Kichijoji: Hanami at iba pa

Orihinal na inilathala sa April 2016 issue ng Pinoy Gazette

Simula 2004, nangunguna ang Kichijoji sa mga taunang poll ng mga lugar na pinakamainam tirahan sa Tokyo – hindi kamahalan, maganda ang lokasyon at maraming maaaring puntahan at pasyalan. Kilala rin ito sa mga jazz bars, street musicians, at mga hiphop dancers na matatagpuan sa iba’t ibang sulok.

Hanami sa Inokashira Park

           

Kilala ang Inokashira Park na isa sa mga paboritong puntahan ng mga tao sa Kichijoji lalo na kung spring season. Makikita ang magagandang cherry blossoms na nakapaligid sa isang maliit na lawa kung saan mayroong mga pinaparentahang mga bangka. Mainam itong pasyalan para sa buong pamilya sa kahit na anong panahon sa buong taon. Kung autumn season naman, napupuno ng naglalabang kulay dilaw at pula ang mga puno sa paligid ng parke.

Sa halagang ¥400 ay maaari nang bisitahin ang dalawang zoo na nasa loob ng parke. Kasama sa koleksyon ng Inokashira Zoo ang ilang species ng mga hayop na matatagpuan lamang sa Japan. Sa isang bahagi ng zoo makikita ang duck sanctuary at sa isang bahagi naman ang iba pang hayop kabilang na ang kinagigiliwan ng mga bata na si Hanako, isang Thai Elephant. Huwag rin kalimutang bisitahin ang Benzaiten Shrine na itinayo para sa Japanese Buddhist goddess na si Benzaiten. Dahil napapaligiran ng tubig at cherry blossoms, litaw na litaw ang ganda ng matingkad na pulang kulay ng shrine.

Sa hindi kalayuan, makikita ang Ghibli Museum na nagpapakita ng mga likha ng isa sa mga pinakapopular na animation studios sa Japan, ang Ghibli. Kung fan ka ni Totoro o ni Princess Mononoke, mga karakter na pinasikat ni Hayao Miyazaki, tiyak na ikatutuwa mong makita ang malaking estatwa ni Totoro sa labas palang ng museo at ang replica ng cat bus na matatagpuan naman pagpasok.

Shopping galore

Matatagpuan sa paligid ng istasyon ang magkahalong malalaking malls tulad ng Marui at Isetan at maliliit na mga independent boutiques at vintage shops tulad ng Ragtag. Katabi ng train station makikita ang dalawang mall, Atre ant Kirarina, na may kanya-kanyang floors para sa mga damit, gamit pambahay, sapatos, at mga specialty stores.

Pero higit sa mga karaniwang tinda sa mga malls na ito, mas magandang tuklasin ang mga maliliit na tindahan sa paligid ng istasyon na nagbebenta ng mga kakaibang bagay tulad ng mga gamit para sa mga alagang aso, stationery shops at iba pang hobby shops na doon lamang makikita sa Kichijoji. Kung maswerte, makakabili ka ng mga branded second hand items sa napakamurang halaga.

Murang kainin

Ang Harmonica Yokocho ay unang nakilala bilang isang flea market matapos ang WWII pero ngayon ay mas kilala na ito sa mahabang linya ng mga yakitori restaurants na nagsulputan noong 90s. Mayroon din itong mga specialty shops na nagbebenta lamang ng mga Japanese delicacies tulad ng yokan at taiyaki. Makakakain din ng masarap na pizza sa Kichijoji sa halagang ¥500.

Bagamat nakatago sa isang maliit na iskinita, puntahan ng mga tao ang Garage 50 dahil sa Roman-styled thin crust pizza nito. Maganda rin ang ambience ng restaurant kahit maliit dahil sa VW camper na ginawang kitchen ng may-ari kung saan inihahanda niya ang order ng mga customers. Ang Village Vanguard naman, mas kilala bilang American goods shop, ay mayroong restaurant sa Kichijoji na naghahain ng burger at beer.

Masarap na kapihan

Kung miss mo na ang mga duyan sa Pilipinas, isa sa mga relaxing café na pwede mong puntahan ay ang Mahika Mano Hammock Café. Sa halip na mga ordinaryong upuan, mga duyan ang nasa loob ng restaurant. Hindi nga lang maaaring magtagal masyado rito kahit mapasarap na sa pagkakaupo dahil may time limit lamang na dalawang oras ang bawat stay dito. Hindi rin maaaring magsama ng maliliit na bata dito.

