Osaka illumination events

Illumination events are very popular in winter season :)
Osaka has some events so please check them!

① Hikari-Renaissance
Actually this event finished on Dec 25/2011..
But it was very great! Osaka city hall was illuminated with 3D movement.
You can see from this web site.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdZONKvH10s

This building is very old, but very nice architecture.
This is the symbol of Nakanoshima area.

Not only this, you can enjoy musical concerts, food, and cruise in this event.


②Midohsuji illumination

This illumination has hold by the 22nd of January ( Sunday).
Midohsuji, the main road of Osaka is light-upped like this about 2 kilometers from Yodoyabashi to Nagahori.



We hope you have a romantic night in Osaka （＾ｖ＾）/★ A happy new year~~!

Event information @J-Hoppers Osaka

It has been a bit weird weather since last month, sometimes super cold, sometimes very warm.. but anyway, it's December, the busiest time to end/welcome New Year.

We are also busy for parties.. please check out our regular events;

Wednesday morning: Local walking tour
Try a 'cos-play' or maid cafe (costume fancy dress cafe) ?
Wanna try Pachinko? One of our staff will plan a tour course so that guests can enjoy it!

Wednesday evening : Izakaya(Japanese style bar) party
Osakan Occhan(old guy)Mr.Yano takes you to Izakaya.. who can beat him?!!

Thursday early evening : Kimono Experience
The Japanese instructor will dress you up in Kimono, and take a walk for photos.

Friday evening : International Exchange Party
J-Hoppers Osaka will become the bar every Friday.

Sunday evening : Izakaya(Japanese style bar) party
Again, Mr.Yano takes you to Izakaya.. how much can he drink?? Ask him in person!


Also, we will do special events with Friday party this month:
9th : Korean food party
We invite a Korean friend and she will cook real Korean food !
16th:Takoyaki party
Takoyaki is a famous food in Osaka- it's fun to make by yourself!
23rd: Christmas party
We had so much fun last year - it was Beer pong! Kohei will organize it this year again, join "Beer pong World cup"!!


That's all.. please see the event schedule for more details.
http://j-hoppers.com/e_eventcalendar.html

We can't wait having fun with you !!

Arima hot spring!

Arima Onsen is one of great Onsen in kinki area.
Access is very easy from Osaka!
It is worth to visit!

Arima has 2 kinds of Onsen, one is called " gold Onsen " another one is called " Silver Onsen".
Gold onsen's color is red and yellow. This is a picture of old onsen!


Silver onset looks like normal, but it makes you very warm and comfortable.
Both Onsens are very good for your health.

I visited " Taiko no yu" which is a amusement park of Onsen in Arima.
You can enjoy spa, massage,bedrock bath , food and so on.

This amusement park is amazing!
You can enjoy both onsen at the same time!
And you can enjoy 24 kinds of both style.

I relaxed so much! I am sure you have a great time here.
http://www.taikounoyu.com/



I wanna visit Arima Onsen again♪（＾＾） Miss it!

Christmas market at Sky building

[German Christmas Market at Sky building]

Nov 18th ～　Dec 25th.

Mon-Thurs: １２：００～２１：００
Fri: １２：００～２２：００
Sat and Sun: １１：００～２２：００


Entrance fee: free

Great chance to drink German Glühwein which is pretty good!
You can buy Gluewein at IKEA but this is more authentic one. I'm sure you will like it.












It's closed at 21:00/22:00, so whenever you feel like drinking gluewein!
Also, if you have a few bills to spend, you can go up to the top of the building and see the beautiful night view. it's 700 yen to go up.

http://www.skybldg.co.jp/event/xmarkt/2011/images/S-4.jpg

Candle night 2011★Winter

The event of "Candle night" is coming soon this year again.



Turn off the light, and light a candle.


then,


Write a letter to your familiy, friends, lover..

Take a long bath ..

Read a book ..

Enjoy nice dinner with special person ..

Save energy and think about peace ..


Go slow. Enjoy this quiet peaceful time.



Very relaxed, beautiful and peaceful event is held in Osaka.
One of them, Nishiumeda night is close to J-Hoppers Osaka, it's only 10 minutes walk.

Candle Night in Osaka

*Nishiumeda night : 7th of December (Wednesday) 18:00 - 22:00
*Chayamachi night : 14th of December (Wednesday) 18:00 - 22:00

The best international hostel !

