Japan Video Topics 2010/04
The Dinosaurs of Katsuyama (3’42”)
Almost 80 percent of all dinosaur fossils discovered in Japan have been found in the area around Katsuyama City, in Fukui Prefecture, a highly scenic area that shows the remains of volcanic activity and ancient geological upheavals. Dinosaur fossils unique to Fukui are displayed in the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum along with many other exhibits, ranging from over 40 impressive reconstructed dinosaur skeletons to the exactly preserved remains of a Camarasaurus - a specimen of world-class importance. The museum also has a huge animated robot Tyrannosaurus Rex. Another local attraction is the nearby park, where visitors can search for fossils in the rocks.
Tokyo's New Green Heart (5’00”)
At the center of Tokyo, the three adjoining districts of Otemachi, Marunouchi and Yurakucho form the cultural and economic heart of Japan and are now the site of a major initiative in sustainable urban redevelopment. The redevelopment project has included measures such as centralized area heating and cooling systems to save energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, routes designed to control air temperatures by guiding cooling winds through the area, and street surfaces that retain water. This ongoing experiment is creating a green city where economic activity can thrive in harmony with a healthy environment.
Ishiakari Stone Lanterns (4’06”)
The fine quality granite known as Aji-ishi has been mined in the area around Takamatsu City in Kagawa prefecture for about 1,000 years. When Aji-ishi is polished it takes on a beautiful glaze, revealing a surface covered with a unique pattern of dark and light spots. As hard as quartz and difficult to work, it can however be carved with fine details without fear of chipping or breaking. The many properties of Aji-ishi have made it popular with modern interior designers. Each summer, Takamatsu's traditional stonemasons compete to create the best design of stone lantern, crafted from Aji-ishi. Known as Ishiakari, about 200 of these lanterns light up the night along a 1-km stretch of city street.
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