Volunteer for Japan

On October 7, 2011, I joined a group of 41 volunteers to with the the clean up and reconstruction of Rikuzentakata-shi in Iwate Prefecture, Japan. This is one of the coastal towns most severely hit by the March 11 tsunami.

Our group

 Yoko Matuura from WhyNot? JAPAN (http://www.whynotjapan.com/) took on the difficult task of organizing the volunteer trip. Thank you, Yoko! The initial plan was to go to Ishinomaki, but when Yoko called Volunteer Center (http://www.ngo-jvc.net/en/touhoku.html) she was told that they only needed volunteers that could drive/operate heavy machinery. Thankfully, she didn’t give up, and managed to find a Volunteer Center with staff who knew of a location where we could be of service.

The morning of October 8th we arrive at Volunteer Center where we changed clothes and got the necessary tools. Before heading out, the Center staff explained the risk and safety procedures to be followed. For many of us, myself included, it was the first time to do such work.

Mr. Sato from the village explained that we would spend 2 days cleaning up a field so that it could be used for farming during the next planting season. Saito is one the survivors and he really was special person, kind person and very friendly. I personally was afraid ask him any question about March 11th and the only thing he told me is kowakatta mada shinjirarenai!, which means “I was scared and still cannot believe what happened”. You could tell by his hard work and dedication that he would not rest until his village was back to the way it was before the tsunami. Please never give up Saito-san we are all with you!!!!

Mr Sato and Sawako

While in Rikuzentakata-shi we met Jamie El-Banna who has been working on the clean up and rebuilding efforts since June 2011. He has been living in a tent in Ishinomaki, where we were originally planning to volunteer. Jamie was very helpful and we cannot thank him enough for all of his hard work, Thank you, Jamie!!

Jamie El-Banna with us

As part of our volunteer service, we were asked to attend a festival at a local shrine that happens once every four years. During the special festival, men climb up a large ladder to battle with a makeshift dragon. It was truly inspiring to see the city coming together in celebration while they are still trying to heal from this year's tragedy.

Rikuzentakata Festival

This trip was wonderfully organized and I hope that I was able to help the people of Rikuzentakata even if it was only a little bit. It's been 6 months since the tsunami and earthquake now, but they could always use more help so please volunteer!

Marco Ferrari
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Autumn in Japan

Japanese cherry blossoms (Sakura) are a famous national celebration, and crowds from all around the world come every year to enjoy spring in Japan. But there is another natural event that worth the visit; the autumn leaves colors. Leaves turn to yellow, orange, red, purple, ruby, vermilion…giving a mystic atmosphere to some places. The Japanese summer is really hot and humid, and though Japanese enjoy the summer, I have a feeling that they are impatient for autumn to start and finally being able to enjoy the autumn colors and an outdoor activity without getting sunburn.

Today I would like to give some basic advice and recommendations on how to enjoy those autumn colors.

When to go to see the most beautiful autumn colors?

Because Japan stretches from north (Hokkaido) to south (Okinawa) the autumn actually happens at a different time. In Hokkaido the autumn might starts as early as September while in Okinawa there is no specific autumn due to the tropical weather. But in Kyushu the autumn starts only by the end of November.
Though nature is not an exact science, in the central part of Japan, the best time is November.

To know the progression of the autumn leaves, some websites publish very detailed reports:

Japan Guide – Autumn Color Report
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2014.html
This website is in English and they update the color of the leaves in the most popular spots.

Yahoo Japan – Autumn Color Report
http://weather.yahoo.co.jp/weather/
This one is in Japanese and seasonal (From September to December) but you don’t need to understand Japanese to actually find the information you are looking for. When the Autumn Report will be available, usually by the end of September, you will see a big red Maple leave, just click on it to see the Autumn Color Report. This is the most detailed report; every single spot in Japan is listed. The Maple leaf symbol beside the location selected will change from green to red; red being the best moment to go.

Where to go?

