"Gen Japan" is a bilingual (Japanese and English) video site with the goal of spreading the charms of Japan. You can get to know more about Japan and its local cities such as Fukui Prefecture our office is located.
Twitter @GenJapan
https://www.facebook.com/genjapan/
https://www.instagram.com/genjapancom/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0xlZ7_5WxXs1awwe_Myk7w
I saw the live performance by Atsuhiro Oshiro, who was born in Okinawa, at an Okinawan restaurant "Paikaji" in Fukui City. *Paikaji means a south wind in Okinawan language. Oshiro is a pioneering Viper (electric violin) player in Japan. It is said that there are only several Vipers in the country. He sometimes plays the Viper with using a loop machine. The Okinawan violin music that he created spending about twenty years
has received a favorable reception at home and abroad.
The performance was held at an Okinawan restaurant, so he mainly played Okinawan traditional folk songs, but ethnic music such as Celtic music is also his repertory.
Speaking of Okinawan music, singing with sanshin is common, so his Viper sound was very new, smooth like silk, pleasant and I felt refreshed. His free talk was also nice, which you could tell about his gentle character. (H.S)
Oshiro wearing an Eisa (Okinawan dance) costume
You can see a loop machine at his feet.
There was a collaboration between Oshiro and Inami, who is a member of Paikaji Family (Okinawan traditional folk song group).
Non-alcoholic cocktail called "Chura-umi" (beautiful ocean) that I had at the restaurant
Medley of Okinawan traditional folk songs from the live performance by Atsuhiro Oshiro（3'56")
I visited the exhibition "Japan Drone 2019", which was held at Makuhari Messe near Tokyo a few weeks ago. There was an idea sketch (photo above) that was made of cardboard, and it impressed me the most of all the things I saw at the exhibition.
I saw this amusing model at a booth of a company that develops their own original drones and robots. The model reminded me of the times when I made a model with carboard like this in my junior high school. In an art craft class, I had to make a wooden moving toy and I thought a lot about how to make it.
Drone business is already in a phase of industry, and various systems have been developed for transportation, construction, agriculture, disaster prevention, and so on. These are surely developed for practical use, but I think that the developers also enjoy working on developing them.
T.S
A smaller version of a mock-up made based on the idea sketch (in the first photo). This is not a drone (UAV) but it's a kind of flying bike that people can ride on.
There were a lot of aircrafts full of handmade looking.
As we've been introducing many great places in Fukui Prefecture, you see that there's so much to see and experience here. Today, I would like to tell you about the charms of Fukui Prefecture and "the 100 hometown views of Fukui".
＊"The 100 hometown views of Fukui" is a collection of 100 of beautiful places in Fukui Prefecture. The purposes are not only to promote the Fukui to people in and out of the prefecture, but it's also for the people from the Fukui to be proud of our own hometown. Another purpose of this collection to encourage the Fukui natives who had left the prefecture to return to the prefecture.
In Fukui, we have many old towns with the history and cultural traditions.
We're surrounded by the ocean, mountains, rivers and lakes, so we enjoy the fresh seafoods, fish, vegetables that are amazing.
The panel exhibition of "the 100 hometown views of Fukui" was held on March 15th and 16th at Aossa, a shopping mall near Fukui station. The photographs and the introductions of the 100 places in Fukui Prefecture were exhibited.
It was very nice to see many of the great places in Fukui Prefecture that we've introduced in our videos and blogs.
Actually, I just visited the dinosaur museum last week, and I learned some technical terms in Japanese and English, and the history of the dinosaurs.
Beside the places that are introduced in "the 100 hometown views of Fukui", there are many other places that are recommendable.
Near Awara hot spring area in Awara City, there is "Awara Onsen Yataimura Yukemuri Yokocho (Awara hot spring village of food stalls named "steam alley"). In Yukemuri Yokocho (steam alley), there are about ten small restaurants where you can enjoy a variety of foods such as western, Chinese and Japanese, etc.
