I am finally sharing one of my most memorable experiences of my life: the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Osaka, Japan. I am a Harry Porter fan and I have watched all movies over my growing years. Last year, i got a chance to step into Universal Studios Japan. I felt like I was teleported into a wonderland that never fail to thrill me every second.
I was so impressed. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was freaking mind blowing and everything you ever wanted it to be. It wasn’t like visiting a movie set or a theme park, it was a completely all encompassing world of magic. As you walk down the tree lined path towards the entrance way of Hogsmeade the theme music begins to make your toes tingle with excitement and you feel like a first year student about to see the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the first time. The second you walk through that archway into Hogsmeade you are no longer in Universal Studio. I mean, the rest of the Universal Studio theme park is exactly like being on a cheesy studio set but Hogsmeade is a working town with a towering life sized Hogwarts perched on a huge cliff in the distance. When you have a chance to go there, you must have fun. You don’t know when you’re going to return to the Wizarding World again, so soak in every moment, enjoy every minute, and don’t be shy to act totally crazy because, trust me, it’s going to be worth it. Oh yes, one more thing: always keep your magic wand on hand, just in case Voldemort suddenly shows up as you wander about!
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I was sorting my photos from my Japan trip last year and something struck me – cherry blossom season in Japan is EVERYTHING. The trees are omnipresent in over half of my photos, and there’s no denying that it gives the country a slightly romantic appeal, an ephemeral look that is quite difficult to resist.
Every spring time, the nation’s streets, gardens and public buildings and schools are decorated with the beautiful scents and colours of spring. Everything takes on a delicate pinkish hue as the symbolic cherry trees spring into blossom and carpet the ground below in delicate cherry blossom snowflakes. Apart from being a stunning sight to behold, the significance of the cherry blossom tree in Japanese culture is as old as it is poignant. The beautiful cherry blossom and the shortness of its season is symbolic of life itself, a reminder of how bright and beautiful a life can shine, but also how tragically short it is. It is a reminder to enjoy life while you can, to appreciate both its beauty and its briefness. I am going to Japan soon again next month, to Tokyo this time round. So i can't wait to see the Sakura season again! This is one of my last few posts on my visit to Kyoto and Osaka and the topic is focused on food. I love Japanese culture – the food, the history, the temples, the respect people have for each other. Months after my visit, I still dream of the country. And one thing I am especially still dreaming about is the food.
While walking around Kyoto and Osaka, and taking in the amazing sceneries, I've also tried various types of specialty food in Kyoto. I saw that throughout Japan people love to eat. Japan is known as one of the ultimate food destinations – a city with passionate food lovers and an abundance of things to eat. And that’s precisely the reason why I was so excited to visit Japan – for the food. 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。 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。 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! A Prime Spot For Sakura Viewing In Japan: Historical Osaka Castle 日本赏樱花旅程, 著名的旅游观光景点之一: 大坂城11/10/2015 No trip to a Japanese city would be complete without delving into exciting history and culture of the area. Here, again, Osaka has so much to offer.
Osaka Castle is the symbol of Osaka in Japan, which has been handed down through the dramas in history to the present day. The castle has been destroyed and reconstructed many times over the years, by conflicts, wars and natural disasters. There are also many good cherry blossom viewing spots at Osaka and Osaka Castle is one of them. It’s quite a far walk from the nearest train stations but if you don’t mind it, it’s rather worth the efforts to view the beautiful flowers against the famous landmark of Osaka city. It’s also a popular spot for ‘blossom viewing 花见’ where families and friends will come together to have a BBQ and picnic under the sakura trees while enjoying the short-lived beauty of the flowers. 我今年日本赏樱花旅行之美,就是加了一个大坂城天守阁的行程。 大坂的第二天,我造访了这个必访的景点:大坂城天守阁。这座城堡好几次成为日本历史上重要的战争舞台,不仅日本国内遊客,而且受到很多国外遊客的喜爱,来这边走走不但可以感受到环抱河流的城门美景,还可以感受到一点历史的烟硝味。大坂城公园,风景美得像一幅幅的画作,令人难以忘怀。当我来到大坂城,天气寒冷却晴朗,这天的大坂城公园比记忆中更美更迷人了。天守阁的周围是公园,春天梅花和樱花绚烂绽放,秋天红叶美不胜收。广阔的天空,只要涉足一步,就好像穿越回到战国时代。大坂自古是商人之城,非常繁华,而大坂城正是其繁荣的象征。 Railway systems in Japan have earned good international reputations. People from all over the world are always very impressed and amazed at their bullet trains and the fact that their trains always arrive on time.
