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Japan Today
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Fukushima Waraji Festival: See a parade unlike you've ever seen before
By Abhijit Sen Every August, Fukushima City hosts the Fukushima Waraji Festival. The word waraji refers to a traditional type of straw sandal worn by Japanese monks and travelers. The festival includes lively dancing, rhythmic taiko drums and an impressive giant straw sandal that is paraded through the streets to the top of the mountain, where the Haguro Shrine is located. The word waraji in Fukushima has a special cultural meaning. It's connected to the nearby Mount Shinobu and its guardian deity. According to legend, offering a giant waraji at the Haguro Shrine on Mount Shinobu brings safety and strong legs for travelers and pilgrims. The Akatsuki-mairi (Dawn procession) has been around since the Edo Period, a tradition that has continued for over 400 years. This sacred connection sets the foundation for the lively celebrations that happen each summer. The first Fukushima Waraji Festival took place in 1970. It aimed to help the local community and celebrate its rich culture. Festival Highlights The Waraji Parade features a massive 12-meter-long, 2-ton straw sandal carried through Fukushima City. This impressive display symbolizes strength and well-being. Leading the parade is the Waraji Odori dance, a performance of dancers dressed in yukata (summer kimonos). The festival begins with music from the Showa Era, encouraging everyone to dance and enjoy it together. As the second night unfolds, the atmosphere shifts to upbeat, modern songs that inspire people to participate. The city transforms into a giant dance party as everyone joins in the fun. There are also waraji races and traditional folk dancing. Click here to read more. External Link © GaijinPot
Asahi Shimbun
2 days ago
- Asahi Shimbun
Survey: New Shinkansen stations rapidly gain following
Bullet trains on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line are seen in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture. (Asahi Shimbun file photo) Newer stations on Shinkansen lines across Japan are speeding to the head of the line in popularity among passengers for a variety of reasons, according to a recent survey. Kanazawa Station in Ishikawa Prefecture emerged as the most favored destination among the respondents in The Asahi Shimbun survey. Kanazawa was selected by 26 percent of the respondents to emerge victorious in the fierce rivalry, with Kurobe-Unazuki-Onsen Station in nearby Toyama Prefecture in fifth at 21 percent--only 5 percentage points behind Kanazawa. The two stations, both situated along the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line, ranked among the top five destinations, likely buoyed by the novelty of the line's section between Kanazawa and Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture opening in spring 2024. The Asahi Shimbun survey asked which bullet train stations respondents most wanted to visit, as people in Japan heavily rely on bullet trains on their long-distance trips for business and sightseeing. The high-speed transport network made its debut in 1964 with a total of 12 stations along the Tokaido Shinkansen Line that connects Tokyo with Shin-Osaka. Shinkansen currently carry passengers to 120 stops on 10 lines nationwide. Some of the establishments are located along conventional lines. In certain areas, smaller Shinkansen cars are utilized to operate along standard tracks. The survey sought the views of readers of the Be on Saturday supplement section of the weekend edition of The Asahi Shimbun. The 2,378 registered readers were shown a list of the stations and could select as many favorite facilities as they liked. NEWLY BUILT STATIONS Explaining why he chose Kanazawa Station as his most desired destination, a 61-year-old man from Shiga Prefecture said that he 'heard that the areas around stations on the Shinkansen line were recently redeveloped to coincide with the new route's opening.' A 65-year-old woman living in Saitama Prefecture, close to Tokyo, said that The Asahi Shimbun survey provided her a good opportunity to learn more about the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line. 'I had not known that a Shinkansen station exists at Kurobe Unazuki Onsen,' she acknowledged. Needless to say, a lot of people felt attracted to the charms of stations themselves and tourist spots in the neighborhood. 'Kanazawa is reportedly one of the 14 most beautiful stations in the world,' said a 58-year-old male Tokyo resident. 'I would love to see the famed Tsuzumimon Gate at the station.' A 70-year-old male respondent from Shiga Prefecture described Kanazawa as 'a town filled with attractions.' 'It is equipped with not only tradition and elegance but also a trove of novel elements,' he said. The Kaga Domain that was based around what is now Kanazawa city was famed for its abundant rice yield of 'hyakumangoku' (1 million koku) during the Edo Period (1603-1867). One koku is equivalent to 180 liters. For this reason, another man, 86, who is a resident of Nagano Prefecture, admired the former castle town for its rich history. 