New Year's Day in Japan

Have you heard anything about New year in Japan?
Its pretty different to other countries.

The biggest holiday of the year in Japan is New Year's Day.
In Europe and North America Christmas is one of the biggest annual events,
but here in Japan New Year's is, by far, the most important and elaborate holiday.


In recent years, the significance of New Year's has been lost a lot and now many people spend the holiday,
which Normally starts around Dec. 30 and ends around Jan. 3, in resort areas or even in foreign countries.
Such as tropical places.

Still, a great number of people spend the sacred holiday
 with family members at home and celebrate the beginning of the new year.

New Year's Day in the morning we say "akemashite omedetou" which is Happy new year in Japanese.
First we get Nengajou which is New Year's greeting card from post.
And see who send me.
If people send me nengajou we are really happy to know how they are doing now.

Normally we send Nengajou to good friends or people who we like :-)

This is Nengajou
We have many designed picture on otherside.
http://tinyurl.com/856wjfj


In Japan, the New Year's holidays are a time for children to receive monetary gifts,
or otoshidama, from their parents and extended family.
Otoshidama is one of the happy events for children during the New Year holidays.
If their is many relative you will have many money going out lol

But its new year everybody feel happy :-)

After this we have breakfast wich call "Osechi-ryouri"
Normally lady prepare this from couple days before, to have day off in New Year's Day.
Well we buy osechi now.


We meet many relatives and plays with kids :-)
Eat nice foods too.

People are blessed in Shinto ceremonies and wait in line to ring a small bell and pray,
drink hot sake, eat mochi (chewy rice cakes).
And many of them are draw "Omikuji" which is written(paper) fortunes.
I got bad results for straight 3years :-(
Its very rare but not so happy though.
We call this "Hatsu-mode"
Very important things in Japan.
Its not like religion more custom from long time ago.

http://tinyurl.com/6sqn2kv

Many comedian program is on Tv.
Because this is most happy days in Japan.
No sad or tears.
We just wants to smile and laugh.


The Chinese Zodiac , which is used Japan, is based on years rather months.
Each year in a 12-year cycle is named after a different animal.

Next year is dragon :-)

Thats why many items from Japan designed as a dragon.
I am looking forward to eve and New Year's Day.
I cannot wait.

Do you have any traditional way to celebrate New Year's Day in your country?

Japanese winter time

Almost December will finish.
Japan have four seasons.
Ofcourse it means Spring,Summer,Autumn and Winter.
We always enjoy this each seasons :-)
Still hard to live cold winter though :-(

Japanese island is long.
We do have tropical island such as Okinawa and Cold place Hokkaido.
Main island have many geographically distinct area too.

Such as Area I am living.
Officially called "Hokuriku"
But some people says "Ura-Nihon"
Means opposite side of Japan.
We hate this saying  |-(

Its pretty isolated world.
Normally big city and town is in pacific side.
Because middle part of Japan there is mountain range like backbone.

Ura-Nihon is known as heavy snowfall area.
Now its really snowing badly outside :-(

How is your place in winter?
Still warm?Cold?

My place Fukui in winter will be like this soon.
http://tinyurl.com/8339xuj

This is January of this year :-(
Well that was really badly snowed.
Hope this wont happen next year.

I found funny movie
http://tinyurl.com/7pnahvn

This is heater in Japan and dog almost fall into a sleep.
They have timer on heater and this music is for when extend.

Its so kawaii <3

How was your Christmas?



