Let's go to E-cube in KIKI University!

E-cube opens to the public from FEB 15 to MAR 31 in this winter!

E-cube is a kind of English-speaking cafe in KINKI university.
Usually only the students participate in it, however it opens to the public during the summer and spring vacations.
(10:00~16:00 Only weekdays, FREE)

5 to 8 people sit around each tables and talk in English.

The staff working there do some activities at 13:00 everyday.
They do cook, make a presentation related to Japan, play a music and so on..

People who join in a chat are so approachable, interested in English and overseas.
I recommend this facility even for non-Japanese because language they speak is English.
You would hear what Japanese people think nowadays.

When I talked with some ladies, they were anxious about their old age..
I noticed the reality of an increasing number of senior citizens.

Commons in the university help you to do rest.
Otherwise many restaurants are close to the University.
Not only English, you can enjoy having lunch or dinner there.

If you wanna talk in a small group, please visit e-cube in rainy days.
Access is getting off at Kintetsu Nagase station and walk for 10mins.

Don't miss this chance!

Osaka basic tourist route in winter!

I recommend making a bicycle trip in Osaka, showing you a tourist route in winter.
Please rent a bicycle at J-hoppers Osaka in the morning. (500yen per one day)

Please cycle to the East starting from J-hoppers, then arrive at "Tenjinbashisuji food street"soon.
Here is the longest shopping street in Japan. Please try Japanese food, especially
trying Osaka food will be a good experience!

Go to the South, then you can see the river!Actually this river is running along the Osaka
castle park! The castle is stunning. It looks strong and grace.
You can cycle in the park. If you are interested in history of Osaka, please visit
" Osaka history museum". It is close to the Osaka castle park.

Go back to the West, you arrive at " Maccyamachisuji shopping street".
This street is known as poppets, toys, stationery, snacks and so on..
Japanese traditional snacks will be a good presents!

Head to South-West, "Namba"comes up! Namba is a downtown in Osaka!
MANY people, MANY stores, MANY restraints!
You can find whatever you want!
"Hozenji-Yokocho alley" , "Kamigata Ukiyoe museum"
and " America mura" are also worth to visit!
Please try Takoyaki, or octopus dumplings. You can make them by yourself in some restaurants.

There is a big street , names Midohsuji between "Namba" to "Umeda" .
It is a symbolize in Osaka, then ginkgo trees are along the street.
Actually these trees are illuminated until JAN 16.

Please go to north through this street in the evening!
You can be happy even you are down as you see them!
Look at traffic lights as well or you got crashed by car,, ha ha.

End of this street, it is a place of Hikari-Renaissance!
It is an annual festival at Nakanoshima area that symbolizes Osaka Aqua Metropolis.
Old buildings are illuminated until DEC25, especially the central public hall is illuminated amazing. This area becomes different! Although you are familiar with this area, I recommend going there during this festival!

Go to the North again, you come back to J-hoppers Osaka.
However if you have time, please visit "The sky building".
Christmas market is held there until DEC 26th.

I hope you do a great trip in Osaka.
Having a beer after this travel must be tasty!
Almost all bars or pubs around J-hoppers Osaka are open until over-midnight.
I hope you have a good time here in Japan!!

*The picture is related to Hikari-Renaissance.

Candle night 2010★Winter

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

*Chayamachi night : 2nd of December (Thursday) 18:00 - 22:00
*Nishiumeda night : 9th of December (Thursday) 18:00 - 22:00


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

kobe luminarie 12/2(THU)～12/13(MON)

I introduce Kobe luminarie which is a beautiful illuminations although this is a autumn leaves season.

Kobe luminarie - stands for the requiem for the victims at the Great Earthquake in Kobe - January 17, 1995.
This a great illumination event in short!

This scale is amazing and known as sculpture art of lights.

They call the street with illuminations toward the main event frontone, or front door adornments made by lights.
As you pass the street, you might feel to reach the Haven.

I recommend visiting there anyway!

This event is held in Kobe, Hyogo prefecture.
Please get off at JR Motomachi station (East exit).

Sannomiya station is also close to it, however
you need to head to Motomachi station on food because frontone is one-way street.

From Motomachi station, please go to the south and turn left at the corner of Mitsubishi
UFJ trust bank.
Frontone appears soon!

Heading there on weekdays is recommendable.
Admission fee is free!

However they are in the red... so please donate to them if you like.

Held on DEC 2(THU)~13(MON) in 2010 from evening to night.

Many stands are placed around the main park.
I bought luminarie's stamps last year.

I m sure you have a good time there!

Christmas Party at J-Hoppers Osaka 2010

It's getting cold here and the town started to be illuminated with Christmas decorations.. they're romantic and beautiful, and makes us excited.

There will be a lot of Christmas events in Osaka, so we also decided the date of our Christmas party.


Date : the 22nd of December ( Wednesday)
in the evening, around 7 pm.
Place : our Kitchen on the 1st floor
Fee: Free
but please bring your own drink, and your motivation to have fun with us!

Evenings of Traditional Osaka Performing Arts

Every 1st and 3rd Saturday evening, there is the show which you can enjoy 4 kinds of traditional arts in Osaka, for example, Noh, Bunraku, kyogen, Rakugo, Geisya dance etc. ..
They are difficult to understand for even our Japanese people, but in this show, an comedian(Rakugo-ka) translates each show, so you can understand easily with laughing!
Also, they give you a reference materials in English,Chinese and Korean, and free right food(steamed rice and green tea).

Why don't you try to learn them, instead of night clubbing??

Place: Yamamoto Noh gakudo
Access: Walk from Subway Tanimachi 4 chome station
Admission fee: from 3500 yen

http://kamigata-night.com/

Hiraoka Festival Oct.14th&15th

Largest class autumn festival with 20 taiko drum stands entering the shrine and 3 floats parading.

Every year approx. 150,000 worshippers and numerous stalls fill the shrine premises during the two-day festival.

This is a MUST!!

Date : October 14th and 15th
Time : 15:30 - 23:00
Admission : Free
Place : Hiraoka Shrine (072-981-4177)
* The nearest station is Kintetsu Hiraoka station.