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Noboribetsu hot spring (Hokkaido) “Kodaman’s J-Trip”

kodaman — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:59:53 +0000

On early June, I visited Sapporo,Hokkaido for my work as a event’s MC.

At the next day of the event, I and my friends went to Noboribetsu by using a gorgeous bus served by Cool star corp. It took for about 90 min to go to Noboribetsu area from Sapporo by bus.

Our tour started from 9:30 at Shin Sapporo.

1.Let’s riding a buggy at Noboribetsu Off-road Park( 11:15)

2.Genghis Khan pan (13:00)

3.Noboribetsu hot spring (Noboribetsu Grand Hotel) (14:00)

I only have this photo at the grand hotel… Many kinds of caramel are popular in Hokkaido as a souvenir. Let’s try Genghis Khan caramel,,, That’s too stink!!

4.Oyu Numagawa Natural footbath(大湯沼川天然足湯）(15:00)

It was first time for me to take natural footbath and I was so relaxed. At the upstream of Numagawa footbath, we can take a bath, my friend said so. Of course swim ware is needed.

5.Lake Kuttara in Shikotsu Toya National park (16:00)

It was first time to ride a buggy. Fantatic! The water quality of Noboribetsu hot spring is the best to make skin smooth. There are many places to visit in Noboribetsu area. In addition to information above, people can visit to Bear park, Jigokudani and more. I am not good at drinking alcohol but I drunk blue beer a lot during this tour.

This Blue Beer is called “Ryu-hyo Draft”.

More travel info about Noboribetsu : http://noboribetsuspa.dip.jp/nobo/e/spot-info.aspx

Morishita - the great local spot in Tokyo “kodaman’s J-Trip

kodaman — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 06:21:14 +0000

(Pics:Curry bread(Catlea) /Minoya/Monburan1/Monburan Cheese humburger dish/Seiryu-en/Tanshio/Rib)

Many people don’t know where there is “Morishita” in Tokyo, even among me.

A town located near Ryogoku and near Akihabara but not famous is the explanation of Morishita where I used to live for two years.

Tourists who get to know Tokyo more deeply might want to go there and maybe not.

In terms of touristic things, here is nada(oh ! espaniol) not many things.

But there are many shops and restaurants which make you satisfied, I believe so.

I added all places which I mentioned at this posts in easy posts on Japan-hopper by using Morishita tag.

Those shops and restaurants below are my recommendations.

Catlea - The baker -

The origin of “Curry bread” in Japan was from Catlea opened in 1877.

If you want to get Curry Bread, it’s better to reserve them even for one.

Otherwise it’s hard to get a curry bread.　[Hours ] 7:00-19:00

[Close] Sunday [Tel] 03-3635-1564 for reservation.

Yamariki - Tavern- (山利喜）

Motsunikomi here is famous. Many people make long lines at night.

Located on Shin ohashi street near Morishita crossing.(A4 exit)

Minoya - Nabe - (みの家）

“Sakura nabe” ( the horsemeat nabe) cost 1,800 yen.

Horsemeat sashimi is also 1,800 yen.

It’s located on Shin Ohashi street and near Yamariki .

Monburan -Humburger- (モンブラン）

Six kinds tastes humburgers are good for lunch. My favorite one is called “Holland.” (Cheese burger)

This restaurant has Asakusa branch. [Address] 2-19-9, Morishita , Koto-ku,

[Tel] 03-3632-7077 [Hours] 11：00〜14：30　17：00〜22：00

Seiryu en - Yankiniku( Korean BBQ)- (静龍苑）

Gyutan Shio (Cow tongue) is great! Rib also. It costs 5,000yen~ /person.

[Phone]03-3632-2348 [Address] 2-14-5,Morishita, Koto-ku

[Hours] 17:30-21:00 [Close] Wednesday

Normally without reservation, we cannot get in. Reservation preffered.



Let's go to Morishita to get curry breads or something

[Access] Morishita station (Toei Shinjuku line [S-11] or Toei Oedo line [E-13] )

-13min from Shinjuku station by Toei shijuku line

-20min from Roppongi station by Toei Oedo line

MA by So Shi Te - Japanese interior furnishings shop

kodaman — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 16:58:28 +0000

There is an unique exhibition at MA by So Shi Te Minami-Aoyama interior furnishings shop.

