Spooky Tours In Tokyo

Remember the movie - The Grudge?  yup that one !  if you are into that kinda movie - then you have to go for the spooky tours in Tokyo - or was it called the haunted tours?   Entrance is at 3000 Yen and you have to take off your shoes before going in and seriously if you are timid - don’t even think about going for that tour.  You get to listen to all kinds of tales and visit graveyards and temples - and the guide was pretty knowledgeable and the tour was a easy paced.  Great to visit with your teenagers and it gives you a variety of insight on all kinds of scarey tales.  Lilly Fields is the person to contact for this tour.

Getting Married In Japan

So I have a lot of American girlfriends who are married or getting married to Japanese men - now why is that so I teased them ?  but yes ! it’s not uncommon these days - so many Canadians and American women go to Japan for exchange programs and many goes there for teaching and other kind of work.  So when my closest friend’s daughter wrote and told me she is getting married to a Japanese man - I wasn’t really surprised.

So what is the procedure for an American to get married in Japan - I was asked.  Well, besides first getting your partner rings there are some things you have to be made aware of if you want to get married in Japan and be legally recognized so I was told.   In Japan - they called it the civil registration - and you can do it in a Japanese municipal government office.  But of course, you can have the traditional Japanese celebration and the modern Japanese - they do it in church too - but the only legal way to get married is in the government office.

Aerosmith Japan Tour 2011

For those who wants to catch the Aerosmith Japan Tour 2011 - you still got a few more days before the tour ends.  The band started their tour in Japan in late November and has 8 dates to their concert and tomorrow the legendary band plays in Nagoya - Japan.  Aerosmith bass player Tom Hamilton  was said to have bought a special Fender Precision Bass for this tour and why not right?  since his first bass guitar was a Fender Precision - one that he borrowed from a friend - so he said in an interview and he later bought it from his friend.  Of course, now he doesn’t have to buy it from a friend nor borrow a Fender Precision because he can afford any Fender Precision Bass.  Anyhow, it’s an honor to be able to see this legendary band play - so for those who are in Japan - go see them - in Nagoya or Sapporo.

Cosplay In Japan

Cosplay in Japan is a huge thing - from kids to adults - and if you think that Japan is a conservative country - you will change your mind once you’ve seen this.  They gather around Tokyo - from harajuku to Jingu Bridge - that connects to a shrine in Meiji.  But having said that - you can also see come cosplay in Akihibara.

There are many cosplay cafe in Akihabara - fans of cosplay goes there to see cosplay waitress serve them.  They are also known as Maid cafes.  But be careful which Maid Cafes you go into - because some of the waitresses are quite skimpy dressed.

These cosplay folks love the attention - and if you have a camera - they will post for you.  I’ve heard that some don’t like pictures taken - but I’ve never come across them.

Cosplay is not cheap at all - as you can see here - the Japanese takes them seriously and wear everything to detailed.

Very colorful cosplay costume here.

Kids may be a little freak out by the costumes but we loved it.

Deepavali In Japan

I didn’t think they celebrated Deepavali in Japan - but they do - in fact in Yokohama - with such a diverse multicultural residents - it was only too easy to enjoy the celebrations with our other Indian friends living there.   Deepavali - or Diwali as they called it - is the festival of lights.  In Japan - they have the street celebration and lots of Indian food you can purchase to try out.  They also had dances and Bollywood songs that they dance to.  Diwali is celebrated in October in Yokohama.

End Of Obon In Kyoto

I was in Japan, Kyoto to be exact in August one year and learned of a festival that was celebrated in Kyoto with intense.  This festival I heard was all about the ancestors of the Japanese people who they claimed will be visiting them during this Bon festival. At the end of the festival/celebration - up high in the mountains - 4 mountains if i am not wrong - they have these Japanese words placed and a bonfire lighted to show the word - big and a few other words that I cannot remember now.  Street lights are turned off - so that people can see the bonfire from the streets.  It’s a massive turn out if you are in Kyoto - so sometime in August if you are in Kyoto - this is one festival you shouldn’t missed.

Gift For Japanese Host Family

A friend from Canada is going to Japan to teach English - for a year - she will be staying with a host family in Japan during that time.  So she wanted to know what to bring as gift to the host family for allowing her to stay with them rent free.  I’m thinking that this is part of the program in Japan - for bringing foreign teachers to teach for a year - so any gifts would be great and Japanese are usually grateful for your kind thoughts - they don’t really worry about the cost of the gift.  But since there are a few guys in the family - I suggested some padron cigar that she can get at a very reasonable price - and I know some Japanese loved their cigars.   Well, most men love cigars - and I do love the smell of it - I find them less offensive - as compared to cigarette.  So if you are sending gifts to a host family - try the padron cigars.

Hakone Train & Adventures

Hakone is part of a national park and one can take this train up to Mt Fuji - but like most tourists - you won’t get to see Mt Fuji clearly unless you are really lucky because Mt Fuji is known for being a shy mountain.  Many like to take the train because they can get to view the scenery around them - and this is the best time of the year to be taking this train up to Mt Fuji because of the fall foliage.  Of course, people visit Hakone also for its hot spring or onsen.

Some omiyage shops in Hakone

Awesome scenery !

Baby Cafe In Japan

Not much of a baby’s cafe if you asked me - but what do i know right?  plus it’s white in color - now that’s not so smart eh?  but mothers are supposed to be able to gather here and have some beverages while there children play safely - and really i don’t see much to play - but it’s shibuya - and for an hour’s worth of play time for the kids - it will make you poorer by 500Yen.  Children under 7 only - so it’s pretty exclusive - but the Japanese have the money that’s for sure.

Dotonbori Osaka

Whenever I am in Osaka - or if anyone talk about Osaka - I remember this Crab restaurant also known as Kani Doraku ( Kani I think means Crab).  This is a well known landmark for Osaka and Dotonbori Osaka. Steamboat and crabs of course !  not too expensive in my humble opinion - so don’t forget to check it out when you are in Osaka.

The Glico man is another landmark in Dotonbori, Osaka