ByAdmin
Apr 27, 2018
Tokyo Sea Life Park Aquarium
Tokyo Sea Life Park is an aquarium featuring over 600 species of rare marine life from around the world. The distinctive dome rising over the attraction houses a number of interesting collections, including the most famous, a 2,200-ton tank shaped like a doughnut where you can watch bluefin tuna and other fish swim.
Another well known attraction are the penguins, which became famous in an incident in 2012 in which one of their exhibit’s Humboldt penguins pulled a Houdini; scaling a 13 foot high wall and successfully overcoming a barbed-wire fence to escape into Tokyo Bay. The penguin managed to survive and thrive, and elude its captors, for 82 days until it was finally apprehended and returned to its enclosure. The penguin in question is rumored to have gone on to become a noted SERE School instructor, but officials have refused to comment on that.
Three times a year, the park offers free entry to residents of Tokyo. First on May 4 in celebration of Greenery Day and again in October on October 1 for Tokyo Citizens’ Day, and again on October 10 for the anniversary of the aquarium’s opening. Crowds can be assumed on those days, but maybe that is part of the fun?!
Tokyo Sea Life Park
6 Chome-2-3 Rinkaichō, Edogawa-ku, Tōkyō-to 134-8587 (map link)
tokyo-zoo.net
03-3869-5152
Photo by tomohisa suna from tokyo, japan (葛西臨海水族園のマグロ) [CC BY 2.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons
Apr 26, 2018
Get Rid Of Your International Coin Collection Once And For All
Like any other expat living here in Japan, I’ve taken to using the proximity to the rest of Asia along with cheap airfare combined to go on some sweet vacations to places like Korea and Hong Kong. I even worked for a company based in Taiwan meaning there was a heap of back-and-forth travel there too.
All of this added up to a large pile of coins stashed in a desk drawer. Almost US$75 worth actually… and because of many bank’s rules, there is no way to exchange coins… Bills yes, of course, but not the round pieces of metal jingling around in my pockets. And just like Japan, some of these places have coins that are worth a lot.
Then I heard of a company called Pocket Change and it totally changed my habit of trying as much as possible to spend every last coin somehow before getting on the plane home, to just bringing it back with me and dealing with it on my own time in Tokyo.
Pocket Change machines are found in most every major international airport in Japan, and in the case of Tokyo, near places like Shinjuku, Shibuya and Tokyo station. The idea is simple: just dump your bounty of coins into the machine, and get the market exchange rate value returned to you in the form of e-money from Rakuten Edy, Aeon WAON, Apple App Store or iTunes, or an Amazon credit.
Also this works if your needs are elsewhere too; for example you can get a Target gift card for use in the US or donate to UNICEF and other charities.
I had no problem converting my leftover American Dollars along with some Taiwanese New Dollars into Edy and Amazon credits; the whole process from start to finish was about 5 minutes.
For more information about updates to their services and new locations, check out https://www.pocket-change.jp/en/.
– By Jason L. Gatewood All Images: Pocket-Change machine in HIS Shinjuku. Jason L Gatewood, Own Work.
Apr 26, 2018
Tokyo Midtown Hibiya: Upscale shopping at the Emperor’s front door
Tokyo’s Hibiya district is known mostly for its namesake park right next to the Imperial Palace grounds, and being home to many Japanese government offices as well as corporations. If you want to shop, then you’d just need to wander a bit east into the Ginza and Yurakucho areas… But this is 2018, and who’s got time for that?
A few years ago, the Mori group built Toranomon Hills which sits a 15 minute walk to the southwest. You may know the Mori Group from their sprawling Roppongi Hills development. Not to be outdone, Mitsui Real Estate has extended their “Tokyo Midtown” concept from their corner of Roppongi to the northwest corner of Hibiya park with Hibiya Tokyo Midtown. Oh yeah, so that means the “original” Tokyo Midtown is now known as Tokyo Midtown Roppongi now to lessen the confusion, but I would still ask “which Tokyo Midtown” if needing directions at this point.
