Feb 20, 2019
Charity Groups and Events in Tokyo
Tokyo is one of the most populous cities in the world, by some measures, the most populous. While all those people take some getting used to, think “crowded rush hour trains” for example, all those mouths create a market of impressive options as well, from the variety and quality of restaurant and foods available, to the wide array of interest groups from sports to charity, if you can do it, you can likely do it in Tokyo.
That being said, its nearly impossible to say how many charity groups and events happen in Tokyo in total, there are simply too many options available. We will highlight a few here that our company has been involved with, but there are many more. If you are interested in getting involved, do it!
You can find a more complete list of charities and events here:
www.charity-charities.org/Japan-charities/Tokyo.html
Run for the Cure Foundation
Run for the Cure Foundation, an organization promoting awareness of breast cancer in Japan, is holding their run/walk event in December. This event is also held in Hibiya park, however they upped the distance to 5K/10K run or a 5K walk. For a change of venue outside of Tokyo, they also are holding a similar event in Nozawa Onsen City in Nagano, a small and charming hot spring village located at the foot of Kenashi-yama Mountain. What better way to cap off a run, then enjoying a relaxing Japanese hot spring in the countryside.
Animal Walk Tokyo
Animal Walk Tokyo was formed in 2010 by a small group of people living in Tokyo with a drive for helping the animals. Each person involved had a passion for contributing, but none was able to find information in English on how to do so without adopting or fostering.
AWT started by holding fundraising events for local animal rescue groups. We use our events to raise awareness among the local community that animals do suffer around us, and we can all help. 100% of all event proceeds are used to donate food, medical supplies and transportation to rescue groups saving animals in our area. In the Fall of 2013, we launched a new division focused on helping people find support for living with pets in Japan.
www.facebook.com/animalwalktokyo
Second Harvest Japan
Second Harvest Japan distributes food to soup kitchens, orphanages, the elderly, emergency shelters, single mothers, the homeless, migrant workers, and many others. Check out their website for information about upcoming events, or how you can donate or volunteer.
Tokyo English Life Line (TELL)
TELL is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing world-class, effective support and counseling services to Japan’s international community as well as helping to address the country’s growing mental health care needs.
You can give your time and talent in service to TELL, whether on the Lifeline, working on special projects, or at fundraising events. Volunteerism is a great way to build your resume, learn about the needs in your community, meet new people, and most importantly, give back to the community. Examples of areas in which we are usually very happy to have a helping hand include graphic design, database management, and translation.
Feb 17, 2019
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Tokyo
St. Patrick’s Day, the commemoration of the death of the patron saint of Ireland, is celebrated in more countries around the world than any other national festival, and Japan, is of course, no different. As a day in which the abstinence restrictions of lent are temporarily lifted, it has, particularly in North America, been commonly associated with drunken revelry, however here in Japan, that is a side of the proceedings you can either take or leave, depending on where you go to celebrate. Pop on some green, and take your pick!
St Patrick’s Day Parade – Harajuku
A couple of days after the official day of celebration, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Harajuku has extra cause for celebration: their 25th anniversary. The biggest Irish event in Japan, it started in 1992 for the purpose of introducing Ireland to Japanese people, and sees the Omotesando avenue closed off to allow the parade to march through between 13:00 and 15:00. You can either go along to cheer on the array of green-garbed celebrants, including banners, pipers and a healthy smattering of leprechauns, or if you want to get involved in the actual parade itself, you can sign up to take part as a volunteer. The volunteer’s meeting takes place on March 3, details of which can be found here.
- Where: Omotesando – Harajuku, Tokyo (map)
- When: March 17, 2019; 13:00-15:00
- Website: www.inj.or.jp/news/news01.php
I Love Ireland Festival – Yoyogi Park
While you are in the area, and you are still feeling a touch of the ‘Oirish’, then you should get yourself down to the I Love Ireland Festival in Yoyogi Park. Taking place over the whole weekend (March 18-19) they will be celebrating 60 years of Japan’s diplomatic relations with Ireland. There you will find face painting, live traditional musical shenanigans, and more than likely a glass of Guinness or two. To get a feel for what you can expect, check out their Facebook page here.
