THE ULTIMATE UNUSUAL GUIDE BOOK THROUGH JAPAN by inkpooldesign

THE ULTIMATE UNUSUAL GUIDE BOOK THROUGH JAPAN

2018 Yalda Beheshti Pour

CONTENT INTRODUCTION

1-2

SUNDAY

3 - 10

MONDAY

11 - 18

TUESDAY

19 - 26

WEDNESDAY

27 - 34

THURSDAY

35 - 42

FRIDAY

43 - 50

SATURDAY

51 - 58

INTRODUCTION Hello and Konnichi wa! This is the ultimate unusual guide book for everyone who wants to travel to Japan and/or wants to know more about japanese traditions, values, words, foods and some other rather untypical Japanese things. The book is guiding you through a ficitonal week, including explanations of cultural behaviour, traditional celebrations, meanings of words, recommendations for foods, museums or other nice places to visit. You will be surprised by how much you still did not know about the land of the rising sun!

Each weekday provokes individual associations for the Japanese because of different cultural reasons. Therefore the content of this book is splitted into sections that represent each day of the week. Some of the associations are not too directly related, even though you can connect them easily with an open mind. Navigate through the chapters and have fun!

sunday nichiyoubi

日曜日 sun

LAND OF THE RISING SUN 日本

OBON FESTIVAL お盆

In Japanese, Japan is Nihon. The name‘s characters mean „sun origin“. Land of the Rising Sun is the inspiration for the Japanese flag. The name appeared in the imperial correspondence with the Chinese Suy Dynasty (589-618 AD). The term describes Japan’s location next to China from the point of the sun. If you’re in China it appears that the sun rises from the direction of Japan. Like Japan, Canada is also sometimes called “The Great White North” and China is often referred to as “The Red Dragon”.

It is an annual Buddhist event to solemnize ancestors. Usually takes place from 13th-15th of July but depending on region, it might occur in August. It is believed that during Obon, the spirits of ancestors come back to earth in order to visit their relatives. To give guidance for ancestors’ spirits, people hang lanterns in front of their houses. This time is also meant for graveyard clean-up. When Obon is ending, the same lanterns are being released into free water sources to guide the spirits back to their world.

Experience Japanese traditional art ► p. 7

Visit and enjoy the festival up close ► p. 8

SAKURA

桜

TRADITIONAL LIGHTS ライト

Mainly known in Japan as sakura, the cherry blossom blooming starts from the beginning of the year, thanks to country’s geolocation. Starting with the southern part (Okinawa) in January, the northern part (Hokkaido) in May. Blooming event gathers families and tourists who can celebrate the beautiful process with festive atmosphere. The Ueno park is known as the most popular spot, consisting of more than 1000 trees next to the street which leads to the National museum. The event also commemorates the 3000-cherry tree gift given by Mayor Yukio to the Washington DC in 1912.

The lighting equipment consists of the andon, bonbori, chochin and the toro types of lanterns. Andon is a lamp with paper stretched over a frame of bamboo, wood or metal. The bonbori is a hexagonal outdoor lamp mainly used during festivals. The chochin lamp has a frame of split bamboo wound in a spiral. Toro is a long-lasting lamp having bronze, iron, wood, or any another heavy material. The common materials for the base are paper, vinyl or silk. The choice of material depends on a purpose, design approach and display environment.

Be impressed by the flowers ► p. 9

Get informed and get illuminated ► p. 10

HOKUSAIKAN MUSEUM 般財団法人北斎館 Museum

485 Obuse Obuse-machi Kamitakai-gun 381-0201 Nagano Prefecture

DAIMONJI GOZAN OKURIBI 五山送り火 Festival

different places around Kyoto City Kyoto Prefecture

UENO PARK 上野公園 Park

Uenokoen Taito 110-0007 Tokyo Prefecture

EDO LIGHT MUSEUM 江戸東京博物館 Museum

3-9-19 Koyanose Yahata Nishi-ku Kitakyushu 807-1261 Fukuoka Prefecture

monday getsuyoubi

月曜日 moon

TSUKI 突き

TSUKIMI / OTSUKIMI 月見 / お月見

The translation of tsuki is „to thrust“. That is why basically any thrust technique can be called tsuki. In karate, tsuki is a term used for punches. Punching techniques are the most common attack from in karate. The word itself is not being used without descriptive terms like gyaku tsuki (reverse punch) and choku tsuki (straight punch). Tsuki as a punch has a lot of meaning in the martial arts world. The successful delivery of the philosophy behind it plays a big role in understanding the importance of tsuki.