But in this blog post, I'll introduce the old and nostalgic tram which you might have not imagined them still running in Japan. Here is a tram called Hankai Tramway (坂堺电车) which runs from Osaka city (大阪市) to Sakai city (堺市). There is something very nostalgic about riding the trams of Osaka. Transporting you with their classic storybook ‘gatan goton’ rhythms, they can take you to places that allow for a glimpse of quaint, older neighborhoods and a slower way of life in this city. Nicknamed chinchin densha (ding ding train), the Hankai trams have been a part of Osaka for over 100 years. Hankai Tramway was opened in 1900. There used to have trams all over in Japan. However there are only 20 of them left now. There is a tram made in 1928 which still run on this line. Do you want to take a ride on the oldest trams in Japan? I did. 大坂虽然也是日本一级都市之列,不过在大坂历史里,拥有百年历史的 坂堺电车,可以载满了不少大坂人儿时的回忆,也是目前大坂唯一仅存的路面电车。在路面行走的坂堺电车,带你一路看尽风景,也放慢了旅行的步伐。 为了想体验一般大坂人的生活,我搭上了传统又唯一的路面电车。我想在经济繁华的大坂市里,可以有这样特别体验也算是难能可贵的一件事。这回就让我来介绍在大阪很古老,但是充满怀旧情怀的坂堺电车。 When one speaks of Osaka, many people recall the huge Glico billboard and the giant crab sign with moving legs. These symbols of Osaka are located around the Dotonbori River in Namba district. Dotonbori is full of flashing neon flights and shoppers, and a Ferris wheel can also be found overhead, as though a theme park had suddenly appeared in the street.
One can surely be mesmerized by the masses of neon lights, labyrinthine of streets with multi colored shops including pachinkos, karaokes, drug stores, boutiques, souvenirs shops to restaurants that cater to all kinds of demand. The street is always full of noise, full of light, full of energy. Dotonbori is the heart and soul of Osaka, a street that never sleeps. Osaka is known as the food haven of Japan- especially here in Dotonbori, come and experience “Kuidaore”, literally meaning eat till you drop. From the takoyaki stands to the okonomiyaki restaurants, you can never get enough of the gastronomy galore here. I totally agreed. When I arrived in Osaka, I was so overwhelmed with all the neon lights. At night, the whole city looks like it has been lined in neon. Even the supermarkets, rival the pachinko parlors with flashing displays and lights galore. Osaka isn't just big, it's unique. Many people are surprised to find that Osaka has a completely different personality from Tokyo. Where Tokyo is reserved, Osaka is extravagant. Where Tokyo is shy, Osaka is warm and outgoing. A century ago, city builders eyeing undeveloped land in southern Osaka created a neighborhood that captured Japan’s worship of the West and its determination to compete as an equal.
The neighborhood, born in 1912, was called Shinsekai (新世界), meaning the New (新) World (世界) in Japanese. Shinsekai has that time warp feeling of 1960s Osaka and gives you a unique, cross cultural kind of feeling. Shinsekai went through ups and downs over the decades, including a prolonged slump from which it started recovering in the past few years in the unlikeliest fashion. Nowadays, the neighborhood that embodied foreign glamour has become known, through a mix of circumstances and clever marketing, as a quintessentially old-fashioned Japanese neighborhood and as a slice of the authentic Osaka. The main symbol here is the Tsutenkaku (通天阁) Tower, completed in 1912, symbolizing the birth of a New World. Tsutenkaku basically means “The Tower Reaching to Heaven” which is the landmark of Shinsekai till now. The area was modeled after New York to its south and Paris to its North. On a hot summer day, nothing beats a couple scoops of green tea ice cream. Anything cold and sweet makes the heat just a little more bearable.
The current muggy weather in Singapore sends me back to one of my favourite moments for big scoops of green-tea ice cream in Kyoto. Kyoto is known for its green tea. If you love green tea, you will surely love Kyoto. I thank all my readers for the trip down memory lane. If you are tired of the temples and gardens of Kyoto and want a glimpse of everyday Kyoto life, a walk down Nishiki-koji (Nishiki market) will surely refresh your spirits. Located in central Kyoto, the narrow street, conveniently covered for the rain, has been supplying Kyoto’s residents with high-quality traditional ingredients for centuries. Although its present form and location is from the late 16th century, the market has been in place since the Middle Ages.