'I hope to experience the town's ambience someday,' said the respondent about his future plan. Kurobe-Unazuki-Onsen Station similarly drew words of praise. A 73-year-old man from Nagano Prefecture said he 'has been desperate to go there since I watched the magnificent scenery of the Unazuki Onsen resort on TV.' A 55-year-old woman from Nagano Prefecture remarked that the Kurobe-Unazuki-Onsen Station serves as a gateway to the mountain range she had long been eager to hike. 'I make plans every year to visit, but they have yet to materialize,' she said. 'I will go in the end at all costs this year.' TIMELESS HITS Hakata Station in Fukuoka came in second on the ranking. The largest terminal station in the Kyushu region, southern Japan, gladdened the hearts of many passengers with its multifaceted allurement. 'My dream is giving local specialties a try, such as street stalls and 'tonkotsu' pork broth ramen,' said a 53-year-old Nagano woman. A 62-year-old woman from Chiba Prefecture mentioned that she often receives the Hakata Torimon buns as a souvenir from coworkers at her workplace, each time they return from business trips. 'I would like to stop at Hakata and buy Hakata Torimon on my own,' she said. A 71-year-old man in Aichi Prefecture shed light on a different aspect of Hakata. 'The area represents a treasure trove of musicians,' he said of the spate of talent emerging from Fukuoka. 'I am wondering what the city is actually like.' The neighboring Hakata-Minami Station, clocking in at 96th place, is worth noting, too. The route leading to the station was initially used by out-of-service trains for the Sanyo Shinkansen Line but was later converted into a passenger track. Despite Shinkansen stopping at Hakata-Minami, the section around the unorthodox station is therefore classified as a conventional line. The station's low ranking did not appear to be enough to dampen the interest of a 51-year-old woman in Osaka Prefecture, who said she was 'very curious' about Hakata-Minami. Taking the No. 3 spot on the surveyed station list, Kyoto showcased its venerable presence. 'The ancient capital of Kyoto is demonstrating its constant attractiveness,' said a 64-year-old male resident of Yamanashi Prefecture. A 56-year-old woman who resides in Kanagawa Prefecture, outside the capital, appreciated Kyoto as an all-in-one destination. 'I can enjoy everything from lodging and souvenir shopping to delicious meals and sightseeing,' she said. A 48-year-old female respondent from Miyazaki Prefecture remembered her honeymoon trip to Kyoto. 'The historic townscape, architectures and gardens in the city were a great comfort to me,' she recalled. For others, Kyoto is their former hometowns. A 73-year-old man who currently resides in Kanagawa Prefecture wrote that he was born in Kyoto. 'I have been to Kyoto many times since I moved out of the city while in the sixth grade at elementary school,' the previous Kyoto resident observed. 'I can relax in Kyoto.' Living in Fukuoka Prefecture at present, a 68-year-old man said he had spent his student days in Kyoto. He nostalgically touched on the old station building, the long Shinkansen platform, 500 Series carriages and the sales pitches of on-board clerks selling food and other items. 'Kyoto brings back memories,' he noted. 'I want to return there again and again.' DESTINATIONS FOR RAIL FANS Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station in Hokkaido held the No. 4 position as the northernmost Shinkansen stop throughout the country. A 67-year-old woman from Nara Prefecture imagined what it would be like to arrive in Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto after passing through the iconic Seikan undersea tunnel between Japan's main island of Honshu and Hokkaido. 'I am thinking about what I will feel when crossing the strait all the way and landing on Hokkaido,' she said. A 78-year-old man from Chiba Prefecture echoed a considerable number of respondents who put emphasis on how to get to the station. The man said that he usually takes a flight but is now considering traveling by rail to Hokkaido at least once. More than one respondent recounted their envisioned itineraries. For example, a 71-year-old male resident of Kanagawa Prefecture intended to take a string of train rides in one go without exiting any ticket gates, so that he can arrive at the northernmost Shinkansen station from the southernmost stop of Kagoshima-Chuo. It is no surprise that stations in Kyushu come next in the ranking. A 75-year-old man from Chiba Prefecture opened up about his feelings regarding Nagasaki, because he had visited the sixth most popular station on several occasions inclusive of a school trip. 'My hope is to see firsthand how the station has changed following the opening of a new Shinkansen line,' he said. With Kagoshima-Chuo taking the No. 7 spot on the overall list, a 57-year-old man in Kanagawa was astonished to discover that he can now go to Kagoshima from Tokyo all via the Shinkansen. 