X-Pat Files

If you are bored with Nagashima Spa Land in Mie, I have good news for you! If you wait just a wee bit longer, you can go to the new Legoland Japan right here in the Nagoya area; opening 2015. If you are not familiar with Legoland, it is an amusement park based on the Lego Toy brand, that focuses on rides and attractions that appeal to kids between the ages of 2 and 12; good news for anyone with kids!

Merlin Entertainments Group Ltd (‘Merlin’) and GCDS Corporation today announced the selection of Nagoya as the preferred location for LEGOLAND Japan and will now move forward with formal negotiations with the City. Pending the terms and conditions necessary for them to develop, construct and operate LEGOLAND Japan within Nagoya city limits, the family theme park could open as early as 2015.

LEGOLAND® is a full day theme park experience dedicated to families with children between the ages of 2 and 12 and features interactive rides, shows and attractions based on the LEGO® toy brand.

Original Source

Nameless Media and Productions Theatre in Nagoya presents its follow up to 'The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)', the Tony and Pulitzer award winning 'Proof'! will open Friday, January 13, 2012 at 2:00pm and run until Sunday, January 15, 2012 at 8:00pm at the Electric Cultural Center, Fushimi. Japanese subtitles will be provided at all shows.

SHOW DATES:
Jan 13th (Fri) 7pm
Jan 14th (Sat) 2pm & 7pm
Jan 15th (Sun) 2pm & 6pm

￥2,500 (general) ￥1,000 (student)

Available from:
Online at: http://wri2k.tk
Nameless Media and Productions
Aichi Arts Center Play Guide, Sakae
Any cast or crew member

The production boasts a seasoned cast; some of my favorite local actors!
Irene Dewald
Jessica A Robison
Michael Kruse
Ritchie Croan

On the eve of her twenty-fifth birthday, Catherine, a troubled young woman, has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathematician. Now, following his death, she must deal with her own volatile emotions; the arrival of her estranged sister, Claire; and the attentions of Hal, a former student of her fathers who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks that her father left behind.

Over the long weekend that follows, a burgeoning romance and the discovery of a mysterious notebook draw Catherine into the most difficult problem of all: How much of her father's madness—or genius—will she inherit?

Nagoya Subway lines will be running all night on December 31. Trains will come approximately every 30 minutes all night to facilitate your New Years Festivities. Riders are encouraged to obey all the usual rules and respect other riders! No drinking chu-hai between Nagoya and Sakae Stations on the Higashiyama line people, that is just rude!

I should mention as well, that as as always, a one-day pass (Do-nichi Eco Kippu) will allow you to ride all Nagoya city subways and buses all day on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, the 8th of the month, and between Dec 29 & Jan. The price for a one-day pass is JPY 600.

Since the subways are running all night on the 31st,

• If you first use a one-day pass before 22:00 on December 31th, it can be used until 6:00 A.M. on January 1st.


• If you first a one-day pass after 22:00 on December 31, the ticket can be used until the last train on January 1st.

Further info for the Nagoya Municipal Subway Pass:　(English)

Japan used to be heaven for the vice inclined, tobacco and beer were readily available in vending machines all around town, but those days are gone. It turns out that having such ready and unsupervised access to these types of machines resulted in children having access as well! The last time I saw a beer vending machine was a couple of years ago, though you may still find them around in hotels or other non-public areas. Cigarette machines, on the other hand, are still available, but there are rules now that try to keep their product out of the hands of children. They are required to shut down at 10 each night, and you must prove that you are old enough to purchase from them with a Taspo Card.

Taspo is short for Tobacco Passport, and getting one is fairly simple. A Google search will find you an English Website with a downloadable application form. The application is in Japanese, but if you can manage that you only need to provide:

• A copy of your Japan-issued photo identification driver's license, health insurance card, gaikokujin torokusho (gaijin card), pension book, welfare certificate or residency certificate.


• A current photo that meets basically the same requirements as a passport photo.

The application process usually takes about two weeks, and you will receive your new card in the mail at the address you provided on the application.

There are two ways to use your new card. As an IR capable device, you simply swipe the card over the reader to identify yourself, or if you have charged the card with yen in advance you can also use it to pay for your purchase electronically.

The process to purchase with cash is:

1. Insert your cash
   
2. Select your product
   
3. Wave your Taspo Card over the reader
   
4. Collect your purchase

To purchase using Pidel, Taspo’s electronic purchase option.

1. 1. Select your product
   
2. Wave your Taspo Card over the reader
   
3. Collect your purchase

Charging your Pidel account is also simple.

1. 1. Press the charge button
   
2. Insert your cash
   
3. Wave your Taspo Card over the reader
   
4. Press the charge button again and your balance will be adjusted.

Of course, as this article finds you in the New Year, I hope you will consider quitting smoking instead of using this information! Everyone knows how bad for and expensive smoking is, and you can get both patches and gum in Japan too! An article that will surely follow! Quitting smoking is surely one of the best New Year’s resolutions you can make, and I hope you do!

Join the conversation in progress either here, on Facebook, or Twitter.
Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from Japan Info Swap, Relo Japan and H&R Consultants!

Seeing a sumo match is great, but seeing one in the big Sumo Amphitheater in Tokyo is quite another! If you have always wanted to experience Sumo in its greatest venue you should not miss this opportunity to join one of these tour packages. See below for details from the website, and follow the link at the bottom for more information, or register to participate.

Don't miss the opportunity to see a traditional Sumo tournament when you're in Tokyo. You'll take the subway with fellow Sumo fans to the Kokugikan (Sumo Amphitheater) and enjoy a traditional Sumo wrestling tournament. You'll also visit the fascinating Sumo Museum to see Sumo-related objects from the Edo period to the present.

Highlights of Participation

Matches likely to Sell Out
All entrance fees included
Seasonal Offer
Informative, friendly and professional guide

At the amphitheater you'll experience a Dohyo-iri (entering the ring) ceremony and see exciting Sumo matches from your B-class reserved seat on the second floor. English commentary via audio headphones is available. The Sumo match will last approximately 2.5-hours, after you will have dinner at a local chanko restaurant (if option selected), where you can enjoy the traditional food of Sumo wrestlers.


Original Website

First, lets learn a little more about Osechi. Osechi-ryōri are traditional Japanese foods eaten at the start of the new year. The tradition has been alive in Japan since the Heian Era (a long, long time ago!) and the foods are easily recognizable by the special bento boxes called jūbako, which are often stacked for larger families or parties. Like many places in Asia, food items included in Oshechi have special symbolic meaning, and are generally standard. Of course, I am sure you can find some local variations and expression of personal taste out there; I am willing to bet there is something involving mayonaise that is very popular. It is Japan after all, and tradition only goes so far! Here are some examples of dishes you might find in Osechi from Wikipedia.

• Daidai (橙), Japanese bitter orange. Daidai means "from generation to generation" when written in different kanji as 代々. Like kazunoko below, it symbolizes a wish for children in the New Year.


• Datemaki (伊達巻 or 伊達巻き), sweet rolled omelette mixed with fish paste or mashed shrimp. They symbolize a wish for many auspicious days. On auspicious days (晴れの日, hare-no-hi), Japanese people traditionally wear fine clothing as a part of enjoying themselves. One of the meanings associated with the second kanji includes "fashionability," derived from the illustrious dress of the samurai from Date Han.


• Kamaboko (蒲鉾), broiled fish cake. Traditionally, slices of red and white kamaboko are alternated in rows or arranged in a pattern. The color and shape are reminiscent of Japan rising sun, and have a celebratory, festive meaning.


• Kazunoko (数の子), herring roe. Kazu means "number" and ko means "child." It symbolizes a wish to be gifted with numerous children in the New Year.
  
• Konbu (昆布), a kind of seaweed. It is associated with the word yorokobu, meaning "joy."


• Kuro-mame (黒豆), black soybeans. Mame also means "health," symbolizing a wish for health in the New Year.


• Kohaku-namasu (紅白なます), literally "red-white vegetable kuai," is made of daikon and carrot cut into thin strips and pickled in sweetened vinegar with yuzu flavor.


• Tai (鯛), red sea-bream. Tai is associated with the Japanese word medetai, symbolizing an auspicious event.


• Tazukuri (田作り), dried sardines cooked in soy sauce. The literal meaning of the kanji in tazukuri is "rice paddy maker," as the fish were used historically to fertilize rice fields. The symbolism is of an abundant harvest.


• Zōni (雑煮), a soup of mochi rice cakes in clear broth (in eastern Japan) or miso broth (in western Japan).


• Ebi (エビ), skewered prawns cooked with sake and soy sauce.


• Nishiki tamago (錦卵), egg roulade; the egg is separated before cooking, yellow symbolizing gold, and white symbolizing silver.

Traditionally, the first three days of the New Year it is a taboo to cook meals, and osechi boxes are cooked in advance by the end of the previous year. This tends to be a great deal of work, but it allows mom's in Japan to relax a little for the first days of the New Year and whether or not the meals are purchased or cooked, you will find most people do so in advance.

You can find osechi foods on display in many places in Japan before New Years, and it is recomended that you order in advance if you want to have some in time for New Years. Another option is to take advantage of this opporunity to learn how to create various kinds of osechi yourself by attending this event in Toyota City, which is presented by the Toyota International Association.

Learn how to make the Japanese New Year's dishes!

When: Saturday, January 21st 2012, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Where: Cooking room, 2F Toyota Sangyo Bunka Center (5 minutes walk fromMeitetsu Toyota-shi Station)
Participants: Foreign residents who live in and around Toyota City; maximum numberof participants accepted: 20 adults
Contents: Cooking and tasting of some Japanese New Year's dishes.
Recipes and explanation are available in English and Japanese.
Bring your own apron and dish cloth.
Instructor: Mrs. Kuniko Kuwana
Fee: 800 yen (includes ingredients)
To apply:Call Toyota International Association at Tel:0565-37-0400 after 10a.m. on January 14th.→4th
or contact TIA Volunteer group E-IFF e-mail: enjoytoyota05(at)yahoo.co.jp

If you are not the type to wait, here are a couple of videos from YouTube about how to make a few varieties as well.

First up; Kuromame, or Black Beans!


Kurikinton, or Mashed Sweet Potatoes!


Tamagoyaki - Fried Egg -
This is not 100% the correct version, but I could not find that! This is close; 85%! =)


Happy New Year! Enjoy!

I thought this was an interesting, if random, piece of information. If you are interested in Soccer, you might want to check out the ONLY official AC Milan Cafe, not just in Japan, but in the world. Just another example of a Japanese otaku, this time a soccer-phile, taking things to the next level. Here is a snippet of the article, for full details please see the original source; link at bottom!

The world's first cafe and restaurant to be officially endorsed by Italian soccer powerhouse AC Milan opened this fall in Nagoya.

"Customers often ask me, 'Why in Nagoya?' " said Arimasa Iwata, the 28-year-old owner of AC Milan Caffe e Ristorante. Even Italy doesn't have an officially endorsed AC Milan cafe.

After quitting his company job and negotiating with the team, soccer-mad Iwata opened the cafe in Nagoya in October.

The cafe, which serves authentic Italian food, wine and espresso, aims to bring a taste of Milan to Nagoya, he said.

Original Article from Japan Times.

Map; Different Shop, same place!

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Nagoya is once again hosting an international workshop on a "green" topic. This time, experts are gathering to discuss the relationship between solar activity and climate change. While global warming is a hot topic generally, I have never heard of this particular sub-topic in the debate. If you are interested in attending this event please see the original site this post was derived from for instructions. Here is a brief overview of the event.

We are pleased to announce The 2nd Nagoya Workshop on the Relationship between Solar Activity and Climate Changes. This Workshop aims to promote the interdisciplinary discussion about topics related to the relationship between solar activity and terrestrial climate variability. It covers the long-term change in the Sun, and its direct and indirect influences upon the heliosphere and the Earth, including the atmosphere and climate. The Workshop consists of invited talks by distinguished speakers, contributed talks, and panel discussions. The deadline of registration and abstract submission is 16th December, 2011. We welcome anyone who is interested in any topics on solar activity and climate changes.

