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

Cash, Classes, and Budgeting

I've been receiving a lot of emails lately regarding course schedules and handling personal finances at Kansai Gaidai, so I've devoted this post to help answer some of the questions you may have regarding these topics. Of Course, if you have something more specific in mind, feel free to personal message me or comment on this post and I'll try my best to answer your questions.

As most of you may already know, taking Japanese is mandatory while attending Kansai Gaidai. However, it is broken in to two separate classes, your spoken Japanese class and your reading/writing Japanese class. All students MUST register for spoken Japanese, whether or not it's required for your home institution, there is no exception to this.* Although, the reading and writing section is not mandatory, though I highly recommend you enroll in it.

Your spoken Japanese courses take place every morning and are 50 minutes long, while the reading and writing portion is only 3 times a week, also 50 minutes in length. The 3 credit R+W course runs the full semester length, while there is a 1 credit "Intro to the Japanese Writing System" class that only runs for five weeks.

*While it is mandatory for all students to register in spoken Japanese, I knew some students who were only staying for one semester and the pass or fail grade would not affect their GPA at their home institution. As a result, they chose not to go to class. I recommend against this, for starters, you're in Japan, the least you can do is make an effort to learn the basics of the language, you are going to be living there for 4+ months. Secondly, if you are planning on staying for a second semester, you need to maintain at a minimum a 2.0 GPA and receive no failing grades. Trust me when I say you will not be granted extension for the second term. Even receiving a D is borderline for acceptance.

Your lecture courses take place in the afternoons and are typically twice a week and are an hour and a half long. Some have greater time commitments than others, so some others may run longer.

You should know that there is a credit minimum you must maintain per semester. Between your Japanese courses and your lecture courses, you have to maintain at least 14 credits. They are strict about this, I was forced to take an extra class my second semester that I didn't need for my home university.

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In regards to handling your personal finances while studying at Kansai Gaidai, there are obviously many different options available to you. I personally chose to open a Japanese bank account as I was staying for two semesters. Some of you will be required to open one if your receiving the JASSO scholarship. Either way, opening the bank account is free. However, deciding how you actually get your funds to Japan is what matters. For some of you, you may wish to simply buy Yen in your home country and physically bring it with you. This is fine, just remember to look up your countries specific laws regarding travelling with currency.

Secondly, you can do a wire transfer, as I chose. This option requires you to have a Japanese bank account obviously.This is usually only worth while if you're transferring larger amount of funds. There's no transaction fees on the receiving end (unless things have changed since 2014), so you will need to look into what your own personal bank will charge you.

Lastly, I knew some students who chose to take out monthly withdrawals from either their debit or credit cards at the ATM's on campus. This option is okay too, however, remember to find out what your bank will charge you per transaction as it could be costly if you're making multiple smaller transactions; remember too that you may have weekly or monthly withdrawal limits.

In regards to daily budgeting, I would personally recommend budgeting yourself spending around ¥1000 - ¥1500 / day. This amount will fluctuate for some of you, up or down, (especially if you are doing a homestay); I think you'll find yourself eating on campus quite often, it's relatively cheap and very convenient. Most full meals will cost you less than ¥500 ($5). Something else to keep in mind, if you choose to ride the bus, it costs ¥320 (2014) one way. This daily average of course does not include your spending on weekend outings, so save accordingly. Don't starve yourself, but never turn down an invitation to go on an excursion with your new friends, trust me when I say you're on a once in a lifetime trip, you need to make the most of it.

Onsens, Sentōs, and Roten-buros

You might already be familiar with term Onsen but how about Sentō or Roten-buro? If not, to help you rid that winter chill, a brief visit to any of these places will surely leave you feeling refreshed and in some of the most beautiful places you've ever seen.

For those unfamiliar with the terms, an Onsen is essentially a hot spring; a bathing facility or spa rather that utilizes geothermally heated water. This natural water is piped from the ground and circulated through one or more individual spas (pools) for soaking. Roten-buro's and Sentō's are essentially variations of an Onsen, which I'll explain further below including how to properly use them and get the most out of your experience.

Traditionally located outside, this style of Onsen is referred to as a Roten-buro, my personal favourite of the three. The most beautiful Roten-buros are typically located in the mountainous regions,though you can find indoor and outdoor Onsen's spread out all over Japan. Most Onsens are located outside of city centres so you may need to travel a bit but is well worth it.

However, you don't need to go far for a relaxing evening on those cool winter nights in Hirakata. I suggest you familiarize yourself with Sentōs, or bathhouses. As Sentōs are much more available than Onsens, this is due to the fact that they utilize tap water rather than hot springs; the experience however, is just as refreshing. Most Sentōs typically have several inside pools, with some offering outdoor pools as well. In Hirakata, there are several Sentōs, and one that I recommend personally which is located about 20 minutes from the seminar houses by bike. Unfortunately, one other Sentō I wanted recommend is now closed.

