Japanese lights @ Gajoen Tokyo The goldfish lanterns were very beautiful in the Japanese space.

Vivid Hydrangea @ Aomi, Odaiba There are many colorful hydrangeas. Tokyo's hidden gems

Summer clock grass @ Akatsuka Park Itabashi Ward Impressed by plants like clocks

[English] The Olympics have finally arrived in Japan. Although the atmosphere is quieter than usual because of the Corona disaster, the people of Japan are excited by the heated competition every day. In this article, I would like to introduce the unique "event" culture of Japan. Normally quiet people turn into different people! Traditional Festivals In Japan, festivals are held all over the country in the summer. Festivals are popular events among foreign tourists, but it is often said that foreigners who see the festivities see something completely different from the usual Japanese. At Japanese festivals, people walk around the city lifting a small house of God called a "mikoshi" with many other people. The people walking with the mikoshi keep shouting loudly and sometimes collide with other mikoshi, to the point where it looks violent. Men, who normally wear suits, participate in the festival in only their underwear, almost naked. Also, perhaps because Japanese people feel more relaxed on festival days than usual, their manners become more lax and many people get into fights. A similar phenomenon is "Halloween". In the last decade, the number of people enjoying Halloween events has increased in Japan, but the bad manners have been in the news every year. It is said that Japanese people are usually very stressed. Festivals may be an outlet for that stress. Let's be careful when we participate! Valentine's Day: The Chocolate Wars In your country, who do you give Valentine's Day gifts to and what do you give them? If you ask our students the same question, they will answer, "I send a bouquet of flowers to a woman on Valentine's Day. This is not the case in Japan. In Japan, it is different. In Japan, Valentine's Day is a day for women to give chocolates to men. Therefore, from the end of January, department stores start to sell high-end chocolates. Men get nervous and restless on the morning of February 14th. Do you think men who get lots of chocolates are happy? Actually, I can't say I'm happy. What's more, there is a day on March 14 called "White Day" when you have to return the gifts you received on Valentine's Day. It is implicitly understood that on White Day, you should prepare a gift that is three times the price of the chocolate you received on Valentine's Day. Do you still want to receive chocolates? Who do you spend Christmas with? In your country, Christmas is an event to spend with whom? In Japan, it is popular as an event to spend with your lover. Also, Japanese people eat fried chicken instead of turkey on Christmas. And most of the people who celebrate Christmas are Buddhists. Christmas in Japan must be full of discomfort for foreigners. Then, on December 26, all the Christmas atmosphere in the city disappears, and all at once it becomes New Year's mode. “Obon" to welcome the dead In the middle of August, there is a day called "Obon" to welcome the dead. During Obon, families wash the graves and welcome the spirits of their ancestors into their homes. There is a mysterious doll that is made at that time. One is a "horse doll" with chopsticks attached to a cucumber, and the other is a "cow doll" with chopsticks attached to an eggplant. It is said that the spirits of the dead ride these "horses" back to their homes and "cows" back to the land of the dead. In some areas, lamps called lanterns are floated down the river to mourn the dead. The scenery is sad but beautiful. In your country, what do you do during Obon? Have you learned anything new about events in Japan? In our school, we have seasonal events and activities. Learning about Japanese events is also a way to learn about the Japanese spirit. Please try to participate in them. The Olympic Games have finally been held in Japan. Since the event is held in Coronavirus pandemic, the atmosphere is quieter than usual, but the people are excited about the heated matches every day. This time, we will introduce Japan's unique "event" culture. People who are usually quiet have changed! Traditional festivities In Japan, festivals are held in various places in the summer. The festival is also a popular event for foreign tourists, but it is often said that foreigners who see the festival see a completely different appearance from ordinary Japanese people. In Japanese festivals, people sometimes walk around the city while lifting a small god's house called a "mikoshi" with a large number of people. People walking with mikoshi keep shouting loudly, and sometimes they collide with other mikoshi, so much so that they look violent. Men who usually wear suits also participate almost naked, now only in their underwear. Also, on festival days, Japanese people are more liberated than usual, so their manners are sloppy and there are many people who fight. A similar phenomenon is Halloween. In the last 10 years, the number of people who enjoy Halloween events in Japan has increased, and their bad manners are in the news every year. Japanese people are usually stressed. Festivals may be an outlet for that stress. Be careful when participating! Valentine's Day Chocolate Sales In your country, who do you give Valentine's Day to? If you ask our students, the answer is, "Valentine's Day sends bouquets of flowers to women." Japan is different. Valentine's Day in Japan is a day when women give chocolates to men. Therefore, from the end of January, the high-end chocolate sales season begins in department stores. Males become fidgety and restless on the morning of February 14. Do you think a man who gets a lot of chocolate is happy? Not really. On March 14th, there is a day called "White Day" when you have to return the gift you received on Valentine's Day. On that White Day, it is an unspoken agreement to prepare a gift that is three times the price of the chocolate you received on Valentine's Day. Do you still want to get chocolate? Who do you spend Christmas with? Who is Christmas with in your country? In Japan, it is popular as an "event to spend time with lovers". Also, the Japanese eat fried chicken instead of Christmas turkey. And most of the people celebrating Christmas are Buddhists. Christmas in Japan must be full of discomfort for foreigners. And on December 26, all the Christmas atmosphere in the city disappears and you go into New Year's mode at once. "Obon" to greet the dead In the middle of August, there is a day called "Obon" that welcomes the dead. Obon washes graves with families and welcomes the spirits of ancestors into their homes. There is a mysterious doll that is made at that time. There is a "horse doll" with chopsticks on a cucumber and a "cow doll" with chopsticks on an eggplant. It is said that the spirits of the dead ride home on this "horse" and return to the land of the dead on a "cow". In addition, there are areas where lamps called lanterns are poured into the river to mourn the dead. The scenery is sad but beautiful. What do you do for Obon in your country? Have you learned anything new about events in Japan? Our school conducts seasonal events. To know Japanese events is to know the heart of the Japanese people. Please join us.

