Hot spring - hot to take a bath

1) Undressing room (next to hot spring)

2) Shower before going into a tub

The right manner to take a bath is

1) Take off all the clothes in the undressing room. Bring small towel to wash the body into the hot spring.

2) Wash the body by using shower (using a small towel) before going into the tub.

3) Step into the tub.

4) After relaxing, go back to the undressing room.


Keep the rules in the tub:
* Not put the towel in the tub.

3) Just relax

* Not wash the body or hair in the tub.

Hot spring

In Japan, there are many hot springs due to be located in volcanic region, "Pacific Ring of Fire"
Hot springs are favorite holiday destination for Japanese people. (hot spring in Japanese is called as "Onsen")

Hot springs are known to be therapeutic - like heal stiff shoulders, back pains, rheumatism,
women's diseases etc.

For example, Arima Hot Spring in Hyogo (near Osaka) is known to heal excessive sensitivity to cold, back problem, muscle & joint pain, distal hematogenous disorder, etc. And its spring water keeps the skin moisturized because its salt makes a thin film over the skin. In addition, it contains plenty of meta-silicate which makes the skin milder and keeps the body warm for a longer time.

Arima Onsen

Outdoor hot spring

There are also outdoor hot springs. It is very nice to see great scenery by taking a bath.

In Japanese hot springs, we don't wear anything. - most foreigners are confused to take off clothes in public.

Source of spring

But no problem - once you are used to take a bath without any clothes, your hesitate will be gone.
(and men and women are separated.)

Normally, hotels in hot spring regions have its own hot springs in their hotel. .

Taketori tei  Hotel w/hot spring

So you can stay at a hotel with hot spring - eating Japanese style cuisine and relaxing in a hot spring. Extremely relaxing time!

The fee
Only taking a hot spring: about 1,000 yen ($ 10)
Accommodation (incl dinner and breakfast): from 10,000 - 40,000  yen  ($100-400)  - average.

Kimono 6 - meaning by type

Short sleeved kimono by an older woman (married)

Long sleeved kimono by a  young woman (single)

Geisha girl with lower neckline

By the type of kimono a woman is wearing, we can see the approx age and material status of a woman.
The length of the sleeves has a meaning : long sleeves is worn by a single young woman, short sleeves is worn by a married woman. The sleeves are cut short to show a woman is tied to her husband's family.
The back neckline also shows the age difference: younger women cover their neck, older women lower their back neckline. (Geisha girls has lower neckline to appear sexy)


One of good souvenir for foreignness is a cheap kimono; but this is not real silk, made of polyester.　(price: 5,000-10,000 yen ($50-100)), which can be found at Japanese souvenir shops or airport shopping stores.

Kimono 5 - manufacturing

Among various kimonos, one of expensive kimono is Uchikake which our dress is made from.

Craftsmanship to make Uchikake

This is the same procedure to make obi sash.

The price of Uchikake is ca 500,000 yen (US$ 5,000) to 3,000,000 (US$ 30,000). 

Uchikake Kimono feature minute details and sophisticated techniques, such as embroidery and dyeing. Even in the current industrialized world, Uchikake Kimono are still painstakingly created by the high level of craftsmen over the course of several months.

Here is instruction how to make Uchikake - 

1 Planning

2 Engraving

1. Planning and designing

After planning what kind of fabric, color, and embroideries are to be used for a kimono, a fixed design is drawn on the white fabric.

2. Engraving

The planned design is engraved for the gold finish and embroideries. This step takes about 2 or 3 months.

3. Dyeing

3 Dying

First, the ground dyeing is carried out on the fabric as it hangs. Then, the fabric is spread horizontally and the main dyeing is executed using a big brush. A fast and even dyeing technique is required because the large size of the area to dye can easily result in a spotty finish. This main dyeing is repeated more than 2 times 

depending on the shade of color desired.

4 Streaming

4. Steaming

To fix the dyed color on the fabric completely, the fabric is steamed in a steaming room of 100 degrees for 20-50 minutes.

