Do you have any plans for the New Year holidays? -Come Visit Fukui!-

What are you going to do during the New Year holidays? You might be planning to do house work, be hospitable to your family members and/or friends who visit your house, do nothing but eat and sleep, enjoy watching movies, read books, study, visit your parents' house, have fun with your friends, etc.

Some of you might be planning to travel around.

If you are in Japan and want to travel around, I recommend you to visit Fukui. As we've introduced on our website "GEN" that there are many things that are enjoyable in Fukui throughout the year. Of course, it is great to be in Fukui during winter as well because there are amazing crab to eat, hot springs to relax and feel warm, ocean to see and feel soothed, temples to visit and feel at peace, etc.

Moreover, we have snow in winter, temples and ocean look amazing with the snow.

A friend of mine from other prefecture visited Fukui last winter, and she was impressed by the ocean with strong waves.

This is the video that was provided by Fukui Prefecture, "Letter of the Fortune: Fukui, home for happiness to come." The great places to visit, the amazing foods to eat, interesting things to do in Fukui are introduced in the video. Enjoy!

T.F

As you can see, Fukui is a fascinating place to visit. If you are in Japan and haven't made a plan yet for the New Year holidays, how about visiting Fukui? I'm sure you will have a great time!

Imaginary Fukui City's subway

It was introduced in the Fukui Shimbun newspaper the other day: A university student from Echizen City created an imaginary Fukui City Transportation Bureau and released its subway map. It "operates" the subway lines every day.  

Of course, there are no subway lines in Fukui City now, and I have never heard that they would be constructed in the future. But I admire such an idea with dreams.

When I looked at the subway map, I was glad to find a station near my house.

I think that Shinkansen is certainly necessary, but subways are closely related to the daily lives of the local people, so if there are, they help the people a lot. As well as during winter with much snow, in the hot summer sun or the rain, you don't have to wait a bus outside. They also are useful for people who don't drive. And elderly people may not feel hesitant to return their driver licenses. (H.S)

Here is a video of the "Fukui City Transportation Bureau".(2'20")

Fukui City Subway Lines  Fukui Station  Owada Line

There is nothing I cannot do. There is no way I can do it without doing it.

Carnegie Hall and Carnegie Hall Tower（ Carnegie Hall - Wikipedia ）
Tomorrow, December 26th, Fukui Commercial High School Cheerleader Club JETS performs at the Carnegie Hall.
JETS is a team formed with the aim of winning the NDA (National Dance Alliance) competition. Indeed, America is synonymous with JETS, and I hear that many students who enter JETS have been dreamed of 'National championship in America'. However, this year, the recommendation system of NDA for Japanese high school teams has quitted and the dream has ended.
But when I saw Ms. Igarashi, the teacher in charge of the club, at the All Japan Competition last year, she said "I am going to take them to the United States somehow." As the new year came, hearing that JETS won another competition held in Las Vegas, I remembered her words. And recently, I felt astonished again at their new departure.
When I took a video of practice scenes in November, I saw Ms. Igarashi reading notebooks stacked on a desk at a corner of the gym. I think that the notebooks are "Dream Notes" of each member. I'm sure that the dream of dancing in the United States is written in each of them. I was touched by the teacher who took their dreams and realized the dreams.
By the way, the motto of her was introduced on a TV program of NHK World last year.
"There is nothing I cannot do. There is no way I can do it without doing it."
I posted the words on the wall this year.
T.S

JETS practicing at the gymnasium of Fukui Commercial High School
(taken in November)

Eiheiji Temple and the "5 lucky paintings"

I visited Eiheji Temple in Fukui Prefecture.

We've visited there and introduced the temple several times.

Today, I'd like to introduce the 5 lucky paintings on the ceiling in one of the rooms called "Sansho-kaku" in the Eiheiji Temple. In the room, there are 230 paintings on the ceiling and they make the visitors impressed.

The paintings are painted by 144 great painters. One of them is a father of a famous actress in Japan, Yukiji Asaoka.

It is said that if you find 5 of the 230 paintings; a squirrel, the Chinese-style figure of a blue lion, the Chinese-style figure of a white lion, two white carps, and a black carp, your wish might come true.

It is fun to enjoy looking at all the beautiful paintings on the ceiling and looking for the 5 special ones. It might help you to make your wish come true.

I'd like to share the video that introduces the words of Dogen Zenji (19 January 1200 – 22 September 1253), a Japanese Buddhist priest, writer, poet, philosopher, and the founder of the Soto school of Zen in Japan. His words are very meaningful. Before the new year starts, it might be a good thing to think about things in your life with his words.

