In early December, I was occupied with all about basketball. I practiced a basketball game with Filipinos. And, I saw a basketball tournament for Mongolian students. Both took place sub-urban areas of Osaka city, Japan - how internation a ball gets!
Filipino basketball practice
Filipino community in Kansai is preparing for annual basketball tournament. My friend, Romero invited me for practicing in his team. So we met up Sunday and then joined six other Filipinos on way to a sport hall.
When we got there, it was already busy a place, children runing happily, people hanging around the basketball court. One could easily note that there was general excitement of playing basketball and inspirations to American NBA fashion. Mix of tall and short, fat and thin, good and bad players, and a few wanted to act as coach and some cheered happily.
They seem to follow basic rules accordingly and most keep their roles. There was no dispute nor confrontation. In short it was a happy practice.
Mongolian Student Tournament
Mongolian students in Kansai organized an annual basketball tournament. By school and area, they formed teams. Each team put up a cash bid and the winner gets most chunk of that.
Just as Filipinos, there was mix of tall and short, fat and thin, good and bad players, and a few wanted to act as coach and some cheered out well. For victory, players got fierce sometimes with disputes nearly close to fight. On top of good rule keeping, teams equipped with strong defense. Overall it was an interesting play.
Tuesday, December 14
Thursday, December 2
Mongolian literature event in Osaka
On 27th November 2010, my friend invited me to an event. The event was an autumn meeting of the Association for Mongolian Literature. On outskirt of Osaka city, the meeting was held at a classroom of Osaka University School of Foreign Studies. Audience consisted of eight Japanese scholars (two young and six elders), one professor from Inner Mongolia ( Dornod Tenger ), one Mongolian professor (Sarantuya), her assistant (PhD student from Inner Mongolia), four people ( two Mongolian and two from Inner Mongolia).
For me, it was an update of Mongolian literature. I liked very idea of people from different countries coming together under Mongolian literature. Also, I have to admit that meeting was a little technical for me. The professors had their own presentations – usually long tedious talks about their subject. Japanese professors always spoke Japanese and sometimes they would discuss how to write a Mongolian word in kanji. A professor from Inner Mongolia would participate in their talk of Kanji writing. Of out those presentations, two talks were interesting for me.
Dornod Tenger
He spoke about literature and surrounding issues in Inner Mongolia. According to him, the modern literature in that land took root in 1921’s and continues to this era. He cited lists of numbers on how many people work for literature sector and how many books published etc. One interesting point he raised was that writers producing their work in Mongolian language were cut their retirement benefits. If one wishes to produce in Mongolian language, one needs to support alone. That is how it works in PRC.
Sarantuya
She talked about works of Batjargal. Batjargal is a writer for children. Sarantuya read out Batjargal’s works and praised them from her point. She also displayed recent Mongolian books for children. I thought this poem was cute. Here, I must apology for such poor translation.
So I came out humming children’s poetry in my mind. There needs so much more to do for Mongolian literature. I will do my part someday soon. More about this event, go here
For me, it was an update of Mongolian literature. I liked very idea of people from different countries coming together under Mongolian literature. Also, I have to admit that meeting was a little technical for me. The professors had their own presentations – usually long tedious talks about their subject. Japanese professors always spoke Japanese and sometimes they would discuss how to write a Mongolian word in kanji. A professor from Inner Mongolia would participate in their talk of Kanji writing. Of out those presentations, two talks were interesting for me.
Dornod Tenger
He spoke about literature and surrounding issues in Inner Mongolia. According to him, the modern literature in that land took root in 1921’s and continues to this era. He cited lists of numbers on how many people work for literature sector and how many books published etc. One interesting point he raised was that writers producing their work in Mongolian language were cut their retirement benefits. If one wishes to produce in Mongolian language, one needs to support alone. That is how it works in PRC.
Sarantuya
She talked about works of Batjargal. Batjargal is a writer for children. Sarantuya read out Batjargal’s works and praised them from her point. She also displayed recent Mongolian books for children. I thought this poem was cute. Here, I must apology for such poor translation.
So I came out humming children’s poetry in my mind. There needs so much more to do for Mongolian literature. I will do my part someday soon. More about this event, go here
Thursday, September 16
YMCA Kobe - Youth International Club
This note is about my experience at YMCA Kobe, Japan. Since my undergraduate, I have been involved in the community services within my capacity – in PA, UB, HI etc. I want to continue my involvement and do something good for society, in which I am living at the time. Doing so it helps me to understand more about this society.
