Weather News - Typhoon as of 2013/10/25

 There will be heavy rain and wind in Japan tomorrow so please be aware of the possibility of landslides and floods. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, Typhoon No.27 is moving slowly and will affecting the weather today (10/25) and tomorrow (10/26).

For more information please check the following site.
http://www.jma.go.jp/jp/typh/

Weather warnings/Advisories
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/warn/index.html

For information about weather in Osaka
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/week/331.html

Viewing autumn leaves in Kyoto

A lovely season is coming soon in Japan. The weather will be nice and cool, and trees will be beautifully colorful in reds, yellows and oranges.

Kyoto is the most famous place for viewing autumn leaves. Some places might be very crowded but they are worth a visit. You can take great photos.

http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/visitkyoto/en/theme/sites/shrines/temples/

http://kyoto-design.jp/special/kouyouspot

Thare are hudreds of the places you can visit and the followings are just for example.


Nanzenji and Eikando
http://nanzenji.com/
http://www.eikando.or.jp/English/index_eng.htm

Access: 3-minute walk from City Bus Stop Nanzenji-Eikando-michi or 10 minutes walk from Keaga station, Kyoto subway.


Sanzenin
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/kyoto/ohara.html

Access: 10 minutes walk from Ohara, Kyoto city bus.


Kiyomizudera
http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/lang/01.html
http://www.kyoto.travel/2009/11/kiyomizu-dera-temple.html
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/shritemp/kiyomizudera.html

Access: 25 minutes walk from Kiyomizu Gojo Station, Keihan Line. ( You may think it's a long way but there are many nice shops on the way to Kiyomizu-dera so it is very enjoyable to walk.)

Tofukuji
http://www.tofukuji.jp/index2.html

Access: 20 minutes walk from JR Kyoto station or 10 minutes walk from JR Tofukuji station.

Kotoin and Daitokuji area

Access: 5 minutes walk from Daitokuji mae, Kyoto city bus.

Kyoto Kouyou (Autumn leaves) spots and condition of the leaves color
http://kyoto-design.jp/special/kouyouspot
(FYI: Orange lines are the autumn leaves season and moon and star icon next to the temples name indicates the special opening period for night time.)

http://souda-kyoto.jp/travel/koyo/index.html#Anchor_01
(FYI: They update the current photos and leaves conditions but it is all in Japanese. You'll see how the current leaf color by the leaf icons next to temples names.)

Viewing autumn leaves light up in Kyoto

Every year in this season, temples in Kyoto have the special light-up event. If you have the chance to go to Kyoto, check the temples' opening hours and light up times. It is definitely worth going to.


Eikando
2013/11/8(Fri) - 12/5 (Thu)
17:30-20:30
http://www.eikando.or.jp/English/index_eng.htm

Tofuku-ji
2013/11/15(Fri) - 11/30 (Sat)
17:00-20:00

http://www.tofukuji.jp/index2.html

Kitano tenmangu
2013/11/6(Sat) - 12/8(Sun)
Sunset - 20:00
http://kitanotenmangu.or.jp/english/


<Higashiyama area>

Kiyomizu-dera
2013/11/15(Fri) - 12/8 (Sun)
18:30-21:30
http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/lang/01.html 
Chion-in
2013/11/1(Fri) - 12/1(Sun)
17:30-21:00

Shoren-in
2013/10/25(Fri) - 12/8 (Sun)
18:00-21:30
http://www.shorenin.com/english/index.html

Kodai-ji
2013/10/25(Fri) - 12/10 (Tue)
Sunset - 21:30
http://www.kodaiji.com/e_index.html

Map:
http://kanko.city.kyoto.lg.jp/resource/image/search/mapdownload/higaisiyama.pdf


