Continue reading »]]>

Japan is a good place to venture either to study, to work, open a business or to stay for a holiday vacation.  It is one of the most industrialized countries in Asia that offers a lot of opportunities to both local and foreign nationals.  Despite the recent devastation that struck the region of Sendai several months ago, Japan has been recovering fast.  Once again, you could see signages such as “Tokyo apartment for rent” can be found in all advertising media and publications. A good sign that Japan is back to its usual business. Surely, everything will come into place in due time and the economy would soon be bouncing back.  Advertisements like “Tokyo apartment for rent” indicate that the Japanese people are now ready to face another challenge.

There are several options available in Japan, however as noted, most of Japan’s visitors come to Tokyo to find work.  This is not a surprise.  Tokyo is one of the most urbanized cities in Japan. In a highly industrialized country where modern technology is flourishing, available jobs are incessant. It will continue to grow and wanting for skilled workers to fill in a large demand of manpower services.  Workers are not only needed in industrial businesses, but also in medium and light industries as well.  When people come and flock in one place, it would mean plenty of business opportunities and more job openings as well. To be competitive, a worker has to be educated, skillful, and expert in his field of expertise. This is necessary to land him better working opportunities particularly in service related businesses, entertainment industry and industrial companies.
The only problem faced by workers, students, tourists or even businessmen staying in Japan would be the high cost of living and scarcity of cheap places to stay particularly in Tokyo. To address this problem, the best option is to find places outside of central Tokyo. Regions outside of Tokyo offer the same quality of services and yet, their price is fair enough to maintain a clean and decent living. You can find low cost hotels, apartments, restaurants and facilities which offer the same quality of services found in Tokyo. One more thing, you will have the same enjoyment and satisfaction while staying outside of Tokyo.

Continue reading »]]> Japan is a wonderful place to visit, but you must also be careful in checking out the weather before actually going to the place. Japan is a lucky country as it gets to experience 4 seasons – winter, spring, summer, and autumn. Most tourists like to visit Japan during the spring time because of the infamous cherry blossoms. Yokohama is also a good place to visit during spring time, where you can relax in a rented Yokohama guesthouse and enjoy the cold, ocean breeze. This is also why most tourists prefer living in guesthouses in Yokohama because you can enjoy the Japanese scenery as if you were just at home.

December to February is winter in Japan, where the cold north winds blow and temperature drop to almost zero degrees. There’s also snow in Japan, even until February. And touring the countryside, such as Yokohama, during this season becomes so much more magical because everything is covered in snow. There’s also a bit more peacefulness in the environment during winter.

Japan is infamous for its beautiful cherry blossoms that signal the end of the cold winter and the start of spring. Come March, the snow melts and the white kingdom becomes transformed once again. Spring is a sign of new beginnings in Japan, and nature proves this in many ways.

June is called “Tsuyu” in Japan because it is a month full of rain and it also coincides with the ripening of the Japanese plum that is famous in Japan’s countryside. At the start of July, however, the temperature in Japan starts to rise and humidity also increases. During this season, most Japanese enjoy being outdoors and plan outdoor activities, things the weather only allows them to do during summer.

Finally, autumn in Japan is between September and November. After the hot and humid summer months, temperature starts to lower again in preparation for another cold winter. Temperature ranges from 15-20 degrees Celcius for most of autumn and it comes with a nice breeze as well especially in Yokohama, a city by the bay. Tourists can just sit back and enjoy the breeze in their rented Yokohama guesthouse and let the breeze take the worries away as well.

It seems that Japan is just the perfect place to travel to, no matter what the season. Different seasons bring different changes in Nature that are pleasant to see, and open several festivals as well for the people – both local and foreign – to enjoy.

Continue reading »]]> The word Hanami literally means “looking at flowers,” (also synonymous to Cherry Blossom festival in Japan) but it is used to refer to one flower in particular, the sakura or cherry blossom. Every spring, people turn out in their millions across the country to celebrate the transient beauty of these flowers, one of the symbols of Japan itself (the Japanese rugby team uses the sakura as its emblem). The appeal of the sakura goes beyond their evident beauty. It lies in the fact that the flowers are only in full bloom for a few days. The real “moment” of hanami is not so much looking at the flowers on the tree but watching with a tinge of sadness as they fall from the tree, flutter in the spring breeze on their short journey to the cold earth below.

