(CNS) - The City of Chula Vista's Cultural Arts Commission is accepting applications for its 2025 Ambassador Program with sister city Odawara the program will involve selecting four Chula Vista residents between 18 and 28 to represent their city in Odawara will play host to the selected Japanese students in Chula Vista Mayor John McCann said Chula is "thrilled to be re-launching this amazing program" with Odawara "This Ambassador Program represents the spirit of global understanding and appreciation by offering youth an opportunity to share cultures and build lasting relationships," McCann added candidates "must be in college or college bound or be young professionals and must be Chula Vista residents." Those chosen as ambassadors must participate for the entire program period as part of a travel stipend toward airfare the student ambassadors will stay in Odawara Applications are at https://www.chulavistaca.gov/departments/library/cultural-arts/odawara-youth-ambassador-exchange-program, and are due by 5 p.m. on April 13. Those wanting more information may contact Erwin Magbanua, cultural arts manager, at emagbanua@chulavistaca.gov or 619-691-5138. Construction to install Kasuga-style lanterns on the road to Kankitsuzan Kasuga Shrine has started in the Bamboo Area of Enoura Observatory. The road between the Fossil Cave and Kasuga Shrine is closed until mid-October due to the construction. Please take a detour through the Sakaki Forest to access Kasuga Shrine. Upon completion, visitors will be able to enjoy seeing the row of ancient stone lanterns set against the stunning landscape. Thank you for your understanding. The CDPJ's shadow cabinet had eight.In a letter to LDP leadership a week later Inada and a group of other female lawmakers said the low number of women in parliament "distorts democracy itself".The letter made several recommendations to improve gender parity in the election including ranking women higher on lists of non-constituency candidates selected by proportional representation which gives them a better chance of winning seats.A Reuters' review of those lists found higher rankings mainly dominated by men The LDP said a record 39% of its candidates on the lists were female but declined to comment on their ranking.Nevertheless who won her seat by a large margin in 2021 remains hopeful for broader change."We are in a transitional period," she said.Reporting by Kaori Kaneko and Irene Wang in Odawara and Tim Kelly and John Geddie in Tokyo; Writing by John Geddie; Editing by Michael Perry Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved Somei-Yoshino cherry trees in full bloom adorn the keep of Odawara Castle.Photo: Odawara Tourism Association a symbol of Odawara City located inland from the Pacific Ocean and facing Sagami Bay in western Kanagawa Prefecture has a history dating back to the mid-15th century The Odawara Tourism Association shared insights into the best spots to enjoy the beauty of this historical site Odawara Castle is located with Sagami Bay to the south and Mt Hakone (1,438 meters in elevation) to the west It is easily accessible from Tokyo; taking the Shinkansen from JR Tokyo Station to JR Odawara Station takes about 35 minutes followed by a 10-minute walk from the station to the castle “Odawara developed as a center of samurai culture from the 15th century and flourished as a post town during the Edo period (early 17th century to mid-late 19th century) it is known for its mild climate and historical townscape making it a popular tourist destination,” says ASAO Naoya from the Odawara Tourism Association Odawara Castle was the stronghold of the Odawara Hojo clan founded by HOJO Soun from the early 16th century and flourished for about 100 years as the center of power in the Kanto region1 The castle was once surrounded by a vast defensive perimeter2 after which the castle’s leadership changed multiple times Earthquakes and other disasters led to the loss of many structures standing proudly as a symbol of the region’s history Odawara Castle Park features about 300 cherry trees with various species blooming sequentially from late January to early April “Visitors can enjoy different types of cherry blossoms in the park including Kanhi-zakura3 (January to February) Kawazu-zakura4 (early February to early March) Shidare-zakura (late March to early April) and Yama-zakura6 (late March to early April) providing a long period to appreciate the blossoms Especially captivating are the Somei-Yoshino and Shidare-zakura which beautifully enhance the castle keep,” ASAO explains Odawara Castle Park illuminates its cherry blossoms after sunset The event is held both in the park and around the moat offering a captivating night view that draws much admiration from tourists “The extended opening hours of the castle keep allow visitors to enjoy the night cherry blossoms from the observation deck on the fifth floor the cherry blossoms create a magical atmosphere different from the daytime view,” says ASAO events celebrating Odawara's spring season are also held attractions such as the Odawara Kamaboko7 Sakura Festival and a children’s procession8 take place “To offer an immersive experience for international visitors Odawara Castle provides various activities such as ninja training Zen meditation sessions with a local monk fluent in three languages and guided walking tours of the castle town in English over 360 people from around the world have participated I hope these experiences serve as a bridge to share the charm of Japanese culture,” comments ASAO where history and cherry blossoms come together presents a stunning scene as spring arrives offering visitors a chance to enjoy the captivating landscape By MOROHASHI KumikoPhoto: Odawara Tourism Association; PIXTA If you have any feedback or comments on this content please enter them in the space provided below Your valuable feedback and commnents will be referenced for our future operations Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter for receiving monthly updates You will be redirected to an external website Would you like to proceed?If you wish to continue Services on the Hakone Tozan Railway between Odawara and Hakone Yumoto stations resumed at about 12:45 p.m please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent The services were suspended due to a tree that fell on the tracks in the morning The Odakyu Romancecar limited express train service will also likely resume Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun Please view the main text area of the page by skipping the main menu. The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser Japanese version Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp The Enoura Observatory is a project of the Odawara Art Foundation founded by Japanese contemporary artist Hiroshi Sugimoto Located on the grounds of a former tangerine orchard the Observatory was designed to both showcase modern art and to preserve and potentially revive architectural traditions that are becoming endangered The sprawling complex offers visitors several unique spaces to explore from the Summer Solstice Light-Worship 100-Meter Gallery to a tea room and a garden The 100-Meter Gallery as well as the Winter Solstice Light-Worship Tunnel were designed specifically to allow visitors to witness the summer and winter solstices from a unique vantage point the sun shines directly on the bridge passageway of a stone stage built to showcase traditional Noh performances Those stopping by at other times of the year can still fully enjoy the sun’s transit across the sky over nearby Sagami Bay as well as the uninhibited views of the surrounding area Advance tickets must be purchased online; those making last-minute plans can call the main office to see if any same-day tickets are available https://www.odawara-af.com/en/enoura/ Browse the JNTO site in one of multiple languages '+n.escapeExpression("function"==typeof(o=null!=(o=r(e,"eyebrowText")||(null!=l?r(l,"eyebrowText"):l))?o:n.hooks.helperMissing)?o.call(null!=l?l:n.nullContext||{},{name:"eyebrowText",hash:{},data:t,loc:{start:{line:28,column:63},end:{line:28,column:78}}}):o)+" \n '+(null!=(o=c(e,"if").call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2PreText"):l,{name:"if",hash:{},fn:n.program(32,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:63,column:20},end:{line:63,column:61}}}))?o:"")+"\n"+(null!=(o=(c(e,"ifAll")||l&&c(l,"ifAll")||n.hooks.helperMissing).call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Text"):l,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Link"):l,{name:"ifAll",hash:{},fn:n.program(34,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:64,column:20},end:{line:70,column:30}}}))?o:"")+" Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Tokyo with plans to install mecha-themed manhole covers nationwide The possibilities are endless when it comes to manhole cover designs Japan’s very first set of Gundam-themed manhole covers has been installed at Odawara in Kanagawa prefecture As a part of the new Gundam Manhole Project Odawara city has installed two new manhole covers – the first ever Gundam-themed covers in Japan One features the classic RX-78-2 Gundam with Odawara Castle in the background and you'll find it on Daiyagai shopping street (2-9 Sakaecho the other cover shows MSM-07S Z'Gok posing with a fish in hand – this one's at the Odawara Fishery Harbour (1-21-3 Hayakawa Gundam fans can look forward to finding more of these colourful covers in the near future, because the Gundam Manhole Project plans to install more nationwide, each featuring different characters and robots posing with local landmarks. You can keep up to date with the latest news about the project on its official website 7-Eleven now offers meals from the Tokyo Olympic Village 7-Eleven Japan now offers cute little Disney character mochi Nike Japan releases new tabi-style, indigo-dyed ISPA Drifter sneakers In photos: this new Airbnb apartment in Harajuku looks like a whimsical wonderland Songs from the hit Japanese anime ‘Belle’ you should be listening to right now Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan. facebooktwitterpinterestinstagramAbout us scholar and critic researching how Japan’s art intersects with its historical narratives creating work that examines issues such as state power she drew attention with an exhibition about a 5-meter arrow that marked the epicenter of the Nagasaki atomic bombing She earned a doctorate from the University of Tsukuba and this autumn she will hold a solo show at the Tsunagi Art Museum in Kumamoto Prefecture a volunteer project compiling data on gender equality in the arts in Japan Its 2022 report found that while there are many young women artists in Japan they are often unable to continue working long term Eighty percent of art university professors are male even though the student body is about 70% female and award winners also tend to be about 70% male The numbers make the gender imbalance in the Japanese art world clear It’s unusual in that it commissions a new statue each year; they’re installed in accessible places like Jozenji-dori Avenue I don’t think I’d have the same awareness of or interest in sculpture if I’d grown up elsewhere I research the historical and social contexts of sculptures and I contemplate possible alternate paths modern history might have taken I examined statues such as “Death March in Snow of Hakkoda Mountains (Fifth Infantry Regiment Memorial)” by Ujihiro Okuma and “The Statue of Maidens Phototype No.1 Group Image” by his contemporary Kotaro Takamura The first work memorializes the Hakkoda Mountains Incident of 1902 in which nearly 200 people died on a military climbing expedition On the other side of Mount Hakkoda is Lake Towada and the differences in his work and Okuma’s reveal a turning point for Japanese sculpture Takamura’s Rodin-influenced approach is still prevalent while Okuma’s style has largely been abandoned I also displayed the wooden prostheses of Hakkoda Incident survivors who lost appendages to frostbite I consider these objects a kind of sculpture I wasn’t drawn to Sendai or Miyagi as much as to Nagasaki There I spoke with atomic bombing survivors and this was my first time to really hear about what they went through we weren’t taught much about the civilian experiences of these places there’s the “Peace Statue” by Seibo Kitamura I always wondered why this work was placed there as a peace memorial The artist had also been involved with sculptures that celebrated the war and it never sat right with me how after Japan’s defeat Kitamura was chosen to make another work — in the same style — as a tribute to peace Nagasaki and Hiroshima have histories of simultaneously being aggressors and victims in war They’re also home to movements to abolish nuclear power and they illustrate many of the twists and turns of Japanese history It’s curious to me how they’ve become places of memorializing peace and I want to understand how this has happened “Overcoming/Sculpting Modernity: Aomori Snow Country Edition,” installation view at Aomori Contemporary Art Centre When I was looking into the Nagasaki arrow I realized that if I didn’t write about it I come across places and events that intrigue me This process sometimes results in a sculpture My life and work feel like a series of chance encounters that have taken me all over — from Sendai to Nagasaki and Tokyo Odawara’s next exhibition will be held from September 9, 2023, at the Tsunagi Art Museum. Find out more about Odawara and her works via her website Metrics details The functional network of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neurons is a potentially powerful in vitro model for evaluating disease mechanisms and drug responses the culture time required for the full functional maturation of individual neurons and networks is uncertain We investigated the development of spontaneous electrophysiological activity and pharmacological responses for over 1 year in culture using multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) The complete maturation of spontaneous firing and modulation of activity by glutamatergic and GABAergic receptor antagonists/agonists required 20–30 weeks neural networks also demonstrated epileptiform synchronized burst firing (SBF) in response to pro-convulsants and SBF suppression using clinical anti-epilepsy drugs Our results reveal the feasibility of long-term MEA measurements from hiPSC-derived neuronal networks in vitro for mechanistic analyses and drug screening developmental changes in electrophysiological and pharmacological properties indicate the necessity for the international standardization of culture and evaluation procedures Because physiologically relevant assays are required to drive the discovery of safer it is critical that these cells and networks develop physiological and pharmacological properties closely resembling those of mature human neurons in situ Although this suggests that MEA studies are suitable for the in vitro evaluation of iPSC-derived neuronal networks no study has examined clinical drug responses against disease sequela such as neurodegeneration and epileptiform activity To establish a drug evaluation assay for hiPSC-derived neuronal networks using MEA it is first necessary to evaluate the culture conditions and duration necessary for