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01 .31Is it worth driving in Osaka?I loved driving when I lived in the US. Apart from walking or riding a bike, there’s no other way I would want to get around.In Japan, driving is another story altogether. When I lived in Okayama, the necessity of a car was clear and even in Okayama city, there is not the abundance of transportation that a foreigner like me associates with Japan. However, since moving to Osaka I often wonder if it is necessary to drive.You might be thinking ‘what’s the big deal?’ Osaka is a city in Japan like any other. Well, that might be true to some extent. From my perspective, Osaka amplifies all the difficulties of driving in Japan to the point where I would rather avoid it altogether. With kids and no parking on campus, the choice to use either is not always mine. Take my kids in the car, take my bike to campus. But anyway, a couple sentences back, I mentioned “the difficulties of driving in Japan”, and you want to know what those are, right?Navigation systems don’t understand the roads: There is a different philosophy to how the road system is designed here. Probably due to space limitations, there are often roads running parallel to each other or on top of each other and sometimes both at the same time. The navigation system cannot display this on the screen in detail. Even if I catch what the navi is trying to tell me, I have to apply that to what I am seeing on the road. When you factor in the mental processing time of reading unfamiliar road signs and kanji characters, it is easy to take a wrong turn.Turning around, narrow roads and one-way streets: I remember one time when I drove into a one-way street the wrong way. At that moment, my wife yelled at me, and I pulled into a tiny parking space on the corner of the intersection. Since it was a one-way street, I could not continue. Pedestrians were telling me to back up and move out of the way. I was saying to myself “I know you are telling me to back up, but there is literally nowhere to go” - too many cars, too many bicycles and too many pedestrians coming in all directions. Eventually, with great stress, I inched my way back and out of the street.This brings me to the aspect of driving in Osaka that gives me the most grief; so many people, bikes, and scooters on the road. On the road, someone will inevitably invade your path. It’s just the reality of such a densely packed area. After 20 years of previously driving in relative peace, the sudden change to crowded streets really adds a lot of stress.So, is driving worth the trouble? For me it’s a necessary headache, but if you are single or at least don’t have children, I would have to say don’t bother. Save your money and your sanity.Photo credit: Satoshi@pexels.comQuizQ1. Which word or phrase is the most similar in meaning to the authors use of ‘be another story’ in line 3?a) very differentb) something interesting to hearc) a sequelQ2. For this person, driving is necessary.a) Trueb) FalseQ3. In the second to last paragraph, the authors use of the word ‘grief’ is similar to:a) Sadnessb) Seriousnessc) Creates stressScroll down for the answersAnswersA1. aA2. aA3. cWilliam Fusco
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10 .04Japanese AtlantisThe Ryukus are a chain of islands that stretch from Kyushu to Taiwan. They are a popular diving area and attract divers from around the world who often come to observe the hammerhead sharks that populate the clear blue waters.In 1986, while searching for dive sites in the area Japanese diver Kihachiro Aratake came across a very unusual site; the straight lines and regular angles of what appeared to be a manmade structure. The structure was massive in size and covered a wide area, yet it was 26 meters under the sea. What was this strange place and who or what had created it? Located off the coast of Yonaguni Island at the southernmost point of the Ryukyu Island chain this monolith soon became known as the Yonaguni Monument and began to attract many divers and sightseers. However, it also began to attract a lot of controversy. Was it in fact manmade or just a natural outcrop of rock?Professor Masaaki Kimura from the University of the Ryukyus and writer Graham Hancock firmly believe that the structure is man made. They claim that the monolith is too regular in shape to be of natural origin; pointing out what they allege is clear evidence of stairways, terraces and even a gateway. They argue that during the last ice age sea levels would have been much lower, at which time this would have been an ocean side settlement. Perhaps even more controversially, they believe that it points to evidence of an ancient but advanced civilization.However, there are many who oppose this theory calling it pseudoscience. Geologist Robert Schoch argues that the monolith is merely a geological outcrop. He says that the many earthquakes and strong currents in the area have resulted in the sandstone taking on these unusually symmetrical formations. Others have pointed out the similarity of other structures nearby.Earlier this year National Geographic, using advanced imaging techniques and cutting edge graphics reconstructed the monolith in 3D. For the first time this gave a clear picture of the formation that had lain submerged for thousands of years. Their conclusion was that it was more likely to be a natural structure. Usually ancient sites show some evidence of human habitation, such as tools or utensils. However, in there research they found no such evidenceNevertheless the debate continues on both sides. With some academics and writers continuing to argue that mainstream archeologists are just reluctant to accept the theory of an ancient advanced civilization. Who do you think is right?1 What is a monolith? A A large animal that is now extinct B A massive structure C An underwater dwelling2 Why do some people think it is manmade? A There is evidence of human habitation B It looks like it was purposefully made C The sea levels were lower in the past3 What is pseudoscience? A belief that is not based on the scientific method B An ancient religion C A method of fortune tellingScroll down below for answers1. B2. B3. AChris Pond
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09 .27Kyoto Tower
What is 131 meters tall, changes color, and has steam coming out from under it? If you answered Kyoto Tower, then you can stop reading because you probably know more about it than I do. If not, keep reading because Kyoto Tower is one of the most iconic buildings in Japan, and you should know more about it.
