[LIFE] WaNavi Japan

Let us introduce a great NPO, WaNavi Japan. They have been providing workshops mainly about Bosai (防災 :disaster preparedness) and Japanese culture for non-Japanese speaking people. Please read their brief introduction and visit their sites for more information.

WaNavi Japan is a non profit organisation, empowering International residents and visitors to live comfortably and confidently in Japan through various services including Earthquake Preparedness Workshops, Life-skills workshops, navigations, networking, research and consulting.

The inspiration for WaNavi’s work comes from the events that deeply affected Japan on March 11, 2011 and the dislocation and concern experienced by international residents in Japan. We continue to support families who have been directly affected by earthquake disasters in Japan.

Please contact us for more information, to get involved or to organize a workshop.

Website: http://www.wanavi.org/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/wanavi.japan1
Email: wanavi.japan@gmail.com

[LESSON] Japanese Culture Lessons for Everyone みんなの日本文化教室

"Minnna no Nihon Bunka Kyoshitu" is an organization that provides Japanese culture lessons almost every month based in Kanazawa ward.

Official website

Facebook Page

Their lessons are open for everyone, no matter where you are from or what language you speak. The lesson is conducted mostly in Japanese, so it would be great if you speak basic Japanese, but they're hands-on lessons, so you don't really have to speak Japanese (of course, basic English should be necessary to communicate with others). 

The founder of the organization is a professional Kimono dresser in Yokohama. She wants to provide a lot of opportunities to casually learn and experience Japanese tradition and culture. 

Here's the summery of each event in 2017 term:

[SEPTEMBER]

How to put on Yukata (summer kimono) like real kimono

September 19th (TUE) 10:30AM-1:30PM

at Kanagawa Chiku Center

It’s the end of the Yukata season. Why don’t we try to wear it like real kimono?

*Yukata is a simplified version of kimono for summer.

We’ll prepare a collar for yukata together and then you will learn how to put on yukata and tie the obi belt. 

Fee: 1000 yen

What to bring: Yukawa, 5 kimono cords, 2 towels, geta sandals, tabi socks, a tenugui clothe, a collar core, a sewing set, an obishime cord or some decorative cord, a hadajuban (top underwear for kimono) or a camisole, a susoyoke (bottom underwear like petticoat) or leggings, and something to tie your hair

[OCTOBER]

Tsumami Zaiku (pinch-craft) workshop

October 4th (WED) 10:30AM -12:30 PM

at Kanagawa Chiku Center

We are going to make two flower pins (or hairpins). They are perfect accessories for occasions when you wear kimono, or even for your bags.

We invite a special Tsumami craft artist as an instructor.　

Fee: 2000 yen

[NOVEMBER]

Easy Do-It-Yourself Japanese traditional hair dressing

November 8th (WED) 10:30AM-12:30PM

at Kanagawa Chiku Center

We are going to learn how to dress your hair in the traditional Japanese way from the teacher who runs a Japanese cafe and spends most of the time wearing kimono.

Fee: 500 yen

What to bring: a comb, a mirror, and some Japanese hair accessories 

[DECEMBER]

Furisode Try-On

December 4th (MON) 10:30AM-12:30PM

at Kanagawa Chiku Center

Furisode is a very formal kimono for single women. Even native Japanese people have less opportunity to wear it. This time, no matter if you’re married or not, let’s try on Furisode!

Fee: For those who want to wear Furisode 500 yen

For those who want to put Furisode on others 500 yen

What to bring: Those who want to wear Furisode: tabi socks, 3 towels, a hadajuban underwear or camisole, and a susoyoke underwear or leggings (a set of Furisode if you have)

Those who want to put Furisode on others: a set of Furisode

[JANUARY]

Learn from a professional! How to prepare Delicious O-nigiri rice balls and Miso soup

January 21st (SUN) 10:30AM-12:30PM

at Kanagawa Chiku Center

The very basic of Japanese home cuisine: O-nigiri rice balls and miso soup!

How do they prepare them, the professionals?

We are going to prepare brown rice onigiris and miso soup with veggies. 

Fee: 1000 yen

What to bring: an apron, a sling (for hair), a hand towel, and a washcloth *you will be asked 200 yen if you forget to bring towels

[FEBRUARY]

Hakama Try-On

February 23rd (FRI) 10:30AM-12:30PM

at Kanagawa Chiku Center

Hakama is a sort of skirt version of kimono. It’s easier to move. 

