Trip to Yanaka

Yanaka is a beautiful cultural spot in Tokyo, famous for its temples and the traditional streets. So we decided to go there last sunday.

Unfortunately it rained, but we were in a good mood. We started at Nippori station and went to the cemetery, which is famous for being the final resting place of the Tokugawa family. From there you also have a great overview on the whole quarter.

We visited a carpenter that made beautiful timber products. Very special about it was, that he never uses nails for his furniture. A really impressive example of craftman's art. Now wonder, that he has customers all over the world. Furthermore, we visited some more shops with traditional goods, like a shop that makes silk dresses. The atmosphere in Yanaka was really different, because everything seemed to be so calm and quiet. A perfect place to forget about the busy streets of Tokyo.

For lunch we went into a restaurant that offered special persian, turkish and uzbekistan dishes. The curry was very good, but the most entertaining part was the host, who made this meal really unforgetable. So almost everyone had to ride on a fake camel and this man was always about to crack a joke.

After lunch we went through the streets of Yanaka with the many, many shops and this very calm spirit. The rain stopped and we had a really good time and a lot of fun. Yanaka is definetely a place you should see, if you visit Tokyo! See it for yourself!

English Rakugo (落語) in Yanaka

Rakugo (落語) is a traditional and very famous way of storytelling in Japan. While performing, the storyteller sits on a on a small mattress called zabuton (座布団), dressed in his Kimono and acts out the whole story by himself. Therefore the performer has to slip into the role of many different characters. To make it easy for the audience to notice, the performer changes his voice and behavior. Usually the performers are equipped with a fan (sensu - 扇子) and a hand towel (tenugui - 手拭い). They need nothing more to express and act out the story. They use the fan to imitate chopsticks, scissors, cigarettes, pipes or pens. The towel is needed to imitate books, bills or actual towels. The stories are usually funny and amusing, but can be also serious and sorrowful.

The Rakugo (落語) in Yanaka on the 14th March was held in English and was a part of the "Thanks! with YOU" program. The intention in doing it not in Japanese was to attract more tourists to this fine art of Japanese culture.

First Kanariya Eiraku introduced the art of Rakugo (落語) to the audience. The room was filled to capacity with people from all over the world. After this introduction and some short stories he performed the song "Ue wo Muite Arukō" (上を向いて歩こう), which is also known as "Sukiyaki", in memory of the victims of the Tsunami last year.

The whole program was a big success. It is much to be hoped, that many other people will visit the following events to enjoy and understand a great part of the Japanese culture.

Here's a little view on the program:

Let’s try some short stories: Kanariya Eiraku

Dog’s eyes: Kanariya Kosei

Little Miss Quiet: Kanariya Cocoa

Judgment of Tengu: Kanariya Ichien

Otanoshimi: Kanariya Eiraku

益子 - One weekend in Mashiko

Last weekend I had the opportunity to be part of a Tour to Mashiko（益子）. This city, located in the Tochigi prefecture, is known as the “city of ceramic arts” in Japan and also a widely known city for fans of ceramic arts from all over the world. However, due to the great earthquake disaster in eastern Japan, Mashiko suffers from great damages, that are unforeseeable yet. Ceramic works, including the valuable existing and other facilities for the creation of pottery kiln were damaged from the devastating earthquake in Mashiko. In addition Mashiko suffers because of rumors concerning the nuclear accident at Fukushima.

To help the people in Mashiko and to reflate the tourism in this area, the “Mashiko Fun Tour” was created. Let me tell you about an incredible weekend far away from the big cities with their skylines and the busy streets.

The tour started on Saturday morning at 9 am. We were 36 people from six different countries and of all ages. After around three hours on the road we stopped at Ichigodanchi (イチゴ団地), a part of Mashiko, which is famous for the growing of strawberries. An experienced tour guide explained the characteristics of Ichigodanchi and how a really good strawberry has to look like. After the speech it was time to taste the delicious strawberries.

Next stop was our accommodation in Mashiko, where the next highlight was waiting for the group. For lunch we created Onigiri on our own and to be honest, that were the most delicious Onigiris, which I’ve ever tasted. Really special and completely different from the ones you can buy at the Konbinis. After lunchtime we had a long walk around Mashiko to visit several potteries shops and to enjoy the beautiful landscape.

After the walk we enjoyed a tasty dinner together with some locals from Mashiko. Everybody introduced himself to the group and shared his first impressions of this beautiful spot. We learned more about the art of producing fine potteries and sake. Only the best rice and water were used for the fabulous sake, that we were allowed to taste. For me the best sake I’ve tasted so far. After dinner there was plenty of time for interesting and nice conversations. The first day of our tour ended late, but was full of satisfaction and a very good feeling.

On Sunday we started with a traditional Japanese breakfast, before we went once again experienced the fine potteries arts of Mashiko. There were always new incredible potteries to see and so many ways to create them. Another highlight just waited for us, because we could take part in the production process and join the locals, while they kilned new potteries or just pace through the festival. We got the chance to buy some potteries, enjoying the delicious foods or tasting ice cream and cakes made out of soba. Something I haven’t tasted before.

At 14.30 pm we took part at the remembrance ceremony for the victims of the earthquake one year ago. At 14.47 pm (the time when the earthquake hit Japan one year ago) the monks chimed the bell of the temple. The ceremony was accompanied by a wind ensemble and a taiko group (太鼓). For me the first time to see a taiko group and I was really impressed by the accuracy and the devotion of this performance.

After the remembrance ceremony we left Mashiko. But before we really went back home, we had the chance to buy some of the strawberry products of Ichigodanchi and the fine sake distillery. On the way home everybody on the bus had the chance to take a résumé of the trip and share his impressions with the others. No wonder, that everybody was absolutely satisfied and deeply touched by this very unique tour away from all the ordinary tourist activities. Mashiko really left a permanent impression and I can just highly recommend to everybody to visit Mashiko. This city with its own charm is definitely worth a journey.