Official Author

児玉 勇（Yu Kodama）

The center of Japan! What is Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture? Gifu City Sightseeing Spots Video Introduction This video is titled “Gifu City Promotional Video [Original Version],” and is produced by "Gifu City Official Channel." Gifu City, Gifu in the Tokai region of Japan, is located in pretty much the dead center of Japan. Therefore, the city is sometimes referred to as “the belly of Japan.” Being the capital of Gifu Prefecture, the city is full of tourist spots, such as the clear Nagara River flowing through the city center, and the verdant Mt. Kinka. Gifu has many traditional crafts, including Gifu Wagasa (Japanese umbrellas), Gifu Chochin (lanterns) and Gifu Uchiwa (fans). These crafts have helped the everyday life of locals and are perfect for souvenirs! It's only about 18 minutes from Nagoya City on the JR Tokaido Line, and with easy access to the city, it's become popular in recent years as a good spot for domestic travel. This article introduces the tourist spots, traditional events and food in Gifu. Enjoy famous tourist spots in Gifu to your hearts content. Be sure to follow along with the video! Recommended Tourist Destinations in Gifu Photo：Mt. Kinka (金華山, kinkazan) Gifu has many scenic spots and popular places like Mt. Kinka (金華山, kinkazan), Nagara River (長良川, nagaragawa), Gifu Castle (岐阜城, gifujo), also known as Inabayama Castle (稲葉山城, Inabayamajo), Nagaragawa Ukai (cormorant fishing), latticework architectures, and the Great Buddha Hall of Shohoji Temple (正法寺, shohoji), and many more. The Gifu Great Buddha here is known as one of the "Three Great Buddha" of Japan. The Gifu Great Buddha appears at 2:56 in the video. You can feel the godliness of his gentle stare, as if he was smiling down at you, just by watching the video. A lot of events and festivals, such as the firework festival at Nagara River, Tejikara Fire Festival, Gifu Half Marathon, Dairyuji Lantern Festival and Ayu-kuyou are also held here, and the city is attracting an increasing number of both domestic and overseas tourists. The footage of the Tejikara Fire Festival starts at 3:37 in the video. You can see a spectacular pillar of flame spread across your screen! The History and Traditional Ceremonies of Gifu Photo：Nagaragawa Ukai At Nagara River in Gifu, the 1300-year-old Nagaragawa Ukai is held. During the evening, fishermen in traditional garments climb aboard boats with fishing fires and fish sweetfish in the clear river. Nagara River appears at 0:31 in the video. You can see the beauty of the river through the footage. Gifu has played an important role in connecting Kyoto and Nagoya (Owari) since ancient times, and the city developed as the Rakuichi Rakuza market was established in the city center during the Azuchi Momoyama period (1573 – 1598 AD). The market was a part of the economic policies made by Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi with the aim of revitalizing the economy by opening a market in the castle town of Gifu and reducing taxes. Oda Nobunaga, one of the most famous warriors of the Sengoku period, appears with Gifu Castle at 0:56 in the video. Thanks to the success of the market, many historical sites, post-towns and red-light districts appeared around Gifu, and you can still see geisha and geiko, a reminder of the prosperity of those days. The Azuchi Momoyama period is an important turning point in the history of Japan, with the relationship between samurai and townspeople, the Rakuichi-Rakuza market system is said to have become a model for the economic policies that brought about the era of peace in the Edo period (1603 – 1868 AD). Local Food in Gifu Photo：Hida beef Gifu is also renowned for its hot springs. Gifu Grand Hotel in the city center has a hot spring facility, and similar inns and hotels with hot spring facilities are dotted around Gifu Station. The footage of the relaxing hot spring facility starts at 3:52 in the video. When it comes to food in Gifu, Hida beef is something you have to try. Tourists can enjoy Japanese cuisine using ingredients from the local mountains, including Hida beef steak/hot pot, sweetfish dishes and Botan nabe in Gifu. Summary of Sightseeing in Gifu Located in deep mountains, the large city of Gifu is surrounded by a rich natural landscape. The video shows a lot of tourist spots that we weren't able to cover in the video. Please enjoy the attractive city of Gifu city, in Gifu Prefecture, through the video! As Gifu is located near Nagoya, be it as a stepping stone in your trip to Nagoya or your main destination, definitely come visit Gifu and experience delicious food, history, culture, and beautiful scenery! 【Official Website】Website of the Gifu City Office https://translate.google.co.jp/translate?hl=ja&tab=wT&sl=auto&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.city.gifu.lg.jp%2F