By most accounts, the story of Kyoto Tower begins with the relocation of Kyoto’s Central Post Office in 1961. With this move, a large tract of land facing Kyoto Station’s Northern Central Exit became available for redevelopment. Such large parcels are rare in old cities like Kyoto, something that was not lost on businesspeople, politicians, and civic leaders of the day, so everyone agreed that the space should be used for the public good. A company was formed, a prominent architect hired, and the work of creating a suitable structure was begun.
Originally, the structure was not intended to be a tower, but rather a modern nine-story building with a modest observation facility on its roof. After all, Kyoto city had laws that limited the height of all buildings to 31 meters—the height of a nine-story structure. It seemed impossible that something taller than that could be built.
However, the 1960s had just begun; Japan’s growth rate was above 10 percent, Tokyo would be hosting the Olympics, and a new bullet train would be connecting Japan’s previous capital with its current one. The times were ripe for people to think big, and at that point in history, thinking big often meant building a tower. Osaka had Tsutenkaku (1943), Tokyo had Tokyo Tower (1957), and even Yokohama had Marine Tower (1961).
In English there is an expression, “where there is a will, there is a way”, which means that if someone wants something badly enough, he or she will find a way to get it. This certainly seems true for the people who wanted to build a tower. To overcome the obstacle of a 31-meter height limit, a loophole was found. Since even the tallest buildings were allowed to have structures like elevator shafts and water tanks on their roofs, why couldn’t a 100-meter tower be considered “a rooftop structure”? Experts were consulted, the possibility of building a rooftop tower was confirmed, and the rest is history. The 131-meter structure—which contains a hotel, restaurants, steamy public bath, and 100-meter tower—was opened to the public on December 28, 1964. Today, Kyoto Tower continues to be used for the common good. In addition to housing the facilities mentioned above, its colorfully illuminated silhouette acts as a guide to those seeking Kyoto Station after a hard day's work or a night on the town.
Photo Credit: Eva Elijas@pexels.com
Blog Quiz
1. Before Kyoto Tower was built, what was on that land?
a. The Central Post Office
b. The Century Hotel
c. Yodobashi Camera
2. Before Kyoto Tower was built, the tallest buildings in Kyoto city were around __ .
a. 31 meters
b. 100 meters
c. 131 meters
3. What is the source of the steam coming out from under Kyoto Tower?
a. A police station (Koban)
b. A public bath
c. The subway
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
A1. A
A2. A
A3. B
Robert Perkins -
08 .16Pontocho Kyoto - Where does the name come from?
Whenever I have visitors from abroad and we are in Kyoto, I invariably take them to Pontocho in the evening. I love that this alley is narrow enough to easily cross from side to side. The proximity of the facades lining the street lets me inspect the displays and menus of every restaurant on my left and right. By now I have done this tens of times, and even though not much changes, I do not tire of it. I find it a great place to spend time with a friend.
Since I have been going to Pontocho for over 10 years, I have gradually learned some of its history, not all of which I believe.
