Japanize (Japanese Culture Experience)

YES!
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Cherry blossoms are blooming, but why struggle with thousands of other people seeking Sakura on Sunday in over-crowded Tokyo parks?
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Bring your friends & join us for a relaxing cherry blossom walking tour of many beautiful places, including lovely shrines, temples & gardens on the quiet side of the Sumida River!
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Before the 20th century & up until the war years, the area North and East of the Sumida river, (including Mukojima & the infamous Yoshiwara area) was a popular playground for people of old Edo & Tokyo to relax, lay on the grass, go fishing, enjoy picnics, sit in a cafe', visit a Geisha house & so forth!
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Although wartime firebombing severely damaged these neighborhoods, many beautiful & remarkable things have survived & flourished!
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There are many wonderful antique homes, parks, temples & shrines & even Geisha houses to be seen in this area which help us to understand the deeper history and culture of this great city!
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We enjoyed a tour on the East side of the Sumida River last year, discovering many marvelous places, including the old-fashioned shop which invented delicious "Sakura Mochi!"
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This is a walking tour featuring visits to a number of very special places in the Eastern Sumida-gawa / Mukojima area, across the river from world-famous Asakusa, at a pleasant distance from the densely populated, rather touristy areas on the West side...
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We will walk along the old main road during the Edo period & reflect how it was back in the day. I learned about this area through history walking tour (A paid tour charges over 7000 yen per person- very popular among Japanese nationals!) to get further knowledge, I studied further.
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The route we are planning to walk is:
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Meeting Point: Tobu Skytree Line Kanegafuchi station
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Umewakazuka Mokuboji Sumidagawa shrine.
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Shirahige Shinto shrine.
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Beautiful "Mukojima-Hyakkaen Gardens" flower park.
"Mukōjima-Hyakkaen Garden is an urban garden located in Sumida, Tokyo. The garden was created by a wealthy merchant, and is different from daimyō gardens, and therefore it not a "traditional Japanese garden" in the proper sense of the term. It is the only surviving flower garden from the Edo period." - Wikipedia (Small admission fee)
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Maybe we'll stop and eat soba for lunch!
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(We'll also visit a few AMAZING traditional sweet-shops by the riverside!)
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=> Chomeiji Kofukuji Temple
=> Mimeguri-jinja Shinto Shrine.
=> Ushijima-jinja Shinto Shrine!
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This ancient shrine, established in the year 860 features a rare "Miwa-Torii" entry arch which combines three into one & enshrines the Kami (Shinto god) Susanoo no Mikoto. Today there are three principal deities enshrined in the shrine. It is believed that if you are sick, rubbing the same spot on the Nade-ushi (rubbing cow or ox) statue on the shrine's grounds as the affected part of your body will cure your illness!
=> Mito Tokugawa house trail
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Towards the end, we'll come near to Asakusa, close to several train lines.
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We’ll walk a lot, so please wear comfortable shoes, etc! PLEASE bring snacks, obento or a light lunch, and something to drink, but no drunkenness, please!
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Should you have any questions, please contact us!
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I'll be posting more information later, but for now, please save the date for this very enjoyable event!
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NOTE: We work hard to plan interesting events and to guide you to the very best places, so please give generously! (There's no set Meetup fee, but your donations of from￥2000 -￥5000 are much appreciated!)
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KIDS are WELCOME & free to join with a parent!
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We look forward to seeing you & hope you will invite your friends to join this unique experience of traditional Japanese culture!
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IT WILL BE FUN, SO WHY DON'T WE ALL GO?
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~ KERRY D. 🙏🏻😎🌸

