Kyoto Sushi restaurant "SUSHITETSU Pontocho" (すしてつ）

You can have great sushi at reasonable price along the Kamo River side, Kyoto.

There is a 100 yen sushi restaurant in the Pontocho,  about 5 minutes on foot from the Sanjo Station.

This time I introduce a sushi restaurant in the Pontocho, Kyoto. The name of the restaurant is SUSHITETSU (すしてつ). 

It's not a sushi-go-round (回転ずし/kaiten-zushi). In the case of a sushi-go-round bar, they usually offer two pieces of sushi on a plate at 100 yen. Here, at SUSHITETSU, a piece of sushi is 100 yen without tax; however, it is necessary to order 2 pieces of the same type of sushi as a set every time in a similar way to kaiten-zushi.

ｌeft back: raw prawn(生海老/namaebi), center line: salmon (サーモン/sarmon), left front: salmon roe (イクラ/ikura), right front: young yellowtal (ハマチ/hamachi)

back: silver salmon (銀鮭/ginzake), front: avocado (アボカド/abokado)

And, this is one of my favorite Japanese-style meal! ↓↓↓↓ yummy

a cup-steamed egg custard hotchpotch.(茶碗蒸し/chawan-mushi)

If you want to see more pics of menu, visit their website. http://www.sushitetsu.info/menu/

We had seats at a low table over a hole in the floor, but there are counter seats and you can see that a chef is making sushi under your eyes.

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Adress: 133-1 Ishiyacho, Pontocho, Sanjo-dori Kudaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 604-8002

Access: five minutes walk from Sanjo Station on the Keihan Electric Railway / Keihan Sanjo Station on the Tozai line of the Kyoto Municipal Subway, 10 minutes walk from Kawaramachi Station on Hankyu Kyoto main line of Hankyu Railway

Map: https://www.google.co.jp/maps/place/%E3%81%99%E3%81%97%E3%81%A6%E3%81%A4+%E5%85%88%E6%96%97%E7%94%BA%E5%BA%97/@35.0083569,135.7708536,18z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x6b38735140071b50

Tel: +81 75-257-1285

Opening hours: 17:00-24:00 on weekdays

                       11:30-15:00/17:00-24:00 on Saturday

                       11:30-24:00 on holidays

Table charge: 315 yen

no parking lot, separation of smoking and non smoking areas

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I recommend SUSHITETSU because it is neither too casual like a kaiten-zushi nor expensive like a high rank restaurant. Also, SUSHITETSU gets a good evaluation on the tripadviser! 

When you visit sightseeing spots or something around Sanjo or Kawaramachi, go and have some nice sushi there!

If you are looking for something interesting to do in Kyoto, why don't you be wrapped in Japan? We have special kimono for you to take some souvenir photos as a Japanese cultural experience, and you can also renew your vows in ancient Japanese-style wedding ceremony! For more information, please visit our website now. →http://wrappedinjapan.jp/

See you next time!

Kansai Ramen Derby on November 29, 2015

Kansai Ramen Derby 2015 was held at Kyoto Racecourse.

35 popular ramen restaurants entered the Kansai Ramen Derby for five days in total, and collaborated each other to set up 10 individual booths in a day.

I went to Kyoto Racecourse to join the Kansai Ramen Derby last month! It was held in two parts: the first race was during November 21 to 23 and the second race was during 28 to 29. Different ramens were served on each race. It was neccesary to buy a ticket for a bowl of ramen for 800yen. We joined the second race on November 29, and I had three varieties of ramen. I was sooooo stuffed! 

There is no need to say this, because ramen is the world-famous food now, but ramen is Chinese soup noodle. The roots of ramen lie in China; however, ramen as we know it today evolved independently in Japan. Now ramen is one of the representative Japanese-style food. Almost of all Japanese people love ramen! Never in my life have I heard of people who don't like it. 

The actual horse races were also held same as usual.

By the way, do you know which part of areas is called Kansai? Even Japanese people rarely recognize it, including me.

The word, the Kinki Region, is often used as same as the Kansai Resion; however, it 's actually not the same. The Kinki Resion refers to the following prefectures: Osaka (大阪), Kyoto (京都), Hyogo (兵庫), Nara (奈良), Mie (三重), Shiga (滋賀), and Wakayama(和歌山). 

The Kinki region

Quoting from: http://matome.naver.jp/odai/2140188973364228301

On the other hand, the Kansai Resion originally refers to the western part of the three Japanese historical checkpoints in Mie(三重）, Gifu (岐阜), and Fukui (福井). But now, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Shiga, Nara, and Wakayama are widely recognized as the Kansai area. In fact, the Kansai region is defined as that it consists of 10 prefectures: Fukui, Mie, Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama, Tottori (鳥取), Tokushima (徳島), by definition of the Foundation for Kansai Region Promotion (関西地域振興財団）.

