Ghosts and spirits hold a place in the folklore of many cultures around the world. In the western world, Halloween, observed on October 31, is a time for scary, spooky tales, while Latin America celebrates the deceased on the following day, November 1 , In A Holiday Called ” Dia De Muertos ” (The Day Of The Dead).

For Japan, however, the haunting season is smack in the middle of August, a time when most people are thinking of summer vacation, the annual high school baseball tournament and an ice cold beverage. August is also when the famous Obon festival is held, an event which underpins much of Japan’s tradition in revering and honoring one’s ancestors.

Most People Outside Japan May Have Had Their First Taste Of Japanese Supernatural Stories With The Overseas Release Of The Smash Hit Horror Movie The Ring , Where The Main Ghost Character Pays Homage To Oiwa, The Original Japanese Apparition Who First Appeared In A Traditional Kabuki Play Almost 200 years ago.

So how did it come to be that August is the time to raise the dead in Japan, and what goes on in the world of the supernatural?

A ghost and goblin for just about every occasion

In the physical world, Japan is known for its crowded commuter trains. Similarly, the country has a pretty packed supernatural plane. Trying to get through the veritable witches’ brew of ethereal inhabitants that make up Japan’s ghost world would take up a lot of space and go way beyond this article, so let’s take a broad look at the main characters:

Yurei (ghost)

Similar To Ghosts In Western Folklore, Yurei Are The Spirits Of The Deceased. According To Traditional Japanese Custom, All Humans Have A Soul Called The Reikon . Upon Death, The Reikon Leaves The Body And Enters A Form Of Purgatory Until A Proper Burial And Ceremony can be held so it can go off and join its ancestors. The reikon then becomes the protector of the family for future generations and this is the spirit Japanese people celebrate during the Obon festival in August.

Yokai (specter)

Yokai Are Not Spirits, But Earthly Creatures, More Akin To Goblins In The West. There Are Literally Hundreds Of Yokai Of Almost Every Conceivable Shape And Origin, Ranging From The Nekomata , A Type Of Monster That Takes The Form Of A Cat And Is Often Playing A Portrayed As Shamisen, To yama-Biko , A Small Creature Similar To Echo Of Grecian Mythology, To Hitodama , A Fireball Ghost That Appears When Someone Dies, To Azukiarai , A Yokai Who Is Always Found Washing Azuki Beans.

To Read Click Here The Full Article By  Jdlawrence , Originally Published At Deep Japan

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Deep Japan – Experienced Senpai Living In And Enjoying Japan Offer Inside-Knowledge On How To Make Your Trip Real, Interesting And Above All, Unforgettable.

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From late May to the end of July, people across Japan are treated to all manner of wet, from occasional sprinkles to intensive downpours. Add in the heat and humidity, and you can imagine how uncomfortable tsuyu can be. Trains become seemingly more packed and people more grumbly, the simply act of walking from point A to point B becomes an exercise in staying cool and dry. That’s probably why most people tend to stay indoors with air conditioners blowing full blast. And then, when tsuyu’s over, the nation sizzles for a few more weeks with the temperatures soaring past 30 degrees, while workers enter “Cool Biz” mode.

It can seem there’s no escape, sometimes. But there are, and here we present links to a few articles that deal with just how you can beat the heat in Japan.

Easy and Affordable Ways to Beat Tsuyu (the Rainy Season)

Another Easy and Affordable Way to Beat Tsuyu (the Rainy Season)

How to Beat Japanese Summer Heat When Traveling in Japan?

Article By *  Lee Reeve , Originally Published On Deep Japan
—– Deep Japan – Experienced Senpai Living In And Enjoying Japan Offer Inside-Knowledge On How To Make Your Trip Real, Interesting And Above All, Unforgettable.

The Deep Japan Join Senpai Team – Anyone Currently Living In Japan For A Year Or More Who Can Write Tips For Visitors In English Is Welcome To Register  On Deep Japan As A Writer.

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Imagine sitting with a paint brush in hand, a palette full of colors in the other, sitting in front of a blank canvass. Sounds a bit intimidating, perhaps? Well, at ArtBar Tokyo, this is exactly what groups of people regularly do and have a blast doing it. I participated in my first ArtBar experience a few nights ago, and can not recommend it enough.

Copy-and-pasted from their website:

“Artbar painting sessions are for the art enthusiast -… From beginner to expert we make it fun for all That being said, no prior art experience is welcomed and encouraged Simply sign up for a painting session based on your preference and schedule We provide all of the supplies!

