Local Expert
Shane Sakata
I have had the urge to travel for as long as I can remember and have lived in Canada, the United States and Japan. Traveling is food for my soul, I learn something new everyday, and I try to…
I have had the urge to travel for as long as I can remember and have lived in Canada, the United States and Japan. Traveling is food for my soul, I learn something new everyday, and I try to take a childlike sense of wonder with me wherever I go...
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Visit the The Imperial Palace, home to Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, on December 23rd to wish Emperor Akihito of Japan a happy 75th birthday. A national holiday in Japan, Tenno Tanjyo-bi, is celebrated on the Emperor's birthday day each year and it is only one of two days when the Imperial Palace is open to the public. The other is January 2nd when the Imperial Family offers a new year greeting to those assembled.
Cross the famous Nijubashi bridge from the Imperial Palace Plaza from 9:30 AM to 11:20 AM on December 23rd to be there when the Imperial family steps out onto a balcony to greets visitors at 10:20AM, 11:05AM and 11:40AM or sign the Greeting Book from 12:30PM to 3:30PM in front of the Imperial Household Building.
If you are spending Christmas in Tokyo, be one of the few who have stepped beyond the Imperial Palace Plaza onto the grounds where Japan's royalty have lived since 1868 when the capital was moved from Kyoto.
Access the Imperial Palace (map) by taking the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line to Nijubashi-mae Station or one of the other stations located in the area.
"Enjoy and Experience the unique Japanese Culture" is the tagline for Yokoso Japan's Japan Weeks 2009 promotion. Running from January 20 through February 28, 2009, the theme for this promotion is hands on experiences and shopping.
Nearly one-quarter of the nation's department stores and half of the 40 outlet malls throughout Japan are participating in the Yokoso Japan Weeks 2009 campaign. Various events, hands-on experience tours, and privilege campaigns will be hosted by nearly 600 stores throughout the country. A wide variety of services will be offered as well as free original gifts.
This is a great opportunity to take advantage of discounts on shopping and accommodation and to learn more about the culture of Japan. If you plan on being in the Tokyo area in early 2009, take some time to browse through the different events and discounts available for visitors to the Kanto Region. Here are just a few of the great events going on:
Modern Cultural Experiences:
• Sign up for fashion tour of Harajuku,
• Check out the latest electronics in Akihabara,
• Take a helicopter tour of the city or,
• Wisit one of the city's great museums.
Traditional Cultural Experiences:
• Take a calligraphy class,
• Learn how to make sushi,
• Create an Ikebana flower arrangement,
• Learn how to wear a Kimono,
• Take a ride in a Rickshaw or,
• Learn the way of Samurai and Ninja.
There is so much to do and see during Yokoso Japan Weeks 2009 that you will want to stay for the whole month so that you can fit everything in!
Christmas is not even a national holiday in Japan and there is no tradition of gift exchanges but the Japanese do love a good dose of western Christmas music and light displays. One of the best Christmas light displays, or illuminations as they are called in Japan, takes place in and around the ultra modern Roppongi Hills complex in Tokyo.
Along Roppongi Keyakizaka dori (street) you will find an avenue of trees awash in blue lights, the 66 Plaza has chosen a cheerful red and orange theme and countless presents line the Mori courtyard and the Museum Cone area. Illuminations are open daily from 5PM through 11PM and are free to enjoy.
The best view of all comes from the top of the Mori Building which offers Tokyo City Views from 270 Meters above ground while surrounded by twinkling lights. Visit the 52nd Floor to take in a 5 meter tall Casablanca Christmas Tree and live musical performaces from mid- December.
PLACE: Tokyo City View Observation Deck
HOURS:
Weekdays & Holidays: 10:00-23:00 (Last Admission 22:30)
Friday, Saturday and Day Before Holidays: 10:00-25:00 (Last Admission 24:00)
SKY DECK HOURS:
10:00-20:00 * open UNTIL 22:00 DURING 11/22-12/25 (Last Admission 30min.before closing)*
ADMISSION: ¥1,500
* closed on 11/13 & 11/19
The Tori no Ichi fair has been held each November on the days of the rooster since 1630 when people came to pray for heath and good harvests by dedicating a rooster to the local deity. The event takes place each year at Tokyo's Temple of Tori (Juzaisan Chokoku-ji) and Ootori Jinja Shrine in Asakusa and this year the final fair day will be November 29th.
In modern times people no longer dedicate a roster, they purchase kumade, decorative bamboo rakes, and otafuku, masks depicting a round-faced woman, from vendors who set up stalls on the grounds of the temple on the day of the fair. Many believe that displaying a kumade will ensure a prosperous business and good luck in the upcoming year and that one must buy a larger kumade each year to ensure the effectiveness of your prayer. As a result there are some very large and ornate kumade being carted off by the locals.
Decorations that commonly adorn kumade include masks of lucky Gods, replicas of gold coins, the seven gods of good fortune (Shichi-Fuku-Jin), miniature treasure ships (Takarabune) and chests, bales of rice, sea bream and even small replicas of shrines. The lively vendors hawk their beautiful wares until midnight and the silver and gold decorations on the kumade add a sparkle to the evening that is a sight to behold.
The Sompo Japan Museum of Art is currently exhibiting the Marubeni Collection. Marubeni is a Japanese trading company that started business as a Kimono merchant in the Edo Period. The company began collecting fashion related as research for product development but grew to trade in art as well. The Marubeni Collection offers a rare look at the history of modern dyeing technologies and trends in fashion dating back to the early 1900's.
Over the years Marubeni has amassed some great European artworks including La Bella Simonetta, the only painting by Botticelli that is owned in Japan today as well as works by Gainsborough, Corot, Courbet, and Buffet.
This special exhibition commemorates the 150th year of Marubeni's history and offers visitors an opportunity to view over 80 pieces which were especially selected from a large, rarely-seen collection of rare kimono masterpieces, design sketches, and both Japanese and Western paintings.
Event Details:
Dates: November 22 to December 28, 2008 (closed Mondays except November 24)
Location: Seiji Togo Memorial Sompo Japan Museum of Art in Shinjuku (42nd Floor)
Hours: 10:00-18:00 Daily (Last Entry 17:30), Fridays 10:00-20:00 (Last Entry 19:30)
Admission: Adults:1,000yen, University & High School Students:600 yen, Senior Citizens (65 years and more): 800yen, Children of Junior High School or under: Free
The Rikugien Garden is Daimyo-style garden that was built in 1702 on the grounds of a private villa and was not open to the public until 1938. It was designated as a special beauty spot of Japan in 1953 and features a large pond and surrounded by sloping hills and walking paths.
Every fall, the garden extends it operating hours and holds an annual illumination event that allows visitors to enjoy a nighttime view of the lovely landscape and the bright colors of the fall foliage. Take in the view with a cup of try freshly-prepared matcha green tea at one of three teahouses on the grounds to round out a perfectly romantic evening in Tokyo!
Rikugien is a stunningly beautiful garden to visit anytime of the year and this is a unique opportunity to see the garden in a way that others will envy and you won't soon forget.
Event Details:
Dates: November 22nd (Sat.) - December 14h (Sun.) 9:00 - 21:00 (No entry after 20:30)
Location: Rikugien Garden, Bunkyo-ku (access map)
Admission: Adults Y300, Senior citizens (65 and over) Y150 and free for elementary school students and younger children.
Access: A 7 minute walk from Komagome Station on the JR Yamanote Line and Tokyo-metro Nanboku Line or a 10 minute walk from Sengoku Station on the Toei Subway Mita Line