http://www.japan-hopper.com For all your Japan related needs - Hotels, Restaurants, Activities, and much more on the map of Japan Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:46:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 ja http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/08/13_141841.php http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/08/13_141841.php#comments Wed, 13 Aug 2008 05:10:10 +0000 katchaman http://www.japan-hopper.com/?p=1841 Usa Jingu Shrine is the main home for all(44,000) Hachiman-gu shrines around Japan. I can recommend USA Jingu Shrine as one of the best sacred place in Japan.
Usa jingu Shrine, constructed in the 6th century, is dedicated to the Emperor Ojin, his mother Empress Jingu - both of whom are legendary - and his deified wife Hime Okami. Usa-jingu is the chief of Japan’s Hachiman-gu shrines dedicated to the continental god of war. Hondo, the Main Hall of the Usa-jingu, composed of buildings constructed originally in the 8th century, is an example of Hachiman architecture, and is designated as a National Treasure. Important Cultural Properties at Usa-jingu Shrine include the Korean-made bronze bell and the sword. Surviving classical documents relating to the shrine have been designated as Tangible Cultural Properties by Oita Prefecture.

 



   

   

   

   

   

   

  

Shooting date: June 21 2008

Address: 2859 Minamiusa, Oaza, Usa-shi, Oita-ken 872-0102 Japan
Telephone: 81 (0) 978 370202
Fax: 81 (0) 978 372748
Website: http://www.usa-kanko.jp/usa-jingu/
Proprietor: Usa-jingu Religious Authorities
Opening hours: 7am-6pm daily ]]> http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/08/13_141841.php/feed http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/01/06_081293.php http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/01/06_081293.php#comments Sat, 05 Jan 2008 23:16:16 +0000 akko@hakata http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/01/06_081293.php

KYUSHU is a blessed island with rich soil, warm weather, and the location surround by sea, all of which eventually make it the FOOD PARADICE !! (beside being ONSEN PARADICE!!)
Now `CHISAN-CHISHO’ means, producted and consumed in local town, a key phrase to characterise KYUSU culture.

Out of many wonderful places, Tenryo Hita, (Tenryo means the town directlly contolled by EDO government during Edo Period, 17C to 19C), an hour distance from Fukuoka Airport by express bus, enjoys WONDERFUL LOCAL LIFE with the blessing of nature, such as vefitables, fruits (especially Japanese citrus like YUZU, KABOSU), high quality soy sauce (thanks to good natural water!), and so on.

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Konohana Garden is where you can enjoy Hita life including an organic buffe restaurant.






The view from the restaurant.


Entrance board which says, `Organic Farm Land, with foods offerd by farmers there’

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As mentioned, Hita is blessed with pure natural water called `Hita Tenryo Sui’, which contributes to the production of good soy sauce, sake and shochu (distilled spirit), beer, and lemon soda.



This is an water well.



It says, the groundwater comes from underground (100 m).

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To visit Hita, there’s an express bus from Fukuoka Airport / Hakata Station. It takes a little more than an hour from the Airport, and some more from Hakata Station.


Mameda town in Hita, the main street, with 200year-old buildings from Samurai Time.


Mameda town in Hita is especially famous for Hina Matsuri, the Doll Festival in March. ]]> http://www.japan-hopper.com/2008/01/06_081293.php/feed http://www.japan-hopper.com/2007/12/15_041236.php http://www.japan-hopper.com/2007/12/15_041236.php#comments Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:24:07 +0000 akko@hakata http://www.japan-hopper.com/2007/12/15_041236.php More Photos of Pallade (Characters Show)













Sanrio characters (HelloKitty, Little twin stars, Usahana, Cinnamon, etc.) and dancers attract guests with dances and songs. Children can join the dance at the end of the show. (12:30-13:00).

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INFORMATION

-Harmony Land is about 30 minutes drive from Beppu Station. From Hakata(Fukuoka) to Beppu is about 2 hours by JR express train called `Sonic’.

-Beppu is the famous Onsen spot, near Yufuin.

-More information at the official website. ]]> http://www.japan-hopper.com/2007/12/15_041236.php/feed http://www.japan-hopper.com/2007/12/15_041235.php http://www.japan-hopper.com/2007/12/15_041235.php#comments Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:11:26 +0000 akko@hakata http://www.japan-hopper.com/2007/12/15_041235.php There’re two Hello Kitty theme park in Japan, one is in Tokyo and the other is here, with the name, `Harmony Land’. This is the perfect place to bring your little children, to spend the whole day in a Hello Kitty World!


Swinging Coffee Cups. You can choose your favorite character. There’re some other attractions little children can enjoy!!


Pallade (Characters Show). Sanrio characters (HelloKitty, Little twin stars, Usahana, Cinnamon, etc.) and dancers attract guests with dances and songs. Children can join the dance at the end of the show. (12:30-13:00).


Birthday Party Show.


Children who are having birthday in the month, after registering at the information center, will be celebrated on the stage.


