In February 2014

This month, January 2014

Coming soon this month November 2013

Hachiko Statue

Located at Shibuya, Tokyo, the statue of Hachiko won't be hard to find. It's located just in front of Shibuya train station and near to the famous Shibuya crossing.

The story is back in 1924, a Professor of  The University of Tokyo, Hidesaburo Ueno,  adopted an abandoned dog, which he named Hachiko. The dog was a Akita breed. Hachiko used to greet the Professor  everyday whenever he come back from work at the same time at the Shibuya Railway Station. Hachiko and the Professor followed this routine everytime until May 1925, when the Professor died and never returned home. But Hachiko waited there for the Professor to return home for the next 10 years (some say 9 years)  :-(

Other commuters and shops owners nearby who had seen the bond of the dog with the Professor felt sorry for it and started feeding it at the station. Hachiko finally died on March 8, 1935. His remains have been preserved at the National Science Museum of Japan, Tokyo. 

Today the Japanese people would refer to Hachiko to inspire their children. And in honour of Hachiko, his statue was made at where he waited for the Professor to return home. 

Images below from Wikipedia:

Japan Festival 2013 in Brunei

Another exhibition for you to visit if you are in Brunei Darussalam. Again, Even if you are not any of those three mentioned, this exhibition is worth your time to visit and learn something about Japan. The details of the exhibition can be found in the poster.

The Spirit of Budo at The Brunei Museum, 2013

If you are in Brunei Darussalam, and you are a Japan History, Culture or Martial Arts lover. This is something for you to go and visit. Even if you are not any of those three mentioned, this exhibition is worth your time to visit and learn something about Japan. The details of the exhibition can be found in the poster.

Article from Japan

This article is from Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs website about a Brunei Primary School at Kampung Ayer (Water Village). It's in Japanese, so if you know how to read Japanese then have a look, if not get it translated. Click the link below to view.

http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/kids/kuni/0411brunei.html

If you are visiting Kyoto, Japan then Kinkaku-Ji (temple) is a wonderful place to visit and a must visit. Kinkaku-Ji or the Golden Pavilion is a Zen Buddhist temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. It is formally known as Rokuon-Ji and was the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Kinkaku-Ji is an impressive structure built overlooking a large pond, and is the only building left of Yoshimitsu's former retirement complex. It has burned down numerous times throughout its history including twice during the Onin War which destroyed much of Kyoto, and burned down once again more recently in 1950 when it was set on fire by a monk. The present structure was rebuilt in 1955.

Japanese Koi

Koi or Nishikigoi (in Japanese), are a popular fish around the world, and are kept for decorative purposes in outdoor Koi ponds or water gardens. Koi varieties are distinguished by coloration, scalation and patterning. Some of the major colors are white, black, red, yellow, blue, and cream.

Japanese Koi fish are specifically bred for both coloration and form. Most popular in Japan are the Kohaku, a pure white fish with persimmon-red patches arranged in a stepping stone pattern. Koi fish are beatiful, their patterns and colors make them amazing fish to see. People can spend hours just relaxing and watching these beautiful and colorful fish swim in the pond.

In Japan, Koi are known for their masculine and positive qualities. They are the official symbol for the Japan Children's Day on May 5th, which is also a festival in Japan.  During this festival families hang a Koi Fish windsocks or Koino Bori (see below) for every member they have in their household.  Another Japanese believes is that Koi fish symbolise strength for overcoming life's difficulties. Other than that Koi fish is a part of Japanese culture that can be found in some homes or parks around the world.

Tokyo City Sky View

You can see Tokyo Rainbow Bridge in this photos

The photos are taken from Tokyo Tower special observatory. It's an amazing view to see when you are up in the Tokyo Tower.

Photos Courtesy of Forest Han Photography

www.foresthantravel.blogspot.com 

Deer in Nara

Konichiwa.... Yokoso Japan!

Deer are everywhere in Nara, Japan. You can almost see them immediately the moment you reach Nara prefecture. You can see them the most at Nara Park and at Todai-Ji (Temple).

According to Nara locals' story, Deer from this area were considered sacred due to a visit from one of the four gods of Kasuga Shrine, Takenomikazuchi-no-mikoto. It was said the god appeared on Mt. Mikasa-yama riding a white deer. From that point, the deer were considered divine and sacred, protecting the city.

Now the Deer in Nara are considered as national Treasures and are protected by the local government. So now the deer roam around the town, especially in Nara Park. Snack vendors sell "Shika Sembei" or Deer Biscuits to visitors so they can feed the deer. But be careful not to have any papers around you, the Deer tend to take a bite on it.

This Deer is waiting for someone to feed it

Photos Courtesy of Forest Han Photography
www.foresthantravel.blogspot.com

Panorama view of Tokyo City

This photo is taken from The Rainbow Bridge in Tokyo.

