Annual Local Festival In Hachioji City, Hojo Ujiteru Festival Took Place Last Weekend

As I introduced on October 15th, Annual Hojo Ujiteru Festival took place on October 23rd. I have written about this festival in my previous post last year on October 24th, and Hachioji local people started this festival to commemorate a Samurai lord "Ujiteru Hojo" who ruled the area in the Middle Ages. So this festival is a kind of new local event and it was the fifth festival this year.

Many local people wore Samurai armor which they made by themselves and walked in a parade in Moto-hachioji area and gathered at a local elementary school ground. Some Samurai related performances are showed and those who joined the festival parade enjoyed them in their armor. In the lower photos above, it seems like the school ground was completely covered by an uncommon atmosphere back to the Middle Ages, but on the edge of the ground there are many tents selling food and drinks for just a couple of dollars. The food and drinks were provided by the neighborhood people and they cooked behind these tents, so it also looked like a typical old-fashioned neighborhood event in a local community. 

It may look less elaborate and dynamic than famous major historic festivals. However visitors can enjoy the festival with more relaxed and friendly air and everybody can go really close to the parade and performers. It would be a big strong point of this festival.

In addition, same as the last year, a couple of groups from Kanagawa prefecture and Saitama prefecture joined this festival, because these areas had been ruled by the brothers of Ujiteru Hojo. Hojo Family was a powerful Samurai lord family in the Middle Ages until they were destroyed by another strong Samurai lord Hideyoshi Toyotomi. Apparently the family bond was very strong in Hojo Family, then in these areas related to Hojo family local people started to be united again through their local events recently. Now Hachioji people also join some events in Ujiteru's brothers' area.

What's more, this year Hachioji City Tokyo, Odawara City in Kanagawa prefecture, and Yorii Town in Saitama prefecture officially became sister cities because of the historical relation of Hojo Family. Seems like a mingling between the local people in the areas related Hojo Family is now becoming a bigger stream!

East Japan Railway Conpany (JR East) Got A New Sign For Stations And Lines

Let's keep talking about Japanese trains a little more. In Tokyo area, there are so many train lines then the train network is really complicated. They are roughly distinguished by companies, such as JR East, Keio Line, Odakyu Line and so on. However, even one company sometimes includes many different lines, for example JR East has more than 10 lines going through Tokyo area. So it is difficult to use them efficiently by memory.

Actually there has been a common way for people to remember each line easily since old days. Actually Japanese trains' colors or designs are associated with lines, so people usually remember each line with the name of the line, the direction and the train color/design. However it wasn't convenient enough for tourists especially from oversea since many of them can't read Japanese characters.

Then Japanese subway lines started to number each station with initials of the line's name sometime ago and many travelers said it was much easier. Then, recently the biggest train company in Tokyo area, JR East, took the same system into their signs as you can see in the photos.

The trains' colors of JR East are also different each other depending on the lines basically. For example, Yamanote Line trains are painted in yellow green and Keihintohoku Line trains are painted in blue. Then those who live in Tokyo area for a long time can tell them apart immediately even the two lines run parallel in some area but it wasn't so easy for tourists. 

So the company made a new sign based on initials of the line name and the station number at each station and put a square around it with each train's color. Thus, on the platform of JR East Yamanote Line in Ueno station, the mark "JY 05"is put in a yellow green square and showed with the station name "Ueno". On the other hand, the next platform, which is for JR East Keihintohoku Line, shows "JK 30" in a blue square with the station name.

I hope this change makes foreign people's travel easier!

Takao Station Is Showing Train Stations' History In Japan!

I'm continuously talking about Japanese trains and railroads in my recent posts on October 14th and 21st in my another blog "Yuko's Japan Guide and in this website on October 18th and 19th. In the connection, I'd like to introduce a fact that some stations are good places to see Japanese early modern times.

For example, Takao Station on JR East's Chuo Line located in Hachioji City, Tokyo, keeps one of the oldest structures inside of Tokyo. Takao Station is on the major rout to visit Maiji-no-mori National Park including Mt. Takao which is a very popular tourist spot, thus you may have a chance to go through there. It was opened in 1927 and was originally called Asakawa Station. Although Hachioji Station, which is two stations away, was opened earlier, current Hachioji station building was renovated 5 times, so the building is completely different from Takao Station.

