Tokyo is a wonderful mix of contemporary living and old-fashioned manners, slick high-tech gadgets and cutesy cartoon mascots. It’s intolerably crowded, yet can be strangely quiet. The beauty of this not-so-pretty is its fabulous food and unparalleled mass transit system. There are shrines and stone lanterns scattered among the skyscrapers, posh shopping malls and hole-in-the-wall noodle shops.
The foreign population of Tokyo is increasing progressively over the past 20 years. Foreigners come to Tokyo for various reasons. As Japan is the world’s second largest economy, Tokyo hosts several multi-national companies. Many foreign business-people make Tokyo their home. Several foreign engineers and technicians also come and live here to work in the many Japanese high-tech industries. There are the tourists who come in huge numbers, with the number increasing every year.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government provides consultation and counseling services through their Foreign Residents’ Advisory Center to foreigners. Consultation is provided on issues related to traffic accidents, insurance, discrimination, or any other problem of daily life in the city. Advice is also given on matters related to Japanese customs, traditions, and culture. The consultation and counseling services of the Advisory Center are offered completely free of cost and in strict confidentiality. There are some websites that might be useful to those who are planning a trip to Tokyo and those already living in Tokyo. In order to find out information about the city, including guide for Foreign Residents one can refer www.japan-zone.com.
Sites like www.geocities.com and www.web-japan.org can be referred to learn Japanese manners and etiquette and others like culture, economy, sports and society. For Government related information, various websites like www.moj.go.jp and www.japanvisitor.com can be referred which provides information like list of Immigration Offices, Embassies & Consulates in Japan. In order to make one self updated, tourists can visit websites like www.gaijinpot.com and http://jin.jcic.or.jp. These websites are the portal site to the world of Japan including news, travel, shopping, information on jobs, apartments, classifieds, etc.
For support related services websites like www.tfemploy.go.jp ; www.jobsinjapan.com; www.kiea.jp; www.ncbbus.co.jp; www.police.pref.gunma.jp; www.post.japanpost.jp; can be referred for detailed information relating to employment for foreigners who want to work in Japan, jobs available for foreigners in Japan, Information on highway buses to other parts of Japan including Haneda Airport, Osaka, Kanazawa, Niigata, Sendai, etc., Information on Japan Post Office, etc.
Reference: http://www.realestate-tokyo.com/
January 5
Celebrating New Year in JapanEach year the Japanese look forward to the New Year celebration with great seal. This is the only time in the year where families get together. In-fact children (in a family) are expected to be home at the end of each year to celebrate the occasion together. Nobody enjoy the occasion as the children, traditionally they are required to be given money as a sign of good luck and prosperity. All adults are expected to give a money to children they have met or have had dealings with during the year. Giving children money during New Year is known as “otoshidama”.
Even though until recently, there has been a lot of fireworks going on, this is not so. But when there are fireworks, it is marvelous and can be seen miles and miles away. It has considerably toned down. The food is delicious and is traditionally made. During celebrations people spend most of their time in-doors and celebrate with their families. Before the celebration takes place, a lot of cleaning and decoration take place. Home are spot-cleaned a week before the occasion and all cobwebs and dirt cleared.
There is a belief in Japan that for one to have a better and rewarding year they must see the first sunlight on January first. When the clock ticks 12 midnight, large bells are rung. Once revelers hear the sound of the bill, they know it is time to go to the temples and shrines to ask for blessings for the New Year and a better future. Most of the decorations that take place in the homes and shrines include bamboo, pines and flowers. These can be found in most shrines and notable homes during the New Year celebration.
In Tokyo, the Tokyo Tower is usually lit up when the clock strikes midnight at the beginning of each New Year. This is a sight to behold and is quite appealing to the eye. During celebrations, visitors are not left out and are given a chance to share in the food and the traditional ways of the Japanese celebration of the New Year. The visitors find a lot of fun in celebrating New Year in Japan.