22 Feb 2011: Koban, Travel Tip
What to do when you get lost in Tokyo? If you're a tourist in Japan, it is often advised that if you need directions, just go to a police station, a kōban 「交番」.
It's ... »
67 comments 20 Feb 2011: Toshougu Tourist Crowd, Travel Photo Tip
The Toshougu Shrine from Nikko is one of the most crowded tourist attractions I have seen in Japan, so I have a small tip for you: if you plan to take photos, go there as early as possible. Since the ... »
43 comments 11 Feb 2011: Rokkakudo, the oldest building in Senso-ji
Established in the year 645, Senso-ji Temple is the oldest temple in Tokyo. Since then the temple and its buildings were rebuilt countless times, last time after the World War II, when the temple was ... »
51 comments 10 Feb 2011: Shinagawa Kumin Park Landscape
Shinagawa Kumin Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Tokyo. The park was landscaped in 1987, by filling a part of the Katsushima canal (which, connected to Tokyo Bay, still supplies the water ... »
44 comments 09 Feb 2011: Japanese Advertising, a Pokemon Egg
Last summer, one morning, while passing through the Japan Rail Ueno Station, I discovered on the side of the main hall, a huge... egg: Pokemon EggIt was a Pokemon egg, part of the ... »
53 comments 26 Jan 2011: 12 Views of Rainbow Bridge
Crossing Tokyo Bay and connecting the Odaiba artificial island to the Shibaura Pier, Rainbow Bridge is the largest bridge in Tokyo.
Rainbow Bridge, View from Odaiba
The construction ... »
48 comments 15 Jan 2011: Reflections on Sumitomo Fudosan Akihabara
Once an area characterized by small, narrow constructions, Akihabara is slowly becoming another concentration of high-rise office buildings.
That's too bad in my opinion, because a large part of the ... »
38 comments 09 Jan 2011: Hello Kitty Kawaii Paradise
I wanted to see the Hello Kitty Kawaii Paradise from Venus Fort, Odaiba, even since I first learned about the opening and I finally managed to visit it. Impressions? Quite small, I was expecting ... »
53 comments 24 Dec 2010: Japan Christmas Lights Videos 2010
The first lights for the Winter Holidays are installed in Japan at mid-November and they are kept on until after New Year or even until the St.Valentine's Day.
Nagoya Station photo credit: ... »
36 comments 20 Dec 2010: Lake Ashi Floating Torii
One of the symbols of the Hakone town is the huge vermilion torii from the lake Ashi.
This is a Ryōbu type torii (a gate with four legs) and it was built in 1951, in commemoration of the Peace ... »
41 comments 16 Dec 2010: Hagoita-Ichi
Hagoita-Ichi 「羽子板市」, the Battledore Fair, starts tomorrow at the Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, an interesting event related to the end of the year. ... »
27 comments 14 Dec 2010: Traditional Japanese Room, Tailor Workshop
There are a few places in Tokyo where you can visit century-old buildings featuring a restored original traditional interior. One of these places is the Edo Tokyo Open Air Museum, where besides ... »
39 comments 08 Dec 2010: Kiyosumi Teien Gardens
The Kiyosumi Teien Garden from Fukagawa is one of the oldest, and at the same time the most beautiful Japanese gardens in Tokyo.
The garden was established during the Edo period by a Daimyo and it ... »
42 comments 06 Dec 2010: Daibutsu Face
In the Ueno Park from Tokyo, on the Daibutsu Yama (the Great Buddha Hill), it stands displayed the face of a Daibutsu, the only remnant of a Great Buddha statue built during the Edo period.
The ... »
40 comments 01 Dec 2010: Kobe Luminarie, 25 Photos
From December 2nd to 13th, in Kobe will take place the 16th edition of Kobe Luminarie light festival, an artistic event also known as "sculptures of light", commemorating the 6000 victims of the ... »
48 comments 25 Nov 2010: Tea House at Hama-rikyu Japanese Garden
One of the Hama-rikyu Gardens' main attractions is Nakajima-no-ochaya, the Nakajima tea house. Built over the lake, the tea house is connected with the land by O-tsutai Bashi, a 118 meters bridge ... »
47 comments 22 Nov 2010: A Perfect View from the Window
I was recently asked if I would prefer living in a traditional neighborhood or into an apartment located in a modern condominium building...
The fact is that I am drawn towards modern homes, so I ... »
33 comments 17 Nov 2010: Hikawa Maru
In Yokohama, near Yamashita Park, you can visit one of the most famous Japanese passenger ships, the Hikawa Maru.
