Curry and Udon Noodle, the Taste is GREAT!

When I go in the local Udon restaurant, there're just 2 people in chairs. And in the kitchen Udon masters, just I guess so, I don't know the taste yet, are working in steam. 

One person is reading something and sometimes watching TV show. And another person is just eating Udon looking at the kitchen. They don't look boring. Just enjoying relaxing time of their lives.

Udon comes. Yeah, of course, it's not normal Udon. Udon is normally white noodle in thin brown soup cooked with fish as the ingredient. 

The noodle is Udon. The white is a little bit colored by the yellow. Yellow color makes me happy. Because it's curry. So the Udon is curry and Udon.

Is it strange? No, No, Japan is such kind of country, in which everybody wants make everything mixed together. Curry and Udon., it means India and Japan. Bread and sweet bean paste called Anko, it means western countries and Japan. We love foreign countries and accept the culture. 

Don't you try? Why not:)

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Unknown Way of Imperial Palace

Everything has the meaning. And if you understand the meaning, it will be familiar with you. Of course, it's a nice way to know something.

In the garden of Imperial Place in Kyoto you will find this white way. I don't know what this is.

From the another angle.

Yeah, it's also another angle. 

With the bicycle running. 

Right, that way is for bicycles. Actually nobody didn't want to make the way, but everybody runs on the way by bicycle, the way got very easy to run by bicycle. 

Ops, mosquito comes! I run away from it. And going into this way this time. 

Cute cat. Yeah, it looks sleepy. Me too. When I go to Imperial Palace, I always get sleepy. Because the place is so nice to walk and relax.

It's good. You can take a nap in the place. Oh, but be careful about mosquito!

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Nishiki-Food-Market ~錦市場~

Here's the photo of Nishiki food market. It's one of the nicest places to buy Japanese foods, which are historical. It's an arcade street. The roof is colorful and beautiful.

It's not just for Japanese historical foods. You can buy also coffee beans. The beans were grew up in Japan.....OH....

NO, SO SORRY, I made a mistake. It's not coffee beans. It's beans for tea!!! Yeah, just looks like coffee beans..

A, anyway they sell so many things. Some of them is not Japanese things. Of course, the place, itself is set for Japanese foods. So better to buy Japanese foods.

You can go to the market for 15 minutes on foot from our hostel. Sure, we can let you know how to get there!!

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The backpackers hostel in Kyoto is located in a historical district, Gion.
Good access by buses and trains to everywhere. 
Please contact us by the form, if you'd like to book our hostel.

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Yuru-kyara as the Japanese Culture

Have you ever heard Yuru-kyara?  If so, you are so familiar to the modern Japanese culture. It is sort of culture for younger generations. And also it has something to do with touristic things. 

The guy in the photo above is Yuru-kyara of Kagawa prefecture. Our guest gave the post card to us.

Every prefecture in Japan has Yuru-kyara. And some of them are so strange. The guy is too. Kagawa prefecture is famous for the good taste of Udon noodle. The guy is eating Udon. And his brain is also contains Udon. Yeah, so strange... But at the same time, it's cute, right?

Its name is Udon-Nou, which means Udon and brain. Yeah, so simple.

We love Yuru-kyara. If you take a look of big dolls of Yuru-kyara, please take a photo with them! It should be a good souvenir!  

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Japanese Famous Sweet and Hero

Our guest after the journey from the west of Japan gave us the sweet. It's a sort of race cakes. The race cake called "Kibi-dan-go" has the story about a hero named "Momo-tarou". The guy was born from a big peach and he got friends, a monkey, bird and dog. And he went to an island of ogres. They wiped out the ogres and got treasures.

The sweet is the key to make friend for the hero. He gave the sweet to make friends. 

It's one of the most famous stories in Japan. Every Japanese know it. 

Oh, NO! The sweets was not bribe! He just gave them because he has so many kibi-dan-go!

Giving something to somebody means good. Of course it's a good beginning of the friendship.

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Good access by buses and trains to everywhere. 
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Getting Lost but...

She is our guest from France.
She is very happy because she bought yukata (浴衣) at a good bargain.


