Latest news with #大阪
Japan Times
5 days ago
- Japan Times
Dancers, festivals and one very useful Japanese grammar point
日本の夏といえば祭りだ (Nihon no natsu to ieba matsuri da, When you speak of a Japanese summer, [you think] festivals). You've likely already been to a 伝統的な祭り (dentō-tekina matsuri, traditional festival) in Japan. もし行ったことがなくても心配しないでください。今からでも遅くない祭りを紹介します (Moshi itta koto ga nakute mo shinpai shinaide kudasai. Ima kara demo osokunai matsuri o shōkai shimasu, If you've never been to one, don't worry. [Here, we] will introduce some that are not too late to join even now). If you're new to 祭り (matsuri, festivals), then it's worth starting your education with the 日本三大祭り (Nihon San-dai Matsuri, 'Big Three' Japan festivals). The 神田祭 (Kanda Matsuri, Kanda Festival) in Tokyo has come and gone but you still have a chance to see the two others. 京都の祇園祭はすでに始まっていて、７月31日まで一ヵ月間行われます。また、大阪の天神祭は７月24日と25日に開催されます。さすが千年以上の歴史を誇るだけあって細部まで美しく、暑い関西に出向くだけのことはあります (Kyōto no Gion Matsuri wa sudeni hajimatte-ite, shichi-gatsu sanjuu-ichi nichi made ikkagetsukan okonawaremasu. Mata, Ōsaka no Tenjin Matsuri wa shichi-gatsu nijūyokka to nijūgo-nichi ni kansai saremasu. Sasuga sennen ijō no rekishi o hokoru dake atte saibu made utsukushiku, atsui Kansai ni demuku dake no koto wa arimasu, Kyoto's Gion Festival has already begun and will run for a month until July 31. Also, Osaka's Tenjin Festival will be held on July 24 and 25. As expected from a place with over 1,000 years of history, they'll be beautiful down to the last detail and well worth a trip to the hot Kansai region). Before we embark on any other festival destinations, let's stop to have a look at a grammatical point used in the previous paragraph. The structure 〜だけあって (~dake atte, as expected from/precisely because) and its related terms 〜だけのことはある (~dake no koto wa aru) and 〜だけに (~dake ni). Form this structure by attaching it to a verb in plain form (past or present), a na-adjective (with "na"), an i-adjective or a noun. The 〜だけあって and 〜だけのことはある grammar patterns express positive admiration for an expected result. The 〜だけに version, however, simply points out the expected result with neither positive nor negative nuance. Therefore, you could get away with a sentence like, 期待していただけにがっかりした (Kitai shite-ita dake ni gakkari shimashita, I was disappointed even though expectations [were high]). Additionally, the word さすが (sasuga, as expected) will often be included in a 〜だけあって structure, as in さすが人気なだけあって、このラーメン屋は並ぶだけのことはある (Sasuga ninkina dake atte, kono rāmen-ya wa narabu dake no koto wa aru, As expected from its popularity, this ramen shop is worth waiting in line for). Now, back to the festivals. If you like 花火 (hanabi, fireworks) then the 隅田川花火大会 (Sumida-gawa hanabi taikai, Sumida River Fireworks Festival) held on July 26 is for you. As one of Tokyo's most popular summer events, it's worth doing 場所取り (basho-tori, reserving a spot) a few hours in advance to secure a good view. 壮大な花火を見れば、朝から場所取りをするだけのことはあると思うでしょう (Sōdaina hanabi o mireba, asa kara basho-tori o suru dake no koto wa aru to omou deshō, The spectacular fireworks will prove why it's worth grabbing a spot early in the morning). Up north, the 青森ねぶた祭り (Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, Aomori Nebuta Festival) will be held from Aug. 2 to 7 in 青森市 (Aomori-shi, the city of Aomori). ねぶたとは、ねぶた名人と町民によって作られる巨大な燈篭人形のことである。 