NAGOYA: NIC WALKING GUIDES (NIC INFORMATION)

NAGOYA: NIC WALKING GUIDES [ NIC INFORMATION ]

With a population of 2.2 million, Nagoya, the capital of Aichi Prefecture, is the core city of Japan’s fourth-largest metropolitan area.

As commerce and industry prospered, and culture flourished in the Edo Period, Nagoya grew into a thriving metropolis. Nagoya has continued to grow since Ieyasu Tokugawa, founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate Government, built Nagoya Castle in 1612. A culture and tradition of manufacturing blossomed during the Meiji Period and is still evolving today.

These guides have been prepared by Nagoya International Center Volunteers for foreign residents of Nagoya and visitors to the City who are interested in viewing local tourist attractions.

Contained in each guide is a model walking route applicable to the specified area or spot. You will find a variety of cultural and historical attractions situated around the walking course. We hope that you find these guides useful.

The guides are available in a printer-friendly PDF format.

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# 1 – Nagoya Castle ■Download(PDF 320 KB) Nagoya Castle was a national treasure until most parts of it were destroyed in 1945 during WW2. However, many cultural assets have survived including the north-west and south-east turrets, the Omote-ni-no-mon Gate, many stone walls, the Nino-maru Garden, and Fusuma (sliding door) paintings. Why no explore the castle grounds with our handy guide.

# 2 – Yagoto Area ■Download (PDF 646KB) Yagoto area is a bustling and active area located to the east of central Nagoya with several university campuses, large shopping centers, hotels, and many buildings with fashion boutiques. In the olden days however, the area flourished as the temple town of Koyasan Bekkaku Honzan Koshoji, whose remnants can still be observed today.

# 3 – Chikusa  Area ■Download (PDF 547KB) A 7km walking route starting from Imaike Subway Station around Chikusa Park and the Suidomichi Green Road areas of Nagoya. Discover the history of the temples and shrines of area.

# 4 – Hiking on the Nakasendo – Part 1 ■Download (PDF 1195 KB) Tsumago-shuku and Magome-shuku are situated on the border of Gifu and Nagano Prefectures. Both were shukuba villages in the mountains on the Nakasendo Highway – a road constructed from Edo (Tokyo) to Kyoto during the Edo Period. Both stages are good examples of well preserved townscapes of the Edo period.

# 5 – Hiking on the Nakasendo – Part 2 ■Download (PDF 757 KB)  (7/16) This guide will take you on a hike of Ochiai-shuku, Nakatsugawa-shuku, and Oi-shuku on the Minoji Highway section of the Nakasendo Highway.The Minoji Highway section of the Nakasendo ran through what is now Gifu Prefecture until it mostly fell into disrepair at the end of the 19th Century.

# 6 -Walking on Historical Sites along the Horikawa River ■Download (7/16) A 9km walk along Nagoya Castle’s “man-made moat” – the Horikawa River – starting at Meitetsu Sato station and ending at  JR Nagoya Station. Construction of the original Nagoya Castle began in 1610. At the same time construction of the Horikawa River also started. The canal ran from the west side of Nagoya Castle to the former seaport (located in current Atsuta Ward) and was used to ship building materials; the original Horikawa River was 6 km long.

# 7 -Higashiyama 10,000 Step Hiking Course ■Download (PDF 811KB) The 6km “Higashiyama 10,000 Step Hiking Course” (東山一万歩コース), which runs around the HIgashiyama Zoo and the Botanical Gardens, is a must-try experience for your health and peace of mind. This well-maintained course stretches through a specially preserved forest area in the eastern suburbs of Nagoya.

# 8 – Nagoya Cultural Path ■Download (PDF 505KB) The district between Nagoya Castle and Tokugawa-en is an area rich in preserved historical buildings and is known locally as the Bunka no Michi – “the cultural path”. In the Edo Period (1603-1867), the area was where middle and lower-class samurai lived. From the Meiji through the early Showa Periods (1868 -1930), the area was home to entrepreneurs, missionaries, journalists, and artists.

# 9 – Hiking on the Nakasendo – Part 3 ■Download (PDF 2233 KB) This guide will take you on a hike of from Oi-shuku to Takenami on the Minoji Highway section of the Nakasendo Highway.The Minoji Highway section of the Nakasendo ran through what is now Gifu Prefecture until it mostly fell into disrepair at the end of the 19th Century.