<Rakuhoku area>

Manjyu-in
2013/11/1(Fri) - 11/30 (Sat)
17:00-20:30


<Ohara, Keihoku area>
Hosen-in
2013/11/2(Sat) - 12/1(Sun)
17:45-20:45

Takao Momiji-no Light up
2013/11/1(Fri) - 11/30(Sat)
17:00-20:00

Map:
http://kanko.city.kyoto.lg.jp/resource/image/search/mapdownload/keihoku.pdf

<Yamashina area>

Bishyamondo
2013/11/16(Sat)-11/29(Fri)
17:30-20:30
http://www.bishamon.or.jp/

Daigo-ji
2013/11/16(Sat) - 12/8(Sun)
18:00-20:10

Map:
http://kanko.city.kyoto.lg.jp/resource/image/search/mapdownload/yamasina.pdf


<Arashiyama & Saga area>
Daikaku-ji
2013/11/15(Fri)-12/8(Sun)
17:30-20:00
http://www.daikakuji.or.jp/

Arashiyama hantoro
2013/12/14(Sat) - 12/23(Mon)
17:00-20:30
http://www.hanatouro.jp/e/arashiyama/index.html


Map:
http://kanko.city.kyoto.lg.jp/resource/image/search/mapdownload/arasiyama.pdf

Weather News - Typhoon as of 2013/10/20

It is cold and raining today in Osaka. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, Typhoon No.27 is approaching to Japan and will effect 23rd. It will be a very powerful one so please be careful if you are in Japan.

For more information please check the following site.
http://www.jma.go.jp/jp/typh/

Weather warnings/Advisories
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/warn/index.html

For information about weather in Osaka
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/week/331.html

Viewing autumn leaves front line

It's becoming cooler day by day in Japan. The season of Autumn leaves has started in Hokaido and Tohoku and is coming down to Kansai soon.


These sites are in Japanese only, but you can see where it is curently good for viewing autumn leaves by color.

http://kouyou.nihon-kankou.or.jp/
http://www.mapple.net/sp_koyo/

Weather News - Typhoon as of 2013/10/14

It is nice weather today but it may rain tomorrow. I hope you are enjoying outing today. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, Typhoon No.26 is approaching to Japan and will effect tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.

For more information please check the following site.
http://www.jma.go.jp/jp/typh/

Weather warnings/Advisories
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/warn/index.html

For information about weather in Osaka
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/week/331.html

Deep Osaka - Doguyasuji (Sennichimae Douguyasuji Shopping Street)

Shops along this street are a little unusual. Shops are selling professional kitchen implements. You'll find signboards, food samples made from wax (which look real), big pots and pans, takoyaki plates etc. Some items are cheaper than at department stores. It worth checking out. 　


Just 3 minutes walk from Namba station, Osaka subway.


http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/shopping_5198.html

Market in Kyoto - Nishiki ichiba

Just one street north of Shijo, you can find Nishiki market street. It was established more than 400 years ago. You'll see almost all kinds of Japanese food being sold here. You'll see and smell exotic food in a traditional style, such as fresh fish, vegetables, and dry goods, to boiled fish paste, pickled vegetables, and sweets.


http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3931.html

Access:
http://www.kyoto-nishiki.or.jp/access.html

Kurama-no-Himatsuri - Fire festival (event on Oct 22nd)

Kurama is usually quiet and a nice place to go hiking, but on Oct 22nd a dynamic fire festival will be held there.

It will be very crowded so you may have to wait to get on a train, so you had better go there early. It will be hard to eat and go to the toilet once the festival starts.

Please take some warm cloths because it will be cold at night.

2013/10/22 (Tue) 18:00-24:00

Access:
5 minutes walk from Kurama station, Eizan railway
http://www.yukijinjya.jp/access.html

Yukijinjya
http://www.kyoto.travel/2009/11/yuki-jinja-shrine.html

Kurama-no-himatsuri
http://www.yukijinjya.jp/himaturi.html
http://www.kyoto.travel/2009/11/kurama-himatsuri-fire-festival.html


Youtube:
http://nihonguide.net/maturi/2608.html

Weather News - Typhoon as of 2013/10/7

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, Typhoon No.24 is approaching and Kyusyu will be affected by a Typhoon tomorrow.

