Dancing in a Winter Wonderland

So I've finally had a chance to upload some photos from the past month! My camera broke so these photos are courtesy of my mobile phone (which explains if the quality is a little less than desired haha). The weather has been getting cool, my flatmate told me it was snowing lightly on our roof this morning so I dashed upstairs in my PJ's but it had already stopped, boo! The last time I saw snow was 15 years ago when I went on a High School ski trip haha! Never fear, I'll be getting my dose come Feb when I'm off to Hokkaido for the Snow Festival, yay!

Anyway please enjoy the photos of Autumn leaves Illumination, Kobe Illumination, and Arashiyama Illumination (sensing a theme here?)

It's New Year's Eve tomorrow and I'm planning to spend it drinking Umeshu, eating some delish Japanese food and then singing my heart out at Karaoke (but of course!) Happy New Year everyone!!!

A rollercoaster adventure across Japan...starring The Lindwalls!

So I've been out of action on this blog for a while! But I have a very good reason. My family visited last month for 10 days of trains, planes and overnight buses!!! They hit just at the peak time to view the red leaves of Autumn, which is the biggest event on the seasonal calendar, after cherry blossoms. I'm just going to take a moment to stop and pinch myself...this year I have witnessed both those seasons, how lucky am I!
We spent 4 days wandering around Kyoto, taking in the sites of Fushimi Inari shrine, Tofukuji temple, Ginkakuji temple, Kiyomizu temple and the Gion (aka Geisha) district. We were lucky enough to site a few Geisha's on their way to appointments, a truly Kyoto moment!
Next stop, Tokyo! We rode the overnight bus which was an interesting experience. Basically it's a blacked out bus and the seats have funny visor things that come down over your head to block out light. They make you look like an alien haha! Mum couldn't stop laughing! The ride itself wasn't too painful but we were all pretty wrecked the following day. The Lindwall's needed their nanna naps!
Tokyo was a whirl of trains, people, smells, sounds, chaos! We packed in a lot....Shibuya crossing, Harajuku, Odaiba, Tokyo dome, Fuji Q, Shinjunku and so on! We caught up with my friend's Yuko, Erin and Josh and I even saw FC Five, a super cool punk band!
Before we knew it we were back riding the magical mystery tour (aka overnight bus) to Osaka! Our prayers were answered when the hostel where we were staying (props to Hotel 64!)  allowed us an early check in. We hit the futon's and caught up on the zzz's! After feeling suitably refreshed, we headed into Shinsaibashi to do some shopping and eat some ramen...mmm! We then sussed our Umeda Sky Deck and stumbled across a German Xmas illumination celebration of sorts!
Our last day together was spent wandering around Osaka Castle, a very impressive structure! Before we knew it, it was time to say our goodbyes (waaaa!) and get mum and the boys on their train bound for Kansai airport. Thank you SO much for coming, I love my little family muchly! It was such a thrill showing them the country I love so damn much! We have memories we will cherish forever!

The change of seasons....

So I've had two wonderful days off to rest and catch up with friends from Melbourne, Bianca and Scott. Yipee! Yesterday we met up in Arashiyama, my little piece of serenity! We wandered around the town and up into the Bamboo forest, then stopped by Tenryuji Temple which has a stunning World Heritage listed garden. Check it!

 After wandering around tranquil Arashiyama we headed back into town for a bit of drinking and dining! Had some Umeshu and Spicy Pizza flavoured potato chips (so bad for you for soooo good!) in Bianca and Scott's fancy hotel room then ventured out to Kiyamachi, the best drinking strip in Kyoto! Went to Donguri, a favourite of mine where we had Yakisoba, Okonomiyaki and some hot sake to boot! MMMM! 

Ended the night at Bar ING, a rocking bar who have great taste in music! The owner sussed out that we were Australia and from that moment on the playlist consisted of Acca Dacca, Living End, Little Red, The Saints and so on! We even played a game of Jenga whilst having a drink or two! 
Now it's only 5 sleeps until my family arrives, yahoo!!!!

Oyasumi! 

A Taste of Japan!

So I've been keeping busy on my days off, gotta make em count! Last Friday I headed to Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages) with my flatmates. I'd seen this festival before but when in Kyoto....why not! The rain held off for the magnificent parade and while I munched on my egg sandwich (random!) I soaked up the history of Japan!

We departed this festival early so we could make our way up into the hills for the Kurama  fire festival. We started with a wander around the town where we came across a traditional Ninja dog! (this one's for you Rach!)

