Official Author

坂崎 なお（Nao Sakazaki）

Washoku Added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List This video, titled "[Washoku] Added to Unesco's Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Health and Beauty Evaluation (12/13/05)" (「和食」世界無形文化遺産に決定　健康・美しさ評価(13/12/05) ), is a news report about washoku being approved as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, in December, 2013. As shown in the video, "Washoku: Traditional Dietary Cultures of the Japanese" (「和食 日本人の伝統的な食文化」) was formally approved to be added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list at a meeting of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee held in Azerbaijan in 2013. You see the moment of the announcement in the video around 0:05. The fascination with washoku is, as shown in the video at 0:30, it's beauty. Japanese cuisine is characterized by its beautiful display, respect for nature, and how healthy it is, which led UNESCO to place it on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list. What Is Washoku? The History and Style of the Dishes Photo：Washoku Washoku is a traditional eating practice of Japan, also referred to as Nihon-shoku (日本食, Japanese food) or Nihon-ryouri (日本料理, Japanese style cooking). Traditionally, in Japan, washoku was made using seasonal ingredients for particular annual events. The history of Japanese food dates back to the Yayoi period (~300 B.C - ~250 A.D.), more than 2,000 years ago, and by the Asuka period, the unique Japanese diet, consisting of main dishes (主菜, shusai), side dishes (副食, Fukushoku), and one soup, three sides (一汁三菜, Ichiju-sansai), had already been established. What is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage? Photo：Traditional Spanish cuisine UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage is different from UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, which aim to protect buildings and tangible cultural properties. UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage was established to ensure better protection of important intangible cultural heritages, such as folk culture, folklore, oral literature and social practices, traditional crafting techniques, and festivals. Some examples of this include the gastronomy of France, the Mediterranean cuisine of Spain, Italy, Greece and Morocco, traditional Mexican cuisine, and the Ceremonial Keşkek tradition of Turkey. In Japan, Traditional Ainu dance, Nôgaku Theatre, and Kabuki have also been approved as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritages. Summary of Washoku Photo：Kaiseki cuisine As you can see in the video, Japanese food culture, which has been around since ancient times, has been recognized by the world and is attracting a great deal of attention. When you're visiting Japan, be sure to stop by a Japanese restaurant and enjoy the delicious food of an itamae chef! There are websites that offer instructions on how to make Japanese food, so you can use the recipes as a guide to make nutritious and balanced Japanese food as well!

The Cashier "Pepper" by "Pepper" This video, titled "Pepper for Biz [Cashier for Pepper] Feature Introductory Video" (Pepper for Biz 「レジ for Pepper」 機能紹介ムービー), introduces the functions of "Cashier for Pepper" of "Pepper for Biz." The video was released by SoftBank. The video shows how Pepper is used to automate tasks, such as customer service, product ordering and accounting in the store. "Cashier for Pepper" is a solution in which all customer service is handled by a service robot. What Kind of Robot Is Pepper? Source :YouTube screenshot Some of you may have seen Pepper or had conversations with him at smartphone shops or restaurants in Japan. Pepper is a humanoid robot developed in 2014 that can recognize emotion. The emotion-recognizing personal robot is powered by an emotion engine and cloud AI, which allows it to make flexible decisions based on the situation. Pepper performs a series of necessary operations, such as customer service and accounting at stores. Features of "Cashier for Pepper" Source :YouTube screenshot "Cashier for Pepper," shown in the video, is a full-scale, self-checkout system, that performs a series of operations related to product purchases. Pepper is a service robot that can attract customers, recommend products (with a recommended "Plus One" feature"), select menus, and print order sheets on a tablet all at in one. Some of these features can be seen at 1:13 in the video. As shown at 1:31 in the video, Pepper also has the ability to select a payment method, allowing customers to pay with an IC card. Pepper's payment terminal is linked to the POS system, so it can handle a wide range of payment types, including QR payments and electronic money payments. "Cashier for Pepper" also includes a customer registration with Pepper's facial recognition system, order history check, and inbound functions in Japanese, English, and Chinese. This is explained at 2:45 in the video. Summary of "Cashier for Pepper" Source :YouTube screenshot In recent years, due to a decline in the number of workers, the shortage of cashiers has become a major problem in Japan. "Cashier for Pepper" has the potential to be the cashier of the future. If you'd like to implement "Cashier for Pepper" as a staff member to reinvent your store, you can start by checking out Pepper's features and pricing on their website.

