Today, Hiroko Takahashi as taken the concept of the traditional kimono sleeve and married it with a modern sensibility to create a line of eco-bags known as Sleeve Bags for her brand HIROCOLEDGE. Building on the the concept of mottenai, or waste not want not, that is a trendy theme in modern Japan, eco-bags are commonly carried and the revival of the furoshiki and tenugui for use as an attractive carry-all is popular in some circles.

The furoshiki is the original eco-bag and is a simple square piece of cloth that the Japanese have been using to wrap and carry items for centuries. Today, polyester and rayon furoshiki bearing either traditional or modern Japanese motifs are fashioned into trendy handbags via simple knotting techniques.

The tenugui is the furoshiki‘s more practical cousin.  Made of cotton, the long rectangular shape can also be used to attractively wrap and carry items.  But the tenugui is more versatile in that it is often employed by men as a fashionable headwear in the hot & humid summer weather, but can also be used as a simple cloth for cleaning around the home.

Educated in Tokyo in the arts, and with two Paris shows under her belt, Ms. Takahashi combines a love of traditional motifs and her design sense to create a modern version of what Japanese women have know about for years – the versatility of the Kimono Sleeve and the practicality of the tenugui.

Ms. Takahashi has created a unique line of tenugui by combining the traditional resist dying technique of Chusen with her modern take on Japanese design through “dots”.  The tenugui can be used in the traditional manner or taken a step further and made into practical eco friendly fashion accessories – Sleeve Bags are lovely pieces of art that are practical too, holding up to 5 kg they can be easily stowed away in a handbag or backpack and utilized as needed in place of plastic bags.

Keeping mottenai and eco-consciousness in mind, Ms. Takahashi reminds us that none of the fabric of the tenugui is cut way or wasted when making a Sleeve Bag and that after years of heavy use, one can continue to use the bag for cleaning around the home and when finally thrown away, the product is biodegradable or burnable and is truly and ecologically friendly product to the end.

I had the pleasure of perusing the special HIROCOLEDGE store located in the atrium of the Tokyo Midtown Galleria this weekend.  Sadly, the store will be closing at the end of the month but Ms. Takahashi’s lovely works including yukata, cushion covers, handbag, wallets and the eco-friendly Sleeve Bags can be purchased on line via the HIROCOLEDGE website.

Image Credit:  Personal Collection

Dragonflies are a beloved symbol of summer in Japan and the words above are credited to  Emperor Jomei who ruled the Yamato (a province in ancient Japan) imperial court from 629 -641 and are included in the Manyoshu, the “Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves,” Japan’s first anthology of poetry, that was written down in 759.

Stylized dragonflies can be on clothing, jewelry, ceramics, traditional artwork that make great souvenirs from your travels and will always remind you or your time in Japan.  They are so popular that they are even depicted on manhole covers like the charming one pictured on the left in Tokyo’s Marunouchi district.

After spending time in Japan I too have become a fan of these lovely creatures and was lucky enough to capture the image above of one relaxing near the Big Buddha of Tennoji Temple and neighboring shopping area of Nippori (better know for it’s cats than dragonflies).

Dragonflies breed in water and can be found around lakes, rivers, ponds and rice paddies in Japan and children are often nearby chasing them about with long handled nets to add to their collection of summer insects that they proudly carry about in little plastic containers.

It’s a lovely, old fashioned, sight and just one of the great things you will find & experience when you take the time to observe the little things about Japan,

Source: NATURE IN SHORT / Dragonflies–ancient source of inspiration, imagination in Japan
Image Credit: Personal Collection & Flickr, Akatombo

No matter whether you itinerary takes your to Tokyo or Kyoto, Okinawa or Hokkaido, make an effort to look around you and notice the little things!

