Asakusa Diary - The Staff Blog

Do you like beer? I love it especially in Summer!

We have many Beer Gardens open during summer season.
I just found an information of 'Neo Stall Village Super Night' on June 11th which looks so nice.

They usually appear at lunch time on weekdays there.

The colorful small cars are so cute☆ You'll see many people are waiting in a queue at each stalls as it is in a business town in a middle of Tokyo.

There will be live music, and 20 stalls selling food such as kebab, curry, tacos, noodles and of course BEER on Friday night!

One draft beer is 400 yen, but if you purchase a reuse cup for 800 yen there, you'll get 100 yen off for each beer =D
Let's hope it will be a nice warm (not too hot) evening on Friday!

Date: June 11th, 2010 (Fri)
Time: 6PM - 10PM
@ Tokyo International Forum [Access]

The Firefly festival in Kugayama, Suginami Ward is coming this Sat & Sun!
Nowadays it is hard to see many fireflies in Japan because of the pollution of water and air.

However, in this festival, you can enjoy the firefly's beautiful lights, because
people gather thousands of fireflies and release them into the air.

Date: June 5 (Sat) & 6 (Sun)
Place: Kugayama Sta- Just 15 mins from Shibuya. 45 mins from Asakusa.
Time: 10am-9pm

Bring your girlfriend to the romantic festival!

Time for experience Tokyo's hot festival again!
鳥越まつり Torigoe Matsuri

Torigoe shrine is an old shrine with a 1350 year history, and the night festival,
called Torigoe Matsuri is famous for its large portable shrine,

The main portable shrine (Mikoshi) decorated with paper lanterns for this matsuri is
the biggest Mikoshi in Tokyo.
The weight is over 4 tons! Can you believe that?
Let's get together to experience the wonderful Japanese Matsuri atmosphere.

Torigoe Matsuri
Date: June 5-June 6
Time: 7pm-9pm
Place: Torigoe Shrine, Kuramae (Just 1 station from our hostel)

Hello.
Today is the final day of "Sanja Matsuri"
So many people in Happi in Asakusa.

Too much !!

And I tried to take a picture of Mikoshi(portable shrines) for this blog.
But I could not find it.
Where is it ?
Are Men taking a rest now?

But, no problem.
I'm very happy because there are a lot of food stalls.

Taste is terrific !

When I came back to hostel, Tomoe was angry.
"Why didn't you take any pictures of Mikoshi ?"

I'm sorry.
Please forgive me, this is a present, Takoyaki(octopus dumpling) for you.

Yes, it's this weekend - Asia's largest biannual art event "Design Festa Vol.31" http://www.designfesta.com/index_en.html will be held at Tokyo Big Sight in Odaiba.

Free tickets are available for Sakura Hostel guests, please ask at our front desk.
And not only the admission tickets, one of our staff will be waiting for you with free ice-cold beers and soft drinks at the "Restaurant Area" of the venue.
Please find a Sakura staff holding a pink umbrella. See you at at Tokyo Big Sight !!

Below, is the movie of Design Festa Vol. 30 in October 2009.

On Apr 25, we had a Wadaiko Tour in Ryogoku. Wadaiko means Japanese drums.
Are you guys ready? Let's go!

On the way to Ryogoku, I found many people taking a picture. A famous Kabuki actor,
Ichikawa Danjuro was in Senso-ji temple. The bold guy in the back is him.
I know I don't have any sense of taking a picture.

I was chasing the guy and I got lost...oops

And I heard a nice chorus, then I found a temple concert was held in the temple.

Anyway, I got there in safe except Naoto hold me in headlocks.
The seats were full of the guests. There were about 500 people.
Some people could't take a seat, like me :(

The concert started!
The sound of the taiko had a tremendous power. The music's beat flowed through my body.

Showing many kinds of taiko.

A ritual dance by a performer wearing a lion's mask calls ''Shishimai''

The shishimai came over to the guests, and bite their heads or hands.
Once you got a bite from the lion, you can get a good luck in this year.
Normally, people have a Shishimai bite in the beginning of the year.

Finale

After the concert taking a picture in front of rake decoration called ''Kumade'' in Japanese.
It is believed from Edo period (100 years ago) that a rake carries happiness and wealth
to a buyer in business.

On the way back, we stopped by a Chankonabe restaurant.
Chankonabe is a Japanese stew eaten by sumo wrestlers.
It has variety of ingredients, such as meat, veggies, tofu, gluten, Kuzu starch noodle, and so on.
We ordered a spicy chanko stew with ramen noodle in the end.
I had a chankonabe for the first time in my life.
I liked it at all! I def will come to eat them again!

Even I missed the first walking tour part, I could get to know a new Japanese culture!!