Introducing Osezaki Kamiike Pond in Shizuoka Prefecture! This video, “絶景空撮 大瀬崎 神秘の自然と信仰の岬 - Aerial view of Cape Osezaki - Secret nature and religious cape -」,” is an aerial video of Cape Osezaki’s Kamiike Pond, located in the bayside of Numazu city, Shizuoka prefecture, produced by “FUJISAN DRONE BASE.” Osezaki is a cape in Numazu city, Shizuoka prefecture, extending into Suruga Bay, and is also called the Ose no Kami Pond of Ose Myojin, or Biwa Island. As shown at 0:50 in the video, you can see the great view of Mt. Fuji over the sea from Osezaki Kamiike Pond. What Kind of Sightseeing Spot Is Osezaki Kamiike Pond? Photo：Osezaki Kamiike, Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture As seen in the video at 0:15, Osezaki features the beautiful Kamiike Pond, with the longest part of the pond being about 100 meters wide. Osezaki’s Kamiike Pond is called an "unexplored area," "mysterious spring," and is a mysterious spot considered one of the seven wonders of Izu. Although Ose Myojin’s Kamiike Pond is located at the tip of a cape, it's a fresh water pond, and fresh water fish, such as carp, call this pond home. It is said that Mt. Fuji’s underground water pours into Ose Myojin’s Kamiike Pond, but the mystery of Ose Myojin’s Kamiike Pond has yet to be solved. The water quality and depth are also unknown. Let’s Visit Ose Shrine in Osezaki! Photo：Osezaki and Ose Shrine Around the Osezaki Kamiike Pond are many large juniper trees with thick foliage. Osezaki’s juniper forest has been designated a Natural Monument. Hikitechikara no Mikoto (Ose Shrine) seen in the video at 1:14, is located at the peak of Osezaki, with an elevation of approximately 10m, and is called the protectorate god of the sea. Other highlights include a sacred tree said to be 1,500 years old, a pair of iron geta (sandals) dedicated near the torii gate, and a strange fan made of tengu leaves derived from the legend of tengu. Sightseeing Around Osezaki’s Kamiike Pond Photo：Clownfish Around the scenic Osezaki is the Ose beach, which is one of Japan’s “Top 100 Beaches.” Spending time listening to the waves and taking in the sunset is very relaxing. Osezaki is also popular as a diving spot, and many divers visit here during the on season. Osezaki is also known as a fishing spot, but collecting animals and plants around Kamiike Pond is prohibited by the Cultural Assets Preservation Act, so be careful not to break any laws. Summary of Ose Myojin’s Kamiike Pond Source :YouTube screenshot Shizuoka prefecture’s Osezaki Kamiike Pond area, introduced in the video, is a nice Instagram spot where you can see the beautiful sea and Mt. Fuji. There are many sightseeing spots in Izu, book a hotel nearby and visit Osezaki. In the spring time, cherry blossoms bloom nearby as well. We also recommend participating in a tour visiting Ose Myojin’s Kamiike Pond and the nearby area. ◆Hikitechikaranomikoto Shrine (Ose Shrine) General Information◆ 【Address】329, Nishiura Enashi, Numazu city, Shizuoka, ZIP 410-0244 【Access】80 minutes by bus from JR Numazu Station 【Admission fee】100 JPY 【Hours】8:30-17:00 【Parking】Available 【Telephone】055-942-2603 【Tripadvisor】Ose Myojin’s Kamiike Pond https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1019668-d1313552-Reviews-Ose_no_Kami_Pond-Numazu_Shizuoka_Prefecture_Tokai_Chubu.html

