tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10137181759977412182024-03-19T02:09:52.669-07:00Hyogo Friendship NetworkA blog for all friends of Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079458195615104657noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1013718175997741218.post-20350770114511075302013-07-16T19:56:00.000-07:002013-07-16T19:56:09.498-07:002013 Hyogo Special Goodwill Envoy Ceremony <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Summer is back in Hyogo with a vengeance this year! I hope wherever you are, you are managing to stay cool.<br /><br />Every year, returning JET Programme participants in Hyogo are invited to participate in the Hyogo Special Goodwill Envoy Project. After receiving an official certificate from Governor Ido at Hyogo House, Goodwill Envoys go on to promote Hyogo in their post-JET life - whether that's back in their home country or elsewhere.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ClaGMsrMT87W7lbYXex2pQN_ugsdTl6kj5QQNMfP9q78JYd0c624ELxLBvSxZau_rZN9ZW9zsI4-gDWDmBn0KfnZ5xmEDbFheajIAfNhjTPyy7TGw_e4D6wme2vZX0hRc9JEu1mgBn0/s1600/IMG_2072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ClaGMsrMT87W7lbYXex2pQN_ugsdTl6kj5QQNMfP9q78JYd0c624ELxLBvSxZau_rZN9ZW9zsI4-gDWDmBn0KfnZ5xmEDbFheajIAfNhjTPyy7TGw_e4D6wme2vZX0hRc9JEu1mgBn0/s400/IMG_2072.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Governor Ido addresses the new Goodwill Envoys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />On a very hot June afternoon, a total of 20 new Goodwill Envoys gathered at Hyogo House for the official designation ceremony. First off, US CIR Liz Snell Okada did a great job of summing up the best of what everyone's favourite prefecture has to offer, including her own personal favourite spots. Next up, Fifth year ALT J.J Cappa gave a very memorable presentation on his time in Asago.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsUEc7X7DfLrAp5bhDrwU0vv85Uz_G6-FmSFqjdQdSmxXoJ7FreSNDl7ZuPP8cxKXfdoxqUaf9fJIjUQLcjvPUTGetJNd3ouFUUNAgGV6E3NK6wYlVbpyTmVQW5Cue_Ds4mIH-vAYXAE/s1600/IMG_2055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsUEc7X7DfLrAp5bhDrwU0vv85Uz_G6-FmSFqjdQdSmxXoJ7FreSNDl7ZuPP8cxKXfdoxqUaf9fJIjUQLcjvPUTGetJNd3ouFUUNAgGV6E3NK6wYlVbpyTmVQW5Cue_Ds4mIH-vAYXAE/s200/IMG_2055.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJEX31lrlOvu4C7t2MENgIl6Bnq3XIVaSOj9ujyxHcyRxiwT6Vep7Vt99cLMMkgzEzNKnLxpYfNIW6mQawdpnab1X51L5z6F74GYTe2G0wbgEp6VxeRDJHwQ8QerkeSj-blgpNgcN6zo/s1600/IMG_2053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJEX31lrlOvu4C7t2MENgIl6Bnq3XIVaSOj9ujyxHcyRxiwT6Vep7Vt99cLMMkgzEzNKnLxpYfNIW6mQawdpnab1X51L5z6F74GYTe2G0wbgEp6VxeRDJHwQ8QerkeSj-blgpNgcN6zo/s200/IMG_2053.JPG" width="200" /></a>Finally, Ms. Yumi Yoneda, the Prefectural Government's PR specialist gave a very detailed presentation on Hyogo, finishing with the saying, "<i>Ichigo, Ichie"</i> which translates roughly as "treasure every encounter, for it will never again occur".</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm sure every one of this year's Goodwill Envoys have met with some once-in-a-lifetime encounters during their time in Hyogo, so it was definitely a poignant line to finish on. </div>
<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQ8K0NKHq5CARbaBsGKKZzu8-TBIbBE0ywHLgQ42Sncg61HfHmPCFZpZLpjnc1q2LdP64-H7AYdsVLLvROXflbDQpV8STEw-sAdHA-4849wuGwbpfXWIjiILA0spqkAfJObW2pAVKoO0/s1600/IMG_2090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQ8K0NKHq5CARbaBsGKKZzu8-TBIbBE0ywHLgQ42Sncg61HfHmPCFZpZLpjnc1q2LdP64-H7AYdsVLLvROXflbDQpV8STEw-sAdHA-4849wuGwbpfXWIjiILA0spqkAfJObW2pAVKoO0/s320/IMG_2090.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnXshtqA_kGpNr7Jom1YHH4B0pQGtqUuAymRTvNM03qnlFuG5kXbtL9YPCi-517mQAkP1Skp_4O847-64kyNnKejKt67_s6OzlW1cTpCL2CvesHqtmUmyucF4wnAANRUWzuklS_1iPmU/s1600/IMG_2140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnXshtqA_kGpNr7Jom1YHH4B0pQGtqUuAymRTvNM03qnlFuG5kXbtL9YPCi-517mQAkP1Skp_4O847-64kyNnKejKt67_s6OzlW1cTpCL2CvesHqtmUmyucF4wnAANRUWzuklS_1iPmU/s200/IMG_2140.JPG" width="200" /></a>Next up, the Goodwill Envoys received their official certificates from Governor Ido. With the gubernatorial elections coming up, Mr. Ido's schedule is hectic to say the least, so it was all the more meaningful that he took the time to attend the ceremony.<br /><br /><br />
Suitably nervous, I gave my address as representative of the new Goodwill Envoys. As I said on the day, each and every one of the Goodwill Envoys should be immensely proud of what they have achieved here over the past one to five years.<br /><br />Last of all, everyone gathered in the tearoom of Hyogo House for a brief tea party. Unfortunately, Governor Ido's schedule didn't allow him to attend for long, but it was a great opportunity for the Goodwill Envoys to talk with each other and the officials from the prefectural government. Ms. Yoneda also oversaw the filming of a brief interview with many of the new Envoys, which will go on to be shown at future orientations for new JETs.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0tCN5Xw9SIEQTxZLAajX7bcGEXVnZYOEGiIl0NNXzccuJXrk8P75gACtLpeR7qX-MWrROMrum56IuNxHHA9uRMl2zYs4ItiVY2YoR7LeEqF30H5wnbFiuKwRLxvq6tfFcg_5BCJZCxo/s1600/IMG_2124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0tCN5Xw9SIEQTxZLAajX7bcGEXVnZYOEGiIl0NNXzccuJXrk8P75gACtLpeR7qX-MWrROMrum56IuNxHHA9uRMl2zYs4ItiVY2YoR7LeEqF30H5wnbFiuKwRLxvq6tfFcg_5BCJZCxo/s400/IMG_2124.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kampai!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And so that's if for another year! I'd like to wish all my new fellow Goodwill Envoys all the very best for whatever is in store for them after JET. Whether you're staying in Japan, heading home or JETting off (sorry) somewhere completely new, I hope you are able to share your experiences of Hyogo with as many of your friends and family as possible, so that even more lucky people can enjoy what this "Japan in miniature" has to offer.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Ben Preece<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079458195615104657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1013718175997741218.post-90301370627667005822013-04-30T21:24:00.002-07:002013-04-30T21:48:01.169-07:00Perth Hyogo Prefectural Government Cultural Centre group comes to Japan (Part two)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">After a jam-packed day taking in the sights at Awaji yumebutai, Naruto whirlpool cruise, Awaji Ningyo Joruri puppet theater, Awaji farm park and Kobe Shushinkan, two days later I accompanied the group on their trip to Himeji castle and Mt. Shosha.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbpwrDqSDRAgkWnTX9_4CdxxHSqS6dEGZJsuc_XcKazOcgqGgFvT29M7wrhhaTpCUuTzPzDeYbVxzAnEXVuY7ZE7o5QhpnXZNKQP_Aeg9WKhY_S43XqPBYyWiQPhlZ4h5SBl9tE1ikEo/s1600/himeji+gate+guard.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbpwrDqSDRAgkWnTX9_4CdxxHSqS6dEGZJsuc_XcKazOcgqGgFvT29M7wrhhaTpCUuTzPzDeYbVxzAnEXVuY7ZE7o5QhpnXZNKQP_Aeg9WKhY_S43XqPBYyWiQPhlZ4h5SBl9tE1ikEo/s640/himeji+gate+guard.BMP" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing with the gate guards at Himeji Castle, the first stop of the day. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURsVGhE_4AczSg3nLhWrhap9IRE0JbXJdQpuRHT3hwu94YTNCD7qYepZsL0vGHTGotP_TiUhf_foe1ohhdogor0fYOv_0n6v8MQlyN4hGbSdZvNbGtH-antlRrmPK3Eg-a3zD1tKQk-Y/s1600/group+himeji+castle+3.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURsVGhE_4AczSg3nLhWrhap9IRE0JbXJdQpuRHT3hwu94YTNCD7qYepZsL0vGHTGotP_TiUhf_foe1ohhdogor0fYOv_0n6v8MQlyN4hGbSdZvNbGtH-antlRrmPK3Eg-a3zD1tKQk-Y/s640/group+himeji+castle+3.BMP" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our volunteer guide showed us around the entire castle.<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wcJMekO9LGyED5N0bLInSZg1KwNwYf8NNbd00SALsDw8G8aOHF8LlnKCDXm8pX039zYonExSFBMatoSvrdOqh9sQ43P8epvhC10d6eU3kkQgvJpLAvieCnL3YiLQQK1seXT4Vaqh4jc/s1600/group+himeji+castle+2.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wcJMekO9LGyED5N0bLInSZg1KwNwYf8NNbd00SALsDw8G8aOHF8LlnKCDXm8pX039zYonExSFBMatoSvrdOqh9sQ43P8epvhC10d6eU3kkQgvJpLAvieCnL3YiLQQK1seXT4Vaqh4jc/s640/group+himeji+castle+2.BMP" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Himeji Castle currently under renovation, visitors are able to use an elevator to go all the way up to the roof.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdo5N29zuVb1vOMLcu7isa7cTPUBShuFr1agSlSJiTkkqm7CLJ9PsJ0FcGEJRjYCdLb9FfUc0jzFmxmYOcg0AiqpmUV3wAOaJyZvHFd_jEkC2LnhV_re6rsgZws4ET8-vcxStJsXeGW4/s1600/group+himeji+roof+tiles.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdo5N29zuVb1vOMLcu7isa7cTPUBShuFr1agSlSJiTkkqm7CLJ9PsJ0FcGEJRjYCdLb9FfUc0jzFmxmYOcg0AiqpmUV3wAOaJyZvHFd_jEkC2LnhV_re6rsgZws4ET8-vcxStJsXeGW4/s320/group+himeji+roof+tiles.BMP" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZQ9Hp_KXOz9GjnL_8cJrz2laXJz9uNgFRByMne63bOUYT2drKlhgRIg8SqM4WobhCDs4_Plwuk4SNQAMCd3SAuMdXJqRWdodnx3j4sdlrsnxqWmr7Aj-fExSAlIpbbn7Qvp7Yl_XKYI/s1600/%E6%96%B0%E3%81%97%E3%81%84%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A1%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8+2.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZQ9Hp_KXOz9GjnL_8cJrz2laXJz9uNgFRByMne63bOUYT2drKlhgRIg8SqM4WobhCDs4_Plwuk4SNQAMCd3SAuMdXJqRWdodnx3j4sdlrsnxqWmr7Aj-fExSAlIpbbn7Qvp7Yl_XKYI/s640/%E6%96%B0%E3%81%97%E3%81%84%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A1%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8+2.BMP" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the group trying out a tea ceremony at a tea house next to Himeji Castle. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryAaeO5WiGWgyLVjtFLo1oCR8_Qz_1mfRmk6sCRFZefGz2xsCOzPDbjn7ZiZkx1Sut5UwPhiFD3Slv8oZHyco9Ehv62VlbRoD9P-d72c73NunJwKXCLNOqeU8d3mXm4c5XDBTOECURFo/s1600/%E6%96%B0%E3%81%97%E3%81%84%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A1%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryAaeO5WiGWgyLVjtFLo1oCR8_Qz_1mfRmk6sCRFZefGz2xsCOzPDbjn7ZiZkx1Sut5UwPhiFD3Slv8oZHyco9Ehv62VlbRoD9P-d72c73NunJwKXCLNOqeU8d3mXm4c5XDBTOECURFo/s640/%E6%96%B0%E3%81%97%E3%81%84%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A1%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8.BMP" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tea house was right next to this great traditional garden. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0iBVtiSHA8jHYNBZbkJQ6A7FURSYB-OFBjPxW5ZCN0jXSRQgx61jS8-f3CVjC9Szc-p1FusJ6jKvD55v-CqBvu3-bcETRCQtNvClmdUzhLj7qbzI60KxhsjlYE398obrYUFpe_l-nT8/s1600/Group+Engyoji.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="477" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0iBVtiSHA8jHYNBZbkJQ6A7FURSYB-OFBjPxW5ZCN0jXSRQgx61jS8-f3CVjC9Szc-p1FusJ6jKvD55v-CqBvu3-bcETRCQtNvClmdUzhLj7qbzI60KxhsjlYE398obrYUFpe_l-nT8/s640/Group+Engyoji.BMP" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally, the group climbed Mt. Shosha in Himeji, home of the beautiful temple, Engyoji, which was the location of some the scenes in "Last Samurai" starring Tom Cruise. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUP5gxdITUAZJKTS1pzXYn2mlgMKy_HJ-gTXzBEWKdktomlJrd83SpGNuGDsnK8kMgWgn-mE5IRDavTyaqgjMDrrgN7ykDTB5W-Mq_LQf8HWl7JiUuuBoFU0fAeDoIDyWBWOdyO8nM44/s1600/Group+engyoji+2.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="477" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUP5gxdITUAZJKTS1pzXYn2mlgMKy_HJ-gTXzBEWKdktomlJrd83SpGNuGDsnK8kMgWgn-mE5IRDavTyaqgjMDrrgN7ykDTB5W-Mq_LQf8HWl7JiUuuBoFU0fAeDoIDyWBWOdyO8nM44/s640/Group+engyoji+2.BMP" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
I was very happy to have had the opportunity to accompany the group on the Hyogo leg of their visit to Japan. Not only was it great to visit some of Hyogo's best attractions, some of which for the first time, I was very impressed with the group themselves, whose genuine interest in Japanese culture and language are a testament to the work of the Hyogo Prefectural Government Cultural Centre and the Hyogo-Western Australia relationship in general. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079458195615104657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1013718175997741218.post-70578397048553439622013-04-30T19:31:00.001-07:002013-04-30T21:48:41.552-07:00Perth Hyogo Prefectural Government Cultural Centre group comes to Japan (Part One) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Hi guys, UK CIR Ben here. Here in Hyogo, the sakura have come and gone, leaving us to enjoy a bright, warm May before the hot summer months begin.<br />
<br />
With the end of my time on JET fast approaching, over the next few months I'd like to present you with some of the highlights of my time here, beginning with a visit from 15 members of the Hyogo Prefectural Government Cultural Centre in Perth, Western Australia, one of Hyogo's sister states.<br />
<br />
The group, who arrived in mid-April this year, visited Hyogo
prefecture as part of a two-week tour taking in some of the Kansai region's best sights and cultural
attractions. The participants themselves came from a wide variety of
backgrounds but all shared a passion for Japanese language and culture, many
studying Japanese at the cultural centre. I was lucky enough to accompany the
group during their trips to <st1:placename w:st="on">Awaji</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype> and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Himeji</st1:place></st1:city>. Here are some photos of their trip. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtmMjn6CobpTYXKT6j9yQCcTVrwNzruTnLLJ0-6ZhFGgYyf3YeG7myOxSQmIGQX8kSPohvmevacp1_WETd8lAWFmzlrcTRaJyZhGkuq1yaHGLzKM5dTtDFeQa_RTEhD034Y8tvNGhoCU/s1600/Greenhouse.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtmMjn6CobpTYXKT6j9yQCcTVrwNzruTnLLJ0-6ZhFGgYyf3YeG7myOxSQmIGQX8kSPohvmevacp1_WETd8lAWFmzlrcTRaJyZhGkuq1yaHGLzKM5dTtDFeQa_RTEhD034Y8tvNGhoCU/s320/Greenhouse.BMP" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Plants Museum of Miracle Planet", Japan's largest Greenhouse and the group's first stop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja93-9u9etztWtVMkt4tTD3cMuA3gVBLNgAd7QyrCJRz95Nx8GG-BVxUj65HJnlun6YznN1nlkTVAdN1zaKxZVFB1oOmHu0LWlCyDUuxba8uv5Lop2qLEayAiasWlffEKfK_jypQTo94M/s1600/Naruto+whirlpool+cruise.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja93-9u9etztWtVMkt4tTD3cMuA3gVBLNgAd7QyrCJRz95Nx8GG-BVxUj65HJnlun6YznN1nlkTVAdN1zaKxZVFB1oOmHu0LWlCyDUuxba8uv5Lop2qLEayAiasWlffEKfK_jypQTo94M/s640/Naruto+whirlpool+cruise.BMP" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the sea breeze on the Naruto whirlpool cruise </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTAwhzEgFqdiygktXF8BROzwmU90H3I-EJ61-mHlBJ-zhFqUHk0xOaFOhnaN3G3uWNxBij6AByGF5n53qIsqj2OFEAlTzccBava7XkF6pOjCTFkDHu7zrewS9Mv9DnHTMriwtxo9Vik0/s1600/Naruto+whirlpools.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTAwhzEgFqdiygktXF8BROzwmU90H3I-EJ61-mHlBJ-zhFqUHk0xOaFOhnaN3G3uWNxBij6AByGF5n53qIsqj2OFEAlTzccBava7XkF6pOjCTFkDHu7zrewS9Mv9DnHTMriwtxo9Vik0/s400/Naruto+whirlpools.BMP" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and here's the whirlpools!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5t-51OQx9g1Yq17V3OuVpPeXIpsP2bv2ifuFprUImhV9r8EFEMBDA7NrYLt-9DypdVabm9BI9bugw4qvuhs8Fp7AxnLRpu66kThBkDB6ffJa6OuoySHecSXiz8MLRY40IoRUf2nPTNo/s1600/Naruto+cruise+2.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5t-51OQx9g1Yq17V3OuVpPeXIpsP2bv2ifuFprUImhV9r8EFEMBDA7NrYLt-9DypdVabm9BI9bugw4qvuhs8Fp7AxnLRpu66kThBkDB6ffJa6OuoySHecSXiz8MLRY40IoRUf2nPTNo/s640/Naruto+cruise+2.BMP" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading back to dry land.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8XufDzmJb2TSn3I7S6gyXdIojn6gyqdT4VBAPu-5rpY2BQGX3pMQPrBv-0TfRUe2gT7X2yxBHw5rotVZQVg6Sza3VHjdVIukhXfMkzsA7KxzGXzatB-fIDZJdgWnqeh1_IqtnnKUTz4/s1600/Awaji+puppet.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8XufDzmJb2TSn3I7S6gyXdIojn6gyqdT4VBAPu-5rpY2BQGX3pMQPrBv-0TfRUe2gT7X2yxBHw5rotVZQVg6Sza3VHjdVIukhXfMkzsA7KxzGXzatB-fIDZJdgWnqeh1_IqtnnKUTz4/s320/Awaji+puppet.BMP" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing with <i>Ebisu</i> at the Awaji Ningyo Joruri puppet theater.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim14CqdsTRzhzX-UfdFtrRiJRRyP5m-pFLnyRTTrm9HpH0qpLUEvC8gL1bcbASdvhp19SFzMas0G5BD58SjKhBlbqZBtn1ETMcaX3U1n_Lqp8E5IeFT0aTLUoZnkwexUAVArvFr0ORR9o/s1600/Koala+museum+group.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim14CqdsTRzhzX-UfdFtrRiJRRyP5m-pFLnyRTTrm9HpH0qpLUEvC8gL1bcbASdvhp19SFzMas0G5BD58SjKhBlbqZBtn1ETMcaX3U1n_Lqp8E5IeFT0aTLUoZnkwexUAVArvFr0ORR9o/s640/Koala+museum+group.BMP" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAaUx6xjw7q3P_wYckrkpxuxqX3QKgFpuoXeiH6y9VyF8yx9C0qCciwryhEIRfKOX04mWORTnDbbKWy6S3qpEjru_PyMXkgHSKTdhjVb3Tp8fZyIeOqq4DPQNHXLjLLtzwuImL71f4SqI/s1600/Melissa+and+pelican.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAaUx6xjw7q3P_wYckrkpxuxqX3QKgFpuoXeiH6y9VyF8yx9C0qCciwryhEIRfKOX04mWORTnDbbKWy6S3qpEjru_PyMXkgHSKTdhjVb3Tp8fZyIeOqq4DPQNHXLjLLtzwuImL71f4SqI/s640/Melissa+and+pelican.BMP" width="476" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5EHGtjTXgRPEMCV0e7C7IG99Au9aNQIctINXunV7O3pJeDYTpiyszB-cUy7zehJIia4LIb4iEoNGcILGjRB5Z5HEfGNfIMPLYhtBplBPEjFA51q7pDlo-2IjH-UWHXWEUxjHTUNohtw/s1600/Yuki+san+sake+barrel.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5EHGtjTXgRPEMCV0e7C7IG99Au9aNQIctINXunV7O3pJeDYTpiyszB-cUy7zehJIia4LIb4iEoNGcILGjRB5Z5HEfGNfIMPLYhtBplBPEjFA51q7pDlo-2IjH-UWHXWEUxjHTUNohtw/s640/Yuki+san+sake+barrel.BMP" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally, it was off to Kobe Shushinkan, one of Japan's finest Sake breweries. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ovkXlfYkaPOcTf4Q3xhuJpzrhUIX2G3lwFTP8hgwnVGFsppIKEYMvfjiwVecI2ISGcGkSQIjA_Ht8CfxXj_sC1kTOIWPTIzzDGY8vDvTCjnnHZTqORdU5Um6gyWtSMGg-nXD1Rbt-J0/s1600/sake+tasting.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ovkXlfYkaPOcTf4Q3xhuJpzrhUIX2G3lwFTP8hgwnVGFsppIKEYMvfjiwVecI2ISGcGkSQIjA_Ht8CfxXj_sC1kTOIWPTIzzDGY8vDvTCjnnHZTqORdU5Um6gyWtSMGg-nXD1Rbt-J0/s320/sake+tasting.BMP" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the group enjoying a sake tasting session at the end of a long day's sightseeing. Kanpai!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079458195615104657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1013718175997741218.post-76227434214971543252013-02-18T18:37:00.000-08:002013-02-19T18:57:46.884-08:00Hyogo Goodwill Envoy News Jan/Feb 2013 part two<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 1.0; text-indent: 12.0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 1.0; text-indent: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Hello, everyone! <br /><br />Brazilian CIR, Luciana here. Seeing as it’s still only February, I’d like to wish you all the best for 2013! <br /><br />In <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region></st1:place>, the cold weather shows no signs of ending, but in my home country it’s summer right now – the exact opposite. In <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Brazil</st1:place></st1:country-region>, a four-day carnival is held every February (this year it was from February 9<sup>th</sup> through 12<sup>th). </sup>Did any of you manage to watch it on T.V? It’s only short, but the fact that it has become this famous all over the world is amazing. Seeing as these four days are a public holiday, we Brazilians often say that the New Year really starts after the carnival. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 1.0; text-indent: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />(Here in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Japan</st1:place></st1:country-region>,) you can enjoy the New Year atmosphere right up until February. This month, I’d like to introduce somewhere in Hyogo where beautiful decorative lights will be on until February 17<sup>th</sup>. I actually went to this particular place in August or September, but I’d love to go there again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:placename w:st="on"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Kobe</span></b></st1:placename><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"> <st1:placename w:st="on">Municipal</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Fruit & Flower</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Park</st1:placetype> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN20iofrSnmxb4ey1zi9qBR3EPuC3HGF-FwpfkwIEuMPFeesn0Bhb5oAUWJ_i6b3H2rzo_oZr-PAbGtY0Wgrk-5H8Z6uFqRUB-U5TsOlreUKZdwtilbNmUI2k7Fn0xrcswe9lLjuzjUyY/s1600/IMG_7476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN20iofrSnmxb4ey1zi9qBR3EPuC3HGF-FwpfkwIEuMPFeesn0Bhb5oAUWJ_i6b3H2rzo_oZr-PAbGtY0Wgrk-5H8Z6uFqRUB-U5TsOlreUKZdwtilbNmUI2k7Fn0xrcswe9lLjuzjUyY/s320/IMG_7476.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></b><st1:placename w:st="on"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Kobe</span></st1:placename><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"> <st1:placename w:st="on">Municipal</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Fruit & Flower</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Park</st1:placetype> is easily accessible from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kobe</st1:place></st1:city> (JR Sannomiya) by local train, but I think bus is probably the easiest way to get tere. Why don’t you try heading there on a sunny day? It’s the kind of place that can be enjoyed as a family, with friends, in a couple or alone! You can go there as a day trip, or stay at the park’s beautiful and spacious hotel if an overnight stay takes your fancy.<o:p></o:p></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1000df6XzTfsFi7MafuVXwk6-6xiYFJyFjC-lfK57s5u969D-9nSD3SbcxR7_7Iaa0VViPaqqHHyYHYbLQWCDPfMIeIIQ0t6vaG-LBxYBE5lyo2mjLrHp3gpVIYSARYPwSXdpyGUfYg/s1600/IMG_7315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1000df6XzTfsFi7MafuVXwk6-6xiYFJyFjC-lfK57s5u969D-9nSD3SbcxR7_7Iaa0VViPaqqHHyYHYbLQWCDPfMIeIIQ0t6vaG-LBxYBE5lyo2mjLrHp3gpVIYSARYPwSXdpyGUfYg/s320/IMG_7315.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLb57ibYXjD_utPNSpIcBgfAnT5yadAaeTNfsGcO-_YkM8YGPYVj2LurXUp7FdsnnlPEu6lPm9iSyocmfeOmNb5TRBtpZIxWMLDRxYXCGZkwmrkmgmXbakeH6HmBPHq6o6TBBeDbjv3Tw/s1600/IMG_7322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLb57ibYXjD_utPNSpIcBgfAnT5yadAaeTNfsGcO-_YkM8YGPYVj2LurXUp7FdsnnlPEu6lPm9iSyocmfeOmNb5TRBtpZIxWMLDRxYXCGZkwmrkmgmXbakeH6HmBPHq6o6TBBeDbjv3Tw/s320/IMG_7322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6twbaeDJ1xv4-dudoLDfYp0u-mEhBqpUdVv_O-wEbMFkDPZBxZSpGQBQ7xPm5hw2Jb2PmH2BmL-BoOPwHFTp-mR0XxVQOr6TePKJ4YH-CktvGGNIhHzGJEhOg2C7q3eFdkyc9akqcB88/s1600/IMG_7431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6twbaeDJ1xv4-dudoLDfYp0u-mEhBqpUdVv_O-wEbMFkDPZBxZSpGQBQ7xPm5hw2Jb2PmH2BmL-BoOPwHFTp-mR0XxVQOr6TePKJ4YH-CktvGGNIhHzGJEhOg2C7q3eFdkyc9akqcB88/s200/IMG_7431.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5s8iBucFAHRgTceMFHvfdcS49yfEhwsQVZkcIGMdze1r1vBXHJ1aZLO6oyDAuiMRDOOVIKVBXD-wPR5MXdd4Yw8u9AIFg4HO2xAt53ChkC2R3L2VGCfPyUTa9rkHDm2eJA2VqT6pyxII/s1600/IMG_7446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5s8iBucFAHRgTceMFHvfdcS49yfEhwsQVZkcIGMdze1r1vBXHJ1aZLO6oyDAuiMRDOOVIKVBXD-wPR5MXdd4Yw8u9AIFg4HO2xAt53ChkC2R3L2VGCfPyUTa9rkHDm2eJA2VqT6pyxII/s200/IMG_7446.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh592m8hmJfDKsVKzylFUjhTUerI-PlzYdzqmG1HGjzteLqodNoIc2No641VF0FeWQxaWTOn0KzoryE6YgQBRmO1_QwR3mBdf5OpGvQpbxKYHAC6z88H4TA0gjNjzRiHeFpBkMBhavbrcs/s1600/IMG_7392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh592m8hmJfDKsVKzylFUjhTUerI-PlzYdzqmG1HGjzteLqodNoIc2No641VF0FeWQxaWTOn0KzoryE6YgQBRmO1_QwR3mBdf5OpGvQpbxKYHAC6z88H4TA0gjNjzRiHeFpBkMBhavbrcs/s200/IMG_7392.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XTPhiumilJCi9cPKgCVzx9NBMBPAfAEBVvKBCLPuXVKMBQ4Y4cHZ7G7wNHEgeAGNJ0lYtFOpDbJ5eLG91casXJc9bprxt4HnH-FXcyx3uhpsoUgDj4fGYtilPd9y5kbwvfXpu8I9P4Y/s1600/IMG_7421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XTPhiumilJCi9cPKgCVzx9NBMBPAfAEBVvKBCLPuXVKMBQ4Y4cHZ7G7wNHEgeAGNJ0lYtFOpDbJ5eLG91casXJc9bprxt4HnH-FXcyx3uhpsoUgDj4fGYtilPd9y5kbwvfXpu8I9P4Y/s200/IMG_7421.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">As the name suggests, the focus of this large, idyllic park is fruit and flowers. Different flowers bloom depending on the season, so make sure to take a look at the park’s “flower calendar”. There are also loads of greenhouse plants, and you can see fancy cacti like the ones in these pictures. You’re not limited to just taking pictures; if you are particularly fond of any of the flowers you see in the park, you can buy them in the shop. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">The fact that you can try delicious fresh fruit right there and then is probably what I like best about this park. It’s really great! </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqA_2_o2Rtgy7X1OypTa50Ksmv7LvInQLu1WGVcJIsj3DoYT4T2_cw1qgFNhKrsgSW-BLdJXeJSKolAvvWcHK1CcDxvIiIECQM2-er4PBdgBJy3V4qiuNpx_fSWj2lDLKjbzEsB11vXlI/s1600/IMG_7412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqA_2_o2Rtgy7X1OypTa50Ksmv7LvInQLu1WGVcJIsj3DoYT4T2_cw1qgFNhKrsgSW-BLdJXeJSKolAvvWcHK1CcDxvIiIECQM2-er4PBdgBJy3V4qiuNpx_fSWj2lDLKjbzEsB11vXlI/s320/IMG_7412.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Fruit Picking</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0mm;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Why not try your hand at fruit picking? It’s all you can eat fruit for a separate fee, so you’ll be heading home feeling more than satisfied! It’s worth noting that the times for each fruit are different. <br />Peaches – early August<br />Grapes – mid August – early September<br />Pears – mid August – early September <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipPgw66idv7gKU5goXbkzE6A5SjeJr2tt5UneXZfulp6REvZ32nM6dwOAndNZvrKyzisyQzZYNDCyN18TbfTuUojeJJ1Zdhr7k5d_U1hFA0Hwlh3QR7EN23s5xaukimq30-4ebvKTfT4/s1600/IMG_7337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipPgw66idv7gKU5goXbkzE6A5SjeJr2tt5UneXZfulp6REvZ32nM6dwOAndNZvrKyzisyQzZYNDCyN18TbfTuUojeJJ1Zdhr7k5d_U1hFA0Hwlh3QR7EN23s5xaukimq30-4ebvKTfT4/s320/IMG_7337.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Hands-on sessions</span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Visitors to the park can take part in all sorts of hands-on taster sessions, for example, gardening, preserving flowers, flower pressing, pottery and making butter. Outside the park, there is also a theme park aimed at children. Inside you’ll find slides, putt-putt golf, go-carts and much more. It’s a huge park and you’ll no doubt see crowds of happy-looking children running around freely inside. It’s definitely a great place for creating some happy memories! For when you get hungry, there are restaurants and a canteen so no worries there! But that’s not all: What surprised me was the park is fully equipped with tables and barbecue facilities. Using these, large groups can all eat together, which is a relief. After lunch or dinner, if you still feel like getting some dessert, there are shops selling ice cream and sweets. My personal recommendation is the wine and dried vegetable snacks sold at the shops. These are all products made from fruit and vegetables grown in the park. Knowing it was all grown on site makes it all the more delicious, don’t you think? <span style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0mm;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Hot springs</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"> & pool </span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTW3Ud4gobTxvILh0hI5Jwg3flKKPXw-M_pegmI4e7JALsos-Ypdx1smWf2dmLenh14KNg6JyV3dmwVgFWDISnlBRzhP-gsfmc_hGmx2OnqyMnZMc23O-4E0SQiKHlwO8RSZ56dXlTbk/s1600/IMG_7328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTW3Ud4gobTxvILh0hI5Jwg3flKKPXw-M_pegmI4e7JALsos-Ypdx1smWf2dmLenh14KNg6JyV3dmwVgFWDISnlBRzhP-gsfmc_hGmx2OnqyMnZMc23O-4E0SQiKHlwO8RSZ56dXlTbk/s320/IMG_7328.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-fCZHbnklgW-HXomd2LbPF9bdAo4dnvhyFX4IJatt-gaDfaxoYtBsTaTtWuDB9mloljCptgq8a69ZEqQIBbVjIYusUpl3RK35Q764AdNJWd2QUK6SPOwP2xiblxC6NMXj3a12yi-NSg/s1600/IMG_7331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-fCZHbnklgW-HXomd2LbPF9bdAo4dnvhyFX4IJatt-gaDfaxoYtBsTaTtWuDB9mloljCptgq8a69ZEqQIBbVjIYusUpl3RK35Q764AdNJWd2QUK6SPOwP2xiblxC6NMXj3a12yi-NSg/s320/IMG_7331.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">The photos below are of the pools for adults and children respectively. There is also a hot spring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />Animals<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1vGOjKwvIIi7wPgg9dAoR3ziS5ezHRRoDis12g7In7grTaj5O_Worb-RnO4iU7HC_IIwQYsNhQjWh7eJcL-N9IzKAz7imePftjaaNCqWP31BNUpBjQCEABOLUzAHlajwaTZIAQ3260U/s1600/IMG_7348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1vGOjKwvIIi7wPgg9dAoR3ziS5ezHRRoDis12g7In7grTaj5O_Worb-RnO4iU7HC_IIwQYsNhQjWh7eJcL-N9IzKAz7imePftjaaNCqWP31BNUpBjQCEABOLUzAHlajwaTZIAQ3260U/s320/IMG_7348.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8OV2bIvhWO88ZetiHWrsYynHFDuqEcEA1IFG5CGT2RZVL67VA_cElNTnyDRe6W8LeiPRHoNbxmsO9hpzUeZdrv3yh94i_miwOcRtRDn5xDQbKDQoLcbLsqLCi00nt4Uqjz-VXnta7fU/s1600/IMG_7461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8OV2bIvhWO88ZetiHWrsYynHFDuqEcEA1IFG5CGT2RZVL67VA_cElNTnyDRe6W8LeiPRHoNbxmsO9hpzUeZdrv3yh94i_miwOcRtRDn5xDQbKDQoLcbLsqLCi00nt4Uqjz-VXnta7fU/s320/IMG_7461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgim7wRxLtIH-huMjTHkcKFEzrIzdM5G6jXYXN6hNwPGnUAJnkVMrpYg4okGfSYJ8IyZlodwnerh9Kj4lGWyzoE7VS8UmMacAr7rwC_uwB2Yzihfu03RRe1GeUMonBN1B7DPbA50RyLQhQ/s1600/IMG_7484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgim7wRxLtIH-huMjTHkcKFEzrIzdM5G6jXYXN6hNwPGnUAJnkVMrpYg4okGfSYJ8IyZlodwnerh9Kj4lGWyzoE7VS8UmMacAr7rwC_uwB2Yzihfu03RRe1GeUMonBN1B7DPbA50RyLQhQ/s320/IMG_7484.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleJZeyiFKqdPKSxAwuUgmOOMzdrTipqmcj5TrO7yO2VXulo770UrA2I8K9JTqg_0B30SEATWkrERG6dPgON82SlZheqOHlsvOfOL9TGLS2WwZED1RSjowpJpwClkyh5NvJNTG0Y-A6bg/s1600/IMG_7482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleJZeyiFKqdPKSxAwuUgmOOMzdrTipqmcj5TrO7yO2VXulo770UrA2I8K9JTqg_0B30SEATWkrERG6dPgON82SlZheqOHlsvOfOL9TGLS2WwZED1RSjowpJpwClkyh5NvJNTG0Y-A6bg/s320/IMG_7482.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">The park also features a free monkey show, a sheep petting area, horse riding taster sessions and even an exhibition of beetles! There’s also the chance to run around with your dog! Why not give it a go? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Event Info</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /><br />Upcoming exhibition: Ancient Remains of Hyogo, vol.5<br />Introducing results of investigative studies<br /><br />This is an exhibition that publicizes the results of archeological excavations and artifact research carried out by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Hyogo</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Prefecture</st1:placetype></st1:place>. The exhibition will feature select materials unearthed from ruins all over the prefecture from Paleolithic times to the Middle Ages and visitors can see the results of the latest studies carried out in this field. <br />Place: <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Hyogo</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Prefectural</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place> of Archeology<br />Opening times: January 26, 2013 – April 07, 2013, 9:30 – 17:00. Closed Mondays, except national holidays (closed following day). April Opening times: 9:30 – 18:00<br />Fees: Adults 200 yen<br /> University Students, 150 yen<br /> High School Students, 100 yen <br /> Junior High School Students and younger, free of charge. <br />Website </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><a href="http://www.hyogo-koukohaku.jp/events/p6krdf00000018fx.html" target="refer"><span style="color: #0063c6; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://www.hyogo-koukohaku.jp/events/p6krdf00000018fx.html</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />Phone: 079-437-5589</span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="13" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-right: 48.2pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: 445.95pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-right: 48.2pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: 445.95pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079458195615104657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1013718175997741218.post-55678344351603845992013-02-18T18:35:00.000-08:002013-02-28T17:58:29.434-08:00Hyogo Goodwill Envoy News, Jan/Feb 2013, part one<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span lang="EN-US">Hi everyone, it’s been a while hasn’t it? Korean CIR, Kim here, wishing you all a belated Happy New Year! (I thought it might be worth a mention that in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Korea</st1:place></st1:country-region>, where we celebrate the older Chinese New Year and the Gregorian one, we say “Happy New Year” twice a year.) </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br />I used the Japanese end of year holiday period to go back to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Korea</st1:country-region></st1:place> and lo and behold, came back a year older. I can imagine that there are plenty of you out there wondering how on earth this could happen so I’ll explain a little bit better. In <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Korea</st1:country-region></st1:place>, everyone gets one year older on January first every year. Of course Koreans also celebrate their actual birthdays as well, but these are just parties with no other meaning; the day everyone grows older is January 1<sup>st</sup>. People born on New Year’s Eve, like everyone else, get a year older on January 1<sup>st</sup>, the day after their actual birthday. What has made me really happy is that while I’ve been living in Japan, I’ve been younger than if I was in Korea, which really makes me feel like I’ve gained something! <br />
