Satoshi Nihonyanagi
Welcome to my blog, Green Tea Club !
I'll show you all the beauties and goodies in Shizuoka through this blog.
If you have any inquiry, please feel free to post your messages on it.
Hope to see you around in Shizuoka !
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01/04/2013 [Fri]
Happy New Year !♪ [Shizuoka]
It’s always nice to start a brandnew year by doing Hatsumode, the first visit and prayer at a temple or shrine. In my case, I walked 40 minutes to Shizuoka Sengen Shrine at midnight on New Year’s Eve. I could hear on my way the silence of the night and the sound of Buddhism Bells that is said to remove 108 worldly desires human beings possess. Maybe I am less greedy this year, I believe.
Thousands of people were already there making quiet noises and humongous wishes.
Miko shrine maidens were on the stage to pray and purify Hamaya arrow talisman. See what they carry on the hands ?
Hundreds of people were flocking together at the main shrine hall in front of the stage to make wishes and prayers for the coming new year. I stood behind the last lady. One step forward and another. Finally, I was in front of the god. Now, what would I pray ? Make me fun, that’s quite good enough for me.
On my way home, I found a stunning fact. 2013 of my age falls on climacteric year which shall hold up consecutive 3 years. Are you serious ? I talked to the god. A Miko smiled. I thought that was the reply from the god.
New Year’s Day is the key of the year. Anyway, I’ll be more active and aggressive about anything that may appear ahead of me.＾＾ｖ
Next week will be held Dondo Yaki festival at some local shrine or temple.
Dondo Yaki is to pile and burn ornaments of New Year’s Day and to get blessed by staying around the fire. Image of last year available from here ! Enjoy Japan’s Tradition in January ! ﾟ.+:｡ヾ(*｀∀´*)ゞ
“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾
Posted by Satoshi Nihonyanagi at 11:12 Permanent Link Trackback ( 0 ) Comments ( 0 )
01/10/2012 [Tue]
New Year’s Fire Festival ― Dondon Yaki [Shizuoka]
Last weekend, I visited a park beside my apartment for Dondon Yaki. Dondon Yaki, or also called Dondo Yaki, is a kind of traditional fire festival in Japan, which every family in the district brings their New Year’s decorations to make it set to the torch after Shinto ceremony. It is traditionally said that if you are around the fire, you will be in perfect health that year. Originally, it was a folk tradition event that is done for prosperity in harbest.
The flame went up towards sky !
That day, I joined it for the first time in my life. I piled some decorations on top of another and waited for the Shinto priest to come.
Very simple ceremony was made after a few moments and set the fire go right in front of all of us. We flocked together around the bonfire wishing we could be in good condition in 2012.
Meanwhile, some food such as Tonjiru ( kind of sweet miso soup with pork meat in it ) and Oshiruko ( sweet red-bean soup with sticky rice cakes in it ) had been distributed by local ladies. I took Tonjiru to let myself warm. The sky looked very blue. Then, I had a hunch that I would be OK this year.＾＾
Dondon-yaki is to be done in varieties of shrines in this season. Though not peculiar to Shizuoka only, I hope you enjoy it in Shizuoka !
Have a good day !＾＾
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01/04/2012 [Wed]
Hatsumode, the first visit to the temple or shrine [Shizuoka]
Today is the first working day of 2012. How did you enjoy the year-end and new year’s day ? I watched year-end’s special TV programs and visited the local temple beside my room for Hatsumode. It was about 0:30 midnight on Jan 1. I could also hear the sound of Joya-no Kane, 108 bells that is said to cast off worldly desires human beings are born with. My prayer is always simple.
“Lead me to the right place”
The next day, I drove to my favorite place, Nihondaira. Lovely day. Mt. Fuji could be seen very clearly. Seemed not to have so much snow then. I stood on the viewing deck to take some pictures. Lots of people were on their way to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine for Hatsumode. I could see the Outsourcing Stadium, the home-ground of Shizmizu S-pulse professional soccer team, S-pulse Dream Plaza, Fish Market, Shimizu Port, Miho Peninsula, and also Izu Peninsula over the sea. This is the city of Shimizu ! My sweet hometown.＾＾
By the way, I bought a new camera as a Christmas present for myself. These pictures are all taken with it. Though it may not make so big difference as the one I used before but it can zoom in as much as 36 times ! Sounds good ?＾＾
Anyway, hope all will be happy this year, too ! And be sure to visit Shizuoka when you come to Japan.