Fee: For those who wear Hakama 500 yen

For those who want to put hakama on others 500 yen

What to bring: Those who wear hakama: tabs socks, 3 towels, a hadajuban underwear or a camisole, and a susoyoke underwear or leggings

Those who want to put hakama on others: a set of Hakama (feel free to ask us if you don’t have any)

[LESSON] Japanese Cooking Class for Non-Japanese People

"Let’s Cook Healthy Vegetable Dishes of Japanese Style

“Shojin　Ryori” is a cooking style derived from Buddhism, mostly using vegetable and beans as ingredients. It has gained popularity in Japan. Please join us in cooking vegetable tempura, sesame tofu, etc."

Yokohama Madoka Group will hold a Japanese Cooking Class for non-Japanese people in May. To sign up, contact Yokohama Madoka Group (yokohama.madoka@gmail.com) with your name and telephone number.

Date: Saturday, May 20th, 2017

Time: 10:00-13:00

Place: Honmoku Community Center Cooking room

https://goo.gl/maps/924ZWD1yPay

Fee: 600 yen

What to bring: an apron and a hand towel. 

No child allowed. 

*This information was provided by Yokohama Madoka Group.

[LESSON] Wagashi Japanese Confection Workshop 2016

KDF (Kanazawa Design Forum) holds Wagashi workshops every year. The instructor also taught us at our Wagashi workshops a couple of years ago.

At their next workshop, you can learn how to make cool Japanese dessert for Summer.

===============================================
Date: Tuesday, 26th July, 2016 13:30-15:30
Venue: Yokohama City Noge Chiku Center
(2-160-4 Nogecho, Naka-ku)
www.nogechikusen.com
Application to KDF (mail to: info@kdf.or.jp /FAX 045-681-2342)
with your name, address, number and email address
A person younger than 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Fee for adult 2500 yen, junior high and younger: 1000 yen

Application deadline: 19th July

What to bring: an apron, a face mask, a cloth to cover your hair, a hand towel, a camera and a bag to bring back your project
===============================================

Following workshops:

Halloween: Tuesday, 4th October, 2016
Christmas: Tuesday, 6th December, 2016
Doll Festival: Tuesday, 7th February, 2017

*Application deadlines is a week before each date.

[COOKING] Japanese Cooking Class (Sushi Roll) on May 28th, 2016

Sushi roll cooking class on Saturday, May 28th at Noge Community Center.
Fee: 600 yen. Registration required.

*This event is organized by Yokohama Madoka  Group. Please read the details and contact Yokohama Madoka Group. 

[WORKSHOP] Wagashi Japanese Confection Workshop by KDF

 


KDF (Kanagawa Design Forum) http://www.kdf.or.jp

4th Wagashi Workshop: Hinamatsuri (Girls' Festival)

February 9th (TUE) 13:00-15:00 (the door opens at 12:30)
at Sakura Works (Kannai, http://yokohamalab.jp/access/)
¥2500 (under 15years old ¥1000. Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult)

What to bring: an apron, a face mask, a head chief, towels, a camera, and a bag to bring the cake home.

Please sign up by February 5th.
FAX: 045-681-2342 or mail: info@kdf.or.jp
with your name, address, number (mobile phone), and email address.
First 20 people

[EVENT] Setsubun Bean Throwing at Temples and Shrines

February 3rd is called Setsubun (節分) and people throw soy beans to drive away devils (bad lucks) out of their house. You can find the beans and devil masks easily at stores in January.

People also eat a long sushi roll called Eho-maki (恵方巻き) on that day, too. It seems to be a tradition of West Japan but now is common in all over Japan.

Many temples and shrines have Setsubun bean throwing event on February 3rd. Here is a list of picked-up temples and shrines in and around Yokohama.

*There will be a lot of people so please be careful if you join with your young children.
These events maybe canceled or changed. Please check out your local temple/shrine, too.

Iseyama Kotaijingu Shrine (Sakuragicho,Yokohama)

Website (Japanese)

14:00-

Shinmeisha Shrine (Hodogaya, Yokohama)

Website (Japanese)

Event poster (Japanese)

15:30-

Soji-ji Temple (Tsurumi, Yokohama)

Website

Event poster (Japanese)

Gate open at 10:00, starts at noon.

