Do you recognize this man? Is he the founder of Sony? The man who invented Karaoke? No. He is Ninomiya Kinjiro, who was born in the 18th century. Everyone in Japan should be very familiar with him. This is a statue of him studying while working with a pile of firewood on his back. He collected firewood to pay for his studies. His story became a symbol of the virtue of hard work, so the Japanese government decided to put up this bronze statue at each grade school all over Japan.

After going through the bubble economy in the 80s and the gloabalization movement, many people became enamored with the idea of easy money. Now, however, Japan's economy has taken a hit, much like other areas around the world. We need Ninomiya Kinjiro's hard work ethic now more than ever. It is about time we welcomed him back and that we built a statue of him at every corner of the streets throughout Japan!

Japanese food has rapidly been gaining in admiration in recent years thanks to its healthy and nutritious image, and of course the ever-popular sushi. Recently, another Japanese food that has become well-known in gourmet circles is yuzu, a citrus fruit native to Japan. Yuzu can be used as an ingredient in place of lemon, or as a container due to its bright color and pleasant aroma.

The photos below are of several varieties of yuzu. From left to right is hana (flower) yuzu, traditional yuzu, and oni (demon) yuzu, which despite its unsettling appearance has a similar taste and smell to the more tame varieties.

You might encounter yuzu in an unexpected place while staying at a ryokan with access to hot spring baths. Yuzu are often added to the heated water, to ensure good health and protect people from catching colds. The aroma from yuzu in the bath tub works very well to help you relax and feel cozy. Try it!

There are still four posts stations along the Tokyo's old highways for foot traffic remaining from the feudal years. One of them is Itabashi Post Station, the first northwestern ward from Nihonbashi, Tokyo, starting point for all of Japan's major highways. You can easily reach the area within a half an hour from downtown hotels in central Tokyo by the Metropolitan Municipal subway (Itabashi Municipal Office Station) or JR Saikyo Line (Jyujyo Station).

If you happen to be a history buff, this road led to Kyoto over the mountainous areas in Japan's interior avoiding the often-overflowing wide rivers along the Pacific side Tokaido road.
Female travelers preferred this road, despite being a bit longer to Kyoto than the seaside Tokaido Road, as there were no delays waiting for rivers to become passable.

Worth seeing are old merchant houses, temples and epitaphs reminiscent of the hustle and bustle with travelers, horses, officials and townspeople of a few hundred years ago. The tombs of Monjyuin Temple can be seen in the attached photo. A history book states that even a pair of camels from faraway Persia once stayed in the hotel for high-ranking warriors.

Thanks to its beauty and lofty position, the popularity of Mt. Fuji has increased year after year. According to the Ministry of Environment, the number of people to climb Mt. Fuji exceeded 300,000 in 2008. Mt. Fuji can be seen all year round, but winter gives you the best chance to have a clear view of the mountain.

The photo below is of Mt. Fuji and a field of nano-hana (rape blossoms) at Ninomiya, about a 30-minute train ride and 20-minute walk from Yokohama.

The blue sky, white snow-capped Mt. Fuji and yellow rape blossoms make a gorgeous combination. The rape blossoms not only have a sweet fragrance, but are also edible. They may taste a bit bitter, but that flavor announces to all that spring has come.

If you've ever been to China or Vietnam, one thing you've no doubt noticed they have in common is bicycles. Lots of bicycles.

Add us in Japan to that list! Walking around the streets of Japan, you're sure to see hundreds of them zooming through the crowds. Why do we own so many bikes in Japan? We are a train-oriented society, not a car-oriented society like the United States or other western countries. A lot of us use the train to go out or to commute. Therefore, commercial areas are usually around the railway stations.

How do we get to the station from where we live? We bike. And where are the bikes parked? On the street near stations. While there are some paid parking areas for bicycles, most people just leave their bikes around stations because they don't have time to go to a parking space or don't feel like paying for parking.

I once saw a high school girl riding her bike, talking on her cell phone and simultaneously carrying an umbrella in the rain, all while avoiding the pedestrians around her. Sounds easy? Try it yourself when you have a chance.

On the day before the grand sumo tournament begins, the highest executives, officers, and referees of the Japan Sumo Association gather early in the morning for a special ceremony. They must purify the newly built ring according to Shinto traditions.

