Most songs start slowly. This one doesn’t. It starts at the top.
My photo: looking up at the big city at night. Photo: Segaijin
In 1979, a band from Kyushu released a debut single that opens with a soaring high note, with no intro at all. It sold more than 1.5 million copies.
The song
“Daitokai” (大都会, “The Big City”) by Crystal King (クリスタルキング) was released on November 21, 1979, as the band’s debut single. It won the grand prize at the 18th Yamaha Popular Song Contest (known in Japan as “Popcon”), a famous contest that launched many Japanese artists. It became the third best-selling single of 1980 in Japan.
The idea of starting at the top
Normally, a song builds up to its big moment. “Daitokai” does the opposite. It is said that vocalist Masayuki Tanaka (田中昌之) wanted to surprise listeners right away, with the highest note at the very beginning.
As a kid, I thought the name alone was bold: Crystal King. It sounded so confident. And the song matched the name. It opened at the highest note, with no warm-up at all.
Why I fell for this song
I felt refreshed every time I heard that first note. It is bold, and it does not hesitate. In Japanese, we might call this isagiyoi (潔い), which means clean, brave, and with no hesitation. It was very powerful for me back then.
And then there’s the harmony. Two vocalists, Masayuki Tanaka and Monsieur Yoshisaki, blend their voices so tightly that it sounds like one big voice. To me, it is still the best harmony I have ever heard, even today. Please listen for yourself.
Listen
Many people know Crystal King for another song: “Ai o Torimodose!!” (愛をとりもどせ!!), the first opening theme of the anime Fist of the North Star (北斗の拳) in 1984. I remember it very well. It was hugely popular. I only realized recently that it was the same band, and it made me happy to connect the two songs after all these years.
Listen on Spotify:
Crystal King’s best-of CD (CDJapan, affiliate link):
In April 1981, singer Hitomi Ishikawa released her 11th single, “Machibuse” (まちぶせ). It reached #6 on the Oricon chart, stayed on it for 12 weeks, and reportedly sold over 700,000 copies. At the end of that year, it took her to the Kohaku Uta Gassen for the first time.
My photo: a street corner at dusk, and a café where two seem to be laughing together. Photo: Segaijin
The song
Yumi Arai (now known as Yumi Matsutoya, or “Yuming”) wrote both the lyrics and the music. The title means “lying in wait.” A girl waits for the boy she likes and hopes he will notice her.
A song that began with someone else
The first singer was not Ishikawa. Seiko Miki recorded it in 1976 as her debut single. It reached only #47, and she later left the music world after vocal problems. Five years later, the song found its audience through another voice.
The numbers
Ishikawa’s version reached #6 on the Oricon chart and #3 on TBS’s music show The Best Ten. It took more than two months to climb the charts, a slow burn rather than an instant hit.
Ishikawa’s turning point
By her third year as a singer, Ishikawa still had no big hit. One article says she treated this as her last single. She had even sung it at her audition before her debut. The song extended her career.
Yuming sings it herself
In 1996, Yumi Matsutoya recorded her own version under the name Yumi Arai. It reached #5 and sold about 372,000 copies. Singers such as Hideaki Tokunaga, JUJU, Keisuke Kuwata and Mone Kamishiraishi have covered it too.
Why this song stays with me
Listening again now, I am struck by how much of a girl’s heart is packed into this song. Yuming writes with such sharp eyes.
This is how I read it. A girl notices that another girl has suddenly become beautiful. She is jealous, but she pretends not to care and walks right into their conversation on purpose. Then she sits across the table and gives him hot looks. It is not just nervousness. It is a shrewd plan to win him. I imagine sparks flying between the two girls, all hidden behind polite smiles. Yuming tells the whole drama without explaining a thing.
If you want to understand Japanese girls, or learn to read between the lines of what they do, this song is full of hints. The title may sound a little scary today, but I hear it as a funny, fierce picture of a girl who has decided to win him.
