had to do an errand in Osaka/Umeda today so after it was done, I visited again the National Museum of Art, Osaka. Presenting …
I decided not to visit the gallery though since my stomach was kinda grumbling, so I went home and hopefully will visit the gallery very soon. 
The sakura and momo flowers in Osaka Castle Grounds are so pretty
It’s been awhile since I cycle early in the morning, so me being jobless and weather being great I get to spend my early morning cycling to Hattoriryokuchi Koen. Some sakura (cherry blossom) are not yet in full bloom but some are already so nice to look.
Here are more picture as I cycled around the park.
Autumn is here.. so when and where is the best place to go see some colorful leaves ??
1. Minoo(箕面):
Start: Middle of November
Best：November 23
Event: Momiji Matsuri ( Maple Festival ) 11/1-11/31
Access: Hankyu:
Umeda (Takarazuka Lline) -> Ishibashi
Ishibashi ( Minoo Line ) -> Minoo
HP: http://www.city.minoh.osaka.jp/
2.Makiosan : Sefukuji ( 槙尾山：施福寺）
Start: Beginning of November
Best: Middle of November
Fact: There are about 200 momiji trees in Makiozan
Access(station): Izumichuo (osaka)
HP: http://www.city.izumi.osaka.jp/
3. Inunakiyama (犬鳴山)
Start: Middle of November
Best: Middle of November to End of November
Access ( station ): From JR Hineno ( 日根野）station
take the Nankai Wing Bus to Inunakiyama ( 犬鳴山）
HP： http://www.city.izumisano.osaka.jp/index.asp
More of Osaka: Here
Other Places in Kansai Area:
Other places in Japan
Its really been awhile that I biked for more than an hour , so I guess that is why my butt still hurt till now After the badminton session last saturday, rose and I decided to go biking. We started around 3 PM . First destination was to Cher, Roc and Guia’s place in Suita. That is when I found out about the Naniwa Cycling Route. A long stretch of cycling course just beside the river. No cars , no uphill or downhill just pure cycling pleasure:D. We estimated to reach our destination in about 30 minutes, unfortunately we were talking on and on we missed our turn. I think it was about 10 minutes of biking, so we went back for another 10 minutes so instead of 30 minutes, we reach their place about 4 pm. Then we replenished our not so depleted carbo
Left the place around 5PM , this time to my favorite park in Toyonaka , Hattori Koen. I love the park, there are so many things to see and explore there, its so big I have not covered everyplace yet. Unfortunately, when we reached the park it was getting dark and yet it was only about 630pm. We rested a little bit and decided to go back by a different route. Unfortunately, we missed the turn. I think my sense of direction ends after sunset. We ended going to the opposite direction instead of going back to Osaka, we probably reach Kobe or maybe Kyoto if we continued
Finally, after asking a nice old lady for direction she pointed out the direction of Esaka Station ( midosuji ). Thank God we were finally back on track. Rose and I decided not to go back to Suita anymore for dinner, my butt was already hurting so we parted in Esaka station, the three girls went back to suita and we went on our way back to Osaka.
Four hours of biking ..**sigh*** So tired and yet never felt soo good…
Till the next biking session
Saturday , April 28,2007 Weather will be Sunny to Cloudy with a possibility of rain in the evening. Indeed, it was a great day for hiking. The goal for the day was to hike from Hankyu Ashiyagawa Station to Arima Onsen passing by Mt. Rokko. I heard from someone that the hike would take about 3 hours. Hiramatsu-san was hesitant and so she went on to search for more information. And yes we were mistaken, it took us 6 hours ( estimated was actually 5 hours ). Not bad with all the stops and picture taking, we did great :D. 9km of uphill and 4km of downhill it was exhausting.
In Ashiyaga station, everybody was going by bus to the Rokko Rock Garden. We decided to walk all the way up there, passing the richs’ district of Ashiya. We did not even have any warm-ups
In the entrance to the rock garden, we filled up a form or rather Hiramatsu-san and Naoko-san filled up the form for us. It was a prevention if ever we got lost in the mountain . But we went home the other way, are we not supposed to take that paper back? Does that mean, we are already lost?
And so the climb begins. This is still the easy part of the trail. It was an amazing trail. But everybody did great.
After about an hour, we reached about half way ? . From this point on it would another 1.5 hours to the peak of Mt. Rokko.
Along the way to the top, we got lost. Yes LOST. We made a wrong turn. But we found this beatiful area, who cares if we made the wrong turn :D.
We turn back, and found the area where we were supposed to turn. Everybody was like talking and nobody was taking note of the path . I hate this part of the climb. Basically the trail was turned into a stairs, for easier climb but its kinda boring so I can feel myself getting tired, not unlike the rock climbing part, now that was really great
From the top of Mt. Rokko, it would take another 1.5 hours, 4km downhill walk to Arima Onsen.Though our feet were almost dead, with just the thought of soaking into the onsen, made everyone move faster.
