Japanese love it! 7 Breads to try when you visit Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe

Rice is the staple food in Japan, but bread is also popular! The Kansai region in particular consumes a large amount of bread and is home to many famous bakeries. From breads developed uniquely in Japan to hard breads made in France, we introduce you to our recommended bakeries in Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. Whether for breakfast, lunch, or a snack on your trip, please taste the bread that Japanese people love too!   【Hyogo Ashiya】BIGOT Ashiya Main Store 【Kobe-Sannomiya】Comme Chinois 【Kobe-Sannomiya】TOOTH TOOTH FISH IN THE FOREST 【Osaka-Umeda】Hanshin Department Store Umeda Main Store Breads Terrace 【Osaka-Umeda】THE CITY BAKERY GRAND FRONT OSAKA 【Osaka-Umeda】Andante 【Kyoto Omiya】Maruki Bakery 【Kyoto Karasuma】fiveran 【Kyoto Arashiyama】Miffy sakura Bakery Arashiyama Store Philippe Vigo, known as the “God of French bread,” founded VIGOT in 1972. It is a popular store in Ashiya, a hot bread battleground, where customers never stop coming on weekday mornings. Currently, the second generation has taken over the store. The most popular item on the menu is the baguette! Mentaiko France,” a baguette filled with mentaiko butter, is also popular among the Japanese. There is also a wide variety of croissants, danishes, and other items. The largest selection is available from 12:00 to 13:00. A boulangerie by a French chef. We continue to bake honest bread with an emphasis on natural flavors. From breads to sandwiches, sweet breads, and creative breads that cannot be found anywhere else, 40 to 50 varieties of breads are available every day. There is also a café where you can taste bread and French cuisine. A selection of items such as dressings, sauces, and other souvenirs are available only from a French chef. TOOTH TOOTH FISH IN THE FOREST, located near Meriken Park, a famous sightseeing spot in Kobe, is a bakery cafe recommended for lunch during sightseeing. For lunch, you can enjoy all-you-can-eat bread baked in the store every morning! The breads include a wide variety of elaborate and creative breads such as melon bread, a traditional Japanese bread, croissants, and other breads that can be found in bakeries. Seasonal breads are also available. The spacious restaurant is open and easy to use with children. Hanshin Umeda Main Store is so strong in gourmet food that it is called the “Hanshin of food.” The “Breads Terrace” on the first floor is a place where you can go every day and never get bored, with two bakeries and a croissant and Danish specialty store, as well as popular bakeries opening stores for a limited time and events changing weekly. Be sure to check out the unique Japanese breads that are sometimes featured at the event, such as anpan, curry pan, okazu pan, cream pan, and more. Also, Tommy’s “Anshoku,” which appears in the store every Wednesday, is a popular menu item with grains of sweet bean paste kneaded into the bread. If you come across it, be sure to buy some and taste it for yourself. The first overseas branch of THE CITY BAKERY, a bakery from New York, is located in Umeda, Osaka, and is very popular among Japanese. The signature item on the menu that you must try is the pretzel croissant. It is larger than the croissants found in other bakeries in Japan. The crispy texture of the croissant, the salty taste of the pretzel, and the savory sesame flavor all come together to create an addictive menu item. The restaurant is open early in the morning in the center of Umeda, and you can eat in at the stylish restaurant. A visit to the store for breakfast during your trip is also recommended. Located on the first floor of the Osaka Shin Hankyu Hotel, a popular destination for travelers, Andante opened in 2022 and sells 13 types of bread, including hard bread, baguettes, croissants, and loaves of bread, in a face-to-face setting. Croissants made with 100% French folded butter are a particularly good choice. The surface is covered with French bread dough and baked to achieve a crispy texture. It has an elegant aftertaste with no buttery residue. Coppepan is a long, thin, fluffy bread often eaten at school lunches, and is said to have developed uniquely in Japan. It is a simple and nostalgic bread for Japanese people. Founded in 1947, Maruki Bakery’s bread with various ingredients sandwiched between cobbler buns is so popular that it attracts not only locals but also people from far and wide. Ingredients include homemade side dishes such as croquettes, fish fries, omelets, and shrimp cutlets, as well as red bean butter and peanut cream. The number one seller is the ham roll, filled with ham and crispy cabbage! Every morning, the staff greets customers with smiles and cheerful voices. “fiveran” is a boulangerie located near tourist attractions such as the Kyoto International Manga Museum and Nijo Castle. Bread made with carefully selected domestic ingredients focuses on bringing out the full flavor of the wheat. From the moment you pick up a loaf of bread, you can smell the rich aroma of wheat! Hard breads with a distinctive wheat aroma are a must-try menu item. There are also many breads that incorporate seasonal and Kyoto-style ingredients. The shell-shaped bread “patissière” is a popular item filled with slow-cooked custard. Inside is a generous amount of vanilla-scented melt-in-your-mouth cream! In the cafe corner in the back, you can enjoy the bread you purchased. Here’s a cute bread available in Arashiyama, a sightseeing spot in Kyoto! Freshly baked bread featuring Miffy is very popular at this store. In addition to “Miffy Anpan,” the shop offers a variety of breads in the shape of Miffy, including dashimaki tamago sandwiches, danishes, fried anpan, and more! If you want to take out and enjoy eating and walking around, you can have a coffee, green tea latte, or other drinks with cute Miffy decorations. For souvenirs, we recommend the “Can Danish”, which is a Danish bread in a can.