The Popular Tourist Destination, Matsumoto This video, titled “Matsumoto Area Sightseeing Excursion” (松本地域観光周遊プラン動画), is a promotional video for Matsumoto produced by the “Matsumoto Region Union” of Matsumoto City Office. The city of Matsumoto, the second largest city in Nagano Prefecture, in Japan's Koushin'etsu Region, is a former castle town surrounded by the Japanese Alps, with Japan's national treasure Matsumoto Castle at its center. Its population is 240,415 as of June, 2019. Since the city of Matsumoto was unaffected by the allied bombing in WW2, plenty of valuable landmarks and cultural properties still remain in and around the city today. Movies and TV shows are often set in the city; visiting Matsumoto is a must when traveling around Nagano Prefecture. There are quite a few famous tourist spots in Matsumoto that are also featured in the video. As well as the natural landscape, culture, history, cuisine, and so on. Which one caught your eye? Sightseeing and Instagrammable Locations Around Matsumoto Photo：Matsumoto Castle Matsumoto Castle, a national treasure, is undoubtedly the most instagrammable spot around Matsumoto. Matsumoto Castle's towers against a backdrop of nature are shown at 0:15 in the video. Of course, there's much more to see than just the castle; there are a myriad of hidden gems throughout the city where you can enjoy the seasonal scenery of Matsumoto as well. Places rich in nature such as Takabocchi Highlands, Sashikirikyo, and Lake Hijiri are famous for their beautiful scenery. For example, Kiritoshi, a road cut through the hilly terrain, leading to Zenko Temple. There's also the mountainous villages of Asahi, Yamagata, Omi, and Ikusaka that pass on the traditions of good old Japan. Kamikochi (0:29) is a popular resort in the Northern Japan Alps with two million visitors each year; it offers one of the most famous mountain views in the country. You can both go on a hike and try mountain climbing here as well. Kamikochi, a prominent mountain resort, has attracted many foreign visitors in recent years as hiking and mountain trails at the foot of Mt. Yakedake (burning mountain) have been well developed. Photo：Kappa Bridge The hiking trail through a virgin forest, starting from Kappa Bridge to Myojin Bridge around Myojin Pond, is another great way to see the natural scenery, and is very popular. The shiny emerald color of the rivers and ponds is incredibly beautiful. Walter Weston, an English missionary, introduced the Japanese Alps to the world for the first time in the early 1900’s. He is called the father of modern mountain climbing; Weston Monument, a relief to honor his memory, is situated on the gigantic rocks facing Mt. Kasumizawa and Mt. Roppyaku. The Weston Festival is held annually in June. In terms of lodging, there's Kamikochi Onsen Hotel, Kamikochi Imperial Hotel, and Kamikochi Taishoike Hotel. For reservations and pricing, please refer to the official website. These tourist hotspots are shown throughout the video, so be sure to check out what Matsumoto has to offer. The local horse race held in Takabocchi Higlands (1:10) is another popular event. Seeing the race horses running before your eyes is an exhilarating experience. If you go up north a bit, Chikuhoku Village (2:25) will welcome you with Shunara Buddha Stone Statues and Mount Kamurigi, also called Ubasuteyama after an old fable. There are many other tourist spots, such as Kiritoshi, in the area. You can also get a taste of art at the Matsumoto Museum of Art in downtown Matsumoto. The History of Matsumoto Photo：Narai-juku Matsumoto is now a part of central Nagano Prefecture, and one of the most famous places in the city is Kaichi School, the oldest elementary school in Japan. It's often featured in the media, and is registered as an important cultural and historical property. There are many other places to visit in Matsumoto, but if you're looking for a place to walk around, Narai-juku is the best place to visit. Narai, located in the middle of Nakasendo, flourished as a prominent post town. It was once referred to as "Narai of a Thousand Houses." It used be at the highest altitude among all the 11 towns of Kiso; the townscape is registered as an "Important Preservation District of Historic Buildings." Dining in Matsumoto Photo：A Watermill at Azumino Daio Wasabi Farm, Nagano Prefecture The area around Matsumoto is known for its deep mountainous villages and harsh weather, yet these very conditions make it possible for you to enjoy the rustic food of the mountains. The countless local products include Shiojiri Grand Wine, Azumino soba noodles, wasabi from Daio Wasabi Farm, Ikusakarat, premium branded grapes of Ikusaka village, and various highland vegetables which are grown utilizing the high altitude. In addittion, Karasawa Soba Village boasts seven soba restaurants on a single street. You should try Takana-meshi (rice), a leading local specialty of Nagano. Takana (mustard leaf) is very popular as a souvenir as well. Furthermore, the Shinshu Region, where Matsumoto is located, is the second largest apple producer in the country ranked second only after Aomori Prefecture. The smell of sweet apples fills the orchards of Misato in the fall. The video shows ripe apples at 1:48. There are 14 major streets in the downtown area around Matsumoto Station. Nakamachi and Nawate Street provide you with a plethora of cafes, sweets parlors, and ramen restaurants; you can pick any of them for lunch or enjoy several as you eat your way through the area. Summary of Matsumoto, Nagano There are numerous fun-filled sightseeing spots around the city where you can take in the magnificent scenery and sweeping views. We can’t cover all the attractions here, but the video, “Matsumoto Area Sightseeing Excursion,” shows everything you need to know about the beautiful city. Once you see the images yourself, you'll be packing your bags in no time! Come check out Matsumoto- It'll be an experience you won't soon forget!