Listen
While researching this article, I listened to the versions one after another, and I made a fun discovery. When the singer changes, the scene I imagine changes too. The same girl, the same jealousy, but each voice gives her a different face. I enjoyed every minute of digging into this song. Over 45 years, this song has been sung by both women and men. The scene changes with each voice, but the feeling stays the same. Compare the versions on Spotify:
In February 1983, a soft-voiced singer-songwriter from Kumamoto released his fifth single. “Hatsukoi” (初恋), by Kozo Murashita, reached #3 on the Oricon chart and sold about 526,000 copies. It remains his biggest hit.
The song
Murashita wrote both the lyrics and the music. It is a gentle song about a first love that never quite came true. The sources I found disagree on its origin. One account says it grew from his middle school years in Minamata, when he liked a girl from the tennis club but never told her. Other accounts mention a producer’s advice and the schoolyard scenes in the lyrics. Probably it was a mix of memory and craft.
The numbers
It reached #3 on the Oricon chart and sold about 526,000 copies. More than 60 artists have covered it since.
A song that became a street
In 2013, a monument to the song was built in Minamata, his hometown, and a local shopping street was renamed “Hatsukoi-dori” (First Love Street). It is rare for one pop song to leave a mark on a real place like this.
Minamata is also known around the world for Minamata disease, the mercury poisoning first identified there in 1956. A chemical company released mercury-containing waste into Minamata Bay for decades, and local people who ate the contaminated fish were harmed. The government officially recognized the cause in 1968. Since the 1990s, the town has worked to remember that history and to repair the bonds between its people. Today, a gentle love song stands in the same town, carved in stone, as a source of local pride.
Why this song stays with me
I always loved this song. What I like most is how simple it is. It says, without decoration, what anyone who has ever liked someone in their youth has felt. My favorite line is the one about someone running across the schoolyard after school (「放課後の校庭を走る君がいた」). I can see the whole scene.
One line always made me wonder: “the rainy season rain is green” (「五月雨は緑色」). I even had to look up the first word. “Samidare” means the long rain of the old calendar’s fifth month, which falls around June today. But what color is that, exactly? I never knew. From what I found, even the people around him did not fully explain it. Many readers take it to mean that the rain looks green because the new leaves are bright, or because falling in love changes how the whole world looks. Only while writing this did I notice that the second verse also begins with a color: the glow of the evening sky, apricot (「夕映えはあんず色」). That one I understood right away.
Fresh green leaves in the rain. Photo by the author. Photo: SegaijinThe evening glow, apricot-colored. Photo by the author. Photo: Segaijin
While searching for details for this article, I learned something I never knew: Murashita died in June 1999, at only 46. His voice sounds so warm and young that I never imagined he was gone. Fans now call the day of his death “Samidare-ki,” the Rainy Season Memorial, after the very first word of this song. Maybe that is why the song still feels so alive. It keeps his voice with us.
I would love to visit Minamata on a future trip and walk down Hatsukoi-dori myself.
Listen
You can also watch the official music video, with beautiful paper-cut (kirigami) animation, on YouTube:
Kozo Murashita’s best-of CD (CDJapan, affiliate link):
In September 1980, a young duo from Fukuoka released their third single. “Banri no Kawa” (万里の河), by CHAGE and ASKA (then known as Chage & Aska), became their first Top 10 hit in Japan.
The song
ASKA wrote both the lyrics and the music. He aimed for a commercial hit, and built the melody on Chinese-style phrases and an “oriental” vocal line. The lyrics follow a woman waiting for a lover who has left, using the endless flow of a river as a metaphor for longing.
The Isuzu River near Ise Jingu. Photo by the author. Photo: Segaijin
The numbers
It reached #6 on the weekly Oricon chart and sold about 537,000 copies.
A TV moment
The duo performed it on TBS’s music show The Best Ten from a Tohoku Shinkansen station, before the line officially opened.
The trap of success
The hit also boxed ASKA in. He felt pressure to keep writing similar songs, until the duo changed labels and released “Morning Moon,” which marked their creative release.
