The Kyoto Imperial Palace has opened to the public for its annual autumn showing, drawing crowds of visitors to the normally off-limits structure.
Viewing the former official residence of the Japanese emperors in the ancient capital usually requires advance permission, but this is waived twice a year in spring and autumn.
On Wednesday more than 500 people were waiting outside when the palace gates opened at 9 AM.
Visitors are allowed to tour 7 of the palace buildings, including the emperors' living quarters called Seiryo-den, and a ceremony hall called Shishin-den.
In the Seiryo-den, figures of ancient officials who worked at the palace were exhibited, recreating how they prepared emperors' winter wardrobes, personal effects and furniture.
A visitor from Yokohama said the view of the historic palace buildings amid autumn leaves was just beautiful.
The public opening continues through Sunday.
2010年11月17日水曜日
2010年11月13日土曜日
Yokohama under heavy security for APEC summit
Tight security is in force in Yokohama during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit.
Police officers are patrolling around the summit venue in the Minato Mirai shopping and business district and checking vehicles travelling nearby.
At a shopping center that is usually crowded on weekends, policemen are on patrol everywhere in sharp contrast to few customers.
Some other facilities have decided to close during the 2-day APEC summit that ends on Sunday.
An amusement park located across the street from the summit venue is closed from Thursday through Sunday as it fears heavy security in the area may inconvenience visitors.
Police officers are patrolling around the summit venue in the Minato Mirai shopping and business district and checking vehicles travelling nearby.
At a shopping center that is usually crowded on weekends, policemen are on patrol everywhere in sharp contrast to few customers.
Some other facilities have decided to close during the 2-day APEC summit that ends on Sunday.
An amusement park located across the street from the summit venue is closed from Thursday through Sunday as it fears heavy security in the area may inconvenience visitors.
2010年11月8日月曜日
Turnip pickling in Kyoto
The pickling of turnips, known as "senmaizuke", started in Kyoto on Sunday, the first day of winter according to the traditional Japanese calendar.
One of the city's culinary specialties is made from shaved "Shogoin" turnips.
The turnips get sweeter as nighttime temperatures start to drop around this time of year.
Skilled workers at a pickle factory peeled the turnips, which are 20 centimeters in diameter and weigh about 2 kilograms, and shaved off thin slices using special planes.
They arranged the shaved turnips in wooden barrels in fan shapes, and then sprinkled salt on them.
The turnips are taken out of the barrels after 3 days and soaked in a soup stock with kelp.
The hot summer caused a shortage of turnips, but the supply stabilized last month.
The factory's foreman says they will work hard to meet rising demand toward the year end.
The pickling work will continue until April.
One of the city's culinary specialties is made from shaved "Shogoin" turnips.
The turnips get sweeter as nighttime temperatures start to drop around this time of year.
Skilled workers at a pickle factory peeled the turnips, which are 20 centimeters in diameter and weigh about 2 kilograms, and shaved off thin slices using special planes.
They arranged the shaved turnips in wooden barrels in fan shapes, and then sprinkled salt on them.
The turnips are taken out of the barrels after 3 days and soaked in a soup stock with kelp.
The hot summer caused a shortage of turnips, but the supply stabilized last month.
The factory's foreman says they will work hard to meet rising demand toward the year end.
The pickling work will continue until April.
2010年11月4日木曜日
Record number of households on welfare in July
A record number of households in Japan, almost 1.4 million, were receiving welfare benefits in July.
The labor and welfare ministry says the number marks an increase of nearly 12,000 from the previous month.
Among the recipients, 2,666 were elderly people, 1,204 were single mothers, and 1,084 were disabled people.
The largest percentage of recipient households, numbering 4,429, included the unemployed.
Due to the worsening job situation, the number of households on welfare has risen by 11 percent in the past 12 months with an additional 145 thousand recipients.
The number of individuals on welfare in July also increased by about 17,000 to more than 1.9 million from the previous month.
The ministry says it will focus on helping the unemployed find jobs.
The labor and welfare ministry says the number marks an increase of nearly 12,000 from the previous month.
Among the recipients, 2,666 were elderly people, 1,204 were single mothers, and 1,084 were disabled people.
The largest percentage of recipient households, numbering 4,429, included the unemployed.
