Tokyo Culture - enjoy Tokyo and Japan with this blog

Eat in Tokyo: Sushi

2009-02-09T12:36:00.000-08:00

Sushi(すし, 鮨, 鮓, 寿斗, 寿し, 壽司), even outside Japan, is a common type of food. In Tokyo, it is commonly consumed in everyday life, and an important part of the Japanese culture and cuisine. Many shops in Tokyo are specialised for their sushi, such as the Sushi of Gari(ガリ), the Rainbow Roll Sushi, the Tokyo Sushi, the Sora(宙), the Itamae Sushi(板前寿司)...

It is vinegared rice topped with other ingredients, including fish, various meats, and vegetables. The word "sushi" comes from an archaic word. Literally, "sushi" means "it's sour".

There are various types of sushi: sushi served rolled inside nori (dried and pressed layer sheets of seaweed or algae) called makizushi(巻き) or rolls; sushi made with toppings laid with hand-formed clumps of rice called nigirizushi(にぎり); toppings stuffed into a small pouch of fried tofu called inarizushi; and toppings served scattered over a bowl of sushi rice called chirashi-zushi(ちらし).

The types of sushi rolls typically found in the west are rarely found in Japan and are typically thought of as an invention to suit the Western taste. The increasing popularity of sushi around the world, has resulted in numerous regional off-shoots being created, such as the California roll, the caterpillar roll, the rainbow roll, the spider roll, etc. (Note that the caterpillar and the spider roll don't contain real caterpillars and spiders.)

Walk in Tokyo: Temples

2009-02-07T07:36:00.000-08:00

Temples, called ji(寺) in Japanese, acts as an impostant part of the Tokyo and Japanese culture. Buddhist temples are the most numerous, famous, and important religious buildings in Japan. It is a important part of the traditional Japanese and Tokyo culture.

In Tokyo there are a few famous temples: Sensō-ji(浅草寺), Gokoku-ji(護国寺) and Kan'ei-ji(寛永寺).

Sensō-ji is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Asakusa, Tokyo. It is Tokyo's oldest temple, and one of its most significant one. It is formerly associated with the Tendai sect, it became independent after World War II. Adjacent to the temple is a Shinto shrine, the Asakusa Shrine.

Gokoku-ji is a Shingon Buddhist temple in Bunkyō, Tokyo. It was established by the mother of the Shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. In 1873, Emperor Meiji declared Gokoku-ji the Imperial mausoleum and several of his children are buried there, as well as Emperor Meiji himself, so itis a temple with a long history. It remains the Imperial mausoleum today. Gokoku-ji is famous as the central temple that oversees the practice of Japanese tea ceremony in all the country's temples.

Kan'ei-ji was founded in 1625 by Tenkai. It was destroyed in the closing days of the war that put an end to the Tokugawa shogunate. Named after the Kan'ei era during which it was erected, this great complex used to occupy the entire heights north and east of Shinobazu Pond and the plains where Ueno Station now stands, and it used to have immense wealth, power and prestige, and it consisted of over 30 buildings. The temple was destroyed during World War II and the Boshin War's Battle of Ueno, and the present one is just a reconstruction.

Gokoku-ji

Sensō-ji

Live in Tokyo: Anime

2009-02-06T14:09:00.000-08:00

Anime(アニメ) is a popular part of the culture in Tokyo, especially the young and pop culture. It is a common Wasei-eigo(和製英語, Japanese English) word and it is taken from 'animation'. In Tokyo it is a general practice to watch anime.

Anime has many different genres, from romance story to future robots. Just like manga, anime influences the whole of Tokyo and even other parts of the world. It can be hand-drawn or computer animated and it is used in television series, films, video, video games, commercials, and internet-based releases, etc.

Anime is for all kinds of people in Tokyo - boys or girls, youngsters or businessmen. Anime for boys is mainly about robots and adventure, such as the Gundam(機動戦士ガンダム), Naruto(ナルト), and Bleach(ブリーチ)... Anime for girls is mainly about love and college life, such as Boys over Flowers(花より男子), the Prince of Tennis(テニスの王子様)...

