http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/ Tokyo City Tour offer tours with english speaking guide. en-us Nucleus CMS v3.23 © Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog//nucleus/nucleus2.gif http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/ http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/index.php?itemid=169 null
Tokyo City Tour had a pleasure to attend a group of tourists came from Mexico. Fortunately the weather was so nice and they enjoyed very much their visit to Mount Fuji and Hakone National Park, Ancient City of Kamakura and Tokyo.

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Mt.Fuji seen from the deck of Fuji Visitor Center, still it has much snow on the top.

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We went up by a car up to fifth station, which is about 2300 meters above sea level.

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Buddhist Temple Sensouji Asakusa, Tokyo

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Our friend met with two young Sumo wrestler at Ginza Street
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The lake Ashinoko of Hakone National Park seen from a cable car
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On a deck of cruiser at the lake

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Torii, a holly gate of Shinto Shrine
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At Kamakura Hachimanguu Shrine, we were lucky to see a wedding ceremony. They wear special Kimono for wedding.
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A Shinto priest opens the wedding ceremony.
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In front of Daibutsu, the Great Buddha of Kamakura
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Our friend is offering holly water over the head of Jizou Sama, a deity protector of children. This is a typical Japanese ritual wishing good health and strong growth of children.

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]]> General http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/index.php?itemid=169 Sat, 12 Jun 2010 15:10:00 +0900 http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/index.php?itemid=168 null
The Statue of Peace is located in the Peace Park.
A group of students were offering silent tribute to the Statue.
The hypocenter of atomic bomb is very near from there.

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Oura Tensyudou This is a Catholic Church where crypto Christians came out and confessed their faith shortly after Meiji Restoration of 1868. This was considered as a miracle as there were Japanese who continued their faith more than 2 Centuries under the strict prohibition of Christianity applied by central feudal government during Edo Period.
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There are important Zen Temple in Nagasaki built by Chinese monks.
This fish of wood is hit to announce the time of dinner in temple Sofukuji.
It has a ball in its mouth which is a symbol of worldly passions. It would be come out when the fish is hit repeatedly. This is a kind of Zen humor. Below, our guests are viewing a big rice cooker, which was, according to the legend, used to help people suffering from starvation.

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Meganebashi, the bridge of glasses, was built originally by Chinese monk.
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Ryoutei (Japanese Restaurant)named Kagetsu, means Flower and Moon is located at Shianbashi night life area. The owner kindly accepted to be taken by photo. Here, many historic figures had meetings because Nagasaki was only international city in Japan open to other countries since the feudal age.
Below is the entrance to Kagetsu.

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]]> General http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/index.php?itemid=168 Wed, 9 Jun 2010 14:59:00 +0900 http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/index.php?itemid=170 null
The Confucianism has given a great influence over the Japanese society, specially on the classic study and ethic through the history. Nagasaki was only one port open to Holland and China since its opening of 1571 until 1859 when the Shogun Government made to stop its isolation policy. So there were many Chinese people living in Nagasaki and in 1859 they established this mausoleum deifying Confucius as a god of knowledge and ethic. Above we see a gate of the Mausoleum.
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There are statues of 72 disciples of Confucius, each one is a wise men in different fields.
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On a roof there are dragons and Houou phoenix (holly bird appearing under the reign of king with great virtue). They are holly protectors of the Mausoleum.
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]]> General http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/index.php?itemid=170 Sun, 6 Jun 2010 15:22:00 +0900 http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/index.php?itemid=167 null
Both cities belong to Saga Prefecture, Kyushuu and are located at about 60kms west side of Fukuoka, the biggest city in Kyuushuu.
Porcelains of high quality produced at Arita and surroundings had been exported to Europe from the port of Imari since 17th Centuary and had obtained world reputation especially among royal families in Europe.
Above is a colorful porcelain vessel on a bridge structure at Imari city.
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Oukawauchiyama A village surrounded by steep mountains near Imari, where Nabeshima-Han ( a local government of feudal period) maintained strictly the secret of porcelains manufacturing especially the coloring. From here famous Nabeshima Yaki were presented to Emperors and Shogun as special treasures.
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Noborigama ( the ascending furnace ) divided by 5 rooms was used in ancient time for burning porcelain. The fire goes up from the first furnace upwards so that smooth burning is made with good efficiency.
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Other statue of porcelain expresses a local comic story of catfish and gourd.
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These deep blue colors are the specialty of Nabeshima.
Here at Oukawachiyama the bridges are decorated with special porcelain.
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Izumiyama Mine at Arita, where Kaolin, the best raw material for porcelain was discovered by Ri Sanpei, a Korean potter early in 17 Century. It is said that the whole mountain has been converted into porcelains since that time. .
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Gallery of Imaizumi Imaemon at Arita, a potter of national asset
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Museum of Kyuushuu Ceramics and Porcelains at Arita
It has a wide collection by which we can learn about the development of the products in Japan.
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Tonpai Wall in Arita using inside wall materials of furnace.
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Main street of Arita, there are galleries and shops.
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A potter's factory with tall chimney and firewood in Arita.
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Gallery of Kakiemon, where the famous red color was born by him during 17 Century. Today we notice a Kaki tree in front (Kaki is Japanese fruit)



