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japan

The Japanese breakfast isn’t a whole lot different than their other two meals of the day. I like rice at almost any time of day, so that part suits me fine. I also like miso soup, which is another important part of a traditional Japanese breakfast. I’ve even made this simple breakfast a few times. Mine didn’t include all the features you’d get in Japan, though.

Fish plays a big part in a traditional Japanese breakfast. And it really is a good protein to begin your day with. It sustains you for quite a while. The fish can be eaten separately, mixed with the rice or rolled with rice in a piece of nori like makeshift sushi. How fun… you get to play with your food while you eat it! I think I may be tempted to try it.

The pickled vegetables may give me a little pause. It seems so early in the day to eat them, but then again, it may be really good. While fixing a traditional Japanese breakfast takes longer than pouring a bowl of cereal, it might be worth a try. It must be healthier than eating a stack of pancakes and syrup. We can all stand to eat a little healthier, can’t we?

Rice in Japanese Cuisines

January 9, 2010

in Food

I used to watch Iron Chef and marvel at the many ways they used rice, and it made me more interested in finding out more about Japanese food in general. Now, I’m hooked.

Rice is used at every meal… just plain steamed white rice. I admit I thought brown rice would be more popular than it is in Japan. It is amazing how many ways rice can be used. Rice cakes are used as a dessert, often stuffed with red bean paste or other sweet filling. Mochi is a chewy sweet or savory sheet of rice-y goodness (is that a word?) that can be cooked and eaten on its own or may be found wrapped around other goodies like bites of ice cream. I’ve since managed to try some of these tasty treats from Japan and they really are good.

I want to learn more ways to use rice. Learning about how the Japanese utilize it has inspired me. It is an amazing grain that feeds a large portion of the world’s population. It deserves more attention from those of us in the West.

Famous Mountains in Japan

November 16, 2009

in Outdoors

Japan is a very mountainous country, yet there are a few majestic peaks that stand above all the rest. If you plan to visit Japan, you must see at least one of them. These picturesque peaks show off the natural beauty of Japan.

mount-fujiMount Fuji
This is the tallest mountain in Japan. Mount Fuji is a perfect peak… it has the classic pointed cone that is often depicted in artwork and admired the world over. A dormant volcano, Mount Fuji is revered in Japan for its beauty and perfection. Mountain climbing and skiing are activities that are common around this mountain. Climbing is done only during a short period in the high summer as attempting the climb the rest of the year is very dangerous. Mount Fuji rises to an impressive height of 12,388 feet above sea level.

Mount Tate
Mount Tate is 9892 feet above sea level. It is located in the Toyama region of Japan. This mountain is known for its impressive fall beauty, when all the trees are draped in bright colors. The Oyama Shrine is located at the peak of Mount Tate. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful Shomyo Falls while they make the climb to the plateau.

Mount Haku
Mount Haku is also a dormant volcano. It stands 8783 feet above sea level. This mountain is a designated national park and remains pristine. Hiking is allowed and wildlife abounds here. Seasoned hikers may choose to take some of the rougher trails. They offer quite a challenge and can be very treacherous. Mount Haku is at its best in the late summer and fall.

Other mountains in Japan include Mount Aso, Nantai-san, Akaishi-dake and Hachimantai. If you truly love the mountains of Japan, check out the book “100 Famous Japanese Mountains” by Kyuya Fukada. Written in 1964, it celebrates the mountains of Japan and gives their history as well as climbing tips. It maybe out of print where you are so you may want to pick up a copy of Hiking in Japan instead.

If you have an interest in the culture of a country, it is worth lending an ear to its music, and Japan is no different. Traditional Japanese music is beautifully distinctive and remarkable, and Japan’s music has its own traits that distinguish it from the music of many other countries. Take some time and think about some of the music that you might hear in Japan today; it is an eclectic mix and there is a great deal of influence from other countries as well.

musicFor instance, heavy metal is an important genre of music in Japan. Power metal and neo classical metal are both important genres and there are many Japanese bands from the eighties and ninties that are classified as speed metal. Loudness is the most successful Japanese heavy metal band that tours outside of Japan while Sabbat and Sigh are two very popular domestic groups.

As early as the eighties R&B and dance music started to become popular in Japan. Some of the early stars of this genre of music included Ayumi Hamasaki and the group Every Little Thing, and today, the tradition continues with stars including Hikaru Utada and and the all girl group Morning Musume. Some current R&B singers that currently enjoy a fair amount of attention in Japan include Shota Shimizu, Beni Arashiro and Thelma Aoyama.

Though Japanese hip-hop is a relatively newer form of music to hit the Japanese scene, it has become extremely popular in a short period of time. The hip hop scene itself is a fluid and open space and both independent and major label artists can share space and impressive amounts of attention.

Every since the sixties, Japanese rock bands have enjoyed an impressive degree of appreciation and acclaim. Today, there is an extremely varied underground rock scene that will cover bands like Boredoms, which is a noise rock band to alternative acts like Shonen Knife, which achieved a fair degree of popularity in the west due to acclaim from popular musicians there. Some of the bands which have achieved acclaim include Eastern Youth and the Band Apart.

Though a slightly smaller genre, theme music is also an important part of the modern Japanese music scene. One way for bands to get publicity is to write songs for anime series films and television series, either the opening or closing tracks, and positions on soundtracks are a fairly hot commodity. There are many groups that have spent their careers composing for theme songs and other visual media, and some of the more famous ones include Does, JAM Project and The Pillows.

Take some time and consider what your options are when you are thinking about listening to Japanese music; there are plenty of choices and something to suit every taste!

If you’re traveling to Japan during the winter, you may be concerned about what kind of clothing to bring with you.

Instead of thinking bulky clothing, think layers. While it may be cold outdoors, when you go indoors at retail shops or on the train it will be very warm. Layers allow you to easily adjust to your comfort level by removing adding a layer or two. Tee shirts layered with fleece and then a light to moderate jacket is usually sufficient unless you are planning on doing outdoor winter activities like skiing.

clothesLayers are also better for packing. Instead of packing a heavy coat that takes up a lot of precious luggage space, thin shirts that can be worn together take up much less room. You can also check out some of the outdoors type retailers for thin, lightweight shirts made of fabrics that will keep you warm.

If you are staying at a traditional ryuken, the heating will not be set too high. In this case, you may want to bring some thermal garments to keep you warm while you are enjoying your stay. They tend to be a bit drafty, so pack some thick socks (these also come in handy if you are planning to visit temples and other shrines, since you will need to remove your shoes) to keep your feet warm.

A good warm hat and some gloves will keep you happy outdoors. Fleece is always a good choice for a hat. You may be able to find some while you are there featuring some of your favorite anime faces like Kirara from Inuyasha. You can be fun and warm at the same time! Choose one that is small enough to take off and stick in a pocket when you go indoors.

Traditional Japanese Kitchen

October 9, 2009

From time immemorial the traditional Japanese kitchen has centered around the stove or hearth. A stove made of clay called a kamado was in the center. Pots would be set on top for cooking. This was actually very similar to today’s modern stoves with the exception that it was heated with a fire instead of [...]

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The Crowds of Japan

August 17, 2009

Crowds do exist in Japan, especially in the major cities. While this may be a culture shock in itself when you visit Japan, unless you see rush hour in motion, you won’t get the full picture of how crowded it really can be at times. At other times and places, Japan can be as quiet [...]

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Determining What Clothes to Wear in Japan June – August

July 9, 2009

Summer in Japan can be very enjoyable, but you should plan your wardrobe accordingly. June and early July is the rainy season. The Japanese call it Tsuyu. If you don’t like the rain, you should probably either travel in the spring, later in the summer or in the fall. During this time of the year, [...]

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Japan: How Long Should You Visit?

June 11, 2009

If you are taking your first trip to Japan, two weeks is ideal. This gives you enough time to see a lot of the country and experience the culture as well as having time to rest. If you base yourself in Tokyo, you can spend several days exploring the city and trying new foods like [...]

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New Design Coming for VisitJapanNow.com

April 24, 2009

Sorry I’ve been away for so long. But now I am back and I’m back with a vengeance and to start off,  I’m working on a new site design for VisitJapanNow.com. So don’t be too alarmed with the new look. I’ll be working and tweaking it over the next several days and weeks as I [...]

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Why Not Go Shopping in Japan

September 29, 2008

If you are planning a visit to Japan in the near future, you will not want to pass up the fantastic shopping the cities have to offer. If Tokyo is in your plans, be sure to visit one of the several 100yen shops in the city. Similar to an American dollar store, 100yen shops offer [...]

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Fun and Educational Japanese Dining Experience

September 8, 2008

While most people are familiar with many aspects of Japanese dining, actually visiting the city and experiencing their restaurant culture can be a fun and educational experience. When the topic of Japanese dining arise in conversation, most people are going to think of sushi. It is true that sushi is a big part of Japanese [...]

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You Must See the Festivals of Japan

August 26, 2008

Japan is known for its colorful festivals (matsuri). If you are planning to take a vacation in Japan, you surely should try to plan your tour in a way that will allow you to cover as many of these festivals as possible. Some festivities take days to complete. Given below are some of the most [...]

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