The Izu Life: The Best of Cherry Blossom Season #2

On the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, there is a little picnic area called Sakura Koen near Izunagaoka Station on the Izu Hakone Line. It is a a little known but fantastic hanami (cherry blossom viewing) location for locals. Check out some of my favourite snaps of the park below...

T.G.I.F: Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

As I reported last year, once again Kawazu on the Izu Peninsula will be hosting the annual Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival this weekend to welcome the arrival of spring and celebrate a spectacular local phenomenon. Every year between February and March, a breed of early blooming cherry blossom called the "Kawazu" can be seen blossoming around town. At night, the blossoms are lit up for a night-time illumination event and a fireworks display begins at 7.30pm. Why not visit Kawazu and see for yourself? Kawazu can be reached from Atami (accessible from Tokyo on the Tokaido Line) on the Ito Line. Click the image below for more information (Japanese)...

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You can click here for more details in English.

Tops Tuesdays: Kawazu Cherry Blossoms

It's a drab and dreary day here on the Izu Peninsula. Its been raining non stop for the past 36 hours or so. That in mind, this week marks the beginning of the blooming period for a breed of cherry tree here in Japan that blooms earlier than any other kind of cherry blossom. The cherry blossom season, though varies around the country, normally falls in April but the Kawazu Cherry Blossom begins to bloom a vibrant pink in mid to late February when the weather is still frosty. The blooms have made a community right here on the Izu Peninsula--Kawazu, for which the blossom is named--famous for its Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival (stay tuned this Friday for more on this festival). A beautiful preview of what spring holds for us this year. 

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Happy Tuesday!

T.G.I.F: Australia Day

Image Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/australia-day-celebrate-our-big-day-in-style/story-e6frewyr-1226557404048

This year, Australia Day falls on a Saturday--this Saturday January 26th in fact! Despite the lack of hot, sunny weather, we will be celebrating with an Australia Day party at the Taproom in Numazu from 12pm until 2pm. The party, of course, will continue after 2pm (2pm is the point where the Taproom opens to the public). So if you are a Shizuoka resident, why not come join us and enjoy some Tim Tams, Vegemite, beer and ANZAC bikkies with your Aussie brethren this weekend? Happy Australia Day!

T.G.I.F.: Ito "Butt-Pinching" Festival

You read that correctly.

At Otonashi shrine (音無神社) in Ito this Saturday you can enjoy the 36th annual “Butt-Pinching” Festival. Why the "Butt-Pinching" Festival? Well, because the festival involves a ritual where you are given some sacred sake to drink but before you can drink it, you must pinch the buttocks of the people around you. The festival runs from 6:30pm until around 9:00pm. Highlights include taiko (drum) performances and “booty sumo” (it's what it sounds like). If you are looking to see some of the weird and wonderful things that Japan has to offer, this event will likely be a memorable experience. Ladies, however, are warned that the likelihood of lecherous old men being in attendance is strong. You have been warned.

Otonashi Shrine is a 15 minute walk from Ito station (just follow the crowds). Ito can be reached by taking the JR Tokaido Line and changing at Atami. And if you are planning to stay the night, I definitely recommend K's House.  

I couldn't find a picture of the "Butt-Pinching" Festival so here is a picture of someone's butt. 

Travel Log: Fox Wedding in Numazu

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending and participating in a fox-themed wedding in Numazu. The wedding was being held at the fox shrine by the Kano River. Volunteers were asked to come along and have their faces painted like foxes then participate in a "fox parade." The bride and groom also had their faces painted like foxes. This was a real ligit wedding; a rare experience for foreigners like me to attend. This is largely because (if a foreigner is lucky enough to be invited) wedding guests in Japan are expected to pay the new couple between $100 to $300 as a kind of start-up money instead of giving them a traditional gift. This means attending a wedding tends to be limited to immediate family in Japan because it is just so damn expensive for us underpaid English teachers. But anyway, I was lucky enough to snag an almost front row seat so I could capture some amazing photos of the fox wedding for your enjoyment. Continue reading for some of my favourite snaps below!

