Guidance, warning tile blocks for the visually impaired are found on the walkways, platforms and such other places in Japan.

Most non-Japanese firstcomers to Japan notice that yellow tile blocks of 30 cm-square are paved on the public places like walkways and platforms. These blocks, which are to safely lead the visually impaired to their destinations, were invented in 1965 and started to install in 1967. Also for a weak-sighted person, these blocks are yellow in most cases. There are two types of blocks. The ones with parallel lines are for showing the direction, and with many dots are to draw attention. A totally blind person can get necessary information by the change of sound from white walking stick as well as by the feel of soles on these blocks.

Licensed tour guide/travel consultant,
Masahisa Takaki.

'Hakata-bei' means an earthen wall, which was built in the heart of Hakata present Fukuoka City in Kyushu in the second half of the 16th century.

Fukuoka City, the largest city in Kyushu, was devastated by civil wars between feudal lords in the 16th century. Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who got all the feudal lords in Japan under control to unify Japan, initiated the restoration of this old city, then Hakata, right after the unification. But it was urgent need at that time to clear away the heaps of rubble, so the people in Hakata used these debris as the construction materials for the earthen walls for town zoning. The earthen walls with unique exterior as shown in the picture used to run everywhere in the heart of Hakata, and was called Hakata-bei. The picture shows the reconstructed Hakata-bei of Rakusui-en Japanese Garden in Fukuoka City. These unique walls also can be found at Kushida Shrine and Shofukuji Temple in the heart of the city.

Licensed tour guide/travel consultant,
Masahisa Takaki

Japan's meteorological observation is mainly made by AMeDAS running up to 1,300 or so throughout the country.

The meteorological Agency in Japan issues a weather forecast based on the information from AMeDAS (Automated Meteorological Data Acquisition System), weather radar, radiosondes, weather satellites, etc. As there are many active volcanoes here and there in Japan, the Meteorological Agency is also occupied in watching these dangerous volcanoes and earthquakes. Once an earthquake occurs anywhere in Japan, the epicenter and seismic intensity of important areas near the epicenter are immediately announced on TV and the radio. In addition, the public transportation systems are automatically stopped to avoid serious damage caused by the quake. Thanks to the old weather data of 150 years' duration, overwhelming number of observation points and items, and the world's top class efficient computer, the accuracy of the weather report in Japan is amazing. The picture shows the AMeDAS found in the Kitanomaru Park in Chiyoda-ku Tokyo.

Licensed tour guide/travel consultant,
Masahisa Takaki.