I asked her, "Where did you buy the yukata?"
She answered, "I don't know. I found the yukata store unexpectedly when I got lost."


She found a good store by a fluke.
Even when she lost her way, she enjoyed the situation.
She is a paragon of traveler.


At the store she bought yukata and obi (帯, girdle for yukata) at low price.
She also got a pair of geta (下駄, Japanese traditional sandal) for free.
First she could not find geta which fitted her feet well.
Then a clerk gave her a pair of geta which only fitted her for free because the clerk got the geta from the rack of inventory disposal.


How lucky she was.
She also bought yukata for her friend as a souvenir.
She was satisfied with her shopping.


The location of the store is still unknown.
The only clue is that it is on the way to Kiyomizu-dera Temple from A-yado.


If you have time, please try looking for the yukata store.

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Good access by buses and trains to everywhere. 
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Ki-Yan Stuzio, in front of Yasaka Shrine ~A Great Artist~

In front of a famous shrine, Yasaka-jinja shrine, you can find a nice art shop.

The name is "Ki-Yan Stuzio".  Ki-Yan is a name and a casual expression to call your friend. If you lean Japanese, you know "san", such as used for Tanaka-san. Like the "san", yan is casual and friendly to put the end of its name.

Next to the first shop you will find this one. it's also so nice! In the shop you can buy drawing things and small object or ornament produced by "Ki-yan".

This is "Formal" name, HIdeki KImura. Here's his website.

http://www.ki-yan-stuzio.com/

It's in Japanese. But, you can watch his drawings. They are super!!

Somehow Kyoto has so many artists, which is local or famous. The cultural city bear super nice artist! If you like art, please enjoy their master pieces.

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On 16th August...

This is a view from the top of Mt. Daimonji (大文字山).

On 16th August five giant bonfires are lit on five mountains surrounding the city.
This is an event called Gozan no Okuribi in Bon festival.
Mt. Daimonji is one of the five mountains.

Mt. Daimonji is open for 24 hours so you can go up the mountain at night.

This is a view from the top in the daytime. 

Mt. Daimonji has totally different two faces.

When you walk in the mountain at night, a torch is necessary.

Without torches, you cannot see anything.

Some stairs don not have balustrades so you need to mind your step with care.

If you are afraid of darkness, you should go with somebody.

The mountain at night could be very scary. 

On the other hand, the view from the top is very beautiful. 

Only on 16th August you cannot enter the mountain.

On the day you should look up the bonfire from the ground. .

There are some good places for seeing the fire nearby A-yado.  

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Good access by buses and trains to everywhere. 
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Fortune Slip (おみくじ Omikuji)

He is our guest from Germany.

He went to Jishu-jinja Shrine.
This shrine is famous as a shrine of matchmaking.
Actually he went there without knowing this.


He drew a fortune slip (おみくじ omikuji) there.
In the photo he is holding the fortune slip.


However everything is written in Japanese on the fortune slip.
Of course he did not understand it at all.
So he came to ask us to translate the fortune slip.


The result was Kichi (吉)。
Kichi is the second best result, so it means he is lucky.
As for travel, the fortune slip said, "Traveling is highly recommended. You will see lots of delightful things on your travel."


He looked very happy to hear the result.
Especially he is a traveler so he was satisfied with the part about traveling.


We hope that staying at A-yado is one of the delightful things on his travel.

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The backpackers hostel in Kyoto is located in a historical district, Gion.
Good access by buses and trains to everywhere. 
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Card Game

This is a scene in the lounge in our hostel.
Our guests form Poland(on the right) and from Australia(on the left) are holding cards.


At first I thought they were playing normal cards, but these cards were different.

On the package there are Spanish letters written so they seem to be Spanish cards.
However it was my first time to see these cards.


There are 4 patterns.
From the left, they are cups, coins, swords and batons.
They are totally different from normal cards.


The Spanish cards have 10 numbers, 1~7 and 10~12.
8 and 9 are missing.
This appears strange for me.


Those guests hardly knew about these Spanish cards.
They were referring to the Internet pages about the rule of this card game.


Actually these Spanish cards belong to A-yado.
I wonder who bought these cards which are not popular in Japan.
A guest may have left them behind.


By the way we have normal cards in the lounge.
Moreover we have Wii, a video game.
Even when the weather is bad, you will have a good time in the lounge.

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The backpackers hostel in Kyoto is located in a historical district, Gion.
Good access by buses and trains to everywhere. 
Please contact us by the form, if you'd like to book our hostel.

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Advice for Tourists or Just to "TALK"

When I walked down a street, I found it. "English Help". What does it mean?

He is the English Helper. He looks very friendly and out going. I asked what was this?

The reply was very simple. According to the board he is helping tourists to give information in English. It's said in Japan there're a few people around you who speak more than 3 words in English. We say, for example, Go and Straight or Dog and Run. 

Yes, we, Japanese, are not good at English. Sometimes we are called by foreigner, and get upset, saying nothing.

BUT, Japan is well known as a polite country. If you're lucky, the person you called to get direction might let you follow her/him. Even though the person don't speak in English, it works. 

I don't want to say anything exaggerated. It depends on the people. I just want to say Japanese are sometimes amazingly helpful!

Oh, but, please do not say something to business people in suits for getting direction to go somewhere. They're so busy for their jobs! That's another aspect of Japan.

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First time to watch 'nou' for me

The other day, there was a show called 'nou' that is traditional plays .
It was first time for me and I was not sure what it is.
I knew I wouldn't understand what they do.
but I wanted to feel their atmosphere and I like music, they play traditional instruments too.
In the beginning, I  actually got a bit sleepy.
When the story got in climax, the main actor and the back-sounds excite us
that was awesome!

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Good access by buses and trains to everywhere. 
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Gion Matsuri Festival 2013 ~Yoi-yama, one of the main parts at night~

The clouds are something strange. It looks the calm before the storm. With a temple and sunset it's getting more beautiful.

Wow, so many vacant seat. It' said for "17th/July". What happens in this city, Kyoto?!

Yes! Tonight Kyoto has a part of the great festival, Gion Festival（祇園祭, ぎおんまつり).

It looks so nice. All lanterns are like having their own faces.

Bigger one! It's in Shijo-dori St.

On that one, there'are so many people playing their instrument. They're not only exciting, but historical. Those style are from some hundred years ago.

This one is also fantastic! And coming 10 pm, which is the closing time of playing instruments, the whole area is getting crowded, and everybody is so excited!

Oops! It's blared. Because I feel dizzy for crowded streets and the heat of people! Now time to finish taking a photo...


The Gion festival is one of the biggest three festival of Japan. It stars 1st of July and continues to 31st of July. Some parts are just for local people and priest of Shinto. But, spectacle parts, which you can join in are all worth seeing!

Matsu is Japanese culture. Sometimes we feel nostalgic for it. Because we, Japanese join in it from childhood, having foods of stalls, laughing loudly.

That's a definitely good cultural part!! Yeah, of course, you can join in! And enjoy!!

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After another Staff Going to Uji(宇治)

It was raining. And the big river, Uji river was swollen and something spectacular. The stream was really animated. 

I went to Uji, because I was fascinated the posts of my colleague in this blog:

http://hostelkyoto.blogspot.jp/2013/06/uji-place-of-tale-of-genji.html

http://hostelkyoto.blogspot.jp/2013/06/uji-river.html

I wanted take the photo of her. Yeah, famous intelligent lady in Japan. She is still reading a scroll. Maybe, in the scroll there're so many imaginary stories she have written.

Uji is such a great place for her siting and reading.

I love the city too!!

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Good access by buses and trains to everywhere. 
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School Trip of Japanese High School Students ~ Like Stand by Me

In a line they are walking, chatting and laughing with their friends. I took the photo around our hostel. They were in their school trip. Their bag looked very heavy. But they should be lighter than their great memory. The memories are the treasures made of gold.

Here's another photo. Of course they're in a school trip. The green leaves are so brilliant. If you come to Kyoto you can find the students in a trip or a excursion. Because Kyoto is a very popular city for it.