Our international events are very popular nowadays!
I guess it is a bit difficult to guess what kind of party we are having on every Wednesday,
so I introduce you! :)


One of our staff ( the middle of the picture with white apron) takes you to Izakaya, or Japanese
style pub.
We have started this because we wanted to provide a chance for the guest to know each other!

Do not worry about anything, just join us!
Regardless of nationality, religion or culture, anyone who stay @ J-hoppers can join!

You worry about money? No need it !
Please pay for food and drink which you order.
If you do not order so much, you can save it!



After eating and talking, we usually go to Karaoke!!
It makes more special night!

karaoke is amazing ! No border in songs!
Dance, sing, laugh!
You can color your life!



Not only Wednesdays, we have this event on Sundays as well now.

Starting time is 19:00 but please join anytime!

J-hoppers Osaka is the best international hostel in Osaka! We are sure!

Halloween Party @J-Hoppers Osaka

Mr.Halloween, Kyohei organizes Halloween Party at J-Hoppers Osaka on this Friday, 28th!
If you dress up and come to the party, you will get 1 FREE drink !!

Mr.Kyohei became "Mr. Italy" last night... how about this year, someone said, Mr. Mexico?!!


Date : the 28th of October, Friday
7 pm-22:00
Fee : Guest - Free
Non guest - 1000 yen or bring food

Halloween Party at Giraffe

There is a costume contest at Giraffe in Shinsaibashi.
Basically, you have to dress up whatever you want to be.



There are some judges and if you got the first prize, you can get A pair of air ticket overseas!
2nd prize is you can go snowboarding!

Halloween is said that it's a big excuse to be slutty as much as you want!
If you go downtown, there are so many slutty girls. Also, so many people dress up like so intense. you might be impressed.
p.s. I'm gonna be un mexicano! barba, sombrero y pancho!



Date and Time
Oct. 29th (sat) 6:30~9:30pm (Door Open: 6pm)

Osaka Minami 2011 International Beer Festival

The Osaka Minami 2011 International Beer Festa will be held over three days from tomorrow
at Minato River Place.
It's so much fun to drink beer in hot and humid summer time, but actually it's a bit cold to drink these days in the evening..
but anyway, if you LOVE drinking beer, I don' t see why not??!
They have about 100 kinds of beer from over 30 countries!!

If you are not a big fun of beer, they also have many world-wide cuisines and dance/music show, so you would enjoy it.


Date
10/14 (Fri) 15:00-20:00
10/15 (Sat) 12:00-20:00
10/16 (Sun) 12:00-20:00

Admission : FREE
Place : Minatomachi river place ( it's connected with JR Namba station)

http://www.minami-net.jp/?p=1500
*Japanese page

Let's see a ｍｕｓｉｃａｌ★ in Osaka

I saw the musical play in Gekidan-Shiki's theather in Osaka.
Gekidan-Shiki is a famous drama company which play to aim at a mass audience.

It was the first time to see this kind of musical play for me.
I was touched and wanted to see again!

Gekidan-Shiki have many dramas, one of them which I saw was 「The Sound of Music」.
It was very lovely!:)
Story was nice, songs were great, their act was amazing.
This show close by the end of February 2012.
( You still have a chance♪）

Another drama is going to be put on the stage since Oct 23 in Kyoto.
The tile is 「Mamma Mia!」
This has been played in Osaka last year, but I missed to see...
If you have a chance, you would be better to go! :)

http://www.shiki.jp/

Spanish Omelett VS Japanese Sushi - World contest!!

We will have a new event on the 17th of September, it is -

"Spanish Omelett VS Japanese Sushi "!!

Can you bet which one will win?!
You can cook Spanish Omelett with our Spanish staff Jose,
or Japanese Sushi with our Japanese staff Fumi,
then you can learn how to cook them also.
After cooking, you can eat them and enjoy your dinner !

We can have only 4 people on each team, so please sign up at the reception if you want to join!!

Date : Sep 17th (Saturday)
Time : 6:30pm -
Place : in the kitchen
Fee: 500 yen

Machu Picchu

It's been 100 years since an Archaeologist,Hiram Bingham, found this place.
so, it's 100 years anniversary for this.
don't know why we Japanese celebrate this though. Weird.
( because Hiram Bingham must be an American I think . )

Time: 9/17～10/2

Fee: Free

Place: 大阪府咲洲庁舎 near trade center maestation


The Incas, we might have studied when we were high school, started building the "estate" around AD 1400, but abandoned it as an official site for the Inca rulers a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest.
Well, I really wanna go visit Machu Picchu in the near future.