Dahil showroom din ang café na ito ng Hammocks2000, isang kumpanya na nagbebenta ng mga duyan, maaaring bumili mismo sa café na ito ng kaparehas na mga duyan kung gugustuhin mo. Ang Deva Deva Café ay patok naman para sa mga mahilig sa healthy food. Naghahain sila ng vegetarian at vegan dishes.  Hindi rin mawawala ang cat café sa Kichijoji. Mayroong 15 pusa sa Cat Café Calico na maaaring mong laruin habang nagkakape. Bawat oras ay nagkakahalaga ng ¥1000 at ¥150 naman ang mga inumin.

Makinig sa jazz

Ang SOMETIME ay unang binuksan noong 1975 at hanggang ngayon ay paborito pa rin itong puntahan ng mga jazz enthusiasts. Kilala ang Kichijoji na jazz town noong 60s-70s pero sa paglipas ng panahon ay marami na rin nagsarang mga jazz bars sa paligid nito. Isa ang SOMETIME sa mga matatag na naiwan sa mga ito. Halos bawat gabi ay mayroong live music dito. Ang pinakahighlight ng lugar ay ang malaking grand piano sa gitna ng bar.

Across Regions: The Best Hanami Spots in Japan

            Not only weather is forecasted in Japan, even the blooming time of the cherry trees is. Every year, the sakura forecast is anticipated by locals and tourists alike who are eager to schedule their trips to the best spots in the country for hanami. The cherry blossoms usually start to bloom from the West of Japan gradually going up to the East. People can view the cherry blossoms as early as the first week of March in the Western end and as late as May on the other side. Japan is composed of five islands divided in eight regions, each region boasting itsperfect spots for hanami:

            Goryokaku Park, Sapporo.This park is a star-shaped fortress completed in 1864. It was constructed by the Tokugawa Shogunateto protect the Tsugaru Strait from a possible Russian invasion. Around 1, 600 cherry trees line the park that highlight its beautiful shape even more. A stroll around the park would be nice in a breezy Spring day, but a good view of the island is best seen from the 107-meter observation deck of the Goryokaku Tower.            

Hirosaki Park, Aomori.Castles are popular hanami spots in Japan, Hirosaki Castle, built in the 17^th Century, being one of them. There are more than 2,500 cherry trees planted around the castle. These are said to be hundreds of years old already. There are also other areas of interest around the castle such as the Nakamichi Buke-Yashiki or the old samurai houses, the Choshoji Temple, and the Saisho-in Temple that houses a five-storied pagoda.

            Chureito Pagoda, Yamanashi. Built only in 1963 as a peace memorial, this pagodaoffers an amazing view of Mt. Fuji, somehow making the cherry blossoms just an added bonus. Sitting on a hill, it takes 400 steps from the main buildings of the ArakuraShengen Shrine to climb up to this beautiful spot. It may be tiring, but its definitely worth the sweat.

            Takato Castle Ruins Park, Nagano. There are around 1,500 cherry blossoms planted around the park including kohigan cherry trees, which are said to have been planted as far back as 1875 when the park was first opened to the public. The Onkyo Bridge, found at the center of the park, is one of the most famous spots to view the cherry blossoms. After a stroll, the Shinshu Takato Art Museum, found at the southern part of the park, is another option to see.

            Himeji Castle, Hyogo.This Unesco World Heritage Site, fully re-opened again to the public after five years of restoration, is not only rich in centuries of history but also an eye candy for cherry blossoms fanatics. It is considered as one of the top three best castles in Japan.During peak seasons, the number of visitors allowed to enter the main castle keep are limited. Better check the people forecast (yes, they do have it!) on their website to see which dates are expected to be crowded.  

            Miyajima, Hiroshima. Though famous for its giant torii gate that seems to float on water during the high tide, this island is also good for cherry blossoms viewing. On this island, you can see the World Heritage Site, Itsukushima Shrine, with around 1,900 cherry blossoms lining the island. 