Named after the Hikawa Shrine from Omiya (Saitama), Hikawa Maru was built in 1929 ... »
32 comments 13 Nov 2010: Date Masamune's Gate, Otemon
The entrance to the Imperial Palace East Gardens is made through the Ōtemon (meaning the "Great hand gate"), near the Otemachi Subway Station.The original gate was destroyed in 1657 by the ... »
41 comments 07 Nov 2010: Ohtori Shrine
In November, on the days of the Tori (rooster) in the Chinese calendar (November 7th and 19th in 2010), the Tori-no-ichi Fair takes place at the Ohtori Shrine and Chokoku-ji Temple in Asakusa, ... »
28 comments 28 Oct 2010: Children's Attraction at Toshougu
There are many attractions at Toshougu Shrine in Nikko, for tourists of all ages. I noticed that the adults are mostly interested in the Yomeimon Gate, but the children's favorite attraction is the ... »
29 comments 24 Oct 2010: 30 Must Have Souvenirs from Japan... and some Travel Tips
Did ever happened to you to be in a foreign country, to wish to bring home some souvenir and to be unable to decide what to buy? In Japan, this may be an interesting topic, since there are so many ... »
206 comments 18 Oct 2010: Tokyo After Dark
When it comes to Tokyo, we are used to see night photos filled with light. However, late in the night, it comes a time when many lights are turned off and even Tokyo is getting darker. But it's still ... »
54 comments 14 Oct 2010: Kappabashi's Giant Chef
For those who (like me) enjoy cooking, the Kappabashi street is a true paradise. Here you can find anything you need in the kitchen or restaurant, from bakery equipment, furniture (Japanese or ... »
38 comments 11 Oct 2010: Komagatado Hall
In Asakusa, near Komagata Bashi, there’s a small temple, an architectural jewel, which attracts the eyes of the passers by.
The building is new, from 2003, but on this place was built, in 628, the ... »
29 comments 29 Sep 2010: Kidai Shoran - A Glimpse of Life in Japan 200 years ago
Passing through the Tokyo Metro Mitsukoshimae Station, you may notice a huge paper scroll, over 17 meters long, displayed on the wall of the corridor connecting the station with the Mitsukoshi ... »
47 comments 16 Sep 2010: Odaiba Solar Bears
According to NASA, 2010 is the hottest year in the recorded history... you may agree or not, but I felt it that way. :-/
It was over 37 °Celsius (100 °Fahrenheit) when I passed by the Solar Bears ... »
38 comments 14 Sep 2010: The First Tsukudani Shop
Ever since the Edo period, on the Tsukudajima island (today's Tsukishima), the area nearby the Sumiyoshi Shrine was famous for the shops selling tsukudani, a type of food invented here: small pieces ... »
35 comments 13 Sep 2010: 7 Views of Tokyo Sky Tree
It surpassed the height of 400 meters and it is already the tallest artificial structure in Japan. However, it is still in construction, far from the final height of 634 meters...Click on photo ... »
68 comments 06 Sep 2010: 12 Views of Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower was the world's tallest steel tower and a symbol of Tokyo for over 50 years.Now, Tokyo Tower is probably living its last months of glory, until the inauguration of the new Tokyo Sky ... »
76 comments 04 Sep 2010: Kachidoki Bashi
Riding Himiko on Sumida River is great, but if you want to take pictures, I highly recommend one of the "regular" boats. I took this picture from the stern of a Sumida waterbus...Kachidoki Bashi ... »
33 comments 31 Aug 2010: The Oldest Structure in Sumida, Tokyo
One of my sightseeing trips brought me to Sumida, outside the touristic areas, at the Sumidasan Kisshoin Tamon Temple. The gate of this temple, built in 1718, holds the record of being the ... »
28 comments 26 Aug 2010: Miko guide at Shinyosha
There are many buildings at the Toshougu Shrine in Nikko, and each has its own role. The building from this photo is the Shinyosha (Shed of Portable Shrine), the place where the mikoshi are stored. ... »
25 comments 18 Aug 2010: From Genghis Khan to Kamikaze
In the year 1227, on this day of August 18, Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire, died at 65 years old.
His grandson, Kublai Khan, tried two times to invade Japan, in 1274 and in 1281.
... »
29 comments 13 Aug 2010: The Dinosaurs from Roppongi Hills
Do you like dinosaurs? If yes, and if you're in Tokyo, you can admire a series of statues representing 23 dinosaur species.
