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

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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Summer is the season of ghosts (yurei in Japanese). Japanese children like yurei stories very much and they tell their "hidden" yurei story to each other in the humid summer nights. Sometimes they go to dark and creepy places such as a graveyard or a old temples and and walk throught the darkness one by one or two by two to compete their bravery.
A typical image of a Japanese ghost is this:

They have no leg, the hands hanging loose in front of the chest, eyes with an up glance and they usually have a piece of triangular white cloth on their forehead. Sometimes some fire balls are flaring around them. When a man (woman) die with having some regrets, the restless spirit becomes a ghost (yurei) and he (she) descend upon people. I have not met yurei yet but some of my friends says they have seen it. Believe it or not, invisible yureis might be murmuring behind you "Urameshi-yaaaaa .....

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It's heavy rain here in Hiroshima today, and there is good reason why. A big typhoon is approaching ! It's allready made big damages in Okinawa and will probably be here tomorrow afternoon (saturday 14th). It's going or will go through Kyushu, Chugoku, Kansai and Kanto areas. Let says nobody will escape from it ! So if you plan to be in one of these areas these days, please keep in touch carefully with weather forecast. Planes, ferrys and maybe trains schedule could be delayed.
To check the position of the typhoon, use this link : http://www.jma.go.jp/jp/typh/ and click on the map to enlarge. It's written in japanese but I guess you will understand ! The red circle surrond the area of 25m/s winds, the yellow one the area of 15m/s winds, the white dot line follow the previewed movement of typhoon for next hours.
At last all the J-hoppers are of course strong buildings and will keep you dry and safe whatever the weather goes ! ;-) And we have a lot of books and games to keep you busy until sunshine comes back ! :-)

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