Fukuoka, introduced as the World Best Shopping City @ MONOCLE

June 26, 2008 - 2:03 pm by akko@hakata in Others, Travel  

Fukuoka, which already has a very good reputation among residents,
business people (especially Tanshin-Funin people* !), domestic tourists,
and also oversea visitors, first appeared in the latest MONOCLE magazine,
and introduced as the best shopping city, and the 16th livable place.

As a resident, Fukuoka is;
-Gourmet! Especially recommendable is ramen noodle, seafood, local shochu (distilled spirit).
-Friendly! People show [...]

Try Maiko Makeup @ Yoji-ya

June 3, 2008 - 3:42 pm by akko@hakata in Culture, Product, Travel  

If you are interested in trying Maiko makeup, not in a heavy, authentic way, but in a casual, easy way, Yoji-ya would be the best solution.

These are colors for your eyes and lips. Each is from Japanese traditional natural colors of flowers, fruits, snow, etc.
They may look unusual, but once you put them, you’ll find [...]

Katchaman’s Amazing JAPAN guide at Tokyo Power Spot(Sacred Place) ”Yasukuni Jinja Shrine & Cherry blossom viewing [靖国神社　東京・九段]”

April 3, 2008 - 4:30 pm by katchaman in Others  

 Many people can be seen enjoying the cherry blossoms in full bloom, as the cherry blossoms are at their best now in Yasukuni Jinja. Yasukuni Jinja is one of famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo.  I went and saw the cherry blossoms. too.

April 2 2008 
[Address] 3-1-1 Kudankita Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8246
[Tel] 03-3261-8326
[Access]
JR LINE
10-minute walk from [...]

Katchaman’s Amazing JAPAN guide at Tokyo Akasaka Power Spot (Sacred Place) ”Hie Jinja Shrine [日枝神社・東京赤坂]”

April 2, 2008 - 9:27 am by katchaman in Culture  

 I went to Hie Jinja. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom. I am enchanted by the beauty of the scenery!

April 1 2008
[Address] 2-10-5 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Japan
[Tel]　03-3581-2471
[Access]
Ginza・Marunouchi line Akasakamitsuke Station 8 min. walk
Marunouchi line Kokkaigijidomae Station 8 min. walk
Chiyoda line Kokkaigijidomae Station 5 min. walk
Chiyoda line Akasaka Station 8 min. walk
Yurakucho・Hanzomon line Nagatacho Station [...]

Katchaman’s Amazing JAPAN guide at Tokyo Akasaka Power Spot (Sacred Place) “Toyokawa Inari[豊川稲荷] ”

March 31, 2008 - 11:05 am by katchaman in Others  

 Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Betsuin is a branch of the main Toyokawa Inari (Myogon Temple) in Aichi Prefecture. Worship in the quiet temple is said to benefit business and if nothing else, at least provides a brief sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Hie Shrine, dubbed ‘Sanno-sama,’ was the biggest shrine in Edo during [...]

Katchaman’s Amazing JAPAN guide at Nara Power Spot (Sacred Place) “Genpian [玄賓庵（げんぴあん）]”

- 10:09 am by katchaman in Culture, Travel  

It is said that Genpi(Buddhist monk) had been in the Heian Period here.
Fudo myoo is enshrined here. Fudo is the Buddhist divinity of wisdom and fire. He is the principal deity of the Myō-ō, or great kings. Fudo is often called upon for protection during dangerous times.

 February 25 2008
Genpian [玄賓庵（げんぴあん）]
[Address] Chihara 377, Sakurai-shi, NARA
[Tel] 0744-42-6447
[Access]  [...]

Katchaman’s Amazing JAPAN guide at Nara Power Spot (Sacred Place) “Yamanobe No Michi [山之辺の道]”

March 30, 2008 - 4:44 pm by katchaman in Others  

Yamanobe No Michi [山之辺の道] is Japan’s Oldest Road! According to the Source of “The Tenri municipal government”, there are beautiful mountains ranging east of the Nara Basin. At the bottom of them lies an ancient road from Heijo (Nara city) through Isonokamifuru to Miwa and Kanaya. This road is the oldest road on record in [...]

Katchaman’s Amazing JAPAN guide at Nara Power Spot (Sacred Place) “Sai Jinja Shrine[狹井神社]”

- 4:25 pm by katchaman in Culture, Travel  

 Sai Jinja is the place to worship Omiwa Aramitama. They say that this god is to decrease illness.
We can enter Mount Miwa from Sai Jinja. ( Entrance Fee 300 yen, No photo and eating)  Sai Jinja [狹井神社] is located next to Omiwa Jinja [大神神社].

February 25 2008 
Sai Jinja Shrine [狹井神社]
[Access] 15 minutes walk from Miwa Station [...]

Katchaman’s Amazing JAPAN guide at Nara Power Spot (Sacred Place) “Omiwa No Mori [大美和の杜]”

- 3:38 pm by katchaman in Others  

In this place near Omiwa jinja, we can have a wonderful view of Mount Miminashi, Mount Unebi and Mount Kagu from Omiwa No Mori [大美和の杜].  It is amazing!

February 25 2008   
Omiwa No Mori [大美和の杜]
[Access] 15 minutes walk from Miwa Station on the JR Line. Or, 15 minutes walk from Miwamyojin Sando-guchi bus stop, which can be [...]

Katchaman’s Amazing JAPAN guide at Nara Power Spot (Sacred Place) “Omiwa Jinja Shrine[大神神社　三輪山]”

- 2:16 pm by katchaman in Others, Travel  

 As the whole of Mount Miwa, which stands directly behind the shrine, is the object of worship, the shrine has no main hall, the place where a deity is usually enshrined. The outer shrine was reconstructed in the Edo Period by Tokugawa Ietsuna.
Omononushi-no-kami, who is enshrined at this Mount Miwa the object mountain of worship, [...]