I discovered this expo, called The Dawn of the Dinosaurs - Dinosaur ... »
24 comments 20 Jul 2010: Tokyo Sky Tree building site Photo Report
About 11 months ago, I was writing about the construction of the Tokyo Sky Tree tower. Yesterday, I went again to visit the construction site, to see how the work progressed.Well, 2 years after ... »
65 comments 15 Jul 2010: Travel to Japan preparations
I'm preparing to leave for Tokyo, so for the last weeks I've been researching...
As you know, one of my main interests are the Japanese festivals, matsuri. Some of these events are taking place on ... »
135 comments 30 Jun 2010: Visiting Japan - Kanda Myojin Suehiro Inari Shrine
Inside the complex from the Kanda Miyojin Shrine, I noticed a miniature architectural jewel, a shrine dedicated to Inari, Kanda Myojin Suehiro Inari Shrine. Everything looked so shiny and magical ... »
27 comments 22 Jun 2010: Dogu figurines
I wrote some time ago about the ancient Jomon ceramic vases, with their surface decorations made with a twisted rope.
However, the Dogū figurines, from the same period are a lot more ... »
27 comments 11 Jun 2010: The Best Japanese Train of the Year: Narita Express
If you remember, one year ago the Japan Railfan Club awarded the Blue Ribbon Award for the best train of the year 2009 to the Odakyu's Romancecar type 60000 MSE.This year is the East Japan ... »
26 comments 07 Jun 2010: Cool yourself with a... Matsuri
I'm quite resilient to high summer temperatures, but in Japan, the summer sun can be scorching.
And since the last two of my Japan trips took place during summer (and this year's trip will be the ... »
31 comments 27 May 2010: Reflections, photo 21 - Rainbow Bridge
Here's a reflexion I enjoyed a lot, with the Rainbow Bridge seen reflected on the entrance of the building hosting the elevator to the pedestrian walkways.Click on photo for higher ... »
19 comments 25 May 2010: Odd Japanese Customs - Baku
We all have bad dreams from time to time... Some treatments are available to avoid the nightmares, but in Japan we can get some exceptional help: baku, a creature who feeds on... nightmares!No, ... »
57 comments 17 May 2010: Then and Now - Another Five Famous Views of Edo
In a previous article, I followed Hiroshige's steps in 5 of its "100 famous places of Edo", trying to discover if there are in Tokyo places that still look like they did in the old Edo. Today ... »
33 comments 10 May 2010: Japanese Narrow Buildings - Photo 13, Yodobashi Camera Ueno
Yodobashi Camera Multimedia from Ueno is not actually a narrow building, but the proportions of its northern corner, located close to the Ueno Station, justify its presence in the narrow building ... »
20 comments 06 May 2010: Then and Now - Five of the 'One Hundred Famous Views of Edo'
Tokyo is a continuously changing city, with a rate of demolitions and rebuilds higher than in most cities and I noticed many places changing from one year to another.This made me wonder... are ... »
46 comments 03 May 2010: Tango no Sekku
As the Japanese girls have the Hina Matsuri on March 3rd, the Japanese boys have their own festival, Tango no sekku 「端午の節句」, on May 5th, which was ... »
59 comments 29 Apr 2010: Odd Japanese Customs - Teru teru bozu
Many cultures have ancient rituals for invoking or for stopping the rain, and Japan is no exception. However, Japan is one of the few countries where these rituals are still part of the daily ... »
61 comments 29 Apr 2010: Sayonara Kabuki-za
The first Kabuki-za, the main theater in Tokyo for kabuki drama, was built in Ginza in 1889 and lasted until 1921 when, being a wooden construction, was destroyed in a fire.
Kabuki-za in 1907, ... »
30 comments 27 Apr 2010: The Japanese Torii, 20 Amazing Vintage Photos
Even from the first visit to Japan, I was fascinated with torii, the gates marking the entrance to the Shinto shrines.Torii at Futarasan Shrine, NikkoAlthough an usual part of the Japanese ... »
105 comments 22 Apr 2010: A Photo Visit to a Japanese Flea Market
For me, a visit to the flea market is always an opportunity to see (and eventually learn) new "old" things. Because you never know what you can find... and even more so in Japan. ;)Click on ... »
50 comments 19 Apr 2010: Japanese Narrow Buildings - Photo 12
This is an interesting group of four buildings, three of them quite narrow, located on Asakusa Dori, close to the Ueno Station.
