More Funky Japanese stuff

When visiting Japan, if you have time to kill we highly recommend visiting a movie theater. Ironically, the best time to see a show is in the evening after 8pm when they go on discount. As many people in Japan live by way of the subway, most people make their way home by 11pm so that they don't miss the train.

The best part of the movies is these fabulous little popcorn and drink holders!

Popcorn also comes in two flavors, regular butter and carmel. You can either have it mixed or use a divider to separate the two. Unlike the U.S. popcorn and other snacks are of reasonable prices, and they often sell beer on draft! 

Ume Bonsai Tree

At the recent Toji market we picked up our very own bonsai tree. So far it has done very well! Here are a few shots of the tree and it's recent surprise.

When the tree first came home

A couple weeks of living on the table produced our first almost blossom!

 The other day we got our first two full blooms!

This morning we woke up to this! Our beautiful tree in full bloom. Talk about a great start to the New Year! 

Visiting Kobe, Japan Part 2

Streetlights left from the original boardwalk, a sad reminder of the devastating earthquake. 

Living in Kyoto bakeries are a dime a dozen, so it was odd to walk about Kobe and have to go quite aways to find a bakery. Thankfully when you do they are beyond belief. The picture below, small french bread rolls with wedges of brie were unbelievable and the sweet treats at Le Dimanche were equally tasty.

Kobe's vibrant art scene is both eccentric and casual all at the same time. Many areas of the downtown has been revitalized with wall murals and, as is the case above, whole buildings have been painted. 

The Shark bar is a must if you are in Kobe! This fabulous bar has several large tanks to check out, have a drink, and go about your night. Casual and fun, this tacky bar is a great place for a quick beer. 

The nightlife of Kobe is quite different than the nightlife in Kyoto. The main downtown bars district of Kobe is also the ladies of the night region. So if you are looking for a good drink and some pay-by-the-hour company, you are definitely in luck in Kobe. For a less expensive, but still has tasty bar, Hobgoblins Irish bar, Shark Bar, Mickey's pub (next to hotel monterey), the Teddy Bear Darts bar, and the Hub were all easy to find and no prostitution in sight. 

Two things I love most in this world...teddy bears and darts. They were fabulous! If you are looking for good darts Kobe is a great city. Teddy Bear Darts is on the main road, just north of Sanomiya station. I would recommend ignoring the word "dining" in the title, this tiny, tiny bar has little room for a bar, let a lone a restaurant. 

Classic Obachan option...lady panther energy drink! 

Kobe's Chinatown is a foodie heaven. With little more than food shops lining the streets of this 6 block by 6 block (approx.) area, the world is your Chinese-flavored oyster. Sadly, if you do not eat pork or chicken, you are likely to go a little hungry. We did walk past an amazing looking pancake place on the port side of Chinatown. 

Cheers Kobe, and cheers to you Kobe Panda! 

Toji Temple Market

 A few photos from our recent trip to the Toji Temple market. This once a month market is not to be missed by tourists! Many tourist goods are sold along side tasty Japanese stall food (like the mochi balls being made in the photo). There was a large asortment of bonsai, house plants, fabric for yukatas, and all kinds of other things. many websites warn you to go early, and they are right! We went around 10am and it was a mad house!

*The market is on the 21st of every month

This is the first time we have see pine nuts for sale at the markets. I'm sure they were not any more cost effective than in the U.S. 

We know what the fox says...Ohaiyo! Samui desu ne! 

Amidst the bustle of the market, temple men walk through the crowds, reminding everyone of why the market is happening. 

Training kids to love pachinko! These antique pachinko machines are for kids to play for prizes. 

bonsai for sale, some of which were in the $150+ range! 

Colorful spray painted succulents for holiday decorations

Kyoto City International Foundation Open House

We recently attended the Kyoto City International Foundation's (aka KOKOKA or Kyoto International Communication House) Open Day. Unfortunately a rainy day, they still had a great turn out. 

If you are unfamiliar with KOKOKA and intend to live in the Kyoto area, we highly recommend going by! Although not as welcoming as we think they want to be, it can be a great place for basic resources. They do have some staff who speak some English, offer low-cost, crash course Japanese, and immigration support. Here is a link to their website. 

Food from around the world lined the outside entry way to KOKOKA. 

Live music and other performances were held in the main hall of KOKOKA. There was an enthusiastic Irish violinist while we were were at the festival, and right before him an all female Eastern European flute troupe!  

Funky Japanese Stuff

Not surprisingly Japan is full of weird stuff. Just like in the movies and on t.v., people here just like things to be a bit funky. A recent freebie that some of the green tea (ocha) companies have been giving away, are these bottle socks. Most Japanese people do not carry water bottles, so the sleeves are meant for your disposable bottle of tea. They came in small bottle and large bottle sizes. Here are a few shots of the small bottle series. 

*The water bottle is by Takeya and it is awesome! If you are in the market for a glass water bottle, we highly recommend these.