Why this song stays with me
I was still a child when I first heard this song, and the title alone stopped me. “Banri” means “ten thousand miles,” and those words made China feel unimaginably vast to me. I remember being deeply moved by that sense of scale.
I only realized while writing this article that I had been mixing up this song with the Great Wall, “Banri no Chojo” (万里の長城). The song is about a river, “Banri no Kawa,” but the two titles had melted into one in my childhood memory.
The Great Wall, which I mixed up with the song’s title. Photo by Ajmal MK on Unsplash Photo: Segaijin
A pop song taught a child how big a country could be, even if she got the name wrong. Decades later, I still feel that quiet wonder whenever I hear it.
It is wonderful how a single song can bring a whole era back to us.
In my garden grows a pomegranate tree that has been here since before I was born — over 50 years old. Every autumn, it produces around 50 bright red fruits, filling the garden with color. This year, I’m finally going to make my own pomegranate vinegar!
The Buddhist Legend of Pomegranate
In Japan, pomegranate has a sacred connection to Buddhism. Kishimojin was a demon who devoured children — until the Buddha offered her a pomegranate as a substitute. She was transformed, becoming a protector of children. Her shrines in Tokyo’s Zoshigaya and Iriya are still visited by many today.
Beauty Secret from Korea to Japan
Pomegranate vinegar is hugely popular in Korea as a beauty drink — great for skin and anti-aging. The recipe is simple: equal parts pomegranate seeds, sugar, and vinegar. Mix and wait one month. I’ll be trying this myself this autumn!
A shopping street that food lovers adore — and one that is always a joy to visit.
How to Get There
Take the Tsukuba Express to Asakusa Station, then follow the yellow signs to Exit A2. You’ll see “For Kappabashi Kitchenware Town” written in English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean right on the floor.
From Exit A2, it’s a 7-minute walk. You can’t miss it.
つくばエクスプレス浅草駅A2出口を出て徒歩7分。床の黄色いサインが目印。
What Makes Kappabashi Special
Kappabashi — locals call it Kappa-bashi Dougu-gai — is a 170-meter street packed with over 170 shops selling professional-grade kitchen tools. Chefs from all over Japan shop here. And now, so can you.
Japanese knives are world-famous — and Kappabashi is where you buy them.
You’ll find everything from traditional shops with wooden displays of hand-crafted blades to sleek modern stores like ZAKU Knives, where the design feels more like a concept store than a kitchen shop.
Prices range from ¥4,100 for a basic knife to tens of thousands for professional chef’s knives. Labels are in both Japanese and English.
This is the detail most visitors miss — and the one they’ll remember forever.
Several shops on Kappabashi offer free name engraving on kitchen knives, completed the same day. You can walk out with a personalized Japanese knife in your hands within minutes.
Look for the sign: “Engraving a name — Free Charge. Today you can take out.”
It makes the perfect gift. Or keep it for yourself.
Kappabashi isn’t only about knives. Look out for shops like Soil, which carries handmade ceramics from regions across Japan — Hasami-yaki from Nagasaki, Mashiko-yaki from Tochigi, Yachimunn from Okinawa.
Each piece tells a story of Japanese craftsmanship. Prices are reasonable, and the display cases are beautiful enough to photograph.
包丁だけじゃない。波佐見焼・益子焼・やちむんなど全国の焼き物も揃う。
Tips for Foreign Visitors
Knives in checked luggage only — you cannot bring them in carry-on bags on flights
Most shops are open 10am–5pm, closed on Sundays
Cash and IC cards are accepted at most shops; some accept credit cards
The street is uncrowded on weekday mornings — the best time to visit
Have you been to Kappabashi? What did you buy? Let me know in the comments.
📖 Learn More: The World of Japanese Knives
Fascinated by Japanese knives? This beautifully illustrated book dives deep into the craft, culture, and history behind Japan’s legendary blades — perfect reading before or after your Kappabashi visit! 👉 The Anatomy of a Japanese Knife (Amazon)
Japan is famous for many things — cherry blossoms, sushi, and bullet trains. But there’s one liquid treasure that most foreigners leave Japan without truly understanding: sake (日本酒).
