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.

 

 

Zen Temple"EIHEIJI"

 Recently I visited a very famous Zen temple"Eiheiji" in Fukui prefecture,which is located in the  serene mountains.  Tourists can visit this temple daytime,but also provide with lodging for people who want to experience ascetic practices and meditate in Zen style here.　Steve Jobs also wanted to meditate once at this temple.

 I'm planning to take a shortest course of ascetic practices Sanrou called( two days and one night ￥8000) in autumn. If you want to stay longer and experience harder ascetic practices,then you  should participate in Sanzen(four days and three nights course ￥12000) Foreigners can also experience Zen meditation at Eiheiji temple.  This area is covered with snow deeply in winter,so autumn is the best season for beginners.

If you are interested in ascetic practice at Eiheiji please contact  the temple directly.
You can get more information about Eiheiji in English from the following URL.
   http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6601.html

A family run Japanese style inn

 If your purpose of visiting Japan is not only sightseeing but trying to experience Japanese way of life,then we recommend to stay at a minshuku(a family run Japanese style inn).
We introduce minshuku Furusato which is located on an island of Seto inland sea,there are seven minshuku on this island(Maejima) but only Furusato has their own beach(private baech).

You can get to Maejima from Ushimado habor(Okayama prefecture) only 5 minutes by a shuttle ferry. You can make one day trip to popular tourist spots from Maejima very easily,so don't worry about isolation. You can enjoy fresh sea food and a beautiful sight at very reasonable cost.

How to enjoy summer season in Japan?

 How to enjoy Japanese summer as foreign tourists?
Our answer is simple,just do as the Japanese people do.  It is too hot to make a round trip or stay in big cities in summer,but you can enjoy summer festivals everywhere in Japan besides famous festivals such as Gion Festival in Kyoto,because almost all shrines will hold their own summer festivals.

There are also many seaside and mountain resorts in Japan where you can enjoy Japanese summer with local people.  Don't hesitate to visit resort places where not popular for foreign tourists.
We recommend Ushimado in Okayama prefecture as seaside resort where you can enjoy many kinds of water sports and experience Japanese tradition and culture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discover unbeaten track of Japan

If you come to Japn in summer,then we recommend you to go to Ushimado and stay there as long as possible.  Ushimado is located about 200KM  westward from Kyoto and it is very easy and fast to get there using by Shinkansen.

Ushimado is not only beach resort but an old fishing town where tourists can enjoy water activities and experience a real life of an old fischermen's town.    There are also  historical temples and shrines,traditional festivals of them are held throughout the year.

Seto Inlandsea is very calm,so it is safe to play any water activities. Sea kayak is  very poplur here because of  encountering a small dolphin "Sunameri" called,if you are lucky.

Enjoy unbeaten track of Japan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Urban safari at Tennoji Zoo in Osaka

Tennoji Zoo is located in the center of Osaka and surrounded by many local restaurants and shops,but you can feel somewhere in African safari there at ￥500.-(entrance fee fpr adult).
If you stay at a backpucker's hotel near the zoo,then it is worth visiting for relaxation.
Tennoji Zoo is just within a stone's throw.

Mountain worship in Japan

Coexistence with nature was way of Japanese life in old times and found deities in natural beings-big trees,rocks and mountains for example.  We especially awed grandiose mountains,because they were inaccessible  in old times and  and therefore people imaged a magical power.  We can say that our mountain worship is based on a kind of animism.

Mpuntain worship is still popular in Japan.  Symbol of mountain worship is Mt.Fuji and some people climb Mt.Fuji as part of mountain worship besides climbing as a hobby.

Nageiredo under attached photo was built in the steep cliff about 900 years ago which is located in Tottori prefecture and still awe-inspiring.

Most popular amusement center in Osaka

Dotonbori is the most popular amusement center in Osaka where people can enjoy eating local foods such as Ramen or Takoyaki( octopus dumpling ) and sleepless night life.  Dotonbori river cruise is also popular for tourists. 

 

 

 

 

 

Kyoto attracts tens of millions tourists every year.

About 1,200 years ago Japanese capital was settled in Kyoto and since then Japanese emperor was living there until moved to Tokyo. During the second world war most of Japanese cities were bombed and many houses were burned down but Kyoto and Nara were not bombed in order to protect Japanese cultural treasures.   That's why there are still many old temples,shrines and emperor's residence are remained.

Most parts of Kyoto are registered in the world cultural heritage that means Kyoto is a treasure of the world.  Three days ago I visited Kyoto and took some pictures there which I showed here.
There are also many festivals throughout the year,so check it before you visit Kyoto.

Night spectacle in Kyoto

Luckily I live near Kyoto it takes about an hour from my house to the center of Kyoto by train.  Yesterday evening I visited Kiyomizudera one of the most famous temples in Kyoto,because it was  specially lighted up till 21:00PM last night.
I didn't enter the temple,because many people formed an endless queue to buy an entrance ticket but I found a good place,from where I could enjoy fantastic night spectacle.

 

 

 

Cherry blossom viewing in Osaka

Cherry blossom is in full bloom in Osaka now,therefore many people go out to admire it's beauty and make a party under the fully bloomed cherry blossom.  Osaka castle is our favorite place and evry year we hold a cherry blossom viewing party here.

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Down town in Osaka

Traditional symbols of Osaka are Osaka castle and Tsutenkaku and around  Tsutenkaku area is called Shinsekai.  Shihnsekai literally means new world because this area was  developed as an new amusement quarter.  Many cheap hotels for day laborers have been recently changed to the accomodation for backpackers.  There are also many cheap restauranss in this area.  If you want to save your travelling budgt,then I recommend you to stay here in Osaka.