Ehime Prefecture's Matsuyama City, Toon City, and Tobe Town! This video was created by "[Matsuyama City Official] Sightseeing PR Channel- matsuyama-sightseeing" (【松山市公式】観光PRチャンネル - matsuyama-sightseeing), and is a sightseeing PR video for Ehime, titled "Matsuyama City, Toon City, and Tobe Town. Wide Range Sightseeing Video"（「松山・東温・砥部」広域観光映像）. Matsuyama City is the capital of Ehime Prefecture, and the largest city in Shikoku, with a population of over 500,000. In the Edo period (1603-1868), it flourished as a castle town centered on Matsuyama Castle. Today still, it has a rich atmosphere with Matsuyama Castle and Dogo Onsen Bekkan Asukano Onsen, the oldest hot spring inn at Dogo Onsen. It's chock full of history. It is also has ties to important cultural figures such as Masaoka Shiki and Natsume Soseki, and has become a stage for many Japanese literatures, such as "Botchan" and "Sakano Ueno Kumo." It is visited by many tourists every year. In this video, we introduce the charms of Toon city, a mountain pass adjacent to Matsuyama city, and Tobe town, referred to as the village of pottery and mandarin oranges. Let's visit the popular tourist spots around Matsuyama city! Spring Highlights - Shigenobugawa Riverbed Cherry Trees Photo：Matsuyama Castle Matsuyama Castle is famous as the largest tourist spot in Ehime Prefecture. It's introduced from the beginning of the video, at 0:10. Historic Japanese buildings also attract many visitors every year. The beauty of the illuminated Matsuyama Castle Garden and the sunset is a sight to behold. 2:13 in the video has some superb views of these. Matsuyama city is warm and has little rainfall, making it a comfortable place to stay, and you can enjoy various activities there as well. In particular, the cherry blossoms lining the Shigenobu River connecting Toon City and Matsuyama City is spectacular. It is a must-see for anyone sightseeing in Matsuyama City. The video also shows some stunning cherry blossom spots from 0:15. In addition, you can see the natural scenery of Choushi Falls in Tobe Town, the fresh greenery of the Hirota area, Mt. Tobe, and the cabbage fields in the area. As you can see, there are many instagrammable places to see around Matsuyama City in the spring. Shiogamori Furusato Park, the Youkou cherry blossoms of Akasaka Izumi, and the Nanaori Koume are also worth checking out when sightseeing in Matsuyama. Summer Highlights - The Mitsuhama Fireworks Festival Photo：Mitsuhama Fireworks Festival Matsuyama city in summer is also full of attractions! Our top recommendation is the Mitsuhama Fireworks Festival, the climax of the Matsuyama Port Festival. You can see a magnificent view of 10,000 fireworks coloring the night sky in Matsuyama City. This is shown at 0:53 in the video. It's a popular event visited by about 230,000 people. Ehime Prefecture is one of the most prominent mountainous areas in Japan, and there are many terraced paddy fields on steep slopes. At sunset, you can see a stunning collaboration of ears of rice, the fresh green of the surrounding mountains and the reddish-brown sky, and you will be able to see the original landscape of Japan that was almost forgotten. At sunset, you can see a collaboration between the ears of rice and surrounding mountains as they blend in with the madder red sky to create a scenery of a Japan long forgotten. Taking a leisurely stroll along the riverside in Mitsu is a great way to cool off as well. Autumn Highlights - Autumn Leaves in the Namegawa Valley Photo：Namegawa Valley The fall of Matsuyama, where the sea and the mountains are close together. Autumn is a colorful season in Matsuyama. The sea and mountains are nearby, and the changing of the leaves makes for a wonderful sight. There are plenty of places to visit as well, such as Namegawa Valley, Karasaki Falls, Senba Valley, Touritani Pond, Shiraino Falls, and more. The red color of Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture is introduced at 1:47 in the video. Fall is also sports season! That being said, it's nice to go jogging while enjoying the autumn leaves at Toon City General Park. You can also experience the winter season with the entirety of Namegawa Valley covered in snow from 2:27. Enjoying the beauty of nature throughout the four seasons is one of the attractions of Matsuyama, Toon, and Tobe in Ehime Prefecture. Sightseeing Information for Tobe-Cho Tobe is known for its pottery and mandarin oranges. The vast orange fields in Tobe are introduced at 2:41 in the video. Tobe ware, a traditional Japanese craft and intangible cultural property, is a style of pottery with a history of more than 240 years. To this day, Tobe is still one of Japan's leading pottery towns. The workshop in Tobe, where you can experience pottery making, is a popular tourist spot, and there are plenty of souvenirs made using Tobe-cho's specialty oranges. Dining in Matsuyama Matsuyama City is also known as a fishing town, being home to both Matsuyama and Mitsuhama Ports. The red sea bream is particularly famous, so when you come to Matsuyama, we recommend trying out the famous sea bream rice near the hotels, historical sites, and Dogo Onsen. Summary of Sightseeing in Matsuyama Photo：Matsuyama city In this article, we introduced sightseeing spots in Matsuyama city, Toon city, and Tobe town in Ehime prefecture, and in the video, we're shown beautiful 8K images of them. Matsuyama City is a place where you can enjoy seafood and local cuisine with little rainfall throughout the year. There are many sightseeing spots besides Matsuyama Castle and Dogo Onsen too, so we recommend checking them out when you have time. Be sure to watch the video created by the "Municipal Tourism Cooperation Promotion Council" led by Matsuyama City. Are you packing your bags for Ehime yet? 【Official Website】Matsuyama City, Ehime City http://translate.google.co.jp/translate?hl=ja&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.city.matsuyama.ehime.jp%2F