Big G-Shock Watch

Can you spot the G-Shock watch below?

Casio G-Shock Watch is one of the most popular watch in the world. It's common to see Outdoor enthusiastic, Travelers, Athletes, Photographers, Campers and even the Army to have a G-Shock watch on their wrist. It is one of the toughest watch around.

If you ever visit Ginza, Japan i'm sure you ever saw this big G-Shock watch on top of the building. If you have not seen it then try to look for it when you visit Ginza, but i'm not sure if it's still there :-)

Meet Matcha, Online Tomodachi Mascot

Meet Matcha, our Online Tomodachi Mascot. 

Matcha means Green Tea (powder form), that's where the inspiration of the mascot came from. And why Matcha as mascot if you ask, well because most Japanese people likes to drink green tea or mix green tea to many foods or drinks such as Mochi, Soba, Sweets and even Ice-cream (to name a few). So green tea is very important in Japan & drinking green tea gives you good health. In a way Matcha (Mascot) is here to wish all our Online Friends a very good health and thank you for visiting Online Tomodachi Blog.

Special thanks to the talented Ms. Masa for creating and drawing Matcha for Online Tomodachi :-)

Online Tomodachi short promotion video at Youtube

Tokyo Tower Day & Night

I've always tell my friends you never really know Tokyo until you visit Tokyo Tower, so it's a highly recommended place to visit. The views from the Tower is amazing and beautiful both day & night. Well anyway more on Tokyo Tower next time in a new post. Now i just want show you how Tokyo Tower looks like in the day and in the night. I photograph this 2 photos above from my Hotel room window.

This photo below, Interesting fact i learned from a Japanese Lady 

when i was in Tokyo back in 2008 

When you visit Tokyo Tower at night, look around outside at the magnificent views of Tokyo and look for these roads. You will soon realise the roads in the photos resemble Tokyo Tower and also the Tokyo Tower Logo that can be found on the Official Tokyo Tower watch. For those who had visited Tokyo Tower and did not realised it, look for it next time you are there, it will be fun :-) Share with us your favourite Tokyo Tower photos or Videos at our Facebook page, Thank you.

Season Greetings From Online Tomodachi

Season Greetings from us here at Online Tomodachi,

 and Happy New Year 2012 to all our Friends.

Here is a video from Youtube about Japanese Hanabi (Fireworks) 

which is very common during Japan New Year celebration, Enjoy.

If you are in Japan during the New Year, you shouldn't miss out the Hanabi. 

Japan Drugstore

Japan Drugstore is a common store found in the streets of Japan featuring pharmacy products (Not Harmful Drugs). Drugstores sell not only medicines, but also things such as candy, cosmetics, and magazines, as well as light refreshments. (Like Guardian in Brunei).

For those who are interested in Japan cosmetic items, this place is a must visit, because you can get all the good Japan cosmetic stuffs in here cheaper. Or you can simply buy some of the cosmetic items for your friends and family who are into cosmetic as a souvenir.

Don't worry if you are going Japan, you do not necessary need to bring along all your sanitary things, you can just buy some there, it is cheaper. But only if you are planning to stay there for more than 5 days.

The drugstore shown in my picture are the most common one found in Japan. It's open until late at night so no worries for some people or is it open 24 Hours (Not sure), never stay up that late to find out? Anybody have an answer, share with us at our Facebook Page, Thank you. 

Oh ya before i forget, to one of my friend, i strongly advice you to buy some cosmetic items there next time we visit Japan. Yeah... you know who you are, i'm talking to you from here :-p

Quick Hair Cut in Japan

This QB House is found in a subway station in Tokyo

Want to have a haircut in Tokyo, but you do not want to wait too long just to get your hair done. Visit any QB House quick hair cut shop in Tokyo. It can be done in 10 MINUTES for the price of 1000 Yen (about B$16.00 Brunei Dollars). You will see at the top left-hand side of the photos something like a traffic light, that is the waiting time or to see if any seats are available. To find out how can you have a quick haircut, look at their instruction below: 

Oh ya, want your Hair Stylist to cut your hair to the style you want, bring a picture, it will be much easier than trying to communicate with them on how you want it. If i'm not mistaken you can keep the comb that is is to style your hair as a souvenir. Anybody have any experience getting their hair done here? Share with us at our Facebook Page. Thank you.

Japan Manhole Cover Art

 I found this two manhole cover at Ginza, Tokyo

When you are in Japan, don't just look around, or look up at all the sky rise buildings, LOOK DOWN. You will find something interesting to see also. In most country a manhole cover is usually something you don't even bother to look, but in Japan they turn it to an attractive art. The manhole covers in Japan have many designs and it attracted many tourists. Next time you’re in Japan, look down and look for it, but watch where you are going :-)

Anybody have any photos of different design manhole covers? Please share with us at our Facebook page. Thanks.