Tokyo in Spring

Today my goal is to send you some Spring feelings to you from two parks in Tokyo (walking distance from Hamamatsu JR station): Hamarikyuonshiteien park and Shibakoen. While for most people Spring is directly connected with cherry blossom in Japan, personally I prefer plum or apricot blossom. The reason is simple: When after the cold winter finally the sun starts to feel a bit warmer, the delicate flowers seem like a miracle and give me hope that soon the comfortable season starts again. When then weeks later finally cherry trees are blossoming, I am already sure that Spring is here and feel less of an excitement. Isn’t plum blossom just wonderful?

Powerful pink:

Two color combination from afar.

Then the closeup of the above.

Another wonderful creation in pink:

Delicate blue (possibly Blue Daze – Evolvulus):

Powerful red flower (Camellia Japonica):

Although Spring means for many that hayfever season has started, I have no intention to create bad feelings, just enjoy these Spring pictures from the comfortable indoors and let’s welcome the warmer temperatures.
Additionally let me point out that even though recently the number of pictures has increased, let me reassure you I have no intention to switch to a photo blog.

Brought to you by Sibylle Ito (シビル伊藤)

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Tokyo Marathon 2011: Another Matsuri for Tokyo?

To be honest with you I had not planned to go and watch Tokyo Marathon, because personally I am not so into watching sports, as I believe it is more useful to do sports yourself. I had planned to take lots of plum flower pictures today, but these pictures got a bit delayed. On my way to Shibakoen and Hamarikyuonshiteien park – both famous for lots of plum trees in the middle of Tokyo – I bumped into the Marathon running course with all the runners and spectators. I have to say I was truly impressed about the spirit of the runners and the people on the side lines. For sure interesting runners could be found as you can see below. How about muscle man?

Or how about a swan on the run?

Don’t ask me how this person was actually running?!?

From what I saw everything seemed perfectly organized.

Not only unique runners could be seen, but as well interestingly dressed up people on the side lines. There I did not feel like being an observer of a marathon, much more like a participant in a local matsuri with all shouting ongoing (simple encouragements to keep running).

Around Daimon there were unusual sights of Hula girls dancing in the spring sun.

Additionally great rhythm with taiko along the side lines.

For sure I was not the only one taking lots of pictures, although I have no chance and cannot compete with this style of camera.

For sure I do admire all the participants and bow my head in respect. Congratulations to everyone who finished the race! I have my doubts whether I myself would be able to train long and hard enough to be ready for a marathon.

Brought to you by Sibylle Ito (シビル伊藤)

P.S. The planned plum pictures for today will be uploaded tomorrow.

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Do you remember Del Cook? Delicious food guaranteed!

I do hope the name Del Cook rings a bell for you. Or if not, try the picture on the side… In case you are still completely lost and have no idea what I am talking about, no problem, I am here to help. Last summer I had interviewed Del Cook about Japanese food and whether it is possible to combine good food with suitable wine. Before the interview I could not imagine how to truly mix two different taste origins: Wine with European origin (or should I say Egypt) and traditional Japanese food. In case if you had not read yet the previous interview, check it out here.
Guess what last Thursday evening Del Cook was presented as a unique cook, who focuses on local food ingredients, but giving everything a French twist and creating completely new taste combinations.

If you cannot imagine what I am talking about, just have a look below. Would you have ever combined shiitake mushrooms with walnuts in a pie? Although I was just watching TV I thought I could smell it.

In case you are not yet impressed and want to see something more mouth-watering: Just check out local meat with red wine sauce and local vegetables.

Some might think I might have now completely gone nuts about food, but let me point out why I am impressed about Del Cook. Instead of following everyone’s goal to be known at some trendy spots around the world, he is not only making a difference in the country side, but as well he is grateful for his environment far from “high society”.

For me this mind-set makes all the difference! I hope one day I can enjoy myself this wonderful cuisine and until then I wish only the best of success to Del Cook.

Brought to you by Sibylle Ito (シビル伊藤)

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Second year in a row!

Personally this very moment deserves special attention!

I hope you have a glass of champagne, wine or beer nearby, or whatever your favorite beverage might be for special events like this. Join me, because we have for sure a reason to celebrate! CHEERS! Guess what, I am honored to be selected the second year in a row as “high-quality content Travelavenue Favorite Blog for 2011″!

As this is a reason to celebrate, let me share with you some wonderful pictures about the country I truly care about and truly enjoy living in: Japan.

Horyuji: Nara

Sweets shop in Nagoya

Ginkakuji, Kyoto

Show window, Kurashiki

Tokyo Metropolitan Government building

Koya san

Odaiba, Tokyo

Nikko

Beloved Shinagawa, Tokyo

Brought to you by a very, very happy and humbled Sibylle Ito (シビル伊藤)

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Did you ever experience 200 hours of overtime per month?

According to Mainichi Shimbun another case of death due to overwork comes into Tokyo city court. In this case the suit is against not only the company, but as well for the first time against the government as well. The family of the man who committed suicide is saying that authorities failed to supervise the unlawful labor agreement between the company and its labor union. This young 24-year-old man had entered a Yokohama-based plant maintenance firm in April 2007. He was then assigned to an office in Chiba as a construction site supervisor. The news paper articles says that due to a labor shortage and a delay in the construction schedule, he was forced to work an average of 123 hours of overtime per month between January and August 2008, with his overtime topping 200 hours in July. He developed a mental disorder, resulting in suicide in November afterwards. The issue in this case is that the company and its labor union had agreed to allow its employees to work up to 150 hours of overtime per month, or up to 200 hours if necessary. This is actually against the national labor law.
While my heart goes out to the family, I am wondering how many other Japanese workers are facing now the same situation. Doing a rather large number of overtime hours – mostly “service zangyo” (free overtime work) – is a part of the Japanese working culture. While I understand that financial pressure in companies demand efficient solutions, but it is for me no excuse to allow an environment where people end up seeing no way out than to kill themselves. For sure this case is worthwhile to follow in the news while not forgetting we are talking about situations when people’s lives was lost. Most likely I can be sure that none of the readers of this blog has the same work load as this young man, or how come someone with this heavy load finds time to read this blog?

Praying for the soul of this young man and hoping for a labor friendly future for all companies in Japan,

Sibylle Ito (シビル伊藤)

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Which are the top commonly preferred Japanese companies?

Working in Japan gives me an opportunity to observe cultural and societal aspects rather different from Europe or the US. Personally I continuously learn more about the rather unique Japanese marketing style. For sure a wide range of company naming exists in Japan, when I would like to focus your attention on the picture on the side: Tomato Bank. To this day I am wondering how this name was created and moreover, how come that the management supported this unusual idea? Frankly no matter how much time I take trying to figure out the logic behind this name branding, I still cannot see any connections with tomatoes and banks, money or loans.
Let me move one step back and ask the question: Within Japan what kind of companies are perceived as the top companies? In the recent Nikkei Shimbun an overview of the commonly top rated Japanese companies was presented. The feedback for this survey was conducted in November last year and contains the responses from 4094 men and 4406 women. On one side, I am shocked that it seems that for 3 years an insurance company gets overall top rating – because instead of finding creativity, I perceive a desire for protection of the present – but even more I am flabbergasted that it seems necessary to divide the responses based on gender.
First let me list the results of the survey about overall top rated Japanese companies based on Nikkei Shimbun, the leading economical newspaper in Japan.

1. Tokyo Kaijonichido Kasai Hokken (Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. 東京海上日動火災保険株式会社)
2. Nihon Seimei Hokken (Nippon Life Insurance Company, short version Nissay, 日本生命保険相互会社)
3. Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ Bank
4. Mitsui Sumitomo Kajio Kasai Hoken (Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd, 三井住友海上火災保険)
5. Mitsui Sumitomo Bank
6. Mizuho Financial Group
7. Daiichi Seime (The Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company, Ltd, 第一生命保険株式会社)
8. Sony
9. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Bank
10. JR Higashi Nihon (East Japan Railway Company, 東日本旅客鉄道株式会社)

Overall insurances and banks top the list, when the selection was done based on company performance, size, stability and perceived global competitiveness. Considering the long ongoing economical challenges Japan is facing, society seems to trust mostly stable companies, which by nature of the business are not aggressive. I would have never expected Sony to get a rank in the top ten list, but it seems their customer service got an unusual high-ranking.
Before having a look at this company overview, I had assumed that there is no need to separate responses based on gender. I automatically assumed that in a business sense both gender have similar priorities in ranking companies. Personally I focus on profit, product innovation, customer service, company culture and word of mouth of employee satisfaction.
Lets check the responses from male respondents about the top 10 companies, which do not differ much from the previous list.

1. Tokyo Kaijonichido Kasai Hokken (Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. 東京海上日動火災保険株式会社)
2. Nihon Seimei Hokken (Nippon Life Insurance Company, short version Nissay, 日本生命保険相互会社)
3. Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ Bank
4. Daiichi Seime (The Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company, Ltd, 第一生命保険株式会社)
5. Mitsui Sumitomo Bank
6. Sony
7. Mitsui Sumitomo Kajio Kasai Hoken (Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd, 三井住友海上火災保険)
8. JR Higashi Nihon (East Japan Railway Company, 東日本旅客鉄道株式会社)
9. Mizuho Financial Group
10. Tokai Ryokaku Tetsudo (Central Japan Railway Company, 東海旅客鉄道株式会社)

With women now all of a sudden travel and food related companies pop up later in the list, when the Railway part is gone.

1. Nihon Seimei Hokken (Nippon Life Insurance Company, short version Nissay, 日本生命保険相互会社)
2. Tokyo Kaijonichido Kasai Hokken (Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. 東京海上日動火災保険株式会社)
3. Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ Bank
4. Mitsui Sumitomo Kajio Kasai Hoken (Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd, 三井住友海上火災保険)
5. Mizuho Financial Group
6. Mitsui Sumitomo Bank
7. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Bank
8. ANA (All Nippon Airways, 全日本空輸株式会社)
9. JTB Group (Japan Tourist Bureau)
10. Meiji Group (mainly diary products, chocolate)

I am not sure what is for me more surprising, the actual difference of response based on gender or the possibility that Japanese companies are not truly effective in their marketing and PR approach addressing both gender.
As a side remark: The company I have been observing closely recently due to their promising business strategy made it at number 19th on the list: Suntory Holdings Ltd.

Brought to you by Sibylle Ito (シビル伊藤)

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What is the origin of “toilet kamisama”?

Since last year the song about a god in the toilet (トイレの神様) became popular in Japan. At the year end it seemed almost everywhere the song of singer-songwriter Kana Uemura could be heard. She is recounting her thoughts about her dead grandmother in her song. Although it is a rather long heartwarming song, at least year’s Kohaku (NHK promoted year end singing battle) Uemura performed the whole length of the song. The actual song can be seen below on YouTube, but I believe more interesting is how come that there is a belief of a god residing in the toilet in Japan?

According to Wikipedia and based on my own research in Japanese Zen and Shingon Buddhism, Ucchusma is the guardian of the bathroom. Most likely Kukai had introduced Ucchusma to Japan in the 8th century. Although the toilet god is not so commonly known nowadays, some Shingon related temples still have the tradition of having a special temple set up for the toiled god. Near Oimachi in Tokyo you can find at a local temple (part of the Ebara Shichifukujin) just beside the toilet a statue of Ucchusma. The origin comes from Sanskrit, when Ucchusma can be defined as to scavenge for the leftover food on mouth and hands. For further details do not hesitate to check out the origins of Ucchusma on this link.
Remember it is worthwhile to keep your toilet clean, as someone might be watching you! I have now as a constant reminder a special paper token of Ucchusma in our toilet.

Brought to you by Sibylle Ito (シビル伊藤)

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