<br />Even when I returned to the supposedly warmer <st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city> from the -14 degree temperatures of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Seoul</st1:city></st1:place>, I had grown used to Korean style under-floor heating or <i>Ondol</i>, so every day is a battle against the cold. Tired out, both mentally and physically from this battle, I went on a trip to an <i>onsen</i> (<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">hot springs</st1:place></st1:city>) as a present to myself. Out of all the hot spring resorts located in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Hyogo</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Prefecture</st1:placetype></st1:place>, this time I chose Yumura Onsen. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br /> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<u><span lang="EN-US">Heading North on the <i>Hamakaze</i>! </span></u><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US">From Sannomiya station in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city></st1:place>, I boarded the limited express train, <i>Hamakaze</i> and after a journey of around 3 hours, arrived at the station closest to Yumura Onsen, Hamasaka. This train stops at Kinosaki Onsen and Kasumi, two stops famed for their <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">hot springs</st1:place></st1:city> and crab on the way to its final destination of Hamasaka. As such, in winter it’s bustling with visitors from Hyogo and beyond with hot springs and crab on their mind. Some may think that a traveling time of 3 hours is a little too much, but if you head out with good company and spend the time chatting at your leisure, the time will go by in a flash. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kBRfAMeXNMJrVAXnDnfvVDOweg1_dlplu1KjzoseqX_vJu3S4fyJ04noumeumgtqrpgJUOQMbQzuIfwj0Ddi0xU2KBEkc5jTS9h5EIYNVmw7DB37LCDkH5tnVYoV-gKz6QgYbZSU_yc/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kBRfAMeXNMJrVAXnDnfvVDOweg1_dlplu1KjzoseqX_vJu3S4fyJ04noumeumgtqrpgJUOQMbQzuIfwj0Ddi0xU2KBEkc5jTS9h5EIYNVmw7DB37LCDkH5tnVYoV-gKz6QgYbZSU_yc/s1600/009.JPG" gsa="true" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way to Yumura, this Matsuba crab waved a friendly claw from the platform of Kasumi station. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6lY0cXR-vHj0UzzlUKH88i3owKsPr3Cc6OSXUXXfemAgiU2a5yD763uVsem_jH9k6mLG7SdS4sU_eP5JsO3LbBFxrUbbBHTdSbUmr_CGIryRrNTf7P-JwQIO3mIJ4070ufmwkP_f0c0/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6lY0cXR-vHj0UzzlUKH88i3owKsPr3Cc6OSXUXXfemAgiU2a5yD763uVsem_jH9k6mLG7SdS4sU_eP5JsO3LbBFxrUbbBHTdSbUmr_CGIryRrNTf7P-JwQIO3mIJ4070ufmwkP_f0c0/s1600/018.JPG" gsa="true" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="left">
<em>Hamasaka e yo-kinsatta!! </em>or “Welcome to Hamasaka” in the local dialect. </div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US">From Hamasaka station, you can get to Yumura Onsen by bus or taxi. I arrived on a Sunday, when there were only a few buses running, and went by taxi rather than wait. It was far, far more refined than I expected. Feeling very excited I headed inside and was shown to a lobby with a view of a stylish garden. I ate <i>tochimochi </i>cake and drank green tea while waiting for the serving lady.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXuHlSfWBev5VFSFVNEP46TcBPvDy_WnLuZonGa6k-2SXNPyR6HfLkQ_TImqsCSuVShd-Y3haC07S-RQg1qmtEn8BGkmmQk_WnGnsbzFqD2evZB1RkLU_plMd48wnTrH4PMo-8m_YYywo/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXuHlSfWBev5VFSFVNEP46TcBPvDy_WnLuZonGa6k-2SXNPyR6HfLkQ_TImqsCSuVShd-Y3haC07S-RQg1qmtEn8BGkmmQk_WnGnsbzFqD2evZB1RkLU_plMd48wnTrH4PMo-8m_YYywo/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" gsa="true" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0fyEvUAlbrVGGy2ig6aGgz12dINrP4yBfFwKmR-D4Iutk_rRaV62kP4fucppC1eazgf0oX3EMYTprwE_IdC8wOANffhzKz_C_t9qLv7LiachiEEeEcdIs46rlV_CKXyK5z0PaEFWTVQ/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0fyEvUAlbrVGGy2ig6aGgz12dINrP4yBfFwKmR-D4Iutk_rRaV62kP4fucppC1eazgf0oX3EMYTprwE_IdC8wOANffhzKz_C_t9qLv7LiachiEEeEcdIs46rlV_CKXyK5z0PaEFWTVQ/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" gsa="true" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tochimochi and green tea, yummy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<br />
After taking a short break in my room, I almost wanted to just stay chilling out right there, but seeing as I’d come all that way I got myself together and set out to the hot springs street. First of all, I stopped off at <i>Arayu, </i>the symbol of Yuruma Onsen and boiled an egg from a nearby shop in the hot spring water. I recommend having a walk around the area while you wait for your egg to boil. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8EaqfFv3dLymX0G6HKY4J8m9osCYtn6RxYL2Obj3XMAXl6iz1h9MQCc-WK3Btzzt-j6C9Zep538h-9zHRZi9I6dHJpn5pSK5e91IZPjG1xslX6onziAwyZpi72Qp22mqKyv8c-0vr1M/s1600/DSC_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8EaqfFv3dLymX0G6HKY4J8m9osCYtn6RxYL2Obj3XMAXl6iz1h9MQCc-WK3Btzzt-j6C9Zep538h-9zHRZi9I6dHJpn5pSK5e91IZPjG1xslX6onziAwyZpi72Qp22mqKyv8c-0vr1M/s1600/DSC_0050.JPG" gsa="true" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Arayu</em>, the symbol of Yumura Onsen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BppSt5I9XVPY-c1SAbzU5hwfCQjXl9RwSQk9s3p1l8SucycFUb6nBd54KUNfGZmu0EkdIPeNVFih87kOtDb7svtpxuv5SxR0DOYWC6lXIbfclmFCNpINkrS0uyaE2_RMlivtAwjHHzY/s1600/DSC_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BppSt5I9XVPY-c1SAbzU5hwfCQjXl9RwSQk9s3p1l8SucycFUb6nBd54KUNfGZmu0EkdIPeNVFih87kOtDb7svtpxuv5SxR0DOYWC6lXIbfclmFCNpINkrS0uyaE2_RMlivtAwjHHzY/s1600/DSC_0056.JPG" gsa="true" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let`s boil the eggs!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5a5mwthq77bvipEt-EcD843idsPQ7m0YwRuuONdBfkh1gjm9fQo-w85zj7tflMQ_RIib3UuRyvTyTFpVRvesQexqxooN_3zl_Z5DPJ2-9Yk8aOXTOMOOHXEJMZYwHcrOU6IEAiJY2j8/s1600/DSC_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5a5mwthq77bvipEt-EcD843idsPQ7m0YwRuuONdBfkh1gjm9fQo-w85zj7tflMQ_RIib3UuRyvTyTFpVRvesQexqxooN_3zl_Z5DPJ2-9Yk8aOXTOMOOHXEJMZYwHcrOU6IEAiJY2j8/s1600/DSC_0064.JPG" gsa="true" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can also enjoy the footbath, <em>Ashiyu</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
I finished my walk and after enjoying my boiled egg snack, went back to my room to await the crab dinner I’d been looking forward to so much. <br />
<br />
<u>Wow! This crab is ex-shell-ent! </u><br />
<br />
I’m really sorry to any hungry people out there! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
It’s pretty much photos of different crab dishes from here on.<br />
The course comprised seven kinds of starters made from crab, Matsuba crab from Hamasaka bay, complete with tag of authenticity, and then finally crab sashimi. The whole course is crab, but with each different method of preparation comes different flavors so you’ll be able to enjoy it right to the end. </div>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV50SkLzRYeLLNFz2ubCGv2lQOCgluoFv2OL2-o4qOEQaSSCGWzCT5R-09srp_R_5fGTb1fhovJywZhbThddOuXBGn5lZuH98TShtWTVvPE2HPy3g6BQh6AdDw_Y-KZxTfS5BgjK4u4eU/s1600/DSC_0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV50SkLzRYeLLNFz2ubCGv2lQOCgluoFv2OL2-o4qOEQaSSCGWzCT5R-09srp_R_5fGTb1fhovJywZhbThddOuXBGn5lZuH98TShtWTVvPE2HPy3g6BQh6AdDw_Y-KZxTfS5BgjK4u4eU/s1600/DSC_0101.JPG" gsa="true" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eauRB8STWMXnFfheWlZ8G5ooqIiJQVt8JeOqVe3UYxrOD1IZnu9VBEXKSPTFCjO2CEJYSllpPQmZv2Aw_RMuo39O5U06h3zoGLwBAzRUeITz_95rnt1FR2WixI4lRA_QdOsqE7DoE98/s1600/DSC_0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eauRB8STWMXnFfheWlZ8G5ooqIiJQVt8JeOqVe3UYxrOD1IZnu9VBEXKSPTFCjO2CEJYSllpPQmZv2Aw_RMuo39O5U06h3zoGLwBAzRUeITz_95rnt1FR2WixI4lRA_QdOsqE7DoE98/s1600/DSC_0100.JPG" gsa="true" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvH-dWrVF4HWYNMQQ6viZYbkj12GfbcO23h-iJoePooWx9Bk8WLExRcEBA6vhvKLoZH4UDYVYk2Zqa00szJhTU-REqToBlZsUAFmPG8taeD8P2LY2Zd0Mf6q_uNTNN7uUM9o1gNu1BtQ/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvH-dWrVF4HWYNMQQ6viZYbkj12GfbcO23h-iJoePooWx9Bk8WLExRcEBA6vhvKLoZH4UDYVYk2Zqa00szJhTU-REqToBlZsUAFmPG8taeD8P2LY2Zd0Mf6q_uNTNN7uUM9o1gNu1BtQ/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG" gsa="true" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHV5goJ19NuKrfqP-6JfIOiOAgQgIH2Cb1BHQqCc65tovNL8Uh_LcVAieR1ZRfqGsk0dp6csp7PrlF9QlW4-AJ1KOU4d6tpgMyBGiKmqaM92tGH9Qd5q1ZW4PSBucOjlPxQS1bkAaM9Lk/s1600/DSC_0115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHV5goJ19NuKrfqP-6JfIOiOAgQgIH2Cb1BHQqCc65tovNL8Uh_LcVAieR1ZRfqGsk0dp6csp7PrlF9QlW4-AJ1KOU4d6tpgMyBGiKmqaM92tGH9Qd5q1ZW4PSBucOjlPxQS1bkAaM9Lk/s1600/DSC_0115.JPG" gsa="true" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FyFHi6gZ_bS0KBXBJlcGy5vPriQVtgD5H0Biz6wg0GYZGP7ZXkKQgtHfqrmhVtDAq6rlMBcuZb0rM57AnaSqsBwCw_YzbEeThpsd_bSV208rSjFKTMOLEfxHCZOH8F20lBbjClFaFZg/s1600/DSC_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FyFHi6gZ_bS0KBXBJlcGy5vPriQVtgD5H0Biz6wg0GYZGP7ZXkKQgtHfqrmhVtDAq6rlMBcuZb0rM57AnaSqsBwCw_YzbEeThpsd_bSV208rSjFKTMOLEfxHCZOH8F20lBbjClFaFZg/s1600/DSC_0116.JPG" gsa="true" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span lang="EN-US">After this came crab miso soup and crab porridge; the crab dishes just kept on coming. But I can’t keep subjecting you hungry people to all these pictures of delicious food any longer so I’ll leave it there. </span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span lang="EN-US">Being pretty clumsy, I had a hard time scooping out all the crab from the shell, but to let me forget about that, let me just say the crab was tender, juicy and delicious. I was perfectly content and full up! </span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeJDznukrOiYnLVI72igdlLPgfuivrjxDL4j5DGRGQ5ruz4asooEeE5uuWMvK5H-R7xxvDx5m2zoPylgwvI84OUdoeF_PMl-o28vaJp2YxO4Wh452FK7qDEWlVSSnZHCLlzAvJbmJaw0/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeJDznukrOiYnLVI72igdlLPgfuivrjxDL4j5DGRGQ5ruz4asooEeE5uuWMvK5H-R7xxvDx5m2zoPylgwvI84OUdoeF_PMl-o28vaJp2YxO4Wh452FK7qDEWlVSSnZHCLlzAvJbmJaw0/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" gsa="true" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span lang="EN-US">This time, the weather wasn’t snow but rain, meaning that my dream of going in the outdoor hot spring in the snow did not come true. However, on the way home the next day, I saw some really pretty snow covered scenery from the window of the <i>Hamakaze</i> so overall it was a lucky end to my trip. </span></div>
<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US"><br />Northern Hyogo is the perfect place to enjoy winter crab and the romantic atmosphere of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">hot springs</st1:city></st1:place>. I hope you all get to go there! </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br />
<br />
<br /> </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Hyogo Event Information<br />Kasumi Crab Thanksgiving Festival </span></b><span lang="EN-US">Regional specialties, such as Matsuba crab and other seafood goods.<br />Fun games, competitions and much more! <br /><br />Date: Sunday, March 3<sup>rd </sup>8:30-12:00 <br />Place: Shibayama Port (911-8, Okinoura, Kasumi-ku, Kami-Town)<br />Enquiries: 0796-37-0301<br /><br /><b>Hachi Kita Ski Festival 2013</b>This event,<b> </b>held<b> </b>during the second half of the ski season can be enjoyed by families and groups as a chance to enjoy the winter snow. At the main event, “Hachikita white tower” visitors can compete for lavish prizes such as LCD T.Vs in a competition to stack softball-sized snowballs as high as possible. Firework displays </span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span lang="EN-US">the night before create a fantastic atmosphere in the clear winter sky, contrasted against the white snow. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFU4-KMi2yRTY1YUIrx1Fq6fj-G3bDmBj5j5wBrDEmV6kZfJPw2NHhmhyphenhyphenkaOc1UZZocGK4T2krZfYlSAB5eFsuyY2WopltD5tdjbdXXaKnI4Aj22DawN0BOmC1CHC2IxOE4sOAVLeofY/s1600/hachikita.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFU4-KMi2yRTY1YUIrx1Fq6fj-G3bDmBj5j5wBrDEmV6kZfJPw2NHhmhyphenhyphenkaOc1UZZocGK4T2krZfYlSAB5eFsuyY2WopltD5tdjbdXXaKnI4Aj22DawN0BOmC1CHC2IxOE4sOAVLeofY/s1600/hachikita.bmp" gsa="true" height="200" width="159" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<span lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br />
Place: Hachikita Highlands Ski Slopes <br />
Enquiries: 0796-96-0732 (Hachikita tourism association) <b><br /></b></div>
</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079458195615104657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1013718175997741218.post-62342409858259772342012-12-24T22:42:00.000-08:002012-12-24T22:42:56.616-08:00Hyogo Goodwill Envoy News December 2012 <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Nimenhao, Goodwill
Envoys! Chinese CIR Lu Zan from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Guangdong</st1:state></st1:place> here. Seven months have already passed since I
started working in Hyogo – how fast time flies!
As my term will expire in April, I am feeling somewhat lonely at the end
of the year. But I must serve the rest
of my term in good spirits.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">What is the weather like in your country? <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city></st1:place>
is pretty chilly. In Guangdong, it is
still comfortable with an average temperature of 15</span><span style="font-family: 'MS 明朝';">℃</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">, but in Kobe, we need to put the heating on. As the cold climate stimulates our appetite,
this is a season, especially for girls, of a conflict between appetite and dieting. I don</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t care and eat a lot, and recommend that
you also enjoy the delicacies of winter to the fullest.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I will
introduce a place in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city></st1:place>,
which is very familiar to me. Many of
you will have also visited there at least once – Nankinmachi. As <st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city>
Buta-man <st1:city w:st="on">Summit</st1:city> took place from November 10
through 12, I visited there with a Chinese CIR in <st1:city w:st="on">Nara</st1:city>
(who has never visited <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city></st1:place>
before), and a Korean friend of mine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-language: JA;">―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS ゴシック";">Nankinmachi</span></u></i></b><b><i><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f"
stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;
left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:0;margin-top:8.15pt;width:228pt;height:172.5pt;
z-index:-6' wrapcoords="-71 0 -71 21506 21600 21506 21600 0 -71 0">
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\v001282\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="nankin_001_s2"/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75"
coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe"
filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;
left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:73.5pt;margin-top:427.55pt;width:228pt;
height:172.5pt;z-index:-1' wrapcoords="-71 0 -71 21506 21600 21506 21600 0 -71 0">
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\v001282\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="nankin_001_s2"/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75"
coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe"
filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;
left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:73.5pt;margin-top:427.55pt;width:228pt;
height:172.5pt;z-index:-1' wrapcoords="-71 0 -71 21506 21600 21506 21600 0 -71 0">
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\v001282\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="nankin_001_s2"/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img align="left" hspace="12" src="file:///C:/DOCUME~1/v001282/LOCALS~1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image001.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1026" /><!--[endif]--><!--[endif]--><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75"
coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe"
filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;
left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:73.5pt;margin-top:427.55pt;width:228pt;
height:172.5pt;z-index:-1' wrapcoords="-71 0 -71 21506 21600 21506 21600 0 -71 0">
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\v001282\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="nankin_001_s2"/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbioxFH4USgaIH0rUWrD3f_zQn1pDkzm0aBSSLUYezMuo6rKm2QRnj4JXsyVVhCnFzFBy6rQ-nJrLZ1wvGeoLltct7O4PiWg9li6L6-g-aG9fLwm0dnvbA0y0Tfrdr-hJDYO8Ubc573A/s1600/1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbioxFH4USgaIH0rUWrD3f_zQn1pDkzm0aBSSLUYezMuo6rKm2QRnj4JXsyVVhCnFzFBy6rQ-nJrLZ1wvGeoLltct7O4PiWg9li6L6-g-aG9fLwm0dnvbA0y0Tfrdr-hJDYO8Ubc573A/s1600/1.bmp" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS 明朝";"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Nankinmachi</span> is one of the three greatest Chinatowns in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region>, together with those of <st1:city w:st="on">Yokohama</st1:city>
and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Nagasaki</st1:city></st1:place>. Being a gourmet and shopping spot that
represents Kobe, about 100 shops and restaurants line the streets </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">–</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS 明朝";"> Chinese restaurants, Buta-man (steamed pork bun)
specialty shops, Chinese dumplings and roast pork, grocers that sell Chinese
spices and seasonings, tea shops and variety stores. Food stalls stand in front of those shops,
selling dim sum, sweets and other goods.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Nankinmachi is located between <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Motomachi
Street</st1:address></st1:street> and <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Sakaemachi Street</st1:address></st1:street> in Chuo-ku, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city></st1:place>, a 5 minute walk to
the south from JR/Hanshin Motomachi Station.