Kyoto Cherry Blossoms – Famous Spots and Holey Spots

Kyoto is home to many elegant cherry blossom viewing spots. If you go to the trouble of viewing cherry blossoms, you may want to visit multiple locations to enjoy the once-a-year spring scenery. You can never miss the famous spots! I want to go to a hole in the ground with as few people as possible! Here are some cherry blossom spots in Kyoto that can satisfy both of your needs.     -INDEX- ＜Famous Cherry Blossom Spots＞ 【Arashiyama】 Togetsukyo Bridge Randen cherry blossom tunnel Tenryu-ji Temple Daikaku-ji Temple 【Higashiyama】 Philosopher’s Walk Heian Jingu Shrine Keage Incline Kodai-ji Temple ＜Cherry Blossom Hole Spots＞ Shobo-ji Temple Oharano Shrine Shouji-ji Temple Yoshimine Temple 【Arashiyama】 Arashiyama is rich in seasonal changes. The clear Oigawa River and the graceful appearance of the Togetsu Bridge over it attract people’s hearts no matter what time of year they visit. In spring, the view of cherry blossoms, mountains, river, and bridge together is magnificent. Wataritsukibashi Bridge over the overflowing cherry blossoms and the view of Arashiyama beyond are as beautiful as a picture scroll. A tunnel of cherry blossoms appears between Narutaki and Utano Stations on the Randen Kitano Line. Someiyoshino cherry trees line both sides of the line for about 200 meters. The retro trains that run through the cherry blossoms are also attractive. Tenryuji Temple was built by Ashikaga Takauji. It is a beautiful spot with cherry blossoms in the distance, such as weeping cherry trees blooming against the backdrop of Dahouden Hall and Mochikyo-no-oka overlooking Arashiyama in spring. Cherry trees are planted around Osawa Pond, the oldest man-made garden pond in Japan, and visitors can enjoy a 1-kilometer walk around the pond. The cherry blossoms reflected in the water mirror are also beautiful. 【Higashiyama】 Higashiyama is home to a concentration of Kyoto’s most famous sights. The area, which is easily accessible from downtown Kawaramachi, Kyoto, is dotted with cherry blossom viewing spots. Please enjoy the town of Higashiyama dyed in pink. Wherever you go along the Philosopher’s Walk, there are cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms! The side trips to shrines and temples scattered along the way are also enjoyable and make you lose track of time. Most of the cherry trees that adorn Heian Shrine are red weeping cherry trees. As the name suggests, these cherry trees are bright red in color. The contrast with the vermilion shrine pavilions is magnificent. A total of 582 meters of inclined railroad near Nanzenji Temple, and now visitors can freely walk on the rails. In spring, you can enjoy the romantic scenery amidst the rows of cherry trees that fill the area. This Zen temple was built by Nene to mourn the loss of Hideyoshi. In spring, weeping cherry trees in the Hojo Garden bloom beautifully, their bright pink color shining on the white sand of the garden. 【Mukou City】 There’s even a spot away from the city center of Kyoto where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms! Enjoy the cherry blossoms in a relaxing atmosphere at this ancient shrine nestled in the nature of Nishiyama. The “Garden of Birds and Animals,” lined with stones that resemble animals and birds, is a beautiful spot where weeping cherry trees stand dignifiedly. The most notable cherry blossom on the grounds of Oharano Shrine is the “Sengan-zakura” (cherry blossom with a thousand eyes). It is said to be a phantom cherry blossom that blooms for only two or three days, and if you are lucky enough to see it, your wish will come true. At Shoujiji Temple, commonly known as “Flower Temple,” about 100 cherry trees spread their branches spontaneously. The temple is famous for the “Saigyo Cherry Blossoms,” which are said to have been planted and loved by the monk Saigyo. Various varieties of cherry trees, including higanzakura (higan cherry), shidarezakura (weeping cherry), yamazakura (mountain cherry), and botanzakura (botan cherry), color the spring scenery in the precincts. The temple is also famous for its dynamic view. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Kyoto. Kyoto has many cherry blossom viewing spots. By narrowing down the area, you can efficiently visit several spots with different scenery. Try touring both the famous and the obscure!

