Foreign Bloggers To Help Japan Tourism

Yes, do not think that bloggers do not have an influence because Japan had enlisted influential bloggers to woo foreign tourist to Tsunami hit areas.  I think what they want most is for bloggers to assure people that it is safe for them to travel to japan and spend more money.  Japan had been hard hit the last couple of years – so for the government to think of such – I really cannot blamed them.  I see that famous Asian bloggers had already been invited to promote Japan – like Wendy Cheng and Nuffnang representative as well – I’m looking forward to other bloggers input on promoting japan -if you are interested – check out Spanish blogger Roger Ortuno Flamerich and Chicago food blogger Louisa Liu Chu and another muslim blogger from Egypt.

Old Meets New In Japan

I’ve always loved the new part of Japan but loved the old ones as well.  The old buildings in Japan fascinates me immensely – my mom used to say that I should have been an architect but I can’t even draw a straight line – so not good being an architect – but I do have an eye for nice and unique things and Japan’s architectural like Spain unique by itself – but yet different.

You will never see this in the West – there isn’t anyone who does work like this anymore around.  I’ve always called these old Japan builders an artist.

The detailed on the roof is amazing.

A magnificent looking temple in Osaka.

And here is the somewhat new but not modern like in Tokyo yet.

Another beautiful looking piece of artwork in Osaka.

Pool Party For Christmas

While I missed the pool and bbq parties back home where the children can play around the pool safely because of having swimming pool fencing. We can do this here I mean the pool fencing  – but since it is Winter, no one will be having a pool party here.   But I do remember having pool parties in Japan in friend’s home with a pool and hot tub. As I watch their holiday photos on Facebook, I have to say that I’m quite tempted to visit them next Christmas too – to enjoy the sun and the pool. I think I really missed the outdoor pool a lot and the sun tanning one can do when I lived and traveled around Asia. Sure we have our pools here – but we can only use it during the summer and summer isn’t that hot either but yes, we do have the fencing too put around the pool because the kids are always playing outside and we have to make sure that they don’t go in there when they are alone without an adult. Plus, we have younger kids who comes and visit with their siblings and we all know how engrossed kids get when they are playing and they forget their younger ones – so now that we have the fence put up – we don’t have to worry about one falling into the pool when we are not watching. But I could definitely use some pool party right about now.

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.

Ocean Hell, Umi Jigoku, Beppu

Beppu famous for its onsen – it’s a must to visit when you are in Japan – and one of the must visit attraction in Beppu is hells!  yes!  not literally but this volcanic lake is so hot – you an boil an egg in it I hear.  There are 9 hells altogether in Beppu but I find the Ocean hell really beautiful but for 2000 yen – you can visit all 9 Hells.  Of course, there is more to do in Beppu than the hot springs – you can visit the zoo, eat food cook with the steaming hot spring water, enjoy the scenery in Oita Prefecture, eat som Onsen Tamago – go on a cable car ride and many more but that would be another story for another day.

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.

Disney Hotels

For those who’ve been to any disney hotels you know that you would love the ones in Japan too – I’ve compared the ones in Japan to the ones in USA – and they are definitely from the same brand of hotels.  From the restaurants to the service – to the room decor and furnishing plus not forgetting the cute mickey mouse toileteries.

My kid loved the toileteries so much, she asked if we could buy some home – which we did – but we didn’t need to buy them – the housekeeping department was so nice – they gave her some to take home.  The hotels service was good – and the restaurants were definitely catered for children.

Look at the Mickey mouse pancake and you will see how thrilled a kid can get in the morning for breakfast – and even for a fussy eater like mine – she woke up the next day – and dressed up in a hurry to have her mickey mouse pancake again.  We always have a good time in any Disney hotels – be it in USA or in Japan or anywhere around the world.  I’m glad we stayed within the Disney grounds every time we are in Disney for a vacation.

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.