Yabusame, or the horseback archery that takes place in Asakusa,
has a very long history, and it is held annually in April.

During the Edo era, it was held every year on January 5
as one of the New Year's special events at Asakusa Shrine.

This event has been described in detail in such historic documents
as Sensoji-shi (A History of Sensoji Temple) and
Toto-saijiki (The Chronicle of the East Capital).

Today, Asakusa Yabusame follows the traditional style recreated with
the cooperation of the head of the Ogasawara School of Archery and Horsemanship,
and it’s held at Sumida Park at 10 am.
Don't miss it!!

Come to the party at Sakura Hotel Ikebukuro on Fri, Apr 23.

Special Guest, "VJ KAZ"
Large outdoor rave started, playing in a number of Top Club.
Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert and DJ Adam Freeland,
Freq-nasty and played a co-star.

[Location] Sakura Cafe Ikebukuro

[Access] 5 min. walk from Ikebukuro Station

[Map] http://www.sakura-cafe.asia/ikebukuro/english/access.php

Please get 2 Drinks and Food Tickets (315 yen each) when you arrive.
And you should wear any pink items.

I am going to be there for sure, cuz Ikemen (good-looking) bar tenders are coming!

Let's make new friends and enjoy a range of cocktails, beers and snacks.

Yaaay! Our Hanami Party went pretty good.
We had a good weather, and cherry blossoms are blooming perfectly.
Look at Daniel's huge smile.

Sky tree is behind us. What a perfect location.

People were just chilling under the sun.

We had nice booze.

Naoto was prefer eating rather than drinking.

Even though it was windy, and our stuffs were kept blowing away, we had a good time.

Look how much liquors I brought.

Having so much good time means you must have a bad hangover on the next day...lol

If you have facebook account, you can check out more photos of our Hanami party.
This is our page, named as Sakura Hotel & Hostel in Tokyo, Japan
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sakura-Hotel-Hostel-in-Tokyo-Japan/220350084985
Photo page
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27104&id=220350084985&ref=mf

Have you ever watched Japanese national sport, Sumo?
I have great information about sumo today.

In 1869, a sumo wrestling exhibition was held at Yasukuni Shrine in the occasion of the establishment festival of the shrine. Since then, exhibitions involving all professional sumo wrestlers, including grand champions or yokozuna, take place at the Spring Festival almost every year. The facility is filled with many people who enjoy the matches free of charge.
This exhibition is very popular therefore we recommend you to go there earlier so you can take nice seat.

●Details●

Date : 9th April (Fri) 2010

Time : 9:00-15:00

Place : Yasukuni Shrine Sumo Ring (outdoor)

Price : Free of charge

Occupancy load limit : 6000 people (on a first-come-first-served basis)

Program : 9:00 Ring entering ceremony (Dohyo-sai)

10:40 Match (Torikumi) start
Shokkiri / Sumo Jinku / Yaguya taiko(Japanese Traditional Drums)

13:30 Sumo Society members, Yokozuna and sumo wrestlers show up

14:00 Break time (Nakairi)

15:00 Closing

●Access●
JR
10 minutes walk from Ichigaya and Iidabashi stations (Sobu Line and Chuo Line)

Subway
5 minutes walk from Kudanshita Station (Tozai Line)
5 minutes walk from Kudanshita Station (Hanzomon Line)
5 minutes walk from Kudanshita Station (Toei Shinjuku Line)
10 minutes walk from Ichigaya Station (Namboku Line)
10 minutes walk from Ichigaya and Iidabashi stations (Yurakucho Line)

City bus
One minute walk from the Kudanue stop served by the Kudanshita-Takadanobaba and Shibuya-Ochanomizu lines

3-1-1 Kudankita Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8246
Telephone: (03) 3261-8326
URL: http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/

Mai
　　　　　　

On the next day of all-in-one party, we had the other event at 300 bar in Ginza.
Our Ebi-chan was invited as a DJ and played with Mr Paul Dateh!!

How cool he is!
Unfortunately, I couldn't see him playing at that night
but I definitely go the next time;)

We had a really great time with a lot of people on 21st of november.
After Asakusa guided tour, everyone gathered together at Sakura Hostel.

#1 Origami lesson♪

Looks difficult?
No, not at all.
Just follow the teacher and you can make it☆

#2 Wear Kimono♪

Learn how to put Kimono and tell your friends when you go back to your home.
It's not so hard as you think.

★Three beautiful girls★

#3 Sushi Party!
Enjoy Arai-san's hand made sushi roll.
It's so lovely and taste so gooood!

Let's make your favorite hand-rolled sushi.
The most popular sushi item was tuna-mayo (tuna with mayonnaise).

#4 Paul Dateh's Live
Have you heard of his music?

Check it out↓↓

They played twice for us!