Since each restaurant is small that only about nine or ten people can sit, sometimes customers start talking frankly even with strangers and everyone in the restaurant ends up enjoying talking to each other. It might be a perfect place for people to make new friends as well.
There are some hot springs where you can enjoy bathing and seeing the ocean at the same time. It's such a soothing experience to see the splendid view of the ocean while taking a bath.
T.F
This is a video of a singer/actress from Fukui Prefecture, Ai Takahashi introducing Fukui Prefecture.
There's so much more to see and experience in Fukui Prefecture, so I would like to visit the ones that I haven't been yet. I think I will like my hometown more. Stay tuned for more videos of the great places in the Fukui Prefecture!
As I mentioned in our precious blog that Mr. Ugyen Dorji, who is studying at University of Fukui as a teacher trainee from Bhutan since September of 2017 and his family will go back to Bhutan at the end of March.
His wife came to Japan on March 29th, 2018 and they will go back to Bhutan on March 28th of this year that means they made exactly one year.
She said that she liked everything about Japan, especially she enjoyed shopping. She felt that there are many stores in Japan and it was very convenient for her. She also enjoyed Japanese foods as well. She liked the Japanese fried chicken "Karaage", ramen noodles and soy sauce very much. She's grateful for Mr. Ugyen Dorji that she came to Japan, lived here for one year, and experienced many new things.
Mr. Ugyen Dorji lived without his family for the first six months. After the six months, they arrived and he was very happy to live with them. They met many nice people, visited many beautiful places and experienced amazing things. I even saw Mr. Ugyen Dorji participating in the events in Fukui Prefecture in the newspaper and on TV.
He said that his sense of taste has been changed since he has lived in Japan. The spices from Bhutan taste too spicy for him now.
Asuwayama Amusement Park
I was surprised to see that their son has grown since I saw him last September. He wasn't scared of the sheep that is bigger than him. He was very curious to see it, and he touched and stared at it for a while.
We were surprised to see Jiro, the talking bird saying "bye bye" to us.
Everyone from children to adults can enjoy there. Without flash light, the visitors can take photographs of the animals.
He watched the turtle pushing its own feet to get out of mud quietly.
We visited "Happi-jan" (Happy Jungle), where the visitors can see closely and touch the animals. There are some animals that the visitors not supposed to touch, so make sure to ask the staff before touching any of the animals there.
These three capybaras are always together. They stay, swim and play in the water, walk and play together. They don't bite, so we enjoyed giving them foods.
It was such a nice place where we can see the capybaras, the birds, a sloth, iguanas, etc., living together. Admission is free of charge for Asuwayama Amusement Park and
"Happi-jan"(Happy jungle).
Admission is free of charge for Asuwayama Amusement Park and "Happi-jan"(Happy jungle).
Beside these places I introduced, there are several other places that people can visit such as popular shrines, nice cafes and restaurants. And the visitors can enjoy amazing cherry blossoms in spring and beautiful hydrangea in around May and June.
The visitors can experience the charms of Fukui in Mt. Asuwa.
Come visit!
T.F
This is the video of "Happi-jan" (Happy Jungle).
Aren't they so cute?
This is the best place for the ones who love animals!
I would like to introduce a documentary program "The Truth About STRESS" by Blink Films, UK, broadcasted by NHK educational television the other day.
Experts believe stress can contribute to life-threatening diseases such as diabetes, dementia and types of cancer - and the pressures of 24/7 modern-day life are often held to blame. In this program Fiona Phillips explores some of the very latest scientific research behind stress, and demonstrates a number of techniques designed to decrease common stress factors.The familiar secrets of how to cope with stress are food, exercise and mindfulness that you can incorporate into daily life. Mindfulness is a technique that has a root in meditation, aware of where you are, what you are doing, and acceptance of reality.