Introducing a NYC Sushi Chef! This video, titled "Chef Masaki Saito’s Fish Aging Techniques Earned Him Two Michelin Stars — Omakase Sushi," was produced by "Eater." The video features an interview with a sushi chef active in New York City! The culture of Japanese food is now popular all over the world, with things like sushi and kaiseki cuisine. In fact "Washoku" has been registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Now, this food culture is spreading worldwide. In the business world, having lunch meetings over healthy Japanese food has become a common practice. In this video, we'll introduce a sushi chef from "Sushi Ginza Onodera New York" while exploring the essence of Japanese cuisine. After watching this video, you'll understand why Japanese cuisine is loved all over the world. Sushi - The Representative of Japanese Cuisine Photo：Sushi Sushi is a traditional Japanese food that combines vinegar rice with seafood. It has a long history, and was first created around 4th century BC by the people of Southeast Asia. The people of that time preserved fish using fermented rice, leading to the first rendition of sushi. There are numerous types of sushi, including: nigiri sushi, hand-rolled sushi, inarizushi, chirashizushi, gomoku sushi, barazushi, oshizushi (pressed sushi), chakin sushi, temari sushi, sousaku sushi (creative sushi), narezushi, datemaki sushi, futomaki sushi, shima sushi, sasamaki sushi, funazosuhi, kakinoha sushi, meharizushi, mackerel sushi, matsumae sushi, Osaka sushi, battera, raw sushi, warm sushi, dodomese, inakazushi, sakezushi, and more! Sushi is made with different methods and ingredients all over Japan, with various areas having their own specialty sushi. In Japan, there are many popular sushi restaurants in areas where fresh fish is easily available. These areas include Hokkaido, Tsukiji and Ginza in Tokyo, Toyama Prefecture, Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, Fukuoka City, and more. Upon hearing the word "sushi," many people think of long-established luxury sushi restaurants, and start worrying about their wallet. However, there are actually many conveyor belt sushi restaurants, which are popular for their cheap prices. Popular sushi ingredients include medium fatty tuna, salmon, onion and tuna, salmon roe, sea urchin, and seasonal fish. What's your favorite sushi ingredient? Do note that there is a unique etiquette when it comes to eating sushi, as well as specialized terms with rice being called "shari" (シャリ), and ginger called "gari" (ガリ). Masaki Saito, the New York Sushi Chef Whose Restaurant Boasts 2 Michelin Stars Source :YouTube screenshot This video introduces chef Masaki Saito of "Sushi Ginza Onodera New York." He talks about the essence of sushi which he tries to bring across in his restaurant. Saito was born in Hokkaido, and has been familiar with seafood since he was a child. You might even say that it was predestined that he become a sushi chef. That might sound like an exaggeration, but if you watch the video you'll probably think so too! Many people in Japan think that sushi is merely a combination of vinegar rice and slices of raw fish. However, in actuality, the original edomae sushi required a lot of effort to marinate kombu (kelp), pickle side dishes, and roast ingredients. What's more is, it takes a lot of skill and effort not to spoil the raw flavor of the ingredients. This is the essence of the craftsmanship that can only be found in Japanese cuisine. From 1:29 in the video, Saito states that "salting and dehydration keeps the ingredients fresh," and from 3:36, he adds that marinating the kombu brings out the unique umami and aroma of the Hokkaido kombu used, adding flavor. From 1:44 in the video, he introduces the preparation process for Aori ika (bigfin reef squid). The squid is first cleanly sliced with a knife. He explains that, If you use too much heat, the ingredients will become cooked, but what you want is to preserve the freshness. At the same time, heat is needed to sterilize the ingredients. That's why careful heat management is crucial. Next, from 2:54 in the video, he states that the use of vinegar depends on the type of fish, and fish can also be cured using soy sauce or soup stock. In the world of sushi, "simmering" does not mean boiling ingredients in soup and then keeping it cooking for a long time, but rather, letting it pass through hot soup stock for a short time. There are a few aging techniques for maintaining the fresh flavor of the ingredients. These techniques include "fermenting" (漬け, zuke) in vinegar or soy sauce, lightly "broiling" (炙る, aburu) the surface of the ingredients, and "finishing" (〆る, shimeru) with salt or vinegar. Although Japan is the birthplace of Japanese cuisine, the essence of such craftsmanship is often forgotten. In fact, we might be so used to Japanese food that we take all this for granted, never having a chance to appreciate the depths of the effort that goes into our cuisine. Which is why, now that the world is gaining an appreciation of Japanese cuisine, we should all take this amazing opportunity to understand the essence of sushi and Japanese cuisine. Isn't Aging the Sushi Considered Cooking It? Source :YouTube screenshot According to Saito, aging is not part of the cooking process. Cooking is a technique where heat is spread evenly throughout the ingredients, with condiments added for flavor. This way, the protein that the animal had when it was alive is weakened. However, "aging," which was discovered in Japan in the latter half of the 1800's, is a technique for maintaining the raw state of the ingredients for as long as possible. Thus, the diminishing of protein is minimized, and the texture and flavor of the raw ingredients is not affected." Therefore, you could also say that if the ingredients are not fresh, they are not suitable for aging. This can be seen from 0:27 in the video. The aging techniques are so familiar to us in Japan that they practically go unnoticed by anyone not aiming to become a sushi chef or other kind of chef. In fact, it might only be when you see Japanese cuisine from an outside perspective that you realize just how advanced these techniques can be. The Essence of Japanese Food in New York, Where Cultures from Around the World Intersect Photo：New York Even in the United States, which has the world's largest economy, New York is an especially large city where cuisine and cultures from all over the world