Date: 16-17 January, 2012
Workshop Venue: Noyori Conference Hall, Nagoya University (Nagoya, Japan)

Current List of Invited Speakers:

Judith Lean (NRL, US): keynote talk
Kunihiko Kodera (Nagoya University, Japan)
Adam Scaife (MetOffice, UK)
Leif Svalgaard (Stanford University, US)
Henrik Svensmark (NSI, Denmark)

Discussion Topics

- Variation of the sunspot activity and the heliospheric environment
- Variation of solar irradiation and its impact on climate
- Solar variability in paleoclimate
- Influence of galactic cosmic rays on cloud and climate
- Solar impact on the upper atmosphere
- Solar impact on the stratosphere and troposphere

Link to Original Article

Origami (折り紙 from ori meaning "folding", and kami meaning "paper”) is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding, which started in the 17th century and was popularized outside Japan in the mid-1900s.

Please join us for origami making and an informal lunch. The activities are not aimed at children, but we will have our own room at the restaurant, and children are welcome to join. For small children we will prepare some materials for drawing/ coloring, and older children can take part in the activity. There is also a children’s menu at the restaurant.

Date: Thursday, January 26th 2012
Time: 11:00 – (Origami lesson) / 12:00 – 13:15 (Lunch – Japanese cuisine)

Place: Sagami Issha (300m away from Exit 1 at Issha Station, 3 min walk)
Address: 1-83-1 Takayashiro, Meito-ku, Nagoya (名古屋市名東区高社1-83-1) Tel: 052-771-5225
There is free parking at the restaurant.

Fee: JPY 200 to cover materials (lunch is at your own cost).
Sign up: Please let us know if you plan to attend by Tuesday, January 24th 2012.
nagoya(at)morethanrelo.com

Map to Sagami Issha


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H&R Group's Annual Ski Weekend 2012 is back! By Popular Demand!
The H&R Group invites you to join us for our annual weekend of skiing and snowboarding in the Hakuba Alps!

The Hakuba Northern Alps, located in Nagano Prefecture, is a well-known ski resort area famous as the site of the 1998 Winter Olympics. Dont miss this chance to get in some runs on world class slopes that should not be missed, and enjoy an easy weekend of fun!

We have arranged a charter bus, and rooms at the Hakuba Alps Hotel including breakfast and dinner (adults). All you need to do is get on the bus and have a great time. Anyone who has joined us on one of these events already knows how much fun we have-whether it is climbing Mt. Fuji, pub crawling in Sakae, going to fireworks, Meito Meet and Greet or learning to wear a Kimono.



Like the last year, we will be staying at the comfortable, warm, Hakuba Alps Hotel where you can enjoy 2 solid days of skiing or snowboarding on the slopes of Hakuba Norikura Onsen (*and/or the Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort), 2 days of relaxing in a hot tub, or pretty much whatever else a weekend at a ski resort means to you.

Come out and join us!

Details:
Date:
Friday, January 20th - Leave Nagoya Station at 22:30 on charter bus (Meeting time: 22:00)
Saturday, January 21st – Arrive at the hotel around 6:00 (A waiting room will be provided.) & Stay at the hotel on that night
Sunday, January 22nd – Leave the hotel at 15:00 (EAT: 20:00)

Place: Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort (optional - Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort)

Available Packages
Option 1: (Includes lift tickets)
- Adult (Age 16~): JPY 25,500
- Child (Age 7 ~15): JPY 22,500
- Child (Age 4 ~ 6): JPY 10,000
- Child (Age 0 ~ 3): Free

Option 2: (Does not include lift tickets)
- Adult (Age 16~): JPY 22,500
- Child (Age 7 ~15): JPY 19,500
- Child (Age 4 ~ 6): JPY 10,000
- Child (Age 0 ~ 3): Free

Note
- Children 6 and under get free lift tickets!! (*1)
- Children ages 4-6 JPY 10,000 including round trip bus, accommodation.
- Children ages 0-3 JPY 0 including round trip bus, accommodation.

- There are 2 available resorts to ski and lift tickets can be purchased individually at the ski resort of your choice or 2 day lift tickets for BOTH Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort and Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort are available for JPY 7,000 from either resort. If you want to ski at both resorts, or do not want to ski at all. Please choose package two, which does not include lift tickets.

- Cancelation policy is as below;
Between January 6th – 12th 30 %
Between January 13th – 18th 40 %
On January 19th 50 %
On January 20th: 100 %

Reservations must be placed before January 6th 2012. To reserve your spot, contact Akie Takahashi by:
Email: contactus@morethanrelo.com
Phone: 052-973-3957