I contacted Kobe city branch of YMCA Japan. Luckily, I was asked to attend their meeting in the early January 2010. There I met Ms. Nagai who was in charge of many activities.
First YMCA meeting
It was a big meeting, sort of conference. Most of men and women dressed in suit. Speakers spoke with confidence and appeared sharp. It reminded me of a formal meeting where everyone showed best of their support with acclamation. Presentations were the reporting of annual activities. Kenji, whom I was introduced at first, translated main context of each meeting. Following this meeting, small groups were formed to discuss some topics. I followed Kenji, who happened to lead one group talking about how to engage actively young people in social activities. Language barrier was hard for me and I mainly observed others spoke. With temptation, I talked about my opinion. And, everyone shared their views and one took notes. Honestly, I do not know if those ideas were conceptualized into an actual work afterwards.
Peace My Land(planning 90%; doing 10%)
After that meeting, I joined the International Volunteer Group. This group seemed to be flexible and people join by interest and disappear. At first meeting, members included Cedric, a Singaporean, Kenji and 6 other Japanese. All members of this group were 20 something.
First task was to plan a daylong activity for kids. Because all discussions were in Japanese, I was just there to sit and to observe how group discussion takes place. Towards the end of meetings, Kenji or Cedric translated to me. It was decided to name it as Peace My Land. An idea was to introduce about the continent America to kids.
Following that meeting, some 12 small group meetings were held to plan this activity. Here it looked like, perhaps one can think of it as Japanese way?: When one is talking everyone listens to in agreement( gently noting their heads and making facial expressions that say “YES or INDEED”), a talker says words in slow but clear way and mostly nod when sentence is over. Then use hands to express and always keep smiles up. I never noticed a sign of disagreement. Everyone adds a tiny to one’s idea so it constructs to a course of thing to do.
In the last week of February 2009, we finally had the activity. It was for 6 kids around age of 10. Two were boys and four girls. We made a room an airplane; chairs are airplane seats. There was a pilot who announced stops and all kids were issued a mock passport and visa. That password contained simple information about the person and a sheet for each stop where they need to find out an answer. There were four stops: Hawai’i, Alaska, Haiti, and Brazil. All were presentation style, one of us ( the group) would lead or talk about the stop. I talked about Hawai’i and sang along a simple song (Chika chika), Kenji made a story about inuit boy and girl in Alaska– basically boy grows up to be a hunter and girl goes to school and became a politician – no idea how Kenji came up that story. Then someone brought a Haitian – seriously a guy from Haiti came He was a student in some university near Kobe. So he talked about Haiti’s food, clothes etc. Then someone talked about Brazil on how it is famous for football. Then all kids gathered together to draw on a huge A1 paper and it was a nice mix of what they saw. That was it. I was impressed with well disciplined manners of Japanese kids. They did everything instructor said and completed whatever was told to do.
Donation for Haiti
Another reason to choose Haiti was that a tragic event of earth quake devastated the country. It appeared a global action to extend hands to people of Haiti. As soon as I heard YMCA’s street donation, I volunteered for a day. I asked one of volunteer to write down a simple sentence asking people donate money for Haiti victims. He wrote “...YMCA desu. Haichi no jishin Bokin katudou onegaishimasu...” I iteratively cried it aloud on street without hesitation because I knew I was doing right thing. Some people turned up and looked at me with a strange face, I smiled and kept screaming. We managed to gather loads of money for Haiti people.
...cease...
After that I kept going to those small meetings for International Volunteer Group until middle May. We would always meet for an event scheduling for a few months ahead. Because I did not know Japanese, I was just there mostly observing how they interact.
In early March Cedric told me that he quit the group and meeting. I never had chance to ask his reasons until May. So I took time to meet him. He quit because Ms. Nagai was asking his legal permit and asked him to change his status. Cedric was a student but was working part time. So I learned Ms. Nagai was very strict about Japanese regulations and care about foreigners if they follow it right. Lately, she would come to meetings and always speaks in Japanese even though she knows I understand nothing. Generally she was acting bit cold to me – I can see. In the later meetings Kenji stopped translating to me, I did not bother to ask as well.
