Backpackers Hostel Blog l J-Hoppers Lounge

May 15, 2008

Yokai street

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

May 9, 2008

Blooming time

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 bright to our eyes.
I went to Honnen-in temple, one of my favorite temple in Kyoto .
When I'm gazing the moss, I almost find the wide universe within small world .
Blooming time! A lot of people might think there is not much to do or see for this moment in Kyoto.
no way no way, I think this is one of the best time of the year to visit Kyoto.
The weather is so mild and easy to chill out.
I wish I could show you how colorful they are and send you the gorgeous scent of those flowers.
Reina

May 2, 2008

Green Momiji

Usually we enjoy viewing momiji leaves in autumn, when their colour turns red and yellow.
However green momiji leaves are also fresh and nice.

By the way, I took this picture in Jinko-in Temple, which is in the north of Kyoto City.
Google map
It is not a very famous temple and is off the major sightseeing course.
Actually, it is pretty cool.

The small temple is well maintained and has many kind of flowers and trees.
These flowers seems to open up one after another every season and delight visitors' eyes.

Jinkoin in each seasons

It is said the temple was founded in the 13th century (Kamakura Period).
Free entrance.

You can get there by City Bus
Please take #9 from Kyoto Station Bus Terminal and get off at Jinko-in Busstop.

March 31, 2008

Sakura by night

The cherry blossom is commonly celebrated by eating and drinking under the trees while enjoying the return of warmness. But even busy people can enjoy them by going at evening to one of the numerous lightups organized at this season. The whiteness of the 'sakura' even get stronger on a dark blue background !

I went recently to enjoy the light up of the Nijo castle and Gion in Kyoto. The second one has ended yet but the first one will last until April 17th, from 18:00 to 21:30. 400 yen per person but free if you come wearing a japanese kimono !

There is a lot of small events organized too and I could enjoy a concert of taiko and one of koto (picture above). Zenzai (sweet soup of beans and mochi), dango (caramelized pasted rice), amazake (sweet sake), ... are here to help you to fight the coldness of night.

Right after the lightup of Gion starts in the same area the one of Kiyomizudera temple. Actually the gate of this temple was already magnificently illuminated during the lightup of Gion. From March 29th to April 10th (18:30-21:30) the whole temple will be enlighted.

If you're looking for others places where to enjoy cherry blossom at night or beautiful enlighted monuments in Kyoto I would recommend you to follow this link : http://www.kyotojoho.co.jp/english/e2008_04/04-hl.html

March 3, 2008

Ume blossoms and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

Ume blossoms in Kitano Tenmangu Shine, north of Kyoto city
video clip

Sakura is definitely the most famous blossom in Japan.

However, Japanese plum trees (ume trees) bear beautiful blossoms, too.

When it comes to plum blossoms in Kyoto, we cannot talk without Kitano Tenmangu Shrine.

http://www.kitanotenmangu.or.jp/eigo/index.html

The shrine was built in the 10^th century to honor Michizane Sugawara. He is believed to be kind of Genius, many students visit there to make a wish for their admission exams.

About ume (Japanese plum) blossoms

It came to Japan in the 8^th century from China.

In Heian period (8the -12^th century), ume was more popular than sakura (Japanese cherry blossoms) for blossom viewing (Hanami)

Ume smells sweeter than sakura and it tells of arrival of spring a little before sakura.

I went to the shrine with my family yesterday.

It has blossoms out around half.

I think you will enjoy them at least until the mid march.

I recommend you take Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in you travel schedule.

It takes about 30 minutes from by bus from Kyoto Station. Nice to visit on the way to Kinkakuji Temple or Ryoanji Temple using the 1-day bus pass.

February 29, 2008

Shrine in the show

Despite the trend of warm winter, we have a lot of snowfall in Kyoto this season.

Yesterday it snowed quite much. I went to Hirano Jinja Shrine with my son.

Hirano Jinja is a very old shrine founded in the 8^th century.

The shrine is famous for the cherry blossoms.

If you travel Kyoto in april, don’t forget to visit the shrine.

December 21, 2007

Santa Claus in tram

Santa Claus in the tram instead of the reindeer sleigh ??

If you are in Hiroshima City now, you may see an glitteringly decorated tramcar in which some real Santa Clauses are waving hands with Christmas music..

It is an lovely event by the tram company.

A retro tramcar made in 1928, presented from Hanover, can work only during this term with the Santas.

The Christmas tram schedule:

Dec 22nd

17:00 Senda Depot --> 17:35 Nishi Hiroshima Sta.

--> 18:10 Senda Depot --> 18:50 Yokogawa Sta.

--> 19:30 Hiroshima Sta. --> 19:50 Senda Depot

Dec 23^rd and 24^th

17:00 Senda Depot --> 17:35 Nishi Hiroshima Sta.
--> 18:10 Yokogawa Sta. --> 18:55 Hiroshima Sta
--> 19:35 Senda Depo

I am not sure the Santa Clauses pay the fare of 150 yen. Of course you can not share the car with the Santa Clauses even you pay 150 yen.

December 18, 2007

Staff's Recommendation

Today, we put new information papers on the shoe box at the lobby. It's " Top 3 places to visit in Kyoto" selected by me, Shogo and Yukako. We have a huge information board in there. But it only says events and festivals within few weeks. Please have a look it and find places that meet your preferences. Those places are not so touristic and essential, but fun and strange.

December 1, 2007

Hiroshima vs. Onomichi

Hiroshima and Onomichi are both port towns but they are very different actually.

Hiroshima is in the west of Hiroshima Prefecture but Onomichi is in the east.

The population of Hiroshima is 1.1 million and that of Onomichi is 150,000.

Hiroshima is the prefectural capital but Onomichi is a small local city.

Hiroshima was bombed but Onomichi was not.

Hiroshima has Okonomiyaki but Onomichi has Ramen.

Hiroshima is flat but Onomichi is hilly.

Hiroshima has a World-heritage but Onomichi has many temples.

Hiroshima has a good access to Miyajima Island but Onomichi is a base to travel Shimanamai Islands.

Hiroshima has J-Hoppers but Onomichi hasn’t.

Onomichi city taken from Senkoji Temple

Hiroshima City from Ryuo Koen Park

I love both towns. If you are visiting Hiroshima, please try Onomichi, too.

For tourists from eastern Japan, Onomichi is on the way to Hiroshima. There is a Shinkansen station, too (Shin-Onomichi Sta). If you are already in Hiroshima, it is also a good idea to make a day trip to Onomichi.

It is very easy for JR pass holders. For who doesn’t have JR pass, bus would be a cheaper way (2,700 yen for a return ticket) If you take a JR local train without JR pass, the cost is 1450 yen for one way (around 80 minutes)