# 10 – Hiking on the Nakasendo – Part 4 ■Download (PDF 1098 KB) This guide will take you on a hike of from Takenami to Hosokute Shuku on the Minoji Highway section of the Nakasendo Highway.The Minoji Highway section of the Nakasendo ran through what is now Gifu Prefecture until it mostly fell into disrepair at the end of the 19th Century.

# 11 –  Seto’s Kamagaki-no-Komichi ■Download (PDF 1213 KB) Since ancient times, a number of well-known potteries have been located in the Seto area. The long history of the ceramic industry of this area gives this town a fascinating atmosphere.

# 12 –  Tokoname Pottery Walking ■Download (PDF 852 KB) Tokoname is one of the six historic pottery towns of Japan. The Pottery Path of Tokoname is a walking course of the various points of interest in the pottery town Tokoname. The path is filled with traditional houses, workshops and other unique and characteristic buildings.

# 13 –  Inuyama ■Download (PDF 1150 KB) Inuyama City is located in the north-western part of Aichi Prefecture with a population of about 75,000. With the Kiso River as a backdrop it developed as an important place of politics, transportation and distribution. The original Inuyama Castle as well as many traditional-style houses have been preserved on the streets of this city, making it a beautiful place surrounded by abundant water, greenery and tradition.

# 14 – Miya to Atsuta ■Download (PDF 760 KB) Explore the historical area around Nagoya’s ancient Atsuta Shrine, and take in Shiratori Gardens, the harbour that was once part of the Edo-era Tokaido Highway, and Takakura-musubi-miko Shrine.

# 15 – Nakasendo Part 6 ■Download (PDF 300 KB) There were 69 shukuba villages (stages) along the Nakasendo Highway between Edo and Kyoto during the Edo Period.This guide will take you on a walk from Ota-shuku to Unuma-shuku.

# 16 – Hakone ■Download (PDF 280 KB) Explore the Tokaido in picturesque Hakone National Park. Hakone is approximately 400 km east of Nagoya and is a very popular sight-seeing spot, situated at the bottom of Mt. Fuji. Hakone-shuku was the 10th shukuba village (stage) on the Tokaido Highway from Edo (Tokyo). The section of the Tokaido Highway of this area was called Hakone-kaido (Hakone pass).

#17 – Castle Town Nagoya ■Download (PDF 600 KB)  Using an 1870 map as a guide follow our model walking route to discover the history of the what was the castle town area of Nagoya City and get a picture of how the city was structured before the industrial area and post-war renewal.

(NIC Information)

henri daros

ENDING EMPLOYMENT IN JAPAN – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (NIC INFORMATION)

ENDING EMPLOYMENT IN JAPAN – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

(NIC INFORMATION)

In Japan, the start of April is the traditional time to change and start a new job. If you’re thinking about resigning and changing employers or if you think your employer is thinking about letting you go, its best to know what your rights and obligations are before its too late.

 

Resigning 退職

★Resigning from a Job – How much notice do you have to give?

This question is not covered under the Labor Standards Law (労働基準法) but is based on the Civil Code articles 627 & 628.It depends on whether you have a limited or an unlimited term contract, and if you have a limited term contract what contract year you are in.

In an unlimited term contract, two weeks notice is sufficient and a reason does not need to be provided. Additionally, if an unavoidable cause exists, immediately termination of the contract is possible. In a fixed term contract as a rule, employees can not resign without a reason.

In the first year of a one year contract an employee can resign at either the end of the contract or quit by following the procedures laid out in the contract for giving notice.

After the first year of a renewed one year contract – two weeks notice is sufficient and a reason does not need to be provided.

From your employer’s perspective, even if you ask to be released “immediately” the employer may have difficulty in passing your work to another employee or hiring a suitable replacement in time. To avoid possible confrontation It is recommended that you talk with your employer about the timing of your resignation and find a solution that is best for both of you.

★Fines & Damages

Your employer cannot set a predetermined fine for quitting during your contract (Labour Standards Law – Article 16). Furthermore your employer must provide you with all outstanding wages, tax forms and a certificate of employment within seven days of you leaving your job (Labour Standards Law – Article 23). However, if an employee resigns without giving appropriate notice as set out in their contract, it is possible for the company to claim damages against that employee in a civil court.