T.F.

The birthplace of rice omelet: a restaurant "Hokkyokusei"

When I went to Osaka the other day, I had a rice omelet at the "Hokkyokusei".

（Hokkyokusei means Polaris in Japanese.）

Although the restaurant seems to have been well known, I didn't know at all that there was a birthplace of rice omelet in the first place.

You can read why the rice omelet was born on their web site. 

In short, there was a following conversation between a customer and the owner.

"This is very good. What is the dish called?" "Rice and omelet, so it is a rice omelet!"

I went to their Shinsaibashi head restaurant, which is like a retro Japanese-style

house with a courtyard. It was nice to have a delicious rice omelet in the spacious retro Japanese room. So I understand the restaurant is popular among foreign tourists.

 
The omelet was fine and thin.  I thought that the word "gentle taste" was truly to describe the rice omelet.

                   

                              There was a multilingual plate on each table.

             

                                    This one is for the restaurant staff.

     

                                                The entrance of the Hokkyokusei　      

I went there around 1 p.m. on a weekend and waited inside about 20 minutes before I was guided to a table.  It was good that I didn't have to wait long outside.

They have a few branch restaurants in Kyoto as well. (H.S) 

                       

Klee on street corners

Walking through the streets, sometimes some traces in the landscape caught my attention. Especially a triangle that remains on the wall is interesting. It's lost the entity of the roof, and now it looks like an abstract painting.
Although it doesn't actually look like Klee's works at all, I'm reminded of them.

This is a comparatively realistic mountain whose background looks like clouds drawn with an airbrush.

This work has a high degree of abstraction. The arrangement of the elements is cool, such as the straight lines carved sharply on the wall surface, curving lines of piping and the small circle of the ventilation.
T.S

HY concert in Sabae City

The other day, I went to HY's concert held at Sabae City Cultural Center.

                                 (The photo is from HY official web site)

HY is a band that was formed with classmates and friends from childhood in Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture. The band name HY came from the first letters of their community "Higashi Yakena".

In the middle of their concert, they did a comedy sketch wearing a high school uniform. It was so funny and fun, also they acted very well. The members of HY still live in Okinawa. They say that their music comes from the sound of the sea, the wind and the local life in Okinawa. They also do a voluntary beach cleanup activity there. Seeing their concert, I felt that the members get along so well and trust each other.

                    After the concert, they took a photo with the audience.
                              (The photo is from HY's official blog)

By the way, I happened to see a popular YouTuber Kazu in Fukui and talked to him. He said, "My wife is a big fan of HY. I haven't been HY's concert for a while, so I am excited." He was friendly as I see him on YouTube. (H.S)

 HY PV "Place Back Home"(2'00")

Awara Onsen (hot spring) in Fukui Prefecture

It's getting cold these days and it is obvious that winter has finally arrived in Japan. In Fukui, it usually becomes very cold and we have so much snow every winter. Therefore, many of us visit the hot spring resort in Fukui called Awara.


There are about 30 hot spring hotels in the resort and some of their hot springs are opened to the public.

Without staying at the hotels, the visitors can take bath three times at any hot springs you'd like that join Awara Hot Spring Ryokan Union with one "Yumeguri-tegata" pass.

I have used the "Yumeguri-tegata" pass several times, and I enjoyed the different hot spring water. It's interesting to experience that every hot spring has different texture, smell and color. I've learned so much about the hot spring by using the pass.

Unfortunately, the "Yumeguri-tegata" pass will be discontinued on December 20th, 2018 and the service will be ended on April 25th, 2019, which means that if you buy the pass now, you must use it by April 25th, 2019.

After finishing their service, they haven't decided if they take visitors only for their hot springs. They might open the hot springs only to their staying guests.

"Ashiyu" (foot-bath) will continue so the visitors can still relax there. If you have a chance to come to Fukui, how about visiting Awara and relax there?

T.F


This is the video of Charlotte from Australia experienced a foot-bath at "Ashiyu" , which is located near Awara-Yunomachi Station in Awara City, Fukui Prefecture. It is free of charge and anyone can enjoy.
Enjoy!

My bag's capacity

I took out all the contents from my bag, Sacoche made by Morino Canvas in Japan. I bought this small bag in January of 2017, so it has been almost two years since then.

Although I thought once or twice about buying a so-called business bag for commuting, I don't have to worry wherever I go, as long as I can carry the stuffs shown above.

