Japanese Hot Springs by Ayako Itou

There are many hot springs in Japan. Many Japanese like hot springs and they take a long time to take a bath. It takes more than 30 minutes for me to take a bath everyday. It makes me so relax. I usually read books and send e-mail on the phone during bath time. There are many kinds of hot springs, such as a whirlpool bath, milk bath, and an open-air bath. I sometimes go to a public bath with my friends. Hot springs are good for health and beauty. They remove fatigue of body, skin become nice, and we sweat a lot. I’m interested in Ganbanyoku nowadays. It is like sauna. We wear pajama like yukata and lie on a hot stone in a hot room. Every about 30 minutes, we have to drink water and can sweat a lot. The sweat is not dirty, so we don’t have to wash our body. I can feel refresh when I go to Ganbanyoku. Women have paid attention to Ganbanyoku for few years these days because they can get slim body. I went to Takayama in Gifu with my friends from university in the last spring vacation. It was so cold and there was much snow. The open-air bath was so comfortable because we could see snow and have a long bath. After that, we ate many kinds of Takayama dish, like Hida beef and Hoba miso. They were fantastic. Food was good because of hot springs. If you plan to have a short trip in Japan, I recommend you to go to a hot spring. You’ll enjoy some types of baths and talking with your family or friends in the bath. It is good for health and communication.

A coming-of-age caremony by Yuika Uchi

In Japan it is the tradition to celebrate a coming-of-age ceremony. It is a national holiday for the whole nation to congratulate those who have come of age. Men usually wear suit or Hakama. Woomen wear a long-sleeved kimono.


Next January, I’ll go to a coming-of-age ceremony. I’m looking forward to it. About two weeks ago, I’ve taken the ceremonial pictures before the event. I’ve worn a long-sleeved kimono. The color is light pink and pattern is yellow, purple and white flowers. The obi’s color is gold. I’ve put my hair up and worn big purple flower. I was pleased this style. I’ve worn kimono for the first time. The obi is so tight. I had been wearing for about three hours. My body was very heavy. When, I took off kimono, I felt free!

When I was taking photos, I enjoyed. I’ve taken some pose and had many goods such as a Bangasa, Mari and flower. Bangasa is a coarse oil-paper umbrella. These are very interesting goods for me. I’m looking forward to completing photos.

On the day of the ceremony. I have to wear kimono for about six hours. I think the ceremony is boring, but I can meet many friends who same junior high school. I’ll meet some friends after a long time. I want to talk them and take pictures.

Japanese New Year's Eve by Iyo Nishio

The end of the year and the New Year in Japan are important event which people spend with their particular family. Many people go home for using the New Year holidays. I think the main current of Japanese how to spend from the end of the year to the New Year is to spend with their family at their home. Of course, I am too.


My how to spend of New Year’s Eve is, at first, I clean my room from the morning to the afternoon. I clean up the length and breadth of my room in order to remove dirt of the year. And, in the evening, I watch song’s battle of red and white on TV with my family. And, at around eleven p.m., I eat the buckwheat noodles eaten on New Year’s Eve. To eat buckwheat is Japanese tradition, and it seems to mean living thin and long like buckwheat. And, I welcome New Year’s Day over hearing the temple bell toll on New Year’s Eve.

And, in the morning of New Year, I exchange the compliments of the season to my family, and I receive New Year’s card. However, many young people greet only E-mail in recent years. And, I eat New Year’s food with my all family for lunch. The food boiled and seasoned of my grand mother is very delicious. And, in the afternoon, I pay a visit to a shrine with my relative.

I’m happy that I can welcome New Year’s Day with my family every year I want to remain of how to spend.

Anjo Tanabata Festival by Yumiko Nakano

I will introduce about Anjo Tanabata Festival in my hometown. This festival is held every summer in August. There are a lot of people every year, and we can do and see various things, for example we can wish; write a prayer on the paper and hang on the bamboo or see a parade held by kindergartens or dance battle or band’s performance. There are beautiful decoration here and there, and lot kinds of stands. I chose this festival because I have been there many times since when I was junior high school student, and I went there with my friend who lives in local town every year, so everyone goes to different college now, but in summer vacation, we can meet a long time at this festival, so this festival is important for me. Also, I like festival, so this is one of my favorite things in summer.

In 1952, Anjo city made a start and the first Anjo Tanabata Festival was held in 1954. In 1978, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry performed the decoration of bamboo in local festival the whole country. This led to be known the name the whole country and was called one of the three major festivals.

In the first period in university, I went there with my junior high school students. We bought some food and drink and went my friend’s house. The day was piled up with the fireworks held in Okazaki, and we could see that from my friend’s house, so we enjoyed seeing with eating, drinking and talking. Last year, I also went there with my college friends.

Anjo Tanabata festival will develop more and more after this. There are many stands not only food and drink but also miscellaneous goods. This festival is held in three days, so come to this festival when you feel inclined to.

Japanese Government by Yukitaka Takeuchi

Yukitaka Takeuchi


The new government of the Democratic party of Japan started in this month. We know that Liberal Democratic party was into power until now. And they were defeated on the general election overwhelmingly. But why? So, I consider the question why did the Democratic party of Japan win a great victory. Political power was weld by the Liberal Democratic party for a long time, but their policy was very abstract. Because they didn’t make public political views. People didn’t know that what the Japanese government was. I think this problem was connected to young people’s disinterest in Japanese politics. Lately, Japanese prime minister changes one after another. Because their policy couldn’t obtain good result. For example, some common people were taken away by North Korea. This serious problem was pointed out about twenty years ago. The families of missing insisted that Japanese government help kidnapped relatives. But the government couldn’t make effective use of diplomatic relations. People feel disappointed by the Liberal Democratic party. So, the Democratic party of Japan won a great victory on this election. But I think people don’t expect the Democratic party to improve dwindles. They just hated the Liberal Democratic party’s policy. I think people hope a reform of politics.

Japanese Fashion by Ayako Ikehata

What is your favorite fashion? In this article, I want to write about my favorite fashion and makeup. There are many fashionable girls in Japan. Almost all of girl likes shopping and enjoying fashion! I wish you could enjoy Japanese fashion with my article.


There are many kind of fashion such as florid, sober and so on. Especially I like monotone color fashion like black and white because it looks like cool. But once in a while I wear casual clothes like a jeans and parka. This winter I try to adult fashion!

I think Japanese like brand very much than other countries people. For example LOUIS VUITTON and GUCCI and so on. If you come to Japan, you often see woman who have brand bag. I like brand too. So I work hard and save money and I bought brand bag the other day!

Have you seen a makeup of Japanese woman? I think Japanese woman skillful at makeup. In Japan almost all of woman makeup. Many magazines often put way of makeup because Japanese woman interested in makeup. I always put color contact lens and false eyelashes with my eyes. It can us look more cute! Please you try to it.

I am often asked “why Japanese people wear same clothes?” “Japanese people don’t have personality.” by overseas student but I think Japanese fashion is good and I like Japanese fashion.

Please tell me fashions of your country.