The Tokyo Traveler

One of the most recognizable forms of Japanese arts are woodblock prints or ukiyo-e. The word ukiyo refers to the world of common people and e means picture. This art form originated in the late sixteenth century in the ancient capital of Kyoto and the first ukiyo-e were not woodblock prints at all but paintings of everyday life.
As ukiyo-e developed into popular art 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. Landscapes came later and were used …read more

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The Kagurazaka district is located in the center of Tokyo, in the middle of JR Yamanote Line. The area is famous for its lively main street, Kagurazaka-Dori (Dori means “street.”) and it’s winding cobblestone alleyways. The name Kagurazaka is a combination of kagura (a shrine-dance to music) and saka (hill) and evokes the sites and topography of this beautiful part of Tokyo. The layout of the area is much the same as it was when the town was built in the 17th century despite the fact that most of the area was burned down as the …read more

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The Rikugien Garden is celebrating it’s annual Azalea or satsuki festival from May 24th through June 8th but it’s not just about these beautiful flowers!
The garden was built in 1702 on the grounds of a private villa and was not open to the public until 1938. It was designated as a special beauty spot of Japan in 1953 and features a large pond and surrounded by sloping hills and walking paths. There isn’t a better time to stroll through this garden than when the Azaleas are in bloom.
Events during the festival include:

Niko concerts (Chinese two string violin …read more

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The Imperial Palace East Garden, or Higashi-gyoen, is rightly considered one of Tokyo’s finest gardens.
The Imperial Palace East Garden is located on the former site of Edo Castle. None of the original buildings remain but the moats, walls, entrance gates and several guardhouses that protected the former castle still stand within the confines of the garden. The castle, once the largest in Japan standing 58 meters (190 feet) high, was destroyed by fire in 1657 but the base remains and can be used as a vantage point to oversee portions of this vast garden.
The Tide …read more

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Efforts began in 2004 to renovate and preserve the Tokyo Station for the first time since the end of WWII.  The renovations will be completed by 2013 and will include the reconstruction of the domes atop the station, restoration of the red brick facade and repairs to the third floor of the facility.
Architect Kingo Tatsuno designed the original building which was built in 1914.  The building has three above ground floors and a basement level and is one of the busiest stations in the Tokyo metropolitan area.  Tokyo Station survived the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 but the building …read more

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The Oriental Bazaar claims to be the biggest art & antiques store in Tokyo. It’s definitely a one stop shop for all of your souvenir needs so, if you are strapped for time and need a memento from your trip then this is the place for you!

In the basement you will find Kinomo, Yukata, Geta, laquerware, decorative panels and toys. The main floor has a wide selection of Japanese china, postcards and stationery and the upper floor offers a selection of antiques, screens, art prints and books. The store definitely caters to the tourist crowd but it’s enjoyable …read more

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Bring your own chopsticks three times and you could win a new pair!  Just the latest eco-conscious promotion in Japan.  But the best eco-conscious product has to be the solar powered bra that you can use to charge your I-pod.
The Japanese have brought native Noma horses back from the brink of extinction and you can now see one of these adorable miniature horses at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo.
As incomes rise, more Asians turn to cosmetics that promise a lighter skin color.
Neon orange paint balls are the newest crime-fighting innovation in Japan. I’m not sure how effective they will …read more

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Yutaka Shinohara is one of the few people in Japan who continues on the ancient tradition of making hand-blown glass wind chimes or Edo Furin.   After the hand-blown glass balls are created they are then painted on the inside to create one of a kind pieces of art. Shinohara-san has been blowing glass furin for 45 years and  you can visit his studio, Shinohara Furin Hompo, to see the process in action and even make one of your own! 
Edo Furin were made as far back as 1600 and are thought to have been brought to Japan from China.  …read more

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Across from the grand Imperial Hotel you will find the Imperial Palace, home to Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan. The palace has housed the Imperial Household of Japan since 1868, when the imperial family relocated from Kyoto which had been the imperial capital for more than a thousand years.
Japan’s monarchy is the longest hereditary monarchy in the world and there have been 125 reigning monarchs since 660BC. Prior to 1889, Japan had eight female tennō or reigning empresses, but since that time Japanese law limits the succession to the throne to direct male descendants …read more

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If you can’t make the fire boat demonstration at the Tokyo Port Festival this Saturday then why not head over to the Asakusa Yayoi Matsuri (festival) on Sunday, May 25th. Or you could do both!
The Edo Shobo Kinen-kai (Edo Civilian Fire Fighters’ Association) will be hosting a demonstration of acrobatics on fire-ladders at 12 Noon at the Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa.
To get to the Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa Kannon Temple) take Tokyo Metro to Asakusa Station and follow the signs to the Kaminarimon Gate.
While you are there why not make a day of it and check out some of the …read more

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