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.