〈2023〉”Nun Katsu” boom in Japan! 7 Strawberry Afternoon Teas in Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe

“Nun katsu” is a culture that has been spreading in Japan over the past few years. “Nun katsu” refers to enjoying afternoon tea service at hotels and cafes. In particular, the period from January to early May, when strawberries, a popular fruit among the Japanese, are in season, is the time of year when hotels and cafes focus their efforts the most. A gorgeous afternoon tea with the bright red color of strawberries will be served. Therefore, we have carefully selected a variety of strawberry afternoon tea to enjoy in Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe!   *Please note that many spots require advance reservations.   1.【Osaka Umeda】The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka 　 Victoria’s Tea Room “Strawberry” 2.【Osaka Uehonmachi】Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka 　 Strawberry Afternoon Tea ~Flowery Field~ 3.【Osaka Nakanoshima】CONRAD OSAKA 　 “Chocolat Fraise” Strawberry Afternoon Tea 4.【Kyoto Arashiyama】CHAVATY ARASHIYAMA 　 Strawberry Afternoon Tea 5.【Kyoto Higashiyama】The Westin Miyako Kyoto 　 ROKUZA Strawberry Evening High Tea 6.【Kobe Harborland】Hotel La Suite Kobe Harborland 　 Strawberry Afternoon Tea ～Pure White～ 7.【Kobe Sannomiya】PATISSERIE TOOTH TOOTH 　 Strawberry and Chocolat Afternoon Tea Set   The “Victoria’s Tea Room “Strawberry”” afternoon tea set is inspired by Queen Victoria, who is credited with introducing afternoon tea to 19th century England. It is based on a traditional style with a modern essence. Of particular note is the “Victoria Sponge Cake,” a sweet said to have been a favorite of Queen Victoria. In the sublime restaurant, which was designed in the image of an English aristocrat’s mansion, live piano and violin music is performed, offering a luxurious experience.   Period: Tuesday, December 27, 2022 – Thursday, March 30, 2023 As the name “Strawberry Afternoon Tea ~Flowery Field~” suggests, it is a gorgeous strawberry afternoon tea inspired by a flower garden. A wide variety of sweets and savories can be enjoyed, from the non-alcoholic welcome tea “Strawberry Winter Sangria” to “Phrase Pistache” decorated with edible flowers, strawberry macaroons, and roast beef sandwiches.   Period: Saturday, January 7, 2023 – Tuesday, February 28, 2023 The “Chocolat Flavors Strawberry Afternoon Tea” features six strawberry-based sweets and five savory dishes. The red color of the strawberries stands out against the pure white tea stand, which forms an arc like a spiral staircase. The sweets combine strawberries with chocolate, which is a perfect match, to create a rich variety of tastes, aromas, and textures. In addition, all savories are also made with strawberries. You can spend an elegant time with a view of the city from 200 meters above the ground.   Period: Monday, December 26, 2022 – Wednesday, February 22, 2023 Tea salon CHAVATY Arashiyama is located at the foot of Arashiyama Togetsu Bridge, a famous sightseeing spot in Kyoto. The winter-only strawberry afternoon tea, inspired by the snow-covered landscape of Arashiyama, is rich in variety and includes strawberry sweets made with hojicha (roasted green tea) and kinako (soybean flour), strawberry warabimochi, and other Japanese-style dishes. All-you-can-drink tea and all-you-can-eat freshly baked scones are also a nice touch!   Period: Friday, December 16, 2022 – mid-March (tentative) The Westin Miyako Hotel Kyoto is located near Eikando, a famous sightseeing spot in Kyoto. ROKUZA Strawberry Evening High Tea” is served only after 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays at the hotel’s bar with a relaxed atmosphere.   A strawberry cocktail made by the bartender starts the slightly late tea time. Eight different strawberry sweets and savories will be available on a three-tier tea stand, changing daily. In addition, you can also enjoy five kinds of fresh brand-name strawberries.   Period: Saturday, January 7, 2023 – Sunday, March 26, 2023   (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays only) “Strawberry Afternoon Tea ~Pure White~” is a strawberry afternoon tea with red strawberries in a clean white color. The set includes four kinds of pastry chef’s special sweets such as rose-flavored strawberry tart and pistachio mousse, four kinds of chef’s special savories, fresh strawberries from Hyogo Prefecture, and scones.   The lounge and bar overlook a garden full of water and greenery, and the view at sunset is just as spectacular!   Period: Sunday, January 1, 2023 – Sunday, April 30, 2023 PATISSERIE TOOTH TOOTH is a popular patisserie cafe that has been a favorite in Kobe for many years. The afternoon tea set offered year-round will be an afternoon tea set with strawberries and chocolates until mid-February 2023. The two-tiered tea stand with seven kinds of strawberry sweets, including the popular Japanese strawberry fruit sandwiches, macaroons, tarts, brownies, and scones, has a stylish antique atmosphere! Orders can be placed without prior reservation.   Period: Thursday, November 24, 2022 – Thursday, February 16, 2023 (tentative) Just looking at the strawberry afternoon tea is exciting. Have you found something you like? If you come to Japan, please come and try our afternoon tea filled with the chef’s ideas and create wonderful memories.   *All photos are for reference only. *Menu items are subject to change.