Confusing naming schemes aside, Hibiya Midtown (yeah, that’s what I’m calling it!) is a mixed-use development centered around a Toho Cinemas complex and an avalanche of luxury stores and premiere eateries. Seriously, there are a LOT of places to eat a meal here. But that’s kind of expected in this area; this is the epicenter of “Japan Inc.” and those bureaucrats and corporate suits need a place to broker deals, smooze clients, and treat their underlings!
Let’s talk about that new theater though; there’s 13 screens, 3D, ATMOS sound, luxury and box seating options and yes, there’s an IMAX on deck too. Dinner and a movie anyone? …Lunch and a movie and dinner and another movie anyone?
If you find yourself needing to catch a breather from all the excitement or looking for a way to impress the one you’re with, just head over to the 6th floor Sky Park. It’s an outdoor rooftop terrace that will have even the most diehard Luddite reaching for their camera phone to snap a selfie or three of that Tokyo skyline in the background. Protip: wait till sunset and wander over here to see a stunning view since it mostly faces west.
Tokyo Midtown Hibiya
1 Chome-1-2 Yūrakuchō, Chiyoda-ku, Tōkyō-to 100-0006
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/kSukZexeTmB2
Access is dead simple since the basement floor connects directly to Hibiya station at both ends. Exits A5 and A11 will get you there.
03-5157-1251
– By Jason L. Gatewood
All Images: Tokyo Midtown Hibiya. Jason L Gatewood, Own Work.
Apr 26, 2018
Tokyo Java: Why Are Indie Coffee Shops Opening All Over The Metropolis?
We’ll forgive you for thinking Japan was all about the green tea if you’ve never been here before. Of course we pride ourselves on having over a hundred varieties of o-cha
you can drink, and the image of a kimono-clad stern performer of tea ceremony is forever burned into our memory banks of what iconography can be associated with Nippon.
But when it comes to what is consumed in offices, cafes, and yanked out of many vending machines and convenience stores nationwide, collectively coffee is the drink of choice of many Japanese. Put it more succinctly, the first Starbucks store in Japan opened in 1996; there are now over 1,200 locations with some literally across the street from one another. But we’re not here to talk about them, we’re here to talk about the independent coffee shops that have started dotting the landscape, especially around Tokyo.
Niche neighborhoods like Naka Meguro, Daikanyama, and Shimo-Kitazawa are home to at least a dozen each of little coffeehouses, some unable to seat more than 6 customers at a time. But their customers are fiercely loyal, and many offer something you can’t find anywhere else be it a rare strain of bean, a twist in the roasting and steeping process, or just a touch of whimsy and an eclectic atmosphere. In a quest to find out some of these mysteries, I ventured to the Tokyo Coffee Festival, held twice a year at the United Nations University campus in the Omotesando/Aoyama area. There I asked a few of the local shopkeepers why they got into the coffee game and what they offer to their customers.
We like to provide a nice quiet space for people to come and relax…to get away from the daily grind and just spend some time thinking. Our cafe is designed around that and our coffee blend and sweets help too.
Ki Cafe
Tōkyō-to, Setagaya-ku, Daita 5−9−5
I had been in the business for some time but only on the sale of the beans themselves. Then I decided to provide customers their own custom roasts but I needed a cafe to showcase the idea. We want to give our customers a unique taste just for them.
Coffee-Ya
Tōkyō-to, Nakano-ku, Honchō 4-31-10, #104
I noticed ‘people seem really happy when they are chatting over coffee.’ I don’t have a lot of resources, but its easy to have a stand; I can make a sidewalk cafe wherever I can!
Kakuya Coffee Stand
Usually found around Chiba-ken, Nishi Funabashi, Nishi-funa 4-24-8
There are a lot of different places in town to enjoy a cup of joe, so instead of heading to the familar green and white mermaid embossed store, search for a local cafe and mix things up a little. You might just find a new brew and some friends to go along with it.