The Changan Gate stands at the eastern end, which faces Daimaru
Department Store. The Xian Gate stands
at the western end, and the Nanlou Gate at the southern end. The northern end is connected to the
Motomachi shopping street.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 1.0; text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 1.0; text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 1.0; text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1029" type="#_x0000_t75"
style='width:300pt;height:225pt'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\v001282\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image002.jpg"
o:title="nankin_006_s2"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS 明朝";">This is a square at the crossing point of the cruciform Nankinmachi. Here at the Azumaya, Chinese New Year
Festival and mid-autumn festival take place.
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcWW2mEquy6eWy6jyKdr4hLleyAZlreFijjl1HSNzy_HcyLNGB9c0s37JXFd9s4h9rGJHtw_1ei8upI5dSVpGLeDjG9q16dJPtnuGZsfU7TePD536mgQppeIJ3Sh_abFrWR-uM7hTsks/s1600/2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcWW2mEquy6eWy6jyKdr4hLleyAZlreFijjl1HSNzy_HcyLNGB9c0s37JXFd9s4h9rGJHtw_1ei8upI5dSVpGLeDjG9q16dJPtnuGZsfU7TePD536mgQppeIJ3Sh_abFrWR-uM7hTsks/s1600/2.bmp" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS ゴシック";">Go to
Buta-man <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Summit</st1:city></st1:place></span></u></i></b><b><i><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSkB7GWqIC087tmW4IjUpyTrLLNK0e5I56x6pw2X53MxKZ-bPX8ecizNkrlvXslp8PsmKKgbvGeDUXkCtHqYVfU6C3bdEwEjGInHBqOzP74gcWQfQXV80Ys6aTxriNtQuspc-bT2hzF8/s1600/3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSkB7GWqIC087tmW4IjUpyTrLLNK0e5I56x6pw2X53MxKZ-bPX8ecizNkrlvXslp8PsmKKgbvGeDUXkCtHqYVfU6C3bdEwEjGInHBqOzP74gcWQfQXV80Ys6aTxriNtQuspc-bT2hzF8/s320/3.bmp" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span lang="EN-US">The Buta-man <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Summit</st1:city></st1:place> started last year. Limited edition Buta-man are sold at Buta-man master</span><span lang="EN-US">’</span><span lang="EN-US">s shops, so I couldn</span><span lang="EN-US">’</span><span lang="EN-US">t miss this opportunity as a Buta-man lover.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPWD-Edu3WxH43a84x27iUWUD_9vTZIcZ6QKslJl96jIfIcNX2DTHJZANbEiPjH8851suDKk3-mrgafNER5dpnwfYy6od0xYUKQu3D7nvHtMoVK6F9TWaVZRfLLNDKkPsGzDOiUhikhI/s1600/4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPWD-Edu3WxH43a84x27iUWUD_9vTZIcZ6QKslJl96jIfIcNX2DTHJZANbEiPjH8851suDKk3-mrgafNER5dpnwfYy6od0xYUKQu3D7nvHtMoVK6F9TWaVZRfLLNDKkPsGzDOiUhikhI/s320/4.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">In addition to the
main festival period, the pre-event took place on the 9<sup>th</sup>. On this day, the Buta-man girl contest was
held. The winner appears at the opening
ceremony on the 10<sup>th</sup>, and participates in PR activities at Buta-man
shops during the festival. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">So even if
you miss the pre-event, you can see the year</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s Buta-man girl on the 10<sup>th</sup>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdUQw_kUxwAf0M366TvEaLV4zNOPuSB54xNz3_U_CnKv_9wRGJM69S6mOR15faViwEkmSDg1g_Ku-mK-UXa5SZhfRfUfgnd6pV1W9yHklcqJHQAdrBMZf21yA5zIr9w2lkeyixIQhsa0/s1600/5.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdUQw_kUxwAf0M366TvEaLV4zNOPuSB54xNz3_U_CnKv_9wRGJM69S6mOR15faViwEkmSDg1g_Ku-mK-UXa5SZhfRfUfgnd6pV1W9yHklcqJHQAdrBMZf21yA5zIr9w2lkeyixIQhsa0/s320/5.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><o:wrapblock><v:shape id="_x0000_s1029"
type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;left:0;text-align:left;
margin-left:0;margin-top:1.5pt;width:306pt;height:229.5pt;z-index:-3'
wrapcoords="-53 0 -53 21529 21600 21529 21600 0 -53 0">
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\v001282\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image008.png"
o:title="32581211111326241340581595"/>
<w:wrap type="topAndBottom"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><!--[if gte vml 1]></o:wrapblock><![endif]--><br clear="ALL" />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Soon after the
ceremony, I headed for the Buta-man shop I was looking for, but a long line had
already formed there. Wondering how
tasty the Buta-man would be after such a long waiting time, I joined the line
in front of a Buta-man shop called Roushouki, which sold Buta-man for the first
time in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region></st1:place>.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGa0isT8YbCBv7u0Ei5SiVneQj_EFNNl7IFQZvBoDklEonW__UQ7ZC3V0A_r8EulLg1JAl5Xd9TQScbHW1cGwfsDTK_v94J4jHcmBLIC-XxmDBXsO4PkJVDQ3MhbpgLjHZFn1C6jHM238/s1600/6.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGa0isT8YbCBv7u0Ei5SiVneQj_EFNNl7IFQZvBoDklEonW__UQ7ZC3V0A_r8EulLg1JAl5Xd9TQScbHW1cGwfsDTK_v94J4jHcmBLIC-XxmDBXsO4PkJVDQ3MhbpgLjHZFn1C6jHM238/s320/6.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 10.5pt; mso-char-indent-count: -.14; mso-para-margin-left: .86gd; text-indent: -1.45pt;">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="_x0000_s1030" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;left:0;
text-align:left;margin-left:10.5pt;margin-top:5pt;width:254.25pt;height:190.5pt;
z-index:5'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\v001282\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image010.jpg"
o:title="20121110_1448130"/>
<w:wrap type="square"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS 明朝";">This is what I had
expected from Roushouki! This limited edition
Buta-man contains portini mushrooms and truffles, and has an excellent aroma of
mushroom. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br />
Can you imagine that portini mushrooms and truffles are added to t</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS 明朝";">he already tasty
Buta-man from Roushouki? The dough was
soft enough, and I felt very happy as I tasted real Chinese Buta-man.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="_x0000_i1030" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:206.25pt;height:154.5pt'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\v001282\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image012.jpg"
o:title="20121110_1448124"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1031"
type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:189.75pt;height:142.5pt'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\v001282\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image014.jpg"
o:title="o0640048012279770335"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_s1031"
type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;left:0;text-align:left;
margin-left:0;margin-top:157.5pt;width:226.5pt;height:170.25pt;z-index:-1;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical-relative:text'
wrapcoords="-72 0 -72 21505 21600 21505 21600 0 -72 0">
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\v001282\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image016.jpg"
o:title="20121110_1448125"/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS 明朝";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS 明朝";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2oBKUowIvqYCh0rQlrT4PmEYvLeQieokM_6Z_mHHOvoDApEe0GQVdJVTKDJy5xmTnLBc9wFT4lWWsPZP2W6EdT2joqMl9kJZgpWqbPOEalzB5BeVmKsg2TGeMVgwQiiR2QH5wrS-BTPE/s1600/7.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2oBKUowIvqYCh0rQlrT4PmEYvLeQieokM_6Z_mHHOvoDApEe0GQVdJVTKDJy5xmTnLBc9wFT4lWWsPZP2W6EdT2joqMl9kJZgpWqbPOEalzB5BeVmKsg2TGeMVgwQiiR2QH5wrS-BTPE/s320/7.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS 明朝";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS 明朝";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS 明朝";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4vRAo4kVmLCtI75hFPmNoj7Qt0mBlzviG-p0Bq315ooYj7-1Xw-92tC5lvAgEGVADjkmCfvKfcNDPLWdVYsnI7WHgGEmbZBizIdlLDtSLzWsv2eqX68f2Sck7D-kWg9k0dQL0z6KUnk/s1600/8.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4vRAo4kVmLCtI75hFPmNoj7Qt0mBlzviG-p0Bq315ooYj7-1Xw-92tC5lvAgEGVADjkmCfvKfcNDPLWdVYsnI7WHgGEmbZBizIdlLDtSLzWsv2eqX68f2Sck7D-kWg9k0dQL0z6KUnk/s320/8.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS 明朝";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS 明朝";">This is the limited set of Buta-man, only available at the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Summit</st1:city></st1:place>. With this, I was able to taste Buta-man from
three master</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS 明朝";">s shops at one
time. Otherwise there were black
Buta-man and pretty pig-shaped Buta-man, and I enjoyed the taste of my hometown
with a full belly. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS ゴシック";"><br /></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqwviUZyISPhqDbZCZ_NDlxmB2TcmUSsxfN6HD46NKyJvuaH-WVvXbcmVm1n3hRYQqqE2BqJxZKvQ1UCwkAjH9rlhyggYYR8btWevtv9orsIiDr3SpYUauW2nsLIsTHVfsO9bL2wKLL0/s1600/9.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqwviUZyISPhqDbZCZ_NDlxmB2TcmUSsxfN6HD46NKyJvuaH-WVvXbcmVm1n3hRYQqqE2BqJxZKvQ1UCwkAjH9rlhyggYYR8btWevtv9orsIiDr3SpYUauW2nsLIsTHVfsO9bL2wKLL0/s320/9.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS ゴシック";"><br /></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS ゴシック";"><br /></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS ゴシック";"><br /></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS ゴシック";"><br /></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS ゴシック";"><br /></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS ゴシック";"><br /></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS ゴシック";"><br /></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS ゴシック";">Epilogue</span></u></i></b><b><i><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Not only perfect Buta-man with juicy fillings and soft
dough, but also other delicious Chinese food is always served at Nankinmachi,
attracting a large number of tourists. I
truly recommend that you visit Nankinmachi in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city></st1:place>, and fully enjoy Chinese food culture.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: HGMaruGothicMPRO; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">☆ </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: HGMaruGothicMPRO; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Hyogo Events Information</span></b><b><span style="font-family: HGMaruGothicMPRO; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> ★ </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: HGMaruGothicMPRO; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">As the New
Year is approaching, there will be many events and festivals held throughout
Hyogo. Come and experience them at New
Year</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s
holidays. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS ゴシック";">1. Saitansai (New Year</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS ゴシック";">s Festival)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="_x0000_i1032" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style='width:.75pt;height:.75pt'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\v001282\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image018.gif"
o:href="http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/img/spacer.gif"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img height="1" src="file:///C:/DOCUME~1/v001282/LOCALS~1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image018.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1032" width="1" /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 12pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS ゴシック";">Venue: Izanagi Shrine</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 12pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Phone: 0799-80-5001 </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 9pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="_x0000_i1033" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style='width:.75pt;height:.75pt'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\v001282\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image018.gif"
o:href="http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/img/spacer.gif"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img height="1" src="file:///C:/DOCUME~1/v001282/LOCALS~1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image018.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1033" width="1" /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnU4aiyWb50KMTYiO9E34N1RQDO17ratZOuf0t3Qk_Urfq3HEG4u_gKMbYf3bR5qsDTyMzK9IkOsDaDlfmqbpZgcS9CwSSvg3pvVx3JTxwxzjJKr-7MHxqMm36xqd93NvoQOttjkwRlFA/s1600/10.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnU4aiyWb50KMTYiO9E34N1RQDO17ratZOuf0t3Qk_Urfq3HEG4u_gKMbYf3bR5qsDTyMzK9IkOsDaDlfmqbpZgcS9CwSSvg3pvVx3JTxwxzjJKr-7MHxqMm36xqd93NvoQOttjkwRlFA/s1600/10.bmp" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 12pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 9pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-right: 15pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 9pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style='width:150pt;height:104.25pt'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\v001282\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image019.jpg"
o:href="http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/taiken/imgdir/event/5166_1.jpg"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Enshrining the god, Izanagi,
and the goddess, Izanami, the shrine is one of the most prestigious in the
nation. On January 1, the annual New
Year</span><span lang="EN-US">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">s Festival takes
place. Shinto music is dedicated to the
shrine on the day.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2. First visit to the Tajima Great Buddha </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 12pt;">
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Venue: Choraku-ji Temple</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.0pt; margin-right: 42.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan;">
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Phone:
0796-95-1270 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSaz0JlNZErcP27K-2ZvmJ4gkC7s5NyZixIhqaN0tRBhYQVCxjpLjdaCkmxukQG3JScjtsEhOJv_u4YtUpLorejcPpywymnD5clO02Dmuna4flzp60gnaL6ifQ4uhWY2NWtE0iemWUcs/s1600/11.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSaz0JlNZErcP27K-2ZvmJ4gkC7s5NyZixIhqaN0tRBhYQVCxjpLjdaCkmxukQG3JScjtsEhOJv_u4YtUpLorejcPpywymnD5clO02Dmuna4flzp60gnaL6ifQ4uhWY2NWtE0iemWUcs/s320/11.bmp" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.0pt; margin-right: 42.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan;">
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 12pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1034" type="#_x0000_t75"
alt="" style='width:.75pt;height:.75pt'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\v001282\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image018.gif"
o:href="http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/img/spacer.gif"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img height="1" src="file:///C:/DOCUME~1/v001282/LOCALS~1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image018.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1034" width="1" /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-right: 15pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75"
alt="" style='width:84pt;height:112.5pt'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\v001282\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image021.jpg"
o:href="http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/taiken/imgdir/event/8810_1.jpg"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">On the New Year</span><span lang="EN-US">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">s Day, the gate opens at 0:00 a.m. and no entrance fee
is required. The first 800 visitors will
receive a small gift, and children can enjoy a lottery (Jan. 1-3). This is a good place to pray for good luck in
the New Year. (Charms, first prayer
service and prayers against bad luck are also available.)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">3. Kite-flying Festival</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 12pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Venue: <st1:city w:st="on">Ichinomiya</st1:city>
Health and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Welfare</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 12pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Phone: </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";">0790-72-8787 </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;">(Shiso City Council of Social Welfare)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTb_Ww9vODMHBec9S8qkxNXrQJEDQk_P6cy_S0jettTKjRimKSXKWZvox2HoqWvxidVcTDNb3YUgfJgDGdSiADYMCb_NtniT4dcTs11KODdc_QWr4mDjV5HfRC2UE0ikmccZs0jIdLF7g/s1600/12.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTb_Ww9vODMHBec9S8qkxNXrQJEDQk_P6cy_S0jettTKjRimKSXKWZvox2HoqWvxidVcTDNb3YUgfJgDGdSiADYMCb_NtniT4dcTs11KODdc_QWr4mDjV5HfRC2UE0ikmccZs0jIdLF7g/s320/12.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 12pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 12pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1028" type="#_x0000_t75"
alt="" style='width:.75pt;height:.75pt'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\v001282\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image018.gif"
o:href="http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/img/spacer.gif"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img height="1" src="file:///C:/DOCUME~1/v001282/LOCALS~1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image018.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1028" width="1" /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-right: 15pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1027" type="#_x0000_t75"
alt="" style='width:150pt;height:104.25pt'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\v001282\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image023.jpg"
o:href="http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/taiken/imgdir/event/5648_1.jpg"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;">This is an annual festival held on the New Year’s
Day. Applications will be accepted
between <st1:time hour="13" minute="0" w:st="on">13:00-14:00</st1:time> with a
participation fee of 300 yen. In
addition to the prize for participation, special prizes are offered to
excellent works. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For other information about the New Year</span><span lang="EN-US">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">s visit to shrines, refer to:</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> <a href="http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079458195615104657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1013718175997741218.post-7607138546734103252012-10-19T00:39:00.000-07:002012-10-19T00:42:59.419-07:00Hyogo Goodwill Envoy Newsletter October 2012<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 18pt;"><br />
</span></u></b><span lang="EN-US">
</span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 18pt;">Hanshin Tigers </span></u><span lang="EN-US"><br />
<br />
Hello Goodwill Envoys, UK CIR Ben Preece here, bringing you the Hyogo Goodwill envoy
news for October. The seemingly endless heat of summer has finally subsided and
autumn, probably my favourite season in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Japan</st1:place></st1:country>, has taken its place. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This month I’d like to talk a little bit
about a very important Hyogo-related past time that I recently took part in –
watching a Hanshin Tigers (HT) baseball game. <br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 18pt;">Game day</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span></u><u><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></u><span lang="EN-US">Growing up in the <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country>, my only exposure to baseball
came through watching The Simpsons. As an exchange student, several years ago I
attended two installments of the infamous Soukeisen –matches that take place
between <st1:placename w:st="on">Keio</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype>
(that I was attending at the time) and its arch-nemesis, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Waseda</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place>.
What shocked me most was how typically well-mannered and polite everything was.
Teams took it in turn to sing strictly regimented songs in their specific
order, no one booed or swore or made fun of the umpire. Although I’m not a huge
sports fan, I am well aware of how crowds of rowdy supporters act back home and
in other countries. Here in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Japan</st1:country></st1:place>,
it is quite literally, an entirely different ball game. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Around mid-September, just as the new ALTs
were settling into their new workplaces, a friend suggested we go to see the
Tigers play the Yokohama Baystars. Remembering the fun I had several years ago
at the university matches, I was eager to check out a professional match,
especially a home game of our region’s most famous team. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Tiger Spirit: <i>Atsukunare!</i></span></u><span lang="EN-US"><br />
<br />
After arriving at the stadium, my friends and I finished buying HT merch and
snacks just in time to find our seats for the start of the match. The HT fans
soon lived up to their reputation for being rather “rowdy” (by Japanese
standards). Most of the songs, drumming and more lively support seemed to come
from the stand on the far side, around 1<sup>st</sup> base where the cheaper
seats are. The rain did nothing to dampen their spirits and I’m sure that these
seats would be perfect for those who wish to be right at the heart of the
action. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
Throughout the match, something I personally came to realize is that baseball
matches (in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Japan</st1:place></st1:country>
at least) are as much as about the pageantry as they are about the match
itself, which wasn’t exactly a nailbiter the whole time (5 innings without a
single point scored?!) Fans who were cheering at the top of their lungs while
the Tigers were batting retired quickly to the food court for what seemed like
hours during the other team’s innings. I suppose it’s more about having a fun evening
at the game rather than watching every minute development of the game, (although
I’m sure there are many die-hard fans that do just that). </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBeFKJyTHerViq0uKLqU_icK3N0Ij8N7FUrR6_1UlT7Y6CrVvzzs-TaNGZ7uqjReXNXU8Iof4qY36NkUjwdwux8G3dYfCoOLPdGk_hoOKvCjwTlbr104xpma2XswAK6C-KIHClBQNmec/s1600/Hanshin+Tigers+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBeFKJyTHerViq0uKLqU_icK3N0Ij8N7FUrR6_1UlT7Y6CrVvzzs-TaNGZ7uqjReXNXU8Iof4qY36NkUjwdwux8G3dYfCoOLPdGk_hoOKvCjwTlbr104xpma2XswAK6C-KIHClBQNmec/s320/Hanshin+Tigers+080.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
The highlight of the evening, when the HT fans showed their true colours, came
at the end of the 7<sup>th</sup> inning. Suddenly, as if from nowhere, everyone
in the stand started to inflate long, colourful balloons. My friends and I
looked on bewildered until a nice old man sat behind us gave us some balloons
and indicated that we’d need to inflate them soon. We followed suit, joining in
with a special balloon chant before everyone in the packed stadium let their balloons
fly up into the rainy sky. This was a hilarious and almost touching moment,
when all the rigidity and formality of Japanese life seemed to evaporate
completely, even if just for a minute or so. This is in fact a well established
custom that takes place at every home game, and even some away games. Overall
it was a very entertaining evening that turned me and my friends into some
die-hard, albeit rather clueless Hanshin Tigers’ fans. </span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnG7ZD9iphqPuX-qnkqZvvskeLIzl6w4TNI0pcdyZjkchFJcWkpDy3Jz6ilgLwOYz-uk8ewZndxAEaVXOjF215CSDsAUNRBjHsOo2XSdXg4T7HnBkBLpk8bZH0REmlHwmmtUMdeLNNXiU/s1600/Hanshin+Tigers+148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnG7ZD9iphqPuX-qnkqZvvskeLIzl6w4TNI0pcdyZjkchFJcWkpDy3Jz6ilgLwOYz-uk8ewZndxAEaVXOjF215CSDsAUNRBjHsOo2XSdXg4T7HnBkBLpk8bZH0REmlHwmmtUMdeLNNXiU/s320/Hanshin+Tigers+148.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moment everyone in the stadium let off their balloons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Take me out to
the ballgame<br />
</span></u><span lang="EN-US">Like nearly every other supporter, you’ll probably
want to deck yourself from head to toe in HT paraphernalia before hitting the
stands. This couldn’t be simpler, there are souvenir stores scattered around
the stadium complex that sell everything from pencils to whole replica kits.
The tickets were fairly simple to get hold of; you can order them online or
just buy them at a Loppi terminal at most 7/11 stores. Not knowing where the
best seats were, we decided to just go for the more expensive ones at 3<sup>rd</sup>
base, which at only 4000 yen, were actually very reasonable. Not only did we
have a great view of the action, we were sheltered from the sporadic but rather
heavy downpours of rain that punctuated the match. As an added bonus, we were
well out of range from the foul balls that were frequently pelted into the
crowd, much to the amusement and excitement of everyone in the vicinity (except
the poor guy the ball hits of course!). The game itself ended as a disappointing
draw as the Baystars snatched a cheeky last minute homerun, but this didn’t
detract from the great fun we all had experiencing this very Japanese pastime. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjKFsuyNadoCxfAZLaHguh7-Bgo_CBsZWnkxjB9RB0d90PRlMjtSpVwKt-2-HeLwNd19OjMBSRjVcLqe5EX0XUa0fR39JsyrdAKziCfqyVERFNH_xrB7cWBaBCMUvkb5D1fMRR3254Sg/s1600/Hanshin+Tigers+170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjKFsuyNadoCxfAZLaHguh7-Bgo_CBsZWnkxjB9RB0d90PRlMjtSpVwKt-2-HeLwNd19OjMBSRjVcLqe5EX0XUa0fR39JsyrdAKziCfqyVERFNH_xrB7cWBaBCMUvkb5D1fMRR3254Sg/s320/Hanshin+Tigers+170.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome mini cars to bring players on to the pitch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span><i><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Arigato, Aniki</span></u></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 18.0pt;"> <br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US">Another memorable moment was the cheer that
accompanied the arrival of Tomoaki Kanemoto to the field. The infamous wearer
of the number 6 jersey retired earlier this month, so the match that we saw was
one of his last. Affectionately nicknamed <i>Aniki</i>
or “big brother” by the players and fans, his 21-year career that took him from
his home town of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hiroshima</st1:place></st1:city>
to the Tigers made him one of the sport’s best-loved personalities. I was glad
we were able to see him play so soon before his retirement. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Access: Koshien Stadium <br />
By train: Take the Hanshin line to Koshien. Koshien Stadium is a 5 minute walk
from there. <br />
<br />
Bus: Take a Hanshin bus bound for Hanshin Koshien , get off at Hanshin Koshien
(210 yen).<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Located opposite the stadium is Lalaport,
an up-market shopping center that is well worth a visit if you are in the area.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-iZT3D8WztxIaBJZa9C7HrsG5jwILEhXr7p3cmJYc7EjJw49kzsrlzpely-q8CUw4rw6tqgC4hOuBPY3mBEC_tgPEu2tRI0M-1LWuZH2v35nz1nyCMr45oZxItT_LVS84Xo_tRDJjmw/s1600/Luminarie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-iZT3D8WztxIaBJZa9C7HrsG5jwILEhXr7p3cmJYc7EjJw49kzsrlzpely-q8CUw4rw6tqgC4hOuBPY3mBEC_tgPEu2tRI0M-1LWuZH2v35nz1nyCMr45oZxItT_LVS84Xo_tRDJjmw/s1600/Luminarie.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Upcoming Events:
Kobe Luminarie <br />
</span></u><span lang="EN-US">As I’m sure all
of you former Hyogo-ites know, every year in December, the streets of Kobe are
decked with a beautiful light installation called Luminarie, in order to
commemorate those who died in the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. You may
not know, however, that the hand-painted lights that make up Lumiarie were
originally donated by the Italian government and put together in collaboration
with Italian artist Valerio Festi. <br />
<br />
This is by far one of my favourite events. While the lights aren’t Christmas decorations
in the strict sense, the wintry atmosphere mixed with the hot food and bright
lights all contribute to giving Luminarie a noticeably holiday feel. The
details for this year’s event are as follows: <br />
<br />
Date: Thursday 6<sup>th</sup> December – Monday 17<sup>th</sup> December 2012/10/19<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Lights
are turned on 6pm-9pm Monday-Thursday </span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><br />
</span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 18.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"> 6pm-10pm
Fridays<br />
5pm-10pm Saturdays<br />
5pm-9.30 pm Sundays (weather permitting) <br />
<br />
Location: Former Foreign Settlement of Kobe & Higashi Yuenchi<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Official
website (Japanese): </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.kobe-luminarie.jp/">http://www.kobe-luminarie.jp/</a></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079458195615104657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1013718175997741218.post-15628803303865045812012-09-27T21:32:00.002-07:002012-09-27T21:32:29.185-07:00Hyogo Goodwill Envoy News September 2012<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Bonjour everyone!
French CIR Lionel Ackah here, bringing you this month’s newsletter.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Today is my first time writing the newsletter, so let me introduce myself briefly.<br /><div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;"><br />I come from </span><st1:city style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;" w:st="on">Nantes,</st1:city><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;"> a city in western </span><st1:country-region style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;" w:st="on">France</st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;"> which is known as being really easy to live
city and one of the most beautiful cities in </span><st1:place style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;" w:st="on">Europe</st1:place><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;">.</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 11pt;">My life
changed when I was 16 years old. I read a manga called “Hikaru no go” and I got
interested in the Japanese thinking game of </span><i style="font-size: 11pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 11pt;">igo</i><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 11pt;">. In the same year, I
participated in an </span><i style="font-size: 11pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 11pt;">igo </i><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 11pt;">seminar and met a professional Japanese player.
Unfortunately, at that time I could not speak Japanese. So, I decided to
learn this beautiful language so I that I could have more exchange with him in the future.</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBl8oqOE67Zgr7iwZKKOTGQOMQVVhH4DYEk4wSkVAw7lDvqRKcRhN0GWe3T3HrZAscvv_sint-IuRgNwyxrP2Hrk3EmTE-NWU4NAzvrIiJqt_Ec2bFe04NIXgPAb3VvfjcEQMGMGSe8dw/s1600/Lionel+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBl8oqOE67Zgr7iwZKKOTGQOMQVVhH4DYEk4wSkVAw7lDvqRKcRhN0GWe3T3HrZAscvv_sint-IuRgNwyxrP2Hrk3EmTE-NWU4NAzvrIiJqt_Ec2bFe04NIXgPAb3VvfjcEQMGMGSe8dw/s320/Lionel+photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;">I was in final
year of secondary school when I started to study Japanese language. I began this pursuit in </span><st1:placetype style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;" w:st="on">University in France</st1:placetype><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;">
and finished my bachelor degree in </span><st1:placename style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;" w:st="on">Niigata</st1:placename><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;">
</span><st1:placetype style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;" w:st="on">University</st1:placetype><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;"> in </span><st1:place style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;" w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;">. When I came back to </span><st1:country-region style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;" w:st="on">France</st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;">, I used the experience that I had in </span><st1:country-region style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;" w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;"> to build an exchange cultural center where
everyone who has interested in French or </span><st1:place style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;" w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Japanese</st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;"> culture could use freely. Even though I am away from </span><st1:place style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;" w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;">,
my friends continue to make this exchange possible.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 11pt;">Now, as a Coordinator for International Relations and I will do my best to improve Hyogo prefecture's international exchange.</span></div>
</span></div>
</span><br />
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; text-align: right; text-indent: 11pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS 明朝";">Thank you !</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS 明朝";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; text-align: right; text-indent: 11pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS 明朝";"><br /></span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; text-align: right; text-indent: 11pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right; text-indent: 11pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2wmxnCqkKxZLXHiNsrGLyJ08EyyQJVfwWsWGGu-5d_mSO4qVpSW3wLiW1K0tSteCw9L3QwbYykB83GtXR7B5YLZzx5A7l_92e0tS9g8G9CaTYwA0Jsn5eafzGywd20E87iyWIR4BRWA/s1600/Lionel+photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2wmxnCqkKxZLXHiNsrGLyJ08EyyQJVfwWsWGGu-5d_mSO4qVpSW3wLiW1K0tSteCw9L3QwbYykB83GtXR7B5YLZzx5A7l_92e0tS9g8G9CaTYwA0Jsn5eafzGywd20E87iyWIR4BRWA/s320/Lionel+photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2igCdv5dTY5v3fENj5EnNw71C3jbS28XnsyU9RBMoXAy110zofVkvqeeUcyvZ9uuSXoHkPjgIbMoOyykIg17GbVoQEeUt3Kret93djOEcxOd6Z7MGqD9ULg2qZgwC9q40QmngiFvucA/s1600/Lionel+photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2igCdv5dTY5v3fENj5EnNw71C3jbS28XnsyU9RBMoXAy110zofVkvqeeUcyvZ9uuSXoHkPjgIbMoOyykIg17GbVoQEeUt3Kret93djOEcxOd6Z7MGqD9ULg2qZgwC9q40QmngiFvucA/s320/Lionel+photo+5.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> I’d also like to introduce the Kobe French
Party, which is managed by the France Kansai Association. This association works
to improve the exchange between </span><st1:country-region style="font-size: 11pt;" w:st="on">France</st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 11pt;">
and </span><st1:place style="font-size: 11pt;" w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 12.05pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">KOBE-FRENCH-PARTY</span></b><b style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 12.05pt;"><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-font-family: Century;">-神戸の日仏会話会</span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 10.55pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt;">
<span style="font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-font-family: Century;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">The KOBE-FRENCH-PARTY
is a meeting which takes place once per quarter. Anyone who has an interest in French or Japanese culture gathers at the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Gastro</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Pub</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Park</st1:placetype></st1:place>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">No matter how old you are, what your job is or where are you are from, as long as you are eager to participate, you
will be inspired by this incredible chance to enjoy cultural exchange.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgdwNFph-tei2UU5rSsmOJQO5RP4C3CnrQKnSafS4KoReiUgnswOBaIbE7kc0oH8z2pGgNZmv_XPVNolvG3t_senBAZA9mCaqEuR6Mzjgws1FE1KMQt8Xy0r0JUsPY4L6c1TcykIDmyI/s1600/Lionel+photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgdwNFph-tei2UU5rSsmOJQO5RP4C3CnrQKnSafS4KoReiUgnswOBaIbE7kc0oH8z2pGgNZmv_XPVNolvG3t_senBAZA9mCaqEuR6Mzjgws1FE1KMQt8Xy0r0JUsPY4L6c1TcykIDmyI/s320/Lionel+photo+2.JPG" width="158" /></a><b style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">About <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region></st1:place> Kansai and the KOBE-FRENCH-PARTY</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">France Kansai’s Site</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.francekansai.com/about/">http://www.francekansai.com/about/</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">France Kansai’s Facebook</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/kansai.france">http://www.facebook.com/kansai.france</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">KOBE-FRENCH-PARTY’s Facebook</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/509172375766575/">http://www.facebook.com/events/509172375766575/</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">MAP<br />
<a href="http://www.spark-kobe.jp/map.html" target="_blank">http://www.spark-kobe.jp/map.html</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.spark-kobe.jp/" target="_blank">http://www.spark-kobe.jp/</a><br />
<br />
ADRESS<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-font-family: Century;">〒</span><span lang="EN-US">651-0097<br />
Kobe Chuo-ku Nunobiki-Cho 3-2-1 Ground Floor<br />
TEL&FAX 078-242-7805<br />
<br />
OPEN / 17:00 - 24:00 (Wednesday to Sunday</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-font-family: Century;">)</span><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-font-family: Century;">【</span><span lang="EN-US">Public transport users</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-font-family: Century;">】</span><span lang="EN-US"> <br />
Get off at Sannomiya station, go to the North gate and follow Flower Road
for 5 to 8 minutes on foot.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-font-family: Century;">【</span><span lang="EN-US">Car or taxi users</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-font-family: Century;">】</span><span lang="EN-US"> <br /> It is on the south-east corner at the intersection between Yamatekansen and the Flower Road. (It might be difficult to find from the road because it is underneath a pedestrian bridge.) There is no free car park for the bar, so
please use the car park nearby.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Feel free to come</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-font-family: Century;">!</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 1.0; text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjho5iyhBycuYe94JSm4KHOxnTYWKmCZkY2hiheUgXqXfwQyJstX-rBFsXv-Xkbk11vf7DIxXxxNARDCCpdg0k3zLgoQWNpQLnZjJNnmF6rT0R5YI1VWUJFBaVfaVYbwf_jZCRyb3HNMdA/s1600/Lionel+photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjho5iyhBycuYe94JSm4KHOxnTYWKmCZkY2hiheUgXqXfwQyJstX-rBFsXv-Xkbk11vf7DIxXxxNARDCCpdg0k3zLgoQWNpQLnZjJNnmF6rT0R5YI1VWUJFBaVfaVYbwf_jZCRyb3HNMdA/s320/Lionel+photo+4.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079458195615104657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1013718175997741218.post-48170733373134747142012-09-11T19:23:00.003-07:002012-09-11T19:23:50.018-07:00Hyogo Goodwill Envoy News<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">Maido</span></i><span lang="EN-US">,
everyone! Brazilian CIR Luciana here,
bringing you the latest Hyogo Goodwill Envoy News. How have you all been dealing with the summer heat this
year? <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Brazil</st1:country>
has a mainly tropical climate, but I still haven’t gotten used to the humidity
of <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Japan</st1:place></st1:country>,
even though one year has passed since I arrived here. As soon as I finish taking a shower, I find
myself sweating again! In light of this
situation, I would like to talk about some interesting places and cool spots in
Hyogo to enjoy during the summer.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I know many of you are interested in
Japanese history like me, so I</span><span lang="EN-US">’</span><span lang="EN-US">d like to
introduce some historical spots. This
year, leaflets about </span><span lang="EN-US">“</span><span lang="EN-US">Kobe de Kiyomori</span><span lang="EN-US">” are to be found in stations in <st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city>, <st1:city w:st="on">Osaka</st1:city>, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kyoto</st1:place></st1:city> and other places in
Kansai. This is because an NHK period
drama “Taira no Kiyomori” has been running since this January. In <st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city>, two attractions related to the show have opened – the <st1:placename w:st="on">Drama</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Museum</st1:placetype> and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">History</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place>. When I saw them, I started to wonder, “Who
was Kiyomori? How is he related to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city></st1:place>?” To solve the questions, I visited several
places in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kobe</st1:place></st1:city>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS ゴシック";">―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Starting
early in the morning, I bought a highly economical</span><span lang="EN-US"> “</span><span lang="EN-US">Kiyomori
1-day pass</span><span lang="EN-US">”</span><span lang="EN-US"> in Sannomiya Station.