6 Tadao Ando Buildings You Should Visit in Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe

Tadao Ando is world-famous for his innovative buildings made of cast concrete. As his hometown is Osaka, there are many architectural works by Mr. Ando in the Kansai region. Here are some spots where you can experience culture and art while enjoying his distinctive architectural designs.   １．【KOBE】Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art ２．【KOBE】Chapel of the Wind ３．【OSAKA】Nakanoshima Children’s Book Forest ４．【KYOTO】Asahi Beer Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art ５．【KYOTO】Garden of Fine Arts Kyoto ６．【HIMEJI】Himeji City Museum of Literature Opened in 2002 as a symbol of “cultural recovery” from the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Nicknamed the “Art Museum,” it houses approximately 10,000 works of art, including modern sculptures and prints from Japan and abroad. In addition to exhibiting these works of art, another highlight of the museum is the building designed by Mr. Ando, which is a simple but gigantic labyrinth-like structure that creates changes in light. Visitors can savor a complex and diverse spatial experience in a place of fusion of various art forms.   After passing through the entrance hall with its calm atmosphere, visitors are greeted by a glass-walled corridor surrounding the exhibition rooms, which are flooded with natural light, and other various parts of the building, each with a richly shaded expression. The “circular terrace,” the symbol of the museum, connects the first basement floor to the outdoor space on the second floor, linking the exhibition buildings, gallery buildings, and the sea and mountains. The cast concrete forms a beautiful spiral, creating shades of light and shadow. In 2019, a second exhibition building (Ando Gallery) opened to showcase Ando’s architecture. With exhibits of architectural models of his masterpieces such as “Sumiyoshi Row Houses” and “Church of Light,” as well as introductions to various projects in Japan and abroad, this is an unmissable spot for visitors to learn about Ando’s work. The “Sea Deck,” a viewing space on the third floor of the outdoor space, appears as if it extends out to sea. A large green apple sculpture, which Mr. Ando designed based on the poem “Youth” by the American poet Samuel Ullman, is placed here. The fourth floor also includes the “Mountain Deck” and the “Wind Deck”. On the other side of the first floor entrance, there is a large staircase leading up to the outdoor areas on the second and third floors, where visitors can sit with their backs to the museum and look out over the ocean spread out before them.   The greatest charm of this museum is that it changes its appearance in various ways depending on the time and season you visit, changing both in terms of getting lost and inconvenience. And the pleasure of finding this museum architectural gimmick! Why not visit to savor a spatial experience that can only be felt at any given moment? It is one of the “church trilogy” designed by Mr. Ando, and was the first church building for him, completed in 1986. Located on top of Mt. Rokko, it is called the “Church of the Wind” because of its refreshing natural surroundings. It was designed and operated as a wedding church for the hotel, but is now closed to the public. It is open to the public during the “ROKKO MEETS ART WALK,” a contemporary art event held every year from late summer to autumn.   The chapel has a rectangular solid tower mounted on a cast concrete frame, a characteristic of Ando’s architecture, and light streaming in through the gaps between the walls and ceiling creates a sacred and serene space. The design originates from the “Notre Dame de Senancq Abbey” in Provence, southern France, which was built in the 12th and 13th centuries. It was created after Ando visited the chapel and was impressed that the light shining through the small windows in the rough-hewn stone walls was the star of the spatial presentation. One of the most distinctive features of the building is the “Colonnade,” a 40-meter colonnaded corridor leading to the chapel. It is made of celadon-colored frosted glass. The colonnade was developed from the colonnade surrounding the courtyard of the “Notre-Dame de Senancq Abbey” in the form of a straight line. The wind blowing through, the surrounding greenery, and the building are fused together to create a fantastic space. The Church of the Wind is tucked away in the forest on Mt.Rokko. The shadows of the light create a beautiful space, a special spot where an extraordinary time flows. Spend your time listening to the tones of nature and feeling the wind blowing through the air. From the top of Mt. Rokko, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Kobe and Osaka.   