The history of Pontocho that I find hardest to accept concerns the supposed origin of its name. If you google “Pontocho history”, Wikipedia and most travel websites will tell you that “Ponto” is thought to be derived from a Portuguese word, most likely “bridge” but perhaps “destination” or even “dot”. While this could be true, it seems unlikely.
To begin with, when Japanese borrows words from abroad it is usually for something that originally did not exist in Japan, like computers or pumpkins, but Japanese has long had its own words for “bridges”, “destinations”, and “dots”. Why the need for a foreign alternative, especially during that era? The timing is important.
When Pontocho was created in 1670, Japan was already 31 years into what would become its 214-year stretch of self-isolation. Would a culture that is in the midst of turning inward really choose a foreign word for a new street? Also, how many Kyoto denizens from the 17th century knew Portuguese well enough to linguistically borrow from it?
Finally, there is the kanji itself, 先斗町, which using my Heisig language book translates to something like “The town (町) before (先) the Big Dipper (斗) ”, which seems to have little to do with a bridge, although I guess “destination” would still be valid.
Even if we eliminate its supposed Portuguese origin, Pontocho is still a charming name. Using the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) as a proxy for North, a translation for Pontocho could be “The town just before the North end”. As Pontocho does lie at the Northern terminus to the 15-kilometer-long Takasegawa Canal, this is in fact true.
Photo Credit: satoshi-hirayama @pexels.com
Blog Quiz
Q1. What does the author find hard to accept?
Q2. Why does he find this hard to accept?
Q3. Why is it appropriate for Pontocho to have a character for “North” in its name?
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
Q1. That the name “Pontocho” was derived from Portuguese.
Q2. Because of Japan’s isolation at that time, the likely small number of Portuguese speakers, and the lack of a need to borrow a word.
Q3. Because it is at the Northern end of a famous canal.
Robert Perkins -
06 .29Future Young Leaders in the Philippines
The Philippines has many young people with passion and enthusiasm to work for their people. In the summer of 2017, I joined a study tour led by an NGO in Kyoto to visit several places in the Philippines to meet local people and to learn about their life under difficult conditions. The NGO has been supporting the local people in the Philippines for more than 20 years and gave us an opportunity to meet them. The average age of the country’s citizens was 23 years old, much younger than Japan. We saw many ambitious young people, and I would like to introduce some of them.
When we visited the largest disadvantaged area, Tondo District in Manila, we met Jel, one of the energetic young people who came to talk to us about their life. She was a twenty-year-old mother with a two-year-old son. Jel, her son, and her husband were living in Tondo District, close to Smokey Mountain. In the district, many people were making a living by collecting recyclable garbage and selling it. Jel and her younger siblings were raised by their grandmother there. Their life was hard; however, she never gave up learning. She became the best student in the sixth grade and got 13 medals. In junior high school, she worked as a babysitter to support her family. She went to school from seven in the morning to four in the afternoon. After school, she baby-sat four children until eleven o’clock at night. Even though she was very busy, she studied hard and became the second-best student. When she was sixteen, she joined the NGO youth group. She experienced a variety of activities, such as playing sports in a team and working as a volunteer. She learned the importance of human relationships like family and friends and also wanted to support other young people. She said to us, “I want to be a president of this country in the future and help the people in need.” We were quite impressed by her strong will and big smile.
Another ambitious young person was Rommel in Perez, Alabat Island, about five hours from Manila by bus and boat. He was a seventeen-year-old high school student and a youth group leader in the district. The NGO has been working for young students to finish elementary education in the district for about twenty years. In Perez, many fathers are low-income farmers or fishermen who work for long hours, and many mothers are busy working at home and taking care of five or six children. They have a severe financial situation and some of their kids cannot even finish elementary school. The NGO helps them financially with scholarships and also encourages them to engage in learning together through after school activities. Rommel used to be one of the scholars and has been supported by the NGO. Later, he joined the NGO youth group and became a leader of the group. He was taking care of younger members and planning some activities for their physical and mental health. He wanted to go to college and study to be a police officer to protect vulnerable people. We admired his action and friendly smile.
