Takase-gawa Boat Festival

On the same morning as the Geisha's comb festival, the Takase-gawa boat festival took place. This much smaller festival, celebrates the small river that at one time was a major business thoroughfare into Kyoto. The festival is located just north of Oike Dori, along the river. On the day of the festival the science museum was open to the public. This was by far the best part of the festival. Although we took very few pictures inside the museum, it is well worth checking out. 

Here is a link to the Shimadzu Foundation: http://www.shimadzu.co.jp/visionary/memorial-hall/index.html

Here are a couple photos from the festival:

Old buildings next to the river display their pride, with these little door markers. 

A small booth taught you how to make your own leaf-boat, that could then be set in the river.

A small, hands-on area allowed kids of all ages to play and explore

Snails out of the Takase-gawa were on display for the event

 Maiko at the event (geisha in training) serving tea at the ceremony. Every 1/2 hour for about 4 hours they perform a tea ceremony, and then helpers distribute the tea to viewers. Cost was 500yen for tea, or you could stand at the tents edge to watch for free.

A large river boat was propped up in the river. You can take pictures on the boat, and volunteers are happy to take your picture for you. 

South Korean Baseball

As we mentioned in our post about how to apply for a visa, we had to leave Japan to re-start our tourist visas. We decided to go to South Korea as it is close and really cheap. Unfortunately, our experience in South Korea, was more of a disappointment then we thought it would be. Which meant, we didn't take very many photos. We did manage to make our way to a baseball game, which was definitely the trip's highlight.

If you are coming from the states, this is an absolute must in Korea. For as little as $10 you can see a game, and get great seats. Food is dirt cheap, and you can bring in from the outside. There are all kinds of stands outside the game selling beer ($3) and various foods (mainly meat). If this doesn't suit your tastes, there were all kinds of normal food vendors (pizza, kebabs, korean food, etc.). Seats are assigned, and even on a rainy day the game was sold out. If you can, plan ahead and buy online (Hotel concierge will also help you).

As it was a rainy day, this kiddo had the best seat in the house. For everyone else, plastic ponchos and umbrellas were an unfortunate must. 

The yellow platform about the dug out doubled as a stage for the cheer captain and cheerleaders. Yes, Americans, they have cheerleaders at baseball (and they were awesome!)

By the first inning, the stadium was packed. 

Halloween in kyoto

Like many things in kyoto Halloween is just a little funny. As October progresses more and more festive things appear. The other day we went out to buy groceries and came across this little gem...eat your heart out americans!

BAU house: South Korean Dog Cafe

As a pet-parents and pet enthusiasts, BAU house was a must on our recent trip to South Korea. We had heard about these types of places, and really wanted to go. Sunday morning we made the trek over to their location, which was surprisingly easy to find (Google maps will get you there no problem). The set up is a little funky, when you first walk in there is a small dog area/waiting area for humans. This is basically over flow for when they don't have tables in the main area available. 

You will also have to buy a drink (aka admission fee). At $6-7 a pop, you are obviously paying for more than the drink. There is some light snacks available as well, but nothing to write home about. You will also need to buy treats. The dogs won't come near you if you don't have snacks for them. For the most part, they have all been there for a year plus and have learned what the sound of plastic means. 

They are allowed to go anywhere they want. Don't worry about your clothing, BAU house does have lint rollers you can use when you leave. 

 The overall quality of care for the dogs, seemed ok. If you are from a country that holds pets at the same level as human children, you may be a little sad to go here. The dogs are for the most part (especially the big dogs) significantly over weight, and breeds that tend to have skin issues (bulldogs) do. They were all very, very happy and well socialized though. There was one senior dog who was really struggling with his back legs, and when the staff saw him, they immediately removed him to go rest. They definitely care about the dogs, but may be used to Korean standards of pet-care.

