In the wake of the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami the cherry blossom parties will be understandably subdued. But I also think that they cheery blossoms offer us a time to reflect on life, the tsunami and what is important to us and how we can help. As the cherry blossoms are just opening around the country here are my favorite viewing places in Tokyo and Kyoto. If you are nearby I urge you to go and still celebrate life and beauty. If your planning to take a trip to Japan, I urge you to keep to your schedule and see for yourself all the beauty Japan has to offer.

Cherry Blossom Viewing in Tokyo

Ueno Park during cherry blossom season 

There are three main areas of Tokyo that I’d recommend viewing the cherry blossoms. The first is Ueno Park, perhaps Tokyo’s most well known cherry blossom destination and thus the most crowded. If you are looking to avoid the crowds this is certainly not the place to be. But if you want it lively, and filled with music, families and temples within walking distance than Ueno is the place to be.

Shinjuku Gyoen 

Our next stop is Shinjuku Gyoen (park) where the vast variety of cherry trees helps to ensure blossoms opening throughout the season. The large open areas ensure spots for those wanting to picnic. However, there are not that may spaces underneath the trees themselves. One tree not to miss is the beautiful weeping cherry tree, Yaebeni Shidarezakura.

Our last top is the Sumida Park which is a nice cherry tree lined walkway along the Sumida River in Asakusa, home to famous Senso-ji Temple. This is a nice relaxing area where you can stroll under the cherry blossoms. It is less crowded than Ueno but still has a nice historical feel to it. Across the river is the Asahi Beer company with its curious golden monument on top of the building. You can also see the ongoing construction to Tokyo’s latest and tallest broadcasting, restaurant and viewing tower the Tokyo Sky Tree.

Cherry Blossom Viewing in Kyoto

It is hard to improve on the beauty and elegance of Kyoto. But when the cheery blossoms appear in the Spring and when the leaves change in the Fall the city comes alive even further wrapped in natural colors that only accentuate the traditional buildings and quietly manicured gardens. Kyoto is full of cherry trees but here are some of my favorite areas.

Old Cherry Tree in Maruyama Park 

No cherry blossom experience is complete in Kyoto without a visit to Maruyama Park, and its stately old weeping cherry tree that is lit up at night. This is a popular place so if you are planning on having an evening party here you best stake out a spot early in the morning. Companies usually send their junior employees to claim their spot early. Sitting in the park all days sounds like a nice day of work! You can access the area through Yasaka Shrine, which sits at the eastern end of Shijo-dori in the Gion District.

If you are looking to contemplate life during a stroll than the Philosophers Path(????, Tetsugaku no michi) should be your next stop on your cherry blossom viewing odyssey. This cherry tree lined stone path in the northern section of Higashiyama area is quiet and is a good place to beat the crowds. However, space for picnicking is limited so it’s best for a stroll or to incorporate as part of your walking tour through the area.

Get your inner philosopher a kick start with a little beauty to contemplate 

Finally, get a bird’s eye view of the city and the forest of cherry blossom trees surrounding Kiyomizu Temple. Besides the temple being one of Kyoto’s most beautiful and most famous, it has an incredible wooden deck that trusts outs into a sea of blossoms. This spot will be one of your photographic highlights so make sure you head later in the day when you have nice soft light.

Have you been on a hanmi? Where else would you recommend for viewing the cherry blossoms?

Photo Credits 1, 2, 3, 4

As we all know, Japanese commercials have some crazy antics in it, hell some are just downright hilarious. There are quite a few American celebrities out there that have been in Japanese commercials (some of which is ridiculous). Here are a few videos of some of these celebrities doing these wacky commercials with one that includes the current governor of California Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger (my favorite video personally).

Arnold Schwarzenegger

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skBlEbsM0jM

Hulk Hogan

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdViUfe2IFg

Ben Stiller

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bW_cHfnOXM

Bruce Willis

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwqbqnsoSCs

Kiefer Sutherland

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_swFUVeVKo

News Via: Xorsyst via Japander

This isn’t the first time Modena wore awesome jerseys for their libero; before this was Spider-man and Iron Man, both sponsored by Marvel. One Piece seems to be pretty popular over in Italy at the present moment, with an average audience of 1.7 million viewers; enough for Toei Animation to sponsor these jerseys

News Via: Japantor, ANN

On September 23rd they opened up a special gallery event to commemorate the first release 15 years ago. At Akihabara’s Anime Center it shows various writers’ and illustrators’ limited works and photographs. The exposition will be going on until mid october but on the 5th there will be a big event as part of the Akihabara autumn festival. During this event held at the UDX 2nd building one can meet and receive autographs or signings from writers and illustrators during event hours.