Live in Tokyo: Subway

2009-02-05T10:42:00.000-08:00

In Tokyo, travelling in chikatetsu(地下鉄, subway) is an important part of the Tokyo culture. Especially those the white collars in Japan, travelling in Tokyo subway is of an essential need. In this blog of Tokyo culture, you will have an idea of the Japanese chikatetsu.

The Tokyo subway system is one of the greatest in the world, with 13 lines and 282 stations. There are two subway operators in Tokyo - Tokyo Metro(東京メトロ) and Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation(東京都交通局, usually called Toei in Tokyo popular culture). The 13 lines include: Ginza Line, Marunouchi Line, Hibiya Line, Tōzai Line, Chiyoda Line, Yūrakuchō Line, Hanzōmon Line, Namboku Line, Fukutoshin Line, Asakusa Line, Mita Line, Shinjuku Line, and Oedo Line.

Eat in Tokyo: Japanese Snacks

2009-01-31T05:21:00.000-08:00

Japanese snacks are know as sunakku kashi(スナック菓子) in Tokyo and Japan. Popular manufacturers include Meiji(明治), Morinaga(森永), Nissin(日清), Mikakuto(味覚糖), Yamasaki(山﨑), Calbee(カルビー,Karubī)...

Japanese snacks are tasty and diversified. Such as KitKat(キットカット, Kitto Katto) in Japan has over 20 different flavours, and with different packaging. Japanese snacks are best known for their taste, Japanese produce real delicacies. Japanese snacks usually come in many forms and flavours.

People in Tokyo usually eat snacks throughout the whole day. Snack shops grow everywhere in Tokyo. Popular snacks include:

Live in Tokyo: Mobile Phones

2009-01-29T07:56:00.000-08:00

In Tokyo, mobile phone culture is common. Mobile phones are called keitai denwa(携帯電話), or simply keitai. In May 2008, according to a media company in Tokyo, 31.3% of primary school students and 57.6% of secondary students in Tokyo own a mobile phone, most of which use their mobile phone to access the Internet, this contribute to the mobile phone culture in Tokyo.

Japanese manufacturers produce the most hi-tech and the most good-looking phones in the world, with leading technology that we can't find anywhere else in the world. Three of the most well-known phone retailers (often also as manufacturers) are Softbank, NTT, and au, which settle in Tokyo.

The new product of Softbank is Softbank 932SH, which is from Sharp. It features a 8.1-megapixel camera and a adjustable 3.3-inch LCD screen, and extended Internet browsing experience. Softbank 930CA is also another new product from Casio, which features a 8.1-megapixel camera and a 0.99sec capturing engine. The new product of NTT is NTT docomo SH-03A, which features mobile TV, GPS, and a 8-megapixel camera. It is one of the Japanese phones, so it looks good, with a rotating screen. The new product of au is the Sony Ericsson Premier³, it features a 3.2-megapixel camera and a nice look.

Softbank 932SH

Sony Ericsson Premier³

Eat in Tokyo: Japanese Desserts

2009-01-05T13:44:00.000-08:00

Japanese desserts are called wagashi(和菓子) in Japanese. the most common ones are taifuku(大福), sakura mochi(桜餅, cherry blossom cakes), dorayaki(どら焼き, red bean pancake), warabi mochi(蕨餅, a jelly-like cake covered with flour).

Western confections are also gaining its popularity in Tokyo. Desserts succh as monburan(モンブラン, Mont Blanc), shōtokōki(ショートケーキ, shortcake), taruto(タルト, tart), aisukurīmu(アイスクリーム, ice-cream), kasutādo pudeingu(カスタードプディング, custard pudding), zerī(ゼリー, jelly), sufure(スフレ, Soufflé).