Special lunch for children.(2 types + Birthday plates)


You’ll find Kitty everywhere !!


HELLO !!

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INFORMATION

-Harmony Land is about 30 minutes drive from Beppu Station. From Hakata(Fukuoka) to Beppu is about 2 hours by JR express train called `Sonic’.

-Beppu is the famous Onsen spot, near Yufuin.

-More information at the official website. ]]> http://www.japan-hopper.com/2007/12/15_041235.php/feed http://www.japan-hopper.com/2007/07/02_071049.php http://www.japan-hopper.com/2007/07/02_071049.php#comments Sun, 01 Jul 2007 22:09:32 +0000 akko@hakata http://www.japan-hopper.com/2007/07/02_071049.php Hita is also famous for delicious soy sauce!



This is rainbow ramaune（lemon soda）, gently sweet, and the color is all natural !
It’s another simbol product of Hara Jirozaemon Soysauce shop.



It has the only ramune factory open to public in Japan!



Marbles used for ramune tap.



Now this is the soysauce factory.



Good soysauce is made from good water.
Attached with the shop is a Japanese garden with a variety of trees, which we can’t miss!

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These are all soysauce!
Hara Jirozaemon soy sauce is deep and sweet, which suits Sashimi, Tofu, and any other dishes.
If you know, Tokyo soy sauce is lighter, salty and less sweet.

There’s a special one for raw egg. (Try raw egg on rice like Japanese people!)
You can taste each soysauce to pick up your favorite!

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This is the shop, with very Hita merchants town feeling!



Hara Jirozaemon soysauce shop people.
Can you recognize 15th generation president, Mr. Hara Jirozaemon? The 3rd from the left.

Thank you for today!

*Official website of Hara Jirozaemon soysauce shop & factory offers live broadcasting of ramune factory!

Profile & photoes about Hita is here. ]]> http://www.japan-hopper.com/2007/07/02_071049.php/feed http://www.japan-hopper.com/2007/07/02_061047.php http://www.japan-hopper.com/2007/07/02_061047.php#comments Sun, 01 Jul 2007 21:38:00 +0000 akko@hakata http://www.japan-hopper.com/2007/07/02_061047.php Not only hot spring town Beppu and Yufuin, but there’s a beautiful old town in Oita, with the name Hita.



Mameda town of Hita used to be directly governed by Edo (Tokyo) government in Edo period(Samurai Time, 17C-19C), and prospered as a merchants’ town.
(*Tenryo means a special district directly controlled by the central government of Japan. Ten means sky and Ryo means territory.)

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Beside its natural beauty,



Hina doll festival (Hina Matsuri) attracts lots of people (Feb.15-Mar.31 every year).
You’ll be impressed with the old traditional beautiful dolls, expressing merchants’ rich lifestyle at that time.

Movie of Hita festival scene is available here @ Oide!Hita.com



This is another festival named Gion Matsuri.
And there are some more, such as firework, cormorant fishing(Sep).



Soba (buckwheat noodle) in a nice Japanese restaurant, surrounded by Japanese garden.
Nearby is quiet hot springs.



If you have a chance to visit Kyushu, please visit Hita and then to Kumamoto castle to fully enjoy Samurai Time!
(Kumamoto Castle is where the Last Samurai Story took place!)
Hita is only an hour from Fukuoka Airport by express bus.

Please refer to another related article, Hita soy sauce issue, too.
(Hita is also noted as a soy sauce town!) ]]> http://www.japan-hopper.com/2007/07/02_061047.php/feed http://www.japan-hopper.com/2007/03/02_09958.php http://www.japan-hopper.com/2007/03/02_09958.php#comments Fri, 02 Mar 2007 00:08:19 +0000 akko@hakata http://www.japan-hopper.com/2007/03/02_09958.php

Hita is a place which flourished in Edo period (Samurai Time), about 200-300 years ago.
It was actually the center of Kyushu, culturally, economically and politically,
and still protects and cherishes its tradition, just the way it was.


Hinamatsuri (Hina Doll Festival) i(Feb.15-Mar.31) is the event you can enjoy the most beautiful season of Hita, by seeing traditional hina dolls.







If you would like to take photoes with Hina Dolls, Tenryo Hina Jinya (0973-22-2456) is the best place, with about 2,000 traditional and modern Hina Dolls.



There are other places you can enjoy Hina Dolls displayed in old merchant houses, though photo taking is usually not allowed.



and having special Hina Lunch at Shimaya (0973-24-0851)



and shopping !!







With my friends, in front of her shop, `Iwashi Club’, which deals with beautiful Japanese hand-made crafts.



About Hinamatsuri (Hina Doll Festival)

It is called Hina Matsuri in Japanese, and is a traditional event held on March 3rd, wishing for girls’ health and happy marriage. We display Hina Dolls and have a family party. Kyushu is called `a land of Hina’, and is the best place to enjoy Hina Doll Festival.

*Hita is only an hour from Fukuoka airport by express bus.

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