Staff Blog of Backackers Hostel in Japan : Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and HidaTakayama

My spain trip was amazing!!

2012-02-24T20:01:00.006+09:00

Hi there!This is Chika from J-Hoppers Hiroshima guesthouse.

I came back to Japan from my holiday trip to Spain!My trip to Spain was great!!!
I had wanted to visit there for a long time since I was a student.That's whyI had been excited since I was in Japan!!!

I spent whole my time in the city of Barcelona which is the most popular city of Spain.

Before I went to Barcelona,I was soooo worried which the city is safe or not.
As soon as I got there,my fears were instantly　dispelled.
(of cause,I kept protect my bag from a pickpocket!!)

There were so many Japanese tourist than I thought.
I could met a Japanese girl from Kyoto.She was so nice !Besides,she was traveling alone.So we had a dinner together at Bar.

There are lots of art museums in Barcelona.Having the opportunity to see some of the artwork done by Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso was definitely a wonderful experience for me.
Dali museums is located in Figeras which is a small town takes 2 hours by train from Barcelona.
There are lots and lots wonderful his art works.So I couldn't stop take a photo there.
It is a bit far from Barcelona.But I can highly recommend the museum.Soooo cool!!!

I also could see many Gaudi's architecture.When I sow　the Sagrada Familia,I have tearful eyes for it.That was amazing!!!

My trip was so good and had a really time there.
But I feel bad about my Spanish....I shoud've studied spanish more before I went there.

Untill the next time,I am going to learn Spanish.and then,I will definitely be back there once again!!

Even if you think that traveling to Spain is not for you, just give it try because I never thought that I would fall so in love with there!!!Good country:-)

There are lots of street graffiti art in Barcelona!!

Mr. Yano Tour

2012-02-23T18:21:00.004+09:00

We have Mr. Yano free tour every Wednesday morning!
Those who went to this tour said that his tour is pretty amazing and quite fun.
Mr. Yano can show you around how cool Osaka can be.
Basically, he takes you to the longest shopping street in Japan and Maid cafe.
check out our facebook! you can seee the pics of the tour.

Meet at the reception at 9:30 Wednesday morning!

Mr. Yano will show you around Osaka!!

We sell Kimono for 1500yen, postcards for 100yen each!

2012-02-22T17:39:00.003+09:00

J-hoppers Osaka sell amenities like toothbrushes, shavers.
You can get kimono as well. The price is very cheap : 1500yen for kimono, 1000yen for obi.

Quality is really nice. Beautiful and colorful embroidered kimono and yukata are available now.
They are very popular among ladies, especially.

If you buy them at Kimono shop, the price would be over 10,000yen!

This picture's kimono is called yukata. We wear yukata in summer season or after taking a bath.
Yukata is lighter than kimono, so it is very easy to put on.

This site shows what is kimono and how to wear them :)

http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/fashion/kimono.html

In addition, we sell postcards and stamps.
One of our staff make them by himself.
100yen each.
Bamboo postcard is the most popular. It is really nice postcard.

By the way, this is today's photo.
This alcohol comes from Mongolia! 　Genghis Khan’s face is on the center... ha ha!

Have you ever tasted????

New Zealand　trip

2012-02-20T20:01:00.014+09:00

I went to New Zealand this month.

I lived in NZ for 1 year 6years ago.So I was excited to come back to New Zealand.

Main reason for this trip was to surf and climb up Mt.Taranaki.

Yusuke came along this trip .

I went to see Mt.Taranaki(2518-metre-high ).It was cloudy during my stay so I couldn't take good photos of Mt.Taranaki

We were so stoked to catch a lot of good waves

Hida Folk Village winter ilumination.

2012-02-13T20:29:00.003+09:00

Hello, this is PAPI from J-Hoppers Hida Takayama.

I went to Hida Folk Village at night time.

Now the houses are lighted up in the night. Its looks beautiful.

[ Place]

Hida Falk Village (Hida no Sato)

10min by bus or 30-40min by walk from J-Hoppers Hida Takayama Guest House.

[Fee]

300 yen

[Time]

14th January to 29th February 2012

From 17:30 till 21:00

[access by bus]
From JR Takayama station
17:55,
18:55,
19:55

Come back from Hida Folk Village
18:50,
19:50,
20:50

Hokkaido Snow festival

2012-02-11T17:27:00.004+09:00

We went to see snowfestival in Hokkaido last week.
it was pretty impressive! Sapporo was much bigger than I expected, but not as cold as I expected, which is good.
First night, we got to Hokkaido around 8pm, so just waled around the city and got a couple of beers at international bar. then went to bed early because we were going to watch Super bowl the next morning at 8:30am.

too bad that patriots lost the game. they had been winning until the last 3 minutes.

well, afterwards, we went to beer breweries. then headed to Niseko at night.