November 30, 2007

Sayonara Hiroshima

My last post from J-Hoppers Hiroshima !
Yes, I'm going back home to Kyoto. Quite strange to say that for a foreigner actually but ... If you're looking for the french guy of J-Hoppers you will now have to book at J-Hoppers Osaka. I will join Yamaguchi San and Manabe San to prepare you a new wonderfull place to stay and discover the marvels of Kinki area (^_^)
What about my year in Chugoku area ? I've seen of course a lot of places and tried various foods or matsuri, among them here comes my ranking (highly subjective and controversial :-) ).
1) Miyajima Island. Number one of course ! I went there almost once per month !!! What did attract me there ? The famous Tori in the sea, one of the three most beautiful places of Japan. Don't think only about going to see it at low tide, it's also fun to reach it by foot at low tide. And do you what you'll find at its foot ? eh eh secret ... The Itsukushima shrine in front of the Tori. This one must be seen at high tide when it appears floating on the sea. Lot of matsuri here, check for that. Especially the waterscreen spectacle and the huge firework in august. Then the Daishouin, a really wonderfull temple atop the old village. Another secret ? Look for the little stairways that lead under the main hall of the temple ... and try to reach the end before being scared ! If you're a 'buddah in love' you won't have any difficulties. In the old village there is also a traditional artcraft museum which is quite interesting for such a little place. And the Miyajima aquarium has a wide range of funny fishes, and pinguin you can even play with or turtles you can feed. Except the village you can climb up the mountain either by foot, there is several course well indicated, count around 2h to get up and 1h and half to get down, either by ropeway, very impressive ! At the top you may see monkeys even if I've always missed them ... And finally on the opposite side of the island there are wonderfull beaches but you will need to rent a bike and merit them with few kilometers on a steeply road.
2 ) The Peace Museum and the Peace Park monuments. Of course too, unmissable. Emotionally very strong but you HAVE TO go there to spread the Peace culture all over the world.
3) Mitakidera temple. My favourite temple in the Hiroshima area.
4) Okonomiyaki. The delicious "japanese pizza" ! Egg, bacon, lot of vegetables, noodles (soba power ! forget udon ! :-) ), various topping, ... I will never be able to defend the Osaka okonomiyaki, the Hiroshima one is just so good !
5) Peace Festival. So sad but so important. Please go to hear the testimonies of A-Bomb survivors and transmmit what you've heard. The lanterns on the river at night, the Peace Declaration in the morning, ...
6) The Fuchu City Camping Ground in the Mikumari Gorge Forest. It's just so near from the main station, you have no reason to miss it if you're looking for some hiking in nature around Hiroshima. For example climb the Takao mountain and enjoy the wonderfull view on Hiroshima and the islands.
7) The Food Festival. So many good things to eat in this wonderfull festival in the Chuo Park. It introduces the local food and of course you can try a lot for free ! Go there with empty stomach is a better option ... ;-)
8) Shukkeien garden. The most beautifull garden of Hiroshima.Very unexpensive.
9) Hiroshima Insectarium. Quite uneasy access (look for a bus from the bus center) but the insectarium is quite wide and the butterfly room so romantic ... More over it's inside a huge park with several activities organized in summer.
10) Asa zoological park. Well organized, lots of animals and smart installation that let you get really near from almost all of the animal.
11) The chococro of St Marc Cafe. Well what ? Not Japanese culture, not specific to Hiroshima, ... ? Yes ! But anyway that's here in Hiroshima that I've discovered the top of the top of the croissant banana ! :-) I assume entirely what I'm writing :-)))
12) Sandankyo. A very entertaining hiking course in the mountain at west of Hiroshima. Not so easy to access but rewardable. The main spot of the area is said to be the three waterfalls. Personnally I had much more pleasure in walking the course than looking at these waterfalls.
13) Prefectural Art Museum. Allways a lot of interesting exhibitions...
14) Ujina Island. The easiest place to go to the beach in Hiroshima in summer. Perfect for a picnic too in case you don't feel like swimming in the Seto island sea.
15) Look at cherry blossom (Hanami) in the Peace Park at night. It's full of people eating on the ground under the pure white flowers ...
16) Garasu no Sato, the glass village. A glass factory that opens its door to everyone. You can even blow your own glass cup !!!
17) Fude no Sato, the village of the calligraphy brush. Here this is a brush that you can create yourself under the command of a real master. After you can see what you will be able to do of it ... after some years of training !
18) Gokoku shrine. The main shrine of Hiroshima, near the castle. Several matsuri here of course. I particularly enjoyed the one in January when they burn the past year omamori ...
19) Hiroshima castle. Surely not the most beautifull in Japan, but you still can enjoy viewing Hiroshima from the top of the castle, wear a real samurai armor, or learn some secrets about the construction of such a building.
20) Hondori. If you want to make some shopping you will find it here for sure.
21) Peace Museum Library. At the opposite end of the building. It's free of course and a good place to have a rest, read the english newspaper or even go on internet.
22) Veloce cafe. Chococro has a concurrent : chocoroyaru ! The cheapest coffee in Hiroshima and a wonderfull big chocolate bread full of butter !!!
23) Molly Malones irish pub. Well it's true I'm definitely not a 'party boy' but I went to this pub twice and I had good time there so ...
24) Shimanamikaidou. A road crossing the inland sea by jumping from islands to islands with 7 huge bridges. Do it by bike is a big challenge (80km) but you're so happy when you did it.
25) Hiroshima Children Science Museum. Dedicated to children of course, but you may still have some part of childhood inside you. And there is a small planetarium on the last floor.
26) Yuhua garden. Another garden in Hiroshima. A chinese style garden that suffers from poor maintenance. Go there to appreciate the differences of style.

November 22, 2007

Iwakuni besides bridge

Iwakuni is a small pretty castle town in east Yamaguchi Pref. Kintaikyo Bridge, one of the most famous wooden bridges in Japan is the highlight for the city sightseeing, but there are some more sights to see there.

1 The old town

The Old town are very well maintained and you can feel the atmosphere of Edo period. Some samurai houses are preserved and you can see inside the houses. The museum of the Iwakuni Lord are also in the old town and you can see some antique documents, art objects and weapons.

2 Iwakuni Castle

The castle on the top of the mountain can be seen from the old town. You can access the castle by cable car. Actually the castle is not the original one but rebuilt in Showa period.

3 Sakura tunnel (Cherry blossoms)

Iwakuni is known as a great sight of Cherry blossoms. Especially, the cherry trees on the road along the river make a beautiful sakura tunnel of 500 meters. If you visit Iwakuni in April, don’t miss it !