Please look at the upper photos, the right hand side photo is the north exit of Takao Station, and the left hand side photo is the view from the platform. It has traditional Japanese structure like some shrines or temples. Also you can still see the original bricks structure on the lower basement of the platform although they installed the high-tech machines for the ticket gates. 

What's more, some old rails were recycled as pillars to hold the platform roof at Takao station, and one of them has marks of "1902" and Japan's first government iron mill "Yawata Ironworks" as you can see in the lower right end photo. Apparently it is the oldest maid-in-Japan rail remaining today. The "Yawata Ironworks" started to produce rails in 1901, but nobody found a rail made in the first year so far. The oldest rail is located on the platform 3, with the fifth pillar from the Sagamiko side.

As I introduced on the October 14th, the first railroad business of Japan began services in 1872, but most of the stations in early days were already renovated or reconstructed. Then, in Tokyo the oldest station building remaining today is actually Harajuku Station, which is located in the center of Tokyo and also very popular spot among tourists. It was build in 1924, a couple years earlier than Takao Station. However Harajuku Station has a nice Western style and looks completely different from Takao Station, so it would be interesting to visit both old stations and compare them!

Another Way To Enjoy Train Travels In Japan, Stamp Collecting

I have been writing about Japanese trains lately, and there is another way to enjoy train trips. Yes, precisely, it wouldn't be a way to enjoy trips you can go by trains, it is an activity you would go out for train trips. 

Actually many of Japanese train stations have a stamp with their original design, just same as commemorative stamps at famous sightseeing spots. For example, JR-east train company, which is one of the major train companies in Eastern Japan, has their original stamps at 77 stations in the Greater Tokyo area and they are encouraging people to collect all stamps as an activity for leisure-time. 

The stamps have different designs at each station and the design shows some famous landmark spots near the station or famous historical things in the neighborhood. So, people can see what is famous in the area as they collect these stamps. The photos above shows the stamp at Ochanomizu Station on JR Chuo Line. The design has Yushima-seido (Yushima Shrine of Confucius) and Nikorai-do (Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Tokyo)  which are both famous tourist spots around the station.

Collecting these kind of special stamps along train lines is in fact a popular activity in Japan. Then you can find notes for these stamp collection, moreover there is a special notes made for the 77 stamps at JR stations. Apparently the notes include train maps and sightseeing guide about the neighborhood of each stamp station. Since people have to get off at each stamp station and go out from the ticket gate to gain the stamp, it would be nice to look around the neighborhood in addition. Thus it is a kind of excursion to enjoy train travels.

What's more, some of these collecting-stamps-activities are especially called "Stamp Rally", and they are more popular. With the "Stamp Rally" activities people can get some special novelties when they completed the stamp collection. Then they are often associated with popular TV programs or game characters. For example, "Pokemon Stamp Rally" is one of the popular Stamp Rally activities which take place during vacation season every year. People (mainly kids) can gain various kinds of Pokemon characters' stamp at each station. To collect all kinds of Pokemon stamps and get the novelty, many kids are absorbed in it every year.

By the way, you might worry if the activities will be very expensive since you need to get out of the ticket gate every time you get stamps. Please don't worry, there is a special train pass for these kind of trips. In Tokyo area, JR-east train company provide "Tokunai pass" which you can get off each station inside of Tokyo 23 wards and "Kyujitu-odekake pass" which you can use as same in larger area on weekends, national holidays and summer and winter vacation season.

Some say these are a gimmick to make people stick with train trips, but still it is fun and many kids enjoy it whole day without getting bored, then it can be a good way to learn how to use the complicated train network in Tokyo area!

Have You Tried Japanese Bullet Train 'Shinkansen'?

In the connection I wrote about Japanese Railroad Day and train lovers in the previous post on my another blog on the October 14th, I'd like to introduce Japanese bullet trains "Shinkansen" today. It is one of the most popular trains in Japan.

The first Shinkansen started the services in 1964 between Tokyo and Osaka. Since then it increased the routes, and now there are apparently 7 lines plus 2 short lines for Shinkansen. To be approved as Shinkansen, trains need to be faster than 124MPH(200km/h), and the maximum speed of the newest Shinkansens are 199MPH(320km/h). Usually they are called with the names of the route or the nicknames. They are actually classified by each destination and the characteristic how many stations it will stop, and depend on it the trains are called by different nicknames, which are decided by the train companies, such as “Nozomi”, “Hayabusa”, “Tanigawa” and etc.  Moreover, even the designs of those are mostly different each other as shown in the photos.

