暦 Koyomi
Early July to End-August
こよみを楽しむ
IN HARMONY WITH THE SEASONS
S u m m e r F e s t i v a l 夏祭
text & coordination/ Rieko Ido, photo/ Hajime Watanabe 文とスタイリング:井戸理恵子、写真:渡辺肇
In Japan, various shrines and temples hold summer festivals during the months of July and August. The origins of these festivals stem from a way to sooth the tired souls from farming labor, and to pray for protection from illness, as well as a ceremony to remember the deceased. One of the joys of the summer season is visiting the temple and shrine grounds during these festive days when rows of shops would be lined up. Many of these shop owners were travelling
businessmen who used to be called “Jusanyashi ” and moved between various prefectures selling their wares. The items sold include medicine, tobacco, toothpaste and other rare items that came from overseas. In the olden days, there were known to be 13 such items, hence the naming of “Jusanyashi”, referring to this number. There would also be manzai comedians or singers selling their acts to enter tain the crowds at the festival. Before the days of newspapers and
mass communication, these people were the main source of news for the locals, who head to the festival to fulfil their curiosit y. Now, this custom remains in form with dif ferent goods being sold, leaving some stalls such as goldfish fishing, mask shops and candied fruits that still continue to delight the children.
Rieko Ido A graduate of Kokugakuin University, researcher of ancient Japanese customs and knowledge, conducting technical analysis on findings to apply them to modern lifestyles. Currently teaches at Tama Art University.
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Special Thanks JNTO Michael Feather Asakusa Senwa Chokai Nishi-Asakusa Sanchome Kita Chokai 本誌に関する日本国内でのお問い合わせ先 和テンション株式会社 Tel: +81 3-6418-5701 Fax: +81 3-6862-6760 E-mail: info-tokyo@wattention.com
ing t s e er
gs t n i d n I Fin
ら 外国人か い 見た面白 ！ 日本語！！
Discover new interesting Japanese words and phrases from a Japanese learner’s point of view with the aid of a Japanese teacher. Let’s get started! ☺
今日の単語
T od a y’ s W or d
発音
pika pika
Form
擬態 語[Gitaigo]
Mimetic words/ Phenomime
形
Meaning 意味
The English language simply is not as creative when it comes to using sound words to describe things. For example to describe a diamond we could say that it was shiny, sparkling or shimmering but none of them are as playful or evocative as pika pika. The word
g or shiny’. The ‘Glittering, sparklin poeic-like word is double onomato , states, conditions ibe scr de to used y do not the h ug ho alt ers or mann mselves. make sounds the
かさかさ kasa kasa
Antonym of tsuru tsuru (smooth as an egg), we describe skin condition dryness. e.g. kasa kasa no hada = dry skin
つやつや tsuya tsuya
Tsuya itself has the meaning of luster, gloss – it suggests that something is shiny, glossy or polished. Shiny and glossy hair is often described as tsuya tsuya no kami.
Conductor Aki Loves exploring how culture affects language differently around the world and works as copywriter & editor. Also has a postgraduate certificate in TJFL (teaching Japanese as a foreign language).
To da y’s Le ar ne r:
ぴかぴか
Pronunciation
Japanese Language
in
Victoria
from Singapore not only describes the effect but also evokes the visual of what it looks like. The term can even be flexible enough to describe sparks – like sparks of electricity – which is how Pikachu got his name!
その他の擬音語
NS Ot he r EX PR ES SIO thi ngs to des cri be
きらきら
すべすべ
Originally, kira meant ‘fine clothes’ or ‘gorgeous looking’ and it conveys the meaning of ‘twinkle’ or ’sparkle’. e.g. kira kira boshi = twinkle star
This term illustrates silkiness and smoothness and its synonym is tsuru tsuru. Often used for the term sube sube no hada to describe smooth skin.
kira kira
y’s Toda en Brok ese Japan 葉 の言 今どき
ビ ミョー
微妙 bi
myo
Iffy, not sure, don’t know about [Noun/Adverb]
08
VOL.