At first, two referees, acting as priests, sanctify the assembled attendants while the main priest begins to chant. They next must pour sacred sake onto each corner, where the deities of the Japanese four seasons are believed to be located. The main priest then announces the origin of the sumo ring and prays for a bountiful harvest. At the end, five offerings - konbu seaweed, salt, dried cuttlefish, chestnuts, and kaya nuts - are buried at the center of the ring and purified with Sake to ensure 15 days of safe competition.

I've heard that the first Japanese-made hamburgers appeared near Roppongi Crossing in the mid 1950's, trying to attract customers from the nearby U.S. occupation barracks. The number of stores in the lively Roppongi area has only increased since then. Recently, a new challenger joined the many Japanese and American chains in the competitive Roppongi area. The new store is originally from Sasebo, Kyushu of all places. Sasebo Burger is already well known in Japan's southernmost island, but how will it fare in Tokyo?

With all the varieties of hamburgers at Roppongi, those looking for a gastrointestinal challenge can compare the taste, price, portions and service of each store. There's plenty of other attractions in Roppongi, and many popular hotels nearby like the Grand Hyatt Tokyo and ANA Intercontinental.

Located within a charming district of downtown Tokyo, Shibamata is known as the home of Japan's national hero Torasan. Torasan is the titular character of the "Otoko wa tsurai yo" series of films describing the trials and tribulations of a traveling salesman in Japan. Shibamata is also well known for the area's main temple, Taishakuten Daikyoji Temple. Established in 1629, the principal image of Taishakuten had been missing until it was found during restoration work in 1779. The temple is proud of it's beautiful wooden carvings and always full of worshippers celebrating the new year. On either side of the approach stalls selling good-luck talimans were lined up this past New Year's Day. The blank eyes on the faces of the daruma dolls for sale will be drawn in later when the purchaser gets their wish.

Sumo is the national sport of Japan. Two huge wrestlers, up to 180 centimeters in height and 150 kilograms in weight wrestle in a 4.55 meter ring. You might have seen sumo on TV before, but nothing can compare to seeing the action live at the Ryogoku Kokugikan!
If you are lucky enough to be staying in Japan during the next two weeks, you should definitely go see sumo live in Tokyo. The New Year Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place from 11 to 25 January this year. Sumo tournaments only take place six times a year, and each tournament lasts only fifteen days. Plus, only three of the tournaments are held in Tokyo. If you miss this opportunity, the next major tournament in Tokyo won't be until May! Please take this chance if you are in Tokyo for the next two weeks!

In this New Year Tournament, many people are paying attention to Yokozuna (Grand Champion) Asashoryu. He has been the strongest Yokozuna over the past few years, but now, after sitting out the last three tournaments with an elbow injury, he faces a career-threatening crisis. Yokozuna are the kings of the sumo world. Normal wrestlers can be demoted and continue fighting at a lower rank, and hope to get another chance in the future. But for Yokozuna, who must be the best all the time, demotion means retirement.

If he is absent for four successive tournaments, he will be forced to retire. He therefore has to fight even though he is not in perfect condition. Asashoryu has made scandal after scandal in the traditional Sumo world, but this time he looks very serious.
Let's see what he can do!

Click here to get tickets for the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament!

Among the many deities worshipped at temples and shrines around Japan are the "Seven Lucky Gods of Fortune." This group is usually depicted sailing together in a treasure ship, and whomever they decide to visit is blessed with good fortune. This is what many traditionally believe in Japan and why they visit the many temples and shrines dedicated to each of the Seven Lucky Gods of Fortune across the country. Especially on holidays like as New Year's and other auspicious occasions, worshippers can often be seen praying for the seven fortunes of happiness, longevity, fortune, prosperity, honesty, popularity and dignity.

It is said that three of the seven gods are originally from India, another three from China, and only one from Japan. Can you tell which is which in the group photos? Having gods from three different countries together in one boat is a good example of the inclusive thinking the Japanese have towards religion. The Seven Lucky Gods might be depicted together in one ship most of the time, but most shrines or temples are only dedicated to one of the seven. For many older people, it can be a long walk from one god's shrine to another. Luckily, there's a one-stop area to worship them all at once in Toyokawa Inari Shrine in Akasaka. It's across the old moat from downtown Tokyo hotels like the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka.

Stop by while in Tokyo and maybe your lucky ship will come in too!

Click here for the Akasaka Excel Hotel Tokyu

Click here for the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka