Dancers, festivals and one very useful Japanese grammar point
You've likely already been to a 伝統的な祭り (dentō-tekina matsuri, traditional festival) in Japan. もし行ったことがなくても心配しないでください。今からでも遅くない祭りを紹介します (Moshi itta koto ga nakute mo shinpai shinaide kudasai. Ima kara demo osokunai matsuri o shōkai shimasu, If you've never been to one, don't worry. [Here, we] will introduce some that are not too late to join even now).
If you're new to 祭り (matsuri, festivals), then it's worth starting your education with the 日本三大祭り (Nihon San-dai Matsuri, 'Big Three' Japan festivals). The 神田祭 (Kanda Matsuri, Kanda Festival) in Tokyo has come and gone but you still have a chance to see the two others.
京都の祇園祭はすでに始まっていて、７月31日まで一ヵ月間行われます。また、大阪の天神祭は７月24日と25日に開催されます。さすが千年以上の歴史を誇るだけあって細部まで美しく、暑い関西に出向くだけのことはあります (Kyōto no Gion Matsuri wa sudeni hajimatte-ite, shichi-gatsu sanjuu-ichi nichi made ikkagetsukan okonawaremasu. Mata, Ōsaka no Tenjin Matsuri wa shichi-gatsu nijūyokka to nijūgo-nichi ni kansai saremasu. Sasuga sennen ijō no rekishi o hokoru dake atte saibu made utsukushiku, atsui Kansai ni demuku dake no koto wa arimasu, Kyoto's Gion Festival has already begun and will run for a month until July 31. Also, Osaka's Tenjin Festival will be held on July 24 and 25. As expected from a place with over 1,000 years of history, they'll be beautiful down to the last detail and well worth a trip to the hot Kansai region).
Before we embark on any other festival destinations, let's stop to have a look at a grammatical point used in the previous paragraph. The structure 〜だけあって (~dake atte, as expected from/precisely because) and its related terms 〜だけのことはある (~dake no koto wa aru) and 〜だけに (~dake ni). Form this structure by attaching it to a verb in plain form (past or present), a na-adjective (with "na"), an i-adjective or a noun.
The 〜だけあって and 〜だけのことはある grammar patterns express positive admiration for an expected result. The 〜だけに version, however, simply points out the expected result with neither positive nor negative nuance. Therefore, you could get away with a sentence like, 期待していただけにがっかりした (Kitai shite-ita dake ni gakkari shimashita, I was disappointed even though expectations [were high]).
Additionally, the word さすが (sasuga, as expected) will often be included in a 〜だけあって structure, as in さすが人気なだけあって、このラーメン屋は並ぶだけのことはある (Sasuga ninkina dake atte, kono rāmen-ya wa narabu dake no koto wa aru, As expected from its popularity, this ramen shop is worth waiting in line for).
Now, back to the festivals. If you like 花火 (hanabi, fireworks) then the 隅田川花火大会 (Sumida-gawa hanabi taikai, Sumida River Fireworks Festival) held on July 26 is for you. As one of Tokyo's most popular summer events, it's worth doing 場所取り (basho-tori, reserving a spot) a few hours in advance to secure a good view. 壮大な花火を見れば、朝から場所取りをするだけのことはあると思うでしょう (Sōdaina hanabi o mireba, asa kara basho-tori o suru dake no koto wa aru to omou deshō, The spectacular fireworks will prove why it's worth grabbing a spot early in the morning).
Up north, the 青森ねぶた祭り (Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, Aomori Nebuta Festival) will be held from Aug. 2 to 7 in 青森市 (Aomori-shi, the city of Aomori).
ねぶたとは、ねぶた名人と町民によって作られる巨大な燈篭人形のことである。 手作業で何か月もかけて作るだけに、完成度が高い (Nebuta to wa, nebuta meijin to chōmin ni yotte tsukurareru kyodaina tōrō ningyō no koto de aru. Tesagyō de nankagetsu mo kakete tsukuru dake ni, kanseido ga takai, Nebuta are giant lantern dolls made by nebuta masters and local townspeople. Because they are painstakingly handmade over many months, they have a high degree of perfection).
The ねぶた (nebuta, nebuta floats) are constructed from 木 (ki, wood), 針金 (harigane, wire) and 和紙 (washi, traditional Japanese paper). They are displayed during nightly 行列 (gyōretsu, parades) accompanied by 跳人 (haneto) dancers.
In nearby 秋田県 (Akita-ken, Akita Prefecture), the 秋田竿燈まつり (Akita Kantō Matsuri, Akita Kanto Festival) takes place from Aug. 3 to 6. Just as the ねぶた祭り is characterized by its giant floats, the 竿燈まつり is known for large poles, nearly 50 meters tall, that are decorated with dozens of 提灯 (chōchin, lanterns) and are skillfully balanced on the 肩 (kata, shoulders) and 額 (hitai, foreheads) of experienced performers.
