Tokyo is well known for its high standards of living. It is also one of the world’s second largest economy with very low crime rate that is why there are numbers of international corporations which put up their office or affiliates in Japan. Businessmen and tourists stay at Tokyo apartments for foreigners for a more wonderful nightlife experience. In Tokyo, the night is extremely fabulous with its fashionable hip-hop club, wine bars and clubs. Tokyo has all the modern facility of a good life. It is famous for its food, transportation, good places to stay and friendly people. However, despite of these modern offerings, most tourists yearns to experience the lavish but traditional Japanese way of life. They wanted to experience the way the ancient Japanese people lived.  For this reason, Tokyo apartments for foreigners that are located in Central Tokyo and the park side residences of Aoyama, introduced the ancient structural design to be adopted in some popular residential areas in Tokyo.

With its 10 million people from all walks of life and still growing, Tokyo is becoming more “complex and international”. However, the Japanese people strive hard to retain and enjoy its rich culture and customs. This is also the reason why expats, opt to stay in Tokyo to experience the traditional Japanese way of living while at the same time enjoying the modern day comforts of life. Perhaps, it is more of curiosity that they wanted to experience how the ancient people of Japan lives. This is where Japan’s architecture brought machiya or “town house” comes to life. Machiya uses natural materials in the construction of buildings. The building is made of wood and natural materials to provide a pleasant and unique environment. It is usually long and narrow because property tax is so expensive in Japan. The increasing demand of Machiya or traditional townhouse has risen significantly, that the construction of Machiya has spread all over Japan.
For an added experience, guests are encouraged to follow the ancient practices of Japanese people which include: the use of tatami mat instead of carpet and to sleep on the floor using cushion or tuton beddings. The tatami mat is made of woven straw of rush grass which is warm during winter but, cold during summer. Tuton beddings are folded in the morning and placed in oshi-ire or closet every after use. Tourists also experienced removing their shoes upon entering their hotel rooms and use indoor slippers instead. However, once inside tatami room, the use of slippers is restricted. The common reason for this is to make the room clean all the time.

Most tourists find Japan as their second home. Japan provides almost the same comfort that they are accustomed. Actually, living in Tokyo is a combination of both Japanese and Western culture. More foreign nationals choose to live in Azabu, Hiroo, and Shirokane, Tokyo’s cosmopolitan areas in Minato ward. In these areas, you can find the streets lined with boutiques, restaurants, and fashionable apartments. For a more convenient western lifestyle, more diplomats, senior executives and expats choose to live in Hiroo and Azabu. These are Tokyo’s center of foreign community. Living in Tokyo is made easy through the existing subways: the Hibiya, Namboku, and Oedo subway lines which make it easier to go from one place to another or to tour around Tokyo.

About Azabu, Hiroo and Shirokane
Hiroo and Shirokane centuries ago were the home for feudal nobles which established large estates. Some of these estates became the home of many embassies at present while diplomats and most foreigners established their residence in nearby Azabu and Shirokane. Residents could find modern shopping centers in Azabu and Hiroo. There are also fine restaurants, cafes, boutiques, churches and schools which cater to the needs of foreign nationals. National Azabu is one of Tokyo’s best shopping market for foreign food. Azabu became Tokyo’s prestigious residential neighborhood while Hiroo became famous of its clean surroundings and attractive neighborhood with trees lining the streets and the famous western-style apartments. Shirokane area is the next most visited area in Tokyo after Azabu and Hiroo,
Exploring Tokyo
It is not good to explore Tokyo by car. Travelers would be faced with heavy traffic, and high parking fees. It is wise to make use of public transportations such as: trains, subways and buses in touring the metropolitan area. Tokyo is also rich in culture. The famous cherry blossoms can be experienced in the months of March to April. People held picnics at Yoyogi Park, the largest city park in Tokyo. It has a wide area with ponds and forest views. People went to Yoyogi to have a picnic, to jog or for other outdoor activities. Yoyogi has been declared as City Park in 1967, but before that the park was formerly a residential area for US military personnel and later served as Olympic Village during the1964 Tokyo Olympics. Also, the famous Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain is visible in Tokyo, but the view is subject to good weather conditions. For a good view, take the view of the mountain in the early morning or late in the evening during the colder months.

The Land of the Rising Sun observes a number of national holidays as well as other important annual events and festivals. If you are planning to migrate to or reside in the country temporarily, you need to acquaint yourself with its calendar of red-letter days.

Here are some of them:

The Japanese consider this as one of the most important holidays in the year, and celebrate it like the rest of the world does. Take note that many businesses remain closed until January 3.

This event celebrates the initiation into adulthood of 20-year-old men and women. At this age, these young adults are legally permitted to vote, drink, and smoke.

According to early historical records, it was on this day in the year 660 B.C. that the first emperor was crowned.

What is remarkable about how the Japanese celebrate the Day of Hearts is that it is the women who give chocolates to their men.

This celebration is in commemoration of the new constitution, which was created and put into effect in 1947 after the war.

