I recently had the pleasure of a relaxing one night retreat from my daily life and thanks to the generosity of The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo you too can relax your cares away while pondering the your own private view of Tokyo’s impressive nighttime skyline, but let me tell you more about the hotel first…

The lobby of The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo sits on the 45th floor and is a peaceful oasis unto itself – modern flower arrangements grace the large lobby tables and a pianist plays classical music for patrons partaking of afternoon tea.  For those looking to imbibe in something a little stronger the lobby bar is located beyond an infinity pool and fountain that will wash away any stress that you may be harboring.

Also off the lobby is French restaurant, Forty Five, and Hinokizaka, specializing in Japanese cuisine, both with lovely views of the city. I sipped champagne and dined on Le Menu at Forty Five while overlooking Tokyo Tower on a rare haze-free summer day in the city and enjoyed both the food and the view tremendously!

If you are looking for space, the rooms at The Ritz Carleton Tokyo have plenty to spare.  All the rooms in the hotel feature “standard” marble bathrooms that are the size of many Tokyo apartments, featuring two well appointed vanities, a luxurious tub, and even a television!

A small desk, two comfortable sitting chairs and another television grace the room where the star is the bed itself covered with luxurious Frette linens and pillows that beckon you to a relaxing nights sleep or simply a short nap.    Privacy shades and room darkening curtains ensure that the level of light is to your liking at all times and can be changed and the touch of a button from conveniently placed bedside controls.

I suggest that you borrow one of the great pillows from the well appointed bed and perch on the comfortably wide window ledge to watch the sun set over Tokyo.  As the city lights begin to twinkle and the sun sets behind Mount Fuji and Roppongi Hills, Shinjuku or the Imperial Palace, take it all in before heading down for dinner in the hotel or at one of the many great restaurants in Tokyo Midtown.

Upon your return, you will be greeted by a plush terry robe, bedside slippers, a chocolate on your pillow, some complimentary water and a perfectly turned down bed where you can dream the night away high above the city.

The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo

• Dining over Tokyo
• Spa Services
• Guest Rooms & Packages

You Can Win A Stay at The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo!

Staying at the Ritz is a treat reserved for very special occasions for most and my stay was no exception – I was honored to be a guest for one night and along with The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo want you to experience all that the Ritz has to offer.

To win a one night midweek stay (Sunday through Thursday) in a deluxe room at The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo here is what you need to do:

1. Peruse the The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo website to learn more about the services and amenities that are offered, and,
2. Pick just one (it will be hard) that defines luxury and relaxation to you,
3. Then, tweet it to your followers with a link back to this contest page with the RitzTokyo hashtag (e.g. “I want to win a night at the #RitzTokyo & get an essential body massage – you can enter too! http://su.pr/1Wrm1V .”

OR

1. If you have your own website but aren’t yet on Twitter,  write about the contest on your site, following the guidelines above, and,
2. Ensure that there is a track back to this post.

Terms & Conditions

1. Contest will run from Friday, September 4, 2009 through midnight on Sunday, September 6, 2009 (Japan Standard Time)
2. Contest winner must be of legal age in Japan to claim the prize (20 years old).
3. Only one (1) prize will be awarded.
4. Prize must be utilized within six months of being awarded, is non-transferable once issued, and can only be utilized at The Ritz-Carton Tokyo.
5. One entry per day per person for the term of the contest.
6. Contest winner will be drawn randomly via Random.org
7. If the winner is on Twitter, they will be notified by direct message on Friday, September 11, 2009 so be sure to follow @shanesakata on Twitter so that you receive the DM, or,
8. If the winner is the result of an article written on another website the winner will be contacted via that website’s published contact information.
9. In either case, if no reply is received within 24 hours of notification a new winner will be chosen.

Image Credit:  Images provide by and used with permission from The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo

Over time ukiyo-e developed into popular art form and the subjects of the prints broadened. The equivalent of today’s movie poster were Yakusha-e or woodblock prints of kabuki actors in popular roles and Bijin-ga illustrated beautiful women of Edo.

In the early days, wood block prints were one color with two and three color prints first created in the 1740′s followed by multi-color called nishiki-e (brocade picture) in the early Meiji period.  Hiroshige’s 100 Views of Edo created during the first half of the 1800′s combined images of daily life in Edo, now Tokyo, with iconic landscapes and places.

Ukiyo-e offers a glimpse into life in early japan through its stunning visiual representation of the clothing, events and customs of the time.