Before visiting the Philippines, I was not sure what to talk about or what kind of questions to ask even though I really wanted to communicate with the local people. However, their heartwarming welcome helped all of the participants, including me, to relax and get to know them. We spent time together and were able to become friends. They were very energetic and full of hope and inspired us to take action to extend our friendship. I want to keep my eye on future young leaders who are determined to contribute to their communities and their country.
Photo Credit: The Author
Blog Quiz
1. Which of these didn’t Jel do?
A. Earn awards for academic success.
B. Become a politician.
C. Work taking care of children.
D. Volunteer for an NGO.
2. Which of these describes Rommel?
A. He is a youth group leader.
B. He supports the health of others.
C. He wants to study at a university.
D. All of the above.
3. What is the main idea of the story?
A. How a young mother overcame difficulties.
B. What happens on an NGO tour.
C. How a young man became a policeman.
D. How people in the Philippines inspired the author.
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
1. B
2. D
3. DKahori Kobayashi -
05 .04Mt. Ominesan
Mt Omine is one of the most sacred places in Japan. It is located in the Yoshino-Kumano National Park which covers Mie, Nara and Wakayama Prefectures. The mountain is on the Yoshino-Kumano pilgrimage route. The highest peak is Mount Sanjou (1719m) which is the location of the Ominesan-ji temple, the headquarters of the Shugendo sect of Japanese buddhism. It is also the training ground of the mysterious Yamabushi monks.
The mountain has been a training ground for the Yamabushi for over 1300 years. These ascetic hermits reach spiritual enlightenment through acts of physical endurance, such as fasting, seclusion, meditating under cold waterfalls, and repeatedly walking the mountain paths. In the past the Yamabushi were considered to have supernatural powers, and could be found fighting alongside samurai in battle. The Yamabushi continue to train here today.
For hikers the mountain offers some stunning views and can easily be climbed in a day. There are four possible routes. However, for day hikers, starting at Omine Ohashi is the best option. Allow 6-7 hours for a moderate to easy hike on well maintained paths. This route will take you past the 3 tests of courage, one of which you are able to try.
Hiking Ominesan with its breathtaking views, pristine forest and intriguing history offers an almost mystical experience. However, the mountain is not without controversy. In 2004 the Ominesan was designated as a world heritage site by UNESCO. This was in spite of a ban on female walkers hiking on the mountain. This ban, which is said to be for historical and religious reasons, continues today.
Photo Credit: the author
Blog Quiz
1. Where is Ominesan?
2. How do the monks train?
3. Why is it a controversial place?
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
1. in Yoshino-Kumano National Park
2. fasting, seclusion, meditating under cold waterfalls, and walking
3. female walkers are not allowed on the mountain
Chris Pond -
02 .25Insect hunting in RyuouHave you ever watched the NHK TV program, “Kagawa Teruyuki no Konchu Sugoize” [https://www.nhk.or.jp/school/sugoize/]? In the TV program, Kagawa Teruyuki, a famous Japanese kabuki actor and an insect geek, catches insects such as dragonflies and butterflies while lecturing about their habits. The show has become very successful and popular in the last few years. One reason is that it reminds viewers of their childhood when they stayed outside all day with a butterfly net to catch rare insects such as the giant dragonfly (‘oniyanma’), rhinoceros beetle (‘kabutomushi’) and stag beetle (‘kuwagata’). When you watch the show and get the urge to go for an insect hunt, Ryuoh is an ideal destination for your trip. Ryuoh, a town with a population of 12,000 in Shiga prefecture, has rich natural surroundings that nurture a wide variety of insects and other creatures. Let me introduce some of them.If you get tired of bright neon lights in big cities, visit Ryuoh at night from late May to early June. Hundreds of greenish-yellow lights of fireflies in the dark sky will relax you. But watch your steps so you won’t stamp on jumping frogs and crayfish walking across the road along rice fields.When rainy season is over in July, it is time to catch symbolic summer insects: the rhinoceros beetle and stag beetle. Find a copse and look for sap from trees at night. If you are the first visitor to the spot that night, you are likely to find them with little effort. Even if you are impatient and cannot wait for the sunset, some types of stag beetles might be waiting for you in the afternoon, too. But watch out for hornets.Even if you are not a big fan of insects and do not want to see them, it is a good idea to visit the place in early fall. You can see golden rice fields under moonlight with the beautiful music of bell crickets hiding in the grass. You also might have a chance to meet foxes and raccoon dogs on the way.Except for winter, Ryuoh is one of the best places for the adventure of an insect hunt. No interest in insects? No problem. Ryuoh is still a nice place for a visit. Yummy cheese, ice-cream [http://www.kokabu.co.jp], omi beef [https://www.okakihonten.jp] and an outlet mall [https://mitsui-shopping-park.com/mop/shiga/english/] are there for you.Photo Credit: Pixabay@pexels.comYoshitaka Seto
