, has opened "Yanmar Tokyo," a complex of facilities in Tokyo with the theme of "rice." Yanmar Tokyo is a new type of facility that promotes rice and agriculture in the heart of the city near JR Tokyo Station. It features an interactive gallery by creative director Kashiwa Sato and a restaurant where visitors can enjoy delicious dishes made with rice. Be sure to check out the video introducing Yanmar Tokyo before reading on. What Is Yanmar Tokyo? A Look at the New Complex That Opened in January 2023 + Location Information and More Photo：Yanmar Tokyo Yanmar Tokyo is a new building complex which opened in January 2023 after the demolition and renovation of the previous Yanmar Tokyo Building that was built in 1977. Located in Yaesu, Tokyo, Yanmar Tokyo is a 14-story building with three basement levels and stands 69.88 meters tall. The total floor space is 22,000 m2, and includes commercial areas, restaurants, and gallery spaces on the basement, first, and second floors. The third to 14th floors house the Yanmar Group and other office tenants. A distinctive feature of the building is its focus on "rice" and "agriculture" as part of Yanmar's "HANASAKA" value initiative. In the heart of Tokyo's Yaesu district, the facility also plays a role as a base for supporting new farmers and disseminating information on food production. In addition, Yanmar Tokyo serves as a place where visitors can learn about rice and agriculture, including restaurants where they can enjoy rice and a hands-on gallery where they can learn about rice. Yanmar Kome Gallery – Fun for Kids and Adults Alike! Photo：Inside Yanmar Tokyo The Yanmar Kome Gallery (Yanmar Rice Gallery), a hands-on exhibit in Yanmar Tokyo, offers a variety of contents to enjoy. Visitors can discover the beauty of rice through various challenges. For example, the the "Rice Personality Test," in which participants answer "yes" or "no" to a set of questions and are told which variety of rice fits their personality, and the "Wisdom of Rice Cultivation," in which visitors learn how to solve problems that arise during rice cultivation through a game using dice. The direction of the gallery was overseen by creative director Kashiwa Sato. In addition to the aforementioned content, the gallery is also decorated with rice straw. The atrium, which features artwork composed of multiple layers of cherry blossom petals, is popular for its dynamic, photogenic sights. The rice sculpture, the symbol of the Yanmar Rice Gallery, and the tractors are also popular spots! Be sure to take some photos with your kids if you're visiting as a family. Italian Cuisine, Seaweed Bentos and More! Check Out the Tasty Restaurants at Yanmar Tokyo! Yanmar Tokyo offers more than just information on rice and agriculture; it also offers a wide variety of delicious foods that allow visitors to enjoy the delicious taste of rice. The restaurant on the second floor is ASTERISCO, an Italian restaurant supervised by Kundo Koyama, a broadcast writer and producer, and produced by Yoshiyuki Okuno, the chef of La Brianza in Roppongi. At ASTERISCO, with "rice" being the core of the menu, diners can enjoy small dishes prepared in the "Yum cha" style, using special ingredients from each of the four seasons in different regions. This is a new type of restaurant where a cart moves around the seating area, providing information about the ingredients while simultaneously serving food to guests, allowing them to enjoy their meal in an interactive format. The restaurant is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and for dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Next is Yaehachi, a take-out restaurant on the basement floor that specializes in nori bento (bento boxes utilizing dried seaweed). The restaurant uses rice cooked in a rice cooker and a special typed of seaweed made from a combination of two types of seaweed from Mikawa Bay in Aichi Prefecture. The nori bento, which is served with side dishes using koji (malted rice), is a must-try. The restaurant is open from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. From Carefully Grown Rice to Sake Ice Cream! Explore the Exciting Shops at Yanmar Tokyo Photo：Ice cream One of the tenants on the first floor of Yanmar Tokyo is KOME-SHIN, a store inspired by the concept of "enjoying rice like wine." Here, rice retailers offer a wide selection of different varieties of rice grown from all over Japan, allowing customers to buy the rice that suits their palate. The rice is bottled, so customers can purchase it as if they were selecting a bottle of wine, all while enjoying the fashionable atmosphere of the store. Alongside KOME-SHIN is SAKEICE Tokyo Shop, where patrons can enjoy