5. Washing

5 Washing

After steaming, the fabric is immediately washed with water to remove the glue.

6 Gold finishing

6. Gold finish

In this step, the planned design is finally put on the fabric. Skilled craftsmen use abrasive blasting to make the gold design over the paper patterns. This process is as important as the dyeing process in terms of craftsmanship.

Kimono 4 - Obi

Kimono dresser

Most people cannot wear a kimono by themselves. Instead, people ask a professional kimono dresser to dress them. (the price for kimono dresser is about 10,000 yen/kimono (or $100).)

Kimono has no buttons or zippers, but adjusts to one's body using only a sash (or "obi").

The formal obi is about 4 m long. Obi is wrapped around 2 times and tied to one's body in the back.
The back view of the obi is a part of kimono coordination.
Wearing a kimono is not so uncomfortable, it fits naturally.

Obi ribbon

Obi sash

Kimonos 3 - Structure

Kimonos are traditionally made from a single bolt of fabric called a tan. Tan come in standard dimensions—about 14 inches wide and 12½ yards long —and the entire bolt is used to make one kimono.


One of factors determining the high class kimono is if the patterns are drawn to form a unified picture across the entire canvas of the Kimono which is not interrupted at the seams A piece of Kimono is made from a single bolt of fabric called a “tan”. The tan is straight cut to 8 pieces to make a Kimono. In the case of high class Kimono, when the “tan” is made into a Kimono, the patterns are carefully matched to become one piece of artistic work. Since this requires a good deal of time and effort in designing and cutting, this kind of Kimono are considered to be high class, as opposed to average Kimono which need not meet this standard. Uchikake Kimono are of the matching motif type, which identifies them as a very high class Kimono. 


The above photo (woman in furisode kimono) shows the continuation of pattern - very high rank kimono.


 Our Uchikake kimono has also the continuation of pattern, like an art.

Kimonos 2 - type

There are several types of kimonos:

Furisode

Furisode:
For a single woman. The furisode kimono has long sleeves with elaborate decorations, beautiful designs and colors.
This is made of very fine, brightly colored silk, and very expensive.
Typically single women who just turn 20 years old wear the Furisode at the Ceremomy of Coming of Age Day. And single women who participate in the tea ceremony, or wedding ceremonies of relatives wear furisode.

Houmongi 

 Houmongi:

Houmongi are worn for formal visits. (Homongi= Houmon(=visit) + Gi(wear)) by bothe married and single women.
A houmongi is distinguished from other patterned kimono by an asymmetrical pattern that continues unbroken across the side seams to the back hem.

 Tomesode

Tomesode:
The most formal kimono for married women with five family crests. The sleevs are short to show that a woman is tied to her husband's family. It is usually worn at the formal events such as wedding, graduation ceremony etc. The meaning of the sleeve has the same as Iro Tomesode.

Kosode

Kosode:
More casual kimono than Tomesode. It is worn in a daily life. You can find "Kosode" waitresses who serve at Japanese restaurants.

Uchikake

Uchikake:
Japanese bridal kimono, the most elaborate garments in the realm of traditional Japanese ceremonial clothing.

They are heavy and thick with padding, and extend to the floor.
Until the Edo period, the Uchikake, a full length outer robe, was worn by women of nobility for formal occasions, but is now an essential component of any traditional Japanese bridal costume.


Kunihime Kimono Dress is made from this type of kimono, Uchikake. (→Why exclusive?)

Kimonos 1 - General

Kimono is the national costume of Japan. We don't wear kimono everyday, just only on special occasions - like weddings, funerals, and other formal ceremonies.

Western clothes were introduced in the Meiji era (1868-1912). The Meiji government adopted a European style military uniform and decided that officials, mailmen, railroad workers wear western clothes to transform the country into a modern state. This trend spread to ordinary people.