How Ukiyo-e Are Created

Making traditional ukiyo-e (woodblock) prints is a complex process that involves the work of at least three artisans:

1. The ukiyo-e artist sketches the design with sumisen (ink lines)
2. The horishi (carver) pastes the sketch on a block made of wild cherry wood and carves out the design. This block, called a sumiita (ink plate), is only for printing the black outline.
3. Other blocks are then carved out, one for each color; these are called iroita (color plates).
4. The surishi (printer) applies color on the blocks under the artist’s supervision. The light colors and largest areas are printed first followed by darker colors and small details.
5. Sheets of paper are then pressed on each woodblock to create the design.  Each block has a marking on the same spot relative to the finished picture to ensure that the image remains aligned throughout the process.

The artisans are so skilled that it is often hard to discern the steps or block used to create a high quality multi-color woodblock print.  It’s hard not to appreciate the beauty if the resulting prints once you are aware of the painstaking process required to create them.

Ukiyo-e in Museums

Visitors to most major museums in Japan will enjoy perusing a selection of famous ukiyo-e prints but one of the best collections of prints is not found in Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka but in a city in northern Japan better know for its ski slopes than its contribution to the art world.  The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum is located in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture and is home to the largest private collection of ukiyo-e (woodblock prints), paintings screens and old books in the world.  Over the course of five generations the Sakai family has amassed an amazing collection of over 100,000 pieces.

In Tokyo, visit the Ukiyo-e Ota Memorial Museum of Art or the The Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints.

Ukiyo-e for Kids of All Ages

Kids-web Japan has a gallery of some famous woodblock prints and you can even create your own virtual Ukiyo-e to see if you have mastered the process.

Image Credit:  Wikimedia, Utamaro1, Red Fuji southern wind clear morning by Katsushika Hokusai & Dai-ichi no Gekijō Shintomi-za from Tōkyō Meisho by Hiroshige Utagawa III

Located in the Chubu region of Japan, Ryumyoji Town in Ishikawa Prefecture is home to a paradox of peaceful prayer and images of hell.   The cave enshrines the latter while nearby Hanibe Gankutsu-in, where the stated mission is world peace, enshrines deities and hosts the faithful dedicated to that mission.

From the cave of hell, a short walk will take you to a recumbent statue of Shakyamuni Buddha  lounging peacefully in the more heavenly setting of a nearby park.

Also in the area you will find glowing bronze head and shoulders of  what will eventually be the largest statue of Buddha in Japan on the grounds of Hanibe Gankutsu-in.

Heaven or hell?  It’s your choice in Ishikawa’s Ryumyoji Town!

Hanibe Cave

Open: Daily from 8:30AM to 5PM (March-November) &  9AM to 4PM (December-February）

Admission: Adults Y800, Children up to and including high school students Y500

Access: From JR Komatsu station, take the Komatsu bus bound for Nishikarumikai, Hanibe and get off at Hanibe bus stop.  (Hanibe Gankutsu-in access map)

Travel Time From Tokyo: Approximately 4 hours by train

Image Credit:  Flickr, Hanibe Gankutuin Temple(2009.4.25) – 78, Hanibe Gankutuin Temple(2009.4.25) – 69, Hanibe Gankutuin Temple(2009.4.25) – 85 & Hanibe Gankutuin Temple(2009.4.25) – 97

You will walk away with a better understanding and appreciation for the art forms than you will get from any museum – and you’ll have a great souvenir from your trip too!

The Kyoto Handicraft Center offers a variety of hands on activities such as cloisonne making, dorei (Clay bell) doll or fan painting, Koma spinning top making, woodblock printing (ukiyoe), incense mixing (part of the art of koh-do), drawing with gold powder, damascene accessories (gold & silver inlay) and shichimi (Japanese spice) blending.

Each lesson is conducted by Japanese artisans and English translation is provided.  The cost ranges from Y1,890 to Y3,980 and each session takes about an hour.

The center also offers demonstrations by working crafts people and a shop where you can purchase local Kyoto handicrafts.

Located near the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art and the Heian Jingu Shrine, the Kyoto Handicraft Center is approximately half an hour by bus or fifteen minutes by taxi from Kyoto Station and is open daily from 10AM-5PM except for January 1st – 3rd. (Kyoto Handicraft Center Access Map)

Image Credit: Wikimedia, Fan, Japanese

Your hard earned money is one of those things that flows, usually away from you faster than towards you, and it is said that if you visit Zeniari Bentzaiten and wash your money there the flow will be reversed for the faithful and that it will come back to them many times over when spent.