You c an use thes e terms to describe the cond itions or s tatus o f someth ing e.g. pika pika no kutsu = s hiny sho es
ねばねば
sube sube
neba neba
Indicates stickiness – stems from the word nebaru (be glutinous, to stick). When we eat natto (sticky soya beans), we use this term to express its stickiness.
Originally this term described something that is difficult to explain or express with words and it had a closer meaning to ‘subtle’. However, youngsters have started to use it as an alternative to ‘doubtful’ or ‘uncertain’. In written language, it is better to write it in katakana rather than kanji. It also has a slightly negative connotation.
Have you done the test? Bimyo (it was not good but I don't want to say exactly) Is it tasty? Bimyo (it is not bad but it is not so good) Illustration credit: www.irasutoya.com
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Culture Special
The Spirit of Hot nights, traditional costumes, portable shrines and the rhythmical beating of drums immediately spell out matsuri, summer festivals, to any Japanese per son. One of the three biggest in Tokyo and one of the earliest, always in the third weekend of May, is the Sanja matsuri in Asakusa. For three days in a row, it celebrates three people with three main mikoshi, or portable shrines, in Sanja shrine. The locals also have their own holy mikoshis that they carr y around the streets, each neighborhood association, or chokai, having one. We took part in the preparations and ac ti v itie s of the " Nishia s a S ank it a (Nishiasakusa Sanchome Kita Chokai)", a neighborhood association that has the biggest mikoshi among the locals. Mere coincidence, but even the name of this association features the number three or 'san' in Japanese. We also talked to Michael Feather, a photographer who documented the Sanja matsuri activities of another neghborhood association, Asakusa Senwa Chokai, for three years.
Summer Michael Feather: Photographer A graduate of Leeds College of Photography Design and Print. Clients var ying from Lucite International and Muji to some of the best award winning agencies in the UK and Japan. Shot the co v e r p i c t ure f o r Pe te r Ma y l e ’s book, “A Year in Provence”. 2008: opened an of f ice in Tok yo. 2012: r e c e i v e d To k y o A D C A w a r d for MUJI Campground as a photographer. 2013: TOK YO APA Award (Advertsing Photographers Award) for MUJI Campground. http://www.msfeather.com/ Special thanks to Asakusa Senwa Chokai and Nishi-asakusa Sanchome Kita Chokai
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Festivals
and Portable Shrines ©Michael Feather
interv iew : Michael Feather Capturing Precious Moments from Sanja Matsuri Michael Feather cannot talk about the Sanja matsuri without smiling. He captured timeless photos, but also forged strong bonds with the people from the Senwa (Asakusa Senwa Chokai) neighborhood association who are participating in the Sanja festival. “There are two types of photographers,” he says to me on Skype, “and I am the type that likes to get to know his subjects”. A professional photographer working in Tokyo, he also worked on his passion photo projects and that is how he met a person from the Senwa association who invited him to take photos at the Sanja matsuri. He knew right away that it was a great opportunity to experience this festival from the inside and took them up on the offer. ©Michael Feather WAttention Los Angeles
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From outsider to insider – 3 years with Senwa Chokai Michael remembers the first time he was introduced to the Senwa association members in 2012 – everybody was perfectly polite, but everybody had tasks and preparations to do. With time, from spending his breaks alone in a cafe, he ended up being invited in all of their homes and becoming close friends. He spent his first Sanja matsuri photographing the hustle and bustle flooding the Asakusa alleys, sometimes even having to be there at 4 am so as not to miss a thing! Originally supposed to be a one-time thing, he eventually spent three years in a row documenting the Sanja matsuri. The second year he came back to take por traits of the people in the association. Inspired by August Sander, who photographed people in a uniform in a certain work role, and having become closer to the Senwa chokai people, he decided to do the portraits while the festival was ongoing. “Anything else would have been less real,” he says and goes on to explain how he managed to briefly draw in his subjects during their busiest time. He built a makeshift studio in one of the garages they use for storage. The people of the Senwa were moved by his dedication to the point of chasing potential portrait subjects down the block so that Michael can photograph them! The third year, 2014, he came back to capture Sanja matsuri yet again, but this time its sounds. He had an upcoming exhibition of the Sanja matsuri photos in Paris and he wanted to accompany that with the sounds of the festivities, bringing viewers closer to experiencing Sanja matsuri.