A real (authentic) kimono is expensive (several hundred thousand yen or more (over $ several thousand) - even the highest price up to 10 million yen ($100,000), because it is made of silk.
It seems to be expensive, but a good kimono can be worn for life.

T shape (one design)

Traditionally, kimono is handed down from generation to generation.

Kimono is designed to fit all body type with only one basic design.
(see the right photo). The design has not changed for hundred of years. With a little bit of maintenance. it can be worn for years.

Toilet in Japan

There are 2 types of toilets in Japan - Japanese style toilets and Western-style ones.

(old type) Japanese style toilet

As for Japanese style toilets, it is squat type - like a slipper.
There are no seats to sit on. We squat over facing the bowl.

But this type toilets are decreasing.

Instead, western-style toilets are increasing. The western style ones were introduced to Japan around 1870 and they have rapidly gained popularity in 1960-1970. The reason is due to its economy of space, sine they make urinals unnecessary. It is also easier to use it which does not have to squat, which is a feature particularly welcomed by seniors.

Western style toilet

Indeed, we have seldom seen the traditional Japanese style toilet.

Some of western toilets are very high-tech with heated seats, bidets, and driers. Those toilets have a control panel on one side. It may be difficult to find the flush button on the control panel -
押 means press and 流す　means flush.
Some of them flush automatically as we leave. Sometimes we put our hand by the sensor to flush.

As one of features of Japanese toilets, some have a little device on the wall - by pressing the bottom, it makes a flushing sound. It is used to cover the noises we make.

Flushing sound 

The right botton 「流す」is for flusing

Apartment in Japan

"Mansion"

In Japan, Especially in urban areas, people live in apartments. The better apartments or the condos are called "mansions" (it is the different meaning of the original meaning of "mansion")

They are small compared to the western style. 

A "3LDK" mansion is typical - 1 Japanese style room, 2 bedrooms,. a combination living-dining room, a kitchen, a bath, and a small balcony. 

Average size of the total area of the mansion is about 76-85 m2/household. 

The average area for one person is about 25m2 (cf US: 61m2, UK 35m2). 

High rising mansions

Mansion is for rent or purchase.
The purchase price of a mansion depends on the size and location. For example, in Tokyo, the average price is about 40 million yen　(ca. US$ 400,000)

A single person or a couple rent an apartment. The rent also depends on the location or size, but the average rent (one-bedroom + small kitchen + bath) is about 70,000 yen - 80,000 yen (US$ 700-800) per month in Tokyo. If the room is larger or closer to a train station,the rent will go up to 100,000 yen to 150,000 yen.

Small apartment

There are other apartments, which are not considered "mansions"(small apartment ). For example, an entire apartment might equal the space of a standard American living room. And 4 families might live there. 

Traditional Japanese rooms

Traditional Japanese room

Traditional Japanese rooms are very simple without any excess ornamentation.　There is usually only a law table and zabuton cushions on the tatami (in the photo, there are low chair with cushion)

As a decorative feature, there is the alcove in which a simple flower arrangement and hanging scroll is set.

Japanese style houses are open to nature. - instead of curtains completely covering the windows, there are shoji sliding doors.

(shoji is made of thin Japanese washi paper)

Thanks to shoji, the soft sunlight can come through to the room. Light and shadow change the atmosphere of the room.

Seiza 

We can feel the stream of time when we sit in the room.

Cross-legged position

When entering a tatami room, we take off our slippers.　In the room, the formal sitting position is "seiza" like the right photo. This position is very uncomfortable, We feel go to sleep if we sit in that position for a long time! So it is OK to sit in a more comfortable position.

Sometimes, foreigners sit in a cross legged-position even women. (this sitting style for

men in Japan) Women's style is to sit with their legs folded on one side.

Traditional Japanese Houses

Traditional Japanese houses are built to give good air circulation, because summer in Japan is very hot and humid.

The rooms are divided by fusuma(or sliding doors) which are made from "washi" paper.

Japanese washi paper is strong and adjusts to the humidity.