The biggest reason why Shinkansen has been so popular among people would be the fact it is convenient, comfortable and easier for long-distance travel. In addition, people also enjoy the various designs and perhaps find a friendly feeling with the nicknames. In Japan illustrated guide book of trains are in fact very popular among boys same as illustrated guide book of animals or dinosaurs. Then most boys memorize many of the nicknames.

Let's take a look at them in detail. the green one in the photos is “Hayabusa” of Tohoku-Shinkansen which goes to the northeast area, and the one with blue and yellow lines is “Tanigawa” of Jouetsu-Shinkansen which goes across the center area of the Japanese main island. On the other hand, the white one with blue lines is Nozomi of Tokaido-Shinkansen which goes to Osaka and Kyoto area.

 "Tanigawa" (with blue and yellow lines on the design) is known as a double-decker Shinkansen.  People can enjoy the different views on the first floor and the second floor, but of course the second floor is more popular. For most Shinkansen, The seats have more space than that of airplane. So people can travel more comfortably.

What's more, with many Shinkansen the seats can turn the direction and it is convenient if people get on it with a big group. So, families and friends can eat and drink together in facing comfortable seats with scenery of Japan on their travel. When you have a chance to travel a long distance in Japan, please try Shinkansen!

Which One Would You Like To See Next Weekend, Geisha Or Samurai? Interesting Fall Events In Hachioji City, Tokyo!

Now temperature went down to comfortable level in Tokyo area. October is a good season to go out for events and festivals. Then, I'd like to introduce nice local events held in Hachioji City, Tokyo next weekend. It would be fun for those who are interested in Japanese culture and history.

On October 22nd, Hachioji Geisha will show their dance performance and also people can enjoy Macha tea, which is a type of tea for Tea Ceremony, served by Geisha ladies.  The location of the annual event is near Hachioji Station.

Hachioji City is an old town which had been prosperous with textile business since Tokugawa Shogunate era (Samurai era). The current downtown was developed along one of the oldest national roads, Rd.20 (Koshu-kaido), and it was flourishing area as an post town during the Samurai era. Therefore, there has been Geisha culture in Hachioji since old times and still it is remaining today. Now it became a rare town you can see actual Geisha Ladies.

Actually the history of Hachioji area is much older. During the Middle Ages, the area was already developed under a Samurai lord, Ujiteru Hojo. He was a member of Hojo family which was one of the powerful Samurai lord families between the 15th and 16th century. There are two castle remains built by Ujiteru Hojo located in Hachioji City, which are Takiyama Castle and Hachioji Castle. To tell the truth, the Hachioji Castle was the origin of the name of the area and today it is used for the city name. 
  
On October 23rd, Annual Hojo Ujiteru Festival will be held. It features a Samurai parade as you can see in the photos above and also in the short video below. In addition, you can also enjoy demonstrations of Japanese Samurai sword and Samurai conch horns, which were used as a cue for Samurai war in the Middle Ages.

There Are Varied Amulets For Specific Purposes, Which One Would Fit Your Wish?

As I wrote in my previous post on the October 7th, many people enjoy buying votive wooden tablet to write down their wishes and lucky charms at Shinto shrines and temples. Most shrines/temples sell these items on the ground and lucky charms tend to have a large variety of purpose and design. 

I'm showing some typical kinds of lucky charms and votive tablet in the photos above. They are displayed beside the entrance of Koyasu Shrine in Hachioji City, Tokyo as shown in upper right hand side photo.  As you can see, there are many kinds of amulets with different purposes.

In fact Japanese people tend to buy lucky charms for a specific purpose. For example, when students are in a senior grade and want to get in a school/university, they would buy an amulet for "passing entrance exams of schools" or an amulet for "victory". Also many people buy an amulet for traffic safety for their car. 

Of course you can just buy lucky charms because of the cute designs, but it would be also fun to choose an amulet which fit your wish most! 

How Much Would People Throw Into Offertory Boxes At Shinto Shrines And Temples In Japan?