The Introductory Video of HTV “Kounotori” 8 This video, released by JAXA, is titled "H-2 Transfer Vehicle: Kounotori 8 (HTV 8) Mission Summary." The H-2 transfer vehicle Kounotori 8 (HTV 8), featured in the video, is an unmanned vehicle developed in Japan that delivers supplies to the International Space Station (ISS). It has a 100 percent mission success rate and boasts one of the world's largest resupply capacities. This article will tell you everythign you need to know about Kounotori 8! Kounotori 8 Source :YouTube screenshot HTV Kounotori 8 started its demonstration tests for the development of the new Space Station Replenisher (HTV-X) in order to expand space utilization and to transport equipment to test future space exploration technologies. As you can see from 0:58 in the video, the H-IIB rocket was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in September 2019, approaching the ISS that orbits the earth at an altitude of 400 meters above ground and a speed of about 8 kilometers per second. The attitude control sensor of the former HTV "Kounotori 6" controlled its attitude using the earth as its axis. The Kounotori 8, on the other hand, uses a star tracker (stellar sensor), controlling its attitude based on stars’ positions. You can see how it works from 1:46 in this video. In the technical verification, the loading capacity was increased by about 30 percent through the use of a new supply rack to enhance the transport capacity of the vessel. The Resupply Mission of Kounotori 8 Source :YouTube screenshot As seen at 2:29 in the video, Kounotori 8 is captured by the robotic arm of the ISS and begins it's 34-day resupply mission. It carries not only food but also transportation equipment for the ISS’s planetary exploration, such as new batteries and SOLISS, (Small Optical Link for International Space Station). From 3:35, you can see a video of the global camera equipped with SOLISS. Moreover, Kounotori 8 was also equipped with CBEF-L (Cell Biology Experiment Facility-Left), a device to study biological cultures in space, and "Hourglass" a gravity dependency investigating device. A microsatellite was also injected into orbit at the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo." Summary of Kounotori 8 Source :YouTube screenshot From 5:11 in the video, you can see Kounotori 8 completing its 34-day mission and re-entering the earth's atmosphere. Kounotori's resupply mission to the ISS was a success thanks to Japan's high-precision space technology! 【Official Website】 HTV "Kounotori" 8 Fun! Fun! JAXA! https://fanfun.jaxa.jp/countdown/htv8/

Japan's Amazing Vending Machines! The video we’ll introduce this time is titled "Japanese Vending Machines are AWESOME 日本の自販機すごい！！" It introduces some of the awesome vending machines you can find throughout Japan! The vending machines shown in the video can only be found in Japan, so be sure to check them out! The Vending Machines in the Video! Photo：Digital signage As you can see from 0:26 in the video, many of the vending machines placed in Japanese stations can accept not just cash, but train cards (electronic money such as Suica, etc.) as well. You can purchase coffee, tea, and juice just by tapping your card against the vending machine, so there's no need to carry any bothersome change. Japanese vending machines sell cold drinks, and in the winter there are hot drinks as well. This is a unique characteristic of Japanese vending machines that you won't find in other countries. A vending machine at Akihabara station is introduced at 2:05 in the video as well. This vending machine has a touchscreen and the description of each drink is displayed on the screen. There's also a vending machine for ice cream shown at 2:35 in the video. Features of Japan's Futuristic Vending Machines Photo：Vending machine Vending machines are handy machines where you can purchase a drink at the push of a button. The drinks are cheap too, costing only about 100-160 yen. Japan is said to be the vending machine superpower of the world, and there are about 2.56 million vending machines in Japan, which generate a whopping 2.2 trillion yen annually. They’re placed in various places throughout towns, and places like stations and offices, so you can grab a drink whenever you like. Types of Vending Machines and the History of the Vending Machine Vending machines were invented in Japan more than 100 years ago in 1890. Thereafter, from the Showa period (1926-1989) to the Heisei period (1989-2019), the types and provided services of vending machines continued to evolve. In recent years, there are even vending machines where you can purchase hot meals that include things like Takoyaki, and there are also vending machines that are used to take orders and dispense tickets at restaraunts. You can even get train tickets with vending machines. There are a fixed set of rules regarding the location and height of Japan’s vending machines, and they are placed according to these safety standards. Summary of Japan's Vending Machines Photo：Vending machine This article introduced talked about the different types of vending machines that can be found throughout Japan, and how to buy products from them. The functions of vending machines continue to evolve year after year and there are an increasing number of them making it more convenient to get what you need, and it's even gotten easier to pay thanks to things like electronic money. The vending machines that Japanese people use in their day to day lives are often seen as amazing futuristic devices. If you're planning on visiting Japan, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for some amazing vending machines!

