☆Entertainment4-Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea

今日は日本では最も有名なテーマパーク
「東京ディズニーランド」について。
今やディズニーシーも隣接して
日本人だけでなく外国人にとっても
楽しめる大きな娯楽施設となりました。

Tokyo Disneyland is the first park to be built
outside of the United States on April 15, 1983.
It is my most favorite entertainment place to visit.
It is totally fun, enjoyable and exciting.
I have visited Tokyo Disneyland 8 times
since living in Japan for six years.
It has great amusement theme parks,
restaurants and shops.
There are plenty of fun activities for everyone.
It is my dream location. I love it.
Disney Sea is also enjoyable for both adults and children.
It has 7 theme ports, fun shows, restaurants,
shops in each them port, etc.
What I like most about Disney Sea is the combination
themes of both Italy and New York.
Both Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea are
great places to celebrate birthdays.
This year, my husband and I are going to
Tokyo Disneyland to celebrate his birthday.
It will be our 9th visit.
We are both very excited to go again!

theme-テーマ
plenty of-沢山の
combination- 組み合わせ

By Christina
日本語解説ーベラスタッフ

☆Entertainment3-Department stores are entertaining

今回はデパートについてです。
海外にも沢山デパートがありますが、
日本のデパートは本当にすばらしいサービスです。

The largest and most entertaining shopping
zones are in Tokyo, Shinjuku, Ginza, and Shibuya.
The largest department stores are Mitsukoshi,
Takashimaya, Seibu, Daimaru, Tobu, etc.
These stores are not only excellent for shopping,
but the service is the best in the world.
People always smile, bow, are very helpful and professional.
They also gift wrap in a beautiful way.
The service is also quick and extra polite.

日本にいるとあまり気づかないかもしれませんが、
デパートでの接客はすばらしいです！
わざわざカウンターから出てきて商品を渡す丁寧さが
外国の方にとっては驚きかもしれません。

I enjoy window shopping and viewing the beautiful displays too.
Shinjuku is my favorite place to shop,
because it reminds me of New York -
with all the neon lights flashing,
lots of people and streams of busy cars.

bow-お辞儀する
wrap-包装
extra-格別の
remind-思い出させる
stream-流れ

By Christina
日本語解説ーベラスタッフ

☆ Entertainment2 Night life entertainment in Japan

日本の繁華街は、
夜になってもネオンライトで明るいですね。
海外は治安のせいか、日本のように
夜になってもネオンライトがまぶしいっ
ということはあまりないようです。
日本は無駄に電気を使いすぎかも・・・。

One fantastic advantage about living
in Japan is the different entertainment.
There are many places to go and enjoy
the wide range of activities.
Shibuya, Shinjuku, Roppongi - are all very popular places
for night life entertainment.
Whether you like restaurants, bars, clubs, or
enjoy the atmosphere of the crowds of people as
you walk around the cities - there is no need to get bored!

fantastic-すばらしい
wide range of-幅広い
atmosphere-雰囲気
crowds-人混み

By Christina
日本語解説ーベラスタッフ

☆ entertainment1 Karaoke is fun!

今回から４回は日本の娯楽についてです。
今日は１回目。
日本人の大好きなカラオケについて♪
「カラオケ」は言葉自体がそのまま
英語になるほど有名ですね。
「カラ」は「空」、
「オケ」は「オーケストラ」から
取った言葉です。

My favorite entertainment
in Japan is karaoke.
Karaoke is fun in a group.
The karaoke room is very
professional looking.
It has excellent facilities.
There is usually a huge music machine,
large screen to read lyrics and
view video clips.
The personal food and drinks service is
fast and you can order food via a phone system.
It's also inexpensive,
which means you don't have to
spend a lot of money having fun with friends!
Karaoke is not just for young people,
but it's a popular entertainment for everyone,
even businessmen!
It doesn't matter if people can't sing or not.
Even if someone sings out of tune,
it can make a party happy.