The Kansai region defined by the Foundation for Kansai Region Promotion.

Quoting from:  http://matome.naver.jp/odai/2140188973364228301

In this connection, Kansai direct (関西弁) is generally used inside the Kansai region. To be precise, each prefecture has each slightly different dialect, but roughly speaking, the intonation and the ending of a word of Kansai dialect is commonly characteristic.

Let's stop here for the time being. I'd like to talk about the Kansai dialect in detail maybe some other time. 

Bye now!

The shrine where Japanese-style vow renewal avairable: Hachidai Shrine (八大神社)

#4 Hachidai Shrine　（八大神社）

This shrine is associated with Musashi MIYMOTO who was a master of the sword during the early Edo period in Japan.

The nearest station to the Hachidai Shrine is Ichijoji Station on the Eizan line of Keihan Electri Railway. It's the third station from Demachiyanagi Station on the main line of the railway and unmanned.

Ichijoji Station

Continue in the direction of the arrow.

There is a map.

Keep walking along the road straightly.

   

 

There are a few cafes and restrants.

There is a secondhand book store.

It may be a good idea to buy some Japanese books in order to feel real Japan and give them to your friends as souvenirs.

 

When you see the convinience store named circle K, there is a signboard, and across the street in the dirrection of the arrow.

Go up the hill. There is a cafe on you right.

Decchi Yokan (でっち羊かん） is one of the local specialities around Ichijoji. It is inexpensive ns which contain less azuki beans and sugar compared with ordinaly type yokan in those days. Decchi means an apprentice, and it is cheap enough for them to buy as a souvenir when they go back home for a visit.



Decchi Yokan.

Quoting from:http://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/info/sightseeing/monzenmeibutsu/091225d.html

A signbard again. Keep straigt.

There is a stand you can buy Decchi Yokan or other wagashi (Japanese sweets and snacks).

Finally, you arrive on the Hachidai shrine.

The Hachidai shrine is the place noted in connection with Musashi MIYAOTO. He is famous for his swordmaship and one of the greatest warriors in Japanese history. Musashi challenged  the Yoshioka clan to a a duel at the Ichijo Temple Sagarimatsu (一乗寺下がり松) in 1604.

He knew the duel wouldn't be one-to-one, but had no way to know how many enemies were on the watch for the duel. As legend has it, Musashi fought alone against 100.

When he passed nearby the Hacidai Shrine before the duel, and an idea flashed into his mind: Turn to the god for help. But on the second thought, he became embarassed because he realized that he tried to rely on divine protection. He went off just after vowing sligtly, with the belief that " Respect the god, but not pray for help."

Then, Musashi penetrated toward the battlefield.

There was a weeping pine tree called Sagarimatsu (下がり松) there. So the duel is called Ichijoji Sagarimatsu no Kettou (一乗寺下がり松の決闘).

  

 The Hachidai Shrin keep real SAGARIMATSU at that time in the precincts.

A bronze statue of Musashi MIYAMOTO.

It is said that he was 2１when the duel broke out.

A main shrine.

The Hachidai Shrine is worshipped as a shrine for conjugal harmony because it is known that enshrined dieties, according to the Japanese myth, Susanou-no-mikoto and Inadahime-no-mikoto married for love. ROMANTIC!

 

Susanou-no-mikoto and Inadahime-no-mikoto

Quating from the website of the Hachidai Shrine: 

 http://www.hatidai-jinja.com/01_x-02_gosaijin.html

This is an ideal location for renewing your vow♡　

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Adress: 1 Ichijo-ji Matsubara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto

Access: 15 minutes walk from Ichijoji Staion on Eizan line of Keihan Electric Railway

Open hours: all day (the shrine office: AM9:00〜PM5:00)

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If you are interested in Japanese-style vow renewal at the shrine, visit our website and submit the application form. http://wrappedinjapan.jp

The shrine where Japanese-style vow renewal is available: Takenobu Inari Shrine (武信稲荷神社)

#3 Takenobu Inari Shrine (武信稲荷神社)

This shrine is well known for giving a victory and assisting expecting couples with naming their baby. 

There are couples of tori at Takenobu Inari Shrine.

Takenobu Inari Shrine is the setting of the tale of old Japan: Issun-boshi (一寸法師), Japanese Tom Thumb. Issun-boshhi is familiar to Japanese children as well as Momo-taro (桃太郎) or Urashima-taro (浦島太郎).