'I needed upward of 24 hours to trace the same route aboard the express sleeper Fuji during my childhood,' said the respondent in reference to Kagoshima-Chuo. 'I will take the Shinkansen the next time.' The eighth and 10th positions were occupied by stations along the Akita Shinkansen Line. A 62-year-old female Osaka Prefecture resident chose Kakunodate in Akita Prefecture. 'I have always wanted to tour old samurai residences,' she said. 'This questionnaire survey told me that I can go to Kakunodate via Shinkansen.' Another woman, 69, from Saitama Prefecture, selected Akita Station. 'I often see Akita Shinkansen trains but have never boarded one,' she explained. 'I would like to ride all the way to the line's final station.' Himeji Station in Hyogo Prefecture came in ninth. The renowned Himeji Castle can be seen from Shinkansen windows as well as the station's platforms. 'I am rather looking forward to getting off the Shinkansen and seeing Himeji Castle up close,' said a 51-year-old woman from Osaka Prefecture, echoing the sentiments of many others. Finally, the perspective of a rail fanatic may merit attention, given that he had disembarked at every bullet train station throughout the nation. 'I have tried all the stops, arriving in newly introduced stations on the very day of their openings since November 1982,' said the 65-year-old Tokyo man. 'There can be no stations left that I still hope to visit.' LOW-RANKING STATIONS' CHARMS Top stations in the research are typically situated in leading urban cities, such as Shin-Kobe Station in Kobe, ranked 22nd, and Nagoya, which placed 26th. The result was described by Kageri Kurihara, a journalist specializing in travel and railways on a continual basis, as 'only natural.' 'Kanazawa, Hakata and Kyoto vie for the highest ratings every time this kind of study is conducted,' Kurihara said. 'People love to visit major stations and cities, after all.' In the meantime, Kurihara suggested that adding the word "onsen" to the station name may have helped some stops in rural regions to push high-profile rivals out of the upper section of the ranking. 'The hot spring image motivates passengers to get off trains at specific locations,' he said. 'Japan Railway companies actually used to be aggressive in including the word 'onsen' in station names.' Kurihara emphasized that Kurobe-Unazuki-Onsen Station is an 'immensely appealing' label from this standpoint, since it combines the hot spring resort name with the picturesque tourist spot of Kurobe. However, the rail journalist noticed at the same time that 'much more attractive stations can be spotted at the bottom of the ranking.' An example cited by Kurihara was Kikonai Station, even though the site sat at the 76th position. Kikonai is the first station on the Hokkaido Shinkansen Line reached after leaving the Seikan tunnel. Kurihara said that an observation deck sits in close proximity to the Hokkaido station, allowing visitors to see the junction of the Shinkansen and conventional lines. Another attraction in the neighborhood was reportedly a facility where sightseers can enjoy a rail bike ride on the previous track of the now-abandoned JR Esashi Line. On top of that, changing to the South Hokkaido Railway at Kikonai can provide passengers with convenient access to Hakodate. 'One will be able to take delight in a local rail trip, coming across the majestic sights of Hakodate Bay and Mount Hakodateyama simultaneously,' Kurihara said. 'The station can thus be considered ideal for fully relishing train travel.' DISTINCTIVE STATION BUILDINGS Kurihara was likewise asked about several of the 10 lowest-ranking stations in particular: Honjo-Waseda in Saitama Prefecture, ranked 116th; Shin-Omura in Nagasaki Prefecture at 117th; Saitama's Kumagaya Station, placing 119th; and Oyama Station in Tochigi Prefecture, which came in 120th. Of the four stations, Kurihara recommended traveling to Shin-Omura along the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen Line. 'The captivating station building features the design of the characteristic Goshikibei stone wall from the Omura region,' Kurihara said. 'Its appearance was shaped by the sentiment of local residents.' Ideas solicited from residents are apt to be taken into account when determining the designs of stations to be put in place along relatively new Shinkansen lines. As a result, distinctive patterns are frequently found at those station buildings. Preserved on the traditional Tokaido Shinkansen Line is a historic wooden building constructed before the end of World War II at Kakegawa Station in Shizuoka Prefecture. Kakegawa held the 71st spot in the latest ranking. With this in mind, sparing the time to check out station buildings when travelers disembark from their train at high-speed rail stops--whether for business or sightseeing--might offer them unexpected pleasures while traveling on the Shinkansen.
