Plaza Homes offers various information about living in Tokyo and is especially
useful for newcomers.
About Tokyo
September 02, 2010
Tokyo Tower is not just a landmark of Tokyo.
It was built as a communication and observation tower in 1958.
At that time, it was the tallest freestanding structure, rising to
333 meters in height, slightly taller than the Eiffel Tower which stands
at 324 meters.
As a result of advanced technology in manufacturing steel and
construction, one-third of Tokyo Tower was built using scrap
metal taken from US tanks damaged in the Korean War.
Therefore, Tokyo Tower is made only by using 55% of steel as
compared to the Eiffel Tower.
The main sources of revenue are antenna leasing and tourism.
You may be aware that Tokyo Tower provides transmission
signals for television broadcasting and radio, but were you aware that
a part of your mobile phone fee is paid to Tokyo Tower as well.
Since 420 yen per mobile phone is being paid annually, and it is
said that 100 million mobile phones are currently being used, 4.2
billion yen is paid to Tokyo Tower automatically each year.
In 1989 it recorded 100 million visitors in the summer and illumination
service started. The "Landmark light" is the most common
light up for Tokyo Tower. Were you aware there is 2 types of
"Landmark light" depending on the season. From October to June,
the tower will be covered in your most familiar orange lighting,
showing warmth in the cold. From July to September, the Tower will
be accented with a silver white lighting, offering a cool image in
the hot summer season.
In 2008, the owner company spent $6.5 million to create a new
lighting to celebrate its 50th anniversary, calling it the "Diamond
Veil". This allows for the 17 levels of lighting totaling to 276 lights,
each with ability to change into 7 different colors, to dress up
the Tokyo Tower during special occasions. While the "Diamond
Veil" is lit up, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on such occasions, the 180
lights used for the "Landmark light" is completely turned off.
Using the "Diamond Veil" illumination, lighting is changed for special
events such as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, St. Patrick's
Day in 2007 commemorating the 50th anniversary of Japanese-Irish
relations, World Cup and Christmas, etc.
During the daytime when illumination is not turned on, Tokyo Tower
stands out proud dressed vibrantly in international orange (yes, you
cannot call it red or even plain orange) and white. Under the Civil
Aeronautic Law, international orange must be used and therefore,
Tokyo Tower gets repainted every 5 years in order to maintain
this color. 34,000 liters of paint is used over a period of 1 year to
complete the repainting. 4,200 painters who will directly brush paint
the tower is only allowed to conduct their work from sunrise to
9 a.m. in the fall and spring only. No wonder it takes 1 year!
In July 2011, all television broadcasting will turn digital.
Although 24 broadcast waves, both digital and analog, are currently
being transmitted from Tokyo Tower, unfortunately, it is not capable
to support complete terrestrial digital broadcasting.
Hence we see a newcomer on the scene, the Tokyo Sky Tree, already
stretching past Japan's tallest building for the past 50 years.
It is aimed to stand as tall as 634 meters at the time of completion.
While we anticipate the completion of the next tallest structure
in Japan, I hope that Tokyo Tower will forever remain a symbol of
central Tokyo and continue to fascinate visiting tourists with its
beautiful illumination.
Night views of Tokyo Tower
http://tokyoyakei.jp/tokyo/tokyo-tower/tokyo-tower.html
http://www.tokyotower.co.jp/english/
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May 24, 2009
The H1N1 swine flu is our big concern today. Here are tips
what you can do to Stay Healthy:
☆ Avoid crowed settings
☆ Wash your hands thoroughly using soap and clean water.
Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
☆ Gargle frequently
☆ Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to keep germs out.
☆ Wear facemask (both to protect yourself and to prevent
spreading your germs when you are infected)
☆ Stay informed
If you have any symptoms of cold or flu
such as runny nose, sore throat,
high fever, headache, dullness or loss of
appetite, contact your physician before
visiting the clinic.
Below is a link to an announcement of
Japanese Bureau of Social Welfare
and Public Health Headquarters of
the Governor of Tokyo Bureau of
General Affairs.
http://www.fukushihoken.metro.tokyo.jp/iryo/kansen/sinpojiumu/presskansen090501/index.html
Q & A for the Influenza A (H1N1) by the Bureau of
Social Welfare and Public Health:
http://www.fukushihoken.metro.tokyo.jp/iryo/kansen/sinpojiumu/SwineInfluenzafaq/index.html
Here are some other useful links:
World Heath Organization: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/
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January 09, 2009
50th Anniversary !