Moon viewing or Harvest moon festival is a festival to honor the autumn moon. It all started as a symbol of good harvesting. This is a japanese version of the Mid-Autumn festival celebrated by the Chinese, Vietnamese and other countries that follow the lunar calendar. Food plays a major role, so if you get a chance to be there, do not hesitate to try out these common foods that are being included in today‘s Tsukimi feast like Dango, Chestnuts and Taro root or Udon and Soba.

Karate is your thing? ► p.15

Try and taste Dango ► p. 16

MONDAY (film) 月曜日

HAPPY MONDAY SYSTEM ハッピーマンデー制度

This movie is a golden piece made by the japanese director SABU, who is internationally recognized by his 14 wins and 12 nominations in his career. It is a masterfully-constructed black comedy. “Monday” is a mixture of many cinematic elements, unusual for regular viewers, who are used to see them seperated. Fantasy is a crux element in the movie supported by SABU‘S complete visionary control of the content. No viewer can be left emotionless after the first 10 minutes.

The core of this system was the idea to move majority (at least 16 in a year) of public holidays to Mondays. That concept enabled people who have a five-day work week to prolong their weekend. The Happy Monday System also intends to boost Japanese domestic tourism, giving people the chance to travel during longer weekend, since one or two-day trips are rather popular here. It definitely represents Japans admiration and care towards its people.

Visit the foreign friendly cinema ► p.17

Take your time off and relax ► p. 16

OKINAWA PREFECTURE KARATE MUSEUM 沖縄県空手博物館 Museum

147-2 Uehara Nishihara-cho Nakagami-gun 903-0125 Okinawa Prefecture

HABUTAE DANGO 羽二重団子 Dango shop / restaurant

5-54-3 Higashinippori Arakawa 116-0014 Tokyo Prefecture

TOHO CINEMAS 日本映画 Cinema

6-10-2 Roppongi Minato 106-0032 Tokyo Prefecture

TOKYO GINZA BAY HOTEL 東京銀座ベイホテル Capsule hotel

7-13-15 Ginza Chuo-ku Tokyo 104-0061

tuesday kayoubi

火曜日 fire

YAKINIKU 焼肉

ONSEN 温泉

Yakiniku is the Japanese adaptation of western barbecue food culture. The term started by the Japanese writer Kanagaki Robun in his book “Seyo Ryoritsu” (1872) which translates as “a western food handbook”. The barbecue is characterized by cooking bite-sized vegetables and meat on a grill over a flame of wood charcoals or by using conventional grill devices. The process of dining starts with receiving an individual or a set of ingredients on the table. Then, those ingredients are being cooked by the cooks or visitors themselves.

An Onsen is a traditional hot spring or bathing facility. As a volcanically active country, Japan has huge variety of thermic water sources through all over its land. Onsen can be run either privately or by a municipality and is either outdoor (roten-buro) or indoor. Guests of an Onsen are expected to follow the hygienic rules before the cleansing. In 2015, more than half of the bathing facilities implanted the ban for tattooed people to prevent Yakuza members from their facilities.

BBQ in Japan ► p.23

Be ready for a hot bath ► p. 24

MARS (drama) ただ、君を愛してる

HANABI 花火

A youth romantic drama (2016) is the finale for the Japanese television drama series of the same name and is based on the manga series “Mars” written and illustrated by Fuyumi Soryo. The story shows the relationship between two controversial high school student characters - Kira and Rei. Kira is an introverted girl with incredible talent in drawing and Rei is extro*6558wverted playboy type of a guy with a passion for violence. The movie explores their interaction and changes in their state of mind during the connection between them.