Building up these things and going to meetings that I don’t understand and know I can not contribute my ideas, I found it tedious. Since then it seems that I no longer find any time for volunteering at YMCA Kobe.
I contacted Kobe city branch of YMCA Japan. Luckily, I was asked to attend their meeting in the early January 2010. There I met Ms. Nagai who was in charge of many activities.
First YMCA meeting
It was a big meeting, sort of conference. Most of men and women dressed in suit. Speakers spoke with confidence and appeared sharp. It reminded me of a formal meeting where everyone showed best of their support with acclamation. Presentations were the reporting of annual activities. Kenji, whom I was introduced at first, translated main context of each meeting. Following this meeting, small groups were formed to discuss some topics. I followed Kenji, who happened to lead one group talking about how to engage actively young people in social activities. Language barrier was hard for me and I mainly observed others spoke. With temptation, I talked about my opinion. And, everyone shared their views and one took notes. Honestly, I do not know if those ideas were conceptualized into an actual work afterwards.
Peace My Land(planning 90%; doing 10%)
After that meeting, I joined the International Volunteer Group. This group seemed to be flexible and people join by interest and disappear. At first meeting, members included Cedric, a Singaporean, Kenji and 6 other Japanese. All members of this group were 20 something.
First task was to plan a daylong activity for kids. Because all discussions were in Japanese, I was just there to sit and to observe how group discussion takes place. Towards the end of meetings, Kenji or Cedric translated to me. It was decided to name it as Peace My Land. An idea was to introduce about the continent America to kids.
Following that meeting, some 12 small group meetings were held to plan this activity. Here it looked like, perhaps one can think of it as Japanese way?: When one is talking everyone listens to in agreement( gently noting their heads and making facial expressions that say “YES or INDEED”), a talker says words in slow but clear way and mostly nod when sentence is over. Then use hands to express and always keep smiles up. I never noticed a sign of disagreement. Everyone adds a tiny to one’s idea so it constructs to a course of thing to do.
In the last week of February 2009, we finally had the activity. It was for 6 kids around age of 10. Two were boys and four girls. We made a room an airplane; chairs are airplane seats. There was a pilot who announced stops and all kids were issued a mock passport and visa. That password contained simple information about the person and a sheet for each stop where they need to find out an answer. There were four stops: Hawai’i, Alaska, Haiti, and Brazil. All were presentation style, one of us ( the group) would lead or talk about the stop. I talked about Hawai’i and sang along a simple song (Chika chika), Kenji made a story about inuit boy and girl in Alaska– basically boy grows up to be a hunter and girl goes to school and became a politician – no idea how Kenji came up that story. Then someone brought a Haitian – seriously a guy from Haiti came He was a student in some university near Kobe. So he talked about Haiti’s food, clothes etc. Then someone talked about Brazil on how it is famous for football. Then all kids gathered together to draw on a huge A1 paper and it was a nice mix of what they saw. That was it. I was impressed with well disciplined manners of Japanese kids. They did everything instructor said and completed whatever was told to do.
Donation for Haiti
Another reason to choose Haiti was that a tragic event of earth quake devastated the country. It appeared a global action to extend hands to people of Haiti. As soon as I heard YMCA’s street donation, I volunteered for a day. I asked one of volunteer to write down a simple sentence asking people donate money for Haiti victims. He wrote “...YMCA desu. Haichi no jishin Bokin katudou onegaishimasu...” I iteratively cried it aloud on street without hesitation because I knew I was doing right thing. Some people turned up and looked at me with a strange face, I smiled and kept screaming. We managed to gather loads of money for Haiti people.
...cease...
After that I kept going to those small meetings for International Volunteer Group until middle May. We would always meet for an event scheduling for a few months ahead. Because I did not know Japanese, I was just there mostly observing how they interact.
In early March Cedric told me that he quit the group and meeting. I never had chance to ask his reasons until May. So I took time to meet him. He quit because Ms. Nagai was asking his legal permit and asked him to change his status. Cedric was a student but was working part time. So I learned Ms. Nagai was very strict about Japanese regulations and care about foreigners if they follow it right. Lately, she would come to meetings and always speaks in Japanese even though she knows I understand nothing. Generally she was acting bit cold to me – I can see. In the later meetings Kenji stopped translating to me, I did not bother to ask as well.