Eat in Tokyo: Tea Ceremony

2008-12-11T02:19:00.000-08:00

The Japanese ceremony, known as sadō (茶道) in Japanese, is a traditional way of having tea in Japan. In Tokyo, as it is new and cool for visitors, they will always try the tea ceremony.

Tea ceremony is a way of welcoming guests. It isn't just about drinking tea, it also involves a meal, a traditiona Japanese meal.

Before the guests enter, the teishu(亭主, host) fills a tsukubai(蹲踞, stone basin) with fresh water and then washes his hands and mouth. The guests are welcomed with a bow. Everyone remains silence. At the stone basin, the guests and host's assistant purify themselves and enter the teahouse through a sliding door that is just three feet high. To enter everyone has to bow, and this symbolises equal regardless of status or social position. The last person to enter puts the latch on the door.

In the tea ceremony, water represents yin(陰, the dark side), whilst the fire in the hearth represents yang(陽, the sun), as influenced by the Chinese. A jar called the mizusashi(水指) holds fresh water and symbolizes purity and only the host touches it. The green tea is called matcha(抹茶) in Japanese, and it is kept in a small ceramic container.

The host cleans the tea container and tea scoop with a fukusa (ふくさ, silk cloth). He fills the tea bowl with hot water and rinses the whisk. He then empties the tea bowl and wipes it with a tea towel. The host lifts the tea scoop and tea container and places three scoops of tea per guest into the tea bowl. Additional water is added to the paste until it is the consistency of cream soup, returning any unused water to the kettle. The host passes the tea bowl to the main guest first, and he will have to bow and accept it. The main guest admires the bowl by raising and rotating it. He then drinks some of the tea, wipes the rim of the bowl, and passes it to the next guest who does the same thing.

Live in Tokyo: J-Pop and J-Rock

2008-12-10T11:24:00.000-08:00

J-pop and J-rock simply means Japanese pop and Japanese rock. They are both very popular in Tokyo. The music industry in Japan is of a large scale, and is the second largest music industry in the world, only behind the US.

J-pop is popular amongst all age groups - anime for youngsters, drama for adults, cartoons for children, etc. The most popular artists in Tokyo are EXILE, Fukuhara Miho, JUJU, Nakashima Mika, Mr. Children, B'z, GReeeen, Arashi... Their songs are found in Japanese animes, commercials, movies, TV shows, and video games.

J-pop has taken over many areas in the world, especially Asia, including Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong... Pop artists are fashion leaders as well, what they do impacts the Japanese people.

Live in Tokyo: Manga

2008-12-07T14:08:00.000-08:00

Manga(漫画, comics) plays an important role in people's life in Japan. Whether you are a boy or a girl, you will surely read manga. Manga include a wide variety of subjects: action, romance, adventure, sports, fantasy, adult... Manga is particularly popular in Taiwan("manhua"), Korea("manhwa" and Hong Kong("manwa"). In other places in the world, manga is gaining its popularity, especially in France and in the US.

Manga firstly originates from the American cartoon, especially Disney. During the American occupation of Japan in WWII, mangas are created, influenced by the American culture. Astro Boy was then one of the most popular ones, and it still remains its popularity now. France was then deeply influenced by this Japanese culture in the 19th century, i.e. Japonisme.

Popular manga in Japan includes Bleach (ブリーチ), Death Note (デスノート), Detective Conan (名探偵コナン), Doraemon (ドラえもん), Fullmetal Alchemist (鋼の錬金術師), Naruto (ナルト), One Piece (ワンピース), the Prince of Tennis (テニスの王子様), Yu-Gi-Oh! (遊☆戯☆王), etc.

Eat in Tokyo: Bentō

2008-12-05T10:55:00.000-08:00

弁当(Bentō) is a takeout or home-packed meal common in Japan. Traditionally, it is a meal divided into two parts: one half of the box will be filled with rice, and the other half will be filled with a variety of accompanying foods, such as vegetables, fish, eggs, or meat. A well balanced bento will consist of rice to side dishes in a 1:1 ratio, and within the side dishes a 1:2 ratio of fish/meat to vegetables.

