Japan’s NHK and other broadcasters have proposed a new tower in Sumida, Tokyo… which if completed, would be the world’s tallest free-standing tower (611m) and the tallest man-made structure in Japan.
The new tower is officially named Tokyo Sky Tree (東京スカイツリー, Tōkyō Sukai Tsurii) following a public voting by Tokyo residents. The tower is currently scheduled for completion in 2011.
Artist’s impression of Tokyo Sky Tree (Image from Tobu Railway Co & Tobu Sky Tree Co)
The current tallest man-made structure in Japan is the original Tokyo Tower, a popular tourist attraction, which stands at 333m tall.
Popular Japanese mascot Hello Kitty has added another title under her belt, as she is officially appointed as the tourism ambassador to welcome tourists from China and Hong Kong.
Japanese Tourism Minister Tetsuzo Fuyushiba with Korean singer Younha and a kimono-clad Hello Kitty during the official appointment on May 19 (Image via
Mainichi)
Korean singer Younha meanwhile is appointed as ambassador to invite more South Korean tourists.
The Cui-daore (くいだおれ), an iconic restaurant in Osaka’s Dotonbori eating district, is closing down in July after 60 years in business.
Operating since 1949, the restaurant will be closing down on July 8 because of its aging building and facilities and limitations of its family-run business. [Asahi]
The restaurant’s famous mascot, the Cui-daore Taro, is however likely to continue its legacy though. The restaurant is flooded with hundreds of offers to buy and rent its mascot after the closure announcement was made last week.
The Cui-daore Taro in front of the restaurant (Image from
Jpellgen)
Also known as Kuidaore Ningyo, the drum beating mechanical doll dressed in a striped clown suit is considered by many as the most popular landmark in Osaka.
Passengers dressed in ninja costumes are given free travel along the Iga Tetsudo line from April 1 to May 6 to mark the Japanese city’s popular ninja festival.
A ‘ninja’ enjoying the free ride (Image from
Reuters)
Iga is a city 450 kilometres from Tokyo and known to many Japanese as one of the traditional home towns of the ninjas.
It should be quite a scene when the festival reached its peak, with all the ninjas wandering around.
The Kanamara Matsuri (かなまら祭り; literally the Festival of the Steel Phallus) is an annual fertility festival held in Kawasaki Daishi, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The event is held on every spring, and this year’s main festivity was on April 6.
The festival was once popular among sex workers praying for protection against sexually transmitted diseases. It’s also mentioned as divine protections for business prosperity and the clan’s prosperity, easy delivery, marriage, and married couple harmony, etc. Today, the festival is used to raise money for HIV research. [Wiki]
Basically it’s a festival where you can see penis everywhere… on the mikoshi (portable Shinto shrine), pictures, foods, candies and merchandises. It might sound gross for some people, but the festival is on my wish list as one of the must go event in my life… seems fun for me.