If you want to recommend your favorite java joint to the JIS crew, please drop a comment below!
– By Jason L. Gatewood
Images: Scenes from Spring 2018 Tokyo Coffee Festival; Jason L Gatewood
Apr 26, 2018
Hakone and The Old Tokaido Road
Hakone is usually more synonymous with skiing or being a jumping off point for tours to Mt. Fuji but it’s actually a great place to check out almost anytime of the year since it’s easily accessible by way of the Odakyu Line or many direct express buses. Of the many things to get into, we’re going to set our sights on the history and natural beauty of this area for this particular day trip.
Touring the Old Tokaido Road There’s a bullet train, regular train, and two expressways named “Tokaido” but the original was just a foot and horse trail. Only 11km of the original path actually remains and you can find it here. Using this map, we’re going to walk along the same trail many a samurai, merchant and laborer walked in the old days of Edo and check out a little history along the way.
Hakone-Yumoto Station We’ll start here since this also means we will be walking downhill the entire time. The station area itself is lively with tourists and shops selling sundries and souvenirs from the area. There are also plenty of restaurants and even convenience stores in case you arrived on an empty stomach. Here’s a good chance to stock up on some water for the walk ahead too.
Hakone History Museum Since its near the trail, head here to learn more about the journey you’re embarking on and all the hot springs you’ll be walking past shortly. You’ll also learn why Hakone was a very important stop along the Tokaido.
Hakone Daitengu Shrine This shrine located at the halfway point may look fairly new, but it’s just because it was rebuilt in 2004. But it’s been around since the late 1800’s and is a very interesting spot to check out, especially if you love the foxes that are symbolic of every inari shrine.
Amazake-chaya A 350 year old teahouse. Wait, what? This teahouse has been serving amazake, a rich non-alcoholic drink which when fermented becomes the beginnings of sake since the 1740s. Of course you’ll be taking that with their other specialty, Mochi rice cakes fired over coals.
Hot springs and Minshuku The big draw to this area when the Tokaido had travelers shuffling through the area was the natural warm waters emanating from the earth. It made for great place to wash the grime of the road off, eat a hot meal and get some rest; and indeed not much has changed owing to the number of hotels, B&Bs and bathhouses in the hills around the trail here. Feel free to stop off at any of them and inquire into doing any of the above.
– By Jason L. Gatewood
Images:
Aimaimyi, Old Tokaido -02, CC BY-SA 3.0
Aimaimyi, Amazake-cyaya 01, CC BY-SA 3.0
ByAdmin
Apr 25, 2018
English Speaking Hairdressers in Nagoya
There is nothing worse than getting a bad haircut. The slightest miscommunication with your hairdresser, and you’re stuck either looking foolish for a week or so, or hiding your bodged ‘do under a hat.
The likelihood of this happening can only be compounded if you and your stylist don’t speak a common language. As such, it’s best if you find a hairdressers that speaks English. If you want a specialist who listens and actually understands your needs, the salons below are the best places to go!
LiPS
Ryo Izume spent time studying abroad in New Zealand, and keeps up his English by speaking with his many expat friends. His salon, LiPS, specialises in stylish, inexpensive, quick cuts for both men and women, and is easily accessible from Sakko station. Ryo is the only English speaker at the salon, so if you want to make an appointment it is best to contact him directly by using the LINE app using the ID @lkx7325y. At the store, you’ll recognise Ryo by his brightly coloured hair, which seemingly changes from week to week!
Telephone: 052-586-5700
Address: Nishi Ward Noritakeshinmachi, 4 Chome−3−17 Kashima Building A Building 1F (map link)
URL: lips5700.jimdofree.com
Open Hours: 10:00 – 18:30, seven days a week
Cockney Hair and Beauty
Hirotaka Aoiki – Hiro to his friends – studied at Vidal Sassoon in London, and this shows in both his stylist and language abilities. Cockney is just a three minute walk from the Kokusai Center Station and is the hairdresser of choice for young and stylish Nagoyans. Hirotaka encourages his staff to learn English too, holding after-hours lessons in store.