The church is normally closed to the public and will be open only during the “ROKKO MEETS ART WALK” event. For more details about the event, please check the website. Don’t miss this rare opportunity! “I want children to pick up a variety of books and develop unlimited creativity and curiosity. I want them to spontaneously come into contact with the words, feelings, and ideas in books and learn that there are people and lifestyles in the world that are different from their own”.  With this in mind, architect Tadao Ando designed the building himself, donated it to the City of Osaka, and it was born in Nakanoshima in 2020. Its daily operation is supported by donations from citizens and companies. The giant blue apple sculpture that stands out on the entrance terrace. The motif is based on the poem “Youth” by the American poet Samuel Ullman, and represents Mr. Ando’s wish that many people will be touched by this symbol of youth full of challenging spirit. In designing the building, Mr. Ando placed importance on making full use of its location in Nakanoshima, where Osaka’s history and culture are still alive, and on ensuring that children would play a leading role. The building along the Dojima River is made of fair-faced concrete, a characteristic of Ando’s architecture. To the west are the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka, the Osaka Central Public Hall, and other cultural and artistic facilities. The museum is a three-story atrium with staircases and bridge passageways, like a three-dimensional maze. All the walls are covered with wooden bookshelves, creating an exciting atmosphere as if one were to wander into a “forest of books” and search for books. In the “rest room,” a cylindrical space with no concrete floor, video works are shown to arouse children’s interest in books. The same books displayed on the top shelves are also placed on the lower shelves for browsing. The books are placed on the lower shelves for browsing. All the furniture is made of wood, creating a relaxed atmosphere. Sculptures of words” are displayed here and there on the bookshelves. Impressive short sentences extracted from books appear in three-dimensional letters in the space. Although a book must be picked up and its pages turned in order to experience its world, children often pass by the bookshelf. We wanted to create an opportunity for children to start reading a book with the charm of a single sentence by slipping a word into their field of vision. This was the idea behind the production. “Children’s Book Forest” is a place where children and adults alike can immerse themselves in the fascination of books. The facility is a fusion of Ando’s architecture and the riverside scenery of Osaka, the city of water, where visitors can fully enjoy the world of books. (Advance reservation required for use of facilities. Check the official website of Nakanoshima Children’s Book Forest for information on how to enter.) It was built by businessman Shotaro Kaga as a villa from the Taisho era (1912-1926) to the early Showa era (1926-1989). Over time, the villa was on the verge of falling into disrepair, but in 1996, in response to calls to preserve the precious architecture and surrounding nature, it was restored to its original state and reopened as an art museum with a new wing designed by Tadao Ando. The main building portion, designed by Shotaro Kaga, was constructed of wood in the Taisho era and substantially expanded in the early Showa era. The main building incorporates an eclectic mix of techniques, including carved beams and columns. The upper section of the main building incorporates a half-timber system showing the wood frame characteristic of the English Tudor Gothic style, and is constructed of reinforced concrete with a steel frame for the roof section. The terrace on the second floor offers a magnificent view of the three rivers flowing through Kizu, Uji, and Katsura, unchanged since its construction. Designed by Ando, the Jichu-kan addition is connected to the main building by a passageway. The passageway is made of fair-faced concrete with glass walls on the upper four sides and the front. The surrounding seasonal scenery is visible to the eye, creating a sense of harmony between the building and nature. A small pond with water lilies blooms beside the stairs leading to the Chichu-kan “Chichu-no-Jewel Box. From the window at the end of the long flight of stairs, you can see the pond at the same height as your eye level. Since the building is located on a slope, it is important to be able to enjoy the view from inside the building as well. The Chichu-kan, named the “Underground Jewel Box” by Mr. Ando, is designed in a cylindrical semi-underground structure to harmonize with the surrounding landscape. The roof above the exhibition space is planted with trees to blend in with the surrounding greenery. In 2012, a new building, Yamatekan “Box of Dreams,” designed by Ando, was completed. The new building is a box-shaped structure, in contrast to the “Chichu Jewel Box. The straight concrete building is placed so that it is buried in the trees, and like the Chichu-kan, the upper portion is planted to create a sense of unity with nature.   