A psychologist who appeared in the program says: "We cannot exceed our own self images. The way we see us so comes reality. But we can always control our mind set defines performance. Stress can be very positive and stress can drive success. All depends on how we see it."
If you can make a simple life style change to stop stress level spiking necessarily during the day would be better. For example, eating almonds and walnuts are recommended. Both are good source of protein and help stabilize blood sugar. Walnuts contain omega-3 fat and are very good to brain, when you feel anxious as well.
Too much caffeine can causing insomnia, nervousness, increase in cardiac rate. Green tea contains L-Theanine, an amino acid and it helps your concentration and you feel calm. So, green tea is recommended as coffee alternative.
Don't skip breakfast and keep hydrated. If you skip breakfast, your body will increase cortisol to raise blood sugar. Dehydration keeps your body under more stress.
After all, stress is perfectly natural response to everyday situations. The program concluded that if you use advantage of stress with a healthy diet, appropriate exercises and mindfulness, there is nothing to worry about. (H.S)
I participated in a cooking class, "Bhutanese home cooking by Bhutan Museum" on March 17th, 2019 and experienced cooking the home-style Bhutanese food. I made buckwheat pancakes and three kinds of stewed dishes.
The most distinctive characteristic of Bhutanese cuisine is its spiciness. At the class, we put much less chili pepper than most Bhutanese people usually use for cooking. I've heard that chili peppers are considered as more vegetables than spices in Bhutan.
After we finished cooking, we all shared the foods that we cooked.
I liked the simple dishes and I wouldn't feel there would be anything strange about seeing the them on Japanese tables. I wondered what the home-style Japanese food is.
In general, so called "Japanese cuisine" is not considered as the home-style Japanese food. I don't know how I can explain what the characteristics of the home-style Japanese food simply.
T.S
Dishes in the photo above
Top left) Shamu Datse : Mashroom & Green pepper with cheese & hot chili
Top right) Kewa Datse : Potato with cheese & hot chili
Bottom left) Khur-le : Buckwheat pancake
Bottom right) Sikam : Dried pork & Radish with hot chili
Statue of Taicho Daishi in the middle of Naka Shinjo hiking course of Mt. Sanriyama
Statue of Taicho Daishi on the side of Fudo waterfall in Mt. Gongen-yama
Yesterday, I went to a video shoot of the statues of Taicho Daishi to Mt. Sanriyama and Mt. Gongen-yamae in Echizen City. Taicho Daishi is a famous ancient Buddhist monk who was born in Echizen (present Fukui Prefecture).
In Fukui Prefecture, there are many places associated with Taicho Daishi, and many of the places can be found around low mountains.
Near the statue in Mt. Sanriyama, there is a spring that is said that was started to spring by Taicho Daishi's spiritual power, is enshrined as sacred water. And the statue in Mt. Gongen-yama can be found beside "Fudo waterfall", which is one of the five waterfalls that are collectively called "Yanagi Falls".
Scared spring near the statue of Taicho Daishi in Mt. Sanriyama
I enjoyed taking a quiet walk in the village forest imagining how the ancient people were grateful for the water that is the most important thing for people to live. And because they were so grateful for the water, they might enshrined their superstar, Taicho Daishi at the spring.
T.S
The other day, I went to Fukuoka City for the first time in many years.
And, in my spare time, I went out to
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine located in Dazaifu City.
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine was built on the
grave of Michizane Sugawara, who is called the "God of learning", and
enshrines Michizane. Michizane Sugawara was born in Kyoto in 845, but he was exiled to Dazaifu
because of an innocent sin. He finished his life at the age of 59 there.
A tanka (a 31-syllable Japanese poem)
composed by Michizane when he left Kyoto is well known.
The tanka says:
When the wind is in the east, I want it to
blow the scent of Japanese plum flowers to me; even if I disappear from here, you,
Japanese plum flowers, do not forget spring.