Pumpkins for Halloween

As October started a few days ago, Halloween began to appear in Kyoto. We went to Loft (a Target-esque store) to pick up pens and an envelope and the downstairs floor had been turned into a Disney-dia-de-los-muertos Wonderland. Unsure what we are going to do to celebrate the holiday, we held off on costumes. This did get us thinking though, as every year we carve pumpkins for Halloween. No matter how far apart we are, we've figured out a way to always do pumpkins. Unwilling to let this go, we began the hunt for a good non-Japanese pumpkin (native Japanese pumpkins are green and very different in shape). Check out our past blog post about the Anraku-ji pumpkin festival to see native Japanese/Kyoto pumpkins

A couple days later, we found a flower shop that had a beautiful, perfect globe-shaped pumpkin. We asked the shop girl, "kore wa ikura desu ka?" which means "how much does this cost?" The woman replied that it was 4000 yen (i.e. $40!!!). Floored we thanked her and left, sans the pumpkin.

Two days ago we made our way to pick up bagels and decided to go by the botanical garden on our way home. Even from the outside the buildings and lush green, bush fences are worth passing. Right in front of the Tadao Ando building that borders the garden was a small pumpkin patch.
In a rush to get home we made plans to return later. Finally this afternoon, we made our way back. The pumpkins were 300 yen per kilo, and with a variety of sizes everyone can find the perfect pumpkin.

After a long debate in the "patch" over the safety of carving with full-size kitchen knives (they don't sell the kids carving-safety packs here), we decided on instead getting small pumpkins for decoration and possibly to carve (TBD on this part). We chose our favorites, and made our way home. 

How to apply for a visa in Japan

If you are unfamiliar with the visa process here is a quick run down (this is coming from the U.S. anyway)

1. Apply for Certificate of Eligibility. Keep a copy as you will need all the same information later.

2. Either wait in U.S. for this to come back, and apply at the consulate to have this turned into a visa
OR
2. Submit when you arrive
OR
2. Have a friend/coworker submit your paperwork, and move to Japan on a 90 day tourist visa while you await the paperwork process. The hiccup is that this can be a bit of a gamble. If your paperwork is not back by day 90, you MUST leave the country or risk getting a reentry ban when you do try to leave. We took this route.

3. If your paperwork is not back by day 90 you must leave the country, as was the case for us. We chose to leave and fly to South Korea. It is about the same price as a train ride from Kyoto to Tokyo and takes only an Hour. We chose to go via Peach Airlines, a small ANA airline that mainly flies domestic and to a couple other countries. The flight was great, and you get to board via the tarmac. They also have a beautiful terminal all to themselves, a small waiting area that is very clean, and with their own immigration and customs it is very efficient.

4. Re-enter Japan on a new 90 day tourist visa. We hear they may give you grief about this, as you aren't really supposed to do a visa run, but you can get back in. BE SURE YOU HAVE A FLIGHT LEAVING JAPAN. Even if you cancel it the minute you get back in the country. When you leave South Korea, you must prove you have a flight leaving Japan. They will always give you 90 days, so even if you book a flight a week from the day you are re-entering, you will get the full 90 day visa. This is what we did, and recommend it as a short stay raises less questions. You may be asked what your purpose is to come back, so plan to know what tourist activities you are participating in!

5. When your paperwork COE arrives, go to your LOCAL immigration office. Although we live in Kyoto our paperwork was submitted in Tokyo. We thought we needed to go there, but when we arrived they said we should have gone to our local branch (and were a bit annoyed with us).

6. Take an older Japanese male with you, if you can. Japanese men are much more respected than you, or than your female friends. They will have an easier time working with the Japanese immigration people. You don't have to like it, or think its right, but do it anyway. It will make your life way easier.

7. You will need to fill out a form to have your COE changed into a visa, you can do this at the office (it's short). It will be the same information you put on your COE, so bring that copy you made when this all started. They will then ask you to put your address on a postcard, and will send it when they want you to come back to the office.

8. If you are working for a company, there will be paperwork for them to fill out, but you can mail it in. They will provide you with an envelope and the form, and you must buy an 80yen stamp. This is very specific and a purposeful amount -you are paying for the process via postage stamp.

9. In two weeks to a month you will get the postcard, and need to go back to the office to finalize the paperwork and get your stamp.

Tips:
-If you can get your residency card from your local ward, that will help. If not, you don't have to have it.
-Apply through smaller satellite offices. We hear that they process faster and can be easier to work with than the main offices in Tokyo.

Kyoto should be known for its weather!

Just a quick blog post about Kyoto's wacky weather. In the summer it was 100 degrees and 100% humidity, and now we have these weird threats of rain. Hopefully we don't end up with another full blown typhoon!