NARARAN-KAI

Nararan-kai is the event which is held from the 12th of February to the 26th of February in Nara.
They will show Japanese traditional RAKUGO×SAKE×NARA DISHS in NARA, and furthermore, they will do RAKUGO in English on the last day, the 26th of February (Saturday)!

It would be a wonderful opportunity for foreigners to try Japanese traditional in a old pretty shrine..

*Admission free, but need to book in advance:
CAll:06-6345-0448 or EMAIL : narayoyaku@prdx.co.jp

http://nararankai.exblog.jp/11945526/

Mr. Yano's favorite spot in Osaka

This is an incredible building. look at these pictures.
There is a highway inside the building. As it sounds, so many cars pass through this building!!

It was made just for SF movies.....maybe no. I'm sure this building is reall awesome if u make a racing movie or something.
Well, I guess there were not so many spaces to build since Osaka has had loads of buildings or the architecture were creative. Also, there is a heliport at roof top. damn!!!

I might have to ask Mr. Yano why it was build.

It's located here. I have not checked it yet but I'll definitely go take a look soon.

http://maps.google.co.jp/maps?q=%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%88%E3%82%BF%E3%83%AF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%93%E3%83%AB%20%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E3%80%80&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:ja:official&hl=ja&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

Takoyaki Party in J-hoppers Osaka!

We gonna have a Takoyaki Party on the 16th of February!
University students host the party this time!

They look forward to deepen exchanges with you!
They want to know about your country. Your culture, food, life style,,, ANYTHING!
Please join the party and make friends here!

Although they do not speak English fluently, they try to help that you have a great memory in Osaka.

Not only Takoyaki, we gonna try to Yakisoba as well! ★★
We would like to try to make Takoyaki by yourself. That's would be a good experience!

Place: the 1st floor in J-hoppers Osaka
Time: About 17:00
Fee: Free but would you bring your own drinks?
object person: The guest who stay here

There may be a fight to get some Takoyaki, be careful~~!

Chinese New Years Festival 2011 春節祭

The China town in Kobe is going to have Chinese New Years Festival for 4 days, from the 3rd of to the 6th of February. It will be the 25th this year, and it was designated as an intangible cultural heritage by Kobe city.

They will have a lot of events for these days, dragons and lion dance.. the parades of people in Chinese costumes and marching bands are worth seeing, though I'm especially curious about 中国雑技団(Chinese acrobatics) personally.

It takes about only 40 minutes to get there from Osaka, why don't you check it out and cerebrate 2011 again with Chinese way???

HP:
http://www.nankinmachi.or.jp/shunsetsu/spring2011/index.html

Hi, how's it going?

As I have good reputation for burritos, I want to introduce a real Mexican restaurant in Osaka.

I've eaten so many burritos in the states in my life. of course, more than 100 burritos. I even ate 15 burritos for 7 days when I visited California last year. I pretty much know a lot of great Mexican restaurants in San Diego.

However, I have never eaten a real burrito in Japan. I don't know where I can have it.
I have been missing it!! I have desperately wanted to eat it.

I have been looking for good one in Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto and even in Tokyo, but I could not find one.

Burrito has to be huge but it's all small in Japan. I wish we could have at least Chipotle in Japan though.

However, I could finally find one. Well, let's say it's pretty much close to "Real California Burrito" really close. Sorry I'm really snob about Burrito.



It's called "El Zocalo"

place: Osaka kita horie 1-9-6 1FB
day off: Monday
Menu:
chicken burrito 580 yen
beef burrito 630 yen
shrimp burrito 630 yen
basic burrito 480 yen


this is the website.
http://xn--9jsy78b.nokotonara.com/01/2010/09/el-zocaloburrito.html


it's open at 11:30 until 22:00, so you can have a burrito for brunch, lunch and dinner.
maybe chicken burrito for brunch, beef burrito for lunch and shrimp burrito for dinner.
How does it sound??

Enjoy your meal.

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.