Exploring Kansai - Nara

A short distance from Hirakata, Nara makes for an excellent day trip on a weekend offering plenty to see and do. Home to a beautiful Buddhist temple, a popular deer park where you can literally feed and pet wild deer, myriad of fantastic little Japanese shops, Nara is definitely one city you will want to visit when you find yourself passing through Osaka either as a traveler, or a student of KGU.

Tōdai-ji (東大寺)

Perhaps one of the main reasons tourists and world travelers alike flock to Nara. This grand
Buddhist temple was found in the early 8th century (around 751 AD), and is home to the largest statue of Buddha Vairocana. Measuring in at nearly 15 meters or almost 50 feet, believe me when I say, this statue is HUGE. Pictures really just don't do its size any justice, which is why this temple is an absolute must-see to truly appreciate its magnificence.

As you enter and all throughout the temple, there are several other amazing statues including two of my favourites known as Niō. I like to just call them Gate Guardians as they're typically found protecting the entrances of Buddhist temples. They're often very difficult to photograph as they're hidden behind a mesh screen.

If you're interested in reading more about Todai-ji, click here.

Nara Deer Park

Something you'll come across on your way to Tōdai-ji is the Nara Deer Park. Coming from Canada, we have PLENTY of deer here, but none as docile and friendly as the deer you'll find here. They can actually become quite pesky when they realize you have food, so be careful! In the park, there are some small street vendors who sell I guess what you would call deer crackers/cookies (Shika Senbei)? Basically they're just a hand full of crackers for ¥200 that you can feed to the deer. I have to admit I had a bit of fun with it. After running out, they would sometimes nip at your clothes but don't worry, they're harmless.

Within the deer park there's several paths you can follow leading you around the park along some incredibly beautiful ponds, waterfalls, and even a few pagodas.

Sanjo Dori

After spending a long day exploring Todai-ji and hanging out with the deer, I highly suggest heading over to Sanjo Dori (Street). Here, you'll find plenty of restaurants to refuel at and a ton cool small Japanese stores for souvenirs. The street itself is really interesting, it's brick layered shopping district, with a lot discover. In fact, one of the most famous mochi shops in Japan is located on the corner of Sanjo Dori Street and Mochiido-No-Center-Gai (Map below). If you're lucky and your timings right, you might come across the store Nakatanidou when the Master is preparing a fresh batch of mochi. It's such a cool experience!

A traditional Japanese activity for many families during New Years, the term for this ritual is known as Mochitsuki (餅つき) or "Mochi Pounding" in English. These guys are national champions in Japan and rightly deserve it.

Resources:

• Sight-seeing map of Nara

Exploring Kansai - Kyoto

One of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Japan, Kyoto is a culturally rich city filled with countless Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and myriad of traditional Japanese style homes, shops and parks. Many of these place below have become national and international world heritage sites, and are often seen frequently in media.

Much of Kyoto's history is a result of city being the first imperial capital of Japan stretching over a 1000 years before the capital city was eventually moved to Edo, what is now modern day Tokyo.

Kyoto is home to some of the most beautiful temples, rightly earning its place as one of the most noteworthy and must-see cities in Japan. Contrary to its size, like much of Japan, Kyoto is actually relatively easy to navigate around and is even accessible by bike from Hirakata!

Temples & Shrines

Kinkaku-ji - 金閣寺

Formerly known as Rokuon-ji, or by its English name, The Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji is one of the most visited and easily recognizable Zen Buddhist temples in all of Japan. It was originally founded in 1397, rebuilt 1955 following an arson attack in 1950, and has been officially designated a National Special Historic Site, including a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 1994.

Kiyomizu-Dera -　清水寺

One of my favourite temples in all of Japan, this temple is definitely one you don't want to miss. With the changing seasons of Japan, there is always something new to discover here. A huge temple built onto a mountainside, interlaced with trees, ponds and a pagoda, it can become quite busy. However, I find the crowds significantly die down in the evening hours. If you only plan on visiting once, the I would highly suggest visiting Kiyomizu-dera during the Fall. This is definitely a Fall temple, that's when the colours really pop!

Fushimi Inari - 伏見稲荷

Probably one of the most iconic images of Japan, widely used in many movies including Memoirs of a Geisha. Fushimi Inari is the head shrine of Inari, the God of foxes, rice, tea, and sake. The actual shrine sits at the base of Inari mountain with trails spanning 4 km's to the top providing access to several other smaller shrines. The trail takes approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours walking depending on your pace. Each torii gate was donated either privately or by a business. Access to Fushimi Inari from Hirakata is very simple. It has its own station merely a few stops away from the Makino station and has signs guiding you the rest of the way once you arrive. Be sure to wear some comfortable shoes as you will be walking a lot. One recommendation I have, plan your trip so you're there during sunset. Watch the sun as it sets over Kyoto, then as you make your way down the mountain in the dusk, stop by the little mountain cabin to enjoy a tea as the remaining light sifts through the trees and fades into darkness.

Places To Go

Gion

When arriving at Gion-Shijo station, your essentially in what I would call the heart of Kyoto. This area is where you will find many unique Japanese stores both, souvenirs/gift shops and small one-of-a-kind mom and pop stores. From this area you can access many different shrines and temples as well either by bus or short walking distance. If you hang out long enough here, you may catch a glimpse of a Geisha or Maiko Geisha (apprentice Geisha)! Few will actually allow pictures, but it never hurts to ask! 

Maruyama Park (Koen)

Situated at the end of Gion-dori, to access this park you will pass through Yasaka Jinja. This area becomes a major hot spot during New Years while locals and visitors celebrate with a traditional Japanese New Years celebration. Though it is particularly popular in April during Hanami, or cherry blossom viewing festivals. This is one experience you do not want to miss out on if you're studying during the second semester. Whether you go with your Japanese friends or other students, stop by a Konbini, grab a few beers and snacks and head over to the park to find a spot to sit. Though you will see many cherry blossoms (and plum blossoms) in Hirakata, Maruyama Park provides a spectacular view and even features a famous weeping Cherry Tree as the main attraction. Spring in Japan is really just as beautiful as it appears in pictures.

Check out the video below from a good friend of mine and former KGU student, shot primarily in Maruyama Koen and around Kansai Gaidai. 

Where To Stay

Gojo Guesthouse

If you happen to be travelling through Kyoto and are looking for a place to stay or, maybe have friends or family visiting looking for an economical option, then I highly recommend Gojo Guesthouse. It's located less than 15 minutes from Kyoto station and is near many temples and shrines. Bicycles are provided to guests as well! This is your standard hostel with a dormitory style room and also a private room as well for couples/families who want to opt for more privacy. Downstairs contains a full service bar serving drinks and food for guests and visitors. You can find out more about Gojo Guesthouse here.

For a full list of places to stay in Kyoto, I recommend checking out a full list of places here.

Watch for our next post highlighting Nara, the Capital city of the Nara prefecture and once, the national capital of Japan for brief moment in time. Also home to Arashiyama Koen, a park you're definitely going to want to visit!

Exploring Kansai - Osaka

As a student and resident of Kansai Gaidai, or for those of you wondering where to study in Japan, living in the Kansai region provides you with immediate and excellent access to many major cultural, historical, and tourist locations. Take a moment to just look at where Hirakata is located; almost smack dab in the middle of Osaka and Kyoto, two of some of the most culturally rich and historically significant cities in all of Japan. This article will be broken up between the next few posts detailing some of the most noteworthy and recommend places to visit within the Kansai Region including Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe.

Naturally, I'll start with Osaka. For many of you, you would have arrived at KIX, or Kansai International Airport. Welcome to your new home for the next 6-9 months. Osaka is a culturally rich city with many characteristics and customs unique specifically to the Kansai region. For instance, did you know that each are of Japan has their own dialect? In and outside of Osaka, the local dialect is referred to as Osaka-ben or Kansai-ben. The difference in dialects can range between anything from slight variations in the pronunciations of words to completely different words for certain objects or greetings altogether. While it's specific to the Kansai region, Japanese from other areas can quickly pick up on the regional dialect of others. If you're travelling to Tokyo, Sapporo, or even Okinawa, don't be a afraid to use a little Kansai-ben to let them know where you're from! Here's a few notable words and phrases specific to Kansai-ben/Osaka-ben that you can easily start using:

• Ōkini - おおきに: Thank you        (Tokyo-Ben: ありがとう)
• Honma - ほんま: Really              (Tokyo-Ben: ほんと)
• Meccha -   めっちゃ: Very            (Tokyo-Ben: とっても)
• Nande Ya Nen - なんでやねん: What the heck/hell (You got to be kidding me)

There are so many more phrases used in everyday Kansai-ben but these are just a few you'll here almost everyday if you're regularly interacting with your Japanese friends. I'll leave the rest up to you to learn. There's plenty of sites available online you can use to brush up on your Osaka-ben.

Going Out

There's several clubs in Osaka you'll likely visit or at least hear about for those of you looking to go out on weekends. Most of the more popular clubs are in the entertainment district of Osaka known as "Namba"on the Dotonbori Canal. There's one particular club popular among students called Giraffe Osaka (ジラフ大阪). When I used to go, if you arrived before a certain time, admission was free and women received free drinks for the whole night. It appears now that ladies still enter free before 9 PM, while men pay 1500 and receive one free drink upon entry on Fridays and Saturdays. This entrance fee increases significantly however to 1500 for women and 2500/3000 (Fri/Sat) for men after 9 PM. I can't say if women still receive free drinks for showing up early but if they do please comment below to let us know! You can find more information about Giraffe Osaka here. 

Be aware, going out in Japan usually results in all-nighters. A typical weekend night of clubbing usually goes as follows:

• 5 PM - Meet up with friends. Catch train to Namba, Osaka.
• 6 PM - Find a Nomi/Tabehoudai (All you can eat/drink). Fuel yourself for the evening.
• 8 PM - Buy liquor from a Konbini to sustain your buzz. I'm still convinced drinks in Japan are watered down.
• 9 PM - Arrive at Giraffe early to avoid the ridiculous entrance fees.
• 12:30 AM - If you're still at the club, you might as well stay, you've just missed the last train home (終電, Shuuden).
• 1 AM - Some clubs have started to close down between 1 and 2 AM, ushering you over to their sister bar. Though many stay open until 5 AM. If you're tired of clubbing but have missed your last train home, go here to see what else you can do.
• 5 AM - The first trains start running again (Shihatsu). Catch the local train home when you're ready to call it a night. The first Keihan train makes every stop on the way back to Hirakata.
• 6 AM - Arrive in Hirakata; the buses have not started yet. Take cab or a refreshing 20-30 minute walk home. For a shorter walk, I recommend you get off at Makino station and make a pit stop at the Lawson Konbini for hangover supplies.

Things to See & Do

Osaka has endless amounts of activities, places, and things to do on any given day of the week. Here's a brief list of recommend ways to spend an afternoon.

Temples/Shrines:

• Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
• Daianji Temple
• Hokoku Shrine
• More Here

Shopping:

• HEP Five Tower: A major shopping and entertainment centre located in the commercial district known as Umeda. Many large retail chain stores and boutiques are located here. I recommend the HEP Five Ferris wheel during the evening hours for fantastic and/or romantic view of the city.
• Shinsaibashi: A major shopping area located just north of Namba, across the famous Dotonbori bridge. A covered street complete with any kind store you can imagine from clothing (H&M, Uniqlo), electronics, to pet shops and many others.

Attractions:

• Osaka-jo (Castle): An obvious must-see when in Osaka on a beautiful day. Definitely recommended during cherry blossom season.
• Nekko Cafe / Owl Cafe: The Namba and Shinsaibashi districts are filled with these, and many other variants. They're pretty self explanatory, upon entering you purchase a drink then you get to spend time with kitties, owls, puppies or even maids ;).
• Umeda Sky Building: One of the most recognizable buildings in Osaka, the Sky Building is complete with a market in the bottom, a rooftop observatory and large garden observatory with an amazing view during the sunset.
• Osaka Aquarium: Recommend purchasing an Osaka Kaiyu Ticket from any JR station Midori No Guchi.

Booking.com

Check out our next post covering the best of Kyoto!