Gokurakuyu has 3 indoor pools, and two outdoor pools including a steam room too. It should be noted that Tattoos are prohibited here; if you have a noticeably visible tattoo, there is a chance you may be asked to leave. Directions can be found HERE. Try to avoid taking short cuts as it's extremely easy to get lost on Japanese roads.

Onsens and Bathhouses are very clean and relaxing places, as such, there's a few things you should know before visiting any of the above:

• Understand that you may be asked to leave if you have visible tattoos. Research the place before going as some allow it while others don't.
• Lockers are provided free of charge. Tickets are usually purchased at a vending machine and redeemed at the change room entrances.
• You and everyone around you will be naked, no exception. On that note, most if not all places are gender separated. If this makes you feel uncomfortable, go alone your first time. You will notice that it is very normal and not weird at all. Maybe just the first time..
• Before jumping right in, you must wash yourself in the showers provided. This is very important, the pools are not there to wash you but rather to relax in. Most spas will sell little travel size shampoo and soap for around ¥150 if you don't want to bring your own. Do not skip this step, you will likely be stared at.
• Quiet conversation is fine, but avoid loud outburst or rambunctious behaviour, This is not a public swimming pool.
• Grabbing a bite to eat and beer at a nearby restaurant is a perfect way to end the evening.

Relaxing in an Onsen is an age-old tradition in Japan, spanning back thousands of years. While it may feel weird or strange to you at first, see how you feel after dipping in, melting the stress away while taking in some of the most beautiful scenery at a Roten-buro that you'll ever see. Sit back, relax and enjoy some of the world's best mineral water spas.

Further Reading:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onsen
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sent%C5%8D
• http://www.sentoguide.info/baths/osaka/hirakata

Craving McDelivery... Wait, McDonalds Delivers?

I wanted to share a cool experience I encountered in while in Japan. This might not be new for some of  you, however for most of us, we've never experienced the awesomeness of McDonald's that is McDelivery. Yes, you read that right, McDonald's delivers direct to your door in Japan! And yes, I know you're in Japan and are probably trying to avoid McDonald's at all costs but trust me, after waking up from a long night out, you will not want to leave your place on a cold winter morning; which is when McDelivery becomes your new best friend.

Available in only select few countries, and even then, limited to certain cities, McDelivery is actually available in most parts of Japan. There are however a few requirements for home delivery that I'll explain below first.

• It is only available between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. (23:00)
• There is a ¥300 delivery fee (Approx. $3)
• Minimum order of ¥1500 ($15), or ¥1000 ($10) for morning deliveries
• Maximum order total for delivery ¥12,000 ($120)
• Phone number required - Use the seminar phone number if available

In regards to the minimum order, you could ask your flat mate or dorm friends if they're up to ordering with you and split the costs accordingly.

You will need a phone number that you can be reached at to set up your account and place an order. For those of you who live in the seminar houses, this is not a problem as you can give them the seminar house phone number along with your room number. Oto-San or Oka-San will call you when they arrive. For those of you living in off-campus housing, sorry, hope you have a Japanese cell phone...

Click To Enlarge

To sign-up and order in English or Japanese, you can go HERE. Once you've signed up you will need to enter
your delivery address, I really suggest you ask Oto-San/Oka-San or one of your RA's for help with this. Alternatively, you can try to set it up yourself using the picture to the right. Of course, you will have to make changes such as your seminar house address if you are not living in seminar house 4. Be sure to update your room #, which is also your phone extension.

Note: Your seminar house may be in a different Chome, so be sure to double check your address.

Upon completing your order, they may sometimes call to confirm, especially if you've left special instructions. What's even more cool is that you can track your order too to find out exactly what stage your order is at! That's it, you're done, enjoy.

The last leg - Getting to Hirakata from KIX

So you've successfully survived the flight to Japan, Congrats! For the lucky few of you, it was a quick flight but now you need to get to Hirakata. For some of you, catching the Kansai Gaidai shuttle bus from KIX during arrival week may not be an option. Some people choose to arrive early, some late, or couldn't get a flight in during the shuttle times. No worries, there's a few options available I'll point out to help get you where you need to be.

I'll obviously recommend taking the shuttle limousine bus provided by KGU as your first option, you're tired, inexperienced with Japan's public transportation system, and probably have at least 2 pieces of luggage or more. For only ¥2000 ($20), KGU will arrange your pick up from KIX and drop you off directly at Seminar House 4 in Hirakata. However, as mentioned, for some this won't be a possibility.

The easiest way to Hirakata will be via a limousine bus from KIX to Hirakata. This service is offered by Kansai Airport Transportation Enterprise (KATE). As international arrivals are on Terminal 1, to get to the bus stop you will need to go to the main floor. There will be a ticket vending machine outside the doors where you can purchase a ticket for a bus bound for Neyagawa/Hirakata/Kuzuha, it will cost you ¥2050 (approx. $20). The pick up location for the bus should be listed on the ticket (Bus Depot 10). It's important to note that the latest departure from KIX is at 22:45 (10:45 p.m.), arriving in Hirakata at 24:09 (12 a.m.). Just a heads up, you will need to contact Kansai Gaidai to inform them if you will be arriving late as they have a cut off time. They may need to arrange for someone to receive you at the seminar house or else you might end up spending the night at the station which is where this bus will drop you off. From Hirakata station, depending on what time you arrive, you can either catch a local Keihan bus or take a taxi direct to your seminar house/residence.

Your second option is to take the train to Hirakata from KIX. This option can be a little difficult for first time transit riders, especially with all your luggage as well, however, it costs about $5-$6 less with about the same transit time. Upon your arrival, you will want to walk to the 2nd floor and catch the JR Line "Kansai Airport Rapid Service" to Kyobashi station. This ride will take about 78 minutes and with a fare of ¥1190 ($12). Once you've arrived at Kyobashi station, you will then need to transfer to the Keihan line and catch any train bound for Demachiyanagi and get off at Hirakata station. You should avoid taking the Rapid Limited Express as it does not always stop at Hirakata Station. You should take the Limited Express train if it is available. This ride will take you 15 minutes, you're fare should be ¥330 ($3), with your total trip from the airport costing about $15. However, you still need to get from Hirakata station to your dorm, either via bus or taxi.

Links:

• http://www.kansaigaidai.ac.jp/asp/access/
• http://www.kansaigaidai.com/#!gettingaround/c1b1p
• http://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/HR#from
• http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/access/bus/index.html

The Beer Park.. Err... Katahoko Park

Whether you've already started your first week at Kansai Gaidai or you're about to, there's no doubt you will receive a lecture and warning about the infamous Beer Park. Located centrally between all the seminar houses and behind the Hirakata Library, every year the Beer Park attracts the seminar house students in the masses. I must admit, many, if not most of my friendships at Kansai Gaidai were started over a beer here.

Due to its prime location and convenient "amenities", the Beer Park no doubt quickly becomes a popular social hub. What could be better than a beer vending machine and a liquor store in walking distance, right? However, while it may be a great place to meet up with your friends from the other dorms for a casual drink, it's important to remember that you are not the only ones living in the area.

The Beer Park is surrounded on nearly all sides by residents of Hirakata, and if you've ever spent a winter in Japan, you'll know just how paper thin their walls are. I have to admit, I've personally spent many evenings hanging out in the Beer Park, whether it be just myself and a couple of friends, or often a group of 10 or more. Either way, one thing I noticed irregardless of how many people there are, North Americans are loud when we start drinking. We may not notice it as we're having a good time, conversating with friends, but between the alcohol and being outside, the level of our voices tend to quadruple. This creates two problems you will frequently encountered:

1. A visit from the Keisatsu (Japanese Police). While they're normally polite and understanding, they will kick out of the park if you're too loud, or even if you're congregating in too large of groups. Remember, you're a guest in Japan and here on a temporary student visa. You don't want to jeopardize this.
2. And then there's the frequent mandatory lectures from the Dean on Campus. You will be chastised for consistent loud behavior reports from the locals. These meetings are made mandatory for all students, as such, you will be scolded by the non-beer park goers. Nobody wants to spend their evenings on campus getting lectured.

Now that I've given you your fair warning, go out and have fun! It's a perfect place for a quick rendezvous and pregame before heading out to your favourite local bar or for karaoke. Some students choose to use it to unwind after a long day, grabbing a beer or two after studying. Most nights, you can usually find one or two people chilling here, if you feel like just getting out for a bit.

Tips:

• The liquor store tends to close around 9:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. unless their hours have changed. So grab your specialty booze early if you prefer something other than beer, chuu-hai, or sake.
• The liquor vending machine shuts down about 12:15 a.m. so make sure you buy your nights worth before then.
• You need a TASPO card to purchase cigarettes from vending machines in Japan. If you need smokes, buy them from the liquor store before it closes, or may have to walk to the nearest Konbini.
• My advice is, keep your gatherings small (or at least spread out) and relatively quiet and you won't have any trouble. For some of you, this will become a regular nightly hangout, it's a great place, let's keep it that way!

This is the liquor store and infamous beer vending machine. Located directly in front of the Beer Park and just around the corner from Seminar House 1. There are plenty of trash/recycle bins around so there's no excuse for not cleaning up after yourselves.


There's a few other hidden spots close to the Beer Park I can recommend, message me if you'd like to know. Contact Here

Feeling Lucky? Strike it Rich in Japan

Looking for a way to fund your exchange? Ok, maybe not the best way, but hey, they're cheap and it's fun to day dream! Welcome to Takarakuji, Japan's prefectural lottery. Similar to our lottery systems in North America, the Takarakuji lottery tickets work on a randomized numerical matching system, though there are scratch version as well. Tickets generally range between ¥100 - ¥500 ($1-$5) are with draws taking place weekly, with year-end jumbo lottery draws that attract hundreds of millions of sales from people all vying to win a piece of the action. Typical jackpots from regular draws can reach up to ¥100 million depending on the ticket you purchase. However, the year-end jumbo lottery for 2015 contains a prize pool of more than ¥73.5 billion, approximately $617.3 million US dollars! Of course, this is broken down in to several first place and secondary prizes. Still not a bad take for a secondary prize worth over ¥20 million.

While most forms of gambling in Japan are illegal, Takarakuji draws are one of the few that are legal, among others such as pachinko. Though one of the stipulations with running these draws are that the main prize pool cannot exceed 50% of the total sales. This of course leaves a significant amount left over, but it's not all withheld by the lotto company. Most of it in fact is split among local government organizations and charities.

Takarakuji tickets can be bought at just about any major station including many numerous locations around major cities. The booths are easily recognizable like the one in the picture to the right. You can usually find them around Hirakata Station, and literally all over Osaka and Kyoto. Purchasing tickets is simple process, usually all it takes is walking up and either pointing to the specific ticket you want while saying "Takarakuji "x"-mai onegaishimasu", replacing X with the number of tickets you want, ex. ichi-mai, ni-mai, etc. They may want clarify with you which value of ticket you want, at which point you should respond with something like "San-byaku-en desu", or "Go-hyaku-en desu, etc."

Try out your luck, you never know, you might just get lucky! On average, one in every nine tickets win a prize. Wouldn't that be a nice surprise for your study abroad. Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention, it's all tax free! Good luck!

Wild Japanese Snow Monkeys

 Japan is home to one of few places where you can actually see and interact with wild monkeys! Though, while this may already sound exciting, how many of you have ever seen a monkey taking a bath in a hot spring (Onsen)? The place is called Jigokudani, a world famous national park visited by thousands of tourists every year in the heart of the Nagano prefecture.

The Japanese Macaques, or more commonly referred to as Snow Monkeys, live in the surrounding forests of Jigokudani Park. They descend during the day to lounge in the hot springs, literally appearing just as if humans were to be taking a bath. I can say personally, it's one of the weirdest though exhilarating feeling to witness this. Depending on the day, there can be as many as 100 or more seen gathered around the pools. Due to the growing popularity, the Snow Monkeys have become very use to their human visitors. This close relationship allows for plenty of interaction and awesome up-close photo shoots.

Getting to Jigokudani can be a bit of a challenge but is well worth the effort. There are several options to get there from Osaka area, so depending on how much you're willing to spend will determine your travelling time.


Here's my recommended route from Osaka:

• Book a day bus from Osaka (or Kyoto if available) to JR Nagano station. I suggest using Willer Express but ask an RA for help with this.
  Approximate Cost: ¥2500-¥3000 ($25-$30)
  Approximate Travel Time: 3 Hours
  Take the earliest bus possible if you're planning on returning the same day.

• From JR Nagano Station, catch the Limited Express Line to Yudanaka Station.
  Approximate Cost: ¥1160 ($12)
  Approximate Time: 47 Minutes

• From there, catch the NagaDen, (Nagano Dentetsu bus) to Kanbayashi. This is kind of like your base camp. This bus is bound for Shiga Kogen, exit at the Kanbayashi stop.
  Approximate Cost: ¥1300
  Approximate Time: 30 Minutes

Once you've reached Kanbayashi, there is only about a half hour scenic walk through the forest to reach the hot springs in Jigokudani Park. Entrance fee to the park is costs only ¥500. Arriving early gives you plenty of time to spend in the park and catch the return buses if you don't plan on spending the night in the area.

Useful Links:

• http://www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/english/html/top_e.htm
• http://willerexpress.com/en/
• http://www.hyperdia.com

Welcome to KGE's Blog

Welcome to our blog! While you can learn many of the basic necessities to survive your first 48 hours like a local from our web content, we will be posting many other in-depth articles on our blog here to really help immerse you.

Here you'll find useful travel tips, idea's of what to pack, places to go, and how to really ease in to your new life in Japan. We'll also discuss post-study options if you wish to remain or return to Japan either to continue your studies or for work! KG will provide you with first hand advice direct from our knowledge, and from former KGU colleagues of ours who are currently living and working in Japan! Thanks for reading, be sure to check back soon for new daily updates!