 Four years ago, Mick and I went to this festival but I swear, the crowd has doubled since then! It must be written up in every travel guide book as it was around 1/2 tourists, 1/2 Japanese. The crowd control was pretty amusing, the police simply use tape to try fence the crowd in, coupled with them screaming into megaphones in Japanese!
Apart from the crazy crowd, the fire festival was a lot of fun! It was pretty chilly up there (too cold for just a cardigan!) so i took every opportunity to get up close to any open fire I came across!

On Sunday I went to Kyoto Cooking Circle to learn the art of Bento lunchbox! It was HEAPS of fun, I met lots of lovely people and put together a super delicious lunchbox! It's quite time consuming and would require an early start each day but they really are a work of art! Are you salivating? I am! I can't wait for the class next month!

Japanese tunes...

It's been a while between posts, I've been teaching loads and trying to get out and experience Kyoto life when i can! Last week I went to a gorgeous onsen in Moriyama with my friend Sevcan. We lazed about in the pools all day....the place even had a TV room! Picture this (no pun intended!) An arm chair with a flat screen TV attached and wait for it....the sound comes out of the headrest! I felt like i was in 1st class haha! I managed to hide my sakura tattoo with some big band aids, sounds gross but it's the only way to go! Here's me outside the front of the onsen.

Sunday was quite a cultural day on many levels! Went to see an exhibition on Nighona (Japanese style paintings) at the Museum of Modern Art, very interesting. Outside of the museum there was a BIG school spectacular eisteddfod type thing happening. Heaps of dance groups performing all kinds of styles like hip hop, jazz ballet, traditional, the works!

Next up was dinner at a Thai restaurant! Had some Pad Thai washed down with a tall glass of Kirin mmm!

After I headed with some buddies to see a few Japanese bands at a venue called Socrates. There was a band called Peach Fuzz, really cool riffs. Then there was a crazy tall Japanese guy channelling Iggy Pop with a crazy drummer as his accompaniment. Finally a band called Ultra Bide who had two bassists and drums, these guys are veterans! I told them they should come to Oz! 

Matcha Parfait!

This stuff is amazing....it's like a drug! I had this at a famous Matcha cafe in the back streets near Kiyomizudera temple in Kyoto. If anyone comes to visit me, I will be taking you there!
It's green tea whipped cream, cake, ice-cream, dango (rice balls) and a piece of mandarin to boot! SOOO GOOD!
I can predict serious matcha withdrawals when i return to Oz. I know you can buy it back home but so many products here come in green tea flavour! I have a ready supply of matcha ice-cream in my fridge here haha! Addicted? I think yes!

Shiga-ken adventures!

Last weekend, I headed to Shiga-ken, about 2 1/2 hours north of Kyoto. It's near this HUGE lake (the largest lake in Japan in fact) Lake Biwa. Didn't get to have a dip (unlike my swim in Arashiyama river last week) but we had fun at our log cabin in the hills! I went with my friend Ritsuko, boyfriend Nori and 5 of her friends. Listened to a lot of Japanese and tried to speak it when i understood what people were talking about haha! Sometimes it was a guessing game! Had a delicious BBQ, I ate tongue! I know I know...gross! But it was actually very yummy, esp with lemon juice. Mmm! I also was elected head chef to make Yakisoba, it rocked! (it was preprepared for me so I just had to toss it around haha!) Had plenty of Asahi beer and Umeshuu on the Rocks mmm!

Sorry it's close!

I'm about to take my washing up to the rooftop but wanted to fit in an update...before I disappoint you all! (If you're still reading that is...)
I had a good laugh last night at this sign outside of Asahi beer cafe.

Kept the good times rolling by heading to a reggae bar which looked more like Arabian Nights with a ceiling consisting of cushions! Had some Umeshu and lots of laughs with my French flatmate and a couple of her friends. Rode home at 1am, it took 30mins, that's Japan for you...the safest place on earth!
Oh...here are some photos from Kobe, where I visited Shiho! We had a delicious Korean cold ramen soup, oishii!

Erin sensei signing out til next time...

Koyasan...what a magical place!

I've just touched home base after 2 days in another world....the mountains of Koyasan! 
After a bus, 3 trains, a cable car and another bus, I made it to Shojoshin temple accommodation. You normally need an advance reservation but i worked my Japanese and scored a room! The reason for heading up to such an amazing place? To meet up with two guys both named Tim from OZ who are filming a travel show. They needed a hand with some translation so I did my bestest! The temple was situated next to a huge cemetery, it went for 1.6km!!! And the HUGE cedar trees blew my mind. Koyasan is home to the Shingon Buddhism introduced to Japan in the 9th Century. Such a spiritual zen like place and totally relaxing!
We enjoyed Shojin-Ryori, vegetarian feasts for both dinner and breakfast. And surprise surprise i made the early start (6am) for morning prayer. A must see, I can't recommend this place enough!