Also in the Tohoku region is the 仙台七夕まつり (Sendai Tanabata Matsuri, Sendai Tanabata Festival), which is held Aug. 6 to 8 in 宮城県の仙台市 (Miyagi-ken no Sendai-shi, the city of Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture).
七夕とは天の川に隔てられた織姫と彦星が年に一回だけ会えるという伝説で、日本各地で祭りが行われます。仙台では旧暦に基づいて８月に開催されます (Tanabata to wa, Amanogawa ni yotte hedaterareta Orihime to Hikoboshi ga nen ni ikkai dake aeru to iu densetsu de, Nihon kakuchi de matsuri ga okonawaremasu. Sendai dewa kyūreki ni motozuite, hachi-gatsu ni kaisai saremasu, As for Tanabata, it is the legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi, [lovers] who are separated by the Milky Way and can only meet once a year. Festivals are held throughout Japan (in their honor). In Sendai, [the festival] is held in August in accordance with the lunar calendar).
The city is decorated with 笹 (sasa, bamboo branches) and 短冊 (tanzaku, paper strips) carrying people's wishes. 歴史があるだけあって、その規模や豪華さは素晴らしい (Rekishi ga aru dake atte, sono kibo ya gōkasa wa subarashii, As expected from its long history, the scale and opulence of the event is impressive).
On the other end of the country, those in 高知県 (Kōchi-ken, Kochi Prefecture) can catch the よさこい祭り (Yosakoi Matsuri, Yosakoi Festival) held from Aug. 9 to 12. Here, teams from across the country dance the 鳴子踊り (naruko odori, naruko dance), the 鳴子 (naruko) being a kind of clapper instrument that was once used to chase animals from the rice fields.
Farther south in 徳島県 (Tokushima-ken, Tokushima Prefecture), the 阿波おどり (Awa-odori, Awa dance) festival will be held from Aug. 11 to 15. This is a massive festival that even has an offshoot in Tokyo's Koenji neighborhood. In fact, the 高円寺阿波おどり (Kōenji Awa Odori, Koenji Awa Dance festival) has also grown in popularity and size, attracting many participants as well as visitors. It will be held on Aug. 23 and 24. 徳島の人たちに指導してもらっただけあって、高円寺の阿波おどりのレベルはとても高い (Tokushima no hitotachi ni shidō shite moratta dake atte, Kōenji no Awa Odori no reberu wa totemo takai, Thanks in part to the guidance of the people of Tokushima, the level of Awa dance in Koenji is very high).
みなさんもこの夏、どこかの祭りに足を運んでみてはいかがですか (Minasan mo kono natsu, dokoka no matsuri ni ashi o hakonde mite wa ikaga desu ka, Everyone, this summer, why not try visiting one of these festivals)?
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SoraNews24
a day ago
- SoraNews24
Japanese airline now has an onboard gacha capsule toy machine
You may have said goodbye to Japan, but you don't have to say goodbye to capsule toys just yet. The word 'gacha' has three different, but related, meanings in Japanese. Originally, it indicated a clunking noise. That's exactly the sort of noise that capsule toy machines make when you turn their handle to claim your capsule, so gacha then became a way to refer to the machines, and the meaning of gacha has now expanded to include the underlying system of a prize that's randomly awarded from a pool of possibilities. So when you hear that Air Japan, a low-cost carrier that's part of the ANA Group, has started doing in-flight gacha, you might assume it's that third definition of gacha that's in play here, since who would put an actual capsule toy machine onboard an airliner? Air Japan, that's who. Air Japan launched its Airplane Gacha promotion on July 25, bringing some randomized Japanese pop-culture fun to flights flying from Narita Airport to Bangkok or Singapore. The machine is stocked with prizes including flight tags and stickers, designed by Air Japan cabin attendants, featuring things such as the skylines of the airline's destination cities and illustrations of its in-flight bento box meals. Now, obviously you don't want passengers lining up in the aisles in the middle of a flight, so instead of being in a fixed spot of the aircraft, the Airplane Gacha is instead mounted to a cart like the one used for in-flight food and drink service, with cabin crew wheeling it to the row of those wishing to play. Having passengers fiddle with a bunch of 10 and 100-yen coins would also probably cause problems, so to prevent that a single-use token is provided to passengers who spend 2,000 yen (US$13.80) or more on in-flight purchases during the flight. On its own, 2,000 yen would be a steep price for a gacha machine, especially when the prizes are such simple things as tags and stickers, but again, the gacha token comes as a free extra in addition to the items purchased in-flight. Also, while most of the capsules contain just the tags or stickers, during the promotion period 10,000 yen vouchers for future Air Japan flights will be given to two Airplane Gacha-playing passengers. ✈️✨ 機内ガチャ、ついにスタート！