Based on the tale of Minamoto Yoritomo who, in 1185 had a vision and received the following message “I am the god of Ugajin {woo-gah-gin}.  In a valley to the northwest, there is a miraculous spring that gushes out of  the rocks.  Go there and worship to the Gods of Shinto and peace will come to the people”.  Moniamoto followed the directions of the Gods and founded the Zeniarai Bentzaiten Ugafuku Jinji.

The shrine is small but located in a lovely glade that is accessed through a short tunnel borrowed into the hills of Kamakura whose entrance is marked by a large stone tablet and tori.  Stepping out of the dim tunnel you are surrounded by rocky slopes of emerald green trees and the peaceful sound of flowing water.

Take a wander about and explore the small altars inset into the hillside, the lovely ponds and the small waterfall that is said to flow with one of the five best spring waters in Kamakura.

Next, make a donation of Y100 to receive a bamboo basket, two small candles and a packet of incense .  Pause to light your candles and place them on the wrought iron stand to the left of the shrine entrance then light your incense bundle and place it in to koro before entering the cave where the main shrine is housed.

As you enter, the coolness of the cave envelops you and you can’t help but pause to take in the scene before you.  Origami cranes cranes and golden gourds hang from the ceiling and row upon row of tiny wooden tori rest upon a rocky ledge that is lit by a large paper lantern and natural rays coming though the rocks.

The gurgling and bubbling sound of the water will draw you towards the beautiful wooden altar where you will empty your wallet with hopes of future riches. Place your Yen into the bamboo basket, coins and all, scoop up some of the pure spring water and pour it over your money, and pray…

A couple we met at the shrine were pondering the idea of washing their credit cards, but alas, this is yet another place in Japan where credit cards are not accepted!

Not ones to tempt fate, my companions and I washed our money and prayed that it would be come back to us as we handed over the damp bills to the various shopkeepers along the Kamakura shopping street later in the day.

We haven’t yet reaped the benefits of newfound riches, but we had some clean money, if only for a short time, and hold on to a lingering hope that good things really do come to those who wait – after all there isn’t a time limit imposed on prayers…

Zeniarai Bentzaiten Ugafuku Jinja is located about 25 minutes on foot from Kamakura station (approximately one hour from Tokyo station by train) or take some time to explore Kamakura on a rental bike like we did.  Pick up a map of Kamakura at the tourist information office in the station before heading out on foot or on two wheels to make the most of your time in the area.

Image Credit:  Personal Collection

My trusty folding fan is never far from reach these days and offers a bit of a respite from the pervasive heat and humidity that oppresses residents of, and visitors to, Japan this time of year.

I’m still getting out and about – in the last few weeks I’ve visited Kamakura, one of many great day trips from Tokyo, shopped my way through Nippori and strolled through the Yanaka cemetery searching for an elusive cool patch under the trees that are scattered amongst the grave stones. It’s just one of my new found favorite areas of Tokyo and one that is well worth adding to any Tokyo itinerary.  I’ve also watched a couple of baseball games and dreamed about visiting the cooler surrounds of Hokkaido in northern Japan.

As a result of natsubate The Nihon Sun will be going on a lighter summer posting schedule for the next few weeks – but don’t fear, we haven’t gone anywhere, we’re still out looking for great destinations and quality content that will inspire and inform those that wish to visit Japan, even if it’s only virtually!

While we are busy fanning ourselves and trying to find the nearest source or cool air we are also busy working on a comprehensive Japan Travel ebook that will be released in the fall.  It is the result of our continuing commitment to a Cut & Paste Japan Trip Planning philosophy and another resource that we hope will help you plan a highly personal and unique trip to Japan.

In the meantime, stay cool and take some time to peruse through some of the content that has been popular over the last few months:

• Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Pictures
• Cheap Eats in Japan
• The Unusual Superstitions of the Japanese
• Budgeting Your Time In Japan
• Purity & Prayer at Japanese Shrines
• The Three Most Scenic Spots in Japan
• Getting Around in Japan
• How to Take the Train in Japan
• My Favorite Place in Japan – Different Perspectives
• 25 Things to Do In Japan Before You Die

Image Credit:  Flickr, Ishiyamadera monks 04

The hanging lamps were swaying quite violently and everything was rattling in our twelfth floor Chiba, Japan apartment for at least a minute while we waited, and wondered, when the shaking would stop.    You can read a quote from both me and Honor Dargan, guest contributor on The Nihon Sun and author of Tokyotopia on Galavanting.