Tomioka Silk Mill in Gunma Prefecture

Nanatsudo Park in Mito City It's a filming location for Thermae Romae

Fukushima Tatsuzawa Fudo Falls Next is revenge for the season of autumn leaves

Scenery of bamboo forest and old railway tracks In Tottori 2021.7.25

Sunflower field 2021.7 In Sayo Town, Hyogo Prefecture

In hot black tea in hot weather.

Hakuba Iwatake Lily Garden & Mountain View #Summer of Japan#Summer#Lily

Komagane Pond is located in Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture. You can see the reflection of the Central Alps.

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine's rim musubi wind chimes Wedding memory place

Although on the ground cicadas chirp powerfully The summit was quiet and cool. 🗻 Beppu, Oita

Sunflower Promise In Sayo Town, Hyogo Prefecture

Summer of Japan From Sakura Furusato Square A rainbow appears in the sunset view of the sunflower field! #Summer

Nomizo Falls #Summer

I went to Fukiwari Falls in Gunma Prefecture. It was so beautiful and my heart was healed just by looking at it!

This is Nabegataki Falls in Kumamoto.

At Toyokawa Inari Night Pilgrimage Dare to give a sense of dynamism to those who move with lanterns Filmed.

I participated in the night visit at Toyokawa Inari Seeing many customers walking with lanterns Inari-sama was watching

It takes place on Mount Yotei cap cloud On this day, when I looked at Mt. Yotei from Makkari Village, luckily there was a cap cloud and it flowed calmly.

In a corner of Yudanaka Onsen in Yamanouchi Town, Kita Shinshu Prefecture. I enjoyed the evening while watching the bamboo candles. The handmade bamboo candles were shimmering wonderfully, and I felt at ease as if they made me forget the heat of the day.

It is a collaboration of a trapped apple and a sunset.

Ezo Ampurin Rumor has it that this shop 🍮 can only make 18 pieces a day. A surprisingly popular restaurant 💦 that waits half a year for online reservations I found a sign on the move and tried 😊 to visit What a cute 😍 scenery spreads out, and I took a picture again 📷.

