About Japan
Japan is a destination like no other and has fascinating and unique culture.
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Onsen Resort (温泉） There are many volcanoes around Japan especially Kyushu region, and therefore many Onsen resorts have been made. Each Onsen is said to have its own healing property. Onsen resorts or hotels either use water from an actual spring or they boil mineral water. |
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Foot bath in Beppu (足湯） Foot bath is called Ashiyu in Japanese and is a public bath in which people can bath their feet. Ashiyu in Beppu set up at Kannawa Onsen. You can easily enjoy it without having to remove all your clothing, only the feet and leg up to the knee are immersed. |
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Japanese castle (日本の城） Castle is called Shiro in Japanese and were originally military fortifications designed to keep the enemy out.
In the Sengoku (civil war) period from 15th to 16th century, territorial warlords competed in building castles in mountainous areas across the country. more …
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Japanese religion (日本の宗教）
Why is Japanese religious orientation eclectic?
Japanese indigenous religion, Shinto, has no founder or written
doctrine and places a great emphasis on ancestor and nature worship. more…
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Torii (鳥居） Torii is a gate-like structure placed at key point in the path leading to the Shinto shrine. It is very unique for the vermilion torii gate of
Itsukushima Shrine to stand in the sea.
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Inari Shrine The shrine is dedicated to Inari, the god of rice. They can be recognized by fox statues at entrance,
which are considered the messenger of Inari. more …
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What is jizo? (地蔵） Jizo is a statue of Buddhist saint, the Bodhisattva generally standing by the country roadside. Jizo is considered as guardian deities of children who can protect children from demons of hell. more… |
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Tobata Gion Yamagasa (戸畑祇園山笠） Float Festivals including Tobata Gion Yamagasa inscribed on UNESCO Intangible Heritage List in 2016. The festival has a lot of energy and is very dynamic as is the case with festivals such as the Hakata Gion Yamagasa， carrying the Yamagasa (festival float) and walking around the town shouting “yoitosa yoitosa”. more … |
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Martial art, Karate (空手） Karate is a martial art developed in the Okinawa, Kyushu, and is art of self-defense that use no weapons and relies instead on three main techniques; arm strike, thrusts and kicks. more … |
What is jizo?
Jizo is a statue of Buddhist saint, the Bodhisattva generally
standing by the country roadside.
standing by the country roadside.
Jizo is considered as guardian deities of children who can
protect children from demons of hell.
protect children from demons of hell.
Most jizo shave their heads and often wear red apron.
地蔵は田舎の道路わきに立っている仏教の菩薩の石像で、
子供を地獄の鬼から守る守護神と信じられています。
地蔵はたいてい頭髪をそり落とし、赤いエプロンをしていすのが多いです。
Kunisaki Peninsula listed on the World Agricultural Heritage
Kunisaki Peninsula, began to develop 1,300 years ago as a sacred religious
ground influenced by mountain and nature worship, Buddhism, and Usa shrine
rising in the region.
Here remains in Bungotakada city the historical background for “home of prayer”
consecrating en mass the Shinto deity, Buddha, and ancestral spirit.
And one of major industry is agriculyure and all area is listed on the World Agricultural Heritage.
Unique mountain at Onieno sato Kumano Magaibutu Buddha statue at Makino-odo
World Agricultural Heritage
Cape of Flower, Nagasaki-bana, seasonal flower can be enjoyed
Fukiji Tempel, the oldest wooden main hall building in entire Kyushu
Futagoji Temple, located in the center of Kunisaki Peninsula and the headquarters of Rokugo Manzan
Buckwheat noodle (そば)
Buckwheat noodle is long, thin brownish noodle made
from buckwheat flour to which is added wheat flour, egg, and
sometimes yam starch.
from buckwheat flour to which is added wheat flour, egg, and
sometimes yam starch.
It is eaten either in hot soup, “Kakesoba” or as a cold dish, “Morisoba”.
In Morisoba, noodle is piled up on small flat bascket. It is served together
with a tiny dish of condiments and cup of dip made from soy sauce and
fish broth.
with a tiny dish of condiments and cup of dip made from soy sauce and
fish broth.
Minced green onions, red pepper and other spices are used as
condiment. The dish is eaten by dipping the noodle in the sauce with
the condiments mixed in it.
It is sometimes eaten with Tempura, egg, or other foods.
Buckwheat noodle (そば)
Buckwheat noodle is long, thin brownish noodle made
from buckwheat flour to which is added wheat flour, egg, and
sometimes yam starch.
from buckwheat flour to which is added wheat flour, egg, and
sometimes yam starch.
It is eaten either in hot soup, “Kakesoba” or as a cold dish, “Morisoba”.