Dismissal 解雇

★Advance notice of dismissal In principle, when dismissing a worker the employer is required, to give the worker an advance notice of at least 30 days before dismissal. In case a dismissal notice is not given at least 30 days in advance of the date of dismissal, the employer must at least pay the average wages for the number of days falling short of the 30-day dismissal notice allowance required by law.

For example if employer X wants to dismiss employee Y with immediate effect without notice – employer X must pay the 30-day dismissal notice allowance.

★The fine print…

However the above does not apply when the employer becomes unable to continue business owing to uncontrollable circumstances such as a natural disaster, or where the employer dismisses the worker for reasons in which the worker is responsible for being dismissed. In these cases the employer has to obtain approval for exemption from the Labour Standards Inspection Office (Labour Standards Law – Articles 20 and 21).

★If you are sick or injured –

In principle, an employer can not dismiss a worker, during their absence and within 30 days after their absence, who has been injured or become sick in connection with their work and is absent from work in order to receive medical treatment (Labour Standards Law – Article 19).

★Getting fired during a probation period …

Regardless of the length of probation written into your contract your employer cannot fire you without notice after you have completed 14 days of your contract. However during the first 14 days your employer may fire you without notice (Article 21).

★The best advice is …

If you employer fires you or does not renew your contract, the best advice would be to document everything (dates, times, who, what, etc) and request everything in writing. If you feel mal-treated consult a lawyer, a labour union, or the Labour Bureau before you sign anything.

Help & Assistance

To avoid the possibility of future disputes, you should obtain written confirmation of working conditions (a labor contract or company regulations), such as particularly wages, working hours, terms of employment, and other conditions. n principle, workers in Japan, regardless of nationality, are governed by Japanese labour laws and regulations such as the Labor Standards Law, Minimum Wage Act, and Workmen’s Compensation Insurance Act. For up to date information please see the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s foreign worker’s guidebook at www.mhlw.go.jp/english/org/policy/p43.html

Related Articles on the NIC Website www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en –

National Pension Scheme – NIC English Site > Daily Living > Pension & Insurance – Unemployment Insurance – NIC English Site > Can you help me

★The General Union – Tokai Nagoya Chubu Branch

ゼネラルユニオン – 東海 名古屋 中部支部

Provides support to workers of any nationality who are experiencing workplace difficulties in Japan. They can help in cases of non-payment of wages, unfair firings, and negotiate with management to defend and improve conditions. The General Union is an NPO and funds are limited, so those wishing to receive help are required to join and pay membership. Support is available in both Japanese and English.

Phone/ Fax: 052-561-8555 Address: NPO Plaza Nagoya, Meieki Minami 2-11-43, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya Website: www.generalunion.org E-mail: tokai@generalunion.org

★Aichi Labour Bureau 愛知労働局- Assistant Counselor for Foreign Workers

This free service provides counseling in English or Portuguese for concerns about working conditions such as dismissal, non-payment of wages, working hours, workers’ accident compensation insurance, workers’ accident compensation pension, industrial safety, and health care at the workplace. Hours: 10:00-12:00 & 13:00-16:00 – English on Mondays and Thursdays. Portuguese on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Closed: Weekend, holidays, and December 29 to January 3. Phone: 052-972-0253 Address: Godo Chosha Building #2 2F, Sannomaru 2-5-1, Naka-ku, Nagoya Access: A 3 minute walk from Shiyakusho Subway Station, exit 5 Website: www.aichi-rodo.go.jp/english

(NIC Information)

henri daros

PART TIME WORK IN JAPAN (NIC INFORMATION)

PART TIME WORK IN JAPAN (NIC INFORMATION)

If you are a student and looking for part time work or if you are  residing in Japan on a Dependent visa (家族滞在kazoku-taizai) or Cultural  Activities visa (文化活動) you must first apply to the Immigration Bureau  for a special permit to allow you to engage in activities outside your current visa status.

The permit is called a shikakugai katsudo kyoka (資格外活動許可). This will  be permitted only if the amount and scope of such activities are  approved as appropriate so as not to hinder their original activities  belonging to their statuses of residence.

• Even those who have obtained permission to engage in extra status-  of residence activities may not engage in adult entertainment  businesses.
• Employment time limits for part time work by Foreign Students,  Dependants, and Cultural Activities visa holders are shown below.

