FEB 2022 RISE

ISSUE: FEBRUARY 2022 PAGE 01

RISE

MONTHLY JOURNAL FROM JAPAN

LETTER FROM EDITORS DESK boosting the enthusiasm and team spirit. All these activities take
place against the backdrop of the Imperial Palace, rejuvenating mind
Dear Reader, and body. In February, we will also be see many international
conferences happening in Kagoshima, Kobe, Osaka, Nagoya, Tokyo
Ohayo Gozaimasu!! and many more places.

In these unprecedented times, we hope you all are keeping safe. While in Niigata prefecture, the sake breweries are busy at work, as
While Japan celebrated New Year on January 01, the lunar year the work of sake brewing is done during the winter season. It
changes on February 01, marking the beginning of the Year of the provides the ideal temperature for fermentation and taste to mature.
Tiger. This symbolizes strength and courage, hoping the Year
2022, will have a positive effect and wade through the sorrows Due to COVID-19, many hotels had to reduce human and robot
and despair. workforce. But starting this year, Japan will be experience steady
growth with international hotel brands expanding in Japan. It is
In January, Tokyo successfully hosted MEMS2022 at the Tokyo expected to get 28 launches, with 4733 keys already set down. From
International Forum in the Marunouchi area. Located close to Hoshino resorts, KAI Poroto, Hokkaido, the first one to open in the
the Imperial Palace, Marunouchi is a strategic location for luxury segment on January 14th. In the coming years, we will also see
M.I.C.E. events, with a good selection of hotels and activities. the opening of luxury brands such as Bvlgari Hotel, MGM Resort
Osaka, Unbound Collection by Hyatt and many more.
For M.I.C.E. groups, another initiative has been taken by ASICS (a We hope you get to travel this year to Japan!
Japanese sportswear brand), which has setup a run station in
Marunouchi with a 5 km track, under the guidance of a Stay Safe. Arigato Gozaimasu.
professional coach. Running is a great team-building activity,

INSIGHT PAGE 02

NEW YEAR HOLIDAY IN JAPAN

BY SHARAD SHARMA

It is that time of the year when we all want Japanese households stay together to eat In major metropolitan cities like Tokyo and
to holiday and travel to our dream and watch musical shows on television. The Osaka, New Year’s Eve is a bit different, with
destinations that would make welcoming the evening meal would have a soba (buckwheat lavish parties, music, dancing, and fireworks.
New Year fun. Japan is one such destination noodle), symbolizing longevity. While On January 2nd, Royal family members of
that offers a unique experience. It’s the families are together, they enjoy playing Japan address the crowd from the Imperial
traditional way of welcoming New Year and cards, badminton, and kite flying. Palace balcony, and the inner gardens facing
it is really fun to be part of such ceremonies. the balcony are open to the public.
On January 01, Hatsumode festivities take
In Japan, the New Year is a major holiday place at every shrine and temple across While most of the city’s museums, gardens,
when most people visit their families, clean Japan, and they continue for the first few and attractions are closed between
houses, prepare traditional meals and spend days of the year. Most of the popular shrines December 29 and January 04, it is advisable
the days together. Japanese customs have have a festival-like atmosphere with food to plan travel accordingly to avoid any
been laid in such a way that a year-end stalls, souvenir & lucky charm stalls to bring inconvenience.
means one is required to finish all their tasks in great fortunes. There are specific sites to
and have a fresh start when the New Year discard last year’s luck charm. These The best way to enjoy the New Year holiday
starts. So, in Japan, bonenkao parties are practices continue from December 31 to in Japan is not to be in the big cities like
organized (year forgetting parties) with the January 01. People line up to get blessings in Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto, but to be in the
purpose of leaving all old troubles and the main hall, and when it is midnight and a countryside of Japan with local families to
worries behind and starting afresh. calendar change, temple bells are rung really enjoy the traditional feast and visit
repeatedly to welcome the change. City shrines.
New Year’s Eve is a family affair, most of the transport services work through the night to
manage the crowds.