functional maturation so that the model mimics as closely as possible the electrophysiological and pharmacological characteristics of human neuronal networks in vivo whereas uncontrolled SBFs is a hallmark of the epileptic brain These SBFs are also generated in rat cortical neuronal networks in vitro allowing for electrophysiological characterization and anticonvulsant screening species differences warrant similar studies in human cortical circuits in vitro Here we characterized the changes in electrophysiological and pharmacological properties of individual hiPSC-derived cortical neurons and neuronal networks during long-term culture (up to 77 weeks) using MEAs We also measured SBFs induced by a proconvulsant and suppressed by clinical anticonvulsants to demonstrate the utility of this culture model for the analysis of pathological mechanisms and drug discovery (B) Formation of pre- and postsynaptic structures at 300 DIV (a) Merged image showing the formation of synapses among cultured hiPSC-derived cortical neurons Blue: nuclear marker Hoechst 33258 revealing underlying astrocytes (b) Image showing the nuclei using Hoechst 33258 staining (blue) (c) Image showing neurite formation using β-tubulin III immunostaining (green) (d) Image showing presynapse formation using synaptophysin immunostaining (red) (e) Image showing postsynapse formation using PSD-95 immunostaining (yellow) (f) Merged image showing overlap or close apposition of presynaptic (synaptophysin-positive) and postsynaptic (PSD-95-positive) terminals (A) The number of SBFs per minute (average for 15 min) from 13 to 34 WIV (B) Change in SBF duration over the same period in vitro (n = number of SBFs for each weekly 15-min measurement period) (C) Change in total number of spikes in SBFs (total number in each weekly 15-min measurement period) In contrast to this progressive increase in SBF frequency mean spikes per burst and burst duration reached a plateau relatively early (by about 18 weeks) there was a rough correspondence between the mean number of spikes per SBF and SBF duration suggesting a relatively constant firing frequency within bursts These results indicate that hiPSC-derived cortical neurons eventually form functional networks that are able to generate SBFs during long-term culture (A) Typical spontaneous firing at the same electrode in 33–36 WIV cultures before (top) and after the administration of the indicated receptor antagonist or agonists (10 μM bicuculline (B) Raster plots of spontaneous firing for 1 min from all 64 electrodes before and after drug administration (C) Total number of spikes from all 64 electrodes before (100% baseline) and after drug administration at 10–15 and 33–36 WIV Comparisons between 10–15 (gray) and 33–36 WIV (black) were obtained using the same cultures Although absolute numbers of spikes at 10–15 and 33–36 WIV were different the proportional changes did not differ between ages for bicuculline and kainic acid the decrease in total spikes induced by CNQX and NMDA administration differed by WIV with greater proportional effects of both agents at 33–36 WIV (D) Changes in synchronized burst firing (SBF) due to bicuculline administration at 10–15 and 33–36 WIV (a) Number of SBFs over the 30 min before (blue) and after (red) bicuculline administration at 10–15 and 33–36 WIV (b) SFB duration and (c) number of spikes per SBF at 10–15 and 33–36 WIV before and after bicuculline administration (E) Number of SBFs in the 30 min before and after 5 μM kainic acid administration at 10–15 and 33–36 WIV (n = 3 MEA dishes (F) Change in SBFs following AP-5 and CNQX administration at 10–15 and 33–36 WIV (a) Typical SBF waveforms before (blue) and after the administration of AP-5 (red) or CNQX (red) at 33–36 WIV SBFs disappeared after CNQX administration SBFs were also completely abolished by AP-5 at 10–15 WIV but were only shorter at 33–36 WIV (b) Change in SBF duration and (c) number of spikes per SBF following AP-5 administration at 10–15 and 33–36 WIV 33–36 WIV cultures were more sensitive to KA-induced hyperexcitability than 10–15 week WIV cultures These results indicate that both AMPA and NMDA receptors contribute to SBFs; however only AMPA receptor activation is necessary for SBF generation in hiPSC-derived cortical networks while NMDA receptor activity modulates spontaneous SBF duration these results indicate that both AMPA and NMDA receptors more efficiently drive neuronal spiking at 33–36 WIV compared with that at 10–15 WIV spontaneous activity in 33–36 WIV cultures was more sensitive to GABA and glutamate receptor modulators indicative of greater functional maturation (A) Typical evoked responses from each of 64 electrodes following a single test stimulus at 33–36 WIV Red square shows stimulus site (electrode 33) (B) Typical evoked responses before (top) and after the administration of the indicated neurotransmitter receptor agonist or antagonist at 33–36 WIV Red triangle shows stimulus time and stimulus artifacts (C) Post-stimulus time histogram (PSTH) (Sum of 10 individual responses at 64 electrodes Blue and red indicate before and after drug administration (D) Ratio of the number of evoked spikes after versus before drug administration at 10–15 WIV (gray) and 33–36 WIV (black) (n = 3 MEA dishes (E) The ratio of evoked burst duration after versus before drug administration To evaluate the utility of these human iPS-derived neural networks for modeling human disease states and drug screening we examined chemically evoked epileptiform activity Electrophysiological seizes were induced by pentylentetrazole (PTZ) the most widely used chemical convulsant in animal models to screen for new anti-epilepsy drugs (AEDs) We also examined the anti-convulsant effects of two common clinical AEDs Phenytoin experiments were conducted at 13 weeks (89 DIV) and 20 weeks (139 DIV) and VPA experiments at 15 weeks (99 DIV) and 46 weeks (317 DIV) using the same cultures (A) Induction of epileptiform activity using pentylentetrazole (PTZ) and the suppressive effect of phenytoin PTZ was added to the culture medium at increasing concentrations (1 μM Effects on network activity are clearly revealed by the raster plots (64 channels for 5 min) The appearance of black vertical lines indicates SBFs (b) Changes in firing rate versus before (%) and number of SBFs during drug treatment at 13 WIV Red and blue bars show the firing rates at each PTZ and phenytoin concentration Yellow polygonal line shows the number of SBFs over each 5-min application of PTZ or phenytoin at the indicated concentration (d) Changes in firing rate and number of SBFs at 20 WIV (B) Effect of sodium valproate (VPA) (1 μM (b) Changes in firing rate and number of SBFs at 15 WIV (c) The raster plots at 46 WIV (317 DIV) t (d) Changes in firing rate and number of SBFs at 46 WIV Although both phenytoin and VPA have anticonvulsant efficacy in this culture system the efficacy of VPA was lower in older cultures (A) Immunofluorescent staining for CTIP2 at 112 and 300 DIV (a) Fluorescent images of CTIP2 staining for the specific labeling of immature cortical neurons (yellow) and β-tubulin III (blue) for all neurons Upper and lower images show hiPSC-derived cortical neurons at 112 and 300 DIV Red circles indicate CTIP2-positive neurons (b) Percentage of immature (CTIP2-positive) neurons at 112 and 300 DIV (n = 22) (B) Immunofluorescent analysis of synapse density at 112 and 300 DIV (a) Fluorescent images of synaptophysin for the specific labeling of presynaptic terminals (red) and β-tubulin III (blue) for neurons (b) The number of synapses in the 100 × 100 μm2 area around each soma at 112 DIV (515 ± 62.6) and 300 DIV (1088 ± 98.3) (n = 15 synaptophysin-positive neurons Spontaneous activity evolved over 34 weeks, increasing from less than 1 Hz at 2 WIV to over 5 Hz at 18 WIV, underscoring the necessity of long-term culture for the formation of functional networks. Some electrodes even recorded spike frequencies over 20 Hz at 25 WIV or older. Spike patterns consisted of both tonic spike trains and SBFs (e.g., Fig. 3B) which are electrophysiological hallmarks of GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons these hiPSC-derived cortical neuronal networks likely contained GABAergic interneurons as well as (more numerous) glutamatergic pyramidal neurons suggesting that hiPSC-derived cortical neurons require much longer to achieve functional maturation in vitro this extra time is reasonable considering the advantages for translational research presented by human neurons but the time scale of the change is over ten times longer in hiPSC-derived cortical neurons The future of SBFs in rat or mouse iPSC-derived cortical neurons was not reported We suggest that the time scale of these spontaneous burst episodes is a seminal difference between rat and human neurons the frequency and rhythm of SBFs differed within each measurement period so comparative analyses of SBFs remain a challenge consistent with an increase in refractory period length or frequency at higher burst frequencies NMDA overactivity is a key pathogenic event in numerous acute and chronic neurodegenerative diseases These receptor modulators had largely analogous effects on evoked responses. Bicuculline also increased evoked SBF duration and spike number, and cultures were more sensitive to bicuculline-evoked hyperactivity at 33–36 WIV than at 10–15 WIV, presumable because of the contribution from recurrent inputs. AP-5 administration at 33–36 weeks markedly reduced SFB duration (Fig. 6C) suggesting that these kinetically slower GluRs are major contributors to recurrent activity the AMPA antagonist CNQX reduced the initial evoked spike burst but not the duration indicating that the AMPA and NMDA receptors plays an important role in early and late phase of SBF both spontaneous firing and evoked responses were modulated by GABAergic and glutamatergic receptor modulators although the effective concentrations (ECs) remain to be determined These results confirm that hiPSC-derived cortical neuronal networks at 112 DIV are not fully mature and that longer-term culture is necessary for maturation Future studies using GABAergic markers are needed to determine the relative proportions of GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons during culture maturation In addition to these differences in AED responses we also found differences in PTZ potency with time in vitro The SBF and total firing rates were higher at 20 WIV than at 13 SBFs showed greater regularity at 46 WIV compared with that at 13 Although the age-dependent mechanisms are unknown these result indicate that time in culture is an important factor for the evaluation of AEDs using PTZ and thus requires standardization we suggest that the human iPSC-derived neuron culture is a useful model system to investigate the effects of common AEDs and an alternative to animal experiments for drug screening our assay can be adapted to iPSC-derived neurons from epilepsy patients we examined the electrophysiological and pharmacological properties of cultured hiPSC-derived cortical neuronal networks and found that functional maturation requires at least 20–30 weeks long-term culture of hiPSC-derived neuronal neurons on MEAs proved useful for neuropharmacological and neurotoxicological assays Our results also provide an important indication for the international standardization of evaluation procedures using in vitro human neurons Axol Bioscience Inc.) at 37 °C in a 5% CO2/95% air atmosphere a φ3.4-mm glass ring was placed in the middle of the MEA probe at the location of the electrode array and 100 μL of cell suspension (1.0 × 106cells/mL) was seeded inside the ring culture medium Neural Maintenance Media kit (ax0031a&b UK) supplemented with 100 U/mL penicillin/streptomycin (168-23191 Wako) and 20% conditioned media (described below) was applied around the ring Conditioned medium was obtained from the culture supernatant of rat primary cortical astrocytes in neurobasal medium supplemented with 2% v/v B27 100 U/mL penicillin/streptomycin (all from Invitrogen) rat astrocytes were seeded at 1 × 104 cells per MEA chip and the co-cultures maintained at 37 °C in a 5% CO2/95% air atmosphere Half of the media was exchanged every 5 to 7 days Sample cultures were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) on ice (4 °C) for 10 min followed by methanol on ice (−20 °C) for 10 min Fixed cells were incubated with 0.2% Triton X-100 in PBS for 5 min followed by preblock buffer (0.05% Triton-X and 5% goat serum in PBS) at 4 °C for 1 h and finally with preblock buffer containing a specific primary antibody (1:1000) at 4 °C for 24 h The primary antibodies used were mouse anti-β-tubulin III (T8578 Abcam) for the specific labeling of neurons Immunolabeling was visualized by incubation in an appropriate secondary antibody (anti-mouse 488 Alexa Fluor (ab150109 Molecular Probes; 1:1000 in preblock buffer) for 1 h at room temperature Cell nuclei were counterstained using 1 μg/ml Hoechst 33258 for 1 h at room temperature Stained cultures were washed twice in preblock buffer (5 min/wash) and viewed using a confocal microscope (TCS SP8 Image intensity was adjusted using ImageJ software (NIH) Soma size and thickness of dendrites were also calculated using ImageJ software Spontaneous and evoked extracellular field potentials were acquired at 37 °C under a 5% CO2 atmosphere using a 64-channel MEA system (MED64-Basic; Alpha Med Scientific) at a sampling rate of 20 kHz/channel Signals were low-pass filtered at 100 Hz and stored on a personal computer Spontaneous firing was recorded every week for up to 72 weeks Spontaneous recordings were obtained for 60 min before treatment and again after the addition of one of the following transmitter receptor agonists and antagonists to the culture medium: the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline (10 μM kainate receptor agonist kainic acid (5 μM AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX or NMDA receptor antagonist D-(−)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP-5 To evaluate the effects of these compounds on evoked responses we applied a single bipolar test stimulus (100 μs at + 20 μA followed by 100 μs at −20 μA) to an electrode every 30 s for 60 min before and after drug administration The cultures were kept in a CO2 incubator between recordings and drug administration To avoid the residual effects of drug administration and medium changes each drug experiment was carried out at intervals of two days To investigate whether hiPSC-derived cerebral cortical neurons can generate epileptiform activity we administered 1,5-pentamethylenetetrazole (PTZ Tokyo Chemical Industry Co) after various culture durations Spontaneous firing was recorded for 5 min at each concentration to evaluate the effects of anti-epilepsy drugs if the inter-spike interval was within 10 ms 1 ms) in a SBF is under 5,000 spikes/s or the summation of AWSDR during a SBF is under 20,000 spikes/s To evaluate the changes in evoked responses after drug administration both pre- and post-drug spikes were measured for 500 ms after the test stimulus or for 1500 ms after bicuculline administration The initial 6 ms after the test stimulus containing the stimulus artifact was excluded from the analysis We computed the post-stimulus time histogram (PSTH) where the post-stimulus