4 Momijidani Park

A former temple became the park with a lot of Momiji trees. The leaves turn beautiful red and yellow in Autumn. This is the photo of the entrance of the park I took 2 days ago.

5 Very rare White Snakes

There is a small museum in the old town and you can see them. The snakes is designated as a Natural Monument.

From Hiroshima city to there, please take JR to Iwakuni Station (45 min, 740 yen) and take a bus (20 min, 240 yen).

November 17, 2007

Miyajima Autumn

As of Nov 16, Autumn leaves in Miyajima Island are something like the photos. Momiji trees around the entrance of the park have turned red or yellow but it is not for the whole park. Maybe we have to wait one more week for the peak.

Other popular places for autumn leaves near J-Hoppers Hiroshima hostel are Mitaki-dera Temple and Fudoin Temple

November 8, 2007

Sandankyo Gorge

I went to Sandankyo with my family and Pascal’s family. Miyoko introduced the tremendous gorge previously. Please see the blog.

As Miyoko mentioned, it is quite tough to walk everywhere. It would take more than 5 hours. There are some dangerous places of the trail which are narrow and slippy. If you get shaky or stumble on the stone in this kind of places, you might tumble into the river 10 meters below. So please be careful.

There are some bus stops in places. It is a good idea you walk up to the end and take a bus back to the starting point (700 yen for one way) if you don’t have enough time or you feel tired.

I myself walked up with my 1-year-old baby on my back for about 4 hours but gave up halfway. However, I enjoyed the trail and the splendid view very much. There are some photos of places that impressed me.

Nidantaki (Twe-step Waterfall) or Sandantaki (Three-step Waterfall) are the 2 most famous waterfalls but this small anonymous waterfall attracted me. The clear mountain water trickles down in the native bush. It looks mystic and I even felt kind of eroticism of nature.

If you visit there, I am sure you will find your only favourite.

November 2, 2007

Dome at night

After work last midnight, I walked into the Hiroshima Peace park and took the photo. A-bomb dome is a 10 minute walk from the hostel. The dome shows us another aspect to us at night. It is modestly illuminated and blends in with the surrounding landscape. Some couples are sitting on the benches just in front of the ruin and murmuring something to each other, certainly not about abolition of nuclear weapons.　In front of this quietness, it is difficult for me to imagine thousands of people jumped into the river at the end of the hellish heat and despair. The night dome was not scary, not awesome or not touristic. There was loneliness there.

October 24, 2007

Dad in Jidai-matsuri

Jidai-matsuri is one of the 3 biggest festivals of Kyoto. Briefly speaking, it is a big parade of historical costumes. Around 15 groups from each period for the last 1500 years take part in the parade. The festival is held on October 22 every year.

This year, my father (right in the photo) participated in the parade as a subordinate samurai serving General Kusunoki Masashige, who is one of the most popular samurais in Japanese medieval times. I was surprised to know that the person who performs him (Kusunoki Masashige) pays all the cost for his group of about 30 people. It is 2,000,000 yen ! He has to spend such a big money at the end of the hard work. A boss should need a lot of money no matter when it is …

Therefore, on the day, my father really enjoyed the parade of course for free. I hope he doesn’t start saying something he wants to be a bosshead of the parade next year …

October 23, 2007

Mitaki-dera Temple

I went to Mitaki-dera Temple a few days ago.

By far it is the best temple I have seen in Hiroshima. It is around 2 km west from JR Yokogawa Station (20 minute walk). The temple were founded in the 15th century and one of the main pagodas are designated as a prefectural important cultural assets.

The premises are in a mountainside and the whole area is mantled in a luxuriant green. It would be a nice hiking as well as watching a lot of small pretty Buddha statues.

There are 3 little waterfalls flowing in the precincts from the different water sources. One of the waters seems very good as drinking water. Many local people come to the temple to get the water for tea or coffee. The water is also dedicated to the A-bombed victims who died in the extremity of the desperate thirst at the peace memorial ceremony on August 6 every year.

The temples are also famous for Autumn leaves. November is one of the best times to visit there. I am, of course, going there again to see beautiful coloured momiji trees.

There are some ways to get there from the hostel:

1 Take tram No.8 and get off at Yokogawa Station (the last stop) >> Then walk about 20 min toward Northwest

2 Bus from Kamiya-cho and get off a Mitaki-kannon (the last stop)

3 JR from Hishoshima station and gett of Mitaki, then walk about 500m.

Please feel free for the access at J-Hoppers reception

For more information of the tepmle, please refer to these websites:

Mitaki area in Hiroshima Prefecture Guidebook.