The weather during Hanami can be very unpredictable; it can go from very nice warm in day to very cold at night. So, warm clothes are definitely a good idea.  Lots of people start early in the afternoon and are well toasted by evening, falling asleep without noticing the drop in temperature. The more popular hanami spots will usually have street vendors selling food and drinks. Throughout Japan, hanami is celebrated from the moment the first sakura (cherry blossoms) begin to bloom, up until the very last petal falls. There are many ways to celebrate hanami season, but the two most common activities are the blossom viewing promenades and picnics under the trees.

The promenades are usually in the major sakura Cherry Blossom festival in Japan sites, like parks, castle gardens, and temple grounds, while the picnics are anywhere the sakura are. On any given day, there are  couples or families strolling along paths lined with sakura trees, and groups of tourists peppered throughout the crowds, photographing and admiring the sights in awe. Weekdays are the best days to go out and enjoy the scenery, because when the weekend hits, the chaotic fun begins. Weekends at all blossoming sites are completely packed with people. Hanami picnics in Japan are famous and enjoyed by all. It’s tradition to gather under the sakura trees to admire the surroundings and enjoy the company of friends and loved ones, while eating traditional foods and drinking modern beers or traditional sake.

In the heart of this picnic season, it isn’t unusual to see thousands upon thousands of people tightly grouped in every park or anywhere the sakura trees are found. In some cases, sometimes it is possible to see more people than blossoms, and late arrivals get to play an interesting searching game to find their friends. The basic items found at almost every picnic party will be decorative plastic ground sheets, beer or sake, bento (traditional Japanese packed lunch), and a variety of traditional hanami foods like yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), dango (dumplings), sushi, and takoyaki (octopus dumplings). Overall, the hanami parties are great fun for everyone and the entire season brings people closer together between long work days and the rushed life in big cities.

Continue reading »]]> Spring season is probably the best time to visit Japan. As the weather is perfect – warm, but not nearly as hot as summer, and everybody is in a party frame of mind. The advent of the blossoms not only heralds the end of a harsh winter but also the beginning of another school year and a new fiscal year for businesses. Spring is a very busy period – accounts have to be finalized, reports finished, and karoshi (death by overwork) is said to peak in March. Deadlines, school graduation ceremonies, government transfers – and then, in April, come the cherry blossoms like a breath of fresh air. This marks the nation’s change of focus from hard working to hard playing. Impressive quantities of saké are drunk, food is barbequed and songs are sung. The fleeting beauty of the cherry blossoms is symbolic to the Japanese. They liken the petals to the life of the samurai – a brief explosion of colour, bright for the duration of their short life, before they wither and die. They represent the brevity of life and the frailty of existence, and this is celebrated by getting roaring drunk on copious amounts of sake.

Revellers take along food, host a barbeque or buy food from stalls that line the paths. One popular snack is dango, a chewy treat made from rice flour. Another is Sakura Mochi, red kidney-bean paste wrapped in a salt-preserved cherry blossom leaf. Families and workmates gather under the tees. They sing, drink, eat and talk until late in the evening, when lanterns light the parks and couples step out.

The best tradition enjoyed in spring time is that of viewing the Cherry blossoms, or the Hanami. Cherry blossoms or Sakura, have captured the imagination of the Japanese and appear frequently in everyday life. There is a Sakura Bank, and when naming a child, the Japanese often incorporate the character for Sakura in the name. The word itself even serves as a not-uncommon girl’s name. The cherry tree motif graces the back of 100 yen coins, and the first song many Japanese children learn is called “Sakura, Sakura”. Hanami now has huge commercial appeal. In mid-March an abundance of themed chocolate, beer and clothing hits the shops. You would be lucky to find a product that has not re-branded itself for the fleeting period. All the shops turn pink.

In popular areas renowned for their displays, things have been known to get a little competitive. Some groups send out scouts ahead of the party to secure the best spots in the best parks, in much the same way as people reserve the best sun loungers by a hotel pool. Thus, visiting Japan in March or April, and trying to find out the best places to go for a Hanami party or just sit back and relax, while you are there – it’s definitely worth it.

