New to Tokyo?　　　　　Enjoy Tokyo!

New to Tokyo?　　　　　Enjoy Tokyo! http://blog.realestate-tokyo.com/ PLAZA HOMES Relocation Consultants Blog. Useful Tips & Topics about Amusing Lifestyle in Tokyo! ja HANABI - FIREWORKS FESTIVAL 2008 http://blog.realestate-tokyo.com/archives/51213992.html FIREWORKS (HANABI) FESTIVALIN TOKYO & YOKOHAMA  2008 Fireworks displays and events are held various placesin Japan throughout the year not only on summer nights.Japanese pyrotechnics are very famous all over the worldand even have been used to l... plazahomes1 2008-06-18T13:33:18+09:00 Hanabi - Fireworks
FIREWORKS (HANABI) FESTIVAL
IN TOKYO & YOKOHAMA 2008

Fireworks displays and events are held various places
in Japan throughout the year not only on summer nights.
Japanese pyrotechnics are very famous all over the world
and even have been used to light up Olympic ceremonies.

20th of July, Sunday
Yokohama Bay Memorial Minato Festival
The International Fireworks
Over water in front of Yamashita Koen Park
19:30~20:40
Place: Aka Renga (Red Brick)Park, Yamashita Park,
      Rinkou (Harbor) Park
Access: Every stations on JR Negishi Line or Minato-Mirai Lines.
6,000 displays

24th of July, Thursday
The 30^th Adachi Fireworks
19:15~20:45
Place: Arakawa River Area
Access: 15 min. from Kitasenju Station
12,000 displays

26th of July, Saturday
The 31^st Sumida Fireworks
19:10~20:30 (Opening attraction starts from 18:15)
Area 1: 15 min. walk from Asakusa Station
        North Exit on Tobu-Isezaki Line or
        15 min. walk from Asakusa Station Exit 5
        on Ginza Line/Toei Asakusa Line.
Area 2: 5 min. walk from Asakusa Station
       Exit A2 on Toei Asakusa Line, or
       5 min. walk from Kuramae Station Exit A7
       on Toei Oedo Line.
22,000 displays

26th of July, Saturday
Hachioji Fireworks
19:00~21:00
Place: Hachioji Shimin Kyujo
Access: 15 min. walk from Yamada Station on Keio-Takao Line
        15 min. walk from Nishi-Hachioji Station on JR Line.
3,500 displays

1st of August, Friday
The 23^rd Kanagawa Newspaper Fireworks
19:15~20:30
Place: Over water opposite to the Yokohama
       Minato-Mirai 21 Bldg. Rinko Park
Access: 15 min. walk from Yokohama Station East Exit
        or Sakuragicho Station on JR Line, or
        10 min. walk from Minato-Mirai Station on Minato-Mirai Line.
8,000 displays

2nd of August, Saturday
Exciting Fireworks 2008 /
The 33^nd Edogawa & The 24^th Ichikawa Fireworks Festival
This festival is held around Edogawa river area.
In first 5 seconds, about 1,000 displays of fireworks will be
displayed from 10 different locations in Edogawa side (Tokyo)
and Ichikawa-shi side (Chiba) at the same time.
19:15~20:30
Place: Edogawa River Area
Access: 15 min. walk from Shinozaki Station on Toei Shinjuku Line.
14,000 displays

2nd of August, Saturday
2008 Yokosuka Kaikoku Fireworks Festival
19:30~20:10
Place: Umikaze Park, Mikasa Park
Access: 15 min. from Yokosuka Chuo Station East Exit
        on Keihin-Kyuko Honsen Line, or
        15 min. from Yokosuka Station on JR Yokosuka Line.
10,000 displays

7th of August, Thursday
Jingu-Gaien Fireworks Festival
19:30~20:30
Place: 4 different Parks in Gaien
-Jingu Kyujo Ballpark
-National Kasumigaoka Athletic Field
-Chichibu-no-miya Rugby Field
-Soft-Ball Park
Access: Sendagaya Station or Shinanomachi Station on
       JR Sobu Line; Gaienmae Station, Aoyama 1-chome Station,
       or Omotesando Station on Subways; and
       Kokuritsu Kyogijyo Station on Toei Oedo Line.
10,000 displays
*Must purchase tickets to enter each venue.

