ENTERTAINMENT in Japan
Nomitomo International
At Nomitomo International we try to make every party a new and exciting experience. We are always coming up with new ideas for our parties, so there is always a reason to come back. You can enjoy cultural exchange, practice English or Japanese, look for a language exchange partner, or even find romance at our parties!
If you are not the party type we also organize other activities where you can participate in a hobby with others who share the same interest. This makes it easy to connect with people and stay friends since you share a common interest. We also have dating parties for foreign guys and Japanese girls and Asian guys and foreign girls. This is what makes us different from any other party. We are looking forward to seeing you at one of our events! Please refer to our website for more details. See our website for more details. http://www.nomitomo.net/
Shougatsu
Shougatsu is celebrated from the first to the third of January, and marks the beginning of a new year and good fortune.
During this event, it is important to banish the 108 sins Buddhist believe exist.
Because of this, on New Years Eve, enormous bells at temples are rung eight times before the official start of the year and 108 times during the start of the New Year.
Also, money is given to children in tiny envelopes for good luck and families take part in cleaning their homes to purify them for good luck in the future. It is also a time for loved ones to get together and enjoy delicious food that is made specifically for this occasion.
You can enjoy sampling a variety of foods placed in small wooden boxes.
Each of these items has a symbolic meaning behind them, and are chosen for specific reason with the coming of Shougatsu.
For example, eating herring roe will bring you many children while black soybeans reflect good health.
Long buckwheat noodles are another important part of the meal and anyone who eats them will live a long life!
Mamemaki
This is a festival involving bean throwing and is a celebration of spring.
It is indeed an interesting ritual different from any other.
People want to forget the harsh winters and leave them behind and look forward to the warmth the new season brings.
Soybeans are tossed from shrines into the aggressive crowd as a way of spreading good luck.
Everyone quickly rushes to get one, and it can be challenging but fun.
Those who manage to get a pack of these roasted soybeans, also known as fortune beans, will be blessed with good luck.
It is also customary to eat the exact number of beans as your age if you wish to be fortunate in the near future.
Matsuri
Matsuri is another word for festival in Japan.
These events often take place around holidays and are a great way to touch Japanese culture.
Yatai or small booths can often be seen clustered along the streets serving a variety of tastey food and drinks and often sell souvenirs.
It is also a good chance to partake in dancing, karaoke competitions, or play popular games like goldfish or watch some sumo tournaments and see extravagant floats.
Whatever your purpose for coming, there is something for everyone to enjoy for both adults and children.
Matsuri festivals differ a lot, so be sure to check them all to find the one that interest you. One famous matsuri festival in Japan is Onbashira, which involves racing enormous ten ton 17 meters cedar trees down a mountain.
It is quit interesting to watch and everyone has a good time.
Hanabi
Hanabi is an event that typically occurs towards the end of July.
If you have never seen fireworks in Japan, you should not miss this opportunity.
In some places 120,000 fireworks can be seen!
Japanese fireworks are amongst the most advanced in the world.
The designs are both unique and incredible.
Also, huge grains of black powder are used in the manufacturing of Japanese fireworks in order to make the illuminations last longer than typical fireworks.
This is also a good chance to wear a kimono. Crowds of people can be seen wearing these along almost every street carrying fans and sometimes beer too. As a word of advice, don’t go by car to one of these events and expect to find parking.
Police block any parking garages off early because they are filled up so fast.
The best way to get to one of these events is by train or subway.
Sumida River Fireworks Display is one of the best in Tokyo to see if you are looking for an event to join.
Bon-odori
This is one of the most well known dances in Japan.
Every region throughout the country has a unique dance style that is different from other parts of Japan and the music is original as well.
Many of the differences in movements throughout the dances reflect the history of each particular region, and is a good way to learn about Japanese culture.
You can view these performances each summer at the Bon Festival.
The word "Bon" itself, represents welcoming souls of ancestors.
It is customary to hold such events at night since it is this time when souls of the dead are most active.
Yatai
Yatai refers to tiny booths ran by street venders who sell both food and drinks.
If you are a tourist in Japan and struggling to save some extra cash, these are the places to hit up.
You can get more for your money than if you were to go to a restaurant and the food is absolutely delicious.
The atmosphere is also pleasant and relaxing.
Sometimes there may be tables where you can sit down with some locals and have a nice chat over some takoyaki.
Every foreigner should experience this while in Japan.
These booths are usually open during the morning in such place like Yoyogi park in Harajuku or near the famous Senji Temple in Asakusa.
Hanami
The word “hanami” refers to cherry blossom viewing.
Each year millions of people gather under these beautiful trees to see “sakura” or cherry blossoms.
In all, there are more than 400 types of cherry blossom trees in Japan!
In Tokyo, the best time to view cherry blossoms is from the end of May to the beginning of April.
It is both a relaxing and joyful time.
Many people gather with family, friends, or co-workers and organize parties under these trees and if you have no one to go with, you can always find events to attend online you can participate in.
These parties are always a good way to make new friends and enjoy a picnic under the trees.
Many people bring lots of food and drinks and even barbeque.
Most gatherings are held at parks, temples, or castles with Ueno Park and Yoyogi Park being two of the most popular places to go.
You can also view cherry blossoms at night in some parks.
Seeing them at night is a different experience from seeing them earlier in the day because they are lit up by beautiful lanterns.
If you plan on going, you should hurry because these flowers will remain in full bloom for only two weeks.
Sakura
Sakura or cherry blossoms, are a prominent part of Japanese life and culture.
They are known for being indigenous throughout many parts of Asia and are admired by Japanese and foreigners alike for their beauty and symbolic nature.
Sakura are deeply associated with Japan's history, with the petals that fall from these delicate branches representing drops of blood from brave samurai who lost their lives at battle.
Viewing excursions are popular in Japan.
Small boats can be rented at parks for a relaxing day under these beautiful trees.
There are many varieties and can range anywhere from a pale white color like the somei yoshino or a vibrant pink like the yaezakura.
Some good parks to visit during this time would be Sumida Koen,
Shinjuku Gyoen, Chidorigafuchi and Yasukumi Shrine which is immersed with 1,000 beautifully landscaped trees.