Tokyo Tower was completed in
December, 1958. The design of
the tower is based on the Eiffel Tower
in Paris, the hight of the tower is
333 meters and it's actually taller
than the Eiffel Tower (320 m).
The tower is painted in white and
orange-red according to air safety
regulations.
The main observatory is 150 meters above ground and you can enjoy
the 360-degree panoramic view.
Mt. Fuji can be seen when the weather is clear.
The Special Observatory is on the top floor, where you can go up
using a special elevator from the main observatory floor with extra
entrance fee. It's 250 meters above ground.
Fees are as follows:
Main Observatory (150m above ground)
820 yen/adult
460 yen/child (7 y.o. - 15 y.o.)
310 yen/child (4 y.o. - 6 y.o.)
Special Observatory (250m above ground; Main Observatory fee +)
600 yen/adult
400 yen/child (7 y.o. - 15 y.o.)
350 yen/child (4 y.o. - 6 y.o.)
Hours: 9:00am - 10pm (last admission 9:30pm)
50th Anniversary Special Tower Light-up 'Diamond Veil' is now on!
Look up the Tower between 8pm - 10pm during this special period.
You may find different look of the Tokyo Tower...
Plaza Homes, Ltd. is located only a couple of min. walk from the
Tokyo Tower, introducing a number of properties near by the Tower or
with magnificent Tokyo Tower view.
Tokyo Tower photos posted by Tokyo Lease Furniture Shop executive;
also located near by the Tower.
Please visit us when you are around the area...!
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October 29, 2008
in March this year.
From October 2008, new garbage collection rules applied in
all areas within Tokyo 23 wards.*
Major wards' garbage collection list: (PDF)
Minato-ku
Shibuya-ku
Chiyoda-ku (English)
Chiyoda-ku (French)
Chiyoda-ku (Korean)
Chiyoda-ku (Chinese)
Shinagawa-ku
Setagaya-ku
Edogawa-ku
Please also see our previous article for details:
http://blog.realestate-tokyo.com/archives/51159928.html
*Rules may change without any notice.
*For other areas in Tokyo, please check with your local city office.
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October 23, 2008
Rental property in Tokyo Bay Area!
Properties overlooking Tokyo Bay, Rainbow Bridge,
open ocean view, fireworks and so on.....
Along the Tokyo Bay Area such as Shibaura, Konan,
Tennozu, Shiodome, and Tsukishima; rental property
information in these specific areas now available on our web-site.
Vacant rooms of high-rise waterfront apartments
with great view and facility are easily searched.
If you are looking for a place close to the water
with beautiful view, please check our web-site :
Realestate-tokyo.com >> Rental Apartment & Houses >>
Hot Properties >> Tokyo Bay Area
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March 26, 2008
‘Thermal Recycle’ Project starts in 23 wards
in Tokyo from 2008.*
Thermal Recycle:
Plastic products (excluding plastic container and wrapping),
rubber products, and leather products used to be an
incombustible waste, landfilled solid waste.
In 2008, those products will be collected as combustible
waste and will be incinerated, recovering thermal energy
and will be used for hot water and generate electricity.
New rule as it’s called ‘Material Recycle’ is starting in
Material Recycle:
Producing polyester fiber from reclaimed
PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles
Please click here to see example for
how you separate recyclable resources and waste.
(from Chiyoda Ward Office web-site)
New rules start from April 2008:
Adachi-ku, Arakawa-ku, Itabashi-ku, Edogawa-ku,
Katsushika-ku, Kita-ku, Koto-ku, Suginami-ku, Chuo-ku
New rules start from October 2008:
Sumida-ku, Setagaya-ku, Shinagawa-ku, Toshima-ku,
Taito-ku, Nerima-ku, Bunkyo-ku, Shinjuku-ku, Shibuya-ku,
Chiyoda-ku, Nakano-ku, Minato-ku, Meguro-ku
Areas already started new rules before April 2008:
Ota-ku
You must use 'Recommended garbage bag for
Tokyo 23-ward' which you can purchase from
any supermarkets in Tokyo.
For more information, please contact your ward office.
*Please note: Some districts already following new rules as ‘Model Area’.
