ayamochi

12th February – 如月

日本国旗　（Nihon Kokki）－　Japanese Flag Japanese national flag is called 日の丸 (Hinomaru), the official name is 日章旗 (Nisshou ki). Using the red circle with white background is one of the easiest flags to remember. This red part stands for sun, Japanese were agricultural tribe from the ancient time, so the sun is believed as precious and important.Continue reading “12th February – 如月”

11th February – 如月

建国記念の日　（Kenkoku Kinen no Hi） National foundation celebration day. Celebrating the enthronement of the first emperor 神武天皇 (Jinmu Tennou) From 1966, Japan has enacted the day of national foundation celebration on 11th of February. This day is not the actual foundation day so saying 建国記念の日 instead of 建国記念日 (‘no’ inside the name) to make the differenceContinue reading “11th February – 如月”

10th February – 如月

忍者　Ninja Japanese Spy, the person who uses ‘Ninjutsu’= special tricks used for fooling people, not being seen by people in order to accomplish the spy works. The word ‘Ninja’ has been spread all around the world and most people know who they are: the secret Japanese spy. Actually, those spy were called differently in theContinue reading “10th February – 如月”

9th February – 如月

演歌　（Enka） Japanese music genre. Familiar among older generation. this style of music generally gives nostalgic emotion to Japanese. Have you ever seen a Japanese singer with Kimono and sing with particular vibrato? Those people are singing one genre of music called ‘演歌 – Enka’. Contains unique Japanese emotions in the songs and some darkness, sentimentalContinue reading “9th February – 如月”

8th February – 如月

日本民謡　（Nihon-Minyou）- Japanese folk song Songs that has been sang in the particular area in Japan. Those songs tend to have a deep relation to the local region. Just like the other countries, Japan has its own folk songs (民謡 =Minyou) which were sang among ordinary people in the area. Nowadays, not many of them areContinue reading “8th February – 如月”

7th February – 如月

成田空港から東京まで　‐　From Narita Airport to Tokyo　 In Tokyo area, there are 2 main international airport – Narita and Haneda. Haneda airport is located around 30 min away from Tokyo station by bus, car or public train. However, Narita airport is located in Chiba prefecture so it takes longer to get there compared to Haneda. When youContinue reading “7th February – 如月”

6th February – 如月

原宿　（Harajuku）No.2 Epicenter of trend, fashion. There are many international foods available. With the unique menu and brilliant tastes make difference to the other shops. Today’s blog will introduce some gourmet recommendation in Harajuku! – Mainly sweets:) *Each photos are from each shops’ website Colorful Rainbow Sweets Harajuku Famous for rainbow cotton candy and cheese sandContinue reading “6th February – 如月”

5th February – 如月

原宿　（Harajuku）No. 1 Located in Tokyo, known as the pop, Kawaii culture. There are many unique fashion shops and luxurious boutiques in this area. Harajuku is not the actual name of the suburb, but is the area where includes 神宮前(Junguu-mae),千駄ヶ谷(Sendagaya), briefly described the east area of the JR Yamanote Harajuku station. 竹下通り(Takeshita-Dori): the most famous streetContinue reading “5th February – 如月”

4th February – 如月

立春　（Risshun）-　The starting date of spring Today falls in the first period of the season, when a year divided into 24 period by the sun movement. Generally the first day of the spring, Risshun falls in around 2nd of February to 5th of February. Spring lasts until the period 立夏 ‘Rikka’ the start of summer, aroundContinue reading “4th February – 如月”

3rd February – 如月

節分　（Setsubun） Day of separating the season. It comes 4 times per year but Setsubun that separates winter and spring is considered as important. 鬼は外、福は内　（Oniwa soto, Fukuwa uchi） This is what you hear in the evening on 3rd February – meaning, ‘go away evil, come in fortune!’ Throwing the roasted soy beans (福豆 – Fukumame) towardContinue reading “3rd February – 如月”