The old and new buildings and the surrounding environment coexist in perfect balance, and you can feel the “rebirth” of the Ando style in this newly revitalized villa. Opened in 1994 as the world’s first painting garden that can be viewed outdoors. Designed by Mr. Ando, this facility exhibits outdoors sturdy ceramic board paintings that reproduce the beauty of masterpieces in their original form. The garden features a waterside setting with large and small waterfalls and ponds, and the atmosphere of the works changes depending on the viewing location, viewpoint, and weather conditions.   The building is on three levels, with a gentle slope leading down from the ground to the second basement level, where visitors view the exhibits in order from the bottom. On display are a total of eight masterpieces from around the world. Four of them were created for the “International Garden and Greenery Exposition” held in 1990 and displayed in the “Garden of Masterpieces,” a pavilion designed by Mr. Ando. The other four were created for this facility.   Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgment,” which is almost full-size and over 13 meters high, can be viewed from all floors of the corridor. Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper” sandwiched between the sky and the water. The painting is designed to be reflected in the water, and it is also interesting to see how differently the painting looks on the surface of the water. A doubly enlarged version of the National Treasure, Caricatures of Birds, Beasts, and Humans. The long scroll, read from the right, is displayed so that visitors can appreciate it in a natural flow along the direction of travel.   The works of Van Gogh and Renoir, viewed through windows in the concrete walls, offer a different atmosphere from the paintings. Monet’s “Waterlilies, Morning” is displayed underwater to give visitors an impression of his worldview, and viewing it as if peering into the painting from above is a unique experience. The unique way to enjoy the paintings along with the changes in light and the shimmering surface of the water is only possible with ceramic board paintings.   Designed by Ando, this space takes advantage of the outdoor environment and is a recommended place to experience art in a different way than an indoor museum. Located northwest of the World Cultural Heritage and National Treasure Himeji Castle, the museum was established in 1991 as a base for all kinds of literary activities, including the collection and study of materials by writers and scholars associated with Himeji and other parts of Harima. Ando’s unique building design, “designed as a space for circulation and dialogue with literature with the castle in the background,” blends in with the old townscape and creates a new landscape. As the design concept suggests, Himeji Castle, nicknamed “Shirasagijo Castle,” can be viewed from inside the building, making it a special place where visitors can feel Himeji from both inside and outside the building.   The facility consists of the three-story North Wing and the two-story South Wing. The grounds also include the Bokkeitei, a Taisho period Japanese house with a 40-mat Japanese-style room and a tea ceremony room. The “Himeji Castle Historical Story Corridor” on the first floor of the North Wing introduces the stories and history of Himeji Castle and the region through video and graphics. A total of 26 episodes are displayed in a long arc-shaped corridor, which visitors can appreciate by following the curve. On the same floor is the “Forest of Words” exhibition room, where visitors can come into contact with the impressive words left by literary figures associated with Harima and their lives, and on the second floor is a corner dedicated to Watsuji Tetsuro, a philosopher born in Himeji City. The South Wing includes the “Ryotaro Shiba Memorial Room” and a café where visitors can relax. This glass-walled space seen from the outside is a “yoiko no heya” for parents and children to enjoy together. It is a bright and colorful space like a sunroom. Here, visitors can take off their shoes, read picture books, and play with toys while relaxing. The tapestries and mobiles are inspired by the stories in “Harimakuni Fudoki,” which is also the origin of the name of Himeji. The landscape where the building stands in harmony with the surrounding nature, blending straight lines and curves, light and shadow, is like a beautiful work of art. The buildings are like beautiful art, blending lines, curves, light, and shadow in harmony with the surrounding nature. How was it? When discussing architecture, Tadao Ando is a must-see. If you travel to Japan, why not experience the world-renowned architecture of Tadao Ando along with sightseeing?

