Fish & Soul, the death of Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market

The famous Tsukiji market in Tokyo (築地市場), the biggest fish market in the world, is about to move.
Because of its aging infrastructure, equipped with an outdated refrigeration system, Tsukiji has to move a few kilometers from its current location to Toyosu in Tokyo Bay. A planned trip for years and which, after much discussion and reports, will be realized in the month of November, although some opponents still struggle, because of the cost of the move and traces of pollution on the waterfront site due to the activity of a gas complex there.
Tsukiji Market, which opened in 1935 is a huge chaotic hall, surrounded by an “organized” mess, small fish shops, restaurants, hawkers, fishponds, where thousands of people work. It’s sad that Tsukiji moves say many Japanese working there, people liked to meet at Tsukiji, the new market will not have the same charm or soul.

The new market or Tsukiji Uogashi will open almost seamlessly few days after the old location closing in November but how Tsukiji’s old charm will be kept in this shiny new facility which looks more like a Mall is another story.

Fish & Soul, the death of Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market

Japan drives on the Left?

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Japan has long been a closed country with no trading with the outside. However with the Meiji era (1868-1912) and the beginning of Japan’s modernization policy led by the Emperor Meiji, the country opened up to outside influences and experienced rapid modernization. It was at this time that Japan called UK to assist in its industrial development. England then provides technical and industrial expertise to the Japanese, including in the automotive domain. And as everybody knows of English drive on the left! So the Japanese followed.

According to many people in Japan, the origin of driving on the left would simply find its origin and history … with the samurai. The samurai wore their swords on the left side, so they could easily unsheathe it with the right hand. If two warriors crossed on a road or in an alley, and they had walked on the right, their swords would have rattled, which could be seen as an assault or a provocation.

WRONG.

Because the Romans marched on the left side of the road, it being to draw a sword tethered to your left side, safely, to attack an oncoming army.

Ai ni Kotaeru White Day – Answer Love on White Day

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Valentine’s Day is celebrated on two different dates in Japan, Valentine’s Day and White Day (Howaito dē). The first is for men, the second for women and they do not offer cards but chocolate instead. These two days are only for commercial purposes and chocolates companies make more than half of their annual sales during these two events.
On White Day (March 14) men are supposed to give return gifts to women who gifted them chocolates on Valentine’s Day. If they received Giri-choco “courtesy chocolate”, they give white chocolates, while if they received Honmei-choco “true feeling chocolate”, men offer lingerie (preferably white) or jewellery instead, but has to be “sanbai gaeshi” or “triple return“. The gift that man will offer must be at least triple what he received.
For teenagers, the young do not offer chocolate to their valentine, but a white ribbon. If the girl tied it to her hair or her wrist, this confirms that the feelings are mutual and that she is his valentine.
No worry if you are single, the Black Day, next month on April 14, you will all gather together and eat Jajangmyeon or black noodles…but in Korea.

Shopping in Tokyo

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Tokyo is an absolutely fun place to shop and every shopping aficionados know Tokyo’s reputation about it. It is an ideal destination for savvy shoppers as for electronics enthusiasts, video games, manga, traditional items or fashion buyers.
It is especially interesting that the Japanese government introduced the ability for foreigners to buy duty free items (computer and electronic equipment, handbag, clothes). And since October 2014, the system was extended to many other products, such as cosmetics, medicines and even food and drink.
This map is packed with useful information on products and stores recommended when coming from abroad.

Japanese Omiyage Culture

The Omiyage literally means “earth product”, and this is a typical gift from a region that is brought back to friends, family and coworkers, after returning home from a trip. It is much more than souvenirs, the Omiyage is a regional specialty such as sweets, cake, snacks or traditional crafts and is serious business if one returns home or office with nothing brought from a trip.
In Japan, Omiyage is an institution. At all stations, tourist spots, there are Omiyages shops, with beautifully wrapped and colorful boxes.
On your next trip after visiting the various shrines and temples of the place you will be, your trip will be completed after a pit-stop at an Omiyage shop so you can pick out gifts for your family, friends or coworkers.
Our favorites are the Tokyo Banana, Maccha in Kyoto, any Glico products in Osaka, the Akafuku Mochi in Ise, the Kobe Pudding and the Shiroi Koibito in Sapporo.
And of course, really popular right now with tourists and Japanese people alike, the Kit-kat.

Onsen, the art of bathing in Japan

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During your trip to Japan, you plan to visit shrines and temples, enjoy sushi and local cuisine, experience the tea ceremony or meet geisha in Gion district … Among the best experiences, do not forget the onsen, the thermal bath or literally “hot springs”.
There are more than 27,000 hot springs and 3,000 spas in Japan, due to the volcanic origin of the archipelago. Wherever you are, you usually have a nearby station, where you can stay for a weekend. The Japanese, themselves, go there regularly, even for a much shorter period.
Here are our favorite Onsen in Japan.

Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan – Oldest hotel in the world

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Nestled amid scenic hot springs in the mountains, Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan hotel in Hayakawa – Yamanashi Prefecture is recognized as the oldest hotel in the world. Originally established in 705, the traditional “onsen” was opened over 1,300 years ago and has always been managed by the same family and welcomed many distinguished guests as the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, samurais and now tourists from around the world.
Although the hotel has been renovated in 1997, it remains traditional. It is known for its hot springs and has six baths fed by four sources.
Night starts at ¥ 34,720, which includes a kaiseki (gourmet dinner) and breakfast.

More info: http://www.keiunkan.co.jp/en/

Drainspotting – Japanese Manhole get collectible and spotting cards

Street-art sometimes prompt where it is least expected.
In Japan, since the early 1980s, manholes has become art, the drawings being determined with public participation, decorated and painted with designs representing a specialty of the city, a local mascot, local cultural sites where they are installed or honoring workers/civil servants who use them, such as firefighters.
The popularity of these manholes has even spawned a new type of tourism – “drainspotting” – where travelers try to find the 6000+ different models currently in Japan. Then in few days will be collectible cards, with the designs and explanation on one side and the geographical coordinates to find them on the back.

A Story Begins – Hokkaido Shinkansen

Mark Your Calendars: the latest born of Japanese high speed trains, the Hokkaido Shinkansen, will welcome its first passengers March 26, 2016!

Hokkaido Shinkansen will link the cities of Aomori in northern Honshu, and Hakodate in southern Hokkaido. There was already a rail link between the two islands, but this is the first time the Shinkansen is extended to Hokkaido. It is expected that the high-speed line will be extended to Sapporo in 2030.

You can now travel from Tokyo to Hakodate in about 4 hours. As the Tohoku Shinkansen before him, the Hokkaido Shinkansen include several seats “Green Class” particularly luxurious and which remind of Airline First class.

Although the plane remains the fastest way to get to Hokkaido from the capital, the Shinkansen experience is always very nice that it certainly does not bother you to spend a bit more time on the train!

More info: Jrhokkaido