time window was divided into 1-ms bins All data are expressed as mean ± standard 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Evaluation of multi-well microelectrode arrays for neurotoxicity screening using a chemical training set In vitro studies of neuronal networks and synaptic plasticity in invertebrates and in mammals using multielectrode arrays Simultaneous voltage and calcium mapping of genetically purified human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac myocyte monolayers Assessment of testing methods for drug-induced repolarization delay and arrhythmias in an iPS cell-derived cardiomyocyte sheet: multi-site validation study Improvement of acquisition and analysis methods in multi-electrode array experiments with iPS cell-derived cardiomyocytes Early patterns of electrical activity in the developing cerebral cortex of humans and rodents Development of coherent neuronal activity patterns in mammalian cortical networks: common principles and local hetereogeneity An extremely rich repertoire of bursting patterns during the development of cortical cultures Reconstruction and Simulation of Neocortical Microcircuitry The complement system: an unexpected role in synaptic pruning during development and disease doi: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-061010-113810 (2012) Longterm stability and developmental changes in spontaneous network burst firing patterns in dissociated rat cerebral cortex cell cultures on multielectrode arrays Minimum neuron density for synchronized bursts in a rat cortical culture on multi-electrode arrays doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.08.038 (2010) Propagation of spontaneous synchronized activity in cortical slice cultures recorded by planar electrode arrays Epilepsy-induced motility of differentiated neurons Excitatory aminoacids and epileptic seizures in immature brain Mechanisms of epileptiform synchronization in cortical neuronal networks Long-term plasticity of intrinsic excitability: learning rules and mechanisms Investigations into the involvement of NMDA mechanisms in recognition memory doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.04.013 (2013) Human cerebral cortex development from pluripotent stem cells to functional excitatory synapses and phenytoin of sodium and calcium currents in cortical neurons: implications for neuroprotective strategies Vinpocetine is as potent as phenytoin to block voltage-gated Na+ channels in rat cortical neurons Differential effects of phenytoin and sodium valproate on seizure-induced changes in gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate release in vivo Valproate: a reappraisal of its pharmacodynamic properties and mechanisms of action Effect of valproic acid on sodium currents in cortical neurons from patients with pharmaco-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy Critical review of current animal models of seizures and epilepsy used in the discovery and development of new antiepileptic drugs Directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells to cerebral cortex neurons and neural networks Download references We thank Axol Bioscience and Alpha Med Scientific Company for supporting this research This study was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 26560247 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science A.O. and I.S. designed the research. A.O. and I.S. performed the experiments. All authors analyzed data. A.O. and I.S. prepared all figures. H.K. and N.M. prepared Figures 4–6 and Fig. S2 The authors declare no competing financial interests Download citation Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: a shareable link is not currently available for this article Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science Services on the Hakone Tozan Railway have been suspended between Odawara and Hakone Yumoto stations after a tree fell on the tracks at around 10:45 a.m Services of the Romancecar limited express train have also been suspended on the same section The train operator said that services are expected to resume at around 1:30 p.m In response to the global climate crisis, Odawara Art Foundation has joined 27 other arts organizations around the world to form the World Weather Network a ground-breaking constellation of ‘weather stations’ located across the world Odawara Art Foundation will participate in a year-long project using Enoura Observatory as a base Enoura Observatory was conceived and designed by contemporary artist Hiroshi Sugimoto with the idea that by returning to our ancient habits of observing the heavens we will find inklings that point the way to our future People gather to observe the sunrise at Enoura Observatory four times a year on solstices and equinoxes This year instead of on-site events during these special times in the Earth’s calendar the sunrise from Enoura Observatory will be shared online to be viewed by anyone anywhere in the world the sun rises from Sagami Bay and its beams of light run through the Summer Solstice Light-Worship 100-Meter Gallery People enjoy taking in the sight of peak-bloom plum blossoms in the Soga Bairin plum grove in Odawara About 35,000 plum trees stand in the grove where early blossoming varieties such as Juro have already reached full bloom Plums harvested in the grove are used to make umeboshi dried plums and umeshu plum wine the trees began blossoming about 10 days later than the average year due to cold and drizzly weather The best time to view the blossoms will continue through early March Masaharu Nagamine undertook the transformation of a 70-year-old Japanese-style house in Odawara, Japan nestled near a mountain pass and surrounded by fields The property was chosen by a couple who were attracted to its charm and the peacefulness of its Japanese garden they faced a challenge with the living and dining areas on the northern side feeling dim and closed-off compared to the bright sunlit Japanese-style room on the southern side the architects decided to tear down a section of the northwest side of the house creating a small courtyard to bring in more light and nature.  a designated space was also set aside for bicycles ensuring a harmonious coexistence between exercise and leisure These modifications have now become part of the couple’s daily routine as they spend about an hour indoor biking for exercise after finishing their remote work view of the south side exterior from Japanese garden one of the traditional Japanese rooms was transformed into a bike-training room replacing tatami mats with hardwood flooring creating a serene courtyard in the heart of the home view of dining and courtyard from japanese-style room dining room opens up to Japanese garden views a small courtyard with a sense of light and nature custom bike-training room for active living name: 70 years old Japanese – style house with bicycles designer: Masaharu Nagamine | @masaharu_nagamine designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here. edited by: christina petridou | designboom AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style Odawara’s history is deeply entwined with the fascinating stories of ninjas and samurai in feudal Japan Odawara Castle once served as the home of the Hojo clan which ruled the area for five generations during the Sengoku period and was considered to be the most powerful clan of the Kanto region This clan was served by the Fuma ninja group with one of the most famous ninja in Japanese history being Fuma Kotaro imposing building you see today is not the original castle this Odawara city landmark is well worth a visit – not only because it’s a stone’s throw from Tokyo but also because of its storied history The fortress has had to be rebuilt and renovated multiple times since the Edo period due to a series of battles earthquakes and changes in Japan’s ruling system Odawara Castle was once home to the powerful Hojo clan Resist the urge to head straight up to the observatory deck (save the 360-degree views over the city and Sagami Bay for last) and take time to explore the many artifacts pieces of armor and traditional weapons on display in the museum inside the castle Download the Odawara Castle app for free from the App Store or Google Play and as you tour the exhibits inside the castle it will provide detailed explanations and an audio guide To really get a feel for what it was like during the Sengoku era hire samurai armor and kimono (adults ¥500 children ¥300) at the castle’s Tokiwagi gate and have your photo taken Stroll around among the castle’s well-preserved walls and gates to feel like you’re truly in the samurai era Also be sure to visit the Samurai Exhibition (9am-5pm ¥60 children) on the second floor of the castle’s Tokiwagi Gate to explore the art of traditional swordmaking attend the annual Hojo Festival during which people dress in feudal era costumes and parade through the city the historical Rekishi Kenbunkan Museum reopened as an interactive Ninja Museum After you’ve exhausted all castle-related activities stop by here to experience what life was like back in the days of ninjas and samurai in the Sengoku theater zone Learn about the history of the Hojo clan in the ninja experience zone and “fight” against enemy ninja in the warfare zone hiroshi sugimto on the tip of the summer solstice observation gallery image © odawara art foundation all images which also culminates in a dramatic 12 meters cantilever overlooking the sea believing that the heavens could provide some insight into our future sugimoto oriented the observatory around the annual movement of the sun: the winter solstice when the pendulum of the seasons swings back again; and the spring and autumn equinoxes milestones at the midpoint between the two extremes ‘I believe that if we turn once more to our ancient observation of the heavens we will find glimmers that point the way to our future,’ sugimoto continues the summer solstice observatory gallery is covered in oya stone ‘the mission of the complex is to revive traditional building methods which are in danger of being lost, and to pass them on to future generations,’ says sugimoto, who is the founder of the odawara art foundation each of the structures that make up the enoura observatory incorporates traditional japanese building styles and methods in order to provide an overview of japan’s architectural history upon visiting the site it is clear that the complex is more than just a compilation of vernacular typologies and after experiencing these architectural wonders that many more will be drawn to this remote part of japan inside the gallery visitors can enjoy photography work by hiroshi sugimoto one hundred meters above sea level and hundred meters in length the opposing wall is made of glass windows – 37 large panes side by side with no support – for a completely column-free space that each aspect of the observatory responds to the location of the rising sun throughout the calendar year the sun rises from sagami bay and sends light through a 70 meter-long tunnel — illuminating a large stone at its opposing end the scheme observes the year’s shortest day and marks a significant turning point in the cycle of death and rebirth cantilever winter solstice light-worship tunnel a stage paved with optical glass sits on a framework of hinoki cypress. on the morning of the winter solstice the platform glows as it catches the light on its cut edges a full-size recreation of a ruined roman auditorium has been constructed the glass stage appears to float perfectly on the surface of the sea built with a ‘kakezukuri’ framework of hinoki cypress close-up on the ‘kakezukuri’ framework this stone means ‘no entry’ / ‘no passing’ ‘kameishi‘ tortoise stone overlooking sagami bay I was drawn to this place of memories,’ says sugimoto.  ‘what should art today express?’ asks hiroshi sugimoto — a straightforward question that apparently cannot be answered in such a simple manner the artist sees the enoura observatory as a place for contemplation when the ancients first gained self-awareness their first step was to search for and identify the place they occupied within the vastness of the starry firmament,’ says sugimoto ‘this search for meaning and identity was also the primal force behind art.’ the origins of performing arts in japan go back to the ancient legend of ‘ama-no-iwato the dawn goddess danced in order to lure forth the sun goddess the design of the stone stage is based on the dimensions of a noh stage at each of the stage’s four corners are large stones originally destined for the walls of an edo castle the axis of the stone bridgeway (seen behind) aligns with the axis of the sun as it rises from sagami bay at the spring and autumn equinoxes ‘my conception was for the noh plays to start just before dawn as the murk of night is giving away to daylight and for the principal actors of the second part of the play to return to the underworld as the sun rises directly behind the stage‘ see a video where hiroshi sugimoto explains the project (designboom’s previous coverage) here. elsewhere, the meigetsu gate — originally constructed in the muromachi period style (1336 – 1573) — preserves the original materials and zen style found in structures of the period. other buildings include the uchōten (‘listen-to-the-rain’) teahouse… see more images in the gallery below. happening now! partnering with antonio citterio, AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function, but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style, context, and personal expression. Qualitative methods using interviews and focus group discussions with 15 SMEs and 20 public health nurses were conducted in a previous study. This study applied the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and IM to analyze this dataset to develop implementation strategies suitable for SMEs in Japan. Volume 10 - 2022 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.873769 Introduction: Workplace programs to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the workplace can help prevent the incidence of chronic diseases among employees particularly in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) The purpose of this study was to develop implementation strategies for health promotion activities to prevent NCDs in Japanese SMEs using Implementation Mapping (IM) to present the process in a systematic Methods: Qualitative methods using interviews and focus group discussions with 15 SMEs and 20 public health nurses were conducted in a previous study This study applied the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and IM to analyze this dataset to develop implementation strategies suitable for SMEs in Japan and change objectives for each implementation stage: adoption and maintenance; to identify the required actors and actions necessary to enhance implementation effectiveness Twenty-two performance objectives were identified in each implementation stage the planning group matched behavioral change methods (e.g. and environmental re-evaluation) with determinants to address the performance objectives We used a consolidated framework for implementation research to select the optimal behavioral change technique for performance objectives and determinants and designed a practical application The planning team agreed on