We'd like to say thank you for all the people who joined the party:)

If you'd like to make effective use of time in Asakusa,
this is it☆☆

As you can see, we have a fun event on 21st of November.
Asakusa guide tour→Sushi Party→Mini Live.
You'll be 100% satisfied with it♪

Even though it's called "mini live", Paul Dateh is the great artist.
Click his name and you'll love his music.
You shoudn't miss it if you are in Tokyo;)

Welcome to our sushi party!!

We are ready to make hand-rolled sushi☆
Do you find something your favorite from here?

I like salmon with avocado.

Let's start!!

Don't worry, we have enough stock;)

People look serious when they make.
Isn't it so hard?

Wow! You are professional★

...half an hour later.

Now, it's time to go and watch Hanabi♪

Please follow Tomo, be careful not to get lost.

"Aian beauty"

Tamayaaaaaaa!!

Design Festa finished on last Sunday.

What was new this time was;
Sakura Group (Sakura House, Hotel & Hostel) had a small sitting area where our guests could rest and chat with other Sakura guests.

Jack (our hostel's staff member) took care of this place and welcomed our guests with some free drinks.

This sitting area was popular as it was sometimes hard to find a place to take a rest in this big event hall with a huge crowd of people.

The webmaster of Sakura Group (he is the one who created our hostel's website) was there, too.
Mr. Aoyama & his little son, so cuuuuuuute♪ ↓　↓　↓　↓

One famous Sumo wrestler, Tamakasuga, will hold his retirement ceremony on May 30th at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.

Sakura Group (Sakura House & Hotel) will go see the ceremony together.
It's not only a retirement ceremony but also a series of exciting Sumo competitions.
After watching the sport, we are planning to go to a Chanko (Sumo wrestler's meal) restaurant.

Date: Saturday, May 30th
Meeting Time: 11AM
Place: Ryogoku Sumo Stadium

Tickets are sold at the hostel.
Sumo Event & Chanko (meal): 5,000 yen
Only Sumo Event (no meal): 3,000 yen

Ask us for more at the reception:)

Let me tell you about our Hanami party on last Saturday.

Before going to the partk, we made Sushi rolls together↓↓

They made their original rolls and it looked delicious:)

Itadaki ma-su!
How's your sushi?

When we started the party, there were about 20 people.

About 1 hour later, we were about 40 people!
Do you guys have enough space?

By the way, are you enjoying the beauty of the flowers?

Tomo's pasta was good!!

Thank you for joining us. I hope you did have a great time☆

As you know, we'll have a party and make some sushi rolls at the hostel.
Of course, anyone staying with us, all guests of our sister hotels
and tenants of Sakura House are welcomed:)

In addition, Tomo will cook Pasta (butterbur sprout pasta with cream sauce) for you.
Don't be afraid, it's just only for a few people and I prepare instant sauce just in case;P
Also, you can have a real one at Sakura hotel Ikebukuro during Spring.

If you are coming late, it would be no problem.
Please drop by our reception and we'll let you know where to go.

I hope tomorrow will be much warmer☆★☆

Yesterday, Sakura house held the event at Sakura hotel Ikebukuro.
At this event, people could wear kimono and had a tea ceremony lesson.

I just joined that event in the middle to take some photos.
When I got there, some girls already wore kimono and they looked excited★
As a Japanese, I feel happy to see their smiles with kimono.

All the girls brought their cameras (of course!) and took many many pictures each other.

Unfortunately, this event was only for ladies bacause size of the kimono was M or smaller.
But it would be nice if you take your girlfriend, sister or mother;)
The next time we have it, I'll let you know here♪

Before or after they had a tea ceremony lesson, they had a lunch together.

↑It seemed much harder to make a "good" tea than they expected↓

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, cherry trees fully blossom
about a week after they start to bloom.
So, we decide to have it on 28th of March this year♪

This time will be a little bit different than usual.
We'll make our sushi before and bring it to the park where the party is held.
Of course, you can bring anything you want to eat under beautiful cherry trees.

Please don't hesitate and just join us;)
It must be fun!

How well do you know about Asakusa town?
Our guests always go to Shibuya, Odaiba, Roppongi and so on
but there are many many fun (weird?)places to go around our hostel.

Now, therefore, we have a special campaign now underway↓↓

The title is "Take photos & Get free internet and more!"

The rules are:
1. Find these locations and objects (They are all in Asakusa).
2. Take photo with your digital camera. You should appear in the photo like I do.
3. Show us the photo you took.

Prizes are...
One photo: 1 hour free internet.
Three photos: Free one breakfast.
Ten photos: Special BIG prize!(secret at this moment)

We are waiting for your entry:)

I took some pictures with funny statues and figures
existed in Asakusa town.
This is for our new activity starting from January.