10th of August, Sunday
The 21^st Tokyo Bay Fireworks Festival
19:00~20:20
Place: Harumi Event Area (Harumi Athletic Field
       5-9, Harumi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)
Access: 15 min. walk from Kachidoki Station on Toei Oedo Line, or
        20 min. walk from Toyosu Station on Yurakucho Line.
12,000 displays

Please note:
*In case of bad weather, fireworks will be rescheduled to the next day.
*For Tokyo Bay Fireworks Festival 2008, if it's cancelled
by bad weather it won't be rescheduled to any
other day.
*Details may change without any notice.

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]]> FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELT http://blog.realestate-tokyo.com/archives/51202436.html From 1st of June, 2008, you must wear a seat belt even you are sitting in the back seat.There's no penalty by driving without wearing seat belts in the back seats on general road/local street, however, you will lose 1 point on Exp... plazahomes1 2008-05-30T14:25:54+09:00 Driving From 1st of June, 2008, you must wear a seat belt even you are
sitting in the back seat.

There's no penalty by driving without wearing seat belts
in the back seats on general road/local street, however,
you will lose 1 point on Express way.*

Remember, seat belts save lives. Please fasten your seat belt,
doesn't matter you sit in the front seat or in the back, wherever you go.

*As of 30, May 2008. Rules may change in near future.

driving

Another new rule.
When a person who is aged 75 and over drives a car,
he/she should endeavor to display the mark called 'Momiji Mark'
like below picture. There's no fine for offenders at this moment,
but the rule may change in near future.

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]]> New feature on the Rental Property Search! http://blog.realestate-tokyo.com/archives/51191906.html We would like to inform that our websitehttp://www.realestate-tokyo.com has been renewed with new features. Now you can search rental properties in Tokyo by combining condition of train line, station, pet availability, musical instrument permission,... plazahomes1 2008-05-13T16:57:56+09:00 PLAZA HOMES We would like to inform that our website
http://www.realestate-tokyo.com
has been renewed with new features.

Now you can search rental properties in Tokyo
by combining condition of train line, station,
pet availability, musical instrument permission,
or 'furnished lease'.
　

Click >> http://www.realestate-tokyo.com/residence/search/

Number of searchable apartments and houses
has substantially increased.

Please try the new features to make your home search
more efficient!

Plaza Homes, Ltd.

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For information about Furniture Lease & Sales in Tokyo, click here.

]]> SHIBU-KASA http://blog.realestate-tokyo.com/archives/51177466.html SHIBU-KASA name stands for 'Shibuya - Kasa (=umbrella)'.Shibu-Kasa is a new eco-project started in December, 2007. Aoyama Gakuin University students volunteer group established a 'Shibu-Kasa' project.When people are caught in a sudden shower,they often ru... plazahomes1 2008-04-30T14:59:05+09:00 About Tokyo SHIBU-KASA name stands for 'Shibuya - Kasa (=umbrella)'.

Shibu-Kasa is a new eco-project started in December, 2007.
Aoyama Gakuin University students volunteer group established
a 'Shibu-Kasa' project.

When people are caught in a sudden shower,
they often run into a convenience store close by and
purchase a plastic umbrella which costs around 500 yen.

And after a shower, at convenience stores and Izakaya bars,
people often leave their umbrellas behind.
Most of them just forget about picking it up later.

Those 'left-behind' umbrellas were used to be collected from
the metropolitan government collector as a large waste and
convenience stores had to call them and pay collection fee.

Students from Aoyama Gakuin Univ., located in Shibuya-ku,
found out about this situation and decided to recycle those
plastic umbrellas as 'ECO' (ecology).

They picked up left-behind umbrellas from convenience stores
and bars in Shibuya with no fee, and put a 'Shibu-Kasa' sticker
on each umbrella.
They asked shops such as bookstores and cafes in Shibuya
to give them a small space for 'Shibu-Kasa'.

Anybody can use 'Shibu-Kasa' for free and if they return to
any shops have a space for 'Shibu-Kasa' in Shibuya,
they receive a ticket called 'Earth Day Money'.
Every time they return an unbrella receive '50r' ticket which is
50 yen discount ticket can be used at any 'Shibu-Kasa'
project support stores.