Telephone: 052-433-2254
Address: 3-20-20 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 450-0002 (map link)
URL: http://cockney-hair.com<
Open Hours: 11:00-20:00 Tuesday-Thursday & Saturday / 11:00-21:00 Friday / 10:00-18:00 Sunday and Public holiday/ Closed on Monday and 2nd & 3rd Tuesday
Stateroom
Stateroom’s philosophy is ‘natural, sophisticated and classy’ an ideal that comes from Hiroshi Morita’s time spent studying in New York. Also located near the Kokusai Center Station, you can make appointments online, making the service more convenient.
Telephone: 090-3253-5107
Address: 5−10−7 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 450-0002
URL: www.stateroom.jp
Open Hours: 9:00-21:00 Wednesday-Monday
Uraura Hair Salon
Offering a wide array of services, Uraura prides itself on its counselling and communication with customers to ensure that your hairstyle is exactly what you wish it to be. English speakers should receive this service from Yukiko, who studied in New York. The salon is a five minute walk from Takaoka Station.
Telephone: 052-932-5572
Address: 3-10-4 Izumi, Higashi-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 461-0001
URL: http://uraura.net/
Open Hours: 9:00-12:00 / 12:45-19:00 Wednesday-Sunday
Studio A Hair Salon
Studio A’s owner/stylist Akihito Kawamoto is another who refined his skills in New York. Though primarily a salon for women, Studio A, just a five minute walk from Issha Station, also has many male customers.
Telephone: 052-773-2003
Address: 1-157 Takayashiro, Meito-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 465-0095
URL: http://studioa.ciao.jp/
Open Hours: 10:00-20:00 Tuesday-Saturday / 10:00-19:00 Sunday / Closed on Monday and 2nd & 3rd Tuesday
By Beauty Blogger (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
By Rio Izume (Own Work)
By Mark Guthrie (Own Work)
By http://uraura.net/category/image
By http://studioa.ciao.jp/
Please also note that reference to any business or organization is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an official endorsement by the H&R Group.
Apr 25, 2018
Must-Do Activities to Live the Japanese Experience
The best way to learn about any culture is to immerse yourself in it. For one thing, this involves participating in the same activities as the locals. To live the Japanese experience, all of the following activities need to be on your list.
Use a Purikura Photo Booth
Photo booths may have become close to nonexistent in much of the world, but they’re still a major trend in Japan. Called purikura, these machines allow you to take pictures, decorate them (often using a touchscreen or stylus), and then print them into stickers.
Participate in a Tea Ceremony
The Japanese tea ceremony is called sado, which means the way of tea. It is considered an art form and is only performed in a tatami room, where the host and guests sit in specific places on mats. Everyone who attends must wear formal clothing, usually a kimono. The ceremony uses special utensils, some of which differ according to the season. Serving the tea itself is meticulously choreographed and each movement has a special meaning.
Visit a Few Temples and Shrines
Visiting Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines is a top tourist activity — and for good reason. The stunning religious architecture plays an important role in the community. In a large city, you’ll find hundreds of temples and shrines, but in even the smallest town there’s always at least one. It’s worth visiting at least a few, as you’ll find that each is uniquely beautiful.
Attend a Sumo Match
Sumo is much more than an exciting sport; it is also an important aspect of Japanese culture. As there are only six tournaments a year, you need to plan in advance if you want to see a match. For the full Japanese experience, you should book a seat on floor cushions rather than for a stadium seat.
If you’ll be unable to attend a match, another option is to visit a sumo-beya, which is where wrestlers (called rikishi) live. Here, you can attend the morning training session. Bear in mind that it starts at around 6 or 7 and lasts for three hours.