Look down to find a creative array of decorative manhole covers and sidewalk decorations…

Japan is the land of micro cars and precarious parking options that will make you smile and shake your head in wonder…

Narrow alleys and side streets are great to explore.  Small shops and quaint restaurants often sit side by side or under equally diminutive residences…

Tall skinny buildings that appear too small to house much of anything but reside alongside much larger neighbors or alone at an intersection…

The small portions of a traditional Japanese kaiseki meal and how they add up to a deliciously full stomach and satisfied palate…

Your Japan guidebook won’t teach you the art of being observant or how to take time to notice and appreciate the little things that are part of daily life in Japan and often overlooked by visitors in their haste to get to the next place on their itinerary.  Don’t be so intent on your destination that you miss the little things!

Try to capture your own unique view of Japan in pictures but also the little things that can’t be captured on film like some of my favorite things…the small gestures and unique mannerisms of store clerks, the crazed and hectic pace of a train station where you barely notice the person beside you as you intently plod toward the track or exit, the amazing feeling of peacefulness that can be found in a small pocket of greenery amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, taking my mamachari (shopping bike) our to run errands in the neighborhood…

What’s your favorite and often overlooked “little” thing about Japan?

Image Credit:  Flickr, Decorative Man Hole Covers, Tiny car, Japan – sidestreets and alleys, Very Thin Building & __japan kaiseki mmmm

Everything kawaii is valued by a certain segment of the Japanese population – usually young Japanese schools girls and female office workers.  But this is not an indication that they are thoroughly modern – many also embrace the ancient ways of Japan and are often seen dressed in Yukata or Kimono for special occasions and ceremonies like the annual pilgrimage to admire the cherry blossoms each spring.

You can identify those that practice the religion of “kawaii” by the mass of cute anime characters that dangle, click and chime as they madly text their way through most activities.  Some even drive their kawaii eco-friendly pink cars to the local temple or shrine for a bit of old fashioned prayer.

But, wait, could this be the priests car strategically parked under the cherry tree?  Nothing can be ruled out in Japan…

This is an entry into the July Japan Blog Matsuri hosted by Gakuranman.

Image Credit:  Personal Collection

In Hugh’s own words:

Construction work in Japan should be seen as fun, it appears. As well as the uniformed guards with white gumboots, lanyards, and whistles, who stand in front of closed (and locked) gates to stop random passers-by from attempting to go through and throw themselves under a bulldozer, and the pink or purple clown trousers worn by many construction workers, there is an element of playfulness in many items of equipment. Cranes decorated as giraffes, and purple backhoes are among the offerings on many construction sites.

But these frogs brought me up short when I saw them near Shimbashi. I’ve never seen anything quite so wonderful in such an incongruous context for a long time. They were asking to be photographed, so I did so, and they all smiled nicely at me. Now you’d never dream of crossing that line, would you?

The View From Japan is a community photo blog where ten photographers from around Japan share their views with you.  From the traditional to the modern and from architecture to people and events, the photographers all make their home in Japan and offer a different perspective of life in Japan through their lenses.  Stop by and take in the view…

The Tsukiji Wholesale Fish Market is a very busy place of business with narrow passageways and a lot of fast moving traffic on foot, on bicycle, via pull carts, and even small forklifts that whiz by precariously close to whoever and whatever is nearby.

We arrived just after 5AM to find the market full of people but not yet the hustle and bustle that would follow the tuna auction itself.  Not sure where exactly the tuna auction was held, we headed through the grid of pathways that cover the market.  The tuna auction itself is held in a warehouse structure where flash frozen tuna are laid out on wooden palates for inspection and later auction.

Each tuna is marked with a Japanese character (hiragana, I believe) in red paint, the tail is removed and a deep slice is cut just above the tail area so that prospective buyers can inspect the tuna before the bidding begins.

Buyers use gaffs to extract a plugs of the tuna meat from the tail and manipulate it in their hands until it has thawed – presumably to test the texture of the meat and asses its fat content prior to making a bid.

The auction itself is a loud affair that is quickly over with the auctioneer chanting, waving his arms and recording sales on a clipboard (pictured top right).  It’s hard for the casual observer to follow it all it happens to fast!

After the auction, the freshly auction tuna are quickly taken by pull cart out of the auction and into the narrow pathways of the market just outside for cutting and distribution to your favorite Tokyo sushi restaurant later in the day.

Tourists can view the tuna auction and the lead up to it from a long roped off area that spans the width of the warehouse.  Visitors are asked to stay for a maximum of 15 minutes and flash photography is not permitted.

I spent a lot of my time in the market literally on my toes against the styrofoam containers that line the markets narrow thoroughfares.  A visit the the market is not for the feint of heart, the physically challenged (those requiring canes, walkers & wheelchairs especially), or small children.

If you are planning to visit please take some time to read Is Tsukiji Wholesale Market Open to the Public? where Etsuko from Tokyofoodcast talks about the rules for visitors and the dilemma facing the Tokyo Metropolitan Government with respect to market access.

Am I glad I visited?  Yes, but with some reservations.  It really is hard to stay out of the way of the people who work at the market and it is quite a dangerous place to navigate even if you are quick on your feet.

Should a visit to the Tsukiji Wholesale Fish Market be on your list of things to see in Tokyo?  You need to decide for yourself but if you do go please remember that it is a place of business and be respectful of the fact that it is not a traditional “tourist attraction” that is set up for visitors.

Will I visit again?  I will not likely go to see the tuna auction again and but would enjoy another early morning visit to the shopping are that is located just outside the gates of the market itself.  Be sure to check out my report on the Tsukiji Morning Market that includes a slide show of the images from my visit to the area.

Image Credit:  Personal Collection

Temiyage (gifts) of sake, fruit and other household items or edibles are given to express thanks and appreciation throughout the year but there are two times each year when gift giving takes on a whole new meaning… 

Twice a year, in July and December, it is common for co-workers, friends and relatives to exchange gifts to acknowledge favors received and granted during the year. These gifts are called Ochugen and Oseibo respectively. On average, the gifts cost somewhere between Y2,000 and Y5,000 and the value of the gift depends on the relationship between the parties.  Your boss would receive a more expensive gift than a coworker or neighbor.

Ochugen

Ochugen are given to relatives, friends, superiors and coworkers in the first half July.  Gifts are often useful household items like cooking oil, coupons, detergent.  The giver places a thin paper called noshi with the word “ochugen” written on each gift along with their own name.

Oseibo

Oseibo gifts are usually delivered between between December 5th and 20th or in person anytime before the end of the year.  Like Ochugen, the giver places a noshi atop the gift. 

Popular items for oseibo are beer, famous local produce and ham or sausages based on the results of a goo survey translated by Ken at What Japan Thinks. 

Omiyage

If you are traveling to Japan on business or are fortunate to have a home-stay with a Japanese family on your itinerary the polite thing to do is bring some omiyage with you to show your appreciation to your hosts and those that offer you assistance.  The term omiyage refers to souvenirs brought home for friends and family from your travels but are also popular as gifts from foreign visitors.

Small omiyage of local food products, cell phone straps from a well know tourist destination in your hometown would make great gifts and are easy to pack.  Key chains, t-shirts and caps are also make good omiyage.  Some examples might include items such as small bottles of maple syrup from Canada or the east coast of the United States, macadamia nuts or coffee from Hawaii. 

Gift giving in Japan is practiced year-round – festivals at temples and shrines pay homage to the kami or Gods, gifts are exchanged when you move into a new home, monetary gifts are given at funerals and weddings and children are given otoshidama (an envelope containing money) on New Year’s Day.  The list is endless…

Gift giving in japan is a form of giri, which can be translated as social duty and obligation.  Gifts are given and received with humility and the practice is not as much about the gift as it is about the tradition behind the practice.  Japan brings new meaning to the old saying “It’s the thought that counts” but the gifts are often great too!

To help you when you visit whether on business or pleasure take a moment to peruse these pointers on gift giving etiquette in Japan.

Image Credit:  Flickr, wasanbon, Wikimedia, 20080317-100-dollar-muskmelon

The scene consists of more than just the parade, though. Often, on the streets surrounding the shrine, there are games and foods and vendors of various types all hawking their wares with loud voices and strong lungs.

For a parent, Japanese or foreign, the scene can be a frightening one. The crowds alone are enough to cause panic. Figuring out how to get the most out of the experience while still keeping the kids safe, happy and well-fed can cause quite a quandary. But it doesn’t have to be that difficult.

First of all, bag the pram. In most places the crowds are so thick on the day of the matsuri that there is no way to navigate while pushing a toddler in a stroller. And for the toddler, it is frightening to look out into a sea of unfamiliar legs. For the child who is under two years old (or as long as you’re comfortable) try a backpack. There are the soft ones that literally strap the child to an adult’s back or the steel-framed hiking backpacks. If you use the hiking backpack, the child can actually experience the scene by looking over his or her parents’ heads.

Some strollers these days fold very small and weigh very little. These small ones often come with a strap for slinging over the shoulder. I’d highly recommend the Aprica version sold all over Japan at places like Akachan Hampo. It’s less than three kilos and slings comfortably enough to hold both stroller and child. If you can do this, then you can go a little bit into the crowd and then fold and carry the pram when the crowd thickens. This type of stroller is also useful when using the trains in Japan because often the stations only have steps, not escalators.

Older kids just need a firm hand holding theirs. In our family we end up with children on our shoulders to see above the crowd, too. The myriad of sights and sounds and smells could potentially overwhelm some children, but we have found that our kids (ages 9 and 6) revel in the experience and ask to go to a matsuri whenever there’s a chance.

After watching the parade for a while, make sure to see everything around it. Many places will have games for the kids. There’s one where they get a little colander and fish little toys out of a stream of water. There is the omnipresent water-filled, thick balloons on a stick to bounce. Often there are masks of various Japanese and non-Japanese characters to buy. Sometimes there are even small goldfish to win. Each area of Japan has their own way of catering to the children, so you’ll find different games in different places, but there will always be some way for parents to spend money and children to walk away with small prizes.

The food will be as varying as the number of shrines in Japan. Hot dogs, which Japanese refer to as sausages, will almost always appear along the walk of vendors. Most kids will be excited to eat that. Often men and women clad in yukata are sautéing noodles for yakisoba. It might differ in style between Kansai and Kanto, but okonomiyaki will most always put in an appearance at a matsuri. Sometimes referred to as a Japanese pancake and sometimes as Japanese pizza, the reality is somewhere between the two. It’s a flour-pancake base with heaps of veggies and some seafood heaped on top before folding over, omelet style. The sauce is slightly thick and sweet. Some kids might shy away from all the things that are in it, but if they’re remotely adventurous with food, they’ll love it! Especially as summer progresses, there will be sno-cones with as many as eight different flavor choices available. Buyers get to pump their own syrup right on their shaved-ice. It’s decadent!

All in all, a matsuri is a not-to-be missed experience, no matter what ages your kids might be. There are definitely ways in which the whole family can have the uniquely Japanese experience without any trauma. It will be a day to remember for everyone.

There are thousands of festivals in Japan every year – many small towns have their own shrines and accompanying festivals. Check the city or town’s website for a specific listing or peruse the Japan Event Calendar where you will find links to a number of festival listings as well as movie listings, and art & design events that you can add to your itinerary.

This article is by, writer and writing professor, Aimee Weinstein.  You can read more from Aimee on her website The Weekly Weinstein: Tales of Tokyo Life where she blogs about Tokyo, parenting and the intersection of the two.

Image Credit:  Flickr, Child, The ball catchers, YoyogiHachiman shrine & Stick Your Wieners, But Wrap ‘Em First

Save your love life, don’t gross out your date with your gaseous expulsions – she just might pass out from the egregious odors emanating from your mouth!  The inset cartoon on this ad speaks volumes and I can’t even read Japanese well enough to translate it for myself or you…

I always get a kick out of the advertisements on the trains in Japan.  Some are very typical and others downright odd!  Many are hard to understand without being able to read Japanese but for the most part it is easy to decipher the tabloid newspaper ads from the hotel, tourism and product ads.  You may not be able to read the details but the product image remains in your mind which is the point of good advertising in any language.

After seeing this ad I know that whenever see a package of Gummi Mints I will chuckle to myself and remember that their product kills bad breath – nothing was lost in translation with this ad!