Let’s go to shrines and temples in Kansai for New Year’s “Hatsumode”!

The first visit to a shrine or temple in the year is called “Hatsumode(New Year’s visit)”. Avoid crowds by taking into consideration the period and time of your visit. Shrines and temples each have their own “benefits”. This article will introduce you to Hatsumode spots in Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara, according to their benefits. Dharma is popular as a good luck charm because it gets up after falling. Famous as a temple of luck, Katsuoji Temple has Dharma statues placed all over the temple grounds. Use the Dharma fortune to tell your fortune in various areas such as entrance exams, love, and sports. The shrine has been in existence since before 794, and is known as “Gion-san”. The headquarters of Yasaka Shrine and other shrines dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto throughout Japan. In addition to the main shrine, which is designated as a national treasure, there are many other deities enshrined within the precincts, including the Pestilence Shrine, which is dedicated to dispelling plague and evil. Shimogamo Shrine is known as a power spot for love knot. Here, you can draw a kimono-shaped fortune, called “Enmimusubi-mikuji. You will receive instructions on how to fall in love based on a waka poem from the Tale of Genji. The “Himemamori,” with its gorgeous chirimen fabric, is also gorgeous. If you want to be beautiful, go to Kawai Shrine! This is a small shrine inside Shimogamo Shrine, where the god who protects women is enshrined. Kawai Shrine offers a special ema (votive picture tablet) to pray for beauty. Use the cosmetics you normally use to apply beautiful makeup to your ema and make a wish. You will definitely become more beautiful, not only on the outside but also on the inside. Ikuta Shrine is located in the middle of the city of Kobe. The red and divine main shrine is fantastic, and the solemn atmosphere will cleanse your body and soul. Behind the main shrine is the Ikuta Forest, where you can do “water divination for marriage”. Also, the ema (votive tablet) at Ikuta Shrine is in the shape of a very cute heart. Say a prayer for a good match! Nishinomiya Shrine is the headquarters of all the Ebisu Shrines in Japan, which worship the god of good fortune, Ebisu-sama, and is known locally as “Ebessan of Nishinomiya. It is famous as the god of prosperity in business. The “Tai-mikuji”, which is given only during the New Year period, is very popular. In a long life, there are milestones at key points, and breaks due to various physical and social changes. In order to prepare for this milestone, the old people came up with the tradition of “bad luck years”. Yakujin Myoo is said to ward off all kinds of evil. Mondo Yakujin Tokoji Temple is one of the three Yakujin Myoo in Japan. Let’s pray for good luck to ward off bad luck so that we can have a peaceful new year. Nakayamadera Temple, the first Kannon sacred site in Japan, was founded by Prince Shotoku. Many pregnant women from all over Japan visit this temple, which is known as the “Temple of Safe Childbirth”. Nakayama Temple has an escalator so that pregnant women do not have to climb up the stone steps. This is a kind gesture that only a temple dedicated to praying for safe childbirth can make. Don’t miss the five-story pagoda, which was rebuilt in 2017 for the first time in about 400 years. The deep blue color is very impressive. Yakushiji Temple, a World Heritage Site, was built in 680 by Emperor Tenmu to pray for the healing of his empress’ illness. The main deity of the temple, Yakushiji Nyorai, is the Buddha of medicine. He removes people’s illnesses and misfortunes and gives them health and happiness. It is said to have the blessing of removing not only physical illnesses but also people’s grumbling hearts. Let’s visit a temple in ancient Nara and get power from it. I hope that the new year will be a good one for you.

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