sake ice cream. The ice cream sold at this store is mixed with sake, giving it a high alcohol content. Because of this, minors and patrons coming by car are advised to keep this in mind. Of course, non-alcoholic versions are also available. The store has developed products in collaboration with sake breweries from all over Japan, allowing visitors to experience Japan's rich sake culture through a treat that everyone is familiar with. Yanmar Tokyo's HANASAKA Campaign Is Underway! HANASAKA Ohanami Weekend (Hanasaka Cherry Blossom Viewing Weekend) was held for 3 days from January 13, the opening day of Yanmar Tokyo (Tokyo), at a special venue on the 8th floor where a real cherry tree with cherry blossoms was set up along with a photo spot for taking pictures. The event was very popular and visitors could take pictures at the photo spot and post them on social networking sites with a special hashtag to receive a vacuum-packed packet of rice. Currently, Yanmar is holding a campaign in which participants who follow Yanmar's official Twitter account and retweet campaign posts will be entered into a drawing to win a NIPLUX NECK RELAX, a neck stiffness relief product. Up to 10 people will win prizes. The campaign is currently underway, so be sure to join in! Yanmar Tokyo Summary Photo：Yanmar Tokyo Yanmar Tokyo is a hub where Yanmar, which has been involved in agriculture for many years through its efforts to reduce environmental impact and create an appealing food culture, communicates the joy of continuing to take on new challenges. Today, when a sustainable society is becoming more and more important, the Yanmar Tokyo Building can serve as an important base for promoting a sustainable society to a wider audience. The building is directly connected to Tokyo Station making it easy to access. Enjoy learning about Japan's food culture and the environment!

Video Introduction to the English Tour of the Imperial Palace, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo This is an informational video released by "Tokyo MX" in 2018, introducing English tours of the Imperial Palace, a central city landmark that is gaining popularity among foreign visitors to Japan. Asakusa (浅草, Asakusa), Odaiba (お台場, Odaiba), Shibuya (渋谷, Shibuya) and Ueno (上野, Ueno) are famous for their central Tokyo attractions, but in recent years, the number of foreigners visiting the Imperial Palace has been on the rise. In response to the growing demand for inbound tours, the Imperial Household Agency, which oversees the Imperial Palace, has introduced English tours for foreigners for the first time, in addition to tours in Japanese. A Look at the Imperial Palace Photo：Near the palace The Imperial Palace is where the Emperor of Japan usually spends his time. It was called "Kyujo," "Kojo," and "Kogu" in the past. The current Imperial Palace, located in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward (千代田区, Chiyodaku), is built around the ruins of Edo Castle and consists of the Imperial Palace, the residence of the Emperor, and a palace for various events and political affairs. The palace, introduced at 2:17 in the video includes seven buildings, including the Main Hall (正殿, Seiden), Homeiden State Banquet Hall (豊明殿, Homeiden), the Rensui Dining Room (連翠, Rensui), Chowaden Reception Hall (長和殿, Chowaden), Chigusa/Chidori no ma Hall (千種・千鳥の間,Chigusa・Chidorinoma), the Omote Gozasho North Building (表御座所北棟, Omotegozashokitato) and Omote Gozasho South Building (表御座所南棟, Omotegozashominamito). The Palace is surrounded by a moat, and the path along the moat is crowded with people on a daily basis. The English Tours of the Imperial Palace Source :YouTube screenshot The English-language tour will take you on a 2-kilometer course along the south side of the Palace. You can visit the Imperial Household Agency building and historical sites on foot with a guide from the Agency's staff. You can see an actual guide at 0:47 in the video. In this approximately one-hour tour, you can see a garden reminiscent of the Edo Period and the iron bridge at the main gate, along with Fujimi Tower(富士見櫓,Fujimiyagura) that stands atop a stone wall, and the palace where general New Year's ceremonies and other imperial events are held, as introduced at 1:29 in the video. The guide's explanations are easy to understand for foreign visitors to Japan, so don't be shy about joining in the tour. You can hear opinions of those who participated in the tour at 1:06 and 2:32 in the video. Summary of English Tours at the Imperial Palace Photo：Moat of the Imperial Palace The sights of the Imperial Palace shown in the video are definitely worth seeing in person. If you're thinking of applying for the English tour, be sure to visit the link at the bottom of this article to access the official site of the Imperial Palace. The site provides an overview of the English tour application process, a tour schedule, and a map of the facilities. ◆Imperial Palace Facility Information◆ 【Address】1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111 【Access】A 10-minute walk from Nijubashimae Station on the Chiyoda Subway Line, a 5-minute walk from Otemachi Station on the Mita Subway Line, a 5-minute walk from Takebashi Station on the Tozai Subway Line, and a 15-minute walk from JR Tokyo Station. 