Japan Travel Information and Discounts

While visiting Yokohama, you are going to want to get out of your Yokohama guesthouse and see all of the attractions the city has to offer. One place you should definitely be sure to check out is the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. The building itself is rather historical. It currently serves as a as a complex that houses a shopping mall, a banquet hall, and location to host events. Sometimes you will hear the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse being referred to as the Newport Pier Tax Keeping Warehouse. It used to be used as a customs building. The building is located at the Port of Yokohama.

In the year 1899 the Japanese government decided they wanted new harbor facilities and so the plans for these facilities began. It was completed by the year 1905, but went under some expansions just one short year later. In the year 1911, Building No. 2 was built. Both Building No. 1 and 2 were used for customs purposes. The buildings suffered great damage during the Great Kanto Earthquake in the year 1923. However, repair work for the damages were completed by the year 1930. In 1989 these buildings no longer served as customs buildings. From the years 1994 and 1999, restoration was done on the buildings. After all of the restoration was complete to include the interior of the buildings, the buildings opened on April 12, 2002 as the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse.

Today, Building No. 1 and Building No. 2 serve different purposes. Building No. 1 is used more for cultural happenings. This includes, but is not limited to film festivals, musical competitions, theatrical plays, and other various events. Building No. 2 is where the shopping mall and restaurant arcade are. On the third floor is also where people can look out on the balcony to view the harbor. This feature was added in the year 2007.

With the historical value as well as all there is to do and experience within both buildings of the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, it’s no wonder why it’s one of the most famous tourist attractions in Japan. It is a very famous location within Yokohama. The Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse represents the modernization of the city of Yokohama. Visiting the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse will definitely make your visit in Yokohama more enjoyable. It will be a piece of history for you to experience while you shop or attend one of the many events hosted there as well as anything else you may choose to take part in while you’re there.

Among the hotels in Yokohama, the Pan Pacific would be a great pick for anyone visiting Yokohama. The Pan Pacific in Yokohama is definitely rated as one of the top hotels in the area. Knowing that should be a breath of fresh air for you and help you in making your decision. You are guaranteed to get the service you deserved while in Yokohama if you choose to stay at the Pan Pacific.

The Pan Pacific hotel located in Yokohama has been open for business since the year 1997. Although it may be geared towards business professionals, it is definitely setup to meet the needs of any traveler in Yokohama who chooses to stay at the Pan Pacific. It is quite luxurious as to not disappoint anyone who stays there. The Pan Pacific was designed to make Yokohama any travelers ultimate getaway destination. With that in mind, there should be no question as to whether or not the Pan Pacific is the hotel for you.

One thing you may be questioning about the hotel are the amenities available within the Pan Pacific hotel in Yokohama. You will be happy to know that there is definitely no shortage of amenities available with the Pan Pacific. Each room comes fully equipped with air conditioning, telephone with voicemail capabilities, television with a dvd player or vcr, internet, refrigerator, safe, balcony or terrace, mini-bar, newspaper, and daily maid service. So, there truly is quite the abundance of amenities available with the hotel. You will surely not be disappointed with the accommodations within your room at all.

You may also be interested in knowing about what all the hotel features. The Pan Pacific has a lot of features for all of its guests to enjoy. There is both an indoor and an outdoor pool as well as hot tub for when you’re looking to go for a swim or just relax. You can also relax in the spa while you enjoy a massage. If you’re looking to exercise while there, you’ll be happy to know that there is a health club. These are just some of the features that you can enjoy as a guest at the hotel.

Another great thing is all of the restaurants and bars it features. There are four restaurants that are available to you. Queen Alice is an elegant French restaurant while Turandot is an award-winning Chinese restaurant. There is also a Japanese restaurant called Japanese Restaurant Oshima. However, if you just want a cafe; there is also Cafe Tosca. Somerhouse is available for you to indulge in some of the finest teas. However, Jacks is a British-inspired bar that is fully stocked with premium liquors.

