Yamanote Line Extravaganza (intro)
My long overdue exploration of Tōkyō via the Yamanote Line begins here. I hope you’ll stick around for the whole series! Continue reading Yamanote Line Extravaganza (intro)
Category: Japan
I Have a Huge Announcement!
There’s a new service specializing in tourism for Japanese History. It may include beer! Help me spread the word, guys! Continue reading I Have a Huge Announcement!
Questions from Readers
Wanna support the blog? It would mean a lot if you did!
If not, that’s OK, I made you a video today. Continue reading Questions from Readers
What does Ushigome-Yanagicho mean?
Kondo Isami’s dōjō? The birthplace of the Shinsengumi? Lead poisoning? Shinjuku? WTF??? Continue reading What does Ushigome-Yanagicho mean?
What does Ushigome mean?
牛込 Ushigome (Crowd of Cows) 。 。 牛 ushi cow 込 komi[i] swarming, huddling, amassed, crowded, “in bulk” 。 According to Japanese Wikipedia[ii], in 701, in accordance to the Taihō Code, a livestock ranch was established in this area. In fact, two were established which were sometimes referred to as 牛牧 gyūmaki a cow ranch and 馬牧 umamaki a horse ranch. These two locations came to be referred to as 牛込 Ushigome and 駒込 Komagome. The fact that there was a cattle/dairy ranch here in the Asuka Period is a known fact (it’s documented). The horse ranch is a different … Continue reading What does Ushigome mean?
Waku Waku News!!!
If you like/love/好き Japan This, then this is for you. I need your help to keep the blog alive. RT and Share with as many people as you know!! Japan This fans are the bessssssssssssssssssst!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Continue reading Waku Waku News!!!
Edo River Fireworks
Summer in Japan means matsuri (festivals), hanabi (fireworks), and fuzoku (prostitution). Today we’ll look at the first two! Continue reading Edo River Fireworks
Top 10 Japanese Songs of Summer 2
Part 2 of the JapanThis list of Top 10 Songs of Summer in Japan. This list is less traditional. But screw it, I’m busy as hell and have no time to write or go to festivals or anything. Indulge me this month for slacking off, please. Continue reading Top 10 Japanese Songs of Summer 2
Top 10 Japanese Songs of Summer 1
Japanese Top 10 Songs of Summer (part 1) This list is divided into 2 parts. The first part is a little more traditional, or at least songs that you’ll associate with summer because they only are heard in the summer or because they are about the summer. The second half is made of songs I think sounds awesome when chilling at the beach or a barbecue. PART 1 #1 阿波よしこの Awa Yoshikono This is the song the accompanies the most famous of the 盆踊り Bon Odori dances. The dance and this incarnation of the song originated in 徳島県 Tokushima-ken Tokushima … Continue reading Top 10 Japanese Songs of Summer 1
Nine Inch Nails at Fuji Rock 2013
ナインインチネイルズ Nine Inch Nails . I couldn’t make it this year to Fuji Rock…. so I missed out on one of my favorite bands off all times, Nine Inch Nails. Anyhoo… after a long hiatus, they were quick to put Japan on their first new tour in ages. The video is here for all to see. Continue reading Nine Inch Nails at Fuji Rock 2013
Samurai Archives Podcast (part 2)
When I listen to my own voice or way of speaking, I want to throw up a little bit in my mouth. I can write pretty good, I think[i]. At least I’ve been told that. But I’m not such a well spoken guy. So I was nervous to record a podcast with the guys from Samurai Archives, who have been championing the awesomeness of Japanese History since before I knew は from が[ii]. But as a long time fan of all the hard work they put into making a serious yet fun bastion of Japanese History in English on the … Continue reading Samurai Archives Podcast (part 2)
Why does Japan have Prefectures?
Many countries have states or provinces or regions. But only Japan and France have prefectures. So what’s up with dat? Continue reading Why does Japan have Prefectures?
Samurai Archives Podcast (part 1)
So……… yeah. Those of you who follow me on Facebook or Twitter may have seen my giddy posts about doing a podcast with some of the guys from Samurai Archives. I finally got to do it and although I was super nervous to talk with them, it actually was the most normal and natural thing ever. Three dudes geeking out on Japanese History. It was awesome. In the music business, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the most inspiring people ever. Now, JapanThis has taken me into a totally other world, in which I am honored to … Continue reading Samurai Archives Podcast (part 1)
Fun Link Friday: 400th Anniversary of Japan-British Relations
(click the above read more link, please) As I just wrote about Miura Anjin (William Adams) today, this was very timely. There are only a few foreign samurai that we know of today. The most famous and well documented is a certain Englishman who inspired many books and even movies. Here’s my blog from today for future people who stumble across this link: http://japanthis.com/2013/06/20/what-does-anjin-cho-mean/ Continue reading Fun Link Friday: 400th Anniversary of Japan-British Relations
Free Wifi for Travelers in Japan
So you’re planning a trip to Japan. You have a smartphone or PC and you’re worried about only having wifi in your hotel room. Flets will give you access to their hotspots around Tokyo (and some other cities). It might not be perfect, but it’s better than nothing. And it’s FREE! Continue reading Free Wifi for Travelers in Japan
Japanese New Year
OK. This is gonna be loooooooooooooooooooooong. I promise to try my best to be concise, but I’m also trying to include as much as possible for people interested in life in Japan. Japanese New Year is the most important holiday of the year. It’s a big family holiday, much like Christmas, but a bit more solemn. All the companies and schools shut down and people return to their hometowns for a week and kick it old school with the fam. (I included a list New Year’s related vocab at the bottom if you want to see the kanji for any … Continue reading Japanese New Year