Our exit ( in the middle ). Along the way, we found a sign that said shortcut to arima and we took it it. And we made our exit at the back of the temple. The old lady was very surprised, when out of nowhere seven beautiful goddesses came down from the mountain. Did she thought were from Mt. Olympus? Yeah, she was really surprised. It was the first time she know that there is a path at the back of the temple. Now its time for ONSEN.. ONSEN.. ONSEN…
6hrs. 13Km.. we made it .
and for dinner –> 
Sling-bag girls did it again !!!
After our first Kyoto-Hanami adventure, we decided to do it again.
We just could not get enough of Kyoto.
Shiera and I were planning how to maximize our time and avoid the traffic in
Kawaramachi area. And hope that our map orientation would not be distorted.
First Destination: Toji Temple
Our first visit to Toji was a disappointment. The temple was already close so we could not get a closer look at the Pagoda. I had already visited this temples twice, during my AOTS training and when NEC friends visited Osaka last 2004. Shiera and Kagz have not had the experience of seeing the Pagoda up-close and personal so we decided to have a short stop for pics.
From Hankyu Kawaramachi Station , take bus 206 bound for Toji Temple.
The 3 of us were discussing about getting back to Kawaramachi avenue to catch our bus for the Botanical Garden when an old man approached us and tried to help us. See the pattern? there is always an old man/woman in this trip :D. Anyways, he was directing us to which bus stop to take. When we crossed the street, he tried to warn us that it was not the right bus stop to take as it take longer, and pass Kyomizudera area where traffic is a nightmare. Did we listen? NO. We just went on after we thanked him. See
you should listen to older people, they know things
From Shijo Kawaramachi, take bus 4 bound for Kamigamo
Second Destination: Kyoto Botanical Garden
The place was big and spacious, the entrance was only 200yen, lots of sakura and tulips in Mankai mode… PERFECT.
After we exhausted ourselves, we finally decided to proceed to our next destination.. Kamigamo.. again.
From Kyoto Botanical Garden take Bus no 4 bound for Kamigamo.
Third Destination: Kamigamo Temple
Disappointed as we saw “Droppy” not in Mankai mode. But fortunately, there was girl in wearing or portraying a Heain Princess and a White Horse , dunno if it was Stallion or mare, and we name the horse Shadowfax, just like Gandalf’s horse in LOTR.
Finally we decided to hurry up and proceed to Arashiyama, and catch the glimpse of its beauty. The bus stop was crowded with people, fortunately they were not waiting for our bus.
Refer to my previous post on how to get to Arashiyama.
Fourth Stop: Arashiyama
Our trip would not be complete, if we don’t get lost. But this time we were happy to get lost. A very nice area, with lake and mountains and sakura greeted us. It was so calm and peaceful. And the pathwalk was filled with Sakura. Not bad for getting lost.
We reached Arashiyama, and then my camera’s battery gave up on us. We have to search for batteries first before we could proceed. Armed with new battery we proceed to climb the mountain, it was already late so lots of the people where starting to go home and so we have the view all to ourselves. PERFECT.
Fifth Stop: Yasaka Shrine / Maruyama Park
The park was just behind the Shrine. It was already around 830pm and still the place was jam-packed. Drunks were everywhere. But what caught our attention was the very big Shidarezakura ( weeping cherry tree ) in the middle of the park. It was so enchanting. Again.. perfect…
Fifth Stop: Gion
Our trip to Kyoto would not be complete without taking a glance at this mysterious ladies.
Then finally HOME.. tired, feet aching but satisfied..
Till the next Sling bag girls adventure..ciao.
Because of “Overtime for no reason”, Shiera and I was given a payback day and spent it Sakura Hunting in Kyoto.
Last week the three of us, were busy deciding when and where to hunt for sakura. Saturday was not possible, since the three of us had prior engagement already. Sunday was forcasted as rainy, plus being Kyoto and a weekend, the place would be so crowded. So we decided to do it on a Monday and it was a good decision. The weather was perfect, and not so crowded.
As to where we are going, Philosopher’s Path or Tetsugaku no michi [哲学の道] was the first in the iterinary. The sakura is not yet on its mankai [満開] mode but it was already enchanting.
Philosopher’s path is along the Ginkakuji area. From Hankyu Kawaramachi Station, take bus 203 bound for Ginkakuji. Get off at Ginkakuji and from there walk to the Tetsugaku no michi. The path finishes at Nanneji but we decided not to finish it, and instead go back and visit Ginkakuji .
Ginakuji or the Silver Temple, does not have a single speck of silver on it :D. But its main attraction would be its wide garden. I like it better than Kinkaju or the Golden Temple.
