I know my Japan posts are scattered all over the blog and here's another one to add to it. But if you want to read all the posts chronologically, just scroll down to the bottom to the link where you will see a compilation of all my published Japan posts. Please be patient with me as I round up the few remaining posts which are coming soon. Hopefully before 2015 ends.
Karahori in Osaka is sort of an old town, or a historical district in a way. Old row houses and residents of marchant families went through the tough period and are still in use. It is also characteristic that there are a lot of slopes and stairs. It will be fun going up and down along the shopping arcade and sideways to see the residents' lives. There are three old tenement houses in Karahori, namely, Hou, Ren and Sou. 许多背包客、年轻族群喜爱到大坂自由行,但除了难波、梅田、环球影城、大坂城等着名景点外,还有许多背包客不知道的美景。这次我在大坂实际走访过去观光客几乎未到之处,走入大坂民间生活,呼吸日式老旧房屋的气息,发现了完全不同的大坂。 空堀地区是大坂在二次大战难得没有被轰炸的区域,因此即使周遭高楼林立,这里仍保持着老大坂的风味,值得感受的有长屋 (大坂传统房屋,多是两三层楼连接的透天厝)与蜿蜒的石板小路。长屋,可追溯至日本江户时代,当时为了因应急增的人口,兴建了相连并排的屋宇,也因为一连串长型并排的型态,才有了「长屋」这个名称。附近有空堀商店街,是当地居民的菜市场,其中有大型低价超市、路边贩卖蔬菜、水果、海鲜等,走入其中就能感受大坂人的生活。 空掘商店街保留了很多日式怀旧建筑,并且透过老屋再造了几间很有特色的建筑。在商店街的两侧,座落着三个「长屋新生」,也就是老宅改建的特色复合式商店聚落。这三栋建筑分别名为「练」、「惣」、「萌」。单看名字已感觉文艺气息十足。我在商店街小逛了一阵子后,就按着地图去找这三栋复旧建筑。
0 Comments
Painting is always one of the best art therapies. Anyone can paint, once you pick up the brush, and start putting the colours on the canvas, not only it is a hand-brain ordination exercise, it is also the beginning of unifying your inner self and outer self. Your painting shows your honesty and sincerity and it somehow releases the oppressions and restraints inside you. It was funny how I first walked into an art jam studio with a nostalgia of the long-lost relationship with the paintbrush. While I had zero confidence in painting, the thrill of coming up with anything I wanted still got to me. To all the noob painters like me, the more afraid you are, the more fun you will have.
This is not my first art jam but it is also definitely not be my last. After having done art jamming at several places for quite a few times, I have decided that I love Acrylic painting. I realise how fast Acrylic dries (as compared to oil) and how it was easier to work with it undiluted. I have a habit of using my oil paints mixed with a mixing medium before application. This does not really work in the same way for Acrylics. When I mixed Acrylic paints with water as a medium, I get transparent colours. What I like with acrylic is that it is fairly easy to cover up mistakes as the colours (straight from the tube) cover over opaque and it dries fast enough for u to fix it in one sitting, unlike oil which takes fairly long to dry. How thrilling it is when I finally finished a work-in-progress. It has taken several weeks. I have completed this colourful and cheery dotty tree, just in time for the celebration of the Christmas festive season! The train is the best way to travel in Japan. I am focusing on public transportation in major train and subway systems in this blog post, as they are the most popular methods of getting around in Japan. The entire country is covered with an extensive and reliable railway network, the trains are punctual, and the service is superb. Anyone who experienced the Japanese trains has a story to tell. There are hundreds of stories about the punctuality, the speed or the cleanness of the Japanese trains. Nevertheless, what makes the Japanese trains so different? The subject of Japanese trains is vast and fascinating not only for the railway enthusiasts, and for good reason, is a subject of national pride for the Japanese people.
The best way to explore this unique land? A trip by train from Osaka to Kyoto provides the perfect blend of awe-inspiring Asian megalopolis, tranquil hot springs retreat, and real-life Memoirs of A Geisha moments. The train offered me something else – a chance to take in so much of Japan is so little time and to experience Japan in a very Japanese way. In Japan there is a kind of Shinto shrine called Enmusubi, dedicated to love and relationships. In Kyoto, perhaps the most famous Enmusubi Shrine is Jishu Shrine 地主神社, located within the grounds of Kiyomizudera Temple 清水寺 (a famous religious complex that is one of the city's most visited sites for tourists and locals). Jishu Shrine was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1994.