IN FOCUS PAGE 03

IMAGES © WAKURA ONSEN TOURISM ASSOCIATION

W A K U R A O N S E N – H O T S P R I N G O C E A NIMAGES © WAKURA ONSEN TOURISM ASSOCIATION

OF ISHIKAWA PREFECTURE

BY SONIA SINGH

Founded over 1200 years ago, Wakura along the JR Nanao Line to Nanao Station, gastrointestinal diseases. However, tourists
Onsen, located beside Nanao Bay on the and then transfer to Noto Railway Line to are recommended to share information if
Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, is Wakura Onsen Station. Wakura Onsen is they suffer from any diseases before
one of the oldest hot spring resorts in the located about two kilometers away from entering onsen. There are about 20 ryokans
region. This resort town of Hokuriku has Wakura Onsen Station. It is possible to walk in Wakura Onsen. The water’s surface of
been patronised by Japanese people and is the distance in about 30 minutes, but some the outdoor bath has a view of the sky
slowly becoming popular with foreign hotels offer free pick-up, and there are also blending with the sea, as if it were floating
visitors as well. local buses and taxis. the calm Nanao Bay. There are also “foot
bath” and “hand bath” inside Wakura Onsen
In 1880, Wakura Onsen’s water won third It is said that the hot spring temperature area, where you can enjoy the hot springs
prize Global Mineral Springs Expo and rises to 80 degrees Celsius and is filled with casually.
became well-known for its high quality and sodium and calcium chloride springs. The
medical effects. water source is said to have anti-bacterial If you plan a motorcycle tour, you can stop
effects, moisturize, and beautify skin. In at Wakura Onsen for a quick night stay or
Wakura Onsen can be reached from addition, it is also believed to cure muscle even a day trip.
Kanazawa. You will need to take a train and joint pain and be good for

EXCEPTIONAL STAY PAGE 04

IMAGES © THE CAPITOL HOTEL TOKYU

AKASAKA, TOKYO - WHERE THE SAMURAI
POST MEETS JAPANESE LUXURY

BY AIKO MIYAUCHI - THE CAPITOL HOTEL TOKYU

Today, Akasaka, located in the centre of the biggest and most crowded city in the same place as a special guardian of Edo city
Tokyo, is one of the most luxurious world, with a population twice the size of (Tokyo).
residential areas and is also the top Paris at that time.
commercial district. However, its past is These historical facts show Akasaka’s
steeped in history, with the area Inside of the second layer of the moat and recognition as a precious and high-class
recognized as a residential area whose indicated by the blue area on the map, it area for a long time, and continues to be
dwellers were top high-class Samurai that shows the residential area for the Daimyo considered high-end and of significant
were called “Daimyo”. lords, who were the most powerful samurai importance to the city, and even wider
class after Shogun, the rulers of Japan at country, well into modern times.
Created in 1858 during the late Edo period that time. In the red area on the map, the
(a part of Japan’s history dating from 1603- Hie Shrine, which was built in the most After the Edo period was succeeded by the
1867 which was ruled by the Tokugawa important location based on Japanese Meiji period, the dawn of modern Japan,
Shogunate), the map shows the Edo Castle, directionology, a system akin to astrology, Akasaka became a big entertainment
which was surrounded by two layers of to protect the castle as well as bless the district due to the Japanese peerages, who
moats. Edo, the former name of the city Tokugawa’s long lasting prosperity. Even to were former Samurai working for the
known during modern times as Tokyo, was this day, the Hie Shrine still stands in the Tokugawa government, and high officials

EXCEPTIONAL STAY PAGE 05

IMAGES © THE CAPITOL HOTEL TOKYU

living there. As a place of social gathering, official residence, the Imperial Palace, and for visitors from India. Its location allows
there were many fine dining and fancy Hie Shrine, guests can feel the beating guests to walk to see the best of Tokyo,
Ryotei restaurants, as well as nightclubs in heart of Japan's metropolis. from the old to the new, and our position
the area, which made Akasaka a fusion city next to Hie Shrine allows visitors to truly
of paradise for gastronomy, corporate Entering the hotel through a bamboo grove experience the tranquility of a shrine.We
headquarters, and luxury hotels. The area is into the beautiful entrance hall which was are proud of our onsite restaurants that
still the centre of politics in Japan, even in created by the world-renowned architect offer vegan and vegetarian menus to suit
2022. Kengo Kuma, this Japanese-owned hotel travellers from all over the world. Our team
incorporates the calming aesthetics of a is proud to welcome guests into our hotel,
Located next to the Hie Shine, our hotel traditional Japanese inn, including sliding which offers the very best in Japanese
The Capitol Hotel Tokyu stands on Star Hill paper doors in the guest rooms within an hospitality.
as one of the most iconic luxury hotels in ultra-modern skyscraper. The hotel offers
Tokyo. Just like Akasaka’s history, we have a exclusive experiences for guests - including
long history of providing luxury geisha-hosted dinners and Shinto
accommodation, originally starting in 1963 ceremony experiences - and is a favourite
under the name The Tokyo Hilton Hotel, haunt of an array of international VIPs.
which was the very first international
luxury hotel in Japan to open after World With its rich past and significance to
War Two. Thanks to the hotel’s location, Japanese history, choosing to stay at The
standing between the Prime Minister's Capitol Hotel Tokyu is the perfect choice

