Today’s visit is to the Southern part of Japan and Nara’s first capital Asuka. There are numerous places where you can rent bicycles, which may be the most popular way to travel around the area, since the popular sights are so spread out.
Asuka is a great place for history lovers with several kofuns (tombs) with the more popular one being Ishibutai Kofun which is built from massive stone slabs. Some people say this may be the tomb of Soga-no-Umako.
Next on the list was the many carved granite stones statues.
(Directly translated as: The turtle rock, the monkey rock and the devils toilet seat lid)
There are many temples and shrines in the area including Asuka-dera, Tachibana-dera, Ryugai-ji, which unfortunately due to time, didn’t visit all of them.
Last and not least, the perceived site of the palace of Asuka Itabuki no Miya.
Asuka is a beautiful place for people who want to learn more about the history of Japan, with many of the more popular sites having signs in both Japanese and English. Renting a bicycle is recommended if you want to visit most of the sites (a good sense of direction is also recommended as well)
有名な店ではカウンター９席とテーブル16席。週末いつも満席！！This famous udon restaurant has 9 counter seats and 16 table seats. At the weekend this restaurant is always full and a long queue.
注文したのは巾着(きんちゃく)きつね 700円 I order the Kinchakukitsune at 700 yen
Basically, it is a giant fried bean curd bag with udon noodles inside, the bag is tied with a spring onion. Taste-wise it was good, the soup was distinctly sweet and the noodles being a little on the soft side. But the joy of eating this unusual dish was not the meal itself, it is the joy of seeing a little parcel in front of you and opening it to see what was inside. (It felt like Christmas again)
Watching the winter Olympics certainly puts you in the mood to do winter sports yourself. Last year i tried snowboarding and since my first experience, i have been hooked. Japan has some famous resorts in places such as Hokkaido or Nagano, where two winter Olympic games have been held in the last 40 years.
Today I went to Hakodateyama in Shiga. For some unknown reason, Shiga has been lacking in snow this year, however with just over 100cm and around 10 degrees Celsius, the conditions were fantastic.
While many people who visit Nara, visit the famous temples of Todaiji or Kasuga Taisha or Kashiara Jingu. Today I decided to visit Mount Shigi, which I usually call the mountain of the Tiger. (Co-incidently today was the Day of the Tiger, and the year of the Tiger)
Mt. Shigi-san, is 437 meters high and is located near Ikoma, northwest of Nara Prefecture. At the heart of the mountain you can find Chogosonshi-ji Temple, usually known as “Shigisan” or “Shigi-no-bishamon-san.” The place is overshadowed by the more famous temples in Nara, such as Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha and Kashihara jingu, but i really do recommend this place as an alternative.
Mt shigi has many references to Tigers, which many statues and portraits of Tigers.
The reason for this is:
In the 7th century, Prince Shotoku, the son of Emperor Yomei, was deeply devoted to Buddhism. While he was praying at this mountain for victory over Mononobe Moriya, who was disturbing the peace of the country, it is said that Bishamon-ten (the god of warriors) appeared over his head and told him a secret winning strategy. Because this occurred at the hour of the tiger, on the day of the tiger, in the year of the tiger, Bishamon-ten at Mt. Shigi-san has been worshiped as the god of happiness associated with tigers. The huge sculpture of a tiger on the approach way attracts the attention of visitors. Reiho-kan, standing next to the main temple, houses a national treasure, the Shigisan-engi-emaki (illustrated narrative hand scroll of Shigi-san Temple), that can be viewed by the public during a special exhibit held every fall. （Extract taken from: Japan National Tourist Information）
The year 2010 is very special for Nara, it commemorates the 1300th anniversary of Nara Heijo-kyo Capital.
As part of this anniversary i have decided to visit as many of the famous tourist spots as possible, while also visiting some of the less known areas that Nara has to offer.
Today we will start of with central Nara, with Nara park, which is home to around 1000 deer. The main attraction are the shika senbei (deer rice crackers) which are currently sold for 150 yen. (Here is something which is not related, but just an interesting read, according to an article in Asahi, it is said that the grass in Nara park is only sufficient to feed around 480 deer ). Which explains the reason why, when people buy the crackers, you suddenly become incredible popular (lol)
My next destination was koufuki temple, then after that the world heritage site of Kasuga Taisha, which is Nara’s most celebrated shrine.
The Japanese have the lowest birth rate in the world, however Japan has the highest life expectancy in the world. Why is this? The elderly population of Japan are usually very active and look younger than they really are.
We have all heard answers such as their diet. Rice, fish and Japanese vegetables are generally healthier options when compared to other countries, I have also heard answers, such as they work too long and need to be more active during working hours.
Statistics also show that Japanese have less Western diseases like diabetes, obesity, cancer, heart diseases, atherosclerosis, etc. and this can also be related to their diet.
Shigeaki Hinohara is one of the world’s longest-serving physicians and educators at 97 year old and he has a couple of ideas of how to live longer and happier, they are very general and aren’t really focused on Japan.
Energy comes from feeling good, not from eating well or sleeping a lot.
All people who live long �regardless of nationality, race or gender �share one thing in common: None are overweight.
To stay healthy, always take the stairs and carry your own stuff.
Pain is mysterious, and having fun is the best way to forget it.
Don’t be crazy about amassing material things.
Find a role model and aim to achieve even more than they could ever do.
There is no need to ever retire, but if one must, it should be a lot later than 65.
I must admit that all the evidence point towards the Japanese diet and the balanced exercise. Japanese people may not do more actual exercise, however Japan requires and encourages its population to use public transportation, which in turn may require people to travel to and from the station either on foot, bicycle of bus.
2010 is a busy time for February 14th, Firstly it is Valentines Day, where it is tradition in Japan for women to give chocolate to men, regardless of if they like, love or hate them. The reason for this is purely commercial and extremely old fashioned. However it make people happy. A month later, there is White Day, where men have to return the favour, by returning the woman’s gift.
Secondly- It is Chinese New Year, i don’t think this requires any explanation. Just that is doesn’t follow your conventional calender and the date for New Year changes every year.
Thirdly – It is when Automesse is held, a custom car show held in Osaka, THe custom car market is a big market in Japan and this is where car fanatics and photographers (who like to take pictures of the campaign girls) gather. A picture says a thousand words, so rather than me writing, here are a few photos to show you what it is all about.
Recently, I have been watching Usavich, an animation produced by MTV Japan and it is about two bunnies that are prison inmates, Putin and Kirenenko. Putin being the good bunny and Kirenenko being the evil bunny.
Watch Season 1, episodes 1-5 and see if you like it
Japan is home to the PRIUS, the Skyline GTR, Impreza, Evo and also the WISH
I have always loved driving and cars, it gives me the freedom to do whatever i want and to go wherever i want, without any constraints. It is a place where i can relax and enjoy being somewhere else, away from the mundane daily routine.
However, my taste in cars is a little different, i don’t like cars which are the same as everybody else. I like to make my vehicle a little unique. I purchased a 7 seater Toyota Wish, a practical car, a family car, a boring car. However it is comfortable and with a little bit of effort it can look a little sporty. There is even a fan base in Japan for this “Family car” which i have been lucky enough to attend (or not so lucky, since it makes me desire more) where a few fanatics have made mad modifications to personalize their own cars.
平成22年2月2日です、明日は節分です。
Tomorrow is Setsubun, a celebration where people eat there uncut rolled Sushi, whilst being quiet and facing the appropriate direction, this year being west- south-west. (This is usually decided by the zodiac symbol of the year)
I have heard that the tradition originated from the Kansai region and has spread due the marketing of grocery and convenience stores.
