Exploring Kansai - Kobe

When most people hear the name Kobe, the thought of Kobe beef immediately comes to mind, but there's so much more to experience than just the amazing beef!

If you're looking for a fun, quick trip to do on a weekend, Kobe can be reached by train in as little as an hour from the Makino station for around ¥830 - ¥1000 one way.


Kobe Beef

If you're really only after slab of the world renown beef, well, you've come to the right place. One very popular Kobe beef restaurant frequented both by the locals and tourists is called Steakland Kobe. (See on google maps). Literally, just a short walk from the stations North exit. Sometimes there can be a short line up but since they have two locations side by side, it usually doesn't take long to get a table.

Upon ordering, there's a few different general set menus for Kobe beef. Be prepared, this steak is not cheap but well worth it. I mean, where else better then Kobe to experience true, genuine Kobe beef? In North America, it's nearly impossible to find true Kobe beef. Many restaurants simply rip off the name and market their Kobe/Wagyu "Style" beef as the real thing. Only until recently, the beef was rarely exported, and even now in very minimal quantities, which is why I had no problem paying for the real thing, just to try it once.

Port of Kobe

Kobe's other iconic half, welcome to the famous Port of Kobe. Not only a hub for major world wide shipping but the Port of Kobe contains a bustling shopping and entertainment district popular among the locals and tourists alike.

One of the first things you'll see as you enter Kobe Port is the Kobe Port Tower. A 108 meter, lattice tower. One of the famous icons of Kobe, you've likely seen pictures of it around Japan. There's also an observatory deck just over 90 meters up the tower with astonishing views of the coastal city.

Aside from the scenery, the port offers plenty of other exciting activities to make for a great day trip! There's of course a Ferris wheel on the port side, a huge mall with tons of stores and some great restaurants in the area as well. I particularly loved visiting this city around Christmas time as the many of the streets were decorated with lots of lights, it had a really charming feel. Comforting perhaps even. Kobe has a very western feel to it as you'll notice when you see all the western style "churches" which are in fact mainly wedding chapels. In Japan today, it's becoming increasingly popular to have a western style wedding and Kobe is one of the more popular places for this.

Also, just a short walk from the port we found an awesome mini China town!


Tea Houses / Japanese Gardens

In Kobe, you can find many traditional Japanese Tea Houses. This one in particular was located inside a beautifully landscaped Japanese Garden with large Koi pond! We found Sōraku-en (相楽園) by a bit of an accident, just wandering around at random.

The Japanese Garden itself only cost ¥300 to enter, and I believe ¥500 do take part in a traditional tea ceremony that included a traditional Japanese dessert.

The garden is open between 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (17:00). Plan carefully though as it is closed Thursdays between January 4 - December 28, or the following day when there is a national holiday.

Often there are a variety of exhibitions taking place here. When we went, there was a Bonsai exhibition taking place which was quite amazing to see. This was all included in the general entrance fee to the garden.

You can find a link to the Gardens English pamphlet HERE

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!

Dressing for Japan - A Female Perspective

Following up with our post on the 10 Ten Must Haves for you study abroad, many of you may be wondering what sort of attire you should pack for casual outings and general days out. These recommendations are based cultural aspects of Japan you should be aware of, as well as personal experiences from my female peers and friends I studied abroad with. Following this advice will definitely save you packing space,weight and potential embarrassment in Japan. Read on to find out what items you should take, and what you should leave behind.

Typical Japanese Entrance, outdoor shoes must be removed.

1. It is extremely common practice in almost any Japanese home, temple/shrine, and even small restaurants and bars to remove your footwear before entering. Consequently, you will want shoes that are easy and quick to remove. Socks (or pantyhose) are also highly recommended, you'll want to avoid wearing ones with holes in them for obvious reasons.
2. One thing you will notice extremely early on after your arrival will be your reliance on public transportation. This means you will be walking A LOT. To and from the bus stop, school, train stations, pretty much anywhere you go. If you're not walking, maybe you'll be biking, it's important to keep this in mind while packing. Don't waste space bringing your best pair of heels, trust me, you will thank me later. They are really impractical in Japan and just not worth it, save the space and bring your Nike's instead.
3. Skirts are extremely common in Japan among young woman and girls. They are perfectly fine
   to wear to school or other casual outings. Though if you're planning on biking it may take a bit
   