I always like to head straight to the markets and food enclaves when I arrive in a new city; it’s the pulse of how people live and how the food culture is surviving the perils of supermarkets and industrial food. Kyoto is known for its many culinary delicacies, and you'll find most of them at Nishiki. Meandering through the arcade one can easily be overwhelmed by the sights, the sounds and the smells of the market. Most people call this place ‘Kyoto’s Kitchen’ and you can see why with its specialist stalls bustling in activity and with fascinating displays of artisan produce and fresh local bounty; from glistening fresh seafood pristinely displayed to every imaginable dried fish and seafood, an extraordinary kaleidoscope of pickled vegetables and handmade sweets, and all the seasonal foods and specialties that the historical Kyoto cuisine is renowned. 在每次出行的线路安排中,我总会将一些农贸市场、菜场集市、卖场超市顺带一并列入行程中,边走边吃边看的同时,也能更深入这个城市日常生活的点点滴滴。原本京都的锦市场和大坂的黑门市场都在我的行程单上,后来在大坂逛街逛到失控,没能来得及逛上黑门市场,锦市场就成了本次关西行中唯一一个顺利走完的综合性集市。“食物的味道” 常常是一段旅行记忆最深刻的部分。 说到京都,就不能错过号称 “京都厨房” 的锦市场。拥有四百年历史的京都人的厨房–锦市场,京都必访旅遊人气景点之一,且有京都厨房之美誉,聚集上百家的店舖,闹哄哄热闹非凡的商店街,集具了各种生鲜食材、传统小吃、菓子杂货等,除了是外来遊客最爱到访的地方,也是京都市民爱逛的市集之一。 我是一个特别喜欢逛当地大小市场的人,每到一个地方都想要探寻个究竟,也是我最直接熟悉当地人环境的最好地方。在这里逛着,可以看到除了料理的食材以外,还能处处能见到京都茶及和果子。要不是急着拍照就可以买了在店门口即时享用,散步在那里的时候随时都会看到随买随吃的片段。看着人们吃着美味的欢乐表情自己也开始幸福起来了。所以说,好吃的美味都是要趁着热吃才会新鲜美味。 人生也是如此啊,彼时遇到了那抹美好便一点要把握到才是。 My recent trip to Osaka was a voyage of discovery and I found a whole new area just a stone’s throw from the main haunts. Strolling along the streets I’ve come to know that I stumbled upon a couple of cute little cafes. I’d only walked two blocks from the main hub of Umeda, yet it already felt as though I was in a quiet suburb of a much smaller city. In contrast to the modern skyscrapers that are so iconic in that part of Osaka I started to notice small wooden houses in traditional Japanese architecture. The mood had completely changed from a bustling cosmopolitan city centre to a sleepy, bohemian district filled with meandering streets and little old ladies leisurely cycling past on rickety old bicycles.
Known as Nakazaki-cho, this part of Osaka is located only a short walk from Hankyu Umeda Station and JR Osaka Station. Even though the peripheral with skyscraper-lined business district, there are decade-old folk houses remained in Nakazaki-cho, and those are renovated to use as popular cafes or vintage clothing stores. Although it is a popular area for young people as well as Shinsaibashi, the place is not about the hustle and bustle like Shinsaibashi, and visitors can enjoy a walk around in the relaxed atmosphere. Old houses in Nakazaki-cho were preserved because the area was free from damages by air raids during World War II. Marginalized from the post-war development, nobody was interested with the area until utilized as renewed stylish town with nostalgic sense by young generations with new sensibility. 如果,不说,你相信这是大坂吗?在喧闹繁忙的城市里,仿佛踏路了世外桃花源般。。。位于大阪中崎町的 “百年旧社区”(这个在二次世界大战中倖免于难却显得破破落落的小小地区)在这里能感受到,与众不同的建筑,轻松悠闲的步调和每个老区的内心的小理想。 中崎町位于大坂北区,在很热闹的梅田商圈旁边有一个宁静又有百年历史的小社区,位于大坂地下铁,谷町线的中崎町站,在大坂市中心梅田附近,梅田站走过去漫步大概十几分钟就到了。沿路从繁华热闹的梅田商圈逐渐变成具有浓浓日式传统风情的街道,也带我来到一个宁静世界。 在这里的每一间商店都有着独特的风格,静静等待你去推开他的门,到里面探险一番,也是在这步伐紧湊的城市中,让人可以放松自我,找回初心的一个地方。中崎町老街的街景都有着浓浓的复古风味,值得您细细品味并认真挖宝。宁静得让人想要进一步探访,这是我第一次看见中崎町介时,令我相当惊豔的地方! Rinku Premium Outlets, located in "Rinku Town" adjacent to the Kansai International Airport in Osaka, houses about 150 shops including famous brand shops from home and abroad. It was designed in the image of a historic port town, Charleston in the United States. Besides enjoying shopping in a street with the look of a resort, what I did managed to catch, with perfect timing, was the sunset. The breath-taking sunset at Rinku Town was particularly worth seeing. Spectacular colours over the bay witnessed from a wonderful vantage point, it was fate.
We all know just how romantic, inspiring and utterly Instagram-able they can be, but most of us only make time for sunsets when we're on vacation, as if that calming, beautiful moment can only occur when we're in an exotic place, free from everyday obligations. What better way to practice being aware of the present moment than by watching the literal passing of time as the sun sinks below the horizon? |
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