SHAKUHACHI -- a bamboo flute --

It is kind of recorder.

It is made from bamboo.

The hole is four in the front and one in the back.

It has begun since the Edo period.

Now it is usually played together with TAIKO, drums.

KOTO -- a Japanese harp --

It plays more hard sound than that of harp.

Because of it, the ensemble is good for KOTO.

Sometimes KOTO is played with other instruments like SHAMISEN.

KOTO is becoming on the stage at New Year concert.

In the hotel we can see the small concert of KOTO at that time.

The players always wear KIMONO.

It is also beautiful.

SHAMISEN -- a three-stringed Japanese banjo --



Shamisen is also Japanese traditional instrument.
Usually shamisen is played with other instruments like Taiko, Fue.

But in 1999, the duo of professional shamisen player has come up!
The name of duo is Yoshida-Kyodai, it means Yoshida brothers.

Their concert is so exiting!
It looks like a pops concert, not a classical concert.
You can get a CD at store.

TAIKO -- a drum --

This drum is called OODAIKO, it means big drum.

In festivals like a summer festival "BON-ODORI", it must be needed.

The way to play is so simple.

The player has two sticks and hit the drum.

Sometimes two players hit for one drum at once.

There are many teams of TAIKO players.

The show of the TAIKO team is so exciting same, it seems to represent Japanese spirit.

WAGAKKI -- Japanese musical instrument --






In Japan there are traditional musical instruments.

Now we can see those at the official ceremony of the imperial family through the TV.

But in recent years, the people who are professional of those instruments have come up and gotten the status as a musician same like as a pops singer.

From next story I introduce some instruments and musicians.

KAKI -- a persimmon --

This is also famous fruits in autumn.

The pure orange color is bright for our eyes.

Persimmon has two kinds of its taste.

Sweet one and astringent one.

When you get persimmons, be careful not to take astringent one.

It is too heavy to eat.

But unfortunately it is so difficult to find out which is astringent one.

Astringent one is good for dried persimmon.

NASHI -- a pear --

There are some kinds of pears.

In Japan, Japanese pear is popular than others.

From September to November, it is time for harvest.

Among Japanese pears, there are also some kinds by its taste, watery, sweet..etc.

90% of a tear consists of water.

It is also healthy for body!

KOSUI, HOSUI, NIJUSEIKI are major brands of tears in Japan.

You can get easily at supermarket.

KURI -- a chestnut --

This is Japanese flavor in autumn.

A nut is so prickly on the tree.

Inside of the prickly cover, again, it has hard hull.

After break the hull, we roast the nut.

It becomes very sweet and can be arranged for many deserts.

I like mostly a parfait or a cake of it.

In Japan sometimes we mix it with rice, called KURI GOHAN.

It is tasty, too!

Let's try before winter comes!

ROTEN BURO -- outside bath --








In many ONSEN accommodations there is ROTEN BURO, it is the outside hot spring bath.
Sometimes it has a roof and a fence.

In winter season, people feel so hot on the lower half of the body (because it stays in the hot spring), so cold on the upper half.
That contrast is quite cool!

Especially at the nigh time, it makes us so relaxing.
Stars are brilliant, moon is shining, no noise except the sound of nature.

Depend on the accommodation, there are several outside baths.
So people can enjoy different tasteful bath.

KASHIKIRI ONSEN --private bath --

KASHIKIRI ONSEN is a boom in this few years.

It is private hot spring bath.

Usually guests use the private bath with paying extra charge , it is around JPY3000 for 1hour.

But there are not always private bath in all accommodation.

You need to check at the booking time.

Sometimes it belongs to the room.

It is really private, you can use anytime you like.

Of course the room charge is higher than those of others.

ONSEN makes you healthy

ONSEN has a lot effect for human health.

It has power to keep human body good conditions, further more has power to recover damaged body.

Since long time ago, Japanese has used ONSEN for medical treatment.

But recently, it is considered as a leisure or excursion to go to ONSEN.

There are rules in ONSEN for medical treatment.

I do not know the detail, but I can guess like follows.

First, in the morning, you take the bath 5 minutes.

Next you have rest 5 minutes.

Repeat these 3 times.

After several hours rest, repeat this cycle again.

For the healthy tourist, they need to be careful for too much taking bath.

It would cause YUATARI, it means feeling dizzy.

The manners for ONSEN





1. At first, you need to have KAKEYU, it means you should not go into the bath before you clean up your body. Usually at the entrance there is the space for having the shower.

2. Do not bring the towels into the bath.

3. Do not take swim suites.

4. Do not run even though children, it is so slippery!

5. Do not dive into the bath.

6. After taking bath, let's wear the YUKATA!

How to enjoy ONSEN - continued -

After you finish dinner all, staff is coming into your room for bed making.

It takes only few minute. Because it is a "futon", not a bed.

Before you go to bed, you would go to ONSEN again.

Usually there are several different baths in the accommodation.

Try another one!

Breakfast is served from 7AM to 9AM. You can point the time you like.

Before breakfast, you go to ONSEN again!

Totally you try ONSEN three times during your stay.

I believe it is the best way to enjoy staying at ONSEN.

How to enjoy ONSEN






Usually we think ONSEN means ONSEN-Ryokan, that is Japanese style accommodation at hot spring.

So " let's go to ONSEN" means to stay at Ryokan at least for one night.

Basically check in time is 3PM.
Recommended time for check is before 5Pm.
After check in, you will go to ONSEN first.

You need to back room around 6PM.
Dinner time is starting.
The dinner is so uniquely, it is also traditional Japanese style.

It is called "KAISEKI style".
There are plenty plates for small portion.
For example Sashimi, Tempura, Nabe, etc.

Rice and miso soup will be served at the end of dinner time before desert.
If you like to have those more earlier, you may ask the staff.

-- to be continued --

ONSEN -- hot spring --

Japanese likes ONSEN very much.

In Japan there are plenty ONSEN spots over the country.

ONSEN is classified by its effect and kind of spring.

For those people who expect to get over their disease, the effect is important.

Depend on the kind of spring, the effect is different.

Also for all people to visit ONSEN, it is fun to choose their favorite one.

From next story, I will introduce how to enjoy ONSEN.

KOUYOU -- autumnal tints --

My recommended season for visiting Japan is coming, it is autumn!

It is the time to begin autumnal tints.

It is starting from south area, and going to the north area.

Around Tokyo, the best season of autumnal tint is October.

There are some good points for viewing that.

You can find those points easily on web sites.

When Japanese talk about KOUYOU, they would imagine ONSEN, too.

It is hot springs.

Next, I'm going to talk about ONSEN!