At the moment there are over 70 stores in Shibuya have a space for
'Shibu-Kasa'.

Please look for a logo like below for 'Shibu-Kasa'
when you are shopping in Shibuya and get caught in a shower,
it will help you and help environment as well.

You can find shops with Shibu-Kasa here: (sorry, only in Japanese)

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]]> Thermal Recycle & Material Recycle http://blog.realestate-tokyo.com/archives/51159928.html ‘Waste-to-Energy’‘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 wa... plazahomes1 2008-03-26T18:29:19+09:00 About Tokyo ‘Waste-to-Energy’

‘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 Tokyo.

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

Areas already started new rules before April 2008
or will start in 2008:
(already started in all districts) Ota-ku
(will start in 2008) Shinjuku-ku, Shibuya-ku,
Chiyoda-ku, Nakano-ku, Minato-ku, Meguro-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’.

For information about Real Estate in Tokyo, click here.
For information about Furniture Lease & Sales in Tokyo, click here. ]]> Taxi in Tokyo - New Fare, New Rule http://blog.realestate-tokyo.com/archives/51121685.html Taxi fare in Tokyo has been increased. (from December 2007)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 the1... plazahomes1 2008-02-05T15:41:09+09:00 Useful Information
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.

For information about Real Estate in Tokyo, click here.
For information about Furniture Lease & Sales in Tokyo, click here. ]]> HITOKOTO NIHONGO 9 http://blog.realestate-tokyo.com/archives/51111663.html BASIC JAPANESE CONVERSATION 9- Sightseeing / Place to go - -Tourist information = Kanko annaijo-Tokyo Tower = Tokyo Tawah-Zoo = Dobutsu-en-Amusement Park = Yuenchi-Museum = Hakubutsu-kan-Art gallery = Bijutsu-kan-Aquarium = Suizoku-kan-Botanical garden = ... plazahomes1 2008-01-23T15:41:48+09:00 Japanese Language
- Sightseeing / Place to go -

-Tourist information = Kanko annaijo
-Tokyo Tower = Tokyo Tawah
-Zoo = Dobutsu-en
-Amusement Park = Yuenchi
-Museum = Hakubutsu-kan
-Art gallery = Bijutsu-kan
-Aquarium = Suizoku-kan
-Botanical garden = Shokubutsu-en
-Park = Koen
-Baseball ground = Yakyu-jo
-Temple = Tera
-Shrine = Jinja
-Golf course = Gorufu-jo
-Theater = Geki-jo, Eiga-kan (Cinema)
-Shopping Center = Shoppingu Sentah

Where is Ueno Zoo?
=Ueno Dobutsu-en wa doko desuka?

Which direction = docchi

Is it far from here? = Koko kara tooi desuka?

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]]> HATSUMODE http://blog.realestate-tokyo.com/archives/51019681.html A HAPPY NEW YEAR!At the New Year in Japan, 'HATSUMODE'  is the custom to worship at temples and shrines.  We pray for the familywell-being, prosperous business, and so on.Most people go on New Year's Eve and the first of January.If you... plazahomes1 2008-01-10T17:21:05+09:00 Japanese Culture
At the New Year in Japan, 'HATSUMODE' is the custom
to worship at temples and shrines. We pray for the family
well-being, prosperous business, and so on.

Most people go on New Year's Eve and the first of January.
If you were in Japan on those days you probably saw
thousands of people walking towards temples and shrines.

One of the most wide spread poplular religious
beliefs among the Japanese is devotion to Inari.
Shrines honoring this god are to be found all over the
country.

The main shrine is Fushimi Inari at Fushimi in Kyoto.
It is famous for the Torii (sacred gates) donated by
believers in such numbers that they form a veritable tunnel.

Inari shrines are dedicated to Inari Daimyojin (the Great
God Inari), and the god of grain, Uganomitama no Kami.
The derivation of the name Inari goes back to legends of
the god appearing carring a bundle of rice plants on his back.
(Rice plant in Japanese is 'INE'; 'RI' means burden.)
This shows that rice cultivation was a very important
undertaking to the Japanese in ancient times.

In the Middle Ages, with advances in commerce and
industry, merchants and artisans joined the farmers in
their devotion to Inari; the god came to be widely
worshipped as a god that brings good fortune.