As a certified International Kikisake-shi (国際唎酒師) — Japan’s official sake sommelier qualification — and a wine sommelier with 15 years of experience as a tour guide, I’ve introduced sake to thousands of visitors from around the world.
This is the guide I wish every foreigner had before their first sip.
1. What Is Sake? 🍶
Sake is a Japanese alcoholic beverage brewed from fermented rice. Despite often being called “rice wine,” the brewing process is actually closer to beer — enzymes convert starches into sugars, which then ferment into alcohol.
Sake typically contains 15–16% alcohol — stronger than wine but usually drunk in smaller quantities.
It has been part of Japanese culture for over 2,000 years, used in religious ceremonies, celebrations, and everyday dining.
2. The 4 Main Types of Sake You Need to Know
Type
Rice Polishing
Flavor
Best For
Junmai (純米)
No requirement
Rich, full-bodied
Food pairing
Ginjo (吟醸)
60% or less
Fruity, light
Beginners
Daiginjo (大吟醸)
50% or less
Elegant, complex
Special occasions
Honjozo (本醸造)
70% or less
Smooth, easy-drinking
Everyday drinking
Pro tip from your sake sommelier: Start with Ginjo — it’s approachable, fruity, and easy to love for first-timers.
3. How to Taste Sake Like a Professional 👃
Follow these steps at any sake tasting:
Step 1 — Look: Hold the glass up to light. Good sake is clear and bright, sometimes with a light golden hue.
Step 2 — Smell: Gently swirl and nose the glass. Notice fruity aromas (apple, pear, melon) or more earthy, umami-rich notes.
Step 3 — Sip: Take a small sip and let it coat your tongue. Notice:
Sweetness vs. dryness (amakuchi vs. karakuchi)
Acidity
Umami depth
Finish length
Step 4 — Pair: Notice how the sake changes when eaten with food. This is where sake truly shines.
4. Hot or Cold? The Temperature Question
One of the most common questions from foreigners:
Temperature
Name
Type
Chilled (5–10°C)
Reishu (冷酒)
Fruity Ginjo/Daiginjo
Room temp (20°C)
Hiya (冷や)
Junmai
Warm (40–50°C)
Atsukan (熱燗)
Honjozo, Junmai
My recommendation: Premium sake (Ginjo, Daiginjo) is best enjoyed chilled. Everyday sake can be warmed for a cozy experience — especially in winter.
5. How to Read a Sake Label
Don’t be intimidated by Japanese labels! Here are the key words:
純米 (Junmai) — made with only rice, water, yeast
吟醸 (Ginjo) — premium grade
大吟醸 (Daiginjo) — super premium
辛口 (Karakuchi) — dry
甘口 (Amakuchi) — sweet
精米歩合 (Seimaibuai) — rice polishing ratio (lower = more premium)
6. Sake and Food Pairing 🍣
Sake’s secret power is its versatility with food:
Sushi & sashimi → Light Ginjo (complements without overpowering)
Hakkaisan Ginjo (八海山 吟醸) — Reliable, clean, widely available
Kubota Manju (久保田 万寿) — Elegant and complex, perfect as a gift
まとめ / Final Thoughts
Sake is not just a drink — it’s a window into Japanese culture, craftsmanship, and the seasons.
Whether you’re visiting Japan for the first time or ordering sake at a restaurant abroad, I hope this guide gives you the confidence to explore and enjoy.
Kanpai! 乾杯 🍶
Bring Sake Culture Home
Want to start your own sake journey? Here are my sommelier-approved picks, all available on Amazon Japan with international shipping options:
As a Certified International Kikisake-shi, these are tools and bottles I genuinely recommend for anyone exploring the world of Japanese sake.
