Enjoy Kansai Life with my blog
Kansai is the region which includes the prefectures of Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo and Shiga. A year has passed since I started this website to introduce Japanese foods, culture, sightseeing places and so on. The total number of my blog posts has reached 240 as of October 12, 2019. My blog has seven categories such as Sightseeing, Language, Food, Business, Culture, Education and Others. If you are interested to know more, please click "KANSAI BLOG" on the left.
Hi there, I'm Yasuhiro!
I have been living in Osaka for more than 20 years.
My goal in starting this blog is to introduce Japanese life to foreign people coming to Japan, especially in Kansai area. I think many foreign people will come to Japan for sightseeing and business in the future.
Through my blog, I would like to help those who visit Japan and encourage them to have more interest in my country and its culture.
I also have a website of my business as a certified public tax accountant.
If you have questions or concerns about the Japanese tax system, please feel free to visit my website.
KANSAI BLOG
Things I would like you to know
I have something to tell you.
I would like you to know some interesting Japanese culture which is different from foreign cultures.
Sightseeing places, Foods, World Heritage Sites, School Life, Season are some of them.
Sightseeing Places
Old temple, Castle, Theme park
Onsen, Park, Shopping street
Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Shiga, Hyogo,
Wakayama
Foods
Okonomiyaki
Takoyaki
Tempura, Ramen, Donburi
Sushi
World Heritage sites
Himeji Castle
Old temples and shrines in Kyoto
Old temples and shrines in Nara
Mt. Koya
School life, Season ...
School life of my children
Beautiful 4 seasons
National Holidays
Sightseeing Places,
World Heritage Sites
Enjoy your travel in Kansai
Rugby World Cup Japan 2019
The 9th Rugby World Cup started on September 20th in Japan.
The Rugby World Cup Japan 2019 started on September 20th. The opening game was Japan VS Russia and Japan won the game. 20 teams are participating in the World Cup. The World Cup will continue for 44 days and 48 games throughout Japan. Since I played rugby in university, I am a rugby fan. I will continuously post the topics about the World Cup.
Rugby World Cup Japan 2019
https://www.enjoykansailife.com/blog/rugby-world-cup-japan-2019
Rugby World Cup Japan 2019 2-5
https://www.enjoykansailife.com/blog/rugby-world-cup-japan-2019-2
https://www.enjoykansailife.com/blog/rugby-world-cup-japan-2019-3
https://www.enjoykansailife.com/blog/rugby-world-cup-japan-2019-4
https://www.enjoykansailife.com/blog/rugby-world-cup-japan-2019-5
https://www.enjoykansailife.com/blog/rugby-world-cup-japan-2019-6
https://www.enjoykansailife.com/blog/rugby-world-cup-japan-2019-7
https://www.enjoykansailife.com/blog/rugby-world-cup-japan-2019-8
https://www.enjoykansailife.com/blog/rugby-world-cup-japan-2019-9
https://www.enjoykansailife.com/blog/rugby-world-cup-japan-2019-10
Shodoshima
Shodoshima is an island located between Hyogo and Kagawa.
Shodoshima is a very famous sightseeing place from Kansai because local foods are delicious and there are some historical places. You can go around several famous sightseeing places by car for two days. Shodoshima is the first price in Japan where olive was imported from foreign country. I have already posted my experience in Shodoshima. The links of my posts are the following.
https://www.enjoykansailife.com/blog/shodoshima-1
https://www.enjoykansailife.com/blog/shodoshima-2
https://www.enjoykansailife.com/blog/shodoshima-3
https://www.enjoykansailife.com/blog/shodoshima-4
Katsuo-ji Temple
You can see a lot of daruma dolls in Katsuo-ji Temple.
In Mino city, Katsuo-ji Temple is known to give good luck for businesses, examinations, sports, accomplishments, love, elections, and so on. You can see a lot of daruma dolls there. A daruma doll is a good luck charm in Japan.
Kimiidera Temple
Kimiidera Temple is a temple that has been founded about 1 250 years ago.
Kimiidera's name means the temple that has three spring waters and it is located in KII area in Wakayama city. Strangely, in fact, even though it is located on a hillside, clean spring waters have naturally occurred here and have not dried up.
Omamori
Omamori is a good luck charm.
Omamori is a good luck charm which many Japanese buy when they visit temples and shrines. When I went to Kimiidera Temple, I bought a good luck charm for my business. Some Rarejob tutors said Omamori is anting anting in Tagalog.
Expo'70 Commemorative Park
The Expo’70 Commemorative Park is in Suita City.
The Expo’70 Commemorative Park was built on the site of Japan World Exposition 1970. The park is known as a cultural park embracing natural environment. People are able to enjoy playing some sports like soccer, baseball, tennis, and so on. Tower of the sun on the picture is very famous in the park.
Highway buses
Kosokubus.com is a very convenient website for travelers.
Highway buses are an affordable way to go too far place in Japan. It is cheaper than flying an airplane and riding a Shinkansen. When I check the price of highway bus on the website in June 1st, the cheapest price between Osaka and Tokyo is 1600 yen. The price of Shinkansen between Osaka and Tokyo is 12500 yen. You can make reservations on the website in English.
Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle is famous for its white appearance.
Himeji Castle called Himejijo is widely considered as Japan's most spectacular castle for its imposing size and beauty and its well preserved, complex castle grounds. The castle is both a national treasure and a world heritage site. Unlike many other Japanese castles, it was never destroyed by war, earthquake or fire and survives up to this day as one of the country's twelve original castles. The castle recently underwent extensive renovation over several years and was fully re-opened to the public in March 2015.
Nada Gogo
Nada Gogo is a very famous place for Sake.
Nada Gogo is the area where many Sake factories gather and the Sake factories produce almost 1/4 of the world's sake production. The area is located in Kobe and Nishinomiya. There are some Sake museums in the area. Travelers are able to enjoy Sake-tasting in the museums and buy Sake. Nada Gogo is registered as GI(Geographical Indication) in June 28, 2018. Nada Gogo would be a great brand of sake in the future.
World Heritage Sites in Nagasaki and Kumamoto
Hidden Christian sites in the Nagasaki region were added in World Heritage Site in June 30, 2018.
A group of twelve hidden Christian sites in Nagasaki and Kumamoto were registered as a World Heritage Site in June. The Nagasaki churches followed their faith under prohibition. People in the region continued their faith secretly and the testimony are remained.
Kansai Branch of the National Diet Library
Kansai Branch of the National Diet Library was built in Seika-cho in 2002.
The National Diet Library belongs to The Diet. The main purpose why the National Diet Library was built is to support the creation of Japanese laws. It is called the "National Diet Library" because it is where all the books in Japan are preserved. People cannot borrow books, but they can read and copy them inside it. It is really a huge building.
Omi Jingu
Omi Jingu is a shrine located in Otsu city, a city of Shiga prefecture.
Omi Jingu is a shrine which enshrines the 38th Emperor Tenchi. It is located near by Biwa Lake which is the biggest lake in Japan. It is also a famous shrine featured in the anime "Chihayafuru". The anime is a story wherein high school students dedicate themselves to a card game competition (Karuta) .
National High School Karuta Championship
The 40th National High School Ogura poem card game karuta Championships is held in July 28 and 29.
Team competition will be held in July 28 and individual competition will be held in July 29. The start of the competition is scheduled at 9:00 am. The venues are Omi Encouragement of Learning Museum, Shiga Community Center, Biwako Otsu-kan. Foreign travelers would experience Japanese culture and an old shrine in Omi Jingu when watcing the competition.
Hyakunin-Isshu
Hyakunin-Isshu is a kind of Karuta and one of the traditional card games.
"Hyakunin" literally means one hundred people and "Isshu" literally means a poem. Hyakunin-Isshu means one hundred poems by one hundred famous poets in Heian period and the poems are used in a card game, Karuta. Most poems are about love or seasonal topics. So if you understand the meaning of the poems, you are able to learn Japanese life style in Heian period. When people play Karuta, someone reads a poem and others compete in finding a matching card.
Food, School Life, Seasons ...
Interesting Japanese Cultures
Children's Day
May 5, 2018
Children's Day is called Kodomo no Hi in Japan. The day is a Japanese national holiday. It is a day to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness.
Carp streamers can been seen in the picture. We call these carp-shaped windsocks Koinobori. We set Koinoboris in the air with hopes of our children's good health as they grow.
Golden Week
May 6, 2018
Golden week is a series of national holidays. It includes the Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children's Day. Golden week normally starts from April 29th and ends on may 5th.