I introduced about how people make wishes at Japanese Shinto shrines and temples in my previous post on October 5th. Basically you can make a wish at each building worshiping gods or Buddhism statues with a offertory box. Then you might wonder how much people spent for a Shinto shrine/Buddhism temple during one visit when people make a wish many times there.

Of course people throw money every time when they make a wish even inside of one shrine/temple. Does it accumulate to be a certain amount of money at the end? Do people usually think paying more at offertory boxes would be better? 

Actually there is an amount of money Japanese people prefer to throw into offertory boxes when they make a wish. It is a five yen coin, which is about 5 cents in current exchange rate. So, even if they make a wish 10 times at a shrine/temple during a visit, it's just 50 yen (50 cents) for total. Thus most people don't worry about the offertory money and enjoy visiting shrines/temples to make a wish many times. 

The reason why people prefer 5 yen coins when they make a wish, is the Japanese word "Go-en (5 Yen)" has a homonym which means "a good destiny". The pronunciations are completely same, and people just use different characters when they write down.  With this coincidence, 5 yen coins are considered as a good luck item since old times. 

I'm showing the coin in the photos above. It is a golden color coin with a hole. As you can see the head and the tail of the design, it is actually only coin which is written by all Kanji characters (Chinese characters). The characters "五円" under the design of a ear of rice shown on the lower left end photo means "5 Yen".

In addition, when people visit shrines/temples, people also enjoy buying votive wooden tablet to write down their wishes and lucky charms as  you can see in the photos. Since most people throw just five yen to each offertory box, they don't mind to spend several hundreds yen (several dollars) more for these items. Moreover many of lucky charms have cute designs then people even buy them as accessories.

However, you can also use a five yen coin as a lucky charm/souvenir from Japan since it is also a good luck item and looks very Japanese since there is no alphabets nor Arabic numbers in the design. In fact some Japanese people use it as a lucky charm as you can see the photo below!

At One Shinto Shrine, How Many Times Can We Make A Wish During A Visit?

There are many Japanese Shinto shrines worshiping various kinds of gods all over Japan. Also temples are often including some Shinto shrines since ancient Japanese had mixed it until modern government separated them by law in Meiji era as I mentioned in my previous post on the October 2nd. Most people enjoy visiting shrines/temples and making a wish whenever they get the chance. It would be more like customs than religion and some major shrines/temples have become very popular as tourist spots.

Then, how many times do people usually make a wish at one shrine? One wish for one shrine? Actually it depends on each shrine. Some shrine worship just one god or one set of gods and have one shrine building for prayers. For Example, Meiji Shrine in Tokyo is one of the most famous shrines, and it worships Meiji emperor and empress. In the case, most people make just one wish at the main shrine building. 

However, many shrines/temples actually worship more than one god separately, and generally they have one main shrine building and some small subordinate shrine buildings on the ground. The photos in the slideshow above are showing a typical example. It is Koyasu Shrine located in Hachioji City, Tokyo. 

Koyasu Shrine is a small scale local shrine although the history is quite long. Apparently this shrine was established about 1200 years ago and it is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in West Tokyo area. The shrine has seasonal events and festivals throughout the year, and is visited by many locals. The main god of the shrine is a god of safe births, marriage, and parenting and it is worshiped in the main building. 

On the right hand side of the main building, there is a pond and a small shrine named Itsukushima Shrine. It is worshiping Benzaiten god which is one of the "Shichifukujin (the seven good luck gods)". As I introduced in my previous post about Shichifukujin, it was originally a Hinduism goddess, but after imported it became a Shinto god of performances and music. 

Moreover, after going through a path beside the main building, another shrine is on the far end of the path. It is a Konpira shrine which is worshiping "Ookuninusi-no-mikoto", a god for good business, traffic safety and good luck. 

In front of the Konpira Shrine, there is a long wooden structure along the approach as you can see in the photo slide show.  To tell the truth, it is a joint shrine building and containing five micro shrines called "Massya (subordinate shrines)". They are for a god of legs and loins, a god of eyes, a god of business and fortune, an god of teeth, and a god of throat.

What's more, according to the leaflet of the Koyasu Shrine, there are 4 more subordinate shrines on the ground. Since they are all separated shrine buildings with own offertory boxes, people can make a wish at each one although they don't have to. Did you get the sum? It's 12 times at most!