友人や家族と出かけたはいいけど、
特に行くところもない。
そんな時にカラオケは便利ですよね♪
歌ってストレスも発散でき、
食事や飲み物もオーダーできる上に手軽な値段。
海外にはない、日本独特の娯楽ですね。

facility-設備
lyrics-歌詞
clips-短い音楽ビデオ、ミュージッククリップ
via-〜を通して
out of tune-音程がくるっている

By Christina
日本語解説ーベラスタッフ

☆ Rainy season

Christinaが季節的な話題を
書いてくれました。
ちょっといつものシリーズを
外れてのスペシャル版です。
ついに梅雨に入りました。
日本人にとって、
じめじめして鬱陶しい時期です。
が、少なくとも
クリスティーナにとっては
嬉しい時期のようです。

It's incredible how many people dislike rain in Japan.
But this time of the year can be very peaceful and beautiful.
Kamakura is one such place that has gorgeous flowers
during the rainy season, called "Hydrangea"
flowers in English.
Also, listening to the rain at night is relaxing,
especially when reading books and watching movies.

雨の音は落ち着きますよね。
雨の日はじっとその音に耳を傾けてみるのも良いかもしれません。

Japanese are fortunate, because they have a good
rainfall of water every year. But in Australia,
there is a shortage of water, and people
are always worried about it.
Australia is 70% desert or more.
It's a very hot and dry country, with not much rain.
Without much rain, it can get very dangerous.
Lots of fires every year happen in Australia,
the fires kill a lot of the animals, such as Koalas,
Kangaroos and many birds, and other wild life.
So, this is one major reason I am happy about rain.
I am grateful for rain, because I appreciate it.
I wish there was more rain for Australia too!
It would be great if we had a rainy season like Japan,
but we don't, unfortunately.

今沖縄では、雨が降りすぎて地盤がゆるんでいます。
雨が降りすぎても問題ですが、
オーストラリアのように水不足だと山火事が発生したり
砂漠が増えたりもします。
災害を発生させないためにも、一人一人の心がけが必要ですね。

incredible-信じられない、驚くべき
gorgeous-華やかな、豪華な
hydrangea-あじさい
fortunate-幸運な
rainfall-雨量
shortage-欠乏
desert-砂漠
appreciate-高く評価する、感謝する

By Christina
日本語解説ーベラスタッフ

☆ food4 Green Tea Ice Cream & Drinks

今回は「抹茶」製品についてです。
日本には抹茶アイスや抹茶味のお菓子など色々ありますね。
お茶の独特な苦みは、外国人にとって受け入れられる物なのでしょうか？
それこそ人の好みによると思うのですが、
アメリカ人には緑茶に砂糖を入れて飲む人もたまにいます。

The reason I like Green Tea is because it is natural,
and it doesn't need any sugar or cream.
Green Tea ice cream is also very popular to eat in Japan.
I like the Green Tea drinks too. Green is
very good for the body. It slows down the aging process,
reduces risk of cancer, and controls high blood pressure
as well as lowers sugar blood level.
There are many wonderful Green Tea cookies, biscuits,
cakes and creative desserts to eat.
No wonder Japanese are the healthiest and the longest
living people on earth!

reduce-減らす
risk-リスク、危険、恐れ
cancer-癌
control-管理する
blood pressure-血圧
sugar blood level-血糖値
By Christina

☆ food3 Most famous Japanese food

今回は外国人にも有名な日本料理、
お寿司です。
ですが、にぎり、ちらし、巻き、
などお寿司にも色々あって
外国の方には分かりにくいのではないでしょうか？
私が外国でアルバイトをしていた時には
アメリカ人の客によく寿司と
刺身の違いを聞かれました。

Sushi is wonderful to eat in Japan.
There are many different sushi ingredients.
But the most well-known sushi is
oval shaped, called nigiri.
Sushi is nice to eat at parties
and also very healthy,
so people don't have to worry
about their weight.

お寿司はとってもヘルシーなので、
油ものの多い海外では、
ベジタリアンや健康志向の方に人気ですね。

In Australia, sushi is extremely
popular amongst young workers
and middle-aged people.
But it's very expensive.
Australian's try to employ
Japanese to make the sushi so
they can eat the traditional style recipes.
I have never been to Japanese restaurant
in Australia, because it is too expensive for me.

アメリカでは、カリフォルニアロールなど
独自に作られたお寿司がありますが
（カリフォルニアロールは、中にアボカドと
マグロが入っています。意外とおいしいんですよ！）
オーストラリアでは、日本伝統の寿司をゆがめず、
そのまま楽しんでいるようですね。

ingredient-材料
oval-楕円形の

By Christina
*日本語解説　ベラスタッフ

☆ food2 Japanese Ramen

今回は「ラーメン」について。
日本人はラーメンが大好き♪
海外にも日本人経営のラーメン屋さんが沢山ありますが、
外国人にとってラーメンの味は好みのものなのでしょうか？

Japanese ramen (noodles) is very popular for both
Japanese and foreigners. The most common ramen
toppings I enjoy eating are seasoned bamboo
shoots (shinachiku), dried seaweed (nori),
and leek (negi). I am also interested in visiting
the Yokohama Ramen Museum to learn more
about the varieties of ramen. My favorite varities of
flavors are curry, seafood, and garlic.

皆さんの好きなラーメンは何ですか？
カレーラーメン、ガーリックラーメン、あまり聞きませんが
クリスティーナは地元で食べているそうです。
私はやっぱり醤油味が一番かな？
地元の牛乳ラーメンも大好物です。

Ramen is classified as a 'fast food' in Japan,
but it is not unhealthy compared to
Western fast food, such as hamburgers.
Also, udon, soba noodles are great to eat.
There is even a stand-up noodle restaurant in Shinjuku,
where you are quickly served. It is very convenient for
busy people at lunch time.

麺類はすぐに出てきてすぐに食べ終わります。
クリスティーナの言うように、Fast Foodは確かに不健康なイメージがありますが
ラーメンや、そば、うどんは決して体に悪くないですよね。

variety-種類
flavor-味
classify-分類する

By Christina

☆ food1 Rice Balls: Healthy snack

今回から４回は、
日本食についての話題です。
第１回目は「おにぎり」。
とても素朴な料理（？)
ですが、奥が深いんですよね。

My favorite Japanese snack is rice balls.
Rice balls are
made from Japanese rice, sesame seeds,
dried seaweed (nori), and salmon.
Tuna rice balls are now popular to eat
(especially for children), and they are also my favorite.
Rice balls are a healthy snack for me
to eat 2 or 3 times a month.
They are small, but I only eat one,
because it is very filling.
Rice balls are also cheap to buy at
almost any supermarket or convenient store.
I would like to make homemade rice balls
in the summer time. Plum pickles are used to
keep the rice balls fresh in the summer
and they make them an interesting flavor.

tunaのトッピングは、シーチキンのことですね。
確かにコンビニでもよく売っていますし、
子供には人気です。

snack-軽食
スナックと言われると、ポテトチップなど
不健康な物を思い浮かべます。
でも訳は「軽食」なので決して
不健康なものばかりではありません。
夜食におにぎり、なんてありますよね♪
filling-食べ応えのある
plum pickles-梅干し

By Christina
日本語解説ーベラスタッフ

☆ Job4-Female Boss & CEOs in Japan

日本でも働く女性が増えてきましたね。
ダイエーやBookOffなど、
女性社長も増えてきています。

A recent report said: 8 out of 10 women
in job interviews are the most preferred.
Nowadays, Japan is changing its views
about women working, and getting top positions.
Last year both Daiei and Sanyo companies hired
female CEOs for the first time!
These women had to work very hard to become CEOs.
Fumiko Hayashi, the new CEO for the huge supermarket chain,
Daiei worked hard on communicating and
listening to her customers. There are jobs for everyone,
including women, willing to work for them.

最近は、通勤電車の中でもかなり女性が増えてきています。
ダイエーの場合、社長が女性だと
主婦の立場という女性にしかできない、
考えられない物を提供してくれそうです。

8 out of 10-１０人中８人
prefer-より好む
CEO-Chief Executive Office最高経営責任者

By Christina
＊日本語解説ーベラスタッフ