February, 2024 - NINJA KOTAN

Discover the Authentic Artisan Experience in Kagurazaka, Shinjuku In the heart of Tokyo, nestled near the historic Edo Castle, Kagurazaka offers a unique journey back in time. This vibrant district, established by the Tokugawa shogunate, is not just a testament to Japan’s rich history but also a living museum where you can engage directly with the artisans, monks, and geisha who have preserved their traditions for nearly 400 years. Engage with True Masters Imagine conversing with a real-life samurai or learning the art of Ukiyo-e from masters whose lineage dates back to the 17th century. Kagurazaka, a rare gem in Shinjuku, Tokyo, offers this and more. From the zen practices at Denchu-ji Temple, ongoing since 1628, to the intricate Kumihimo braiding at Domyo since 1652 and the exhilarating Samurai Sword training at Mugairyu since 1693, the area is a treasure trove of living history. A Portal to Japan’s Edo Era Kagurazaka’s streets, a blend of samurai residences, ancient temples, and vibrant entertainment districts, tell the story of a Japan that once was. This area, once a bustling temple town and pleasure quarter, has evolved while retaining its historical charm. At its zenith, Kagurazaka was home to over 700 geisha,read moreDiscover the Authentic Artisan Experience in Kagurazaka, Shinjuku

26Feb, 20242024年2月26日

Opened a Sales Site for Traditional Crafts and Culture Experience Tours

By ninjakotan

Opened a Sales Site for Traditional Crafts and Culture Experience Tours We are thrilled to announce the launch of our experience tour sales site, “ninjakotan-travel.com.” Our site offers “Authentic Artisan Experiences in Tokyo,” centered around the Kagurazaka area in Shinjuku. Our mission is to provide foreign travelers with deep, satisfying experiences connecting with Tokyo’s traditional artisans, monks, and geishas, fostering repeat visits, and contributing to preserving and continuing traditional crafts and culture. Furthermore, we aim to encourage foreign travelers who have enjoyed these traditional crafts and cultures to visit other regions of Japan such as Hokkaido, Miyagi, and Kagoshima, thereby promoting local tourism. Our unique experience tours are more than just tourist attractions; they are deep dives into Japan’s rich cultural heritage, guided by the true bearers of its traditions. From Ukiyo-e creation experiences to Zen meditation sessions, each tour offers an authentic journey through the essence of Japanese culture. Kagurazaka, with its 400-year history, provides the backdrop for many of our tours, allowing visitors to experience traditional crafts and cultures that have been preserved for 300-400 years. Once home to samurai residences and temple towns, this area now blends charming “Kagurazaka Geisha,” shopping streets, and French culture, making itread moreOpened a Sales Site for Traditional Crafts and Culture Experience Tours

15Feb, 20242024年2月15日

Sustainable travel

Why Is International Flight CO2 Emissions a Blind Spot in Climate Change Issues?

By ninjakotan

Why Is International Flight CO2 Emissions a Blind Spot in Climate Change Issues? Today is hot, isn’t it? It’s said to be 20°C in Tokyo, hard to believe it’s mid-February. Just yesterday, it was announced that the “Shikotsuko Ice Festival” had to cancel its ice sculpture display due to high temperatures. As a former Hokkaido resident, I find it unbelievable that ice sculptures would melt in mid-February. Considering such abnormal situations, shouldn’t we be taking the issue of climate change more seriously? Moreover, it’s essential to tackle it effectively. We’ve often discussed how reducing luggage on airplanes can significantly cut CO2 emissions. In fact, using international flights and making a round trip to and from Japan averages a CO2 emission of 138kg (when reducing luggage by 20kg). This is the average for round trips from New York, Singapore, and Taipei, which amounts to the average CO2 emission of a Japanese person for 28 days (with daily emissions being 4.9kg). Anyone can calculate the CO2 emissions of flights using the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Carbon Emissions Calculator (ICEC). Note that while a passenger’s CO2 emissions amount to 612kg, it’s an inevitable part of traveling by plane. Sources: ICAOread moreWhy Is International Flight CO2 Emissions a Blind Spot in Climate Change Issues?

10Feb, 20242024年1月21日

Others

Without Luggage, Escape from Plane Crashes Becomes Easier

By ninjakotan

Without Luggage, Escape from Plane Crashes Becomes Easier In the airplane collision and fire incident at Haneda Airport on January 2, involving a Japan Airlines aircraft and a maritime patrol aircraft, all 379 passengers and crew members of the Japan Airlines plane managed to escape, an event that was reported internationally as a “miraculous escape.” This miraculous escape is attributed to the crew’s accurate evacuation guidance and the calm response of the passengers. A significant factor in the smooth escape was that passengers did not carry their luggage. During an engine trouble incident with a Japan Airlines aircraft at New Chitose Airport in February 2016, many passengers tried to escape with their luggage, leading to congestion in the aisles and chaos inside the aircraft. Although everyone managed to escape, attempting to take luggage could have led to a major disaster. Recently, I rode the Tobu Railway’s Spacia X express train, where I noticed large luggage from foreign tourists protruding into the aisle, obstructing the movement of the conductor and other passengers. In the event of an accident on this express train, such protruding luggage could have hindered escape, potentially leading to fatalities. Quick evacuation is crucial. The obstruction causedread moreWithout Luggage, Escape from Plane Crashes Becomes Easier

05Feb, 20242024年1月21日

Experience Itinerary Ideas

Our company will start a plum blossom Hanami tour with a photographer in February

By ninjakotan

Our company will start a plum blossom Hanami tour with a photographer in February Spring in Japan is not only about cherry blossom viewing. Another emblem of spring is the plum blossom viewing, which also heals the hearts of visitors with its beauty and fragrance. Plum blossoms bloom from late January to late April, heralding the arrival of spring before the cherry blossoms, as the flowers of ‘early spring.’ The general language of plum blossoms includes ‘elegance,’ ‘nobility,’ ‘patience,’ and ‘loyalty,’ and the Japanese deeply love their grace. Plum blossom viewing in Japan can be particularly enjoyed in urban areas and historic sites. For example, the ‘Ume Matsuri‘ (Plum Festival) held at Yushima Tenmangu Shrine in Tokyo is an excellent opportunity to enjoy plum blossoms in the city center. In 2023, it was held from February 8th to March 8th, captivating visitors with the beautiful landscape created by the plum trees. The festival is scheduled for the same dates in 2024. Also famous is the ‘Mito no Ume Matsuri‘ (Mito Plum Festival) at Kairakuen in Ibaraki Prefecture, which took place from February 11th to March 19th, delighting visitors with numerous plum trees in bloom. The 2024 festival is scheduledread moreOur company will start a plum blossom Hanami tour with a photographer in February