With the pass, I could ride subways and some other trains freely. Attached to the pass were a ticket
to the two Museums above, a gift coupon, and a railway map. I got off at the Harborland subway station
and headed for the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Drama</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place>. On the way, the </span><span lang="EN-US">“</span><span lang="EN-US">Street
Dance Festival in Kobe Harborland</span><span lang="EN-US">” was going on and I saw some girls doing some pretty awesome
dances. In the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Drama</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place>,
some handsome men welcomed me and let me take pictures with them (I was really
glad!). </span><span lang="EN-US">A
full-scale figure of Ken</span><span lang="EN-US">’</span><span lang="EN-US">ichi Matsuyama, who plays the role of Kiyomori in the
drama, stands in the lobby and visitors can take pictures with it. The plot of the drama, dresses, and inside
stories are also introduced in the museum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The <st1:placename w:st="on">History</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Museum</st1:placetype>
tells us about <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kobe</st1:place></st1:city>
800 years ago, and Kiyomori</span><span lang="EN-US">’</span><span lang="EN-US">s achievements are
introduced in an animation. Excavated
objects from those days are on display as well.
There were various outdoor events, such as a stage performance and
guided historical tours. It was too
early for the starting time, so I decided to look around by myself. The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">History</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place>
is located just in front of the central wholesale market, so I enjoyed a sashimi set meal. It was a generous
portion and cheap, too (only 500 yen)! I
feel like I would like to have it again. <br />
After lunch, I visited Wada Shrine and received a small gift. Then, at a transfer station, I stopped off,
went through a large shopping street and dropped in at Nagata Shrine. </span><span lang="EN-US">Then I moved to my final destination, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Sumaura</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Sanjo</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Amusement Park</st1:placetype></st1:place>. I bought a set ticket for the ropeway, “carlator”
and revolving observatory. The scenery
was of course wonderful, but what impressed me most was the carlator, which I
had never seen before. </span><span lang="EN-US">Very shaky but really fun!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The view from the top was simply gorgeous.
I could see the <st1:placename w:st="on">Akashi</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Kaikyo</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype>,
the cities of <st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city> and <st1:city w:st="on">Akashi</st1:city>,
and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Awaji</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype></st1:place>. </span><span lang="EN-US">Next I got off at
Sumadera Station. The day fell on July
7, so I saw events related to the star festival. Japanese communities hold larger annual
events in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Brazil</st1:country> as well,
but they are a little different from those in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Japan</st1:place></st1:country>. </span><span lang="EN-US">Here children in yukata enjoy goldfish scooping, receive toys and eat
Japanese food. It was a uniquely
Japanese scene.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">With its long history, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Suma-dera</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place>
is a very unique temple. In addition to
the treasure house, there were interesting items and monuments. “Shichifukujin Manikoro”: Roll the seven
deities on the back of a turtle, and pray.
You can get on the back of the turtle, but if you ride on the deities,
you will be punished by them. “Buji
Kaeru”: If you want to be surprised, touch its eyes, and if you are in trouble
with loans, turn its neck around. “Misia
Guma”: If you pat its head, the tune of “Ikoku-no-oka” (an old Japanese popular
song during WWII) is played by a simple-stringed Japanese zither. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Then I visited Hyogo Sumiyoshi Shrine to
see Kiyomori-zuka (a memorial tower dedicated to the soul of Kiyomori). It is a 13 storey stone tower with an
inscription of the year 1286. At the
shrine, there was also a statue of Kiyomori that was constructed during the
Showa era. I concluded my tour by seeing
the Great Buddha of Hyogo. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">On my way home, I lost my pass. But
thanks to a kind member of the station staff, I managed to get home safely. I’m really grateful, thank you! There are many other Kiyomori-related
historic sites to be seen in <st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city>, <st1:city w:st="on">Kyoto</st1:city> and Miyajima (<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hiroshima</st1:place></st1:city>). Each of them may have their own unique
features, but I believe <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kobe</st1:place></st1:city>
is very special. I will continue my
adventure, as I have still a wealth of places to visit! I recommend that you also try Kiyomori tours!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: HG丸ゴシックM-PRO; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">【</span><span lang="FR">Kobe de Kiyomori 2012 Project</span><span style="font-family: HG丸ゴシックM-PRO; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">】</span><span lang="FR"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Period: Jan. 21, 2012 (Sat.) – Jan. 14, 2013 (Mon.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Venue: various locations in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kobe</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">(1) <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Drama</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Museum & History</st1:placetype> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Special sites established at the Kiyomori-associated harbor area of <st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city> as a venue to learn about Taira no Kiyomori and the
history of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kobe</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">(2) Promotion of Taira no Kiyomori<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Spreading information in and out of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kobe</st1:place></st1:city>
concerning the city’s historical value, with a focus on Kiyomori.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">(3) Citizen’s involvement<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Promoting historical and cultural events, especially those featuring Kiyomori,
in the city of <st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city> by involving citizens and
local communities at the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">History</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place> and other places.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0mm;">
<b>Events in Hyogo this September</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0mm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0mm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0mm;">
<span lang="EN-US">1. <span style="background-color: #d9d9d9; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">“</span></span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #d9d9d9; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: HG丸ゴシックM-PRO;"><a href="http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/event/index.php?act=detail&id=9058"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Charms of highlands in Kamikawa</span></a></span></u><u><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #d9d9d9;">”</span></u><span lang="EN-US"> 2,500 yen/person<u><span style="background-color: #d9d9d9; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0mm;">
<span lang="EN-US">(A tour around locations of the movie “Norwegian Wood” and TV drama “Taira no Kiyomori”)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0mm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0mm;">
<span lang="EN-US">In the morning, participants will visit the majestic Tonomine Highlands, a filming location for “Norwegian Wood” and “Taira no Kiyomori.” This is an ideal place to enjoy Kamikawa’s romantic atmosphere.<br />Afternoon events include an introduction of inside stories during filming, performance by Kiyomori Chaya Osettai (café Kiyomori hospitality team) from Kobe, live performance of Heike-biwa (a type of Japanese lute) by Mr. Tsutomu Arao, and a lecture by Mr. Atsuro Kawauchi to retrace the life of Kiyomori. The day is concluded with a mini concert by Kami Fusen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0mm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-left: 27.35pt; padding: 0mm; text-indent: -27.35pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Date and time: Sep. 29, 2012 (Sat.) 11:00-16:30<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-left: 27.35pt; padding: 0mm; text-indent: -27.35pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Venue: <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Tonomine</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Highlands</st1:placetype></st1:place> and Kamikawa Central Community Center Grindel Hall (located in the town hall premises)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: HG丸ゴシックM-PRO;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-left: 27.35pt; padding: 0mm; text-indent: -27.35pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Access: (by car) An 80 min. drive from Chugoku Expressway Suita IC to Kanzaki-Minami ramp via <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Bantan Renraku Road</st1:address></st1:street>. The town hall is a 5 minute drive from Kanzaki-Minami.<br />(by public transportation) 40 min. from JR Himeji Station to Teramae Station via Bantan Line. A 3 minute walk from Teramae Station to the town hall.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-left: 27.35pt; padding: 0mm; text-indent: -27.35pt;">
<br />What is the "eco cap campaign"? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-left: 27.35pt; padding: 0mm; text-indent: -27.35pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Through recycling caps of PET bottles, the eco cap campaign provides
opportunities to learn, consider and take action against environmental
problems, poverty and other problems that the world is facing. CO2 emission is reduced by collecting and
recycling bottle caps*. The profit
gained through recycling is contributed as vaccines for children in developing
countries**.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">*If 400 caps are incinerated instead of being recycled, 3.15 kg of CO2 will
be emitted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">**With 800 caps, one polio vaccine can be purchased.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 27.35pt; mso-char-indent-count: -2.7; text-indent: -27.35pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Collection place: <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Mizuno Square</st1:address></st1:street> in Hanshin Koshien Stadium<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 27.35pt; mso-char-indent-count: -2.7; text-indent: -27.35pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Collection day: On the days of Dream Link festivals (5
times/year, 10 games at Hanshin Koshien Stadium)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 27.35pt; mso-char-indent-count: -2.7; text-indent: -27.35pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 27.35pt; mso-char-indent-count: -2.7; text-indent: -27.35pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 27.35pt; mso-char-indent-count: -2.7; text-indent: -27.35pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Let</span><span lang="EN-US">’</span><span lang="EN-US">s go and participate
in this great project!</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 27.35pt; mso-char-indent-count: -2.7; text-indent: -27.35pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 27.35pt; mso-char-indent-count: -2.7; text-indent: -27.35pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0mm;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079458195615104657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1013718175997741218.post-73217909035288738822012-08-27T01:20:00.000-07:002012-08-27T01:22:46.078-07:00Summer in HyogoHey, all! American CIR Liz reporting in again.
I thought I would let you know a little bit about some of the most fun events I've worked on this summer. <br />
<br />
I love working at the Hyogo International Association (HIA), because it gives me lots of opportunities to get out into the community and do some firsthand international exchange.<br />
<br />
<b>June</b><br />
<br />
The highlight of my June was helping out with the Washington-Hyogo Teacher Institute tour, which I wrote about in <a href="http://hyogofriendshipnetwork.blogspot.jp/2012/07/washington-hyogo-teacher-institute.html">this blog post.</a><br />
<br />
<b>July</b><br />
<br />
In July I was busy! On the 13th I visited Mikage High School to give a talk about Seattle to a group of students who would be visiting Seattle as part of a school trip! I'm always happy to talk about my hometown, and the kids at Mikage H.S. were great. They asked me tons of questions and even gave mini-presentations in English on Seattle topics they had researched.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XmTqKa0isitmBmshxJh-nfFgSURIvSIFCD0L3RehVjHpq14aBAno4TDMCFdJCX5y5r_E8Q8TH2LuxnnOl8_Q_8awKvjEDmDoQkZH9DmDenrnDJK-wywcRhABI6Jsn7ih6r8tBdB7vK4/s1600/%E7%AC%AC%EF%BC%93%E5%9B%9E%E3%80%80%E4%BA%8B%E5%89%8D%E7%A0%94%E4%BF%AE%EF%BC%92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XmTqKa0isitmBmshxJh-nfFgSURIvSIFCD0L3RehVjHpq14aBAno4TDMCFdJCX5y5r_E8Q8TH2LuxnnOl8_Q_8awKvjEDmDoQkZH9DmDenrnDJK-wywcRhABI6Jsn7ih6r8tBdB7vK4/s320/%E7%AC%AC%EF%BC%93%E5%9B%9E%E3%80%80%E4%BA%8B%E5%89%8D%E7%A0%94%E4%BF%AE%EF%BC%92.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
On the 18th, I took part in a festival near my apartment - Nagata Matsuri, the summer festival held at Nagata Jinja, one of the three great Shinto shrines in Kobe. I dressed up in a summer kimono made of <i>ro</i>, a lightweight type of silk. I stood on the festival stage and helped select prize drawing winners, and I also told the crowd a little bit about the myself and the HIA. I'm always looking for more opportunity to raise awareness of who the CIRs are and what we do.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcprGtV5QWsvJHB9tvOrHi6mHoOfk6EK_A63wKwKTV0Xa4dX3jtDPD0M7V4ATjbRc62TXL7YN3fYBAABobqh6azFeziMWC2B-4d5mlAmKlluMooHT926tg6T4HF7OEgrFBViShfM3f-I/s1600/Nagata+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcprGtV5QWsvJHB9tvOrHi6mHoOfk6EK_A63wKwKTV0Xa4dX3jtDPD0M7V4ATjbRc62TXL7YN3fYBAABobqh6azFeziMWC2B-4d5mlAmKlluMooHT926tg6T4HF7OEgrFBViShfM3f-I/s320/Nagata+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuTpRBIu0bu3Vao8Bn88T-m8D3qYirjj9yGg4BzzyvD-XgRty1D6H68Q07komeADwQSt8g3nKx-_gP1rAxi8xZ1cvTpRwijdfIIaHTTlhjR2TVyT3lkg-1GlIaUoy6_1wpvMJIY4yTrw/s1600/Nagata+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuTpRBIu0bu3Vao8Bn88T-m8D3qYirjj9yGg4BzzyvD-XgRty1D6H68Q07komeADwQSt8g3nKx-_gP1rAxi8xZ1cvTpRwijdfIIaHTTlhjR2TVyT3lkg-1GlIaUoy6_1wpvMJIY4yTrw/s320/Nagata+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
On the 29th, I helped put on a tea ceremony event for foreign residents of Hyogo - another opportunity to dress up in kimono for work! (I love my job.) I interpreted while the tea master performed an abbreviated tea ceremony for all the guests and then explained the history of this Japanese art. Finally, all the participants got a chance to try making tea themselves.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oHj51bTL9gRUc92BBytUAE-vqFElnO5-k8jh0JUypHniQQvCzEbmxz90ZNeRCzgeG_qstCQeEITD2Q7Q60eWHK61j5MLm3060ZnZTamo-G8k1YXpIMfWa84PypgNGpJ1nSAqhU10Mf8/s1600/CIMG2832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oHj51bTL9gRUc92BBytUAE-vqFElnO5-k8jh0JUypHniQQvCzEbmxz90ZNeRCzgeG_qstCQeEITD2Q7Q60eWHK61j5MLm3060ZnZTamo-G8k1YXpIMfWa84PypgNGpJ1nSAqhU10Mf8/s320/CIMG2832.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNfuect-qEva5ml-y67JjEMGTsDSVVC5CPdaLmk6Cv19V-UD4vBbv60U0rPANXs9vZii-AiNCeIqdxWFi3bGFJjVk38l6VOFKcRWcE7LNzNJcMGPrr1bz3Ty24IU1za1MwL9V3Jbx3H0/s1600/%E4%BD%93%E9%A8%93%E3%82%B3%E3%83%BC%E3%83%8A%E3%83%BC%E3%81%AE%E6%A7%98%E5%AD%90.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNfuect-qEva5ml-y67JjEMGTsDSVVC5CPdaLmk6Cv19V-UD4vBbv60U0rPANXs9vZii-AiNCeIqdxWFi3bGFJjVk38l6VOFKcRWcE7LNzNJcMGPrr1bz3Ty24IU1za1MwL9V3Jbx3H0/s320/%E4%BD%93%E9%A8%93%E3%82%B3%E3%83%BC%E3%83%8A%E3%83%BC%E3%81%AE%E6%A7%98%E5%AD%90.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>August</b><br />
<br />
August is a time I look forward to every year - it's when all the new ALTs arrive in Japan. The new ALTs are always so excited and full of enthusiasm, and of course dying of curiosity about their placements in Hyogo. <br />
<br />
First, I go up to Tokyo to pick all the ALTs up after their three-day Tokyo Orientation. My Japanese colleagues and I then accompany them on the shinkansen and bus ride to central Hyogo.<br />
<br />
There, it's the moment they've all been waiting for - they meet their Japanese coworkers for the first time and head off to cities and towns all over Hyogo, where they will live and work for the next one to five years. <br />
<br />
They regroup later in August for orientations, where we try to give them information on everyday life in Hyogo and hints on how to make the best of their time in Japan. From then on, each of them will have a completely distinct and individual experience. Sometimes I find myself jealous of them. I don't think I would be particularly good at teaching, but I always wonder what it would be like to be suddenly plunked down into a rural area of an unfamiliar country where no one else spoke my language. It sounds like an adventure. <br />
<br />
And, with that, I'll sign off for now. Hope that gave you an idea of some of the things I've been doing lately. September is on the horizon, but here in Kobe the heat is showing no signs of letting up. Enjoy the rest of your summer!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079458195615104657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1013718175997741218.post-33427929558171848082012-08-21T23:56:00.000-07:002012-08-29T01:04:17.065-07:00Hyogo Goodwill Envoy Newsletter Annyeong haseyo, Hyogo Goodwill Envoys! Another humid summer is well under way. To improve my health and overcome the hot and humid summer in Japan under the severe setsuden (energy saving) policies, as well as to prepare for the summer dress season, I joined a gym near my office and promised myself that I would go to the gym (preferably) every day. However, due to the cool winds that invite me to drop in different places after work, this promise to myself is being broken all the time.