🇯🇵 日本語まとめ — 国際唎酒師が教える日本酒入門
外国人に日本酒の魅力を伝えるための基本ガイドです！
日本酒はお米から作る醸造酒。ビールに近い製法
種類は4つ：純米・吟醸・大吟醸・本醸造
初心者には吟醸がおすすめ — フルーティーで飲みやすい
温度で味が変わる：高級酒は冷やして・普通酒は燗もOK
ラベルの「辛口・甘口・精米歩合」を覚えると選びやすい
料理との相性抜群 — 特に寿司・刺身・チーズ
デパートや専門店で質の高い日本酒が買える
ネット通販でも購入可能（海外配送あり）
注いでもらう時は両手でカップを持つのがマナー
「乾杯！」で始まる日本酒体験を楽しんでください 🍶
この記事を書いたのは国際唎酒師＆ソムリエ資格保持者のJinです。
📚 Want to Become a Sake Expert?
Ready to go deeper into the world of Japanese sake? This comprehensive guide covers everything from how sake is made to how to taste and pair it — written for English speakers exploring Japan’s favorite drink. 👉 The Japanese Sake Bible (Amazon)
Every spring, Japan transforms into a pink wonderland. Cherry blossoms — called sakura (桜) — bloom for just about two weeks, and the Japanese celebrate with hanami (花見), which literally means “flower viewing.”
Parks fill with people, laughter, and bento boxes. It’s one of the most magical experiences you can have in Japan.
But hanami comes with unwritten rules. Miss them, and you might accidentally offend the locals — or simply miss out on the full experience.
Here are 10 things foreigners need to know before their first hanami.
1. Arrive Early to Reserve Your Spot 🕖
In popular parks like Ueno or Yoyogi, people start reserving spots from 6 or 7 AM — sometimes even earlier.
The tool of choice? A blue sheet (ブルーシート) — a simple blue tarp available at any convenience store or 100-yen shop for just a few hundred yen.
You lay it down, leave it there, and come back with your group later. Yes, this is completely normal and accepted.
Pro tip: Send the newest member of your group or the person with the most free time. Waiting for a spot is a rite of passage in Japan.
2. There Are No Trash Cans — Bring a Bag 🗑️
This surprises almost every foreigner.
Japanese parks have very few — sometimes zero — public trash cans. The rule is simple: you bring it, you take it home.
Bring extra plastic bags to sort your garbage (Japan recycles religiously: burnable, plastic, cans). Leaving trash behind is considered extremely disrespectful.
What to bring: A few large zip-lock bags or convenience store bags work perfectly.
3. Don’t Touch or Climb the Trees 🌸
It may be tempting to grab a branch for the perfect photo, but please don’t.
Cherry blossom trees are fragile and carefully maintained by local governments year-round. Shaking branches or climbing trees can damage them — and you’ll get some very stern looks from locals.
Instead, find a spot where petals naturally fall around you. That’s the real magic.
4. Alcohol Is Usually OK — But Read the Park Rules 🍶
One of the most enjoyable parts of hanami is drinking with friends under the blossoms. Beer, sake, wine — it’s all part of the tradition.
However, some parks have recently restricted or banned alcohol. Always check the rules of the specific park you’re visiting before you go.
Generally OK: Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen (check current rules), Yoyogi Park Check first: Parks near schools or shrines may have restrictions
5. Keep the Noise at a Respectful Level 🎵
Hanami can get lively — music, singing, laughter. That’s all part of the fun.
But be mindful of neighbors. If the group next to you is having a quiet family picnic, keep your volume in check. Japan values reading the atmosphere (空気を読む, kuuki wo yomu).
A portable Bluetooth speaker at low volume is fine. A full DJ setup at 11PM? Probably not.
6. Daytime vs. Night Viewing — Two Completely Different Experiences 🌙
Yozakura (夜桜) means “night cherry blossoms,” and it’s breathtaking.
Many parks illuminate the trees after dark, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The crowds are different too — more romantic, more mysterious.
Daytime hanami: Bright, social, family-friendly, great for photos Night hanami: Atmospheric, romantic, less crowded, lantern-lit
Try to experience both if you can.
7. Ask Before Photographing Strangers 📸
Japan has strict privacy norms. Taking photos of strangers — especially children — without permission is considered rude and can cause serious problems.
If someone accidentally appears in your shot, it’s polite to either delete the photo or blur their face if you post it online.
