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Category Archives: Japan

[My Trip to Japan – 日本への私の旅 – رحلتي إلى اليابان] – Part I

I’ve stayed in Japan for 17 days visiting some of the major cities in Honshu (Tokyo, Shizuoka, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe and Awaji Island). It was my first time visiting Nagoya, Kobe and Awaji Island. Shinkansen was really helpful in making me reaching these cities conveniently. I rode the Shinkansen: Tokyo <–> Shizuoka; Shin-Yokohama  –> Nagoya; Nagoya –> Osaka. Kobe and Awaji Island were visited by car. InshaAllah I’ll update with more posts and pictures about my trip but I’ve decided not to make it very personal though. Therefore, I’ll try to summarize the main activities/events that I did there, ja ne!

My Trip to Japan – 日本への私の旅 – رحلتي إلى اليابان

          This is my first entry being posted from Japan! Not a first visit though. I’m in TOKYO now, my plan is to discover Japan beyond what’s mentioned on travel guidebooks/websites. I shall add new posts in the future insha’Allah about this trip, stay tuned!

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) – 独立行政法人宇宙航空研究開発機構 – منظمة بحوث الفضاء اليابانية

 

“On October 1, 2003, the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL) and the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) were merged into one independent administrative institution to be able to perform all their activities in the aerospace field as one organization, from basic research and development to utilization. The independent administrative institution is the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).” (www.jaxa.jp, 2011)

I have an interest in Aerospace and Astronomy, yet far from being an Astronomer. I’ve first knew about JAXA from press in 2010 with their Venus Climate Orbiter “AKATSUKI”, PLANET-C. I’m expecting good studies and researches from JAXA in the near future in the field of Aerospace, as it did in the past.

For further info and updates, please visit JAXA official webpage.

Seto Bridge – 瀬戸大橋 – جسر سيتو

“The Seto-Ohashi Bridge, is a series of double deck bridges connecting Okayama and Kagawa prefectures in Japan across a series of five small islands in the Seto Inland Sea. Built over the period 1978–1988, it is one of the three routes of the Honshū-Shikoku Bridge Project connecting Honshū and Shikoku islands. At 13.1 km long, it ranks as the world’s longest two-tiered bridge system.
Crossing the bridge takes about 20 minutes by car or train. The ferry crossing before the bridge was built took about an hour. The non-discounted toll from Kojima, Kurashiki (Okayama Prefecture on the Honshū side) to Sakaide (Kagawa Prefecture on the Shikoku side) is ¥3,500, and vice-versa.” (Wikipedia)

Japan has many good bridges like the Rainbow Bridge in Odaiba in Tokyo and the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge connecting Kobe to Awaki Island, besides many other famous bridges around Japan. However, since Seto Bridge is the longest two-tiered bridge, it’s the most joyful one to drive on. I’ve never drove on it or been to that region before but imagining driving for 20 min over a suspended bridge passing through a number of small islands is awesome! Moreover, I’ve always wanted to visit Shikoku island, taking the Seto Bridge from Honshu would make the road trip even more fun.

Yonezawa – 米沢市 – يونيزاوا

            “Yonezawa (米沢市, Yonezawa-shi) is a city located in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 91,704 and the population density of 167 persons per square kilometer. The total area is 548.74 km².” (Wikipedia, September ’10).

I’ve first knew about Yonezawa from NHK channel. First, I wasn’t very interested to know more about it and was about to change the channel, but not when I’ve found that Yonezawa is where the Uesugi Samurai Clan used to live! From which, the famous Samurai soldier (Uesugi Kenshin) is. For this reason, an annual Samurai festival “Matsuri” is held in Yonezawa. I wish if I can make it someday at the Matsuri by a Shinkansen!!!

A Random Picture from Japan – 日本での色々な写真 – صورة من اليابان

I’ll start posting, or in other words, sharing some random pictures of Japan. Those that I find them to be beautiful and special. I will limit my comments so you find the beauties in those pictures your self and with your own eyes! Enjoy~

Here, in this pitcutre, I liked the harmony between nature and concrete! The orange horizon has made the picture even more special. (Yokohama, Japan)

Japan – 日本 – اليابان


Ikebukuro – 池袋 – إيكيبوكورو

” Ikebukuro (池袋), the largest city located in Toshima ward, is a commercial and entertainment district of Tokyo, Japan. Toshima ward offices, Ikebukuro station, and several shops, restaurants, and enormous department stores are located within city limits.