Hozoin Temple (Totsuka, Yokohama)

English page (event)

Seto Jinja Shirine (Kanazawa Hakkei, Yokohama)

Website (Japanese)

15:00-

Kawasaki Daishi (Kawasaki)

English page
Setsubun event (Japanese)
11:30-, 14:00-, 16:30-

Enoshima Shrine (Kamakura)

Website (Japanese)
12:30-

Ofuna Kannon (Ohuna/Kamakura)

Website (Japanese)
*CAUTION: They have the event on February 1st.
There will be some famous guests and they may limit the admission if there are too many visitors. The gate opens around noon and starts around 14:00.


And also at old traditional houses

Yokomizo House (Yokohama)

English page
No details on the page but it seems the event started around 15:00 in the previous years.

[EVENT] Nanakusa gayu events on January 7th

Traditionally, Japanese people eat nanakusa (seven herbs) rice porridge on January 7th.

Check out what it looks like on the Wikipedia (in Japanese).

Nanakusa kayu (rice porridge) is served at some parks where old houses are preserved on that day.

Misono Park Yokomizo Yashiki (house) in Tsurumi
http://www.yokomizoyashiki.net/English/index.html

*No detail for this year is updated but it was for first 500 people at ¥100, started at 10:30 last year.

Hongo Fujiyama Park in Sakae
http://www.k5.dion.ne.jp/~h_fuji_p/renew-gyouji-table/26-gyouji-table.html#nanakusa

Nanakusa gayu and some games of New Year season.
First 100 people ¥100. 11:30-13:00 in front of the old house.

Tuzuki Minka en (in the Iseki Park near Center Kita) in Tuzuki
http://tminkaen.org/?p=5787
First 100 people, ¥100. 11:00-12:00. Dance performance.

[EVENT] KDF Wagashi Workshop on 10th June

KDF (Kanagawa Design Forum) is going to have a Wagashi (Japanese confections) workshop on Tuesday 10th June. 

Date: Tuesday, 10th June, 2014, 13:00-15:00

Venue: Sakura WORKS (Kannai) 2F Taisei bldg, 3-6-1 Aioi-cho, Naka-ku

Fee: 2500 yen (1000 yen for under 15 years old. Under 18 years old need to be accompanied by an adult)

What you bring: an apron, a face mask, a sling (bandana), a hand towel, a camera (cellphone/smartphone is ok), a bag to bring back your work

Application: Send e-mail to info*kdf.or.jp (please change * to @) or facsimile to 045-681-2342

your name, address, number (mobile phone etc.) and e-mail address.   

Application deadline: Friday, 6th June

[IMCY Activity] Workshop & Gathering for mothers in Summer 2014

IMCY mothers are hosting events for mothers and expectant mothers in Yokohama.Get to know with mothers from different culture and build a relationship to help out each other and make our lives  happier! 

Free babysitting service will be provided in the same room or another room, so please feel free to come with your child(ren) and enjoy the events!

 

★Tea Ceremony★ 

Experience the Japanese tea ceremony,learn the basic and savor the tea.

 

Date: Thursday 12th June 10:30-12:30
Instructor: Ms.Soka Soma
Fee: JPY 1,500 (Cost for tea and confection included)
Venue: Nishi-ward Chiku Center

(12-minute walk from West Gate of Yokohama Sta.We'll send you the map in English.)  

※This workshop is held in both Japanese and English.
                                                         ※Application Deadline：Tuesday 3rd June 12:00
                                                         ※First we'll have a short lecture in the same room
                                                         with our children. Then only mothers will move to the
                                                         Tea-ceremony room. During that time, free babysitting
                                                         service will be provided in the meeting room.
                                                                                               

 ★Wagashi (Japanese Confections)★

 Learn how to make Japanese confections that reflect a sense of the season. 

For this time, we'll make a morning-glory shaped Nerikiri and there will be a demonstration on how to make goldfish shaped Kingyoku( beautiful Japanese seaweed-based agar jelly).

Date:Thursday 26th June 10:30-12:30
Instructor：Ms. Misako Sugawara
Fee: JPY 1,000 (Cost for materials included)
Venue: Nishi-ward Chiku Center
(12-minute walk from West Gate of Yokohama Sta.We'll send you the map in English.)

※Her classes are usually in Japanese, but we will prepare recipes and instructions in English.
※Application Deadline：Tuesday 17th June 12:00
※Free babysitting service will be provided in another room.