For more information on this event please head over to Akiba Today.

• Providence Anime Conference

  Providence, Rhode Island (USA)

• Shimakon

  South Padre Island, Texas (USA)

October 4 – 5, 2008

• Expo Comics Cancun

  Cancun, Mexico (Site language is Spanish)

• Mid-Ohio-Con

  Columbus, Ohio (USA) – (Primarily a Comics Convention)

October 10 – 11, 2008

• BlizzCon

  Anaheim, California (USA) (Site languages are English, French, German, Korean, and Spanish) – (This is a Gaming Convention)

October 10 – 12, 2008

• Anime USA

  Arlington, Virginia (USA)

• SITACon

  Utica, New York (USA)

October 11 – 12, 2008

• Anime Festival BH

  Belo Horizonte, Brazil (Site language is Portuguese)

• F.A.C.T.S.

  Ghent, Belgium (Site languages are Dutch, English, and French) – (Primarily a Science Fiction Convention)

• Niucon

  Wroclaw, Poland (Site language is Polish)

October 17 – 18, 2008

• Zenkaikon

  King of Prussia, Pennsylvania (USA)

October 17 – 19, 2008

• Anime X Gamer Experience

  St. Augustine, Florida (USA)

• Another Anime Convention

  Nashua, New Hampshire (USA)

October 18 – 19, 2008

• Autumn Dream

  Lancaster, California (USA)

October 23 – 26, 2008

• Comic Action

  Messe Essen, Germany (Site languages are German and English) – (Primarily a Comics Convention)

October 24, 2008

• Video Games Live 2008

  London, England (UK) – (Primarily a Gaming Convention)

October 24 – 25, 2008

• Anime Banzai

  Salt Lake City, Utah (USA)

October 24 – 26, 2008

• Bakuretsu Con

  Colchester, Vermont (USA)

October 25 – 26, 2008

• London Movie Comic & Media Expo

  London, England (UK) – (Primarily a Science Fiction Convention)

• The Asian Karaoke Idol Invitational

  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA) – (Karoke, Gaming, and more)

October 25 – 27, 2008

• Armageddon Pulp Expo

  Auckland, New Zealand – (Primarily a Science Fiction Convention)

October 30 – November 2, 2008

• Lucca Comics And Games

  Lucca, Italy (Site languages are Italian and English) – (Comic and Game Convention)

• World Fantasy Convention

  Calgary, Alberta (Canada)

• Youmacon

  Dearborn, Michigan (USA)

October 31 – November 2, 2008

• AniMaCo

  Berlin, Germany (Site language is German)

• Anime Supercon

  Miami, Florida (USA)

• CrisisCon

  Huntsville, Alabama (USA) – (Primarily a Science Fiction Convention)

• MangaNEXT

  Somerset, New Jersey (USA) – (Primarily a Manga Convention)

• SugoiCon

  Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky (USA)

The first program that will be discussed is called TVU Media Player from TVU Networks.

First, you have to download TVU’s player. It’s a bit glitchy, and not the prettiest application in the world, but it works. Download TVU’s media player

From there, it’s really easy. Open up the program and switch the language over to Japanese. It’s up on the top left.

After you do that, all of the Japanese channels that are available will show up. Japanese TV isn’t all you can see, though. Of course, there’s television from all over the world, and you can watch it for free as well. (Since this is a p2p television thing, your connection, as well as the channels available at any given time, are dependent on who’s using TVU at the time. The people sharing are hooking into their tv, and if nobody is watching a channel at the time you want to watch it, you won’t be able to see it.)

The next program is called Keyhole TV, and it seems to be a much simpler program than TVU as well as containing more channels. However, unlike TVU it only displays Japanese television programs.

The program is pretty simplistic and self explanatory, just install and turn it on, you pretty much figure it out in a minute or less. Just head on over to the Keyhole TV website and download the program. From what I know these are all perfectly legal and therefore no worries.

Enjoy your Japanese Television programs!

News Via: Tofugu, Ota desho

Study Reveals Women Choose Video Games Instead of Sleep

E for All and PoshMama.com survey investigates the untold video game habits of women

E for All 2008
FRAMINGHAM, Mass.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Results from a survey recently fielded by Entertainment for All® Expo (E for All®), the consumer video game expo held October 3-5, 2008, in Los Angeles, and PoshMama.com, an online community exclusive to women around the world, indicate some surprising trends relating to women and video games. Front and center: many women would rather play video games than catch up on sleep, according to the new survey which polled more than 120 PoshMama members on their video game habits. Responses were gleaned from the high percentage of female respondents (71%) who said that they play video games.