Rainy Season
May 8, 2018
In Okinawa, rainy season starts on May 8th. We call it tsuyu. Travelers need to check the weather forecast when they use trains and airplanes.
Mother's Day
May 13, 2018
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers. In Japan, Mother's Day is held on the second Sunday of May. We normally give flowers to mothers, and carnation is typically given to them.
Tokushima Ramen
June 9, 2018
Ramen is one of my favorite cheap delicious foods. There are many local ramens like Hakata ramen, Nagahama ramen, Onomichi ramen, Sapporo ramen, and so on. Tokushima ramen is one of them. The feature of Tokushima ramen is a raw egg and deep brown soup.
Father's Day
June 17, 2018
Father's Day is on the third Sunday of June in Japan. Many stores sell something like business shirts and alcohol for fathers. I was given Amazake, which is a traditional sweet, non-alcoholic Japanese drink made from fermented rice. Amazake is one of my favorite fermented foods like Natto(fermented soybeans) and yogurt. When you come to Japan, please try to eat some fermented foods.
Yokoduna Ramen
June 23, 2018
Yokoduna Ramen is another popular ramen chain in Kansai. They have more than 20 restaurants in Kyoto Osaka and Hyogo. I often order dandan noodle with mala sauce in Yokoduna. Dandan noodles and mala sauce originated from Chinese Sichuan cuisine. Mala sauce is spicy and oily. Several kinds of dandan noodles become popular in Japan because Japanese really like spicy foods.
Curry Bread
June 24, 2018
Kare pan, known as curry bread in English is a popular bread in Japan. Curry is wrapped in dough and the dough is fried. It is called Kare pan. One of the superheroes in Anpanman is Karepanman. His name is inspired from curry bread (Kare pan).
Marine Day
July 16, 2018
Marine Day is a Japanese national holiday celebrated on the third Monday in July. The purpose of the holiday is to give thanks to the ocean's blessing and to consider the importance of the ocean. Many events like fireworks are held throughout Japan.
Japanese Cuisine
July 29, 2018
Japanese cuisine means Japanese traditional foods and it is called "washoku" in Japanese. It is based on rice with miso soup and other dishes like "nikujaga" and "gyoza". It features seasonal ingredients. Sashimi, sushi, tempura, udon and soba are very famous among foreign people. Travelers can buy these food in supermarkets and convenience stores. The picture shows sushi, miso soup, nikujaga, gyoza, vermicelli salad, soy source and sake.
Ojizo-Sama
August 5, 2018
Ojizo-Sama is a popular deity in the folk belief of Japanese. (Sama is the word that we add to show respect to a person or something.) He is a guardian deity of travelers, children, pregnant women, and old people. You can see ojizo-sama along roads everywhere in Japan.
Obon week
August 13, 2018
Obon is an annual Buddhist event commemorated from August 13th to 15th. People believe that during this time of the year the spirits of their ancestors return, so they go to clean family graves before then. Obon week is also known as family reunion holidays, hence people return to their ancestral homes. There are many famous Obon events like the Bon dance and the Daimonjiyaki in Kyoto.
All-you-can-drink-alcohol
August 16, 2018
I am writing a Japanese all-you-can-drink-alcohol and eat restaurant called Torijiro. It serves yakitori and other Japanese foods. Yakitori is a chicken dish in which the meat is cut into small pieces and skewered on bamboo sticks. All the foods in the menu are affordable and cost just 270 yen. Moreover, set meals are also great. For 2,680 yen you can eat and drink any kinds of alcohol as much as you can. I really recommend foreigners to go there. Unfortunately it does not have an English website.
Yukata
August 18, 2018
August is the best month when you can see many people wearing yukata outside. That is why I am writing about yukata. It is a Japanese garment in summer. It is worn by men and women at outdoor summer events such as fireworks displays and bon dance festivals. It is also worn at traditional Japanese inns all season, especially after bathing in hot springs.
Typhoon Jebi/Maymay
September 4, 2018
The biggest typhoon in 20 years hit Kansai area in September 4th. Many workers were sent back to their homes from offices before the typhoon arrived in Kansai. The typhoon blew down many telephone poles and roof tiles in Osaka, and uprooted a lot of trees. Typhoon is a common natural disaster in summer. All people visiting in Japan need to check out the weather forecast to avoid such disater.
Respect for the Aged Day
September 17, 2018
Today is respect for the Aged Day which is a Japanese designated public holiday. We celebrate to honor elderly citizens. It happens every third Monday of September. We usually have dinner or send gifts to our grandparents.
JAPAN KANSAI TRAVEL ITINERARY
5 Days Japan Kansai Travel Itinerary (6 Cities)
Osaka(1st night)-Himeji-Kobe-Osaka(2nd night)-Kyoto-Uji-Osaka(3rd night)-Nara-Osaka(4th night)-Osaka
Purpose : 3 old cities and Kansai local foods
Hotel : 1 hotel accomodation for 4 nights in Osaka
Train ticket : Kansai Area Pass
You can get information about train tickets through the link below:
Day 1
Osaka-Himeji-Kobe-Osaka
Osaka Station-Himeji Station-Himeji Castle (1:20)
Himeji Station-Arima Onsen (1:30)
Arima Onsen-Sannomiya (0:30)
Sannomiya-Osaka (0:30)
The time in parentheses is the travel time. (ex. 1:20 means 1 hour and 20 minutes)
Himeji Castle
You can go to Himeji Station from Osaka Station by JR Train for 1 hour. After that, you can go to Himeji Castle from Himeji Station for 20 minutes on foot.
Himeji Castle called Himejijo is widely considered as Japan's most spectacular castle for its imposing size and beauty and its well preserved, complex castle grounds. The castle is both a national treasure and a world heritage site. Unlike many other Japanese castles, it was never destroyed by war, earthquake or fire and survives up to this day as one of the country's twelve original castles. The castle recently underwent extensive renovation over several years and was fully re-opened to the public in March 2015.
You can get more information about Himeji Castle in my blog through the link below:
Arima Onsen
You can go to Arima Onsen from Himeji Station by train for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Onsen means a hot spa while Arima is the name of a town. Arima Onsen is located in the northern Kobe. It is a very famous onsen in Japan. Since there are many onsens in my country, foreign travelers can try to go to an onsen in any areas. If you want to try Japanese onsen in Arima, I recommend you to go to Kin-no-yu which is a public hot spa. I also recommend foot spa beside Kin-no-yu. Onsen towns have some Japanese traditional hotels called Ryokan. You can see some historical buildings like Ryokan, souvenir shops, temples and shrines in Arima.
You can get more information about Arima Onsen through the link below:
Ikuta Shrine
You can go to Ikuta Shrine from Sannomiya Station on foot for 10 minutes.
Ikuta Shrine is a Shinto shrine. It is the closest shrine from Sannomiya Station which is the biggest station in Kobe. It is possible that it is one of the oldest shrines in Japan. Ikuta Shrine is an ancient shrine with over 1,800 years history. If you are lucky, you can see a Japanese wedding ceremony in the shrine.
You can see a Japanese wedding ceremony through the link below:
Kobe beef
Kobe beef is a very famous beef brand through Japan.
Kobe beef is meat from cattle raised in Hyogo. The meat is valuable for its tenderness, fatty, and etc. You can eat Kobe beef as steak, sukiyaki. It is generally considered as one of the top beef brands in my country. It is very expensive, so I usually do not eat it. I am satisfied enough with other Japanese beef brands. If you want to eat beef as Yakiniku, there are many yakiniku restaurants to introduce in Kansai.
Sobameshi
Sobameshi is a local food in Kobe.
Sobameshi was originated in Nagata ward in Kobe city. You can easily cook it. First, you stir-fry noodles with oil and sauce. Second, You mix cold rice with stir-fry noodles. You finally cut them using a spatula. There are various toppings to choose like kimchi, beef, pork, raw egg, sea foods, and etc. I ordered sobameshi with beef tendons simmered in soy sauce and a raw egg as shown in the picture. It is hard to find the restaurants which serve sobameshi in Tokyo, so it is better for you to try it in Kansai.
Day 2
Osaka-Kyoto-Uji-Osaka
Osaka Station-Kyoto Station (0:30)
Kyoto Station-Kinkaku Temple by bus (0:45)
Kinkaku Temple-Kitano Tenmangu on foot (0:20)
Kitano Tenmangu-Nishiki Market by bus (0:40)
Nishiki market-Byoudouin Hououdou by train and on foot(1:00)
The time in parentheses is the travel time. (ex. 1:20 means 1 hour and 20 minutes)
Kinkaku Temple
Kinkaku Temple is also called Golden Temple in foreign countries.
