Book - JAL Guide Tokyo

This month JAL (Japan Airlines) rolled out a new English language publication - the JAL Guide to Tokyo.


This guide to Tokyo - some 80 pages in total - will be available in the First class and Business class sections on various routes covered by the carrier, such as...all American routes, as well as flights from Amsterdam, Brisbane, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, New Delhi, Paris, Singapore and Sydney.

While JAL has been producing a wide array of city guides since the late 1970's, most were traditionally written in Japanese. This particular edition is in English, and is the first English city guide produced by the airline in approximately 20 years, is the result of a joint effort on the part of both the airline and the Japanese Governments Visit Japan Campaign (VJC) to promote and encourage visits to Japan by foreign tourists.

The JAL Group News announcing the new publication noted that this book is available for sale in Japan at major bookstores, JAL Plaza Tokyo as well as on amazon.com

All the best.....Mark

Book - Japanamerica

Recently read the book Japanamerica by author Roland Kelts.

Honestly, never got the whole anime (アニメ) thing and was not a huge fan; however, I really liked this book and how it dealt with the history of the industry, the artists themselves as well as the way anime has influenced both Japanese and American culture.

The author addresses the American experience…dare I say obsession…with Japanese anime (anime is an abbreviation for the term animation) and the resulting pop culture tsunami. Kelts includes well thought out interviews with famous artists (or those who knew them and their process), executives in the industry, as well as well known Japanese and/or American production companies.

This book highlights the shared conflicts both countries face as anime and manga (漫画 - the Japanese word for cartoons/comics) become a global form of entertainment and inadvertently change both the United States and Japan along the way.

One of the better books out there on Japanese contemporary culture.

All the best…..Mark

Japan Rail Pass / ジャパンレールパス

As we all watch the US$ vs JPY exchange rates heading into unfavorable territory making Japan more expensive for visitors, everyone is looking for ways to save some money. While we can always stay in a cheaper hotel, eat cheaper meals, etc...one area that will save you a lot is transportation and a Japan Rail Pass ( ジャパンレールパス) is the answer!

The Japan Rail Pass is indeed a must for any tourist hoping to cover as much of Japan as they can while in Japan. It is only sold via agents abroad and cannot be purchased in Japan. You'll need to be a foreign tourist visiting Japan and have a Temporary Visitor stamp in your passport.

A Japan Rail Pass Exchange Order voucher is sold via agents abroad, i.e. Toptours, Kintetsu, Nippon Express, JTB, etc. Once you arrive in Japan you can redeem the voucher for the actual pass (photo shown above) at a JR Counter - look for the green sign that has (みどりの窓口). The name in your passport must match the name on the voucher and you'll need to present your passport with the voucher to receive your rail pass.

Rail passes are issued for 7, 14 and 21 days allowing the user to travel all over Japan and are sold in two categories - Green (グリーン車) and Ordinary (普通車). Green is similar to business class seating with 2 seats on either side of the aisle; whereas Ordinary is more like economy with 3 seats on either side of the aisle.

The pass can be used on all JR trains including the Narita Express, JR buses, ferries as well as the shinkansen (新幹線); however, the pass cannot be used on the NOZOMI (のぞみ) train so make sure that you do not get on this train otherwise you'll be asked to pay for the cost of that train ride. Japan Rail Pass also qualifies the user for additional hotel discounts at selected properties affording you additional savings.

The Exchange Order voucher can be redeemed at several JR offices located throughout Japan, including JR offices located in each of the terminals at Tokyo's Narita International Airport (成田国際空港). When you redeem the Japan Rail Pass Exchange Order voucher, the staff can assist you with reservations for a reserved seat on the day you wish to travel. There is no fee charged for this service - however, if you wish to take a night train and book a couchette or private cabin then you'll need to pay for that feature.

One word of advice, the Japan Rail Pass Exchange Order voucher is only valid for 3 months from the date it is issued, so keep that in mind when planning for your trip. Also, if for some reason you go to Japan and do not redeem your Exchange Order voucher then you can return it for a refund minus a 10% handling fee.

In closing, Travel & Leisure Magazine (April 2008) had an article 26 Travel Secrets and mentioned the Japan Rail Pass as item #12. "The Japan Rail Pass - good for intercity travel - also works on the handy Yamanote Line, an above-ground train that encircles Central Tokyo."

Just another seal of approval for this cost savings travel product. So what are you waiting for starting thinking about booking that trip to Japan.

All the best...Mark

Arriving at Narita Airport Tokyo (成田国際空港) - Just want to get to your hotel?

