The Tokyo Traveler

Tattoos in Japan – not just for yakuza (gangsters) anymore.  While there are still social stigmas surrounding the tattooed, attitudes are changing…slowly.

10 things about Tokyo that will blow your mind by MatadorTrips.  Mind-blowing, maybe not, but still an interesting read.
Busses in Japan are a cost effective alternative to taking the famous bullet train, better know as the shinkansen, in Japan.
The Rough Guide to the Music of Japan offers 73 minutes of traditional music from the land of the rising sun.  Paul Fisher compiled the CD and was interviewed by The Japan Times.
Ageing gracefully in Japan? The myths surrounding the perfectly …read more

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Cats, dogs, horses and birds, oh my!  These are just a few of the animals that represent good fortune in Japan.  They are a common sight in business and homes around Tokyo and are often printed on talismans that can be purchased from the temples and shrines that abound in the city of Tokyo.  Folklore and tradition play a big part in the symbolic use of animals to ensure good fortune and prosperity to those who display them.  Here are just a few of the creatures in the menagerie:
Maneki-neko is a cat with a raised paw that is displayed to …read more

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Are you a vegetarian looking for dining options in Tokyo?  If so, then you will definitely want to try shojin ryori, the traditional food of Zen monks in Japan, which is pure vegan and is in rooted in Buddhist teachings dating back to the 13th century. 
A shojin ryori meal consists of seasonable vegetables and wild plants accompanied by with seaweed, miso soup, rice, soybean curd (tofu), seeds and nuts.  This simple style of cooking limits the use of sauces and seasonings and highlights the distinct flavors of each fresh ingredients.
Some temples in the Tokyo area serve shojin ryori to …read more

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Toto Norenkai is an association of shops and businesses that have been in operation in Tokyo, formerly know as Edo, for over 100 years and three generations. In Japanese the single word “Toto” captures the essence of both old Edo and modern-day Tokyo, and “noren” refers to the traditional curtain-like sign that is hung over the doorway to announce the name of the shop and that it is open for business, while “kai” means “club” or “association”.
Established in 1951, as a way to preserve the traditions of old Edo while promoting their business to an evolving clientele that was …read more

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If you were asked to pick a color associated with Tokyo, what color would that be? I think the first colors that come to mind for most people would be red and black but the city offers a veritable rainbow, or niji, of colors to her visitors. Let’s explore the colors of Tokyo…
Aka (Red) is the color of the circle representing the sun on the Hinomaru, the flag of Japan, and is considered good luck. The Kaminarimon Gate in Asakusa and many of the shrines around Tokyo are painted in this deep crimson color.Kiiro (Yellow) is the …read more

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Recently I shared 10 Tips for a Greener Trip to Tokyo and told you that the use of eco-bags by residents of the city was increasing. 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. It is a beautiful, not to mention ‘green’, item that you can take home with you and that will serve as a lovely reminder of your time in Japan.
The Ministry of the Environment in Japan promotes the use of furoshiki and dates it’s first …read more

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Sitting on land that was once home to the mansions of feudal lords (daimyo) in the Edo Era and used as a military training ground in the following era you will find Hibiya Park. The garden was first opened in June, 1903 and was the first western style urban garden in Tokyo.

Ponder the central grass square and it’s surrounding blooms from the patio of the park office, a German-style bungalow built in 1910 and one of the few remaining examples of western-style architecture from the Meiji Era in Tokyo, where you will find a restaurant and snack shop.  Then take …read more

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  As promised, this weeks Nihon on the Net will feature Impressions of Tokyo submitted to the newly revived Japan Blog Matsuri.  We have quite a few great articles to read, so let’s get started…
Tae Kim, next months host, talks about Google Street View of Japan in Google, what will they think of next? at Guide to Japanese.
Mark Ramsay presents Tokyo, Japan: The Electric City at Virtual Tripping.
Bill Belew shares Impressions of Tokyo – Is That All There Is? at EastAsiaFair.
Tori “The Chemist” Johnson presents “A Night in Ikebukuro” at Daily J.
Jason talks about traversing Tokyo Station …read more

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If you are looking to keep up to date on the news from Japan there are a number of newspapers (shimbun) that publish in English.
Most of these newspapers can be found at major newsstands in Tokyo. If you are outside the city they are a little harder to come by but you can always check out the news from the comfort of your own home with these links.

The Daily Yomiuri
The Japan Times
The Asahi Shimbun
Mainichi Daily News

While I don’t subscribe to any of the papers listed above I find that The Japan Times Festival Listings page is a handy guide …read more

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The Royal Park Hotel is located in Ningyocho, one of the city’s oldest and most traditional neighborhoods. The hotel goes out of its way to make sure that guests feel welcome and offers a variety of different ways for guests to explore the history, culture and culinary options that the area has to offer. The guest relations officer will be clad in a traditional kimono on weekdays and will be happy to provide you with a map of the area and sightseeing suggestions.
Discover Old Edo (Tokyo) by Rickshaw or explore some of the area restaurants by utilizing the …read more

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