Monthly Archive July 2018

ByJustin Hanus
Jul 27, 2018

8 Most Popular Flea Markets and Shopping Areas in Kobe

From intensive retail therapy to quick souvenir shopping, Kobe has a score of places where you can explore and discover great finds to take home or give away as gifts. There are some places where locals flock to on a daily basis, and others have a lot more wares to choose from that would surely attract tourists. Whatever your purpose is and what you want to buy, there’s surely a place in Kobe for you.

Some places have schedules when they set up shop like in parks. This is quite common in Asia and other parts of the world. Vendors and local entrepreneurs congregate in areas where people normally go to to unwind so they are easily accessible to everyone. They sell food, souvenirs and sometimes produce and delicacies so travelers and locals do not have to travel to the bigger shopping areas to shop. It’s also a great way to promote what the city has to offer.

Maiko Park (Saturdays)

This is a great example of a popular attraction that holds a flea market on a particular day of the week. After trying out the Maiko Marine Promenade of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge on a Saturday, you’re able to buy street food and drinks and check out the wares that are displayed by the local vendors afterwards. You might also want to visit other famous landmarks in the area like the Dream Lens, the Ijokaku or Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall, Maiko Park Pine Forest and a couple other historical and architectural destinations.

Sannomiya Center Gai Shopping Street

A mish mash of goods from toys to electronics can be found here. It might take you a day to explore this huge expanse of a shopping haven so put on a comfortable pair of shoes to keep you going without any hitches. When hunger strikes, there are several gourmet food shops that you can choose from or you might as well try all of them if you’re coming just once in your lifetime. There’s a duty free shop that you can check out, too.

Meriken Park (All Sundays and 2nd and 4th Saturday of Every Month)

Here’s another flea market in the middle of some famous landmarks. Meriken is a derivation of America in the Meiji Era and the park now houses the most significant symbols of the city, the Kobe Tower, which is the emblem of Kobe, and houses a spinning cafe and restaurant. It also contains the only crack remaining from the earthquake on the 17th of January, 1995 that was left untouched and now serves as a memorial. Preserving the crack allows visitors to understand how strong the earthquake really was. Going back to the flea market, it is right on the pier. As the schedule is subject to change, you should take note of it so you won’t miss it.

Sunshine Wharf Kobe

You probably also need half a day or an entire day to tour this shopping center especially when there’s a flea market or other activities within the shopping space. It has a playground where children and families can enjoy what this commercial complex has to offer. Moms can go on a shopping spree and dads can watch the kids while they play and they can enjoy the seascapes at the end of the day.

Kobe Harborland (Weekends)

This landmark that is facing the sea contains several shopping malls and attractions that you can explore for probably more than a day if you need more time to specifically just go shopping. There’s a wedding chapel, spa, a giraffe sculpture that’s popular because it’s said that if you meet someone in front of it, you will fall in love with each other, scores of restaurants and boutiques, a hotel and many others. It’s like a one stop attraction for all ages and walks of life.

Kobe-Sanda Premium Outlets

Outlet complexes like this one in Kobe can be found all over the world. It’s widely known for offering a wide array of designer brands in their own boutique shops and selling at discounted prices. There’s a long list of brands to check out and a good number of restaurants to choose from when you get hungry or thirsty from walking from one shop to another. Al fresco tables are also available for you to relax in between periods of shopping.

Mint Kobe

Mint means a lot of things, the plant, the color, something new and etc. In Kobe, it’s a shopping mall that reflects what mint is. The color of the facade is mint. It exudes a refreshing and stylish way of shopping and amusement. It’s imposing structure is the landmark of downtown Kobe and all it’s 12 floors are occupied by classy shops and a cinema complex. If you have a posh taste then this is for you.

Mitsui Outlet Park Marine Pia Kobe East

Overlooking the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is the second outlet mall in this list with 140 international and domestic designer brands. It’s a resort outlet mall that boasts it’s Southern European port town ambiance. There are events held with the mall and limited occupancy of certain brands so you have to check on their information from time to time with what’s new and upcoming before you visit.

