Mt.Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi etc.

lots of things changed this years
This year was one of the most changeable years of my life.
getting better? I hope so!!!

We wish all of you have happy new year!!!

btw, I went to Yamanashi to meet my friend/sightseeing. He left for Minnesota,U.S. recently so I wanted to see what he was going on since his father passed away in this August. He had to came back to Japan last year due to his father's health condition. He told me that his father was terminal cancer already in last December. May he rest in peace.

I went to Kofu Sta.,Yamanashi by Shinkansen NOZOMI from Hiroshima-Nagoya, Shinkansen HIKARI Nagoya-Shizuoka, and Exp. FUJIKAWA Shizuoka-Kofu.

I was surprised that I saw really spectacular view when I was on FUJIKAWA.
You can see Mt.Fuji from that train.



After arriving at Kofu, we met together and rent a car.
and went to Lake Kawaguchi

Joya-no-Kane in Kyoto

There are only a few days left before the end of the year.

In general, we Japanese visit temples to hear Joya-no-Kane, or midnight tolling of the temple bells on New Year's Eve. About an hour before the new year, temple bells across Japan begin to toll slowly 108 times. People welcome the new year by listening to the sound of temple bells. It is said that the temple bell tolls purify ourselves of our 108 desires.

At some temples, you can strike Joya-no-Kane though you might need to arrive early to participate in tolling the bells. However, I recommend to WATCH the bell of Chionin Temple which has one of three biggest bells in Japan. The bell is 3.3 meters high, 2.8-caliber and 70 tons (154300 lb)!! One main striker and 16 support strikers are necessary to hit this bell.

This video is taken when the monks have a rehearsal. 108 desires must be vanished if they're hit such a strong!

Start at 22:40 on 31st December

Chionin Temple is about 10 minute walk from Shijo-Higashioji intersection in Gion district.

Many foreigners are curious about this shop, and keep asking me what they sell.

.This is a lottery tickets shop. With the end of the year approaching, they start selling lottery tickets all around Japan.

The total amount of prizes of this “JAMBO annual lottery” is almost 300 million!!! (the biggest in Japan)









To tell you the truth, my father buys these tickets every year hoping to fullfil his dreams….LOL



........Could someone please stop him???


This is another picture of when we went to the TEMPRA restaurant,


The cook fried vegetables, mushrooms, or slice of fish or , beef in the way of Japanese cooking.

It was very nice to see him cook just in front of me and especially to be able to eat them while still hot.

There are 3 types of salt to put on it: green tea salt, rock salt and Chinese salt.

OISHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!! (Delicious!!)







Would someone please help me stop eating??

Interesting Vending Machine in Hiroshima!

I think you would be surprised with this vending machine which I found one in Hiroshima!
As you know there are so many kinds of vending machine all over the world.

We have a beer vending machine in the living room of Hiroshima Hana Hostel.

And there is a Hot snack vending machine at the service area as usual!


And I miss a small snacks vending machine abroad like this one....This snack machine was in the dining room at my work place in Canada.
I used to buy a chocolate bar and a crisps after work.
It was a kind of little treat for myself after I had a busy day.
Probably I was a bit addicted like a little girl who wants to eat sweets around 3pm. hehe


Then I have found this unique vending machine a few days ago.


Can you guess what it is??
I couldn't believe what it is when I saw it.

It is an Udon (Japanese noodle) Dashi (Soup stock) vending machine!!
Of cause it is located right in front of Udon store. lol

Do you want to know it is popular or not?
All the bottles are sold out on the day!!! Wow

Tell me if you know any interesting vending machines in your country :)

Good Bye Year Party

Hello everyone!!
How are you?
Haven't you caught a cold??

In Japanese culture, there is 'bo ne n ka i(good bye year party)' (means forget about the year)in the end of the year.
Also we have 'shi n ne n ka i(new year party)' (means celebrating the beginning of the year) at the begging of the year.
We, friends, classmates, co-workers, and family members, get together and have great times.
It might be just a excuse to have a party, but as long as there is a way to have fun, who cares!!hehe
The other day, we, all Kyoto Hana Hostel members, had a 'bo ne n ka i' at the kushikatsu izakaya restraint near by us.
It has been almost 8 months since Kyoto Hana Hostel opened.
A lot of water flowed under bridge this year, but also we had fantastic moments together.



Here we are.
Waiting for everybody to arrive at the place.
It was all you can drink for 100 minutes.
We also had kushikatu and nabe (Japanese hot pot).



We were eating, drinking, talking, laughing...



We all forget about bad things which had happened this year.
Just remembering fun part of this year, and making this year end happily.



oops, he fell a sleep!! He must have had a lot of things this year!! hehe



Time flied.
It has been more than 100 minutes!! It is almost the time for the last train!!

We had a second round at Kyoto Hana Hostel.
When 5 of us went back to Kyoto Hana, we bumped into guests from Australia and America.
They were about to go out for drinking, but we stopped them and let them try sake.
A while later, all of us were having fun together!!



Drinking is the best world wide communication way!!





Everybody says Cheese!!



Finally, he passed out!!



Thank you very much for everything everybody!!
It was a wonderful year for me!!
Wish for your great year of 2011!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMOKO





Today is our wonderful manager, Tomoko's birthday!!
We had a surprise cake for her 3 days ago.
This cake is made by J-Hoppers Hiroshima staff, Chika.
She's a great cook!

We hope Tomoko will have a wonderful day today!


We love you!!

The Fallacies

One drop of water slides down the edge of a cup.
To me, it looked like a base creature simply siphoned the liquid.
When the trumpet speaks up.
I shall focus the latter in a moment of lucid(ity).

Forgotten speech must be revived and uttered
Dear whoever,
Love the unlovable; comprehend
Myriad life forms ere one goes the nether

Sevas Tra
One confabulates
Sevas Tra
One hears

Yo escucho el viento. (I hear the wind.)
Yo soy como el viento. (I am like the wind.)

My buddy

Fall is over and it's getting colder and colder in Hiroshima.
I cannot work without a warm tea.

Today I'd like to introduce you my buddy who
always sits next to me while I'm working.

This is him.





He keeps my tea always warm and clean.





I got this from my friend I meet in Toronto.

This always reminds me of her :)
And I miss the snow in Toronto!!

My pathway to becoming a rider

This Honda TRANSALP came from Italy, it took 5 months to get to Japan! wow
Made in Italy!! WowWow

Now I am studying at driving school to get a motorcycle license. I am trying to take 125cc-399cc class license.
Driving school has own course, and I need to take 19 hours of skill learnings, and 26 hours of classroom lectures. Today I took two class of lecture about traffic rules and a class of simulator. Tomorrow I will take three hours of emergency life guard classes. I am study at driving school because I will be excepted from taking technical exam at the department of vehicle if you have certificate from driving school. Just need to take paper exam.

I have already took 10 hours of technical lessons and 11 hours of classroom lecture.
I am just in a half way point.

I wish to have Ninja400R from Kawasaki, GSR 400 from Suzuki!!!

so start saving money<3


You can park your motorcycle for free at Hiroshima HANA Hostel since our manager has taken a round-the-world trip by motorcycle. Perhaps I'm following his way<3

Hiroshima Mitaki Temple

I went to Mitaki temple for seeing great Momiji(Maple) trees the other day.

The colored leaves are so gorgeous at Mitaki Temple in Hiroshima city.
It is a bit hidden place for visitors from overseas.
But it is actually very easy to get there by JR train from Hana Hostel!

So I really want to introduce you Mitaki temple today.

The red two-story pagoda is in the red momiji trees.

You will be so impressed when you look up as you walk on the nice stone steps. The pagoda is just located the best place to be tone in well with the colored leaves.




There is a cafe.
The cafe looks like a traditional old house.
It is always good to have a break in the comfortable atmosphere.
Especially this time of the year, you can warm your hands up with a cup of green tea.



There are three water falls around Mitaki temple and this one is called　"Bon-on no taki".

There is a beautiful Japanese garden in front of the water fall.
And sometimes a tea ceremony would be held at the tea house in the garden.

I am sure that all the greenery's are very fresh and brilliant in the spring. I will visit Mitaki temple again for more walking and refreshment!



HOW TO GET "Mitaki Temple" FROM Hana Hostel

Take JR Kabe line from Hiroshima sta. and get off at "Mitaki sta." (8 min.) Walk to Mitaki temple From Mitaki sta. takes about 15min.

kiyomizu temple light up

Kiyomizu dera light-up is the highlight of the autumn terms in Kyoto.
And I finally got to visit that place where I had a longing for the light-up for a long time!!