Isshun-boshi

A summary of Issun-boshi

     Long, long ago, there was a man who is only a sun tall. He had never grown taller any more so was named Issun-boshi. (Issun means a sun.) One day he made his mind to be a samurai, so he likened a needle to a sword and went down a river onto a bowl boat paddling by a chopstick head for Kyoto.

     After coming to his destination safely, Issun-boshi lived and worked at the most biggest premises in Kyoto. He went along with the princess when she visited the Kiyomizu-dera because he pleased his lord, Sanjo-daijin Dono. However, they were attacked by a ogre while on a journey, and Issun-boshi was swallowed. Just then, Issun-boshi brandished his needle in the ogre's stomach. It couldn't stand the pain, and it ran for its life after spat out him. 

     The ogre dropped the Uchideno-kozuchi, a mallet of good luck. It is believed that dreams come true when you shake it. As Issun-boshi shook the Uchideno-kozuchi, he was grown rapidly up to be a man. He married the princess and they lived well ever after with bringing out worldly possessions. 

There is a Japanese hackberry in the precincts. It is 23 meters high and over 850 years old. The Government has designated it as a natural monument. People believed that it has healing powers, and they massage their affected part after touching the body of the tree. 

the Japanese hackberry 

Takenobu Inari Shrine is also famous for the power of matchmaking. Japanese hackberry is called Enoki (榎) in Japanese, but it is also called En-no-ki(えんの木). The meaning of En is a turn of fate or destiny. 

Here is the story that strengthen the power of matchmaking. When Ryoma SAKAMOTO, 坂本龍馬, who was a patriot during Bakumatsu period in Japan, was in hiding in Kyoto from enemies, he went to Takenobu Inari Shrine because this is their memorable place they often visited, and engraved his name on the body of the tree in order to let his wife, Oryo, know he was alive. After that they could meet again.

Ema(絵馬) which has pictures of Ryoma and Oryo drawn on it

A chainsaw art dragon made of a branch fallen down from the tree.

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Adress: 38, Imashinzaike Nishi-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 604-8801

Access: It is about 10 minutes walk from Omiya Station (大宮駅) on the Kyoto line of Hankyu Railway(阪急電鉄京都線) / Shijo-Omiya Station (四条大宮駅) on the Arashiyama main line of Keihuku Railway(京福電鉄 嵐山本線) / Nijo-jyou Mae Station  (二条城前駅) on the Tozai line of Kyoto City Subway (京都市営地下鉄東西線) / Nijo Station (二条駅) of JR.

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If you are interested in Japanese-style vow renewal at this shrine, visit our website and submit the application form. →http://wrappedinjapan.jp

See ya!

The shrine where Japanese-style vow renewal is available: Umenomiya-taisha Shrine（梅宮大社）

#2 Umenomiya-taisha Shrine (梅宮大社）

I found the shrine where is a splendid out-of-the-way-spot nearby Arashiyama.

The station nearest to the site is Matsuo-taisha Station on the Hanky Arashiyama line (阪急嵐山線), next to Arasiyama Station. 

Matsuo-taisha Station (松尾大社駅)

It takes 10 minutes on foot from the station to Umenomiya Taisha. After crossing the bridge over the Katsura-gawa River,  walk straight down the Shijo-dori Street. Go through the second pedestrian crossing, and you will see the tori of Umenomiya-taisha Shrine in the distance.

The first tori of the Umenomiya-taisha Shrine. 

This is the second tori.

When you cross a bridge in a shrine precinct, walk either side of the right left in order to avoid the center. The center of a bridge is the way of the god.

Honden: Main shrine building.

One of the reason why I recommend the Umenomiya-taisha Shrine is there are beautiful garden and pond! You can enjoy various kinds of flowers in spring or summer.

The best time to see...

• Ume (梅): Japanese apricot　　　　　　　　　　　   Mid-February. to Mid-March

• Tsubaki (椿): camellia　　　　　　　　　　　　　   Mid-March to Mid-April

• Yaezakura (八重桜): double cherry blossom　　　　　Mid- toward the end of April

• Kirishima Tsutsuji (霧島つつぢ): Kirishima Azerea　   The end of April

• Kakitsubata (杜若(カキツバタ)): rabbitear iris　　　   The end of April to early May

• Hanashoubu (花菖蒲): Iris　　　　　　　　　　　    The end of May to Mid-June

• Ajisai (紫陽花(あじさい)): hydrangea　　　　　　　 In June

Autumn  leaves are nice in this season.

 There are some Koi fish, carp, in the pond.

I found a taraxacum albidum!

Pay attention to the edge of the verandah. There are many lovely cats in the shrine precinct. 