Asahi Shimbun
11-07-2025
- Asahi Shimbun
VOX POPULI: Tips from the 19th century on how to enjoy climbing Fuji
Climbers line up in front of the entry gate on the opening day of the Mount Fuji climbing season on July 10. (Asahi Shimbun file photo) John Rutherford Alcock (1809–1897), a British diplomat and writer, served as the first British minister in Japan during the turbulent final years of the Edo Period (1603–1867), as the Tokugawa Shogunate neared its end. He is also remembered as the first foreign national to climb Mount Fuji. At the time, pilgrimages to Mount Fuji were a popular form of leisure among ordinary Japanese. In his book 'The Capital of the Tycoon,' Alcock recounts how 'Servants and followers of every denomination, under every imaginable pretext,' joined his expedition, turning it into a grand procession. His party began the ascent from the foot of the mountain in what is now Shizuoka Prefecture and spent the night at a hut halfway up. The next morning, he witnessed the sunrise: 'The first rays of the sun lit up the coastline, and in an instant, a single beam swept across the vast surface of the Pacific Ocean.' There is no doubt that the breathtaking and majestic scenery—unchanged to this day—is what gives Mount Fuji its enduring international appeal. I recently visited the fifth station of the Fuji Subaru Line, a scenic 30-kilometer toll road that climbs the mountain's northern slopes from Lake Kawaguchiko to a key staging point for climbers and sightseers. Situated at an elevation of 2,300 meters on the 3,776-meter peak, the fifth station serves as a popular gateway to the summit. A young American man who had just descended from the mountain, still awestruck by what he had seen, exclaimed: 'It was a fantastic sunrise. I want to recommend it to everyone.' In recent years, however, Mount Fuji's soaring popularity has brought with it a number of persistent issues. Some climbers attempt so-called 'dangan tozan'—literally 'bullet climbing'—a rushed ascent to the summit in a single push without adequate rest or preparation. Others set out inappropriately dressed for the harsh conditions at higher elevations. As a result, the summit area often becomes severely congested, especially before dawn when many gather to watch the sunrise. To help manage the flow of climbers, a steel gate was installed this year at the trailhead on the Yamanashi Prefecture side to regulate entry times. On July 10, when the official climbing season began on the Shizuoka Prefecture side, similar restrictions were introduced on the three routes. The newly introduced 4,000-yen ($27) climbing fee is not insignificant, but it serves as an effective measure to promote awareness and responsibility among climbers. If the system becomes established, Mount Fuji's appeal as a World Cultural Heritage site is likely to grow even stronger. During his ascent, Alcock listened intently to the singing of skylarks, sipped hot coffee and took a keen interest in the clothing and religious customs of Japanese pilgrims. He spent three days and two nights on the mountain—a man whose thoughtful observations prompt reflection on what it truly means to experience and appreciate a mountain. —The Asahi Shimbun, July 11 * * * Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Asahi Shimbun
08-07-2025
- Asahi Shimbun
VOX POPULI: Young Tokara evacuees remind me of evacuation from Miyakejima
Evacuees from Akusekijima island and Kotakarajima island disembark from a ferry arriving at Kagoshima Port in Kagoshima on July 6. (Hisaki Tamanaha) Following a series of ominous rumblings, the volcanic island of Miyakejima in the Izu island chain spat a huge plume of smoke in 2000. The local government ordered all schoolchildren to be evacuated from the island, leaving their parents behind. According to an Asahi Shimbun report back then, Keita, a first-year primary school pupil, boarded the evacuation boat with his older sister. The boy was quoted as saying, 'I'm OK because I brought my stuffed toy cat to sleep with.' Sayaka, a third-year pupil, had her parents' mobile phone numbers written on a slip of paper. Tucking it carefully into the bottom of her backpack, she said, 'I'm shedding a few teardrops but I won't dam them up.' The scene depicted above is from a quarter-century ago, but there must be something timeless and universal about the anxiety and sadness of leaving one's hometown after a disaster. The recent sight of evacuees from the Tokara island chain broke my heart. Large backpacks swayed on the backs of children getting off a boat at Kagoshima Port. All elementary and junior high school pupils were evacuated from the quake-struck island of Akusekijima. 'Sangoku Meisho Zue' (Illustrated Famous Places of the Three Provinces), published during the Edo Period (1603-1867), notes that Tokara is 'takara' (treasure). It is indeed quite a gem of a volcanic island, with its blooming hibiscus flowers and colorful fish in the coral reefs. But in nature, beauty and severity inevitably go together. The Tokara islands were always earthquake prone, but seismic activities have grown markedly frequent since late June. There have been more than 1,600 tremors registering 1 or more on the Japanese seismic scale of 7, with no signs of abating any time soon. How long will the islanders have to live with this? In the case of the Miyakejima eruption in 2000, the evacuated children stayed in dormitories at Tokyo Metropolitan Akikawa High School in western Tokyo. Akikawa is written with kanji characters meaning 'autumn river.' A haiku written then by Yuya, a fifth-year pupil, went to the effect, 'In the autumn river/ A young fish/ Resists the current.' The boy probably saw himself in the fish, determined to overcome adversity. I imagine this feeling is probably shared by the young evacuees from Tokara. I pray for their early return to a normal life. —The Asahi Shimbun, July 8 * * * Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Asahi Shimbun