Please tell me if there are the items you want :D
Please Don't hesitate to tell me :)

Tokyo Disneyland TDL Donald duck year of dragon plush doll
http://tinyurl.com/85pmcs4

Tokyo Disneyland TDL Micky mouse year of dragon plush doll
http://tinyurl.com/7lkkt9u

Tokyo Disneyland TDL Minnie Mouse year of dragon plush doll
http://tinyurl.com/7szdoex

Micky mouse and Minnie riding on dragon figure
http://tinyurl.com/6ns8dag

rilakkuma year of dragon plush doll 2012
http://tinyurl.com/74u7lel

Hello kitty year of dragon 2012 plush doll
http://tinyurl.com/72mgx8h

Tokyo Disney land 2012 calendar supplied only to staff
http://tinyurl.com/7cqcdnb

Tokyo Disney land 2012 table calendar
http://tinyurl.com/6pvs9x5

Year 2012 Precure Pretty cure calendar
http://tinyurl.com/7vbkfnt




four seasons=Shiki=四季
winter=fuyu=冬
spring=haru=春
summer=natsu=夏
autumn=aki=秋
Christmas=クリスマス
snow=yuki=雪
hokuriku=北陸
ura-nihon=裏日本
December=junigatsu=12月
Fukui=福井
Newyear=o-shougatsu=お正月

Playstation Vita released in Japan

Have you seen advertisement for Playstation Vita?
PlayStation Vita sold 321,407 units in its first two days on sale in Japan.
It was really interesting when I had test trial in store :-)

I Just bought Playstation3 finalfantasy lightning edition version2.
But I still want this PSvita too :-(

liquid crystal screen is so gorgeous!!!!
You can use internet,small camera front and back,
backside touch pad and etc.

This playstation vita got lots of latest technology

like this :-)
Playstation Vita
http://tinyurl.com/3vode8h

hmmmm
I should wait till New year's day.
Normaly Japanese spend many money in this day :-)

Many interesting software as well.

Almost all place got no stock right now!
But you can get in PIJ :-)

Check from here!You will find many of them!!!
http://tinyurl.com/78g4btt

Dynasty Warriors next
http://tinyurl.com/7tan4wv

Michael Jackson The experienced HD
http://tinyurl.com/6ry4p54

They also have ninja game, tennis,golf,racing and also
PS Vita edition of Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3.


By the way I cant believe why many company release
Good items in end of the year :-(

I want want want this Playstation vita too :-)
Maybe I am game maniac lol

When Playstation vita release in your country?



Please tell me if there are the items you want :D
Please Don't hesitate to tell me :)


Semi hard case for Playstation vita
http://tinyurl.com/7wnbfc4

Soft case for Playstation vita
http://tinyurl.com/74chrqb

Playstation vita 3G/Wi-Fi version first edition
http://tinyurl.com/74chrqb

Nina girls in world Championships 2011

Have you seen Cheerleading world Championships before?
I never seen one before.
Yesterday I dont know how but went in to this movie.

Cheerleading world Championships 2011 Hong Kong
http://tinyurl.com/6t2tf8n

I didn't know Japan doing this good.
They were amazing!!!

How many times they went up :-)

They must be ex-gymnast
As you know Japan is really good at gymnastic.
You can see in Olympics.

I think this girls from gymnastics.
Because all girl are not like this.
I am surprised if they are lol

There was comment which said they must be Ninja lol
I thinks so too :-D

Go Japanese Ninja girls!



Please tell me if there are the items you want :D
Please Don't hesitate to tell me :)


List of hello kitty onepiece chopper collaboration items
http://tinyurl.com/7qqc3n7

list of playstaition vita
http://tinyurl.com/73bugmf

Playstation3 console final fantasy 13--2 lightning edition ver.2
http://tinyurl.com/7vcvbcw

tarepanda shaking plush doll
http://tinyurl.com/6v27wpy

Rilakkuma,korilakkuma,kiiroitori year of dragon 2012 plush doll version.
http://tinyurl.com/89max3k

FINAL FANTASY XIII-2 LIGHTNING EDITION launching!

Oh!My god!
Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!
                
Finally I got this FINAL FANTASY XIII-2 LIGHTNING EDITION today for myself :-)
This one !!!
http://tinyurl.com/3k5muml




I am so exited to play with this Playstation 3
because I'm big fan of Final Fantasy.

I played all series :-)
My favorite one is Final Fantasy IV so far.
I am going to enjoy this now!

