Asakusa Diary - The Staff Blog

Asakusa Diary - The Staff Blog tag:www.sakura-hostel.co.jp,2012:/blog//1 2012-02-09T07:51:53Z Written by the staff members of Sakura Hostel, a friendly and comfy budget accommodation in Tokyo, Japan. About the hostel, Asakusa, Tokyo, backpacking, the staff's daily life and more. Movable Type 5.04 Sweets in Japan - which are your favourite ones? ^^ tag:www.sakura-hostel.co.jp,2012:/blog//1.2199 2012-02-09T04:45:29Z 2012-02-09T07:51:53Z

today I want to write about my favourite sweets here in Japan. ^^ As there are sooo many different, new sweet things here for me as a German to explore, this blog entry will be much fun! :D So if you're hungry, you better stop here! ^^

Vanessa http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/ Hello together, today I want to write about my favourite sweets here in Japan. ^^ As there are sooo many different, new sweet things here for me as a German to explore, this blog entry will be much fun! :D So if you're hungry, you better stop here! ^^ Here it goes! ^^ Strawberry Daifuku いちご大福 Daifuku is a Japanese confection consisting of a small round mochi (soft and sticky rice cake stuffed with sweet fillings, most commonly sweetened red bean paste. Daifuku comes in many varieties. The most common is white-, pale green-, or pale pink-colored mochi filled with anko. But in the Strawberry Daifuku, there's a whole strawberry inside and the taste together with the red bean paste is really great. Totally new flavour for me. Totally great! ^^ Love it! ^^ And you can get them almost everywhere!

Mitarashi Dango みたらし団子 Mitarashi Dango is a Japanese dumpling made from mochiko, rice flour, covered with a syrup made from soy sauce, sugar and starch. Three to four dango are often served on a skewer. You can't imagine, how sticky and sweet they are. You can get them everywhere, really, so you should try! They are one of the sweetest things here, I would say! :)

Taiyaki たい焼き Taiyaki is a Japanese fish-shaped cake and It's most common filling is - of course - red bean paste. Taiyaki is made using regular pancake or waffle batter. The batter is poured into a fish-shaped mold for each side. The filling is then put on one side and the mold is closed. It is then cooked on both sides until golden brown. Love them fresh and hot. As I bite in the head at first, I'm a brutal girl! :D

Imagawayaki 今川焼き Almost the same as Taiyaki. You can get them at every festival! They are really yummy with vanilla cream, cheese cream, chocolate cream (that's the best!) or red bean paste fillings. Their dough is thicker than the Taiyaki ones and there's no better thing to eat, when it's cold outside, than a hot and fresh Imagawayaki at a festival! ^^

Ningyoyaki 人形焼 Ningyo-yaki are small snack cakes, made from cooking batter of flour, eggs and sugar in an iron mold. They are sold both with and without sweet bean paste. Many come in the form of the seven gods of good luck (shichifukujin　七福神) or the great lantern at the Kaminarimon gate of Asakusa temple. ^^ On festivals at Senso-ji, you can always buy them. Or just at the supermarket or combini in different, cute character forms (but of course these ones aren't as delicious as the fresh ones ^^).

Dorayaki どら焼き Dorayaki is а red bean pancake which consists of two small pancake-like patties around a filling of sweet red bean paste. You can get them in very small to really big sizes (from 5 cm to 15 cm ^^) almost everywhere and they are very very tasty and a perfect snack, when you're hungry! ^^

Geppei 月餅 These nice little things have their origins in China, but you can get them almost everywhere here in Japan, too. They also are called mooncakes and red bean paste is the most popular filling, but other sorts of beans as well as chestnut are also used. They taste very very rich and have unbelievable much calories! ^^ For me, they taste very nutty and I love that kind of taste! ^^

Melonpan メロンパン A "bread" with an enriched dough covered in a thin layer of crisp cookie dough. It's appearance resembles a melon. Just try one and you'll be addicted! ^^ You can buy melonpan in different flavours/with different doughs and with different fillings like strawberry cream, chocolate or vanilla cream. ^^

Baumkuchen バームクーヘン First, yes, yes, of course I know, that Baumkuchen is from Germany! :D BUT the Baumkuchen here in Japan differs from the Baumkuchen I know from Germany. ^^ And it's one of the most popular pastries in Japan! So as I remember from the little Bavarian town where I was born, the old men, spinning around Baumkuchen over open fire on festivals and made an really crunchy caramel crust outside. The Baumkuchen here looks much more exclusive and filigree. In Germany, you can get that softy Baumkuchen often, too. But as Baumkuchen isn't that popular, too, I've often forget, to buy one...but here...no chance to escape! ^^

Toppo トッポ Toppo, the "reverse pocky", is a chocolate and bread-based snack, which you can buy in many different flavours/with many different fillings. The best was an winter special edition filled with white chocolate and little cinnamon flavour, hihi. That was great! ^^ But I love the classical Toppo very much, too (much more than pocky, I'm sorry ^^).

Kakigori かき氷 Kakigōri (かき氷?) is a Japanese shaved ice dessert flavored with syrup and condensed milk and you can get it almost everywhere while the hot, Japanese summer season! It's available in many, many different flavours like strawberry, cherry, lemon, green tea, grape, melon and colourful syrup-variations. ^^ I love cherry the most! ^^

Garigari-kun ice ガリガリ君 That's the most popular ice bought in convenience stores here in Japan. It's only 60 Yen and 70 kcal (as I remember). The taste is really hard to describe. Sweet, very refreshing, like sugar soda. Really different for me. ^^ I love it! ^^

Tadaaa, all these things let increase your body weight very fast, I think! ^^ So it's really hard to withstand these nice, tasty, yummy, delicious sweets day by day! :D You will see it yourself, when visiting Japan! ^^ Wish you many sweet new things to explore, hehe! :)

Sakura Hostel Asakusa

Address: 2-24-2 Asakusa Taito-ku, Tokyo
tel +81-3-3847-8111
fax +81-3-3847-8112

e-mail: info@sakura-hostel.co.jp
URL: http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/asakusa_hostel