Although it has passed the peak of plum blossoms,
I could see many blossoms and I offered a prayer while thinking of the tanka. (H.S)
Curtains
with plum flower crest were installed at Dazaifu Station.
From the busy shrine path to the precinct
Even though it was unfortunately raining that day, there
were many tourists mainly from Asia.
The shrine is one of the most beautiful
plum blossoms viewing sites in Japan. The
rose plum blossoms were bright.
How to use washing water
The Taiko Bridge is a popular spot in the
precinct.
"Goshuin" (stamp given at shrines
or temples) of the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
You
can go to Kyushu National Museum through the precinct.
The museum introduces rich history of
cultural exchange between Kyushu and neighboring China and Korea.
Starbucks Dazaifu Omote Sando Shop is another
popular spot.
Kengo Kuma, an architect, designed the shop
that features the timberwork.
As I mentioned in our previous blog that Mr. Ugyen Dorji who is studying at University of Fukui as a teacher trainee from Bhutan since September of 2017 and his family will go back to Bhutan at the end of March.
*The photograph obove:Mr. Ugyen Dorji and his family
They always had such beautiful smiles on their faces and I enjoyed being around them.
I visited great places in Fukui Prefecture with them. I took videos and photographs of the places and the family. They seemed to be enjoying all the places we visited. By watching people from overseas appreciating the beauty and charms of Fukui Prefecture, I realized that Fukui Prefecture is a great place to live and/or visit.
We talked about our cultures, hobbies, family, etc, as well.
I learned about Bhutan from them that they are kind and polite, they're very religious,they respect their king and queen so much, there's no ocean, they love spicy foods. I didn't know that they like spicy foods so much that they even bring their own spices when they came to Japan.
In the beginning of April, we walked around the city looking at cherry blossoms. We enjoyed walking on the pathway along Asuwa River in Fukui City as well. The river flows through the center of Fukui City. And the pathway along the river was selected as one of the 100 best places for cherry blossom viewing in Japan.
It was the first time seeing the real cherry blossoms for Mr. Ugyen Dorji and his family. They said that they had seen the cherry blossoms in movies and TV but not the real ones. They were amazed to see the real ones.
We visited Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture. It is recognized as one of the top dinosaur museums in the world and it's the largest one in Japan.
They were impressed by many real looking dinosaurs exhibited and how large the museum is.
They told me that there are dinosaur toys in Bhutan but there's nothing like this museum and/or those exhibits. They seemed to be impressed by everything they saw at the museum.
Even I had visited this museum several times, I like the lightings and how the exhibition area echoes the sound. I never get bored and still enjoy being there. The museum is enjoyable for both children and adults.
We visited Echizen Matsushima Aquarium(*you can change the language in the website) and the sea in Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture. There's no ocean in Bhutan. His wife saw ocean for the first time in her life. She took time to feel the ocean by touching and smelling it.
His son's favorite thing in the world is fish, so he was very excited to see all the fish at the aquarium. As soon as he walked into the aquarium, he started staring at the fish and wouldn't want to leave from the large tank. He was quiet and shy when I met him,and I didn't hear his voice much. At the aquarium, I was kind of surprised to hear him saying "fish" and "wow" happily.
Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins
is surrounded by beautiful nature, so the visitors can enjoy the great view, and learn about the history at the same time. His sister loves flowers so she was grateful to see the beautiful flowers there as well.
They experienced the Warring States Period's style kimono dressing experience.
His son was excited to see how his mother and aunt looked different with the kimono. They said that the kimono which they wore were similar to traditional Bhutanese clothing for men called “Gho”. For women, the traditional clothing is called “Kira”.
It was such a great experience for me to visit all these beautiful places in Fukui Prefecture with them. As a person from Fukui City, I realized that Fukui Prefecture is even more amazing place than I've always felt.
Anyone from all over the world can enjoy and relax all year around in Fukui Prefecture.