the inclusion of sixteen strategies from the final strategies list compiled and presented to it for consensus for the overall implementation plan design Discussion: This paper provides the implementation strategies for NCDs prevention for SMEs in Japan following an IM protocol Although the identified implementation strategies might not be generalizable to all SMEs planning implementation of health promotion activities because they were tailored to contextual factors identified in a formative research identified performance objectives and implementation strategies can help direct the next steps in launching preventive programs against NCDs in SMEs we decided for IM as it can be used to systematically design implementation strategies The purpose of this study was to develop implementation strategies for health promotion activities to prevent NCDs in Japanese SMEs using IM In this study, we designed the implementation strategies for health promotion activities to prevent NCDs by using the IM framework, the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) (28), social cognitive theory (29), and behavioral change taxonomy of Kok et al. (30) (Figure 1) The social cognitive theory was also used as a reference when selecting the method of behavioral change public health nurses have recently been providing support to promote health promotion activities in SMEs and in envisioning enterprises that are members of the JHIA We held discussions with the JHIA head office and obtained their agreement and full cooperation to promote health promotion activities in SMEs Considering this background of public health nurses' activities in Japan along with the previous research and literature reviews conducted by the academic team and the importance of JHIA's role in scaling up the intervention we pre-determined public health nurses affiliated with the JHIA as stakeholders for the adoption and maintenance of health promotion activities the academic team held weekly discussions to reach a consensus and asked the employers and health managers of the SMEs who participated in the interviews in task 1 to share their opinions on the draft performance objectives We sent an email to the SMEs with a draft of the performance objectives followed by a 30-min telephonic interview with each SME We then spent a month to make decisions after two 1-h discussions with the public health nurses the academic team developed a draft matrix held online meetings with public health nurses confirming that the change objectives were feasible and capable of achieving the performance objectives Implementation Mapping process Task 2: Adoption Implementation Mapping process Task 2: Implementation Implementation Mapping process Task 2: Maintenance Task 3 aimed to select a theoretical method and design implementation strategies. We selected suitable behavioral change techniques using the behavior change taxonomy of Kok et al. (30) for each determinant of the matrix created in task 2 This taxonomy outlines ways to change perceptions the academic team created a draft and revised it through online or in-person discussions with the public health nurses These discussions were held over the course of a month and involved two 1-h discussions with the public health nurses on two occasions we chose the performance objectives to include mid-to long-term goal setting and evaluation of health promotion activities These were selected from the facilitators of the “process” (“reflecting and evaluating”) CFIR domain Subsequently, we identified the determinants of the barriers to task 1 and social cognitive theory. The primary barrier was the belief held by the employers or managers that “health care is a self-responsibility” with information from the CFIR domain characteristics of individuals (17) We adopted this as a determinant factor as “attitude” which implies a low awareness of the importance of health promotion activities in the workplace from the theoretical determinants of the social cognitive theory and normative beliefs as the determinants of relevance for performance objective With the performance objectives and determinants established task 2 outcomes were used in the creation of the matrix of change objectives for each stage We identified 22 performance objectives and 5 determinants (i.e. Change objectives (written where the matrix rows and columns intersect) reflected the changes in the five determinants that were needed for the performance objectives to be completed successfully for each implementation stage of health promotion activities We received opinions from the employers and health care managers whether they were appropriate to achieve program use outcomes in each implementation stage and whether they were feasible with the support of public health nurses The public health nurses advised the academic team based on their experience in health promotion support activities to set feasible performance objectives with respect to cost and human resources The academic team revised and finalized the performance objective based on their advice The planning team selected discrete implementation strategies to operationalize performance objectives We decided on these criteria through discussions with the public health nurses Second, we selected behavioral change techniques for each determinant regarding social cognitive theory and designed practical applications. For example, the behavioral change technique, modeling, is known to be associated with normative beliefs, outcome expectations, and self-efficacy (29) Implementation strategies in health promotion activities within small- to medium-enterprises we described how we developed implementation strategies for health promotion activities to prevent NCDs in SMEs Sixteen strategies for implementing health promotion activities were developed from multiple perspectives of employers and health managers from SMEs while receiving feedbacks from within and outside the company and being aware of social desirability partnership with public health nurses in JHIA was an essential element because the implementation of health promotion activities requires system changes that need to be integrated into the usual workflows at the organizational level and also the importance of JHIA's role in scaling up the intervention in the future the health manager sets medium- to long-term goals) in the maintenance stage These consistencies with well-established barriers and strategies enhance the validity of our process and results and predict a degree of generalizability to other settings learning about health promotion activities in other companies generates a belief that the activities being performed in other companies should also be performed in their companies those norms and beliefs are often created by the opinions and attitudes of employers in SMEs it is an effective implementation strategy aimed at fostering the norms about health promotion activities in the company by encouraging employers to change their knowledge These newly identified implementation strategies for workplace health promotion could be attributed to the focus on SMEs and the fact that we used IM to derive strategies based on real-world opinions. The implementation strategies of large businesses cannot be generalized to SMEs due to their different contexts (16) and there is a need for strategies that are optimal for the challenges faced by SMEs Further studies to identify implementation strategies that consider the characteristics of SMEs would promote the efforts of the SMEs to overcome the barriers to the adoption and implementation of workplace health promotion employers in SMEs must make a serious effort to promote the health of their employees and prioritize health-promoting programs In the selection of behavioral change techniques and development of practical applications (task 3) there was insufficient involvement of SMEs employers and health managers of the SMEs were involved planning with public health nurses was not a participatory approach but rather a form of listening to their opinions This is because it is not yet common in Japan for stakeholders in the field to be actively involved in research Since this was our first implementation study with SMEs and JHIA we had to be careful not to place a burden on SMEs and JHIA during this period it is possible that the opinions of the SMEs and public health nurses were not fully reflected in the field or that they were insufficient to foster a proactive attitude among SMEs and public health nurses toward health promotion activities in the workplace it may take time for SMEs and public health nurses to incorporate these strategies into their workflow This is because researcher-led implementation creates a perception of “somebody else's business,” i.e. will take care of the company's health activities The selection of the implementation strategies was tailored to the context of SMEs in Japan where health promotion activities are already being implemented and may not be effective in other settings because the strategy may not resonate with other settings such as the limited readiness of the employer to implement the health promotion This study developed implementation strategies for health promotion activities in SMEs in Japan by applying IM in conjunction with the constructs of the CFIR framework there are only a few studies that applied and integrated these three frameworks and techniques simultaneously to develop implementation strategies The IM protocol provided a valuable guideline for the development of comprehensive implementation strategies The identified performance objectives and implementation strategies can help direct further steps in launching health promotion activities to prevent NCDs in SMEs The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supplementary material further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author/s The studies involving human participants were reviewed and approved by Ethical Committee of the National Cancer Center Written informed consent for participation was not required for this study in accordance with the national legislation and the institutional requirements MO and TS conceived of the paper and designed the study and TS were members of the academic team of the implementation strategy planning group and developed the implementation strategy according to the IM protocol MO drafted the initial manuscript and all authors revised the manuscript for important intellectual content TS was the principal investigator of the study All authors read and approved the final manuscript This work was supported by the National Center Consortium in Implementation Science for Health Equity (N-EQUITY) and funded by the Japan Health Research Promotion Bureau (JH) Research Fund (2019-(1)-4) and JH Project fund (JHP2022-J-02) the National Cancer Center Research and Development Fund (30-A-18 and 2021-A-19) and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Grant Numbers JP21K17319 and JP22H03326) We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the public health nurses of the JHIA who participated in the implementation strategy planning This study received guidance from N-EQUITY We are grateful to Hanako Saito for her cooperation in this study as a research staff The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher consolidated framework for implementation research; IM 1. 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This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited in accordance with accepted academic practice distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms *Correspondence: Taichi Shimazu, dHNoaW1henVAbmNjLmdvLmpw Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher. 94% of researchers rate our articles as excellent or goodLearn more about the work of our research integrity team to safeguard the quality of each article we publish. Although the coronavirus pandemic has depressed global auto sales, BloombergNEF predicts that economies will speed up adoption of EVs as some countries choose to bolster funding for low-emission cars and infrastructure. The global market for coil-winding machines is projected to expand at 10% annually and will reach $1.3 billion in 2024, according to Global Info Research. "We have to keep making our machines better," said Masahiko Hoshina, vice president at Odawara Engineering. "Our clients can't win if they can't differentiate their products." Electromagnetic coils interact with magnets to turn electric energy into motion, the basic principle behind the motors that power everything from drills to commuter trains. The shares of Odawara Engineering jumped 21% on Monday. Located in Odawara, a city 56 miles (90 kilometers) west of Tokyo, the company's prime business during Japan's postwar economic boom was building coil-winding machines for makers of refrigerators and air conditioners. Apart from Tesla, the company also counts Toyota Motor Corp. and Nissan Motor Co. among its customers. In 2018, Tesla made up 12% of Odawara Engineering's sales, but in 2019 that probably slipped below 10%, the threshold for reporting such figures. Robust demand for Odawara Engineering's machines means it will probably keep its outlook intact for the current year. The company maintained its forecast for operating profit of $6.5 million (700 million yen) and revenue of $135 million (14.5 billion yen) intact when it reported results in May, as the covid-19 outbreak shuttered economies across the globe. "The shift toward electrification and automation won't change" even during the pandemic, said Akihiko Kawazoe, an analyst at Toyo Securities. "The company probably won't be impacted by the coronavirus as much. Its sales will likely be in line with its outlook." Odawara Engineering's Hoshina said the company's backlog for coil-winding machines has increased since December, and he said the manufacturer is now focused on cutting costs. Bigger companies in the sector are buying smaller ones, and competition is becoming more global, he said. In 2018, Germany's Schaeffler AG bought Elmotec Statomat GmbH & Co., a winding technology company. ABB Ltd and ThyssenKrupp AG have joined CWIEME, a global trade and expo group for coil winding and electric motors. Odawara Engineering also competes with Tana Automation Co., Nittoku Co. and China's Changzhou Jinkang Precision Mechanism Co. In order to fit more wire into motors, Odawara is working on "hairpin" winding machines. Instead of round wires, square-shaped wires are used to pack more into electric motors, improving their efficiency and performance. Denso Corp. was among the pioneers in developing hairpin-winding technology. Even though the market is getting bigger, Odawara Engineering will focus on developing innovations instead of rushing to add capacity, according to Hoshina. Because the machines are complicated and made by hand, merely adding more workers wouldn't work, he said. "We plan to grow gradually by choosing our clients," Hoshina said. "By looking at which clients and what motors are promising." Thai Schools Gear Up for Term Start with Safety Checks and Tablet Rollout Tawee visits Narathiwat, pledges to tighten security for Buddhist communities Trump orders 100% tariff on foreign-made movies to save 'dying' Hollywood Ratchada Night Market Shuts Doors Suddenly, Leaving Businesses in the