Boy's festival in Japan

子供の日

“Carp Streamers” (koinobori) 

a plenty of Koinobori in an event held in Tokyo tower

Today is "Children's day". It is also called "Boy's festival" comparing to Girl's festival on March 3.

Traditionally families having boys celebrate their boy's  healthy growth and happiness flying carp-shaped streamers(Koinobori) the exterior of the house or display dolls of warriors inside. I remember Koinobori flutter in the wind when I was a kid.

Koinobori imply a family consisted of father and mother, a boy.

the traditional style

History

Back to Edo-era, when a boy was born, warrior(samurai) families celebrate it putting a flag out at their home exteriors. This custom became common among the regular people.
And people connected this custom with a Chinese ancient story of  carp and started to display Koinobory.

The myth is like this.
There was a violent waterfall called the Dragon gate. Only a carp swam upstream strongly  to become a dragon while other fishes didn't make it.
People changed the custom and started to display Koinobori instead of flags. Koinobori symbolizes strength and success.

Less common

In the recent years more people live in apartments rather than houses.  They don't  have enough space to display Koinobori in the balconies. Even they do, Koinobori are flown by the strong wind and got stuck in ｔｈｅ balcony of .nextdoor.

English ability and Sightseeing in Japan ~ Visiting Yugawara

日本の観光と英語　湯河原編

Visit Yugawara

Today I visited Yugawara where one hour and thirty mins away from Tokyo. Yugawada is famous with its Onsens(Hot-springs).

manyou park(万葉公園）

"Golden Week" in Japan. Avoid to visit or not?

ゴールデンウィークはお勧めか？お勧めじゃないか？

Golden week

Days from the end of April to the first week of May is called "Golden Week" in Japanese.The reason we call it "golden" is because it is the longest vacation period of the year for most Japanese employees. Many Japanese companies get about a week off because there are four national holidays within these weeks.


fresh green leaves are fasinating in this season.

During this week, numerous Japanese make trips. So.... if you are thinking of visiting Japan, I suggest you to avoid this season to come over.Travel expenses like hotel room charge and flight ticket price get so high during this season. Before that, you may find so hard to book hotels and transportation. Additionally you will see the huge crowd everywhere.

No Way! Nepalese Government

だめだめな ネパール政府

100,000 victims remain homeless.

Nepal marked the first anniversary of its tragic disaster on April 25th.There are about 100,000 victims left homeless.
With such difficulties, Kathmandu held some events for the quake. People prayed for Kumamoto, even.
I believe what delays recovery from the quake in Nepal is government.

When to visit Nepal?

ネパール旅行は、いつがよい？

Nepal = Himalaya

the Rainy season in Nepal

We have the rainy season in June and July in Japan. The rain is not heavy usually in the rainy season but it rains just often and generally drizzle. In Nepal they also have the rainy season. It last from June to September usually.