When in doubt, ask: “写真を撮ってもいいですか？” (Shashin wo totte mo ii desu ka?) — “May I take your photo?”
8. What to Bring to Hanami — The Essential Packing List 🎒
Here’s what every experienced hanami-goer brings:
Blue sheet / picnic mat — for your spot
Bento box or convenience store snacks — onigiri, sandwiches, karaage
Drinks — beer, sake, non-alcoholic options
Trash bags — multiple, for sorting
Wet wipes & hand sanitizer — limited facilities in parks
Warm layers — early April mornings can still be cold
Camera or phone — fully charged!
Cash — some park vendors don’t accept cards
🍷 Love wine? A light rosé or sparkling wine pairs beautifully with cherry blossoms. Explore a curated selection of imported wines delivered to Japan →スミレ色の白ワインをご存じですか？
Want to make the most of hanami season? This all-in-one Tokyo travel guide covers the best sakura spots, seasonal tips, and local etiquette — everything you need for the perfect cherry blossom experience! 👉 Tuttle Travel Pack: Your Guide to Tokyo’s Best Sights (Amazon)
Ginza is a dream destination for wine lovers. From affordable standing bars to sophisticated establishments, this iconic district offers every style of wine experience imaginable. As a sommelier working at a Ginza department store, here are my five absolute favorites.
1. Barabara Bao｜Feel Like You’re in Italy
Step inside and you’ll instantly feel transported to Italy. At the entrance, you can enjoy wine and small bites standing up — casual, fun, and very affordable. Perfect for a spontaneous stop. Head further inside and you’ll find a proper restaurant area where you can sit and enjoy a full meal. Both the food and wine deliver authentic Italian quality. 👉 Official Website
2. Termini｜The Joy of Choosing Your Own Wine
A beloved Ginza institution with over 25 years of history. The highlight? You get to walk into the wine cellar and choose your own bottle — it feels like a treasure hunt! Their signature steak platter is outstanding and pairs beautifully with almost any wine on the list. 👉 Official Website
3. Goss｜Perfect for a Casual Glass
A slightly sophisticated wine bar where you can sample various wines in small pours from a wine dispenser. Champagne is also available by the glass. Easy to drop in after work or whenever you have a spare moment. Ideal for those who love exploring different wines without committing to a full bottle. 👉 Official Website
🍷 Love wine? Explore a great selection of imported wines delivered to Japan!
4. Grand Marché｜A Wine Lover’s Paradise Run by Importers
Conveniently located directly connected to the subway in the Sukiyabashi area of Ginza. Because it’s run by a wine importer, the selection is extensive and surprisingly affordable. Several options for glass wine and champagne are always available. You can also purchase directly imported cheeses and salami — perfect for taking back to your hotel. And don’t miss the wine dispenser at the back, where you can try world-class wines like Opus One in small pours. 👉 Official Website
5. Mikasa Kaikan｜A Classic Ginza Experience
One of Ginza’s most storied establishments, offering impeccable service in an elegant setting. The happy hour set is exceptional value and a great way to experience the best of this iconic venue. Perfect for a special evening or an important dinner with someone dear to you. 👉 Official Website
Final Thoughts
Ginza’s wine scene has something for everyone — whether you’re looking for a quick glass after work or a memorable evening out. I hope these five picks help you discover your perfect spot. Cheers! 🍷
Would you like a sommelier to show you around?
I am a JSA-certified sommelier and sake specialist, and I worked as a tour conductor for about ten years. If you would like someone to walk with you to a few of my favorite wine bars in Ginza, I offer small, private wine bar walks.
Ordering in Japanese, choosing a glass that suits you, finding a cozy place that is easy to enter… I would be happy to help. Please feel free to contact me here, and tell me your dates and how many people.
summarize the estimated cherry blossom front in Japan for j 、This year, it’s said that areas like Kanto and Eastern Japan are expected to bloom slightly earlier than usual.
⭐️Tokyo and Kanto: expected to bloom around March 20th, 2026 this year！