Understanding the spirit of summer festivals
©Michael Feather
Go and enjoy Sanja matsuri! Michael advises visitors to be respectful, but also enjoy the festival. It is a supposed to be a fun event, so follow the locals and do what they do! He says learning a bit of Japanese can take you a long way and a smile does wonders. Wearing a yukata is recommended as it will put you in a matsuri mood. And if you want to take photos, go for it and remember that any camera is a good camera to capture memories.
Michael had been to other summer festivals before, but Sanja matsuri was different. Being warmly accepted by the local community, he decided to wear full matsuri garb, from the hanten coat to the jikatabi socks that he smilingly admits dilapidated fast from the wear and tear. During the matsuri, one of his dearest memories is being handed a special purple hanten, the one worn by the ushers, so that it would protect him among the crowds in Sanja shrine. He also received another hanten, a rare official one that he treasures to this day. He also joined shoulders with the others to carry the mikoshi portable shrine of Senwa. While certainly heavy, everyone helps and shares the load, strengthening the sense of community. Michael was amazed to meet at leas t three generations living constantly in the Asakusa area and taking part in Sanja matsuri. He is more used to people moving from place to place and cities in a constant flux. However, he understood that matsuri festivals have their roots firmly in the past, while still accepting modernity.
©Michael Feather
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Asakusa Senwa Chokai ©Michael Feather
The roots and history of summer festivals 'Tis the Season for Matsuri If you know Japan, you know it breathes with the rhythm of the seasons. The main four seasons were actually 24 seasons in the past and some people divide that further into 72 microseasons of nature. The days get warmer and warmer, but it's not truly summer until you hear the drums of the matsuri. Summer festivals mean wearing a yukata, light traditional dress similar to kimono, eating street food, dancing and mikoshi processions among many other things. They are among the kigo or seasonal keywords in haiku with the task to immediately paint an image of summer in the reader's mind.
夕立に次の祭りの通りけり yûdachi ni tsugi no matsuri no tôri keri in a cloudburst another festival shrine passes by -Kobayashi Issa (1763 - 1827) The matsuri is a fun and enjoyable celebration centered around the carrying of portable shrines, or mikoshi, which is a Shinto religious practice. It is believed that on that occasion the God's soul is taken from the local shrine and carried around the area in the mikoshi, which is why it always closely resembles the shrine itself. It is believed that the God blesses the streets while also being amused by the ride in the mikoshi. There are matsuri events throughout the year; traditionally in spring people prayed for a good harvest, in autumn they gave thanks for a bountiful harvest and so on. There are many occasions to appease the Gods, however, by far, the biggest number of festivals are summer festivals. They are also the most fun, perhaps because summer has always been a time of good weather and plenty of food. A matsuri is a duality – a solemn religious occasion and at the same time, a joyful rowdy celebration. Through the years, the religious element of matsuri became less pronounced and today there are even secular summer festivals that retain the same atmosphere, just without the mikoshi. The one thing in common of all these festivities is enjoying summer and engaging with your local community. As people living in urban areas today socialize less and less, matsuri in Tokyo is one of the rare opportunities to interact with the locals.
