One often wonder what parenting is like in Japan and when my girlfriend from Canada married a Japanese – I too asked her how she would bring up her kid – in which she replied like we all do in Canada.  I wonder if she would also use the vehicle tracking system  that I would be using when my kid become a teenager?  I know that parenting in Asia is a lot more tough on the kids because Asians are said to be more strict with their kids.  When I was growing up, my parents wouldn’t let me go anywhere – but kids these days are brought up quite differently from us, so if using the vehicle tracking system is a way to keep them safe – I would have no qualms using it.

If you are near Hiroshima -you can take a trip to Miyajima Island – as a day trip where the famous Tori gate is but you have to go visit the world’s largest spatula there as well.  There is a shopping street in Miyajima Island where you can shop for souvenirs like rice spoons of course !  and don’t forget to take the cable car up the mountains and visit the temples and shrines in Miyajima Island.

Last week, I talked about visiting the countryside in Japan and like most people I was kinda worried about driving around Japan’s countryside on my own since I wasn’t really familiar with the countryside in Japan even though I lived there for 6 months.   But it can be really fun driving you own car rented albeit but that’s the way to go – drive on your own at your own pace and take a few good days roaming the countryside.   We did run into some car trouble but after we were told about the Airtex in tank fuel pump assembly by the local garage – and they changed it for us,  we were up and ready to go again – we didn’t encounter another problem on the road thereafter.

It was a cultural experience for us – driving our way around Japan’s countryside, we saw the sakuras , visited hot springs and volcano areas as well as historical old town around Tokyo.  It was definitely worth the driving trip and if I had to do it again – I would.  No car trouble should deter anyone from trying a driving trip around the countryside of Japan.

If you are ever in Osaka – you have to visit one of the best soba place in Osaka.  Naniwa Okina is well known and is located at 4-1-18 Nishitenma, Kitaku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 530-0047, Japan.   The soba is freshly made and I was told that it was one rated to be a Michelin restaurant.  Service was excellent as expected in any Japanese restaurant but be aware that there is no pictures to choose your food from – nor is there an English menu.

Night shopping in Osaka starts from a little place called the Dotonbori, but of course there is more to just shopping here – you can have the best and biggest crab meal here as well.  But if you are looking for souvenirs to bring home – here is the place.  Plus Dotonbori is also known as the red-light district of Osaka – but we didn’t see much action when we were here on vacation.  Safe to bring your kids and walk the alley on Dotonbori – so you can make it a family vacation too.

This is like a ferris wheel and lights up at night.

Try some very spicy octopus balls (takoyaki) here.

Or some grilled skewer sticks of food here.

They sure have some strange looking statues there that almost acts like a pillar of protection for the shopping mall.

Another eatery in Dotonbori – overall night shopping and eating in Dotonbori in Osaka is a must – there are more to introduce in Dotonbori but that will be for another post.

]]> http://www.akiodesigns.com/2012/05/night-shopping-street-in-osaka/feed/ 0 http://www.akiodesigns.com/2012/04/countryside-of-japan/ http://www.akiodesigns.com/2012/04/countryside-of-japan/#comments Sat, 28 Apr 2012 02:59:27 +0000 Sumiko Wannabe http://www.akiodesigns.com/?p=2776 The next time you go to Japan, don’t just stay in the city but try to make a trip to the countryside or rural area because it’s really easy and convenient renting some motorbikes with  motorcycle windshields and you will find that you will see things you would loved and admired and pictures you can bring home to brag about.

Having stayed in Japan for 6 months, the best times I’ve had were going for impromptu tours to the countryside and seeing and experiencing the real culture of Japan.  Don’t worry about getting lost because Japanese folks are really friendly and they offer you so much more in terms of food and lodging.  Sakae Mura was highly recommended to me because it was very near Tokyo.  There are farming villages to explore and family run minshuku.

The Osaka Aquarium does remind me of the one we have back home in Singapore, although a bit bigger and just as expensive about 4000 Yen for entrance  – there were lots of species of sea animals and fishes to see.

The eye of Osaka is nearby and you can make a trip there when you are at the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.  We were there during the weekend, therefore it was really crowded not only with tourists but the Japanese from different prefectures and different state of Japan were at the Aquarium to explore.  I heard that weekdays are the best time to go visit the Osaka Aquarium.

The penguins and other animals were encased in a showcase and it’s not an open zoo but does have a petting area at the front of the aquarium.

A stingray – and must have for every aquarium.  Lots of sharks, otters and plenty of english signs around – so don’t worry about getting lost or not understanding what they are displaying.   Most people would hunt down the whale shark – but remember it’s crowded there – so time your visitation properly and don’t get squash.  As for me – we really didn’t spend much time in the aquarium – I just went along to show my co-workers who had just arrived.  The Osaka Aquarium is a must for any children though.

Huge turtle at the Aquarium

Yes, if you want to smoke in Japan – you have to find yourself a smoking area like these guys up there.  Although Japan’s population and research shows that a lot of people smokes in Japan – the government is trying really hard to clear the air and give the environment and tourist a better place to visit.

So if you ever see a group of people gathering around something – most likely they are having a smoking break.

I think Japan has really recovered from all their bad luck judging from all the Yoyogi Park Street Performers coming out in full force recently.   The performers are very talented and everything is free – they are not out to get any money from anyone – they are just a fun group of people who loved to dress up and show off their talent.

Some dances and dresses like Elvis

While others loved playing their musical instrument.  It’s an all day event on Sundays.

Fancy dressing.

I’m like most people completely fascinated with a sumo’s life – how he became one and what he does and what about their food and exercises, health, love life etc.  And I often wonder how they become the size they are – do they take anything special like progene , do they have to eat a lot?  and how do one walk around with that kinda weight.  I hear that the top sumo gets the best treatment – from fame, money to woman and all the beer and food they can eat and they do get to take very long naps in the afternoon.  But getting to become the top wrestler is no easy feat – they have to go thru’ a lot of hardship and heartache like everyone else trying to make a living out there.  I would love to spend a day with a real sumo – hopefully, I can get a chance when I next visit Japan.