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The Tokyo Traveler

Archive for April 2008

April 30th, 2008

The Imperial Hotel - Tokyo

Tokyo’s Imperial Hotel has a long and distinguished history. The hotel opened in 1890 across from the Imperial Palace in a impressive Victorian style building that for many decades was the only fully European style hotel in Tokyo. In 1923, the hotel opened a fabulous new building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright which […]

By Shane -- 1 comment

April 29th, 2008

Conveyor Belt Sushi Restaurants turn 50!

One of the coolest things that you can do when you come to Tokyo is eat at a Kaitenzushi restaurant.  This month marks the 50th anniversary of this very cool dining experience where your sushi is brought to you on a conveyor belt.  The Daily Yomiuri reports that the first conveyor belt sushi restaurant […]

By Shane -- 4 comments

April 28th, 2008

Renoir + Renoir in Tokyo

An exhibit titled “Renoir + Renoir” will be on display at the Bunkamura Museum of Art until May 6th. The exhibit focuses on two great masters — painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) and his son Jean Renoir (1894-1979).
Both men had a love of nature and depicted joyful scenes in their work. On display are 50 […]

By Shane -- 0 comments

April 28th, 2008

Sumo Babies Crying?

This past weekend, at Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, 84 babies participated in the ‘crying’ sumo contest or Nakizumo. The first baby to cry or the loudest crier is deemed the winner! Like the other traditions surrounding Children’s day, this event is held to pray for children’s healthy growth.
CNN has put a photo show […]

By Shane -- 0 comments

April 27th, 2008

Nihon on the Net

A report on the disturbing increase of cyber-bullying on Japan’s school websites.
Japanese men are turning to spa treatments and anti-aging products offered by a local department store.
Some great shots of Geisha in Japan in this slide show from Yahoo! News.
Learn a little bit about how recycling is done in Japan - it’s not that […]

By Shane -- 1 comment

April 26th, 2008

Takeshita Dori - A Hip Hang Out

If you want to check out what’s new and hip in Tokyo, take a walk down Takeshita Dori. This ‘back alley’ in the Harajuku neighborhood has a distinctive entrance and is lined with shops, cafes and fast food outlets catering to the young and hip in Tokyo.
The quarter mile long (400 meter) strip is […]

By Shane -- 0 comments

April 25th, 2008

Great Japan Beer Festival

The Japan Craft Beer Association is hosting the 11th annual Great Beer Festival. What will you find there? Why, beer, and lots of it!
For Y4,800 (Y4,300 in advance) you can sample 1.7 ounce portions of 120 different micro brewed beers in the Garden Hall at Yebisu Garden Place. Beers are separated […]

By Shane -- 0 comments

April 24th, 2008

Yabusame - Japanese Archery

On a overcast day in Tokyo it felt as if I had been transported back to the days of Edo. Under a peaceful canopy of greenery and cherry blossoms, magnificent horses and their riders (ite), dressed in traditional hunting attire (a-ge-shozoku), thundered down a narrow 240 meter track (baba), taking aim at three targets […]

By Shane -- 2 comments

April 23rd, 2008

Children’s Day in Japan

Kodomo no hi (Children’s Day) is observed in Japan on May 5th. The event is celebrated by hanging carp streamers (koi-nobori) and displaying samurai dolls and helmets (kabuto) in and around the home.
Kodomo no hi was originally the day that Japanese families would pray for the health, strength and future success of their sons. […]

By Shane -- 3 comments

April 22nd, 2008

Golden Week - Don’t let it Tarnish your Trip!

You may have heard of Golden Week if you live in a popular destination for Japanese tourists but do you really know what Golden Week is?  Golden Week runs from Tuesday, April 29th through Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 and there are four national holidays during this 8 day period.  Many Japanese take this opportunity […]

By Shane -- 2 comments

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