Spring is here & birds are on the wing, so from 1-5pm, Let's enjoy the fabulous "Shirasagi no Mai", then walk while exploring less well-known precincts of Tokyo's world famous Senso-ji temple & discover fascinating "secrets" of Asakusa & hidden treasures of the scenic & historic nearby Sumida riverside area!
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We'll see one of the most beautiful events imaginable, the "Shirasagi no Mai", or White Heron Dance Parade, in which women dress in gorgeous costumes & enact a ritual from the 12th Century Heian Era! With bells, flutes, drums & brightly costumed attendants, including an adorable group of children, this is one of the spectacular sights of Tokyo!
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Did you know that Senso-ji is the world's #1 tourist destination? More than 30 million people visit the beautiful temple each year!
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Do you know the curious Tanuki temple, or the story of Nezumi-kozo, who's known as the Japanese Robin Hood?
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Did you know there's a shrine famed for cats & matchmaking?
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We'll share the lore with you!
Imado-jinja, Shinto shrine is an ancient place in Asakusa which is now famous for love and matchmaking!
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"The shrine’s origins go back to the 11th C. when a great samurai warrior called Minamoto no Yoshiie visited there. Yoshiie came in 1063 & 1081 to celebrate his victories in battle. Yoshiie prayed, giving thanks to Hachiman, the god of victory."
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Today, the shrine is dedicated to the gods: Izanagi, Izanami, Fukurokuju & the deified Emperor Ojin.
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Izanagi & Izanami are the first married couple in Shinto mythology. In the Japanese creation story, they are the mother & father of the Japanese islands, so marital love is the theme here!
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Fukurokuju is one of the Seven Lucky Gods & people pray to him for happiness, wealth & a long life.
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According to legend, the famous beckoning cats, "Maneki-neko" originated in Imado! An old woman living there was so poor she could not feed her pet cat & had to let it go. That night the cat appeared in a dream & spoke to her: “If you make dolls in my image, It will bring good fortune.” Following the cat’s orders, the woman made cat figurines from Imado-yaki clay & went to sell them at the shrine. The pottery cats became popular, so the old woman was saved from poverty!
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Next, we'll walk East across the Sakurabashi river-bridge to visit a special area dedicated to preserving many kinds of rare Sakura trees, plus wonderful traditional Japanese sweet-shops, famous for Odango & Sakuramochi!
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Sakuramochi originated at this famous shop where in springtime, hundreds of people wait in line to get the cherry-blossom flavored treats!
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We'll visit Chinese-style Kofuku-ji temple, then stroll to fascinating, mysterious, Shinto Mimeguri-jinja, (patronized by the wealthy Mitsui family), then we'll go to beautiful park-side Ushijima-jinja, home to an unusual triple Torii arch & a legendary "petting cow", before crossing back over the river to Asakusa to finish near where we started. OR, we might WALK to nearby TOKYO SKYTREE! Let's decide on the day of the event.
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THIS WILL BE A VERY ENJOYABLE TOUR, SO LET'S ALL GO!
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MEETING POINT: We'll Meet-up on the corner of the Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center: (the amazing building which looks like several houses piled up) across the street from the Police Koban at Kaminarimon Gate, quite near the Asakusa Metro station: Just a few steps from Asakusa Station, served by the Ginza Subway Line, Asakusa Subway Line and Tobu Railways.
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From Tokyo Station: Take the JR Yamanote Line to Kanda Station (2 minutes) and transfer to the Ginza Subway Line for Asakusa (10 minutes).
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From Shinjuku Station: Take the orange JR Chuo Line to Kanda Station (10 minutes) and transfer to the Ginza Subway Line for Asakusa (10 minutes).
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NOTE: The festival is FREE, but we work hard to plan interesting events and to guide you to the most interesting places, so please give generously! (Suggested: Students, Seniors or low-income: ￥2000, others, pay: ￥[masked]. Your choice! 👉🏻 Tour agencies or companies like Airbnb, or Viator charge from ￥9000-￥15,000 yen for lesser tours, so even ￥5000 is a bargain!)
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KIDS ARE WELCOME & free to join with a parent!
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This is a non-smoking meetup. If you must, please do so only in proper smoking areas.
PLEASE BRING: Comfortable shoes, a drink, snacks & a SMILE!
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Your comments & suggestions for future meetups are welcome!
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Thanks! Your Meetup organizer ~ Kerry D.🌞

Do you love Japan for cherry blossoms in spring?
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Japanese springtime is not only for cherry blossoms, there are many other beautiful flowers which flourish during the season!
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One of the must-see flowers during spring in Japan are colorful, charming, adorable Tulips! 🌷 The biggest Tulip field in the Kanto area is located at the "Sakura Oldness & Open Space", in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture.
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During the season (from early to late April), the FREE festival, Sakura Tulip Festa (佐倉チューリップフェスタ) is held, featuring 70 varieties, for a total of around 600,000 Tulip flowers!
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YouTube: https://youtu.be/4bjbZfQ8v1M

The festival features enjoyable activities such as cute, authentic Dutch costumes for rent, fresh Tulip picking, traditional Dutch folk-organ performances, visiting an authentic Dutch windmill & many booths selling delicious local foods, plus, 2 excellent souvenir shops!
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Also, wide Lake Inba right runs next to the site, where low-cost pleasure boat & rental bikes available for your cruising enjoyment during the festival.
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You may choose & pick 10 gorgeous tulips, dig up the bulbs & take them home for your own garden for just ￥５００!
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It’s a perfect getaway from Tokyo during springtime where you can enjoy the warm, pleasant weather, admire beautiful flowers, art, nature & historic sights!
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If you're a parent and would like to bring your child (age 5 or older), for FREE please do so!
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Sakura, Chiba is an old castle town, which has many beautiful gardens, 400 year old Estates, a street of genuine 18th Century Samurai houses, plus the largest History Museum in all of Japan, "The Rekihaku" located high on a hill, right where the castle used to stand!
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We'll meet in the morning at Keisei-Sakura station & take a bus to the festival grounds were all kinds of entertainments as well as tulip viewing may be enjoyed!
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Keisei- Sakura Station can be reached in less than 1 hour (with no transfers required) by taking the "Keisei Main Line Ltd. Express for Narita Air Terminal-1" which leaves from Keisei-Nippori Station in Tokyo at 8:56, arriving at 9:46 (BEST) or leaving at 9:17 am, arriving at 10:10.
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(You may also take any train bound for Keisei-Aoto station (such as the Toei Asakusa Line) & transfer to a Keisei Main Line Rapid train bound for Keisei-Sakura arriving before 10:15!)
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In the afternoon, we'll take an easy walk up the hill to old Sakura town for a very special tour of this old castle town. We'll visit genuine Edo-era Samurai houses, a beautiful Shinto shrine, plus the Sakura City Museum of Art which always has something interesting to it see & experience!

https://www.japan-live-exhibits.com/m_stmstm_sakuracitymuseumofart/
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NOTE: The Tulip festival is FREE, but we work hard to plan interesting events & to guide you to the best places, so please give generously!
Suggested donation: Students, Seniors, Underemployed:￥2000.
Others: ￥[masked]. Your choice!
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(NOTE: Airbnb, Viator & other tour companies charge from￥[masked],000 for less-interesting tours, so even ￥5000 is quite a bargain!)
Children are FREE to attend with a parent!
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This is a non-smoking meetup. If you must, please do so in approved smoking areas.
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THIS WILL BE A WONDERFUL EVENT! SO, WHY DON'T WE ALL GO?

Bring comfortable shoes, your mask, a 🌞 hat & your smile!
Your suggestions or comments are always welcome. 🙏🏻💖🙏🏻
ANY QUESTIONS?

Thanks, your Meetup organizer ~ KERRY D. 😎

Admission Free!! Japanese bamboo flute Shakuhachi Concert
The Regular Concert of Minato Ward Japanese Music Study Group
This is a concert where you can enjoy Japanese music through various schools of shakuhachi music.
◎This venue will not be crowded, so you don't have to worry about new coronavirus infection.

・Date：on 19 Apr. 2023 From 18:00（Doors open at 17:45）
・Veneu：Akasaka Civic Hall（in 3F Akasaka Community Plaza,[masked],Akasaka Minato-ku,Tokyo）
・Access：10 minute walk from Exit A of Akaska-mitsuke Station on Ginza line or Marunouchi line
・Admission fee：free（Please RSVP. All seats are free. You can enter after the start time.）

The Minato-district Japanese Music Study Group has players who belong to the various groups, such as the Fuke-meian, the Kinko, the Tozan and each school.The length of the shakuhachi also ranges from 30cm to 100cm.The form of shakuhachi pipe also ranges from unpainted ungrounded pipes to contemporary fine-tuned ones.
Pieces from the classical komuso shakuhachi to ensembles with a Koto and a shamisen and western music.It is very rich in variety.
In addition, every single piece, we have programmed a program to be played by shakuhachi with different styles and lengths (or pipe making methods). The concert takes about 3 hours, but if you listen for 1 hour, you will be able to enjoy the various charms of shakuhachi.
Please feel free to visit us if you are interested in Japanese music, art and culture.

【無料】流派を超えた尺八演奏会　港区邦楽研究会 定期演奏会
様々な流派の尺八音楽を愉しむことができる演奏会です。
◎本演奏会場は密の状態にはなりませんので、安心してお越し下さい。

・開催日時：令和５年４月１９日（水）18時00分開演（開場：17時45分）
・演奏会場：赤坂区民ホール（東京都港区赤坂[masked] 赤坂コミュニティーぷらざ３階）
・アクセス：東京メトロ 銀座線・丸の内線「赤坂見附」駅下車 A出口から徒歩10分
・入場料：無料（RSVPをお願いします。全席自由、途中入退場可）

港区邦楽研究会には、普化明暗流（ふけめいあんりゅう）、琴古流（きんこりゅう）、都山流（とざんりゅう）、さらに尺八の各流派の中でも別の会派に所属する奏者がいます。
吹く尺八の長さも一節切（ひとよぎり、約30cm）から三尺五寸（約105cm）まで。尺八の製管のあり方も、漆（うるし）すら塗らない地無し管（じなしかん）から、ファインチューンの現代的な作りのものまで。曲目も、虚無僧尺八の古典本曲から、筝（こと）や三味線が加わった合奏曲や洋楽まで、とてもバラエティに富んでいます。
さらに、１曲毎に、流派、長さ（あるいは製管方法）の異なる尺八による演奏になるようにプログラムを組んでいます。演奏会は約３時間ですが、そのうち１時間でも聴いていただければ、尺八の様々な魅力をお愉しみいただけるものと思います。
日本の音楽や芸術・文化に関心がある方は、是非、お気軽にご来場ください。