すがすがしい秋



We are right in the middle of autumn in Japan: as beautiful a season as any with its rich reds and golds. And even more attractive than spring is the clear, dry air that makes physical activity so untaxing – as well as making for wonderful photos and clear, extra-starry night skies.

Japanese onomatopoeia is well known for its rich expressiveness, and there are several of them that express the sensations of autumn very effectively. For example, “a cool, crisp autumn breeze” is expressed as hinyari to sugusugashii aki no soyokaze. Hinyari to can express anything from cool to chilly. Sugasugashii is an onomatopoeic adjective meaning, likewise, “crisp, refreshing, invigorating”.

Featured here are some pictures from Shimane prefecture taken just a couple of days ago. Against the beautiful blue skies we enjoyed, they illustrate better than anything else autumn’s light cool touch.



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Naked Tokyo:2008

The Naked Tokyo:2008 exhibit will feature the works of more than 20 photographers from around the world who are living (or have lived) in Tokyo, and who apply their signature styles to interpreting this great city, revealing a small sliver of the Naked Tokyo within.

The exhibit will be available for preview by the media on the evening of Sunday, December 7, from 6 p.m.

The opening party will be held on Monday, December 8, from 6 p.m. All are welcome.

Entrance fee: ¥ 1,000 (includes one glass of wine)

Information on previous Naked Tokyo shows.

For further information on Naked Tokyo:2008 [People] please contact:

Alexis Alvarez, Producer

Tim Porter, Organizer/Lord Emeritus

List of photographers:

Alexis Alvarez, United States

Bonnie Bajaj, Hong Kong

Rick Balia, United States

Adrian Beard, England/Wales

Ernesto Braam,

Paul Cohen, Australia

Camilla Douraghy, United States/Iran

Barbara Flatten, Germany

Clive France, England

Harold Godsoe

Gary Heayes, England

Carla Hernandez, Spain

Max Hodges

Leroy Howard, United States

Leslie Kennah, Canada

Lars Jensen, Denmark

Paul Kohl, United States

Frank La Riviere, The Netherlands

Edward Levinson, United States

Haruna Miyashita, Japan

Shinishi George Nitta, Japan

Lori Ono, Canada

Mark Skorji, Australia

Jay Tomioka, United States/Japan

Mumi Trabucco, Argentina

Whitney Vosburgh, United States

Vladimir Zakharov, Russia

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京都の紅葉

Kyoto's famed fall colors are now out in all their glory.

Over the three-day weekend, we took in the maples at Tenryuji in Arashiyama.

The area was packed with tourists; however, walking was pleasant since the main (only) street was closed to cars, buses, and scooters. Only pedestrians--lots of pedestrians--and the occasional cyclist was on the road.

We spent time wandering around the pond and the exterior of the main hall--both of which are free and open to the public.

Best of all was the contrast of a mobster's car parked in front of a beautiful maple. The man had all the usual accoutrements of a yakuza: sleek designer shades; recently lit cigarette; a manny bag; tight designer jeans; and a well-built woman on his arm with big hair and a tiny mini-skirt. And he appeared to have no interest whatsoever in the gardens around him.

Tenryuji Temple

Two minutes from the Keifuku Line's Arashiyama Station.
Or take a city bus to "Keifukuarashiyama." A 7-8 minute walk from JR Saga Station.
Tel: 075-881-1235
68 Susukinobaba-cho, Tenryuji, Saga, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto.

8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Fee : 500 yen

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名古屋市美術館

Nagoya City Art Museum in Fushimi, not far from the Hilton Hotel, has a small permanent collection of contemporary western and Japanese art.



Located across Shirakawa Park from Nagoya's Science Museum, Nagoya City Art Museum opened in 1988. The permanent collection includes works by foreign artists such as Amedeo Modigliani, Marc Chagall, Frida Kahlo and Maurice Utrillo. Japanese contemporary art is represented by Shusaku Arakawa, Tsuguharu Fujita and Tadaaki Kuwayama. The collection is rotated four times a year.