MA by So Shi Te’s concept is modern Japanese and its main products are laminated-bamboo furniture, which are very stylish and simple. MA also offers Japanese crafts with modern design, which are unique and appealing.

The exhibition features Masahiro Ishimaru’s furniture and other smaller works. He lives in Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture and makes very unique handmade wooden furniture.
For this exhibition he created a coat hanger made from dear antlers, that have been shed naturally.

-MA by So Shi Te-

Address: 2-19-5 Minami-Aoyama,Minato-ku 107-0062
Tel: 03-3401-0922
Web: http://www.mabysoshite.com

Izu Shuzenji hot springs -Izu- Kodaman’s J-TRIP

kodaman — Mon, 12 May 2008 11:04:02 +0000

Before visiting to Izu shuzenji, I always imagined that Shuzen ji temple is located in the middle of the

bamboo groves in that its location is in the center of Izu peninsula. It was actually developed but

remained the atmosphere of the traditional hot spring resort. I visited there on earyl May 2008

without any information. Traveling without any information is most of times very fun because

everything showed up is quite new experience. At this time, I and my wife didn’t have a map and we just

went there by a train from Atam like “play it by ear”. It took 50 min from Atami. Going to Shuzenji from

Tokyo by a local train not Shinkansen, it takes about 150 min or more. (about 100 min by Shinkansen)

What are so special in Shuzen ji hot springs are…

Shuzen ji Temple opened by Kukai (Kobo daishi) in 807 in Shingon sect.(Now Soto Zen sect)
Value:Hot springs in this area was selected one of 100 best hot springs (日本100名湯)
Food: Buckwheat noodle (Soba) /Wasabi / Black rice (cake or dumpling)
Famous: Many authors loved this area such as Masuji Ibuse, Soseki Natsume or Yasunari Kawabata
Easy access to the Cycle sports center, Izu Mito sea paradise(means kids also can be fun)

we found some Soba shops which looked very crowded. [Nanaban(な々番)] and [Dokko soba Ohto（独鈷そば大戸)] are famous.

Fresh Wasabi must make visitors surprised and please make some noise when you eat soba. I want you to try Black rice cake. its texture is muy interesante!!

I posted many points with locations,photos and info on Japan hopper,

so please explore by using the tag “shuzenji“. Those photos are some of them.

[Access] Bus #1 from Shuzen ji Station to Shuzen ji Hot spring area

Tokyo-[60min(Shinkansen)]- Mishima-[33min(Izu Hakone railway)]

- Shuzenji station - Bus(10min)- Shuzen ji

Ninna ji temple(Kyoto) - Kodaman’s J-TRIP

kodaman — Thu, 01 May 2008 07:09:22 +0000

Nina ji temple(仁和寺） is located in near Arashiyama area. This temple was first established in A.D 888.

When ” Onin no ran”（Onin War) was occured, this temple was fully burned.

This was, then, re-established in 1634 by Shogun “Iemitsu Tokunaga.” Ninna ji temple registered with

world heritage in 1994 as one of the historic monuments of ancient Kyoto and Nio-mon(Nio gate) is one of three greatest and biggest gate in Kyoto.

When you see this gate, two gardian(Wooden A and Un Nio statue) stand by both the side.

Coming here in Spring when the flower of a cherry tree blooms must be great because cherry trees here are a little bit short, unique but beautiful. Please check these photos.

-Ninna ji temple-

[Address] 33, O-uchi, Omuro, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City

[Access] Bus No.26 / 40min from Kyoto station
Bus No.10 or 59 / 40min from Sanjyo keihan station
Train Get off at Hanazono station and take a taxi(5min)(※Going there by bus might be cheep and a good way）

[Hours] 9:00~16:30

[Fee] ¥500

In fron t of this temple, there is a restaurant “Sakon” which is french&Japanese restaurant. We went early morning , so we couldn’t go to Sakon. This restaurant is expensive but many paople told us this is delicious. Please check Sakon’s website. 　Lunch ¥4600~ (11:30~)Around this temple , there are many places to see such as Kinkaku temple(the golden temple), Ryoan temple(Rock garden is the most famous).

