Stuff About Japan

Here is some more cool stuff about Japan. A Technology company  in Japan last month organized the world`s first marathon for robots.

Five robots entered the event, which organizer Vstone Co said would demonstrate the machines durability and manoeuvrability. The “Robo Mara Full” race is open only to androids with two legs. The robots must complete 422 laps around a 100m indoor racetrack, to cover 42km.

Once again, I can just say Only in Japan

Read more about some of the lighter and more interesting stories about Japan at Only in Japan

The Secrets Of Speaking Japanese Fluently

Picture of the Week Yokohama Marine Tower, Japan

Yokohama Marine Tower (横浜マリンタワー ) is located in the Yamashita koen area of Yokohama, which is known as the traditional sightseeing district of Yokohama.

The lattice tower is 106m high with an observation deck at a height of 100m. The tower offers spectacular views over the harbour. In clear conditions you can see Mount Fuji from the 100m high observation deck.

Entry to Yokohama Marine Tower is 700 yen and it’s open from 10am to 9:30pm.

This is my entry for this week's edition of Show Me Japan

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Golden Week 2011 in Japan

Golden Week in Japan is fast approaching. The end of April through around May 5th is called “Golden Week” in Japan and is based around a period of Japanese national holidays. Golden Week in 2011 is basically from April 29 through May 5.

There are four national holidays during this period: Showa Day (April 29), Constitution Memorial Day (May 3), Greenery Day (May 4), and Children`s Day (May 5). This is a very busy travel season in Japan and most tourist destinations are extremely crowded. Many Japanese offices close for about a week to 10 days, depending on the calendar with many people taking a vacation, travelling abroad or to a tourist attraction in Japan. Airports and train stations are usually overflowing with people during this time and it can be very hard to get reservations for accommodation and transportation during Golden Week.

The first national holiday during Golden Week is April 29 and is the birthday of the former emperor Showa, and is called showa-no-hi (Showa Day). The second holiday on May 3 is kenpou-kinenbi (Constitution Memorial Day). The new Japanese constitution was put into effect on May 3, 1947. May 4 is called midori-no-hi (Greenery Day) during which we show appreciation for the environment and nature. The last holiday is kodomo-no-hi (Children`s Day) on May 5. It`s a Japanese Boy`s festival and is a day to pray for healthy growth of boys. It`s a Japanese tradition for families with boys to hang up carp streamers (koinobori) outside their houses around this holiday. Carps are believed to symbolize successes in children`s lives. Also, samurai dolls called gogatsu ningyo (May Dolls) are displayed in their houses. May is a great time to travel in Japan and I would advise planning a trip to Japan after the Golden Week travel rush has ended.

The Secrets Of Speaking Japanese Fluently

An Introduction to Modern Japanese

An Introduction to Modern Japanese by Osamu Mizutani & Nobuko Mizutani is a fantastic book for learning Japanese. The book is designed to give the reader a solid foundation in modern Japanese, sufficient to handle everyday conversations and discussions as well as the ability to express their interests and life.

After studying this book you will be able to read all of the hiragana and katakana, recognise a lot of basic words in kanji, and have a good knowledge of grammar.

The book is made up of 30 lessons which contain dialogues, explanations, drills, reading comprehensions, aural comprehensions, pronunciation practices, and writing practices.

The drills are very useful because they are designed so that you will be able to use new expressions in meaningful actual situations, rather than just memorizing.

It is a system them really works and has helped me improve my Japanese.

An Introduction to Modern Japanese will fill all your needs for both classroom and independent study.

Read more on How to Learn Japanese

The Secrets Of Speaking Japanese Fluently

Jet Coaster Love by Kara

Jet Coaster Love by Kara was the number 1 song on the Japanese Oricon music charts last week. Who is Kara do you ask? Kara is a girl group from Korea formed in 2007. The current five-member band made their debut in Japan in 2010 and by the end of the year was dubbed as Japan’s #1 New Artist of 2010 by Oricon. The group also released their first Japanese album, Girl’s Talk.

Jet Coaster Love is their 3rd single in Japan and was released on April 6th. It is classic J-Pop and very upbeat and uplifting. A good pick me up after a bad day.

All the proceeds from the single will be donated to Japan’s natural disaster relief aid.

