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

The bullfighting arena is a dome-shaped structure with open sides providing air circulation.  A circular area covered with a mixture of sand and clay, about 18 meters in diameter is where the bulls face each other.  It is surrounded by an earthen mound and topped with an iron fence railing.  Completely around and above the bullfighting ring are concrete bleachers with enough seating for a few thousand spectators.  A tunnel, under the bleachers, is the only way for bulls and their handlers to enter and exit the ring.

There may be a team of handlers in the ring for each bull but, only one member at a time is permitted to physically handle their bull.  The rest of the team stays back at a distance, ready to relieve a handler as required.  The less experienced bulls are led on a line tethered through their nose.  Bulls with the most experience are un-tethered, do not need to be led and actually, look forward to the fight.

Judges, seated above the arena, determine the winner and looser of each bout when a decision needs to be made, but usually, the bulls decide for themselves.  Normally whichever bull runs away from the fight is the looser.  However, sometimes a bull will break free and run, only to gain enough momentum to turn around and charge his opponent and win the match.

The normal bout lasts around ten minutes with the bulls locking horns and trying to muscle their opponent into quitting.  They get tired much as a couple of arm-wrestlers would and usually one bull will just give up, turn and run; ending the match.  Sometimes a bull will be intimidated when he first sees his opponent and just run for the exit without ever starting to fight and the hecklers in the crowd go wild!  Then, there are the bouts that last twenty to thirty minutes.  The unpredictability of each match is what the crowds come to see.

With their heads and horns as their only weapons one would think this might be a bloody sport, but it isn’t.  The judges and handlers would quickly end any match where serious injury might occur.  The handlers actually treat their bulls as family pets.  Some of them go through the bout barefooted while standing right next to their bull, patting a shoulder and speaking encouraging words while its locking horns with another ton of snorting, earth-pawing bull!

At the end of each bout the loosing bull is quickly escorted to the exit by its team of handlers.  The winner has a colorful cape placed on its back and bright colored ribbons and towels tied to its horns and tail by celebrating fans and team members.  Then he is paraded around the ring stopping only for children, family members and handlers to jump on his back for a victory photo.  Loud, Okinawan traditional music is played until the victor leaves the ring.  The crowd cheers and applauds until the bull is out of sight.

Then, the music stops, the announcer calls for the next teams and the crowd becomes silent waiting for the next match…

Getting There:

The Ishikawa Dome, where these events take place, sheltered from the weather is about a 45 minute drive from Naha Airport.  The quickest route is north on HWY 58, or north on the Okinawa Expressway, following road signs for Exit #6 of the Expressway. The arena is a large concrete, dome-shaped building visible from the entrance/exit of the Toll Road.

More Info:
Bullfights are events held on Sunday and the tickets are sold at the entrance for 2,500-3,000 Yen.  Most Google searches for Okinawa Bullfight will lead to travel agencies (some in English; most in Japanese).  Japan Update has more information on the All Okinawa Weatherweight Bulls’ Tournament bouts that are scheduled for July 26th, and other upcoming bullfights in Okinawa.

The images in this article are from the bullfight in Uruma Okinawa, Japan that took place as part of the festivities associated with the Lunar, or Chinese New Year on the 1st of February 2009.  According to the Asian calendar it is the Year of the Ox.

This article was written by Michael Lynch.  He is what the Japanese call a Camerman and photographs wildlife, culture, travel destinations and festivals in Okinawa, Japan. See more of Michael’s images on his website mikesryukyugallery.com

Chugoku is a beautiful area of Japan that is rich in history, both modern and ancient, and natural wonders.  Take some time to explore Chugoku the next time you visit Japan.

Hiroshima Prefecture

The prefectural capital is the the city of Hiroshima and and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial is not only one of Japan’s UNESCO World Hertiage sites, but is a leader in promoting world peace.  Visit the Hiroshima Peace Site to learn about the areas monuments, museums and parks.

Know as the water city, it only seems right that you can take a number of sightseeing cruises around the city of Hiroshima‘s waterways.

Visit Mitaki-dera Temple and it’s famous “treasure pagoda”.

Explore the Island of Miyajima with it’s scenic temples and shrines including the floating Itsuku-shima-jinja Shrine and tori.

Go on an apple picking excursion at Fruitland Funo in Miyoshi City.

Spend a secluded weekend at the Shiki-no-Ie Cottages.

Learn about the history of shipbuilding in Japan at the Yamato Museum or the JMSDF Kure Museum and it’s submarines in Kure.

Explore the seaside in Onomichi-Shimanami by bike or tour the 26 of the city’s temples and shrines on foot.  You’ll see beautiful pagodas and statues designated as national treasures and important cultural assets. (pictured top right)

Go kayaking on the Seto Inland Sea.

Download free audio tours of famous spots in Hiroshima from Hiroshima Navigator or browse their site to learn more about the city of Hiroshima. Also visit Welcome to Hiroshima to download guides for the various areas in the prefecture.

Other handy Hiroshima trip planning recourses include Enjoy the Inland Sea of Japan and the Japan National Tourism Association Hiroshima Pages.

Okayama Prefecture

Take a stroll thourhg Okayama Korakuen Garden (PDF), regarded as on of Japan’s three most beautiful gardens and a cultural heritage site.  (view from the  garden picture on right)

Attend the Saidai-ji Eyo Hadaka Matsuri each February to see swarms of near-naked me struggling to grasp on to a variety of sacred sticks, willow branches and other items that are said to bring the bearer gook luck in the upcoming year.

Explore Bizen, the historic home of the Bizen pottery.

Tour the Ikura-do and Maki-do caves in Okayama.

Explore a Samurai residence, historic Joto Street and Shurakuen Garden, a famous spot to view the cherry blossoms, in Tsuyama.

For more trip planning suggetions visit the Japan National Tourism Association Okayama Pages.

Shimane Prefecture

Visit the Iwami Silver Mine Museum and other sights in Omori Town.

See the largest shrine gate in Japan at Izumo Taishi Grand Shrine and Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo to see ancient bells, swords and artwork of the region.

Take in the scenic views of the waterfront in Yana.

See the ritual of ‘Sagimai’ (the heron dance) at Taikodani-inari Shrine.

Explore the shore of Lake Shinji-ko or cruise the Horikawa river around the city of Matsue.

Visit the museums in Matsue including The Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum and the Adachi Museum of Art. (garden pictured on right)

Explore more things to do and see in Shimane Prefecture by browsing through Sightseeing in Shimane or the Japan National Tourism Association Shimane Pages.  Also take some time to explore this sightseeing map of Shimane.

Articles in the Japan: A Closer Look series:

• Japan: A Closer Look at Hokkaido
• Japan: A Closer Look at Tohoku – Part 1 & Part 2
• Japan: A Closer Look at Chubu – Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3
• Japan: A Closer Look at Kanto – Part 1 & Part 2
• Japan: A Closer Look at Kanto – Kanagawa
• Japan: A Closer Look at Kanto – Tokyo Practicalities
• Japan: A Closer Look at Kanto – Tokyo – Part 1 & Part 2
• Japan: A Closer Look At Tokyo:Lesser Known Facts And Figures
• Japan:A Closer Look at Kansai – Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3

Image Credit: Flickr, Onomichi #16, 烏城（岡山城） Crow Castle (Okayama Castle) & zen garden