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.

Sumo Show

I found pictures that was taken many years ago - when I was still living in Japan for 6 months while working for a hotel chain in Asia.  i remembered vividly - how excited i was when my co-workers told me that got me tickets to see a real sumo wrestling show in the sumo stadium called the Kokugikan.  I had never seen a sumo wrestling show before - so I wanted to take lots of pictures and experienced it for myself.

It was a full house night that night and the banners on top of the stage - was the Japanese sumo wrestling association thanking the patrons for filling up the seats.  I saw many tourists and foreigners like myself - and my co-workers were very kind to explain what was going on during the whole event.

I wished we had better seats but for $50 - you can’t really asked for a lot.  The capacity for the stadium was said to be 10,000 - and it sure looked like there were that many people there.  Taking the subway to the stadium is not difficult at all - check with your concierge - and I was told not to book a tour - it’s a waste of money.  Don’t forget to visit the Sumo Museum while you are there - entry is free - but so small - not really worth going - but only my personal opinion.  But I did have fun - even though I didn’t really understand all those huge men trying to throw each other down.

Anpanman Museum

Anpanman is a cartoon that kids in Japan love to watch. Anpan is a very popular sweet bun in Japan. An means red bean jam and pan means bread from the French word pain. Anpanman’s head is made of Anpan.

Anpanman is the hero like Superman and he fights against his rival Baikinman. Baikin means germs and he tries to spread cavity in Children’s teeth. When Anpanman is injured(being bit in his bun head) he goes back to the bakery to get a new Anapan baked. His friends are Currypanman and Shokupanman. What a creative story!! I think his round face makes him a very popular character with children just like Doraemon and Cabbagepatch.

Famous Theater In Ginza

The girlfriend wrote to me after a trip to Japan that the Kabukiza Theatre in Ginza Japan is no longer there - apparently it was torn down in April this year. I went on a search for some pictures that I had taken of the famous theater that I had visited several times when i lived in Japan and even bought some  personalized gifts for family and friends from the theater to bring home.

The Kabukiza was located in Higashi and it’s a traditional kind of theater for art shows for many, many years.  The girlfriend said that they had planned this move since 2008 and staged their last performance for about a year now entitled Kabukiza Sayonara Koen.   But one can watch their matinees at about 11am and also in the evenings at 4.30pm.  The performances usually last for about 5hrs - tickets are sold between 600 - 1200 yen and are usually sold out a day before the acts. If you have been for any performance at the Kabuki, you will know that it is an unique experience.  The reason for the demolition is a new place is needed to within earthquakes - structural safety.

Snow Fest In Japan

The annual snow fest in Japan is held in Hokkaido this year.  My best girlfriend who works with the Toronto hotels would love to travel for the show and was afraid that she couldn’t get a room because of the snow fest.  The snow fest is one of the biggest show in Japan and given that it is entering it is entering its 61 yr - it is an overwhelming experience for even the Japanese much less a foreigner like you and I.

The snow fest will take place from Feb 6 to Feb 11 and if you haven’t booked your hotel yet - you better do it quick because it not only attracts the local but it’s well known internationally too.  I hear that more than 2 million ppl visits during these shows.   One can look forward to ice sculptures, stunning snow decoration and fixtures/buildings, lots of entertainment and of course sample Japan’s most wonderful and delicious cuisine.

The Sapporo Snow Festival began in 1950 by a group of high school students who sculpted six statues along the Odori Park and over the last 61 years, has grown into an international phenomenon rivaled only by Harbin Ice and Snow Festival and the Quebec Winter Carnival!

New Moon Fan Meet Up In Japan

If you think that the vampire shows are only popular in Hollywood, USA and Western countries.. than you are so wrong.  New Moon fans in Japan got to meet their idol Robert Pattinson in early November  and it is really him, definitely no doubles but he might just need  identity theft protection because the fans went crazy for him.. trying to touch him i heard.  He was greeted by screaming fans at Shinagawa Intercity Hall in Tokyo, more British like than American if you asked me. I bet a lot of Japanese girls went ga - ga that day.

Some goodies received during the meet up.

Toyota Showroom In Tokyo

Love the Toyota showroom in Tokyo.. and if you are ever in Tokyo.. you have to go see the showroom.  Going into the showroom is free, you can even test drive the latest model.. but was told that one has to make booking or arrangements way in advance.  There are all sorts of cars - from family vans to sports and convertible, plus buy all your car accessories there. I was there when they had that opening ceremony for the display at Toyota Universal Design Showcase in 2004. Toyota and Matsushita opened the biggest showroom in Japan, i was totally in awe.  So don’t forget to drop in at the Toyota Showroom, opens daily i heard.

Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum

And since i’m on Sake, i thought i might as well.. share the brewery museum with all of you.   This brewery museum is one of the most interesting of the many sake attractions in Kobe’s compact brewery district. It’s actually been put together inside an old sake kura, so unlike a modern museum it really smells like old wood and straw. There are life-size mannequins throughout the big two-story structure, caught in the act of inspecting the mash or stirring the yeast or performing any of the other many sake-making steps that are explained in great detail.

Barrels for the sake, i assume.

Men at work at the brewery

Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum

Open 9:30am-4:30pm (enter by 4pm); closed Mondays.

Admission free.

Tel: 078-822-8907; fax: 078-822-4891.

http://www.hakutsuru-sake.com/

Hanshin Sumiyoshi Station, Kobe (5-minute walk from the station)

Sake Festival

Yearly sake festivals in Tokyo and Osaka are a great place to try out different premium brands from around the country. While you’re there you can also check out the latest fashions in the sake world. Here’s a look at what stylish brewers are wearing these days.

Gem Of Life Episode 8 For My Japanese Friend, Tsuchiyama

My japanese friend Tsuchiyama loves TVB shows like Gem of Life Episode 8 but since she can’t watch it regularly.. i downloaded it on Y.O.U. tube for her.  I knows she really like these Cantonese shows.. and I understand.. that there are some Japanese like her.. who loves Chinese shows.. from Hong Kong . .because they are actually from Hong Kong originally.  When i was in Japan many years ago.. i did see lots of Hong Kong ppl.. and Malaysians.. who migrated there.. and now another blogging friend of mine from Philippines is also there.  Well.. anyhow.. if you want to watch Gem of Life Episode 8 .. just hop over to this blog.