Then we decided to head back to Heian before proceeding to Yasaka or Kyomizudera. When we reached Heian, we were shocked by the number of tour groups arriving at the place. We were hoping the see the sakura and the garden inside but decided against it. It’s too crowded. There was a very old Sakura tree infront of the temple, and its was already in mankai mode. It was very pretty .
Since we were hungry, we postponed the Yasaka and Kyomizudera and headed back to Kawaramachi for our late lunch. After lunch, we decided our to do our favorite part and head out to the farthest destination based on the map. To the north , that would be the Kamigamo Shrine. From Shijo-Kawaramachi, take Bus 46 bound for Kamigamo Shrine. We don’t know what to expect, and seeing the passengers of the bus which were basically compose of old people and no tourist, except maybe us, we might have been heading to an unknown territory :D. But suprisingly, its an amazing area. Only the white sakura is in bloom, so we are going back again next week
for another round of sakura hunting. And according to wikipedia, its among one of the oldest temple built around 6th Century and 7th Century. So we are definitely heading back there.
And the trip would not be completed without us lost. Next destination was Arashiyama. First blooper: met an old woman at the bus station who we taught was crazy. The 3 of us where scared when she started repeating “nanimo shiranai” and laugh like a witch. Kagz and I retreated a little way back, but Shiera was brave enough to engage the woman in a conversation. Found out that she is a catholic, and have done a pilgrimage to Israel and was planning to do some voluntary work in the Philippines. No, she was not crazy at all. She was just being friendly
Second Blooper: rode the wrong bus. It was starting to get cold. The bus was late. When bus 59 arrived, we rode on it, but it was heading the wrong way, the opposite way in fact back kawaramachi… NO .. NO.. so we get off at the next station and went to the opposite side of the street to catch the bus bound for the right direction. Wait for another five minutes in the cold street, then bus finally arrived.
From Kamigamo Shrine, take bus 46 and get off at Senbo-Kitaoji, cross the street and take the bus 59 bound for yamagoe.
Third blooper: We arrived at the middle of nowhere. When we reached yamagoe, we assume that we can find the next bus stop where we are supposed to take bus 11 bound for arashiyama.
Unfortunately, there was nothing there. It was a like a scene in a horor movie, where 3 girls are walking in a unpopulated area. The only person I noticed was an old on the opposite side of the street.. where the heck is the bus station ? . I was praying that my map orientation would be working correctly this time, and it was. We finally saw a bus emerging from a terminal , yeah the terminal was just a few feet away , but it was already dusk and we can’t see clearly and of course its all in Kanji :D, so we saw the bus but it was heading back to JR Kyoto station, wrong one. Finally bus 11 emerge, I think that the driver saw us already cause he waited for us and opened the door and when we said we are going to arashiyama, he just smiled and said “this is the bus”.. Success.
Arashiyama area is not included in the one-day bus ticket, you need to pay separately. Bus fare is 190yen.
It was already dark when we arrived in Arashiyama, and getting colder by the minute and our feet were killing us. We found the sakura in Mankai mode lighted and just took some picture as best as we can. Then finally headed back to Osaka.
Till the next adventure
Finally.. finally.. I have tried skiing, walking, rolling, stumbling, walking sliding on snow.
Rendezvous Point ( 02.23.2007 )
Everybody met at JR Amagasaki Station at 10:30 PM. The Kakuta couple, Tama-san ( Mr. Kakuta’s college friend), Naoko-san, Vanessa and Amber ( Naoko-san’s friends from Taiwan), all met up in the station. We left the station at around 11 PM. There were about 20++ participants in this Ski tour.
The Trip to Nozawa Onsen
It takes about 8 hours from Osaka to Nozawa Onsen in Nagano. The organizers(Mr. Kakuta’s friend ) prepared lots of food and drinks and some activities in the bus. We also received our scarf, to recognize those who needs help: yellow- beginners, pink - basic level, red - expert. Of course, I had a yellow scarf/bandana.
The weather forecast says that it would snow the next day, so everybody was happy about and I was wondering why but I was very excited cause I am going to see/experience it all.
02.24.2007
Arrival
We arrived earlier from the expected time of arrival. And as predicted, snows are falling. When I saw the snow outside, I was so excited that I could not go back to sleep. I was so anxious to go out already, but I don’t understand why till the organizer
mentioned that the hotel reservation has been complete. Oh eah, check-in time was not till 7 am.
7:00 AM: Everybody retrieve their belongings and proceed to the hotel. I was so tempted to just ran around the area and feel the falling snow. ( Yeah,I know I’m ignorant with snow, but hey its beautiful and romantic so … 
)
Ski Session
8:30 AM: After changing into our wear and gear, we proceeded to the ski area which is about 5 min walk-climb. The snow was still falling hard, it was dreamy.