Permission Type		Employment Time Limits
Dependant Visa		28 hrs / week
Cultural Visa		28 hrs / week
College Students	Full-time students in college	28 hrs / week	8 hours per day during school vacation
	Occasional or research students in college	14 hrs / week
	Students in vocational college	28 hrs / week
Pre-college Students		4 hours per day

■Items Needed

• Application form 申請書 (1 copy) –  “Application For Permission To Engage In Activity Other Than That  Permitted Under The Status Of Residence Previously Granted”  (資格外活動許可申請書).
• A document that proves the intended activity as indicated on the  application form –for example an employment contract (1copy)
• College students need also to submit a fuku-shinsho (副申書 – available from their school / university).
• Passport and alien registration card

A (prospective) employer, school staff member, lawyer, gyoseishoshi,  or other designated legal representative can apply on the applicant’s  behalf; proof of ID is required. A standard application can take between  2 weeks and 2 months to process; there is no      application fee.

Further Information is on the Immigration Bureau’s English website www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/ For more information please call the Nagoya Immigration Information Center at 052-559-2151 / 52.Part Time Work – Students and Dependants –

(NIC Information)

henri daros

HARI RAYA NYEPI, TAHUN BARU SAKA 1934

[ The Day of Absolute Silence and Hindu New Year ]

tedung, ceremonial umbrella, bali, indonesia

SELAMAT HARI RAYA NYEPI

TAHUN BARU SAKA 1934

Buat Para Sahabat dan Kerabat

yang merayakannya

*****

Jakarta, 23 Maret 2012

Henri Daros

tedung, ceremonial umbrella, bali, indonesia

PERINGATAN SATU TAHUN BENCANA GEMPA DAN TSUNAMI TOHOKU, JEPANG

[ ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF MARCH 11 EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI ]

minamisanriku, prefektur miyagi, warga merangkai dan menggantungkan bunga-bunga kertas mengenang para korban

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malam menjelang peringatan setahun bencana, warga berjaga dalam suasana syahdu dengan lilin-lilin bernyala

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onagawa, prefektur miyagi, warga mengenang dan mendoakan para siswa sekolah dasar korban bencana

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henri daros

MENYONGSONG MUSIM SEMI 2012

CHERRY BLOSSOMS IN NAGOYA

[NIC INFORMATION]

Cherry blossoms mark the annual advent of spring, and the Japanese have traditionally celebrated this with “hanami”. Hanami, literally meaning flower-viewing, are parties that are held under blossoming cherry tress. Throughout Japan, in parks, shrines, temples, and on river banks, crowds flock to picnic under the sea of pink blossoms. Many popular spots are illuminated in the evenings and special facilities are laid out for the visiting hoards.

The cherry blossom, or sakura, is Japan’s unofficial national flower and there are many dozens of different cherry tree varieties in Japan. However, the cherry blossom season is relatively short and most varieties of cherry tree only blossom for a few weeks at most in spring. Full bloom (mankai) is usually reached within about a week after the opening of the first blossoms (kaika). Within a week after full-bloom, blossoms start to fall from the trees and a rainfall can bring the sea of pink crashing to the ground, abruptly ending the hanami season.

One Spring Evening at Nagoya Castle by John Paul Presto

From late March to early April, sakura go into full bloom all over Japan. The blossom forecast (桜前線, “sakurazensen”) is announced each year by the Japanese Meteorological Agency www.jma.go.jp. As the full-bloom period is short, the announcements are waited on by the media and all eager party planners.

Depending on the weather in the weeks and months preceding the first blossoms, the first blossoms may appear upto 2 weeks early or a week later than normal. The cherry blossom front moves from South to North up the Japanese archipelago, Motobu Town in Okinawa seeing blossoms as early as mid-January, and Nemuro City, on the north-eastern tip of Hokkaido, as belatedly as late-May. In Nagoya the year on year average date for the first blossoms to appear is March 28; March 30 in Gifu, April 1 in Tsu, and April 16 in Takayama.

Below are some of the best places in the Nagoya Area from where you can embrace this ancient, sacred, Japanese tradition.

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★Yamazaki River 山崎川– Mizuho-ku, south-eastern Nagoya City.

￭Number of cherry trees: 580+ ￭Illuminated: Yes Over 500 trees adorn a 2.5km length the Yamazaki River. One of the Top 100 viewing spots in Japan. ￭Access: A 15-minute walk from Exit 2 of Mizuho Undojo-nishi Subway Station.

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★Higashiyama Botanical Gardens 東山植物園 – Chikusa-ku, eastern Nagoya City.