You can watch the video for Jet Coaster Love below

Picture of the Week Cherry Blossoms in Gifu, Japan

The cherry blossom or sakura is the unofficial national flower of Japan. There are many dozens of different cherry tree varieties in Japan with most blooming for just a few days in Spring. The Japanese celebrate that time of year with hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties under the blooming trees. These celebrations usually involve a lot of eating and drinking. Hanami parties take place during the day or at night. Many places have paper lanterns hung on the trees and street vendors selling all sorts of great festival food including yakisoba, takoyaki and okonomiyaki.

These pictures were taken at Kagamigahara Shiminkoen in Gifu, Japan

The Secrets Of Speaking Japanese Fluently

This is my entry for this weeks Show me Japan

Meat Monster in Japan

The Meat Monster has hit Japan. The Burger King franchise has just released its Meat Monster hamburger in Japan. The 4900kj hamburger costs about $10 and contains two beef patties, a chicken fillet, three bacon rashers, two slices of cheese and more, served on two white buns. Don't worry, it does contain some salad coming with lettuce and tomatoes and onions to balance it out.

The Meat Monster has been created just for Japan and will be available Only in Japan.

Read more about some of the lighter and more interesting stories about Japan at Only in Japan

The Secrets Of Speaking Japanese Fluently

Music 4 Japan

Music 4 Japan is another great compilation put together by musicians and labels all across the globe to help support the survivors of the Japan March 11 Earthquake and Tsunami disaster.

The digital album contains 41 diverse tracks, including Indie Rock, Electronica, Beats, Hip-Hop, Grime and even a little Country.

100% profit from sales of the album will go to the Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Appeal.

Show your love and support for Japan by purchasing this download.

Visit Music 4 Japan to purchase your download at Music 4 Japan

You can also support the survivors of the Japan earthquake and tsunami by purchasing
 Songs for Japan and the Book 2:46: Aftershocks: Stories from the Japan Earthquake

2:46: Aftershocks: Stories from the Japan Earthquake

2:46 Aftershocks: Stories from the Japan Earthquake aka #Quakebook is a compilation of art, stories, and essays put together to raise money for Japan’s earthquake survivors. Contributors include many Japanese citizens, foreigners who have stayed in Japan and those who had to leave, and even include science fiction author, William Gibson and investigative journalist, Jake Adelstein.

It has just gone on sale with all revenue going to the Japan Red Cross to help those affected by the March 11 disaster. At this stage only a digital version of the book is available. I believe a printed version of the book will also be available at some stage.

You can pick up a copy now for $9.99 on Amazon.com

You can also support the Red Cross Japan Disaster Appeal

Songs for Japan

A compilation album called Songs for Japan has just been released to benefit the ongoing disaster relief efforts in the earthquake and tsunami hit areas of Japan. Following on from my earlier post the stars and songs that appear on the album have been released. Lady Gaga, Eminem, Beyonce, Madonna, The Kings of Leon and Katy Perry joined a list of already announced artists like Justin Bieber, Rihanna and U2. All in all, 38 artists lent songs to the album. I have provided a detailed list below of the artists and songs. All acts appearing on Songs for Japan and their labels and music publishers have waived their royalties to ensure the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) receives as much support as possible. The JRCS will use the funds from the album to support its ongoing relief efforts and for eventual recovery assistance to the areas hardest hit by the disaster.

The album is available for purchase as either an Audio CD or MP3 Download. Proceeds from the sale of Songs for Japan will benefit the Japanese Red Cross Society.
















The track list for Songs for Japan as provided by Apple:

1. John Lennon, "Imagine"
2. U2, "Walk On"
3. Bob Dylan, "Shelter From the Storm"
4. Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Around the World"
5. Lady Gaga, "Born This Way"
6. Beyoncé, "Irreplaceable"
7. Bruno Mars, "Talking to the Moon"
8. Katy Perry, "Firework"
9. Rihanna, "Only Girl (In the World)"
10. Justin Timberlake, "Like I Love You"
11. Madonna, "Miles Away"
12. David Guetta, "When Love Takes Over"
13. Eminem (featuring Rihanna), "Love the Way You Lie"
14. Bruce Springsteen, "Human Touch"
15. Josh Groban, "Awake"
16. Keith Urban, "Better Life"
17. Black Eyed Peas, "One Tribe"
18. Pink, "Sober"
19. Cee Lo Green, "It's OK"
20. Lady Antebellum, "I Run to You"
21. Bon Jovi, "What Do You Got?"
22. Foo Fighters, "My Hero"
23. R.E.M., "Man on the Moon"
24. Nicki Minaj, "Save Me"
25. Sade, "By Your Side"
26. Michael Bublé, "Hold On"
27. Justin Bieber, "Pray"
28. Adele, "Make You Feel My Love"
29. Enya, "If I Could Be Where You Are"
30. Elton John, "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"
31. John Mayer, "Waiting on the World to Change"
32. Queen, "Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)"
33. Kings of Leon, "Use Somebody"
34. Sting, "Fragile"
35. Leona Lewis, "Better in Time"
36. Ne-Yo, "One in a Million"
37. Shakira, "Whenever, Wherever"
38. Norah Jones, "Sunrise"