Our artist instructors will then lead you, step-by-step so you can watch your painting unfold from a blank canvas to your own-personal masterpiece. By the end of the session, you will have your own original artwork and some new creative talents to take home with you!

At Artbar, we believe life is too short to not be inspired! So join us to get creative without inhibitions. ”

When my session first started, you could feel the tension in the air. People kept reminding each other how much of a beginner they were and how they expected their paintings not to be much more than splotches of mess. But after a few glasses of wine (included in the the participation fee), nerves relaxed, and before you know it people were too focused in what they were painting to talk.

During the session, we were assisted and encouraged by our instructor, who not only gave us tips and techniques to use, but also taught us how to make the most of our time and inexperience.

After all was said and done, we held a mini-exhibition and talked about our work. As an artist and art teacher myself, I was extremely impressed by the results of my peers. I found it amazing what we were able to achieve in the limited space and time we had – and all the while imbibing alcohol!

It was an incredibly fun evening, and one I look forward to experiencing it again I highly recommend you give it a go -. Just check their website or Facebook page (see below) for upcoming events!

ACCESS

Daikanyama-Cho 9-7
Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo

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Daiyuzan Saijo-ji is a breathtaking Buddhist temple that was built more than 615 years ago. Although it is still frequented by devout worshipers from all across Japan, it remains one of the less talked about magnificent places in Kanagawa Prefecture. This is probably due to the fact that Daiyuzan Saijo-ji is obscurely located in the mountain forests of Odawara’s Hakone – but trust me, that’s all the more reason you should visit. No matter how many times I go, it remains one of the most impressive places I’ve ever been to.

The path leading to the temple is surrounded by an ancient grove of towering cedar trees (allergy sufferer’s beware) that cast otherworldly shadows across the sprawling temple grounds. Legend has it, the assistant to the founder is said to have been turned into an eternal caretaker in the form of a goblin, which is why you’ll be astounded by the numerous statues of goblins and goblin related items at the temple.

Words can do no justice to how marvelous Daiyuzan Saijo-ji is. Whether you enjoy temple hunting, hiking, or taking photographs – Daiyuzan Saijo-ji will simply blow you away.

And if you happen to love beer, then you can always hit the nearby Asahi Brewery for a free beer tour!

Without a car, it’s not the easiest location to reach – but not impossible. I guarantee the trip will be worth it, though.

Click here for area and access information.

*Article by Lee Reeve, originally published on Deep Japan
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Deep Japan – Experienced Senpai living in and enjoying Japan offer inside-knowledge on how to make your trip real, interesting and above all, unforgettable.

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Zushi, along the Shonan coast, is a well-known beach town noted for its relaxed, laid back, slow-paced lifestyle. And there’s no better to place to experience its charm then at Beach Muffin, a small bakery/cafe and local craft beer tap room located minutes from both the city’s train stations.

It’s small to be sure, its interior reminding most who go there of an old converted house. There are a few plush chairs to sink into, as well as several wooden tables where you can enjoy Beach Muffin’s excellent food and drink.

Their 100% vegetarian menu features a one-of-a-kind veggie burger, a homemade tofu enchilada, red chili and rice, and a bagel with tofu that “tastes like tuna”. You can also order sides like their “voted best in Japan fried potatoes” (they are incredibly tasty), homemade vegetable soup, and nachos. Seriously, Beach Muffin’s food rocks; everything is prepared fresh, on site.

Best of all, whatever you order can be wonderfully paired with any of the craft beers (compliments of Yorocco Brewing, also located in Zushi) that they serve on tap. Non drinkers can choose from a variety of organic teas and coffees or freshly-made smoothies.

Beach Muffin is an absolute must for beach and beer lovers. It’s a great place to sit back and relax by yourself, or while enjoying good conversation and grub with friends. If you’re ever in the area, definitely make it a point to stop by.

Click here for area and access information.

*Article by Lee Reeve, originally published on Deep Japan
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Deep Japan – Experienced Senpai living in and enjoying Japan offer inside-knowledge on how to make your trip real, interesting and above all, unforgettable.

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When Michel and Alana Bonzi, the owner-operators of the Soleil Provence French language school in Kugenuma near Fujisawa bought their house in 2008, they knew they’d become an integral part of their local community. For Michel, who hails from Nice, France, and Alana, from Tobago in the Caribbean, both located near the ocean, they believed the simple act of cleaning a beach could bridge their local and foreign communities.

In 2009, they started the Fujisawa Beach Cleaning Project. Held twice a year, volunteers from around the world go and spend an afternoon picking up trash and beautifying Fujisawa’s beaches. Many of the volunteers have day jobs with large companies in Tokyo and Yokohama, but high school and university students also participate.