This event is also called the Boys’ Festival (Tango no Sekku). On this day, parents and families pray for the good health and future success of their sons.

The Japanese people are extremely respectful and polite to their elders. They set aside time from their busy schedules each year to pay their respects to the elderly and celebrate longevity.

This is a special day for the celebration of culture, freedom, and peace. Throughout the country, schools as well as government bodies award a select number of personalities for their cultural achievements.

Although not a national holiday, this celebration is becoming popular among many Japanese families.

While you are in Japan, there may be times when you might miss your friends and family in your country of origin. If those bouts of homesickness come up, why not log online and browse the local news back at home? This way, you can still stay updated with what is happening in your hometown even when you are abroad.

In the Japanese language, the term used for hot springs is an onsen. Japan has literally thousands of onsen spread out along its span and wideness, as a volcanically active country. Traditionally, onsen were used as public bathing areas and in this generation, it plays an essential function in directing Japanese domestic tourism. Since Japanese people are brought up with a deep understanding of good manners and having good relations with their fellow citizens. In order to maintain their image as one of the countries with a rich cultural heritage, the Japanese bathing etiquette is strictly enforced. There are three important rules of Japanese bathing etiquette that all quests should be familiar with.

The most important rule is to ensure cleanliness. Hot springs are places of relaxation and not a place to wash yourself off. All guests are expected to thoroughly wash and rinse their bodies before getting into the bath. Only then can you properly enter the pools and enjoy your bath. It is socially unacceptable if entering the onsen while still dirty or with traces of soap on the body, since the public baths and hot springs in Japan are shared.

In terms of what to wear, bathers are not normally allowed to wear swimsuits. However, there is some modern hot springs with a more water park ambience that guests are obliged to wear swimsuits. In Japan, all onsens and public bathhouses are separated by gender. It is a custom to bring along a small towel to use as a washcloth. Also, the towel can enhance your privacy outside the bath but once entering the bath, keep the towel out of the water since this can be considered unclean.

In Japan, people with tattoos are not allowed into onsens or public bathhouses since are related with Japan’s mafias or is traditionally recognized as a symbol of criminality. Due to this reason, the rule is strictly followed including foreigners are not allowed to enter even if the tattoos are small. However, many onsens have special baths, which is called “kasha-kiri” that can be rented privately.

Japan is geographically located in a region where several continental and oceanic plates meet. This is the chief cause of frequent earth quakes. The earth is believed to have more than a dozen plates also called as faults. Geologists are of the view that these plates continually move on the mental, thus they often tend to collide, slide under another, rub against one another, or pull apart. These movements cause the earth quakes to occur. The theory about moving plates is called as plate tectonics.  Japan has a history of devastating earthquakes and tidal waves. The Great Kanto earthquake is the worst recorded in the history of Japan. It hit Japan in 1923 near Tokyo.

However, the latest earthquake to hit Japan of 8.9 magnitude unleashing 10 meter tsunami which swept away everything that came its way. Buildings collapsed, crops and vehicles swept away leaving debris across the land. The quake hit 6miles below sea level and was followed by five powerful aftershocks and another earthquake of magnitude 7.1. Not only this, but it also put up fire at an oil reservoir causing a big blast. Further the Fukushimi Dai-ichi nuclear plant was massively affected, causing one of its reactors to heat up causing nuclear radiations leakage in the atmosphere. It is also believed that the nuclear particles will travel around the Pacific coast and across Asia with the flow of air.

Due to the earthquake and the tsunami air and train services were halted across the country. The Japanese stock exchange was closed for three days, causing massive drop in the shares of huge companies and the currency too. Not only that, many tourism-dependent businesses have been affected – hot springs, souvenir shops, hotels, restaurants, and the list goes on. Suddenly, much of Japan saw its country at a halt, with many residents looking to revive as soon as possible.

Japan is a country with rich history dating back thousands of years. For those interested in learning more about Japan, there are certain activities unique to the culture such as traditional Japanese sports. Today, we will talk about Japanese calligraphy. Here are some tips you can use to improve your calligraphy skills.

Having a good posture is one of the key elements in becoming a successful calligrapher. Just relax, and keep an uptight posture to draw a straight line. When drawing a straight line, it is a good idea to aim far. Don’t stop while you’re drawing; rather, think that you are going for miles and continue to draw until the end approaches. Using your whole body is important as well. Arm should move in a smooth coordination with the body, and should not move individually.

No specific rules exist when drawing calligraphy. Even smudges, which may sometimes be considered ungraceful, could be turned into “artist’s own style”. Each calligraphy artists possess their own style, and through it one will be able to identify the artists’ lifestyle though their artworks.

Not everybody who learn calligraphy progress on a same rate, so don’t worry if you don’t see a progress in your work. Some people may progress at a slower rate compared to others, but there is nothing wrong about that. If you feel that you are not ready to start drawing, you can always take time grinding the ink stick onto the ink stone. Take as long as you want, and prepare yourself before starting your strokes. The inventor of the ink stone perhaps created it in such way, so that the artist could have time to rest their mind before starting their strokes.