- Where: Yoyogi Park, 2-1 Yoyogi Kamizonocho, Shibuya-ku (map)
- When: March 16-17, 2019
- Website: facebook.com/iloveireland.japan
Irish Bars in Tokyo
Without wanting to lean on lazy stereotypes, there is something about the Irish and drinking. Wherever I have been in the world, whether it be Gothenburg or Kathmandu, I have stumbled across an Irish bar. In Tokyo, they abound. Here are just a few that you can head to in order to celebrate all things Emerald Isle.
The Dubliners Irish Pub
Quite probably the best known of the Irish pubs around Tokyo, Dubliners have branches in Shinagawa, Akasaka, Shibuya, Ibebukuro and Shinjuku. Irish drinks include Guinness, Kilkenny, Magners cider as well as Jameson’s whiskey. The food is more of the standard pub grub, although they do do a full fried breakfast (though no white pudding, so it’s not exactly authentic Irish).
- Where: Five locations. See website for details of your nearest one.
- Website: www.dubliners.jp
An Solas
Owned by a regular of the British Embassy Football Club, An Solas is very much a paid up member of the ex-pat community. Some evenings see live celtic music performances in this traditional style pub, as well as the occasional Guinness Seminar. It’s also a great place to watch the rugby, and there are a dozen types of Irish whiskey to choose from.
- Where: 5-22-3 Sendagaya Toei, Sendagaya Apt. No. 1, Shibuya (map)
- Website: www.facebook.com/AnSolasIrishPub
Failte
Considered by some to be one of the better Irish pubs in Shibuya, Failte has been going for over nine years now. As well as the obligatory Guinness, they also have guest ales coming in, and at the time of writing you can try a very decent Marstons’ Oyster Stout (though check their website for more up to date listings). The food is also a bit different than you might expect from a pub, with horse carpaccio and chicken terrine on the menu.
- Where:Shibuya Sede Bldg 5F, 1-5-2 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku (map)
- Website: www.failte.jp
For a fuller listing of Irish pubs in your area, check out the Irish Network Japan listing here.
Slánte mhath!
By Mark Guthrie
Updated by Jason L Gatewood
Image by Sean Barry (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via flickr.com (modified)
Image by David Duran (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via flickr.com (modified)
Feb 15, 2019
Watch Some Sumo Wrestling at the 2019 Grand Tournament in Osaka
Sumo wrestling is a sport uniquely associated with Japan. Although not all professional sumo wrestlers are Japanese, the sport originated in Japan, and it remains the only country where it is practiced professionally. When people across the world think of sumo, they will undoubtedly conjure up images of two heavyweight Japanese fighters staring each other out, slapping their thighs and pushing their heavy frames into each other.
Sumo is classified as a Japanese martial art although its part in Japanese culture can be traced back centuries to a time when it was associated with Shinto ritual. Early sumo bouts and competitions in front of spectators began sometime during the Nara and Heian periods (710-1192) when bouts were held in front of the emperor at the imperial court. Professional tournaments started during the Edo period in the late 17th century. Events were regularly held in Edo (now Tokyo) and Osaka.
Today, professional sumo wrestling is organized by the Japan Sumo Association with over 650 wrestlers fighting across six divisions. Much has changed in the 1500 or so years since the start of sumo, although many of the rituals and techniques have survived down the ages.
The goal of a sumo bout is to force your opponent either out of the circular ring or ‘dohyo‘ (which is demarcated with rice-straw bales) or onto the ground using one of the sport’s 48 legal moves. Sometimes brute force may be enough but more often than not the victor is the one with the superior technique, and wrestlers can sometimes beat an opponent twice their size using skill and tactics. Bouts can last anywhere from just a few seconds to several minutes, but it’s the lengthy pre-match rituals where things actually begin, building the anticipation of the gathered crowd.