【Official Website】Imperial Household Agency: Information of the Facilities: Imperial Palace – Kyoto Imperial Palace https://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/index.html 【Tripadvisor】Imperial Palace https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1066443-d320050-Reviews-Imperial_Palace-Chiyoda_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

Kazuhiro Tsuji's Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hair Styling! The video, “Kazuhiro Tsuji, [So Excited to Have Received the Award] Academy Award Report（辻さん、アカデミー賞報告 「うれしかった」）,” was released in 2018 by “KyodoNews.” It's news coverage of Kazuhiro Tsuji receiving the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the 2018 Academy Awards. Kazuhiro Tsuji was in charge of the special effects make-up of Gary Oldman, who played the role of Winston Churchill in the film “Darkest Hour,” released in 2017. The make-up he did on Gary Oldman received recognition and he became the first Japanese person to win the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. In the video, you can see him giving an elated speech during his interview. In this article, we'll talk about Kazuhiro Tsuji, winner of the 2018 Academy award for hair and makeup. Be sure to follow along with the video! Kazuhiro Tsuji- Personal History and Career Source :YouTube screenshot Kazuhiro Tsuji is a make-up artist and contemporary artist from Kyoto city, Kyoto prefecture in Japan's Kansai region. He is an American citizen, living in Los Angeles, and goes by the name “Kazu Hiro.” During his high school years, he happened to look at a film magazine that had an article of special effects make-up done by the world-renowned make-up artist Dick Smith, and from that, he became interested in make-up. Thus, he began learning about special effects make-up. He was a teacher at the Yoyogi Animation Academy, and was in charge of make-up on the Japanese film “Sweet Home.” He emigrated to the United States in 1996. He studied under Dick Smith and worked on many Hollywood movies such as “Men in Black” and “Planet of the Apes.” He was also in charge of the make-up for movies such as “How the Grinch stole Christmas,” “Click,” and “Norbit.” He became an American citizen in 2019, and after naturalizing in America, he also changed his name to Kazu Hiro. He has an Instagram account where you can see some of his make-up and art as well. Kazuhiro Tsuji's Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling Source :YouTube screenshot Kazuhiro Tsuji was in charge of actor Gary Oldman’s special effects make-up in the English film, “The Darkest Hour,” released in 2017. This can be seen at 0:26 in the video Kazuhiro Tsuji had actually retired from the film industry in 2012 and had been active as a contemporary artist but after receiving a passionate offer from Gary Oldman, he decided to return to the industry. It took more than 4 hours to put on the special effects make-up that transformed Oldman into the former prime minister Winston Churchill. The transformation of Oldman to look like former prime minister Churchill, was recognized and as it's shown in the video, he received the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the 90th Academy Awards in 2018. This is the first time a Japanese person has won an Oscar at the Academy Awards since the film “Okuribito” won the Foreign Language Film Award at the 81st Academy Awards. From 1:03 in the video, you can see Kazuhiro Tsuji’s delighted expression as he comments on his achievement. He also comments on the Oscar statue at 1:59. In 2019, he was in charge of the special effects make-up on "Scandal" at the request of Hollywood actress, Charlize Theron. This was also recognized as high quality, near-perfect make-up and he received the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, for the second time, at the 92nd Academy awards. Summary of Academy Award Winner Kazuhiro Tsuji Source :YouTube screenshot In the video “Kazuhiro Tsuji, [So Excited to Have Received the Award] Academy Award Report（「辻さん、アカデミー賞報告 「うれしかった」）,” produced by “KyodoNews” in 2018, you can see Kazuhiro Tsuji at a press conference held when he returned to Japan for a visit. At the end of the footage, he says that he will be holding an exhibit in 2020. His exhibition is something to look forward to seeing, as he is also a renown contemporary artist. 【Official Website】The Darkest Hour http://www.bitters.co.jp/churchill-movie/