Building up these things and going to meetings that I don’t understand and know I can not contribute my ideas, I found it tedious. Since then it seems that I no longer find any time for volunteering at YMCA Kobe.
Friday, April 9
Japanese April: SAKURA
April brings Sakura to Japan. Cherry trees on street are naturally dressed with white-pinky colours of flowers. Flower blossoms are in size of a snow flake, large one. Sakura covers trees like snow. Withing a week or two, Sakura flowers fall down one by one and her leaves emerge by then.
Soft and delicate pieces of Sakura swirl around and dance. Pretty yet short life for what called the worst month in other temperate climate regions is the fate of Sakura.
Does Samura relate to Sakura?, yes like a span of life they both pass.
Cherishing the season, I enjoyed a whole sunny Sunday in Shukugawa river area.
Even at night, Sakura viewing (hamani in Japanese) lights up your mind and emotion:) Oji zoo is a great place to enjoy lighted sakura!
Sunday, March 28
Busan Impression
I came down to Busan, Korea from Osaka, Japan, and stayed here for a whole week. What impressed me at first was that the custom checking and currency exchange went ‘very’ fast at the airport in Busan.
Busan is a busy city! They construct skypointing high buildings, shipping stores of containers, paving mountains and changing the landscape of this port to a city of trade and glamour of hotels. Towards Haeundae beach, world class hotels stand in line and more to come on way. It clearly conveys Busan’s ambition and coming prosperity.
It is a romantic city! Like what depicted in Korean dramas, couples walk hand in hand and publicly embrace and show their affections. Younger generation look happy and fashionable. They are attractive and beautiful. Along beach, in cafes and restaurants, couples are everywhere.
Shops shops shops. Shopping appearantly contributes large share in its econony. Local and 'Japanese' regularly shop around retails from high-end brand shops to cheap street products. Cosmetic surgery and medical hub 'shop' are in boom as well.
Although service industry is very welcoming, they are no excuse of hiding their attitude at local dining places, taxi and hotel receptionist etc. Going on red light, back driving, a little messy karaoke make somehow chaotic.
It seemed like Busanians are busy people working hard to achieve their ambition to be an internationally known city. They are on the way.
Friday, February 26
Whining - health/cost
Sometimes I have doubts about certain explanation for health care, assuming anatomy is differently determined by their unique biological creation:) But, my uncertainties often turn out to be just axiousness. I have examples of health problems, and many of them clrealy show my distrust:)
Backpain
I had backpains. Concerning about it, I went to several doctors. First I complained of it to a doctor in Budapest, she said it is a normal to have a pain and just pursue an active lifestyle. It continued over a year. Another doctor in London, told me everything is OK.
Eye sight
I got an eye-sight check at University Vision Optician in July 2008 while I was at UoM. Feeling unconfortable, I did not wear glasses for about half a year after that. Then I got checked in Happy, an optical shop in Ulaanbaatar which was January 2009. Despite my doubts, the results came out the same - in UB, an optician used only a coputer machine.
Then my eyes got dry and itching in February 2010, I thought my eyes got worse. So I went to a doctor - he reviewed comprehensively- tested sights, checked with computer, test-ckecks (walks etc) and microscoped through. Everything was O.K.
Knee pain
Something went worg with my knee after a day long hiking in forest mountain. Sergey and I set goal to reach a top of Bogd Uul from its back, where the hiking path dissapears only in the downhills. Luckily we reached our dream. There was a point I wanted to stop becaus emy legs were hurting too bad, but I kept going - no-one for help and I didn't want to cause trouble for my friend. Once we reached back UB, I could not get up and my right knee was all pain for streching and touching - note no swallaw. I went to a clinic of injury in UB, a doctor told me it is nothing - perhaps be my throuht ? - no idea. Due to busy queu, she refused to look at through X-ray. Steve, my friend who was visiting me from Korea, was shocked. A day after I went to an another clinic, a young doctor told, without X-ray, me it was injury of ligament in my knee. Then she wrote a cream to apply and adviced to have physical treatment for two weeks - which I was unable to do. The pain went two days since I applied the cream over.