GOURMET PAGE 06

VEGAN FOOD IN JIYUGAOKA- TOKYO’S
LITTLE EUROPE

BY ICHIRO HATTA

Japan is one of the most popular destinations serves only plant-based foods and no animal If you love eating desserts, then you can also
for gastronomy. If you are travelling from products, like the use of eggs, dairy choose a sampler-style plate of three
India to Tokyo, you may wish to eat vegan products, or chemical seasoning. Promoting different desserts starting at a price of JPY
food with strict restrictions. From the time the farm to table concept, the vegetables are 1500 onwards, which changes daily. Just ask
you start planning a Japan trip, you will only directly delivered by farmers to this the staff for the menu of the day. The
look for Indian restaurants and later have restaurant. All the dishes are made with restaurant has a seating capacity of 30
FOMO moments for Japanese food. 100% vegetable ingredients. people and can be booked exclusively for
parties as well. If you book in advance, you
Jiyugaoka is situated at the southern end of Different menus are available for lunch and can also try the gluten-free menu.
Meguro and is known as Tokyo’s Little dinner servings. Depending on the dish,
Europe. This area is famous for cherry prices typically range between JPY 1500 and Furthermore, Plus Veganique, Jiyugaoka
blossoms in Marie Claire Dori (street), the JPY 4000. You can order dishes like restaurant is 15 minutes by car from the
Kumano shrine, and amazing food too. bruschetta, grilled vegetables, fruits, Meguro River and 12 minutes by foot from
canapes, and more. Other lunch selections Joen-ji Temple. The Joen-ji Temple has a
Plus Veganique, Jiyugaoka in Meguro City, include their vegetarian lasagna with a soy large gingko tree standing in the temple
Tokyo, serves completely vegan food, aiming milk béchamel sauce or the brown rice grounds that is said to be 300 years old. It is
to combine vegan, organics, and paella, both of which come served with the also known as the Large Gingko Tree
macrobiotics. Started by Mr. Yashio Kato and soup of the day. Temple. Why not combine a Japanese
Ms. Shinobu Kato in 2016, the restaurant culture visit with Japanese vegan food?

LITTLE JAUNT PAGE 07

IMAGES © MIYAJIMA-MOMIJINOGA

DRESS LIKE A NOBLE WOMAN

BY EMI ITO

Thinking of trying Japanese traditional ensure their safe journey. The red cord with thin and breathable material. You can
wear, like Yukata or Kimono, is the first tied at the shoulder was called "Kake-obi," enjoy a stroll in an authentic Tsubo-
thing that comes to your mind. Are you and it was believed that the red colour had Syozoku costume for 1 hour and 30
aware that you can try on a "Tubo- some protecting and purifying power in minutes around Momjidani park, Daisho-
Syozoku" costume and dress like a noble ancient times. For gentlemen, the noble in temple, and Takinokoji street. Certain
woman or princess from the Heian Period, costume "Kariginu" is available. areas, like Itsukushima Shrine and
1,000 years ago, during your sightseeing in Senjokaku are restricted.
the Miyajima Islands, which is an These costumes are limited in numbers
excursion from Hiroshima? and have specifications. For this If you have a MICE group that will be
experience, the maximum service capacity visiting the Miyajima Islands, then a
It is said that during the Heian period, was nine people. While making a booking, special arrangement with a welcome
ladies of noble birth were supposed to please do check the availability. You may banner and women dressed in tubo-
have their faces covered. They wore choose to roam around an indoor or syozoku can welcome your guests. This
"ichime-gasa," a straw hat with a white outdoor location. Depending on the activity needs to be booked in advance.
veil. Their garments included package type, pricing starts from JPY 4500
"Kakemamori," a charm holder around the to JPY 8000. From June to September,
neck in which they carried medicine to "Tubo- Syozoku" is available for summer

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© ISLAND MIRRORGE
© ISLAND MIRRORGE

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© ISLAND MIRRORGE

BY SONIA SINGH

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EASY JAPANESE PAGE 10

Useful Let us
Expressions for learn

Shopping in

Japanese



HOW MUCH IS THIS ?-KORE WA IKURA DESU KA
WHERE IS ....?-....DOKO NI ARIMASU KA

YOU HAVE ....?- ....(GA) ARIMASU KA
CAN I LOOK AT IT? - MITE MO II DESU KA

I'LL TAKE IT. - KORE NI SHIMASU
CAN I RETURN IT?- HENPIN SURU KOTO GA

DEKIMASU KA
WHICH ONE IS THE BEST AMONG THESE?- KONO

NAKA DE DORE GA ICHIBAN II KANA

PUBLISHED BY NIPPON TAIYO HOSPITALITY, MEDIA DIVISION.
OPINIONS EXPRESSED WITHIN THE CONTENT ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBILITY OF
THE AUTHOR AND DO NOT REFLECT THE OPINIONS AND BELIEFS OF NIPPON
TAIYO HOSPITALITY OR ITS AFFILIATES.
FOR FEEDBACK WRITE AT [email protected] OR [email protected]