Explore Tokyo Through the Eyes of Travelers

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Springtime in Japan is one of the year's most anticipated events. With it comes Ohanami--cherry blossom time. During Ohanami season, which lasts only a few short weeks, the people of Japan turn out in droves to gather in city parks and private gardens in celebration of the ephemeral beauty of the flowering trees.

Ceremony and Ritual in Japan

A story told with photos.

Japan Robert George

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World Cup 2002, A Global Festival in Korea

The FIFA World Cup 2002 marks the first global festival of the 21st century. For the first time e...

Japan Doreen Cheong

Every year on November 15, Japan celebrates Shichi-Go-San - Children's Day. Dressed in their very finest garments, girls and boys aged three, boys aged five, and girls aged seven, go with their families to nearby shrines, where they line up, sometimes for hours, to await their turn to be blessed by the presiding priest. After the blessing, the child is presented with a gift of long sticks of candy called chitose-ame, "thousand year sweets," wrapped in ornate bags decorated with cranes and turtles, both symbols of longevity.

Japanese Expressions

A story told with photos.

Japan Robert George<br>Haiku by Celeste Heiter

Transportation workers in Japan are held to impeccable standards of safety, precision and punctuality. Trains and buses arrive and depart with near-perfect timing. The drivers are neat and trim in their crisp uniforms, and of course, the ubiquitous white gloves.

A story told with photos.

Japan Robert George

Japan: The Green That Never Ends

When I was in the second grade, some of the kids in my class used to sing the most annoying song....

Japan Will Raus

Springtime in Japan is one of the year's most anticipated events. With it comes Ohanami--cherry blossom time. During Ohanami season, which lasts only a few short weeks, the people of Japan turn out in droves to gather in city parks and private gardens in celebration of the ephemeral beauty of the flowering trees.

A story told with photos.

Japan Robert George

Rural life in Gunma Prefecture moves at a much slower pace than the typical urban existence in Tokyo.

A story told with photos.

Japan Robert George

Sunlit winter air A brisk wind blows, yet on it A whisper of Spring From Five Seven Five by Celes...

Japan Celeste Heiter<br>Photo by Robert George

Although most women dress in contemporary clothing, many women still hold to the tradition of dressing in kimono for everyday wear.

A story told with photos.

Japan Robert George

These silken blossoms Geisha in kimono come In ancient homage From Five Seven Five by Celeste Hei...

Japan Celeste Heiter<br>Photo by Robert George

Honda's New Asimo robot at the Robodex 2003, Japan's largest robot exhibition in Yokohama.

Japanese scientists want to make robots part of the family

YOKOHAMA, Japan, April 3, 2003 - Japanese scientists are trying to make robots part of the family...

Japan AFP/Francoise Kadri

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In greying Japan, even grannies go high-tech

A high-tech granny used to be considered an oxymoron. But in Japan, with its love of technology a...

Japan AFP/Miwa Suzuki

Same yet different Three ladies at the seashore Parasols in bloom From Five Seven Five by Celeste...

Japan Celeste Heiter<br>Photo by Robert George

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Tokyo Disneyland - not for kids only

Tokyo Disneyland plans Mickey Mouse for seniors ...

Japan AFP

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Tokyoites go farming to escape urban woes...

Japan AFP

Haiku Past and Present

Omikoshi Day Heave ho and away we go Tradition lives on From Five Seven Five by Celeste Heiter an...

Japan Celeste Heiter

Yakisoba - Japanese Noodles

Yakisoba is a popular Japanese stir-fried noodle dish, often prepared on large portable griddles ...

Japan Celeste Heiter

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Mishima's Last Words: The Sea of Fertility Part II

It is now 1940. Honda is middle-aged and Japan is on the brink of war with the United States. Lat...

Japan Kenneth Champeon

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My coming to Japan has been a series of journeys. I am now leaving for Hamamatsu to teach for a s...

Japan Stefan Chiarantano

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SJF Seeks SJM For Cherry Blossom-Viewing

It is a truth universally acknowledged, begins Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice , "that a single...

Japan Kenneth Champeon

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ThingsAsian is an Asia travel website with stories contributed by a worldwide community. Although we cover a wide range of topics, our emphasis is on art, culture, history and travel. Our writers, photographers and contributors are real people who tell you the stories of their personal travels and experiences. Some of the countries we currently cover are Burma, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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