A New, Super Heat Resistant Alloy That Has Improved Fuel Efficiency in Airplanes! This video "World-Record Super Heat-Resistant Alloy That Has Improved the Fuel Efficiency of Aircrafts!" (ジェット機の燃費向上を実現した世界記録の超耐熱合金), created by "nimspr," introduces the amazing processing technology of a Japanese research institution. Burning at higher temperatures reduces fuel consumption. To combat this, aircrafts, jets, and automobile makers are required to develop special material. NIMS, introduced in the video, has developed a super heat resistant alloy that can resist extremely high temperatures and currently holds the world record for super heat-resistant alloys. How Is the Superalloy Used? Photo：Airplane NIMS’ superalloy is used in the latest Boeing 787, shown at 0:21 in the video. As you can see from 0:45 in the video, ordinary metals are poly-crystalline when made in a mold, but the superalloy shown in the video is mono-crystalline with no grains, making it resistant to heat. This super heat-resistant alloy is used in turbine blades- the hottest part on all aircraft parts. By using the superalloy, it's possible to save 100 million yen per year, per aircraft. The heat resistant titanium alloy by NIMS is also highly resistant to rust. On top of that, it is incredibly light, making it a highly valued material. A Look at the New Superalloy Source :YouTube screenshot In addition to titanium, which is shown in the video, there are other kinds of materials, such as iron, cobalt, nickel, aluminum, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten. Research institutions across japan have spent a long time researching how to combine these materials to create the perfect metal. The experimental data collected by NIMS over several decades was used to create superalloys. Summary of the New Superalloy Source :YouTube screenshot NIMS Materials Strength Standard and Technology Group conducts research on high fatigue tests which check creep properties and fatigue characteristics for superalloys. They also focus on the recycling of materials, the design of end mills for cutting superalloys, as well as promoting low-cost, high-performance development through the establishment of material design methods. This can be seen at 1:53 in the video. It'll be exciting to see what Japan's research institutes will come up with in the future!

The Popular Water Bus "Himiko" in Tokyo! This video, titled "HIMIKO -2016-｜Water-Bus (Asakusa-Odaiba) [4K]" (ヒミコ 「HIMIKO」-2016- | 水上バス ( 浅草- お台場 ) 【4K】), publicized by "miyaga1," shows the popular, futuristic water-bus that travels between Asakusa and Odaiba, as well as surrounding tourist spots. "Himiko," introduced in the video, is a water bus run by Tokyo Cruise. The water bus Himiko, where you can enjoy a lovely voyage visiting famous places in Tokyo, is quickly gaining popularity among tourists. The Water Bus "Himiko" Source :YouTube screenshot The water bus Himiko, introduced in the video, has a distinctive teardrop shape. The futuristic form of the boat makes it look like a spaceship. You can see Himiko in its entirety at 2:33 in the video. This popular water bus "Himiko" was designed by famous manga artist Reiji Matsumoto, who is known as a master of the manga world. The Himiko began service in 2004 and has a capacity of 160 passengers. Onboard Himiko, you'll hear an onboard broadcast by Hoshino Tetsuro, Maetel, and the conductor from Reiji Matsumoto's masterpiece, "Galaxy Express 999. You can see the interior of Himiko and the on-board announcements at 4:23 in the video. All Aboard the Himiko! Source :YouTube screenshot The water bus "Himiko," introduced in the video, is great for those looking for a different way to experience the major sightseeing spots of Tokyo. Himiko starts from and returns to Azuma Bridge, passing Odaiba Kaihin Koen and Toyosu alongside the way. You can see Tokyo Sky Tree, shown at 0:41 in the video, and Rainbow Bridge, shown at 6:05 in the video, on the water bus route. Enjoy a refreshing cruise through scenic spots in Tokyo, including Ryogoku, Takeshiba, Hamarikyu, Hirai and Aomi. Shown at 8:35 in the video, we recommend getting off at Odaiba to enjoy the Statue of Liberty, a Life-size Gundam, a statue of Shenron from Dragonball, as well as the delicious food in the area. In addition to Himiko, Tokyo Cruise operates other types of watercrafts, such as the Hotaluna, Emeraldas, and Ryoma, so be sure to hop on board if you have the time! Summary of "Himiko" and Cruises Through Tokyo Source :YouTube screenshot Boarding the beautiful Himiko will have you feeling like you're on a spaceship! Himiko can be rented out for personal use or chartered. Also, event cruises are held as well, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for these. For more information about timetables and prices, or to book a cruise, please visit the official website. ◆Water Bus Himiko Line Facility Information◆ 【Address】1-1-1 Hanakawado, Taito-ku, Tokyo 【Access】A 1-minute walk from Tobu Skytree Line Asakusa Station and Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station 【Telephone】0120-977-311 【Official Website】Himiko |Tokyo Cruise https://www.suijobus.co.jp/en/

