Neighbourhood Hirakata

Having lived in the seminar house last semester, I needed a new change when I returned. My friend and I decided to get an apartment together. Luckily we had been travelling for the last 3 months together, so space wasn’t so much of an issue! In Australia, I live with my best friend in a huge 4 bedroom house. This is common, and we only pay around $120aud a week – inclusive of bills. So we have it pretty good! After looking at a few places we finally found our dream home!

Left: The width of our apartment...complete with walk in wardrobe!

Right: One bed and a cupboard...Creatively turned into a second bed!

So, it’s a little small, but I just think convenient! The bathroom and kitchen is only 5 steps away from my bed!! And only a 5 minute walk from school, excellent Indian food, our friend’s Hawaiian café and a bus ride to the station!

The dreaded hill leading to Hirakata city

 Where all the magic happens: Toriki, Karaoke and the 100yen Shop!

 Japanese communities are so different to your typical Australian neighbourhoods! For example, our apartment is between a primary school, and a day care center. The day care center leaves their front gate open and the kids run up and down the street. They have teachers are with them of course, but it gives the impression of a much safer and trusting environment. Then there is the little things like the garbage sorting, millions of bikes you have to wade through to get yours out and all the little obaachans that come out at dusk to walk their mini pooches! I love this time of night, the streets are so peaceful and beautiful.

I love being able to come home to my own place and relax. It has such a homely feeling as we have been able to decorate it and make it our own. Even if it is the size of my kitchen at home, it’s a great experience and it will make me appreciate the space that I do get when I return!

My Street at dusk

Danjiri Festival (own choice)

Last Sunday (the 19^th of September) some friends and I attended the Danjiri festival in Kishiwada. The festival is held in September and October to pray for a good harvest usually before the ‘respect for the age’ public holiday. http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/event_5334.html The Danjiri (wooden carts) are believed to hold spirits inside. They are brought to kishiwada for the festival and are representative of the town they belong to.  These Danjiri are expensive and are usually kept in storage until a week before the festival begins. It is then they are decorated with flowers, cards and well wishes from members of the community. Here is a movie I made to give you a better understanding of how it works!

I have never seen anything like it! I felt so bad for all the people carrying the Danjiri. Many were young boys who looked so hot and tired. Although the man on the top is supposed to have the worst job, I think he’s pretty lucky. I loved his dance moves, they were all so enthusiastic!

 These poor boys, I just wanted to run over and give them water!

We heard that the most dangerous place to stand is the corners as sometimes they so fast the whole cart topples over. So of course that’s where we based ourselves hoping to catch a bit of drama! Luckily for them everyone made it through! I have read that it is not uncommon for a few men to die each festival, with the cart landing on and then crushing spectators and the men pulling the Danjiri! I found this clip on youtube the night before we went! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5szCdCWM74 .

Another amazing thing was all the delicious market food! We ate okonomiyaki, tacoyaki, soba and all kinds of fruits covered in toffee! It was a really great atmosphere, with many families enjoying the event. I did not see any other foreigners all day! I can easily see why it’s one of the best festivals in Japan and it was well worth the 3 trains to get there!  

 Okonomiyaki, a delicious vegetable and meat pancake!

These adorable little girls were having a break in the shade!

first impressions

Pin pointing my early impressions of Japan is difficult as I have been here on a few separate occasions, each with different expectations of the journey I was about to encounter.

My first was in 2007 with my two best friends from Australia. We came here on holiday, purely because the airline had a sale and it was so cheap we thought why not. Having no idea about the country, culture or customs we came here as totally ignorant tourists. We arrived at our first destination, staying right in the heart of Shinsaibashi. It was so late at night when we arrived, but we strolled the busy streets, I remember seeing business men returning home from work at 1am, men with the most intense hair styles I had ever seen (I later find out they are hosts) and our toilet played music and blow dried your bum! We then travelled to Kyoto and Tokyo where I fell in love with the country and promised to return.

 

Left: A very tiny lady and I in Osaka, 2007

Right: Crazy streets of Tokyo

In January 2010, I kept my promise and returned as an exchange student. This time I was more aware of what I was in for, and had more knowledge of the customs and surroundings I would be living in – but not a stitch of Japanese! My first semester I tried travel around Japan, going to religious festivals, discovering the cherry blossoms and eating as much Japanese food as I possibly could. Everything was new and exciting. I did not miss home at all, except perhaps my car and my dog!

 Cherry Blossoms at Kiyo-mizu Dera, Kyoto

Kyoto at Dusk

 Returning for a second semester I decided to rent an apartment with my friend to have a more independent and truly Japanese final 4 months. Little things that seemed so different are no longer so, like the adorable security guards at the gates that welcome you every morning, riding my bike to school or buying food at the supermarket and having no idea what you are eating! That’s just part of the amazing experience you get when living in this country!