Travel Log: Hanagasa Dance Festival, Ito

Last Friday night, I participated in the Hanagasa Dance Festival in Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture. I was taken to a dress shop in the town of Ito and dressed in a beautiful black kimono and then briefly taught the necessary traditional Japanese dance moves I would need for the parade. Many different troops of people made up the parade of dancers who moved through the streets of Ito to the tune of a 25-minute-long traditional Japanese song. After the song, we took a five minute break and then began again. The parade route took a little over one hour to complete so you can imagine I was tired by the end! Enjoy some snaps below...

Tops Tuesdays

July and August in Japan means kakigori (flavoured shaved ice), summer festivals and--perhaps best of all--hanabi (fireworks). Most summer festivals close out the evening with a fireworks display. It is definitely a defining experience during a stay in Japan to attend one of these festivals in yukata (summer kimono) and enjoy balmy nights filled with fun, food and fire(works).  So this week, fireworks festivals make my Tops Tuesday post.

It is said that fireworks displays were once held in Japan on days of remembrance for the dead as a way of celebrating life. During the Edo period, fireworks were something that people of all economic classes could enjoy, promoting unity in the national psyche. Now, fireworks in Japan can be enjoyed by all walks of life.

One of the best fireworks displays in Shizuoka (if not Japan) occurs at the beach-side resort town, Atami. This Sunday, 5,000 fireworks will be launched to create one of the most spectacular displays in the area. Click the image below for more information (Japanese only)...

Here is another great website for locating fireworks festivals in your local area: http://hanabi.walkerplus.com/. This website has listings by prefecture, making it easy for you to find local events which include fireworks. Unfortunately it is Japanese only, but not too difficult to navigate for a Japanese-language novice. 

Have a lovely week!

Tops Tuesdays: Archery in a Volcano

I found a link to this article (written by the amazing Ashley Thompson over at Surviving in Japan) floating around on a gaijin forum and decided to share this unique activity here for a Tops Tuesdays post. It is just what it sounds like; archery in a volcano. Looking for something unusual to do on your holiday? Always wanted to try your hand at a bit of archery? Want to stand in the open crater of a volcano? This could be just the right activity for you! And this particular dormant volcano (Mt. Omuro) is located on the Izu Peninsula which makes it extra special to me. Click the image for more information...

Travel Log: Picking Green Tea and Architectural Feats in Harajuku

Last weekend, I did two things: on Saturday I went green tea picking for the first time on the Izu Peninsula, and on Sunday I caught up with some friends from Australia in Harajuku, Tokyo. Enjoy some snaps below!

The Izu Life: Posta Collect Postcards

The following postcards from Posta Collect are available from your local post office in Japan so keep an eye out. Actually, every prefecture has its own series of cards highlighting local attractions. The following cards represent Shizuoka Prefecture...

T.G.I.F.: A Plethora of Hanami Festivals

Happy Friday everyone! Its 19 degrees outside, the birds are singing, the sun shining and the cherry blossoms are fit to burst. This weekend is going to be awesome. A bunch of local JETs have arranged a hanami and picnic in Sumpu Park in the shadow of Shizuoka City's own beautiful castle. Care to check it out? Continue reading for your weekend events round-up...

5 Days: 5 Things To Do In Or Around Shizuoka

My sister is coming to visit me from Australia in two weeks time and I am uber excited! Unfortunately I won't be able to get any time off work to go sight-seeing with her so she will have to entertain herself a little bit until I can hang out with her on the weekend. Because she will be exploring Japan on her own somewhat during the week, I decided to put together a little list of things for her to do in the area to keep boredom at bay. Today I would like to share this list with you!

Shopping in Japan #1 : Workwear

This is the first of a series of installments about shopping in Japan. The series will be completed with a piece on how to pack for Japan...

So you are packing for Japan and you want to know what can be bought there so you can avoid extra costs at the baggage check in? Well, I would like to share with you some tips on shopping in Japan and perhaps we might learn some things about dressing in Japan along the way...