This including (software)game itself too :-D

I'm going back to my home now lol


This is really popular in Japan now!
And limited item.
If you are interested in this FINAL FANTASY XIII-2 LIGHTNING EDITION
get it now!!!

Get from Private Import Japan now!!!
http://tinyurl.com/7uqm3cc

This bundle comes with:
1) Final Fantasy XIII-2 Lightning Edition 320GB PS3 system.
2) PS3 Final Fantasy 13-2 game (Japanese version)
3) PS3 Wireless Controller (Dual Shock 3)
4) AV Cable
5) USB Cable
6) AC Power Cord

(HDD 320GB Model) - AC 100V 50/60Hz

Some are not including software(game)
Please becareful.

Send me message from "contact us" if you need to increase your limit up to get this.
http://www.private-import-japan.com/contact.php
After we review your information we will let you know about your limit in PIJ
We are really happy to help you shopping from PIJ.


If you are interested in
F.F XIII-2 go from here.
http://tinyurl.com/6muuhlz


Okay I am going now !
I just wanted to share this new information to you.
:-D



Please tell me if there are the items you want :D
Please Don't hesitate to tell me :)


FINAL FANTASY(FF) 13-2 soft wares
http://tinyurl.com/6muuhlz

Japanese kawaii cute erasers

Have you used Japanese eraser?
Its really high quality.
This is one of most popular eraser in Japan.
http://tinyurl.com/88gbyzz

Mono plastic eraser from Tombo.
Its really high quality and cheap.
Many of students using this :-)

Because many of Japanese are nervous person.
Always wants to be perfect.

Take a note perfectly nice and neat :-)
Some of Japanese are not like this but still Japanese.

So we love high quality erasers.

And also Japanese loves eraser like toy.
Which is like this.
http://tinyurl.com/7xg6ghz

Have you seen one of them?
I am sure you have :-)

This is really kawaii but still eraser.
And in good quality as a stationary.

When I was young there was a gundam eraser call "gunkeshi"
kinikuman eraser"kinkeshi"and also dragonball too.

Long time no see.

recently we have super kawaii eraser like this.
How can I use this eraser <3
http://tinyurl.com/6qpruka




Sushi eraser :-)
http://tinyurl.com/86kph22





By the way this is Sushi note pad :-)
http://tinyurl.com/7jj9jmh

Japanese gadget :-D

sushi! sushi! sushi!
We love sushi !!!!
And eraser LOL

Do you have any interesting stationary in your place?



Please tell me if there are the items you want :D
Please Don't hesitate to tell me :)


AKB rare eraser
http://tinyurl.com/89hxaoc

Hello Kitty eraser
http://tinyurl.com/7a9a9t6

Sushi eraser
http://tinyurl.com/6wykbzo

Rilakkuma eraser
http://tinyurl.com/bt7296g

Gundam eraser
http://tinyurl.com/c9uau5g

MuscleMan(kinnikuman) eraser
http://tinyurl.com/clo6luu



eraser=消しゴム
sushi=寿司
statinary=文房具
note pad=メモ帳
kinkeshi=キン消し
gunkeshi=ガン消し

New Year's Eve in Japan.

 New Year's Eve, is the second-most important day in Japanese tradition.
Because New year is the most important day in year in Japan.

It's really big here!
Bigger than Christmas!

I think its like a Christmas in western countries.
Normally we have a day off from December 29th to January 3rd.
We start preparing from 29th to have great new year's day.
Buy many food and many decorations.
And traditional toys such as top,Japanese kite,hagoita.
Well recently children is playing Metal Fight Beyblade :-(

Traditional family makes osechi-ryori to eat after New Year's Day.
Well recently they just buy it lol Which is pretty sad things.

There is a 2 ways of celebrating New year's eve now :-)
Youngs just go for count down party.
Also many of Musician have year-crossing concerts and countdown.