Niseko is absolutely the best place to ski/snowboard. it was snowing a lot and foggy though. bummar! because you touched yourself at night lol (just an expression)

the last night in hokkaido, we came back in Sapporo to see Snow festival. beeeeautiful.

we loved it so much.

Hiroshima specialities!

2012-02-10T17:54:00.005+09:00

Hello there, this is Masa from J-Hoppers Hiroshima.

Japan is hit by a cold wave this winter. It snows a lot in Hiroshima as well. I heard the cold wave will stay for another few weeks...!

Oh well, the good thing in winter time is it is the oyster season! We have the biggest oyster farm in Japan and many oyster festivals are held in various locations in Hiroshima between January and February. Miyajima Oyster Festival is coming this weekend. Hiroshima's biggest and oldest oyster festival attracts huge crowds looking for raw and cooked oyster dishes at very cheap prices. ( You can try Oyster Miso Soup, Oyster Ramen and Oyster Okonomiyaki etc.)

You can have the fresh oysters in winter, but you are able to have oysters all year around on Miyajima island. And my favorite oyster restaurant is "KAKI-YA" on Omotesando street. I think they serve the best oysters on the island! Their special "Kaki-ya teishoku" (lunch set) is the best option if you want to try all the oyster menu from this restaurant. (This special lunch set is not even on their menu list!!!)

You would get grilled oysters, deep fried oysters, marinated oysters and oyster miso soup on this lunch set. The price is 2oooyen but even a deep fried oyster lunch set costs 1500yen, so I think it is pretty reasonable. If it is not so pricey for you, you should definitely try it!

We also have a very famous specialty in Hiroshima, of course it is OKONOMIYAKI!
There are some good Okonomiyaki restaurants around J-Hoppers Hiroshima.
I hope you enjoy the yummy local food on your visit!

International Party in J-hoppers Osaka

2012-01-31T20:32:00.001+09:00

We host an international party every Friday night.
Recently Aya, a leader of the party, has changed light meal for you to enjoy Japanese culture and food .

We had Osechi( new year dish ) party in the beginng of this year, Gyoza party in Chiese new year, and we are going to have Setsubun party on the day before the beginning of spring.
I took this picture in the last week 's party.

We were very happy that many people joined and had a great time here!
All of them were expecting to get to know each other.
No need to hesitate to introduce your self.
These spontaneous smiles prove everththing.

By the way, this is a video in the party :)
http://www.facebook.com/jhoppersosaka#!/jhoppersosaka
Admission fee is free if you are staying here.
1drink is 300yen, but light meals are free!
Party stars from 19:00.

If you visit Osaka, please do not miss this party!
This is the best chance to meet many travelers/friends :)
Branch hostels in Hiroshima, Kyoto, Takayama have this kind of events as well.
We hope we can help your trip to be wonderful!!!

Wachi

2012-01-31T19:00:00.000+09:00

Let me introduce you to a IZAKAYA that is like a select hideaway

Wachi (燻製と地ビール和知)

According to results compiled by Japan Beer Times,

Highlights:
* Delicious, smoked food
* Great selection of bottled imports (beer)
* Completely affordable prices (Smoking: yes)

Wachi is one of the finest craft beer establishments in Japan. While a great selection of craft beer, including rare imports, together with affordable prices can be matched by anyone, Wachi brings unusual varieties of......

Wachi is very popular in Japanese beer fan.
No wonder they have no seat (満席) even in a week day...

They don't have enough English menu... but they will show you the label of bottles, if necessary...

Access from J-Hoppers Kyoto : City subway to 'Shijo station' ⇒walk about 5min beside the DAIMARU department store

J-CUP

2012-01-30T18:30:00.008+09:00

Hello from freezing Kyoto !

What have you thought about this title?

We had a sports day with J-Hoppers Kyoto, Osaka ,Kyoto Hana Hostel staff
and some friends yesterday.

We did Futsal at Futsal square in Kyoto.
It was my first time to play futsal though, I had so much fun.
I guess most of them have got muscle ache in a day or more !!
I'm having a moderate aches today...