According to the E for All / PoshMama survey, more than one-third of those surveyed say that they play video games when they should be sleeping. Women in the survey also say they play video games in other unusual circumstances, including: while on the phone (32%); while at work/in a meeting (20%); and, while preparing for work (12%). When it comes to spare time, nearly twice as many women say that, if given an extra hour of free time at home, they would rather play video games than catch up on sleep.

News Via: Kotaku

Hulu.com adds an anime channel. It currently offers Mushi-Shi, Naruto and Death Note. Hulu promises that it will add more anime like Bleach, Basilisk, Black Blood Brothers, School Rumble, and more. The videos are of high quality and interspersed with 10-second commercials. That’s right, there are now five anime shows on Hulu. You can get classics like Speed Racer and Astro Boy, as well as more modern series like Naruto, Mushi-shi and Death Note. Even better, both Death Note and Naruto remain in their unspoiled, un-dubbed glory.

Like Hulu, Joost.com also offers streaming anime from Viz.

News Via: Japanator

“Moe”. pronounced “mo-eh”/ literally ‘budding’, as with a plant) is a Japanese slang word originally referring to fetish for or love for characters in video games or anime and manga. For example, 眼鏡っ娘萌え, meganekko-moe, “glasses-girl moe”, describes a person who is attracted to fictional characters with eyeglasses. Since then, the term has come to be used as a general term for a hobby, mania or fetish (non-sexual) — 鉄道萌え, tetsudou-moe, “train moe”, is simply a passionate interest in trains. A moekko is a character who could be considered stereotypically attractive — youthful and cute.

Now that may be true to an extent but Moe has broadened a bit more in our usage today.

Over at Xorsyst, there are some ideas on the term Moe itself:

Others say that the word originates from the Japanese word Moeru, which means “burning” (the burning desire that fills your soul when you see a cute girl)

Moe at its most purest form means “a plant sprouting.” In anime and manga, it’s common to see a character obtain an older brother role to the girl he finds moe. He is willing to protect her from harm, and anything perverse.

Moe as a word can be used a few different ways:

• Sakura-chan is so moe.
• I am moe over Kitahara Sayaka from MilkyWay.
• I am Miko moe.
• Oh my god, Becky, moeeeee!

Some people claim that despite not knowing the exact origins or definition of Moe, it is something they understand through feeling (some of my stupid friends…), Although this may sound a bit far fetched, I can partially understand what they mean. When you see a cute image such as Mikuru from Haruhi Suzumiya, you just get that feeling that cannot be described in words.

When all said and done I guess I personally don’t even truly know what moe means but I think that the answers I received through my research from answers and xorsyst as well as several Otaku comrades has enlightened me a bit more than I use to be. I guess it is somewhat true about knowing what moe is through feeling, I sure do feel that way sometimes. How about all of you out there, what do you think of Moe? Do you think the answers found can accurately describe what Moe is?

Let us begin with some apparel from the Soul Eater collection:

Personally I love that full zip hoody that looks like Shinigami-san (he is too awesome). And that last one may me lol my ass off, for any of those who watch the Soul Eater Anime would know why, that punk is one annoying little guy.

And here are two other pieces, one from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann and the other from One Piece:

I cannot quite put my finger on it but something about that Gurren Lagann shirt just makes me go WTF…I wonder what it is hmm….

If you want to check out more Anime fashion please head over to the source of where I found these images at Anime Fashion for Fall 2008 (Part 1) and Anime Fashion for Fall 2008 (Part 2).

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Witej4D9pEE

Toonami Midnight Run promo:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Hev13u1miw

Toonami Tenchi Muyo Preview:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fylhq1N4EzU

Toonami Gundam Wing intro:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51rOp1Ow-NY

Toonami DBZ intro:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuPi0cF56Vg

An article over at Ningin, written by Louis Ponder discusses these issues:

Online communities, just like the one you are reading this article on right now are the answer to saving the anime industry. That may sound like a pretty big claim. However, I feel it’s the best solution for not only the anime industry, but also for the anime fans. When you think of an anime community, you may instantly think of anime forums. Yes, there are a lot of them out there. I think it’s important to note what makes a community different than a forum. It’s actually quite simple. Communities are made up of forums. I think it’s important for every community to have some form of a forum. They are great places to foster discussion. Communities should also be a place to meet new people, find others with similar interests, along with discussing ideas. With so many different anime forums, the only thing you end up with is a very splintered anime community.

