Japan is surrounded by waters. According to the White Paper of Leisure 2007, 12.9 million people, about 10% of the whole population, enjoy fishing. Fishing is indeed one of the most popular sports in Japan.

This time, I tried to fish saurels, which they say is relatively easy for beginners during summer and early fall. Small kinds of saurels such as Japanese jack mackerel are appropriate fish for beginners to try and popular for Japanese families who fish due to their familiarity with the way of fishing using a sabiki rig (also called a piscatore rig).

The ship was to set off at 7, so I arrived at the port at 6. It is better to register by phone at the latest the day before the departure because all seats are likely to be taken during weekends.

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The other day, I visited the Shinjuku Suehirotei which is a theater for rakugo, a traditional Japanese verbal entertainment.
Though I have seen rakugo on Television before, this was the first time I saw it live on stage.

Shinjuku Suehirotei is of the four rakgo jouseki in Tokyo. A jouseki is a permanent entertainment hall made especially for rakugo (yose). In Suehirotei, live performance can be seen every day.
This hall is located in Shinkuku 3 Cho-me, just behind H&M. The building stands out because of the difference in its taste with all of the restaurants and casual bars crowding the area. It is the only wood built jouseki in Tokyo, maintaining the traditional old style ambiance of a yose.

A special type of text called yosemoji (moji meaning “letters” in Japanese) is used on the banners and sign boards of the building. Yosemoji is characterized by very thick lines tilting upwards on the right side and leaves little blank space around it. It carries a meaning of a wish for a continuous success leaving few empty seats. This special text was named by Ukon Tachibana, and it is also known as Tachibanaryu [Tachibana style] yosemoji. There are also sumomoji for the traditional Japanese sport, and another distinct text called Kanteiryu for kabuki (traditional Japanese play) which appears similar to yosemoji.

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What is the Cosplay Festa?
The Cosplay Festa is the world’s oldest cosplay event starting in 1997 at Tokyo Dome City Attractions. It is also the biggest cosplay event in Japan. For over 10 years, more than 5000 people each year have attended this world’s biggest only-cosplay event.

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The world’s biggest cosplay entertainment event, “Cosplay Festa TDC” was held on from September 18th to 20th, 2010 at Tokyo Dome City Attractions (former Korakuen Amusement Park).

What is the Cosplay Festa?
The Cosplay Festa is the world’s oldest cosplay event starting in 1997 at Tokyo Dome City Attractions. It is also the biggest cosplay event in Japan. For over 10 years, more than 5000 people each year have attended this world’s biggest only-cosplay event.

The place is so large (in fact the largest in Japan) that more than 2000 people can fit. You will find no difficulty in deciding what to take photos of and finding restaurants or cafes.

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