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For centuries, Onsens developed as a popular and culturally significant activity made possible by Japan’s active natural landscape (ie. underlying volcanic areas). Admired for its healing properties, hot spring bathing locations began to emerge increasingly during the Tokugawa and Meiji Period in Japan. Many Japanese understand Onsen to be a place of healing, a space that presents remedies for various types of ailments. However, the ever growing popularity of Onsen in Japan has also brought concern as the increasing numbers of Onsen diminish the overall quality of Onsens (recycling waters, contamination, over-chlorination, etc.).

Since the collapse of the economic bubble, the frequency and longevity of Onsen visits, mainly Japanese citizens, has diminished greatly. Due in part to policies undermining the value of Onsens as places of healing and well being, many visitors are now tourists with a smaller amount being Japanese. Nonetheless, it has remained a unique identifier of Japanese culture globally. Moreover, Onsens are seen not only as a way to clean the body, but also the soul. Japan’s Shinto practitioners understood it to be a way to purify oneself with water. It was customary for many to wake up early and purify the body and soul by bathing in an Onsen.

Although it may be difficult to pinpoint geographically a particular area where Onsens first appeared most popular in Japan, mainly due to the sheer abundance of hot springs in every Japanese region, it is nonetheless intriguing to consider the unifying characteristics of such a natural phenomenon. It has also become a way to unify the various geographic expanses of Japan holistically, where each region becomes recognized for its particular Onsens, which in themselves vary greatly. Rather than Japan as having secluded regions of Onsens, Japan is a nation of Onsens; a significant cultural and spiritual activity practiced by all Japanese equally.

Sources:

https://www.nippon.com/en/views/b04702/

Serbulea, Mihaela; Payyappallimana, Unnikrishnan (2012) Onsen (hot springs) in Japan—Transforming terrain into healing landscapes. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/science/article/pii/S135382921200127X?_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_origin=gateway&_docanchor=&md5=b8429449ccfc9c30159a5f9aeaa92ffb

 

Since the occurrence of the 2011 Triple Disaster, Japan has begun shifting perspectives, policies, and activities of energy production towards more alternative sources, ie. Solar, Biomass, Geothermal, etc. Of particular notice is Solar energy, which is becoming most popular and growing at an increasing rate for the past few years in Japan. Not only is Solar energy a renewable, each system has the ability to be arranged in various formations, as the panels are modular. Along with the relatively ‘cheaper’ cost of PV (photovoltaic) panels, the rise of its prevalence in Japan seems more likely due to the ‘borderless’ characteristics of Solar Farms and its ability to morph to the dynamic physical geography of Japan.

Historically, Japan has been heavily dependent on the import of fossil fuels to sustain its energy demands, due in part to the scarcity of resource deposits, such as oil and other fossil fuels, within its highly active natural landscapes. Approximately 94% of Japan’s primary energy sources are reliant on imported resources, however, global politics, cost, and transport infrastructures have increasingly made it difficult for Japan to meet its energy demands, especially after The Triple Disaster (FEPC, 2017).

Therefore, the versatility of Solar energy has proven an indispensable characteristic as it is both adaptive and response (to the Triple Disaster). Moreover, the challenges posed by highly active environments is not only shown in the production of energy, but also in the efficient and safe transport of energy to and from sources. Solar Farms can exists within the urban fabric as a dynamic interconnected matrix of energy, minimizing the overall friction of distance of energy and ultimately creating in situ energy sources; rather than larger power plants set at further distances. 

Another notable feature of Solar Farms is the ability to remain connected to a grid in the case of an emergency or natural disaster. The Fukushima Nuclear Plant provided a large amount of energy for its surrounding landscape and when hit by the Tsunami was forced offline. However, if a highly integrated energy matrix existing of Solar Farms scattered across regions, the impact of energy loss might be mitigated as ample power can still be sourced from other farms or stations surrounding an area forced offline via natural disaster.

Finally, Japan’s northern regions are seemingly underutilized, which is due to its dense mountain ranges and highly active volcanic landscape. Solar Farms might flourish in these areas of Japan due to the lack of large urban cores and greater space between each city centre. Most areas North of the Kanto region and in Hokkaido are already industry laden (agriculture) which further substantiates the feasibility of increasing the number of Solar Farms in those areas. Rather, Japan might consider the development of Solar Farms in these area as a way to solidify and reorganize population densities into more (rural) Northern areas of the nation, as well as, influence the further need and use of a Shinkansen Line to Sapporo; currently not directly accessible via Shinkansen.

