Hyper Japan 2014

Hyper Japan is the UK’s biggest Japanese culture event, held in London since 2010. It showcases a mixture of old culture and new: from traditional crafts & cuisine to contemporary fashion from the streets of Harajuku (Tokyo’s fashion district). From the 25^th to the 27^th of July in  Earls court, it is a chance to dip into another country without leaving your own.

The queue to enter is a sight to behold, as those already interested in Japan dress up for the occasion in detailed costumes. Some people cosplay as characters from games and anime, others are clad in complex doll-like Lolita dresses or covered in elaborate accessories. These bright displays only increase as you enter.

There are many booths offering different pieces of Japanese culture. One of the most eye-catching is the ‘kawaii’ area.  Kawaii is the Japanese word for cute, and at Hyper Japan it certainly lives up to its meaning. Stalls selling fashions in cheerful pastel colours, with intricate lace adorning every hem, and shoes riddled with bows are everywhere. Stationery is on every stand too, with a seemingly endless variety of pencil toppers, stickers and erasers, all with cheeky faces. Somewhat confusing is the obsession with plushie alpacas and mini vegetables; apparently anything goes here in the name of cute.

There are three performance stages at Hyper Japan; at these you will find demonstrations of Japanese technology, dance, music and many other shows. A popular attraction on stage is the various examples of J-pop (Japanese pop music): which at first sounds high pitched and sugary, but you’ll be humming ‘PonPonPon’ on the journey home. To ensure you don’t miss the main stage shows programmes are essential to help plan your day and available for free on entry, remember to leave enough time to ensure you get the best seats.

For those looking for the more traditional aspects of Japanese life, you can find the elegant bonsai tree garden. Here miniature trees have been expertly grown into complex knots; the result of knowledge passed down over the centuries.  To get a more hands-on grasp of the culture there is the workshop tables. Several traditional skills and pastimes can be tried here for free, such as origami, haiku writing and the opportunity to paint your name in the Japanese alphabet. There is also the opportunity to wear the clothing which usually springs to mind when anyone mentions Japan: kimonos. Although, you will soon realise that there are many different styles of this dress, for example special kimonos for different seasons and occasions. Their patterns are designed to capture the eye, with vibrant colours and images of iconic Japanese symbols; serpentine dragons, cherry blossoms or graceful koi carp.

After all that discovery, food is probably the next thing to seek out. Hyper Japan offers many Eastern delicacies. There is a whole area named Eat-Japan, which houses the Sushi Awards. Here, skilled chefs present some of their finest pieces of the culinary phenomena. Sushi is a mix raw fish and seaweed, something many people fear, yet you can’t help but admire the artistic presentation. The chefs’ precise carvings can leave a fillet of Salmon looking like a rosebud - almost a crime to eat. For £5 you can try a sample from each of the chefs in the booth and then vote for your favourite. Then there is the Sake Experience, a taste of Japan’s infamous fiery rice-based alcohol. Here you can try many different blends of sake, much like a wine tasting event. There is a surprising variety to the drink, depending on the region it’s from, brewing technique and type of grain used.

Japan is also known, of course, for technology.  Japanese game developers, such as Nintendo and Capcom, have stands demoing their upcoming games at Hyper Japan. This area often draws a big crowd; many are eager to test-drive the games. Unfortunately, this means that queues for some bigger titles can be quite long and you could expect to wait for awhile.

To many people, Japan appears to be summed up with anime, robots and geishas. Hyper Japan will make you realise that they are barely even the surface of this rich culture. Attending gives you the chance to discover a world far removed from our own, one bedded in tradition yet also refreshingly modern.

Winchester Christmas Market travel piece

If you’re seeking a Christmas experience to get you in a festive frenzy, then a visit to Winchester Cathedral is essential. The famed annual winter market is back, bringing a little piece of German tradition. A hive of food, fun and wonder tucked within the historic Cathedral’s inner close. It’s a refreshing change of pace from our modern concept of the season, no loud music, flashy lights or expensive technology. Instead you’re whisked back to a Victorian-esque scene which you would expect to see only on biscuit tins.

It struck me no sooner had I entered the Cathedral’s grounds, beneath a walkway of fairy lights. I couldn’t help feel enchanted, cold but enchanted.  I noticed an enticing saccharine sweet smell, a mixture of candy floss and warmed spice overloaded my senses and drew me into the festivities. Before me was the quintessential winter wonderland market minus the snow. Wooden chalets all lined up forming a village square scene, each offering something different and unique.  In the centre stood an ice rink bringing a sense of frantic fun and a pinch of danger to the atmosphere.