That symptom occured to me again when I was running for a maraphon in Nishinomiya October 2009. So I went to orthopedic, he questioned and screened through X-ray, he said my bones are good, perhaps the pain was from ligament ingjury. He shot a dose in my knee and wrote a prespription of cream to apply. I applied the cream, which smelled strong mint. The pain went away within 3 days. He was right.
For above examples, my firs thought was to see a doctor. Trusting what he/she says really varies. I have more confidence in a doctor who explains with a tool such a X-ray. Some cases, a doctor was right without a tool. I shared my views with my mother. Her response was that she never went to a doctor to complain besides delivering her children (including me).
Oh on top of that, speaking of cost seeing a doctor in Japan? I paid a hell amount to the clinics for simple diagnosis. I am happy for paying extra because I trust the results are right. which is opposite in Mongolia. After all, I also think my uncertainty indeed result in extra costs which I might have not worried of!
Backpain
I had backpains. Concerning about it, I went to several doctors. First I complained of it to a doctor in Budapest, she said it is a normal to have a pain and just pursue an active lifestyle. It continued over a year. Another doctor in London, told me everything is OK.
Eye sight
I got an eye-sight check at University Vision Optician in July 2008 while I was at UoM. Feeling unconfortable, I did not wear glasses for about half a year after that. Then I got checked in Happy, an optical shop in Ulaanbaatar which was January 2009. Despite my doubts, the results came out the same - in UB, an optician used only a coputer machine.
Then my eyes got dry and itching in February 2010, I thought my eyes got worse. So I went to a doctor - he reviewed comprehensively- tested sights, checked with computer, test-ckecks (walks etc) and microscoped through. Everything was O.K.
Knee pain
Something went worg with my knee after a day long hiking in forest mountain. Sergey and I set goal to reach a top of Bogd Uul from its back, where the hiking path dissapears only in the downhills. Luckily we reached our dream. There was a point I wanted to stop becaus emy legs were hurting too bad, but I kept going - no-one for help and I didn't want to cause trouble for my friend. Once we reached back UB, I could not get up and my right knee was all pain for streching and touching - note no swallaw. I went to a clinic of injury in UB, a doctor told me it is nothing - perhaps be my throuht ? - no idea. Due to busy queu, she refused to look at through X-ray. Steve, my friend who was visiting me from Korea, was shocked. A day after I went to an another clinic, a young doctor told, without X-ray, me it was injury of ligament in my knee. Then she wrote a cream to apply and adviced to have physical treatment for two weeks - which I was unable to do. The pain went two days since I applied the cream over.
That symptom occured to me again when I was running for a maraphon in Nishinomiya October 2009. So I went to orthopedic, he questioned and screened through X-ray, he said my bones are good, perhaps the pain was from ligament ingjury. He shot a dose in my knee and wrote a prespription of cream to apply. I applied the cream, which smelled strong mint. The pain went away within 3 days. He was right.
For above examples, my firs thought was to see a doctor. Trusting what he/she says really varies. I have more confidence in a doctor who explains with a tool such a X-ray. Some cases, a doctor was right without a tool. I shared my views with my mother. Her response was that she never went to a doctor to complain besides delivering her children (including me).
Oh on top of that, speaking of cost seeing a doctor in Japan? I paid a hell amount to the clinics for simple diagnosis. I am happy for paying extra because I trust the results are right. which is opposite in Mongolia. After all, I also think my uncertainty indeed result in extra costs which I might have not worried of!
Tuesday, February 23
MS Excel 2007: making bar-line chart combination
A few days ago, I updated such a chart that shows typical bar graphs and line would also go up the bars representing some other trend related, well inserting data was easy for me. I thought I could also create the same graph myself. Unsuccessful effort! Luckily my colleague showed me how. A million thanks to Kristine, I will share her advice here. So, just follow steps below in order to create a bar-line combination graph on MS Excel 2007.
1. Select data
2. Create a 'bar' chart
3. go to: chart tools/layout/chart area - here scroll down to choose a series [that you want to make a line/ or show a trend line:)] Once you choose, you will see highlighted dots on the bar which they represent the series. There, just click right on data set: then select format/data series ~choose 'secondary axis' plot
4. Now go to 'insert' menu tab and choose a line chart!
That is it. You will see nice a graph like this one.
