"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!!

Halloween becoming major in Japan!

Although Halloween was not a major event in Japan, recently, there are Halloween displays and kids going out doing Trick-or-treat.

Maybe Halloween is getting well know because Disneyland has been putting up TV commercials of Halloween parade in Japan!

Here's a photo of Jack o' lantern I found when I was walking past a florist.

Made Jack o' lantern out of a pumpkin that was growing in our back yard.

Major animation in Japan

One of the major animation in Japan is Gundam, a story in the future where war is conducted by mobile suit (war machine).

The first series was aired in the 1970s, and since then, there has been a lot of story with lots of different style Gundam.

This photo here is some of the Gundams and there's much more not shown in this display.

Wonder how many version there are currently, but sure is a long running animation series!!

General Frankie from One Piece

One character I like from the animation One Piece is this robot, "General Frankie".

The unique part about it is that is uses coke as its energy to shoot laser.

Now the story is in a different chapter, but I hope to see it in action again soon.