In this issue, I will talk about a great day for me and my stomach after I pledged again that I would refrain from overeating and do some exercise. Two events related to food were held on that day in June in Kobe.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_pLWgzBiG9mkd8GiIQp5N3D6v1eqQmR_UzW9n-HoyDxuf5EyxnmOELM9_mOApD2bVQjBe4f8YscrFJM0UcnjaBxNq-J3Fo_I2YRXV8kkwB7CoLH2dokAOoX-_C-rlpRiasaHPoc9A7s/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_pLWgzBiG9mkd8GiIQp5N3D6v1eqQmR_UzW9n-HoyDxuf5EyxnmOELM9_mOApD2bVQjBe4f8YscrFJM0UcnjaBxNq-J3Fo_I2YRXV8kkwB7CoLH2dokAOoX-_C-rlpRiasaHPoc9A7s/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtwUN5tcMLVKTcKAOM8c7i1MQtpis_BRnUEOBbDX-14bmg7QcYfVP_lVoT8efGjjjOo1sOf1l5iPqU7XUb6QHGFwW0RHXtaheWF0-DLz0v9NpyMllGNvNjUGbZvquhmuD0kyDij-xA6s/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtwUN5tcMLVKTcKAOM8c7i1MQtpis_BRnUEOBbDX-14bmg7QcYfVP_lVoT8efGjjjOo1sOf1l5iPqU7XUb6QHGFwW0RHXtaheWF0-DLz0v9NpyMllGNvNjUGbZvquhmuD0kyDij-xA6s/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" /></a> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
By a series of accidents
I learned about “Kobe Oktoberfest 2012” from the posters in Hankyu stations during my commuting hours, and was looking forward to the event. Then coincidentally, a colleague of mine asked me if I wanted to go to the event with them, so we decided to go there as a group on Sunday. I was also informed by my friend’s friend that another event called “Kobe Fiesta” would be held on the same day at a park just across from the site of the Oktoberfest. How could I miss this opportunity, where I could eat to the point of passing out in a single day? We changed the schedule – first, go to Kobe Fiesta to eat something, then walk to the Oktoberfest to quench our thirst. I couldn’t wait!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSPOgAOQY946i9DN4gDxbRTDQ3LzJ0lTFCBW_TFBeFTuSwD5-WlTpSALJBKszl9MfuS3QGKx8LDhkadTRyJHrHMnpFk_2UyATM2s37Krao472Drx7PrI8a46j3y5uxmtqrzGhC1AFr6g/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSPOgAOQY946i9DN4gDxbRTDQ3LzJ0lTFCBW_TFBeFTuSwD5-WlTpSALJBKszl9MfuS3QGKx8LDhkadTRyJHrHMnpFk_2UyATM2s37Krao472Drx7PrI8a46j3y5uxmtqrzGhC1AFr6g/s320/clip_image001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbko_MCU-o3W5qHJgqfw6aP8og23Un3Tfv9cA-soNXySGmcwhKuz6J-WTNYFXyP3dsxxgR-GzFVPzvW2mcD8RpXqkfd8CIA2OQpcMwXPTwMRpEp0fH4RrywyILY9X-r7Wu_ACsuT1Nt4/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbko_MCU-o3W5qHJgqfw6aP8og23Un3Tfv9cA-soNXySGmcwhKuz6J-WTNYFXyP3dsxxgR-GzFVPzvW2mcD8RpXqkfd8CIA2OQpcMwXPTwMRpEp0fH4RrywyILY9X-r7Wu_ACsuT1Nt4/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYp0rUpvsDC1Llgabyyl0ziPVf911Qcy66_x1AJ4eJ2zHvvpGwEuaBzqAjac_ya2MJTS2S3Uf2sfRWGhFTI7d4-fACrAh176NotueIvO7gtTRQWgi1LdDPMGR6czbPgsXqQ9BY57kHg5o/s1600/clip_image002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYp0rUpvsDC1Llgabyyl0ziPVf911Qcy66_x1AJ4eJ2zHvvpGwEuaBzqAjac_ya2MJTS2S3Uf2sfRWGhFTI7d4-fACrAh176NotueIvO7gtTRQWgi1LdDPMGR6czbPgsXqQ9BY57kHg5o/s320/clip_image002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8YC82x7KD8UmYQKY2WBWWD_Q3ilVIoytRZuDf646FdQ1Cm1R02MeB3PvGebKLez8HCxnFa7yCEIeL1t0xO1h1D8WRiNu8NMx_m6fbGXgI4ft1yLHY56oL0361OIdARMM7gctjuXGs0A/s1600/clip_image002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8YC82x7KD8UmYQKY2WBWWD_Q3ilVIoytRZuDf646FdQ1Cm1R02MeB3PvGebKLez8HCxnFa7yCEIeL1t0xO1h1D8WRiNu8NMx_m6fbGXgI4ft1yLHY56oL0361OIdARMM7gctjuXGs0A/s1600/clip_image002.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEhiBbHV2cEV5dKc3b428sFo5m_NH5asFUcKW8QR7k6VotRolynudpTR-zWKnR418NwiK4BASIDTqS4Yd1d71HpFipmSK0a-9iGOp-3GSMkoBtpy1DfSgt_j144VVAY6QeushTYJ21UM/s1600/clip_image002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEhiBbHV2cEV5dKc3b428sFo5m_NH5asFUcKW8QR7k6VotRolynudpTR-zWKnR418NwiK4BASIDTqS4Yd1d71HpFipmSK0a-9iGOp-3GSMkoBtpy1DfSgt_j144VVAY6QeushTYJ21UM/s1600/clip_image002.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-L5ZVeoAfmaQgVsTVX5du3oEiFWcgQ9cBoIET5B11zaysiCQ4VvscTj3S5otxNmY7-q5YelKvPwHbBIY_ahwPF33d4Yjkvu-vAYqbDqEvt3zdqacncUcMyDqwAZT7oTfatSNL5U3C4I/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-L5ZVeoAfmaQgVsTVX5du3oEiFWcgQ9cBoIET5B11zaysiCQ4VvscTj3S5otxNmY7-q5YelKvPwHbBIY_ahwPF33d4Yjkvu-vAYqbDqEvt3zdqacncUcMyDqwAZT7oTfatSNL5U3C4I/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1vMKUMHBvjyN3gj_FGIjD-ogfUYIe4k9rU-PGrjcdwBJXGQBxrCKNu532YCrqmZ6u_WsAMuVKDQxX2gL9rpHm1MOxOXsT8y8wNR8wjeyNZgUVTlwpGSytzVUbXkKMm_JLFbjwMcH_RI/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1vMKUMHBvjyN3gj_FGIjD-ogfUYIe4k9rU-PGrjcdwBJXGQBxrCKNu532YCrqmZ6u_WsAMuVKDQxX2gL9rpHm1MOxOXsT8y8wNR8wjeyNZgUVTlwpGSytzVUbXkKMm_JLFbjwMcH_RI/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOy9U2YfjxofazhU1EPdaMkWPoOnwVlmXBC36MIiGMH4VAmCywKInMceFTKUDjV_kX-4s7oeK8plxDUWotP8FfLHI_rdhmYnkGRY7nAbPPvMTH6VMOtffeTe4tThSrx34g9ffX7IBkpU/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOy9U2YfjxofazhU1EPdaMkWPoOnwVlmXBC36MIiGMH4VAmCywKInMceFTKUDjV_kX-4s7oeK8plxDUWotP8FfLHI_rdhmYnkGRY7nAbPPvMTH6VMOtffeTe4tThSrx34g9ffX7IBkpU/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WKH6xel0IKmT9FOps_uO6oWQcjCZDTqbYiWsAbyNzE-i3rBeeMYAfDXoahcUsORzx_swoWzQ6MYswt5wl86T1rsSJDFDL7cTD0_p0B2WzfmKy6aP7lgJaaylrEsVYKN_iph5GnhqUtY/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WKH6xel0IKmT9FOps_uO6oWQcjCZDTqbYiWsAbyNzE-i3rBeeMYAfDXoahcUsORzx_swoWzQ6MYswt5wl86T1rsSJDFDL7cTD0_p0B2WzfmKy6aP7lgJaaylrEsVYKN_iph5GnhqUtY/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrO4f_vlfS4bH7Ert8YFcZBhQBemDXO_sZJpja2rqoFIEDOGLbcubHjZ6qk7xu-GRiEb8THBEggRcIDahRaeWvN71Hz8MAIbnXnuWSKom9js_GmdHVHM5NpYqTYyEJxEBQOXh7Wj4xCo/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrO4f_vlfS4bH7Ert8YFcZBhQBemDXO_sZJpja2rqoFIEDOGLbcubHjZ6qk7xu-GRiEb8THBEggRcIDahRaeWvN71Hz8MAIbnXnuWSKom9js_GmdHVHM5NpYqTYyEJxEBQOXh7Wj4xCo/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhGmtG8DFke-zsM1ltC1rOXQbv6m4r9o24lI2hPYhDaJeq7ztIR_BYTO0B-9QMh6y9715QdjPQMzvrx6MAkmm2GRu0tsrZkTqo1HbJGj-FYIfuAwxW_KKacYR83sLmtdVzd4Tiu6dzHU/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhGmtG8DFke-zsM1ltC1rOXQbv6m4r9o24lI2hPYhDaJeq7ztIR_BYTO0B-9QMh6y9715QdjPQMzvrx6MAkmm2GRu0tsrZkTqo1HbJGj-FYIfuAwxW_KKacYR83sLmtdVzd4Tiu6dzHU/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<u>Kobe Fiesta </u><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8ieVXTfZcUvICSsM0PbGfL9UMd-hZP4Asg6Q6OEZXxjthVXxKUmlUzYyTLVB6FuasruUfidB2nurb1KXD1ZnrTBKjHkKFBV3wjdetNZB39nvs89IAoHmBrRhPLsd0Q0Jr3_BbH5oxvk/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8ieVXTfZcUvICSsM0PbGfL9UMd-hZP4Asg6Q6OEZXxjthVXxKUmlUzYyTLVB6FuasruUfidB2nurb1KXD1ZnrTBKjHkKFBV3wjdetNZB39nvs89IAoHmBrRhPLsd0Q0Jr3_BbH5oxvk/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" /></a>In a light rain, we headed to the Minato-no-mori Park, the venue of Kobe Fiesta. At the entrance, we bought a 500 yen wristband which is required to buy stuff there. We also received a paper tray for the food and an official guidebook.
OK, let’s start eating! But with so much delicious-looking food, it was difficult to choose which stand to visit first.
About the event
Kobe Fiesta was started in 2008 by people from the food industry. It is an annual “gourmet & bazaar” event to introduce food and goods made in Kobe to help hand them down to the next generation. There are many other events that feature food stalls, but this particular event with its cool atmosphere is only possible in the stylish town of Kobe! Thank God I’m living in Kobe!
Salad bouquet from the kitchen garden/Black wagyu en papillote with roasted onion
Confit de canard from France with whole-grain mustard/Homard poele with Ako shio-negi sauce
Pudding/Crepe Suzette with strawberry parfait (mango & framboise sauce)
Oktoberfest<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSgsjwcbY2XGDSwfZaCOsDrJ9rakaEATXDtaeGvIcJOQWnhV7iygHbJRSrsq9758Ojck3vy6cB7kcH2F_eNCXiHBe034EkXlTlqiH3tj5daiOikETWUJ4k_AmP7tMaE63LSCMGJ6JK3k/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSgsjwcbY2XGDSwfZaCOsDrJ9rakaEATXDtaeGvIcJOQWnhV7iygHbJRSrsq9758Ojck3vy6cB7kcH2F_eNCXiHBe034EkXlTlqiH3tj5daiOikETWUJ4k_AmP7tMaE63LSCMGJ6JK3k/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" /></a>After having a snack, we moved to “Kobe Oktoberfest 2012 in Sannomiya,” held in Higashi Yuenchi park just across the road.
The Oktoberfest is an annual beer festival held in Munich, which is the biggest of its kind in the world, attracting over six million visitors singing and dancing together. As a cultural exchange event to enjoy German music and food, it has also been taking place in various places in Japan. Kobe, in particular, developed as a center for Japan-Germany exchange in Kansai. Visitors to Kobe can take in historical sites like Kyu-kyoryuchi (old foreign settlement) and Ijinkan (old foreign residences).<br />
<br />
<u>Enjoying Oktoberfest</u><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZjBAori8yoTP67FHCbLVdtWRWKoVkmQXh-fXnPdKGbJfCQQtRtq-ObtufytoBCz7PYyKacbF6xbGv5UpA34c6wtm8KjvhyDfywXz1KJnf-ecPpKXma-O5xoQTIEKRv_vFVV6u6VXZFg/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZjBAori8yoTP67FHCbLVdtWRWKoVkmQXh-fXnPdKGbJfCQQtRtq-ObtufytoBCz7PYyKacbF6xbGv5UpA34c6wtm8KjvhyDfywXz1KJnf-ecPpKXma-O5xoQTIEKRv_vFVV6u6VXZFg/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdKpWZUqWj3rzV69DLI843vfgVvjhVJVZUschoeuRjVf1K184ZckHlGGbL85py7w7IVutZygCyJ3Q_ODNxaJLrl3iVW0WycHDsmRvyrf73XCFWGUOXOBcedPfvFHrsAJCErg7_vMh6F0/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdKpWZUqWj3rzV69DLI843vfgVvjhVJVZUschoeuRjVf1K184ZckHlGGbL85py7w7IVutZygCyJ3Q_ODNxaJLrl3iVW0WycHDsmRvyrf73XCFWGUOXOBcedPfvFHrsAJCErg7_vMh6F0/s320/clip_image001.jpg" width="320" /></a> When you choose a beer, you pay for the beer itself, together with a deposit for the glass (1,000 yen). This is an eco-friendly system to stop using plastic cups and prevent damage to glasses. The deposit is reimbursed when you return the empty glass. The shops served beer in each brand’s beautiful glass, so some people just took them home without getting a refund. During the 10-day event, stage performances were put on every day. A band from Germany played folk music, and we sang and danced to the music, hand in hand, and shouted “Prost! (=cheers)”
Are my photos conveying the festivities?
Thanks to these two events, I had a great early-summer day. I’m sorry the next chance will be a year from now (still a long way to go!). I believe this is the best opportunity to enjoy delicious and cool Kobe, so I hope you'll get a chance to take a look at these events next year!<br />
<br />
☆ Hyogo Event Info ★
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPn14KG-e08PaGNu_nJGqNT_dMqR-vH_B2jxEGfhnLOdGz-Vo6Ni7K2Gt82Dr23BjlSpSZl-157kptbj5sa8qZByewNZdDfFXKNo_K7crEVi_hyphenhyphenqRpVrQjPDaPObqKm4lcvHTL5Yz1WsY/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPn14KG-e08PaGNu_nJGqNT_dMqR-vH_B2jxEGfhnLOdGz-Vo6Ni7K2Gt82Dr23BjlSpSZl-157kptbj5sa8qZByewNZdDfFXKNo_K7crEVi_hyphenhyphenqRpVrQjPDaPObqKm4lcvHTL5Yz1WsY/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0FOiqS90xRic2CaNzYE_Dt-awXgFvBYuR2v1u-_qhFqX_cbcYwml5FekCcz9HjZe4DCCO1Ma6C2czGDbZafVb5_NfJc2Zpqk_qIuNBqXYht49Qb664iTWI0sGcR-JLDWx0h19X14dz0/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0FOiqS90xRic2CaNzYE_Dt-awXgFvBYuR2v1u-_qhFqX_cbcYwml5FekCcz9HjZe4DCCO1Ma6C2czGDbZafVb5_NfJc2Zpqk_qIuNBqXYht49Qb664iTWI0sGcR-JLDWx0h19X14dz0/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4VMVShsoY0A1TcqTtMUMkJPuGXJsUvGNdAZcgwY2Xpg2YprwLH5e6Z7wNsEW2QVJPuV8XvMWj4-r5oUZBNrN5Ha65_EIH9o_erKhOfReUcmEiqVOzqehHtnXY4qHBKtd_hejonrtTew/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4VMVShsoY0A1TcqTtMUMkJPuGXJsUvGNdAZcgwY2Xpg2YprwLH5e6Z7wNsEW2QVJPuV8XvMWj4-r5oUZBNrN5Ha65_EIH9o_erKhOfReUcmEiqVOzqehHtnXY4qHBKtd_hejonrtTew/s1600/clip_image001.jpg" /></a></div>
Flower viewing (hanami) parties are not only for spring. How about doing hanami in summer? Vibrantly-colored flowers are waiting for you under the strong sunshine of summer.<br />
<br />
<u>Sunflower festival at Himawari Yuyu Noen (farm)</u>
Date: July 29, 2012
(The farm is open from Jul. 22 through Aug. 5)
Place: Himawari Yuyu Noen (Yuzu, Kasuga-cho, Tamba
City)
Access: 15 min. by car from JR Fukuchiyama Line Kuroi
Station, or 7 min. by car from Kasuga IC on
Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway
This is a large farm with an area of over five hectares, located in the Yuzu area, known for Tamba matsutake mushrooms. Here visitors can enjoy a huge maze of sunflowers, local sweet corn (freshly picked and boiled), spray sunflowers, lotus park and rural scenery. <br />
<br />
For more event information, please refer to: http://www.hyogo-tourism.jpAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079458195615104657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1013718175997741218.post-78563834896094908232012-07-16T21:29:00.000-07:002012-07-16T21:29:07.398-07:00Washington-Hyogo Teacher InstituteHey all, Liz from Seattle here! I’m so excited to get this new blog up and running. On the blog, I’ll be sharing news about the work I do as a Coordinator for International Relations here in Hyogo, Japan.
<p>
I hope I can help readers learn what it’s like to be a CIR, how our work contributes to Hyogo, and what makes Hyogo such a great place to visit – and live!
<p>
Last month, I had the opportunity to help out with a really fun project as part of my work at the Hyogo International Association. Every other year, a group of teachers from Washington State (Hyogo’s sister state in the US) come to Hyogo for an educational tour as part of the Washington-Hyogo Teacher Institute. They visit elementary, junior high, and high schools in Hyogo, where they have the opportunity to observe and learn about the Japanese education system. They also participate in homestays in order to gain an understanding of Japanese daily life and culture.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kCWdpofblbxrKEq0zOUXLogDC7Ol5obCrPIHE4plsnVW8IM-mzEsLFXzBbZwU3v0EnQDthHAHOsHlYrDXAaepbnCqikVHSzqAbAmFdIkqCWxWJ3sQjxbEoZfLwj6tvfk3W5is89iPSI/s1600/001+%2528800x533%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="213" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kCWdpofblbxrKEq0zOUXLogDC7Ol5obCrPIHE4plsnVW8IM-mzEsLFXzBbZwU3v0EnQDthHAHOsHlYrDXAaepbnCqikVHSzqAbAmFdIkqCWxWJ3sQjxbEoZfLwj6tvfk3W5is89iPSI/s320/001+%2528800x533%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
For many of the teachers, this trip was their first time to Japan! When they return to the US, they will teach their students what they’ve learned about Japan and Hyogo to strengthen community ties between the two regions.
<p>
I spent three days very worthwhile days with the teachers visiting schools in Tamba, Kobe, and Akashi. The teachers enjoyed observing classes in a variety of subjects, eating school lunches, watching after-school club activities, and getting lots of one-on-one interaction with the students. They were fascinated by the similarities and differences between Japanese and American schools, and were full of questions for the teachers and administrators.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9c7Q_YYRh3ejRH1hkMiE2aPvPg32D8Q6euijb857Z1kL5dyB9m6UUGaqpzC_MlZ1FgGCqrYd627007FhLmfXA1QB0yk73KiTI-DzHd7bCnSdeFAhnM2LXncZ1YAbW8IO43OdGMYSoiOA/s1600/237+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9c7Q_YYRh3ejRH1hkMiE2aPvPg32D8Q6euijb857Z1kL5dyB9m6UUGaqpzC_MlZ1FgGCqrYd627007FhLmfXA1QB0yk73KiTI-DzHd7bCnSdeFAhnM2LXncZ1YAbW8IO43OdGMYSoiOA/s320/237+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
My duties on the tour were mainly interpreting. When I first arrived in Hyogo, interpreting made me nervous, but I’ve gained a lot of confidence in my two years here and really enjoy it now. On this tour, I interpreted speeches by school administrators, presentations by students, question-and-answer sessions, and more.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zpvVtHyEhou320S0Pv-1pA-lsGZWVTwtQI0Bm0C9dO0Lmag-VX8IAOnMaEkFvMwqYufy8tB8VS-GbLq6qRJP7_4rVdXsexOjZIL9Ck5_ZOYKXLSOTWeQCP3qqRHyHHJ8bYXJEwGFsMg/s1600/059+%25281024x812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="254" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zpvVtHyEhou320S0Pv-1pA-lsGZWVTwtQI0Bm0C9dO0Lmag-VX8IAOnMaEkFvMwqYufy8tB8VS-GbLq6qRJP7_4rVdXsexOjZIL9Ck5_ZOYKXLSOTWeQCP3qqRHyHHJ8bYXJEwGFsMg/s320/059+%25281024x812%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
I felt very honored to be part of the tour – it was one of the most worthwhile projects I’ve ever worked on here in Hyogo. I always enjoy work that means going out into the community, meeting new faces, and promoting intercultural exchange on the person-to-person level. The teacher exchange celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and over 100 teachers from Washington have participated. When you think about all those teachers passing on their knowledge and enthusiasm for Japan to their students, you start to get an idea of what the impact of the program is.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079458195615104657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1013718175997741218.post-68039579991899548632012-07-09T19:41:00.000-07:002012-07-09T19:41:19.609-07:00Hyogo Goodwill Envoy Designation Ceremony 2012<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On
Friday 6<sup>th</sup> July, the annual Goodwill Envoy Designation Ceremony was
held at Hyogo House in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kobe</st1:place></st1:city>.