Lurch Chadchart confident search for 14 missing workers will be completed in four days a maker of traditional fishcakes in Kanagawa Prefecture has been hawking its famed kamaboko along the historic Tōkaidō highway for nearly 150 years The manufacturer has weathered a number of storms over this time but none that compared to the aftermath of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake the firm was spared the worst of the shaking only to be slammed by the rolling blackouts authorities instigated following the meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station With the normally steady flow of power to essential equipment like refrigerators and steaming vats cut off for long stretches dealing an unexpected blow to the company’s sense of security and its bottom line “Dealing with the unpredictable blackouts was a massive challenge,” recounts Suzuhiro’s vice president Suzuki Teisuke “The electricity would shut off in the morning one day and then the afternoon the next It wreaked havoc with our production schedule.” Suzuki says he had assumed Japan but the experience opened his eyes to just how precarious the country’s energy situation really was “It was little better than a house of cards.” Suzuki Teisuke The impact of the Fukushima Daiichi disaster went far beyond just power outages Suzuki explains that Suzuhiro relies on Odawara’s rich natural surroundings to make its prized kamaboko including fish from adjacent Sagami Bay and ground water that percolates down from the Tanzawa mountains But the safety of these long-depended on resources were suddenly thrown into question by radioactive cesium spewed out by the crippled plant some 300 kilometers away Tea growers in the nearby town of Yamakita were forced to halt shipments of the area’s famed Ashigara-cha after traces were detected “We couldn’t sit back and ignore the looming threat to our business,” stresses Suzuki The experience made him and others at Suzuhiro start to rethink their views on energy One obvious issue was the inequality of Japan’s approach to power generation Fukushima Daiichi supplied electricity to the Tokyo metropolitan area but it was the communities around the plant that suffered the brunt of the accident “Electricity isn’t generated at the light switch,” declares Suzuki “The disaster made us question the wisdom of shamelessly consuming power without acknowledging the negative consequences of our actions It forced us to consider more broadly where our energy comes from.” Recognizing the risks of relying solely on giant utilities Suzuki wanted to boost the company’s resilience and started exploring ways of generating power closer to home The idea of establishing a large-scale thermal power station was quickly abandoned as being too costly and technically challenging There were also environmental concerns to consider which made renewable energy sources the best options organizing a group to study the issue and hosting a public symposium on the topic Others in the business community shared his concerns about Odawara’s power conundrum and with financial investments from 37 local firms along with ¥100 million gathered from private citizens in three months the solar-based power company Hōtoku Energy was established in 2012 Hōtoku’s business model is straightforward: The company sells the power it produces at its photovoltaic installations in and around Odawara to retailer Shōnan Power a utility similarly established with local investment which then provides the electricity to service subscribers in the community Shōnan Power has taken advantage of subsidies from Kanagawa Prefecture’s Zero Yen Solar program to launch a new program that covers the cost of installing solar panels on private homes with residents paying only for the electricity produced So far supply has kept pace with local demand A rooftop with photovoltaic panels installed through Shōnan Power’s Zero Yen Solar program brought home to residents of Odawara the stark reality of climate change Typhoon Hagibis battered the coast and dumped more than 900 millimeters of rain on neighboring Hakone in a single day Landslides triggered by the deluge destroyed large stretches of the Hakone Tozan Railway bringing tourism to the area to a near halt for a time the storm was the price of complacency on climate issues Debris lays strewn along a stretch of track on the Hakone Tozan Railway that was destroyed by a landslide in October 2019 (Courtesy Hakone Tozan Railway; © Jiji) Along with the obvious environmental benefits the policy of keeping energy production and consumption localized with renewables makes good economic sense Odawara’s 190,000 residents collectively spend around ¥30 billion on power each year “If we can meet even 10 percent of demand locally,” explains Suzuki “that will pump some 3 billion yen back into the community rather than it being paid to an outside utility.” Shōnan Power has been pioneering a system to recirculate that revenue within the local economy the utility signed an agreement with the Odawara municipal government and firms like Zeroboard a cloud service company offering tools for businesses and individual to track and offset their carbon emissions customers enrolled in the Zero Yen Solar program earn credits for the amount of carbon-free electricity that they consume with a portion of the credits being converted to discount coupons that can be used at participating businesses in the community Shōnan Power President Hara Masaki sees the program which aims to raise awareness reducing CO2 emissions as a great means of strengthening community ties and the local economy at the same time “The discount coupons encourage Zero Yen Solar customers to use their carbon credits in their own backyard,” says Hara people support area businesses and build connections in the process.” Onmori Yufuko owns the Vietnamese restaurant Aulac one of the businesses participating in the coupon program She was drawn to it for its climate and business benefits saying that it provided a “simple way to make the restaurant more environmentally friendly.” She is now labeling several dishes on the menu as carbon free and taking other approaches to entice customers to use their carbon-neutral discount coupons at the shop Shōnan Power’s Hara Masaki showing his support for local J The company is an official partner of the club which competes in the top-flight J1 division which currently has 133 Zero Yen Solar subscribers in and around Odawara and eight participating businesses the utility is working to increase the scope This includes boosting power production by expanding areas where panels can be installed to covered carports and partnering with the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry to get more shops using locally produced A pivotal aspect of the program is Zeroboard’s service enabling subscribers and participating businesses to track their emissions from a dedicated site by simply entering the amount of electricity they consume “Individuals may want to reduce their carbon output,” says Tokeiji Michitaka “but this is hard without being able to see how their actions effect their emissions It’s key that people can visualize changes in their carbon footprint.” Zeroboard’s president Onmori says that being able to see her emissions has changed her perception “My restaurant produces more than 7 tons of carbon dioxide annually,” she explains she says she was surprised that “I was able to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide the restaurant contributed to the atmosphere merely by switching to carbon-free power.” Although Shōnan Power charges more per kilowatt hour than larger utilities generating power from carbon-emitting sources the higher rates promote conservation of electricity by encouraging customers to cut down on wasteful practices and install energy-saving devices which has benefits beyond just reducing utility bills Amid a growing surge of global companies making carbon-neutral pledges restructuring of the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Prime Market slated to go into effect in April 2022 will require firms to boost the quality and quantity of their climate-related disclosures The main goal of the changes is to attract more foreign investors Large corporations have been leading the way in Japan by announcing plans to cut their carbon to net zero a trend that is expected to encourage smaller businesses to do the same Financial institutions are also getting in on the action by providing loans at preferential interest rates on the condition that companies decarbonize Attendees outside a seminar on carbon-free business practices during the industrial exhibition World Smart Energy Week at Tokyo Big Sight on September 29 As more companies seek out clean forms of energy Tokeiji of Zeroboard predicts that demand for emission tracking services will grow but warns that competition over renewable power will increase as demand begins to outstrip supply This scenario raised the issue of how the business sector going forward will meet its burgeoning appetite for carbon-free energy The twenty-sixth UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) kicked off in Glasgow on October 31 as the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change sounded the alarm over the imminent threat of global warming the Japanese government revised its basic energy plan giving “top priority” to increasing renewable energy which lags behind other developed countries who sees nuclear energy as an important option is considering restarting idled reactors as part of the plan arguing instead that companies and private citizens can do more to save energy “Renewable power isn’t only about generating electricity,” he stresses “We’ve just begun to scratch the surface of applications of solar and geothermal energy We need to explore other carbon-free options on the table before recommitting to nuclear power.” The offices of Suzuhiro use a mixture of solar power which has reduced energy use by two thirds Odawara’s efforts are small on the grand scale of the global environment but Suzuki is working to sell other regions on the benefits of generating and consuming energy locally He has formed a network of some 300 small and medium-sized business owners across Japan to study different approaches He stresses that there is no one-size-fits-all model “Each region faces its own unique situation,” he explains “Local stakeholders need to come up with independent energy systems that fit the needs of their communities if these independent efforts can be organically connected we can help each other as the need arises.” Banner photo: A solar panel array managed by Hōtoku Energy in the hills near Odawara All photos © Nippon.com unless otherwise noted.) Snug between the Hakone Mountains and Sagami Bay, the seaside town of Odawara is commonly known for its pristine castle a visit to this important cultural destination reveals much more from fresh seafood to inspiring arts to natural scenery When I arrived at this Kanagawa Prefecture town I first headed for the Odawara Art Foundation’s Enoura Observatory Acclaimed photographer and architect Hiroshi Sugimoto founded the Odawara Art Foundation a decade ago with the premise of preserving and promoting Japanese culture high up in the Hakone Mountains just recently in 2017 The free shuttle bus to Enoura Observatory from Nebukawa Station winds through the mountainside The arts complex itself displays examples of architectural and artistic design from the various eras of Japanese history Within the compound there is an art gallery several restored gates and a reception hall Some of the stones used to construct the structures date back as far as the Kofun Period (250-592) The highlight of Enoura Observatory is to simply walk around and take in the essence of Japanese history while enjoying the beautiful surroundings The panoramic ocean view offers up sights of the Boso Peninsula and Oshima Island The gardens are bountiful with wildflowers and fauna One can imagine what it was like for members of the Hojo Clan once one of Japan’s most powerful families to climb to the same location to track the astronomical events of the solstices and equinoxes By spending a few hours appreciating the artistic design one will have achieved the desired effect that Sugimoto envisioned Returning to the station I was able to arrive at Odawara’s downtown area just in time for lunch. Therefore I headed off to the historic restaurant Daruma Offering special sets ranging in price from ¥2,000–¥2,500 Daruma serves traditional dishes like sushi sashimi and mouthwatering tempura (the latter of which I highly recommend) as well as kamaboko (fish cakes) – an Odawara specialty Following lunch I continued down the main street until I came upon Odawara Jyuku Nariwai (rest house) Odawara was one of the key resting spots along the Tokaido Route that ran between Edo (present-day Tokyo) and Kansai As a result there are several historical buildings and museums in this area of Odawara I spent the bulk of my time at this Edo-period inn because I wanted to make a chochin lantern a traditional lantern that can be seen strung up around Odawara Castle during summer festivals Every second and fourth Sunday of the month people can partake in making this craft for ¥1,000 An hour and 20 minutes later I walked away with a nice In 1590 Toyotomi Hideyoshi united Japan after the Hojo family surrendered following a three-month long stalemate outside the castle walls The fall of Odawara Castle signified Hideyoshi’s victory The castle has been destroyed and rebuilt over the centuries with the most recent refurbishment coming to completion in 2016 I paid ¥600 yen for a combination ticket that allowed me to go up into the castle tower and also visit the Tokiwagimon-Gate Samurai Gallery and checked out the samurai swords and armor at the gallery you can rent ninja or samurai costumes or kimonos and take keepsake photos in front of the castle My day trip to Odawara offered wondrous sights and a time-travel experience back to some of the most epic moments of Japanese history Access: By train from Tokyo Station take either the JR Tokaido Shinkansen (35 minutes) or local train on JR Tokaido Line (85 minutes) From Shinjuku Station either the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line (90 minutes) Odakyu Line Limited Express Ramancecar (70 minutes) By car take the Tomei Expressway to Atsugi Interchange and take Odawara Atsugi Road to Odawara and a kamaboko festival is held concurrently with that for the cherry blossoms Many hanami visitors drop by to view demonstrations by master kamaboko makers watch teams pile up kamaboko ita (boards on which the fish paste is mounted) and shop for items sold only during the festival Sakura 100: Japan’s Best Blossoms Banner photo © Odawara Castle General Management Office.) By Akira Uchida / Special to Ryoko Yomiuri Publication With warmer weather upon us and train travel picking back up it seemed like a great time to indulge in my favorite part of railway excursions: enjoying ekiben boxed lunches sold at train stations I was anxious to see what new products the ekiben makers had come up with for the season and visit places connected to Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616) who founded the Edo era shogunate and is now a hot topic