]]> Are you prepared, girls? Valentine's Day is coming soon! ^^ tag:www.sakura-hostel.co.jp,2012:/blog//1.2198 2012-02-08T05:32:36Z 2012-02-08T07:00:48Z

Valentine's Day is coming soon! ^^ In Germany, both - girls and boys - are supposed to give some small gifts like chocolate to their one and only special person...but here in Japan, the rules are somehow different! ^^ Here, first, the girls have to do some "work"! ^^

Vanessa http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/ Hello together, Valentine's Day is coming soon! ^^ In Germany, both - girls and boys - are supposed to give some small gifts like chocolate to their one and only special person...but here in Japan, the rules are somehow different! ^^ Here, first, the girls have to do some "work"! ^^ It is said that St. Valentine's Day was imported to Japan in 1958 by a Japanese confectionery company. In Japan, it is only the women giving presents - mainly chocolate - to men, but not the other way around.

Men are supposed to return the favours received on Valentine's Day one month later on White Day, a Japanese creation. White Day is believed to have been introduced by a marshmallow manufacturing company in the 1960s. But today's entry is all about Valentine's Day! ^^ So, here are some different kinds of gifts for Valentine's Day, we girls have to prepare: 1) Chocolates that women give to their sweethearts to prove that their love is true. This type of chocolate - the kind that you give to someone you really like or love - is called 本命チョコ(=honmei choco = chocolate of love). A handmade chocolate is usually preferred by the receiver, because it is a sign that the receiving male is the girl's "only one". ^^ If you're not good in cooking or baking, so you can buy expensive, exclusive chocolate, too...I think, you know, what to do. The receiver of this kind of chocolate should have definitely the feeling of being someone special to you! :)

2) Another type is chocolate that is given without any romantic feelings attached. This type of chocolate is called 義理チョコ（=giri choco). The literal translation is "obligatory chocolate" and it's true that this chocolate is given out of a feeling of obligation. Women usually give 義理チョコ(=giri choco) to classmates, coworkers, bosses, teachers, or clients that they are not romantically interested in. This kind of chocolate doesn't have to be outstanding in price, gift wrap or quality. Nothing special, but nice. ^^

So on that day only women are supposed to give chocolates to men. And the men can't do anything but be passive and just wait to see whether they can get chocolates or not. Many high school boys compete to see who gets the most chocolates and use this as a way to measure their popularity. Even if they know it is just giri choco, many men still feel loved by the number of chocolates they get. ^^ At the end of January, all the department store or sweet shops start to sell fancy chocolates for Valentine' day. In the last years, women have started to wonder why only men can get all these delicious chocolates..... Because of that, there's a trend called, 友チョコ(=tomo choco = chocolate for friends) women give each other chocolate. This tomo choco doesn't have to be expensive, but it has to be definitely cute. You can buy normal chocolate and decorate it, until it's cute enough and let your lovely friend get a big smile. ^^

So are you prepared already? But don't worry, there are some days left! ^^ And honestly...I am, too, not prepared...yet! :D Waaaaah! :D So let's give our best the next days and have much fun! ^^

Sakura Hostel Asakusa

Address: 2-24-2 Asakusa Taito-ku, Tokyo
tel +81-3-3847-8111
fax +81-3-3847-8112

e-mail: info@sakura-hostel.co.jp
URL: http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/asakusa_hostel

]]> Iron Chef " Tunisia " x " Japan " @ Sakura Hostel Asakusa tag:www.sakura-hostel.co.jp,2012:/blog//1.2197 2012-02-07T07:15:34Z 2012-02-07T09:11:32Z

We had Cooking Party at Sakura Hostel Asakusa yesterday. Who made the entry for this cooking party !? Me ? Of course, NOT !! You know I'm not good at cooking. Let's see who was the chef last night.......

Agu http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/ We had Cooking Party at Sakura Hostel Asakusa yesterday.

Who made the entry for this cooking party !?

Me ? Of course, NOT !!

You know I'm not good at cooking.

Let's see who was the chef last night.

<< Entry No.1>>

Our lovely Tunisian guest : Ghazi san

He cooked Tunisian food called " Tastira ".

Main ingredients are bell pepper, tomato, onion and raw pork liver.

We spread it on bread, and eat. Yummy ヾ(o≧∀≦o)ﾉﾞ.

<< Entry No.2>>

Sakura Hostel Asakusa No.1 Chef : Johrel

He learned how to make " Tastira " from Ghazi san, and tried to make the same thing. Unfortunately, because Tomo bought smoked pork liver, the taste was totally different from the one Ghazi san made. I was surprised even one ingredient made a big difference in taste.

Of course, it's yummy as well.Σd(ゝ∀･)

<< Entry No.3>>

Sakura Hostel Asakusa Super Night Shift Boy : Hiro

He cooked two kinds of Nabe ( Hot Pot dish ), which is very popular winter dish in Japan. The one is Miso flavor, and the other is Salt flavor. He put a lot of vegetables, chiken and meat ball. Once we eat, we can warm ourselves to the bone. Yum Yum （*⌒∇⌒*)

He is really good Nabe Bugyou （なべぶぎょう　鍋奉行）.

Nabe Bugyou means a person who takes care of Nabe dish while other people eat.

Thanks to this Japanese guest Sato san, everybody can just concentrate on eating. We all staffs were in charge of eating at this party.( *´艸｀)

We took a lot of photos. Please take a look -->> Tunisia x Japan Cooking Party

Many people came here to join this party.

☆・゜+。*.Thank you for coming. We are going to have Nabe party again.+。*゜・.☆

Sakura Hostel Asakusa Address: 2-24-2 Asakusa Taito-ku, Tokyo tel +81-3-3847-8111 fax +81-3-3847-8112 e-mail: info@sakura-hostel.co.jp URL: http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/asakusa_hostel ]]> In memorial for broken sewing needles - Harikuyo Festival on February 8th! ^^ tag:www.sakura-hostel.co.jp,2012:/blog//1.2189 2012-02-06T04:00:00Z 2012-02-06T04:18:09Z

Today I want to write about the Harikuyo Festival / Ceremony, which will take place on February 8th. Harikuyo means "Needle Memorial Service". Sounds somehow strange, right. ^^ So what's about this Harikuyo and why do the Japanese praying for their old needles?

