Official Author

山本 孝（Takashi Yamamoto）

About Grand Seiko This video is "Inside Grand Seiko, Episode One: The Master Craftsman" produced by "Hodinkee". It is a valuable video that shows us the state and production process of the workshop that makes the world-class precision watches "Grand Seiko." The commitment of these Watchmaker's cannot be overlooked! The Japanese Micro-Artist Studio Behind Grand Seiko Watches Source :YouTube screenshot Seiko Epson's Shiojiri office in the Koshinetsu region and the Suwa region of Nagano prefecture, introduced in this video, was established with the aim of inheriting the techniques of the watchmaker "Micro Artist Studio." "Every one must be beautiful," says watchmaker Yoshifusa Nakazawa, a watch assembler who continues to produce watches in this studio (0:50 in the video). Mr. Nakazawa has been active as a watch assembler since joining the company in 1978, and in 1981 won the World Skills Competition in Japan. In this workshop, the assembly of the movement (the part that controls the driving of the wristwatch), the installation of the dial, and the case insertion are all performed consistently, so that steps such as maintenance and overhaul can be easily performed. From 1:06 of the video, you can see how precisely each watch is assembled, sometimes using a microscope. From 3:23 in the video, he says, "Mr. Nakazawa inherits 100% of the technology of assembling watches, and the best watches are assembled neatly." What Is Grand Seiko's Original Mechanism the "Spring Drive"!? Source :YouTube screenshot The mechanism “spring drive” mounted on Grand Seiko, which can be seen from 2:51 in the video, is said to be a third engine that combines machinery and quartz. It has a history of 20 years as a model symbolizing the Grand Seiko brand. The model called "44GS" established the design of Seiko style in 1967. It lists three policies, which are as follows: 1. Design consisting of a plane and quadratic surface, with a plane as the main body. Cubic surfaces are not used in principle. 2. Increase the area of the flat surface as much as possible over all cases, dials and hands. 3. In principle, each surface is a mirror surface, and distortion from each mirror surface is minimized as much as possible. Based on this policy, the 44GS was designed with nine features. This Seiko style is designed to spice up the beauty of Japan. It considers the "light" of Japanese people, and those who hold it can feel the beauty of the Japanese in its undistorted, flat planes. Grand Seiko can be called a work packed with the aesthetic sense of Japan. Master Shops Where You Can Buy Limited Items From Grand Seiko Photo：SEIKO The Grand Seiko Master Shops refer to about 140 shops in Japan that have signed a contract with Seiko, and there are several types of limited models sold only to that master shop. Not only men models, but valuable diver models and ladies' models are popular as well. For a list of watches, see the official website. In addition, you can apply for battery replacement from the official website, so please check it out. Of course, Grand Seiko can also be purchased online. Summary of the Popular Japanese Watch Grand Seiko Source :YouTube screenshot Japan's proud Grand Seiko watches have a high reputation in Japan and around the world as watches with a history and ideology. At the end of the video, Nakazawa says, "I imagine that those who use Grand Seiko watches will hand them over to the next generation and pass them on." Why not get your own watch? One that has been created as a work of art that inherits Japanese technology. 【Official Website】Grand Seiko Official Site https://www.grand-seiko.com/us-en

The World Heritage site, Kosuge Slip Dock This video, titled "The World Heritage site and Birthplace of the Modern Shipyard 'Kosuge Slip Dock'" (世界遺産、日本の近代造船所発祥の地「小菅修船場跡」), was released by "videopro8570495." The first Western style dock in Japan, Kosuge Slip Dock is registered as a World Heritage site. It is in Kusuage, Nagasaki city, Nagasaki prefecture, Kyushu and is the birthplace of the modern shipyard. It was completed in December 1868. This Western style dock is used for repairing ships. The pulling device, powered by the oldest steam boiler in Japan, is installed here. The Western style dock has a steam engine boiler called “a slipway” with a platform for pulling the ship. The slipway was called “Abacus Dock” because it looks like an abacus. “Abacus Dock” is shown from 0:55 in the video. Also, the boiler that makes steam and the device to pull the 1,000 ton ship is shown from 3:12 in the video. The History of the Kosuge Slip Dock Source :YouTube screenshot The Kosuge Slip Dock was planned by Thomas Blake Glover who was a Scottish trader and the Satsuma Domain Warlords, such as the Ten Great Nobles of the Restoration, Komatsu Kiyokado and Godai Tomoatsu. The foreign ship repair facility and shipyard, was completed in 1868. The next year, Thomas Glover ran out of funds in the arms trade. He sold the Kosuge Slip Dock to the Meiji Government and it became a facility managed by the Nagasaki Iron Factory and owned by Mitsubishi. After the takeover, it grew to become the current Nagasaki Dockyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, but the business scale was reduced as the ships became larger. During World War II, the company produced small military ships and managed to make a small comeback, but after the war in 1953, it was closed down. Now, the oldest brick building is designated as a historic site of Japan. Its unique brick was called a konjak brick. In 2015, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site as the “Site of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining.” The brick-building is shown from 1:11 in the video. The Mystery of the Kosuge Slip Dock Photo：Kosuge Repair Dock Old Site Kosuge, Nagasaki