03-07-2025
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Tokyo sake breweries tap into hospitality to lure drinkers
Sawanoien garden, the dining facility operated by Ozawa Shuzo in Ome, western Tokyo, draws a lively crowd even on weekday afternoon of May 20. (Harufumi Mori) Tokyo-area sake breweries are opening restaurants and bars near their brewing sites to offer drinkers a more close-up and fuller experience with the alcoholic beverages. Some venues are already attracting a steady stream of tourists, indicating a gradual broadening of the sake fan base at a time when domestic consumption has declined. Being in or close to the bustling capital helps. In May, Tamura Shuzojo, renowned for its Kasen sake label and based in the suburban city of Fussa in western Tokyo, announced plans to open a multi-purpose complex next spring adjacent to its brewery. The one-story complex will be built on a parking lot and cover roughly 560 square meters. It will include a restaurant serving creative Japanese cuisine, a bar and a retail shop. In addition to sake, the shop will offer 'ochoko'—small sake cups traditionally made of ceramic or porcelain—along with a variety of sake glasses and confections featuring 'sake kasu,' the nutrient-rich lees left over from the brewing process. Founded in 1822 along the Tamagawa Josui, a historic freshwater canal, the brewery and its traditional Japanese garden already attract regular visitors from the nearby U.S. Yokota Air Base. 'There's strong interest in Japanese culture,' a company representative said. 'We hope the new facility will attract even more visitors from both the Tokyo area and abroad.' PAIRED WITH EDO-PERIOD SNACKS Toshimaya Corp., a Chiyoda Ward-based company in Tokyo specializing in brewing and sales of alcoholic beverages, has already ventured into the hospitality sector. It is also involved in the wholesale distribution of food products. The company is known for the Kinkon sake label, brewed by an affiliated company in Higashi-Murayama, a suburban city in western Tokyo. In 2020, Toshimaya opened a standing bar in the Kanda district, not far from the company's original founding site. A standout item on the menu is 'tofu dengaku,' a traditional dish of grilled or broiled tofu topped with a sweet and savory miso glaze. The recipe revives a classic from the Edo Period (1603–1867), when Toshimaya, founded in 1596, sold the tofu dish alongside sake. It was popular among Edo Period consumers and has now been brought back to life for modern palates. Thanks to its convenient location, the bar has drawn a diverse mix of customers, including many international travelers, including a tourist from Sudan who dropped in this spring. 'We want people to stop by casually, discover sake and the foods that complement it, and hopefully become fans,' said a staff member. Elsewhere in the capital, Minato Ward-based Tokyo Port Brewery, the only sake brewery within Tokyo's 23 central wards, opened a lounge in January 2024 on the 10th floor of a neighboring building. The brewery, which resumed production in 2011 after a hiatus of nearly a century, now offers visitors a chance to enjoy seasonal dishes paired with its signature Edo Kaijo sake or inventive sake-based cocktails. TAKING ON THE GIANTS The idea of pairing sake breweries with dining experiences has actually been around for decades. One of the pioneers was Ozawa Shuzo, known for its Sawanoi label, based in Ome city on the western edge of Tokyo. In 1967, the brewery opened Sawanoien garden, a riverside barbecue area overlooking the Tamagawa river. At the time, Ozawa Shuzo had attempted to bolster its visibility by airing television commercials in competition with major sake producers from Japan's traditional brewing hubs of Nada in Hyogo Prefecture and Fushimi in Kyoto Prefecture. But the ads had little impact. The brewery turned to a more hands-on approach: an outdoor barbecue space where visitors could enjoy sake in a relaxed, scenic setting. Over the years, Sawanoien has evolved into a casual dining destination offering snacks and sake. It later expanded to include a tofu restaurant. In 2021, the brewery added a cafe serving desserts made with 'shikomi mizu,' the pure brewing water used in its sake production. 'Being located in Tokyo gives us a unique advantage,' a company spokesperson said. 'When people come and enjoy food and drink right here at the brewery, that's when they truly realize how delicious sake can be.'
