Ise shrine (Short trip from Nagoya)

When we travel, we seek both its tradition and shopping, right?
You can pretty much enjoy shopping in Nagoya. So, why don't you try Japanese traditional pleace?

Well, Ise shrine might be a good place to visit then!

Ise is in Mie prefecture, which is west of Aichi.
Let's say it's about 2 hours from Nagoya station by Kintestu or JR train.

Access to Ise shrine: http://www.isejingu.or.jp/english/koutu/koutu.htm

Ise Shrine is a religious pleace where people visit and pray for their happiness. It's very open for everybody, and actually most people go there just for fun. There are big shopping area as well. You can enjoy eating snacks on the street. Since Ise is close to the sea, you can eat fresh seafood like oysters. Well, mostly oysters;)


Ise travel association: http://ise-kanko.jp/english/index.html



Entrance of Ise Shrine.

Sake lined up for New Year!



We wash your hands and mouth before you meet God.

It's surrounded with beautiful nature.

 

One of a shop on the street. It's fun to try local food there.

 

A view on the shopping street. It's super crowded in New Year.

 

 

Akafuku is one of the most popular shop. They sell Japanese sweets for many many years.

 

Henba-mochi. This is also famous in Mie prefecture. It's 160 yen for two mochi.

 

 

 

 

Takayama 2 (Short trip from Nagoya)

 

So, since there are many tourists from both inside and outside of Japan, you can find some experience-based facilities in Takayama.

I made this!
At Omoide taiken kan (http://giftgift.sakura.ne.jp/03miru/omoide.html)

This is well explained in many language!
http://www.hida.jp/english/activities/experiences/making-sarubobo-doll

Sarubobo. You can choose colors. It takes about 30 to 60 min depends on how crowd.
1,600 yen per sarubobo.

 

 This red charactor is famous in Takayama, and it's called "Sarubobo". I just learned that it means happy monkey baby, and wishing ones healthy life and happiness.

 

This is how.....



This is where you start.

There is a helper. No need to worry if you are not good at sewing.

I used glue, and made few stitchies.

done!

My hubby made handmade senbei (rice cookies)


You are given very tiny rice cookies, and you put it into the oven soon get bigger. Seems easy, but he says it requires special talent! ;)

It's 600yen, and you get to bring 10 senbei. Tastes simple, and I liked it. Warm senbei, you better try!

 



Takayama (Short trip from Nagoya)

 

We made a short trip to Takayama-city, in Gifu prefecture in December 29-30!
You may have heard of the city since there were many many travellers from overseas.

It takes about 4 hours from Nagoya to Takayama by train (JR).
For more information about the train, please check the wesite below!
Japan Railway: http://english.jr-central.co.jp/index.html
There are some discount tickets: http://english.jr-central.co.jp/tickets/value/hokuriku/


This is good value for international travellers!
Japan Rail Pass:  http://japanrailpass.net/
*please be aware that you must purchase it before you come to Japan.



 

 

Usually, Japanese train system is quite punctual, however, if it's snowing in winter, you are gonna have to expect some delay.

 

 

So, what's fun to do in Takayama? Eating while walking!!

We have tried may thiings.

Hidagyu no nigiri (Hida beef's sushi) 600 yen for two.

 

Takayama Ramen (pretty simple, fish based soup) 550yen

Mitarashi dango (Rice dumpling seasoning with soy sause)
70 yen


 

Coming up next! I will show you what we can atually experience there!

Kaiseki ryori - Japanese traditional cuisine

Have you tried any Japanese food? Sushi, maybe?
I do love sushi, but for those who have no idea what to eat in Japan beside sushi, today I would like to show you same traditional and modern Japanese (which is called kaiseki) food!

Starter.

Sashimi (raw fish)

Grilled fish with teriyaki sauce

Steamed dish (it was potate and shrimp)

 

 

Tempura

 

 

Desert (fruits in jellow)

 

 

Also, I found really good web site you might want to use when you actually come to Aichi and find a place to eat!

Guru navi: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/en/aichi/
You can search restaurants in English, and also they can tell you where English menu  is available.
Chinese, Korean, Thai, Indonesian, Malaysian are available too!

