02.03.2011 China Town New Years and KGU school visit in Kobe, Osaka

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The day was bright and refreshing and so was my outlook for the trip to Kobe. Kaori mentioned to me that today is Chinese New Years and the only way to celebrate is by going to China town located in Kobe. We also planned on stopping by the school I would be attending in March called Kwansei Gakuin University. So we had some pretty fun adventures planned for the day. On our way to Kobe Kaori stopped in a store at the Umeda underground shopping mall to pick up some cheaper tickets. This small shop sells discounted tickets to anything from movies, concerts and rail tickets this store had it all. Normally if we were to purchase our tickets at the station it would cost ¥850, however we purchased ours for ¥760. It may not seem like a lot but every Yen counts since I’m fighting an uphill battle during currency exchanges.

On the train ride to Kobe I was introduced to the “more affluent” side of Osaka and some hidden treasure that take a keen eye to find. I am used to taking the train now but Kaori threw me a twist and brought me to a different rail line called the “Hankyu Kobe Line”. The reason this was such a “different” experience for me is because of the cars that you rode in and all passengers on board were dressed comfortably. The station and trains are well maintained and seem to pose an upscale side to train travels. Our first stop was Hankyu Kotoen Station, then a 5 minute walk up the hill to KGU. I got very excited as we gained closer and closer to school, but I also realized that in less than two months I will be walking on this road every day. We arrived on Campus and the first thought through my mind was “This is my school!” I could not believe how magnificent the campus was. The architecture seems more like a Harvard or Prestige school setting. It was defiantly a change from the Mankato campus. Kaori and I were able to walk on the campus grounds and wonder around for a while. There were examinations today for prospective students so it was pretty bare. I absolutely loved the old style buildings; I had only seen this kind of setting in movies. To think “that this would be my school over the next four months” really pumped me up. We wondered around towards the front of the school near the clock tower to the Japanese Garden. After a quick map reference we decided to head over to the Student Union building and see what activates were going on. Inside the Student Union stationed a large cafeteria by the name of “Big MAMA”. Kaori suggested we get something to eat and from the moment I stepped in the café, I knew this is probably the place I would eat every meal. They had choices of Curry rice with pork, miso soup, noodle curry, or a fried chicken plate. We both dove for the curry but I added pork to mine. The meal was relatively cheap and there were signs posted on the walls that said “only students may purchase food from the cafeteria”, so Kaori thought it would be smart if she grabbed the meals since she blended in with the crowd. Looking around the café I noticed a professor who was American so I walked over for a quick info questionnaire. The professor’s name was David Write and he is one of the instructors of English as a foreign language. He gave some quick tips and some know how info for being a new student and for some general info about Japanese life. Kaori was helpful with explaining my study abroad situation and with her personal encounters while she was aboard in America. We could have talked for hours but we wanted to check out other places in Kobe before the sun goes down. Professor Write and I exchanged business cards then we were off to China town.

The train ride to Sannomiya Station was another luxury cruise at its best. Kaori pointed out that the train ride to the Station had some of the most exclusive houses and families in Osaka. For the local MNers; it’s like Edina in Minnesota. I grabbed some snap shots of the Kobe Mountain and of the prosperous neighborhood while blasting by. Eventually we made it to Sannomiya Station and hoofed it to China Town. There is a bigger China Town in Yokohama but Kobe’s China town is less confusing (it has one big road) and its one of the best places for night life and finger food on the go. The town was literally plastered in red and gold. From the ground to the lanterns everything was festive for bringing in the new year of the Rabbit. The smell of dumping and chicken could make anyone’s mouth drool for a taste. We found a small store that gave tourists a great chance to be a panda! Kaori ran over to the statue for an action shot. In the middle of China town there was a fashion show that mesmerized a large group of tourists and locals. I believe men where the models for the dresses and wore pure white face makeup with bead and Jew encrusted cloths. After the show we bounced around looking for small souvenirs for friends and family. In one of the small allies a statue of Bruce Lee caught my eye and of course made an impression to other tourists walking by the store. There was also a small “put you face here” camera shot for those who wish they were Bruce Lee. I jumped behind and Kaori snapped shot of the new buff Bri-Lee! We passed through the store and emerged on the other side of China Town; we decided to pass through one more for a quick review of things we might have missed. In the middle of China Town there was a local posing as a Kung-Fu master so another camera shot was added to the album. Kaori wanted to check out a store for more trinkets so we walked into the last store before the entrance to China town. We found an imitation Pikachu, a hand carved marble city worth ¥860,000 (about $8,600), and some typical Buddha statues. I read online that night time in China Town is the best with dragon dances and musical percussions to accompany their night life. So we decided to head over to a special European part of Osaka called Kitano.