Tokyo's Narita International Airport (成田国際空港) is nice, but....after a 13 hour plus flight, numerous movies, meals, cocktails, queuing in the passport line and retrieving your luggage, the first thing on almost everyones mind is certainly... how can I get to my hotel as quickly as possible to have a nice hot shower.....well there are several options available:

1. Friendly Airport Limousine Bus - this is the option that I've used numerous times and is economical and convenient, as this company offers numerous routes to get you from the airport to your hotel for a little more than 3,000JYP.

After you've cleared customs, you arrive in a large room filled with currency exchanges, cell phone rentals, luggage transport companies, car rentals and this bus company - Friendly Airport Limousine Bus (you can't miss the orange and white sign as well as this ticket counter)

To see if your hotel is on the bus route, as well as to check the time tables, visit their web site http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/. If your hotel is not on the bus route, then you can pick a major train station such as Tokyo or Shinjuku Station as an alternative to get into town and then conveniently take the subway or a taxi to your hotel.

Also bear in mind that if you are making a connection to a domestic flight out of Haneda Airport (羽田空港), you can also use the Friendly Limousine Bus to get there.

2. Narita Express (成田エクスプレス) - out of all the options available this is definitely the quickest to reach downtown Tokyo. Trains typically depart every hour from the airport costing approximately 3,310JPY and can connect you to Shinjuku, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Yokohama stations.



If you have a Japan Rail Pass, which I'll cover in a separate posting, you can start using your pass immediately starting with your Narita Express ticket.

3. Keisei Skyliner (スカイライナー) if the Narita Express or the Friendly Limousine Bus are sold out, this is certainly an economical option that you can use to reach downtown Tokyo. This option will take you from Narita International Airport to Ueno Station and typically costs 1,920JPY. Once at Ueno Station, you'll be able to easily reach your hotel either via taxi or subway.

You can also check their web site for additional details http://www.keisei.co.jp/

4. Taxi - this is not really an option you'll want to entertain, as it will probably cost you about 27,000JPY to reach the downtown area (bear in mind the airport is more than 40 miles outside of downtown Tokyo).

I am sure we can all think of a lot more creative ways to spend nearly 300US$ while in Japan - i.e. enjoying a nice meal, going on a tour, souvenir shopping, etc. - consider this option only as a last resort.

So tag you're it....pick an option and see who can get to the hotel first...last one there pays for the first round - ha ha.

All the best.....Mark

Sapporo City Sushi Project / 寿司プロジェクト応募用紙

For those sushi aficionados who are always trying to think up new and inventive creations…..Sapporo City has announced an interesting news item.

Sapporo City will host the iCommons Summit 2008 from July 29 through August 1.

The iSummit is an exploration of the emerging opportunities for co-ownership, co-creation and the widespread distribution of ideas and creativity in the digital age.

In conjunction with the Summit, a contest will be held called the "Sushi Project".

This project is being held to find new types of sushi and expand the popularity of sushi abroad. All interested parties are invited to take part by submitting their own original sushi recipes and designs.

Categories to be considered:

Sushi Roll Category
Nigiri Sushi Category
Creative Sushi Category
Design Category

The application deadline is May 16th, 2008 and anyone interested in participating can check the following link for more details, registration forms, etc.

http://www.city.sapporo.jp/isummit08/english/sushie.html

So dust off those sketch pads and submit your culinary masterpieces - fame and prizes await!!

All the best....Mark

Shopping - MOMA Design Store

Addicted to Japanese modern art......

The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) Design Store, designed by Richard Gluckman, opened its first boutique outside of the USA in Tokyo's Omotesando District. The new retail location occupies 4,500 square feet on the 3rd floor of the GYRE building.

Their on-line site http://www.momastore.jp/, was previously the only way to acquire MOMA gift items prior to the opening of this shop. The site notes: MOMA’s signature merchandise/exclusive products and items represented in the Museum’s design collection are available for purchase.

The store, opened daily from 11AM - 8PM, also provides access to information on programs/exhibitions at The Museum of Modern Art as well as MOMA membership.

All the best....Mark

Ryogoku 両国 - Igarashiya Ice Cream Shop

So, since the last post dealt with Ryogoku and the sumo-centric spots that you might want to enjoy, I thought today’s post should focus on something of interest in the area for those with a sweet tooth.

Igarashiya (いがらしや) an ice cream shop in Ryogoku (両国) is just the spot.




Igarashiya is best know for the ice cream and parfaits that they serve. In fact at one time this particular shop used to be mobbed because it was a favorite stop in the area for Takanohana, one of the top sumo champions on the 1990’s.

