As a Norwegian living in Tokyo I try to represent my home country the best I can. There is not that many people here who know that much about Norway; usually most people only associate it with salmon. One thing that however is very typical Norwegian (and little known in Japan) is the national attire called bunad. This traditional outfit comes in various colors and designs varying around the country, and it is common for each local community to have their own distinguished design. People can actually figure out which part of the country you come from by looking at the style of your bunad.

• All blog posts about Cherry Blossoms
• Kanto:
• Mt. Fuji & Sakura: Maruyama Kouen (丸山公園) and Iwadono Castle (岩殿城)
• Tokyo Cherry Blossom Spots: Nakameguro's Meguro River (目黒川)
• Hiking in Tokyo: Sakura viewing (花見) at Mount Takao
• Cherry Blossoms and Jogging in Tokyo: The Imperial Palace (皇居)
• Sakura and Bunad in Tokyo - Et Lite Stykke Norge by Joe Photography
• Saitama: Sakura Season & Washi no Sato World Heritage Paper Making in Chichibu
• Chubu:
• The Tsubame Sakura Matsuri: Cherry Blossom PR & Last Minute Preparations
• Behind the Scene of the Tsubame Sakura Matsuri Festival - The Oiran Dochu
• Izu: Sakura Viewing at the Kawazu Sakura Festival (伊豆河津桜まつり)
• Early March Cherry Blossom Viewing in Shonan - Oide River (小出川)
• Kansai:
• Sakura Season in Kansai - Hanami in the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park!
• Spring in Japan: Sakura Season and Hanami in Kyoto!
• Spring in Kyoto: Ritsumeikan University Orientation Week and Cherry Blossom Hanami!
• Sakura Season: Weekend Trip to Nara
• All blog posts from Japan 
• All blog posts about festivals
• All blog posts about seasonal Kanto events
• Spring
• Hiking in Tokyo: Sakura viewing (花見) at Mount Takao
• Tokyo Cherry Blossom Spots: Nakameguro's Meguro-gawa River (目黒川)
• Summer
• Bon Odori Midsummer Festival in Ebisu (恵比寿駅前盆踊り)
• Pikachu Outbreak in Yokohama - Pikachu Tairyou Hassei-Chu
• Summer in Tokyo: Ultra Japan at Tokyo Odaiba!
• Autumn
• Yokohama: Autumn Views at the Sankeien Garden
• Winter
• Chiba: Winter Illumination at the Country Farm Tokyo German Village
• Yokohama: Christmas Market at the Red Brick Warehouse

Hotel Chinzanso ★★★★★  → review .

Hotel New Otani Tokyo ★★★★★ .

The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo ★★★★★ ,

Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa ★★★★ .

---

---

~Anette

On my first day sightseeing in Seoul I dragged my new Finnish friend Tommi along to the Seoul's City Hall where I was going in order to finish the alien registration necessary for foreigners who are staying long-term in Korea. We walked from the nearest underground station, and by pure luck we discovered that by the entrance to the temple on the other side of the road, Deoksugung, they offered tourists to try the traditional Korean attire called Hanbok (한복) for free. A Korean lady helped us getting the hanbok on, and it seemed we were quite lucky with the timing, because it was just the time for one of the many daily Changing of the Guard ceremonies. Here are some pictures and videos from the day:

Tommi getting dressed up

Half way there..!

Do I look very Korean now? Probably not, but still.. ^^

Peace!

The main gate to Deoksugung

The Changing of the Guard ceremony

The drummer

After the ceremony was done we got to take pictures with the guards.

Yellow guards. Yay:)

-Apparently you can try the Hanbok for free here between 10:30-11:40, and 13:30-16:00..!

Other blogposts:
South Korea
Seoul
                                  
Hotels in South Korea