Japan Archives - Xtra Traveller Magazine

TOURISTS CAN EXPERIENCE TRADITIONAL EDO-PERIOD CRAFTS AND ACCOMMODATIONS IN TOKYO’S “SHITAMACHI”

xtratraveller — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 12:14:41 +0000

The Shitamachi or downtown area of Tokyo is famous for its history, craftsmanship, and distinctive culture. Since the Edo Period, this area, including Taito ward – specifically surrounding Sensoji Temple and Asakusa Shrine and Sumida ward – now famous for Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Solamachi “Japan Experience Zone” — has prospered as a center of traditional trades, and this “culture of craftsmanship” has now become a huge draw for tourists. Among the most popular of these traditional crafts are: Amezaiku- Candy Art – especially popular during festivals, Edo Kiriko – cut glass art, and Chochin – paper lantern painting. Travelers in Tokyo’s Shitamachi region can have a personal, approximately one-hour experience making these crafts and take home their own traditional craftwork as a souvenir.

Travelers can also visit the Japanese Souvenirs shopping district and the “Japan Experience Zone” located in Tokyo Solamachi (Floor Guide: http://www.tokyo-solamachi.jp/english/floor/), offering a range of traditional Japanese craft souvenirs from Shitamachi as well as other parts of Tokyo and Japan. At Ameshin’s Hanakawado Studio, located in Asakusa, visitors can not experience Japan’s traditions and craftsmanship skills up close, but they can also try their hand at making the delicate amezaiku themselves.

At Asakusa Amezaiku Ameshin, located inside Solamachi, visitors have the chance to watch craftspeople at close quarters creating amezaiku “candy art,” which is also available for purchase (Souvenir Guide: http://www.tokyo-solamachi.jp/pdf/souvenirGuide.pdf?ver20180910).

A craftsman who discovered the secrets of Amezaiku through self-study Shinri Tezuka, founder of Asakusa Amezaiku Ameshin explains that as a young boy, he used to love making things with my hands. “If I wanted something, I would make it myself,” he said. Tezuka’s amezaiku “candy art” is so impressive and intricate that overseas tourists come looking for his store after seeing videos (https://youtu.be/Pws5s93525I) and photographs of his work. Tezuka remembers that when he first became interested in the art there was nowhere for him to go and study as an apprentice, as the only amezaiku on sale were pieces intended for children at festivals. Tezuka felt that he could change the public’s impression of the art by producing more complicated, higher quality pieces. Eventually he taught himself to create works including his famous lifelike goldfish. Tezuka, who now shows off his skills around the world, says the appeal of the art is that “in the short period of time while the candy is hardening, you only have an instant to get it right, making it a true test of your abilities.”

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Full relax : Ginzan Onsen (Japan)

xtratraveller — Sat, 03 Aug 2019 13:06:19 +0000

The Ginzan Onsen can be accessed by a combination of JR trains and buses.

From Tokyo, take the JR Yamagata Shinkansen to Oishida Station (three hours, 20 minutes, 12,000 yen), then catch a bus to Ginza Onsen (35 minutes, 710 yen). The train is covered by the Japan Rail Pass , but the bus is not. As buses depart Oishida Station every 60-90 minutes, you may wish to plan your train trip to minimize the wait.

Visitors traveling by car are required to park at a designated parking area outside the town center. Many inns offer a shuttle service into town from the lot.

Get to know the onsen-kyo

Popular among Japanese travelers, the term onsen-kyo is associated with small, quaint towns and cozy inns that offer accommodation, food and hot spring bathing. As weekend retreats, they are popular with all age groups, from young families to retirees. This cherished aspect of travel in Japan often goes unnoticed by foreign visitors, so live like a local and dive into onsen-kyo culture.

Ginzan takes the onsen-kyo experience and turns it up to eleven by having a car-free town center with no a modern buildings in sight.

Having checked into one of the town’s many inns, visitors walk the streets without the usual concern of cars zipping past to beat the traffic light.

In the proud tradition of Japanese inns, Ginzan Onsen’s ryokan offer up sumptuous local dishes to meet the standards of their mostly Japanese clientele.

Such stuff as dreams are made of

Beautiful buildings surrounded by an unspoiled rural setting ensure that Ginzan Onsen is easy on the eyes all year round. Long summer days are perfect for lazy strolls down idyllic streets in a borrowed yukata. In winter, the town really works its magic. The sight of the buildings blanketed in snow and illuminated by the soft glow of gaslights leaves a lasting impression.