Most of people eat soba noodles call toshikoshi soba waching tv
while listening to the New years bells in midnight,
and wish for health and longevity in the year to come.

This is the bell.
http://tinyurl.com/c7u4khm

There is a most famous music progamme call kouhaku uta gassen only in New Year's Eve.
Red team which is women vs White which is men singing contest.
Popular singers (and singing groups) split into two teams.

Normally its quiet days but we are having a wonderful time with family.
Its one of great week!! 2 more weeks to go!!

I cannot wait :-)

How is in your country/
Which is bigger christmas or new year's day?
How you celebrate in your country ?



Please tell me if there are the items you want :D
Please Don't hesitate to tell me :)

Hello kitty hagoita
http://tinyurl.com/cfnaxrp

Tarepanda hagoita
http://tinyurl.com/ckemu68

Micky & Mini hagoita
http://tinyurl.com/d8ys7da

Rilakkuma hagoita
http://tinyurl.com/ckwnp4s

Hello kitty miniture kadomatsu
http://tinyurl.com/c2lnjnc


New Year's Eve=大晦日
New Year's Day=正月
Christmas=クリスマス
top=こま
Japanese kite=凧
hagoita=羽子板
toshikoshi soba=年越しそば
kouhaku uta gassen=紅白歌合戦
concert=コンサート
countdown=カウントダウン

How are you and you???

Do you know this english?
This is what Japanese knows most.

Have you talk to Japanese people before?
Or have you met somebody who can speak english well?
Japanese are really bad with english:-(
We study english from middle school to high school.
So basically more than 6years.
We study many grammers.
Which is really useless.
Still very bad tough lol
And listening and speaking is worse.
Ofcourse some are really good and there is many returnee students.
Such as from US,Australia,canada,Uk or from other countries.
But basically very bad including me :-(

Many of Japanese hate learning english when we were students.
I think because English class always boaring.

First word we study from text is pen lol
And first grammer or sentence we learn is "I have a pen" lol
When we first met some body and asked How are you?
We alway say  How are you? fine thank you and you???
This is how Japanese are very bad in english.

Like this
http://tinyurl.com/79u45ts

Isn't this interesting?
And this is true story.
I am like this too.

I am studying english very hard.
So I can have a communication with my friends in all over the world.
Or may be I can visit you LOL

Are you good in english?
I know you are better than me :-)


Please tell me if there are the items you want :D
Please Don't hesitate to tell me :)


celluloid picture of Auka from Evangelion
http://tinyurl.com/3pjv39y

celluloid picture of Kenshiro from Hokutono ken
http://tinyurl.com/72j34yc

Pokemon bento box
http://tinyurl.com/7fsqgso

retro hello kitty bento box
http://tinyurl.com/6u5cxut

Hello Kitty ribbon girl collection

Did you see Hello Kitty ribbon girl collection?
Its so cute!!! Super kawaii!!!
This is great news for Hello Kitty fans :-D

Please check this
http://tinyurl.com/85uw3r7

What do you think of this series? :-)

Couple days ago I saw that sanrio going to release this.
But never say about online shop which they going to sell or not.
So I send them mail when they going to start on online shop.
And they reply me they going to start December 9th.

Oh!Thats today!!!!

And told me that this will be limited so becareful.
Yes!!!!
Lucky to know this information :-)
And really happy I can tell you this earlier than other place :-)

If you want this please let me know as soon as possible.
Because last time I wrote about collaboration item of Hello Kitty and Onepiece
almost all items sold out in couple days :-(

That was very fast. I still couldn't believe that.

So please remember this can be sold out too.
Hope this won't be sold out like hello kitty x one piece.

iPhone4 case is really cute<3



If you want this item,please go "Shop" in PIJ to order this item.
http://www.private-import-japan.com/shoporder.php
http://tinyurl.com/85uw3r7
<<< Please type this information. >>>
Item URL :(type in item URL here)
Quantity:1 (if you want more,type in number you want)
Price : (type in items price you want to buy)
Note:(size,color,etc)

Click "order" after you type your order.


