#topleaguerugby

[aussiboris]

Osaka

October 6th 2018 

Osaka is the 3rd largest city in Japan. It has a reputation for good food and nightlife. One of the number one attractions in Osaka is its aquarium. It is massive with tanks that span several floors. The pacific Ocean tank is the biggest and contains two small whale sharks. 

Other tanks included the Monteray Bay and Barrier reef tanks.

Below these exhibits Jellyfish were illuminated in darkened rooms. 

There was also a pretty chilly Arctic exhibit which had a viewing bubble from below. The Seals seemed to love this for a spot of relaxation. 

#happyseal!

There is a big wheel next to the aquarium we saved money by getting the combined ticket. It was a bit hairy as it was gusty at the top, probably not the best idea when there is a typhoon in the area, also because when Jebi hit this wheel was spinning freely in the winds. (I was not aware this was the same wheel at the time of visiting.)

One of the main entertainment areas of Osaka is the Dotonbori. In the canalside neon lit streets you can get street food and drink in Izakayas. We found some good okonomiyaki and tonnes of tourists. 

Dotonburi is also home to the Glico man. It is a 70 year old sign that is a popular location for locals to celebrate sporting victories. 

Osaka is the third biggest city in Japan so it is not a surprise that it is one of the Host Cities for the Rugby World Cup next year. We were able to watch Kobe play in one of their smaller stadiums unfortunately still minus Dan Carter. 

The Kobe Steelers were playing Hino Red Dolphins. The Steelers put out a team without its star players but they were still dominant. The Dolphins played hard and Rob and I had a bet. I thought the underdogs could keep the score under 70 points. The claxon went and the score was 69 -10, I thought they had just done it, then the Steelers took the ball over the line for a final try.

On our final day in Osaka we visited the castle. Osaka castle was built in 1583 with the plan being that it would become the centre of the newly unified Japan. It was destroyed about 20 years later but was then quickly rebuilt. Unfortunately as with many great Japanese buildings, especially those built of wood and constructed on prominent high ground it was hit by lightning and burnt down in 1665 and was not ‘restored’ until the 1930s. 

The only temple we visited in Osaka was the Namba Yasaka Shrine. Once a busy large temple it was reduced in size during the Meijo period. It was damaged during WWII and rebuilt thereafter. In 1975 the giant lion stage was built apparently an area for meditation or realistically a place for tourists to take photos. 

Any trip to Osaka is not complete without a trip to the plate smashing centre.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlDbATz2eJQ

We made a little video of our experiences click on the youtube link above to watch. I think we found out that I have very bad aim and that maybe Rob has some hidden anger issues.

[aussiboris]

Visitors from the West pt 3

October 20th 2018

Stuart arrived early on a Saturday morning. To get over the jetlag we dragged him to a local rugby game.

We checked out some of the quality views from above in Nagoya; from Oasis 21 and Midland Square.

A bike tour of Nagoya took in Nagoya Castle and Osu Kannon. It was the Nagoya Festival which meant there were parades celebrating the three heroes of Nagoya;- Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokagawa Ieyasu.

Nara is the home to bowing deer, Todai-ji- the biggest Wooden structure in the world and Kasuga Taisha a shrine of 3000 lanterns.

Todai-ji is always thronged with tourists so it was lovely to find the comparatively quiet Kasuga Taisha shrine. The stone lanterns guard the paths leading to the shrine. Deer nestle between these and bow to the tourists. The moss covered stone and the interlacing tree canopy make for a contemplative space away from the biggest crowds.

Kyoto is another must see place close to Nagoya. To make the best of it an early start is vital. The first location was Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. 

After the bamboo forest it was straight to Kiyomizu-dera for a walk through a pitch black tunnel that leads below the buddha. In the spot directly below the buddha light pools on a stone carving. You are supposed to touch the stone and make a wish. Kioyomizu-dera overlooks Kyoto with its orange pagoda. The next stop was Yasaka shrine. We then found our way to the Samurai and Ninja Museum. This museum is aimed at foreigners. The tour guide speaks excellent English and explains the history of the Samurai and Ninja clearly to give a good overview. There is a ninja training activity with throwing stars and blow darts. There is also the opportunity to try on Samurai armour and you are taught how to hold a sword. Got to love a big shiny helmet!

After the museum we visited Sanjusangendo the temple of a thousand golden buddhas and Fushimi Inari a shrine famous for its many red torii gates.

For Stu’s birthday we took him cosplay bowling. If you won a game you had to dress up - Stu is pretty good at bowling.

A successful evening bowling needed to be followed by a chilled day. We headed to the Tokagawen for some tranquil gardens and massive Koi Carpe.

To finish we visited the awesome il cugino cafe where they produce the cutest coffee art and cake. 

[aussiboris]

Meat eating, Cosplay and Dan Carter in Kobe

31st August 2018

We chose to make the trip to Kobe as All Black Legend Dan Carter has moved to finish his rugby career with the Kobe Steelers. We made it to the stadium on a damp Friday evening to catch some glimpses of Dan warming up and coaching some of the players. As this was one of the first matches of the season he wasn’t playing - booo. But he was on the sidelines in a waterboy vest - running onto the pitch to coach throughout the game. It was not a particularly convincing win by the Kobe Steelers over the Panasonic Shining Arcs but a nice opportunity to see a legend in the flesh.

Our accommodation,  Guesthouse Maya, was in a great location and was part of the reason we loved Kobe so much. Nada the area we stayed in was fun and quirky. We were within walking distance of the sightseeing spots and some great cafes and bars.

Our first tourist spot was the Natural disaster centre. This used multimedia to share the harrowing impact of the 1995 earthquake. Videos, reconstructions and eye witness testimonies created a shocking and sobering picture of the disaster. There was exhibits showing the rebuild process and the emergency pack every household should have. 

In sharp contrast to the disaster centre we then went down to the harbour where a dance festival was happening. I am always impressed by the energy, enthusiasm and the amount of costume changes these dancers fit into their routines.

In the evening we headed to see what is considered to be one of the best night views in Japan. 

A very impressive sight if a little soggy.

We then went to indulge in one of the city’s most famous exports Kobe Beef.

Our final day took us to Kitano- cho. This is an area of the city where foreign merchants settled when Japan began trading with the world in the second half of the 19th century.  Quite a few of these houses are now museums inspired by their former tenants. For instance there is a French House and an English House. 

Unsurprisingly there is a working authentic pub in the English house. It is also currently hosting a Sherlock Holmes exhibit. 

We are in Japan, so of course their is an opportunity to dress up as Sherlock Holmes.

It gets better...

Once Rob had tried ALL of the costumes on we headed to China town.

We played spot the spiderman and ate some great food.

Our final stop was Nunobiki falls which is literally just outside the station. 

We had an amazing time in Kobe. It completely exceeded our expectations. We will be back as there is plenty we still need to see.