Containers are commonly disposable mass produced to hand crafted lacquerware. Although bento is readily available in many places throughout Japan, including convenience stores, 弁当屋(bentō-ya, bento house), train stations, and department stores, it is still common for Japanese homemakers to spend considerable time and energy producing an appealing boxed lunch.

Common side dishes can include:
* Tamagoyaki - Omelette strips (or squares) cooked with salt and sugar
* Fried or scrambled eggs
* Sausages
* Fava beans
* Seafood - fish, octopus, eel, Kishu fish soaked in vinegar, shrimp, prawns
* Sushi rice
* Lotus root
* Boiled burdock, wrapped in a slice of anago (sea eel)
* Bamboo shoots
* Steamed, boiled or pickled vegetables

In modern Japanese culture, bento is consumed at work, on picnics, at home, at school and even at private parties, as they offer a simple, convenient and attractive form of hospitality. They are also served at Japanese restaurants as a form of take-out, so customers can enjoy the taste of their favourite chefs in the comfort of their own home.

As in Western schools, Japanese schools sometimes provide lunch for their students, or require them to bring their own to eat during a lunch period. These are usually prepared by the children's mothers, but as women are gradually moving out from their traditional role in the home and into the job sector, some students like to prepare their bento themselves.

Talk in Tokyo: English-borrowed Words

2008-12-04T01:24:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of words in Japanese that is borrowed from English. Here are a few examples:

アニメ(anime)=animation
バター(batā)=butter
バス(basu)=bus
ブレザー(burezā)=blazer
ドンマイ(donmai)=don't mind
エアコン(eakon)=air-con(ditioning)
ガラス(garasu)=glass
ハッカー(hakkā)=hacker
イェス(yesu)=yes/Jesus
イメージ(imēji)=image
キー(kī)=key
メール(meru)=mail
モバイル(mobairu)=mobile
オーライ(ōrai)=all right
オータム(ōtamu)=autumn
タバコ(tobako)=tabacco
ゼロ(zero)=zero

There are also the so-called 和製英語(wasei-eigo, Japanese-made English), examples include:

ファミコン(famikon)=fami(ly) com(puter)
ジェンダーフリー(jendāfurī)=gender free
ジーパン(jīpan)=jea(ns)+pa(nts)
コミカライズ(komikaraizu)=comic -alise, to make a comic of
コスプレ(kosupure)=cos(tume) play, cosplay
モボ(mobo)=mo(dern) bo(y)
モガ(moga)=mo(dern) gi(rl)
ポエマー(poemā)=poem -er, a poet

despite their links to foreign language words, the word forms as used in modern Japanese are not used in the same way in their languages of origin (mainly English). In fact, many such terms, despite their similarity to the original foreign words, are not easily understood by speakers of those

Japanese culture is a cosmopolitan culture consisting of different languages - Chinese, Korean, English, French, German... You can find even more interesting Japanesee words yourself.

Are you interested in other cultures? Chinese culture is great in its long history and its great amount of eastern artworks and music. Visit the Chinese Culture Blog now.

Walk in Tokyo: Tokyo Tower

2008-12-02T10:25:00.000-08:00

Tokyo Tower(東京タワー, Tōkyō-tawā) is a high-rising tower located in the centre of Tokyo. The tower was finished in 1958 as a symbol of Japan as one of the greatest economic powers in the world. An amazing fact is, the Tokyo Tower is actually taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris by 13m. It is 333m tall.
It costs about ¥1500(about $16/£11) to get to the top, and if the weather's good, you can even see the Mount Fuji, the holy mountain of Japan. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tokyo.

Eat in Tokyo: Tempura

2008-11-30T05:08:00.000-08:00

Tempura(天ぷら) is a traditional Japanese dish. It is either filled with vegeable or meat or, preferably, prawns, and deep-fried to be served. It is usually served with shōyu(醤油, soya sauce), mirin(みりん, a kind of Japanese condiment with the traditional rice wine), etc.