With the historical aspect to ward off evil spirits, Hanabi (fireworks) has a long history in Japanese culture. The main highlights of the summer season from July to August – fireworks bring people dressed in yukata and enjoy the relaxed festive atmosphere together with street food and entertainment. The show usually lasts around 1-2 hours and starts soon after sunset. While having a plan to visit the festival, it is important to book a good viewing spot, but it might be a challenge considering high demand and need for the Japanese language.

Have a romantic trip to the mountain ► p.25

Be impressed by the fireworks up close ► p. 24

YAKINIKU KUNIMOTO SHINKAN 焼肉くにもと新館 BBQ / Yakiniku restaurant

2-8-9 Hamamatsucho Kano Bldg. 1F, Minato 105-0013 Tokyo Prefecture

YUFUIN ONSEN オフのゆふいん Hot bath / Onsen

Kawakami Yufu 879-5102 Oita Prefecture

MOUNT MISEN 弥山 Mountain

Hatsukaichi Hiroshima Prefecture

NAGAOKA FIREWORKS 長岡花火 Festival

Shinano River Japanese Alps Nagano Prefecture

wednesday suiyoubi

水曜日 water

BEACHES ビーチ

RAMEN ラーメン

With the Pacific Ocean on one side, the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea on the other creates an extensive coastline of many beaches for Japan. Visitors should be aware of poisonous marine life while enjoying the water. Around the buzzing capital, the Izu Peninsula is favorited for the best beaches for snorkeling, while Boso Peninsula among surfers. Depending on the geolocation, the climate for the swimming can vary between the south and the north side. The official swimming period starts from the middle of July till September.

As the greatest Japanese export of the 20th century, ramen is cheap and available everywhere. The variation of noodles depends on a region and is categorized according to their soup base. The noodles have many forms and are made of wheat. The rules of eating consist of using chopsticks and a Chinese-style spoon. It is common to drink the soup directly from the bowl. Don’t avoid slurping. It enhances the flavors and cools down hot noodles. Even though it is not obligatory, an empty bowl serves as a compliment to a chef.

Get your bikini body ready ► p. 31

One of the best Ramen restaurants ► p. 32

SAKE 酒

VENDING MACHINES 自動販売機

The most common alcoholic drink also known as “nihonshu”, perfect sake requires quality rice, clean water, koji mold and yeast. The ingredients involved in the precise fermentation process are executed by techniques developed over centuries. It comes with a variety of flavors, nuance and complexity. Usually, Sake is described as either sweet or dry. The temperature, as well as the season and individual taste, are important when it comes to sake. It is brewed in about 1800 breweries across Japan. The most popular Sake regions are Nigata, Kobe and Kyoto.

The vending machines´ journey in Japan started around 1950s with lemonades but a change of an assortment occurred in the following decades. Being here for a long time allowed vending machines to integrate fully in the society through their lifestyle and culture. The traditional attitude and etiquette rules have embraced popularity of machines and have promoted their usage more than just with edibles and drinks. Most unusual vending machines are serving bras, pornography, umbrellas or eggs.

Do not get too drunk here ► p. 33

Find the innovative Vending machines ► p. 34

KATSURAHAMA BEACH 桂浜 Beach

Katsurahama Urado Kochi Kochi Prefecture 781-0262

AFURI EBISU 阿夫利恵比寿店 Ramen noodle restaurant

1-1-7 Ebisu 117 Bldg.1F Shibuya 150-0013 Tokyo Prefecture

KOZUE 桂浜 Sake bar / restaurant

3-7-1-2 Nishishinjuku Park Hyatt Hotel 40F Shinjuku 163-1055 Tokyo prefecture

INNOVATION VENDING MACHINE

自動販売機

Vending machine

Osaki Station and others around Tokyo

thursday mokuyoubi

木曜日 tree / wood

BONSAI 盆栽

BAMBOO たけ

The art of bonsai is based on the Chinese practice “penjing” (creating miniature formation from plants and trees). In the 6th century, the Imperial Embassy personnel with Buddhist students had returned from China with handful ideas and goods, bonsai growing kits were one of them. To cultivate and maintain the bonsai, specialized tools and techniques are required for the growth and long-term care. The joint between Japanese cultural characteristics with bonsai is being described and supported through Zen Buddhism with the expression of Wabi-sabi.