city, Nagasaki prefecture was the ideal place for pulling in and pulling out ships, because it has a small cove that extends into the land, but it still remains a mystery why the Satsuma clan was able to locate a shipyard in Nagasaki, which was outside of their domain. There are four theories: 1. The economic power of the Satsuma clan extended to Nagasaki 2. Kosuge was under the shogun's jurisdiction 3. The shogunate needed a ship repairing dock 4. A trader patronized by Nagasaki was an applicant for construction The Kosuge Slip Dock, a Sightseeing Location in Nagasaki Source :YouTube screenshot The Kosuge Slip Dock is famous not only for its history, but also as a tourist site. The cottage for pulling up the ships, is open during weekends. The boiler and the huge gear is really something else. You can go to Kosuge, Nagasaki city, Nagasaki prefecture by taking a Nagasaki bus from JR Nagasaki station to Kosugemachi. It's about a 15 minute ride and 5 minutes walk. There is no parking available, so we highly recommend using public transportation. Feel the History of the End of the Tokugawa Shogunate at the Kosuge Slip Dock a World Heritage Site in Nagasaki Source :YouTube screenshot Did you like the article? The breathtaking views are even more powerful if you learn more about the history and background that played an important role in the history of shipyards at the end of Edo period. Please visit the Kosuge Slip Dock World Heritage site when you go to Nagasaki! There are nearby hotels for you to stay at as well. ◆Kosuge Slip Dock◆ 【Address】5 Kosugemachi, Nagasaki city, Nagasaki Prefecture, 850-0934 【Access】A 15 minutes bus ride from JR Nagasaki station to Kosugemachi and then a 5-minute walk 【Entrance fee】None 【Parking】None 【Telephone No】095-829-1314 【Official Website】DISCOVER NAGASAKI official visitor guide https://www.discover-nagasaki.com/ 【Tripadvisor】Kosuge Repair Dock Old Site https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298568-d4952490-Reviews-Kosuge_Repair_Dock_Old_Site-Nagasaki_Nagasaki_Prefecture_Kyushu.html

The Oniyanma - Japan's Largest Dragonfly! This video, titled "Oniyanma (The Largest in Japan)" (オニヤンマ（日本最大）), introduces the oniyanma, a large dragonfly belonging to the Cordulegastridae family and Odonata order. The massive dragonfly has an abdominal length of 7 cm for males and 8 cm for female. Those that inhabit Hokkaido (北海道, Hokkaido), Yakushima Island (屋久島, Yakushima), etc., have a tendency to be smaller. Their eyes are a bright emerald green color, but change color when they are made into specimens. Their body is black with a yellow pattern and fine horizontal stripe at each section. They are compared with sieboldius albardae (ko-oniyanma), but these belong to the Gomphidae family, and are different from oniyanma in that their compound eyes are placed separately on both sides of their head, and their larvae are flat and disk-shaped and live on stones at the bottoms of rivers. Oniyanma - Distribution and Habits Photo：Oniyanma Oniyanma are widely distributed throughout Japan, mainly around streams, riverbanks, outskirts of forests and mountainous areas, but they can also be seen on the plains and in urban areas when it is cooler. International visitors may be surprised to find them in urban areas because of their very large area of activity. When you find a female oniyanma, you can catch it by taking advantage of its habit of stopping its movement and hovering. Male Oniyanma consider anything that flaps its wings to be female, so if you hold a fan or other wind-producing object in front of the male, it will stop moving. If you're a bug collector, you can use this as a reference when collecting! The Life Cycle of Oniyanma Photo：Oniyama Patrol Oniyanma are carnivorous, feeding on moths, flies, and other small flying insects. Their natural predators are birds, bats, etc. They can bite humans as well, so be careful. Male oniyanma mate with females they meet while patrolling their territory. After mating, the female will go to a clean river or puddle to lay her eggs. Upon finding a suitable location, oniyanma perform a unique spawning display in which they will drop to the surface of the water while standing up and flying. You can see a female oniyanma laying eggs at 0:30 in the video. They spawn by thrusting their ovipositor into the mud in the water. Photo：An oniyama hatching Eggs hatch about 1 month after being laid, and the larvae are called nymphs. Nymphs are a translucent white with no wings and a short abdomen. They burrow into the mud to lie in wait for food to pass. When they are young, they feed on water fleas, mosquito larvae, etc., but as they grow older they begin feeding on tadpoles, small fish, etc. In addition, they feed on each other as well as nymphs of other species and, as a result, only the strong survive. It takes five years for them to become adults, and they molt about ten times before reaching this stage. Eventually, compound eyes pop out and the mouth part of the molt becomes a unique face as if they were wearing masks. Eventually, scaly wings form on their backs, and on a sunny summer day, they climb up from the bottom of the water to a stone or pile on the surface of the water and their backs split open and they emerge as adults. Immediately after hatching, their wings are white and shrunken, but over night, the black and yellow pattern appears and the wings solidify. You can amazing footage of an oniyanma molting at 0:58 in the video. After emerging as adults, they continuously feed for about a month before mating. The total life span of an oniyanma is 5-6 years. Summary of Oniyanma- Japan's Largest Dragonfly Photo：An adult oniyanma emerging Did you enjoy learning about the oniyanma, the largest dragonfly in Japan? Footage of them laying eggs is quite rare, so if you still haven't yet, be sure to check it out!