of conversation thanks to a popular NHK drama about him I took the JR Tokaido Line from Tokyo Station to Odawara Station which was sold at the east exit of Odawara Station was the seat of power for five generations of the Odawara Hojo clan but the castle later served as a turning point for Ieyasu After 16th-century powerful warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi destroyed the Hojo clan whose territory was subsequently transferred to the present-day Kanto region I opened the ekiben while gazing at the castle tower which respectively contained black cod grilled after being marinated in saikyo sweet miso teriyaki grilled alfonsino and simmered conger eel These fish are placed on the top of the rice The sweetness and aroma of the saikyo miso spread in my mouth the stronger the richness of the cod’s distinctive fat was felt The station is renowned for an ekiben called Minato Aji Zushi — a set of nigiri and sushi rolls with the fish — but I chose the Matcha Aji Zushi bento which is a raw material for matcha green tea and white sesame seeds are sprinkled between vinegared horse mackerel and vinegared rice mixed with matcha and barley allowing people to enjoy a different taste with each bite I resumed my ekiben journey with a ¥2,000 bento called Lord Ieyasu’s Suruga Gozen the site where Ieyasu spent the final years of his life On top of the rice was nori seaweed in the shape of the Aoi crest of the Tokugawa clan I realized that the crest was placed upside down This ekiben has been presented to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine and the seaweed was made to resemble a “Sakasa Aoi” upside-down crest seen in the shrine’s pavilion Sakasa Aoi crests are said to be intentionally unfinished in the belief that completion is the beginning of its end Many ingredients that Ieyasu is believed to have enjoyed are used for side dishes in this ekiben I bought a ¥2,800 bento featuring a whole fish at the eel specialty restaurant Yamayoshi at Tenryu Hamanako Railroad Co.’s Shinjohara Station which is adjacent to JR Shinjohara Station It takes about 10 minutes to prepare this bento because the eel are cooked to order An employee wrapped the bento box in newspaper to keep it from getting cold I sat down on a bench in front of the station and had a bite of the eel As I boarded the train with a full stomach “tenkatori,” which literally means “taking control of the country,” could also be a reference to Ieyasu started out as a Japanese-style restaurant in the Meiji era (1868-1912) and has continued to adopt traditional culinary techniques for its bento products They are made by making thin egg layers plump and fluffy The bento also features teriyaki grilled chicken using a Nagoya Cochin breed with a chewy texture I have realized anew that ekiben eaten during a trip taste special As I recharged my batteries with various meals I’m now thinking of visiting Nagoya Castle tomorrow before returning home Japan Tourism is presented in collaboration with The Japan News and Ryoko Yomiuri Publication, which publishes Ryoko Yomiuri, a monthly travel magazine. If you are interested in the original Japanese version of this story, click here.   This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Deep tourism at Enoura Observatory and French restaurant MECIMO By A rising trend in recent years is deep tourism; a desire to transcend the surface of most travel experiences and seek out a profundity that will both seep into your soul and stay with you forever; like a psychic tattoo being that water has long been believed to offer a bridge to the spirit world what better setting for such a trip than the seaside of Odawara Legendary multidisciplinary artist Hiroshi Sugimoto found it the ideal location when he founded the Odawara Art Foundation and through it then erected the Enoura Observatory Metropolis was invited to partake in its beauty – followed by a ten-course pairing lunch at the nearby French restaurant MECIMO – on a sunny autumn day.  “the complex comprises multiple structures: an art gallery The whole spreads out – like the works of art the premises hold – “for maximum resonance,” as their architect would have it In encapsulating the history and spirit of Japanese design the Observatory itself was structured as a work of art where the pieces contribute to the glory of the aggregate as the lone gate and manmaku leading to the outdoor sections fill one’s spirit with a mixture of ancient and metaphysical impressions leading our minds to demand more input.  the glass-walled reception building displays a long wooden table as a courtesy to guests the Summer Solstice Light Worship 100-Meter Gallery displays breathtaking photographs by Hiroshi Sugimoto; mostly consisting of implausibly beautiful portraits of seascapes paired with the skies above them Its furthermost glass wall was also calculated to showcase the sunrise on the summer solstice.  However both of these structures stand as masterpieces on their own and lend themselves to being captured in breathtaking viral-worthy photographs the indoor world of this establishment only serves as an appetizer to what lies outdoors A short stroll from the latter of the two buildings carries one to a laid-stone amphitheater overlooking an optical-glass stage that hosts performances from time to time an oxidized rectangular metal tunnel serves both as a picturesque path to the horizon and a portal to frame the sunrise of the winter solstice laid out below – on a hillside shared by a mikan grove – over fifty other art displays await your “ooohs” and “ahs” A visit to this Observatory may be ideally paired with a fabulous multi-course meal a shuttle leaving the Observatory six times a day takes you to the nearby Nebukawa station a mere eight-minute ride ferries you into Odawara; where MECIMO French restaurant was established by a Japanese chef who studied his art in France.  crafted from the first syllables of the French words mer The proprietor explains that – since his experience was framed by those forces he wanted to ferry those elements into his fine dining Metropolis enjoyed a ten-course pairing meal that could possibly rival the cuisine of Pierre Gagnaire MECIMO sets the stage in stellar fashion with their interior bedecked in complimentary earth tones and natural materials whenever possible Much like in the ideal Feng-Shui of a perfect bedroom these factors relaxed one’s psyche into complete comfort and receptivity.  The cuisine then opened Heaven’s gate Jerusalem artichoke potage soup with roasted eggplant ash powder found itself paired with the restaurant’s own locally-produced MECIMO SAISON 2022 hannsyaro beer Yellowtail and Japanese horse mackerel from the local Hayakawa Bay served with sliced radish and pickled red onion was served to be savored alongside a rose by nature Pittanauer winery.  the apex of the chef’s genius found its crown in the Soshu Beef Oyster; Soshu beef from Minamiashigara and local tuna tartare-style, low-temperature cooked oysters, ceviche with citrus jelly and coriander served in an oyster shell and plated on an azure dish garnished with a wave of rock salt resembling an elegant wave of polished ice chips It showcased the astronomical standard exhibited by MECIMO whose weekday lunches start at a stunningly affordable 7,600 yen.   awaiting an eight-minute ride from Nebukawa station – from which a shuttle may sweep you off to the wonders of Enoura – makes this package an ideal indulgence; be it alone From purple sweet potatoes to wild horse sightings here’s how to make the most of Okinawa’s tropical escape Explore the best local brands shaping Tokyo’s fashion scene From vintage clothing to Hawaiian-themed goods here’s what’s worth checking out before it’s gone From buying and registering a bike to key rules of the road Collagen staples for beauty and health in Japan Our handpicked list of the best events going on this month and the untold tales of Japan’s queer community Everything you need to know before and during a natural disaster Stay up to date with Tokyo news and events history and cuisine sounds like your perfect kind of getaway then spending a couple of days in the picturesque port city of Odawara should make it to the top of your must-do-in-Japan list Located in the Ashigara Plains of Kanagawa Prefecture the city is surrounded by breathtaking scenery including the Hakone Mountains to the north and west especially for those visiting from packed Tokyo It only takes 35 minutes on the shinkansen and just over one hour on a local train to get there from Tokyo Station and it makes a great stopover for those traveling on to Hakone and beyond Arrive in the morning and rent a bicycle at the station before heading to Odawara Castle History buffs will enjoy a quick stop at the Ninja Museum and test their skills as a member of the secret service Once you’ve ticked off all there is to see there be sure to stop by the nearby Hotoku Ninomiya Shrine This Shinto shrine was built more than 123 years ago and is hidden away just behind the castle Shrine tours are available via the Local Japan Desk (¥5,900 for two hours look out for Kinjiro Café and maybe pick up local Odawara honey to bring back home cycle just a few minutes to the beautiful Japanese villa Seikantei which conveys the influence of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony the two-story building is registered as national cultural property It’s free to enter and offers lovely views of the bay Take a sip of the shop’s specialty matcha along with some red bean paste treats take a leisurely five-minute bike ride through the town towards Kamaboko Street Kamaboko is a steamed fish cake that’s a well-known specialty of Odawara and there are plenty of different types to taste in the old and new Kamaboko Street You can learn how to make these fish cakes at the famed Suzuhiro Kamaboko Museum browse some of the shops in town to find souvenirs such as Odawara-chochin (lantern) yosegi zaiku (wood mosaic) and Odawara-shikki (laquerware) To bed down for the night and enjoy the best view Odawara has to offer opt for a luxurious night at the Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa there a plenty of activities to help you relax at the end of a long day With every room offering a breathtaking view of the sea the best place to watch the sunrise is from the comfort of your bed If you’ve made a reservation to visit Enoura Observatory plan to flesh out your day’s itinerary with some time at the harbor before or after Whether you’re an early riser who wants to arrive from the open time of 5:30am or you’re more interested in a lunchtime wander you’ll find an assortment of fresh seafood waiting for you Customers can pick and choose from a variety of fish and seafood caught that morning right outside the front door The restaurant’s classic dish is a rice bowl with a seafood topping of your choice you’ll be greeted by a traditional gate with a view on the ocean The museum itself boasts a modern architecture meant to blur the lines between the indoors and the outdoors from the use of various stones in the infrastructure to the outdoor installations all meant to promote and preserve Odawara’s lush environment Download Odawara Sampo you may want to explore and experience the pleasant autumn season a popular tourist town with many beautiful attractions Fuji over its beautiful lake and mountains you don’t have to drive long to reach this picturesque destination it’s a short one-hour ride or easily accessible via train Since I live in Yokosuka City near the U.S my wife and I often hit the road for some R&R in Hakone and took the Route 134 coastal highway and Seisho Bypass a large town at the west end of the Kanto Plain within two hours Although there are several options to drive from Odawara to Hakone we usually choose the turnpike because it runs via Lake Ashinoko to Hakone Town and offers the scenic views and fresh mountain air we are seeking Taikanzan parking for a splendid view of majestic Mt Fuji and the impressive Hakone Mountain Range Taikanzan Parking Area (Sky Lounge & Observatory) After enjoying refreshing morning air and the beautiful view of Mt After parking the car at the large public parking lot near Lake Ashinoko’s ferry port The Hakone Sekisho is an elaborate collection of restored wooden gates and buildings built by the Edo Shogunate Government over 400 years ago there are samurai warrior wax figures to demonstrate the inspections travelers were subjected to during the time Take a break here for some great souvenirs a quick soba lunch and manju buns filled with azuki bean jam We spent hours exploring the checkpoint then hit the road to Yugawara Town another famous hot spring resort 30 minutes away Admission: middle schoolers or older: 500 yen Yugawara City is home to dozens of traditional hot spring ryokan inns a beautiful valley with waterfalls and spacious park stretching along the valley with spa facilities Man-yo Park in the city center spreads along the Chitose River and was selected as one of the best 100 historical parks of Japan The recreational area is great for hiking and a nice picnic drinks and snacks for our al fresco meal inside The park even offers Japanese-language book rentals so you can take a break from hiking to sit and read to your hearts’ content the park also has another unique feature — Soyu a sprawling spa with indoor and outdoor hot spring baths enjoy the facility for five hours and enjoy a lunch made local fish and vegetables the spa also has a nice library of books about the city Although we didn’t reserve the spa facility we instead enjoyed the foot spa at the entrance for free After we ate lunch on a bench overlooking the beautiful valley driving along the Manazuru Road coastal highway of eastern Izu Peninsula deep blue waters of Sagami Bay greeted us as we drove by we made sure to stop at a seafood shop for some dried horse mackerel and visited the Odawara Castle to wrap up our day trip Yugawara Man-yo Park - Soyu Terrace “Books and Retreat” Kanagawa Prefecture (One-hour drive from Camp Zama and NAF Atsugi) The landmark castle and icon of Odawara has been around for 550 years is a concrete reproduction constructed in 1960 Enter the tower to check out the castle’s history in exhibits featuring facts and figures The castle grounds have a vast flower garden spread along the stone walls a classic teahouse and a couple of museums housed in traditional buildings we walked around the center city of Odawara looking for some local souvenirs The area outside the castle has a variety of restaurants so grab a meal and some snacks before you head home By the time we had shopped ‘til we dropped Make plans to visit this beautiful region soon especially as the foliage starts to change to vibrant yellows and deep crimsons The weather and views are a good reason to go but the hot springs and delicious local foods make it a place you definitely have to see for yourself Admission: Castle Tower: High schoolers and older 510 yen Samuraikan: High schoolers and older 200 yen Sign up for our weekly newsletter of articles from Japan Japan’s NTT teamed with local organisations to deploy a network of IoT sensors across forests in Odawara city to improve the monitoring of wild birds and animals and manage populations with the aim of reducing crop damage in rural areas The operator stated