Tuesday, February 16
Man of months (Jan, Feb 2010)
My country-mate, Davgaa (Asashōryū Akinori (朝青龍 明徳?, Davgadorj Dolgorsüren) became a man of publication, his pictures are all over pages. He is a STAR:)
Hyper-Barbershop
Getting hair cut became that quick. For ones who miss to notice hyper-cut barber shops, here some pictures introducing you to speed of cutting and cleaning too trim and quick!
STEP 1
You walk to paymachine, enter 1000 (sen) yen for a ticket.
STEP 2
Read and wait:)
STEP 3
Sit properly and get that hair cut done!:) This is how that works.
STEP 4
Debris must go away and DONE!
STEP 1
You walk to paymachine, enter 1000 (sen) yen for a ticket.
STEP 2
Read and wait:)
STEP 3
Sit properly and get that hair cut done!:) This is how that works.
STEP 4
Debris must go away and DONE!
Monday, February 15
Hanshin Tigers
Baseball is the most popular sport among Japanese. Hanshin Tigers seem the biggest baseball team in Japan. It sounds like Detroit Tigers, but Hanshin Tigers are more like ‘Red Sox’ of Japan.
I lived just right close to the Hanshin Tigers Stadium in Koshien, Nishinomiya just in between Osaka and Kobe cities in the Hanshin Railway. One sunny day of January 2010 I took my time around to explore what might be the ‘most’ favoured Japanese stadium:-) Here some images for ya!
spirit of the team, Tiger!
This is how the stadium arranged.
You can spiritually connect to the tigers, pray - worship - offer
the fans in front of the stadium
Monday, January 11
Koya-san
Last November, a group of my friends decided to drive up to Koyasan World Heritage Site over mountains of Kii Mountain Range. Going through suburbs of Osaka and passing short distance valley of cultivation lands - divided into tiny pieces, then little up to down-hill sides where families selling organges on the road and vegetation occupiniyng of slim trees like bamboos, that will be typical route to Kii Mounatains. Further such well-maintained road led us to towards upper part of Koya mountain. Surrounded all by pointy mountains, Koya’s pilgrim town is majestically located for great view. Templtes, shrines, cemetery were built in with neat effort and eye-catching cute shapes, yes immense culture of respect and tradition there exists. You can see nice pictures at Koya-san’s website.
Up there, Koya is rolling among trees of old age and large size which seemingly tell you stories of ancient times under chilly shadows of their own. When leaves change new colours in authumn, such beautiful a place! - it creates featuring with peaceful temples. Sure, it is worthy visiting!
Up there, Koya is rolling among trees of old age and large size which seemingly tell you stories of ancient times under chilly shadows of their own. When leaves change new colours in authumn, such beautiful a place! - it creates featuring with peaceful temples. Sure, it is worthy visiting!
Thursday, January 7
Natural Disaster and Kobe's Response
Kobe city experienced a devastating natural disaster in 1995; 6.8 moment magnitude scale earthquake (7.2 the Richter scale) hit the city and cost lives of thousands of people and millions of money worth infrastructures. This earthquake was the worst earth quake in Japan since one in 1923. To learn more about this disaster, click this link.
Kobe city recovered incredibly fast from the disaster and learned lessons from harsh Mother Nature. Now the city works hard to educate people and promote disaster reduction measures for all people of the world. As part of the work, Kobe hosts a Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution (The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial)- DRI.
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DRI is a place to learn and feel the disasters that Nature cause. Striking pictures and 3-dimensional films show the edges of all feelings about natural disaster, there are centers and rooms to study more about disasters in interesting ways. View more of this at DRI.
Saturday, January 2
New Years Eve and Japan New Year
I had a great opportunity to experience New Year's Eve and New Year in very multicultural/Japanese way. My collegue invited me and my friend over to his family - a German wife and two kids (Nova and Maya) And, it was wonderful.
My host
His house is roughly at 400m on the southeast slope of Rokko mountain. It faces a beautiful view of Nishinomiya city, a small bay of Japan sea, parts of Osaka city. And, gimple of Rokko mountain forest adds beauty to this scenery.
12AM
When a year of 2010 came at midnight, we cheered with drinks and nice wishes. As I jumped into their balcony having full of view neighbourhood, I hear no sound on street. It was clear calm and quiet.No fireworks seen nor did I hear any sound of explosives! I hear a chant of a large bell!