I could not run around cause the ski shoes was heavy I could hardly walk, plus the ski itself was heavy.
The Practice:
While waiting for Naoko-san get his short-ski, we had a snow fight. Finally I was able to do a snow fight. Then we had a little lesson session and demonstration from the pros. When I put on the ski gear, I slide and I could not control my feet and force myself to stop. I fel scared but excited. After a couple of tries, I was nowhere near successful. I do not even know how to stand after I fell.
Then the group decided to go the top of the beginners course. I was like, are they sure? But then hell what the heck, that was what I came here for.
The Lift:
We proceeded to the lift. When I saw how to ride it, oh why is it not stopping?? Ah ok it will scope you up, so that’s why its not a good idea to carry your gear. I was carrying my ski instead of wearing it, just like the other. So ok, when the operator called for the next person in line ( me ) , my heart could not calm down and my brain probably just stop function, instead of waiting for the chair to scoop you up from the red line, I was so slow on walking that the chair scoop me up way before I enven reach the red line. My stock ?? ( the ski stick ) got in the way and so I dropped the other one so that I could set properly or else I’ll fall off. The operator stopped the lift and handed my stock. So there I was riding .. the view from top was amazing , but i was already frozen with fear. I am still having nightmare from that ride. The was scariest part of this trip. I hate riding it. I wanted to ski more but knowing that I have to ride that lift again.. I rather walk all the ay up to the top carrying the ski rather than riding that monster lift again.
Meeting Great Teacher Sasayan
Mr and Mrs. K, Naoko and Mr. T. were waiting for us on the top. Me and Vanessa were the total beginner that our “teachers” were having a hard time explaining the basics to us :D. Then came Sasayan-san to the rescue. Mr.K and Mr.T could not speak english very well, so they can’t do any explanation to Amber and Vanessa. Mr.S also can’t speak english, so only Naoko can explain it to them. Although the others were there to assist of course.. Mr.S took over the lesson, while Naoko took care of Amber and Vanessa but of course Mr. S would still help them, specially if Vanessa fall and could not bring herself to stand :D. Mr.S a.k.a.
Great Teacher Sasayan , was very patient in teaching us, he even offered to bringing the stock, cause I don’t like using it. And so the lesson continued, I learned how to control my left and right leg so that I can turn to either left or right and finally stop. I also learned how to stand if ever I fall. I even learned how to fall properly. Finally we reached the bottom of the course, the shoes is killing my feet that I want to take it off and throw it way Mr. S suggested that we take a break for awhile, Amber still wants to go. Vanessa was already in the restaurant, she give up and used the lift to take her down. So Amber , Vanessa and I took our refuge in the nearby restaurant, finally I could loosen my shoes. Vanessa and I had our lunch while Amber went back again. After our lunch, we decided to practice a little more outside while waiting for the others to come back. But first we had a couple of picture taken of course.
After awhile, my feet started hurting again, but I wanted to go back, but seeing the lift again and knowing that I would ride back on it again, made me so scared ( I don’t care that I would be called a coward ) that I or we decide to go back to the hotel and just have
a relaxing afternoon.
Then Mrs. K came back, and the three of us headed out to the nearby Onsen. The Onsen was so hot, that I guess it was not for humans. The locals there were laughing and giving us tips how to get used to the waters. I guess it took about 10 minutes of continous pouring of the water on our body before we finally submerge into that scalding water. Even Mrs.K who loved Onsen found it too hot for humans
The ski resort closes at 1600. So me and Vanessa decided to go back there and take pictures. Amber decided also to come and do some shopping.
Dinner was composed of traditional Japanese meal. Then got to chat with Mr.S , Mr.T Mr and Mrs K . Mr.T and Mr. K wanted to speak/practice English and I gladly assisted them. And I gave them 2 tounge twister phrase to practice on.. goodluck guys.
You can practice your english conversation with me anytime …
The evening was fun, and Vanessa became the instant hit with the guys
02.25.2207
Mrs. K , Vanessa and I decide to go out and look for Onsen and do some sightseeing as well as a little shopping. Naoko and Amber and the rest of the group all went back to do more skiing and snowboarding.
The three of us had a great time exploring the town. We had a very delicious lunch “Hot Miso Ramen” Yummmy…
The Ride Home
The bus ride was fantastic. The view outside the bus was amazing. I enjoyed it as usual. I missed riding busses…
It was an amazing weekend. The organizers deserved a two thumbs up for being able to organize such and event, ( though I don’t know them ) But still Congratulations!!!
I want to try it again maybe after a year or so when my fear of the lift subsides, until now I am still having nightmare about it…
the way to the ski resort
me after the ski session
the bottom of the beginners course
my face only
the onsen where the water is not for human
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