Mitaki temple in GET HIROSHIMA

October 16, 2007

Hanbee garden

The boss introduced you the most famous garden of Hiroshima, the Shukkeien garden in this message. There is another supposed to be beautifull garden here : the Hanbe garden (Japanese name : 半べえ庭園). It's located near the Mazda museum (map google) and you can easily go there by bus (Hiroden-bus, line 4, from the bus center, get off at yuuenchi station, it's 2 min walk).

This garden is part of a complex including a onsen, a ceremony hall, a tea room and a restaurant. The garden was built in 1937 with 100.000 azaleas of 300 different species from all over Japan ! It was expected to bring more customers to the already existing onsen but the second world war started soon after and delay .

Now the garden contains 50.000 azaleas, 1.000 maple trees and 50 cherry trees all gathered on the side of the mount shuukazan (聚華山). Two little pounds stand at the bottom, with two springs and one water wheel facing the ceremony hall. A very beautifull stone forest decorates one of the pound, and of course both of them welcome a lot of carps as inhabitants.

The bottom part of the garden is quite a beautifull place to see, and the top one should be a spot to see momiji or hanami, however I wouldn't recommend you to go there. I've been extremely disappointed to discover that the whole top part is completely abandonned. It looked like the end of the winter, when vegetation is at his worst and gardening stopped since monthes. At this time I would accept it but now we are just at the end of the summer, I can't find excuse for weeds in a dirty pathway in such a place. The gardening tools stand in a old and dirty hut, all covered by rust. And electric cables for the lighting up aren't properly maked up. That's real pity. With the shukkeien garden as concurrent, you must be very passionated in japanese gardens to want to visit this one.
I haven't enjoyed the other places of the complex (far away from my purse), but they looked impressive anyway...

October 13, 2007

Arashiyama

I recommend Arashiyama area (even so though it is certainly crowded…).
Arashiyama is one of my cycling courses.

One of the principal sights of Arashiyama is the famous old wooden bridge, Togetsukyo, that span the Katsura River.The name means “Moon-Crossing Bridge” an allusion to the moon crossing the night sky. This bridge and, with the mountains in the background, is represented in many a scroll and screen painting.

There are a lot of sightseeing spots there. For example Daikaku-ji, Tenryu-ji and path of Bamboo …(and Monkey park). But I think the best spot is bench around the rivers.
You can take relax. You will feel wonderful breeze of autumn and the sound of the river flows (and some tourist's noise ?)

From J-Hoppers : 20min by JR or 1 hour by bike.

October 4, 2007

Motoujina Park

Today I went to Motoujina Park with my family. This is the place which one of our colleague Pascal recommended for an easy hiking. The park is right next to Hiroshima Port, which is one of the biggest ports in western Japan. You can visit there by the city tram easily for around 45 minutes.

There are beautiful beaches and an old-growth forest there. It was quite a fresh surprise to know that this kind of great nature is still preserved in such a industrial area. Actually it is designated as a part of Setouchi National Park. The park is in a small island and it is about 3 km around. It would be nice to walk with the beaches or you can go up into the well-wooded evergreen broadleaf forest as a short hiking.
You can go to the park from J-Hoppers hostel by tram for about 1 hour. You can also enjoy the park with our rental bike. If you are interested, please feel free to ask at the reception.

I think I will go there again and introduce some more about this park later.
Thank you!

For the Park Map,
please see this link (Written in Japanese )

September 25, 2007

The House of Art

You are sick of visiting Temples and Shrines, aren't you ?
Needless to say about Golden Pavillion, Silver Pavillion, Imperial Palace, Nijo Castle, there are really great houses and gardens in Kyoto. BUT, don't you think they are so touristic ? There are a tons of peoples and you cannot spend your time freely, you have to pay attention passerby all the time. Besides, they are very old and you cannot feel sympathy with the person who build it....

If you feel like that, I recommend you to go to Kawai Kanjiro Museum. He was a potter and also sculptor and poet who lived the late 20th to the mid 21st centuries. He displayed his ability to the full. Unfortunately, he hasn't gotten any prizes in his life. Actually he was chosen as a living national treasure but he rejected and triefd to live one potter through his life.
Please visit the place if you have an interest in sculpture or ceramics. You will experience something different feeling with visting temples and shrines.

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