Since the fusuma doors aren't nailed down, they can be removed if more space is needed.

For example, when many guests or family gather together, the doors can be removed.

With the fusuma door, we can use the space freely.

Tatami mats may be well known in foreign countries. Tatami mats are used for flooring.

The size of tatami is fixed: 180 cm long x 90 cm wide.

fusuma(sliding door) and tatami (mat)

With Tatami, the size of room can be measured.

(ex. 6 mat room or 8 mat room etc: the standard size is 6 mat room in Japan)

Tatami is made from rice straw and rush plants.

As well as fusuma doors, Tatami is suitable for Japanese houses - because Tatami absorbs humidity. That's why Tatami is cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Both Tatami and washi suit the humid Japanese climate.

Japanese houses well incorporate many natural things like rice straw, wood, and papers.

Golf in Japan

One of my hobby is playing golf.I traveled many countries to play golf in winter (because in winter, we cannot enjoy golf due to cold weather

This weekend, I went to Nagano (center of Japan) to play golf at Kiso Country Club with my golf friends. Since it is located in the mountain area, the temperature was very cool.

In Japan, golf is a popular sport among middle-aged men. Playing golf at a golf course used to be very expensive - About 10 years ago, it cost about 30,000 yen($ 300) . But now it is about 10,000 yen to 15,000 yen. ($100-150)

The reservation can be made on the phone or internet.

Across Japan, there are also driving ranges. Of course in my living area(Osaka), there are lots of driving ranges. The ranges are surrounded by a green net. Many foreign friends who visited Japan asked me "What that green net is?"

Maybe since Japan has small lands, the big net is needed to avoid damages.

The driving range fee is about 2,000 yen ($20) for 200 balls. (depending on days or regions)

Some golf courses have "onsen"(hot spring) in their club houses - it is one of pleasure to relax at Onsen after playing golf.

From now on, we will have the best season for golf in Japan!

Gym

Every morning I go to my gym to run.
I always run about 2km for 30 min: meaning 4 km/hr. (very slow.. but it is said this is very effective for burning fat.

Maybe in other countries, the fee is almost same.
My gym is located in a hotel near the station. Its monthly fee is about 10,000 yen (ca. $100) incl 8,000 yen/monthly fee + locker fee 1,000 yen/mo + towel fee 1,000/mo.

Maybe the big difference between other countries' gym is that the gym in Japan normally have big bath in addition to sauna and shower rooms. We Japanese have a custom to be in the tub everyday.
I'ts so nice to take a long bath after exercising. (of course, everybody has nothing on.) Many foreigners hesitate to this custom.

Mt. Fuji

One of the symbol of Japan is Mt. Fuji, which is the highest mounting in Japan.

(Mt. Fuji in winter - summit is crowded with snow .. beautiful)


(From Tokyo, it can be seen)


We Japanese call it "Fuji-san", (san= "mountin"). It is 3,776m high with a nearly perfect conic shape. Maybe anyone have seen a picture or postcard of Mt. Fuji once.
Especially it looks very elegant when the summit is crowded with snow in winter.

We can climb Mt. Fuji - climbing route is divided into stations, up to 10 stations (to 5 stations, we can drive up) It takes about 5- 8 hours to climb.

When I climbed Mt. Fuji, I started to climbing at night to see the sunrising. The view from the summit was spectacular. And I thought "I am the top of the No. 1 mountain in Japan. I did it!"
Though it was tough climb, I felt a sense of achievement. The climbing period is only in summer (From end of July to end of August. But by car, driving up to 5 station is always OK)

Recently many Chinese travelers have visited Japan. Their most popular course is so called "Golden Route"(Tokyo - Osaka, including Mt. Fuji)
The news reported that 100 buses/day (= 3,000 Chinese travelers) arrive at the No.5 station of Mt.Fuji everyday. Most Chinese travelers buy postcards there and send letters to their home in China. The average postcards sent to China/day is about 1,000 cards!

Kunihime Luxury Dress