Kitano is one of the first places in Kobe to house European families and have a European housing and neighborhood setting. It was only a short walk to the bus station from China Town. There was a special bus that took visitors from the Sannomiya to Kitano. It was a very elaborate bus that had a certain old fashioned European feel. As we arrived to Kitano the tour guide told us that none of the building were open so it was just an exterior picture day. Some highlights of the walk around the neighborhood included Kitano-Cho Park, Kaori-No-Ie Orandakan, Kitano Tenman Shrine, Rhine House, and the Weather Cock House. The Weather Cock House is one of the most famous residences in this area. The house is a rustic wooden and brick structure that has a life of its own. Outside the front entrance there was a beautiful concrete circle that seemed to be a gather place for events and photograph opportunities. There were life sized bronze statues sitting in different spots around the circle. Also, some locations were highlighted by stars on the ground. These voice amplifiers were due to the architecture and location of the circle. The evening night lights set a stunning antique sepia photo opportunity. The house gate gave the building a grand sophisticated feel with a Sherlock Holmes look. This is a great place to visit during open evening times and there is a grand seaport view higher up the Kitano paths if you brought the shoes for it.

One the way back we decided not to utilize the bus ride since I was ¥500 per ride and it was time for food, so a walk around gave a better perspective to restaurant choices. We passed one place that offered a course meal starting at ¥6300 ranging to ¥12600 per meal. The restaurant itself looked a colossal stone house places neatly inside the castle gate entrance. Also, Kaori pointed out the classiest Starbuck I have ever seen. It seemed more at home with a Victorian setting rather than in the 21st century. It was also the only Starbucks with a guard house placed at the entrance for cars and visitors. The 20 minute walk down the hill took some toll and food was the only thing on our minds. Several restaurants sold the same menu so we decided to check out something different.

Kaori knew of a small Italian restaurant called La Pausa which served inexpensive well made Italian dishes. I of course had the Pizza and Kaori jumped for the lasagna. We met a women sitting close to use named Stephanie, she took our picture for the blog and chatted about how she ended up in Japan. She was a part of the JET program from Ireland, and apparently it was a “random decision” to take part in the program. We spoke about her Japanese language skills and how it is not as easy to pick up while abroad. It had only been 10 minutes or so but she needed to headed and out and we started eating our meal. The pizza had a super thin crust but had some delicious pepperoni slices speckled on top. Kaori’s lasagna was simply put, amazing. We passed the time talking about future plans after Japan and our trip back to Minnesota. Dessert seems like the best thing for the meal closer and we ordered a cappuccino with ice cream and a tiramisu cup. Both were complementary to the meals and gave us the strength to finish up the China Town run through.

The night life in China town is taken to a whole new level of fun. The lights and sounds and feel at night give the essence and beauty that can only be appreciated in real life. It is hard to put in words the hustle and bustle of china town but it was stirring to say the least. The bright lights give the impression of being lost on a street with lanterns to guide you and the people offer an array of treats and candies to suit your mood no matter whom you are. A giant crowd gathered in the center circle to view the dragon dance and Chinese New Year’s fireworks. The dragon dance was very entertaining and very interesting to see the movements and flow of how people interpret the Chinese dragon. Shopping was easy and convent since prices was lower and the night was closing. Tired yet excited from the visit, Kaori and I headed back home with our small souvenirs and memories to accompany us through the train ride.

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