Okamoto

Apr 5, 2012 by javiriko    No Comments    Posted under: ALL post, Kobe

Akashi Bridge

Mar 19, 2012 by javiriko    No Comments    Posted under: ALL post, Kobe

The Akashi-Kaiky Bridge, also known as the Pearl Bridge, has the longest central span of any suspension bridge, at 1,991 meters (6,532 ft). It is located in Japan and was completed in 1998.The bridge links the city of Kobe on the mainland of Honshu to Iwaya on Awaji Island by crossing the busy Akashi Strait. It carries part of the Honshu-Shikoku Highway.

The bridge is one of the key links of the Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Project, which created three routes across the Inland Sea.

Source: Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akashi_Kaiky%C5%8D_Bridge

Various Photos of Japan 2

Feb 13, 2012 by javiriko    No Comments    Posted under: ALL post, Osaka, Places, Random

First Morning 2012

Jan 3, 2012 by javiriko    No Comments    Posted under: ALL post

Hatsumode, hatsuhinode, the “firsts” of the year

Celebrating the new year in Japan also means paying special attention to the first time something is done in the new year.

Hatsuhinode is the first sunrise of the year. Before sunrise on January 1, people often drive to the coast or climb a mountain so that they can see the first sunrise of the new year.

Hatsumode is the first trip to a shrine or temple. Many people visit a shrine after midnight on December 31 or sometime during the day on January 1. If the weather is good, people often dress up or wear kimono.

In addition to the other firsts mentioned above (“first sun” (hatsuhi) or “first sunrise”, “first laughter” (waraizome—starting the New Year with a smile is considered a good sign), first dream (hatsuyume), and “first letter” (hatsudayori—meaning the first exchange of letters) – in addition to haiku-specific ones), other “firsts” that are marked as special events include shigoto-hajime (the first work of the new year), keiko-hajime (the first practice of the new year), hatsugama (the first tea ceremony of the new year), and the hatsu-uri (the first shopping sale of the new year).

Here you will see the first visit to temple. Please enjoy the pictures and wish you all great 2012.

Source: Wikipedia.

Autumn 2011

Dec 5, 2011 by javiriko    No Comments    Posted under: ALL post, Places

Dotonbori

Nov 14, 2011 by javiriko    No Comments    Posted under: ALL post, Osaka, Places

Dotonbori, is one of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka, Japan. It is a single street, running alongside the Dotonbori canal between the Dotonboribashi Bridge and the Nipponbashi Bridge in the Namba ward of Osaka. A former pleasure district, Dotonbori is famous for its historic theaters (all gone now), its shops and restaurants, and its many neon and mechanized signs, including snack/candy manufacturer Glico’s giant electronic display of a runner crossing the finish line.

History

Dotonbori traces its history back to 1612, when a local entrepreneur, D?ton Yasui, began expanding the tiny Umezu River, which ran east to west, hoping to increase commerce in the region by connecting the two branches of the Yohori River, which ran north to south, with a canal. D?ton’s project was interrupted when he died defending Toyotomi Hideyori in the ill-fated Siege of Osaka, but his cousins finished the canal in 1615. The new lord of Osaka Castle, Tadaki Matsudaira, named the canal and avenue beside it Dotonbori (“bori” from “hori”, meaning “canal”), even though Doton had been on the losing side during the siege.

The character of Dotonbori became defined in 1621 when the newly minted Tokugawa Shogunate instituted urban planning, designating Dotonbori as the entertainment district of Osaka. By 1662 the avenue boasted six Kabuki theaters and five Bunraku theaters, as well as the unique Takeda Karakuri mechanical puppet theater. Many restaurants and cafes were built to cater to the flood of tourists and entertainment-seekers pouring nightly into Dotonbori.

Over the years, declining interest in traditional forms of entertainment led to the closing of most of Dotonbori’s original attractions. Its five remaining theaters were bombed and destroyed during World War II.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Dtonbori

immobile

channel Dotonbori

Okonomiyaki in Namba

Oct 24, 2011 by javiriko    No Comments    Posted under: ALL post, Delicatessen, Osaka

Okonomiyaki is a Japanese savory pancake containing a variety of ingredients. The name is derived from the word okonomi, meaning “what you like” or “what you want”, and yaki meaning “grilled” or “cooked” (cf. yakitori and yakisoba). Okonomiyaki is mainly associated with Kansai or Hiroshima areas of Japan, but is widely available throughout the country. Toppings and batters tend to vary according to region. Tokyo okonomiyaki is usually smaller than a Hiroshima or Kansai okonomiyaki.

Kansai- or Osaka-style okonomiyaki is the predominant version of the dish, found throughout most of Japan. The batter is made of flour, grated yam, water or dashi, eggs and shredded cabbage, and usually contains other ingredients such as green onion, meat (generally pork or bacon), octopus, squid, shrimp, vegetables, kimchi, mochi or cheese. Okonomiyaki is sometimes compared to an omelette or a pancake and may be referred to as “a Japanese pancake” or even “Osaka soul food”.
Source: Wikipedia.

Set “Asahi” cold delicious draft beer and Okonomiyaki for only 900 yens, ( 12 USD)

HDR and more at the port

Oct 19, 2011 by javiriko    1 Comment     Posted under: ALL post, Osaka

Various Photos of Japan – 2

Oct 15, 2011 by javiriko    4 Comments    Posted under: ALL post, Random

Under a Japanese bridge

Sep 26, 2011 by javiriko    No Comments    Posted under: ALL post, Osaka, Random