co-exist and intermingle. If you go sightseeing in New York, you can enjoy all-you-can-eat sushi in a casual setting, or even order delivery. As the land where pizza delivery was born, food delivery is a popular service in the United States. Additionally, through food reviews on the internet, you can see the deep knowledge that New Yorkers have about Japanese cuisine. Outside of Japan sushi is evolving, with new recipes, such as rolled sushi and California rolls. Nowadays, sushi chefs who have graduated from sushi academies are active all over the world, but New York in particular has a thriving market. Japanese cuisine in New York is a mixture of gems and stones, but "Sushi Ginza Onodera New York" is truly a gem where you taste traditional Japanese sushi made using genuine techniques. Summary of the Sushi Chef of Sushi Ginza Onodera Photo：Sushi If you happen to visit New York, definitely stop by "Sushi Ginza Onodera New York" to experience the essence of Japanese cuisine. Comparing sushi from outside of Japan to the sushi you can find within Japan is a great way to experience how different cultures intermingle to create new flavors! Today, Japanese cuisine is loved all over the world, to the point that you can enjoy genuine Japanese food even in New York. For Japanese people, eating some familiar Japanese food can even help with eliminating jet lag lol. If you still haven't yet, be sure to check out the video to see the amazing techniques used by the sushi chef at Sushi Ginza Onodera New York! 【Official Website】Sushi Ginza Onodera New York https://www.sushiginzaonoderanewyork.com/ 【Yelp】Sushi Ginza Onodera New York https://www.yelp.com/biz/sushi-ginza-onodera-new-york-2

Kyoto Yamashina Gishi Matsuri - A Celebration of Japanese History This video, titled "Kyoto Festival: 47 Rōnin March (Gishi Matsuri) [4K]," was produced by "Discover Kyoto." Yamashina, located in the western area of Japan’s ancient capital Kyoto, is a small basin surrounded by rich natural scenery and mountains on three sides. Here, there is a festival related to Ako Roshi, or the 47 Ronin, famous from Chushingura. That festival is the Kyoto Yamashina Gishi Matsuri (festival), introduced in the video. Chushingura is well known among Japanese people. Although there are many places in Tokyo related to Chushingura, such as Edo Castle, Lord Kira's Residence, and Sengakuji Temple, there is a scene called Act 9: Yamashiro Kankyo no Ba (Yamashiro's Retreat) in "Kanadehon Chushingura," which is a script of Ningyo Joruri (a Japanese puppet show) and Kabuki, and the story’s setting is in Kyoto. This is the land where one of the key members of Chushingura, Oishi Kuranosuke, lived in hiding until he was killed, so there are many so there are many historical sites associated with the 47 Ronin. Because of this historical connection, "Yamashina Gishi Matsuri” is held on December 4 every year, where a procession of the samurai troops in their battle costumes parades through the town (video 1:12), and reenactments of Chushingura’s famous "Ninjo Matsu no Roka," "Seppuku," "Renbanjo Aratame," "Raid, "Oishi Ondo" (video 2:50-) as well as the "Genroku Hanami Dance" by women, liven up the festival. Enjoy the video of Kyoto's Yamashina Gishi Matsuri, which will have you feeling as though you've traveled back in time to the Edo period! The Parade Course of Kyoto's Yamashina Gishi Matsuri Source :YouTube screenshot In front of the main hall of Bishamon-do, there is a departure ceremony early in the morning that all members attend. This can be seen in the video at 0:55. The group, dressed as Oishi Kuranosuke and his loyalists, departs from Bishamon-do and walk through the area to Ako Oishi Shrine via the Kyoto City Tobu Culture Hall. Bishamon-do, where the 47 Ronin depart from, is a temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism that enshrines Bishamonten In fact, this Bishamon-do plays an important role in the Chushingura story. The treatment of the 47 Ronin after killing Kira Kozukenosuke was complicated and opinions were divided in the Bakufu (government). Troubled by this, Tokugawa Tunayoshi, the shogun at the time, asked Kōben-hosshinnō his opinions on the matter. Koben recognized the allegiance of 47 Ronin, but at the same time, told Tsunayoshi that giving death is also a mercy. They were ordered to commit seppuku (ritual suicide), and it is said that their bodies were buried in Sengakuji Temple in Tokyo. Therefore, with the advice from Koben, the warriors' were able to fulfill their duties, and Bishamon-do became the starting point of the Yamashina Gishi Matsuri parade. Incidentally, the present Bishamon-do was moved to the grounds of Anshoji Temple in 1665, after it was abolished during the Onin War. Access to Bishamondo, the starting point of Yamashina Gishi Matsuri, is a 20-minute walk from JR Yamashina Station. The History of the Yamashina Gishi Matsuri in Kyoto, and Access to the Area Photo：Kyoto・Bishamon-do Yamashina, Kyoto is a famous sightseeing place in Japan, with rich natural scenery and many historical locations. Yamashina Gishi Matsuri is an event related to Chushingura, but there are other famous places, such as Zuishinin where the female poet Ono no Komachi, who was active in Heian period (794-1185), lived, and the area is also the where the ancestors of Murasaki Shikibu lived. Arashiyama and Kiyomizudera Temple are famous places to view the autumn foliage in Kyoto They're also great for learning about the history of Japan, so be sure to check them out if you have the chance. It takes about 5 minutes to get to JR Yamashina Station from Kyoto Station. It's usually very crowded on the day of the event, and it is difficult to find a parking space, so we recommend using public transportation. Summary of Kyoto's Yamashina Gishi Matsuri Source :YouTube screenshot The Yamashina Gishi Matsuri Photo Contest is also held on the day of Yamashina Gishi Matsuri. Besides the 47 Ronin parade, there are many highlights such as Gomataki, which is introduced at 2:11 in the video. This traditional festival, which tells the story of Japan's historical romance, is something you don't want to miss! Enjoy the heroic ranks of the 47 Ronin, dressed for battle, in 4K!