Hozuki Ichi Utagawa Hiroshige II 1866 "Morning Glories at Iriya in the Eastern Capital"
Tokyo natsu-matsuri calendar Kanda festival, Sanja festival, Fukagawa festival and Sanno Festival are the biggest and most popular summer festivals in Tok yo since the Edo period. Actually, Kanda and Sanno festivals were the only ones patronized by the Edo Bakufu in the Edo period. Kanda festival and Sanja festival open the matsuri season in mid-May and Sanno festival follows them in the middle of June. All of them have a spectacular procession of mikoshi and people dressed in traditional clothes, historical costumes, dancers and so on. Nex t , at the end of June and beginning of July come the Ofujisan festivals and as the name suggests, they are worshipping Mount Fuji. These festivals in Tokyo can be found in Asakusa in Sengen-jinja and Kita-ku Jujo in Fuji-jinja and more. Although they are not physically close to Mount Fuji, Edo people have always admired the sacred mountain from afar and built shrines to pray to its spirit. The first half of July is the time for two summer festivals ending with 'ichi' which comes from the Japanese word “ichiba” and means bazaar. Hozuki-ichi and Asagao-ichi are held in Senso-ji and Shingen-ji respectively. They are both dedicated to flowers; hozuki is translated sometimes as “ground cherry” or “Chinese lantern” and asagao is morning glory. Fun fact: a prayer in Senso-ji during Hozuki-ichi is believed to be worth the same as 46.000 prayers! Another symbol of summer in Japan are the various hanabi or firework festivals. In Tokyo, the most spectacular Sumidagawa Hanabi Festival takes place on the last Saturday of July and it has been held since the 18th century. It is a marvellous display of fireworks sharing the sky with the Tokyo Skytree while the visitors lay down mats on the streets and have nighttime picnics. One of the later summer festivals is the Fukagawa matsuri in Tomioka Hachimangu shrine taking place in the middle of August. Although it is celebrated every year, every third year the celebrations are more spectacular than usual. The last such festivity was in 2017 and the next one will be in 2020!
EVENTS MAY 7 - 17 / Sanja Matsuri
JUNE 7-17 / Sanno Matsuri
JUNE 26, 27, 30- JULY 1 / Ofujisan JULY 6 – 8 / Asagao-ichi
JULY 9 – 10 / Hozuki-ichi
JULY last Sat. / Sumidagawa Hanabi Festival AUGUST 11-15 / Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri A lantern at Hozuki ichi with a writing on it that reads "46 thousand days"
Upper-right: A stand of a summer event. Bottom-right: Sumidagawa Fireworks festival.
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Leader (left) and vice leader (right) of the Chokai’s youth group working behind the scenes.
Backstage
Preparing for the next day at Mikisho, a station where the sacred sake is dedicated to god. This can actually be referred to as the backstage of the matsuri.
Preparation
at
Sanja Matsuri
Assembly and decoration of Mikoshi
Assembling and decorating Los Angelesthe mikoshi for 12 WAttention children the same way as the one for adults.
Tying the wooden bars of mikoshi tightly with rope.
Nishi-Asakusa Sanchome SanchomeKita KitaChokai Chokai Nishi-Asakusa
Halfway through the assemblage.
Kagura, a group of musicians moving with the mikoshi. Kagura is also the word for the music itself at matsuri.
Youth group handing out food and drinks to the mikoshi carriers.
Dashi, a float for children.
Just after mikoshi togyo, carrying the portable shrine.
On the day
Friday morning preparations for the Sanja festival I felt privileged from the start, while glimpsing the careful uncover ing and as semblage of t he por t able shr ine of Nishiasakusa Sanchome Neighborhood Association. Stopping in their tracks in the scorching May sun, locals were taking photos of the rare moment I was invited to witness. “It's maybe the biggest mikoshi in Sanja matsuri,” one of the Nishiasa Sankita members proudly says to me. This mikoshi with car ved wooden dragons and topped with a golden phoenix has been handmade by one of the rare mikoshi artisans in Tokyo. The people assembling it tell me that later a talisman will be fetched from Sanja shrine that will put part of God's soul inside the mikoshi. Handymen that do this assemblage carefully tighten the ropes under the gaze of the kashira, a person historically in charge of city safety. Abe-san, the kashira for Nishiasa Sankita has been doing this forever. Everyone respects him and the other community elders. In the nearby garage traditional music and lanterns heat up the matsuri atmosphere. The locals come to help out or donate to the association. The event president, Kazuya Nakajou, says that this is his favourite thing – ever yone working together. “It's not hard because everyone helps me,” he is humble when I ask him how hard it is to organize an event like this. He explains that one of the purposes of the portable shrines being carried through the streets is showing people God is protecting them.
Carrying the Nishiasa Sankita mikoshi The excitement the nex t day is almost palpable. The Nishiasa Sankita locals mostly wear white hanten coats with black letters and I am given one too. Grandparents, children, pets – we are all united under one symbol. The drummers playing the matsuri music known as kagura solemnly lead the way. The gold of the mikoshi is ablaze in the golden May af ternoon. People who carr y the mikoshi have the most unusual maps of emotions on their faces – both strain and joy. The people around them encourage them and occasionally
switch place with them to share the load. It is then when I am pulled in, as many others are, to carry the mikoshi. I am wearing the hanten and I decide to accept. Shouting “Oisa, oisa!” as everyone else is, seems to magically help! In the breaks between the mikoshi carrying everyone seems to be having a great time. They share drinks and meals and exchange witty banter. The Saturday Sanja matsuri activities of Nishiasa Sankita are concluded by one last carrying of the mikoshi and this one is ladies only. Of course, I was pulled in again to carry it! It seems Sanja matsuri is all about the number 'three'. Michael Feather ended up documenting the festival for three consecutive years and I ended up carrying the mikoshi three times in the same day. Neither of us had that planned, but Sanja matsuri has a way of lifting up your spirits and giving you a push into new experiences. Mingling with the Locals and Properly Matsuri-ing Sitting down to share food and drinks with the locals, I finally felt what matsuri festivals mean to Tokyoites today being together, here and now as it has always been . Smiling and sharing moments with people from all ages and in our case, people from all corners of the world. The spirit of summer festivals and portable shrines is to show everyone that they are one communit y. I felt that the spirit of the matsuri nowadays is showing me too that I can belong in a place where families live for generations but they open their arms and hearts to anyone else in a matsuri-mood.
Ma ts
u r i Cos t u m
e
7
1 2 3 4 5
6
1: Hachimaki 2: Koikuchi Shirt (or if it is more baggy, it is called Dabo Shirt) 3: Obi 4: Donburi (or Haragake) 5: Matahiki (or Patchi) 6: Jikatabi The phoenix which will be put on the top of the mikoshi.
Kashira, an occupation title for a head person of Tobis who assemble and decorate mikoshi ever since the Edo period, when they were also firemen. The kashira plays an important role in the chokai.
7: Hanten (or Happi)
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秋 葉 原 神 田
AKIHA BARA KANDA
AKIHABARA / KANDA , HARAJUKU / OMOTESANDO
Got some time left before your flight? Want to get your fill of Tokyo before you jet off? Here’s a three-hour plan sure to leave you with a lasting impression of Tokyo on the way to the airport!
AREA MAP Ochanomizu Station
Akihabara is deserving of its title of
Kanda Myoji
nshit a
e
“Japan’s pop culture mecca,” hands down. However, just a few blocks from Ochanomizu Station
oM
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discover a whole different side of
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三 時 間 で 東 京 を満 喫 で きる モ デ ルコ ース
180 MINUTES za Line
TRIP
AROUNDinTOKYO
Tok yo Me tro Gin
3
HR ANOTHER
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this lively district. Follow us as we
Akihabara Station
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step off the beaten path, explore the area’s history and witness how
Scan QR code for more information about the featured places in Akihabara & Kanda
it has transformed into the Akihabara Shin-Ochanomizu Station
of today. JR秋葉原駅 電気街口
明神下
神田明神
Akihabara Electric Town
Myojinshita area
Kanda Myojin Shrine
This area — practically sacred ground for otakus — is located right outside of the station, surrounded by quirky, colorful billboards and stores selling pop culture goods. Though it would be easy enough to spend the day shopping in the labyrinth that is Electric Town, just a short 10-minute walk away heading toward Kanda Myojinshita intersection, the mood completely switches gears to one of a more traditional, nostalgic Japanese atmosphere.
A neighborhood that flourished thanks to its proximity to Kanda Myojin Shrine, this area is home to traditional restaurants and confectionery stores that boast long histories. There are also quite a number of hidden shops nestled away in alleys for you to explore. As you make your way further into the area, be prepared to encounter a stairway dubbed Otokozaka, a name combining the words “man” and “slope” in Japanese, leading to the Kanda Myojin Shrine.
The history of Kanda Myojin Shrine can be traced back 1,300 years. Over that time, people of all ages, ranks, and castes have paid their respects at this shrine, including members of the Edo shogunate themselves. Today, it’s known as a power spot — somewhere to revitalize and reinvigorate the soul — and is quite popular with otaku due to the shrine having been featured in a popular anime series.
湯島聖堂
東京復活大聖堂 「ニコライ堂」
旧万世橋駅
Yushima-seido Temple
Holy Resurrection Cathedral
The old Manseibashi Station
This extraordinary temple, located close to the Kanda Myojin Shrine, is surrounded by a forest of trees and roofed mud walls, its beauty once captured the hearts of many renowned ukiyo-e artists like Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige. Built in the Chinese style out of respect for the doctrine of Confucianism, the temple formerly served as a school where young scholars cultivated their minds back during the Edo period.
The main cathedral of the Japanese Orthodox Church, hidden among the surrounding tall buildings, is visually distinct with its large green domes. This nationally designated important cultural property is a symbol of Russo-Japanese relations that has stood since the Meiji period. Stop by and capture a great shot of Nikolai Cathedral and a view out over Akihabara from Sola City in Ochanomizu.
Closed in 1943, this once bustling train station along the Chuo Line — built back in the Meiji period (1868-1912) — was famous for both its redbrick construction and proximity to the Manseibashi Bridge. Now a shopping complex under the bridge, this redeveloped historical spot has been given new life in the bustling commercial district of Akihabara.
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3HARAJUKU HR ANOTHER
TRIP
Around Tokyo in 180 minutes
OMOTESANDO From Omotesando
岡本太郎記念館
Tokyo is a city that not only combines tradition and modernity but also boasts a multi-cultural heritage. For those looking to get a taste of “kawaii” culture, look no further than the home of kawaii: Harajuku. Once you’ve
Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum Taro Okamoto was a prolific avant-garde artist, his most well-known work being the “Tower of the Sun,” a statue unveiled at the Japan World Exposition held in Osaka in 1970. This museum that once served as both his home and studio for nearly half a century now displays a collection of his extraordinary sculptures, paintings, and more. Come and take a peek into the life and work of this exceptional auteur.
gotten your fill of all things cute, ふくい南青山291
take a quick stroll a few blocks
FUKUI MINAMIAOYAMA 291
down to Omotesando where
If you’re looking for delicious local Japanese food and souvenirs, don’t forget to check out Fukui Minami Aoyama 291. A shop aimed at promoting products from Fukui Prefecture to patrons in Tokyo, here you can get your hands on locally-brewed Japanese sake, food products and handicrafts. As soon as you enter the shop, you’ll feel like you were instantly transported to Fukui in western Japan!
you’ll find flagship stores of international brands lining the streets, making for quite the upscale atmosphere. The narrow streets along Omotesando are also brimming with fashion boutiques, art galleries, local food joints, and shops sporting traditional crafts. — Harajuku and Omotesando are definitely worth a visit!