手作業で何か月もかけて作るだけに、完成度が高い (Nebuta to wa, nebuta meijin to chōmin ni yotte tsukurareru kyodaina tōrō ningyō no koto de aru. Tesagyō de nankagetsu mo kakete tsukuru dake ni, kanseido ga takai, Nebuta are giant lantern dolls made by nebuta masters and local townspeople. Because they are painstakingly handmade over many months, they have a high degree of perfection). The ねぶた (nebuta, nebuta floats) are constructed from 木 (ki, wood), 針金 (harigane, wire) and 和紙 (washi, traditional Japanese paper). They are displayed during nightly 行列 (gyōretsu, parades) accompanied by 跳人 (haneto) dancers. In nearby 秋田県 (Akita-ken, Akita Prefecture), the 秋田竿燈まつり (Akita Kantō Matsuri, Akita Kanto Festival) takes place from Aug. 3 to 6. Just as the ねぶた祭り is characterized by its giant floats, the 竿燈まつり is known for large poles, nearly 50 meters tall, that are decorated with dozens of 提灯 (chōchin, lanterns) and are skillfully balanced on the 肩 (kata, shoulders) and 額 (hitai, foreheads) of experienced performers. Also in the Tohoku region is the 仙台七夕まつり (Sendai Tanabata Matsuri, Sendai Tanabata Festival), which is held Aug. 6 to 8 in 宮城県の仙台市 (Miyagi-ken no Sendai-shi, the city of Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture). 七夕とは天の川に隔てられた織姫と彦星が年に一回だけ会えるという伝説で、日本各地で祭りが行われます。仙台では旧暦に基づいて８月に開催されます (Tanabata to wa, Amanogawa ni yotte hedaterareta Orihime to Hikoboshi ga nen ni ikkai dake aeru to iu densetsu de, Nihon kakuchi de matsuri ga okonawaremasu. Sendai dewa kyūreki ni motozuite, hachi-gatsu ni kaisai saremasu, As for Tanabata, it is the legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi, [lovers] who are separated by the Milky Way and can only meet once a year. Festivals are held throughout Japan (in their honor). In Sendai, [the festival] is held in August in accordance with the lunar calendar). The city is decorated with 笹 (sasa, bamboo branches) and 短冊 (tanzaku, paper strips) carrying people's wishes. 歴史があるだけあって、その規模や豪華さは素晴らしい (Rekishi ga aru dake atte, sono kibo ya gōkasa wa subarashii, As expected from its long history, the scale and opulence of the event is impressive). On the other end of the country, those in 高知県 (Kōchi-ken, Kochi Prefecture) can catch the よさこい祭り (Yosakoi Matsuri, Yosakoi Festival) held from Aug. 9 to 12. Here, teams from across the country dance the 鳴子踊り (naruko odori, naruko dance), the 鳴子 (naruko) being a kind of clapper instrument that was once used to chase animals from the rice fields. Farther south in 徳島県 (Tokushima-ken, Tokushima Prefecture), the 阿波おどり (Awa-odori, Awa dance) festival will be held from Aug. 11 to 15. This is a massive festival that even has an offshoot in Tokyo's Koenji neighborhood. In fact, the 高円寺阿波おどり (Kōenji Awa Odori, Koenji Awa Dance festival) has also grown in popularity and size, attracting many participants as well as visitors. It will be held on Aug. 23 and 24. 徳島の人たちに指導してもらっただけあって、高円寺の阿波おどりのレベルはとても高い (Tokushima no hitotachi ni shidō shite moratta dake atte, Kōenji no Awa Odori no reberu wa totemo takai, Thanks in part to the guidance of the people of Tokushima, the level of Awa dance in Koenji is very high). みなさんもこの夏、どこかの祭りに足を運んでみてはいかがですか (Minasan mo kono natsu, dokoka no matsuri ni ashi o hakonde mite wa ikaga desu ka, Everyone, this summer, why not try visiting one of these festivals)?