Many Japanese visitors come to Ginzan Onsen in search of its Taisho Period ambience. Anyone familiar with Mishima Yukio’s novel ‘Spring Snow’ will delight at how the setting blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with what was once seen as modern sophistication. The gaslights and absence of motor vehicles help maintain the atmosphere and the taste of local rice wine will seal the deal.

The finer points of hot spring bathing

Rotemburo are outdoor baths-usually hidden from outside view-which allow you to take in the surrounding scenery from the comfort of a hot spring. Another attractive option is arranging a kashikiri session in a private bath, whereby you and one (or more!) traveling companions can have a tub all to yourselves for a short time.

Silver everything

Unsurprisingly for a town founded on a silver mine, Ginzan Onsen takes both its name (literally, Silver Mountain) and iconography from the element. The popular Shirogane Park boasts an impressive 22 meter tall waterfall, and you’ll also find an illuminated cave, once part of the mine itself but now a shallow alcove well suited for snapping pictures.

Old meets new meets old

Ginza-onsen’s one notable concession to modernity is the Fujiya ryokan, a striking building designed by famed architect Kuma Kengo. With a blend of modern and traditional elements, including the incorporation of bare timber and white plaster, it stands out from its surroundings while also keeping one foot firmly in the past.

www.japan.travel

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Tokyo Metropolitan Government to Open Website and 360-degree VR Movie Channel to Promote Diverse Tourism Attractions in Tokyo and Tohoku, Chugoku and Shikoku Regions

xtratraveller — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 10:04:32 +0000

With an eye to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) is promoting diverse tourism attractions in Japan by creating sightseeing routes linking Tokyo and other regions such as Tohoku, Chugoku and Shikoku.

TMG has recently invited foreign media and travel bloggers to experience the promoted sightseeing routes. We are happy to announce that their travel reports are now available at the webpage listed below, and in line with the website, a 360-degree VR movie is now ready to help anyone who would like to travel to experience these recommended routes in an immersive way in YouTube or Youku.

– Recommended route

HIROSHIMA X TOKYO: WATERSIDE BEAUTY

After taking in the metropolitan sights of the Tokyo Bay coastal area, take a journey to Itsukushima Shrine, a World Heritage site floating in the sea. Then head to Onomichi, at the crossroads of the Seto Inland Sea. A trip to experience a Japan encompassed by the sea as a gentle ocean breeze blows around you.

For further details: http://www.chushikokuandtokyo.org/route_1/

(Photo1: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/prwfile/release/M102813/201612147184/_prw_OI1fl_eZ0eRr4z.jpg)

MIYAGI X TOKYO: HAVE REAL X IMAGINATION

After a scenic stroll through Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, a Japanese garden from the Edo period, embark on a journey to Miyagi Prefecture’s Matsushima, one of Japan’s three greatest sights. The beauty of the islands interwoven in a bay was immortalized into poems by the great haiku poet, Matsuo Basho.

For further details: http://www.tohokuandtokyo.org/route_14/

(Photo2: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/prwfile/release/M102813/201612147184/_prw_OI6fl_7l89qb39.jpg)

TOKUSHIMA X TOKYO: FESTIVE MOMENT

After seeing what it’s like to be a ninja in Tokyo, get up close and feel the passion of Odoriko dancers at Tokushima Prefecture’s Awaodori, one of Japan’s most famous festivals. During this trip, you will encounter experiences unlike anywhere else and form some of the best summer memories of your life.

For further details: http://www.chushikokuandtokyo.org/route_5/

(Photo3: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/prwfile/release/M102813/201612147184/_prw_OI11fl_G1W2OIF4.jpg)

TOTTORI X TOKYO: SAND & BUILT-UP

After gazing upon the sprawling skyscrapers of Tokyo from the observation floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku, have some fun with sand dune art and activities in Tottori Prefecture, home to the largest sand dunes in Japan. There is still much of Japan that you have yet to discover!

For further details: http://www.chushikokuandtokyo.org/route_6/

(Photo4: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/prwfile/release/M102813/201612147184/_prw_OI16fl_AmNKq7Et.jpg)

– 360-degree VR channel

Please enjoy and experience with Virtual Reality technology the charms of Tokyo as a modern city and the beautiful scenery of the Tohoku region as well as its history living in nature.

http://www.tohokuandtokyo.org/virtualtour/?language=en

The themes published this time are: the history of Tohoku region, accommodation, food, boat tour, festival, summer breeze, fireworks, sea and train and the digest version.

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