For more information please check the following site.
http://www.jma.go.jp/jp/typh/

Weather warnings/Advisories
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/warn/index.html

For information about weather in Osaka
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/week/331.html

Ohatsu Tenjin Flee Market - first Friday every month

Ohatsu Tenjin is famous as the setting for Chikamatsumonzaemon's story "Sonezaki shinjyuu"; one of his Jyoruri (Japanese puppet play). It is based on a true story about two lovers who committed double suicide in the Edo period in the Tenjin woods which was behind this shrine.

The shrine is in the middle of Umeda city. If you are in Umeda on the first Friday of each month, pop into the flee market. You may find some unique items or antiques at a good price.


http://www.tuyutenjin.com/en/ 

Kyoto Imperial Palace - special opening day (from 10/31 to 11/4)

The Imperial Palace in Kyoto will have special opening days from 10/31 to 11/4. You are usually required to apply for entrance in advance but during above period, people are allowed to look around inside the palace without appointment, free of charge.


2013/10/31 (Thu) - 11/4 (Mon/Holiday)
9:00 am to 3:30 pm
5 minutes walk  "Imadegawa" station, Karasuma line, Kyoto subway


http://www.kyoto.travel/kyoto_imperial_palace.html
http://kyoto-design.jp/event/6637

Deep Osaka - Tenjinbashisuji shopping street (Tenjinbashisuji shotengai)

Tenjinbashisuji shopping street is the longest shotengai (shopping street) in Japan, stretching 2.6 km north to south. There are more than 600 shops, such as restaurants, cloths shops, hand crafts shops and so on, along that street. People from out side of Osaka think that the people walking in this street are authentic Osaka citizens. Seeing is better than hearing. Go and feel traditional Osaka.


http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/shopping_5207.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4024.html


Nearby:
The Osaka Tenmangu (People usually call it Tenjin-san)
http://www.tenjinsan.com/index.html

The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
http://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/toshiseibi/english/museum.html

Kids Plaza Osaka
http://www.kidsplaza.or.jp/en/

Fortune and personality checks by blood types

You may have been asked by some Japanese what your blood type was. I can tell you why Japanese wants to know your blood type. The reason is that Japanese use blood type to check the personality or fortune. 

Let me show you an example of the personality of each blood type. Do they apply to you?


Blood type A:
earnest
avoid disputes
sensitive
cautious

Blood type B:
doing things at one's own pace
free-spirited
friendly
optimistic

Blood type O:
laid-back
big-brother type
realistic
moody

Blood type AB:
rational
analytic
two-faced, duality personality
non-emotional


Additionally,

Best couple is a Blood type O male and a type A female.
The second best is a Blood type A male and a type O female.
The third best is a Blood type A male and a type A female.

The worst couple is blood type B male and type AB female.

Weather News - Typhoon as of 2013/10/2

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, Typhoon No.23 is approaching to Okinawa and there will be 2 or 3 more Typhoons are coming to Japan in this month.

For more information please check the following site.
http://www.jma.go.jp/jp/typh/

Weather warnings/Advisories
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/warn/index.html

For information about weather in Osaka
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/week/331.html

Seiji Fujishiro's silhouette exhibition in Osaka (event on Sep 14th to Nov 24th)

Seiji Fujishiro (89 years-old) is a world famous Kirie (cut out art) artist in Japan. His works is so delicate and he creates fantastic worlds. There are many sites introducing his works but they didn't show up as beautifully as they are in reality. It is very hard to explain with words how wonderful and moving his works are, so if you are interested in his art, you must go and see it for  yourself and not rely on just photographs.

http://www.osaka-c-t.jp/event/fujishiro/
 
Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVGq_nweYRI

Period: 2013/9/14 (Sat) - 11/24 (Sun) 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Place: Osaka Culturarium at Tempozan (next to Kaiyukan)

Access: 5 minutes walk from exit 1 or 2 at Osakako station, Chuo line, Osaka subway

http://www.ktv.jp/fujishiro/outline.html#access
 
Fee: 1500 yen/adult, 1300 yen/high school and university student, 800 yen/elementary and junior high school student

Autograph-signing session：
9/28（Sat）、9/29（Sun）、10/26（Sat）、10/27（Sun）、
11/2（Sat）、11/3（Sun）、11/23（Sat）
from 1:30 pm