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Archive for the 'Japan: Kansai' Category

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Addicted?

Saturday, June 23rd, 2007

Osaka… this is already a special place in the world for me. I’ve been playing music at live houses and bars every other night. When I’m not behind a drum kit, a large portion of my time has been spent drinking mass quantities of shochu and eating delicious meals with my friends. Everybody is friendly here; there is a sizable Aussie expat crowd and the local Japanese are unlike the majority of Tokyo-ites (whos friendly outlook is cold in comparison to Kansai). [read on]

Osaka Life

Wednesday, June 20th, 2007

On Friday, I took the day to explore the city using my new found bicycle freedom. I pretty much headed north, with no real destination in mind. I made a few stops to browse through stores along the way, but didn’t find anything worth mentioning. About an hour into my ride I came a cross a recording/practice studio. It only cost ¥700 to play drums for an hour so I popped in to get my chops up to speed.   [read on]

Otaue-Shinji

Thursday, June 14th, 2007

I awoke just in time to catch the opening ceremony of the Otaue-Shinji (rice planting ceremony) at Sumiyoshi-Daichi.  This annual Shinto ceremony was recommended to me yesterday when I went to pick up a subway map at the info desk.  Even after being here for two months, it was still the first traditional-culture event that I’ve had the opportunity to witness.    [read on]

Kansai Bound!

Wednesday, June 13th, 2007

 

Yesterday was a wake up call.  I think I’ve seen enough shrines, temples and historical artifacts from Japan.  Sightseeing is wearing a bit thin, but every experience with the current culture has been most exciting and has appealed to me most.  Every day that passes, my visa expiration inches closer and I still haven’t been to Kansai to see the famed cultural heart of Japan.  So I decided to say goodbye to Nagoya.  It has been an extremely friendly and welcoming city, but I’ll just have to come back someday when I have more time.    [read on]