Tokyo City Tour organizes private trips in Japan according to our customers' requests. Our guides are specialists not only in languages but also in tradition and history of our country.
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]]> General http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/index.php?itemid=167 Thu, 3 Jun 2010 15:22:00 +0900 http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/index.php?itemid=165 null
The city is so called as it is located at the northern coast of Kyushu where they had close contact with China and Korea throughout the history. Recently Tokyo City Tour had a pleasure to organize a trip around Kyushuu for a coupe came from Spain and our guide reported on this trip.
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Hakusa Seisyou means white sand and blue pine trees appreciating the beauty of beaches in Japan.
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Nijino Matsubara means a pine tree wood with rainbow form beach.
It has a length of 5 kms and there are more than a million pine trees, which were planted by the order of a feudal lord in 17 Century.
This is a view from Karatsu Castle.
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Karatsu is famous also as a city of ceramics manufacture. This is a statue of Daruma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. It is said that he had been sitting on a rock more than 9 years doing meditation and reached to spiritual enlightenment.(Satori)
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Near Karatsu, there is a small fishery port named Yobuko. Above photo shows flags with Samurai drawings, which are serving as symbols of good health and growth for children.
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Yobuko offers morning market every day near the port. (Asaichi).
They sell various kinds of fresh sea foods taken nearby.
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Drying equipment for cuttlefish(Ika)which rotates rapidly( a centrifuge)
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Tokyo City Tour >>>>
Viaje a Japon >>>>]]> General http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/index.php?itemid=165 Tue, 1 Jun 2010 14:56:00 +0900 http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/index.php?itemid=164 who are highly interested in Tea, specially Green Tea of Japan.

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At the countryside of Kyoto,
they have enjoyed tea-picking.
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During 10days of the tours,
they have variety of experience
such as tea ceremony, tea-mixed food, even tea-bath !!

If you would like to experience deep tea world,
please contact us !!

Tokyo City Tour >>>>
Viaje a Japon >>>>]]> General http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/index.php?itemid=164 Mon, 31 May 2010 15:42:23 +0900 http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/index.php?itemid=163 April is a month for starting new grade in school.

Females prefer attending graduation ceremony wearing traditional clothes,
called Hakama,which is worn over a kimono.

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Tokyo City Tour >>>>
Viaje a Japon >>>>]]> General http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/index.php?itemid=163 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:47:00 +0900 http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/index.php?itemid=162 which offers us a fantastic panoramic view of mountain ranges, of course, with the most splendid view of Mt.Fuji.

Tonight, we are going to stay Japanese style inn with hot-spring !

Why don't you join us !?

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Tokyo City Tour >>>>
Viaje a Japon >>>>]]> General http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/index.php?itemid=162 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:46:00 +0900 http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/index.php?itemid=161 is a large cylindrical piece, with nori on the outside.

They are often made with 2 or 3 fillings
that are chosen for their tastes and colors.

Houswives with small kids usually try to make
such maki-zushi with colorful design.

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Tokyo City Tour >>>>
Viaje a Japon >>>>]]> General http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/index.php?itemid=161 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:44:00 +0900 http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/index.php?itemid=160 Ohinasama" are dolls of princeses for "Hinamatusri",
Doll's Festival which occurs March 3rd and an occasion to pray for young girl's growth and happiness. ..

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Tokyo City Tour >>>>
Viaje a Japon >>>>]]> General http://www.tctour.co.jp/blog/index.php?itemid=160 Wed, 3 Mar 2010 13:45:00 +0900