The facility also includes works by local artists, a temporary exhibition gallery, a library, auditorium, cafe and shop.



Nagoya City Art Museum
17-25, Sakae 2-chome
Naka-ku, Nagoya
460-0008
Tel: 052 212 0001

Admission: 300 yen

A short walk from Fushimi Station (Exit 5) on the Higashiyama and Tsurumai subway lines or Osu Kannon on the Tsurumai Line (Exit 1).

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今週の日本

Japanese Are Irked by U.S. Interest in Pitcher

New York Times

Levelling the lingerie playing field

Guardian

Japan in the future to be caught between U.S., China: think tank

Japan Times

Japan suspects stabbings linked to pension scandal

Washington Post

Film Review: Tokyo Sonata

Midnight Eye

Japan approves whalemeat import

BBC

Fallen J-pop icon indicted for fraud

Asahi

Matsuzaka willing to play for Japan at WBC

Yahoo! Sports


Last week's Japan news

Japan Statistics

Violence in Japanese schools has increased dramatically in the last year. In 2007, there were 5,214 cases (45%) of violent behavior in elementary schools, 18,951 (25%) in junior high schools, and 6,512 (7%) in high schools. The numbers in parentheses represent the percentage rise over the previous school year. The majority in all three was damage to property.

On a per capita basis, Kagawa Prefecture led the country with 10.1 cases per 1,000 people. Kochi was second with 9.3.

Source: Asahi Shinbun

Last year approximately 8 million people visited Japan spending 1.6 trillion
yen

Source: Japanese Tourism Agency (JTA)

Japan tops G-7 survey of 3G cell phone use. 83% of all cell phone users in Japan have a third generation connection. Italy had the second highest at 27%. Canada had the lowest at only 1%.

Source: Kyodo


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ヒルトン名古屋

The Hilton Hotel in Nagoya's Fushimi district, just off Hirokoji Dori, is a perennial favorite with tourists and business travelers to Japan's Detroit.



Situated only one stop on the subway from Nagoya Station and within walking distance of Sakae - the main entertainment district in town - the Hilton makes for a comfortable and convenient stay.

There are over 400 rooms and facilities include seven restaurants, bar, internet access, swimming pool, gym and tennis courts.



Nearby foreigner-friendly bars include the Hard Rock Cafe, the Elephant's Nest British-style pub and Cigar Kanou (052-231-5534), a cigar bar on the same street as the Hilton with outdoor seating, food and a range of foreign cigarettes, cigars and tobacco.

Hilton Hotel Nagoya
1-3-3 Sakae Naka-ku
Nagoya
Aichi
460-0008

The nearest subway station is Fushimi on the Tsurumai and Higashiyama lines.

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京都の寺社　ライトアップ

To accompany the fall colors, Kyoto city is sponsoring special night time lighting at many of its most famous temples and shrines.

Here is the schedule at the major temples and shrines:

Manshuin: until November 25th; 5 pm - 8 pm; 600 yen for adults

Eikando: until November 30th; 5:30 pm - 9 pm; 600 yen for adults

Chionin: until November 30th; 5:30 pm - 9 pm; 800 yen for adults

Enkoji: until November 30th; 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm; 500 yen for
adults

Daikakuji: until November 30th; 5 pm - 8 pm; 500 yen for adults

Tofukuji: until December 6th; 5 pm - 8:30 pm; 500 yen for adults

Kodaiji: until December 7th; 5 pm - 9:30 pm; 600 yen for adults

Kiyomizu: until December 7th; 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm; 400 yen for adults

Tenryuji: until December 7th; 5:30 pm - 8:15 pm; 600 yen for adults

Kita no Tenmangu: November 21-25, 28-30, December 5-7th; sundown - 8 pm; 600 yen for adults

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