If you try it, you'll get a little (sometimes a big) prize☆
I'll let you know the detail soon when it's ready!

How are you spending your christmas holidays?
I'll report our christmas party which was held on the last night.

First of all, we watched the movie together.
"Love Actually" is one of my fovorite one:)
Have you ever watched before?

The main part of this time was Tsuyoshi&Naoto's magic show!
When they were practicing, I saw their tricks many many times
but I could still enjoyed them;)
It was soooo funny.

Look at their mustache.
I painted it for them to be Super Mario brothers:D

Our guests also seemed enjoyed themselves.
The next year will be much trickier...I guess☆

Of course, we had a bingo game.
All could get one prize and lucky person got Yukata!
I hope they would like it.

Thank you for joining our party♪

Special Thanks to Tanaka san;)

Naoto and Tsuyoshi is practicing the magic
they will show tonight for our christmas party.
I still don't know what they are going to do
but am also looking forward to seeing it♪

I just found some tools like these↓↓

Hmmm...playing cards are for a magic but what about hammer?
I hope it's not for hitting me:(

See you tonight★

These are for presents for Bingo game on Christmas party, 23rd.
If you are lucky, you'll get a beatiful Yukata (kimono for summer)☆

I'll buy more prizes for you, so you can request now!

You gotta come:)

Christmas party will be held at our hostel!!
This year, we'll have a movie night and Bingo party.
We are still thinking which movie we should have.
Do you have any idea?
Our options at this moment is "Love Actually"(my favortite),
"Miracle on 34th street"(Tomoe's reccomendation), "Music and Lyric "
"The Family Man"(Eiro's favorite) and "Lords of dogtown "...

If you are interested in joining our party, just come to Sakura Hostel.
Guests from our sister hotels and tenents of Sakura House are all welcomed♪
Of course people who had stayed here before (YOU!) should come:)

We'll let you know more detail information soon.

At 5:45 Kampaaaaaai!! (Cheers!) By Tsuyoshi= the Booze king☆

Are you guys having fun??
Where have you been to, Alex?

Drink more beer;)

Those two girls just bought Yukata for that night.
It suits you two!

★Today's Best Yukata ladies&gentlemen★

They wore it by themselves. Well done!

It's time to go ans see fireworks now. Let's go♪

Follow me, please.

Sorry, I coudn't take any "Good" pictures with our camera...
but fireworks were really good!

Rumi (the left one of the best yukata girls) took much better ones,
so I'll upload some later.

We did enjoy ourselves last night.
Thank you for joining us and if you want to get some pictures of you,
please feel free to ask me.
Or it will be available from flickr later.
I'll add more;)

Thanks to my mom, I could wear Yukata by myself like this!!

I sent a picture and she said it looked good:)
Tomo was also learnd on the internet and wore it from her home this morning.

Though it looks cool and comfortable, my stomach is tighten up:(

Anyway, we are ready to enjoy Hanabi party tonight and I just hope that
we won't get evening shower...☆

Once again, the name of our hostel is Sakura Hostel. Our sister hotel (Sakura Hotel) and sister companies (Sakura House and Sakuratei) also have "sakura" in their names.

Do you know what "sakura" is?
It's the national flower of Japan, the flower most loved by Japanese people for centuries.
In English, it's called cherry blossom.

Among the many species of cherry trees, Japan's most beloved one is Somei Yoshino (photo above). The color is almost white when you see a flower close. But when you are farthur from the tree, it looks light pink.

Spring is the season when you can see the flowers. The flower's life is very very short, only a week or two. If the flower lived longer, it wouldn't be loved this much. In the flower, Japanese people see the briefness and beauty of life,

Tokyo is expecting their early blooming this year due to the warm winter.
The flower forecast says the 18th of March is "the date" this year.

Hanami (flower viewing party) is another reason why Japanese love the flower this much. People go to parks, riverbanks, temples and shrines to have a party with foods and drinks under sakura trees. It never matters whether the real purpose is to view the flower or just to drink...

On Saturday, March 24th, we will have this hanami party with our guests. We will go to a riverbank close to the hostel. The sakura flowers are expected in full bloom around that date. Come and join us with your own food and drink!! >>>event calendar

Let's party!!
Warm up here before hitting Roppongi or Shibuya!!
Life is too short to stay alone!!

Fun trip from our hostel on Dec.1(Fri).
Strolling spacious Park in Ueno,our neighbor and have a wonderful time in
Rikugi-en, the landscape garden for the autumn leaves light-up.
It's a great oppotunity to know our neighbor.Enjoy this seasonal trip with us!!
*maximum 10 people tour!!need to sign up by the day before.

We are having the excursion for Tsukiji Fish Market,Tokyo central market on Nov.22.It's one of the biggest market in the world as you know.
Why don't you come join us?