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Japanese hotel offers toys their own beds, but it will cost you
A Japanese hotel is offering travellers tiny beds and pyjamas to tuck in their stuffed toy roommates. The teddy bear beds are currently being trialled at the Toyoko Inn Osaka Dome Mae for an additional fee of 300 yen (£1.50). Nuikatsu or 'living with stuffed toys' is a social media trend that sees people travel to events with their nuigurumi plush toys. #推し活なら東横インぬいとお泊まり — 𝕡𝕚𝕟𝕜 (@pinkiro83765) July 15, 2025 A hotel representative for Toyoko Inn told J-Cast News he hoped the service would be popular with Gen Z travellers, reported The Times. According to the Toyoko Inn website, the sleepover plan includes 'a special overnight set for your Oshi merch — like plushies or acrylic stands — complete with a mini bed and tiny bathrobe'. Travellers are also encouraged to post a photo or video of their stay on TikTok, X, or Instagram with the hashtag #推し活なら東横イン (Toyoko Inn is the place to go for your favourite idols) to receive a small gift. The overnight set is available as a rental and has to be returned to the hotel on checkout. 1セット300円でレンタルできるんですよー。#推し活なら東横イン #ロボホンはギリギリ寝れる#ガウンのサイズは2種類#どちらもロボホンは着られなかった#あみホンのZEROクン#ぬいホンのOCEANクン#2人が添い寝できます — れおクレ＆rb (@RE_RBHN) July 5, 2025 Recently, a Chinese hotel was ordered to end its unusual wake-up call service that involves red pandas climbing onto guests' beds after concerns for safety and animal rights. Lehe Ledu Liangjiang Holiday Hotel, a popular family resort in Chongqing, has been called on by the local forestry bureau to stop one of its most popular services. Many guests are attracted to the hotel solely for its red panda wake-up experience. The service involves bringing one of the hotel's red pandas up to a guest's bedroom in the morning, allowing the panda to roam freely around the room and climb onto the bed. Despite the popularity of the service, the Chongqing Forestry Bureau has reportedly asked the hotel to immediately cease all close contact activities between the pandas and visitors.
Japan Times
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- Japan Times
Wearable perovskite solar cells tested at Osaka Expo
Japanese auto parts maker Toyoda Gosei is now testing clothes with perovskite solar cells, which are thin, light and flexible like film, at the Osaka Expo. To prevent heatstroke for workers in the searing sun, the company aims for the commercial use of smart wear with a cooling fan powered by electricity generated by perovskite solar cells. The cells, which were jointly developed with a startup company, weigh just 10 grams each. Thanks to their lightness and an attached power storage device that utilizes technology for controlling high-frequency power sources, the clothing can be used for a long time. At the Osaka Expo, some 10 pavilion guides are using the clothing, for technical demonstrations on the proper size of the cells. Shinichiro Fuki, a Toyoda Gosei official, said that the expo is very suitable for demonstration experiments in terms of the number and diversity of visitors, and there is no place in Japan that can replace the event. "We are eager to uncover any problems and accelerate development," he said. Since June 1, companies in Japan have been required to set up systems to find and report workers at risk of heatstroke and draw up first-aid procedures. Toyoda Gosei aims to launch commercial use of the smart wear in 2027.
NHK
28-05-2025
- General
- NHK
Japanese universities move toward accepting foreign students from US
Japanese universities are moving toward accepting foreign students from the United States. This follows an announcement by the administration of US President Donald Trump that it was barring Harvard University from enrolling international students. A US district court temporarily blocked the measure, but the administration is pushing back. Japan's education ministry has asked universities across the country in writing to consider support measures such as accepting Japanese and other foreign students enrolled at US universities including Harvard. Kyoto University says it has started consideration toward accepting foreign students and is preparing to receive young researchers. The University of Osaka has decided to accept foreign students and researchers from US universities. It is looking into concrete steps and timing for such acceptance.