Kyoto is probably the most popular and crowded spot but still it worth the visit. During the second half of November, places such as Tofukuji, Arashiyama, Kiyomizudera will be surrounded by beautiful autumn foliage.

In Hokkaido, the Daisetesuzan National Park is the first place to have autumn colors every year. The mix of colors, between yellow and red in the middle of mountains or along rivers and lakes offers some particularly nice spots in early October.

The Fuji Five Lakes, with a view on the magnificent Mt Fuji, is one the most popular. In addition it is possible to find some quiet and not crowded places around the Mt Fuji. It is advised to go there in late October to enjoy the autumn colors.

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpen Route; in the Northern Japanese Alps is famous for the great amount of snow fall but also for its beautiful autumn colors. Because of its elevation range the autumn can be enjoyed from late September to early November.

The Miyajima Island is one of the three most scenic places in Japan, so anytime is good to visit this place, but the middle of November would be a great choice. Few autumn colors can be seen around the Miyajima Torii (gate) and the Itsukushima shrine; but in the Momijidani Park laterally “Maple valley” there are plenty.

My special recommendation;
The Mino Park, this park is located only 30 minutes from the Osaka city and is a small valley full of Maple trees. I went there last year, and sincerely it is beautiful. Walking in this forest of Maple trees is something that I enjoyed a lot, and I recommend this place that few foreigners know. Extra surprise, you might see some monkeys walking beside you.

Don’t forget, that every interesting place in Japan can become crowded very quickly, I suggest you to go to the above places as early as you can in the morning or late in the evening. Of course it is also better to avoid weekends. That way you will avoid making lines….and you will have a better light for your pictures.


Which tree to enjoy in autumn?

Of course the Maple tree (Momiji in Japanese) is the most beautiful tree in autumn. Maple trees are native of Japan; nowadays there are other a hundred of varieties. The shape and colors of their leaves can be very different from one another; thin, long, round, red, yellow… Cultivated ones, with the most shining colors can be seen in temples especially in Kyoto or in Japanese gardens.

Another famous tree in Japanese autumn is the Ginkgo (Icho in Japanese). This tree will not turn red but into a bright yellow. This is very common in the cities, along the streets and parks. I agree that the yellow of the Ginkgo is beautiful, but I would add that this tree produce some fruits that really stink, so take a deep breath before you go around one.


What to eat during the Japanese autumn?

Like every season autumn brings specific fruits or vegetables. Japanese have a passion for the Matsutake, this mushroom popular for its smell and flavor can be compare to the Truffle in Europe. If they are as good as expensive they must be delicious!

Chestnut (Kuri in Japanese) is a typical product to eat in autumn. Japanese chefs can cook almost anything based on Chestnut; soup, sauces, cakes, ice cream… Some Japanese farms will suggest you to pick up Chestnuts by yourself. Fruits always have a better taste if you can select them on your own directly on the tree!

Now if you go to Mino Park, you will have to try the Momiji Tempura (Fried Maple leaves). It is probably not the most tasty Japanese dish, but it’s interesting to know that we actually eat the leaves of a Maple tree.


Personally, I am so impatient to see the autumn coming.

Attractions are everywhere in Japan,

Following our last post, I would like to give you more examples of interesting things that you can find anywhere in Japan. All you have to do, is to pay attention around you while you are in Japan.

For some Japanese to play with costumes is a real life style, here is a very cute butterfly. To see some "cosplay" in Osaka, the best place is in Americamura, near Namba.

For some costume, they really make huge efforts and probably take hours to be ready. At least they bring some colors and smile,...

If you are in Japan now, you know that it is really hot. Good news, Japanese have many great ideas ! The bar on the above picture, will welcome you with a temperature of -2 degrees Celsius (about 28 degrees Fahrenheit) ! This bar, in Shinsaibashi (Osaka) opened in June and will keep its business until September. The only problem, is that you would have to wait for about 1 hour outside, because it's so popular.