At the center of Ikebukuro is the train and subway station, a huge urban gathering shared by the JR East lines, the Seibu Ikebukuro Line and the Tōbu Tōjō Line. It is one of the main commuter hubs in the western Yamanote area of Tokyo. Ikebukuro Station is the second busiest station in Japan, second only to Shinjuku Station.Around the station are the Seibu and Tōbu department stores. Seibu, written with the characters for “West” and “Musashi (province)” 西武, is on the east end of the station and Tōbu, written with the characters for “East” and “Musashi” 東武, is on the west end. East of the station, on the site of Sugamo Prison, stands Sunshine 60, which was Tokyo’s tallest building at the time of its construction. Otome Road, a leading shopping area for otaku products aimed at women, is located nearby. Marui and Don Quijote also have department stores in the area. The principal electronics retailer in Ikebukuro is Bic Camera. There is a small pleasure district similar to Shinjuku’s Kabukichō, but less lively and less attractive for tourists.” (Wikipedia, accessed July 17, ’10).

Ikebukuro is one of my favorite areas in Tokyo mainly ‘cos of two reasons. First, Ikebukuro is where I’ve stayed during my ”FIRST” visit to Tokyo. Second, it’s fun and busy all day. Ikebukuro is not usually included in tourits’ must-see places/locations as Shinjuku, Shibuya and Ginza may attract typical tourists more, besides their more convenient locations compared to Ikebukuro.

Mount Bizan – 眉山 – جبل بيزان

“Mount Bizan (眉山, Bizan) is a mountain in Tokushima. Its name is formed of the kanji for eyebrow, and it is said to have earned this name because the mountain looks like an eyebrow from all views. Known as a symbol of Tokushima City, the name Mount Bizan appears in many school songs in the city district, such as the Tokushima Prefectural Jonan High School, Tokushima Municipal High School and many more. Furthermore, in 2007 Mount Bizan became widely known as the setting for a national movie of the same name, based on a book by Sada Masashi.”(Wikipedia, accessed July 9, ’10).

Althought I’ve never been to this mountain, in Japan I’ve only been to Mt. Fuji which I didn’t post/talk about in my blog as it’s VERY famous and I don’t have to re-define/discuss a common and a “VERY BEAUTIFUL&STUNNING” thing again… Anyway, back to Mt. Bizan, when I’ve first knew/read/watched/heard about it was on NHK. I was like “Oh no anoher Mountain to visit wow, I’ll add it to my must see list”, I really liked the flat peak , the “eyebrow”!

Before, I thought the most interesting attractions in Japan are most probably only in Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama and Nagoya, that’s it.  However, by time and the more I read about Japan I’ve found that attractions/beauty are scattered all along Japan islands not only in Honshu!, btw mt.bizan is in Shikoku… I wonder how would it feel to sail on a boat next to this mountain being surrounded by nature and silence~?!

Japanese Taxis – タクシー سيارات الأجرة في اليابان

” In Japan, taxicabs each have colours or designs based on the company. The majority of Japanese cars are white, silver or black. Some taxis adopt showy colours, such as green, red, and orange, to attract customers’ attention.

Most Japanese taxis are one of three types of cars: the Toyota Comfort; Nissan Crew; and Nissan Cedric Y31. They all have automatic passenger doors, which open when a button is pressed by the driver. However, elite taxis may have drivers that manually open the door for the passenger.

Recently, some taxi companies have selected Toyota Crown S170 and/or S180 as taxis because cars made for use as taxis (such as Comfort, Crew and Cedric) have very plain interiors.” (Wikipedia, accessed July 03, ’10)

I liked this entry as it discusses the taxicabs in Japan in details, even the models, hehehe~

When I’ve first been to Japan in ’03, I was wondering if I would be able to ride on one of those old taxicab models as I’ve used to see them on TV., and yes I did! that was so much fun to feel the genuity of Japanese manufactures, old but equipped with a TV and automatic doors! AWESOME… AWESOME!! All the cabs’ drivers there wear  hats, gloves and very formally dressed up, it gives a lemo feeling although it’s not. ..NEAAAT!!  VERY NEAAAAAT!!

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