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For information about Furniture Lease & Sales in Tokyo, click here.]]> NENGAJO http://blog.realestate-tokyo.com/archives/51085047.html It was an old custom in Japan to visit acquaintances,teachers and relatives at New Year's.  After postcardswere issued early in the Meiji period, people began sending a greeting on a card, and the Nengajo of today became established.Nengajo are handl... plazahomes1 2007-12-27T16:59:22+09:00 Japanese Culture teachers and relatives at New Year's. After postcards
were issued early in the Meiji period, people began
sending a greeting on a card, and the Nengajo of today
became established.

Nengajo are handled differently from ordinary mail.
All the cards put into special boxes at the post office
between 18 and 28 are delivered together on New Year's Day.

For information about Real Estate in Tokyo, click here.
For information about Furniture Lease & Sales in Tokyo, click here.]]> BONENKAI (YEAR-END PARTIES) http://blog.realestate-tokyo.com/archives/51078374.html (bo=forget     nen=year      kai=event) It's Bonenkai season now.  Bonenkai is a typical kind of party held at theend of the year.  A few people get together,boisterously eating and drinking a lo... plazahomes1 2007-12-13T14:01:33+09:00 Japanese Culture
It's Bonenkai season now.

Bonenkai is a typical kind of party held at the
end of the year. A few people get together,
boisterously eating and drinking a lot, in order to
look back on the year's events, forget the unpleasant
things and look ahead to the new year with a fresh spirit.

There are departmental bonenkai and other for those
who entered the company together, that's for work bonenkai.

Then privately, they are held among close friends, by local
hobby groups, so you go to one every two or three days.
Students and housewives also have bonenkai with their friends.

So in December, bonenkai are being held all over Japan.
They are usually held at Japanese restaurants or
Western-style restaurants or bars.
For such places the bonenkai season is the busiest time
of the year. After the bonenkai, people often go to Karaoke
bars for 'Nijikai'. Nijikai means second party.

Enjoy your 'bonenkai' and don't drink too much!
And please remember, if you drink, don't drive!!

For information about Real Estate in Tokyo, click here.
For information about Furniture Lease & Sales in Tokyo, click here.]]> FURNITURE CHRISTMAS SALE 2007 http://blog.realestate-tokyo.com/archives/51066971.html 2007 CHRISTMAS SALE starts from Dec. 1Tokyo Lease Corporation Churistmas Sale starts from tomorrowSave up to 50% off on great selections of high qualityimport furniture!!Print out 5% OFF COUPON and receive5% discount on all items* in t... plazahomes1 2007-11-30T11:46:06+09:00 Furniture 2007 CHRISTMAS SALE starts from Dec. 1

Tokyo Lease Corporation
Churistmas Sale starts from tomorrow

Save up to 50% off on great selections of high quality
import furniture!!

Print out 5% OFF COUPON and receive
5% discount on all items* in their showroom.

*some conditions may apply. Please check on their web-site.

TOKYO LEASE CORPORATION / AZABU INTERIOR
Address: 1-9-7, Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3585-5801
Access: 5 min. walk from Kamiyacho station on Hibiya Line.
             10 min. walk from Roppongi 1-chome station
              on Namboku Line.
Hours: 9am - 6pm (Mon. - Fri.)
           10am - 6pm (Sat. & Holiday)
           Closed on Sundays and Year-end holidays

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]]> HITOKOTO NIHONGO 8 http://blog.realestate-tokyo.com/archives/51065327.html BASIC JAPANESE CONVERSATION 8- Post Office -- Post office = yubin-kyoku- Stamps = kitte- letter = tegami- weight = jyu-ryo / omosa- express mail = sokutatsu- mailbox, postbox = posto/yubin-posto- registered mail = kakitome- size = saizu/ookisa- air mail =... plazahomes1 2007-11-28T16:06:38+09:00 Japanese Language

- Post Office -

- Post office = yubin-kyoku
- Stamps = kitte
- letter = tegami
- weight = jyu-ryo / omosa
- express mail = sokutatsu
- mailbox, postbox = posto/yubin-posto
- registered mail = kakitome
- size = saizu/ookisa
- air mail = ea-me-ru, kokusai-yubin
- Where is the post office? = Yubin-kyoku wa doko desuka?
- How much does it cost to send this to ~ ?
   = Kore wo ~ ni okuru niwa ikura desuka?
- I want to send this letter to ~(country).
   = Kore wo ~ ni okuritai no desuga.
- I want to buy stams.
   = Kitte wo kudasai.