When asked about the benefits and satisfaction of volunteering, they said, “On a corporate level, one of the benefits is getting to know your work colleagues better and enhancing a sense of teamwork and team building. For families, volunteering like this is a great chance to bond. Family-friendly volunteering positively impacts work life balance.

For those studying another language, the Fujisawa Beach Cleaning Project is a non-risk opportunity to communicate in a foreign language, to meet people from different cultures, and to do something good for the environment and community. We’ve been very lucky to have such a positive response from our supporters. There’s been much interest in outdoor, family-friendly, corporate volunteering opportunities like ours.”

Now, seven years later, the Fujisawa Beach Cleaning Project has grown considerably. Not only has the area being cleaned been expanded, but so too has the number of people and companies participating. In fact, the Fujisawa Beach Cleaning Project inspired Michel and Alana to become involved with other environmentally friendly volunteer programs, which eventually spawned the creation of the SEGO Initiative, an NPO that connects people, causes and communities.

Whether you’re an individual or a company looking to help make the world a better place, if you’re interested in volunteering, please email Lee Reeve.

The next beach cleaning event will be held April 24, 2016. There’s also one later in the year in September.

For more information about the Fujisawa Beach Cleaning Project, visit one of the following links:

Soleil Provence: Fujisawa Beach Cleaning Project

Fujisawa Beach Cleaning Project

The SEGO Initiative

*Article by Lee Reeve, originally published on Deep Japan
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Deep Japan – Experienced Senpai living in and enjoying Japan offer inside-knowledge on how to make your trip real, interesting and above all, unforgettable.

Join the Deep Japan Senpai Team – Anyone currently living in Japan for a year or more who can write tips for visitors in English is welcome to register on Deep Japan as a writer.

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Nagano Prefecture has it all

Nagano Prefecture is famous for its winter skiing and summer hiking but with its fair share of historic castles, shrines and temples, and most of all its stunning natural scenery and the hospitality of its people and the freshness of its healthy food.

Nagano is often called the roof of Japan, or Japan’s Switzerland, because of its many spectacular and high mountain ranges and its position in the center of the main island of Honshu. The mountain ranges are covered in deep green forests and wildflower meadows and topped by snow clad rocky peaks. Between the mountain ranges are swift flowing clear rivers with wide fertile valleys and basins which make the prefecture one of Japan’s largest agricultural producers and a place for fresh and delicious fruits and vegetables. Its no wonder that the people of Nagano are the longest lived in Japan.

Nagano Prefecture Mountains

Nagano is landlocked and yet it straddles some of the major inland road and rail routes between Tokyo in the East and Nagoya/Kyoto/Osaka in the west. This makes it easily accessible within 2 to 3 hours travel time for the visitor coming from Tokyo, Nagoya or Kyoto by train, bus, or car.

Since Nagano hosted the Winter Olympics in 1998, many foreign visitors have been coming to Nagano in winter to enjoy its deep powder snow and its relaxing hot spring resorts. Places like Hakuba, Happone, and Nozawa, offer the best kind of snow holiday you can get with great hospitality and plenty of excellent Japanese cuisine at a cost that is much less than what you would pay in Europe or North America. On top of that, what could be more entertaining than watching the monkeys enjoying hots spring baths in the snow.

In summer, many Japanese escape the hot and humid weather of the cities to Nagano’s higher plateaus to enjoy the cooler and dryer weather. There are a number of picturesque summer resort towns, like Karuizawa, Tateshina, Kiyosato and Nojiri where outdoor activities such as golf, tennis, cycling, parasailing, rafting etc. are very popular. And if you enjoy hiking, then Nagano has a smorgasbord of varied and interesting hiking trails with well-equipped mountain lodge. For a challenge, the spear-like Mt Yarigatake at 3190 meters is a worthwhile but tough climb. The charming mountain resort of Kamikochi is the perfect base for a range of easy to difficult walks into the high peaks of the Northern Alps.

Interspersed along the mountain valleys are small cities and towns which are steeped in the rich history and culture of Japan. Nagano City, the capital, is famous for its Zenkoji Temple, founded in 642 AD and a National Treasurer. Matsumoto City is famous for its castle, also a National Treasure built in 1604, and Suwa Jinja, one of the most famous shrines in Japan, is famous for its Onbashira Festival – a must see event held every 6 years when brave men ride huge logs that are slid down a mountain to the shrine. And if you are seeking out the famous cherry blossoms of Japan, you must go to Takato, where 3,000 strikingly pink trees are lit up at night for a spectacular display. Or if you are seeking spectacular fireworks displays, then Lake Suwa is the place to go in August where you can see the Japan fireworks championships at play every night over the lake.

So, when you come to Japan make sure to visit Nagano Prefecture where you can combine an exhilarating outdoor and nature experience with a deep Japan culture and traditions experience.

*Article by Phil, originally published on Deep Japan
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Deep Japan – Experienced Senpai living in and enjoying Japan offer inside-knowledge on how to make your trip real, interesting and above all, unforgettable.

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A short trip to Kusatsu Onsen

You may be on a business trip in Tokyo, with jet lag and many meetings weighting heavily on your shoulders and mind. You do have one day and a half though to discover something about Japan. Something you don’t know. This is not your first trip to Tokyo, you’ve been to Roppongi, Asakusa or Aoyama. You enjoy the urban atmosphere and your travel partners but what you really need this time, is time for yourself, to restore your mind and your jetlag.

There is one place you can visit to do just that and discover a Japan that you did not know still existed. So, close your eyes, and listen:

« When I fear losing honesty with myself I climb to Snow Country. From a long tunnel, I emerge to behold the night sky overspreading a strange world of mountains, hot springs, and mysterious geishas. »1

Well, maybe not the mysterious geishas, but you’ll get the mountains, the snow and the hot springs. Kusatsu Onsen is a small and rural town located three hours from Tokyo. You board a shinkansen in Tokyo and when you get off in Takasaki, you are in another world, slightly different from the nowyou have known. The air is crisp and fresh, no high-rise building at the horizon, ladies showing off their hobbies in the train and, incredible but true, no one killing time with a smartphone. Did the train take you to another dimension? Well, maybe.

When you know Tokyo and Japanese big cities, your mind is hoaxed into believing that the whole country looks like Shinjuku.

When you step outside the urban life, even a throw of a stone away, somewhere just like Kusatsu hot spring, you enter a dimension you did not know existed: the rural Japan where time flows normally, where the night is dark and stellar, and where people are genuinely interested in you, saying hello when you cross them in the street, and providing information if you need it.

Kusatsu is on an isolated mountain hot spring and it smells like it. The sulfate water is green and hot. It infuses the city with fumes that remind you your college chemistry lab.

Kusatsu is a small town and you can easily wander in the forest and walk a certain time without meeting anyone, which is quite a success on its own in crowded Japan. You can also enjoy freely the public bath anytime you want. You will be surprised to see that Kusatsu people also come to the bath. Lucky people. The hot water works wonder to take that heavy weight from your shoulders.

There is a lovely museum of a television celebrity who happens to be a very fine artist and autodidact: Kataoka. His work is mainly calligraphy and Japanese aquarelles. He has re-invented traditional art into contemporary impressions. He draws fishes and flowers, and writes poetry. Somehow, his shrimps, not something that we would usually draw, I admit, look funny and alive.

You can leave your luggage in Tokyo and just take the train. In Kusatsu, all you will need is a towel and a good book about vain love and mysterious geishas.

—1 KAWABATA, Yasunari, Snow Country, 1948. First lines as translated by Edward Seidensticker.

How to access Kusatsu:

There are several ways to go there but the simplest one is to take the Shinkansen to Takasaki (1 hour), to take the local Agatsuma line to Naganohara Kusatsu (1 hour and a half) and then a local bus waiting for you at the station. It is all smooth and straightforward, well synchronised. Strange enough, everything is in Japanese, but you will manage your day because everyone is so kind and ready to help.

*Original article by Claire published on Deep Japan

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Women Leaders, Awa-Odori Spunk and Much Laughter in Tokushima

This place was the Awa Han (Awa Clan), across the mountains from Kochi, where Ryoma Sakamoto began his effort to forge a new future for Japan.

I spotted the dancers as soon as the escalator neared the first floor of the newly opened airport terminal building. Behind my hosts, through the huge windows I glimpsed the Awa-Odori dancers of all ages, caught in joyous dance by cool gray stone; an able mason’s rendition of this locales prized tradition.

My hosts in their somber deep blue suits whisked me to the awaiting car and off I went to experience the people of Tokushima for the very first time. This date in Shikoku was for a speech about globalization and how Japanese can have much confidence in their ability to take on the exciting possibilities of growing tourism and the changing “norm” in an internationalized world.

Delicious food and interactions in Tokushima

After a quick stop at a delicious local Soba shop where I enjoyed zaru soba (cold soba on a mesh to be dipped in chilled soup filled with shallots and the sharp, fresh taste of Wasabi, we headed toward the town hall.

I asked my host what the specialty of Tokushima was, and they pointed to a beautiful mountain, Bizan (the Chinese character used refers to the curve of the mountain resembling an eyebrow), which they noted appears in Japan’s oldest known text, Manyoshu, and that it is the Mt. Fuji of Tokushima.

Adding the mountain was the backdrop for a popular piece of art by Masashi Sada (one of the silver generations most popular performers). When they mentioned Sada san, a touch of nostalgia played in my mind as I remembered my late mentor, Hiromasa Ezoe’s love of Sada-san’s meaningful lyrics and soothing voice. I realized the people I met in Tokushima were contemporaries of Ezoe san and I automatically felt drawn to their depth of experience and again was grateful for the opportunity to interact with the core group, the ones who literally “built” modern Japan.

My speech and the event about 1.5 hours hence, with no waiting room or coffee shop nearby, I was able to sit inside as everyone set up. My biggest surprise was that EVERYONE REALLY WAS setting up. I knew from previous email exchanges that Mr. Okada was the central leader for the event, but someone without that knowledge, would never guess. I’ve been in multiple situations where set up was required for an event. Ladies arranged the flowers, organized papers and name tags on the reception desk, brought in the signs and organized the handouts on each chair. Men did the “heavy work” setting up chairs, moving around the podium, checking the screen and projector, climbing the ladder to tack up the event poster, etc. This time though, there was no division of responsibility by gender. Everyone did everything, very naturally, very much in a positive fashion.

Women CEOs Abound!

Later, I asked another person about the specialty of Tokushima and he noted that this prefecture has the highest percentage of women CEOs. This confirmed the hint I had from the how everyone cooperated to set up the room.

After two speeches, an essay contest for neighborhood schools about the “Kizuna” or bond in families, much laughter and home made cake to end the evening and a dip in the 100 percent natural onsen on the roof of my Sunroute Hotel accommodation: I was ready to come back.

When I do, it will be for the beloved Awa-Odori festival in summertime. Another specialty of Tokushima that spans some 400 years, they say even your heart will dance as you watch the rhythmic moves and let yourself alight on the choppy waves of Shamisen-centered music. Lines and lines of brightly dressed Awa-Odori dancers stream through the streets, and the stars above Shikoku together with the undulating slopes of Bizan are awash in the magic of this ancient land.

If you are headed to Shikoku to walk the 88 Temple journey, I definitely recommend a stopover in Tokushima, a succulent bite of Tokushima Ramen, a few interactions with the refreshingly frank people and a moment of peace from the bright blue ocean, meandering Yoshinogawa River and the easy curve of Bizan Mountain.

Also, don’t forget that Tokushima might just be the “girl power” capital of Japan. Go go go Yamato Nadeshiko (Samurai Ladies)!

*Original article by RuthieJ published on Deep Japan

Deep Japan – Experienced Senpais living in and enjoying Japan offer inside-knowledge on how to make your trip real, interesting and above all, unforgettable.

Join the Deep Japan Senpai Team – Anyone currently living in Japan for a year or more who can write tips for visitors in English is welcome to register on Deep Japan as a writer.

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As soon as you enter, you’re greeted by the tea master, who shows you every step of the process. After watching a video that explains the proper flow and etiquette of the ceremony, you clean your hands to prepare yourself to make and enjoy the tea. Next, dried tea leaves are ground to make a fine, bright green powder. The beauty of matcha is how simple it is — just the ground leaves and hot water — elevated by the precision and elegance of the ceremony.

Once you enter the tea room, the tea master cleans all the utensils used to make the matcha. After that, she prepares one cup of matcha at a time for each guest. While the tea is being made, you’re invited to enjoy some traditional Japanese sweets. Each is truly a work of art in itself.

After each guest has been served their tea, it’s time for them to try their hand at making a cup of matcha. The tea master provides step-by-step guidance to walk you through it.

The ceremony doesn’t take very long, which makes it an activity worth checking out while you’re in Tokyo. Afterwards, you can go next door to Kabuki-za or do some shopping in Ginza. The environment is warm and welcoming and I look forward to taking guests back in the future.

Ginza Chazen

Cost: 3,500 yen per person

Address: 5F Ginza Ishikawa Bldg., Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Call for Reservations: +81-3-6264-0690

http://chazen-us.com/

*Original article by Petra published on Deep Japan

Deep Japan – Experienced Senpais living in and enjoying Japan offer inside-knowledge on how to make your trip real, interesting and above all, unforgettable.

Join the Deep Japan Senpai Team – Anyone currently living in Japan for a year or more who can write tips for visitors in English is welcome to register on Deep Japan as a writer.

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