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February 05, 2008
Standard fares now start at 710 yen per the first 2 km (1.25 miles)
and then 90 yen per 288m additional or 105 seconds of waiting time.
A late-night 20% surcharge is applied to all fares during the
10pm - 5am period. (used to be 30% surcharge during 11pm-5am)
Also from January 2008, ALL taxis in Tokyo became
'NON-SMOKING'.
If you are a smoker (like myself...),
I recommend you to carry a pocket ashtray.
You can purchase at most convenience stores.
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July 11, 2007
After Tokugawa Ieyasu became shogun in 1603
and established the shogunate, in Edo, it flourished
and was actually the center of Japan, although the
Emperor continued to reside in Kyoto.
It was a planned city with Edo Castle in the center and the
estates of the various domainal lords located around it.
Merchants and artisans concentrated in an area
that became the center of shopping and entertainment,
and by the latter half of the 18th century, its population was
over one million, making it the world's largest city.
Highways leading to Edo were build, the five main roads
converging at Nihonbashi. The 53 way stations on the Tokaido,
the highway connecting Edo and the Kamigata (Osaka-Kyoto)
region, bustled with activity.
The Edo period was characterized by the expanded influence
of the townsmen, whose core was the merchant class.
This environment saw the flourishing of townsmen's culture,
as typified by Kabuki and Ukiyoe, and the appearance of a
new aesthetics of chic(IKI).
In 1868, the year after the Restoration of Imperial Rule brought
on end to the shogunate, Edo was renamed 'Tokyo' (Eastern Capital),
the emperor moved to Tokyo, and the city became Japan's official
as well as de facto capital. The Imperial Palace in Chiyada Ward
occupies the site of Edo Castle.
EDOKKO - Edoite, Tokyoite
The term Edokko, which is still in use, reflects the strong sense of
fraternity of the townsman residents of the shopping, entertainment
and residential district. To be considered a true Edokko,
one's parents on both sides of one's family must have been in the
city for three generations. The Edokko is characteristically
open-hearted by nature, with a forthright attitude and a readiness
to fight. And his lack of attachment to money is expressed
in the saying, "The Edokko doesn't go to bed while ther's money
in his pocket."
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June 05, 2007
Tsuyu- the rainy season is just around corner.
It starts from early June to the middle of July and
it rains or is cloudy almost every day.
Id doesn't rain that hard, but near the end of the
rainy season there's concentrated heavy rain that
sometimes causes great damage.
The continental high-pressure zone located over Japan
during winter blocks the Pacific hight that's the main
air mass in summer. A front forms where the two highs
meet, and remains about Japan for a long time.
This sesonal rain called 'Baiu Zensen' drops a great deal of
rain over the entire Japanese archipelago, except for Hokkaido.
Things get moldy and food spoils easily. But if it doesn't rain
enough, there's a risk of summer water shortages, and for
rice cultivation, rain at this season is extremely important.
April 04, 2007
The Koukyo, also called the 'Gosho', is the
Emperor's place of residence.
Until the Meiji period the Imperial Palace had
long been located in Kyoto, but now it is on the
site of Edo Castle site in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
The grounds of the Imperial Palace are encircled
by a moat. The area total is about
1,150,000 square meters.
It's much bigger than the former Kyoto Palace.
Inside, there is the New Palace where the Emperor
performs state and ceremonial functions, his residence
called 'Fukiage-gosho', and the Imperial Household
Agency building (Kunai-cho-sha).
Besides that there are some buildings left from the old
Edo Castle. It's closed to the general public, but
on New Year's Day and the Emperor's Birthday
(23rd of December - Heisei Emperor's Birthday)
Congratulatory Visits are permitted. Thousands of
people file through the grounds. The Emperor
comes to the balcony of the New Palace to greet people.
You can walk around the area, you see many people
walking or jogging around Koukyo everyday.
Emperor Year
Japanese often use Emperor Year to date documents.
This year, it's 'Heisei' Year 19.
Before Heisei, it was called 'Show' Year.
If you are living in Japan, you may be asked to write
your date of birth in Emperor Year,
here is an useful link to find out your Emperor Year:
http://www.allcalendars.net/JapaneseYearConverter.php
The other easy way to find out your Emperor Year,
(it only works for the people born between 1926 to 1989)
you just minus 25 from your birth year. For example,
if you were born in 1975, minus 25 = (19)50.
So your birth year is Showa 50.