Vanessa http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/ Hello together, today I want to write about the Harikuyo Festival / Ceremony, which will take place on February 8th. Harikuyo means "Needle Memorial Service".

Sounds somehow strange, right. ^^ So what's about this Harikuyo and why do the Japanese praying for their old needles? .............. Harikuyo (針供養）is practiced in most parts of Japan. Generally speaking, although there are some exceptions, Harikuyo is practiced in eastern and northeastern Japan on February 8, while Harikuyo is practiced in western Japan on December 8.

In Japan, the festival is observed by artisans who rely on needles for their livelihood - tailors, seamtresses, weavers, etc., rather than regular folks who might darn their socks. But in the past needles and pins were very valuable to every Japanese woman.

Needles are taken to a Shinto shrine (or sometimes a temple) for kuyuo, where the old needles are stuck into something soft like tofu or konnyaku jelly as a reward for the long service and hard work performed by the needles day in and day out. When doing so special prayers are recited. At the end of ritual everything is wrapped in a piece of paper and put floating into the river. By showing respect and offering prayers it is hoped that the power and energy of the needle will pass to the owner and also make them a better stitcher, too.

The key concepts here are 供養 (kuyo), usually translated as "memorial service", but which can also be translated as "tribute". The other concept is the Japanese word 魂 (tamashii), or soul. Many things in Japan, including inanimate objects, or said to have a tamashii, or soul, including houses, trees, large rocks, and even dolls. Old stuffed animals and dolls in Japan are not usually thrown out, but instead receive their own kuyo service. This belief in tamashii is not formalized - people don't go around talking about how this and that has a tamashii, because religion and folk belief are lived in Japan.

............. The most popular Harikuyo rituals are organized in Tokyo at Shojuin Temple and Shinganji Temple...and of course in Asakusa at Sensoji Temple! ^^ So if you want to join the festival and will be here in Tokyo on February 8th, Harikuyo will be held then in Sensoji Temple. ^^

Sakura Hostel Asakusa

Address: 2-24-2 Asakusa Taito-ku, Tokyo
tel +81-3-3847-8111
fax +81-3-3847-8112

e-mail: info@sakura-hostel.co.jp
URL: http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/asakusa_hostel

]]> Have you seen some monsters in Kappabashi-dori? ^^ tag:www.sakura-hostel.co.jp,2012:/blog//1.2195 2012-02-05T01:26:38Z 2012-02-05T06:50:28Z

Really close to our Hostel, there's the famous Kappabashi-dori (also called Kitchen Town or simple Kappabashi). So I asked myself, why Kappabashi is called Kappabashi. ^^ Has it something to do with the cute, green looking Kappabashi mascot? And anyway, what animal is that mascot? ^^ It's the Kappa monster! ^^ It's called Kappa - and is not directly an animal... More it's a mysterious creature from Japanese folklore! ^^

Vanessa http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/ Hello together, really close to our Hostel, there's the famous Kappabashi-dori (also called Kitchen Town or simple Kappabashi), which is not only popular, because of the many restaurant trade shops there, also it's popular for it's many plastic display food, you can buy there (always an impressing souvenir ^^).

So I asked myself, why Kappabashi is called Kappabashi. ^^ Has it something to do with the cute, green looking Kappabashi mascot?

And anyway, what animal is that mascot? ^^

And I find many things to read about that "animal", called Kappa! ^^ It's not directly an animal, more it's a mysterious creature from Japanese folklore. ^^ So let's take a closer look to the Kappa.

A Kappa has almost an human body, but with reptile skin, which is mostly green or green-yellow. It's body size is more or less the same as a around ten years old child. Kappa live in rivers inside Japan and are very good swimmers! ^^

As water is very important for a Kappa, it has always to take some water with it, when it's outside it's river. ^^ Because of that, it has a indentation on top of their head that must always be filled with water. ^^ If the water runs out or is spilled, the Kappa will loose it's supernatural powers and gets paralyzed.

Kappas most favourite meal are cucumbers.

Which attributes has a Kappa - is it a good or bad guy? ^^ First, a Kappa can be very nasty...^^ It sneaks and peeks up kimonos and steal crops. They are drowning people and animals. It's rumored to attack cattle and children whose blood they suck and whose lives they drain.

Sounds very bad, right! ^^ But a Kappa can be a good guy, too! Kappa is known to be a stickler for respect and integrity. They are honest creatures, who always keep their word (of course, they can speak Japanese! ^^). And they help farmers a lot to irrigate their fields and it's said, that Edo-era farmers made often agreements with Kappa - so there are several Shinto shrines that celebrate the good deeds of these Kappa.

Kappa are knowledgeable about medicine. Much Edo-era medical knowledge was said to have come from the kappa. Often kappa are willing to trade knowledge for cucumbers. ^^

So what should you do, if you meet a Kappa? ^^ Kappa for strange reasons obsess over being polite. ^^ When you see a Kappa, just make a deep bow!

The Kappa will do the same and spill out all the water, it keeps in the indentation on his head. The Kappa will be not able to move any more, until the bowl was refilled with water from the river in which it lived. If you as a human refill it, the kappa would serve you for all eternity.