As one of the strongest and most used plants in Japan, its fastgrowing perennials and woody ringed stems make bamboo a quality material for a frequent and efficient use. People share the common knowledge that in case of an earthquake they should seek a bamboo grove while bamboo´s root structure holds the earth together. A warm and humid climate allows bamboo to grow all over Japan. The most common bamboo usage shakuhachi (a wind instrument) and takenoko (bamboo sprouts).

Find your inner peace ► p. 39

Take a long walk ► p. 40

HASHI はし

TATAMI 畳

Chopsticks, in Japan referred as “hashi” (bridge), are around 23 cm long, traditionally lacquered and made of wood or bamboo. Most Japanese chopsticks are made in Obama, which produces 80% of all chopsticks manufactured in Japan. Don’t even think about treating them as drumsticks or a toy, that might be considered as a disrespectful behavior. And definitely don’t lick them in front of others, if food sticks to them, dip them in liquid. There is an important etiquette of chopsticks usage.

A Japanese mat in traditional-style rooms, its core consists of rice straw. Modern ones can be formed used wood chip or polystyrene foam. The word tatami derives from the verb tatamu (fold or pile). Tatami before 17th century was a symbol of aristocracy as it was a luxury item. Only in the end of that century they were evenly popularized and entered commoner homes. Every region dictates a different size of a tatami. One needs to know the rules concerning the number and layout of tatami mats in the room.

Insights about chopstick production ► p. 41

Experience tatami ► p. 42

KOUKA-EN 藤川光華園盆栽 Bonsai garden

563-0043 Ikeda City Osaka 3-19-13 Kanda

ARASHIYAMA BAMBOO GROVE 竹林の小径 Bamboo forest

410-2416 Shizuoka Prefecture Izu Shuzenji 3463−1

WAKASA CHOPSTICK MUSEUM 箸のふるさと館 Chopstick museum / shop

8-1-3 Fukutani Obama 917-0001 Fukui Prefecture

HANABI HOTEL 花火旅館 Tatami hotel

2-8-5 Hyakunincho Shinjuku 169-0073 Tokyo Prefecture

friday kinyoubi

金曜日 metal / gold

GOLDEN WEEK ゴールデンウィーク

KATANA かたな

One of the busiest travel seasons in which public transportation and sightseeing spots get very crowded and it is almost impossible to find accommodation. The Golden Week is a collection of 4 national holidays within 7 days. April 29 - Showa Day, the birthday of former Emperor Showa, May 3 - Constitution day, the new postwar constitution comes in power. May 4 - Greenery Day, dedicated to the environment and nature, May 5 - Children’s Day, families pray for the health and future success of their sons. No discrimination, The Girls’ Festival is celebrated on March 3.

It was used by the samurai of ancient and feudal Japan. The sword got its shape through 6 development stages starting from around 900 CE till the present. The katana in comparison to other swords has a curved, singleedged blade with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands. People associate katana with the family of swords with a specific length. Misuse or wrong storage can bring irreparable damage.

Visit this place on your vacation ► p. 47

Everything about swords ► p. 48

PREMIUM FRIDAY

プレミアムフライデー

MALICE MIZER マリスミゼル

A movement to improve work-style ethics, implemented on February 24, 2017. It is a campaign to promote consumerism supported by the government and business organizations. On every last Friday of the month (usually the salary day), workers leave their workplace at 3 pm and spend the rest of the day travelling or shopping. This small change in the work environment should interfere with high rates of death by overworking. It is a huge problem in Japanese working culture. Premium Friday could serve as the step towards positive changes.