It's a surprise that tempura was not originally a Japanese dish. It actually originates to visiting Portuguese in the 16th century. But tempura, slowly adapted itself to Japanese taste. By the late nineteenth century tempura was a popular fast food in Tokyo, sold everywhere. And today's modern tempura (made by deep-frying vegetables, fish and shellfish) is no longer regarded as a foreign food at all, but a completely part of the Japanese and Tokyo culture.

In Tokyo, Tempura restaurants are called tenpuraya(天ぷら屋, literally tempura house), ranging from fast food chains to very 5-star restaurants. Many restaurants offer tempura as part of a bentō (弁当, lunch box), and it is also a popular ingredient in take-away or convenience store bentō.

Walk in Tokyo: Ginza

2008-11-29T00:53:00.000-08:00

Ginza (銀座, literally means "silver mint") is one of the largest shopping districts in Tokyo with long history. It is well known for its various department stores, boutiques, and restaurants. Most of the stores are similar with stores you would encounter in a modern western shopping district.

There's an Apple store here - the first ever opened outside the US. There is even a 4-storey Sony Building here, with a Sony Building, boasting with the brand's latest technology. For hotel, Mandarin Oriental is the best amongst the hotels in the area.

Talk in Tokyo: Greetings

2008-11-28T09:41:00.000-08:00

Greetings are an important part in the life in Tokyo. Japanese, and Tokyo people are well-known in the world for their politeness.

In the morning, people greets each other by saying "ohayō gozaimasu"(お早う　御座います。) or just "ohayō(お早う。)" for the informal ones. As it gets to the noon, people say "konnichiwa(今日は。)", one of the most commonly known Japanese word, it is equivalent to the French word bonjour, meaning both hello and good afternoon. In the evening or at night, people say "Konbanwa(今晩は。)".

To express thankfulness, people use "arigatō gozaimazu(ありがと　御座います。)" for formal ones and "arigatō (ありがと。)" for the friendly ones. To say you're welcome, it's a bit more complicated, it's "iie, dō itashimashite(いいえ、どう　いたしまして。)". To say sorry or excuse me, you use "sumimasen (すみません。)". Finally, to say bye, you say "sayōnara(さようなら。)". That's all for today. Enjoy Tokyo!

Eat in Tokyo: Sashimi

2008-11-27T02:50:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my new blog, Tokyo Culture, in this blog you can find everything about Japanese and Tokyo culture. This article is about the food in Tokyo.

The Tokyo culture is influenced by the Western and Eastern culture. The Japanese food is known to be famous arround the world for keeping healthy and long life. The most common food in Tokyo is sashimi(刺身), which literally means "pierced meat". There are a few varieties of sashimi, including sake(サケ, salmon), ika(いか, squid), ebi(えび, shrimp), hamachi(はまち, yellowtail), tako(たこ, octopus), maguro(まぐろ, tuna), masu (マス, trout), fugu(河豚, putterfish), etc.

*Know more about this*
There are different types of sashimi, as you can see above, but fugu(河豚, pufferfish) is possibly the most exotic and dangerous food known to the world. If it's not properly prepared, it can really cause death. The most toxic parts of the fish are treated as hazardous waste. Fugu cooks are strictly licenced and trained to prevent poisoning, so fugu offered in restaurants is safe for consumers. That being said, some highly trained chefs include a tiny bit of the toxin when they serve fugu. The toxin will create a prickly, numb feeling on the tongue. Fugu is forbidden to the Emperor of Japan, the tennō(天皇), for obvious reasons.

There are a new type of fugu recently, Japanese fish farmers are now mass-producing poison-free fugu as harmless as goldfish. Most important, they have taken the poison out of fugu's liver - considered both its most delicious but poisonous part, one whose consumption has left countless Japanese dead over the centuries. The farmers basically put fish away from the bacteria, which fugu consume and start to develop poisonous subsances in their body after having it.