Backpackers Hostel's Blog l J-Hoppers Guest House Lounge

We've translated the menu of the sushi restaurant in front of J-Hoppers, Netashi, to help our guests communicate with the restaurant staff and enjoy a delicious typical japanese meal. This little dictionary will probably help others, at least we hope so, and that's why we put it here. Please use it freely !
(First column is the japanese writing, second column is the reading of the first column, third column is english translation)

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You can see these umbrellas on sunny days only.

Not rainny days…I think they don’t like rainy days(?).

@Hokyoji-Temple (宝鏡寺)　2008.5/16

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We’ve been thinking if we could offer something more to our guest, something unique, traditional but modern.

I thought about my friend’s wood block printing gallery near to the philosopher’s path.

They have loads of selection of beautiful wood block printings and they are very good at finding wood block printings of anonymous artists.

Some of them are very old but looks so modern somehow.

I especially love their Ukiyo-e selections from Edo period(1603-1867)

Ukiyo-e is pictures of everyday life in Edo period..

The Ukiyo-e tradition influenced Manga Anime which is popular in all over the world these days.It said that the Ukiyoe art of drawing had a strong inf;uence on usch postimapressionists as Van Gogh and Gauguin, abd resulted in the development of the newtechni8ques of realism..

The wood block printings are so colorful and fun to look at .

One of the unique way to explore old Japan! Reina

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On sunny beautiful day of early summer, one of the biggest festival in Kyoto"Aoi matsuri festival was held .

The AOI-matsuri-festival. Those Heian costume is so gorgeous and impressed many people on the street. I was moved by horse riding ceremony in Kamigamo-shrine .

Green Green May!　The Iris Laevigata”Kakitsubata” is fully blooming silently at Ota shrine near the Kamigamo-shrine. Reina

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There is a unique street near Kitano Tenmangu Shrine.
The name of the street is Ichijo Street.
The people in this area have nicknamed “Yokai Street” on the street.
(I have sometimes mentioned about yokai in this blog. See the link below)
http://j-hoppers.japanhostel.net/2007/08/goblins-yokai.html

I went to the street with my family the other day.
It is a small local shopping street and most shops along the street have their own Yokais at their storefronts.
Very interesting.

There is a website of the street (Japanese only though …)
http://www.kyotohyakki.com/

You know,
The concept of Yokai street ultimately leads to ecological thought.
I will write about it next time.

Anyway, please drop in the funny street when you visit the famous Kitano Tenmangu Shirine.
The street running east and west, one block south of Kitano temnangu shrine　
Map
From J-Hoppers Kyoto Hostel, please take city bus #205 at Kujo Shako bus stop and get of at Kitano Hakubaicho Bus stop. It take about 30-40 minutes by bus.


Kasa (umbrella) Yokai









Shokupan (bread) Yokai









Rabbit (?) Yokai









One-eyed student Yokai









Hyotan (calabash) Yokai

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Finally we did it ! The Crepe/Gyoza Party of J-Hoppers Osaka has been enjoyed by a small band of twenty merry fellows from the afternoon to late at night. Guests, staff, family and relatives cleaned up all together the 200 gyozas, crepes, ice creams, chocolates, appetizers, ... with some fresh beers and fruits juices.

Crepe Versus Gyoza. Which one will be finished first ?



The crepe maestrio at work. The most difficult is to keep on eating gyoza with one hand, drinking beer with the second one, while cooking crepe without burning them (with a third hand ??).



Ken leaves the command of J-Hoppers to his young son and try to seduce the french chief with cuty tearful eyes to receive some extra crepes.

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The second Sunday in May is Mother's day in Japan - Yes, it's tomorrow.
I wonder who came up with Mother's day, but I think it's good day to say "Thank you" for our mother as you might know, Japanese are not really good at showing their emotion.

I went to Hankyu department (one of famous department store in Osaka) on the other day to buy a present and the mother's day gift sections were decorated with carnations (It's the symbol for mother's day in Japan) and are very crowded with girls, boys, children with their mother..
I stood in the LONG checkout line and of course I hate it.
But I thought while I was waiting,
"There are so many people come to buy presents for their mother.
That means they LOVE their mother. Filled with love!
Then I felt very happy to being there.


By the way, we are going to have a party tomorrow
We serve French style Crepe and Gyoza(Dumpling)!
Who cook French style Crepe? Pascal, of course!
Gyoza? We Japanese staff!
Who would like to join us? We still have a few vacancies for tomorrow and Anybody welcome!
Will you come with your mother??

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Cherry blossom
just ended their magical show and now it's time for the other flowers to show their beauty.
There are so many flowers are blooming in every temples and shrines in Kyoto .
Also the fresh green of Momiji leaves are so