07 May

The Tsukuba Tornado

in Life in Japan

A rare tornado tore through the Tsukuba city, about 60 km north of Tokyo, to kill one and injure several around noon on May 6th - the last day of the Golden Week. Many houses were devasted by the passage of the extreme event, which is very rare in time of the year in and around Tokyo. 

An ameture video that captures the dance of this giant weather phenomenon:

20 Apr

The Golden Week

in Life in Japan

 

The Golden Week in Japan (locally known as Ōgon Shūkan or Ōgata Renkyū) is observed between the end of April and begining of May.   A series of four holidays closely spaced together and together with the weekends, the Golden Week becomes Japan’s one of the busiest holiday seasons. Many Japanese take paid vacations on the remaining workdays in the week, some companies even close down completely to give their employees the much required vacation time. Flights, trains and hotels are often sales at significantly higher rates at this time. Many Japanese travel to popular destinations in Asia, Guam, Saipan, Hawaii, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Diego, San Francisco, and Vancouver, as well as cities in Europe and Australia.

16 Apr

Sakura

in Life in Japan

With the  cherry blosoms,  the mechanical life in Japan turns to an enchanting one. The general moods in those beautiful parks become very lively with great foods and wines in such Hanami practices. "Hanami" is the traditional festival in Japan said to have started during the Nara Period (710–794) for picnicking under a blooming cherry or plum tree.  

Usually in Japanese short poems, tanka and haiku, "flowers" meant "sakura." The practice of enjoying foods and drinks (usually Japanese rice wine called Sake)  under the Sakura trees was originally limited to the elite of the Imperial Court. But by the Edo period, it has spread to the common people as well.