            Mt.Shiunde, Kagawa.Viewing the cherry blossoms with the Setoinland sea in the background would definitely be priceless. Climbing up the mountain, which is 352 meters high, may take around an hour, but the view is worth the hike because the spot gives an unobstructed view of the island and the surrounding waters. On a clear day, you might catch a glimpse of the tip of Honshu.

Kumamoto Castle, Kumamoto. This castle, built in 1607, is surrounded by 800 cherry trees. Together wih Himeji Castle and Matsumoto Castle, it is regarded as one of the top three castles in Japan. Its beauty exudes a different charm in autumn and winter, but the cherry blossoms in spring add a layer of elegance to its famous stone walls called Mushagaeshi and the long wall called the Naga-bei.

Inokashira Park in Spring

Isang Araw sa Gifu Park

Kapag nababanggit ang Gifu, karaniwang pumapasok sa isip ang UNESCO World Heritage Site na Shirakawa-Go na matatagpuan sa hilagang bahagi nito. Binubuo ito ng mga lumang Gassho-styled houses na napanatiling maganda at maayos sa loob ng mahabang panahon. Bukod dito, mayaman sa kasaysayan ang Gifu. Maraming lugar dito ang minsang naging sentro ng mga castle towns noong 1500s. Isa sa masasabing kayamanan ng Gifu ay ang Gifu Castle na makikita sa tuktok ng Kinkazan.

Ang Gifu Castle

Ang Gifu Castle ay orihinal na itinayo ng pamilyang Nikaido noong 1200s. Naging higit na kilala ito dahil dito namalagi si Oda Nobunaga, isang daimyo o feudal lord noong 1500s, sa loob ng siyam na taon bago siya lumipat ng Azuchi Castle sa Shiga. Dahil sa magandang lokasyon at istilo ng pagkakagawa ng castle town, naging modelo ito sa iba pang mga itinayo noong panahon na iyon. Mula sa tuktok ng castle makikita ang napakagandang view ng Gifu City, ang kahabaan ng Nagara River at ang mga bundok na nakapaligid sa Gifu. Hindi mo mapipigilang mamangha sa ganda ng tanawin at mapapaisip kung paano naitatag ng mga sinaunang tao ang castle na ito sa tuktok ng bundok.

Upang makapunta sa Gifu Castle, maaaring sumakay ng Kinkazan Ropeway na tumatagal lamang ng tatlong minuto. Ang istasyon nito ay matatagpuan sa Gifu Park na nasa paanan ng Kinkazan. Bawat 15 minuto ay mayroong biyahe ang ropeway paakyat at pababa ng bundok. Para naman sa mga mas gustong akyatin ang bundok, mayroon din na mga hiking trails na maaaring sundan paakyat.

Sa labas ng Gifu Castle makikita ang Gifu Castle Archives Museum na nagtataglay ng ilang mahahalagang artifacts mula sa Gifu Castle. Makikita rito ang ilang lumang sandata, baluti at helmet na ginamit noong 1500s. Kasama na sa ticket ng Gifu Castle ang pagpasok sa museum na ito.

Makikita naman pagbaba ng ropeway sa tuktok ng Kinkazan ang Squirrel Village. Ito ay tila maliit na zoo na puro squirrel lamang ang kanilang inaalagaan. Maaari mong pakainin ang mga squirrel sa iyong kamay. Mababait ang mga squirrel at hindi takot sa mga tao. Mayroon din na mga staff na palaging nagbabantay kaya walang dahilan upang matakot sa pakikipaglaro sa mga squirrel. Mayroon din pinapahiram na gloves upang protektahan ang iyong kamay habang pinapakain ang mga ito.

           

Matatagpuan rin na nakakalat sa iba’t ibang lungsod sa Gifu ang mahigit kumulang 13 pang castle. Ang ilan dito tulad ng Kiyosu Castle, Ogaki Castle at Sunomata Castle ay nagkaroon ng mahalagang papel sa Battle of Sekigahara noong 1600.

Ang Gifu Park

Ang Gifu Park ay isang malaking parke sa paanan ng Kinkazan kung saan maaaring mamasyal at magpahinga habang pinagmamasdan ang iba’t ibang halaman at bulaklak sa paligid. Makikita rin dito ang iba’tibang atraksyon tulad ng:

           

Gifu City Museum of History. Dito malalaman ang mayamang kasaysayan at paraan ng pamumuhay sa Gifu. Makikita rin dito ang ilan sa mga tradisyunal na produkto ng Gifu at mga lumang artifacts na nahukay sa ilang bahagi ng Gifu na tinatayang ginamit pa ng mga sinaunang nanirahan sa Gifu may ilang libong taon na ang nakakalipas. Mayroon din ditong replika ng free market na pinasimulan ni Oda Nobunaga noong 1500s.