Red leaves of fall (Ko-yo-)

 

I know you can enjoy the changes of seasons in your countries too, but I would be very happy if you could come to Japan in this season and feel how fall ends and welcome winter in Japan.

Starting from the middle of November to early December, the colors of leaves change into red and yellow in Aichi area.

You will be happened to see these just walking down the streets, but I reccomend  you to pick some particular places and enjoy the festival kind of atomosphere. Ususally, places like Japanese shrines and temples are good to visit!

Here are some links;
Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Garden: http://www.higashiyama.city.nagoya.jp/14_english/index.html
Very convinience to go. You take Higashiyama-line subway from Nagoya station, and get off at Higashiyama Koen. English annoucement is available in the subway.


Tokugawa-en:
http://www.tokugawaen.city.nagoya.jp/english/index.html
This is a beautiful Japanese traditional garden. It is recommend in any seasons.
You can take subway and get off at Ozone. It takes 10 to 15 min walk from Ozone station.

Shiratori-Teien:
http://www.shirotori-garden.jp/english/index.html
This is also a garden, but the biggest in Nagoya city. You can also try Japanese tea ceremony with 500 yen.

Ko-ran-kei:
http://asuke.info/ (Sorry, in Japanese only:( )
The most famous place for colored leaves in Aichi prefecture. I strongly recommend, but sorry, it is not really convinience to go. Hope you can have someone to take to!

Colored leaves go on forever!

 

 

 

 

 



Cartoon charactors made with leaves:)

 

Pictures were taken in Sone Park in Toki, Gifu.

 

Toki Premium outlet (Shopping mall)

As you expect, there are many places you can shop in Aichi, especially in Nagoya.
However, I would like to introduce an outlet shopping mall this time.

Today, I personaly went for shopping in outlet shopping mall in Toki, in Gifu prefecture. Gifu is located in the north of Aichi prefecture, and pretty convinience to go to.
For your information, you can take a shuttle bus from Nagoya station and Sakae on the weekend, and it takes about 1 hour. I strongly recommend you to go there on the weekend!

So, here are some pictures I took at Toki premium outlet (shopping mall).

 

 

 

 

This mall is located on the hill, so the view is nice, too!

 

In a winter you can see mountains covered with snow. It's beautifull.

 

 



Toki Premiun outlet: http://www.premiumoutlets.co.jp/en/toki/  (English, Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, Thai are available)

 

Inuyama (Short trip from Nagoya)

As you may know, Nagoya is the capital city of Aichi prefecture.
Nagoya is the 3rd (some may say the 4th) largest city in Japan, and you can enjoy shopping, visiting cultural museum, trying many delisious dishes! You can probabry find a lot of  information about the city center from the websites or lonley planet. I would like to focus on the city later as well.

Nagoya Info: http://www.nagoya-info.jp/en/ (Japanese, English, Korean, Chinese, Thai are available)

However, I would like to introduce you to the places where you can take a short trip from Nagoya for a while.

Inuyama-city (犬山市）
http://ml.inuyama.gr.jp/en/

Inuyama, the city where you can experience traditional Japanese life.
You can get there by Meitetsu train from Nagoya station by 30 min! What a good access!!

If you come to Japan, you want to see one of old castls, right? Yes, there is one in Inuyama, Inuyama castle. (pictures are coming) It's about 10 minutes walk from Inuyama-Yuen station. From the station to the castle, there are old shopping areas called "Sho-ten-gai". There are not much to buy for tourist, but fun to see and walk through. You can probably see Japanese people shopping for there lunch or something.

Also, there are some modern Japanese style cafe to sit and rest if you get tired.
http://ml.inuyama.gr.jp/en/tourist-facilities/cafes-and-restaurants-en
It usually costs less than 1,000 yen per person for a drink. (100 yen ≒ 1 doller)

Around the Inuyama castle, there are a place you can experience Maccha tea; Japanese traditional green tea with a ceremony. We don't sweaten green tea, so you may feel a bit bitter, but I hope you can try the real taste of the tea. But don't worry! It always comes with a sweet Japanese cake. This is non meat or alcohol, so I believe all people with any religions can enjoy!