￭Number of cherry trees: 3800+ ￭Illuminated: No More than 40 kinds of blossoming cherry trees will be on view until the end of April in the park’s cherry garden. The annual Higashiyama Spring Festival is planned to run from Sunday, March 19 to Sunday, May 7. Fast food stalls and pay parking are available. Closed after 17:00. ￭Access: 5 minutes walk from exit 3 of Higashiyama Koen Subway Station. There are also over 1600 parking spaces located around the park, 800 Yen per car.

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★Nagoya Castle & Meijo Koen 名古屋城 & 名城公園 – Nishi-ku, central Nagoya City.

￭Number of cherry trees: 1600+　　　　￭Illuminated: until 20:00 The best known and most popular hanami spots in Nagoya. The castle and cherry blossoms combine for that perfect picture-postcard view. ￭Access: 5 minute walk from exit 7 of Shiyakusho Subway Station.

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★Heiwa Park 平和公園 – Chikusa-ku, eastern Nagoya City.

￭Number of cherry trees: 2250+ ￭Illuminated: No A quiet, picturesque park where you can relax under the blossoms away from the crowds. ￭Access: A 10-minute walk from exit 3 of Higashiyama Koen Subway Station.

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★Tsuruma Park 鶴舞公園- Naka-ku, central Nagoya City

Number of cherry trees: 1200+　　　　　Illuminated: until 21:00 The park is lit up from 18:00 to 21:00 during hanami season. Its central location and Top 100 viewing spot ranking makes this a popular destination for corporate hanami parties during early spring evenings. Access: Located outside the main exit of JR Tsurumai Station (JR Chuo Line) and Tsurumai Subway Stations.

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★Shinsakai River 新境川 – Kagamihara City, Gifu Prefecture.

Number of cherry trees: 1000+　　　　Illuminated: until 22:00 The carp-rich Shinsakai River is lined by cherry trees on both its banks, firmly putting it in the Japan’s Top 100 viewing spots. Free parking for upto 500 cars; 40 attraction booths, 4 toilets. The Kagamihara Cherry Festival is held annually on the first weekend in April. This festival attracts large crowds of upto 200,000 visitors to its parade, bazaar, and Miss Kagamihara contest. For more information, call the Kagamihara City Hall Tourist Office at 0583-83-9925. Access: 1 minute walk from Meitetsu Shiminkoen Station 市民公園前, located on the Meitetsu Kagamihara Line. A 10 minute walk from JR Naka Station那加, located on the JR Takayama Line.

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★Gojo River五条川 – Iwakura City, north of Nagoya.

￭Number of cherry trees: 1600 ￭Illuminated: until 21:00

Ranked in Japan’s Top 100 viewing spots, both banks of the Gojo River are lined with over 1600 cherry trees. Traditional lanterns light up the area until 21:00. Iwakura is also famous for koinobori, or carp streamers, which are washed in the river as part of their traditional manufacturing process. There are also 300 parking spaces, 80 attraction booths, and 7 toilets available for visitors.

￭Access: A 5-minute walk from Iwakura Station, located on the Meitetsu Inuyama Line from Meitetsu Nagoya Station.

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★Nagoya City Togokusan Fruit Park東谷山フルーツパーク, Moriyama-ku, north-eastern Nagoya City.

￭Number of cherry trees: 1000    ￭Illuminated: No Open daily 09:00 to 16:30; closed on Mondays unless national holiday and closed on Tuesdays if the Monday is a national holiday. During the first 2 weeks of April, the park runs a special hanami event. Entry is free. Paid parking available, free outside event time. ￭Access: A 15-minute walk from Togobashi Station (東谷橋), located on the Yutori Guided Bus Line. Costs 620 Yen from Ozone Station.

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★Okazaki Koen岡崎公園 – Okazaki City, south of Nagoya.

￭Number of cherry trees: 1700 ￭Illuminated: until 22:00

With historical Okazaki Castle as a backdrop, the cherry blossom viewing is firmly in Japan’s Top 100 spots and rated as the best in the Tokai Region. Okazaki’s annual Sakura Festival and Ieyasu samurai parade takes place during the first 2 weeks of April.

￭Access: A 10-minute walk from Meitetsu Higashi Okazaki Station 東岡崎駅, located on the Meitestu Main Line between Nagoya and Toyohashi.

(NIC Information)

henri daros

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