Sightseeing with your eyes open

While you are in Japan, of course you will have to visit popular landmarks such as Mt Fuji, temples in Kyoto, Miyajima… Those places are a must; but your travel is not restricted to the touristic spots, there are plenty of surprising things in Japan, everywhere, you just need to look around you.

The staff of Rediscover Japan lives around Osaka, so we would like to show you some examples of interesting things that we found near Osaka.

High-school baseball tournament in Koshien.

If you are in Kansai now, or within Sunday August 14^th, why don’t you go to see a baseball game at Koshien. They are now holding the National high-school baseball tournament. This tournament is one of the most popular even in Japan. Games are on the air on two different national channels; great atmosphere; 40,000 people in the stadium everyday for 2 weeks…and some seats are free !

Square watermelon

If you like fruits, you might be surprised by the price of fruits in Japan. To grow a fruit in Japan is more or less an Art. How about this square watermelon, for 130 US Dollars!! I hope they guarantee the taste for this price.

Nice bicycle !

This bicycle is probably not easy to ride, but looks great. If you cannot afford a real Harley-Davidson this might be a good alternative...

Japanese Guest Houses phone guide

Most tourists want to call home at least one time while they are traveling in Japan but this is not always easy or cheap. Below are 5 options but we recommend either option numbers 4 or 5 as they are the least expensive.

Option 1,
Use your cell phone in Japan...
Most of the foreign phones do not work in Japan and the ones that do can be very expensive to you. If you have a smart phone like an iPhone or Android you may have better luck but due to data charges this can also be a very expensive option. In fact, we recommend you to keep your smart phone on “airplane mode” and only use it to connect to the Internet by WIFI. Japan is famous for new technologies but free WIFI spots are not as common as it can be in other countries. Please ask your hotel front desk where you can access free WIFI.

Note: Even your cell phone provider says your phone will work in Japan please read all the fine print and understand what the actual costs are.

Option 2,
Use your hotel phone…
Nowadays the in-room phones are mostly used for room service, wake up calls and emergencies. For an international phone call this option would work but this will be very expensive and I do not recommend it.

Option 3,
Renting a Cell Phone in Japan...
This is a very convenient alternative, you just pick up the rental phone at the airport when you arrive in Japan and drop it off on the way back home. However please be careful as the rental fee is usually very attractive but the calls can be very expensive and its not ideal for calling overseas. Many rent a phone companies charge over 100 yen per minute for outgoing domestic calls. Here is a list of rental cell phone companies:
http://www.rentafonejapan.com/
http://www.myjapanphone.com/
http://www.jcrcorp.com/
http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/service/list/svc_19.html
(These are just listed for your convenience and not a recommendation of service, please research carefully.)

Option 4,
International Phone Cards...
This is one of the best and most reasonable solutions for calling home and is one of the two options that we recommend. You can use International Phone Cards with a very competitive rate to call overseas. Depending on the Phone Cards, they can be used from public phones or rental mobile phones. Phone cards are sold at convenience stores, kiosks, on the Internet and vending machines.
http://www.callingcards.com/index_japan.asp?origsel=Japan
http://www.nobelcom.com/
http://www.rebtel.com/
(These are just listed for your convenience and not a recommendation of service, please research carefully.)

Option 5,
Use Skype to call...
If you are at a WIFI spot you can use your computer, smart phone (iPhone, Blackberry, Android...), or iPad to make free calls to others while on Skype. You can also use Skype to make cheap calls to land lines around the world. At Japanese Guest Houses and Japan Roads we use Skype to contact each other between the US and Japan. It works great and if the person you are calling has Skype then it is all free. Once you are away from the WIFI area make sure that you put your smart phone or other device on airplane mode.
http://www.skype.com

Tourism in Japan 4 months after the quake,

Tourists are coming back to Japan, booking their holidays, planning their itineraries. Vincent Penez situated in Japan reports on the current state of the local tourism industry.As you know on March 11th Japan was hit by massive Tsunami causing terrible damages especially to the Fukushima nuclear plant. Four months later, the Japanese nation is gathering all its resources to rebuild the Tohoku area, fix the Fukushima nuclear plant and prove that Japan is safe to travel.
The tourists are more welcome than ever to help Japan. We already received many testimonials from tourists explaining how the Japanese people are thankful for tourists coming to Japan.
People have the image that Japan is a very small island nation, in fact Japan's 143,600 square miles make the island slightly smaller than California. From its northern most point in Hokkaido to its southern most point in Okinawa it is 1,400 miles or the distance from New York to Alabama.