Shrine
Japanese go to a temple, and pray for coming year, my Japanese host explained. So we went to a shrine nearby.
First, hands must be purified with water.
Then, go and bow in front of Buddha in the shrine, and place your offer [a coin], and pull down a string twice and pray for wishes and bow to finish.
It was cold, too:)
Then, most Japanese come to monks to pick your fortune for new year and take a bowl of Sake (rice wine). I cannot miss that Sake:)
There was an another temple closer to this shrine, so we walked up there. Besides, a larger temple and private service - monks serve a special cermony upon a reservation of people in a temple - it is private.
The difference here was a big bell, in which people knock it by 108 times (the number of sins). So people were lined up to knock it once each person.
01, 01, 2010
On the morning of 2010, we had a proper Japanese New Year's breakfast. Many of dishes like beans represent prosperity and good wishes for new year. It was delicious, the fish was the most tasty! Yum yum;p
To start new day of new year, Japanese go to temple/shrine in the morning as well.
My host
His house is roughly at 400m on the southeast slope of Rokko mountain. It faces a beautiful view of Nishinomiya city, a small bay of Japan sea, parts of Osaka city. And, gimple of Rokko mountain forest adds beauty to this scenery.
12AM
When a year of 2010 came at midnight, we cheered with drinks and nice wishes. As I jumped into their balcony having full of view neighbourhood, I hear no sound on street. It was clear calm and quiet.No fireworks seen nor did I hear any sound of explosives! I hear a chant of a large bell!
Shrine
Japanese go to a temple, and pray for coming year, my Japanese host explained. So we went to a shrine nearby.
First, hands must be purified with water.
Then, go and bow in front of Buddha in the shrine, and place your offer [a coin], and pull down a string twice and pray for wishes and bow to finish.
It was cold, too:)
Then, most Japanese come to monks to pick your fortune for new year and take a bowl of Sake (rice wine). I cannot miss that Sake:)
There was an another temple closer to this shrine, so we walked up there. Besides, a larger temple and private service - monks serve a special cermony upon a reservation of people in a temple - it is private.
The difference here was a big bell, in which people knock it by 108 times (the number of sins). So people were lined up to knock it once each person.
01, 01, 2010
On the morning of 2010, we had a proper Japanese New Year's breakfast. Many of dishes like beans represent prosperity and good wishes for new year. It was delicious, the fish was the most tasty! Yum yum;p
To start new day of new year, Japanese go to temple/shrine in the morning as well.
Friday, January 1
Osaka Zoo (Tennoji Zoo)
Tennoji Zoo is an huge area of land for zoo and park. It is well maintained and many of animals look happy and 'clean':) A number of species is various. Definitely, worthy to visit and spend your time there for a whole day! It is cheap, only 500JPY by Dec,2009. Also, make you plan to view animals before 4pm afterwards 'hot' animals like Lion, Rhinoceros etc are closed earlier!
Some pictures from Zoon -down.
Some pictures from Zoon -down.
Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyukan)
Osaka Aquarium is like a small ocean! Most sea species of animals are collected to display in one large aquarium. I went to see this place with my friends.
Aquarium is a 8-floor tall and it starts from the top going down. There are small sections showing animals from a various seas. On the center there is a large aquarium which is themed under 'Pacific Ocean' and contains larges animals like whales, shark etc - wow.
Yes, indeed FUN! Visiting Kaiyukan will cost your half-day or more, and entrance fee is 2000JPY by Dec,2009. I share some of my photos from Kaiyukan below.
Penguin Parade
Let's start!
Window dive:)
How is like to be born in an aquarium?
Jelly fish Jelly fish Jelly!
More about aquarium, check this out!
Aquarium is a 8-floor tall and it starts from the top going down. There are small sections showing animals from a various seas. On the center there is a large aquarium which is themed under 'Pacific Ocean' and contains larges animals like whales, shark etc - wow.
Yes, indeed FUN! Visiting Kaiyukan will cost your half-day or more, and entrance fee is 2000JPY by Dec,2009. I share some of my photos from Kaiyukan below.
Penguin Parade
Let's start!
Window dive:)
How is like to be born in an aquarium?
Jelly fish Jelly fish Jelly!
More about aquarium, check this out!
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