※We will send your place as soon as item arrived.

<<< Returns Policies >>>

We wont accept refund after you made order.
Returns are accepted ONLY if the item was not the item described.


Don't miss this great chance!!!!
If you miss this chance you need to wait till
seller list item in PIJ.
Which I cannot promise you can get later.

And its almost going to be sold out!
Hurry!Hurry!hurry!


Please tell me if there are the items you want :D
Please Don't hesitate to tell me :)

Hello Kitty hot water bottle
http://tinyurl.com/6sn9sjv

Hello Kitty x One piece chopper hand warmer
http://tinyurl.com/6lsgoop

Helo Kitty USB cup warmer
http://tinyurl.com/7pdbs2q

Hello Kitty hagoita set
http://tinyurl.com/6ns4ph9

Hello Kitty visual-kei hot water bottle
http://tinyurl.com/739zoh2

Japanese winter must item Hokkakiro

Do you know Hokkairo or Hokaron?
It is Japanese instant hand warmer.

When it gets cold, everyone in Japan uses one.
It gets warm gradually when it is shaken.
The person who can't put up with severe coldness will have one.
Why do you get warm? It's because of a chemical reaction inside.
Produce heat from the exothermic oxidation of iron when exposed to air.
Its made from natural substance so basically its safe when used as directed
The size is about your palm.

Now you can get instant hand warmer which one side is seal.
You can stick to clothes where you feel cold such as around back.

Like this:-)
http://tinyurl.com/7soeu27

This really works well when you go outside.
In Japan north island Hokkaido is really cold even during the day.
It temperatures can be drop to 25 degrees below zero.
It was awful :-(
I was freezing to death that day in Hokkaido.

Wet towel will become harden.
http://tinyurl.com/7oe2abc

Isnt this interesting movie?

Well this is bad example lol
Any way instance hand warmer is really working in these days.
Even in my place lol

Hope I am not going to north island in cold months any more :-(
Must go here during summer time.

Now you can get rechargeable hand warmer.
You can also recharge from USB.
Its pretty amazing.
I want this one now.
http://tinyurl.com/yjoguag



I got news today

Sanrio going to release new series
Hello Kitty ribbon girl collection
http://tinyurl.com/734csqx
Its so kawaii.
I will let you know details later:-)



Please tell me if there are the items you want :D
Please Don't hesitate to tell me :)

rilakkuma case with hokkairo
http://tinyurl.com/86b3gs8

My Melody hokkairo case
http://tinyurl.com/6otssys

Hello Kitty hokkairo case
http://tinyurl.com/6sp2scb

Eneloop kairo rechargeable
http://tinyurl.com/72bcd2y

Eneloop kairo rechargeable bothside
http://tinyurl.com/6oncbco

More hand warmer from PIJ
http://tinyurl.com/6qzr7hb



hand warmer=カイロ
Hokkairo=ホッカイロ
Hokaron=ホカロン
Hokkaido=北海道

Japanese hot water bottle

Have you ever used hot bottle water?
I never used this item before.
But because this year we need to save our electric.
Reason is some of nuclear plant we made them stopped.

Its also good to save money from using electric :-)
Any way its getting cold in my place so I bought one hot water bottle.
Tried last night.
It says hot bottle water but this one is warming
by Gel using by microwave oven.

3minutes one side and nother 3minutes other side.
It was amazing.
It last more than 7hours :-)

This is the one I bought other day.
http://tinyurl.com/7q97weh

When I was teenager never used this because thought they wont work for me.
And last night result was Yes :-D

It is working for me.
Really warm and comfortable last night.
I wont let this go to anywhere lol

It will be more cold from now in Japan.
Maybe I should buy couple more of this lol

Of course in Japan there are real hot water bottle.
May be I should try this one too.

In Japan design or case is very cute now.