You'll see what we have done on pictures↓↓

First, warm-up!

Then , Mr. J made up 2 teams.

Now, here we started~♪

It was our first time to play sports together!
This was so virginal time as you could see smiles of all.
Hopefully, we often could keep doing this kind of events with
some other guests once a month.

BIG SMILE :)

Shimane one day trip!!

2012-01-30T15:51:00.006+09:00

Hi there!this is Chika from J-Hoppers Hiroshima !!

The other day,I took a one day off and went bak home to meet my parents.
When I got bach home,my mum said"I made a reservation for one day trip to tour to Shimane!"

So I went to Shimane with my family.We left home around 6:30(so early!) and hop on the bus ,then going to Shimane.

Around 12:00,we arrived "Hawai Onsen place"I don't know why its called Hawai, but there were so many onsen placed and hostls.
But there were nt so many people there.It must be a resort place but it was so quiet.
(Maybe it was winter....)

At a japanese styke Ryokan, we had a really nice luch,I had crab hot pot,crab sashimi,crab tempura,and crab resotto....So many crab deshes!!Everything were so yummy!

After kunch,we went Chinese Garden whis is calles Encho-en.
We watched chinese acrobatic show.
It was fun and nice!!

If you have a chance to visit Shimane,why don't you go there??

Shirakawago light-up

2012-01-29T16:06:00.023+09:00

Hi,I am Matsu from J-Hoppers Hida Takayama.

I went to Shirakawa-go light-up.

Light-up schedule is below

* 4th Feb (Sat)
* 5th Feb. (Sun)
* 11th Feb. (Sat)
* 12th Feb. (Sun)
* 18th Feb. (Sat)

Nohi bus company organizes a tour for the light-up.

Time schedule for the tour

Takayama ・・・・・・・・・・Shirakawago・・・・・・・・・・・・Takayama
　　　16:15 ..................17:05~19:15 ......................20:05

Nohi Bus company

http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/new/fuyu_tour2011-shirakawago.html

TEL０５７７－３２－１６８８　　（９：００～１８：００）

Have you seen "Unkai"??

2012-01-23T17:34:00.009+09:00

I went snowboarding to Arkopia ski area last weekend.

I was so exited!!

I've heard new snowboard park has just opened!!

It was so fun, they had waves, ramps....and some jumps!!

When I got on the ski lift to the top, I saw the sun in a fog.

.......???????

"Unkai" ( Sea of clouds!!)

I couldn't believe it, because the bottom was so foggy.

Of course I've never seen heaven, but it was like a HEAVEN!!!!!

I was so lucky to see it :)

I love winter and snowboarding:)

Trip to Beppu and Hakata

2012-01-22T18:12:00.011+09:00

What the best thing in winter time in Japan is to soak and get relaxed in an Onsen (hot spring.) Beppu in Oita is one of Japan's Three Great Hot Springs. I went there for a new year's trip a couple weeks ago. It is a small town and you see steam of hot spring everywhere.

It is also famous for it's visually stunning hot springs (The Hells of Beppu).
The hells are too hot to be diluted into Onsen, and they emerge at temperatures ranging from 50 to 99.5 °C (122 to 210 °F). Look at those colors! Some of the hells have a natural smell of sulfur.

Here is how to make "Hot Spring boiled eggs."

There are some crocodiles too! Surprise!

I visited Hakata sity in Fukuoka on the second day.

Kushida shrine lies at the heart of old Hakata, the centre of the old city and is from here that the competitors in Fukuoka's most famous festival, the Yamagasa depart on their long early morning run. It was a nice small shrine to visit.

Fukuoka Asian Art Museum was very interesting.

And enjoyed the good city view from Fukuoka tour.

Then had some yummy Hakata Ramen of course!!

It was great fun visiting those diferent cities!
I would love to come back again!

the ideal housewives

2012-01-22T18:08:00.004+09:00

Greetings from behind the computer at quiet J-Hoppers Kyoto’s lobby.

It has been a while turned New Year, 2012.
We have put up decorative pine trees at the gate (called ‘Kadomatsu’). It is almost seasoned and that means St. Valentine’s Day is coming soon.

We have received new night staff here in J-Hoppers Kyoto since end of December.
She is the lady of ‘ the ideal housewives’.
Firstly she is young and pretty. Second, she is good at cleaning (Her bed is always neat and tidy.) And most importantly, she is a super talented chef!

She cooked;
・ soba noodles with fried vegetables for New Year’s eve
・ fresh spring roll (Goi cuon in Vietnamese)
・ Japanese style pilaf (rice seasoned and cooked with various ingredients)
・ Miso soup
・ Spaghettis
・ Sandwiches (better than Subway’s ones) and so on…

Before the cherry blossom season comes, we will put on our weight. I’m sure.

Talking about the food, I tried Kyoto style soup with rice cakes (Ozouni) for the first time for this New Year’s days. The soup is cooked with white miso while other regions’ soup made with red (dark) miso. It is sweeter and milder.

When you visit to Kyoto, please try white miso Ozouni and dishes cooked by our new night staff!

Winter Wind Protection

2012-01-21T17:56:00.004+09:00

Hello, this is Papi from J-hoppers Hida Takayama Guest House.

It's snowing every day and cold day every day..

We have wide door at main entrance.
When its opened in winter, cold wind come into the lobby.

So, we made this!

This curtain can protect from cold wind!

Now I am going to make some decoration for this.

A start to the season. Football and Skiing.

2012-01-21T11:14:00.008+09:00

So first of all we had a general meeting to discuss the coming season. Most position in club changed hands. And you are reading about the new team captain. My new role we be the same as when I was in England. Keeping everyone motivated whilst on the pitch and leading by example. However I do not think I will be able to be a strict as if I were playing in the UK. I might come as a bit of a shock if I spoke to people that way.

芸北国際

I have also been skiing a few times this season. I have also brought 10 season passes for this ski field 芸北国際 Geihoku Kokusai. I found them on line at Winterplus.jp

I look forward to going every week. Please give me a call if you want to come ;-)

vacation

2012-01-08T18:02:00.005+09:00

あけましておめでとうございます！
Happy New Year!　I wish you all the best.

First. I'd like to say thank you to Ranna and Keiko.
Thanks to them, I got 7 days vacation and off to Thailand.
it was my 4th time there but I pretty much enjoyed it as previous times!

We went to floating market, beaches, fancy hotel, tiger temple and tourist places.
food was amazing as burritos. I had 31 meals for 6 days. mostly, fried rice and larp with steam rice! so good.

countdown was so crazy. all people wasted their beers haha.

I had an awesome time! wanna go back there one day soon again!

2012 !!!

2012-01-01T17:45:00.004+09:00

Happy New Year!!!

We would love to thank everyone who made our 2011 so great! We hope your new year will be filled with lots of joy and happiness. We are looking forward to seeing you here at J-Hoppers Hiroshima! :)

J-Hoppers Hiroshima Team

Party Organizer, Kawa-chan and Night Staff,
Tsuru-san are also waiting for your visit too :)

Thank you a lot!!

2011-12-31T09:46:00.002+09:00

It was my last day of J-Hoppers Osaka yesterday.

It has been 4 years already since I started working as an opening staff,but I can't believe it past so quickly.
It's just because I've had so much fun there,to meet tuns of nice people, to try a lot of new things..

I can't finish writing this blog if I start telling about all guests who I met,everyone has stories and they are all my precious experience.

I left from J-Hoppers Osaka, but I and my husband will open our guesthouse in Matsuyama, Shikoku in early spring 2012, so please come and visit us!!(Please ask Osaka's staff for the details;)

I apology that I can't say "thank you" in person to everyone, but I do hope to see you all in the near future.

Hope everything is ok with everyone, and have a happy New Year!!

must have this in Winter ..

2011-12-30T20:17:00.004+09:00

Hello, this is PAPI from J-Hoppers Takayama.

Its snowing this few days.
We need to shovel out every day...

After that our boot get wet.
If your shoes get wet, this will help you!

It's called "shoes dryer" !!

Also, we have boots for lent.
You can enjoy snow!

Welcome Back Everyone!

2011-12-30T16:44:00.009+09:00

Only 2 more nights till 2012!

I cannot believe how fast 2011 passed by. I hope everyone had a great year :)

Since the winter holidays began, we have been having familiar faces at J-Hoppers Hiroshima these weeks! I am so happy to see them all again and having so much fun!

Paul from Australia↓↓

His first stay at J-Hoppers Hiroshima was 4 years ago, then he came back in winter in 2009. He was supposed to be back last spring, so it was so good to see him after 2 years! He loves Karaoke as always.

Reece from Australia↓↓

He stayed with us a couple moths ago, then he went to Osaka and Kyoto for about a month. Then he came back to spend this Christmas and New Years with us in Hiroshima! He is a crazy and easy (lazy) guy. :P I know you love us!

Tarro from England (middle) and Miyoko (right)↓↓

Tarro stayed this hostel during the same period as Paul 4 years ago. At that time, there were some guests stayed at hostel most of their time in Hiroshima, so Paul and Tarro made up a "Team Lazy" with some other guests. So it was a small reunion. :)

Miyoko used to work here at J-Hoppers Hiroshima when they were staying. She lives in Australia now, but she is back to visit her family during the holidays. She is so much fun and enjoyed having her as always!

Ethan from the USA↓↓

He stayed with us for a long time this past summer. He has lived in Japan for 5 years and he speaks fluent Hiroshima Ben (Hiroshima dialect!) He lives in Tokyo now but he works an Okonomiyaki restaurant in Hiroshima just for the holiday seasons.

We had so much fun together last weeks!!!

I will be looking forward to seeing you guys soon again!
Thank you for coming back!

2011

2011-12-25T20:45:00.005+09:00

It's typical that people saying time goes by so fast around this time.
but yeah, it does. can't believe it's already almost 2012.
looking back the past, 2011 was one of the best years for me.

I had so much fun and I saved lots of money somehow.
I still have to continue to do so though. I hope 2012 is gonna be more awesome than this year.
still my spanish is not good yet, so I will have to work on it.

there is still one more big event: Thailand!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New year everyone!

That fun time of the year is here again!!

2011-12-25T20:02:00.006+09:00

Hi there!This is Chika from J-Hoppers Hiroshima guesthouse.
It's getting so cold.It is snowing even now when I am writing　 this blog. SAMUI!!!

I can not tostand a cold place,But I LOVE snowboard!!
I started it this January which means I am definitely　beginner.
however,I bought my own board this year!!yes!!!

I went to Geioku Kokusai Ski-resort last Friday and Saturday.
I just worried the snow level before I went there.Coz it was not so cold and snow last coupe of days.
However,as soon as I got off a bus and saw a mountain,it flee my brain!

I stayed at a lovely pension which is near the ski resort.so we had a plenty of time this time
So we spent all day snowboarding together and had a really good time.

We don't have a car.so I always book a ski bus.It cost around 400yen for return ticket.
Of cause you can hire a snowboard,ski and wear as well.
(If you hire some itmes when you book the seat,you will get a discount!)

All ski resort in Hiroshima has just opened this month,I'm just wondering how many time I do snowboard this season.

If you are interested in it,please come and ask us!

(I'm going to Oosa Ski resort coming friday with Kana from Hiroshima HANA hostel.
Can't wait!!!)

Christmas in Armenia

2011-12-24T17:05:00.008+09:00

Christmas day is said for the day of celebrating Christ’s birthday.
It is on Dec 25th in most of Christian countries, except using the Julian calendar. Armenia is one of those.
They celebrate their Christmas day on around Jan 6th or 7th.

I was in Armenia just during their Christmas holiday season without this information (I’ve never heard about Armenia before I went to Central Asian countries…) last year 2011.
I couldn’t have Christmas celebration in Iran.

Soon after turning to 2011, I cross the border between those two countries.
When I arrived at the immigration office of Armenian border, a young woman wearing amazingly shorten skirt welcomed me to her country.
She also wore Santa Claus hat.

I asked her why she wears ‘too Santa’ hat even after Dec 25th.
She looked shocked and almost yelled me ‘This is a Christmas season now!’.
I still couldn’t get the reason of her wearing Santa hat,
then arrived at Yerevan –the capital city of Armenia.

There was huge Christmas tree in front of the station. I thought Armenian people are too lazy to put it back to a storehouse.

‘ What a country… It never happens in Japan. We decorate our city with New Year’s ornaments on the morning of Dec 26th.’

Next day, I took a stroll. City hall, central post office, national museum(it was closed at that time) and so on… huge Christmas trees and Santa Clauses were everywhere!

?????

This question was solved when I got to Georgia, the next country of Armenia.
I was going to meet a man who is doing some research about central Asian countries there and he explained me about the Julian calendar.

Armenia is the oldest country that set the Christianity for their national religion on 301 BC. However the history of this country contains full of tragedy and much of those have not been reported in Japan.

Among backpackers, Armenia is famous for plenty of beautiful ladies, great wines and amazing scenery of Mt, Ararat.
If you miss the chance to have happy Christmas day in your place, you have a spare one in Armenia on January!