So what is typically done during the New Year in Japan?

I really love all the traditional New Year celebration in Japan. Apart from the already introduced Osechi Ryori there are so many things to enjoy and to do. Although there are many activities to be done, all is enjoyed in a leisurely pace. The first step towards New Year starts already before the year end. Originally with a truly big cleaning the home should sparkling including the darkest corners latest by December 31. The goal of all this cleaning is to welcome the deity of the new year the Toshigami-Sama (年神様). This originally had religious significance, as it was believed that the God of the New Year visits each household which welcomes them. Of course with these expectations to have a god or potentially several gods coming home for a visit, the house has to shine. In addition to Toshigami-sama there is another group of gods that can be expected coming to respective, suitable homes: The Seven Gods of Fortune (七福神 Shichi Fukujin). Usually they arrive on their treasure ship as depicted below. These seven gods can be visited as well at their respective shrines at the New Year (article with pictures will follow).

Then after midnight with the start of the year typically soba is eaten, but at our home the traditions are a bit different. We have home-made udon. To make udon from scratch is rather time-consuming, but having something so delicious to start off the year, no matter how hard the effort, it is still my favorite way to welcome the New Year.

Another activity at the start of the new year is to write some calligraphy with a personal motto. In my case I have used a rather aggressive approach: Furinkazan (風林火山) which actually means “Wind, Forest, Fire and Mountain”.

Takeda Shingen (Sengoku period daimyo) became famous with this battle approach: “Move as swift as a wind, stay as silent as forest, attack as fierce as fire, undefeatable defense like a mountain.” Personally I prefer some adaptions for a more peaceful approach of “either acting quickly or relax like being in a forest, plus not being afraid of taking actions or otherwise being unmovable when no action is necessary”. It might be a too free personal adaptions, but I still like the concept.

Brought to you by Sibylle Ito (伊藤シビル)

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Ah, Osechi Ryori!

Days have already passed since the change to the year of 2013 and the marvelous Osechi Ryori is already digested. As I had promised earlier, I am posting the actual picture of this years feast. It was as delicious as expected and it was more than two truly hungry people can eat. Traditionally special rice wine is drunken with Osechi Ryori, but at our home we have a different tradition. Usually we either select a one of a kind champagner or white wine, meaning we are only willing to pay that much for this special beverage once a year. This year it was a special white wine from New Zealand, which tasted perfectly with the rather sweet and strong-tasting food.
The actual Osechi this year had three layers:

Most impressive this year was the quality of the fish or vegetables. I will not forget the softness of the bamboo sprout!

Additionally the fish cakes (red and white) and the small sweetish fishes are my favorite each year.

The good news is that I have to wait now less than one year for the next Osechi Ryori.

Brought to you by Sibylle Ito (伊藤シビル)

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Ooops…

Wherever I go, I have a small camera with me, because it allows me to share with others an interesting scenery or simply immortalize memories for myself. Let me share with you a few pictures that I took recently, who showed some “oops” effects in Japan.
During the still rather cold season in February I came across some couples getting married at Meji-Jingu. While I was admiring the wonderful kimono’s I unwillingly took a picture of a newer aspect of Japanese culture: Wearing heat-tech underwear with a Kimono. Ooops, I did not expect to see this.

By chance I came across the situation below, when the window display was already supposed to be finished at the newly opened Diver City shopping center in Odaiba, but I guess, someone forgot to add all the parts to the display. Ooops, arms missing…

Sometimes the use of English language can be interesting in Japan. I really wonder what is actually closed on the picture below (instead of “do not enter” the wording “closed” was used). Ooops, I cannot see the closed structure…

I hope you enjoyed as well the selection of some Japanese “ooops” in daily life.

Brought to you by Sibylle Ito (伊藤シビル)

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My top five favorite spots in Japan

A year ago I had started with this blog and throughout this year I truly hope I could bring you closer to Japan, its culture and society, plus its unique business style. As a celebration for the 1st birthday of this blog, let me introduce you to my top 5 favorite spots in Japan. While some might be part of the typical tourist agenda, some sports are a bit further away from the beaten path.

1. Nara
Todaiji has a deeper meaning for me, because on my first trip to Japan it was the spot where I decided to come back to Japan. Simply because I felt at home. Since then whenever I have big events or changes in my life, a visit to my favorite Buddha is a must.

While the statue was consecrated in 752, the wooden structure burned down a couple of times due to local wars with the final construction during Edo Period. This wooden structure is still the largest wooden structure in the world.

2. Doi (Hotel Fujiya):
Quiet country side, good view of the ocean, marvelous food… do I have to say more?

3. Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine
The serenity of the environment fills my heart with a strong peaceful feeling.

While on the top you can admire the waterfall, I enjoy as well the walk from the bottom up to the shrine, because it gives you a good sense that thousands of people for hundreds years had been traveling this road to pray.

4. Itsukushima: popularly known as Miyajima (Shrine Island)
Staying at Itsukushima for a day is wonderful, because it allows you to experience the shrine with many different tidal settings.

Furthermore the view from Mount Misen (535m on Itsukushima) is a must!

5. Kurashiki
This old city captured my heart with its old parts, but as well with the Japan’s first museum for Western art: Ohara Museum of Art.

Thank you very much for all your time spent reading or commenting on this blog. I am looking forward to give you further insights to Japan.

All the best from a very happy

Sibylle Ito (シビル伊藤)

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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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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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