▽▲Cherry Blossom Mania: Mt. Fuji and Nara▲▽
Let's leaves Tokyo for the Japanese countryside.
Mt. Fuji's Kawaguchiko (lake) and Yoshinoyama (mountain) in Nara Prefecture. Yoshinoyama is the no.1 spot for viewing the cherry blossoms in all of Japan.
We also look at some of the unique foods made from cherry blossoms at Yoshinoyama: ice cream, yokan, sushi and sakura liquor.
Knowing the cherry blossoms (sakura) is to know Japan itself. Their beauty comes quickly and is short lived -- falling from the tree after only 10 days. The samurai lived knowing their life would be short, and that spirit is in each cherry blossom.
Called "mono no aware" which is deeply rooted in Buddhism, Japanese have a strong connection to all things. The beauty felt for the sakura is deep. Mono no aware is also an important factor in how Japanese connect to manga, anime and things important to them.
This show has been created and produced by John Daub. He's been living and working in Japan for over 15 years and regularly reports on an International TV Show for Japan's International Channel.
Casting light on quirky, funny & amazing Japanese culture in a way only seen through the eyes of a foreigner! Join us as we penetrate deep into the heart of Japan!
Tokyo Capsule Hotel ExperienceA real life capsule to sleep in. Cool!
This is one of the most "ONLY in JAPAN" experiences possible — staying in a capsule hotel in a Japanese city. It’s cheap and convenient but why do people actually stay here? Is it ... you know ... big enough?
In this episode, John Daub and Masahito Kawahata head to the Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel in Kabukicho to find out.
Japan’s Capsule Hotels are more than cheap places to crash.
This type of hotel is distinctively Japanese in style, cramming in as much as possible into a tiny space to make a comfortable experience, but can a guest really be comfortable in one?
More and more foreign tourists to Japan want to give it a try! How small are these capsule? How much is a night? What are the rules?
Is it worth it?
Miss your last train?
Work too late?
Argument with your husband or wife and need a place to crash? Those might be the normal reasons why Japanese salarymen spend the night at a capsule hotel.
For foreign tourists it’s a chance to experience a unique style of hotel that seems more like spending a night at the morgue.
Before you pass judgement on capsule hotels, some things about them may surprise you!
What can you find at the capsule hotel?
Here’s a list:
Capsules
Lockers
Restaurant (Open 18:00~24:00)
Community Room
Vending machines
Laundry machines
Fast and free WIFI
English speaking staff
Women’s only floor
Japanese-style bath and sauna
Close to Shinjuku Station, bars, Golden Gai and Robot Restaurant