Japanese string instrument 'Shami-sen' with violing

Here's a unique duo band called "Sa-la-ri".

It's a band with the Japanese traditional string instrument 'Shami-sen' (three stringed instrument) and Western traditional instrument violin.

Listen to how Western pop music turns into semi-Eastern style by combining the melody of 'shami-sen'.

Relaxing place in Japan, Kagoshima Hana-Kawase Natural Park

If you plan to come to Japan and want to enjoy nature, Hana-Kawase Natural Park is one place you might want to visit.

You'll find a river like in the video below. A shallow river where you can lie down on the river bed and still not drown.

There's no transportation so you'll need to rent a car to go there, but it's worth it!!

Updated items on Japanese cuisine

I've started working on introducing Japanese cuisine in English at the following website.

Let's learn Japanese cuisine!!

Hope it comes in handy when you travel to Japan!!

Japanese Self Defense Force Open house

Had a chance to go to a Japanese Self defense force open house and was able to watch some cool flying demonstration of helicopters "Apache" and "Omega".


Flight demonstration of "Apache"

Flight demonstration of "Omega"

After flying demonstration.

Introducing Japanese cuisine in English!

Began a new weblog introducing Japanese cuisine with photo and some explanation.

Let's learn Japanese Cuisine!!

Just began working on it, so there's not much yet, but will try to add items every once in a while!!

"Sakura" (Cherry blossom) in bloom

The weather is getting warm in Japan, and cherry blossoms ("sakura") is beginning to bloom in Japan.

When it becomes warmer and the cherry blossom is in full bloom, people enjoy watching them.

There are various kinds of cherry blossoms in Japan, some which becomes cherry and those that end with smaller unedible cherries.

How the Japanese style pancake "Okonomiyaki" is made

Here's a unique movie at a Japanese style pancake (not sweet) "okonomiyaki" restaurant counter.

"Okonomiyaki" means "cook what you like" and therefore, has many variation.

It is cooked on a hot plate like teppan-yaki.

Japanese traditional dance by "Hyotoko" (Funny face)

This is a traditional dance by a "Hyotoko" (Funny face) at Makabe city in Ibaraki prefecture.

A dancer with a "Hyotoko" mask dances to the musical instruments with a unique dance which makes the audience laugh with joy.

Similar kind of dance is done at various situation such as at harvesting season.

You don't have to understand Japanese to enjoy the dance because no word is used during the dance,

All you have to do is enjoy the music and the dance!

Girl's festival "Hina-matsuri" in Makabe, Ibaraki

In Japan, on May 3rd, people celebrate girl's festival called "Hina-matsuri".

In the old days, they used to make paper dolls and let it float away on lakes wishing good health of the family.

Nowadays, people make fascinating dolls as you can see in the picture and celebrate it as girl's festival.

At a city called Makabe in Ibaraki prefecture, Japan, they display many kinds of Hina-matsuri dolls, some that are as old as 100 years!!