The most popular tourist destinations are located far away from Fukushima. Tourists are coming back step by step and the Gion festival in Kyoto (ending on Sunday, July 17th) was really crowded as every year.
Hopefully, tourists will understand that while the damage to the Tohoku area is extreme, it is very far from most tourist destinations. Our company has two offices, one in the US and one in Japan. Our Office in Japan is located near Osaka and life for our staff is normal without any interruptions. Our President also brought his family to Japan for the summer just like every year.
I personally live in Osaka and I would like to say that I did not change anything in my daily life after the quake, tsunami or nuclear accident and I still practice the same hobby as before. I go to work, take the same packed train every day, go out with my friends… And since I like to ride bicycle I still do it, maybe even more than before though it is now very hot and humid in Japan, I sincerely feel safe in Osaka.
Below are some links that explain the current situation in Japan and show that Japan is safe:

• Disaster Prevention and Nuclear Safety Network for Nuclear Environment http://www.bousai.ne.jp/eng/
  This site shows real time maps of current radiation levels in Japan. As you can see the radiation level in most of the country is normal.
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) http://www.iaea.org/About/japan-infosheet.html
  To me this is the most important link as the IAEA has nothing to gain from you traveling to Japan. They are simply stating the facts.
• Japan is already rebuilding and the areas hit by the tsunami are much cleaner than before and people are living their normal live again. To have a good idea of the situation in Tohoku please check the following link: http://photogallery.thestar.com/1006372

The most important information I would like to give is that tourists who canceled their travel to Japan after the quake are now coming back. Most of them are planning to visit Japan in autumn and some are already making reservations for spring 2012.
By Vincent Penez

Is it a good time to visit Japan ? Yes !

I would like you and others to know that this is a very nice time to visit
Japan.  We found that there were very few Caucasian tourists most places
that we went.  We asked the staff everywhere we stayed how business was and
it was way down for all of them.  They have had almost all their
reservations from the US canceled.

Tokyo Tower

Before leaving for Japan I worried that the "mood" in Tokyo and Kyoto would
be one of depression and sadness.  I did not find that at all.  People in
Japan were gracious and welcoming as usual.  We found marketplaces and
stores were bustling and vibrant, the temples and shrines were full of
visiting Japanese students and their teachers who were giggling and looked
like kids anywhere out on a field trip.  Restaurants may not have been as
crowded as usual, I wouldn't know, but many that we went to were full of
Japanese patrons.

We did experience some of the electricity savings measures:  some places did
not have air conditioning on and we were there during a hot spell . . .
temperatures in 20's C some days and it was a little bit uncomfortable in
some locations.  The hotels and hostels we stayed at had individual room A/C
that we could turn on and set the temperature as we wished.  Also many, but
not all of the escalators in the train stations were turned off.  But if you
needed an elevator they were running.

I personally would urge Americans who were considering visiting Japan to go
now or soon.   Other than where the devastation has occurred it remains an
incredibly beautiful country in every way.  The Japanese people are happy to
see us and by spending our money in Japan we are helping their economy, and
the people whose livelihood depends on tourism.

 I lived in Japan for several years as a child and this is the first time I
returned, many years later.  Much has changed in Japan since then, but I
found that it overwhelming retains the unique cultural and physical
characteristics that make it so interesting and enjoyable to visit.

Thank you for this opportunity to share my impressions.

Sincerely,
Diane Saulter