Nawa Insect Museum. Ang museum na ito ang unang insect museum sa buong Japan. Pinasimulan ito ni Yasushi Niwa, ang nakadiskubre ng isang uri ng paru-paro na matatagpuan sa Gifu na binansagang “Gifu Butterfly.” Makikita rito ang halos 300,000 specimen ng 18,000 uri ng insekto.

Lokasyon ng dating tirahan ni Oda Nobunaga. Sa paanan ng Kinkazan matatagpuan ang ruins ng dating tirahan ni Nobunaga na ngayon ay binubuo na lamang ng mga natirang pundasyong bato.

Hindi man kasing kilala ng ibang lugar tulad ng Osaka at Kyoto, mayroon din na mga natatagong pasyalan ang Gifu na masayang tuklasin at bisitahin kahit anong panahong pa ito, mapa-spring man o winter pa.

How to Apply for a Japan Tourist Visa

Published in the February 2016 issue of the Filipino-Japanese Journal.

See the rest of the pages here: https://issuu.com/filipino-japanesejournal

          The rising popularity of anime, cosplay and JPop in the Philippines has attracted a lot of potential tourists to Japan. People are drawn to Japan’s extreme image of eccentricity and traditionalism that are, surprisingly, blending harmoniously in its landscape. As part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s economic plan, Japan is targeting to attract 18 million tourists in 2016, 2.5 million of whom are projected to come from Southeast Asia alone. An even more ambitious goal is to raise this number up to 30 million in 2030.

In support of this initiative, Japan has recently relaxed its strict visa restrictions for Southeast Asian countries. Tourist visas for Malaysians and Thais were recently waived. Unfortunately for the Philippines, Filipinos are still required to apply for a visa to enter Japan.The good this is, multiply entry visas that would allow tourists to stay for as long as 15 or 30 days are now being issued to Filipinos. With affordable low-cost carriers operating between Manila and Tokyo and other areas in Japan like Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka, the dream for Filipinos to visit Japan is now within reach.

            It is important to take note that tourist visas are only being processed through certain travel agencies accredited by the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines. The application would be smooth and hassle-free if the required documents are complete upon submission. Here are some simple tips to remember:

• Visit the website of the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines for accurate information. This sounds too basic and simplistic and yet this is the step that most people forget. While friends and family members can give substantial tips and advices on how to apply for a visa, the website gives you official information. It provides the list of documents to be submitted and the contact numbers of accredited agencies. Forms can also be downloaded from the website. (www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp)

• Get in touch with an accredited travel agency. Make sure that you are contacting the correct agency. The Japanese Embassy does not accept applications from other agencies not accredited by them. The visa application is free but the travel agencies charge a processing fee that ranges from P1000-P1800 for individual applicants and P2000-2500 for those with guarantors.

• Make sure your documents are complete upon submission. Some of the basic requirements to be submitted are: valid passport, visa application form, proof of previous travel to Japan or other countries (old passport stamps), Certificate of Employment, Letter of Explanation for requesting a multiple entry visa, Bank Certificate, Income Tax Return (ITR). Please note that there might be additional documents that are required to be attached apart from the above stated depending on your situation. For example, those applying for a tourist visa to visit relatives or those applying with guarantors might need to attach documents proving their relationship to the person they are visiting.

• Check the date of issue of the documents. The birth certificate and/or marriage certificate to be submitted should be officially issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) within one year. If you thought that they would not check it, well, sorry to say, but they surely will. If your copy is more than a year old, you should request a new one through the NSO branches or online.

•  Bring the complete documents to the agency and pick it up upon release. Tourist visas are released through the agencies within 5 days. You don’t directly pick it up at the Japanese Embassy. If the documents submitted are insufficient, the agency might request for additional attachments. To avoid hassles, make a checklist of all the required documents to make sure that you will not miss anything. It would be a total bummer if you exerted an effort to bring the documents to the agency only to find out that you forgot some. If you do not have time to pick up the passport at the agency, you can check if they offer delivery services through courier companies. 