秋田県能代市エリアのおすすめ情報の動画を紹介！ こちらの動画は「decapants2010」が公開した「【秋田県】能代市・北秋田地域観光PR映像」です。 こちらの動画では秋田県能代市・北秋田の絶景やおすすめスポット、日本文化やグルメを紹介しています。 インスタ映えする旅行のルートや穴場も紹介いたします。 秋田県能代市の観光地で人気なのが、きみまち坂です。 屏風岩という景観の良い場所からの紅葉は見ものです。 またその周辺にはきみまち阪県立自然公園があり、自然と温暖な気候を感じる穴場のエリアです。 秋田県能代市は木都とよばれ、日本産の秋田杉などの木材を多く産出してきました。 その中でも秋田杉を使って建てられた歴史ある旧料亭金勇は日本の国登録有形文化財に認定され連日多くの観光客が訪問しています。 秋田県能代市の火力発電所の電力を利用した施設に能代エナジアムパークがあります。 排熱を利用した植物園やエネルギーの情報を学べる博物館など観光でも楽しめる場所がたくさんです。 さらに観光地として、能代港にある「はまなす展望台」からは能代だけでなく、日本列島の白神山地を一望することができる絶景のスポットです。 秋田県能代市の文化を堪能するなら、能代市文化会館もおすすめです。 毎週様々な催しが行われ、日本伝統の文化芸能に触れることができます。 北秋田の観光では、太平湖上流に桃洞の滝と呼ばれる滝があり、山林をハイキングがてら2キロほど歩くと、名所の景勝地からの絶景を眺めることができます。 イベント盛りだくさんの秋田県能代市を見てみよう！ 動画の1:02からは秋田県能代市の花火大会の映像がご覧になれます。 日本の伝統的な文化である花火は日本の各地で行われますが、秋田県能代市の港で行われる港まつりの花火は絶景です。 2019年には15,000発もの花火がスターマインを中心にプログラムされ、壮大な規模で楽しめるエンターテインメント花火になっています。 この花火の時期に合わせて観光をするのもいいでしょう。 さらに秋田県能代市で行われる伝統文化の能代七夕「天空の不夜城」と呼ばれる伝統的な夏の七夕行事は日本の夏祭りでも屈指の盛り上がりを見せます。 太鼓や笛、田楽や灯籠を子どもたちが頭に載せ、さらに巨大な鯱を模した灯籠を引き回し、街中を練り歩きます。 17.6ｍにもなる巨大な灯籠が街を進む光景は目を見張ります！ また、能代の日吉神社では、御神幸祭として神輿を担ぐ歴史文化のある祭りが行われます。 秋田県能代市にはグルメが唸る豊富な日本料理も！ 秋田県能代市は納豆が有名です。 こしが強く香り高い納豆は日本の中でも人気上位に入ります。 北秋田の名産は日本でも珍しいあわびです。 とれたてのコリコリした食感を楽しむアワビ専門店が多くあります。 また、独特のぬめりが特徴的なじゅんさいも北秋田の名産です。 食べるエメラルドと呼ばれる輝きを堪能してみてください。 秋田県能代市紹介まとめ いかがでしたか？ 独特な文化や観光地がたくさんある秋田県能代市・北秋田地域へ観光に行って訪れてみてはいかがでしょうか？

Introducing Okazaki Castle, the Birthplace of the Gods The video this time is titled "[Touken World] 'Okazaki Castle'｜Swords and Armor｜Sword and Armor Displays in the Castle｜YouTube Video" (【刀剣ワールド】「岡崎城」刀剣・甲冑に会える城｜刀剣・甲冑展示の城郭 YouTube動画), released by "Virtual Sword Museum 'Touken World'." It introduces Okazaki Castle at Okazaki Park in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, in Japan's Tokai region. Okazaki Castle is known as the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu, and is famous for being the base of operations for Tokugawa Ieyasu, who returned to Mikawa (present-day Aichi Prefecture) after the Battle of Okehazama and used it as his base for unifying the country. This Okazaki Castle was deified as "the birthplace of the gods," and the Daimyo who became the lords of Okazaki Castle were proud to serve as its ruler. As you can see from 1:33 in the video, there are various exhibits of swords and armor related to Okazaki Castle. One of the most famous swords from the Muromachi period (1336-1573), "Kanemoto," with its impressive temper, resembling majestic mountains, can be seen at 1:51 in the video. At the The Ieyasu And Mikawa Bushi Museum in Okazaki Park, which can be seen at 2:09 in the video, visitors can learn about the history of the Matsudaira family, the ancestors of the Tokugawa family, from their beginnings to the unification of the Tokugawa family. A Kindami Gusoku (type of body armor), made of gold leaf, is also on display. A Look at Okazaki Castle Photo：Okazaki Castle Okazaki Castle is a Japanese castle located in the Mikawa Kuni Okazaki Domain (present-day Kosei Town, Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture). Also known as "Ryujo," it was owned by the Matsudaira family during the Warring States period (1467-1615 AD) until the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1598 AD). Okazaki Castle is said to have been built by Saigo Tsuguyori, a descendant of the Niki clan in Mikawa Province, and his son Yoritsugu Saigo At that time, it was called "Ryuzu Castle." Tokugawa Ieyasu was born inside the castle in 1542. Therefore, it is called the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu. In the Edo period (1603 to 1868), it was written as "岡竒城" as oppsed to the current kanji "岡崎城" (same pronunciation). After