7-Dan Fujii and the Asahi Cup This video is titled "7-Dan Fujii, 2nd Consecutive Asahi Cup｜Shogi, 2nd Since 9-Dan Habu" (藤井七段、朝日杯2連覇 将棋、羽生九段以来2人目). It is a news video introducing the achievements of 7-dan Fujii who achieved 2nd consecutive Asahi Cup wins, released by "KyodoNews." He is only the second player in history to win the Asahi Cup twice in a row, after 9-dan Habu, and he showed us why, with his incredible performance during his matches. The media covered this massive feat extensively and brought it to the attention of the nation. In this article, I would like to introduce you to the 7-dan, Fujii, the youngest professional Shogi player in the world. Fujii's Feat in the Shogi Asahi Cup Source :YouTube screenshot On February 16, 2019, at the 12th Asahi Cup Open, held at the Yurakucho Asahi Hall in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, 7-dan Sota Fujii defeated the titleholder, Akira Watanabe, in the final to win the tournament. More impressive was that it was Fujii's first time playing against a title holder. Fujii 7-dan also won the tournament in the last round, defeating 9-dan Habu and others who had an overwhelming record of successive victories. This is an amazing accomplishment, and he is only the 2nd person in history since 9-dan Yoshiharu Habu to achieve this feat. You can see the final match against Akira Watanabe from 0:07 in the video. This is Fujii's first win since the 2018 Shinjin-O tournament, and he is delighted with his victory. We're looking forward to see what he can do in the future. In a post-game interview with Fujii, which can be seen at 0:41 in the video, he mentions that he "would like to use this experience to do my best and become stronger." In the interview at 1:05, Akira Watanabe acknowledges the strength of Fujii, and says that Fujii will only continue to get better. As shogi players, they are both still aiming for the top. Who Is Sota Fujii? Source :YouTube screenshot Sota Fujii was born in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture, in 2002, and started playing shogi at the age of five, influenced by his maternal grandparents. At the age of 13, he became the youngest player ever to be promoted to 3-dan, and at 14, he went on to become a professional. He is the fifth person in history to become a professional shogi player while still in junior high school, following Hifumi Kato, Koji Tanikawa, Yoshiharu Habu and Akira Watanabe. He made his professional debut in 2016 in a ranking match against Hifumi Kato, which resulted in a victory. He is the youngest player to win an official game, at 14 years and 5 months. From there, he racked up a string of victories, winning 29 matches in a row after his debut. His dominant performance has attracted a lot of attention from the media. After that, he continued to improve his skills as a junior high school professional, breaking various records such as 50 wins and becoming the youngest player to win a total of 100 games. As a challenger, he has challenged masters, titles, and higher ranking masters and achieved a lot of victories. Fujii's Incredible Ability Source :YouTube screenshot The brilliance of Sota Fujii is the speed at which he can read the game as well as his strong early game, but most of all, professional players say that his endgame is especially impressive. Yoshiharu Habu has said of Fujii, that he is "good at cutting off the edges in the shortest possible course" and that he is similar to Koji Tanigawa, a 17th generation master. He is the pinnacle of shogi players, as he is not only unimaginably accomplished for his age, but also has great potential for the future. There are high expectations for him taking both the Meijin and Ryūō ranks. As of February 2020, Fujii ranks 3rd in terms of rating, which indicates his shogi prowess. Summary of 7-Dan Sota Fujii, the Young Genius Photo：Shogi "7-Dan Fujii, 2nd Consecutive Asahi Cup｜Shogi, 2nd Since 9-Dan Habu" is a video that introduces the feat of 7-dan Sota Fujii, who achieved 2 consecutive Asahi Cup victories. In the 13th Asahi Cup Open held in 2020, Sota Fujii broke through qualifying without difficulty, but lost to 7-dan Shota Chida in a semi-final round, and was unable to secure a third victory. We hope you enjoyed this article on Sota Fujii, the up and coming Shogi genius. If you're interested in trying out Shogi, don't be shy! It's a lot of fun!