If you've traveled with your friends in your girls or boys days, which was important for you? The place to travel or friends with you? I know the answer :)

Now I'm a 30 years old. So I have my own travel style and I don't always want to travel with my friends. Sometimes they might be my burden. That's same as my friends.

But, in my memory my friends with their younger smiles are always with me in my trip, like "Stand by Me". 

It's in my heart. And that's why I can be alone.

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Good access by buses and trains to everywhere. 
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Uji ~ the place of the Tale of Genji (源氏物語) ～

A few days ago I visited Uji in Kyoto.
Uji is a city which is famous for green tea.
However Uji is also famous for the Tale of Genji.


The tale of Genji is a classic work of Japanese literature written by Murasaki Shikibu.
It is considered the world's first novel.
Chapter 45~54 are called "Uji Chapters".

This is a stone statue of Murasaki Sikibu, the author of the Tale of Genji in Uji.
She was a Japanese lady-in-waiting at the Imperial court during the Heian period.

On this board chapter 48 is written in Japanese.

There are 10 boards in Uji and chapter 45~54 are written on them.

 

There is the Tale of Genji Museum in Uji.
There are many exhibits related to the Tale of Genji in this museum.
The admission fee is 500 yen per person.


If you are interested in Japanese literature, you should visit Uji.

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Good access by buses and trains to everywhere. 
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Kimono Textile

They are our guests from Brazil.
They got to know each other at A-yado and became friends.


They are wearing cloths made of kimono textile.
The woman on the right bought a lot of kimono textile in Japan.
She did not afford to buy real kimono.
Kimono is very expensive.


They also went to Nishijin Textile Center　（西陣織会館）　 in Kyoto.
At the center there is a kimono show.
They give  performances 7 times a day.
A performance takes approximately 15 minutes.
The show is free!


You can see many kinds of kimono there.
If you are interested in Kimono, I recommend you should visit Nishijin Textile Center.

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The backpackers hostel in Kyoto is located in a historical district, Gion.
Good access by buses and trains to everywhere. 
Please contact us by the form, if you'd like to book our hostel.

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Samurai Lesson

They are our guests from England.
They are smiling with a picture.

This is the picture.
They took a samurai lesson.
They look cool in samurai costumes.


In Kyoto you can take samurai lessons.
At lessons you will learn how to use kanatas (Japanese swords) with costume rental.


After taking the lesson, they said me a joke, "I could slay you if I had a sword."
This photo will be a good souvenir of Japan for them.

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The backpackers hostel in Kyoto is located in a historical district, Gion.
Good access by buses and trains to everywhere. 
Please contact us by the form, if you'd like to book our hostel.

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Geisha Girls on Shinbashi St.

When I walked along Shinbashi St.(新橋通り), I found a lot of people with cameras on their hands to shoot something. That scenery is not very special in Kyoto, because Kyoto has so many things, which eventually happens.

This is one of them! A beautiful geisha girls in kimono. Normally, they walk down on a street in evening one by one. This time around noon I found them as a group. It's something special!

I look for information about them for the day. Because I didn't know why they were walking together in day time. But, I couldn't X( I guess that was something very local, or it's just by chance.

Anyway it was nice to take a look at! In June, There was the strong sunshine. Their white make-up were like shining!

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Good access by buses and trains to everywhere. 
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Prizes of Crane Games

They are Danish students.
The woman on the right is our guest. she is living in Denmark.
The woman on the left is her friend. she is studying at a university in Kyoto as an exchange student.
They met for the first time in about 3 months in Kyoto.


They showed off many stuffs at the reception in the photo.
they got them from crane games at a game arcade.

In Japan there are many game arcades and most of them have crane games.
They love arcade games and they always get many prizes.


Actually they are not so interested in prizes.
Their hunting instinct is stimulated by these games and they can not stop playing them.

They gave me this small toy.
This is a mascot of duck.


Their trouble is that they got too many prizes to carry them back to their home country.

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The backpackers hostel in Kyoto is located in a historical district, Gion.
Good access by buses and trains to everywhere. 
Please contact us by the form, if you'd like to book our hostel.

Contact