the Meiji Restoration (1853-1867 AD), most of the castle wall at Okazaki Castle was demolished, but in 1959 the castle tower was restored to a three-layer, five-story building, and in 2006 it was listed as one of "Japan's Top 100 Castles." You can get to Okazaki Castle by foot from Meitetsu Higashi Okazaki Station or Okazaki Koen Station, or by local bus from Okazaki Koenmae Bus Stop. Vista Line Connecting Okazaki Castle and Taiju Temple Photo：Tokugawa Ieyasu・Daiju-ji Daiju-ji, a temple located around Okazaki Castle, is where Tokugawa Ieyasu, who, broken from his defeat in the Battle of Okehazama, attempted to commit ritual suicide, but was dissuaded by the chief priest. This 3-kilometer-long line that connects Okazaki Castle and Daiju-ji is known as the Vista Line, and it has been preserved for 370 years as a historical spot and a historical view. In modern times, the Vista Line has been drawn using laser light, and an event called the "Vista Line of Light" has also been held. Facilities Around Okazaki Castle Photo：Cherry blossoms at Okazaki Castle Okazaki Park, where Okazaki Castle is located, is famous for its cherry blossoms, and has been selected as one of the top 100 cherry blossom sites in Japan. A famous place in Okazaki Park is the Yachiyo Honten, where you can eat dengaku cuisine using Hatcho miso. Yachiyo Honten is a long-established Japanese restaurant that has been in business for more than 120 years. The Kinome Dengaku, grilled with the traditional technique of Yachiyo Honten, is an exquisite local specialty that can only be found at this restaurant. Also, in the castle town, there is an area called Hatcho Village, and there are traditional shops such as Hatcho Miso and Kakukyu Hatcho Miso, so please enjoy gourmet food and lunch. There are also temples and shrines, such as Rokusho Shrine, Takisan Toshogu Shrine, and Ise Hachimangu Shrine in the surrounding area, so we recommend visiting these to anyone collecting red seal stamps, after visiting Okazaki Castle. Summary of Okazaki Castle Photo：Okazaki Castle In the video you can learn more about Okazaki Castle, the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Okazaki Castle is a historical spot that we highly recommend visiting, as it is associated with Tokugawa Ieyasu, a famous warlord from the Warring States period. If you're interested, be sure to stop by Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture. ◆Okazaki Castle Facility Overview◆ 【Address】561-1 Koseicho, Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, 444-0052 【Access】15 minutes walk from Meitetsu Higashi Okazaki Station 【Hours】 9:00-17:00 【Closures】End of the year (December 29-December 31) 【Admission fee】200 yen for adults 【Parking】Paid parking available 【Telephone No】0564-22-2122 【Official Website】Okazaki Castle Home Page | Okazaki Castle (Main Tower) | Special Features | Okazaki Park | Okazaki Outing Navigation-Okazaki City Tourist Association Official Site https://okazaki-kanko.jp/en 【Tripadvisor】Okazaki Castle https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g788304-d1309910-Reviews-Okazaki_Castle-Okazaki_Aichi_Prefecture_Tokai_Chubu.html