As you can see, if you have the budget, the Pan Pacific hotel has everything you could ever want in a hotel. It is in a great location as it towers over the Yokohama waterfont. Not only that, but the rooms within the hotel are fully equipped with only the best amenities for you to enjoy. The hotel itself also features quite a bit for you to take advantage of. The restaurants and bars available within the hotel are only an extra added bonus. There is no reason as to why the hotel would not be a great pick for you as a traveler to Yokohama.

The tea ceremony is a very special event in Japanese culture. There are various styles of tea ceremonies and it is recognized that every human encounter is a singular occasion that will never recur again in exactly the same way, and so every aspect of the tea ceremony is savored. The Japanese tea ceremony is called Chanoyu, Sado or simply Ocha in Japanese. It is a choreographic ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea, called Matcha, together with traditional Japanese sweets to balance with the bitter taste of the tea.

The whole process is not about drinking tea, but is about aesthetics, preparing a bowl of tea from one’s heart. The host of the ceremony always considers the guests with every movement and gesture. Even the placement of the tea utensils is considered from the guests view point, especially the main guests called the Shokyaku. The ceremony takes place in a room called the chashitsu. The room is usually within a teahouse, and is located away from the residence in the garden. When guests arrive, they are led by the host’s assistant or the hanto. While in the waiting room or the machiai, the guests choose one person to act as the main guest.

The guests are then lead by the hanto into a garden that is sprinkled with water. This area is called roji or dew ground. No flowers grow here. It is in this garden that the guests are to remove the dust on the ground. They sit on the koshikake machiai (waiting bench) and wait for the host (teishu). Before receiving guests, the teishu fills a stone basin (tsukubai) with fresh water and then purifies his hands and mouth. He proceeds through the middle gate (chumon) to receive his guests. The guests are welcomed only with a bow. No words are spoken. The teishu leads the assistant host, the main guest and then the guests, in that order, through the chumon. The chumon signifies the door between the harsh physical world and the spiritual world that is symbolized by tea. At the stone basin, the guests and host’s assistant purify themselves and enter the teahouse through a sliding door that is just three feet high. To enter everyone has to bow, and this signifies that all are equal regardless of status or social position. The last person to enter puts the latch on the door.

There are no decorations in the teahouse except for an alcove called a tokonoma, in which a scroll painting (kakemono) is hung. In turn, each guest admires the scroll, the kettle (kama) and the hearth. Once the host seats himself, greetings are exchanged between the host and the main guest, and then the other guest. In the tea ceremony, water represents yin. The fire in the hearth represents yang. A stoneware jar called the mizusashi holds fresh water and symbolizes purity and only the host touches it. The green tea called matcha is kept in a small ceramic container called a chaire that is covered in a fine silk pouch (shifuku) and is set in front of the mizusashi. The host enters carrying the tea bowl (chawan) that holds the tea whisk (chasen), the tea cloth (chakin) and the tea scoop (chashaku).

The tea bowl represents the moon (yin) and is placed next to the water jar, which represents the sun (yang). The host goes to the preparation room, and returns with the waste water bowl (kensui), the bamboo water ladle (hishaku) and a green bamboo rest called a futaoki for the kettle lid. The host purifies the tea container and tea scoop with a fine silk cloth (fukusa).  He fills the tea bowl with hot water and rinses the whisk. He then empties the tea bowl and wipes it with a tea towel called a chakin. At this point the host lifts the tea scoop and tea container and places three scoops of tea per guest into the tea bowl. He ladles enough hot water from the kettle into the tea bowl and uses the whisk to make a thin paste. Additional water is added to the paste until it is the consistency of cream soup, returning any unused water to the kettle. The host passes the tea bowl to the main guest first who bows and accepts it.

The main guest admires the bowl by raising and rotating it. He then drinks some of the tea, wipes the rim of the bowl, and passes it to the next guest who does the same thing. When all the guests have tasted the tea, the bowl is returned to the host who rinses it, and cleans the tea scoop and tea container. The host offers the cleaned tea scoop and tea container to the guests for examination. Afterwards the group engages in conversation about the objects used in the tea ceremony and the presentation that took place.