The most iconic visual kei metal band active from august 1992 to December 2001. The band’s name is an interpretation of the terms - malice and misery in context of what is human. Their early music and lyrics were formed under the French and classical art influence. Afterwards, leaving the French romanticism behind they continued their creation with gothic elements. Their live performances usually reminded of a theater order with extravagant costumes and stage decoration. None of their albums is similar to the previous one.

The biggest shopping mall in Japan ► p. 49

Beautiful concert hall ► p. 50

HIROSHIMA PEACE MEMORIAL 平和記念公園 Memorial

1-10 Otemachi Naka Ward Hiroshima Hiroshima Prefecture 730-0051

THE JAPANESE SWORD MUSEUM 日本美術刀剣保存協会 Museum

4 Chome-25-10 Yoyogi Shibuya Tokyo Prefecture 151-0053

AEON LAKETOWN レイクタウン Shopping mall

4 Chome-1-1 Lake Town Koshigaya Saitama Prefecture 343-0828

BUNKAMURA ORCHARD HALL ぶんかむら Concert hall

2 Chome-24-1 Dogenzaka Shibuya Tokyo Prefecture 150-8507

saturday doyoubi

土曜日 earth / soil

EARTHQUAKES 地震

NIGHTLIFE ナイトライフ

In the last century Japan has experienced 25 earthquakes with severe outcomes. The main reason of quakes are four major plates (Eurasian, Philippine, Pacific, North American) that merge under Japan. Every year, close to ten percent of all the earthquakes of the world occur around Japan. In some places in the country small catastrophes appear on a daily or weekly basis. Japan spends around $110 million a year to conduct studies of earthquake prediction. Based on Japanese mythology earthquakes are caused by namazu (giant catfish).

Tokyo has numerous high-profile dancing facilities with the capacity of around 5,000 people. Liquid room, Club Citta and Yellow Velfarre are few of the clubs that allows Tokyo city to stay a desired location for nightlife lovers. Most popular Djs in the area are DJ Krush, Yoji Biomehanika, Energy Dai and Kihira Naoki. And even if on a legal basis the clubs should be closed around midnight, many stay open until the morning following their own order. Majority of the dancing places are having an entrance fee from $5-50.

In case of earthquakes, find an open field ► p. 55

One of the best clubs in Tokyo ► p. 56

SOYBEANS

大豆

ZEN GARDEN 枯山水

The most universal food and one of the main ingredients of the country’s cuisine. High nutritive value, easy cultivation and avoidance of soil fertility decay makes the beans popular on the global scale. Only 5% are domestically produced. Soy comprises the base of many specific flavors such as soy sauce, tofu and miso. It is also used in the production of other dishes. In recent years, Japanese food has regained back global recognition for its longevity and positive impact on health. The biggest soy plantations are in Hokkaido and Saga.

It is a miniature-stylized landscape with a composed arrangement of rocks, moss, bushes and other elements of nature. The specific rules of stone placement were described in “Sakuteiki” (creating a garden) manual of Japanese gardening. If the rules are ignored the owner might have bad luck. In the past, even a political message could have been delivered through an arrangement of stones. Gravel is mainly used in zen gardens due to resistance to bad weather.

Soy sauce museum ► p. 57

Relax in the zen garden ► p. 58

SAIKA NO SATO 中富良野彩香の里 Flower park

6-1 Okamachi Nakafurano-cho Sorachi-gun 071-0762 Hokkaido

STUDIO COAST スタジオコースト Club

2 Chome-2-10 Shinkiba Koto Tokyo 136-0082

KIKKOMAN SOY SAUCE MUSEUM キッコーマンもの知りしょうゆ館 Museum / factory

110 Noda Noda 278-0037 Chiba Prefecture

RYOAN-JI TEMPLE スタジオコースト Zen garden / temple

13 Ryoanji Goryonoshitacho Ukyo-ku, Kyoto Kyoto Prefecture 616-8001