What can visitors do to prepare for an earthquake when visiting Japan?  Not a lot I’m afraid, but some tips for staying safe include:

1. Locate the emergency exits closest to you at your hotel.
2. Prop open your hotel room door in case the building buckles – you may not be able to open it otherwise.
3. Crouch under a sturdy table or desk, stand under a doorframe or head for the bathroom – these locations are usually the most structurally sound and offer you the most protection.
4. Don’t panic or rush out of doors unless absolutely necessary – if you do need to evacuate do so calmly on foot taking only what you need.
5. If you are out of doors, look for open spaces and parks that offer protection from debris that may fall off buildings and hillsides.

If you happen to be in a tall building when an earthquake strikes you will likely feel the intensity of the quake more than someone on the ground.  Modern buildings in Japan are built on foundations that are meant to withstand earthquakes but they tend to sway more the higher you are!

The chance of you experiencing and earthquake in Japan is pretty good, the chance of it being large enough to cause damage or take lives is much less likely.  In fact you may not even notice an earthquake if you are walking or otherwise moving about.

Earthquake Simulations in Japan

The Hyogo Earthquake Engineering Research Center has some video simulations of earthquakes or if you are in Tokyo you can visit the Tokyo Northern Disaster Research Center to experience an earthquake simulator free of charge.  The simulations, like the one in the video above, will allow you to experience the exact magnitude and duration of the the 1923 Kanto Earthquake and the 1995 Kobe Earthquake.

The first hand account of the 1923 Kanto Earthquake as experienced on the slopes of Mt. Fuji is also fascinating reading.

(Hat tip to Tokyotopia on Twitter for the Tokyo Northern Disaster Research Center link)

Video Credit: YouTube, Earthquake simulation

Kamakura is home to a number of beautiful temples and shrines with histories that date back centuries as well as beautiful beaches and a giant Buddha Statue know as Daibutsu.

Yokohama is also located in Kanagawa Prefecture and is home to one of the world’s largest Chinatown’s and a thoroughly modern port area, Minato Mirai, where you can shop, eat and get a great view of Yokohama Bay from the Ferris wheel or the Landmark Tower.

Nikko is home to one of Japan’s UNESCO World heritage sites and is approximately a two hour train ride from Tokyo in Tochigi Prefecture.  See the elaborate carvings on the ancient shrines and escape the heat of a a Tokyo summer in the mountains of this stunning landlocked area.

Kawagoe is located in Saitama Prefecture and is nicknamed “Little Edo”.  This town is famous for it’s traditional Japanese warehouses and a quaint old fashioned atmosphere.  You will find over 500 statues of Buddha on the grounds of the Kitain Temple and a candy lane where you can peruse and sample all sorts of Japanese candy.

If you want to be further afield be sure to peruse our regional Japan travel series for inspiration.  From north to south, Hokkaido to Okinawa, you will find great sights to add to your itinerary and events to plan your trip around – if you sample the foods of each area as you travel about hungry our companion regional foods of Japan will help you do just that!

Image Credit:  Flickr, Japan0105.15, Nikko – Toshogu, Mt. Fuji from Yokohama & Kura in Kawagoe

With that goal in mind, I joined nine other photographers from Japan to bring you The View From Japan, a new photo blog that goes beyond the typical in an attempt to capture the essence of Japan.   I was recently interviewed on the Japan Podshow about this project and was asked about the Top 10 things to photograph in Japan.  We had a good time chatting about some of the typical and not so typical shots and encourage everyone to get out their camera, explore the county, and capture their own unique view from Japan.

Local Markets

Head out to a local market.  Fish markets vegetable markets, even grocery stores, in Japan are quite different to those found in North America and offer insight into the lives of the Japanese through the food that they eat.  Take advantage of your jet lag and head for the Tsukiji Morning Market to photograph the bounty of the sea in Tokyo – it’s an amazing experience.

Matsuri

Head out to a festival, small or large, well know or obscure, to find revelers strolling about in yukata, mikoshi (portable shrines) paraded about by men in traditional dress, vendors selling all manner of food, and taiko drummers beating out festive tunes.  The bright colors and abundant activity offer limitless opportunities to capture the feeling of summer in Japan.

The City Lights

Go for a stroll in the evening and try to capture the mood of the city through the neon signs that can be found along most major thoroughfares in larger cities.

Traditional & Modern Side by Side

A temple in the foreground with a modern apartment building in the background…or a modern skyscraper hovering alongside a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn).  Try to catch an image that juxtaposes the old and new in Japan.

Temples & Shrines

In the city or the country, the temples and shrines are beautiful unto themselves but try capturing the spirit with images of the ema (prayer boards), purity fountain, torii (gates), and the monks themselves.

The View From the Street

Bring a long lens as the Japanese are notoriously camera shy with strangers. Capture people going about their daily lives, or the scene from the streets and alleyways of a local neighborhood like Kagurazaka or Nippori or even Yakitori Alley.

Transportation

Take a walk with your camera through a busy station and try to capture the hectic pace or visit a smaller station and head to the end of the platform to capture the comings and goings of the trains themselves.  Or why not try to capture other means of transportation like these well used Japanese bikes?

Food

I’ve been known to hold up a dinner party by stopping to take a picture of the food before its touched – just choose you timing wisely on that one…

Gardens & Parks

Japanese Gardens and are usually designed with a path around a central pond and offer a different view from almost any point along the meandering path. Shoot the ponds, bridges, ishidoro (stone lanterns), traditional tea houses and the seasonal foliage and flowers. It’s a beautiful an relaxing way to while away and afternoon with your camera.

Know When to Put Your Camera Away

Make sure that you put your camera down and just take it all in once in a while. You don’t want to spend all you time trying to capture the perfect shot and not enjoy the experience – that would be a bigger shame than losing a shot!

If you are a budding photographer and your traveling companions are not try to find some time to explore by yourself.  There is so much to photograph that much can be overlooked when trying to meet the needs of those with different interests. Set aside some time to explore your hobby independently or set a meeting time with your companion so you are free to roam about without worrying about your companions.

Stop by and visit The View From Japan for some photographic inspiration and take some time to listen to me talk about this list with Joseph on the Japan Podshow this week.

Image Credit:  Personal Collection

Tokyo beers gardens can be found in parks and on building rooftops throughout the city  and there’s nothing better than enjoying a cold beer, or two, with friends on a warm summer evening in the city. Social and business networking on Tokyo has now been taken to a new level with the creation of the Tokyo Garden Party.

On a sweltering summer day in 2008, two of Tokyo’s up-and-coming creative agencies got together to discuss ways in which to work together. Instead of having the meeting at their office, they decided to rendezvous at the beer garden on the roof of Bunkamura in Shibuya.

“It was such a beautiful afternoon, it seemed crazy to stay inside”, says Wayne J. Moskwa, creative designer at fusionbureau. “For two agencies that specialized in breaking the rules it seemed like the natural place to get together”. Over several plates of edamame (boiled soy beans) and a few rounds of daijoki (big beers), bonds were formed which led to the fusionbureau team taking on the task of rebuilding the SET website and SET putting together an event for one of fusionbureau’s clients.

It worked out so well that they decided to start a networking event between the two firms. Johan Rooms from fusionbureau explained how the original idea was to bring along one or two clients each time and talk and drink together casually about possible collaborations. “We envisioned around 15-20 people getting together every once in a while in the hope of finding some synergy”.

Fast forward to 2009 and Tokyo Garden Party is the talk of the town…sort of. Now getting ready their 4th event, the jointly run networking event is garnering great reviews and a rapidly growing Facebook army. Greg McMaster from SET says they were amazed by the response. “We were aiming for 30 people for the first event, held at Shibuya Bunkamura in honor of the place where the idea first took shape, but we had over 60 despite the dodgy weather”.

The format is fairly loose and there are no guest speakers or presentations.  Rather it is simply an opportunity to get together in a casual open-air setting and talk. The Facebook page says that it is for marketing and advertising industry people but this was only because they didn’t have a wide enough category to cover what the organizers wanted. It is open to anyone either living in Tokyo or visiting from abroad. Basically if you enjoy drinking outdoors, it’s the event for you.

Greg Lane from fusionbureau says the idea was to create something that was pretty much without rules. “We have toyed with the idea of presenters and special guests but we might leave that until the hangover of year one has passed and we start planning for 2010″.

If you want to get more information check out the Tokyo Garden Party Facebook page, visit the Tokyo Garden Party website or follow @tokyobeergarden on Twitter.

Upcoming Tokyo Garden Parties

Thursday, August 13 at 7:00pm – Jingu-Gaien ‘Mori no Biagaaden’ (The Forest Beer Garden)

Join the party by leaving your RSVP on the Tokyo Garden Party Facebook page.

Image Credit: Facebook, Photos from Tokyo Garden Party #2 & Photos from Tokyo Garden Party #3