With an easier and smoother visa application process, coming to Japan is no longer a far-fetched dream for those who want to see real cosplayers in Meiji Jingumae or take photoshoots under the sakura trees.

How to Enjoy Spring in Japan on a Tight Budget

This article was published in the March issue of the Filipino-Japanese Journal.

Read the rest of the pages here: https://issuu.com/filipino-japanesejournal

           Spring is a very popular time for tourists to come to Japan because of the appeal of the transcendent Cherry Blossoms. Contrary to the impression that traveling to Japan can cost you an arm and a leg, enjoying this peak season on a budget is highly possible if you know where to look for the cheapest treats. 

            Watch out for discounted fares. Your airfare can eat up almost half of your budget if you are not eager to find cheap flights. Compared to other destinations in Asia, Japan can be a little more expensive, but not that expensive to hinder you and not go at all. Thanks to all the low-cost carriers that are traveling to and from the Philippines, you can avail a cheaper airfare compared to those offered by major airlines. Flights by low-cost carriers are cheap enough for your budget, but if you want to save even more, better wait for seat sales that happen 3-6 months before your desired travel time. Sometimes they are difficult to get because they easily get sold out so it requires perseverance and patience to wait and book for these kinds of fares. Moreso, these carriers now also offer flights to other parts of Japan like Osaka, Fukuoka and Nagoya that can be a little cheaper than the direct flights to Tokyo. These sites can also offer you an interesting adventure that is very different from the highly urbanized Tokyo.

            Book service apartments. With a growing number of people offering their own apartments or vacant rooms to tourists, you can now stay in an authentic Japanese residence like a local via websites like airbnb. Or if you are up for a greater adventure and if you don’t mind sleeping in a stranger’s uncomfortable couch for free, you can try couchsurfing and meet a new friend who can probably help you get around Japan too.

Eat at nice restaurants during lunch time. There are a lot of nice places that offer good food and relaxing ambiance may it be in Tokyo or Osaka. However, the prices of dinner menus in these posh restaurants with good views Tower can skyrocket in the evening. But there’s a cheapo way to experience these places. Make a reservation during lunchtime where restaurants offer cheaper lunch menus, sometimes as much as half the price. You get to try the food, enjoy the view and even save up a little for the next good restaurant you see around town. 

Avail special train passes. Transportation in Japan can be quite expensive but with a number of different train lines offering special passes, you can save a lot. There are passes that offer unlimited train rides or bus rides in a particular area for a day or more like the JR Rail Pass and the Kansai Wide Pass or a discounted round trip fare to a nearby destination like the Hakone Pass and the Nikko Pass.

Go to free sightseeing spots. You can go to these places without spending a penny for entrance fees. See the Tokyo skyline for free at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building or stroll around the moat of the Imperial Palace in Chidorigafuchi to see the lovely Cherry Blossoms dangling on both sides of the river with boats filled with lovers scattered all around the river.

Peak seasons like spring in Japan do not always equate to overpriced traveling costs. There’s always a way for the cheapo traveler to make ends meet!

 

Memories of Ximending, Taipei, Taiwan

As I was watching an old taiwanese drama the other day, i found the place where the characters hung out somewhat familiar. After a few scenes, it suddenly dawned on me where it was and all the good memories - accompanied by a rollercoaster of emotions, a lust for adventure, the overlapping images of fantasies and realities, an unexpecting but hopeful heart - started flashing like black and white pictures in my head. that was when i thought, "oh god, i miss taipei!" But more than that, i realized that what i miss more is the version of "me" that was in taipei. #ximending #taipei #asiantravel #taiwan #memoriesofnobody

Takashi Murakami's The 500 Arhats Exhbit

The exhibit runs from October 31, 2015 to March 6, 2016 at the Mori Art Museum, Roppongi Hills.

The 500 Arhats

The exhibit runs from October 31, 2015 to March 6, 2016 at the Mori Art Museum, Roppongi Hills.

The exhibit runs from October 31, 2015 to March 6, 2016 at the Mori Art Museum, Roppongi Hills.

The exhibit runs from October 31, 2015 to March 6, 2016 at the Mori Art Museum, Roppongi Hills.