Hello kitty leopard hot water bottle
http://tinyurl.com/7wmnyah

Micky mouse hot water bottle
http://tinyurl.com/6uy9fsn

doraemon dorayaki water bottle
http://tinyurl.com/87qffds

I found interesting item.
Hot water bottle which can sit on.
Warm your hole body and its good for diet.
http://tinyurl.com/6ujt4ea

How cold is in your country at winter time?
Have you used hot water bottle before?


Please tell me if there are the items you want :D
Please Don't hesitate to tell me :)


Pure copper hot water bottle
http://tinyurl.com/8yzp28z

Mini Pure copper hot water bottle
http://tinyurl.com/7l8wd6p

celamic hot water bottle
http://tinyurl.com/7lnhxhr

Korilakkuma hot water bottle Small size
http://tinyurl.com/7kgkbjj

Hot get warmer (microwave)
http://tinyurl.com/6ryn6ju

yoshikitty hot water bottel and cover
http://tinyurl.com/739zoh2

Monster hunter airou hot water bottle cover
http://tinyurl.com/88wpk8b



hot=熱い
water=水
hot water=熱湯
bottle=ボトル
hot water bottel=湯たんぽ
dorayaki=どら焼き
doraemon=ドラえもん
hellor kitty=ハローキティ
winter=冬
micky mouse=ミッキーマウス

Japanese traditional paper Washi

Have you heard of "washi" before?
Washi is a type of paper made in Japan.

Washi is the Japanese word for the traditional papers
made from the long inner fibres of three plants.
"wa" meaning Japanese and "shi" meaning paper.

Now many people usually use western style paper.
which can make a lots in factory and cheaper and tougher.

Washi is hand made so it is bit expensive but really amazing.

When makig a washi they dont need much chemical,
this make paper strong and last long without change colors.
Its very easy for your skin nice and soft.
Allow air to pass through easily and Very light weight.
Its bad in water resistant but washi is easy to recycle.
But best part is very soft and have warmer touch than compare to other paper.

Some are use for lamp or lantern.






Washi lamp
http://tinyurl.com/7v7hkjb
http://tinyurl.com/7ra4xbl

Isn't this beautiful?

Tough but easy to tear up which is good thing to use for crafts.
Washi Hello Kitty
http://tinyurl.com/7pqukt7





Origami using with washi.
http://tinyurl.com/88r3rcr

Thats why many Japanese love Washi very much.

This is how they make Japanese traditional paper"washi"
http://tinyurl.com/75xqnh2
Need good clean water to make this.
In Japan about more than 70% of land is
forest and mountains.
Which is good for to get nice clean fresh water.
Only flat places are crowded by people :-(

Any way this is reason why washi is bit expensive but
once you use this paper you cant forget this.

I love write letter to other people by Washi.
Everybody I send always impressed with this paper.
Also many of my friends told me that in europe
Japanese traditional paper "Washi"is very popular now!
When he write letter by using this paper to people in
overseas,always made them happy.



Washi letter papers
http://tinyurl.com/clq9twf

Have you seen washi before?

Its great items :-)

You can get many washi here in PIJ
http://tinyurl.com/6llj2hq


Please tell me if there are the items you want :D
Please Don't hesitate to tell me :)

Doraemon washi lamp
http://tinyurl.com/7q2294u

Hello Kitty Washi netsuke strap
http://tinyurl.com/7pbv2r9

Washi origami
http://tinyurl.com/7ewahvy

Washi origami
http://tinyurl.com/7gqwtzg

tea leaf box
http://tinyurl.com/73qcvcl

Doll made by washi
http://tinyurl.com/837jftv

Washi stand lamp
http://tinyurl.com/8xhm8af

Washi coaster
http://tinyurl.com/cpnhncw

Washi letter papers
http://tinyurl.com/c8d7voh


Japan=日本
traditional=伝統
craft=工芸
traditional craft=伝統工芸
washi=和紙
paper=紙
lamp=ランプ
letter paper=手紙
Hello Kitty=ハローキティ
Origami=折り紙