Introducing Pufferfish Nukazuke This video, titled "Pufferfish “Nukazuke”: Delicacy from a Deadly Fish | Nippon.com: Japan in Video," was released by "Nippon.com: Japan in Video." Pufferfish contains a highly lethal dose of a poison called "tetrodotoxin" in its ovaries and liver. However, in Hakusan, Ishikawa and the Kanaishi District and Ono District of Kanazawa, there is a delicacy called "Fugu Nukazuke" (Pufferfish Nukazuke) which is eaten by fermenting the dangerous blowfish ovary for more than 2 years. It is only in this area of Ishikawa prefecture in Japan that the ovary of the pufferfish, which is prohibited by the Food Sanitation Law, is used as food. The ingredient used is Takifugu stictonotus ("Goma Fugu" in Japanese), which has particularly large ovaries and is good for eating. This can be seen from 0:09 in the video. The ovaries of Goma Fugu contain tetrodotoxin. But how do we get rid of this poison? The secret lies in the processing of the Pufferfish Nukazuke. Be sure to follow along with the video as you read this article! How the Delicacy, Pufferfish Nukazuke, Is Made Source :YouTube screenshot To pickle puffer fish, raw ovaries taken from the Goma Fugu are spread in a 1000 liter container and soaked in salt water with a concentration of 30%, for 1-1.5 years. The sodium contained in the salt has a dehydrating effect, and the water inside the ovaries becomes mostly depleted causing them to harden. From here, the ovaries are soaked in a fermented rice bran bed containing rice koji and chili peppers. At this time, they cover the ovaries with a wooden lid so that they do not come into contact with the air, and place a heavy stone on the lid. Then, in order to prevent oxidation, a kind of fish sauce stock called "Ishiru," made from sardines, is poured into the edge of the barrel. The tissue samples of the ovaries that have been soaked in fermented rice bran for six months to a year in this way are collected, and after the tetrodotoxin test results, they are shipped as commercial products if they are judged to have no effect on the human body. In the video, you can see the cook handling the Goma Fugu and removing the ovaries at 0:14. You can see how they're arranged and laid neatly in a huge container from 0:26 in the video. The finished Pufferfish Nukazuke, taken out of the fermented rice bran bed, is shown in the video from 1:11. Traditional Japanese Nukazuke Photo：Nukazuke Nukazuke is a traditional Japanese fermentation technique, but the scientific evidence for detoxifying lethal toxins such as tetrodotoxin has not been established. However, it is thought that tetrodotoxin may be broken down via the action of microorganisms and lactic acid bacteria that are born during the fermentation process. Since the time when medicine and science were still underdeveloped, the raw ovaries of the highly poisonous Goma Fugu were carefully fermented over a period of more than two years to transform them into harmless luxury foods. The depth of the history of some Japanese cultures is quite astonishing. Summary of Pufferfish Nukazuke Source :YouTube screenshot An amateur cannot make Pufferfish Nukazuke because a cooking qualification license is required to handle pufferfish. Pufferfish nukazuke is a very popular luxury food, and a specialty of Ishikawa prefecture, because the only manufacturer of Pufferfish Nukazuke is Ishikawa prefecture. Eaten as is, Pufferfish Nukazuke is delectable. br> It makes a great side dish with rice and sake, and it also can be used as a seasoning, so there are various Japanese foods you can use it with. Consider giving it a try!

The mega hit animation “Saint Seiya” This is the official trailer of “ Saint Seiya : Knights of the Zodiac（『聖闘士星矢: Knights of the Zodiac』予告編 - Netflix）” released by Netflix Japan. Saint Seiya is the space fantasy comic made by Masami Kurumada. The comic series began in December, 1985, featured in the popular manga anthology Weekly Shonen Jump. The comic was designed on the assumption that it would be adapted as an animated TV series. It had battle uniforms featuring zodiacs that main characters wore called “Crosses” and plastic models of characters were a huge hit with fans. 　 Source :YouTube screenshot The story of Saint Seiya is made based on ancient Greek mythology. The comic depicts the activities of five bronze saints such as the saint "Pegasus Seiya" who protects the Earth from evil with Saori (an incarnation of the goddess Athena), Dragon Siryu, Cygnus Hyouga, Phoenix Ikki, Andromeda Shun, as well as the gold saints. You can see the battle scenes involving bronze saints (in this video clip) at 0:47. Currently, “Saint Seiya NEXT DIMENSION – Pluto Myths” is still being serialized in Weekly Shonen Champion. Saint Seiya became a great hit and firmly established its position in the anime world. Until this animation came along, it was believed that the Space Fantasy Action genre was a favorite among boys. However, the mythology based story that included handsome youths stole the hearts of many young women as well. This animation produced by Toei was released as a spin-off work. Figurines of popular characters are still popular to this day and continue to evolve. The Worldview of Saint Seiya : Knights of the Zodiac Source :YouTube screenshot The Japanese version of Knights of the Zodiac concludes in the realm of Hades. The work released by Netflix Japan however, is a completely original animation using 3D Computer Graphics. Therefore the worldview is completely different from the original version. The biggest difference is that Andromeda Shun, one of main characters, was made as a woman. “The Struts” , a popular English rock band sings the theme song. Voice actors were also completely changed.　 