of their country is and nine times out of ten they will tell you it's the changing seasons. While four distinct seasons are not unique to Japan (being from Seattle I've seen my fair share of hot summers and freezing winters), it really is striking just how pronounced the four seasons are in Japan and just how much the leisure activities of the Japanese are built around them. The Snow Festival in Hokkaido during winter, and cherry blossom viewing throughout the country during spring are two major examples, but each season also brings with it a handful of smaller activities and events, less well-known but no less unique to that season.
Which brings me to the Sumida Riverboat Cruise I took with my fellow teachers two weeks ago. As anyone with access to a thermometer can tell you summer is in full swing over here. Temperatures are hovering in the high eighties and low ninties and the humidity is right around 70%. Needless to say, any leisure activities are best kept inside where, thanks to modern technology, the room and the beer can be kept at roughtly the same temp. Or so I thought before I boarded the yakatabune (pleasure boat) docked at the edge of Sumida river, a large river running through Tokyo that functioned as the main transportation route for merchants and traiders moving their goods in and out of the city during the Edo period. At that time, the yakatabune was an entertainment reserved only for a privledged few. Today it can be enjoyed by anyone (~I mean, they let me on, right?).
Which brings me to the Sumida Riverboat Cruise I took with my fellow teachers two weeks ago. As anyone with access to a thermometer can tell you summer is in full swing over here. Temperatures are hovering in the high eighties and low ninties and the humidity is right around 70%. Needless to say, any leisure activities are best kept inside where, thanks to modern technology, the room and the beer can be kept at roughtly the same temp. Or so I thought before I boarded the yakatabune (pleasure boat) docked at the edge of Sumida river, a large river running through Tokyo that functioned as the main transportation route for merchants and traiders moving their goods in and out of the city during the Edo period. At that time, the yakatabune was an entertainment reserved only for a privledged few. Today it can be enjoyed by anyone (~I mean, they let me on, right?).
The boat we boarded was scheduled to take us from the Asakusa area near the center of Tokyo, to Odaiba, an artificial island built for defense in the mid-19th century that now functions mainly as a shopping district with several department stores, restaurants, and even an amusement park.
When we boarded the boat we found delicious food and drinks waiting for us, including my favorite - Sushi! Some toasts were made, beer was poured, the boat pulled out and we were soon on our way. As we picked up speed, the summer heat was replaced by a cool breeze and pretty soon I couldn't imagine being cooped up inside on such a lovely night. The sun went down about half-way through the trip and we were treated to a beautiful view of Tokyo at night (my camera doesn't do it justice). Thanks to this small summer tradition I was able to spend time with good friends, eat delicious food, enjoy a unique view of Tokyo, and enjoy an aspect of Japanese entertainment dating back centuries. And it's only July! I wonder what the rest of the summer holds...
When we boarded the boat we found delicious food and drinks waiting for us, including my favorite - Sushi! Some toasts were made, beer was poured, the boat pulled out and we were soon on our way. As we picked up speed, the summer heat was replaced by a cool breeze and pretty soon I couldn't imagine being cooped up inside on such a lovely night. The sun went down about half-way through the trip and we were treated to a beautiful view of Tokyo at night (my camera doesn't do it justice). Thanks to this small summer tradition I was able to spend time with good friends, eat delicious food, enjoy a unique view of Tokyo, and enjoy an aspect of Japanese entertainment dating back centuries. And it's only July! I wonder what the rest of the summer holds...
