INTERVIEWS

Why do you like your country? – Tell me, Japanese people! Vol. 24

Produced by Isao Tokuhashi Edited by Jennifer A. Hoff Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Hamarikyu Gardens, Chuo-ku Located at the mouth of the Sumida River, it was opened to the public April 1st, 1946. The park is surrounded by a seawater moat filled by Tokyo Bay. It was remodeled as a public garden park on the site of a villa of the Shogun Tokugawa family in the 17th century. *Hamarikyu Gardens. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved January 27, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamarikyu_Gardens 日本語   Man from Australia This is my first trip to Japan. There are seven of us on our trip and

Happy Birthday to the countries!

Happy Australia Day!

City of Perth Skyworks on Australia Day, 2006. *Photo from Wikipedia January 26 is Australia Day, the official National Day of Australia. It marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British ships at Port Jackson, New South Wales and the raising of the Flag of Great Britain at Sydney Cove by Governor Arthur Phillip. Convicts in Britain were originally transported to the Thirteen Colonies in North America. But after the American Revolutionary War ended in 1783, the newly formed United States refused to accept further convicts. The settlement was seen as necessary because of the

INTERVIEWS

Why do Japanese people like natto? – Tell me, Japanese people! Vol.23

Produced by Isao Tokuhashi Edited by Jennifer A. Hoff Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Rikugi-en Garden, Bunkyo-ku Rikugi-en (六義園) is one of the Tokyo metropolitan parks. The name Rikugi-en means Garden of the Six Principles of Poetry (六義) which comes from the idea of the six elements in waka (和歌, a type of poetry in classical Japanese literature), while en (園) means garden or park. The construction of the park took place between 1695 and 1702. The founder of Mitsubishi, Iwasaki Yatarō bought the garden in 1878 and restored it. It was donated to the Tokyo City government in 1938. *Rikugi-en.

INTERVIEWS

Isn’t it difficult to abide by social etiquette from a young age? – Tell me, Japanese people! Vol. 22

Produced by Isao Tokuhashi Edited by Jennifer A. Hoff Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture Located approximately 30 kilometers from downtown Tokyo. The city is known locally as “Little Edo” (小江戸 Koedo) after the old name for Tokyo, due to its many historic buildings. *Kawagoe. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved November 18, 2018, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawagoe,_Saitama *Related article: Tokyo Getaways #3 Kawagoe ‘Ancient Edo’ Walking Tour 日本語   Man from Australia I’m originally from Sydney but have been living in San Francisco for the last two years. The reason I came to Kawagoe is that my wife’s host suggested it to

INTERVIEWS

What should you NOT do in Japan? – Tell me, Japanese people! Vol.17

Produced by Isao Tokuhashi Edited by Alisa Sanada Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Shinjuku Taken by Masaomi Takahashi A major commercial and administrative center, housing the busiest railway station in the world and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the administration center for the government of Tokyo. *Shinjuku. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved December 19, 2017, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinjuku 日本語   Woman from Mexico I’m from Mexico City, but now I’m living in Dresden, Germany, with my German husband. Actually I came here with him, but he came to Japan on business so I’m alone on holidays. This is my first visit to Japan

INTERVIEWS

What does “MARU” mean? – Tell me, Japanese people! Vol.16

Produced by Isao Tokuhashi Edited by Kelly Sun Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Yokohama The second largest city in Japan by population, after Tokyo. Yokohama developed rapidly as Japan’s prominent port city following the end of Japan’s relative isolation in the mid-19th century, and is today one of its major ports. *Yokohama. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved November 6, 2017, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokohama   Yamashita Park A public park which was opened in 1930. It’s famous for its waterfront views of the Port of Yokohama. *Yamashita Park. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved November 6, 2017, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamashita_Park   Students from Taiwan We are sisters

INTERVIEWS

Why don’t you hug more? – Tell me, Japanese people! Vol. 13

Produced by Isao Tokuhashi Edited by Daniel Penso Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Ueno Park The park was established in 1873 on lands formerly belonging to the Kan’ei-ji Temple. The home of a number of major museums, Ueno Park is also celebrated in spring for its cherry blossoms and hanami (cherry blossom viewing). *Ueno Park. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved August 30, 2017, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ueno_Park 日本語   Young Americans Woman: My boyfriend and I came here from Pennsylvania and we’ve been here for 10 days. We went to Kyoto and Osaka. I’m actually a teacher and he’s going back to school. We’ll

INTERVIEWS

Do you enjoy working in Japan? – Tell me, Japanese people! Vol. 11

Produced by Isao TokuhashiEdited by Daniel Penso Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Harajuku Known internationally as a center of Japanese youth culture and fashion, in the pre Edo period, the area that came to be known as Harajuku was a small post town. *Harajuku. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved July 10, 2017, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harajuku 日本語   People from the US We are from Texas. We work for a Japanese education company as consultants for the instructors. One of us has been working for our company for over 10 years. We came to Japan to attend a conference which was held in Osaka.

INTERVIEWS

Why is everyone in such a hurry? – Tell me, Japanese people! Vol.10

Produced by Isao Tokuhashi Edited by Daniel Penso Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Tokyo Imperial Palace The primary residence of the Emperor of Japan, which is right in the middle of Tokyo. It was built on the site of the old Edo Castle. *Tokyo Imperial Palace. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 13, 2017, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Imperial_Palace 日本語   Girls from the US We’re from Denver, Colorado. We came here yesterday. I will stay here two more days and she will leave here for China tomorrow to attend my friend’s wedding ceremony. This is our 1st trip to Japan. It’s very developed. We

INTERVIEWS

Why do some Japanese people wear masks? – Tell me, Japanese people! Vol.9

Produced by Isao Tokuhashi Edited by Daniel Penso Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden A large park and garden in Shinjuku and Shibuya. It was originally a residence of one of the most powerful and wealthy Japanese families (Naito Family) in the Edo period. Afterwards, it became a garden under the management of the Imperial Household Agency of Japan. It is now a national park under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Environment. *Shinjuku Gyoen. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved May 28, 2017, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinjuku_Gyoen 日本語   Family from France We came to Tokyo from a small town