If you want to see it but don't have time, you have to go to this exhibition.

Haunted house in Umeda

there is a haunted house in Umeda.
The website saying, there was a secret road which is called route 0.
it exists in between some dodge buildings around the end of route 1 and route 2.


Well, this might be fun, but it says if you go inside, you can not get out of there forever....so I don't recommend you should go there unless you don't care about it.



place: in frot of Hanshin department
fee: 800yen

http://www.ktv.jp/0/map.html

Very nice Sri Lankan restaurant

We found a very nice Sri Lankan restaurant :)

You might think you wanna eat Japanese food in Japan.
It is a great idea!
Real Japanese food are amazing.
Delicious, beautiful, healthy.

But, I recommend this restaurant too.
Sri LanKan food, but very nice!

It looks like a house with big garden.
Goats and sheep are there :)
All chef are Sri Lankan！

Please visit here, I m sure you have a great time！

http://www.luckygarden.jp/
Taxi　from Ikoma station
TEL　0743-77-7936

　Cafe 10:00～
　Lunch　11:00~14:00
　Dinner　17:00~22:00
　

Yodogawa Fireworks Festival 2011

Yodogawa Fireworks festival is coming in 4 days!!
..However, we enjoyed from our rooftop for the last 3 years, but a new building has been under construction in the same direction of the fireworks and is getting higher and higher, so I guess it would disturb us to watch the fireworks..
We had great party on the rooftop last year, but it seems better to not do it this year..

BUT!! Mr. Yano is willing to help out. He has lived in this area and watched these fireworks for more than 20 years every year without fail, he has planned a tour this year to watch the fireworks.

*The details *
1. Please come to the J-Hoppers reception at 6:30 pm on the 6th of August(Saturday)
2.We will walk to the river side(about 20 mins)
You can buy a sushi set(500 yen) if you want, and enjoy with fantastic fireworks!!
3.After the fireworks, you can also enjoy Japanese public bath(sento) on the way back to J-Hoppers. The fee:400 yen

Kobe FireWork

This coming saturday, AUg 6th, there is a Firework Festival in Kobe.
It starts from 19:30. There will be so many people there and must be super busy.

I'll tell you where you can see the firework wel;

1) Kobe Harbor land
2) Meriken park
3) Nakafutou(Port island)
4) Venus Bridge
5) Mt. Rokko


i think Venus bridge is the best place because you can see the night view as well and there might not be so busy. If you catch a cab from near Sannomiya hankyu station, it would be 1,200yen to get to there. You will have to call a cab to pick you up to go down to Sannomiya though.

Also, I guess there are not so many people around nakafutou station.


p.s. Yodogawa firework falls on the same day!

Osaka koku Passport

Osaka is very hot now!

Please come to Osaka and do shopping!
Actually, a wonderful discount system has been started since this April in Osaka!

This system's name is Osaka koku Passport.
If you buy something in a member's store, earning points and using them as a discount.

You do not need a difficult procedure.
A mobile phone with IC chip or IC traffic transport card will be a point card.

Some restaurants close to J-hoppers are also available.

This is a very good idea★
You try to do shopping in Osaka area, earing and using points.

Effective term is 1 year.
Everyone can join it!
Please come to Osaka :)

URL↓
http://www.osaka-pass.jp/index.html

International Exchange Party+Nagashi somen+α

We J-hoppers Osaka have International Party on every Friday these days, and we will have "Nagashi somen" also on this Friday - mean, tomorrow, the 15th!

What is "Nagashi somen"? ... it's "flowing somen".
What is "Somen"? ... it's one of Japanese noodle, but not ramen, not udon, not soba..
How do you eat it??
... Well, just come and see what we're doing!
Actually, it's my first time to try by myself, so I can't exactly explain yet... haha.


Also, many summer festivals are starting from this week, include "Tenjin Matsuri festival"which is one of biggest festival in Japan.
In Minami area(near Namba and Shinsaibashi) has variety,too.
See this website and check their schedule!

