One Year Anniversary of Japanese Earthquake-Tsunami

On March 11 Japan marked the one-year anniversary of of the devastating earthquake-tsunami that killed at least 16,000 people. This earthquake-tsunami was the worst catastrophe the nation has suffered since World War II. The magnitude-9.0 earthquake unleashed a tsunami that swelled to more than 65 feet. 

The tsunami then triggered a radiation leak at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. Tens of thousands of people were forced to evacuate when a 20-kilometer radius around the Fukushima plant was ruined, becoming no-man's land. 

The tragedy resulted in a heavy loss of lives, devastated entire parts of the country, and brought down the government.  

To mourn such a tragic event, people across the country observed a minute's silence at 2:46 pm- the moment the earthquake struck. Thousands of people commemorated the dead with bells and prayers. 

Plenty to Visit in Shanghai this Spring

The French Concession

Now that spring is approaching, a wonderful destination to consider is Shanghai. If you're already planning a trip to China, a visit to Shanghai is a must. There are lots of fun activities people of any age can enjoy. 

The French Walking Tour should be on everyone's list of stops while venturing through the city. The French Concession has a very peaceful atmosphere, unique from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city (the population exceeds seventeen million!). The trees were imported from France in the early 1900s and still line both sides of the street and old villas are being renovated and turned into nice little shops and homes. 

Another walking tour that should make the list of things to do is the Bund Walking Tour.  The Bund is Shanghai's most famous landmark. A great way to visit the Bund is to be dropped off at the Peace Hotel and walk south, going in and out of buildings along the way. 

The Yu Garden

The Yu Garden is another fun place to venture through. The entire area has been renovated in the traditional style Chinese architecture. It is also home to the Huxingting Tea House that inspired the design in the famous Blue Willow china pattern. The Yu Garden has everything that a tourist would want to take home with them from silk pajamas to chopsticks. 

Be sure to visit one of the city's skyscrapers, such as the Shanghai World Financial Center, the city's, as well as China's, tallest building- at least for now.  

If you are in the mood to do some shopping, Taikang Road is the place to be. This road allows you to see Shanghai at its best with street vendors selling foods and other various items, women hanging up laundry, children scampering about, and more. Its full of shops and cafes selling everything from traditional to hip, new clothes, jewelry, and other various items. 

Taikang Road

Another great place to shop is Dong Tai Road. This road is Shanghai's version of the Beijing Panjiayuan Market. Dong Tai Road is not nearly as large as the Panjiayuan Market but offers a similar atmosphere with the shops and stalls lining both sides of the street. Here you can find all kinds of items including old wooden rice buckets, brightly painted opera masks, porcelain, and Mao memorabilia. Don't forget your bargaining skills! 

Finally they have the fastest high speed train in the world - so take a ride and see the area outside Shanghai as well.

Celebrate Rich Japanese Culture in March

March is a big month for Japan with numerous festivals and events to celebrate the rich Japanese culture. March begins with the annual Awashima-jinja Shrine Festival. The Awashima-jinja Shrine is trusted by many women for marriage and the safe delivery of children. During the festival, people can touch the "shintai," the religious object that is said to bring blessing to children. An offering of ladles that are associated with the legend of Awashima-jinja Shine will also take place during the festival. A memorial service is held for old needles and paper doll amulets are gathered. A Shinto priest purifies them, then the misfortunes and and impurities of the year are imbued into them. In a ritual called "nagashibina" the dolls are put into a small boat and floated into the ocean, carrying the year's misfortunes with them. 


To learn more about the mentioned Asian countries and other Asian themes, please visit Fujimini Island, find Fujimini Island on Facebook, follow Fujimini Island on Twitter.

The Oyama Tofu Festival is also held in March. This festival is held at the Tofu Plaza to celebrate Oyama's famous tofu. Large pieces of tofu are offered to "kamidana" Shinto altars in order to give thanks and pray for participants' health. Other events and contests are held during this time including eating contests and handmade tofu making contests. 

The Shonan Enoshima Spring Festival is held in mid-march to celebrate the coming of spring in Shonan. During this festival events such as a comedy concert, open-air tea ceremony, shell festival parade, and taiko drum performances take place. 


To learn more about the author of this article Eileen Wacker and her acclaimed book series,  visit ONCEKids, ONCEKids on Facebook,  ONCEKids on Twitter.

March closes with two events known as the "Yudate Shishi-mai" Dance and the Odawara Kamaboko Sakura Festival. During the "Yudate Shishi-mai" Dance a shrine with a giant kettle is constructed. The giant kettle is filled with hot water and the "Shishi-mai" dance, or lion dance, is performed next to it. The kettle is stirred with bundles of bamboo grass and "yubana", hot springs of mineral deposits, is sprinkled over the heads of attendees to pray for their health. The Odawara Kamaboko Sakura Festival is held in Joshi Park, a place famous for its sakura, or cherry blossoms. Performances by master kamaboko, fish cake, makers and an Odawara diako drum performance are included in the celebration.

Learn more about ONCEKids: http://oncekids.com/

Find ONCEKids on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ONCEKids

Follow ONCEKids on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ONCEKids

St. Patricks Day In China

The Chinese have no history of celebrating St. Patrick's Day, but beginning in 2007, Shanghai began a new tradition that has since become an annual event. The Irish community marches proudly down the streets of Shanghai during the St. Patrick's Day Parade,  the only national day march for a foreign community authorized on mainland China. 