Sources:

Kåberger, Tomas (2017) Solar PV cheaper than LNG-power in Japan makes massive deployment possible. Retrieved from http://www.renewable-ei.org/en/column/column_20170526.php

Kimura, Keiji (2017) Solar covered 76% of a demand in Kyushu at its peak generation

The Federation of Electrical Power Companies of Japan (FEPC). (2017). Japan’s Energy Supply Situation and Basic Policy. Retrieved from http://www.fepc.or.jp/english/energy_electricity/supply_situation/index.html

Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. (2017) Japan’s Energy White Paper 2017: Japan’s Energy Landscape and Key Policy Measures. Retrieved from http://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/en/category/whitepaper/pdf/whitepaper_2017.pdf

Hall, Sam., Eckhouse, Brian (2017) Japan’s Renewable-Energy Revolution. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/photo-essays/2017-07-13/japan-s-renewable-energy-revolution

Cuisine in Japan is more than a simple means of subsistence but the result of cultural practices molded by Japanese landscapes. Japan’s geography and local, situated between the Sea of Japan (West), the Northern Pacific Ocean (East), the Sea of Okhotsk (North), and the East China Sea (South), and the vast abundance of deep waters in some ways influenced the commodification of fish and other ‘sea’ foods. However, can the geographic situations of an ‘ocean city’ be the sole agent at work in molding high cuisines.

The advent of Japanese cuisine seems a natural response to the rigid geographic conditions presented, however, it was also through radical cultural practices and events that have allowed such patterns of subsistence to endure over time. The Tokugawa Era was very much a radical epoch in Japanese history where many distinctive characteristics of modern Japanese culture were incubated, namely the introduction of Japanese cuisine. In some respects, the prominence of Japanese cuisine has transcended its own cultural boundaries and has spread into those of neighbouring coastal cities ie. Vancouver.

The geographic expanse of the Kanto Region is home to a globally recognized signature or staple of Japanese cuisine, Nigiri-zushi. Tokyo’s well known historic Tsukiji Market adjacent Tokyo Bay, is considered a major agent in the commodification of seafood in the area. However, the introduction of Nigiri-zushi was within the surrounding historic urban streetscapes of Tokugawa Edo. Its praised originator Hanaya Yohei, a radical chef in the city, began selling Nigiri-zushi from street carts and stalls, due in part to the demand of what must have been a lively and bustling Edo streetscape, and lack of refrigeration or cold box.

Although Tokyo’s Tsukiji has been known for its absurd market price for Tuna and other seafood, and an epicentre of culture and commodity, similar instances of culture and commodity developed in the Kansai Region. Setsubun, a Japanese event taking place every spring season in February, illustrates the very infusion of seafood and culture within Japanese landscapes. Eho Maki, a staple of Setsubun festivities, is a sushi roll symbolically thought to bring good omens to residences. Each individual ingredient within the roll acts as an element or part of a good omen. Eho Maki has historically been known to be heavily present within the Kansai region of Japan, where Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and other large cities are situated.

These two areas, the Kansai and Kanto Regions, are apart of the central portion of Japan, with most of its coastal regions within the Omote Nihon. As noted in the previous post, this area is also the location of major transportation infrastructures, events centres, and dense urban epicentres, illustrating further the importance of these landscapes (or regions) in molding Japanese resources, cultures, and subsistence practices over centuries.

Sources:

https://kotaku.com/the-inventor-of-sushi-1683686290

https://www.thespruce.com/good-fortune-sushi-rolls-2031612

https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/920/

https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/4881/

P.P. Karan. (2005). Japan in the 21st Century: Environment, Economy and Society. Lexington, The University Press of Kentucky.

 

 

 

Japan has been selected to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with Tokyo, as host city. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics will concentrate mainly within the Kanto region with events also taking place in venues located within parts of the Tohoku, Chubu, and Hokkaido regions. Japan’s extensive railway system (Shinkansen Line, JR Line, and Tokyo Metro) collectively connects the Northernmost regions of Hokkaido to the Southernmost regions of Kyushu and parts of Shikoku. However, Japan has considered the need for further improvements to its railway transportation systems in order to accommodate and serve global visitors, athletes, and local residences simultaneously in the upcoming 2020 Olympics.

