Winter in Japan

 Japan has four distinct seasons and each season has its own characteristic,for example cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall.  These two seasons attract most tourists to Japan,but  other two seasons summer and winter have also many attractions.

 It is midwinter in Japan now.  On the Japan sea side fall heavy snow and some snowy areas are covered 1 - 2 meters high snow,but we can enjoy various winter sports wsuch like skiing or snow boarding.  There are also many special foods in winter which tourists can eat everywhere in Japan.

 

Shogatstu and Hatsumode in Japan

 Shogatsu is the celebration of the New Year and is the most important holiday in Japan,comparable to Christmas in Western countries.  Entrance of houses and buildings are decorated with a set of pine branches and bamboo called Kadomatsu,but Shimekazari is more popular as a decoration which is a twisted straw rope with fern leaves,an orange,and other items of good fortune.  It is placed over the entrance of a house during the New Year holidays.

 Hatsumode is the first visit paid on the New Year holidays to a shrine or temple.  People pray for a long life and happiness for the year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flea market at the oldest temple in Osaka

 On the 21st and 22nd of every month a flea market is opened at the oldest temple "Shitennoji" in Osaka.  About 300 shops join the flea market here,including antique shops and local food stands.

 If you are a serendipity,then this flea market is worth visiting.  Normally prices are fixed in Japan but at the flea market it is negotiable.  Many foreign tourists are also looking for souvenirs here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn leaf viewing in Kyoto 2016

 My Indonesian friends came to Osaka on 20.Nov and stay one week here.  Autumn leaves are very beautiful now,so I took them to Kyoto yesterday for autumn leaf viewing.  Kyoto city is surrounded by mountains except the southern side and  most famous viewing spots are located at the foot of mountains.  We didn't have enough time for visiting far viewing spots or overcrowded places such as Eikando or Kinkakuji. We hired a tourist taxi for two hours,becuae my Indonesian friends are not young and cannot walk long time.so I should have chosen an accessible and flat place in the city.

 Finally I chose Kitanotenmagu where located near in the center of Kyoto city,but I have never been there before,therefore I was quite doubtful whether we could really enjoy autumn leaf viewing in the such location of the central city,but my choice was right.  Traffic jam in Kyoto is terrible during the time of autumn leaf viewing.  I recommend to use publick transportation for visiting famous tourist spots in Kyoto.

 

Best Guest House in Osaka newly opened

 Last month a new guest house opened in Osaka  which is highly recommended for backpackers.
Its location is very convinient for sightseeing,eating and shopping you can make all within 800 meters.

Tennoji park and zoo,municipal museum,japanese garden,temple,shrine,highest building in Japan and real Berlin Wall are existed nearby.  You can enjoy both traditional and modern Osaka in this area.

On 21st and 22nd every month a big flea market is held in the famous temple Shitennoji.
Many antique shops are parcitipated in this flea market,so you can enjoy your serendipity.

Website of Kintetsu Friendly Hostel  http://www.friendlyhostel.osaka/en/

Samurai Drum (Sanada Jindaiko)

 My favorite Japanese drum is Sanada Jindaiko.  Sanada is a family name of the feudal lord based in Ueda City(Nagano Prefecture) and a member of Sanada family called Sanada Yukimura is one of the most famous samurai heros in the Warring States period.  He is still very popular even among young generation and his television program titled "SANADAMARU" is being televised every Sunday now in Japan.  I feel samurai spirit in Sanada Jindaiko.

You can listen to Sanada Jindaiko here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqCcGNwuOaY

Iwashimizu Hachimangu in Kyoto

 The main shrine and some other constuructions of Iwashimizu Hachimangu have been designated as the national treasure of Japan this year.  The first main shrine was built in 860,but afterwards it was burnt down many times and the present main shrine was built in the Tokugawa shogunate period.

 Iwashimizu Hachimangu is located between Kyoto and Osaka,so access is very easy from the both cities.  Iwashimizu Hachimangu is not popural for foreign tourists yet,but it is worth to visit.