Do you have a picture of a Japanese advertisement that you thought was particularly clever or entertaining?

Leave a link to the image in the comments or send it to me via twitter and I’ll pull together a compilation and publish it here.

The Slide-Out Parking

One of the best car parks is at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills. The driver pulls up to the curb and the car is whisked away to heaven-knows-where, but upon returning and then paying at the valet desk, the car magically appears, sliding out from inside the building with a move reminiscent of Tom Cruise in “Risky Business.”

Big Brother is Watching…

Another favorite is under the Shin Marinouchi Building in central Tokyo. It is a little more mundane in that drivers pull a ticket from a machine as they enter, and then pay at a machine in the elevator lobby. But somehow the machines know the car and if the driver has paid or not, because upon exiting, even though the red and white gate at the top of the ramp is down, if it “recognizes” the car from the photo it has, the gate rises automatically.

Can’t Run Over Me!

Some parking lots are just commonplace. The driver pulls into the spot in the lot and within a few minutes a barrier rises underneath the car. Upon returning to the car, the driver must insert the correct amount of money as calculated by the machine to force the bar to lower under the car so he can leave.

Dial-a-Car

There are parking lots where the driver must drive onto a Ferris Wheel of sorts and the car is taken for a ride of its own. The operator of the lot must make all the cars go around until the right one appears when the driver is ready to leave!

Car Vending Machines

In some places, there are complex machines that layer the cars one on top of the other. To get them out, the parking attendants much do some car jockeying, pulling cars in and out so the right one is reunited with its owner. Of course then there’s the computerized ones where the attendant pushes in the right number for the parked car and it is lowered automatically to the ground after moving other cars on their metal plate to the right positions.

Dizzy Parking

In certain cases, the parking lot is inside the building, but there is no street entrance to get to the actual structure. In this situation, drivers drive the car onto a circle in the floor. The circle spins the car about ninety degrees so that the car is facing the right direction to enter the parking structure. Often this means that once the car is turned, it will go forward onto some sort of Ferris Wheel parking, or stacked parking structure.

Not So Do-It-Yourself Parking

At the new building in Aoyama, aptly named the Ao building, the parking works in a combination of methods. After the driver pulls into the lot and down the ramp, the attendant motions him into a little box-like area. Passengers are ushered into a parking lobby where a different attendant helps them get a ticket from the machine, so the shoppers can go on their way. After people do their shopping and return to the parking lobby, the attendant puts the ticket back into the machine, collects the money and puts it in the machine. Instantly, the car/ticket number appears on a little screen with “notes” attached to each number. “Retrieval in progress” “Car is next in line” “Car approaching the gate.” It’s all reminiscent of the airport. There are even benches on which people sit while waiting for their car to magically appear, watching the update screen all the while. The car comes out a side entry and the number is announced. Drivers collect their cars and drive out up the ramp. It’s all very civilized and pulled off with a minimum of fuss. I wonder if the building and parking owners don’t trust the drivers to use the machines themselves or if they just want to make the experience that much simpler. Given the level of service that we’ve come to know and love in Japan, I would bet on the latter.

Pricing

The price of parking varies by area and proximity to the main street. There can be two parking structures right by each other, but the one closest to the restaurants can cost double of the one just one street back. Often there will be one price for mid-day parking and a less-expensive one for after 4pm or before 8am. Make no mistake though: with the sophisticated machines in charge, the price can be calculated differently over different hours. Do not assume that because you entered the garage before 4pm that all of your hours are calculated at that price; more than likely you will have the post-4pm charges calculated at a higher price when you come get your car. On average, parking can be between 100 yen per hour for outside of the city and 800 yen per hour in a central spot. It varies widely.

One thing is for certain when driving and parking in Japan: it’s like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get. However, I can guarantee that it will never be boring.

This article is by, writer and writing professor, Aimee Weinstein.  You can read more from Aimee on her website The Weekly Weinstein: Tales of Tokyo Life where she blogs about Tokyo, parenting and the intersection of the two.

Image Credit:  Flickr, Car Park in Nara, Car park, car-jail, DP2 multilevel car parking tower, Multilevel parking lot