Easy to Cook Japanese Recipe Yakisoba (Japanese Stir-fry Noodles)

Yakisoba is a popular takeaway dish in Japan and is usually served with a fried egg on top and with some Japanese mayonnaise. It is a popular festival food and can be found all over Japan.

Serves 2

Yakisoba Sauce
• 2 tbsp tomato sauce
• 2 Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp dashi
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey

Ingredients
• 300g yakisoba noodles
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 100g sliced pork fillet
• 2 cabbage leaves, cut into small pieces
• ½ carrot, sliced
• 2 shitake mushrooms
• 1 spring onion
• salt
• white pepper

Toppings (if desired)
• aonori (green-seaweed) flakes
• dried bonito flakes
• Japanese mayonnaise
• red pickled ginger

Method

1. Cook noodles and drain well.
2. Heat oil in pan and add garlic, sliced pork, cabbage, carrot, shitake mushrooms and spring onion, stirring all the while.
3. Season to taste with salt and white pepper.
4. Make sauce by combining all the ingredients together.
5. Add noodles and sauce to pan, while still stirring.
6. Place the noodles onto individual plates and top with red pickled ginger, green nori or bonito flakes if so desired.

Note:
• You can buy already prepared yakisoba sauce at most Asian Supermarkets.
• Yakisoba is also great with a fried egg on top and with some Japanese mayonnaise.

Easy To Follow Steps To Create Over 108 Top Japanese Recipes!

Some other Great Japanese Recipes that you might enjoy:

Sukiyaki

Tonkatsu (deep fried pork cutlet)

Gyudon (beef bowl)

Most Popular Blog Posts for March 2011

March 2011 was another great month for Japan Australia Blog. We have had some new followers and many new visitors to the Blog. We also appreciate the great support we have received from our many fans from around the world.

The following were the most popular blog posts for March 2011

Japan’s Traditional Kimono

Squinkies

Girls Generation in Japan

Japanese Bento

Green Tea Antioxidant Wonder

How to Learn Japanese

Travel to Japan

Picture of the Week Usuzumi Sakura, Neo Village, Japan

Neo village located amongst the mountains in Gifu Prefecture is home to one of the three largest cherry blossom trees in Japan. The Usuzumi Sakura or Cherry Blossom in Neo Village is said to have been planted in 487 AD and as such is reported to be the oldest cherry blossom tree in Japan. This unique cherry blossom initially sprouts pale pink flowers, which become white in full bloom. The tree has been appointed as a National Natural Monument of Japan and is one of the great places to visit in Gifu.

Here is a picture of the magnificent tree, which is over 1,500 years old, stands 17.2 meters in height, and 9.2 meters in circumference.

There are also many other magnificent cherry blossoms in the area and park around Usuzumi Sakura and there is a lot to do and see there.

 

The Secrets Of Speaking Japanese Fluently

This is my entry for this week's Show Me Japan

The Black Eyed Peas Video for Japan

The Black Eyed Peas have dedicated their latest single, ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’ music video to the victims of Japan’s tragic earthquake and tsunami. The Black Eyed Peas filmed the video in Japan a week before the earthquake and tsunami that struck. Tokyo’s nightlife is heavily featured with lots of neon lights, the city’s coolest and hottest peeps living it up in the clubs and on the streets.

The video begins with a message from the group:

“This video was filmed in Japan one week before the earthquake and tsunami. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the people of Japan. We love you.”

At the end of the clip, The Black Eyed Peas provide info on how to support the Red Cross relief efforts in Japan.

You can donate to the Red Cross Japan and Pacific Disaster Appeal via their website at
https://www.redcross.org.au/Donations/onlineDonations.asp

Watch the new Video below