In Morisoba, noodle is piled up on small flat bascket. It is served together
with a tiny dish of condiments and cup of dip made from soy sauce and
fish broth.
with a tiny dish of condiments and cup of dip made from soy sauce and
fish broth.
Minced green onions, red pepper and other spices are used as
condiment. The dish is eaten by dipping the noodle in the sauce with
the condiments mixed in it.
It is sometimes eaten with Tempura, egg, or other foods.
Udon, Wheat Noodle (うどん）
Udon is a very popular cuisine among Japanese people.
It is noodle from wheat flour, and is a little thicker than
Soba noodle.
Soba noodle.
Udon is eaten either from bowls filled with hot soup, or by dipping it into
special soup as in the case of Soba.
special soup as in the case of Soba.
Of these two, former is much more common.
Japanese people like to put minced green onion and red paper in the soup
as spice. In Japan, if it is not impolite to make natural noises when you slurp up
the noodles.
as spice. In Japan, if it is not impolite to make natural noises when you slurp up
the noodles.
The recipe is that the flour is kneaded for some time, and then rolled out and cut
into long strips. The noodle is finished by boiling them in hot water.
Ohagi (おはぎ）, traditional Japanese sweet
Ohagi is a traditional Japanese sweet, made from boiled glutinous rice coated
with a red-bean jam, sweetened soy bean powder, or sweet sesame paste.
with a red-bean jam, sweetened soy bean powder, or sweet sesame paste.
Traditionally Ohagi is eaten only on special days set aside for Buddhist service,
the Vernal Equinox Day and Autumnal quinox Day, when pious Buddhists pay
homage to their ancestors and offer Ohagi to them.
the Vernal Equinox Day and Autumnal quinox Day, when pious Buddhists pay
homage to their ancestors and offer Ohagi to them.
Ohagi (おはぎ）, traditional Japanese sweet
Ohagi is a traditional Japanese sweet, made from boiled glutinous rice coated
with a red-bean jam, sweetened soy bean powder, or sweet sesame paste.
with a red-bean jam, sweetened soy bean powder, or sweet sesame paste.
Traditionally Ohagi is eaten only on special days set aside for Buddhist service,
the Vernal Equinox Day and Autumnal quinox Day, when pious Buddhists pay
homage to their ancestors and offer Ohagi to them.
the Vernal Equinox Day and Autumnal quinox Day, when pious Buddhists pay
homage to their ancestors and offer Ohagi to them.
Tobata Gion Yamagasa (戸畑祇園山笠）
Float Festivals including Tobata Gion Yamagasa inscribed on UNESCO
Intangible Heritage List in 2016.
Intangible Heritage List in 2016.
Tobata Gion Yamagasa is one of the three major summer festivals in Fukuoka
Prefecture
The festival has a lot of energy and is very dynamic as is the case with
festivals such as the Hakata Gion Yamagasa，with young men wearing
the happi (festival costume) and hachimaki (head band)， carrying the
Yamagasa (festival float) and walking around the town shouting
“yoitosa yoitosa”.
What is remarkable is the way the character of the Yamagasa changes
from daytime，with the Nobori Yamagasa (festival floats with flags); to
nighttime，with the Chochin Yamagasa ( festival floats with lanterns).
The highlight is the Chochin Yamagasa Contest held in Tobata Ward
Office on Saturday night.
The Nobori Yamagasa used during the daytime is dismantled，and the
10 metre-high Chochin Yamagasa，with its 309 lanterns arranged in 12 tiers，
is assembled and carried along in a race by dozens of young people crying
“yoitosa yoitosa”.
Office on Saturday night.
The Nobori Yamagasa used during the daytime is dismantled，and the
10 metre-high Chochin Yamagasa，with its 309 lanterns arranged in 12 tiers，
is assembled and carried along in a race by dozens of young people crying
“yoitosa yoitosa”.
●Event Schedule in 2017
・June 21 (Fri.)
Shinto ceremonies at each of the following:Tobihata Hachimangu Shrine，
Sugawara Shrine and Nakabaru Hachimangu Shrine.
Sugawara Shrine and Nakabaru Hachimangu Shrine.
・June 22 (Sat.)
Yamagasa Contest in the evening in front of Tobata Ward Office
・June 23 (Sun.)
Yamagasa parade in each town
Torii Shinto Shrine gate (鳥居)
Is there any special meaning in the Torii Shinto Shrine gate?
Torii is a gate-like structure placed at key point in the path leading to
the Shinto shrine.
It consists of two standing pillars, with two horizontal beams, one a little
above the other. It symbolically separates the holy world inside from the
secular world outside.
Miyajidake Shrine Usa Shrine
above the other. It symbolically separates the holy world inside from the
secular world outside.
Miyajidake Shrine Usa Shrine
The torii is derived from its homophone “tori” which means bird flying in the sky.
It is said to have originated as a perch for sacred birds within the shrine precincts.