[IMCY Activity] 無料保育付き♪Workshop & 交流会 2014年夏

国籍や言葉の壁をこえて、地域のママ・プレママがワークショップを通して交流し、日々の生活を
より楽しく快適に、困った時には助け合えるようにと企画しました。同室又は別室での無料保育付きなので、お子さんと一緒でも安心です♪

今夏の内容は、茶道体験（6/12）、和菓子作り（6/26）、ベビーマッサージ＆親子ヨガ（7/17） です。色々な国のママと一緒にワークショップを楽しみながら、ママたち同士の繋がりを作りませんか？日本の文化について改めて触れる機会にもなればと考えています。
 
★茶道体験workshop★ 

茶道の基本を学び、体験し、お茶を楽しみます。 
講師：相馬　宗花氏　　　　　　
日程：2014年6月12日（木）10：00-12：00　　　
参加費：1,500円　（お茶、御菓子代等含みます。）
場所：西区地区センター　茶道室・小会議室　　
　　　（横浜駅西口より徒歩12分）


 ※ワークショップは日本語と英語で進行します。 
※申込み締切は6月3日（火）12：00 　
※保育：茶道室に入る前までは会議室にて同室保育です。茶道室へはママのみ入り、お子様は会議室で保育スタッフがお預かりします。（無料）

★和菓子workshop★

季節の朝顔（練り切り）と夏らしい錦玉金魚の作り方を学びます。
※錦玉金魚はデモンストレーションのみの予定です。

講師：菅原　美佐子さん　　　　　
日程：2014年6月26日（木）10：30-12：30　　　　　
参加費：1,000円　（材料費等含みます。）
場所：西区地区センター　料理室・小会議室　　（横浜駅西口より徒歩12分）

※ワークショップは日本語で進行します。
※申込み締切は6月17日（火）12：00 　
※保育：お子様は会議室で保育スタッフがお預かりします。（無料）

[CULTURE] Kagura at Tachibana Jinja Shrine in Hodogaya, 26th October, 2013

Kagura（神楽）is a traditional song and dance in Japan which

Date: Saturday, 26th October (postponed to 27th in case of heavy rain)
11:00AM ~: 熊襲征伐　Kumaso Seibatsu*1
13:00PM~: 浦島太郎　Urashima Taro*2

Place: Tachibana Jinja Shrine（橘樹神社）
Charge: Free

There will be an Antique Bazaar and other events on the same day.

Source: Iwama Shimin Plaza blog



Larger Map

*1 Kumaso Seibatsu is a story from a sort of myth of Japan. A man (Ousu no Mikoto) is order to defeat Kumaso Takeru by the emperor of the time.
*2 Urashima Taro is an old story in Japan. Urashima Taro saves a turtle and it takes him to a castle under the sea called Ryugujo.

[LEISURE] Conveyor-Belt Sushi Restaurant

This article is about one of a conveyor-belt sushi restaurants, Hamazushi. The system may vary in each conveyor-belt sushi restaurant chain.

Just in front of the little pathway to the fruit farm in Totsuka, is a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant called Hamazushi (jumps to the link to Hamazushi official site in Japanese).










Once you enter the restaurant, you register the number of your company and your preference of seats (table or counter), then a sheet of paper with a number is issued. And you wait until your number is called (I think you will be seated directly if it is not crowded).


  


You can take sushi as you like. In this chain, the black plate is with wasabi and the red plate is without wasabi.




[Order your sushi]
If you can't find what you want on the conveyor-belt, you can order with this machine.

The ordered sushi plate will arrive on a little red stool on the conveyor-belt and the machine rings to let you know the arrival of your sushi.





They have an English menu, too.
The green button is to call a staff, the yellow button is to have the check (will be explained later).





[To prepare tea]
Hot water comes out from this faucet. And green tea powder is in the little round bin in front of the faucet.

Once you are seated, you must do almost everything by yourself!
Chopsticks are in the rectangle case.



There were five different soy sauces in this restaurant.







[If you want to take out some sushi]
You can take the plastic case and put sushi using a new pair of chopsticks. And please eat as soon as possible!





[Finish and Check]
Call a staff by pushing the yellow button on the machine and let her count the plates. She'll give you a bill and you'll pay at the casher.

[EVENT] Sankeien Garden Harvest Moon Night Viewing and Concerts, September 2013

Sankeien Garden Harvest Moon Night Viewing 三渓園観月会

19-23 September, 2013
18:00-20:30

Official Site (in English)

Concert Schedule:

19 Sep. (THU) 18:30-20:30
箏曲 (Sokyoku : music by a Japanese instrument Koto) by Koto Ensemble Kanon

20 Sep. (FRI) 18:30-20:30
Western Music (violin, sax, clarinet etc.) by Yokohama Shimin Enso Kai

21 Sep. (SAT) 18:30-20:30
雅楽 (Gagaku: Japanese classical music) by Yokohama Gagaku kai

22 Sep. (SUN) 19:00-20:00
新作能 (Shinsaku Noh: modern Noh) by Za OKINA

23 Sep. (MON) 18:30-20:30
琵琶 (Biwa: a Japanese luto) by Satsuma Biwa Kinshinryu Nakataniha Jyousui Kai

[SPORT] Sumo Yokohama Tournament 13th October, 2013

A one-day Sumo tournament is held every year in Yokohama since 5 years ago. And the 6th Yokohama Tournament is held on 13th October.