✨✈️昨日から、AirJapanでは客室乗務員を中心に企画した特別な機内イベント「AirJapanガチャ」が始まりました！ 🌍✈️世界中で大人気のガチャガチャが、なんと飛行機の中に！ 空の上で楽しめる、ワクワクいっぱいの体験をぜひお楽しみください。… — ANA Group News (@ANA_Group_News) July 26, 2025 The Airplane Gacha promotion runs from July 25 to August 31, with the exceptions of the Narita-to-Bangkok flights on August 20, 23, and 27 and the Narita-to-Singapore flights on August 18, 21-25, and 28. Source: Air Japan via Travel Watch Top image: Air Japan Insert images: Twitter/@ANA_Group_News, ANA, Instagram/ ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Japan Times
18-07-2025
- Japan Times
Dancers, festivals and one very useful Japanese grammar point
日本の夏といえば祭りだ (Nihon no natsu to ieba matsuri da, When you speak of a Japanese summer, [you think] festivals). You've likely already been to a 伝統的な祭り (dentō-tekina matsuri, traditional festival) in Japan. もし行ったことがなくても心配しないでください。今からでも遅くない祭りを紹介します (Moshi itta koto ga nakute mo shinpai shinaide kudasai. Ima kara demo osokunai matsuri o shōkai shimasu, If you've never been to one, don't worry. [Here, we] will introduce some that are not too late to join even now). If you're new to 祭り (matsuri, festivals), then it's worth starting your education with the 日本三大祭り (Nihon San-dai Matsuri, 'Big Three' Japan festivals). The 神田祭 (Kanda Matsuri, Kanda Festival) in Tokyo has come and gone but you still have a chance to see the two others. 京都の祇園祭はすでに始まっていて、７月31日まで一ヵ月間行われます。また、大阪の天神祭は７月24日と25日に開催されます。さすが千年以上の歴史を誇るだけあって細部まで美しく、暑い関西に出向くだけのことはあります (Kyōto no Gion Matsuri wa sudeni hajimatte-ite, shichi-gatsu sanjuu-ichi nichi made ikkagetsukan okonawaremasu. Mata, Ōsaka no Tenjin Matsuri wa shichi-gatsu nijūyokka to nijūgo-nichi ni kansai saremasu. Sasuga sennen ijō no rekishi o hokoru dake atte saibu made utsukushiku, atsui Kansai ni demuku dake no koto wa arimasu, Kyoto's Gion Festival has already begun and will run for a month until July 31. Also, Osaka's Tenjin Festival will be held on July 24 and 25. As expected from a place with over 1,000 years of history, they'll be beautiful down to the last detail and well worth a trip to the hot Kansai region). Before we embark on any other festival destinations, let's stop to have a look at a grammatical point used in the previous paragraph. The structure 〜だけあって (~dake atte, as expected from/precisely because) and its related terms 〜だけのことはある (~dake no koto wa aru) and 〜だけに (~dake ni). Form this structure by attaching it to a verb in plain form (past or present), a na-adjective (with "na"), an i-adjective or a noun. The 〜だけあって and 〜だけのことはある grammar patterns express positive admiration for an expected result. The 〜だけに version, however, simply points out the expected result with neither positive nor negative nuance. Therefore, you could get away with a sentence like, 期待していただけにがっかりした (Kitai shite-ita dake ni gakkari shimashita, I was disappointed even though expectations [were high]). Additionally, the word さすが (sasuga, as expected) will often be included in a 〜だけあって structure, as in さすが人気なだけあって、このラーメン屋は並ぶだけのことはある (Sasuga ninkina dake atte, kono rāmen-ya wa narabu dake no koto wa aru, As expected from its popularity, this ramen shop is worth waiting in line for). Now, back to the festivals. If you like 花火 (hanabi, fireworks) then the 隅田川花火大会 (Sumida-gawa hanabi taikai, Sumida River Fireworks Festival) held on July 26 is for you. As one of Tokyo's most popular summer events, it's worth doing 場所取り (basho-tori, reserving a spot) a few hours in advance to secure a good view. 壮大な花火を見れば、朝から場所取りをするだけのことはあると思うでしょう (Sōdaina hanabi o mireba, asa kara basho-tori o suru dake no koto wa aru to omou deshō, The spectacular fireworks will prove why it's worth grabbing a spot early in the morning). Up north, the 青森ねぶた祭り (Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, Aomori Nebuta Festival) will be held from Aug. 2 to 7 in 青森市 (Aomori-shi, the city of Aomori). ねぶたとは、ねぶた名人と町民によって作られる巨大な燈篭人形のことである。 