Osaka - wonderful city

[kopiuncle]

Another world heritage site... The Ninomaru Garden...

The Ninomaru Garden, designed by Kobori Enshu, has undergone several changes over the years. Originally designed so as to not show the passing of seasons (no trees were planted) plants and trees have since been added and allow the garden to have color at all times of the year: Camellias in January and February; apricot blossoms in February and March; dogwood and cherry blossoms in April; azaleas in May; azaleas and cape jasmine in June; Indian lilacs in July and August; bush clover in September adn October; maples leaves in November; and firethorn in December. No matter what season you go, there will be something beautiful and colorful blooming.

In the center of the garden is a large pond containing three islands connected by four bridges. Horai, the central island, represents the Island of Eternal Happines and is flanked by Turtle Island (Kame-jima) and Crane Island (Tsuru-jima), both symbols of longevity. Waterlilies, plants, and rocks augment the beauty of the garden. It is really a very beautiful and peaceful garden, the garden alone is worth the trip to Nijo-jo.

In 1965 the Seiryu Garden was built for the purpose of receptions and cultural events. This garden is landscaped in both modern and traditonal styles and contains two teahouses, the Koun-tei and the Waraku-an. In June and November tea masters perform tea ceremonies for the public.

 

[kopiuncle]

everything in japan is a piece of art.....carved and sculptured with endless love, passion and dedication...magnificient!!!

 

[kopiuncle]

...and Black Pork is heavenly!!!

the set dinner was delicious!!!

....the meat is deliciously tender!!!

 

[kopiuncle]

...the daily morning rush at train stations...

Kyoto station is packed every morning - massive crowds of people walking briskly and some even running to catch the train.But there is an orderliness in the midst of this massive morning rush.No littering.No pushing.No shouting.Every commuter plays his part and the whole place runs smoothly and efficiently.Soon the morning rush hour will thin out and the station is quiet once again. Then comes the eveing rush hour - but there is no chaos and no confusion.Everything runs smoothly with military precision.Japan's rail transport is world class - very efficient and very well managed. The Japanese commuters are the best behaved train commuters in the world.

even the bins are clean and orderly!!!

 

[ilovesingapore]

From Osaka, it is easy to take a train to the wonderful small city of Kinosaki - Welcome to Kinosaki Hot Springs


Kinosaki Onsen is a town built entirely around the needs of visitors. Whether it is strolling through the beautiful, willow-lined streets dressed in yukata as you visit the many relaxing hot springs, enjoying fresh crab or Tajima steak at a traditional Japanese inn (ryokan), or simply taking in the scenery, culture and atmosphere of old Japan that lives on in Kinosaki to this day, we are confident you will find a whole world of unique experiences that will make your stay in Kinosaki the highlight of your time in Japan. Welcome to Kinosaki Onsen! This is truly unique. I love the ice cream here!!!

You can hop from one onsen to another with one ticket!!! There are some 10 onsens for your pleasure. A truly unique onsen experience!!! Hot pools. Cold pools! Men pools. Women pools. Mixed Pools!!! This little town is a must for the lovers of onsen!!!

Yukata are distinctly Japanese fashion, which are rarely seen in every day, modern Japan... except in Kinosaki. Discover the comfort and beauty of yukata for yourself in Kinosaki. You see people wearing yukata walking down the streets on their way to the onsen..and it is truly an unforgettable experience....MUST TRY!!!!

This is the cute Kinosaki Station where we dropped off and found way around...there was plenty of help around..

Smiling and helpful staff

She is so cheerful, so helpful and so courteous taking great pride in her work and making the great effort to make our stay in Kinosaki Onsen a very memorable one.
Just look at her wide wide smile from ear to ear...absolutely delightful!
Everywhere we went, we encountered very helpful and very courteous people.It's really amazing.

 

[ilovesingapore]

This is the iconic landmark in Kinosaki....Crab (MATSUBA KANI)

Apart from the onsens for which the town is famous, Kinosaki is also renowned for the high quality of its seafood, particularly crab. No stay in Kinosaki would be complete without trying it at least once. Prime crab season is from November to March but crab is available outside of this period too.

Along the Otani-gawa River...

Kinosaki Onsen (hot spring) is located in northern Hyogo prefecture and is famous for seafood especially crab which is best during the winter months of November through March though it is available year round. One of the most famous public hot spring bath houses, which runs along the picturesque Otani-gawa River, is Ko-no-yu (hot spring of storks) that legend says was used by storks to heal their wounds. There are 6 other hot spring bath houses to enjoy. Guests can be seen strolling along the river in yukatas (cotton kimono) and geta (wooden sandals) enjoying cherry trees and weeping willows as well of the traditional feel of the town.

Onsenji Temple, believed to have been erected by Dochi-shonin in 738, was built to commemorate the founding of the onsen. You can take the ropeway halfway up the mountain to the main building of the temple or to the very top to see panoramic views of Kinosaki, the Maruyama River and the Sea of Japan. Or if you prefer to hike you can reach the top in about 40 minutes or so at a leisurely pace.

Tiny city of Kinosaki

This tiny little land with so little liveable space is one of the main tourist attractions in Japan.
It's simply remarkable how these people can survive - capturing the hotsprings and turn the whole
city into one big onsen!

The city is so clean and so neat. Everything is remarkably well organised. Nice and friendly people.
Absolutely amazing this Kinosaki Onsen!

 

[ilovesingapore]

you can just walk around the whole town in your yukata...and then hop from one onsen to another!!! enjoy!!!

More bathers strolling...Sotoyu Meguri...

Kinosaki Onsen is a wonderful place to spend a little time and unwind. The traditional hot spring town is located in the north of Hyogo Prefecture. Aside from the invigorating natural hot springs (onsen), for which the town is famous, one can discover many other attractions. There are plenty of interesting locations, cultural events, traditional dining and fine products to experience, both within Kinosaki and the surrounding Tajima Region.

Every night, many tourists come out of their hotels and stroll the town of Kinosaki with yukata or light Japanese robe. The town of Kinosaki took its name from the marshlands that were formed where the Maruyama River flows into the Sea of Japan.
Sotoyu Meguri

Consequently people are out on the streets, giving the town a lively feel. From the early evening, yukata dressed visitors stroll the streets to and from the public baths. They stop at the locals shops, have an ice cream, or spend some time at one of the nostalgia inducing game arcades where you can try out vintage pachinko, smart ball (similar to pinball) and target shooting games.

 

[ilovesingapore]

Kawai desuka!!

 

[ilovesingapore]

Japan is a very crowded country...Kobe train station...but very orderly and very disciplined!!!

 

[Raiders]

Reminds me of the train stations in Sydney, minus the crowd :o

 

[ilovesingapore]

Another beautiful ,relaxing and peaceful place you should all try to visit...Arashiyama - Togetsukyo Bridge....

many young people dressed in their best and sit along the sandy river....it's ver romantic in spring and in autumn....the sakuras are in full bloom!!!...

 

[ilovesingapore]

Arashiyama is a district on the western outskirts of Kyoto, Japan. It also refers to the mountain across the Ōi River, which forms a backdrop to the district. Arashiyama is a nationally-designated Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty...

exquisite beauty!!!!

 

[ilovesingapore]

Shirakawa (白川村 Shirakawa-mura ) is a village located in Ōno District, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It is best known for being the site of Shirakawa-gō, a small, traditional village showcasing a style of buildings called gasshō-zukuri.

As of July 2011, the village has an estimated population of 1,734. The total area is 356.55 km².The village is located near Takayama, in Gifu. Together with Gokayama in Nanto, Toyama, it is one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.



Due to the income from the tourists who came to see the gassho-zukuri villages, the financial condition was greatly improved.Although the area was famous as a tourist site, once it became a UNESCO site, the area greatly grew as tourists visited. Although this success from tourism helped the income of the area, on the other hand, there was an outbreak of damage to the area from tourists entering people's homes to see how they lived, taking pictures and other such manners. The people who lived in the villages turned their homes into gift shops and parking lots, so it has yet to be seen whether or not the area will lose its World Heritage record (UNESCO has a purpose of protecting and preserving its sites, and becoming a tourist trap is against their goals). There is also a fear growing that the change to catering to tourists will harm the charm of the area's simplicity and fundamental Japanese scenery.