Moving full-scale Gundam video introduction in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture "A Full-Scale Moving Gundam in Yokohama｜To Open in October" (動く実物大ガンダム間近で 横浜、10月に施設オープン), is a video introducing the plan for an actual moving Gundam. The popular anime series Mobile Suit Gundam was a social phenomenon that captured the hearts of children and adults alike. The construction plan for a facility where you can actually see a full-scale version of the Gundam (model number: RX-78-2) up close and in action, has started at the Yamashita Pier (山下ふ頭, Yamashitafuto) in Yokohama. This article introduces the full-scale Gundam set to be built in Yokohama alongside the video. What Is Mobile Suit Gundam? Source :YouTube screenshot Mobile Suit Gundam is a televised anime series about giant robots that was broadcast in Japan from 1979. The main character was Amuro Ray, and the show depicted a conflict between people that completely defied the conventional wisdom of the mecha anime genre. It also gave birth to new buzz words such as "Char" and "Newtype" capturing the hearts of adults and children alike. Even today, more than 40 years after the show's broadcast, sequels are being broadcast and Gundam series toys, Bandai plastic models called "Gunpla," and figurines are being sold one after another, and the popularity of the series continues to grow. The GUNDAM GLOBAL CHALLENGE project Source :YouTube screenshot The "GUNDAM GLOBAL CHALLENGE project" is a group built around Representative Director Yasuo Miyakawa, with the purpose of building a moving, full-scale model RX-78-2, which is one of the main mobile suits that appears in Mobile Suit Gundam, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary since its premier. It's planned to be built at Yamashita pier,in Yokohama. You can see the outline of the plan being explained at a press conference at 0:08 in the video. The Gundam is planned to be 18 meters tall when standing, weigh 25 tons, don carbon armor, and have an actuator that allows for 24 degrees of freedom. It's truly an actual gundam! The design is the Gundam used by the popular character Amuro Ray, and it will be operated remotely by a pilot outside of the Gundam. Life-size Gundams have been built before in Odaiba(お台場,Odaiba) and Shizuoka (静岡,Shizuoka), but this plan in Yokohama is the first attempt to create a moving full-scale Gundam, and it is catching the attention of Gundam fans all over the world! GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA! Source :YouTube screenshot GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA is a facility scheduled to open at Yamashita pier, Yokohama, on October 1st, 2020, and is built so that you can see the moving full-scale Gundam from the same point of view as in the anime. This is explained in detail at 0:18 in the video. The main facilities are "GUNDAM-CARRIER" which supports the gundam from behind, "GUNDAM-DOCK" where the gundam is stored, and "GUNDAM-DOCK TOWER," explained using a model from 1:12 in the video. This is a special viewing space where you can see the gundam up close from 15-18 meters high. The facility is built so that visitors can enjoy and experience every corner of the full-scale gundam with the view of Yokohama city in the background. In addition, "GUNDAM LAB" is also being built in the facility. This is planned to be a spot that all Gundam lovers can enjoy — it has an exhibition facility explaining how the moving life-size Gundam works, shops, cafes, and communication spaces! Summary of the Moving, Full-Scale Gundam Photo：Yokohama・Yamashita Pier Since it was first aired as a robot anime produced by Sunrise Inc, it has become very popular not only as an anime, but also in video games and manga, and after 40 years, a gundam is finally being built in real life. This article introduced the moving life-size Gundam planned to be built in Yokohama, alongside the video. Are you excited to see the giant gundam up close? The gundam walking plan to be held in Yokohama is an embodiment of the dreams of many people- that a gundam would move for real someday. Think you can wait 'til October 2020? If this article and video is your first time hearing about the project, or if you're just curious about it, don't forget to visit Yokohama in October! 【Official Homepage】GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA　*Exhibition ends on Sunday, March 31, 2024. https://gundam-factory.net/en/