So, when you find a paralyzed Kappa, please let me know, I'll refill it! :D There's no evidence right now, that kappa are real. However, in Edo-era Japan the Kappa were really taken seriously. So Kappa warning signs can still be found beside some Japanese rivers. ^^

Ah, you know now, too, why the cucumber-filled sushi roll is named kappa-maki! ^^

Whenever you'll eat a kappa-maki in the future, you can think now about the nice Kappa monster, which likes cucumbers the most! :D So - what do you think? Cute Kappa? ^^

Terrible Kappa? ^^

I somehow like the Kappa, for me it's looking cute. :D

And oh, I almost forget....to answer the introducing question in the end: The name Kappabashi has nothing to do with the Kappa, but as it's name sounds the same like the kappa (raincoats), which were hang out to dry on the close bridge in ancient times by nearby residents, the group of shops along the street decided, to make Kappa their mascot. ^^

What do we learn from todays blog entry? Always good, to have some cucumber with you! ^^ Hope, you had fun while reading! :) Kappa are cool! ^^

Sakura Hostel Asakusa

Address: 2-24-2 Asakusa Taito-ku, Tokyo
tel +81-3-3847-8111
fax +81-3-3847-8112

e-mail: info@sakura-hostel.co.jp
URL: http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/asakusa_hostel

]]> Ice fishing at Matsubara lakeside in Nagano! Really coooool! :D tag:www.sakura-hostel.co.jp,2012:/blog//1.2194 2012-02-04T04:57:22Z 2012-02-04T07:59:21Z

A few days ago, it was the first time in my life, I was ice fishing! ^^ In Japan, ice fishing has a long tradition and of course, I didn't want to miss this kind of fun! ^^ Was a really great day! ^^

Vanessa http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/ Hello together, a few days ago, it was the first time in my life, I was ice fishing! ^^ In Japan, ice fishing has a long tradition and of course, I didn't want to miss this kind of fun! ^^ So Hiro-san, Naoto-san and former employee Ryoko-san from our Hostel in Asakusa, Linn-san and Hitoshi-san from Sakura Hotel Jimbocho, my boyfriend Marius and me get our stuff packed and drive together to Nagano prefecture, where a nice and big, icy lake called lake Matsubara was waiting for our fishing skills! :D We started our big fishing adventure at midnight and with some breaks, we had all our fishing material lent together at the lakeside very early in the morning (I think, it was around 6:30 am). ^^

Wow, it was soooo cold, you can't imagine! It should be around -6 degrees, but feels like -20. ^^ Fortunately, we all were wearing thick and warm clothes (I really recommend skying clothes for this kind of winter adventure) and rubber boots could be lent there (or just wearing snowboard boots, like Naoto-san did). ^^

And I had Kairo (small heating pillows) for my feet and hands! They are really cheap and you can get them almost in every supermarket and conbini in the winter. ^^ Really recommend that! ^^

As Hiro-san was the only one who went to ice fishing before a few years ago, he was a great teacher and perfectly knows, what we have to do! ^^ So first, you have to get the hole in the ice...with this useful tool, it isn't a problem (for man with power ^^).

Then just put the ice out of the whole with such a cute sieve! ^^

Next get your place clear. Get you a nice small chair (you can lent them there or bring one with you - thank you, Hiro-san!) and build up your tent. You can rent a tent for one or two persons or bring your own.

These tents are really great. ^^

Especially, when it starts snowing like that! :D

We had a really great fishing base camp! ^^

Tadaaa, this were the bait. Looking yummy, right :D

So "just" put the bait on the hooks. It takes some time for me, because first, I put my finger in the hook, then one of my gloves, too. ^^

So: is the hole in the ice, the worms on the right place (not on the ground or sticking on my gloves :D), you put your fishing line in the water. On the end of the line, there's a little weight, so that you will feel and see it on the line, when you've reached the ground. So we started to get our many many fish together! :D

Look at this cute fishing rod...it's very small and thin, hihi. But as the fish, we want to fish, are very small, too, that's totally fitting! ^^ They are called wakasagi (Hypomesus nipponensis). ^^ The fishing rod had 5 hooks, so that you could get the fish easily.

The wakasagi are swimming around 10 cm over the lake ground. So you just have to move your fishing rod a few times a little bit up and down and wait around 5 seconds. Normally, a fish will bite your worm, you'll feel this little movement and get your rod out of the water with yummy fish. NORMALLY :D Here you can see some of the good work! :D

The fishing record of the day before we went fishing was around 140 wakasagi, one person has catched! ^^ Our record (7 persons) was ....13 fish... together. Marius and me have catched....NOTHING. ^^

I don't know why! ^^ Maybe the person the day before catched to much fish! ^^ But everyone was proud of the catch and in the restaurant near the lake (where you can borrow all the nice fishing materials) we get nice Tempura from our wakasagi.

You eat them with salt. It was so yummy! ^^

But it wasn't enough unfortunately. ^^ So I eat some Butadon. Love it! Udon was sold well there, too...but unfortunately I was so busy with eating, that I forgot to take pictures! :D

After we were finished with fishing, we drive to a nearby onsen. The others told me, that it was really nice there...I couldn't go in...had a little tattoo problem unfortunately. ^^ Not so bad, I could sleep a little bit and watching then Marius, who went in an Onsen for the first time, coming out with a red head. Was hot, I guess :D But the Onsen was really nice with an outside pool, too. The temperatures were around 40 degrees. ^^ Here's a picture from inside the onsen. ^^

Then, we were driving back to lovely Tokyo, where no single snowflake is hiding! Wow, I was sleeping like a stone in the car. ^^

It was a great day and I'll never forget this experience of going ice fishing. That was really wow! ^^ I think, that was an unique experience for me and I'm so happy, that my lovely colleagues take me with them! ^^ Thanks, you're great! :) If you have the chance, cause staying in wintertime here in Japan, I recommend to go ice fishing. ^^ That would be a great experience you'll never forget! :) (And if you don't have the space for skying clothes in your luggage, don't worry...it may look funny, like mine..really 80s :D ... but you can get such warm clothes really - and I mean REALLY - cheap second hand, like I did. There's a great store between Ueno and Akihabara not far away from our Hostel. ^^) Have much fun! ^^

Sakura Hostel Asakusa

Address: 2-24-2 Asakusa Taito-ku, Tokyo
tel +81-3-3847-8111
fax +81-3-3847-8112

e-mail: info@sakura-hostel.co.jp
URL: http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/asakusa_hostel