The 32 new envoys (32 in one year being a new record!) received a certificate of
designation from Governor Ido and had a rare opportunity to meet him and other
officials from the local government at a reception afterwards. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKv02iTI5j3t2XDW5GM3TakONLeeQrzarAxOY91WsAsJ1nQpdJsBON82TxGWDcRr0TodHyOPxo85U_AD3fBG3OF_cTjVNO87l4J4HGYFJJz3ZZ-UmrjzAbrFvAYYGH4uMKCofuaOjnAdg/s1600/IMG_7536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKv02iTI5j3t2XDW5GM3TakONLeeQrzarAxOY91WsAsJ1nQpdJsBON82TxGWDcRr0TodHyOPxo85U_AD3fBG3OF_cTjVNO87l4J4HGYFJJz3ZZ-UmrjzAbrFvAYYGH4uMKCofuaOjnAdg/s400/IMG_7536.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At
the start of the ceremony, Sifton Anipare a 3<sup>rd</sup> year ALT and Jeremy
Pichot, a 5<sup>th</sup> year CIR each gave a presentation on their time in
Hyogo. Whether it was memories of the people they met or the interesting places
they had been, both gave some great accounts of what it is like to live in
Hyogo and revealed some of the far reaching and long-lasting relationships they, and I'm sure everyone present, have formed with this wonderful prefecture.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHBuQM6FqJz4CIbAXzCaRov07Lh_gHMILZo_g81WdRO6lt2T_0Ma5pGzWe8WUBGnBM1cDBuca8UfSm8bXbTjuIeYN8hn6DgV15wRBaasBG9BHH-yhRGGIFx3lIB6h1GekCn21PlsdS6c/s1600/IMG_7698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHBuQM6FqJz4CIbAXzCaRov07Lh_gHMILZo_g81WdRO6lt2T_0Ma5pGzWe8WUBGnBM1cDBuca8UfSm8bXbTjuIeYN8hn6DgV15wRBaasBG9BHH-yhRGGIFx3lIB6h1GekCn21PlsdS6c/s200/IMG_7698.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reception with Governor Ido</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKI_umWkdG8M2rVmJqTO4s8vPcZkmdAPHk2vE4qs-LcT9gJ93LXiPlBGah_axXUkUxYnxd8dCJcJ_vBhp126I8dDiYpplsMpGVMmrLQHtTfDahA7zHWFUF2O5BMLNktYYxwv5KA8QJMx4/s1600/IMG_7482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKI_umWkdG8M2rVmJqTO4s8vPcZkmdAPHk2vE4qs-LcT9gJ93LXiPlBGah_axXUkUxYnxd8dCJcJ_vBhp126I8dDiYpplsMpGVMmrLQHtTfDahA7zHWFUF2O5BMLNktYYxwv5KA8QJMx4/s200/IMG_7482.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></b><b style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the new envoys had
received their certificates from the Governor, Miriam Rollason, a 2<sup>nd</sup>
year ALT gave an <i>aisatsu </i>(words of
greeting) to the governor as a representative of the Goodwill Envoys. Her story
was both funny and moving and I’m sure everyone was in agreement with her
concluding words; “we can never completely leave”. </span></span></b></div>
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><br /><b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
I hope the ceremony provided the new Hyogo Goodwill Envoys with a chance to
reflect on their time in Hyogo alongside their fellow JETs and that Hyogo and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Japan</st1:place></st1:country-region> will
continue to play a part in their lives in future.</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079458195615104657noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1013718175997741218.post-58749767522598088972012-06-28T23:26:00.000-07:002012-06-28T23:37:56.849-07:00Hyogo Goodwill Envoy Newsletter, June 2012<span style="background-color: white;">Nimenhao (Hello),
Goodwill Envoys! I'm Lu Zan, a new CIR
from </span><st1:place style="background-color: white;" w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Guangdong Province</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="background-color: white;">. When I arrived in </span><st1:place style="background-color: white;" w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city></st1:place><span style="background-color: white;"> in April, it was already the second half
of the month, so regrettably, I missed the lovely Japanese cherry
blossoms. However, thanks to some clear weather, I
fully enjoyed a brisk and comfortable spring in </span><st1:place style="background-color: white;" w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="background-color: white;">. Here in </span><st1:place style="background-color: white;" w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city></st1:place><span style="background-color: white;">,
it was still rather cool at the end of April. Meanwhile, I heard that a hot and humid summer had already come to </span><st1:place style="background-color: white;" w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Guangdong</st1:state></st1:place><span style="background-color: white;">.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXLQMDSscjRLJdsWTbJOc-GR7tEXgXoEIYf3Gc2qHQ4_mDtspswenKdo9-0CefQDOMDYi4GGU3ahncbv6rIcfNwJePexBkix9fQO_9L3R4CrU4U1Qtwo8vNlWd45geBU9ZkCtzsUL5Rc/s1600/Takarazuka+theatre.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXLQMDSscjRLJdsWTbJOc-GR7tEXgXoEIYf3Gc2qHQ4_mDtspswenKdo9-0CefQDOMDYi4GGU3ahncbv6rIcfNwJePexBkix9fQO_9L3R4CrU4U1Qtwo8vNlWd45geBU9ZkCtzsUL5Rc/s320/Takarazuka+theatre.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">Soon after I came to </span><st1:place style="background-color: white;" w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="background-color: white;">,
it was Golden Week. Taking this opportunity, I visited Takarazuka
to fulfill a small dream of mine. In
this issue, I will introduce the Takarazuka Revue – a musical troupe I love. Please enjoy my first blog post!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'MS ゴシック';"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span lang="EN-US">A surprising invitation<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">As Golden Week was a
long holiday season, everyone seemed to have already decided how to spend
it. Just when I was at a loss what to do
all by myself, I received an email from a senior associate from my university
who had come to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region> on a
training program run by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Itami</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">City</st1:placetype></st1:place>. She invited me to go to see the Takarazuka
Revue together. I was really excited and
agreed on the spot. From that moment, I was
really looking forward to our trip. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /><u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">What is the
Takarazuka Revue?</u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOZ11UORU7R9A4RM59Idz_J-E5R1iboDkVchZsk73X0jT6NvOXjKah4I5LQrJRXrS6FKknr-_00KasuFdcAvcWDyXQi9N9UTMJR6uESvAoX8fFK4J_25xmbpFpQ9enz_qyJ9_v_EEvqs/s1600/Cry-max.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOZ11UORU7R9A4RM59Idz_J-E5R1iboDkVchZsk73X0jT6NvOXjKah4I5LQrJRXrS6FKknr-_00KasuFdcAvcWDyXQi9N9UTMJR6uESvAoX8fFK4J_25xmbpFpQ9enz_qyJ9_v_EEvqs/s320/Cry-max.JPG" width="238" /></a><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">Takarazuka Revue
is a musical theater troupe consisting only of unmarried ladies, with its base
in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Takarazuka</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">City</st1:placetype></st1:place>, Hyogo. Since its first performance in 1914, it has
been providing revues and dramas at Takarazuka Grand Theater (Takarazuka City,
Hyogo) and Tokyo Takarazuka Theater (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), with five troupes –
Flower (<i>hana</i>), Moon (<i>tsuki</i>), Snow (<i>yuki</i>), Star (<i>hoshi</i>) and
Cosmos (<i>sora</i>) – and independent
superior members (<i>senka</i>). All members being women, the male roles are
also played by women. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">Actresses playing the male
roles is quite unique in the world of stage performance these days, so they are extremely
popular among their fans.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span lang="EN-US">Let</span></u></i></b><b><i><u><span lang="EN-US">’</span></u></i></b><b><i><u><span lang="EN-US">s go and see the
Takarazuka Revue</span></u></i></b><b><i><u><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I love theatrical
performances. When I was in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Guangzhou</st1:city></st1:place>, I often went to
the theater to see Chinese modern dramas, and enjoyed DVDs of American Broadway
musicals at home. I had seen the
Takarazuka Revue on DVD, and always yearned to enjoy it first hand. I never dreamed of having such a good
opportunity so soon after coming to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region></st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">To get to Takarazuka
from Oji-koen Station, located near my apartment, it is most convenient to
use the Hankyu Railway. With my heart
pounding, I soon arrived at Takarazuka. On that day, it was raining and somewhat chilly,</span><span lang="EN-US"> but the big crowd of
people heading for Takarazuka Grand Theater was the proof of just how popular the
Takarazuka Revue is. </span><span lang="EN-US">Then the Grand Theater appeared in front of me – it
was plainer than I had expected. Without
any fancy decorations, it was the opposite of the gorgeous theater I had
imagined. The stage before the
performance, as shown in the picture below, was also quiet with just a plain
white curtain. </span><span lang="EN-US">It certainly didn't look like a</span><span lang="EN-US"> gorgeous musical performance would be taking place there.</span><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 1.0; text-indent: 10.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'MS ゴシック';"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'MS ゴシック';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">After a short time, an
opening announcement was broadcast. Now
the long-awaited performance was about to start! As soon as it got dark, the curtain went up
and I was engrossed within a dream world. The day’s program was “Brilliant Days/Cry-Max (Climax)” by the Cosmos
troupe. The top actress in the Cosmos
troupe playing the role of a man, Yuhi Ozora, is retiring in July, so it might
have been her last series of performances – I was very lucky to be there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">As photography is
prohibited during the performance, I just took a picture of the poster. It is a story set in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">New York</st1:state></st1:place> in the 1920s. A millionaire swindler who was once a poor
immigrant disguises himself as a nobleman from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region></st1:place>. He tries to acquire a Broadway theater that
he longed for when he was a child. Then
he meets a chorus girl at the theater, and falls in love with her. The love between the swindler and the chorus
girl who believed in dreams ends in tragedy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The background of the
stage and dresses of the actresses were dazzlingly gorgeous. With their perfect performance, I was moved
to tears at the tragic ending.<span style="font-family: 'MS 明朝';"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">Following “Brilliant
Days,” the troupe performed a show entitled “Cry-Max (Climax)”. During the intermission, I was able to take a
picture of the stage.Try to picture how
brilliant the show was from this photo of the bright backstage. It was a revue of songs and dances with a great variety of performances.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNMxpbwAyWmViOaiQJV6Vwzo6dAXf51gWwkF0efcxEHU4H2fmh7NFZQyC_jcziqsdrqqOokowmlhnl2hsD85Cp6iZDUSd2YMhB7_sPsS0Ny85iNtdwc1DwYqaQga4Y1wFabLu62EjXkY/s1600/Takarazuka+screen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNMxpbwAyWmViOaiQJV6Vwzo6dAXf51gWwkF0efcxEHU4H2fmh7NFZQyC_jcziqsdrqqOokowmlhnl2hsD85Cp6iZDUSd2YMhB7_sPsS0Ny85iNtdwc1DwYqaQga4Y1wFabLu62EjXkY/s320/Takarazuka+screen.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span lang="EN-US">Epilogue<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">During each and every
performance, the audience was dazzled by the troupe's brilliant dresses. I was completely immersed in the beautiful songs and graceful
dances, all the while being mesmerized by perfect performances and would love to see it all again. I strongly recommend that you visit Takarazuka Grand Theater and enjoy the
charms that musical theater has to offer.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'MS ゴシック';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: HGMaruGothicMPRO;">☆ </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US">Hyogo Events Info</span></b><b><span style="font-family: HGMaruGothicMPRO;"> ★ <span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Soon July, the season
of fireworks in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
will be upon us. </span><span lang="EN-US">I'd like to introduce some
major firework festivals in Hyogo in order of date.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">1. </span><span lang="EN-US">Hamasaka Kawasuso
Festival<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Date: Jul. 15, 2012 (Sun.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Venue: Hamasaka area<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVxrTbBJHG_ED2OptG3BKpNMin4ShdJYJz7ibo62ZVh7ptl0b1te-nwi9MQ_-sKYqIzR8xZ1JWPsycL2GKpfmYJnTx-XT_ZkORJZtHz7BPZ9OPa8V43K2NftTbzIijy57kgtWmxY5OXc/s1600/hanabi2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVxrTbBJHG_ED2OptG3BKpNMin4ShdJYJz7ibo62ZVh7ptl0b1te-nwi9MQ_-sKYqIzR8xZ1JWPsycL2GKpfmYJnTx-XT_ZkORJZtHz7BPZ9OPa8V43K2NftTbzIijy57kgtWmxY5OXc/s1600/hanabi2.jpeg" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Kawasuso Festival has a long history as one of the three great
festivals of the Tajima region. Every
year in mid-July, the three-day festival is held at Utsuno-jinja Shrine. A traditional dance called <i>Kirin-shishimai</i>, a prefectural important
intangible cultural asset which has been passed down among the locals since the
mid-Edo period, is performed in dedication to the shrine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">2. Kinosaki
Hot Springs</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"> “Summer Story”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Date: Jul. 23
(Mon.) </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'MS ゴシック';">–</span><span lang="EN-US"> Aug. 24 (Fri.), 2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US">Yume Hiroba (<st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Dream Square</st1:address></st1:street>)</span><span lang="EN-US">:</span><span lang="EN-US"> 20:00 </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'MS ゴシック';">–</span><span lang="EN-US">
21:30 (Jul. 23 </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'MS ゴシック';">–</span><span lang="EN-US"> Aug. 26)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US">Yume Hanabi (Dream Fireworks)</span><span lang="EN-US">: 21:00 </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'MS ゴシック';">–</span><span lang="EN-US"> (Weekdays during the
period above)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Venue: Kinosaki <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Hot Springs</st1:city></st1:place>
area<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNM1TMkL_LlzeuGUhhbLCUS3Q4_vqrG6dpwpnvQDhrMDIoe2qSuS6JGRzq7OXPoBdvp4xaPkCZtMq89zYGBc5Q06t_9hy46lpWPl3kHjRCDoH5UZ9TwRTAP7a2EbY3eU5UktCQq8sg50/s1600/hanabi.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNM1TMkL_LlzeuGUhhbLCUS3Q4_vqrG6dpwpnvQDhrMDIoe2qSuS6JGRzq7OXPoBdvp4xaPkCZtMq89zYGBc5Q06t_9hy46lpWPl3kHjRCDoH5UZ9TwRTAP7a2EbY3eU5UktCQq8sg50/s1600/hanabi.jpeg" /></a><span lang="EN-US">Visitors are able to enjoy a wide variety of fun events, including
community fairs and performances by the local hero </span><span lang="EN-US">“</span><span lang="EN-US">Onsenger</span><span lang="EN-US">.”</span><span lang="EN-US"> There are firework displays every weekday
during the period, coloring the sky of the hot spring resort.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">3. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Takeno</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Sea</st1:placetype></st1:place> Fireworks Festival<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Date: Jul. 30, 2012 (Mon.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Venue: Takenohama beach<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0mm; mso-padding-alt: 0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm; width: 100.0%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm; width: 50.0%;" valign="top" width="50%"><br /></td><td style="padding: 0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm; width: 50.0%;" valign="top" width="50%"></td><td style="padding: 0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm; width: 50.0%;" valign="top" width="50%"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">With many aerial fireworks and set fireworks coloring the midsummer night
sky, the festival is very popular as a seasonal summer event. The reflection of the fireworks on the water
along with the roaring sound is quite spectacular. Laser beams are also used in the
display. This festival started in 1970 and
has become one of the largest firework festivals in Hyogo, attracting
30,000-40,000 visitors annually.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">For information on firework festivals, please refer to:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/"><span style="color: windowtext;">http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079458195615104657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1013718175997741218.post-40087827133668328642012-06-26T17:17:00.002-07:002012-07-02T22:33:10.565-07:00Hello from Hyogo!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNMDe5clclrSKKwYSKJO9bC16QuhjhXu2PaS3xAfqavKHix2r2M1lr_Zj7hFiTk5QFwBWLl-gqIWuDtCgGM-44ZVf21osbmKWkeSSgzISO0837FlFfK3EMVc12GIkEm7hy8DWsG0RLwA/s1600/IMG_7273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNMDe5clclrSKKwYSKJO9bC16QuhjhXu2PaS3xAfqavKHix2r2M1lr_Zj7hFiTk5QFwBWLl-gqIWuDtCgGM-44ZVf21osbmKWkeSSgzISO0837FlFfK3EMVc12GIkEm7hy8DWsG0RLwA/s320/IMG_7273.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Konnichi wa<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;">and welcome to Hyogo Friendship Network, a blog for anyone interested in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Hyogo Prefecture</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region></st1:place>! Whether you've visited <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Hyogo</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Prefecture</st1:placetype></st1:place>, lived or worked here or simply want to know more about what this fascinating prefecture has to offer, this blog is the place for you.<span class="apple-converted-space"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;">In this blog, which will be mainly written in English, we’ll strive to reach as many people as we can, but at the same time we’ll have a particular emphasis on our network of Hyogo Goodwill Envoys. </span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br /></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;">This blog will be operated</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;"> by Hyogo Prefecture's six Coordinators for International Relations (CIR) who will take it in turns to bring you info on Hyogo's lively festivals, fascinating destinations and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>oishii<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>cuisine, as well as tell you a little bit about our work, day-to-day lives in addition various other topics, depending on what we want to share with you (we’re planning to write a few pieces on Kansai-ben!).</span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;">To give you a glimpse of what you will find on this blog in the upcoming months, we’ll post a few articles on our trip to the Tohoku region and our French CIR Jérémy, who will have completed the maximum five years as a CIR next month, will give us some thoughts about his time spent in Hyogo, now his adopted hometown (<i>daini no furusato</i>) !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;">Hyogo Friendship Network is actually an extension of </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://kkinhyogo.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;">another blog</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;">that was started 2 years ago. It’s regularly updated and works pretty well but it’s almost entirely in Japanese and we find it quite inconvenient for content written in English. It really became necessary for us to have a place where we could express ourselves and share information in a more-than-just-Japanese-language environment.</span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br /></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;">Last but not least, we’ve also created a Facebook group </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;">(</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/168869823245628/"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;">Hyogo Friendship Network on FB</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;">), so keeping in touch and sharing your pictures and anecdotes from your time in Hyogo will be even easier!<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 10pt;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 10pt;">We'd love to hear your comments and suggestions, so please feel free to contact us at [</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 10pt;">hyogo.friendshipnet at gmail.com] or leave us a comment directly on the blog or on our FB page.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 10pt;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 10pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Yoroshiku onegaishimasu</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 10pt;">! </span></i></div>
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: white;">Ben (</span><st1:country-region style="background-color: white;" w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region><span style="background-color: white;">)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;">Luciana (</span><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;">Brazil</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;">)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;">Liz (US)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px;">Bokyung (</span><st1:country-region style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px;" w:st="on">Korea</st1:country-region><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px;">)</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;">Lu (<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;">Jérémy (France)</span></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079458195615104657noreply@blogger.com2