Whether it’s a humongous shopping center or a flea market or a mall with a flea market, shopping always gives us that excitement of purchasing new or antique items that we can use or display at home or bring as souvenirs to our loved ones. There’s also that excitement of trying new dishes and drinks and trying out whatever is new to us. Whoever says retail therapy doesn’t lift the spirits probably has probably been living under a rock all this time because really, wherever you are and no matter how meager your budget is, shopping will always have a space in your itinerary because it’s fun.

By Hashi photo [GFDL or CC BY 3.0 ], from Wikimedia Commons

ByJustin Hanus
Jul 27, 2018

8 Most Popular Beer Pubs and Breweries in Kobe

One of the best places to visit at night are where the drinks and food are. After a long day of touring the attractions and shopping, anyone would love to unwind and take a swig of chilled beer in the company of family and friends. A sampling of finger food like fish and chips, yakitori, tempura and even seasonal fruits makes for a delightful accompaniment of any drink such as sake or beer on those warm summer nights.

Beer pubs dot Kobe and other regions in Japan simply because after a long day at work, locals head to these places for a quick respite before they head home for the night. Tourists also get a taste of local beer and a sampling of other homegrown beverages and of course, local cuisine. Although beer pubs and some breweries serve a limited number of guests only, others have adjoining restaurants or are restaurants and cafes at the same time so your friends who don’t really drink get to have their fill of other items on the menu.

Kirin Brewery Kobe Factory

Although it’s technically not the typical pub that you just sit and drink, what’s awesome is you get to sample beer and learn how beer is made through the three different tours that they offer. They even offer beer that’s not sold anywhere. Make sure to book your tour ahead of time online since it’s a must if you wish to visit this factory.

BrewPub Starboard

An assortment of taps ranging from their very own local brews to international labels to a good selection of Rokko beers await you in this quaint pub in the middle of the bustling Sannomiya. It can accommodate almost 30 guests including six seated at the bar so it’s fairly big enough compared to other pubs. Beers and prices may vary so an experience of one tourist might differ from yours.

In Tha Door Brewing

If you’re into say R&B music or anything upbeat like that and you’re up for a mug of local brew then head out to the northeast section of Sannomiya and you’ll enjoy drinking and lounging here. Other than a couple of taps of home brew, you can also have ale, like either Ninomiya Funk Ale or Shiroinon White Ale.

The Harbour Tavern

Kobe has a lot of European influences, here’s a pub that is a testament to it. It is owned by a British entrepreneur, so expect hearty English items on the menu like sausages and Sunday roast that’s either lamb, beef or a mix of it that’s served after 3:00 p.m., of course on Sundays. There are also other cuisines that the English fancy that are available. It’s a rarity to find Aspall cider in Japan, but you can find it here.

The Avery’s Irish Pub

It’s an Irish pub with an assortment of unique local brews that their friendly staff will serve you. They will also chat with you as well if you’re up to it. They have a rotating selection so every time you come there’s probably something new for you to sample and enjoy with any finger food on their menu. It’s a typical pub where you can watch a game on TV with colleagues to relax after a grueling work day. It opens at 5:00 p.m. and closes at 1:00 a.m.

New Munchen Kobe Taishikan

A spacious beer hall that offers a wide range of Sapporo beers and their very own Kobe Taishikan and the fruitier variety called Minato Kobe Weizen that they process in their underground brewery. There’s an all-you-can-drink menu and some 150 food items to choose from so you can have all night not just to drink your cares away but to sing your heart out on their karaoke equipment.

Harbor Kobe Beer (Kobe Minato Beer)

Located in the downtown area, they have rotating taps and the usual limited seating ambiance coupled with a friendly host who serves the guests. There’s some pica pica to munch on while downing their signature ales and stouts. There are four beers on tap that are either homegrown, Japanese craft or specifically from Sapporo. It’s a quaint prefab building and a minute walk from exit 1 of the Shin-kaichi Station.

Hop Stand

Their really tall signature glasses of craft beer can be enjoyed with their house specialty yakitori. You can check out their black board with white handwriting for the list of available beer at the moment. The atmosphere is stylish, new and everything looks shiny since it just opened this year. There’s bar seating, some tables and alfresco tables complete with umbrellas in front of the pub. Other food items are also available like chicken waffles and cold cuts.

People enjoy beer by the pints and barrels along with grilled and fried finger food. It’s a relaxing way to cap the day or the week. Some pubs offer amenities like live band performances, sports TV and karaoke so it’s not just sitting around drinking and eating that you’ll be doing in these beer hotspots. The ambiance also differs from one pub to another depending on the area of the establishment. Others are quieter, more secluded and private, and some are jostling and lively with music and chatter filling the pub to its seams. No matter which pub you go to, what matters is you’re enjoying every drop of beer and you’ve somehow forgotten the stresses of the day.

By Ogiyoshisan [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons

ByJason Gatewood
Jul 27, 2018

Tokyo’s rise of the premium BBQ sites

As long as we have known fire, we’ve also known barbecue. Most of humanity would agree that there’s nothing beating a few pieces of meat and/or veg on the grill, with the smoke from the coals helping to give it a flavor that’s unmistakably summertime. We Tokyoites have it rough however: even if we are lucky enough to have enough space in our home to store a bonafide Weber or Coleman grill, in many cases we have no space on the premises to actually cook out. Of course there are a few parks and greenbelts that will allow us to do so, but that also means having to drag the grill, charcoal and food there and back… Luckily some enterprising people have found a way to capitalize on life in the Japanese capital…

Enter the “do-it-with-help” barbecue spot

The concept of “full-service BBQ areas”, where there are chairs tables, grills, charcoal all provided for a fee. Here, you are in charge of the grill, but the staff prepares the area for you and provides a place to toss your rubbish once finished. These spots are strategically located on rooftops of buildings, in parks or the shores of rivers, lakes and the ocean. Open from early spring until late fall, many also provide beverages (including all-you-can-drink adult drink packages) and also have deals with nearby markets where you can purchase food to be grilled on-site.

Let’s BBQ!

Start by heading to one of the following websites and picking out a location along with a date and time plus the number of friends you’ll bring along. You may need to enlist the help of a Japanese reading friend to help, but Google Translate is also good enough now to navigate their homepages as well.

  • Dejique (デジキュー) has the most locations, not just in Tokyo, but nationwide. Here they are found in places such as the rooftop of Keio Department Store in Shinjuku, Copicce in Kichijoji, and the shores of Odaiba Seaside Park.
  • Not to be outdone is Hero Field, another chain of full-service BBQ areas in locations like the rooftop of both JR Meguro Atre and JR Tachikawa Lumine.

Prices in most cases start around ¥1,000 per person before add-ons like drink nomihodai and extra food services. Once you’ve penned in your reservation, make sure to have your food and drinks ready for the cookout. Also remember to dress for the occasion; take cold packs with you if the heat will be an issue and wear sunscreen. In many cases there are supermarkets nearby (my local spot in Kichijoji had a grocery store in the same building) so you may only have to come a little early and get the shopping done beforehand without needing to lug around bags on the train.

 


— By Jason L. Gatewood

images:

“Rooftop BBQ in Kichijoji Tokyo” by Jason L Gatewood is licensed under CC BY 4.0

ByJason Gatewood
Jul 27, 2018

Furnishing your New Japanese Home

Though the chances of finding your new home in Japan thoroughly barren of even light fixtures and nothing short of four walls, floor and ceiling are slim these days, most standard apartments and other rental spaces don’t come with standard appliances like stoves, refrigerators and HVAC units, things that even the most spartan of apartment rentals in places like the US always have and leave most foreigners wondering how to find most of this stuff when they first move in.

Luckily there are services like H&R Group that take the hassle out of finding furnished apartments so you don’t have to deal with that aspect of it, but what about those other “only in Japan” items that you’ll have to deal with sooner or later in your home?

Everything IN the kitchen sink

Instead of an array of steel gears and teeth ready to chew up whatever entered its maw, most kitchen sinks have a small metal or plastic wastebasket wedged into the drain. Of course you’d better empty its contents whenever you wash dishes or otherwise it will create the moldiest gag-inducing scene when you take it apart once it clogs up. But we can do better than this.

  1. Use a few small pieces of aluminum foil balled up and toss into the strainer to prevent mold and break down food you can’t stop. The aluminum generates ions that kill organics and keep slime and mold from developing.
  2. Use the small stocking nets over the drain basket. That way you can simply pull the whole thing out and toss it and not worry about cleaning the assembly every time.
  3. Get a separate basket that sits in the sink and let that catch the bits of food off plates and utensils.

All these items are found at your local ¥100 shop

One Coin Outfitting

Speaking of the ¥100 shops, most things you need in the kitchen and dining area of your new digs can be had there. I’m a big fan of IKEA and Nittori, but a plate is a plate is a plate, right? Also remember Japanese kitchens are sometimes literally just a nook in-between the front door and the main room; no need to go all out on that Muji designer dish set if there’s no place to store the other 4 pieces!

Just Hanging Out

Another part of domestic life in Japan that surprises many: for such a technological innovator in many sectors including home appliances, most Japanese don’t have many of the conveniences they produce, like clothes dryers.

Check any residential neighborhood on a dry day and there’ll be a parade of the family’s wardrobe drying in the sun off many a balcony. A closer look shows a variety of fiberglass bars, racks, clothespin hangers and other assorted gear that the average person needs to get their threads dry after a spin in the washing machine. Again, most of these things can be found at a ¥100 store, but those big racks and bars call for a trip to the nearest DIY home center or a trip online to Rakuten or Amazon to find them. In the past, I have been lucky by simply asking for some of this stuff from the landlord at move in— don’t hesitate to ask!

Tis the season

You’re bound to hear the phrase, “Japan enjoys four distinct seasons” sooner or later, sometimes as if it’s the only location on Earth with that pattern. Nonetheless, there are many incidentals you may want to have on hand as time passes through the year.

  1. Ground Sheet. You’ll need this whenever doing any kind of outdoor activity, from spring hanami, summer beach trips, all the way to early fall fireworks.
  2. Mosquito Coils. Many a person’s Japan summer memory banks are triggered by the smell of “katori senko (蚊取り線香)”. These green spiral shaped incense packs have been around since the late 19th century since they were invented here. Typically they are burned outside on balconies, verandas, and terraces near where doors and windows are used. Whatever you do, don’t use it indoors… Not because of the fire risk, but really because the smoke and smell are horrible and will make your room impossible to be in for 2 days, not that I would have any experience with that… Instead, get one of the battery powered “bug-b-gawn” devices.
  3. Electric Carpet/Blanket/Kotatsu. Unless you’re way north in Tohoku or Hokkaido, you’re going to have a drafty and chilly time during the winter. Better head over to Don Quixote and get one (or all) of these to stay as toasty as possible!

 

— By Jason L. Gatewood

Images:

moving” ( CC BY 2.0 ) by miss pupik
“drain and foll ball” by Tokyo Families is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
“Hanging Laundry” by kyran yeomans, Getty Free Images is licensed under CC BY 4.0

ByJason Gatewood
Jul 27, 2018

Bon Odori Dancing Festivals in Tokyo

Obon is an annual event where Buddhists and Confucians celebrate their ancestors.  Buddhists and many Japanese people in general believe that every year during Obon their ancestor’s spirits will return from “beyond the grave” for three days to visit with relatives they left behind.

The highlight of summer in Japan is the Obon holiday season, when Bon Odori festivals are held throughout the country; the largest and most well known of these sometimes all-night dancing festivals are attended by thousands of people from the regions in which they are held.

The dancing itself is easy–repetitive and slow–so there’s no need for performance anxiety. There are various types of Bon Dancing throughout Japan, but they are all pretty easy to learn. Just start by first observing the the dancers, then join and try to mimic their movements, and you should be dancing like a pro within 20 minutes. OK, perhaps not like a pro, but no need to worry. While they offer Bon Odori practice sessions before these events most people do not actually attend them  (most of the other participants don’t actually know how to do it either!).


July Events

 Ebisu Station Bon Dance

  • Date: July 27 & 28 2018 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
  • Venue : Ebisu Station (Google Maps), West Exit Rotary
  • Attendees Expected: 60,000 people

This festival has been held every summer for more than 50 years in the Ebisu district.  When the Obon lantern is lit attendees will dance around to the sound of drums and flutes, in their comfortable summer yukata.  You can also find the usual assortment of food stalls and vendors.

 

Oraho Sengawa Summer Festival

  • Date: July 29, 2018 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
  • Venue : Sengawa Station (Keio Line) (Map), South Exit Rotary and around shopping arcade
  • Attendees Expected: 15,000 people

This festival takes place in the Sengawa district of the city of Chofu, just on the border of Setagaya Ward, and a 15 minute train ride from Shinjuku station. You can follow bon dancers and taiko drummers around the narrow streets of the shopping arcade.


August Events

 Marunouchi Ondo Dai Bon Odori Taikai in Hibiya Park

This festival was first held in 1932, but  did not become and annual event until it was revived in 2003 to mark the 100th anniversary of Hibiya Park.

More information (Japanese)

Oedo Matsuri Bon Odori Taikai

Roppongi Hills Matsuri

More information (Japanese)

Tsukiji Hongan Temple Noryo Bon Odori Taikai

As this festival is located near the Tsukiji fish market, the “usual assortment” of food stalls offer particularly fresh and tasty treats!

Tsukiji Hongan-ji (Japanese)

Kinshicho Kawachi Ondo Bon Odori

The song and music in this festival actually originates from Osaka. Then called the Kawachi region, the flavor of Bon Odori spread throughout Japan and became popular in many places, including the Kinshicho district of Koto Ward.


— By Jason L. Gatewood

Photo: Wikipedia “盆踊りの音頭取り by Masa  (CC BY-SA 3.)

Photo: Wikipedia “Higashiyama Onsen -Bon-odori 01” by Yoichiro Akiyama (CC BY-SA 2.0) – Modified

ByBert Wishart
Jul 27, 2018

Buying Summer Yukata in Nagoya

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If you have been to any of this summer’s fireworks festivals around Nagoya and Aichi you may have noticed many people wearing traditional Japanese dress and wondered what was going on. Well, summer festivals are a time when Japanese and foreigners alike can wear yukata, a summer and informal variant of the famous kimono.

What is Yukata?

The word ‘yukata’ means ‘after bathing’, as they are the clothing that is often worn after onsen or sento in traditional Japanese ‘ryokan’ hotels. However, in the hot summer months these unlined kimonos are worn by men, women, and children particularly when celebrating hanabi.

Yukata are usually made of either cotton or synthetic fabric, being cooler than the silk of traditional kimonos, and are made up of three main aspects: a ‘juban’ cotton undergarment, the yukata itself, and an ‘obi’ belt that ties it together. On the feet wooden sandals called ‘geta’ are worn and to carry personal goods including cell phones, both men and women carry small bags called ‘kinchaku’.

Where to buy Yukata in Nagoya

There are many places in Nagoya in which you can buy yukata.

Matsuzakaya

The large upmarket department store in Sakae is perhaps the place to buy the latest trends of fashionable yukata and every summer.

UNI QLO

If Matsuzakaya is a bit out of your budget, also in Sakae (as well as all over the city) you can find yukatas in discount clothing store UNI QLO that are a little easier on the pocket. You can even buy full yukata sets including obi and kinchaku. However, when the store’s range changes from summer to autumn in late July/early August yukatas are one of the first things to go. Get in there quickly.

Osu Arcade

The shopping arcade in Osu is potentially your best bet for finding yukata to suit you at a good price thanks to the abundance of stores. These small shops tend to be family run with two or three generations manning the till. A store called Mitsuya stocks yukata for tall and large men, and Suehiroya has a good range in vintage goods. Surprisingly many of these stores have English speaking staff.

  • Address: Yukata and kimono stores can be found on Osu Kannon-dori, Bansyoji-dori, Nioumon-dori and Higashi Nioumon-dori, Osu, Naka-ku,
  • Access:Tsurumai subway line, Osu-Kannon, exit 2

Kimono Komehyo

The most popular of the Osu stores is probably Kimono Komehyo. With two stories, low prices, loyalty cards and intermittant sales promotions. They stock everything for your yukata and kimono needs including vintage and new products.

Online

If you are unable to get to the shops to buy your summer yukata, these online stores have extensive ranges.

How to wear Yukata

Follow these simple guides for putting on your summer yukata.

For women:

For men:

Photo: flickr.com “Kimonos y yukatas en Kioto.” by Lorena a.k.a. Loretahur (CC BY-SA 2.0) -Modified

ByBert Wishart
Jul 25, 2018

Tokyo’s Beer Gardens

Beer garden

It could be argued that one of the greatest things on Earth is sitting outside on a warm summer’s day with an ice cold beer. Being from the south west of England I am used to having a pub on every corner, and almost all of them will have a garden of some kind for whiling away the balmy summer evenings.

While Tokyo isn’t blessed with the same quantity of country pubs and expanse of green spaces it does make up for it by, every summer, opening up beer gardens in its free spaces and atop of many of its buildings. Most of these, for a set time and cost, will offer an all-you-can drink ‘nomihoudai’ service along with food. Now the humidity is dying down, what better way could you spend a beautiful late summer evening? Here are a handful worth checking out this year (2016).

Mt. Takao Beer Mountain

Okay, it’s quite a trek out of town to this beer garden (an hour by train followed by the cable car) but with the fresh air, beautiful views and the post-sunset stars, it is definitely worth it. Bring bug spray.

Forest Beer Garden

Supposed to be Tokyo’s largest beer garden with a capacity for 1,000 people, this is a sprawling lawn that is particularly family friendly with its playground and surrounding forest. Oh, and the buffet includes yakiniku!

Utsukushiku Naru Beer Garden

‘Utsukushiku’ means ‘beautiful thing’ in Japanese, and with this in mind, this is a beer garden marketed unashamedly towards women. Elegant design, cocktails and a healthy selection of á la carte meals or meal plans.

King of the Pirates Beer Garden

From the sublime to the rather ridiculous, the King of the Pirates Beer Garden at Aquacity Odaiba is just what it sounds like: a pirate themed beer garden. It has a decadent theme featuring scores of decorations and drinks fit for Captain Jack Sparrow himself.

Omohara Beer Forest

The Omohara Beer Forest at Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku doesn’t just dish up the usual fare of Superdry or Sapporo. Instead they are serving some rather delicious beers from Nagano’s largest microbrewery (an oxymoron, I know), Yona Yona. Get in quick as the last day is Sunday September 4.

Tokyo Tower Highball Garden

Perhaps the last thing that you want from a beer garden is, well, beer. If that is indeed the case, the Tokyo Tower Highball Garden should be your port of call. At the base f the Tokyo Tower this terrace garden has a long list of whiskey drinks to cool down your summer night.

Mark Guthrie

Photo: flickr.com “Mt. Takao beer garden” by eeems (CC BY-SA 2.0) -Modified

ByJason Gatewood
Jul 25, 2018

Staying Cool in the (Japanese) Heat

 

Our latest weather woes have made international headlines recently, with an unprecedented heatwave that has set records across Japan. Many of us come from countries where this is quite normal (my last summer trip back home had highs around 40ºC/101ºF), a large number may not have ever experienced this brand of “hot n’ humid.”

Even for those of us non-neophytes are wondering what the Japanese equivalent for salt tablets, Gatorade, and Kool-Paks are and where to find them.. Well wonder no more because thanks to relentless investigating (mostly by harassing my friends and the local drug store staff in my neighborhood) I’ve put together a little list of things you should have on hand to survive the Deathball-In-The-Sky.

  1. Aquarius + Thermos bottle = happiness

If you check out the local school kid population as they schlep off to and fro, you’ll hear a clanging and clattering noise thanks to the multiple bags they usually have filled with schoolbooks and athletic equipment. Usually they’ll also have a “Thermos” style water canteen slung about themselves as well, likely filled with green tea or simply cold water. But we can go one better by getting Aquarius branded drink powder that adds necessary electrolytes and salts to the water that we end up sweating out just walking around in the blazing heat. You can find the mix packs at any supermarket or drugstore. Bonus: you save money by taking your drink around rather than using a vending machine or convenience store every time as well.

  1. Insta-cool Packs

In the winter months, we already talked about the ingenious “kairo” heat pads that generate heat through a chemical reaction and keep your hands and feet toasty. These are the summer equivalent, instant ice packs that chill instantly when you punch the center of them. For maximum effectiveness, place one in a towel, then wrap the towel about your neck in a way that keeps the pack affixed to the back of the neck. This cools the blood heading to your brain and keeps you from getting dizzy from the heat. These can be found almost anywhere you’d find the kairo packs in the winter. Just ask for “reikyakuzai 冷却材”.

  1. Salt Tablets

Called “enbun hokyu ame 塩分補給飴” in Japanese, these also help keep your salt levels up which is critical to keeping water in your body instead of rapidly evaporating out, causing heatstroke. Again, easily found at any drugstore, supermarket and many convenience stores.

  1. Third Spaces

These are the places between home and work; coffee shops, malls, libraries, train stations and other public spaces. Since I spend way more time on public transport or walking in Tokyo than my old car bound life in the States, I have grown accustomed to using third spaces to get out of inclement weather, including the scorching heat. Now is a good time to check out that local coffee shop, new shopping area or even the public library in your part of Nihon!


— By Jason L. Gatewood

Images:

“Man drinking from thermos bottle at sunset” is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

“It’s Hot o’clock!” by Jason L Gatewood is licensed under CC BY 4.0

Product shot screen grabs from monotaro.com

“Snoopy Cafe” by Jason L Gatewood is licensed under CC BY 4.0

ByBert Wishart
Jul 25, 2018

Celebrate Mountain Day by Hiking Around Aichi

640px-Mount_Yoro

One great thing about living in Japan is the fact that there are so many holidays. Between New Year’s Day on January 1st and the Emperor’s Birthday on December 23, there are a further 15 national holidays observed. One recent (2016) addition to the calendar is Mountain Day, or ‘Yama no he’ (山の日), on August 11. According to the legislation that enacted the law, Mountain Day was created to give the Japanese public “opportunities to get familiar with mountains and appreciate blessings from mountains”

But this need not be restricted to the locals. As a national holiday, many of you will be given the day off too, so why not get out and explore some of the mountains in the Aichi and Gifu areas. Here we will have a look at a few that you can try out, relatively easily.

Mt Gozaisho

An hour outside of Nagoya is  Gozaisho-Dake’s 1,210 meter peak.  It is a great hike up the highest peak in the Suzuka Mountain Range, and affords stunning views of Shiga and Mie Prefectures, the beautiful snow capped Japanese Alps, as well as the waters of Ise Bay and Lake Biwa. On a particularly good day you may be able to catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji. This is a great spot to visit whether hiking or riding up the rope way gondola to the top. It is a beautiful place, and it even has a restaurant and gift shop at where you can sit, relax and even get some curry and coffee.

  • Getting there: Yunoyama onsen station is accessible from the Kintentsu line from Nagoya station (about 70 minutes), or you can take a bus from Sakae station . From there, it is a simple 10 minute bus ride to the rope-way.

More on Mt Gozaisho on JIS

Mt Ena

Often used for those who want to get some practice in before climbing Fuji, this mountain on the Gifu and Nagano border can be tough at times so you should be prepared for a little exertion.

From the parking lot at Misakatouge,  take the 90 minute trail towards Oobanyama (大判山), the peak of which has beautiful panoramic views of the Minami and Chuo Alps, as well as Mt. Ondake and Mt. Ena in front of you. From the peak, the trail curves toward the right and down before flattening and then climbing again until the summit ridge. It should take about 2 hours or so to reach the Ena ridge line, as the final climb is quite steep. Once you reach the ridge, the trail will veer to the left and become flat and easy. After about 20 minutes or so, you’ll come to a mountain hut named Enasan-sanchou-goya. By climbing the rock behind the hut you’ll be rewarded with terrific views of the Minami Alps and Mt. Fuji. The true summit is another 10 minutes or so past the hut, and there’s a small shrine at the top, but no view. Be warned, there are no water sources at all on this hike.

  • Getting there: Take the JR Limited Express Shinano train for Nagano and get off at Nakatsugawa station. From the station, there is no bus service to the trailhead so either take a taxi (around 7000 JPY) or try your luck hitching.

Mt Yoro

For something a little easier you could head to Mt Yoro in Gifu to see the beautiful and iconic Yoro waterfall, which is just a 30 minute walk from the station. Should you wish you can take a ropeway to the 859m summit, though if you are feeling fit there is a two to three hour climb to the top. It is one of the best areas near Nagoya to see forests, and there is a small chance that you could see wild deer, boars or even monkeys.

  • Getting there: The train takes around 70 mins from Nagoya to ‘Yoro’ station. Take the JR Tokai line towards Maibara and Ogaki where you should change for Yoro.

More on Mt Yoro on JIS

Mt. Ibuki

Mt. Ibuki in Shiga Prefecture is an relatively moderate hike although on busy days, this may be made more difficult as you spend your time trying to squeeze past groups of school children. The trail is very much open to the elements (pack plenty of sun cream), although this does mean that as you climb the views can be superb.

Unlike the Mt. Ena climb, there are plenty of places to stop and get drinks, with many vending machines along the way, and at the summit there are shops and restrooms, and you may even see the odd pair of high heels of those who have driven to the top. If you are an experienced climber this may not be the thing for you, but for a beginner it might be a good place to begin your mountain love affair.

  • Getting there: The nearest station to the trailhead is Ominagaoka Station. It’s a 4.9 km walk from the station to the trailhead, but if you don’t like the idea of walking, you can also catch the bus bound for Ibukiyama Tozanguchi to get you to the trailhead.

CHIC Nagoya Hiking Group

If you are truly interested in hiking around the area, give the guys at Chubu Hiking International Club (CHIC Nagoya) a shout. They are a group of Japanese and foreign likeminded hikers who organize trips for all levels of hiker. Their Facebook page is here.

 

Mark Guthrie

Photo: flickr.com – Mount Yoro viewed from Fudo Bridge, Yoro Park in Yoro Town, Gifu Prefecture, Japan by Kikuhiko Mizusaki – (CC BY-SA 3.0)

ByJustin Hanus
Jul 25, 2018

Celebrate Bon Odori By the Kobe Seaside

Bon Odori

Bon Odori festivals are well known as an entertaining and interesting summer events across Japan, and Kobe’s seaside fest is no exception. Bon Odori, or simply Bon dances, are some of the most exciting open-air parties that Japan offers, and they’re fun for all ages!

Since the Obon holiday is celebrated traditionally by families returning back to ancestral locations in order to appreciate and honor the spirits of their ancestors, each region of the country celebrates a little differently. In celebration of ancestors lost to history, the holiday is generally signified by a specific type of dance and song meant to welcome the spirits of each region.

Families, friends, and tourists alike come to these celebrations for summer evenings filled with entertaining shows and lively rituals. Often, the dances involve participation from all ages and nationalities, and joining in is always encouraged. These events are usually marked by a circle of dancers in synchronized motion surrounding a special structure called a ‘yagura’ where people sing or perform from.

Though all Bon Odori festivals are entertaining to watch and partake in, there is something especially magical about experiencing the 500 year-old tradition along the coast of Kobe.

Kobe provides the perfect backdrop for such a lively celebration on the seaside at Meriken Park. The lanterns and fireworks reflecting off of the water are truly a sight to behold, and the participation from many foreigners makes this specific Bon festival a unique experience to check out!

Enjoy the view of the gorgeous port city’s skyline beyond as you experience a taste of traditional Bon Odori dancing this summer!

Kobe’s Seaside Bon Odori Festival 2018

Where: Meriken Park, a 10 minute walk from Motomachi Station on the JR or Hanshin Line, 2 Hatobacho, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture 650-0042
When: Saturday, August 18
Admission: Free
Tel: 078-232-4411
www.uminobon.net

By 中川 吉達 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons