A typical Life

….when you have Kleenex sticking out of your nose!  But that’s just how Hideo Higashikokubaru, a one-time comedian using the stage name Sonomanma Higashi, and currently the Governor of Miyazaki prefecture in southern Japan, is portrayed on this tissue box cover.

I found this product while browsing through my local mall and just couldn’t stop laughing.  I thought it was hilarious even before my friend told me who he was.   He ran for governor on the slogan “dogenkasento ikan,” or “something must be done” and I know just what he should do - get them to stop selling this product.  He just looks silly!

If you don’t believe me check out his photo on the Miyazaki Prefecture website. 

The other day I went into Asakusa for the day and caught these two cool cats lounging around….they were guarding the front gate of the Asakusa shrine (Saja - sama) which is ironic as off to one side of the temple there was a smaller shrine with hundreds of small white ceramic cats on display.

I was in Asakusa to see the Jabusame (Japanese archery on horseback) demonstration at Sumida Park. It was a cool, overcast day and it was threatening to rain.  The rain held off long enough for the demonstration which was great because it was amazing.    I’m still working on the photos from the event and will post some soon, in the meantime here’s a larger shot of my two cool friends….

The past Friday I went to the ceremonial sumo match at the Yaskuni shrine in Tokyo. Based on what I’ve read its the only time this year that you will be able to see a sumo tournament for free in Tokyo and I couldn’t miss an opportunity like that! So, I braved a rush hour train into Tokyo and got there a bit early to snag a good seat - actually there are no seats so I placed my mat on the ground at a good location. The venue was intimate if you can use that word to describe a space that holds six thousand people. Put it this way, I could have paid to go to a basho (Sumo tournament) at the Ryogoko Kokugikan where the cheapest seats are Y2,100 per day and those are nose bleed seats. Here I was in the equivalent of the 10th row,or so, and it was free!

The event started at 9AM and ran until around 3PM. and who knew that I would run into my long lost Japanese Grandpa and his friend? They placed their mat beside mine; Grandpa was deaf in one ear and couldn’t understand a word I was saying but he kept trying to feed me. I tasted dango (grilled mochi balls with some sort of sticky sauce that were pretty good) for the first time and he shared some candy and later on an onigiri (rice ball) which I tried to politely refuse by signaling with my hands that I was full but he would have none of it. I told him ashta (later) and put the onigiri in my bag but only after he checked the expiry date and told me that I needed to eat it today. I really wish we could have communicated as he seemed like a great guy!

Anyway, on to my shots from the day. Here is Yokuzuna (Grand Champion) Hakuho:

Ceremonial throwing of the salt:

Shots of some of the pre-match rituals:

Check out more great shots of the event over at The Tokyo Traveler.

As most of you know I have started posting most of my touristy activities over at The Tokyo Traveler. For those of you that haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, here are some of the highlights of what I’ve been up to lately:

Hanami viewing at Chidorigafuchi near the Imperial Palace. Here are some of the trees (and a ton of people looking at them). I even got a shot of some of the rowboats in the Imperial Palace moat and I wished I was in one - it sure looked fun!

Shopping in Asakusa and checking out the local architecture. Check out the “flaming ornament” on the Asahi Breweries Building. What the heck is it?

I also tried to explain how to take the subway in Tokyo. It can be quite a challenge!

I went to see some Sumo yesterday and am working on a couple of posts. I have to wade through the 200+ photos that I took so they probably won’t be ready for a day of two. Stay tuned….

Where I live in Chiba there are two very contrasting places where you can view the Sakura Blossoms.

Below is a very industrial looking park where all of the trees are aligned in perfect rows.  While the trees are still pretty the atmosphere is rather sterile.  I call this one Sakura and Cement.

About a mile or so down the road, across from my apartment , the scene contrasts sharply.  It is a more attractive natural setting where there were people picnicking and kids playing.  The ladies in the foreground were set for the day with a folding picnic table and a brunch with wine.  It felt rather festive as I circled the park on my bike.

What do you think of the more modern Sakura Park?

I’m off to try and watch the Honoozumo (sumo practice) as Yasukuni Shrine tomorrow.  It’s a free event for the first six thousand people.  Wish me luck as I hate crowds!

Japan is supposed to be the land of the rising sun but the other day this was the view of the sun setting from our apartment in Chiba. We are looking towards Tokyo and I believe that the body of water in the photo is the Tokyo Bay. We have had this same view almost every night this week and it’s amazing!

Today I took the trip into Tokyo for the first time since my arrival in Japan and I had my first Maiko or Geisha sighting!

It took me almost an hour and three different trains to get to Asaksua where this and the other photos were taken.  I was a little bit nervous about taking the train again as I didn’t want to get lost on my first Tokyo adventure but all went smoothly.  It was neat to revisit this area and yes I did have my warm sembe and it was delicious - my memory didn’t fail me!

I also said a little prayer at the famous Asakusa Sensouji Buddist Temple and took a browse through Kappabashi or kitchenware town where I purchased some beautiful ceramic chopstick rests that double as whistles - yes whistles!   I’ll post a bit more on those areas later.

On my way home I gave myself a bit of start when I fell asleep on the train.  I woke up and had to do a quick double check of where I was but all was good and I arrived home safely without any detours due to napping.

Here are some of the other street scenes from the day:

I have always wanted to visit the Tsukiji Fish Market in Japan and it was one of the things that I never got around to doing the last time I was in Japan. Now it appears that it may be too late for me to get to see the tuna auction in action. The Tsukiji Fish Market has promoted itself as a tourist destination and is now so popular that it will have to stop due to the volume and irresponsible behavior of visitors. Click on the photo to check out an article from 3yen.

Starting in April the market will be discouraging visitors citing sanitation concerns and disruption to the auctions that the site is famous for. Strollers, babies and large packages will no longer be allowed into the market and flash photography will not be permitted. Further, an application for entry must be made in advance and those people wanting to visit merely for sightseeing will be asked not to enter.

I think that the real shame in this is that it is another one of those cases where the rotten apple spoils the bunch. This Tsukiji Fish Market is a place of business and as such the visitors have a responsibility to respect that. No-one wants to have their job be harder or take longer as a result of distractions caused by people not there to conduct business.

I am not disputing that the Tsukiji Fish Market has a valid concern but I would suggest that an alternative would be to limit the number of people who enter and ensure that they are with a guide at all times. A minimal entrance fee could cover the cost of the guide, ensure that guests do not stray into areas where they would disrupt business and possibly even be able to provide some insights and history of the site which would enhance the visitor experience. The guests should also have to agree to abide by the rules and stay in designated areas at all times before being allowed entry.
My suggestion may be too late or too much to do logistically since the site has several gates and it is estimated that 42,000 people and 19,000 trucks enter and leave the facility every business day but I think that it is definitely better than banning or discouraging visitors completely.