Photo: Trip Advisor

Continue reading »]]> Valentine’s day tradition is very interesting in Japan than other countries. This day is celebrated with great enthusiasm and this is very popular to those who are under 20. February 14 is celebrated by presenting gifts to boyfriends from girlfriends. And March 14 is celebrated by returning gifts from the boyfriends who received gifts one month ago and this is day is termed as white day which stands for “pure sweeten love” as the color white is the symbol of purity. Chocolate is preferable in both cases. There are two type of chocolates – “giri” and “honmei”. Japanese meaning of “giri” is obligation and usually this choco is given to boss, colleagues and close male friends. “Honmei” chocolate is used as a gift for husband, boyfriends or very special one. Neckties, and other clothes are also given along with chocolate by women. Co-giri choco is one kind of inexpensive gift which is given to those who are not known to very well. Tomo-choco is considered to give as a gift among friends.

On March 14 men give candies, flowers, jewelleries, accessories and other gifts along with chocolate to girls in response of February 14. Usually men try to return gifts which are two or three times more valuable than the gifts they received one month ago because gifts of same value are considered to make cut off the realationship. On christmas eve, the romantic valentine day is also celebrated.

Only couples do not celebrate the valentine day rather friends trey to spend this day differently than others day. This type of celebration is a delightful break from monotonous daily routine.

Continue reading »]]> Serviced apartments in Tokyo are offered with the furnishings and services that one might require for a comfortable stay, for instance, reception service, cleaning service, etc. They might be on a slighter higher price than the ordinary furnished apartments, but they are worth the amount, since opting for a serviced apartment is much more comfortable and a reasonable choice for a luxury vacation rental in Tokyo. It’s something you should consider for your next vacation to Tokyo!

Tokyo is one of the liveliest cities of Japan. A perfect blend of tradition and modernity makes this city enchanting for its visitors. One can see various cultures of Japan’s culture in this vibrant city. Living in Tokyo will surely be a nice experience for anyone who visits this place.
So, if you are planning to combine serviced apartments with Tokyo, then you should opt for places that are located in the centre of the city. Serviced apartments in Tokyo are easily available for people who are planning to spend at least a week or two here. They are comfortable and spacious, and if you are in a group, then they can be economical for you.
However, Tokyo is made up of several unique areas, so there’s not one place that you will find serviced apartments at. The city has a variety of locations to offer to look for serviced apartments at reasonable prices. There are many serviced apartments available in Tokyo that are near markets and areas where business corporations are located. The best advice would be to look for an accommodation that has a close proximity with a well connected transportation system, so as to make your commutation easy and comfortable, since you would not really want to miss going to the various areas that Tokyo has to offer.

A few popular areas in Tokyo that you can find serviced apartments can be Odaiba, Meguru, Aoayama, Roppongi, and Azabu Zuban. All these areas have a variety to offer in terms of shops, restaurants, cultural life and night life. One can easily look for a serviced apartment in Tokyo in these areas.

Continue reading »]]> National holidays are a relatively recent thing in Japan. Although the Japanese people celebrated many days on a countrywide level, it was the Public Holiday Law in 1948 that established the government recognized holidays we know today. Along with the Happy Monday System, that moved many holidays to Monday to get three day weekends, the Japanese government set up the holiday schedule that the Japanese celebrate. Here are some notable holidays

Coming of age day was developed by the Public Holiday Law to celebrate the “coming of age” of teenagers. This day is meant for anyone who had just turned 20. The day was moved to the second Monday of January after the Happy Monday System was implemented. During this day, entire communities hold celebrations and ceremonies for the new adults in that town.

Since Japan is a country with such a rich and long history, there isn’t a specific day that they can claim as the birthday of their nation. As a result, in 1966, the government created the National Foundation Day as a way to celebrate the history of Japan. Prior to 1948, this holiday, February 11^th, was to celebrate the day Emperor Jimmu took the throne in 660 BC.

December 23^rd is the emperor’s birthday. Although the exact day depends on which emperor is in power, Japan has been celebrating this holiday for nearly 150 years. The day is similar to President’s day in the United States, which celebrates the collective birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.

Overall, there are 15 holidays that the Japanese government recognizes thanks to the Public Holiday Law and the Happy Monday System. Thanks to these, Japan is free to celebrate many different three day weekends throughout the calendar year. These were some of the highlights of those fifteen days.