If you’ve never seen live sumo wrestling before, it’s a spectacle well worth catching and the annual Grand Tournament in Osaka is just around the corner! Since 1958, six Grand Tournaments have been held each year. Osaka hosts the event every March and tickets are now on sale for the 2019 showcase that takes place from March 10-24 at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium (EDION Arena Osaka). There are various types of tickets available at different prices, including:
- Ringside seats – 14,888 yen per ticket
- Box seats – seating either two or four guests, ranging from 9,500 – 11,700 yen per guest
- Chair seats – ranging from 3,100 – 9,800 yen per ticket
Tickets can be bought online in advance with a booking fee of 1,000 yen added per ticket. There are a limited number of general admission tickets available on the day, priced 2,100 yen for adults and 200 yen for children. Bouts take place throughout the day each day so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to catch some action along with the traditional ceremonial activities that take place between the matches. Event and ticket information can be found here.
Grand Sumo Tournament Osaka March 2019
Where: Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, 3 Chrome-4-36, Nanbanaka, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 556-0011
When: Sunday, March 10 to Sunday, March 24, 2019
Website (for ticket purchase and general information): http://sumo.pia.jp/en/sumo03.jsp
Takato Marui [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Feb 15, 2019
Top Japanese Pastimes to Explore for Yourself
A great thing about Japan is there’s always something going on or something to do. By learning about the most popular pastimes, you’ll be able to properly experience the culture. Whatever your interests, you’re sure to find at least a few authentic Japanese hobbies or activities you’ll enjoy.
Manga and Anime
Manga has been around since the middle of the last century, but it has only become a facet of Japanese culture in the last couple of decades. Since manga covers every genre, people of all ages and from all backgrounds read the comics.
The most successful manga series are often turned into anime, although sometimes these adaptations have their own storylines. Anime is also ideal for those who are less into reading.
Ikebana
Ikebana literally means living flower. On the surface, this pastime may seem like simple flower arranging, but it is much more. Those who practice ikebana do it to feel closer to nature. It provides a form of spiritual wellbeing, much like meditation. Whether you have an artistic flair or you just want to learn more about aesthetics and color, ikebana is an activity to try.
Shodo
Another way to calm your mind is to practice shodo, or calligraphy. Plus, if you’re learning Japanese, this activity will help with your writing. You’ll need a brush, ink stick, ink stone, and special mulberry paper to create this beautiful art. As you practice and gain confidence, your work will become more fluid and beautiful.
Kyudo
For the more active, there’s kyudo — or Japanese archery. It’s practiced in a kimono, hakama (loose pants), and tabi (socks with thick soles that have a separate space for the big toe). To succeed at kyudo, you’ll need to be dedicated, as the sport requires deep concentration and focus.
Arcade Games
The most well-known arcade game in Japan is pachinko, which is similar to pinball. Another to look out for is Taiko no Tatsujin, a rhythm game that involves hitting a Taiko drum. You also have an extensive range of games that allow you to win collectibles — either physical or virtual trading cards.
Hanami
Some pastimes are only possible during certain times of the year. Hanami is one of these. It means flower viewing, and it takes place when the cherry blossom and plum trees are in bloom. Scores of people organize picnics to see the flowers together. As the blossoms happen at different times depending on where you are in the country, hanami also gives you an excellent reason to travel.
Origami
Origami (which literally means folding paper) involves twisting a single piece of paper into an elaborate form. Even beginners can create impressive shapes. As hobbyists develop their skills, they can fold models that it is difficult to believe are made from just one sheet of paper.
Many of these Japanese pastimes may be quite different from your usual hobbies. Even if you think one could never be for you, try it before you dismiss it. There’s always the chance that you develop a passion for an activity you would never have thought you could enjoy.
Miya.m [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
ByAdmin
Feb 12, 2019
Animal Laser Center Aichi, Nagoya, Showa-ku
Animal Laser Center – 動物レーザーセンター
Branch of medicine: Veterinary
Telephone: 052-751-3116
Address: 1-9 Shiotsuketori, Showa-ku, Nagoya
Website: https://www.alc-japan.com/
Hours:
| Reception hours | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Holiday |
| 8:00–17:30 | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○* | × | × |
| Closed on Sundays and Public holidays
*Saturday: 8:00-12:30 |
||||||||
Notes:
– Appointment required by phone or email
– Parking available
[mapsmarker marker=”56″]
Featured image: by cattan2011 via flickr.com [CC by 2.0]
ByAdmin
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