You can hear the Japanese version's theme song in this video. The Controversy Surrounding the Female Andromeda Shun Source :YouTube screenshot The content announced at Netflix's animation works press conference in 2017 shocked fans. That press conference was of the new animation "Saint Seiya, Knights of the Zodiac”. This press conference was exclusively distributed by Netflix through CCXP2018 all over the world. The most controversial point is replacing Andromeda Shun, the most popular character among female fans, with a woman. On SNS, this set off a flurry of reactions among fans. The new animation was also produced by foreign staff at a studio outside of Japan. According to one of the screenwriters, it was determined that they would change the gender of Andromeda Shun to female for the sake of diversity. There were arguments for and against this new animation work. However, most fans say that this is an affront to the original work. The Knights of the Zodiac Video Summed Up Source :YouTube screenshot There are many episodes of the animation version of Saint Seiya, and it has been a favorite of people from all over the world including not only animation and figurines, but also slot machines. The anime, including part 1 and part 2, have been distributed by Netflix since 2020. It hasn't been decided whether or not there will be a commercial DVD release of the Saint Seiya series. When you sign up for Netflix, the Saint Seiya series is available for viewing free for a month, so don’t miss your chance! 【Official Website】 KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC https://www.saintseiya-kotz.com/en/pc/

The Tsushima Leopard Cat - An Endangered Species This video, titled "[Japanese Cats] Ecology of the Tsushima Leopard Cat｜Wild Cat｜Protected Species (Tsushima Leopard Cat)," was produced by “Orange Animal Channel” (オレンジ動物チャンネル). It introduces the endangered Tsushima Leopard Cat. The animal introduced in this footage lives only in the wooded forest area around Tsushima in Nagasaki prefecture. It is a very rare wild cat. Photo：Tsushima leopard cat What is the Tsushima Leopard Cat? The Tsushima cat is classified as a member of the Carnivora order of cats, and its head-to-body length can reach up to about 50 cm for the larger cats. It's safe to say that they are about the same size as house cats. Since 1997, thanks to conservation efforts by the Tsushima Wildlife Conservation Center, surveys have been held and artificial breeding carried out at the Fukuoka Zoo & Botanical Garden. In this video, you'll see a plump Tsushima Leopard Cat. The weight of the wild cats is about 5 kg give or take, and being carnivorous, they mainly feed on small mammals and reptiles. Their life expectancy is around 10 years. Presently, they are designated as an endangered species and a nationally protected species, so they cannot be pets without authorization. You can see the Tsushima Leopard Cat energetically playing around in its cage in the footage. It is a very cute sight to see but every once in a while it looks at you with a piercing gaze, reminding you that while they may be cute, they also want their distance. Source :YouTube screenshot The Life and Characteristics of the Tsushima Leopard Cat Tsushima, the habitat of the Tsushima leopard cat, is an island in Nagasaki Prefecture in Japan's Kyushu region. Most of the island is covered by forest, which is ideal for the nocturnal, solitary Tsushima leopard cat. The difference between stray cats and feral cats is that strays were abandoned or lost and became feral, while wild cats have preserved their species in their long history without depending on humans. At first glance, the Tsushima cat looks very similar to a house cat. However, they have a pattern on the back of their ear called ocelli, which is only seen on wild cats. From 8:49 in the video, you can see the Tsushima Leopard Cat relaxing and staying still, so keep your eyes open for the ocelli pattern. Although wildcats are widely distributed across the Asian continent, the Tsushima leopard cat is said to have its roots in a subspecies of the Bengal wildcat. In addition to the Tsushima leopard cat and Bengal wildcat, Asia is home to the Iriomote wildcat, the lynx, the Korean wildcat, and the Manchurian wildcat, but their populations are all believed to be in decline. Photo：Tsushima, Nagasaki Why Is the Tsushima Leopard Cat an Endangered Species? You might be asking yourself, "How did the cute Tsushima leopard cat's population decline to the point of being listed as an endangered species?" The video also explains the five reasons for the decline in the Tsushima leopard cat's numbers from around 4:57 onwards, and sadly, one of the reasons is humans. This includes when they are trapped and die as a result of vermin control, or when they die in traffic accidents. Photo：Tsushima leopard cat Efforts to Conserve the Tsushima Leopard Cat Going Forward Since 1997, efforts to conserve the Tsushima Leopard Cat have been carried out by the Tsushima Wildlife Conservation Center, and from 2007, artificial breeding has been conducted at domestic zoos, such as the Kyoto Municipal Zoo. Their adorable appearance has been shown on the news and other media, and they became a hot topic of conversation when they were featured at zoos and conservation centers. Currently, in order to prevent its extinction, efforts to conserve the Tsushima cat are expanding with the sale of goods, such as plush toys and the production of Tsushima leopard cat rice. It's important for us to be aware of the importance of coexisting with nature to prevent the extinction of the lovely Tsushima cat, which can only be found in Japan. 【Official Website】Domestic Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora｜The Tsushima Leopard Cat http://kyushu.env.go.jp/twcc/report/pam/leaflet/index.html