]]> Setsubun at Senso-ji in Asakusa! ^^ tag:www.sakura-hostel.co.jp,2012:/blog//1.2193 2012-02-03T06:07:00Z 2012-02-03T09:05:33Z

Today is the big day! Setsubun takes place! ^^ So I went to Senso-ji Temple, to look what will happen on this special day - and it was really great and much fun! :D

Vanessa http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/ Hello together, today is the big day! Setsubun takes place! ^^ If you want to know, what that is and what and why you should and can do that and that, so please read here (I wrote about it a few days ago!). ^^ Caution! Flying beans around! Setsubun is coming :D Eating sushi for good luck - Ehomaki (恵方巻)! ^^ So I went to Senso-ji Temple, to look what will happen on this special day - and it was really great and much fun! :D Will show you some nice pictures of Setsubun now! They've build up a stage around the right side of Senso-ji. ^^

Here you can see the people standing there, get prepared for mamemaki, the bean throwing ritual. ^^

And then here they go! ^^ The fuku mame (fortune beans) were flying everywhere around! ^^

All the people enjoyed this very much and try to get as much beans as possible! :D

Some of them try to catch them with additional tools! :D

Whenever the beans were thrown through the air, everyone screams "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" - "Demons out! Good luck in!".

Look - I get TWO beans, yes! :D Of course, I've eaten them immediately :p

The ground was full of beans! ^^

After the bean throwing ceremony was finished, the people (I think, they were priests and people from cultural and historical societies) went with their lampions through Nakamise Dori and here, for visitors, Setsubun festival was finished. ^^

Problems with the height? :D

The atmosphere was really great and the weather was sooo nice! ^^ Senso-ji and Nakamise Dori were really crowded. ^^

Of course, I've bought some fuku mame for the Hostel (which male staff member will wearing the oni mask later? ^^) and a big big ehomaki for myself! ^^

Later I went there a second time, because some celebrities would show there. As I didn't know one of them, maybe you do - so please write me, who they are! :D I guess, they're singers, actors and comedians. ^^ It was really fun and the people around me were really happy! :D Who do you know? ^^

Back in the Hostel, we make our private Setsubun. That was so much fun...! ^^ Bad Johrel-oni-san! :D Our guests helps us, of course, to fight back! ^^ Naoto-oni-san didn't have a chance! :D :D And at the end... :D Hihihihihihihi....poor Johrel-san!

It was really a great Setsubun for me (and my first, too ^^). When you'll visit Japan in February, I recommend to go to Setsubun at Senso-ji. For me it was an unique chance, to experience another - very peculiar somehow ^^ - joyful part of Japanese culture! ^^

Sakura Hostel Asakusa

Address: 2-24-2 Asakusa Taito-ku, Tokyo
tel +81-3-3847-8111
fax +81-3-3847-8112

e-mail: info@sakura-hostel.co.jp
URL: http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/asakusa_hostel

]]> 隅田川ランナーへ朗報！サクラホステル浅草がランステ・シャワーをスタート！ tag:www.sakura-hostel.co.jp,2012:/blog//1.2192 2012-02-02T22:25:21Z 2012-02-03T00:03:22Z

奥さん、ニュースです！ 2月1日より、サクラホステル浅草で新サービスがスタートしました！なんとなんと、それは... 「ランステ・シャワー」！ランステ＝...

Tomo 奥さん、ニュースです！ 2月1日より、サクラホステル浅草で新サービスがスタートしました！なんとなんと、それは... 「ランステ・シャワー」！ ランステ＝ランニング・ステーション。ここ数年、東京マラソンなどの影響もありジョギングがどんどん流行っていってますよね。そんなランナーたちへ、 「サクラホステルのシャワーだけ使えますよ」 というサービスです。最近は隅田川沿いでランナーたちを見かけることも多くなりましたが、その隅田川もサクラホステルからなら徒歩10分の距離。. 隅田川沿いの景色は最高ですよー。ブログ用にスタッフが~~ハッピ~~ ジャージ羽織って走ってきました。うちのスタッフ Aguちゃんの爽快な笑顔をご覧頂けるでしょうか。 ↓↓↓↓

川の向こうには「東京スカイツリー」がどどーん！

どうですか、隅田川ラン。気持ち良さそうでしょ？でも走り終わった後はどうしましょう？気分爽快、アドレナリンいっぱいの頭で「走ったどー！」 ...でも待てよ。この汗かいた身体はどうしよう。家に帰るまで待てない。今すぐホットシャワーを浴びたいんだー！はい、そんな貴方に朗報です。隅田川から徒歩10分（走ったら5分？）、清潔で気持ち良いシャワーがあります。そう、それがサクラホステル浅草の.. 「ランステ・シャワー」

走る前にホステルのフロントに来てシャワールームでお着替え、そしてフロントに荷物を預けます。走り終わった後はホステルでシャワーを浴びて汗を流していって下さい。ご利用時間は毎日7:00AMから10:00PMまでぜひともお試しあれ ランニング・ステーション ホステルのシャワーって綺麗なの？もちろんですとも！ サクラホステル浅草のシャワー どうです？清潔で広々してて快適そうでしょ？

このサービスは宿泊者以外の方でもご利用頂けます。宿泊の機会がない方も、これを機にサクラホステルの館内に足を踏み入れてみましょう。あ、そうそう。バスタオルとかシャンプーは持ってこないで大丈夫ですよ。このランステ・サービスに含まれるものは次の通り。外国人バックパッカーも大満足の、 水圧が高くて気持ち良いホットシャワー に付いてくるのは、 ボディソープシャンプーコンディショナーバスタオル（レンタル）ヘアドライヤー（レンタル）

ご利用料金：　お1人様1回　600円也！ 一度試してみませんか？そうそう、シャワーを浴びた後は.... 朝ならサクラホステル浅草の１階ラウンジでバックパッカーたちに混ざって朝食を食べてみるとか朝食は315円（11:00AMまで）トースト、ホットドリンク（コーヒー、紅茶各種、ココア）、日替わりの手作りスープが食べ放題・飲み放題