So I have been using it after all.
T.S

Shinsen-en Temple: The oldest historic site in the ancient capital of Japan in Kyoto

The other day, I went to Kyoto again. I didn't have much time to do sightseeing but I was able to visit only the Shinsen-en Temple.

The Shinsen-en Temple is close to Nijo-jo Castle. I didn't know about the history of the temple, but it was a garden for the emperor, which was created in the year 794.

Also, it is a popular photo spot now, so people came one after another and they were taking photos. It seems that their "Goshuin"(stamps given at shrines or temples) is popular and there were several people lining up to get it.

I recognized the depth of Kyoto that such a temple that you can walk in off the street and not so large has a long history. (H.S)

                   It is believed that your wish will be fulfilled if you cross the bridge.

                                            Graceful houseboat

                               Viewing the Heian hall from the bridge

                       Former emperors enjoyed boating on this quiet pond.

                 In the precinct, there is a shrine that it is said it protects visitors.

The actors of a Japanese film visited here and prayed for its hit on the bridge. The Shinsen-en Temple is known as the birthplace of cherry-blossom viewing. Also, it is said to be the birthplace of Gion Festival.

There are several options for "Goshuin". I chose this one "Shizuka Gozen", who was the lifelong lover of Yoshitsune (a military commander).

Tsuruga Port Illumination "Miraie (To the Future)"

I visited Tsuruga Port in Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture to see the illumination "Miraie".

"Miraie" means "to the future" in Japanese.

 

 

The venue that is right in front of the sea, the whole area is decorated by many colorful

light bulbs and it looks stunning. Moreover, there is the sound of waves as well,

so the visitors can feel as if you are in a completely different world.

 

 

My favorite one is the tunnel of illumination. It looks fantastic,

and walking under the tunnel is such an amazing experience.

 

 

After walking through the tunnel, there are more illuminations to see such as

heart shaped ones, train one, etc.

 

 

There are also the illumination hanging that were made by children from the local area.

Of course, they are handmade and each one has their names on them.

 

 

Tsuruga Port Illumination "Miraie (To the Future)" is being held until December 25th.

The lighting time of the illumination is from 18:00~21:00 during weekdays and Sundays.

It's from 18:00~22:00 on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays.

 

If you are near Tsuruga City, how about visiting the Tsuruga Port Illumination "Miraie"?

It's cold at night around the venue, so make sure to wear something warm.

 

T.F

 

I would like share video of "DYC entertainment",

"Tsruga Port Illumination Miraie 2015

~One of the largest illumination in the Hokuriku region~".

Enjoy!

Eye of emotions, eye of science

Above is the cloud I saw when I climbed Mt.Nogo-hakusan between Fukui and Gifu Prefectures the other day. I took the picture because it looked like a white seal. Even though I know that clouds are water drops, I am impressed by their shapes like they are cute, beautiful or amazing.

There were explanatory plates of the Nukumi Fault Groove in the middle of the climbing path of the mountain. Although I thought it was just a dried-up stream when I saw the groove, I could see the dynamic landscape like the whole mountain is moving after reading the commentary.

It is interesting to be impressed whether it is an emotional perspective or a scientific one.
T.S

The autumn leaves at Bishamon-do Temple in Kyoto

After I enjoyed the afternoon tea at Chorakukan, I went to Bishamon-do Temple in Yamashina Ward, Kyoto City.

In Kyoto, it was a bit too early to view autumn leaves. Even so, I wanted to avoid crowded spots and I visited a little-known temple.

The Bishamon-do Temple is about twenty minutes walk from Yamashina Station. It was a sloping road from halfway, so it was a bit hard to walk. After walking through a resident area, passing by a canal and you will see the front approach of the Bishamon-do Temple.

The Bishamon-do Temple is well-known for its cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. Also, there is plenty to see such as the sliding screen paintings, the ceiling painting and the wooden screen painting by Okyo Maruyama. It was good that the priest of the temple showed us around and explained them.

Yamashina is a short distance away from the center of Kyoto City and there are not so many tourists. There are several famous spots to see cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. If you want to avoid congestion, Yamashina is recommended. (H.S)

                                   The autumn leaves in the garden

                                 The autumn leaves in front of Benzaiten

                               The site of a well and the autumn leaves

                        Looking down at the steep stone steps from Niomon Gate

The carpet of fallen maple leaves is famous and has used for a Japan Railway's commercial. I couldn't see this but it can be seen now.
 (This photo is from Bishamon-do Facebook page)

I got a "Goshuin" (stamps given at shrines or temples) with a maple leaf pattern.