Bishamonten - Kagurazaka - Kodaman’s J-TRIP

kodaman — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:38:59 +0000

If you ask somebody where there is Zenkoku ji temple at Kagurazaka, many people might not find it out.

If you ask people, however, where there is Bishamonten, they might answer it.

Zenkoku ji temple is well known as Kagurazaka Bishamonten or Bishamonsama.

(Usually the stone gardians in shrines are dogs sometimes foxes but tigers here.)

=Zenkoku ji temple =

[History]

It was built at Nihonbashi Bakurocho in 1595. Fires happened many times during Edo period

and this temple was unavoidably moved from Bakurocho to Koujimachi, then reconstructed in Kagurazaka in 1792.

The name Bishamon ten was originally from the god named Bishurabana in India.

It means “Listen to all” and It has been worshiped as a god of riches. After coming to Japan,

Bishamonten has been worshiped as a god of Plenty and Courage.

It has been set as one of the seven-lucky-gods of Yamanote area.

Seven lucky gods(Shinjyuku Yamanote’s circuit) - Zenkoku ji temple, Kyo-ou ji temple, Itsukushima shrine, Eifuku ji temple, Hozen ji temple,Taiso ji temple, Inari kiou shrine.

[Address] 5-36, Kagurazaka, Shinjyuku-ku

[Access]

7 min from JR Iidabashi station west exit

5 min from Metro Iidabashi station - B3 exit (Nanboku or Yurakucho line)

6 min from Kagurazaka station - A1 exit (Tozai line)

6 min from Ushigome Kagurazaka station - A3 exit(Ooedo line)

[Officeial WEB] http://www.kagurazaka-bishamonten.com/

Deep in Azaleas at Nedu shinto shrine “Kodaman’s J-TRIP”

kodaman — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:54:44 +0000

Early April is the season of Cherry blossoms. It’s beautiful, every body knows.

If people come to Japan late April, Azaleas are beautiful and worth to see too.

Here, Nedu shrine(根津神社） near Sendagi and Yanaka is one of the great spot to see Azaleas.

After visting Yanaka area, people come this shrine because it’s not far away.

=Nedu Shinto Shrine=

[History] The original shrine was set here 1900 yeas ago.

The main shrine was constructed in 1705.

This shrine was selected as 10 shinto shrines of Tokyo for

the protection of Tokyo city and people’s safe in 1868.

[Address] 1-28-9, Nedu, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo

[Access] 5 min on foot from Nedu station, Sendagi station (Chiyoda line)

[Hours] 9:00 - 17:00 (-17:30 during Azalea Festival )

[Azalea festival] Early April - Early May Please check the official web out.

(It’s in Japanese but people can find dates out. )

[Fee] Free to visit inside shrine area / ¥200 (to enter the garden )

If people want to enter the garden, it costs ¥200.

Nanzen ji temple(Kyoto)“Kodaman’s J-TRIP”

kodaman — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 05:34:39 +0000

Although there are many temples, shrine and places to see in Kyoto,

people don’t have time to visit all of places.

My recommendation is that having a theme of which one wants to see and absorb.For example,visiting places which came out in the tale of Genji.

On Feb 2008, I and my german friend went to Kyoto but we only have a day.

Therefore we dicided to visit some places and “Three biggest gate in Kyoto.

” Those are located in Nanzen temple, Ninna temple(a world heritage) and Chion-in. Nanzen temple is located in east side of Kyoto,and between Ginkaku temple and Chion-in.

We went Nanzen temple from Ginkaku temple on foot. It took 30 min.

( It was far but Tetsugaku no michi( the load of Philosphy leading to Nanzen temple) was beautiful especially in Spring season. Nanzen temple was buit in 1291.

The big gate called ” San mon” was built in 1628 by Takatora Todo. This temple is above the Go-san(Five mountain) and the status of this temple in Rin-zai Zen is the highest.

If you go there, I want you to see a waterway in Nazen temple area. This waterway constructed between Lake Biwa and Kyoto city almost 200 years ago.

Cherry blossom in Nanzen temple is one of the most famous and beautiful in Kyoto. Coming Spring must be great but there are too many people …..