Following the path took me to each hut; ensuring I wouldn’t be able to miss a thing even if I had wanted to. I found myself pulled to stalls that from afar I had no interest in investigating, just so I could soak up every detail. There is something on offer for everyone from Christmas gifts and decorations to beautifully handmade products and even a fairy or few. I’m surprised my neck wasn’t aching after being constantly distracted by all the opportunities on offer. Despite being a market, I felt no compulsion to purchase and panic buy. The stall owners were all respectful and I felt more than comfortable just to stop and look. Many in fact gladly explained the crafting purchase and the stories they told added to the magic.

All the excitement had worked up an appetite within me. Luckily at the halfway point is a semi-circle of food huts offering a variety of choices. There’s Bratwurst or turkey for those who want to continue the traditional festive feel.  I, however, opted for ‘hot and spicy wedges’ with some sour cream on the side. They tasted great and certainly lived up to their name, just what I needed when the night was getting chilly. They tasted crisp and fresh and watching them get roasted then and there added to the sensation Of course with such a range on offer I saved room for dessert. The problem, I needed something light. As much as I wanted Belgian waffles and toasted marshmallows I don’t think my stomach would thank me. I found a stall selling strawberry crepes. They were just what I was looking for, something subtly sweet and a great fruit taste. I did notice as I continued around caramelized nuts on sale, and made a mental note for my next visit.

Overall, Winchester Cathedral’s winter market offered me an unforgettable shopping village. I will certainly be heading back and recommend you visit soon. Whether you’re looking for handmade gifts, tantalising treats, or like me, to get a truly unique experience and get you into the holiday spirit. There’s much more than mulled wine and mistletoe on offer. I can assure, you’ll go home happy and tingling with tinsel on the inside. 

Learning Japanese

Rather soon I will be boarding an airplane at 6AM in London Heathrow, and landing in Tokyo at 7:30 the next day. Of course, with a four hour stop in Vienna; just enough time to check out duty free. I am excited that my trip is getting ever closer, but I am also slightly terrified. This is because I fear being in Japan without the ability to speak an ounce of Japanese,

That’s why for the past few weeks I have dedicated a lot of my time to learning about Japan’s history, culture and it’s language. As someone who has attempted to learn a language several times in the past, without much luck; the last task seemed impossible.

I'll be spending a while looking through duty free in Vienna

It seemed so daunting; tasked with not only a new language, but a whole new alphabet. After a quick glance at the alphabet I leaned that they actually use a combination of alphabets. Surely, I will never be able to get a grip with any of them. So what is the point of even trying?

I quickly pushed this thought aside. Too often, English tourists travel abroad with little to no inclination to learn the local’s language. We have become accustomed to finding that the majority of people speak English as a first or second language. This has made tourists rather lazy when travelling; something that only becomes a problem in times of emergency. By which time it’s too late, leaving them left rather stuck and confused.

With this as my incentive, as what not to do; I began studying. I am pleased with the progress I have made in as little as a week. Already I know the symbols for the vowels on sight, and I am beginning to see a pattern in the alphabets. As you can see from the charts on this post the alphabets are mostly the vowels coupled with a consonant. So, once you have got a grasp on the vowels it becomes a matter of recognising them with a paired consonant.

I took the opportunity of a recent trip to Japan Centre in London, to pick up some Japanese newspapers. I am currently slowly pouring through its pages translating the articles on a separate piece of paper. The activity is rather similar to code cracking games I played as a child, the type often found on the back of cereal boxes. The additional benefit to learning how to recognise words is that I am also picking up on what is current in Japan at the moment.

To me learning the language is like a complex one of these.

As far as speaking Japanese, the phrasebook Say It In Japanese is a godsend. That’s not saying it is easy, getting into a habit of pronouncing words phonetically is tricky. Once again the English can be rather lazy with pronunciation, often letters are skipped over when said aloud. Japanese tends to be more phonetic with the words sounding as they are written. I am finding that the best way to tackle saying a new word is to break it down at the vowels. For instance the word America, I would break that into A-mer-i-ca. By doing this I ensure I hit every letters sound and avoid mixing words.

Already I am making good progress. I can introduce myself, wish someone a good day and ask them if they don’t mind repeating themselves. I am hopeful that with a few everyday phrases and keeping the book with me, that I won’t go too wrong.

Overall I have found that learning Japanese is an example of a task that at first seems Herculean. But, once you begin, it becomes more manageable. So, Arigato gozaimasu, Itte kimasu (that should mean thank you and good-bye).

Duty free shop from 1bag1world, Hiragana chart from Kanaquest, Code cracking puzzle from education