There are many businessmen who come to Tokyo for short business trips, many with tight budgets, are on a lookout for cheap hotels, discount hotel deals or even stay in short term apartments, which are surprisingly cheap to stay in.  Budget accommodation in Tokyo mainly depends upon two things, space and privacy Some of the cheap places to stay in Tokyo can be:

(A) Capsule Hotel – These are extremely cheap hotels. They are popular among tourists because of their very affordable rates. Each guest gets a small sleeping space (capsule) which includes a TV, radio, alarm clock and adjustable lighting. There is room for a few personal items to keep cell phone and books on the shelves. Larger stuff will have to be stored in a locker outside the capsules. The open side of the capsule is shut by a curtain or a screen. Eg. Green Plaza Shinjuku Capsule.

(B) Apartment rental – they are good for staying for 2-3 days. They are much spacious than the other hotel rooms in Tokyo. It’s also a great way to get to know the locals and see life in Japanese culture.

(C) Hostels – sharing rooms with other fellow traveler is certainly favourbale for pocket.  Prices are very reasonable, and there are a few hostels in Tokyo which are a legend for great service and a “homey” atmosphere.  Eg. Khaosan Tokyo Samurai and K’S House Tokyo.

Apartments in Tokyo are usually small due to prices of land. Tokyo suburbs are cheaper. In many cases one can expect to pay at least five months’ rent up front to start renting an apartment. Utilities are usually not included in the rent.

There are other costs which has to be taken care of like the; food cost which is surprisingly cheap in Japan, it is possible to find lunch as cheaply as 500 yen. However, in most cases it’s more likely to be between 1000 and 2000 yen. Public transportation is affordable, but owning a car in Tokyo is not recommended. Everyday goods and services are typically affordable when you are living in Tokyo. 100 yen shops, the Japanese equivalent of a dollar store, sell many household items cosmetics and stationary at affordable prices. One can also find affordable apartments for rent by searching the newspaper. However, shopping around might be a better option. It’s important that you become familiar with the neighborhood. It would also be wise to consider the distance one can travel each day for work. Another best option is to ask the locals about the places to stay. Good communication skills can also be helpful in getting a place to stay with the locals, as a house guest, this also increases the harmony and friendship as there is exchange of culture, ideas as one also opts to help locals in their household chores.

Gay vacations: Japan

There are many different gay vacations Japan, but not all of them could fit below. There are just a few, and by no means is this list extensive, but this is to help you get started on your way to picking the greatest gay vacation you have ever been on!

Gay vacations Japan: Tokyo

Tokyo is the capital of Japan, but it is also the capital of Japans gay night life. Tokyo is easily the most popular tourist destination of all of Japan, but that doesn’t that it’s not also a great gay vacation spot. For starters, there are well over 1,500 gay bars in the gay neighbourhood, which stands to reason that it is a pretty bit gay neighbourhood. Take your time and go exploring, but be aware that, with this many clubs, there are bound to be some fetish clubs that you will not like, and some that cater exclusively for gay women. Look online first to find out which club or bar you want to attend, and which you will feel comfortable skipping. If you’re after a trendy and modern vacation of Japan, Tokyo is the place for you.

Gay vacations Japan: Kyoto

If you’re more of a laid-back person, who enjoys getting up early to see the sunset from a new position every day, then Kyoto is the place for you. Kyoto has a smaller gay community than that of Tokyo, and it is influenced by the surrounding culture. Characterised by ancient shrines and monument, the only problem you will have in Kyoto is finding time to visit everything. There are many places where you can attend a traditional tea ceremony and be entertained by the Geishas, so you will always have something to do.

If you have never been on an international gay vacation, you might want to look at places that are endorsed by the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association. The IGLTA have a list of gay friendly hotels, cities, and travel agents, so you don’t have to worry about walking into the wrong neighbourhood with your partner.