They offer items sure to appeal to the ice cream lover in us all; however, you have to try the Inaka Parfait (田舎パフェ) It is this towering parfait sundae filled with a few different types of ice creams, cream, crushed senbei rice crackers, azuki beans, all topped with whipped cream and a cherry - you'll certainly not be hungry when you finish it and push away from the table!

Inaka means country, so I can only imagine the shop owners created this incredible dessert with the idea of fortifying farmers heading to the fields in the countryside, so they could have the energy to do their work - if only they could create something similar to fortify office workers heading to their cubicles....the days would no doubt pass much quicker.




If ice cream is not your cup of tea, then another item that I recommend is their daifuku (大福) Basically this is rice cake dish with sweet bean paste inside. The particular one that I tried was a cheese daifuku and was very nice. Cheese on top, cheese inside.....cheese, cheese, cheese - yum. Certainly very different from the parfait, but if all we ever ate was ice cream what fun would that be – right?

While it is really easy to find and on a main street, I’ve listed the address as well just in case: Igarashiya, Tokyo Sumida-ward Ryogoku 2-17-17, Ryogoku ST Bldg., 1st Floor (いがらしや、東京墨田区両国2-17-17 両国ST ビル,1st Floor)

All the best….Mark

Ryogoku 両国 - Sumo District

No district in Tokyo is more synonymous with the world of Sumo than Ryogoku (両国). As you walk through the area, you’ll encounter a cornucopia of sumo related shops, museums, training stables, chanko restaurants, as well as Kokugikan Sumo Stadium (両国国技館,) which is the Tokyo home of the tournaments referred to as basho.

In Tokyo, tournaments are usually held in January (Hatsu Basho), in May (Natsu Basho), and in September (Aki Basho).



There are six official tournaments held each year throughout Japan referred to as honbasho (本場所,). These six tournaments typically last 15 days and only the results of these tournaments are used to determine if a sumo wrestler will change his rank within the sport. The highest rank that can be attained is Yokozuna.


Tickets – Tickets are normally available one month before the tournament through major ticketing services with prices ranging 3,600 – 11,000JPY per person

On the Day of the Match - Seats (unreserved seats) are sold starting at 8:20AM for approx 2,500JPY

Consult web site www.sumo.or.jo/eng/index.html for more details.

Another option: Sunrise Tours has a tour (F550) 9,800JPY per person – tour allows you to enjoy Dohyo-iri (Entering the Ring Ceremony) as well as sumo matches. You’ll also see the Sumo Museum and Ryogoku-kokugikan. (Sumo Tickets are B-class reserved seats on the Second Floor)

They also have other tours that include a chanko nabe meal with the wrestlers: (chanko nabe ちゃんこ鍋 is a stew typically eaten by the wrestlers as they train for the tournaments)

These can be booked via a travel agent, i.e.: Top Tours (formerly Tokyu Tours), KIE (Kintetsu), Nippon Express Travel, JTB, etc. as well as numerous others. Check with your preferred travel consultant for more details.


If you happen to be in Tokyo when no tournaments are taking place, you can still visit the Sumo Museum which is located on the first floor of the Kokugikan Sumo Stadium. There are interesting sumo items for those interested in the sport including - grand champion ornamental aprons, photos of famous wrestlers as well as sumo related woodblock prints and sculptures from the Edo Period (1600’s – 1800’s).

Many sumo stables, where the wrestlers train, are located nearby Eko-in Temple and if you’re lucky, you may just run into or catch a glimpse of a wrestler as you walk the streets of the Ryogoku district.

Some of the stables of note in the area are: Tatsunami Beya, Takekuma Beya, Kasugano Beya, Izutsu Beya, Dewanoumi Beya, Tokitsukaze Beya, Oshima Beya, Nishonozeki Beya, Michinoku Beya, etc.

Some stables allow visitors to enter and watch training sessions; however, it’s best to contact them in advance and ask permission.



Another point of interest as you continue to explore the area is Lion-Do, a shop that is renowned amongst the sumo community selling wrestling clothing. Items that are in stock run the gamut from more traditional garments such as: yukata (浴衣 robe), haramaki (bands that wrap around the stomach area), jimbei (甚平 a summer outfit made of lightweight cotton material), as well as pants, jackets, jogging suits, underwear, etc.

While the shop is not super-sized, the clothing sizes that are sold within certainly are!

Their web site is in Japanese only - http://www.liondo.co.jp/


All the best....Mark