仕事帰りランナーさんだったら、一杯飲んで帰っちゃうとか。ビールもありますし。

泊らなくても色々と使えます。サクラホステル (アルコール以外にも色々とカフェメニューありますよ) どうですか？え？ランニングなんてやってないよって？？そしたら、これを機に始めちゃいましょう。ご予約不要。お気軽にお越しくださいね。

Sakura Hostel Asakusa

Address: 2-24-2 Asakusa Taito-ku, Tokyo
tel +81-3-3847-8111
fax +81-3-3847-8112

e-mail: info@sakura-hostel.co.jp
URL: http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/asakusa_hostel

]]> "Running Service" at Sakura Hostel Asakusa - refreshing showers for all sweating runners around here! ^^ tag:www.sakura-hostel.co.jp,2012:/blog//1.2191 2012-02-02T04:16:47Z 2012-02-02T09:05:16Z

Since yesterday, we have a really cool and new service for you! ^^ It's our "Running Service"! Really great for all runners around here, who wants to get a refreshing shower without worries after their training!

Vanessa http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/ Hello together, since yesterday, we have a really cool and new service for you! ^^ It's our "Running Service"! Really great for all runners around here, who wants to get a refreshing shower without worries after their training! The Sumida-gawa riverside is the perfect place for going outside and doing jogging and running. You can run and run and run and have this great view everywhere around you. Just look at this! ^^ Agu-san shows you, how nice it is! ^^

Here, your new running route could take place! ^^

So you can enjoy your practice and training the most! ^^ But what happens after? You're feeling great, in your head adrenalin screams loudly "Yes, yes, yes, I made it!"...but your body at the same time may get grumpy "Hey, great job...but I'm full of sweat now, so give me a shower...hurry up, man!" :D But that's no problem anymore. ^^ Just close to Sumida-gawa riverside is our Hostel placed, waiting with nice and clean showers for you! You can leave your valuables and clothes to change here, where everything is save and take your training... And after you've finished your training... between 7 am to 10 pm take our Running Service and have a refreshing shower at our Hostel! Don't worry, you don't have to be a stay-over-night guest.... Just come in! :) And you don't have to care about towels or anything else... Our Running Service includes One relaxing and refreshing shower! One Runners Set with: Body Shampoo Hair Shampoo Hair Conditioner one towel (lent) Hair dryer (lent) For just 600 Yen! Isn't that great! ^^ And after your shower.... Get your energy back with a yummy breakfast (including as much as soup, toast, marmalade, honey, tea, coffee, cocoa you can take for only 315 Yen) until 11 am!

Or if you're more the after-work runner...drink some nice, refreshing beer

in international, comfortable atmosphere here in our lobby! ^^ (And of course, we have many non-alcoholic drinks, too!) Sounds great, right. Hey, maybe you think now " Aaahh, but I don't do running!". But why not start it now? ^^ We hope to see you soon! :)

Sakura Hostel Asakusa

Address: 2-24-2 Asakusa Taito-ku, Tokyo
tel +81-3-3847-8111
fax +81-3-3847-8112

e-mail: info@sakura-hostel.co.jp
URL: http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/asakusa_hostel

]]> Sakura Hostel Cup "Japan vs Tunisia" but on PlayStation tag:www.sakura-hostel.co.jp,2012:/blog//1.2190 2012-02-01T02:44:54Z 2012-02-01T05:20:10Z

When you stay at Sakura Hostel Asakusa, there is one thing you shouldn't miss. Yes, this is it. Winning Eleven!!! In the 1st lounge of Sakura Hostel Asakusa, there is a TV screen, DVD player and a PlayStation2.

Tomo When you stay at Sakura Hostel Asakusa, there is one thing you shouldn't miss. Yes, this is it. Winning Eleven!!!

In the first 1st lounge of Sakura Hostel Asakusa, there is a TV screen, DVD player and a PlayStation2. Huh, really? Does the world already have PlayStation3 or more? Oh, don't worry. Our PlayStation2 still works perfectly with every single move being pretty sharp!

Find other soccer fans, game lovers, or just someone who looks bored and has nothing to do in the lounge. Then, a game starts. Today, Yohei from Japan and Ghauge from Tunisia met here at the hostel and started Winning Eleven. Let's see who will win.

Japan? or Tunisia? Sakura Hostel Cup!

Just for your information, we have more Play Station games for you. Of course, it's free of charge to use these games!

Ok, now, let's go back to their game. Yohei seems to be the winner!!

Congratulations, Japan!

Sakura Hostel Asakusa

Address: 2-24-2 Asakusa Taito-ku, Tokyo
tel +81-3-3847-8111
fax +81-3-3847-8112

e-mail: info@sakura-hostel.co.jp
URL: http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/asakusa_hostel

]]> Eating sushi for good luck - Ehomaki (恵方巻)! ^^ tag:www.sakura-hostel.co.jp,2012:/blog//1.2188 2012-01-31T04:49:13Z 2012-01-31T06:27:53Z

yesterday I wrote about Setsubun, the bean-throwing Festival or bean-throwing Ceremony, which will take place on February 3rd. But to throw beans around is not the only way, to catch a good fortune for the future for oneself. There's another tradition for that day. It's to eat ehomaki. ^^

Vanessa http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/ Hello together, yesterday I wrote about Setsubun, the bean-throwing Festival or bean-throwing Ceremony, which will take place on February 3rd. But to throw beans around is not the only way, to catch a good fortune for the future for oneself. There's another tradition for that day. It's to eat EHOMAKI ^^

So what is ehomaki? Ehomaki are "lucky direction rolls" and thicker than normal sushi rolls. You eat them on the night of Setsubun. Here you can have a little idea, of how big and ehomaki is...really big! ^^

As you might guess, there are some special rules for making and eating ehomaki to really have a good fortune: First it must contain seven ingredients: so to be related with the Seven Deities of Good Fortune called Shichifukujin, seven fillings are traditionally rolled in. For example, simmered shiitake mushrooms and kanpyo (dried gourd), cucumber, rolled omelet (tamagoyaki), eels, sakura denbu (sweet fish powder), and seasoned koyadofu (freeze-dried tofu) are used. These ingredients represent good health, happiness, and prosperity, and rolling the fillings means good fortune. It must not be cut, because it might cut (off) your luck. You have to eat it while facing the lucky direction (the eho), which changes every year - because the lucky direction depends on the zodiac symbol for the year. Finally, you must eat the whole roll in total silence. So eat it quietly and don't stop while eating, wish for what you want in the coming year.