More About Kuroiwa's Ground Gecko- A Protected Species in Japan The video featured this time is called "It looks like a lizard but it's not?!" It was created by "Toranosuke's Creature Movies" and it shows a close up look at the Kuroiwa gecko, a protected species. Kuroiwa's ground gecko, also known as the Okinawan ground gecko, is a member of the Eublepharinae family (トカゲモドキ科, tokagemodokika) of geckos. These geckos belong to the order Squamata, suborder Sauria, infraorder Gekkota, family Eublepharinae and genus Goniurosaurus (爬虫類有鱗目トカゲ亜目ヤモリ下目トカゲモドキ科トカゲモドキ属, hachuurui yuurinmoku tokageamoku yamorikamoku tokagemodokika), as do the common leopard geckos (レオパードゲッコー, reopaadogekko) who are often kept as pets. The Eublepharinae family of geckos is a group of primitive geckos endemic to the island of Tokunoshima (徳之島) in Kagoshima prefecture (鹿児島県, kagoshimaken). They differ from other geckos in that they have eyelids, allowing them to close their eyes. Due to their underdeveloped feet, they cannot climb walls as well as other geckos. As with other geckos, if they lose their tail it can grow back again. An adult gecko is roughly 15-18cm in length, weighs roughly 7-17g and spawns in the warmer months from May to August. They usually lay 2 eggs at a time, in one month intervals. In this video, you will have the rare opportunity to observe Kuroiwa's ground geckos in the wild. Did you know such a cute creature inhabited Japan? Please take the time to enjoy our video! Japan's Effort to Protect This Endangered Species Photo：Kuroiwa ground gecko Kuroiwa's ground geckos live deep in the mountains and can’t be seen in Naha (那覇) or other big cities in Okinawa. Due to deforestation and loss of habitat, the number of Kuroiwa ground geckos has decreased in recent years. Kuroiwa's ground geckos are carnivorous, feeding on mainly insects and ground worms. Due to their nocturnal nature, you can't spot them during the daylight hours. They are often referred to as Jihab or Ashihab by Okinawan people, and in the past they were wrongly believed to be poisonous. The Kuroiwa ground geckos found in southern Okinawa (in the area surrounding Naha Airport) have a straight line pattern down their back, whereas the geckos found in northern Okinawa (in the mountainous regions) have slightly different markings. You can see this distinct straight line pattern clearly at 0:58 and 4:34 in the video. There are also subspecies of the Kuroiwa ground gecko found in Okinawa, each with their own unique and interesting markings. Due to their collectability as pets, in the past they were poached and sold at a high price by foreigners. In Japan they are designated as a protected species and therefore hunting and breeding of them is prohibited by law. Preventing the Overhunting of Japan's Protected Species According to the Washington Convention's rules regarding business transactions of wild animals, the illegal hunting of protected species is prohibited in Japan. Due to the rules of this treaty, endangered species in Japan are required to be actively protected. Since being designated as a protected species in Japan, two subspecies of Kuroiwa ground geckos: Goniurosaurus kuroiwae sengokui (ケラマトカゲモドキ, keramatokagemodoki) and Goniurosaurus kuroiwae toyamai (イヘヤトカゲモドキ, iheyatokagemodoki), have been added to the critically endangered list of reptiles by the Japanese Ministry for the Environment. However, that isn't the only problem threatening Kuroiwa ground geckos. Non-native species such as mongooses, dogs, cats and the American bullfrog are common predators of Kuroiwa's ground gecko and are contributing to their dwindling numbers. Summary of the Kuroiwa Ground Gecko Source :YouTube screenshot The protected species, Kuroiwa ground gecko, which is often amicably nicknamed the 'living dinosaur,' is a lizard rarely spotted in the wild in Okinawa but can be seen clearly in this video. At 1:48 in the video, you can see their movements in detail as one gecko moves slowly across the forest floor. Please enjoy watching the rare footage of this living fossil!

Introducing JAF Tow Trucks and Car Transporters This video, titled "(Vehicle Guide) JAF Tow Truck and Car Transporter" (【のりもの図鑑】レッカー車・積載車（JAFの車）), was broadcast on the t.v. show "Go! Go! Norimono town!" (ゴーゴー！のりものタウン！), on the Kids Station (キッズステーション) t.v. channel. (*Norimono means vehicle in Japanese). JAF's tow truck is used to move broken down vehicles and repair them. They can repair a large range of vehicles as well. The tow truck, made by manufacturers such as Tomica, is a very popular toy with kids. The toy version of the truck also comes with a loading apparatus used to repair and move broken down vehicles. More About JAF Source :YouTube screenshot JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) is an organization that deals with various automobile related requests and problems, including breakdowns. They also hold several sporting events throughout the year. It costs 4,000 yen a year to become a JAF member. If you were to request roadside assistance and were not already a member, you would have to pay the joining fee and membership fee on top of the cost of the repairs at the time of the request. However, If you are already a member, JAF will repair your vehicle at no extra cost, however fuel and battery charges still apply. Tow Truck Breakdown Repair Source :YouTube screenshot From 1:52 in the video, you can see staff at the JAF call center take various requests from customers requesting assistance. As soon as a call comes in, a tow truck is sent to the site. After arriving at the scene, the customer is asked a variety of questions, and if the vehicle cannot be fixed on site it will be towed. At 3:14 in the video, you can see a boom truck lift up a car with its crane. Using the crane, the JAF staff can lift the car and have it ready for transportation in around 20 minutes. A pivot arm is used to lift the front wheels and fix them in place. The rear wheels and steering wheel are then fixed in place, ready to be pulled away by the JAF vehicle. Due to safety concerns, a special license is required to lift and tow vehicles weighing more than 750kg. Types of Tow Trucks Source :YouTube screenshot There are five additional types of tow trucks in addition to the regularly used JAF tow truck. At 4:59 in the video, you can see a car transporter towing away a large vehicle that a regular tow truck would be incapable of transporting. From 6:03, we see a multi-purpose tow truck transporting motorbikes. There are also two trucks capable of driving down narrow roads, two-wheeled vehicles that can filter through traffic, and four-wheel drive vehicles that can traverse through the mountains. The Difference Between a Tow Truck and a Car Transporter Photo：Car transporter The difference between a tow truck and a car transporter lies in whether or not the broken down car is loaded onto the vehicle or towed from behind. A car transporter is capable of loading a broken down car onto the vehicle, reducing any risk of damage to the car and its large size, allowing for multiple cars to be loaded onto the vehicle at one time. Car transporters are often used to transport brand new vehicles or when moving homes. JAF Tow Truck and Car Transporter Summary Source :YouTube screenshot We hope you enjoyed learning more about the JAF tow truck, a vehicle you might see often while you're in Japan. For our readers with cars, we recommend looking up JAF services online for when you find yourself in need of assistance. 【Official Website】JAF Road Service Car (Tow Truck) https://english.jaf.or.jp/?_ga=2.56236011.1793953263.1594781068-1575817741.1593570784

The Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo,” the Largest on the International Space Station The video "2019-2020 JAXA Manned Space Activities - "Kibo" and Beyond" (2019-2020 JAXA 有人宇宙活動~「きぼう」その先へ) uploaded by “JAXA,” introduces the Japanese experiment module “Kibo” of the International Space Station. The area known as Low Earth Orbit (LFO) (less than 2,000 km from the Earth), is said to be the gateway to space, and is where various satellites fly. As you can see from 0:33 in the video, Kibo, one of the largest space experiment facilities, was completed in 2009 on the International Space Station. It orbits at an altitude of about 400 kilometers. In terms of size, it is approximately 108.5 meter x 72.8 meters, weighs 420 tons, and flies at speed of about 27,000 km/h (~16,777 Mph). “Kounotori,” the cargo transporter, was also successfully launched, and Kounotori 8 has achieved a 100% mission success rate. Experiments Involving Kibo Source :YouTube screenshot The Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” is “doing things for society that can only be done in space.” At Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF), they are researching the effects of gravity on living things. This is shown at 1:37 in the video. In the fall of 2019, CBEF-L, which can equip larger devices, was also added. The Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF) is a material testing device that melts materials by making them float, and can examine materials that are difficult to examine on the ground, such as glass and ceramics. The J-SSOD is a mechanism that releases small satellites using Kibo's airlock and robotic arm. The Small Optical Link for International Space Station (SOLISS), developed in collaboration with a private company, conducts experiments using optical disk technology to enable future inter-satellite and space-to-ground high-capacity communications. Beyond Low Earth Orbit Photo：Mars We're currently entering an era where exploring the moon and mars is possible. Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) technology is a system for purifying water and air. A water reclamation system based on Japan's outstanding water treatment technology is also being put to the test. The new H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV-X) is Japan's original spacecraft that will improve Kounotori's transportation capability, and will allow for in-orbit missions that the Japanese sector is aiming for, with the goal of launching by 2021. The Astronauts of Kibo Source :YouTube screenshot There are Japanese astronauts working on the Japanese Experiment Module as well. Noguchi Soichi has maintained the Japanese Experiment Module Kibo and has conducted various experiments. He is responsible for operating the Inter-orbit Communication System (ICS), communicating with the ground through HD images, and preparing for spacecrafts and supply vehicles that visit the ISS. He also interacts with the ground by posting information, pictures, and videos on social media sites, such as Twitter. Doi Takao was in charge of installing and maintaining a storage module for “Kibo.” He organized cargo transfer between the space shuttle and the ISS as a loadmaster (cargo transfer supervisor). Hoshide Akihiko was selected for a long duration mission to the ISS in 2020 and he will lead as a captain at the end on the mission. Summary Photo：Satellite The Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" is a key facility of the ISS. We are proud to say that Japanese technology is at the forefront of space activities. Let's think back to the Japanese engineers and astronauts who continue to play an active role in space, through this video! 【Official Website】JAXA https://global.jaxa.jp/projects/iss_human/kibo/

Hiranoya - A Long-Established Hot Spring Inn at Miya Onsen in Aichi Prefecture YouTube screenshot is titled "Hiranoya at Miya Onsen in Aichi Prefecture (full ver.)" (三谷温泉平野屋 プロモーションビデオ（フルver）)." It's a promotional video introducing Hiranoya, a traditional Japanese inn at Miya Onsen in Aichi Prefecture. Although it has a history of long-established ryokan, it is the only ryokan in Japan that continues to evolve with a spirit of continuity and timelessness. In Miya, Gamagori City, Aichi Prefecture, there are lodging facilities such as Shofuen, Higaki Hotel, Laguna, Meizansou Ryokan, and other hotels. This video introduces Hiranoya, a traditional Japanese inn at Miya Onsen. In this video, the lady in a kimono begins by serving tea. You can feel the Japanese atmosphere from the beginning of the video. The ryokan, popular on review and comparison sites, is a place we recommend staying at at least once. Rooms at Hiranoya at Miya Onsen, Aichi Source :YouTube screenshot Rooms at Miya Onsen's Hiranoya can be viewed at 0:34 in the video. Hiranoya has three buildings: Yurakutei in the West, Midorisuitei in the East, and the Main Building. The western hall, Yurakutei, is based on three different aspects of Japanese tradition: Pottery, weaving, and handicrafts. The atmosphere of each floor is unified, and you can see the spirit of hospitality that is unique to Japan everywhere throughout the facility. In the east hall, Midorisuitei, there's an elevated sukiya-style room where you can see the surrounding area in one sweeping view. In the main building, you can enjoy neatly designed rooms with a Japanese feel. Please check the official website and travel websites for reservations and pricing. There is also a one-day plan for those looking to take a quick dip in the hot springs! Hiranoya- Japan's Leading Beauty Hot Spring at Miya Onsen Source :YouTube screenshot Miya Onsen in Aichi Prefecture is one of the most famous hot springs in Japan, and its whitening hot spring "Bijin no Yu" is especially famous for its simple alkaline spring water. It is effective against neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, and aids in recovery from motor paralysis, bruising, and sprains. Miya Onsen's Hiranoya offers four types of hot springs: Kirara-no-yu, a large public bath that uses granite, Hinanoyu, an open-air bath with a Japanese garden that smells of natural timber, a cave bath reminiscent of the underground, and a Roman bath, reminiscent of Rome, using marble. Free mineral water is also available in the bathing area for you to relax and enjoy. In keeping with the Japanese spirit of hospitality, many amenities are available, so if you're coming empty handed there's no need to worry. You can see the hot springs of Miya Onsen's long-established inn Hiranoya from 0:53 in the video. Dining at Hiranoya at Miya Onsen, Aichi Source :YouTube screenshot Miya Onsen's Hiranoya offers Japanese seafood dishes from Mikawa in Aichi Prefecture. In Mikawa, you can enjoy Japanese gourmet cuisine that makes the most of the bounty of the sea and mountains in each of the four seasons. You can see some of the dishes at 1:08 in the video. They offer a buffet dinner for families as well as a private dining room. The a la carte menu includes a variety of dishes such as boat-wrap sushi, abalone toban-yaki (toban-yaki means "to roast on a ceramic plate"), fresh dancing prawn, Mikawa beef toban-yaki, bamboo steamed queen crab in a basket, shabu-shabu, and more! The on-site facilities include a lobby lounge, "Ivy," an observation room, a convention hall, and banquet rooms of various sizes. Summary of Hiranoya, a Traditional Japanese Inn at Miya Onsen, Aichi This video introduces the charms of Hiranoya, one of Japan's long-established inns, located at Miya Onsen in Aichi Prefecture. For transportation to Hiranoya, a free shuttle bus runs from Mikawa-Miya Station, 45 minutes from Nagoya Station in Aichi Prefecture by the Tokaido Main Line. There is also a parking lot, and if you drive, it's about 20 minutes from the Otowa Gamagori Interchange on the Tomei Expressway. There are plenty of colorful yukata and popular spots to visit, so be sure to check out the official website for more information. Hiranoya, is located near the sea, so you can take a stroll along the beach wearing a yukata. This can be seen at 0:44 in the video. Nearby is the seaside resort Laguna Ten Bosch, where you can enjoy a theme park, gourmet shopping, a jumbo pool, cruising, and more. Gamagori Orange Park, Takeshima, Takeshima Aquarium, Kobo Daishi, the Fish Market, Mikaneyama Skyline, Mikawa Bay Skyline, Ganfujiji Temple, Mito Golf Club, Aichi Children's Country, the Gamagori City Museum, and the Gamagori Museum of Earth, are sightseeing spots that you can enjoy around the area. At the inn, you can also experience making original works at the salon hosted by the landlady. You can see this at 1:32 in the video. So what'd you think of Hiranoya? Relax and unwind at Hiranoya, a luxury Japanese inn at Miya Onsen in Aichi Prefecture. ◆Hiranoya, Miya Onsen - Facilities ◆ 【Address】1-21 Minamiyama, Miya-cho, Gamagori-shi, Aichi Prefecture 443-0021 【Access】About 20 minutes by car from Tomei Otowa Gamagori IC 【Parking】 Available. 【Telephone No】0533-68-5161 【Official Website】Hiranoya, Miya Onsen http://www.hotel-hiranoya.co.jp/en/

Tsukiji Outer Market's "Monzeki Street" The video “A view of Monzeki Street in the Tsukiji Outer Market（【街並み】築地場外市場 もんぜき通り）,” introduces Monzeki Street in the Tsukiji Outer Market. Monzeki Street is a shopping avenue in the Tsukiji Outer Market located in Tsukiji, Chuoku, in Tokyo. The original Tsukiji Wholesale Market moved to Toyosu Market in October 2018, but the Tsukiji Outer Market is still open in the same location in Tsukiji even after the original Tsukiji Market moved. The street is located on the north side of the Ichibabashi intersection, along the Tsukiji 4-chome and 6-chome Shin Ohashi Street between the Tsukiji 4-chome and Shijoubashi intersections. There are over 30 shops on the street, and it is the most popular sightseeing spot at the Tsukiji Outer Market. The name of the street “Monzeki” comes from the Monzeki Bridge that used to be in Tsukiji. Explore the Popular Tsukiji Monzeki Street Source :YouTube screenshot There are a lot of restaurants that are originally for people who work in the Tsukiji Outer Market, so many restaurants serve quick delicious lunches with a stand-and-eat style. The shopping avenue is an arcade and close to Ginza. People enjoy a variety of food from different food stands as they walk along the streets. There are also many kinds of restaurants, such as ramen restaurants, seafood restaurants, coffee shops, and restaurants featuring cheap and delicious food. Well-Known Stores/Restaurants on Monzeki Street Source :YouTube screenshot There are well-known sushi restaurants and many other famous shops on Monzeki street. Here, we'll introduce a few of them. The first one, shown at 0:37, is Kitsuneya, a restaurant that specializes in offal meat. Their specialty is "Hormone-Don," a bowl of beef offal cooked using their signature red miso sauce over rice. The ramen restaurant Inoue, which you can see in the video around 2:04, is a famous ramen restaurant in Tsukiji. Inoue has been in business for 50 years. Unfortunately, it is currently closed due to a fire (as of July 2020). In the video you can see a line of people waiting at Inoue; not an uncommon sight with how popular the restaurant is, Also, the ramen restaurant Wakaba (in the video around 0:23) is famous in Tsukiji as well. The curry restaurant Sakaeya next to Wakaba is an amazing curry restaurant, and our personal recommendation. The Tsukiji Outer Market is known for its Kaisendon (seafood bowls). Maguro Donburi Segawa is THE place for Kaisendon. You can see it in the video around 0:25. Their only menu, a bowl of tuna marinated with homemade soy-sauce-based sauce, is so delicious it was featured on the popular TV show "Ado Machikku Tengoku." Photo：Tamagoyaki Some of the best tamagoyaki restaurants in Tokyo are located on Monzeki street, including Marutake, the home of TV producer and personality Terry Ito, as well as Tsukiji Yamacho, Tsukiji Shoro and Daisada. Maguro no Miyako is famous for its grilled seafood. Their fresh seafood and grilled scallops are to die for. Sightseeing at the Tsukiji Outer Market Photo：Tsukiji Outer Market Monzeki street, at the Tsukiji Outer Market, is also popular among tourists from overseas. There is the information center "Platt Tsukiji" that introduces tourist destinations for international visitors. They also distribute a map of the Tsukiji Outer Market as well as other information. They also have a coin locker where you can leave your baggage and walk around the Tsukiji Outer Market. You're not allowed to carry a suitcase on Monzeki Street so the facility is very convenient for people coming directly from overseas or out of town. Let’s Visit Tsukiji Outer Market's Monzeki Street! What'd you think? We introduced a lot of famous restaurants at the Tsukiji Outer Market. There's places that are great not just for sightseeing, but also for dates or just walking around and trying food vendors. Enjoy the atmosphere of the Tsukiji Outer Market through the video! Other than restaurants, there are also vegetable stands, clothing shops, and dried fruit shops on the street so you can enjoy browsing around and hunting souvenirs. 【Tripadvisor】Tsukiji Outer Market https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g14129610-d1373675-r716204248-Tsukiji_Jogai_Market-Tsukiji_Chuo_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html