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Adress: 30, Fukenokawa-cho, Umezu, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access: Take Kyoto City Bus [3]・[28]・[29]・[71] and get off at Umenomiya Jinguu Mae (梅ノ宮神宮前). / Get off at Matsuo-taisha Station and 10 minutes walk from the station

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If you are interested in Japanese-style vow renewal at this shrine, visit our website and submit the application form. →http://wrappedinjapan.jp

See you!

The shrine where Japanes-style vow renewal is available: Kumano Nyakuoji Shrine (熊野若王子神社)

#1 Kumano Nyakuoji Shrine (熊野若王子神社)

Here is the very first shrine where you can renew your vows in Japanese-style! 

This is the first time I show a shrine to you, so I will introduce the Kumano Nyakuoji Shrine with some manners applying at every shrine. At first, before worshipping a tori, a gateway at the entrance to a Shinto shrine, bow slightly.

The tori of the Kumano Nyakuoji Shrine.

Next, rinse your mouth and hands with fresh water at Temizu-ya/Chouzu-ya, the purification fountain. It is usually close to a tori. 

Temizu-ya/Chouzu-ya(手水舎)

--How to purify your hands and mouth--

1. Be ready for taking out a handkerchief.

2. Dip up water with your right hand using hishaku, a ladle.

3. Rinse your left hand.

4. Shift it from right to left hand and rinse your right one.

5. Ladle water into your left hand with your right hand, and rinse your mouth. Don't transfer water directly with a ladle to your mouths. 

6. Rinse your left hand again.

7. Hold the ladle vertically and rinse it by poring water over its shaft.

8. Put it back on the original position.
※It is desirable to purify with just one scoop of water you dipped up first on all steps.

Bento, box lunches, and light meals were sold in the precincts of the Shrine at the time. 

You can eat them and rest sitting on benches.

Honden (本殿): Main shrine building

Third, go to worship service.

--How to worship at a shrine--

1. Take some steps toward a hall of worship and bow slightly.

2. Make a money offering to an offertory box and ring a bell.

3. Bow deeply two time .

4. Clap your hands twice.

5. Pray peacefully.

6. Bow deeply once and go off.

Tips: 

In Japan, there's a superstition that offering a five yen coin bring good luck because the pronunciation of five yen in Japanese, go en (五円) , is homophone with go en (御縁). "En" of 御縁 means causal connection or relationship, and "go"of that is a respectful prefix. Therefore, many Japanese offer a five yen coin. Additionally, a fifty yen coin is considered as more lucky than a five yen coin.  That is because the Japanese for "fifty yen" is pronounced gojuu en (五十円) , and is the same pronunciation as the word meaning "quintuple". It is thought that lucky will become five times. On the other hand, a ten yen coin tends to be avoided to offer. A ten yen coin is actually pronounced juu en(十円); however, "ju" is also pronounced "tou". Tou is homophone with distant relation(遠縁), and that is why a ten yen coin is unfavorable as an offering.

In almost all shrines, there are omikuji,  sacred lots, in front of the shrine office.

 There are adorable omikuji in Kumano Nyakuoji Shrine.

Yatagarasu, a mythological black bird called a "mythical crow", considered to be a messenger of this shrine.

 Yatagarasu is three-legged crow.

After enjoying omikuji, it can be used a lovely ornament in your rooms.

The general seven outline for fortunes on omikuji:

daikich (大吉): best luck

chukichi (中吉): good luck

shokichi (小吉): average good luck
kichi (吉): average luck

suekichi (末吉): a little luck

kyo (凶): bad luck

daikyo (大凶): worst luck

※There are various theories on the order and variety of the fortunes.

The omikuji I drew said that shokuchi (小吉).

 As you see the center of the omikuji paper above, letters are written from right to left; 吉小. Originally, Japanese letters are usually written vertically and from right to left. Affected by European and American language, letters gradually became to be written from left to right and horizontally we know today.　

Finally, when you leave a shrine, worship a tori, don't forget to turn around and bow slightly in the same way as you come.

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Adress: 2, Nyakuoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoso-shi, Kyoto

Access: Take Kyoto City Bus and get off at Nanzenji / Eikando Mae (南禅寺・永観堂前) or Higashi Tennoucho (東天王町). 5 minutes walk from each bus stop

Open hours: all day (the shrine office: AM8:30〜PM5:00)

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Here is the starting point of Tetsugaku no Michi, Philosopher's Walk.

Autumn leaves are beautiful around the shrine.

If you are interested in Japanese-style vow renewal at the shrine, visit our website and submit the application form. http://wrappedinjapan.jp