i4Japan Discovery Club

Keiichi Morisato wrote:I feel like Im the only one that posts here anymore

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Wanna get stuck in hot water? It's not so bad at the Shirahone Spa hot springs in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture!

dont worry about it, I stalk this thread.

The first Nintendo game!



Nintendo was founded as a card company in late 1889, originally named Nintendo Koppai. Based in Kyoto, Japan, the business produced and marketed a playing card game called Hanafuda. The handmade cards soon became popular, and Yamauchi hired assistants to mass produce cards to satisfy demand. Nintendo continues to manufacture playing cards in Japan and organizes its own contract bridge tournament called the "Nintendo Cup".

BK-201 wrote:The first Nintendo game!



Nintendo was founded as a card company in late 1889, originally named Nintendo Koppai. Based in Kyoto, Japan, the business produced and marketed a playing card game called Hanafuda. The handmade cards soon became popular, and Yamauchi hired assistants to mass produce cards to satisfy demand. Nintendo continues to manufacture playing cards in Japan and organizes its own contract bridge tournament called the "Nintendo Cup".

Yup. I was really surprised when I read how Nintendo got started, and involved with Yakuza and everything else you wouldnt think Nintendo would ever touch.

http://kotaku.com/5784314/the-nintendo-theyve-tried-to-forget-gambling-gangsters-and-love-hotels

I read that on CN in their Hanafuda Mario card's description. Surprised me too. Well to be fair they didn't list all that you said there and thanks for the lesson/info. The real question is why is this game not popular outside of Japan?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanafuda



Thank you Summer Wars for teaching us about Hanafuda

I do, I do, I doo-oo!

Keiichi that was like a poem and a rhyme all in one. Nice and beautiful. (^-^)b

YUM! People who visit Japan often come back raving about Japanese-style curry rice. Cheap, delicious and filling, it is also easy to make yourself at home.
Check out an easy step-by-step recipe here >> http://www.buzzfeed.com/johnmahoney/how-to-make-the-best-japanese-curry-rice



DAMN IT! IM HUNGRY!

With a population of over 13 million people, Tokyo is one of the busiest cities in the world, but it is also one of the easiest to move around. In this video we will take the Yamanote Line to explore some of the city's famous landmarks and attractions.

The Yamanote Line is a rapid transit line operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) that connects most of Tokyo's major stations and urban centers. The Tokunai Pass allows unlimited rides on local and rapid JR East trains within the 23 Special Wards of Tokyo.

The journey starts off at the recently renovated Tokyo Station located a short walking distance from the stately Imperial Palace. After five years of construction, Tokyo Station has been restored to its original splendor from when it first opened 100 years ago.

Our first stop is Akihabara, home to electronics, anime, and otaku culture. One attraction that is unique to Japan are the maid cafes, where Japanese girls will dress up in French maid outfits and interact with the customers.

Next stop is Ueno Station, home of the famous cheery blossom festival held every year in nearby Ueno Park. Ueno Park is also home to a variety of science museums and makes a great picnic area for the family. For bargain hunters, make sure you check out Ameyayokocho Street, located across from Ueno Park for great deals on food, art, clothing and more.

A complete loop of the Yamanote Line takes 1 hour and stops at 29 stations.

Two stops past Ueno is Nippori Station, home of one of Tokyo's best old world secrets. Yanaka Ginza is a historic shopping area that is lined with traditional stores selling everything from fresh treats to handmade souvenirs.

Our next stop takes us to an area that is sometimes called 'A City Within A City'. With 35 platforms and over 200 exits, Shinjuku Station is the busiest train train station in the world and is home to many of Tokyo's tallest skyscrapers. Make sure to check out the Tokyo City Hall building that was built during the height of the Japanese economic bubble in the 1990's.

For a little color and music check out Takeshita Street which is said to be the fashion capital of Japan. Located directly across from Harajuku Station, Takeshita Street is very popular with young teenagers, particularly those visiting Tokyo on school trips, or local young people shopping for small "cute" goods at weekends.

We finish our circle of the Yamanote Line at Tokyo's most famous crossing. Shibuya represents the fast pace and energetic life that is living in Tokyo but there is so much more to see. Next time you are in Tokyo try to wander around and experience it yourself and you might be surprised how easy it is to get around the city, especially if you take train.

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Makes me really want to see Tokyo for myself!

You and me both.
I bookmarked that Jobs in Japan site.

BTW - gimme all dose GIFs xD

Japan Erects Massive Sculpture of the Last Standing Tree from a Forest Destroyed by the 2011 Tsunami

As cleanup continues two years after the deadly tsunami that struck Japan, a decision was made to preserve the memory of the miracle pine tree. The towering 88-foot tall pine tree was the last standing among a forest of 70,000 trees that were completely wiped out along the coast in Rikuzentakata, Iwate prefecture. The tree survived for nearly 18 months after the tsunami but eventually died due to high levels of saline introduced into its environment, after which is was felled and giant molds were created to again form the trunk and branches as they stood when the tree was alive. The monument is set to be unveiled this week.

Source

Rurikoji Temple (瑠璃光寺) in Yamaguchi City has a famous five-story pagoda that is something of a local symbol. Also noteworthy are the lovely temple grounds and the tombs of several medieval lords. Scenic in any season.

Oh! So pretty!
I looks really nice. I want to go there now. I wonder what temperature the water was when that pic was taken.

Probably cold

Someday I will go to Japan.
And I will find my waifu under the Sakura trees.

Culture lesson.

Thank you BK-201 for helping

Anime Watermelon

You seem em in nearly every single anime.

So I polled some users on Skype about the meaning of such and BK found this article.

From Wikipedia

Suikawari (西瓜割り?, lit. Watermelon Splitting) is a traditional Japanese game that involves splitting a watermelon with a stick while blindfolded. Played in the summertime, suikawari is most often seen at beaches, but also occurs at festivals, picnics, and other summer events.


Another use for a baseball bat
The rules are similar to piñata. A watermelon is laid out, sometimes on a tarp, and participants one by one attempt to smash it open. Each is blindfolded, spun around three times, and handed a wooden stick, or bokken, to strike with. The first to crack the watermelon open wins. Afterwards the chunks of watermelon produced are shared among participants.








Research source #2



And one more just bc this was hilarious.

xD Thanks Keiichi and BK for the cool or rather sweet lesson. :) Shame I can eat watermelon but I really don't care for their taste but hey I wouldn't mind playing that game. STAND BACK EVERYONE! Natsuru's got a bat. ;)

Natsuru-san wrote:xD Thanks Keiichi and BK for the cool or rather sweet lesson. Shame I can eat watermelon but I really don't care for their taste but hey I wouldn't mind playing that game. STAND BACK EVERYONE! Natsuru's got a bat.

Way ahead of you.

ya definitely hit the melon on the head with that one

(btw Keiichi you haven't added me to the members list on the first post.)

Sorry Grim, let me fix that

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Let your beauty shine through! If cherry blossoms could speak, that's what they would probably say!
This little darling bud is shining on in Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in central Tokyo



Sakura, sakura, sakura, sakura....

I love Sakura!
I want to go see this more than anything!!!