Asakusa Diary - The Staff Blog

Eirou's mother used to be a Geisha and now,
she owns her Ryoutei( fancy Japanese-style restaurant) and her disciples.

I don't know much about Geisha but if you have seen the movie "Sayuri",
it will help you to imagine it.
Do you have any question about her or geisha?
Eirou is willing to answer for it;)

In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the conclusion of the U.S.
Treaty of Amity and Commerce, this exhibition aims to achieve further mutual
understanding between the U.S. and Japan by reviewing their diplomatic
relations during the late Edo period through sources provided from both
countries. (http://www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp/english/special/now/index.html)

This exhibition has been held till 22nd of June
at Edo-Tokyo museum in Ryogoku.
Also, on the 1st of June, we'll have a ceremony at Pacifico Yokohama hall
to commemorate the 149th of opening Yokohama Port.

If you are interested in the history of US-Japan relations,
you shouldn't miss it☆

South Korea from tomorrow!

Of course, she has not packed yet:P
Is anyone who could help her?

She will stay at a hostel for backpackers in Soul by herself.
I hope she'll have a great time there:)
Please don't forget about souvenir for us★
I prefer Yuzu tea and Korean sea weed!

One morning, I found something weird on Koji's arm.↓↓

It looked like a watch but I coudn't see a dial plate on it.
What do you think it is?

It is a portable mosquito killer and it has a fun in it☆

He looks as if he was going to be a hero:D

We had a memorial service for the fire fighters behind Sensoji temple today.

There is the monument for firefighters who had died on their duties.
On the 25th of May, we have this ceremony for them every year.
As part of this event, they have a parade of firemen in traditional garb.
Also, you can see their performance that dramatic and unusual acrobatics
(hashigonori) atop twenty-two-foot-high bamboo ladders.

We had a party last Wednesday♪
It's quite rare that all the original members could get together at the same night.

We went to the brasilian restaurant (Que bon!) and had big meals:D
Some of them had been there but it was my first time.
I've heard that I'll have incredibly lots of meats there,
so I was wondering whether I can eat them all...
but Naoto and Tsuyoshi did good job☆

The restaurant is easily accessible on foot from Sakura Hostel.
If you miss the meat, you gotta go!

Kanpaaaaai!! Cheers!!

As you know, our national sport is Sumo...though two Yokoduna(the highest ranked in sumo)
are from Mongolia.
We have grand sumo tournament in Tokyo right now and the next Sunday is the final day.
It is difficult to get a ticket for that but on weekdays,
you still have a chance if you go to the stadium(called Kokugikan) in the morning.
The cheapest one is 2,100yen for an adult.

Also, on the 1st of June, we have Grand Sumo Championship 2008 at the same stadium.
This is not a tournament but a special championship that
decides the strongest sumo wrestler!
More information is available if you click the picture above;)

From this month, we started to annouce Top 10 countries the most visits from last month.

The result of April was like above↑↑
Congratulations! The No1 was ☆France☆
Thailand battled bravely, though.

Can you guess which country will be the No.1 this month?
My prediction is.....Uruguay but I think Finland will have a close match:)
I hope your country will be in♪

Have you ever heard about "ice-cream city" ?
As one of our guest, Pierre, commented here, it does exist in Ikebukuro
and it looks really attractive place☆
According to their website, there are seven icecream shops and always have some events.
For example, they have a Mega Parfait Festa right now.
Also, many weird flavors such as eggplant, curry, Tofu and so on...are available.
Which one do you want to try?

There are "Dumpling Stadium" and "Republic of Dessert" inside the same building.
Once you enter there, you'll be so stuffed;)
If you get bored with sweets, you can just go and get some dumplings
and then, return to icecream♪

From Asakusa, take Tsukuba Express to Akihabara.
Akihabara to Ikebukuro, take JR Yamanote line and you'll get there in 30mins.

On the 29th of May, Eirou's friend will have a cool dance event
at one of the best clubs, HARLEM, in Shibuya.
According to their weblog, it's gonna be a fresh&cool night♪
I just heard about it today and need more information for that...
Anyone who is the member of this group gotta give some comments here;)

The Mikoshi (portable shrine) just passed in front of Sakura Hostel this morning!
I left Jack at the reception and took many pictures with our guests:P

Each town has their own Mikoshi (and Happi, too), so I saw many in the afternoon.
The call of people who are carrying Mikoshi is very cool!
As this is one of the biggest Festivals in Tokyo,
people get excited♪

Hiromi, who is the festival girl, dropped by here to say hello:)
She also carried Mikoshi this year again.