   of practice and planning of your outfit ahead of time. Plan to bring something somewhat formal but comfortable and overly revealing (more on this below). There will be a few times throughout the year you may want to dress up for different events.
4. Japanese people are very modest people, and while they are extremely polite, some things which may be normal at home may make them feel very uncomfortable. More specifically I'm referring to cleavage. Several of my female friends have seriously recommended against showing excess or any cleavage at all. While that low cut shirt may be completely normal to wear back home, it could create a number of problems in Japan ranging from embarrassment and uncomfortableness, to awkwardness and even lead to some very unpleasant or creepy encounters with some people in public.
5. If you want to make your life much easier, try to avoid clothes which require ironing. Even though the seminar houses do have irons available, you will find it becomes quite tedious keeping up with it every week. The dryers are terrible and expensive, so don't rely on them to dewrinkle your clothes for you. Air drying is an option available to you in your room with some cheap devices from a Hyaku-En store, however they can be a bit cumbersome in your shared dorm room.
6. Depending which semester you're attending KGU, you will either have one of two elements to

   

   Dressing for winter weather in Japan

   deal with, or both. During the late summer months, Japan still experiences its rainy typhoon season. There's days when it's raining so hard, it actually feels like it's coming up from the ground. Be sure to bring a good rain jacket and proper shoes that won't ruin when they get wet. Don't worry about bringing an umbrella though, they only cost about $1 at any store, and the seminar houses have some you can borrow too. Alternatively, you could be dealing with snow in the winter months and as Hirakata has several hills, they can become slick when it's snowing. I should note that it's usually a wet snow too, so while it may not last long, it will be very slushy and cold out, so factor this in while packing.
7. Of course, you will experience plenty of great weather in Japan during both semesters and especially the summer months if you're there, so pack plenty of shorts and cool clothes for these days. Just don't forget about your warmer clothes you will need for those colder days.

In an effort to keep this post from becoming to lengthy, I'll leave it at that. If you have any other questions about something I may not have covered or forgotten about, feel free to message me.

Low Cost Travelling In Japan & Asia

With the number of national holidays in Japan and the time available before, during, and after your semesters, many of you will be itching to see more of Japan and Asia than just the Osaka region. Luckily, there are several options available to you to cost-effectively make your way around!

Aside from the local train which is great for short distances, train fares can add up quickly and can be a very time-consuming method to navigate Japan. Before considering this option, you will have to evaluate your budget and time to see if this is the most appropriate method of travel to your destination. I highly recommend familiarizing yourself with the website http://www.hyperdia.com/en/ . This will be your best resource to help plan your trips by local train and bullet train.

For those further distances when you're lacking time, and for all of you who have never had the chance to experience a Japanese bullet train (Shinkansen), I highly recommend this option. While fare can be a bit high, it may mean the difference between arriving the same day as opposed to +1 day or more. Sometimes it can acutally be even cheaper! And since you're already in Japan, this is the perfect chance to experience it! Everyone should ride it at least once. Professor Scott provides a great opportunity each year as he arranges a trip to Hiroshima for the students via bullet train at a discounted rate. This is definitely one trip you don't want to miss on.

There are however, other slower low cost options available such as the night bus, though not really recommended. Living up to it's name, it's literally a bus that you catch in the evening, and typically arrives at your destination the following morning. While the fare is great, (usually ¥2500-¥3500) however, you will arrive at your destination exhausted, as the bus makes many stops along the way making it really difficult to get some rest.

At last, for those of you who want to travel a little further away from central Japan, there are a few low cost air carriers, namely, JetStar, Skymark, and Peach Aviation. These three airlines are great for booking really cheap flights within and outside of Japan, and often times it's actually cheaper than the local train or bullet trains. The only variable you need to account for is your fare to and from the airports. However, some flights to Tokyo, Okinawa or Hokkaido can range from only ¥1500-¥2500, you literally can't be it! Be aware though, plan to travel with strictly a carry-on bag as you will be subject to additional baggage fees. (Hint: If you are checking a bag, it's way cheaper to pay for your checked bag online before your departure than paying at the airport). Try to pack light as they are strict with weight and size restriction, the fare may be really cheap but this is where they make up for it. Your carry-on of course is free if it falls within their guidelines. It's a good idea to sign up and follow Peach Aviation as they often post new flight sales almost monthly to different locations.

Finally, I wanted to bring up Airbnb for those of you unfamiliar with it. While staying in a hostel is great if it's only yourself or maybe with one other person, often times you can actually book a whole apartment in prime locations that sleep many more people. Booking an apartment together typically ends up actually costing less than hostel rates and provides a much comfier atmosphere. I've recently used it in Tokyo and Rome and have had nothing but great experiences. You can search for available places at www.airbnb.com

Best of luck with your travels, if you have any questions, comment below and I'll do my best to help you out!

Top 10 Study Abroad Must Haves