Kin means gold and Kaku means a great building.
Kinkaku temple is officially named Rokuon-ji and also called golden temple in foreign countries. It is one of the most popular buildings in Japan because it is a World Heritage Site. It was set on fire in 1950 and reconstructed in 1955. It is open whole year round including holidays and its entrance fee is 400 yen.
Kitano Tenmangu
It takes about 20 minutes on foot to get to Kitano Tenmangu from Kinkaku Temple.
Kitano Tenmangu is a shrine built in northern Kyoto over 1000 years ago. It is the shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane. He is very famous for many people especially students that is why he is called the “God of Academics”. There are about 12,000 shrines that are dedicated to him, but Kitano Tenmangu is the original shrine. Many students come here to pray for passing entrance examinations and other examinations. It is also famous for plum blossom in March. Entrance fee is free.
You can get more information about Kitano Tenmangu through the link below:
http://kitanotenmangu.or.jp/top_en.php
Nishiki Market
It takes about 40 minutes by bus to get to Nishiki Market from Kitano Tenmangu.
Nishiki market is located in Shijo area. You can go to Nishiki market for 3 minutes on foot from Shijo station on subway line. It is a shopping street about 390m long and there are more than 120 shops which mainly sell foods originated in Kyoto. I recommend you to go to Nishiki market to learn Japanese food culture and eat them.
I recommend you to visit Nishiki market to learn about Japanese food culture and to taste some of delicacies.
Byoudouin Hououdou
It takes about 60 minutes by train and on foot to get to Byoudouin Hououdou from Nishiki Market.
To go to Byoudouin Hououdou, first, you should go to Shijo station on subway line from Nishiki market. It takes 3 minutes on foot. Second, get off at Kyoto Station on subway line and transfer to JR line to go to Uji Station. Third, get off at Uji station on JR line and go to Byoudouin Hououdou on foot. It is a building and a part of Byoudouin Temple which was built in 1052. It is also famous as the design of the 10 yen coin. The temple is registered as one of UNESCO's World Heritage Site. The entrance fee is 600 yen but if you want to go inside the Phoenix Hall, you need to pay an additional 300 yen.
My blog post is following : https://www.enjoykansailife.com/blog/byodoin-temple
Day 3
Osaka-Nara-Osaka
Osaka Station-JR Nara Station (0:50)
JR Nara Station-Nara Park (0:15)
Nara Park-Todai-ji Temple on foot (0:10)
The time in parentheses is the travel time. (ex. 1:20 means 1 hour and 20 minutes)
Nara Park
It takes about 15 minutes on foot to get to Nara Park from JR Nara Station.
The area of Nara Park is 660 hectares and it includes major temples and shrines called Todaiji Temple, Kohfukuji Temple and Kasugataisha Shrine, as well as the cultural institutions of Nara National Museum and the Shosoin Repository.
One of the reasons why Nara Park is famous for many foreign people is because of deer. Friendly deer would approach visitors in Nara Park. It is not dangerous but enjoyable with deer. Feeding the deer in Nara Park is a very popular activity for children.
Todai-ji Temple
It takes about 10 minutes on foot to get to Todai-ji Temple from Nara Park.
Todai-ji Temple was founded in 743 and it is the most important temple in Nara. One of the main buildings in Todai-ji Temple is Daibutsu-den as shown in the picture. It was destroyed numerous times by fire. The present building was built in 1706. It is only two-thirds of its original size. It is said that Daibutsu-den is the largest wooden structure in the world. After you go into Daibutsu-den, you can see the Buddha which is the largest in Japan. The Buddha is 16 meters (55ft) tall and weighs 500 tonnes.
Great Buddha Statue
Great Buddha Statue is located in Daibutsu-den.
Great Buddha Statue is the most popular and largest in Japan. It is located in Daibutsu-den. The Buddha is 16 meters (55ft) tall and weighs 500 tonnes.
INQUIRY
If you have a question about Japan, please email me anytime.
If you want to know something about your travel to Japan, I can tell about tips of your travel.
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