Introducing the Okinawa Rail - A Protected Species in Japan This video, titled “Wild Okinawa rail (Kunigami, Okinawa prefecture) May 11th-12th, 2019（野生の ヤンバルクイナ (沖縄県国頭村) 2019年5月11-12日) introduces the Okinawa rail, a protected species on the Red List of the Ministry of the Environment. The Okinawa rail is also a critically endangered species and a Specified National Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. They are flightless birds and live only in Okinawa. This video was taken in 2019 on the street in Kunigami, Okinawa prefecture. The bird is an endemic species found only in northern Okinawa prefecture, Kunigami, Ogimison, and Higashison, and is referred to as "Yanbaru." It's a very rare bird, not only in Japan but also around the world. The forest area located in the northern part of Okinawa is called the Yanbaru Forest. Kunigami Village, where wild Okinawa rail (Yanbaru Kuina) appear frequently, is called the Forest of Kuina. There is an Okinawa Rail Ecology Center, and the Yanbaru Kuina observatory is located there. The Ecology of the Okinawa Rail Photo：Okinawa rail The wild Okinawa rail is characterized by the following morphology and characteristics: ・Birds, Order Gruiformes, Family Rallidae, scientific name: Gallirallus okinawae ・Size: approx. 35 cm in length with a weight of 230 gramst ・Wild distribution：The woodlands near Mt. Yonahatake ・Eating habits：Omnivorous ・Nesting：They build nests on the grounds of the forest, and lay about 4 eggs in breeding season. ・They have vestigial wings and are unable to fly, but parent birds have bright red bills and beautifully striped feathers. Chicks have a protective coloring of deep black feathers. ・Their calls are distinctive, and very loud. The Origins of the Name "Yanbaru Kuina," and the History the Okinawa Rail Photo：Okinawa rail The first discovery of the wild Okinawa rail by experts was in 1981, which is actually quite recent. There are various kinds of Rallidae (rails) around the world, but it gained a lot of attention as the first rail species to be discovered in the wild. In Okinawa Prefecture, they were called by different names such as Agachi, Agacha, and Yamadui, depending on the region, and it turned out that they are a species indigenous to the region with a long history. Therefore, they were named Yanbaru Kuina from Yamadui, which means bird of the mountains, using the Kanji "山原"as a phonetic equivalent (pronounced Yanbaru in Okinawa dialect). Other than Yanbaru Kuina, Yanbaru Fumiru and Okinawa Kuina were other possible names. Summary of Very Rare Okinawa Rail Photo：An Okinawa rail crossing sign The Okinawa rail is an endangered species of wild bird that can only be seen in Yanbaru Forest on the main island of Okinawa. Even in Okinawa Prefecture, you cannot see them on remote islands such as Miyako Island. They are a very rare endemic species. The reasons for the decline in the Okinawa rail's population are due to deaths from car accidents and attacks by alien predators such as mongooses, Yellow fever mosquitoes, and stray cats. At 0:10 in the video, an Okinawa rail is seen crossing the road at a brisk pace, raising concerns about traffic accidents. Japan is still an island country with 70% of its land surrounded by forests, and there are many rare wild indigenous species that are only found in Japan, so it is said to be very important for the protection of indigenous species that we do not pollute the natural environment through overexploitation, nor bring dangerous alien species into the country without care. Currently, the Ministry of the Environment is taking the lead in protecting the Okinawa rail, breeding mates, increasing their numbers, and returning them to the wild. However, it is important not only to protect them strictly, but also to make people widely aware of Okinawa rails. In this way there are goods such as stuffed animals sold at roadside stations and airport shops in Okinawa. These awareness raising activities are also part of the important protection policies.

1966年の東京の姿を動画紹介 こちらで紹介する動画は「MichaelRogge」が公開した「Everyday life in bygone days in Tokyo, 1966 昭和東京」です。 動画で紹介されている1966年（昭和41年）というのは日本がようやく戦後の痛手から立ち直り、1964年の東京オリンピックという一大国際スポーツイベントを大成功のうちに終え、世界に向けて復興を高らかに宣言した直後の年です。 今回はその昭和41年当時の東京を写した貴重な動画を紹介します。 ノスタルジックな感じが満載ですが、東京からは焼け野原と化した戦争の痕跡は消え、高度成長期と呼ばれる経済発展の波の中で庶民の家庭にも三種の神器と言われた「冷蔵庫」「テレビ」「洗濯機」の普及がかなり進んでいることや日本人の食事が和食から洋食に移り変わっていったことも映し出されていて興味深いですね。 1966年の東京の生活 街並みを見ると道路の一部には中央分離帯もなく、バイクもノーヘル、と時代がとてもおおらかだったことを物語っています。 買い物もスーパーやコンビニエンスストアはこの当時は一般的ではなく、商店街が庶民の生活の中心でした。 平屋建ての一軒屋と髪を結い上げ和服に割烹着姿のお母さんという姿も昭和の庶民生活を象徴する風景です。 そして、ちょうど昭和40年代ころから急速に核家族化が始まり、動画のように家にはお父さんとお母さん、そして子供が2〜3人という家族構成が一般的になりました。 この後昭和40年代後半から核家族化の加速による急激な世帯数増加によって東京郊外の至るところに新興住宅地と呼ばれる団地の建設ラッシュが始まります。 労働力にも変化が現れ、土木関係に従事する肉体労働者や商店などの個人経営から工場勤務やサラリーマンへの労働人口のシフトが始まり、職種の多様化による生活様式の急変というのも昭和40年代の特徴と言えるでしょう。 1966年の出来事 それでは昭和41年にどのような社会現象が起こりどんなものが流行したのかを振り返っていきましょう。 ・敬老の日、体育の日が制定される ・東京武道館にビートルズ来日 ・日本の総人口がはじめて1億人を超える ・クイズブーム到来 ・メートル法完全施行 ・東京国立劇場こけら落とし ・全日空ボーイング727型機が東京湾に墜落。日本初の大規模な航空事故となる ・ミニスカートやロングブーツ、サマーセーターやタートルネックなどニット製品が大流行 ・日産サニー、トヨタカローラが誕生 ・「こまっちゃうな」や「しあわせだなぁ」などが流行語になる ・新三種の神器「カラーテレビ」「自動車」「エアコン」が話題になる 今では当たり前となったメートル法や自動車、エアコンなど現代文化がこの時代に生まれたのです。 ノスタルジックな東京の風景紹介まとめ 最後に動画を見て令和元年と昭和41年の東京を比較して変わらないなと思う風景がラッシュ時の殺人的な電車の混み具合です。 これが一番日本文化の中心地「東京」をイメージする風景かもしれません。