Ittoko Minami (in English)

http://www.ittoko-minami.net/en/calendar.html

Let's try real hotsprings in Osaka:)

~~~~Real hot springs in Osaka city List~~~~

①Naniwa no yu
06-6882-4126
FEE 750yen
OPEN 10:00~25:00 . 365days
ACCESS get off at Tenjinbashisuji 6cho-me station. (subway)
★Osaka unlimited pass is available.

②Kamigata Onsen Ikkyu
06-6467-1519
FEE weekdays 700yen, Holidays 800yen
OPEN 10:00~26:00. Closed on the third Tuesday.
ACCESS catch a pick-up bus at Nishikujyo station (JR Osaka roop-line)
★spring's quality is very good!

③Tennen Onsen Tanabe
06-6628-1126
Fee 410yen
OPEN 6:00~25:00 Closed on Wednesdays.
ACCESS get off at Tanabe staion. (Subway)
★reasonable price and good Onsen!

There are more hot springs in Osaka.
If you head to Kobe, "Kua-house hot spring" is recommendable.

Thank you.

Namba Yasaka shrine

It's just 5 mins walk form Namba station

If you enter through the east gate, you can see this big dog-ish.

This is not a dog. it's a traditional "animal"


If you go there by train

go out side through exit 32 at Subway Yotsuyabashi.

then head to South for Motomachi 2:intersection.

after you hit the intersection, cross the street. walk until you hit Motomachi North3.
You have to make sure you are on the Midousuji street.

Then if you walk to west, you can find this weird shrine.


People go downtown for fun like eat, drink and party but this sight thing might be fun as well.

Osaka has a weird shrine, but this is really epic..no?

Tenjin Festival Funatogho observation seats on the boat

Tenjin Matsuri festival is one of biggest festival in Japan, and tons of people will come from everywhere, even from overseas.
This is the great festival and our guests also went to enjoy this festival every year.
But it's so hard to get a space to see fire works, because of too many people and the fire works don't go off so high in the city center, so most of them are exhausted and come back..

So, if you are coming to Osaka because of this festival,why don't you think to buy a special seat??
You can get on the boat to avoid those people, and enjoy fireworks with nice Bento(lunch box) and funny commentary by Osakan comedian. You would be a part of someone's picture for sure.

Date: 25th of July (Monday)
6 pm -
The fare : 17,000 yen
http://www.osaka-info.jp/jp/tenjin/

天神祭（English, Chinese, Korean)


The special seat on the land is also recommendable.
http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/event_8422.html

Enjoy Osaka Sightseeing to the full!

Osaka is one of the famouse sightsiing spots in Japan!
But if you read this, your trip would be more interesting!

I introduce Osaka people's habits and Osaka own culture!

◎Most of the Osaka people talk to interactive voice machines.
Japan has many talking machines such as vending machines, parking gates, and tickes machines.
Osaka people response them.

◎Mixed juice is famouse only in Osaka (Kansai area).
It is a popular juice, but Kanto people are not familiar with it.
Banana, peach, pineapple and vanilla are mixed together.

◎Usually Japan has 3 types of souce; thick, semi-thick and thin.
But Semi-thick souce is not exist in Osaka.
We have Okonomiyaki souce though.. ha ha.

◎People are frendly.
Yes, Osaka people are very optimistic and approachable! ( I believe so)

◎Shoot Osaka people as joke, then they pretend to die..!
80% it is true!
Please try to do this with our staff, Mr Yano!

He is a typical Osaka people! ha ha :)

Candle night in Osaka ★Summer 2011

Turn off the light, and light a candle.


then,


Write a letter to your familiy, friends, lover..

Take a long bath ..

Read a book ..

Enjoy nice dinner with special person ..

Save energy and think about peace ..


Go slow. Enjoy this quiet peaceful time.


Candle Night in Osaka

*Chayamachi night : 1st of June (Wednesday) 18:00 - 22:00
*Nishiumeda night : 8h of June (Wednesday) 18:00 - 22:00
**The eve of Nishiumeda event: 7th of June (Tuesday) 19:00- 21:00

Event schedule

*Twinkle love-live(live music) 19:00-22:00
*Light off 2 hours 20:00-22:00



http://www.candle-night-osaka.jp/about/

weird statues

look at these good looking statues!!

they don't have the most part of bodies....



they are waiting for you near here. it's close to Doutonbori.
it's just right infront of Namba doutonbori Hotel

I'm pretty sure it's going to be an awesome facebook profile picture!!!!!

There are so many clubs around there like, Pure, Life, Triangle, Giraffe and..more clubs.

If you go downtown to hang out, I recommend you go visit this hotel to take pictures.

Corrected "We gonna have a drinking party on MAY 14! "

Sorry, there was the mistake in last blog "We gonna have a drinking party on MAY 14! ".

Start @ 18:00
　↓
Start @ 19:00

We're looking forward to drinking with you!!

We gonna have a drinking party on MAY 14!

We gonna have a drinking party in Izakaya on MAY 14 ( Sat)!

Izakaya is a Japanese style pub. They have Japanese food , Sake and beer!

You would enjoy Japanese food such as Sushi!

It is a good chance to learn Japanese culture as well.

Please join us and let's have a good time!

Details are as below,

2000yen per 1 person.
Start @ 18:00

MAY 14 ( Sat) Don't miss it!! :)

If you would like to book beds or rooms, please call us. 06-6453-6669 (8:00~22:00)
We wait for your visit! Thank you in advance.

Osaka Midousuji Open Festival

There is a big event around Minami(Osaka) area on the May 8th(Sun).

Some jazz, sports, dance, art and fashion groups are coming to perform for this event.

Last year, 370,000 people came there to see them. It's all packed on the Midousuji, sennichimae street and nagahori street by people.


This year as well, so many people might go visit there!

There is no fee and it's on Sunday, so if you have time or don't have any plans, you definitely have to go!


Date: May 8th 13:00～17:00

Place: Midousuji steet, sennichimae street, nagahori street and around the Namba Intersection.

Tulip Island Party in Awaji Island!

Thank you very much for coming to Kansai area★
But, why not go to the Awaji Island?!

It's located between Hyogo and Tokushima prefecture.
Small island, but worth to visit, especially in spring!

My favorite place is "Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park"★☆★
It's not just a park, it's a paradise of flowers!
About 600 thousand pieces and 300kinds of flowers bloom by May 29.
Tulips are wonderful, livingstonedaisies are amazing..! ( Picture is above)
Fee : 400yen

Next to this park, there is "The Miracle Planet Museum of plants".
It's also interesting, you can see the art of plants!
Rose festival is held from Apr 23 ( Sat) to May 31 (Tue) there.
Fee: 600yen (Combined ticket for the park is available)

If you have time, I recommend going to Sumoto Spa and see the Naruto straits.

Easy access from Osaka! Please take a high-way bus at Osaka station.
One way is 1200yen ~

I LOVE this island!!!!
Now you wanna go, right? :)





リビングストンデージー

KIMONO LESSON 2

We organize "Kimono lesson" on every Thursday for our guests.

Kimono instructor comes and dresses you up.. we have 2 kimonos, but sorry, not for men at the moment..

anyway, she dresses you up in Kimono in the TV lounge, and you can take photos there of course,

but if the weather is fine and you have a time, why don't you take a walk to the small shrine?





It's about 5 minutes walk to get there, and we are located on the local shopping street, so you may go to a cafe or shopping little bit.. you can enjoy as you like.

*Every Thursday afternoon, 15:00-17:00
*Reservation required / Maximum 2 females (Sorry, men!)
*Fee : FREE

Please feel free to ask the schedule, it's sometimes possible to arrange except Thursday.

Osaka is SAFE!!

Hey! Are you afraid of traveling Japan?! No, No way!
WE ARE ABSOLUTELY SAFE.

J-hoppers and Hana hostels are located in the safe area.
YOU CAN DO SIGHTSEEING.

Honestly, we are shocked at the damage due to the earthquake and tsunami.
A lot of people lose their houses, friends, families. Unfortunately Nuclear power plants have problems.
However, it is WRONG that radiation expose to us and the whole area is dangerous.
The level of radiation is really low.

ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE SAFE!

Spring season coming soon....
Sakura, or cherry blossom is very beautiful in Spring!

You can watch fireworks at our roof-top in Summer.
Universal Studio Japan is 10th anniversary this year.
Shinkansen, or bullet train is running through Kyushu area now.

Autumn leaves viewing is also recommendable. We have a Christmas and New year party in Winter! Kimono lesson is free here. It starts 15:00~ on every Thursday.

One of our staff, Kyohei speaks Italian and Spanish. Our manager knows pilgrimage very well.
You might run into people who change your life here.
They might be your best friends.

Once again, J-HOPPERS AND HANA HOSTEL ARE SAFE.
YOU CAN DO SIGHTSEEING.
Many non-Japanese stay in Japan.

If you hesitate to visit Japan, please NOT do that!
We help your travel!