The Homeland of Totoro Foundation
A legally incorporated foundation with the purpose of preserving the beautiful natural habitat and cultural assets of Sayama Hills and its surrounding areas. Here, farmland, rice fields, and wetlands, as well as its surrounding woods maintain a timeless look of the past. In Sayama Hills 1400 types of ferns and other seedling plants, 19 mammals, and over 200 different species of birds have been identified. In April of 1990, with the objective of preserving the lush nature of Sayama Hills to future generations, the National Trust of Totoro no Furusato was born. Sayama Hills is known as the inspiration of Mr.Hayao Miyazaki’s animation masterpiece, “Tonari no Totoro (My Neighbor Totoro, 1988)”. The Trust Fund was named in its honor.
20th Anniversary Hakkejima Sea Paradise
There is nonstop fun & excitement in Hakkeijima Sea Paradise where they celebrate their 20th Anniversary this year. It is an Aquarium & Attractions concept themepark that allows you to discover for more than just an aquarium itself. In addition, a new Hakkejima facility “Umi Farm” opened this March. Umi Farm teaches children about the food chain and healthy eating by allowing them to catch and eat their own fish. Hakkeijima Sea Paradise offers fun sea-related experiences of all kinds.
Tanabata festival in Tokyo Skytree
Tanabata Festival was celebrated in Tokyo Skytree with alot of fun events. There were many bamboo branches placed in the front entrance of the tower. Many children and adults wrote their wishes on narrow strips of colored paper and hang them on the branches and pray hard that their wishes will come true. “Sora Kara chan” one of the mascot of Tokyo Skytree also made it’s appearance that surprises the kids that celebrated Tanabata festival there.
Tanabata
Coming Sunday in Japan we will celebrate Tanabata or the The Star Festival. The festival traces its origins to a legend that the Cowherd Star (Altair) and Weaver Star (Vega), lovers separated by the Milky Way, are allowed to meet just once a year – on the seventh day of the seventh month. Children and adults write their wishes on narrow strips of colored paper and hang them, along with other paper ornaments, on bamboo branches placed in the backyards or entrances of their homes. They then pray hard that their wishes will come true. As Tanabata approaches, decorated bamboo branches can be seen all around the neighborhood, signaling that summer has finally arrived and that summer vacation is just around the corner.
Ningyo-yaki
They are Ningyo-yaki which are small snack cakes and are made by cooking batter of flour, eggs and sugar in an iron mold from “Mihatodo” (store that sell this snake cake) in ASAKUSA. Ningyo-yaki is a standard souvenir from ASAKUSA. Their original shape of pigeons are well-padded. They look cute and yummy!!