Jishu Shrine is a shrine dedicated to the deity of love and matchmaking. There's a happy, festive atmosphere throughout the shrine, from all that youthful enthusiasm because most of the participants are teenaged schoolgirls. Being in the name of love, the temple has a unique air of affection and draws both streams of school children and young women in kimonos out to celebrate the mystery of love's fortune, who are pleased to be photographed and found beautiful in the eye of the beholder. 众所周知,日本的寺庙遍地都是,但若要让当地人推举个祈求爱情姻缘的好地方,京都绝对是首屈一指。这里拥有众多 “爱神” 居住的寺庙,有史以来就促成许多大好姻缘,于是乎每年都会有许多单身男女来京都求姻缘。在京都,祈求良缘最具历史的圣地非地主神社莫属。深受年轻女孩及情侣欢迎的地主神社,主祀恋爱之神:大国主命,还供奉祓除门大神、幸福罗、栗光稻荷等多位神明。除了祈求良缘外,亦可在此祈求消灾解厄及金榜题名等。 对我而言,它是我在京都寺庙中觉得最有趣的一间。 地主神社是位在日本京都府京都市东山区的神社。主祭神是大国主,是日本有名的结缘、祈求恋爱运的神社。1994年,作为清水寺之一部登录为世界文化遗产 “古都京都的文化财”。神社位于清水寺的大舞台后方,游览清水寺的人不要错过这个小景点,这里是求缘胜地,最著名的要数两块姻缘石,如果从其中一块开始,蒙眼后能够顺利摸到另一块,则可以得到神灵眷顾。 我能在地主神社感受到的气氛,总是愉悦而轻松的。我看到那些穿着学校制服、语气充满新鲜感的少男少女,兴奋地在恋爱石前打闹嬉笑,在大国主神与因幡白兔前拍照,在大田大神前,满脸敬畏地触摸神像,祈求诸事成就均能实现。当放眼看的时候,我发觉,无论在世界的哪里,获得幸福与幸运,果然还是人们心底最虔诚的事。 No list of Fremantle markets in Perth, Western Australia would be complete without mentioning the port city’s market mecca: the Fremantle Markets. Located in a heritage-listed Victorian-era building, the markets boast over 150 stalls and the wandering buskers, human statues and live music ensure the markets are still a Freo must-see.
It’s similar to a farmer’s market, with local produce and artisan handicrafts. I loved the vibe. It's a must visit place to appreciate the charming beauty and the significance of the past that have been well truly stored through time and generations at this fascinating place! Fremantle Markets has rightfully earned itself a reputation as one of the best destinations in Fremantle for locals and tourists alike, as well as a leading source of independent wares and produce. It’s undoubtedly one of the best and most well-known markets in Western Australia. The market has a long and rich history (since 1897), stemming all the way back to the nineteenth century, with everything from local produce, organic goods, artisan and indigenous wares, and music, events and performances housed all under one roof. A great start to a happy week! My photo essay on "Cafe Hopping In Penang 慢品槟城咖啡香" is published in today's Lianhe Zaobao 联合早报《槟城自由行》newspaper dated 2 November 2015!
Thrilled to see it being featured nationwide in print! Special thanks to Lianhe Zaobao, zbNOW/早报现在, you have made my day! 感谢、感恩! http://www.zaobao.com.sg/lifestyle/travel/sea/story20151102-544225 http://www.kundian.net/post/【生活】慢品槟城咖啡香.aspx Do you know that the world's first instant noodle product was originated in Osaka, Japan?
No explanation about instant noodles, or instant ramen, is needed, since we are all highly familiar with them. Instant noodles are the perfect solution in all kinds of daily-life situations, providing quick between-meals or late-evening snacks, and overtime or emergency meals. They have already become indispensable in our lives. I believe that we may call instant noodles even "global" food, because they are eaten almost every country throughout the world. In fact, I keep at least five instant noodle packages always in stock in my house. They are indispensable to me. How many times have I been helped out by instant noodles? Who on earth invented this incredible food? Osaka is big into its food. Okonomiyaki, takoyaki, kushikatsu, Glico….the list goes on and on. I ate it all when i was there, of course, but i was here for instant ramen. You may not have known this, but instant ramen was invented in Ikeda, Osaka. Cup Noodle too. You may have heard of those food items before. After all, 98 billion were sold in 2009 alone and Nissin’s headquarters is here. To mark this momentous location, the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum was erected. Making instant ramen noodles at home isn't overly exciting, but visit the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum in Osaka, Japan and making them will take on a whole different experience. Here, you get to become a part of the instant ramen noodle-making process, right from scratch. It's a must visit place in Japan, especially if you are an instant noodles lover! |
Author
|