Super-Fast Shinkansen Cleanup

With the 2020 Tokyo Olympics getting closer each day, government officials in Japan have been highlighting some of the cool features that make Japan unique and interesting. One of these efforts resulted in a video showcasing the super-fast cleanup of shinkansen that happens each day. The video, titled “7-Minute Miracle”, went viral last year and has racked-up over 5.8 Million views! I really enjoyed this … Continue reading Super-Fast Shinkansen Cleanup

Japan’s Cute Barricades

Japan is known for having many cute and cool things, but I was still surprised to learn that Japanese construction sites are now being guarded by Hello Kitty. Of course, Hello Kitty wasn’t the first cute person to guard construction sites in Japan, as the Sendai Meiban company has been supply the country with many other cute barricades. Sendai Meiban began leasing and selling character-based … Continue reading Japan’s Cute Barricades

Japanese Snack Box May 2016

Recently, one of my Japanese friends went on a snack shopping-spree, and made me a gift box full of yummy goodness. After I finished drooling all over the snacks, I thought it would be fun to show you all of the cool things inside. So what’s in the box? Umaibo Umaibō (うまい棒) or “delicious stick” is a small, puffed, corn snack. Think of it as the biggest Cheetos … Continue reading Japanese Snack Box May 2016

Sanja Matsuri

As some of you know, we mentioned Sanja Matsuri during our Monday Morning Trip to Asakusa—which you can see again here: https://japansauce.net/2016/05/09/asakusa/ Sanja Matsuri (三社祭, literally “Three Shrine Festival”), is one of the three great Shinto festivals in Tokyo. It is considered one of the wildest and largest. The festival is held in honor of Hinokuma Hamanari, Hinokuma Takenari and Hajino Nakatomo, the three men who established and … Continue reading Sanja Matsuri

Tsukiji Market

PLEASE NOTE–This article is related to the OLD Tsukiji Market, which no longer exists. It has been replaced by TOYOSU Market. The Tsukiji Market (築地市場 Tsukiji shijō), is the world-famous fish market that is on everyone’s list of “must-dos” in Tokyo, Japan. Tsukiji Market is the world’s biggest wholesale fish and seafood market, and also has a large wholesale area for fruits and vegetables too. We have visited … Continue reading Tsukiji Market

Tokyo Yamathon 2016!

If you are familiar with Japan, then you have probably heard, and used, the Yamanote Line—it’s that super-convenient JR train that takes you all around the main districts in Japan. Well, did you know that there is a marathon associated with this train? It’s called the Yamathon! The Yamathon is a marathon in which teams of 3-4 people walk or run through Tokyo, visiting all … Continue reading Tokyo Yamathon 2016!

Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day)

Another Golden Week has come to an end, as yesterday was “Kodomo no Hi” or Children’s Day—the last holiday in the Golden Week party. Children’s Day is celebrated on May 5th, and was designated as a national holiday in 1948. History It was originally known as “Tango no Sekku” or Boy’s Day, and as the name suggests, was a festival for boys. Japan also set aside … Continue reading Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day)

Ferris Wheels in Japan!

As most people learned last week, Osaka is currently building Japan’s tallest Ferris wheel—the Redhorse Osaka. It begins operation on July 1, 2016. When it’s complete it will be 403 feet tall, which puts it in 5th place for tallest Ferris wheel in the world. But the really cool thing about the Redhorse Osaka is that it will also have 72 passenger cabins, and all … Continue reading Ferris Wheels in Japan!

Harajuku Colored Contacts

It’s no secret that Japan has been one of the biggest trendsetters on “cool” fashion. And one of the main locations for cool, innovative, strange, and fun fashion is Harajuku in Tokyo, Japan. We can have an entire website dedicated to Harajuku (and I’m sure there is one out there), but today we will talk about one of the cool trends that are happening right … Continue reading Harajuku Colored Contacts