About 1,000 people march from the center of the city to Yandang Road, a popular shopping area, where the celebration ends with traditional music and dancing. The march is led by a kilted piper and a green-robed St. Patrick accompanied by leprechauns. 

Some Chinese tradition is threaded throughout the celebration with the inclusion of two green Chinese dragons in the parade. Local authorities were initially very cautious about allowing the parade, but relaxed when it appeared much more cultural rather than political. The parade is part of a week long series of Irish events in Shanghai to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. So have a drink (if you are legal) and have some fun!

Korean Birthdays: One-Hundred-Day celebrations and Hwan gap

In Korea it is believed that one of the main roles in life is to produce children for their ancestors. Couples will invest enormous amounts of time and money in fertility treatments if they are not conceiving within the desired or expected time frame. For these reasons, a child's birthday is considered very important in Korean traditions and customs. On the day of birth, the newborn is considered one year old and will turn two the following Lunar New Year. 

An important celebration regarding the child's birthday is known as the One-Hundred-Day celebration. Other than close maternal relatives, no one visits the new mother for at least 21 days after the baby's birth. The first 100 days of the child's life are considered a very critical and fragile time, so it is important to keep the baby safe and protected. After 100 days, the child can be taken outside and introduced to friends and neighbors. A 100-day party is thrown where close relatives and friends are invited to celebrate this joyous time. Traditionally, gifts are not given at the baby's birth, but if one of the parents or a close friend gives a silver chopstick or spoon set is seen as an appropriate gesture. 

With the child's first birthday comes much celebration and tradition. The child will be dressed in traditional Korean clothes and the boy wears the hood custom for unmarried men and the girl wears make-up. The most important aspect of the celebration is when the child is seated before a table and presented with various items such as rice, cake, money, books, pencils, a ruler, a needle and thread, and a bow and arrow. He or she is encouraged to choose one of these items and it is believed that the item the child chooses will determine his or her future. 

If the child selects:

-The bow and arrow: the child will become a warrior or have a military career

-The needle and thread: the child will live a long life 

-The book, pencil, or brush: the child will be a successful scholar 

-The ruler, needle, or scissors: the child will be talented with his/her hands

-The knife: the child will be a talented cook

-The money or rice: the child will be very wealthy

-The cake: the child will become a government official 

Another critical age for celebration is the turning of sixty. According to the Lunar calendar, there are 60 names for years and once you reach the age of 60 you return to your birth year. The 60th birthday, known as 'Hwan gap", is a time for grand celebration and festivities.

Learn more about ONCEKids: http://oncekids.com/

Find ONCEKids on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ONCEKids

Follow ONCEKids on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ONCEKids

Japanese Birthday Celebrations: Schichi Go San, Ga no iwai

According to Japanese beliefs, certain ages are considered unlucky while others are perceived worthy of great celebration. During the "unlucky" years, rituals are practiced in an attempt to drive away bad luck. It is customary in these unlucky years to visit temples and shrines to provide protection from harm. The birthday person should wear red to bring good health, vitality, and long life. Bad luck ages, or yakudoshi ages, are considered 25 and 42 for men and 19 and 33 for women. 


Another Japanese tradition, referred to as Schichi Go San, or the "Seven-Five-Three" Festival, is observed on November 15th of every year. On this day, 5 year old boys as well as 3 and 7-year-old girls, dress in kimonos and are blessed by a Shinto priest. This blessing is done to ensure the continued health and well-being of the child. It was once believed that at these ages the children were prone to bad luck and the blessings were to provide protection, but now the observance has become regarded at a momentous rite of passage. 


Ga no iwai is another Japanese rite of passage celebrated in order to pray for a long life. This tradition was brought to Japan from China, and originally celebrated once every ten years beginning at age 40. After the 16th century, ga no iwai has come to be celebrated with the turning of 60 followed by ages 70, 77, 80, 90, and 99.


Turning 88 has become quite popular because when written together the numbers resemble the character for rice, which symbolizes purity and goodness in the Japanese culture. Due to this, turning 88 has become a joyous and happy occasion. 

Learn more about ONCEKids: http://oncekids.com/

Find ONCEKids on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ONCEKids

Follow ONCEKids on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ONCEKids

K-Pop Con launches, Wonder Girls on Teen Nick Feb 2

We often post about K-Pop over at Fujimini Island.  But so much is happening in K-Pop, that we decided to share here on ONCEKids as well!


This week has been a big week for K-Pop! Channel A has now introduced a new music program called K-Pop Con (korean pop concert). This week, they've brought on a collection of high-energy artists to display their talents to all K-pop fans. The show has broadcasted performances by groups such as Rainbow Pixie, Nine Muses, Fast Cat, BoM, and more. 


Our beloved Wonder Girls is releasing their first TV movie, 'The Wonder Girls', that will air on Teen Nick Thursday, February 2nd. 


Korean artist Se7en ended his long break in the music industry with the release of his new mini-album 'Se7en'. This  album features six tracks including hits such as "When I Can't Sing." Se7en is not the only artist making waves in the music industry. 


Miryo, the charismatic rapper from Brown Eyed Girls, has stepped out solo with her debut album, 'Miryo AKA Johoney'. The album consists of five tracks including songs like "Party Rock" and "I Love You, I Love You". Miryo proves her ability to change it up for the crowd with the variety of styles the album features.

Learn more about ONCEKids: http://oncekids.com/

Find ONCEKids on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ONCEKids

Follow ONCEKids on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ONCEKids