Nara and Osaka-Namba Trip

For my last hurrah in Japan, I decided to go to Nara and Osaka!

It had always been my dream to go to Nara since I had learned about the significance of the area as the old capital and the adorable deer!
Also other foreign exchange students had told me that Nara was one of their favorite places in Japan.

I enjoyed my time in Nara to the fullest! I saw most of the temples there like Toudaiji Temple, ate matcha ice cream, feed senbei to deer, and ate a deer themed cupcake!

The friend I went to Nara with also lives in Kansai, so we went to Osaka-Namba to eat dinner.
I really loved Osaka-Namba the energy seemed so fun and lively, and it has actually been compared to New York City because of all the signs and light.

In Osaka-Namba I ate kushikatsu at a well-known restaurant there and Osaka famous, fluffy cheesecake! I also got to take picture of the Dōtonbori canal and in front of the Olympic runner bill board.

The Olympic runner billboard is a popular tourist spot to take photos. The billboard is actually for the confectionery company Glico, displaying the image of a runner crossing a finishing line.

I had no idea that this famous spot was in Osaka-Namba, and I was super excited my friend showed me the way there.

Please check out my photos below~

It also costed 500yen or 5$ to get into Toudaiji Temple!

Ocean Day! 海の日

Sorry I have not posted in a while! My email had suddenly gone down!

Sunday was 海の日 or Ocean Day! Nagoya has a huge festival down at the port where at least 39,000 people come every year.

https://www.aichi-now.jp/en/spots/detail/1076/

I took several pictures and videos of the dance and parade floats that were part of festivities!
At Western Carolina University, my previous Japanese professor, Megumi Otake had us learn the Bon Odori Dance. My friend told me that at this festival they were doing the So-odori dance! The performance was beautiful, especially since the sun was just going down.

Please check out my videos and pictures below!

Thank you!

Aubree

Ise Jingu

Last month, I was able to visit Mie Prefecture, which is the prefecture south of Aichi. Aichi prefecture is where I live in Nagoya! My friends and I actually were able to drive there because a friend had a car!

I had a wonderful experience at Ise Jingu, and also able to eat many famous Mie prefecture foods.
I also found out the previous President Obama had also visited this shrine for diplomatic reasons - he met Prime Minister Abe. As an International Studies and History major I thought this was fascinating.

Please check out my photos below of the Shrine and food!

Thank you,

Aubree 

ESS Short Skit Performance

Like I mentioned in a previous post, my friend is the leader of an ESS circle!
I myself am now a member in order to help them with their upcoming short skit.

On July 2, from 9:00am until 7:00pm,  the SPC (Short Skit Contest) will be held.
Various ESS circles will attend this contest, and they each compete with their own drama/skit.
The contest will be held in the フラッテンホール at Nanzan University!

This year Chukyo, Chubu, Nanzan, Nagoya, Nagoya Industrial and Nagoya Foreign University will attend!

The skits are supposed to be 15 mins each, and they are all in English!

The Chukyo ESS decided to do Annie as their skit.
For this performance, I am in charge of helping with the set, the costumes, and helping the performers with their English pronunciation. Sadly, however I will have to miss Chukyo's ESS skit because I have to take the JLPT...

Please see Chukyo's ESS Practice videos below! I also have a picture from rehearsal!

Thank you,

Aubree

Best Ramen so Far!

A few days ago I went to a ramen restaurant called Bakusho!

You could or 5 different types of ramen noodles, and you could also get several toppings.

For instance,  pork, bean sprouts, and garlic. You could even ask for extra bean sprouts and garlic!

I ended up getting the dragon noodles. (friend recommended to me - thick and textured type of noodle) It tasted really perfect with the extra bean sprouts and garlic I ordered.

This place was actually a chain restaurant, but it didn't feel like it! The restaurant gives off a very local ramen atmosphere, but actually there are  two of these restaurants just on my way to university.

I commonly see many people (but mostly students) waiting in a long line to get in.

This restaurant is also famous for being stinky! People say the best place to get ramen is the place that smells!

Please see my picture below of my ramen! Also for posting this image on facebook - I got 100 yen off my bill!

Thank you,

Aubree 

Matcha and Japanese tea

Sorry haven't posted in a while! Been a bit busy studying of quizzes and midterms.

Today, I went to a cafe in Nagoya station that served Matcha pancakes!
It was specifically called, Matcha Cream Pancakes.

I went with one of my Japanese friends from Chukyo University. We both love matcha, so we wanted to eat it together! There are many matcha flavored desserts and dishes in Japan. Pancakes are also very trendy not, and are usually topped heavily with ice cream, fruit, or whipped cream!

While we were waiting in line, my friend asked me if I knew about all the different types of Japanese tea. I though I had a pretty good grasp knowing, Matcha, green tea, oolong tea, and black tea.
I however did not realize how many types of tea there were in Japan really!

I found this one website that lists 28 different types of Japanese tea (mostly green tea).

http://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/japanese-tea

I really hope I'm able to try all these different types, but so far I think Matcha is my favorite!

Please see my pictures below!

Thank you,

Aubree

Parent and Child Bowl

Monday, I went out to this great local restaurant in Nagoya! They have around 80 items on their menu, and they especially specialize in Donburi or rice bowl dishes.

My friends recommend me to get the Oyako donburi or the Parent and child bowl!
It is called the parent and child bowl because it is chicken (the parent) and egg (child) over rice.

The kanji for this dish also represents this - 親子丼.

I had actually heard about this dish before through a manga called Shokugeki no Soma that has a lot to do with cooking and Japanese dishes. So I was very excited to try this dish!
It might be one of my most favorite Japanese dish now, or at least in the realm of donburi it is the best!

Please see my picture below of the Parent-child bowl that my friend, Ayane and I got!

My friend Seth got the famous Miso-katsu donburi of Nagoya and udon. (So I also included a photo)