My neighborhood Hara-machi, Suita city

Today I will introduce my Neighborhood which is Haramachi, Suita city in Osaka. It locates in upper Osaka where we can go to Osaka city in about 10 minutes by train. JR Suita station is about 20 minutes' walk from my apartment. Eventhough it's rural place I don't care because it's not that difficult to access to the city. However, seriously around my neighborhood there are not much to share because where I live is just an area full of houses and apartments. 

Although what I like about my neighborhood is this small bamboo jungle. I like livinig in this apartment because I  can relax a lot by looking at these trees and hearing the birds except summer. When the summer comes, thousands of cicadas are singing all the time which makes me dislike these bamboo trees.

This is the nearest place to have dinner, Yakiniku (焼肉) which is 5 minute's walk from my home. It's one of the popular restaurant around in my neighborhood. I haven't tried Yakiniku here but people are always waiting outside so it MUST taste good. There is a convenient store across this restaurant.

This is what it looks like near my apartment. As you can see, there is nothing but houses. It is really dark in the night but no one strange here. Hara-machi is a peaceful town. Before I finish up my post I would like to share something. In Japan we have a system of delivering supermarket to apartments. At a certain time on Wednesday evening, here comes a truck of groceries. People who have no time to go shopping or people who are busy taking care of their child use this delivering supermarket. After they have divided their groceries those people are chatting forever. Maybe about 10 people staying at the hall of the apartment for 4 or 5 hours chatting all the time with loud voices. I'm sure this is not happening only at my apartment but it's common in Japan. End of my blog for this week.

Japanese Culture

Beginning this blog by talking about what "Japanese culture" is. There are  tons of things and traditions that describe Japanese culture but i will share three of those. This is a photo of "Coming of Age Day", me wearing kimono. Everyone who are 20 goes to the ceremony with this tight kimono on. We spend about 200,000yen and wake up early to get ready (depends on people) for just this moment. It was fun but I thought it is crazy to spend so much money on a particular day. However, it has become one of my best memories.

 

The right photo is a zoom of "Obi(帯)" which is belt for kimono. Can't tell from its appearance but this is the one that makes us tight and hard to breathe. We are able to choose colors for kimono and obi and all the decorations for kimono. I chose this less popular color "light green" kimono with Sakura patterns.

I think Fireworks are another popular Japanese culture. I know other countries have fireworks, but Japanese ones are more high quality!? I guess. On Summer seasons there many fireworks all over Japan. What we call "Hanabitaikai(花火大会)/Matsuri(祭)". On the streets we can find many small shops and booths in a row that offers foods and games. The best festival in summer that I recommend for foreigners to go. The photo was taken last year at Fukuchiyama located upper Kyoto.

Worldwide formula, Sushi equals Japan. In Japan, we can have 2 piece of sushi on a small plate by100yen or 1 sushi that costs more than 10,000 yen. Whenever I go overseas, I always wonder about sushi rolls having avocados in it which I really wish Japanese to do. The End of my first culture observation photo journal.