手作業で何か月もかけて作るだけに、完成度が高い (Nebuta to wa, nebuta meijin to chōmin ni yotte tsukurareru kyodaina tōrō ningyō no koto de aru. Tesagyō de nankagetsu mo kakete tsukuru dake ni, kanseido ga takai, Nebuta are giant lantern dolls made by nebuta masters and local townspeople. Because they are painstakingly handmade over many months, they have a high degree of perfection). The ねぶた (nebuta, nebuta floats) are constructed from 木 (ki, wood), 針金 (harigane, wire) and 和紙 (washi, traditional Japanese paper). They are displayed during nightly 行列 (gyōretsu, parades) accompanied by 跳人 (haneto) dancers. In nearby 秋田県 (Akita-ken, Akita Prefecture), the 秋田竿燈まつり (Akita Kantō Matsuri, Akita Kanto Festival) takes place from Aug. 3 to 6. Just as the ねぶた祭り is characterized by its giant floats, the 竿燈まつり is known for large poles, nearly 50 meters tall, that are decorated with dozens of 提灯 (chōchin, lanterns) and are skillfully balanced on the 肩 (kata, shoulders) and 額 (hitai, foreheads) of experienced performers. Also in the Tohoku region is the 仙台七夕まつり (Sendai Tanabata Matsuri, Sendai Tanabata Festival), which is held Aug. 6 to 8 in 宮城県の仙台市 (Miyagi-ken no Sendai-shi, the city of Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture). 七夕とは天の川に隔てられた織姫と彦星が年に一回だけ会えるという伝説で、日本各地で祭りが行われます。仙台では旧暦に基づいて８月に開催されます (Tanabata to wa, Amanogawa ni yotte hedaterareta Orihime to Hikoboshi ga nen ni ikkai dake aeru to iu densetsu de, Nihon kakuchi de matsuri ga okonawaremasu. Sendai dewa kyūreki ni motozuite, hachi-gatsu ni kaisai saremasu, As for Tanabata, it is the legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi, [lovers] who are separated by the Milky Way and can only meet once a year. Festivals are held throughout Japan (in their honor). In Sendai, [the festival] is held in August in accordance with the lunar calendar). The city is decorated with 笹 (sasa, bamboo branches) and 短冊 (tanzaku, paper strips) carrying people's wishes. 歴史があるだけあって、その規模や豪華さは素晴らしい (Rekishi ga aru dake atte, sono kibo ya gōkasa wa subarashii, As expected from its long history, the scale and opulence of the event is impressive). On the other end of the country, those in 高知県 (Kōchi-ken, Kochi Prefecture) can catch the よさこい祭り (Yosakoi Matsuri, Yosakoi Festival) held from Aug. 9 to 12. Here, teams from across the country dance the 鳴子踊り (naruko odori, naruko dance), the 鳴子 (naruko) being a kind of clapper instrument that was once used to chase animals from the rice fields. Farther south in 徳島県 (Tokushima-ken, Tokushima Prefecture), the 阿波おどり (Awa-odori, Awa dance) festival will be held from Aug. 11 to 15. This is a massive festival that even has an offshoot in Tokyo's Koenji neighborhood. In fact, the 高円寺阿波おどり (Kōenji Awa Odori, Koenji Awa Dance festival) has also grown in popularity and size, attracting many participants as well as visitors. It will be held on Aug. 23 and 24. 徳島の人たちに指導してもらっただけあって、高円寺の阿波おどりのレベルはとても高い (Tokushima no hitotachi ni shidō shite moratta dake atte, Kōenji no Awa Odori no reberu wa totemo takai, Thanks in part to the guidance of the people of Tokushima, the level of Awa dance in Koenji is very high). みなさんもこの夏、どこかの祭りに足を運んでみてはいかがですか (Minasan mo kono natsu, dokoka no matsuri ni ashi o hakonde mite wa ikaga desu ka, Everyone, this summer, why not try visiting one of these festivals)?
NHK
06-07-2025
- NHK
Airlines to ask fliers to keep mobile batteries out of overhead bin
Japanese airline companies will ask their passengers not to put their mobile batteries away in overhead bins for fire safety. The companies and the transport ministry decided to implement the policy Tuesday for travelers who want to bring mobile batteries into cabins. Mobile batteries are used for devices such as smartphones and tablets. They contain lithium-ion batteries that experts say could catch fire when impacted by shocks. The ministry says such fires have occurred on airplanes. South Korean investigators say a passenger jet fire in January may have been caused by a mobile battery that ignited inside an overhead bin. In April, a mobile battery caught fire in a passenger plane that departed Honolulu, prompting the aircraft to make an emergency landing at Tokyo's Haneda Airport. The airlines will make announcements to passengers before and after boarding to ask them to keep mobile batteries close to them without putting them in overhead compartments. They will also be asked to place their devices within sight while charging. The ministry's official says if mobile batteries are kept close to their owners, any fires could be spotted and quickly extinguished.