the proof-of-concept demo is expected to show IoT technology can improve the efficiency of wildlife control work adding the rise in animal populations near urban areas is related to environmental changes associated with climate change and the overpopulation of their natural habitat in forests By using sensors to gather vibration data around traps the new installation reduced the time required to locate traps by an average of 57 per cent compared with the previous notification system The switch from manual to automated reconfiguration reduced the time required to re-activate traps by 85 per cent VirtualTech Japan provided the sensors and supported the IoT terminal operation; Japan Multi Hunters monitored the traps and captured animals; and non-profit organisation Odawara Inoshikanet allowed access to the forest March 11 will be the cut-off date for Chula Vista residents to apply to become an ambassador for the 2019 Chula Vista Sister City Exchange Program with the city of Odawara The city of Chula Vista’s International Friendship Commission is accepting the applications online will be selected to represent Chula Vista in Odawara in August “I am very excited to be a part of this program that gives a wonderful opportunity to students and young professionals to travel to Odawara Japan to represent our city of Chula Vista,” said Judy Gallardo “We would like our ambassadors to share the cultural richness our city has to offer This program helps forge friendships across the miles.” “The ambassadors are hosted by families in each of the respective countries (no hotels),” said Lynnette Tessitore cultural arts director for the city of Chula Vista “All tours and activities are donated by community partners No city general fund monies are used for housing and have knowledge of the city of Chula Vista,” said Tessitore host families are needed for delegates visiting Chula Vista The host application asks for gender preference if you are able to supply three meals a day and listing all other persons (adults and children) living in the home among other questions Applications are available online at http://www.chulavistaca.gov/residents/cultural-arts/odawara-application contact cultural arts manager Lynnette Tessitore at ltessitore@chulavistaca.gov or (619) 409-5465 Log in to leave a comment Flickr DR Odawara Castle lesterwalbrugh Flickr Close Plum festivalIn Odawara a coastal town on Sagami Bay in Kanagawa Prefecture the end of winter is brightened by the blooming of more than 35,000 plum trees The municipality honors them by organizing Odawara is unquestionably one of the most beautiful places in Kanagawa Prefecture to admire plum blossoms including the splendid "weeping plum trees" share the honors: Joshi Koen Park and Soga Bairin (the plum grove) Soga Bairin is made up of three gardens : Nakagawara This is where most of the events take place The 35,000 or so plum trees with their white or even red plumes perfume the air as much as they delight the eye In the distance, the mountains of Hakone Hot Springs and Mount Fuji loom which has earned the location be selected as one of “Kanto's 100 Best Views for Viewing Mount Fuji” revealing between their branches the keep and the castle gate in the background The place is very popular with photographers The highlight of the festival is the horseback archery competition (yabusame) with archers in period costumes from the Takeda Archery School this event will take place on February 11 (17 in case of bad weather) from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm in the Ume Soga Hayashibara district On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays (February 11), professionals and amateurs animate several events such as haiku recitals Odawara being known for its artisanal manufacture of lanterns As in all festivals in Japan, many food and drink stalls are set up everywhere. This is an opportunity to taste local specialties made from ume (green plums that cannot be eaten raw): umeshu (plum liqueur), plum jam, or even umeboshi (plums sweet and sour) Please note that these various events are canceled in the event of snow or rain With Les matsuri, Japanese festivals, it's party time all year round! Hakone Discovery Hakone Yunessun Japan In a Week Group Tours in Japan Discover Japan Group Tours in Japan The Tokaido Road Group Tours in Japan Urban and Rural Japan Group Tours in Japan Fuji Matsuri Shibazakura to bring beauty to the Japanese landscape.. Hakone Daimyo Gyoretsu Do not be surprised if in a little street in Hakone you come across a samurai or a chariot carrier Ashinoko Kosui Matsuri one of the most important festivals of Hakone is held in honor of the nine-headed dragon of Lake Ashi Nightlife in Japan: Going out, seeing and drinking Temples and shrines in Japan Markets in Japan Onsen, Hot Springs and Public Baths Family Travel Parks and Gardens Outdoor Activities Museums and Galleries View more Sign up and be the first to hear our news and special offers a character for which Boric had publicly confessed his preference on Twitter A figurine from the popular Japanese comic series Pokemon This is the particular gift that the foreign minister of Japan whom he met yesterday in Santiago de Chile The talks were held on the eve of Boric's inauguration ceremony Please upgrade to a more modern version to fully experience JapanToday site and for security reasons Guests will be given insight and background on the role of the ninja in Japanese history There will be a particular focus on the Fuma Ninja of Odawara The experience will be hosted by one of Japan’s preeminent experts of Ninja at the Ninja Hall on the grounds of Odawara Castle in Japan The program will be about 40 minutes and will start with a bit of historical context about the ninja The core of the program will be time to learn and use practical techniques used by ninja such as breathing Guests will also have time to engage with the ninja host with questions and comments towards the end of the program Hiroshi Jinkawa is a preeminent scholar and practitioner of the ninja arts in Japan Based in the mountains just outside of Tokyo Jinkawa sensei has hosted people for ninja experiences for many years and been an ambassador for the world of the ninja to children and mass media in Japan Recently he has participated in many activities to allow more people to experience and learn about the Fuma Ninja of Odawara During the warring states period of Japanese history (1467-1615) various regional lords were in a constant state of war for preservation or expansion This time is famous as the age of the samurai There were several famous ninja clans serving differing feudal lords in Japan the Fuma Ninja were one of the most famous a powerful family that ruled over a large part of central Japan (including the present Tokyo area) from their castle in Odawara The ninja performed many covert activities that you will also learn during the experience Odawara is a city full of tradition and culture located just south of Tokyo The beautiful city sits on the coast between the Pacific Ocean and mountains of Hakone which also gives it delicious food to enjoy This once was an influential center of power for the Hojo clan and became an important commercial stop between Kyoto and Tokyo in the later years There are still many businesses and festivals in the city that can trace their roots back to the time of the ninja and samurai The compact city is easily explored by foot and enjoyed by visitors throughout the year Join the leading Asian tourist attraction to assist our diverse range of customers Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts A mix of what's trending on our other sites ArtReviewNews16 March 2015artreview.com Japanese photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto has designed the plans for the building that will house the Odawara Art Foundation, a non-profit organisation founded by the artist in 2009, the Art Newspaper reports The project was funded through a $6m grant awarded by the Japan Society who will collaborate with the foundation to produce exhibitions and performances In tune with the foundation’s ambition to promote Japanese culture and history the arts complex will include exhibition halls a contemporary Noh theatre with a stage that appears to float above the sea a tea ceremony room as well as an underground tunnel from which visitors can view the sunrise during the winter solstice The foundation will spread over 9,500 square metres on the coast of the Sagami Bay in eastern Japan along with the costs associated with the project ArtReviewNews Mia SternNews ArtReviewNewsartreview.com02 May 2025 The painting, worth €50 million, has sustained visible scratches The 10 Exhibitions to See in May 2025ArtReviewPreviewsartreview.com02 May 2025 Our editors on the exhibitions they’re looking forward to this month, from the Venice Architecture Biennale to Gallery Weekends in Berlin and Beijing AdvertisementHow the Museum Became a WeaponWilliam ShokiOpinionartreview.com02 May 2025 In apartheid South Africa, museums glorified white settlement and erased Black history; 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One thing is certain: we can’t stop watching Disability Is Not a Separate Category of PersonhoodAlice HattrickOpinionartreview.com30 April 2025 The disabled experience is increasingly visible in the artworld yet an ableist political landscape is constantly on the attack. This affects us all We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy For a look at one of Japan’s most unique festivals That’s where the 27th Odawara Lantern Summer Festival is set to take place this July 28 and 29 Organized by the Odawara Tourist Association the event takes place in Odawara Castle Park features the city’s famous traditional lanterns These lanterns were once sold to travelers on the old Tokaido road during the Edo period They’re characterized by their bellows-like shape that made them easy for travelers to carry Some events that will take place during the festival include an art fair where lanterns decorated by local elementary school children will light up the moat of the castle and a chance to experience making your own lantern Those are just a few of the exciting lantern-themed activities at this long-running festival For more information, visit PR TIMES (Japanese only) Transport yourself to feudal Japan by walking around these castle grounds Japan witnessed 150 years of widespread warfare during the 13th and 14th centuries as feudal lords jostled for political positioning leading many noble families to hole up in their manors for weeks at a time resulting in the adaptation of defensive fortifications and the extravagant interior allowed Nobunaga to enjoy a lavish lifestyle While only the ruins of Azuchi Castle remain many examples (and replicas) of historic castles inspired by the design and architecture of Nobunaga’s humble abode can be visited throughout Japan Built in the 15th century, Odawara Castle was ruled for the most part under the Hojo clan, who used it as a strategic point to keep an eye on the surrounding regions. In 1590 the clan was defeated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi who with this and many other victories reunited Japan the castle was destroyed and rebuilt a few times Odawara Castle is the town’s pride and joy – and for a good reason. Located less than a 10-minute walk from Odawara Station, the striking white structure stands over cherry blossoms in the spring making a prime destination for fellow hanami goers but its neighboring park and cafe make for a great day trip from the capital year-round It is one of the closest castles you can visit if you live in Tokyo For more on what to do in Odawara, check out this guide Arguably the most recognizable structure in Kyushu Kumamoto Castle was originally built in the 17th century surrounded by vast castle grounds with many buildings remaining from times now past Many say that Kumamoto Castle offers one of the best castle experiences in Japan and that you can truly get a feel of life in the Meiji era Kumamoto Castle sadly crumbled after a severe earthquake in 2016 and there are still brilliant efforts being put towards its reconstruction the second unavailing of the reconstruction is scheduled for April 26 Plan a future trip to Kumamoto with our helpful guide Matsumoto Castle is the oldest castle remaining in Japan and one of the few castles designated as a National Treasure history-buffs make this sightseeing spot a must-see The beauty of this castle rests in the vast surrounding waters where visitors can often see swans swimming away and its dark colors stand out beautifully against the snowy Nagano winter Matsumoto Castle is also a popular cherry blossom viewing (hanami) spot for locals and domestic travelers See what else there is to discover in Nagano here Okayama Castle’s construction dates back to the late 16th century when local daimyo Hideie Ukita This castle boasts a black-lacquered wood construction which later gave it the nickname of “Crow Castle” What is particularly interesting about it is that when the castle was built a lot of labor was put into making way for the nearby Asahi River to flow to the rear of the castle Climbing the castle stairs and inspecting the historical exhibits inside the building While the castle itself is a beautiful sight here you’ll also find a variety of activities from samurai armor try-ons to pottery workshops Learn more about what to do in Okayama here Wakayama Castle was first built in the 16th century before it was captured by Hideyoshi and rebuilt later as Wakayama Castle the castle served as an important branch of the Tokugawa government The castle was destroyed during World War II only to be rebuilt 13 years later using concrete but don’t let this fool you into thinking the structure doesn’t faithfully recreate the presence of the original building This will hopefully preserve the structure through future earthquakes and other natural disasters to come See what else there is to do in Wakayama City here this castle has survived wars and natural disasters with only some of its parts reconstructed Hikone Castle is one of the five castles designated as a national treasure thanks to blending multiple architectural styles and is considered the most important historical building in Shiga Prefecture The Genkyuen Garden next to the castle was originally built as part of it but nowadays tickets to the garden are sold separately the view of Hikone’s castle main keep from the garden is also worth visiting try to schedule your visit during the cherry blossoms season and enjoy the festival held at the castle’s grounds Plan a day in Shiga with this handy guide To increase your chances of seeing the castle floating The sea of clouds is usually visible from dawn to 8 am on days when a high difference in temperature is observed the color of the roof was restored to the original brick red that it had before it was destroyed as a result of the revolution against the military government of the Edo Period the construction of the castle started in the 14th century you can also visit the Rinkaku Tea House and try some green tea yourself Do not miss the samurai exhibition inside the castle and the view of the park from the top See what else there is to do in Fukushima here it is often considered to be the most beautiful in the country Its exterior resembles the type of castle you see in classic Disney Movies and the cherry blossoms around it only add to its beauty when in full bloom Also known as the White Heron Castle due to its shape resembling that of a heron taking off it has also served as a setting for a few movies like James Bond: You Only Live Twice Check for events such as illuminations or projections onto the castle before you go as they take place regularly Shuri Castle is by far the most recognizable castle in Okinawa but the Nakagusuku Castle ruins are truly the sign of the wealth and grandeur of the Ryukyu Kindom The Ryukyu Kingdom dominated maritime trade with China during its reign and unified the Okinawan islands While there isn’t much of the castle left today walking among the vast ruins will still take you about 30 minutes and even on a cloudy day you can appreciate the resilient construction and masonry It is rare to be able to get so close to history but here visitors can walk through the multitude of areas and even walk along the walls visitors are rewarded with beautiful views of the surrounding city Traveling to Okinawa, here are more things to see and do Built by photographer and architect Hiroshi Sugimoto with the aim of creating a space for the worldwide dissemination of art and Japanese culture, the Odawara Art Foundation comprises an art gallery, a stone stage, a glass stage for Noh theatre, a tearoom, a garden, offices and the Enoura Observatory Hiroshi Sugimoto drew upon his childhood memories ‘My earliest memories are of the sea seen from the train on the old Tokaido line from Atami to Odawara I would be wide-eyed as I saw the horizon stretch out before me It was in these moments of wonder that I realised who I was and that I was on this earth.’ This project also allows the architect to return to the roots of his creation ‘What should we be expressing in art today There is no simple answer to this question All we can do is continue to return to the source of human consciousness ‘This was the project I had in mind when I came up with the Enoura Observatory’ The observatory was conceived as a means of rediscovering the emotions felt by people when they first became aware of the passage of time and the seasons by measuring the trajectory of the sun ‘My goal in creating this complex is to reconnect people with the most ancient human memories that are natural phenomena’ the pendulum of the seasons swings back again The spring and autumn equinoxes are the balancing points inbetween.’ which is the visible part of the foundation is intended to highlight the unusual light of the equinoxes and solstices The steel structure measures 70 metres and seems to have been delicately placed in the middle of the garden it offers an incredible spectacle: when the sun rises its rays illuminate the rock placed at the entrance to the observatory before reflecting across the glass stage of the Noh theatre the artist made a point of drawing on Japanese traditions and craftsmanship most noticeable in his stringent respect for the rules of Sakuteiki a book on the art of gardens that dates back to the Heian era The region of Odawara is home to a number of craftspeople masters of ancient techniques passed down through the generations Hiroshi Sugimoto was keen to collaborate with them on his construction in order to ensure the preservation of such trades where so much natural beauty has been destroyed we need more than ever to revive these ancient Japanese traditions’ More information on the Odawara Art Foundation and the Enoura Observatory can be found on their website Ephemeral Sculptures at the Tottori Sand Museum Supporter of Artistic Projects Between Japan and Europe Traditional tattoos were strong signifiers; murderers had head tattoos Nagisa Oshima made Sada Abe the heroine of his film defying the codes of 'pinku eiga' that make men the focus of attention This rice soup seasoned with miso is served by a monk to Ashitaka one of the heroes in Hayao Miyazaki's film The series 'Hysteric Ten' by photographer Sawatari Hajime revisits one of the most sulphurous relationships in Japanese art we interviewed its founder and chief representative TW gives you the lowdown on the best eats in this historical Kanagawa city Many are familiar with the delights of Hakone due to its proximity to Japan’s most famous landmark, Mount Fuji. Right next door, however, lies Odawara, a city perched along Sagami Bay and the westernmost area of Kanagawa Prefecture we really recommend this particular pit-stop as you traverse through the vast expanses of Kanagawa Here are five places to savor local cuisine It’s a wonder that this style of shaved-ice without ice hasn’t spread further to other parts of Japan Both the name and the relaxed style of this eatery give off a no-frills vibe to go with its high-quality seafood dishes Built around the concept of wanting to eat what the fishermen eat patrons can expect a menu of classic staples plus a smaller list based on the freshest catch of the day If you’re up for a mix of different dishes there are teishoku deals that offer both sashimi and fish fry it’s recommended to supplement your meal sets with a savory plate to share such as grilled yellowtail or aji tataki it’s far too easy to just roll yourselves out the door with a satisfied belly If you’ve always wondered how the Japanese made their bouncy, delicious fish cakes known as kamaboko, the Suzuhiro Kamaboko Village has all of your answers With more than 150 years of history in the seafood retail business the existing Suzuhiro estate is now a multiplex that houses factory tours kamaboko workshops and traditional Japanese dining Visitors can easily make their own kamaboko experience a kamaboko kaiseki meal and sip on Hakone-brewed craft beer From its gift shop you can purchase classic chikuwa and kamaboko for use in home dishes like nabe or to enhance a light meal of hot soba Suzuhiro has also started selling kamaboko with modern flavors such as a fig and cheese and a salmon and avocado kamaboko which pair brilliantly with a glass of wine And to ensure there really is something for everyone you can even pick up a Tomika Kamaboko for the kids fish cakes shaped like buses and police cars The aesthetics are unbeatable with its formidable exterior that features all the hallmarks of Japanese architecture and a classic tatami-style flooring for its private rooms most go for the specialty tempura that range across a variety of local fish and prawns plus eggplant Other great options that are on the lighter side are its seafood chirashi sushi and premium tuna sashimi donburi The pinnacle of seafood in this area lies in Odawara Fish Center. This is a capsule sized version of Japanese seafood market greats like Tsukiji You’ll find a mix of eateries and stalls peddling all kinds of fish octopus and their various entrails for purchase home or to eat there and then There’s also a barbecue area should you wish to grill your purchases over hot coals immediately Don’t skip out on the kaisendon restaurant either Oshokujidokoro Kaiga 1 makes a mean akami (red tuna) don and also some lip-smacking simmered kinmedai (goldeneye snapper) Odawara in Kanagawa Prefecture is a 90-minute train ride from the heart of Tokyo The city is a popular destination for Japanese and foreign tourists wishing to visit Odawara Castle and its environs This castle town was the prosperous stronghold of the powerful Hōjō warrior clan during the Warring States period (1467–1568) About a five-minute walk from Odawara Station is the old merchant building that houses Ejima—a store dealing in Japanese paper and tea When we stepped inside the premises of Ejima 50-year-old Ejima Ken was there to great us with a smile and show us around Ejima told us a redevelopment plan was drawn up in the late 1980s when Japan’s bubble economy was at its peak The idea was to tear the building down and use the site to build a condo building and parking lot But after the store was moved to a temporary location in preparation for the construction the bubble burst and the plan was called off The historical building was preserved for future generations to enjoy and Ejima ended up returning to continue its retail operations Ejima is housed in a striking historical building located right in the heart of Odawara The history of the business can be traced back to 1661 a post station on the Tōkaidō route that connected Edo (now Tokyo) to Kyoto “At first Gonbei ran a salt-production operation on the coast of Odawara,” Ejima Ken explained “In becoming a merchant he was much like those today who give up the life of the salaried employee to try some other profession It was around the eighteenth century that our family began to produce paper used in screen doors and sliding panels and after that we started to deal in tea and tea-related products as well It was thanks to those endeavors that our family business began to prosper.” the family began to sell tea products after one of its merchants encountered an exceptional tea product when conducting paper business in present-day Shizuoka Prefecture the family achieved great success selling tea At first it might seem that Japanese paper and tea are completely unrelated but the family showed foresight in quickly recognizing the value of Shizuoka tea which is now widely considered the best in all of Japan Thanks to that sound judgement the Ejima business was able to carve out its history as a leading dealer in both tea and paper—a position it still holds today Ceramic containers of green tea with the “Ejima-en” label the family business faced a dire crisis in the wake of the Great Kantō Earthquake that struck that year resulting in over 100,000 missing or dead in the Tokyo and Kanagawa area The Ejima store was among the buildings destroyed by the disaster “I heard that the fire after the earthquake was what destroyed part of the building,” Ejima Ken noted “Our storehouse and many of the records and other materials from the Edo period [1603–1868] were also lost the store had to be housed in a nearby makeshift building.” threw himself into the task of rebuilding the business Within five years the family store was rebuilt in its present location earthquake-resistant building materials from various places The two-story wooden merchant building is 195 square meters in size and characterized by its protruding lean-to roof (hisashi) At the time it was constructed most homes cost around ¥3,000 to build the building was fortunate to escape the aerial bombardment of Odawara unscathed It also survived intact when many old buildings were torn down in the booming 1980s And so the “Ejima” placard has continued to be displayed to this day the building was recognized by the city of Odawara as a “street corner museum”—a designation created for local stores and factories that are important landmarks for cultural or industrial history One portion of the Ejima family’s long history can be seen in a display of historical materials at the store There are items on display from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and photographs of the store over the years as well as the special coats worn by the seven men who engaged in the plasterwork and landscaping for the store’s construction These objects are carefully displayed in a glass showcase Ejima Ken the seventeenth owner of the Ejima business stands in front of the area displaying objects from the merchant family’s 350-year history Ledger books and other rare well-preserved historical materials are on display at the Ejima store the Ejima family business faced a major turning point It was then that Ejima Taisuke was urged by other members of the family to launch a new propane gas business but soon after the end of the war the use of propane gas began in Japan,” Ejima Ken said “My grandfather took the lead in selling this fuel in Odawara.” against the backdrop of the fuel shortages of the time The Ejima family drew on its proactive approach to date of selling a variety of items as seen in its initial move into the paper goods in the Edo period as well as the subsequent branching out into sales of tea Today the propane gas sales are handled under the family’s affiliate company Marue (also based in Odawara) and the Ejima store is run as a division of that company who took over the family business 25 years ago has the title of Director of Marue as well as Ejima Business Division Manager Tea-related products account for around 70% of all sales at the centuries-old store while Japanese paper represents the remaining 30% which is a 20% decline compared to the level 10 years ago much of the drop was caused by the slump that followed the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan when the store had an annual turnover of only around ¥1.5 billion Sales have been recovering over the past few years The store’s main tea-related products are the upscale green tea that is produced in the city of Kakegawa in Shizuoka Prefecture and other types of Japanese tea packaged under the Ejima-en brand Customers who visit the store can see porcelain urns or wooden boxes used to store tea as well as old-fashioned scales to measure the tea Ejima Ken also emphasizes that the store has been striving to come up with innovative sales ideas to counter the recent trend of consumers away from green tea Some of the main types of Japanese tea sold at Ejima The Ejima-en brand brings together well-known local varieties Near the scales used to weigh the tea that is sold that has long served as the symbol mark for the store we began sales of a new tea-bag product for green tea much like those used for black tea,” Ejima Ken explained “It was developed over the period of a year in collaboration with a manufacturer based in Shizuoka The convenience appeals to younger people in particular who do not tend to make tea using a teapot This is one way that we are striving to keep up with the times.” Sumiko is at the heart of the Japanese paper business overlooking the sales of paper products obtained from manufacturers across Japan The brightly colored luxury papers used for paper art and wrapping gifts such as the Yuzen paper that originated in Kyoto have been particularly popular in recent years Ejima Sumiko says that the paper sold at Ejima is characterized by a light texture and use of color and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as offering exciting opportunities “These past few years we have had a noticeable influx of tourists from China We plan to respond to this development by creating English and Chinese labels for our products and we also plan to negotiate with the local tax authorities for our store to be granted duty-free status I am eager for people overseas to become more familiar with green tea as an integral part of the healthy Japanese diet that promotes longevity and for them to also learn more about the tradition of Japanese paper The business plans to draw on the Internet to strengthen mail-order sales and to even open a shop in Hawaii to promote overseas sales of its popular “cold green tea.” At the same time the company aims to open an Ejima shop in Tokyo where it had a presence around three decades ago These are some of the ways that the owner of Ejima is seeking to strengthen local brand value while also looking to new growth opportunities