Due to the worsening job situation, the number of households on welfare has risen by 11 percent in the past 12 months with an additional 145 thousand recipients.
The number of individuals on welfare in July also increased by about 17,000 to more than 1.9 million from the previous month.
The ministry says it will focus on helping the unemployed find jobs.
2010年11月3日水曜日
Illuminations turned on in Yokohama's Chinatown
Illuminations have been turned on early in Yokohama's Chinatown in honor of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings that open on Sunday.
In a lighting ceremony on Monday night, a representative from an association of local restaurants and shops that organized the event and the mayor of Yokohama City activated 28,000 lights decorating trees on the streets of Chinatown.
Crowds gathered to see the flower- and lantern-shaped lights that carry a message welcoming the APEC forum.
The district's annual illumination usually starts in December to celebrate the Chinese New Year on the lunar calendar. The special lighting will continue everyday through the end of February next year.
In a lighting ceremony on Monday night, a representative from an association of local restaurants and shops that organized the event and the mayor of Yokohama City activated 28,000 lights decorating trees on the streets of Chinatown.
Crowds gathered to see the flower- and lantern-shaped lights that carry a message welcoming the APEC forum.
The district's annual illumination usually starts in December to celebrate the Chinese New Year on the lunar calendar. The special lighting will continue everyday through the end of February next year.
2010年10月30日土曜日
Taro Okamoto mural undergoes cleaning
A huge mural by the famed Japanese artist Taro Okamoto has undergone cleaning and restoration at a Tokyo station.
The 30-meter by 5.5-meter mural is called "Tomorrow's Myth." It's been on display in Shibuya station in central Tokyo since 2008.
The late artist spent a year painting the masterpiece, starting in 1968. The mural depicts the very moment of a nuclear bomb explosion.
Early on Saturday morning, 8 volunteers standing on a stage carefully removed dust from the surface using brushes and electric cleaners.
This summer's heat wave warped the acrylic panels attached to the mural, putting it out of alignment. A restoration expert reinforced the mural with resins.
The director of Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum, Akiomi Hirano, said the warp didn't affect the mural. He said he wants as many people as possible to come and feel the spirit of Okamoto.
The 30-meter by 5.5-meter mural is called "Tomorrow's Myth." It's been on display in Shibuya station in central Tokyo since 2008.
The late artist spent a year painting the masterpiece, starting in 1968. The mural depicts the very moment of a nuclear bomb explosion.
Early on Saturday morning, 8 volunteers standing on a stage carefully removed dust from the surface using brushes and electric cleaners.
This summer's heat wave warped the acrylic panels attached to the mural, putting it out of alignment. A restoration expert reinforced the mural with resins.
The director of Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum, Akiomi Hirano, said the warp didn't affect the mural. He said he wants as many people as possible to come and feel the spirit of Okamoto.
2010年10月28日木曜日
Ground-breaking ceremony held for new Kabuki-za
A ground-breaking ceremony for a new Kabuki theater has been held at an open lot in downtown Tokyo on the site of the old building.
The Kabuki-za, a popular structure in the Ginza district famous for its gorgeous facade, was closed in April this year and torn down to make way for its replacement.
About 100 people, including Kabuki actors, attended Thursday's ceremony and prayed for trouble-free construction of the new theater building.
The planned 29-story complex will house a new Kabuki-za theater as well as business offices. The builder plans to reproduce as closely as possible the design of the old building, inside and out.
The builders will use custom-designed metal fittings from the old Kabuki-za, and high-quality Japanese cypress wood for the stage of the new theater.
Leading Kabuki actor Nakamura Kanzaburo said he is very excited about the new theater, which is scheduled to open in spring 2013.
The Kabuki-za, a popular structure in the Ginza district famous for its gorgeous facade, was closed in April this year and torn down to make way for its replacement.
About 100 people, including Kabuki actors, attended Thursday's ceremony and prayed for trouble-free construction of the new theater building.
The planned 29-story complex will house a new Kabuki-za theater as well as business offices. The builder plans to reproduce as closely as possible the design of the old building, inside and out.
The builders will use custom-designed metal fittings from the old Kabuki-za, and high-quality Japanese cypress wood for the stage of the new theater.
Leading Kabuki actor Nakamura Kanzaburo said he is very excited about the new theater, which is scheduled to open in spring 2013.
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