Please head over to the Ningin article to find out more about this issue as well as read this very well thought out piece.

According to investigators, the man had lived with the sophisticated doll for several years after his wife passed away, but decided to part with her after making plans to move in with one of his children. “It seems he grew attached to the doll over the years,” said the chief investigator. “He was confused about how to get rid of her. He thought it would be cruel to cut her up into pieces and throw her out with the trash, so he proceeded to dump her illegally.”

The 60-year-old unemployed resident of Izu (Shizuoka prefecture) wrapped his 1.7-meter tall, 50-kilogram silicone girlfriend in a sleeping bag, drove to a remote wooded area, and dumped her. A nice, clean break, he thought.

The man, who regrets his lifelike doll was mistaken for a corpse, now faces fines for violating Japan’s Waste Management Law.

Apparently this man lived with this doll for many years after his wife died, the doll was pretty much his companion. Since he was going to move in with one of his children, he decided to get rid of the doll but did not want to dismember it for he has developed affections for this doll. Therefore he decided to throw it away in the woods and hoping for it to be a clean getaway. Kind of funny how it all turned out.

News Via: Pink Tentacle

I do not know how this guy created all of these, I tried but got disturbed and just plain stopped. It is friggen awesome though, I like how these Gundams look.

News Via: Lowyat Forums

The people over at Ningin are planning to post articles about anime related things for 8 days straight.

In case you haven’t heard, we’re partners with the New York Anime Festival! This is our biggest event partnership so far and so we felt something special was needed to promote it.

For 8 days, starting on Thursday September 18th, we will be posting at least two articles a day about something Anime related. We’re hoping that if we hyped up Anime enough online, you’ll be all hyped up for the real world event in NYC. In addition to articles, we’re also doing a roundtable discussion for the first time on Ningin where bloggers and members get a chance to share their opinions on a particular anime topic.

With this growing trend of green and clean energy, it is only logical that the sales of electric and hybrid cars would also increase (assuming the citizens care as well). It must be for Japan is starting to implement “Battery Stations” for electric cards in Tokyo.

“Battery stations” to recharge electric vehicles were launched in car parks in Tokyo on Wednesday in a bid to promote the wider use of battery-operated vehicles in the future.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) has installed charging devices for electric vehicles in nine basement parking lots, including those under several office buildings, in the business district near JR Tokyo Station on a trial basis. It is the first time that “battery stations” for electric vehicles have been set up in basement parking areas.

About 40 electric cars, owned by TEPCO, will be used on a trial basis over the coming year, with the aim of assessing the charging equipment’s effect on the environment, and its convenience and durability.

As electric cars need a large amount of power accumulated in their cells to run, the installation of charging equipment is a prerequisite for the wider use of electric vehicles.

Although I am all for Clean and Ecologically friendly Energy, at the moment “Electric Cars” just aren’t a viable option. Our technology for this is just still far too primitive, hopefully with the funding for the advancement of fuel cell technology it may one day be realistic. Ah I got off topic..Sorry! What I am trying to say is, “I feel Japan is just falling for the trend and doing more than what is necessary for this Green World theory.” The Battery stations would be a nice touch one day, just not now.

News Via: Mainichi Daily News

Personally I think Danny should upgrade himself to a Samurai Stormtrooper, it would be awesome to see him in it. Just my opinion though. I found this image over at toplessrobot.com.

Found this funny image while browsing through the news of japan news junkie. I personally find this quite hilarious but apparently this image is causing some controversy among some people in Japan.

The original U.S. poster depicts Uncle Sam pointing a finger and saying, “I want you for the U.S. Army.” In the Iga festival version, a similar-looking man wearing a yukata (summer kimono) says, “Come on, join us!!”

The Iga Municipal Government admitted that a poster used to promote a summer festival for local residents in Iga in August closely resembled that of a poster used to recruit soldiers in the United States during World War I.

“There was a poster with a similar design at another event. Since it was very impressive, we thought we would adopt it. It was a shallow idea,” said a representative of the printer.

“We will make sure this kind of thing never happens again,” a municipal official said in response to a question posed by a local assemblyman during a regular municipal assembly meeting on Wednesday.

News Via: Mainichi Daily News.