A Day in Ginza in Kimono | Japanese Listening Practice

Hi, everyone. This is Ginza. My friend and I are on our way to a place where they’ll help us put on our kimono. Kitsuke means helping someone put on a kimono. This is the building. We’re taking the elevator up. We had our kimono put on and had our hair and makeup done here. Now we’re heading from the place where we had our kimono put on to a place called GINZA SIX. It was only a four-minute walk, but it was raining quite a bit that day, so we took a taxi. That’s because kimono can easily be damaged by rain. Kimono are part of Japanese culture, but not many people know how to put one on by themselves. We can’t put them on by ourselves either, so we had someone help us. We’ve arrived on the third basement floor of GINZA SIX. There are lots of people here wearing kimono. That day, we were invited to the PREMIUM JAPAN AWARD. This is the Kanze Noh Theater. Nogaku refers to Noh and Kyogen. It’s a traditional Japanese performing art with a history of about 650 years. And this is the Noh stage. The Noh stage has an interesting design: it has a roof even though it’s inside a building. That’s because Noh used to be performed on outdoor stages. There’s a large painting of a pine tree at the back of the stage. The opening performance has begun. This is a dance called Sanbaso. Sanbaso is a traditional Japanese celebratory dance. It is performed to pray for a good harvest and peace. Housaku means having a good harvest of rice and other crops. Since Sanbaso is a celebratory dance, it’s perfect for opening an award ceremony like this. I was sitting in the fourth row from the front. I could see their expressions clearly, and even their feet. It was amazing. MC: “Thank you very much for joining us today for the PREMIUM JAPAN AWARD 2026.” The PREMIUM JAPAN AWARD is a new award that was created this year. It recognizes people, companies, and others doing outstanding work in areas such as Japanese art and culture, food, and craftsmanship. First, listen to the Japanese in the speech given by the head of the organization. It’s a good way to learn formal Japanese. “Good evening, everyone. Thank you very much for coming to this event held by the Japan Culture Creation Organization, despite the bad weather today.” Ashimoto no warui naka is a phrase that refers to bad weather. It’s often used in formal speeches like this. Next, listen to the speech by the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs. Commissioner for Cultural Affairs: “As I was just introduced, I’m Ito, Commissioner for Cultural Affairs.” Commissioner for Cultural Affairs: “I would like to express my heartfelt pleasure that the very first prestigious PREMIUM JAPAN AWARD ceremony is being held here in this wonderful, truly premium setting.” Commissioner for Cultural Affairs:“And to everyone receiving these prestigious awards today, my sincere congratulations.” He used the expression haearu twice. Haearu means “prestigious” or “highly honorable.” Kokoro yori oyorokobi moushiagemasu is an expression often used in speeches on celebratory occasions like this. It’s a formal way of expressing your heartfelt congratulations. And to the award recipients, he said, Makoto ni omedetou gozaimasu. Makoto ni means “truly,” and it’s an expression used in formal speeches. The Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency uses it in the next speech too, so listen for it. Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency: “Hello, everyone. As I was just introduced, I’m Kimura, Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency.” Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency: “I’m very pleased that the prestigious first PREMIUM JAPAN AWARD 2026 ceremony is being held on such a grand scale with so many of you here today.” Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency: “And to all the award recipients from the various fields, my sincere congratulations.” Next, there was an explanation of what the PREMIUM JAPAN AWARD is and what it is all about. Then, the people and companies (or groups) receiving awards were introduced. Each of them received a trophy and then shared a few words. There was a company that makes whisky, a company that makes sake, a kabuki actor, and a company that specializes in kombu, an important ingredient in Japanese cuisine, among others. People and companies (or groups) that play important roles in Japanese culture received awards. A ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) also received an award. The award recipients gave speeches. But a representative from a company that works with Echizen washi sang a song instead of giving a speech. Washi is traditional Japanese paper. Each sheet is made by hand using a traditional papermaking technique. Apparently, they used to sing a song called Kami-suki no Uta (papermaking Song) while making paper. He’s going to sing it for us instead of giving a speech. Let’s listen. MC: “Please go ahead.” "I was born in Goka, an area of Echizen City, Fukui, famous for papermaking, and learned how to make paper." "Now I take the lead and give directions to everyone." "Carrying on the papermaking skills passed down to us by the goddess," "Parents make paper, children make paper, and grandchildren make paper too." “This song is called Echizen Kami-suki Uta (papermaking song).” “Fifteen hundred years ago, the goddess of papermaking came to this area, and that is how papermaking began here.” “And we are still making paper today.” “I believe this award today is an award for our entire papermaking villages.” “Thank you very much.” The goddess of papermaking is said to have appeared in this area 1,500 years ago, and ever since then, the craft of papermaking has been passed down from parents to children and grandchildren. Making paper by hand is very hard work. Apparently, they used to sing this song while they worked to keep their spirits up. “Thank you very much.” I was really moved to have the chance to hear such a precious traditional song. The kabuki actor Bando Tamasaburo also received an award. Bando Tamasaburo is a very famous kabuki actor who has been designated a Living National Treasure. In this video, I recorded the audio for my book, and afterward, I went to see kabuki. That was when I saw Bando Tamasaburo perform a dance. It was incredibly beautiful. Bando Tamasaburo: “Thank you all so much for today. Thank you very much.” Don’t you think the term Ningen (Human being) Kokuhou is interesting? Kokuhou literally means “national treasure.” A Ningen Kokuhou (Living National Treasure) is someone who is exceptionally skilled in a traditional Japanese art or craft. Finally, it was time to announce the Grand Prize. MC: “And now, we’ll announce the winner.” MC: “The Grand Prize of the PREMIUM JAPAN AWARD 2026 goes to…” MC: “The Japanese Culinary Academy’s Japanese Cuisine Complete! Congratulations!” Traditionally, Japanese chefs learned how to cook from more experienced chefs while working in restaurants. But these books explain the techniques of Japanese cuisine scientifically. They are written for professional chefs. English editions are also published at the same time to help share Japanese cuisine with people around the world. There are seven volumes planned in total. Five volumes have been published so far, and they’re currently working on the sixth. At the end, all the award recipients gathered for a group photo. The people taking photos are members of the press. I was also given a seat in the press section. Now I’m going to interview a representative of Japanese Cuisine Complete, the Grand Prize winner, on the Noh stage. Actually, you can’t go onto a Noh stage wearing regular socks. You need to wear white tabi. Tabi are traditional Japanese socks worn with kimono. Since we came in kimono, we were already wearing tabi. The person showing us the way is putting on tabi. Now I’m going to do the interview on the stage. Listen and see if you can understand what we’re saying. Me: “First of all, congratulations on winning the Grand Prize.” Me: “Since my viewers are people studying Japanese, I’d like to ask you two simple questions.” Me: “Here’s the first one.” Me: “If you had to describe in just one phrase how you felt when you won the Grand Prize, what would it be?” Mr. Kawasaki: “I realized that this could really be useful to chefs around the world. That’s how I genuinely felt.” Me: “Useful to chefs around the world. Thank you.” Me: “Okay, here’s my second question.” Me: “When you were creating these books, what was the most important thing to you, in just one phrase?” Mr. Kawasaki: “We avoided expressions that only Japanese people would understand and tried to explain things in a way that people overseas could understand.” Me: “Thank you.” Me: “So they’re easy for people overseas to understand too.” Mr. Kawasaki: “That’s right.” Me: “But they’re intended for professionals, right?” Mr. Kawasaki: “Yes. They’re specifically designed for professional chefs overseas, so we use visuals to show very subtle differences that really only professionals would notice.” Me: “So you’d really like professional chefs to get these books. Thank you very much.” Mr. Kawasaki: “Thank you.” I’ll put a link to Japanese Cuisine Complete in the description. By the way, the ring I was wearing during the interview is from a jewelry shop owned by a friend of mine, who came with me. Yamanashi used to have crystal mines, so it has a long tradition of jewelry making. This ring is a traditional craft piece made by a Yamanashi artisan using those techniques. Keeping traditional craftsmanship alive is really not easy. I’ll put a link to this in the description too, so please check it out. There was a reception going on near the entrance. We have to get all the way back to Yamanashi, so we’re leaving now. It’s a shame after getting all dressed up in kimono, but we’re changing out of them here before heading home. Ginza looks beautiful at night. We decided to take a taxi to Tokyo Station. Here’s our taxi. And it turned out to be a premium taxi! Me: “Are there many premium taxis like this?” Driver: “Well, you do see them around… There are far fewer than regular taxis, of course, but there are some.” Apparently, this car is a Nissan Elgrand. Apparently, there are quite a few Alphards, but there are fewer than ten of these Elgrands. They’re very rare. Driver: “Alphards and Elgrands are the kind of cars members of the Diet often ride in.” Me: “Really? Then today I can feel like a member of the Diet…” Friend: “Feeling premium.” Me: “Yes, premium. It’s been a premium day today.” Friend: “It has.” It was a really comfortable taxi ride. We’ve arrived at Tokyo Station. We wanted to buy a bento to eat on the train, but the shop is already closed. This shop is closed too. I thought this one might still be open, but they closed it right in front of me. Finally, I found a shop that was still open. But almost everything was sold out. Urikireru means that something sells out and there’s none left. Staff: “Welcome. I’ll take that for you.” Me: “Thank you.” Staff: “Would you like a plastic bag? There is a charge for it.” Me: “Um, no, I’m okay.” Staff: “Certainly. No bag.” Staff: “That’ll be 1,500 yen for one item.” Me: “Um, then… can I pay with Suica?” Staff: “Certainly. Suica.” Staff: “Please tap your card here.” Staff: “Thank you.” Staff: “Here’s your receipt first.” Me: “Thank you.” Staff: “The bento is good until 1:00 a.m. tonight.” Me: “It comes with chopsticks, right?” Staff: “Chopsticks…” Staff: “I can’t see any chopsticks in there, so I’ll give you a pair.” Me: “Oh, thank you. Sorry about that.” Staff: “Thank you!” Me: “Thank you.” It’s a Shinkansen ekiben (train station bento). I think this one is for kids. I probably wouldn’t normally buy this one, but there wasn’t anything else I wanted that day. I wanted some onigiri, so I chose this one. See you!