Swan Boat

Swan Boats

There are sometimes huge swans on a lake in Japan.  But they are not real actually. They are boats which look like swans.   

Swan boats can move by pedaling like on a bicycle. 

Also, the faster you pedal, the faster a swan boat can move. 

Lovers  often ride a swan boat in order to conduct a test. 

The test is that a boy pedals  as fast as he can, and a girl evaluates how much strong he is. 

It leads to the inevitable result  that most of boys suffer  from muscle pain as they push themselves too hard in order to show girls their ability.  

Anime Manhole

Anime Manhole

 

Who care about what design of manhole is?

But in Japan, it seem to be issue to consider what is the best design of the manhole cover. 

In my town, the character of the manhole cover is a "Kappa".  

"Kappa" is a kind of Japanese fairy. 

In my town,  there is the legend that "Kappa" used to live in its pond for a long time ago. 

  For the reason,  the local government designed the  "Kappa's manhole"  in order to introduce  their own characteristic. 

It might be fun to guess what the meaning of manhole's picture  of the town when you visit Japan. 

Sakes "One Cup Ozeki"

Sakes  "One Cup Ozeki"

It is illegal to drink alcohol in a public area  in some countries such as Canada and U.S.  

But, in Japan, you can drink anywhere you like.  For example, you can see people drinking at a park, station or even on a train. 

"One Cup Ozeki" is a very famous Japanese sake because it is cheap and easy to carry.  Middle aged people often drink One Cup Ozeki on a train. 

One Cup Ozeki is also very unique.  Japanese sakes are usually sold as one big bottle while  Ozeki's  is sold as a single cup. 

If a foreigner drinks One Cup Ozeki in public area, Japanese people might regard him as a person who knows Japanese drinking customs very well.  

So just try!

Japanese Medicine "Muhi"

Japanese Medicine  "Muhi"

 In summer, one of the most annoying things is a mosquito.

Muhi is a very useful Japanese medicine when you are bitten by them.

You probably know Muhi if you are Japanese. Because It can be used for various skin trouble; not only for insects bite but also for other skin disease like hives.

So you can just put it on your skin where the mosquito bit. After short time,  your itchiness  will decrease. 

But there is one mention that you should worry about. 

Do not put Muhi on your sensitive parts because it is too strong.

Although some abnormal people like me dare to put Muhi on their sensitive parts like their balls in order to get some kind of pleasure, most of them get feeling hurt.  

The powder of hot springs

Powder of Hot Springs

As you know, Japanese people like hot springs called Onsen. 

There are more than 3000 hot springs around Japan. These hot springs have various types in terms of color,  efficiency and aroma.  Every hot springs is different.  

The powder of hot springs has been created based on Onsen's information. 

Since Japanese people don't have enough money and time to go hot springs, they put the Onsen powder into a bathtub. Putting the powder, the color of the water becomes looking like that of  an Onsen.  You can get the feeling of taking hot springs at your home. 

And also, the Onsen powder would be  recommended as a souvenir from Japan. 

P.S. A Real Onsen is much greater than the powder. 

Sushi

Sushi

Sushi is probably the most famous Japanese food in the world.  Many Japanese like sushi for the same reason that most foreigners want to try sushi when they visit Japan. 

Although sushi looks like very simple food, a lot of Japanese wisdom is hiding in there.    

For example, vinegar is used for making sushi rice, and wasabi which is a condiment smell like spicy puts raw meat. 

Actually, vinegar and wasabi kill bacteria living in raw meat because raw meat easily become rotten compered  with other food. 

It might be thought that ancient people could find this food combination while suffering from stomach ache.   

So don't hesitate to try sushi and raw fish. Ancient wisdom will protect you. 

Goldfish Catcher Game no2 " a Poi"

A goldfish catcher game has been introduced in the previous note. 

Additional information forcing on Poi shows this time. 

A poi has different types. The difference is the thickness of paper. 

Concretely saying, there are 4 gou-poi, 5 gou-poi, 6 gou-poi and 
7 gou-poi. 4 gou-poi's paper is the thickest while 7 gou-poi is the thinnest. As you can imagine, the poi which made of thin paper such as 7 gou-poi can easily break. 

For the reason, game shoppers give 4 gou-poi or 5 gou-poi to kids and girls. Because they are considered as not good players. On the other hand, shoppers secretly gives 7 gou-poi or 6 gou-poi to boys and people who look like good players. 

It might be good idea that a girl takes a poi and pass it to a boy to let him play if the couple try the goldfish catcher game. 

Goldfish Catcher Game no1

 There is a temple festival called " Ennichi" in Japanese.It is usually held during summer, and there are many small apps during the festival such as food, toy and game shops.
 The goldfish catcher game is one of the most famous and exciting games in Ennichi. 
People would catch goldfish with a small spoon which is made with a piece of paper.
The spoon is called "Poi"
They can get as many goldfishes as possible until the poi breaks.It usually costs around 300 yen ($3). A goldfish is sold for $0.50 in Japan.So we would need to catch at least 6 goldfish to not make a loss.