For 2012 the lucky direction is North-North-West. So best to take a compass before eating. ^^ So what's the history behind the ehomaki? Legend says when Toyotomi Hideyoshi was fighting for the rulership of Japan, one of his samurai, Horio Yoshiharu 堀尾吉晴 ate a rolled sushi (makizushi) on the evening before the battle and then the warriors won the battle. So now it is eaten to bring good luck when driving out the demons of Setsubun. Others say it comes from Osaka and the Kansai area, where rolled sushi was eaten hoping for prosperity in the coming year.

If you are visiting Japan and want to eat an ehomaki on February 3rd, you can buy them in convenience stores (but better to make a reservation for that in advance, because they could be sold out) or on sushi shops! ^^

Wish you a great setsubun! ^^

Sakura Hostel Asakusa

Address: 2-24-2 Asakusa Taito-ku, Tokyo
tel +81-3-3847-8111
fax +81-3-3847-8112

e-mail: info@sakura-hostel.co.jp
URL: http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/asakusa_hostel

]]> Caution! Flying beans around! Setsubun is coming :D tag:www.sakura-hostel.co.jp,2012:/blog//1.2187 2012-01-30T05:50:50Z 2012-01-30T07:40:40Z

One day before the start of spring, on February the 3rd, here in Japan Setsubun will take place. Setsubun (節分), what originally means "seasonal division", nowadays is called the bean-throwing Festival or bean-throwing Ceremony, which is my topic for today :) I think, this is really fun! :D

Vanessa http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/ Hello together, one day before the start of spring, on February the 3rd, here in Japan Setsubun (節分) will take place. Setsubun, what originally means "seasonal division", nowadays is called the bean-throwing Festival or bean-throwing Ceremony, which is my topic for today :) So on Setsubun, roasted soybeans, which are called 大豆(daizu), will be thrown through the air.

This bean throwing ritual is called 豆まき(mamemaki). The people, who are throwing the beans, will shouting 鬼は外！福は内！(Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!), what means "Demons out! Good luck in!". This will get rid of bad luck and invite in good luck. For that, the beans will thrown against people, who are wearing an oni costume. Oni (鬼) are creatures from Japanese folklore, variously translated as demons, devils, ogres or trolls.

Because of this special event, the beans are not longer just daizo (= soy beans), they will be called fuku mame (fortune beans) on this day and you can buy them in most of the stores. ^^

So it is also believed, that people can be healthy and happy, if they pick up and eat the thrown fuku mame. You should eat so many fuku mame equal to the number of your age! So I had to eat a lot of beans :D A lot of shrines or temples hold a mamemaki throwing soybeans event. Some of the big shrines or temples have celebrities, such as popular sumo wrestlers or Kabuki actors, as guests to throw beans to crowds.

Traditionally, people in Japan not only visit temples/shrines on Setsubun, but also perform bean throwing at home to drive away bad lucks and invite happiness into their houses. One person (usually the father ^^) wears then an oni demon mask and the rest of the family throw beans at that person.

If I imagine, to hold this ritual with my family in Germany, that would be really fun! ^^ Children surely would love that :D

So if you want to experience Setsubun here in Japan - this event is held on February 3rd at 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM in Sensoji Temple only two minutes walk away from our Hostel.

I hope, you will enjoy that special, traditional event and get all the demons away from you! ^^ And might be better not to wear only red on that day! :D

Sakura Hostel Asakusa

Address: 2-24-2 Asakusa Taito-ku, Tokyo
tel +81-3-3847-8111
fax +81-3-3847-8112

e-mail: info@sakura-hostel.co.jp
URL: http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/asakusa_hostel

]]> Minyo & Shamisen Concert - great music, great experience! ^^ tag:www.sakura-hostel.co.jp,2012:/blog//1.2186 2012-01-29T05:14:20Z 2012-01-29T07:25:38Z

Yesterday, a Minyo and Shamisen Concert was hold at our Hostel. ^^ So as I never hear Minyo songs and a Shamisen live before, I was very curious about the concert. ^^ And it was really great! :)

Vanessa http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/ Hello together, yesterday, a Minyo and Shamisen Concert was hold at our Hostel. Minyo is a genre of traditional Japanese music - it describes the Japanese folk songs, which have their own, different style pretending on which prefecture they had their origin. Minyo songs are passed down from generation to generation and were born out of the climate and culture in various regions. The Shamisen is a three-stringed, Japanese musical instrument played with a plectrum called a bachi. I think, outside Japan, it's one of the most popular known instruments. Many Shamisen songs also represent the countryside' s landscape.

So as I never hear Minyo songs and a Shamisen live before, I was very curious about the concert. ^^ But first, we had some work to do, to make this concert and the after-show-party as wonderful as possible! :) Johrel-san prepared really nice food for the party! ^^

Naoto-san made the stage clear and doing the sound check! ^^

Agu-san was our bar-woman, did a great job and mixed the best Samurai Cocktails ever! ^^

Then the concert starts, yippie :D

Before every song, we get an introduction about the following song and it was shown on the map, to which prefecture the songs origins belong to. That was totally great, so for me as an non-Japanese, it was totally heplful and interesting, to know more about every song. Great work! ^^

The singer Kazuse-san, the Shamisen player Taiyo-san and their nice moderator really made a great concert! :)

They were singing around 12 songs, as I could remember from different prefectures. For me, it was really great, to listen to this different kind of music, as the used tonal system in Japanese Minyo music differs from the western one. So it sounds really, really Japanese for me...and that was great. ^^ After performing songs, we sang one really popular Minyo song together. ^^ It's called "Kokiriko Bushi".