COUNTRIES IN JAPANESE
- America = Amerika
- UK/England = Igirisu
- France = Furansu
- Germany = Doitsu
- Switzerland = Suisu
- Spain = Supein
- Italy = Itaria
- Australia = O-suto-raria
- New Zealand = Nyu-ji-rando
- Russia = Roshia
- Korea = Kankoku
- China = Chu-goku
- Hong Kong = Hon-kon
- Taiwan = Taiwan

For information about Real Estate in Tokyo, click here.
For information about Furniture Lease & Sales in Tokyo, click here. ]]> HITOKOTO NIHONGO 7 http://blog.realestate-tokyo.com/archives/51035465.html BASIC JAPANESE CONVERSATION 7For Accidents and EmergenciesAccidents or Crime situations: Call 110 (Police)Sudden Illness, Injury or Fire: Call 119 (Ambulance/Firetruck)Useful Japanese in the event of an emergency- Help! = Tasukete!- Fire! = Kaji... plazahomes1 2007-11-15T17:34:39+09:00 Japanese Language
For Accidents and Emergencies

Accidents or Crime situations: Call 110 (Police)
Sudden Illness, Injury or Fire: Call 119 (Ambulance/Firetruck)

Useful Japanese in the event of an emergency

- Help! = Tasukete!
- Fire! = Kaji desu!
- Thief! = Dorobo!
- It's an emergency! = Kinkyu desu!
- Stop! = Tomare!
- Stop it! = Yamero! / Yamete!
- Go away! = Acchi e ike!
- Over here! = Koko desu!
- Please call the police. = Keisatsu wo yonde kudasai.
- Please call the ambulance. = Kyu-kyu-sha wo yonde kudasai.
- Please call the fire department. = Shobo wo yonde kudasai.
- Please call a doctor! = Isha wo yonde kudasai.
- Please help me. = Tasukete kudasai.
- I'm lost = Michi ni mayoi mashita.
- I lost my ~ = ~ wo nakushi mashita.
(I lost my wallet = Saifu wo nakushi mashita.)

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Shichigosan is a traditional abservance of children's growth.

Boys of three and five years of age and girls of three and seven
are dressed up and taken to a shrine.
There they pray that the god will protect the children as
they grow.

From ancient times, odd numbers have been considered
lucky in Japan. That is why children are feted at ages three,
five, and seven.

You will see little girls in kimono and little boys dressed up,
holding paper bags with pictures of a crane and a tortoise.
There are long sticks of candy inside of the bag called
'Chitose-ame'. Chitose means a thousand years, ame means
candy. It bears the wish that the children will grow up
healthy and live a long life.

shichigosan1

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]]> TORI-NO-ICHI (TORI FAIR) http://blog.realestate-tokyo.com/archives/51031815.html Tori-no-ichi is a festival held at shrines around thecountry on Days of the Rooster in November.Tori-no-ichi for this year is the 11th of Novemberand the 23rd of November.Originally a festival of Otori Shrines dedicated to thegod of good fortune and comme... plazahomes1 2007-10-24T17:05:18+09:00 Japanese Culture Tori-no-ichi is a festival held at shrines around the
country on Days of the Rooster in November.

Tori-no-ichi for this year is the 11th of November
and the 23rd of November.

Originally a festival of Otori Shrines dedicated to the
god of good fortune and commercial prosperity,
it is now held at other shrines as well. The gradest
Tori-no-ichi is that of the Otori Shrine in Asakusa.

November has two or in some years three Days of the
Rooster called in order the First, Second and Third Rooster.
On these days stalls selling good luck charms fill the
shrine's precincts and the area in front of its gates, and
vendors enegetically hawk their wares.

You will find many bamboo rakes(Kumade),
a mask of a moon-faced woman (Otafuku),
gold coins (Koban), treasure chest (Senryo-bako)
and such, all charms that bring good luck.

This year we have only two Tori-no-ichi.
The saying goes that you have to watch out in
years with three Tori-no-ichi, because there're
lots of fires. Next year we 'll have three.

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]]>