[English/Japanese] Things that Surprised Foreign Students When They Came to Japan: Shops 2 This time, I would like to introduce you to some of the "stores" in the city. Bookstores are full of manga, contents that even adults can enjoy What kind of books are available in bookstores in your country? When a foreigner enters a Japanese bookstore, he or she is surprised to see how many manga are available. Manga is one of Japan's most famous subcultures in the world, and I often hear that people are surprised to find that even adults read manga. The famous Doraemon and Dragon Ball are works for children, but there are also many works for adults. For example, there are stories about businessmen succeeding in their jobs or lawyers playing an active role in court. There are also children who study by reading historical and scientific cartoons. Students at the University of Tokyo, which is famous for its high academic achievement, are also encouraged to study manga. It may be a little difficult for those who have just started studying Japanese, but please pick up a manga. You may find your world expanding. Shocking ticket prices! Movie theaters I often hear stories of international students who wanted to go see a movie, went to the movie theater, and then gave up on seeing it. Why is that? It's because the ticket price is too high. In most student countries, it costs less than 1000 yen to see a movie. In Japan, however, an adult ticket costs as much as 1,800 yen to see a movie. That's why people give up watching movies. It varies a little from theater to theater, but if you choose a day when women are cheap or a service day, you can see a movie for about 1,000 yen. Check out the cheap days before you go. Seven Wonders of the Restaurant The salt piled up like Mt. Fuji at the entrance of a restaurant... the flying forks and fake food in the showcase... the small towels served when you sit down... the food that comes to you even though you didn't ask for it... To a foreigner, there are many strange things about Japanese restaurants. ・The salt piled up like Mt. Fuji at the entrance is to pray for business prosperity. ・The flying forks and fake food in the showcase are called "food samples". These are models of food made of wax or synthetic resin. They are very popular among foreign tourists, and many people buy small key chains and other items as souvenirs. ・A small towel is called an "oshibori". A small towel called "oshibori" is used to wipe your hands before eating. ・A dish that you didn't order but which is already ordered... This dish is called "otoshi" and is brought to your table when you enter a restaurant that serves alcohol, such as an izakaya Japanese style pub, even if you didn't order it. The price is about 300 to 500 yen. Have you learned a little about Japanese restaurants? Our school's library has not only a wide variety of books for reading, but also a wide variety of manga, which can be checked out. Let's use manga to understand Japanese culture and go out on the town! What surprised international students when they came to Japan ~Shop edition 2~ This time, we will introduce the "shops" in the city. Bookstores are full of comics, content that adults can also enjoy What kind of books are available in bookstores in your country? When foreigners enter Japan bookstores, they are surprised by the number of manga. Manga is famous around the world as a subculture of Japan, but I often hear that even adults are surprised to read manga. The famous Doraemon and Dragon Ball are for children, but there are also many works for adults. For example, a story about a salaryman succeeding in his job or a lawyer playing an active role in a court case. There are also children who study by reading historical and science comics. Students at the University of Tokyo, which is famous for their high academic ability, are also studying manga. It may be a little difficult for those who have just studied Japanese, but please try it. Your world may expand. I was surprised by the ticket price! movie theater I often hear stories of international students who wanted to go to the cinema and gave up watching it. Why is that? That's because tickets are expensive. In most student countries, it costs less than 1000 yen to watch a movie. However, when watching movies in Japan, the adult fee is as much as 1800 yen. That's why I give up watching movies. It varies slightly depending on the movie theater, but there are days when women can see it for about 1000 yen if they choose a cheap day or a service day. Let's check out the cheap days before going. Seven wonders of restaurants Salt served like Mt. Fuji at the entrance of the restaurant ... Showcase flying forks and fake dishes... A small towel is served when you sit down... Dishes that are brought to you even though you didn't order them ... There are many strange things in Japan restaurants for foreigners. ・ Salt served like Mt. Fuji at the entrance → prayers for prosperous business. Showcase flying forks and fake dishes → called "food samples". Models of dishes made of wax or synthetic resin. It is very popular with foreign tourists, and many people buy small key chains as souvenirs. ・A small towel → called an "oshibori". It is used when wiping hands before eating. ・ Dishes that are ordered even though you did not order them: It is a dish called "otsushi" and is mainly served in izakaya and other restaurants that serve alcohol, and when you enter the store, it is brought to the table even if you have not ordered it. The price is about 300~500 yen. Do you know a little about Japan store? Our library has not only extensive reading books but also a wide variety of manga, which can be borrowed. Let's understand the culture of Japan with manga and go out into the city!

Peace and safety next year May the yamaboko procession be administered. @祗園祭

After the rainy season, you can feel summer all at once. The rain stopped and it got hot in no time. I began to hear the voices of cicadas. The photo shows hydrangeas at Hasedera Temple. It was beautiful again this year.

In the strong sunlight, at a nearby shrine It was as if wind chimes swaying in the breeze were dancing

It was my first time photographing the starry sky. There are so many invisible stars .... I was 🥺 impressed