I just happened to be in Yamashita Park on Monday and there was a small flower exhibition going on. I don’t know anything about it and don’t have to time to search for information about it but when I was there I snapped a few photos with my camera phone. That explains the quality.
As mentioned on Yokohama Living, Zo no Hana Park was officially opened on June 2nd and while we couldn’t get down there for the opening ceremony or the events we did get down there to grab a few snaps. It was a little crowded though and we didn’t have much time so we will get back down there for more photos when we get the time. While the park is smaller and plainer than I had imagined it is still a nice addition to Yokohama’s waterfront and it is just a couple of minutes from Aka Renga on foot.
The Mexican sail training ship, Cuautemoc, arrived in Yokohama this morning and was welcomed by the Japanese navy. A small greeting ceremony was held.
Read more about Cuautemoc’s visit to Yokohama.
We at Yokohama Living went over to the Nihon Odori Flower Art Festival that was held over the weekend to take some photos for those of you who weren’t able to attend. It was nice but I was a little disappointed. I don’t know what I was expecting but I know I was expecting something more. The petals of the flowers seemed to have been placed on what amounts to a great big coloring book and for the most part they kept within the lines. It was windy though and I also felt that some of the art wasn’t finished. It was also difficult to get a good view as we had to look at the flower art from the side mostly so it was difficult to get a good angle when shooting. Well, check them out for yourself.
The Yamato Awa Odori is going to be held next weekend with some performances on Friday but most of the street festivities on Saturday and Sunday. I have attended this festival twice and this is a photo gallery from the first time in 2005. The Awa Odori is a very lively and fun festival so if you get a chance I highly recommend goiing to see one.
The festival is not held in Yokohama but in nearby Yamato City. From Yokohama Station it takes just 21 minutes on the Sotetsu Line. Make sure you take the train heading for Ebina though.
I came across this video at Reuters. I think this is definitely in the weird category. Taking your dog to dancing lessons may be fun for you and your dog but wouldn’t these people be better off trying to increase the number of human relationships they have. In a way it’s sad. I love dogs but only so much.
Link: (Japanese)
The Sagami Giant Kite Festival is held in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture during golden week. It is usually held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 5th and 6th. O-Dako loosely translates as large kite. There are many kite festivals held throughout Japan but this is one of the more spectacular ones.
You will be able to see five or six kites measuring up to and over 14 metres squared and weighing almost a ton take flight by the banks of the Sagami river. Its quite an amazing sight and it takes many men to control them. The kites are all handmade in the traditional style using bamboo for the framework and some pretty sturdy japanese paper as material. At the end of the festival the largest of the kites is set afire.
This festival has been held since 1830 and while there are many such festivals around Japan this one is famous for the sheer size of the kites.
How to get there
From Yokohama Station, take the Sotetsu Line to Ebina Station and then change to the JR Sagami Line to Sobudaishita Station. It should take less than 60 minutes including transfer. From Sobudaishita you can either take the shuttle bus or walk for about 20 minutes. Just follow the crowd.
Train timetables.
Literally translated “O-Hanami” means looking at flowers. These days however it refers to the blossoms of the Japanese cherry tree which usually bloom in early April in Yokohama. With its origins reported to have been back as far as the Nara Period (710-784) today O-Hanami is now a popular excuse to sip sake or beer from early morning to late at night under the pink or white blossoms. The blossoms only last for one week and some say that they are a symbol for the transience of life. In Japanese cherry blossoms are called Sakura. There are many great places in Yokohama to see cherry blossoms.
Here are three locations that are highly recommended..
This gallery is from Mitsuike Koen in Tsurumi.
It’s hard to believe it has been nearly two years since I went to the Nebuta Matsuri in Aomori. I remember it was extremely hot and we stayed one night in a tent and woke up at about 5AM with sweat poring off me. The Nebuta Festival in Aomori is definitely one of the most impressive festivals I have been to in Japan and I have been to a few. While I was there I went to another Nebuta Festival in a nearby town which has the tallest Nebuta in the world. What is a Nebuta? They are these gigantic lanterns that are pulled or carried during some festivals in Japan. Aomori is the biggest of the Nebuta Festivals.
Kabuki is a very famous Japanese tradition that has its roots in the beginning of the 17th Century. It has transformed a lot since then though. Originally performed by men and women of dubious moral character it soon became the domain of mature male actors only and entertainment for aristocrats and plebeians alike. The government claimed to be fighting against loose moral values but the popular belief is that they were really trying to suppress the radical ideas that were being promoted through these performances.
While Kabuki today seems very rigid and unchanging this was not always the case. In its heyday Kabuki was a very dynamic art form with new plays being written almost every week whereas these days the same kabuki families repeatedly perform the most popular of these plays time and time again adding only slight changes to the performances which would be impossible for a layman to notice.
Kabuki is usually divided into three categories.
While the Jidaimono are usually very grand with splendid costumes the language used is very complicated and is difficult even for Japanese people to understand. The Sewamono usually have less extravagant costumes but the stories are no less famous. One of the most famous of them being the ghost story “Yotsuya Kaidan”.
There are several places around Tokyo where you can attend a Kabuki performance, the most famous of which is the Kabuki-za. The National Theater also holds performances in a more modern theater. Even though most seats provide you with a good view of the stage many prefer the more traditional but cramped Kabuki-za.
Earphone Guide: You will be able to rent an earphone guide in English or Japanese at some theaters.
Tickets: Kabuki is still popular in Japan and therefore it is often very difficult to get tickets to the performances. You must book ahead for sometimes the tickets for the following month will be sold-out within hours of going on sale. If you are desperate you still probably be able to get tickets for the 4th floor balcony in Kabuki-za for around 2000 yen, without the use of the earphone guides however.