Japanese food is popular all over the world. With such a variety of different tastes, Japanese food is sure to please many palates. 　Sushi and noodles are not the only flavors in Japanese cuisine.  Meats and spices used in yakiniku are also well-liked and delicious!

Today, yakiniku refers to the Japanese style of cooking bite-sized meat and vegetables over a grill.  In other countries, yakiniku may be called Japanese barbeque or Korean barbeque due to the Korean origins of this cooking practice.  In a yakiniku restaurant, customers order their desired types of raw ingredients from the menu, which are brought to the table.  Then, these ingredients are cooked by the diners on a personal grill built into the table.

Dips, called “tare”, are used to flavor the meat before it is eaten.  A common sauce utilizes Japanese soy sauce mixed with sake, mirin, sugar, garlic, fruit juice, and sesame.  Other dips are also used, or diners can decide to season solely with salt.  Other dishes commonly served alongside yakiniku are soup, kimchi, nameul, and bibimbap.

This popular Japanese BBQ style of cooking is both fun and delicious.  Eating at a yakiniku restaurant is both a social experience and entertaining cooking practice!  Usually, the meats cooked are beef and pork, though chicken and seafood are also available.  A variety of vegetables complement the meats, and rice may be provided as well.  Soups, Korean sides, and beer complete the meal and contribute to the delicious quality of the yakiniku experience!

Be sure to consider Japanese barbeque the next time you’re hungry for some flavorful Japanese cuisine!  There are yakiniku restaurants all across Japan.  One popular example is this English-friendly Japanese BBQ Restaurant, “Yakiniku Rokko” that specializes in a variety of meats with a special dipping sauce.  If you find yourself in Osaka, be sure to check them out for some oishii (delicious) yakiniku!

Yakiniku Rokko: 2-7-29 Higashi-Shinsaibashi Chuo-ku, Osaka Japan

Riding the Rickshaw

Japanese Rikisha

If you are planning to visit Japan, one of the must-see or do experiences is to take a Tokyo sightseeing tour in a rickshaw, or jinrikisha as the Japanese call it.  This type of activity is usually located in the most famous tourist spots, more predominantly near historical areas of Japan.  One of the most famous areas in Tokyo is Asakusa, where you will find Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple.  The surrounding area contains several other temples, and thus makes for a great atmosphere to enjoy a tour in a rickshaw.  And, of course, it is quite affordable!

History of the Rickshaw

Invented around 1870 in Japan, the jinrikisha can be described as a type of transportation that takes the form of a human-driven carriage.  Similar to a horse-driven carriage, the main body of the jinrikisha is usually an open-air capsule with no doors and a retractable cover, situated on two wheels.  This compartment, which typically holds about two people, is drawn by a human worker.  The word “jinrikisha” itself is a combination of three Japanese words: “jin”, which literally means “human”, “riki”, which means “power or force”, and “sha”, which means “vehicle”.  All together, it means “human-powered vehicle.”

Prior to the invention of motorized vehicles, rickshaws were primarily used to transport the social elite.  Rickshaws were also popular as human labor was much cheaper than horses.  Although rickshaws are generally light and easy to maneuver, the amount of weight they carry coupled with the length and duration of the journeys, the life of the rickshaw runner can be quite difficult and straining.  But once the introduction of the car, bus, and trains came to Japan, the use of rickshaws began to fade quickly.

Rickshaws Today

Today, you can find rickshaws in some of the most famous tourist spots of Japan, as an offering for tourists to enjoy what it feels like to be transported around in a human-drawn carriage, similarly to how they were used back in the early 20^th century.  The rickshaw runners today are usually very fit, young men and even women, who usually are in training for some other sport or simply trying to stay in shape in the off-season.

One of the most famous Tokyo sightseeing tours is the rickshaw ride that can be found in the heart of Tokyo, near the Senso-ji temple in Asakusa.  Riding a rickshaw in Tokyo is one of Japan’s many great cultural experiences that the country has to offer.  Please ask where to find the nearest rickshaw when you visit Japan.  You will not regret it!