Watch Kabuki
Kabuki is a highly-dramatic performance art, characterized by heavy makeup and exaggerated acting. It involves acting, dancing, and singing of a historic or contemporary play or a dance drama. Traditionally, kabuki was performed as a full-day program of five acts whereas now shorter plays are common.
Sing Karaoke
You may think that you can skip karaoke if you’ve already tried it in your home country. However, singing karaoke in Japan is different from anywhere else in the world. This is a pastime that people take seriously. For instance, they invest in high-quality equipment, including properly soundproofed karaoke boxes. Wherever you go, you’ll find a full range of songs in English, meaning you have no excuse not to sing.
Living the Japanese experience involves understanding both the country’s history and modern-day life. Only by participating in all the above activities will you see the different facets of Japanese culture and feel like part of the country.
By Pixelms [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], from Wikimedia Commons
Apr 25, 2018
Popular Patisseries and Bakeries in Kobe
When you are in a new place, you always find yourself trying out the restaurants first. Unless you’re on a diet, you’d find it a must to sample the local delicacies and the popular eateries that you’ve researched on. The ones with the best reviews are the most favorable but the ones that’ll suit your palate will be prioritized. If you have a sweet tooth, you end up stopping for pastries, bread and dessert.
Japan is known for exquisite presentations of dessert and different sweet treats that are unique as well as delectable. The Japanese cheesecake and mochi are popular all over the globe so you know that anything made in Japan’s numerous patisseries and bakeries would satisfy your craving for food that is not only pretty to look at but would satisfy the rest of your senses especially your palate.
Cities like Kobe that welcome tourists at any given time of the year offer sumptuous packs and boxes of these delightful sweet treats that would keep you wanting more with every bite. These are only a few of those stores where you can get the sweet and savory bundles that are freshly baked and ready to be served.
Mama’s Selection Motomachi Cake Motomachi Honten
This affordable shop is known for its ever famous Zakuro, a fluffy sponge cake from egg yolks, stuffed with cream, and topped with strawberries and powdered sugar. With its reasonable prices and mouth watering treats, tourists keep coming back to this family-owned business that has been serving their clientele for over 70 years.
Naruto Taiyaki Honpo Hankyu Sannomiyaekimae
Their taiyaki is a fish shaped crispy cake filled with red bean or azuki paste. The name and the shape comes from the Japanese red seabream or Tai. If you’re not too fond of red beans, they also have a sweet potato version or you can opt for their equally famous vanilla ice cream in a waffle cone. They serve their traditional goodies fresh and right from the griddles. Walking around Kobe will surely be a lot lovelier with a taiyaki or vanilla ice cream on hand.
L’avenue
Although it’s not a sit down type of cake shop, they would be happy to set up a table and chairs for you so you can relax and enjoy their delicious chocolate cakes. The Choc’Frambo has delicate layers of berry, pistachio and chocolate and is one of the favorites of tourists and locals alike. The balance of flavors will leave a lasting memory in your palate making you want to keep coming back for more every time you visit Kobe. The rest of their sweet concoctions are colorful and artfully crafted just like the signature glossy chocolate cake and will surely beckon you to try them out, too.
Konigs Krone Honten
Since Kobe was at one time a haven for foreign settlers, most of the bakeries and dessert shops were inspired from what the west has brought to its shores. This confectionery and cake company whose name means “King’s crown” has expanded tremendously over the years and now has 31 locations in Japan with most of them in the Kansai region. One of these is in Kobe and not only famous for its pastries, cakes and bread but for its hotel that was actually established by the pastry brand and not the other way around. So while you’re in Kobe and decide to stay in Hotel Konigs Krone, you get to hit two birds with one stone. A relaxing stay with loads of sweets just a few floors away.
Isuzu Bakery Honten
After a bunch of cake and pastry shops in this list, let’s recognize one bakery that’s been around for 70 years and has four locations just within Kobe. It’s so popular that locals and tourists always drop by to purchase their daily bread fix when they are near any of their stores. The serve savory bread such as curry bread, the famous salt bread, the bucho’s salt and kelp bread, an extremely long sausage bread that you can ask them to slice for you or you can bring home bags of dry roasted butter rusk, which is actually French bread soaked in butter. With 7-8 new flavors every month on offer, everyone has something to look forward to when visiting.
Le Bihan Lumiereine, Sogo Kobe
Although it’s a bit tricky to locate, before the entrance of the Kobe Sogo Sannomiya Underground Shopping Center, the smell of buttery bread wafting in the air will beckon you to grab a croissant or two so you could relish its aromatic goodness. Recommendations range from their smoked cheese croissant to their French bread as most of their bread has French origins. The location is convenient for those who work around the area as they could just stop by and buy a bag of croissants before going to work and for tourists to sample their fare while they shop at the mall.
Sweets and Bakery Le Pan Kobe Kitano
Right within Kobe Harborland is another famous patisserie and bakery that is operated by a hotel, Hotel La Suite Kobe. They utilize homegrown ingredients as well from abroad as they focus on their products’ quality and that some ingredients should be locally produced to meet their standard of freshness. They use homemade natural yeast from Hyogo Prefecture and organic wheat that is millstone ground from France. All their baked goods are crafted within the hotel and has been quite popular among guests and tourists who decide to stop in to try their flowing supply of fresh bread.
Bakery Ça Marche
With a 100 different kinds of bread, you can never go wrong with your choices. You can try their savory, sweet, hard or soft bread and ideally sit by the relaxing terrace as you enjoy your order when its fresh from the oven. Their friendly staff will serve you bread as well as give you recommendations as to what is new in their baskets and trays and will gladly let you know the ingredients in English in case you ask. They are famous for their black tea cream bread that is filled distinctly with black tea leaves blended in the cream.
Kobe isn’t just known for their special variety of beef, the city is also famous for their traditional Japanese pastries and desserts as well as Western-inspired bread and cakes. History will tell us what happened and why the blend of the east and west helped this city thrive to what it gloriously is today. Don’t forget to sample as many sweet treats as you can when you come to visit.
By GoToVan (https://www.flickr.com/photos/gotovan/6798107211/) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
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Apr 25, 2018
Day Tours for Kids in the Kansai Region
Traveling with kids can be very tricky business because not all places adults would love to visit can be kid-friendly or even interesting to little ones. A part of your itinerary should include amusement parks, theme parks, museums for kids, zoos and the list goes on. Luckily, adults also can enjoy these tours and kids absolutely are jam-packed with energy as they explore these fun-filled attractions.
Some parents are more at peace if their kids tag along rather than be left at home with grandparents or relatives. For babies and toddlers, all you need are their strollers and diaper bags filled with everything from food, formula, nappies, extra clothes and some small toys to keep them distracted during long commutes. Kids around 5 years old and up just need their extra change of clothing, some finger food, water and sunscreen in their backpacks and they’ll be ready for a day of seemingly endless exploration.
Japan is a haven for adventures for both kids and adults alike so families would enjoy the numerous attractions that cater to all ages. Especially when you’re in the Kansai region, your kids will never get bored exploring either modern or historical destinations that will surely be not only entertaining but educational as well
Universal Studios Japan, Osaka
It’s been around for 17 years and has been ranked fifth among the top 25 amusement/theme parks in the world according to 2014 Theme Index Global Attraction Attendance Report. It doesn’t only house attractions that are owned by Universal Studios, since you’re in Japan, you get a dose of anime franchises such as Sailor Moon, Sanrio, Neon Genesis Evangelion and a lot more. The most recent addition to the park is the ever popular The Wizarding World of Harry Potter which in itself has attractions that can only be viewed in this park and not in the other Universal Studios parks worldwide.
Kids Plaza, Osaka
This children’s museum is the first ever in Japan and was opened in 1997. Located in Ogimachi, Osaka, this fun museum has different concepts for the third, fourth and fifth floors such as the Let’s Play Floor on the third floor that engages kids in programs that allow them to create things so they will know the joy of doing it, the Let’s Make Floor on the fourth floor is where there’s a Henteko-na-machi, or the “Strange Town” with ladders and steep slides, and the Let’s Try Floor is where kids can create electricity or make their own news program. Other sections of the museum house a creative studio, digital experience plaza, computer studio and a science satellite. After a long day kids are bound to get hungry so you can find great eats at the restaurants down on the basement floor.
Tempozan Harbor Village, Osaka
It showcases the famous Tempozan Ferris Wheel, which was then the tallest ferris wheel in the world when it opened in 1997 and is a 17 minute ride that will enthrall you of the beauty of Osaka Bay, the nearby famous mountains, Mount Ikoma and the Rokko Mountains, the Kansai International Airport and Akashi Kaikyō Bridge. It also is next door to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan that is another famous landmark the kids would surely love. There are numerous restaurants, shopping areas, entertainment in close proximity as well.
Nara Park, Nara
Also known as Nara Kōen, this park is one of the “Places of Scenic Beauty” designated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and has 1,200 wild sika deer that you’ll see roaming around the area. Including the three shrines of Tōdai-ji, Kōfuku-ji, and Kasuga Shrine, the area of the entire park is around 660 hectares. You can visit shrines, the Nara National Museum, have a sip of tea in a traditional Japanese tea house operating within the grounds, and feed the friendly deer.
Toei Kyoto Studio Park, Kyoto
Especially for those kids who love watching anime and parents who grew up watching Japanese period drama, this studio park would be an awesome experience. You get to visit the film sets, specifically a street in the Edo period where about 200 films are shot per year. There are numerous shows and attractions all year round, some are events for a new anime series or a drama series, others are shown everyday like the samurai and the ninja training classes. These shows are a behind the scenes look at Japan’s entertainment industry. You can also dress up in Edo period attire or ninja or geisha costumes while walking around the park.
Kobe Harborland Umie
Within the grounds of this huge shopping and entertainment district is a ferris wheel and the Anpaman museum that is dedicated to the bread headed superhero in the popular manga and anime series. Parents can accompany the kids in the museum and shop with them right after. It’s the perfect laid back stroll around the score of shops and restaurants that line this area. By the end of the day, you can take a dip in the Manyo Club hot springs located on top of a skyscraper within the vicinity and take in fabulous views of the city.
Kibune and Kurama, Kyoto
You start your tour with a train ride from Demachiyanagi Station to Kuramaguchi station where you’ll be entertained within the 30-minute ride by the breathtaking views going towards these two picturesque villages. Some would prefer walking from Kurama to Kibune passing by historical sites like shrines and temples and others prefer entering the Kibune village first and going towards the temples and shrines of Kurama afterwards.
Hozugawa River Boat Ride, Kyoto
Also known as Hozugawa-kudari, it is a 16 kilometer river ride from Tanba-Kameoka to Arashiyama in Kyoto that is 2 hours long. You’d probably not notice the time anyway due to the surrounding scenery of the rapids that provided for a relaxing short getaway. Kids love adventures in the water so this would also be a memorable experience for them. Furthermore, there are a score of different natural attractions along the way that will surely make the ride worthwhile.
Parents and guardians should always research on or inquire about the details in every itinerary their children will be in. They should be keen on precautionary measures all the time especially when the little ones explore the outdoors whether there be trails that are slippery or too steep so they have to be reminded to take extra care when passing through these places or just skip passing through them altogether. A safe, hassle-free and relaxing adventure isn’t only something adults would love to be in, kids would also love to be able to take it easy, be entertained and absorb every memory and knowledge that they gain out of it as well.
By Freddo [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons
Apr 25, 2018
Popular Water and Amusement Parks in Kobe
Water and amusement parks are the best go to places for tourists and locals alike especially during the summers where the weather is at its warmest and a lot of people are on vacation making these places more exciting and fun. There are numerous varieties of parks in the world but most of them are around areas where tourists flock to because there are other famous attractions too like museums, gardens, zoos and the like.
There are countless theme parks across Japan that are famous worldwide. Some are franchises of well-loved brands that also have equally popular parks in the US and Europe. Every city in Japan has their own signature theme park where tourists and locals visit all year round but more often in spring and summer seasons when it’s vacation time for kids and when festivals are scheduled.
Kobe is just one of the cities with the most unforgettable amusement parks. Some of them are not only entertaining but educational as well so they’re popular with kids, teenagers and even the young at heart. These parks provide interactive entertainment and historical infotainment and provide a relaxing respite from the hustle of reality.
Machikado Amusement Park Mosaic Garden
A ferris wheel that gives you a captivating view of the harbor, a shopping center and several other entertainment areas complete this park. Its location is also home to other amusement centers and restaurants catering to visitors from all walks of life. There are also hotels in the area where you can stay during your entire trip to Kobe so everything you need to visit isn’t too far away from where you can relax and rest.
Mentai Park Kobe Sanda
If you’re craving for cod roe rice balls or you haven’t had one and you’re dying to try it, this place is one for the books. A lot people flock here to sample this delicacy and according to reviews, they’re simply the best rice rolls ever. Located in Akamatsudai, Kita-ku, Kobe, this park is a gem for foodies and anyone who has knack for tasting new fares. There’s a souvenir shop where you can buy fresh cod and sardine roe and a food court where you can sample other dishes as well.
Sumaura Sanjo Amusement Park
A ropeway is what this part is mainly known for because it lets you marvel at the spectacular views of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and Kobe. You can also view the Kansai International Airport and the Osaka bay area on a clear sunny day when you’re being transported to the revolving observatory at Sanjo Park.
Dekapathos
Grab your tent, a cooler of drinks and your trusty swimwear and head to this water park in Higashinada-ku. Enjoy the different pools such as a running water pool and a wave pool and one with a body slider that is 60 meters long. There’s also a water jungle gym much like a jungle gym in a playground but this time in the middle of a pool. There’s a snack booth that sells warm meals like noodles and curry as well.
Rokkosan Field Athletic
If you’re not the type to splash around in a water park, you can always visit this park with 40 wood and rope playground facilities in a hard athletic course that adults and kids can enjoy and get addicted to. Just remember not to schedule a visit to this huge park on Thursdays and during rainy days or days when the weather is not conducive to playing outdoors.
Kobe Sky Adventure Suzuran
If you want a park that is a bit more challenging than just wood and rope obstacles, Kobe has something even better for you. Imagine yourself suspended from seven meters above the ground tied to a harness and braving the obstacles in mid air. You can enjoy this thrilling adventure with your colleagues such as in team building activities and with your family and friends when you visit this city together. It’s a one of a kind bonding experience that will surely be most memorable to everyone.
Suma Aqualife Park
It’s an aquarium and water park rolled into one so you can view the marine wildlife and enjoy the water park afterwards. There’s a pool where you can touch the fish and small sharks, a sea turtle pool, an underwater tunnel, and dolphin shows in the amphitheater that you can also view. It has been around since 1957 and is known as one of the largest in Japan.
Kobe Anpanman Children’s Museum & Mall
‘Let’s Go! Anpanman!’ is an animated TV show of a hero with a face made of anpan or a Japanese sweet roll filled with red bean paste. It has been on the air since 1988 and is still being loved by kids today. It was awarded by the Guinness Book of World records as the animated series with the most number of characters. This museum and mall is only one of the five that is dedicated to this superhero and provides entertainment, souvenir items and goodies to the kids and kids at heart.
Some tourists and locals love staycations but at times you’d think just sitting around or taking a dip in a pool alone would be completely boring. In any case, if you really just want to lounge around on a family vacation, pick a hotel near any of these amusement parks so that the rest of the family can fully enjoy their time off while you relax, take a dip in a onsen or just shop ‘til you drop.
By Mti [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons