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01 .28Cacaos in IndonesiaA trip to Indonesia was one of the most memorable experiences for me. In August, 2018, I joined a cacao study tour to Indonesia conducted by a chocolate company from Kyoto. I attended a seminar about fair trade a year before, and the company owner was an invited speaker who impressed the participants with his passion and enthusiasm. The chocolate company is quite young and just about eight years old; however, their innovative ideas go beyond fair trade and attract not only chocolate lovers, but also people who work for world cooperation and social business. I was one of them, and couldn’t wait to join the tour.The most exciting event during the tour was visiting local cacao farms and farmers. It took almost two days to get to the village of Polewali in Polewali Mandar on Sulawesi Island in Indonesia. However, it was worth visiting there. We experienced to plant a cacao sapling and harvest cacao fruit on a farm. Also, we observed the process to make cacao beans ready as the ingredient for chocolate. Furthermore, we had a chance to ask many questions to the cacao farmers. We learned that they practice agroforestry so that they could harvest a variety of farm products to get a stable income without the influence of bad weather or trouble, and that a key to make quality cacao beans is fermentation, which requires a lot of training and special skills. I was quite impressed by the fact that the chocolate company and the local cacao farmers are really working hard together for high quality cacao beans. The company rewards the farmers with a higher price for their efforts. The farmers seemed to feel rewarded by meeting their customers from Japan too.Another unforgettable event was that we made our own chocolate from cacao beans by hand with local elementary students at their school. The experience helped us to understand the ‘bean to bar’ process and to value the importance of the quality of cacao beans for good chocolate. The local kids whose parents are cacao farmers had never eaten chocolate. They don’t have a custom to eat chocolate because it melts at over 30º C, which is the typical temperature there. After making and eating chocolate for the first time, all kids looked very happy and so proud of their parents. Their smiles made us happy and our memory sweeter.The whole program gave me an opportunity to learn that delicious chocolate is made from high quality cacao beans, which is supported by the producers’ effort and patience. Their chocolate is a little expensive, but they deserve it. Whenever I bought so called fair trade chocolate, I used to have a feeling of charity. However, I don’t feel like that for them, and I just appreciate all the hard work they do. When I eat their chocolate, I think of the cacao farmers and the children’s smiles in Indonesia, and I hope they think of their chocolate lovers in Japan.Photo Credit: the authorThe BBP Staff
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12 .27A memorable place from travels in the USThe trip to Sedna was one of my most memorable experiences! You can count on a great view and a relaxed atmosphere. For me, personally, the point of the trip was to hike the four famous vortexes (red-rock mountains) that have been called “power spots”.Many believe that there are some magical powers that heal your mental fatigue or bring you some future happiness in these mountains. Actually, many Japanese people (especially young women? ) tend to hike up these mountains because they believe that they will be able to get some mystical energy or their worries will magically disappear. Therefore, a lot of tourists from Japan hike these power spots every year. I was one of them and went up there to have fun and get some mystical energy.Of course, there are travellers who embark just to enjoy the famous red rocks and not to get any mystical energy. Indeed, hundreds of hiking trails and Jeep tours will definitely lead you to some fantastic scenery and experiences. So, there were many travelers who came to just have these experiences.Anyway, I went up one of the famous red rocks for its mystical power and tried to think spiritual thoughts there. Then, nothing happened to me. I was just feeling that the sun shine was literally baking my entire body and my face was physically painful from that deadly heat of the sun (I went there with my husband in August). I was just getting nervous about my skin getting serious sunburn and wanted to go back to our hotel to lay on a couch in our room when something happened. My husband (who was 38 years old at that time with a PhD in statistics) just started crying. Tears were running down his face and he was weeping. I was getting really nervous this time not because of my skin getting burn but because my partner for life seemed to be going insane. So, I shook his shoulders and said to him “let’s get back to our hotel room.” But he didn’t want to go down the mountain and insisted on staying there a little bit more because he was feeling really good.Then this time I went insane. I yelled at him repeatedly saying “let’s get out of here.” I even punched his shoulder and almost screamed. Both I and he were really upset at that time. We ended up going down to the hotel while having a really bad fight. Everybody passing by on the way down the mountain was staring at us as both crying badly. My husband just turned normal after we came back to our hotel room. We had really nice Mate tea made by our hotel owner and just got back to peaceful feelings finally. However, I cannot forget that moment on the top of the red rock mountain (one of the famous power spots). I will never forget my husband’s crying (I have never seen his crying face before and from then. He didn’t even cry when our first daughter was born in the hospital). That was the most memorable place from our travels in the US.Photo Credit: Tim Mossholder@ Pexels.comThe BBP Staff
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11 .29Teahouse Trekking in the Nepal HimalayasIf you are interested in independent adventure travel, then I would like to tell you about a fantastic activity – teahouse trekking in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal.Nepal is a small, landlocked country in South Asia. I have visited Nepal over a dozen times, and some years ago I also had the chance to live and work there for 4 months. I volunteered for a local adventure company that guided tourists on rafting and trekking trips throughout Nepal. These experiences gave me the opportunity to explore the natural and cultural wonders of the country, and it became my favorite country for traveling.You might imagine that trekking in the Himalayas is only for serious mountain climbers, but teahouse trekking is very different from climbing snowy mountains attached to a rope. A teahouse is a simple, locally operated hotel or lodge in a village that provides meals and a bed. Teahouse trekking is simply walking from village to village on established, easy-to-follow paths used every day by local people. The trails can be challenging sometimes, but any reasonably fit person can do it.You might ask – why walk when you can take a bus or other modern transport? In Nepal, many people live in small mountain villages that have no roads or other easy access. For Nepalis living in these remote areas, trails are the only way to move around, and as a result, the trails are used by local farmers, herders and their animals, porters carrying amazingly heavy loads, and visiting tourists. For trekkers, this environment gives a unique chance to experience traditional village culture away from the noise and pollution of cities while enjoying some of the best mountain scenery on the planet.Teahouse trekking has several very attractive points. First, you don’t need a guide or an organized tour. You can plan your own trip and go at your own pace. If you don’t want to walk a long distance, you can trek slowly from one village to the next and stop at any village teahouse when you are tired. Second, you don’t need to carry a heavy pack – just warm clothes, perhaps a sleeping bag, and a few personal items. Since you can stay in teahouses, you don’t have to carry a tent, food, or cooking equipment. In addition, as Nepal is a developing country, teahouse trekking is very affordable. A trekking permit is about $15 dollars (¥1600) a day, and food, accommodation and all daily expenses should cost less than $25 (¥2700) a day. Finally, staying in teahouses is a great way to meet local Nepalis and other trekkers from around the world. At the end of the day, weary trekkers gather together in a big room for meals and socializing. It’s a great chance to practice your English or other languages!The people of Nepal are perhaps the best reason to visit. They are extremely friendly and helpful to foreign tourists. Many Nepalis can also speak English. There are a variety of different tribes with their own ancient traditions, languages, and religions. This fascinating cultural milieu helps make Nepal a very rewarding destination.The Mt. Everest region is the most famous area for trekking, but I recommend three less crowded treks: Langtang Valley, Annapurna Base Camp, and the Manaslu Circuit. You will need between 1 to 3 weeks to do a good trek, and Spring and Fall have the best weather for teahouse trekking. For university students in Japan, this matches your spring break. So next late-February and March, why don’t you take a few weeks and have the adventure of your life in Nepal!(Photo credit: Brett Morgan)Brett Morgan