キャットストリート
Cat Street In 1964, when Tokyo held its first Olympic Games, the local government built a leisure walking path over a space which has Shibuya River running under it and named it Shibuya River Promenade, but to most locals it’s known as “Cat Street”. The so-called tabby thorough fare is lined with shops selling clothes catering to all sorts of different tastes in fashion along with other stores selling knick-knacks and foodstuffs. Come take a pleasant stroll down Cat Street and experience what Shibuya has to offer. 16
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シティショップ
CITY SHOP City Shop is a restaurant offering light meals with simple yet stylish décor, tucked behind a row of businesses frequented by celebrities in the fashion industry. On the first floor, you’ll find a health-conscious eatery offering 15 different kinds of pre-prepared salads, but you can also customize your order to suit your own dietary concerns. Don’t forget to browse the second floor while you’re there, showcasing a selection of clothing and other fashion items. 鶴亀樓 原宿
Tsurukamerou Harajuku A restaurant aiming to convey the traditional aesthetics of Japan of to its customers, Tsurukamerou Harajuku offers a wide range of authentic Japanese cuisine as well as provides an unparalleled dining experience in a sophisticated atmosphere. We recommend trying their own “Bonsai Parfait,” a delicious take on the French frozen treat featuring matcha ice cream topped with a bean jam cake and chilled azuki sweet beans, a dessert as beautiful as it is delicious.
太田記念美術館
OTA MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF ART
Katsushika Hokusai "Under the Wave off Kanagawa, Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji"
Situated in the hustle and bustle of Harajuku, this museum is dedicated to ukiyo-e, traditional Japanese woodblock prints that flourished 400 years ago during the Edo period. A visit here will give you a sense of what the city once looked like by seeing the colorful prints of a Japan lost to time, though you may be surprised at the amount of traditional elements the Japan of today still retains after seeing their collection. The museum boasts 14,000 ukiyo-e masterpieces with the works on display changed every month to match a new theme.
Utagawa Hiroshige “Plum Park in Kameido”
*The above artworks are not displayed in the permanent exhibition.
AREA MAP it a Str
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M
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JR Yaman
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Harajuku Station
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Towards Shibuya Station
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Scan QR code for more information about the featured places in Harajuku & Omotesando
デザインフェスタギャラリー
e
Omote-sando Station START
むす美
MUSUBI Furoshiki are cloths used for anything from wrapping presents to making makeshift handbags and have been a part of Japanese culture since the 8th century. The cloths are still used today, and at Musubi, you’ll find a range of furoshiki in different patterns and designs — both traditional and modern — and for different purposes, including interior decoration and gift wrapping. If you’re planning on bringing home gifts for friends or family, pick up a furoshiki to wrap it in for that quintessential Japanese touch.
DESIGN FESTA GALLERY
日本スクイーズセンター
Design Festa Gallery was founded with the philosophy of providing an exhibition space for all artists. Located on a small side street in Harajuku, this gallery consists of two buildings, with the west building decked in chic black iron tubes. Here artists exhibits their own original pieces, regardless of their preferred medium or style. The gallery is like a treasure trove, always full of surprises. Come by and you just may find something extraordinary on display inside.
Nihon Squishy Center
To Harajuku
Squishies are the hottest stress relief toys in the world right now. Nihon Squishy Center, a squishy specialty shop, has collaborated with Tokyo Bakery to launch a series of cute and kawaii, sweet and savory squishies that can only be bought at this location. If you are looking for one-of-a-kind souvenir to bring home, this is a must-visit. *Some days require a reservation to enter the store. Please check their website for more information.
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What is
to Trip aido Hokk
WAttention
Ninja?
You may already know Ninja from comic books and animations, right? But you might not know that Ninja were originally informants, whose primary job was to collect intelligence for Samurai. WAttention is now recruiting foreign reporters who want to collect and spread information about Japan as WAttention Ninja.
Eat local speciality
WA
Join Us!
The perks of becoming a WAttention Ninja are endless! Go on interview trips around Japan for FREE Meet with people you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t normally see and try unique experiences Participate in numerous events and conduct backstage interviews Visit up-and-coming cafes and go to pre-opening restaurant receptions
WANTED: WAttention Ninja!
prize!? a in w to e c n a h C A Depending on the number and quality of articles you publish, there are numerous awards waiting for you. Those who excel at being Ninja have the chance to work for WAttention as a professional contributor.
Interested? Wanna know how to become a WAttention Ninja? Go to : http://www.wattention.com/wattention-ninja