Date: Sunday, 13th October, 2013
Place: Yokohama Bunka Taiikukan (Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium)
5min walk from JR Kannai or Yokohama Subway Isezaki Chojamachi


大きな地図で見る

Schedule:
8:00- Open practice
9:00-10:00 Communication with sumo wresters (shaking hands, signature, photo...free of charge at 1F Lobby)
10:00- Wampaku Sumo (kids' sumo)
11:00- Tournament of the lower rank wrestlers (幕下 Makushita)
12:00- Tournament of the middle rank wrestlers (十両 Jyuryo)
13:30- Entrance of the higher rank wrestlers (幕内 Makuuchi) and the top wrestlers (横綱 Yokozuna)
14:00- Tournament of the higher rank and the top
15:00 End

Tickets available at major ticketing agents (Pia, e-plus, Lawson etc...)
1F seats 10,000-13,000 Yen/person
2F 5,000-8,000 Yen/Person
Children under 3 is free.

Website (in Japanese)

<***What is Sumo?***>
Sumo wrestling is a traditional Japanese sport by men.
Two sumo wrestlers (力士 rikishi) fight on Dohyo (土俵) ring. If one steps out of Dohyo or puts a hand on the ground, he loses.
The wresters are divided into two groups in each tournament (which usually lasts for 14 days): East (東 higashi) and West (西 nishi).
If a wrester wins, he gets one white star (白星 shiroboshi) and if he loses, he gets a black star (黒星 kuroboshi) and the one who gets the most white stars wins the tournament. If a lower rank wrestler beats a top wrester (横綱 Yokozuna), it is called a "gold star (金星 kinboshi)".

The wresters belong to a team called "Room (部屋 heya)" and practice under a coach（親方 oyakata) of the room. Sometimes the ring names of wresters in a same team share a same kanji. There are many wresters from foreign countries but the number of them in each room is limited now.

There are women sumo nowadays but the professional sumo doesn't allow any women in the ring.

You can also refer the official website of Nihon Sumo Kyokai

[SHOP] Kimono Shop Hirota-ya in Hodogaya

The Kimono is a Japan's traditional costume. I this article, I would like to introduce my favorite kimono shop along with some facts about the kimono. 

Hirotaya is on route 201, 5 minutes walk from Sotetsu Line Tennocho station to the JR Hodogaya station direction. It was established more than 80 years ago and registered as a "Museum at the corner of street", which is a project with Hodogaya ward. 

Entrance.


















I visited there to buy a new Yukata. The yukata price was from 2980 Yen and majority was 6800 Yen.
The Yukata（浴衣/ゆかた） is a casual clothes for summer, which used to be a kind of bath robe or a night dress. It is still used for that purpose, as you can see in that yukatas are offered at Onsen Ryokan (a traditional style hotel with hot spring).
Popular patterns are generally summer flowers, such as morning glory, balloon flower, dianthus etc...

People used to wear a yukata without an undershirt or an underskirt but as the material is very light and it shows through a little, people often wear an underwear for yukata (ゆかた下 yukata-shita).
Other thing you need to wear a yukata are Obi belt （帯/おび）and some koshi-himo cords（腰紐/こしひも).






















This register has been used for nearly 80 years!! There are much antique furniture in this shop.
These cloths behind it (反物/たんもの) are for made-to-order kimonos. There are various types of kimonos. The popular one is called Furisode(振り袖/ふりそで), with long sleeves, colorful and gorgeous patterns. It is for unmarried (young) women and people often wear at the coming of age day (20 years old) and weddings. Married women wear short-sleeved kimonos.


















The shop sells all the necessities for wearing a kimono: shoes, bags, socks, cords collars etc...
These kimono shops usually serve kimono cleaning, stain removal, size adjustment, repair, family emblem print and so on.

Shop Information:
Hirota ya
2-163 Iwama-cho, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama
045-333-0529
(Toll Free: 0120-41-5529)