This group draw my eye (and camera) with its variety of ... »
21 comments 16 Apr 2010: A Photo Visit to Akiba Shrine
I like sometimes to wander aimlessly on Tokyo's backstreets, because almost every time I discover something nice: a shop or a restaurant, an old Japanese building or a small temple or shrine... ... »
29 comments 14 Apr 2010: Reflections, photo 20 - Akiba Shrine
Today, I would like to show you an image a little different from the modern looking views included until now in this category, a photo snapped at a shrine I accidentally discovered in Asakusa, the ... »
8 comments 12 Apr 2010: Odd Japanese Customs - Kotobuki Bako, the Umbilical Cord Box
I wrote before about the Suiten-gu Shrine, located in Nihombashi, near the Suitengumae Station, dedicated to the God of safe childbirth and blessing of pregnancy.Right from the entrance, ... »
25 comments 09 Apr 2010: Sightseeing Tokyo - Inokashira Inari Shrine
Inside the Inokashira Park, on the lake's shore, across the Benzaiten Temple, I stumbled upon a beautiful small shrine, dedicated to the Inari god. The actual shrine is hidden in vegetation and ... »
28 comments 06 Apr 2010: Hana Matsuri
On April 8th, Japan celebrates Buddha's Birthday, Hana Matsuri (花祭り - The Flower Festival). According to Buddhist tradition, Prince Siddhartha Gautama (Sakyamuni Buddha), the ... »
33 comments 31 Mar 2010: The Connection between Sakura and Mount Fuji
One of the best places to admire Mount Fuji is located in the Five Lakes region (Fujigoko) near the Kawaguchi Lake... and not incidentally, many sakura trees were planted around the lake.Images ... »
40 comments 29 Mar 2010: Harajuku Fashion Photo Essay, Takeshita Dori
A walk on Takeshita Dori represents a unique experience, even if you're not interested in shopping or in Japanese fashion trends.Takeshita Dori EntranceLocated right across the Harajuku ... »
51 comments 26 Mar 2010: Japanese Narrow Buildings - Photo 11
Here is a narrow building I've actually visited, an anime figures shop ("Toys Golden Age") from Akihabara. I've presented in this series several narrower buildings, but the ratio between height and ... »
10 comments 25 Mar 2010: Reflections, photo 19 - Narrow Buildings in Ginza
A "reflections" photo I took in Ginza, featuring two of the many narrow buildings that were built in the area.I was a little unsure whether to place this photo in the "Reflections" or in ... »
13 comments 22 Mar 2010: 12 Great Sakura Videos
From the end of March until the beginning of May, the Japanese celebrates Hanami ( 「花見」 - the flower viewing).The custom is not strictly related to the Japanese ... »
30 comments 15 Mar 2010: 12 Sakura Manhole Covers
The main role of the relief drawings from the manhole covers is to prevent wheel slipping and potential accidents, especially when the metallic surface is wet.However, only in Japan, the ... »
116 comments 11 Mar 2010: The Sad Story of the Hidden Ginkgo from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
In order to reach the main building of the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, you have to climb 61 steps.On the left side, it was impossible not to notice an impressive 1000-year old ginkgo tree, ... »
37 comments 09 Mar 2010: A Photo Visit to Hongaku-ji Temple
At less than half a kilometer south-east of Kamakura Station, you can visit one of the most beautiful temples from Kamakura, the Hongaku-ji Temple.The Temple belongs to the Nichiren Sect ... »
18 comments 03 Mar 2010: Hina Matsuri: Dolls and Deli
On March 3rd, Japan celebrates Hina Matsuri 「雛祭り」, the Japanese Doll Festival, also known as the "Girl's Day", an important event, especially for families with ... »
62 comments 24 Feb 2010: A Photo Visit to Yakumo Shrine
At less than a kilometer from the Kamakura Station you can find the Yakumo Shrine, established in 1082 by Yoshimitsu Minamoto, the grand-grand-grandfather of the Kamakura Shogunate founder, ... »
21 comments 22 Feb 2010: Reflections, photo 18 - Shinjuku
On my latest visit to Shinjuku, I remembered my first "reflections" photos, Inter-dimensional Mirror and Inter-dimensional Gate... :)
So I couldn't resist taking another picture of the same ... »
11 comments 19 Feb 2010: About kawaii - 15 Cute Japanese Manhole Covers
Even since my first visit to Japan, my attention was attracted by the manhole covers (manhoru in Japanese), many of them unusual decorated: cute characters, plants, castles, buildings...I ... »
68 comments 17 Feb 2010: Sightseeing Tokyo - The Ebisu Child
At the Kanda Myojin Shrine I photographed this beautiful statue of Ebisu, one of the Seven Gods of Luck (Shichifukujin), God of fishermen, good fortune and commerce, the only god from the Seven ... »
7 comments 15 Feb 2010: What to do in Japan? 33 Must See Japanese Scenes
Japan was and remains a unique place. Whether we talk about traditional festivals or traditional theater, religion or pop culture, architecture or transport, food or clothing, martial arts or ... »
138 comments 12 Feb 2010: Japanese mascots - Noppon Brothers and the Valentine's Day
Some slightly less known mascots from Tokyo, the Noppon Brothers are the mascots of Tokyo Tower.
They are twins, 2.23 meters tall and 11 years old (they were born on December 23 1998, on the 40th ... »
8 comments 10 Feb 2010: Reflections, photo 17 - Akihabara Shops
Several photos taken in Akihabara, on Chuo-dori, with reflections of Akihabara's landmark buildings Comic Toranoana and Animate.The building on which these reflections are ... »
17 comments 08 Feb 2010: 26 Beautiful Vintage Photos of Mount Fuji
Japan's love for Mount Fuji, the most famous place in Japan, remained unchanged over the years. Fuji-san (富士山) is definitely the most represented place from Japan, starting ... »
244 comments 05 Feb 2010: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos
Today we almost cannot think about traveling somewhere without taking photos, with more or less sophisticated cameras or at least with the mobile phone...A hundred years ago however, when the ... »
90 comments 02 Feb 2010: 40 Sapporo Yuki Matsuri Photos
Between February 5 and 11, in Sapporo takes place the Sapporo Snow Festival (Sapporo Yuki Matsuri), one of the biggest winter events in Japan. It is estimated that this year more than 2 million ... »
32 comments 31 Jan 2010: Japanese Narrow Buildings - Photo 10
The 10th installment of the Japanese Narrow Buildings series features two shops located near the Ueno Station.
I especially like the design of the left one, with the vertical red stripe, that ... »
10 comments 29 Jan 2010: Top 6 'Giant Robots' Japanese Attractions
The "robot anime" (ロボット, robotto) (known outside Japan as mecha anime) is a Japanese animation genre featuring walking robots (called mecha), usually bipedal, with ... »
91 comments 27 Jan 2010: Edo Kabuki Theater
Do you like Kabuki theater? About two years ago, I had the rare opportunity to enjoy a stunning performance by the Heisei Nakamura-za, led by Nakamura Kanzaburō XVIII. I fell in love with ... »
13 comments 26 Jan 2010: Sightseeing Tokyo - Jomon Fountain
In Ota-ku, near the Omori Station, in a nice little park I found an interesting fountain:Why interesting?
Because the fountain is a scaled up replica of a Jomon period (14,000 - 400 BC) ... »
15 comments 25 Jan 2010: The Great Buddha from Ueno
In the Ueno Park, near the Bells of Time and the Monster Lantern, there's a small hill known since the Edo Period as Daibutsu Yama (the Great Buddha Hill).The first Daibutsu (Great Buddha) ... »
19 comments 24 Jan 2010: Reflections, photo 16 - Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower
Two photos with the splendid skyscraper Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower, reflected on the Shinjuku i-Land Tower.
When I took the pictures, I think I was standing somewhere around here: ... »
8 comments 22 Jan 2010: A Photowalk in the Great Hell, Owakudani
After enjoying the trip with the Hakone pirate ships, from Motohakone-ko to Togendai I took the Hakone Ropeway...
Click on photo for higher resolution... and after a few ... »
23 comments 20 Jan 2010: 7 Japanese Kumade Photos - Raking in the Good Luck
If you traveled to Japan, chances are you've seen some unusual looking objects like this one:Kumade, The Shitamachi Museum, UenoThis is a kumade, a wide rake made of bamboo, traditionally ... »
24 comments 19 Jan 2010: Sightseeing Tokyo - Wako Department Store
One of the few buildings in Ginza that survived the bombings of the Second World War was the Hattori Clock Tower, also known as Ginza Wako.
Located at the hearth of Ginza district and owned today ... »
11 comments 18 Jan 2010: Sightseeing Kamakura - Ebisudo Hall
One of the best known temples in Kamakura is the Hongaku-ji Temple, belonging to the Nichiren Buddhist Sect.Little known is the fact that before the construction of the present-day Temple, on ... »
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"A friend calculated that since I started working on this website, I lived in Japan approx. 8% of my life. Is this much or little? If you ask my family and friends, it’s a lot. I agree that it’s a lot more than a normal traveler spends in a foreign country… but if you ask me, this is just the beginning.
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Muza-chan's Gate to Japan includes:
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» Japan's most famous customs and traditions with photos, videos, stories, background and historical information plus some travel tips
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