That was fun, hehe! But it wasn't as easy, as it may look. The Japanese used in Minyo songs is ancient Japanese, which is even for Japanese people sometimes hard to understand. ^^ And when we had a little training in singing it, one should go to the stage and sing it together! ^^ Wah, as everyone seems to shy, Tomo-san should sing...and then me too...but, hehe, I took my boyfriend with me :p So we three sang together, giving our best in not singing wrong (but I'm for me not sure, if it worked ^^). :D

That was really cool! ^^ Later we had the chance, to ask the musicians questions. That was so nice, because when you're curious, then it's a good and rare chance, to ask the musicians directly! ^^ It was the groups first concert and I hope, many of them will follow! They will record a Minyo album soon in the future together and I'm sure, it'll be great! ^^ Not only the music and the performance were really great and fascinating yesterday, it's also in my thinking important, to preserve this traditional music and let it keep in mind through such great concerts. :) Thank you very much for that concert and to let us experience this kind of wonderful music! After the concert, we had a nice sit together and drink some more drinks. And we could eat soooo many totally yummy food.

Tomoyuki-sans green macha cake! ^^ Great job! ^^

And look, what Johrel-san prepared! ^^ Delicious! ^^

And of course we had many things more (I loved the panda pan, hihi).

So we sit together, all talking and have much fun in great atmosphere.

This evening was really so nice, traditional, great, wonderful and an experience more, I don't want to miss! ^^ Thank you for sharing this evening with us! :)

Sakura Hostel Asakusa Address: 2-24-2 Asakusa Taito-ku, Tokyo tel +81-3-3847-8111 fax +81-3-3847-8112 e-mail: info@sakura-hostel.co.jp URL: http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/asakusa_hostel ]]> サクラホステル浅草がランステをオープン！隅田川ランニングなんていかがでしょう？ tag:www.sakura-hostel.co.jp,2012:/blog//1.2185 2012-01-27T21:00:52Z 2012-02-01T05:44:46Z

サクラホステル神保町で大好評のランステがサクラホステル浅草でも始まります！「浅草周辺をランニングしたいけど、荷物はどこに置いたらいいの？」「走り終わったあ...

Tomoyuki http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/ サクラホステル神保町で大好評のランステがサクラホステル浅草でも始まります！

「浅草周辺をランニングしたいけど、荷物はどこに置いたらいいの？」
「走り終わったあとシャワーで汗を流したいし、シャンプーやボディーソープを使って髪や体も洗いたい。」
「タオルやドライヤーを持って行くのは大変。」
「走り終わった後ご飯も食べたいけど、朝早くてどこのお店も開いてない。」など、心配に思っている方もいらっしゃるのではないでしょうか？

サクラホステル浅草では、2月1日よりランニングステーションを始めます。
料金とご利用時間は以下の通りです。

・ご利用料金：600円/1回
・ご利用時間：朝7：00から夜22：00
・料金に含まれるもの

1：バスタオル

2：ボディーソープ
3：シャンプー
4：リンス
※ドライヤーもお使い頂けます。

168805_10150120389758628_676838627_7841365_2249390_n.JPG

【利用の流れ】

1：フロントにてご精算
2：シャワー室にて着替え
3：フロントにて荷物お預かり
4：ランニング
5：シャワーご利用
6：お荷物返却・退館

ランニングの後にシャワーを浴びて、朝食も食べて行きたい！という人も大歓迎！
サクラホステル浅草では、お1人様315円で以下の朝食が食べ放題となっております。

・トースト
・バター
・ジャム三種
・コーヒー・紅茶各種・緑茶
・手作りスープ

皆さんのご来館をお待ちしております。

Sakura Hostel Asakusa

Address: 2-24-2 Asakusa Taito-ku, Tokyo
tel +81-3-3847-8111
fax +81-3-3847-8112

e-mail: info@sakura-hostel.co.jp
URL: http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SakuraHotelTokyo
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/asakusa_hostel
]]> Weekly series: "Pssst. Now our guests are speaking!" This week: Questions for you! :) tag:www.sakura-hostel.co.jp,2012:/blog//1.2184 2012-01-27T05:19:51Z 2012-01-27T05:20:36Z

Today it's Friday and this is a special of our special series! :D So this week, I've questions for you!

Vanessa http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/ Hello together, today it's Friday and this is a special of our special series! :D So this week, I've questions for you! Because I thought, that it might be interesting for you, to know, what our guests from so many different nations have experienced while their stay in Tokyo and what they would recommend to you, this series was born. And to make it much more interesting and as best as possible for you, I want to ask YOU this time...

What do you want to know from our guests and their stay in Tokyo? Do you miss some questions or is it great the way, it is? ^^ Want to know more about some special impressions, about how they experienced some certain aspects of Tokyo or the people living here? Let me know to do the best for you! :) So please write me - here with your comments or on our facebook page or twitter! ^^ Ahh, and of course...if you will stay here in the future and want to be interviewed for our blog - don't hesitate to ask me and my colleagues and we'll make a great interview together! ^^ Here you can read from some of our former guests.... Tony from Brazil!

Michael from Australia!

Thomas from the USA!

Reginald from Canada!

Toufik and El Hadi from Algeria! On the picture, they are the nice guys in the second row from the left (Toufik) and in the middle of second row (El Hadi). ^^

Gema from Mexico!

Doesn't they look all really nice and friendly! :) You really can make friends easy here and discover Tokyo together! Even if you travel alone, you wont be alone! ^^ And all our nice guests from all over the world, could be your friend, could be helpful and share their experience and recommendations with you! ^^ I really like that..and every time it gives me a big smile behind the front desk, to watch how formerly strangers in so short time could be friends.