The Announcement of the New Era Captured on Video! This video "New era name "Reiwa（新元号「令和」（れいわ）菅長官会見　ノーカット）," Chief Cabinet Secretary, Press Conference Uncut" is a video showing footage of the announcement of the new era name by the Chief Cabinet Secretary which took place at the Prime Minister's official residence. On May 1st 2019, a ceremony was held to announce to the public the new era name, which would be changing from Heisei to Reiwa in accordance with the enthronement of the new emperor. The Announcement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary Source :YouTube screenshot A special exemption of the Imperial House Law concerning abdication of the Emperor was passed to allow the former emperor to step down from the position early (normally emperors in Japan serve until death). 50 seconds into the video you can see the scene where Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga raises the placard displaying the new era name "Reiwa". This scene was shown countless times on news programs and the majority of people in Japan are likely to remember it. The room, packed with the press, was filled with the sound of shutters closing as the Chief Cabinet Secretary held up the work of calligraphy displaying the new era name "Reiwa". Source and Selection of the New Japanese Era Name Source :YouTube screenshot Before the announcement of the new era name on April 1st, all cabinet ministers attended a meeting to make a final decision together. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga explains during the press conference that the new era name was taken from an 8th century collection of Japanese poetry called Manyoshu , specifically the poem "Baika no uta". He also expresses his hopes that the new era, name taken from classic Japanese literature, is widely accepted by the public. What Are Japan's Era Names? Photo：Japan's era name For a long time both the Japanese and Western calendar have been used in Japan. The Japanese era name was first used in the Asuka period (592-710AD) starting with the Taika era, more recently there has been the Showa era from 1926-1989 AD, the Heisei era from 1989-2019AD and now Reiwa has become the 248th era name to be used in Japan. In the past, the era name frequently changed, however more recently it has been established that only one era name shall be used for the entire reign of one emperor. The Announcement of "Reiwa" The era name is something that is very important TO Japanese people. Many people all over the country tuned in to witness the eagerly awaited announcement of the new era name. After the press conference with the Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga on April 4th, a message from Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was also broadcast live on television. May 1st marked the end of the Heisei era and beginning of the Reiwa era, coinciding with the abdication of former Emperor Akihito and the enthronement of his son, the new Emperor Naruhito.

The Volunteer Work of Canada's National Rugby Team Take a look at the video titled "Rugby Game Cancelled - Canadian National Team Volunteers in Kamaishi" (ラグビー試合中止　カナダ代表が釜石でボランティア). In October 2019, Japan was devastated by Typhoon Hagibis. The players of the Canadian national team, who had their match in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan cancelled due to the typhoon, took to the devastated area, and volunteered to aid in the recovery. News of this spread like wildfire throughout Japan, moving its citizens. The Rugby World Cup Photo：Rugby The 2019 Rugby World Cup, hosted by Japan, grabbed the attention of the entire world, and is still fresh in the mind of many people. In addition to the Canadian team shown in the video, South Africa, France, England, New Zealand, Australia, the United States, and Wales participated in the tournament, with a number of exciting matches. Thanks to the Rugby World Cup, visitors from all over the world have come to Japan. The 2019 Rugby World Cup - The Center Attention in Japan Photo：Rugby The 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan is the 9th Rugby World Cup. It took place between September 20th and November 2nd, 2019. Japan advanced to a record 8th place finish against global competition, much to the delight of many fans who watched the event. Many people jumped onto the bandwagon as Japan progressed through the tournament, placing Japan in a whirlwind of enthusiasm. Eventually, the Republic of South Africa smashed England in the final and was crowned as the champion. A large number of rugby fans also turned out for the commemorative parade held after the tournament, which was a huge success. The term 'ONE TEAM', born out of the Rugby World Cup, won the 2019 Buzzword Award (新語・流行語大賞, Shingo・Ryukogo Taisho). On top of that, 'Jackal' and 'The Man Who Never Smiles' also attracted a lot of attention, and sales of rugby tickets and merchandise were up significantly, as Japan experienced a rugby boom. The Volunteer Activity by the Canadian National Team 画像引用 :YouTube screenshot Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture (岩手県, Iwateken), in Japan's Tohoku Region, damaged severely by the typhoon, was also dilapidated in the 2011 Tohoku Triple Disaster. Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, built to symbolize recovery and encourage the victims, was one of the stadiums used to host the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. The Canadian national team was scheduled to play against the Namibian national team at Kamaishi Unosumai Memorial Stadium on October 13, 2019, but the game was cancelled due to Typhoon Hagibis. The Canadian nationals, who had their game cancelled, visited the residential area hit by the typhoon and volunteered by removing dirt and debris from affected areas. The Canadian players, with huge bodies, as shown in the video at 0:32, removed dirt from the affected areas together with the locals with a shovel scoop and a brush. The deeds of the players that volunteered despite the ongoing Rugby World Cup, became a beacon of hope for many victims affected by the disaster. Summary of the Volunteer Activities by the Canadian National Team Source :YouTube screenshot This video/article introduced the Canadian national team's efforts to aid in the disaster caused by Typhoon Higibis. The admirable decision of the Canadian national team to volunteer in the disaster-stricken area moved the people of Japan. The heated and exciting matches, as well as the passion of the players, left us with one of the most memorable Rugby World Cups in history. 【Official Website】Rugby World Cup https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2021

A Koto Performance Beneath the Cherry Blossoms This video, titled "Sakura – 25 strings koto (さくら(Sakura)　25絃箏 (25 strings koto))," contains footage of a koto performance under the cherry blossom. It was created by "Kasumi Watanabe." The video features 17 and 25 string koto musician Kasumi Watanabe (渡邉香澄). The koto is a traditional Japanese musical instrument with a soft, beautiful tone that is very relaxing to listen to. You can take a look at Kasumi Watanabe's performance from 0:09 in the video. The Koto - A Traditional Japanese Instrument Photo：A koto The koto was introduced to Japan from China over 1,300 years ago during the Nara period (794 AD-1185 AD). It quickly became popular among the wealthy. During the Edo period (1603 AD-1868 AD) the musician Yatsuhashi Kengyo (八橋検校) created the foundation of koto music that continues to be used to this day. A tool called a "Ji" (柱) is used to tune the koto. There are two main styles of koto, referred to as "Ikuta-ryu" (生田流) and "Yamada-ryu." Differences between the styles include the shape of the instrument, the picks used, and playing method among others. Listen To the Beautiful Melody of "Sakura"! Photo：Playing the koto The well-known song "Sakura" featured in the video, is performed by Koto musician Kasumi Watanabe. In Japan, when the cherry trees blossom in spring, people travel all over the country to enjoy cherry blossom viewing. Traditional koto and gagaku (雅楽) performances can be heard at famous cherry blossom viewing spots around the country. It's a great way to celebrate the coming of spring! Learn to Play Traditional Japanese Musical Instruments! Photo：A woman playing a koto There are many schools around Japan where you can learn to play traditional Japanese musical instruments. The koto, in particular, is popular for its beautiful and elegant image. The special kind of sheet music used takes a little getting used to, but once you start playing you're guaranteed to fall in love with it. You can also learn other traditional Japanese musical instruments, such as the Shamisen (三味線), or take part in a traditional Japanese music performance experience. If you're interested in learning more about traditional Japanese performing arts, we highly recommend joining one of these classes! Summary of the Koto - A Traditional Japanese Instrument Source :YouTube screenshot The koto is a traditional musical instrument that has been played in Japan for hundreds of years. In the video, you can listen to the song "Sakura" played by a professional musician. The peaceful melody is sure to leave you feeling at peace. We highly recommend trying out one of Japan's traditional musical instrument experiences on your next sightseeing trip to Japan. You can pick out your favorite instrument and enjoy playing the music of your choice!