Have a good day & Enjoy 2012 !＾＾
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“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾
Posted by Satoshi Nihonyanagi at 11:30 Permanent Link Trackback ( 0 ) Comments ( 0 )
11/18/2011 [Fri]
Daidogei World Cup [Shizuoka]
The 20th Daidogei World Cup was held powerfully and enthusiastically this year between Nov 3 – 6. Though, this year, because of the nuclear plant matter caused by the earthquake, troupes of performers dwindled to 87 from 21 countries while we had 96 last year, still the number of audiences is growing year by year, which turned out reportedly to have come up to 1.73 million ( an increase of 110 thousand visitors over last year ) ! Daidogei World Cup is definitely one of the largest events in name and reality now in Shizuoka ! So, for those who don’t know what it is like yet, I show you some pictures today.＾＾
First comes “FACUNDO KEAMER / Argentina”. Actually, though I’m not a Daidogei lover, I couldn’t take my eyes off from it, just simply gave a sigh, holly shit ! It’s absolutely far from what a human can do !
Next comes “MINI-DLIN MARIONETTS / Russia, Latvia”. These puppets are manipulated so wonderful and tricky that you may miss the fantasy if you care for your cell-phone too much.＾＾
Looks stupid at first glance but professional in the end. “MARIANO GUZ / France” is one of the most dangerous performers involving his audiences around into this action. Very fun !＾＾
And “Ballet on the shoulder / China” ! She looked soooo cute ! As you can imagine from their name, she dances on his shoulder. Is it really possible ? This picture tells “Yes” !＾＾
The last performer I introduce here today is “Duo Strakhov / Ukraine” who won the World Cup Champion this year ! I dare not explain what kind of art they created, believing they will join the Daidogei World Cup next year and you come to see it in Shizuoka !＾＾
Daidogei World Cup is held in this season around early-Nov every year. We are not still sure when the 21st will be set next year but I’ll let you know as soon as I figure it out !
Have a good day !＾＾
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“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾
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Posted by Satoshi Nihonyanagi at 11:58 Permanent Link Trackback ( 0 ) Comments ( 0 )
10/17/2011 [Mon]
Chibi Maruko-chan Land in S-Pulse Dream Plaza [Shizuoka]
When I visited Taiwan for a tourism promotion activity, I was very surprised that Chibi Maruko-chan was so famous and popular as to be inquired by many customers. So today, I introduce one of the most attractive spots in Shizuoka, “Chibi Maruko-chan Land” with pictures provided by a staff there.＾＾
Chibi Maruko-chan is originally a cartoon about a comical primary school girl “Maru-chan” modeled after a real girl “Sakura Momoko” in old Shimizu City, Shizuoka and it has been animated and broadcasted to this day. “Sakura Momoko” is also the author of “Chibi Maruko-chan” and has ever made the city of “Shimizu” known throughout Japan along with “Shimizu S-Pulse” and “Shimizu Jirocho” ( at least I believe so ).
Now, Chibi Maruko-chan Land is on the 3rd floor in “S-Pulse Dream Plaza” and “Chibi Maruko-chan” in the TV anime world is imaged and created there with her boon family and friends. Once you step in, I’ll bet you will become engrossed in it and maybe you can’t resist buying her goods to your country.＾＾ I like “Noguchi-san” best, by the way. You know her ?＾＾
S-Pulse Dream-Plaza is a huge commercial facility by the sea in which, besides Chibi Maruko-chan Land, a Ferris wheel, Shimizu Sushi Museum, Shimizu Sushi Yokocho ( sushi restaurant street ), movie theaters, gift shops, general stores and restaurants stand. You can take a tour boat as well from Shimizu Port right before the Dream Plaza or “Dream Ferry ( Suruga Bay Ferry )” is also available to Izu Peninlula in 65 minutes. Please come and visit all attractions of S-Pulse Dream Plaza when you stop by Shizuoka.
Have a good day !
Chibi Maruko-chan Land
Access from JR Shimizu Station ： Free shuttle bus available from east exit.
Access from Tomei Expressway Shimizu I.C. ： 10 minute drive.
Admission ： ￥500/ adult・￥300/ child
Open Hour ： 10:00 – 20:00 ( admission by 19:30 )
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“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾
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