The very unique and innovative gasshō-zukuri - it can withstand heavy snow-fall....a world heritage!

a very unique village...great survivors of the bitter cold winter....these people are very hardy indeed....

 

[stephendavion]

Osaka - a city to be visited once in a life time ... :-)

 

[neddy]

Reminds me of the train stations in Sydney, minus the crowd :o

During the morning rush hours at the upper floor of the Shinagawa station (Singapore Chilli Crab nearby), you can feel the floor of the station tremble as thousands of commuters marched their way out of the station.

Shirakawa (白川村 Shirakawa-mura ) is a village located in Ōno District, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It is best known for being the site of Shirakawa-gō, a small, traditional village showcasing a style of buildings called gasshō-zukuri.

Takayama is the base to explore Shirakawa-gō and other gasshō-zukuri villages.
It is kind of a laid-back city.
These days, it is a lot easier to drive around the Gifu Prefecture after the tunnels and expressways are completed.

Takayama Matsuri (Festival)

Morning markets in Takayama, this one is by the river.

--------------------------------------------
Gokayama which is in nearby Toyama Prefecture

You can stay overnight in a gasshō-zukuri. It has common modern shower/toilet facilities but you sleep on tatami mat with thin rollup mattress and thick duvet. The owner will give you a hot water bottle to put at your feet, and an electric portable heater.

You can hear your neighbours next door doing couple night duty. or worse, snoring.

 

[ilovesingapore]

Thanks Neddy....yes, we woke up early and went to this morning market...the vendors were all very cheerful and very happy...no pressure to buy anything....

the morning scene was simply beautiful with the cherry blossoms in full bloom.....simply heavenly...

 

[ilovesingapore]

Neddy, Takayama at night.." No Barriers City".....Quiet and serene - barrier free city
The city centre is so clean,so neat and so well organised. There is even some nice piped music as we walk back to our hotel. The weather was cool and it was beautiful....

Led by the guiding principle that a “town easy to live in is one easy to visit,” the City of Takayama is working on a barrier-free, town-making program to turn itself into a tourist community where both physically handicapped people and the elderly can live a safe, comfortable life. The city is also probing the possibilities of making “information barrier-free” to expedite the flow of communication to promote deeper mutual understanding between visitors and local community residents in the current context of growing worldwide tourism....

...the people are always smiling, polite and cheerful...

 

[neddy]

Neddy, Takayama at night.." No Barriers City".....Quiet and serene - barrier free city
The city centre is so clean,so neat and so well organised. There is even some nice piped music as we walk back to our hotel. The weather was cool and it was beautiful....

...the people are always smiling, polite and cheerful...

Bring back memories, Takayama is kind of remote, quite unlike the bright lights of major Japanese cities. Even the typical Japanese is not familiar with this city or Gifu.

Remember this ........

In Shirakawa-gō, there is a viewpoint where I took photo of the entire village, next to a signboard that display the current day's date.

When I was there, someone dug a "cave" and put some strange figures inside. See this photo taken by another traveler.

The problem with winter in Shirakawa-gō is that once the day-trippers left the villages, the shops started to close, but it is still magical to walk around the white covered village.

But the owner will want us to return to the guesthouse by 7pm for dinner, traditional style, with a kettle boiling over a open fire in a wooden scented smokey dining room.

 

[ilovesingapore]

Thank you Neddy for the monstrous stature...got it!!!

Te-naga Ashi-naga Icon

quiet little small town...very uniquely so.....

Mitarashi dango stall....

Sweet dumplings (balls of rice-flour dough) ...I love this....sweet and nice...yummy yummyyummmmm....
These are balls of kneaded rice flour on a bamboo skewer which are basted with soy sauce while cooking, scorched until they are ‘fox red’, then eaten. Another very popular delight found in Japan....

 

[neddy]

Photos of the "bed" and bridge at Shirakawa-gō

Quite basic.