The opening and closing ceremonies will take place in the Japan National Stadium or Olympic Stadium, built originally for the 1964 Olympics, in the Southernmost area of the Shinjuku ward, West of the Imperial Palace which is located in the Chiyoda ward. Stations nearest the Olympic Stadium and Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium (Sendagaya Station and Shinanomachi Station), will receive upgrades in order to accommodate visitors as well as sustain future activities within one of the largest metropolitan areas in Japan. Moreover, the historic Harajuku Station near Yoyogi National Stadium, built in 1924 and one of the oldest within the Tokyo area, is also set to receive similar upgrades. Another station is planning to be built near Shinagawa Station and Tamachi Station, located West of the Olympic Village. Japanese authorities and organizers also hope to debut the new Maglev bullet train in time for the 2020 Olympic Games and select JR Lines. The Maglev Train, a sure technological milestone in Japanese transportation, is planned to extend from Tokyo to Nagoya (with later extensions into Osaka) and travel at higher speeds than current Shinkansen trains. Its more direct route through mountainous landscapes will allow the Maglev to make the trips from Tokyo to Nagoya in under an hour.

Due to Japan’s extremely dense urban fabric, introducing new innovative spaces and venues to host the Olympic Games becomes a challenge. Nonetheless, Japan has made excellent use of reclaimed land, especially within Tokyo Bay (Zone). Nearly half of the venues are located on reclaimed areas, including the Olympic Village and Broadcasting Centre.

The 2020 Olympic Games are set to take place within two main zones; the ‘Heritage Zone’ and ‘Tokyo Bay Zone’. The National Stadium where the 1964 Olympic Ceremonies took place is planned to undergo a major redesign. Nestled within the ‘Heritage Zone,’ the project illustrates the continued importance of heritage spaces within Japanese landscapes. Japan’s newly created urban spaces, venues, and housing will be located within the ‘Tokyo Bay Zone’. Ultimately, Japan has creating a unique synthesis between old and new in focusing the games around these two major thematic and programmatic zones which will be reinforced via its highly interconnected transport infrastructures. Symbolizing the unbound passion, inspiration, and commitment of elite athletes, and the limitless potentials of future generations, Japan seeks to strengthen its legacy of the 1964 Olympic Games and that of the future 2020 Olympic Games infinitely into tomorrow.

Sources:

https://tokyo2020.jp/jp/games/plan/data/tokyo2020guidebook-1708-EN.pdf

https://www.jrpass.com/map

http://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2016/20160605.pdf

https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/tokyo-2020-olympics

Mock-ups of the new Olympic stadium have been unveiled – it’s going to provide a great stage for the athletes to compete on at #Tokyo2020! pic.twitter.com/2LMwsqhuEj

— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) October 17, 2017

Reclaimed Land in Japan

 

 

As we have noted in class and readings, Japan is a nation prone to natural disasters (earthquake, tsunami, landslides, volcanic activity) yet also a nation of ingenuity and craftsmanship. For centuries Japan has been influenced by other nation-states (China, Korea, ‘Western’ North Americans) and their cultures, which has ultimately diversified many of its landscapes in different ways. For example, the Meiji Restoration period commission to gather information regarding modern ‘western’ practices overseas aided in the multifaceted modernisation of Japan. Nonetheless, of the many adopted cultural edifices of neighboring nation-states, it has been the architecture and design of pagodas which has become most appropriately suited for Japan’s unique and highly active natural environments.

Pagodas have functioned as important cultural spaces for Buddhist practices over centuries. Most have been created using wood and held together with complex joinery and column systems. Its elongated eaves have also been known to act as a tool in managing the commonly intense precipitation patterns of Japan by redirecting its further away from the base or foundation. Some of the oldest wooden structures in the world still standing are Japanese pagodas.

It is due to their multi-storied design, material, and structural design which has ultimately allowed the survival of such significant structures. Every horizontal storey within a pagoda (commonly 5 stories) sits independent of its lower and upper floors. This allows for horizontal movement which follows a pattern similar to that of a snake (the slithering/sliding back and forth) during an earthquake. It also has a central column, known as a shinbashira, which further supports the pagoda during an event. Moreover, the use of wood allows for flexibility unlike stone or brick. Unique Japanese joinery systems also affects the structural integrity of each pagoda, allowing for movement between columns and beams. The friction caused by such movement dampens the vibrations of earthquakes and typhoons.

Overall, the landscape of Japan is frequently changing and influenced by natural phenomena that when coupled with large scale human settlement can mean disaster. Yet, the remarkable design of such pagoda structures has not gone unnoticed today. Today, modern urban designers are adopting similar structural paradigms in order to mitigate any possible future disasters. Nonetheless, these historic structures are surely amazing, illustrating the rich culture and knowledge of Japan over centuries.

Sources:

http://www.wattention.com/articles/japan-world-heritage-3-buddhist-monuments-in-horyuji

http://www.hms.civil.uminho.pt/sahc/2010/79.pdf