This bright red entrance greeted me
to enter the super wonderful world!


























Wow this is absolutely gorgeous!
I felt as if i was in China♪














There are several altars inside the temple grounds, people pray to the gods and toss money offering into boxes.









I am sure they prayed for their AMORE (love in Italian).





Now, prepare to be amazed!





Japanese maple leaves reflected in the pond




...speechless.








































The great part of this terrace is built without a single nail, that takes some technical skill.

There is a famous old saying about this terrace, expressing to make a big decision for a certain thing using such as “Kiyomizu no butai kara tobioriru” (jumping down from the terrace of kiyomizu temple).


You will know why the Kiyomizu temple is resisterd as a UNESCO World Heritage site when you see it first hand.



Also, I was not able to take pictures, but I had a opportunity to see the tsuki no niwa (the garden of moon) in the temple, and it was really beautiful. It is named like this because the garden is lit by the light of a full moon. It is open only few weeks, twice a year in spring and autumn season.



At the end of my little trip in Kyoto the imaginary charactor Mr. chubby TOTORO (from the Miyazaki Hayao Animation Film)
was standing to see me off ;)

bye

Exploring around Hiroshima station

I was ashamed of myself that I didn't know about this temple...

It's just about 15 min. walk from the station(north exit).
So this means it's about 20 min. from Hana Hostel.

There is a temple behind the station...

and behind this temple...


















there were tons of red Torii Gates!!!



















I thought that I could only see these gates in Kyoto.



















We are always exploring and learning more and more about Hiroshima
so that our guests can enjoy Hiroshima more,
besides Miyajima Island and the Peace Memorial Park.


We will keep on exploring!!

Kyoto Hana Hostellers

Please allow me to introduce Kyoto Hana Hostel's lovely flowers.

The youngest staff Mana. She likes siesta and is happy when she eats sweets. On the other hand, she plays futsal and learnt dance but her sexy dance is not revealed yet....

Yuya is born in Hiroshima and grew up in Oregon. He speaks fluent Englsih, and sometimes awkward Japanese. He is acquainted with music from Mozart to Jim Morrison, plays the guitar, loves sake.

Shizuka is our pop-star. She smiles a lot, and always cheers everyone up. She speaks both English and Chinese very well, and loves singing a song.

This is me. I hardly be at the reception, but am wandering in the hostel. Please say hello to me when you find.

We all make a every effort to offer all guests have a nice stay and enjoy Kyoto Hana Hostel !!

Check out "Mera Mera" by Bobo & Titi:)

Have you met the drunk monk from Hana Hostel Kyoto?
Check out this clip by his band, Bobo and Titi.
He is the legend and well respected by workers from the hostel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naPs2701Hrg

Filmed by Ken Hashimoto
Translation by Yuya I.

Enjoy!

Halloween Party at Kyoto Hana Hostel on the 31st of October

Hello everyone!!
How was your Halloween??

We had a wonderful, fantastic, fabulous Halloween party at Kyoto Hana Hostel.

Let's start with our coooooooolest Ninja!!
Watch out!! He is getting ready to hit a prey!!



Here is a famous yellow monster Picachu!!



She looks cute, but once you reach her, you will get burned with her special weapon 'electric shock'!!

These are famous OTAKU girls 'Japanese high school girl'.




This was one of the main big part of the party.
Japanese hand made tacos!!



Guests and stuff enjoyed tacos very much!! They were Yummy!!








OH NO!! He is going to hit BUDDHA!!!



NONONO, they were just goooooood friends.





Who is this?!
Do you know Ayanami Rei from the cartoon 'Evangelion'?



Well, anyways, “she” got nice ones!! LOL






『Whos is sexier?』



She has a pretty smile^^
Oh no!! Isn't he a famous mask-worn ninja wrestler?!








The guitarist!?
Look at that!! She got injured!!Famous Canadian track driver!!
But, still smiling!?



Did you know Buddha can play the guitar pretty well!!



WOW!!
Nice cloth from Morocco!!



He was the BUDDHA guitarist!!



Aren't they cute?



GOOOOSH!!
See!! Told ya!! He was getting ready to hunt!!



OHHHHHH NOOOOOO!! Picachu------!!!!! Help!! Help!!!




The best shot at Halloween party is...




All of us had a great time on that day!!
Our guests were brilliant!!
Tacos were incredibly delicious!!
Hope to see you all at Halloween party next year again!!