Sanja Matsuri Festival just started today.
Tomorrow around noon, mikoshi (portable shrines) parades will start at Sensoji Temple, and they carry mikoshi all over Asakusa.

Do you happen to know him?

JERO has just made a debut as an Enka (traditional Japanese ballad) singer in Feb.
As he is the first foreigner enka singer, he got a lot of media attention.
But it's not only the reason why he became a star.
He sings really good!
You may can check his song on youtube♪

Though young people prefer pops, R&B and rocks to Enka,
he is getting popular among them☆

You could be the second one;)

We've received our custom made uniforms for Sanjya festival starting from tomorrow.
It's called Happi and people who join the festival wear that coat.
We have two here, so anyone who stays here can try them!

It suits you, Taylor:)
Because we ordered the biggest one for our guests, it's too big to me...

If you have an extra money for the dinner on your last night in Tokyo,
how about going to Gonpachi?

If you are from California, you may have heard about this restaurant
because there is a branch in Beverly Hills.
Some of our guest have been there and they highly recommended it.

Have you seen "Kill Bill"?
They shooted it at that restaurant in Azabu.
Also, our former prime minister, Mr Koizumi and the president Bush dined together in 2006.

Basically, you can enjoy Japanese food such as Yakitori, soba, tempura and so on.
My favorite food, Carifornia rolls are also available;)

Hmmm, I'm getting hungry...

These groups are very popular singers in Japan now.
Guy's one is called "Shuchishin", which means the sense of shame.

Girl's one is called "pabo"which means dumb bunny in Korea( "??").

The common point of these two is "a little bit fool".
They have became flourished from the TV quiz show
because they always answer funny&strange way that make people laugh,

I'm not sure whether it's on purpose or not but we enjoy a lot.

Because I think most of you want to see "it", I put some photos for you♪

CUTE bunnies are here!!

Hi, gentleman, please don't hesitate using our headset.
I'm sure that you'll have a great time with skype;)

Oops!

Yuri: What are you looking for today, Tomo?
Tomo: Some important papers:(

Yuri: Did you put it in a storage room?

Tomo: I guess...hmmm... it's not this file.

Tomo: Where is it? Should be around here.

Tomo: Yes, this is the one I need now:D

Yuri: Whew:P

What do you think it is?

This is a headset for Skype♪
Because it always get lost, Naoto put it today.
We don't have to worry about their missing anymore.
Also, it looks very cute if our guests use during talking:P

Let's be a lovely bunny and talk on a Skype!
Of course, you can bring your own;)

On the 9th of May is the ICE CREAM DAY here in Japan!
What a wonderful day♪

The reason is like this...
In 1869, one shop in Yokohama started to make and sell icecream for the first time in Japan.
It was the 9th of May, so we commemorated it.

Baskin Robbins will have a free scoop night for the people who donate to the UNICEF.
At the other shops, they may have something special on that day.

Which shops should I go this year...?

From 26th of Apr, new bus line has started to ran.
It's called "Shitamachi yume no bus", means Downtown dream bus☆
The route is very nice like this↓
It starts from Tokyo station and goes through Nihombashi (historical old town),
Akihabara(electric town), Ueno(which has big zoo and many museums),
Kappa-bashi(wholesaler street) ,Asakusa(our town!)
and Ryogoku(Sumo town).

The cars itself are used ones, so Japanese will enjoy its retro-flavored bus.
On the other hand, it may be modern to foreigners.

The fare is 200yen for an adult and 100yen for a child.
It runs every 30mins from 9am to 6pm and multilingual announcements
such as English, Chinese, Korean are available♪

You can enjoy all the day with taking this bus;)

On the mother's day, what are you gonna do for her?
I sometimes give some gifts, take her to the restaurant or cook for her.
This year, I want do something different.
Do you have any good idea?
If you are mom, what do you want your kid to do?
If I had a child, I would be very happy to receive a letter from him/her:)

It was Shuko's last day today.
He had been worked here as a "super" cleaning staff for almost a year.
You can check how he looks like from here↓↓；）
http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/blog/2007/06/

Everytime I asked for some help, he took that work quite willingly.
I know he has very funny character...I should have talked with him more!
When he left Sakura hostel, he said, "Viva! Sakura Hostel" with a loud voice:D

Anyway, we really appreciate you and wish you will enjoy your new job!
Come and see us anytime☆