We didn’t have time to go up “San mon” but poeple can go. It cost ¥500.The web of Nanzen temple is here(http://nanzenji.com/english/index.html ).

-Nanzen Temple-

[Address] Fukuchi cho, Nanzen-Ji,Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi

[Access] Keage station (Subway Touzai line)

[Hours]　12/1~2/28 8:40~16:40, 3/1~11/30 8:40~17:00

[Spot] The Big gate, The waterway, Cherry blossom in Spring, The ceiling of Hond, Houjo etc.

Seven Lucky Gods Circuit(Asakusa) 浅草名所七福神巡り

kodaman — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:51:22 +0000

Many people circle Seven Lucky Gods during new year’s holiday( 1st Jan - 7th Jan).

In Japan,there are over 200 courses and even in or near Tokyo, there are many.I

t’s said that the seven lucky gods faith began in 14 century.

Then it was spread in Japan around 17th century.There is no exact definition of the root of this faith but it’s said that Chinese eight hermits is the one.

Each has a traditional attribute.Please click here(wikipedia)a for detail about Seven lucky gods.

One of the most famous circuit course is its in Asakusa.

It starts from Senso ji temple or Asakusa shrine.

Most of people buy a square piece of paper(¥600) to get signatures and stamps.

Usually seven lucky gods circuit is to visit seven shrines or temples but there are nine places(actually ten to circle and get stamps) to visit in Asakusa area.

Each places charges ¥300 to get a stamp and signature. But a completed paper is a good for memory or souvenir.

Senso ji (浅草寺）- one of the oldest temples in Japan (Daikoku ten- Harvest & Good Fortune)

Asakusa shrine（浅草神社） - Ebis(Health & Fortune for Family Businesses)

Yasaki Inari (矢先稲荷神社） - Fuku roku jyu

Otori shrine（鷲神社） - Jyuro jin

Yoshiwara shrine (吉原神社）- Benten(Wisdom)

(Due to get stamp, people need to go to Senzoku shrine near Otori shrine.)

Fudo-in(不動院） - Hotei (close at 16:00) (Peace & Luck)

Ishihama shrine(石浜神社） - Jyuro jin(Harmony at Home and Longevity)

Imado shrine（今戸神社） - Fukuroku jyu (close at 17:00) (Longevity and Fulfillment)

Machiyama Seiten （待乳山聖天）-　Bishamon(Plenty and Courage)

[My comment] Going somewhere without any plan is sometimes very interesting.

Because I’ve been to Asakusa many times, I wanted to try new things in Asakusaand to get to know something about Tokyo.

Seven lucky gods circuit was very interestingand quite new for me because I needed to go to many places in Asakusa area where I had never been before.

In a guide map, it was said the circuit was taken two hours.

I, however, took three hours and half to finish in that there were many interesting places to see ,

such as Yoshiwara, Kappa bashi or Hisago street.

I walked too much with business shoes and got shoe sores. If you are curious to try this circuit , obviously walking shoes will be needed.

Collecting stamps is not a purpose. Please worship each shrine, when you visit.

Time when you start to circle is also very important. Starting at 14:30 maybe too late in that many shrines close around 16:30.

Cafe Furumoto (Kobe)“Kodaman’s J-TRIP”

kodaman — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:30:03 +0000

Many coffee shops are around Minatogawa shrine in Kobe.

When I visited to “Minatogawa shrine”, I was so tired because walking to much before I went there.

I just found a coffee shops whose name was Furumoto located at west side of Minatogawa shrine.

Actually I had never visited to Kobe beore, I only believed my instinction that this coffee shop must be good.

Many shops use Hagiwara coffee beans in Kobe , and this shop uses it too. Seats are separated by partitions.

I cannot say its taste was great bacause people have different taste.Besides, Coffee shops change a type of beans daily.

However, I can say they stuck with taste and cups. This coffee shop have collected many kinds of coffee cups which are colorful and looking beautiful.

[Address] 4-4-3. Tamon street, Chu-o-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyog-ken

[Access] In front of the western exit of Minatogawa Shrine( 7 min from JR Kobe station)

[Time] Open 10:30~ 20:00, Sat&Holiday 10:30 ~ 19:30 (Closed on Sunday)

[Price] Almost of all drinks cost ¥500. Serving homemade caks