MR. Donut

MISSON. Donut (researched 26 Jun 2013)

A friend of mine told me Elvis died of eating too many donuts. I don`t know if this was true,

while I know Elvis was fat late in life.

 

 

However, Japan has excellent donut stores called Mister Donut. I promise you their donut (old fashion) gets you addicted.

 

Mr. Donut is something you must try in this country.

 

The best drink that goes with donuts is coffee. Nicely acidic Ethiopian coffee is the go.

 

I pretty much love old fashions. My wife loves French crullers.

I guess, Elvis would love whatever they sell, and his knees go jelly.

 

 

A fact of railway in Nara

MISSION. The railway network in Nara  (researched 23,Jun 2013)

 

As for the railway system, Nara is dominated by the kintetsu.

The kintetsu is not only widely expanded but has more services.

Kintetsu reaches Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya, farther more it has limited express trains for the long distance lines. Those limited express trains are faster and more sophisticated.

(If you want to experience Japan's railway technology, get those special trains on.)

 

The fares, approx ¥150-approx ¥2500 (adult). Extra fees are added for the limited expess trains.

 

In fact, Japan's railway transportation has a lack of accessibility. The major stations have elevators and the toilts for disabled people. while others have nothing at all.

 

I actually urge you to avoid busy hours. The railway stations with full of rush commuters are chaotic.

 

Over all, the station staff is not well trained to deal with the disabled people as well as the facilities are not well designed.

 

Conclusion, Kintetsu has web site in English http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/

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We love eel

MISSION EEL. Researched 19 Jun 2013

The Japanese food culture is related to the seasons,

For example, nabe stew is popularly eaten  in the winter, while eel dishes are well consumed in the summer.

Today, I`ll let you know two types of eel dishes which are the best for this time of a year.

Fist of all, "unajyu", is the dish to try, it is basically a combo of steamed rice and grilled eel

The grilled eel is dipped in soy based sauce. The dish contains steamed rice underneath and grilled eel on the top. In addition, unajyu has to be served in a square box with a bowl of kimosui soup (eel lever soup).

Unajyu is occasionally  presented in 3 ranks on the menu such as "matsu" "take" "ume"

(high middle low). If you afford money, go with matsu.

　

The second, "hitsumabushi", it is as good as unajyu.

In fact, hitsumsbushi is more local dish of Nagoya, Aichi, it is the dish that is created by "the tight ass people" of Nagoya.

Hitsumabushi requires 3 steps to eat.

Step 1, transferring a little rice into a bowl, and topping rice with bits of eel . You just eat it as it is.

Step 2, transferring a little rice and pieces of eel as step1. You can add condiments which come with eel. This procedural makes it differently flavored.

Step3, transferring the rest of rice as well as the rest of eel. You pour a suitable dashi stock that comes in a tea pot. You can also top the rice with the rest of condiments, if you like.

Each step tastes differently. The above process makes it more special and enjoyable.

I personally love wasabi, I recommend you to go with tons of crazy wasabi!!!

The most suitable drink to go with eel dishes is beer. The Japanese beers are worth trying. 

Eel dishes are relatively costly. But they allow you to enjoy you are self, if you pay more.

Basically, You can try eel dishes any where in this country.

COCLUSION

We actually tried a eel restaurant in Yamatokoriyama city, Nara.

The retaurant is called Kawahara. We had a good time as well as nice food.

The place is totally accessible, has several tables for 4 people.

There is no toilet for disabled people, but is Western type toilet.

                        Take away is also available at Kawahara. You go party at home.

What`s going on with Nara jets?

MISSION  the international exchange.  reasearched 16 Jun 2013

I and my wife went to the Kawanishi culture centre to see what is going on with the international exchange of Nara jets.

 

 

Here are what I found.

 

1, the event shouldn't be done in June. It was above 30 Celsius as well as humid. I got exhausted in my wheel chair. 

 

2, the international faces. I met the ALTs from South Africa, had a bit of nice conversation.

In addition, there were the Tibetan and Srilankan exhibitions. 

 

3,the friendly ALTs, they looked trying as hard as they can to communicate with the locals.

 

4,the stage performances need some more work. For instance, adding Japanese subtitles along with what they do, otherwise the locals never know what the singer sings.

 

 

Conclusion,

I had a lot of trouble to speak English be cause of paralysis and a lack of practice. I know that I recently write more than speak, I don't need to speak English at all on a daily basis.

But honestly, I could have done more. All we need is opportunity, that's all.  

The west side of JR Nara station story

I know that Nara is old fashioned and is far from the cutting edge.

Actually, there is the modern phase of Nara in the west side of JR Nara station, the modern phase of Nara may not be known as the old Nara, but it is worth going before or after visiting temples.

The gate way is JR Nara station, the station is newly renovated, thus it`s all accessible as well as the toilets for disabled people are available. You can also shop, get wined and dined at the station.

The premier spot is the centennial hall, is recognizable at the first glance.

How ever, I and my wife visited there to research by car.

Here is what we saw.

1, there is the under ground car park is available, the car park has parking space for disable people, car parking space for disabled people has elevators nearby.

2, the open air passage to the main entrance, it is only way to the entrance from an elevator. Therefore, you just get wet when it's rain, also the open air allows you to look around the square as well as the architecture.

3, the cool café that sales ordinal coffee. The local young waitresses save you food and drinks. The café is located by the passage. You won't miss it.

4, the dynamic in door space that is created  by a master architect Atara Isozaki. You can experience what the modern Nara is at the entrance of the hall.

Over all

I went around the place(the square and the footbridge) in my own manual wheel chair, and  had no problem all the way.

My wife was relaxing at the café drinking cold coffee , she says that was nice in a early summer day.

Conclusion

The west side area of JR Nara station is a friendly place for the disabled people as well as it is interesting for every one.

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A day at The Yakushiji Temple

MISSION The YAKUSHIJI TEMPLE  Researched 22 May 2013

 

I was told that a friend of mine witnessed Steve McQueen who died in 1980 at The Yakushiji Temple. He witnessed Mcqueen doing the sutra copying

He reckons Steve was nearly there(satori). I don't know if the person was the real one, but when I first heard that I thought that this guy went nuts.

Nowadays, The Yakushiji Temple is registered as a world heritage site, and it is still worshiped by  the people.

How ever, 3 of us (I, my wife and a companion) visited The Yakushiji Temple to research how the temple is friendly for the disabled people. Here is what we saw.

 

1,there is a cool Italian restaurant named Amrit by the car park. The Japanese Italian cuisine is worth trying.         

2, the accessible slopes are equipped. But the most of them had no hand rails.

3, the footpath is stone paved. The constant bumps make you annoyed and tired

4, the main sites(garan) are divided into two pieces ( You have to walk miles)

5, the good clean toilets are located.

How to get there

You won't miss it from the Kintetsu Nishinokyo station

Over all

We visited there with some one who accompanied with, therefore, we could make the mission. How ever, my wife says that The Yakushiji Temple is a lot easier to look around than The Horyuji Temple.She says The Horyuji Temple is a nightmare.

Conclusion

You can call The Yakushiji Temple a friendly place for foreigners and disabled people.

Actually I urge you to have some one who supports you to visit even a place like Yakushiji temple.

To research the temple, I was in my own manual wheel chair and I moved on my own.

My wife(has bad legs) was in hire manual wheel chair with caretaker`s assistance>

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D.R. rocks on.

In fact, traveling in Japan maybe hard for the disabled people. But you can find many things which inspire you across the country.

WHEN?

avoid summer and The monsoon season.

The summer, it can be very hot, the high temperature takes your energy away. You will be exhausted in your 

Wheel chair.

The monsoon season, it gets rainy every day. As you know, The rain brings you lots of trouble when you are away.

The spring, it is the best season to visit this courtly. The mild temperature and stable weather take you wherever you want. The beautiful cherry blossoms are full on this time of a year. You will see the locals having "hanami"parties all over the country.

The autumn, maybe not as special as the spring. You can see the leaves go red and yellow in the mountains. In addition, the foodies can experience the best local food in season. Mushrooms and some types of fish (pikes, mackerels) are highly recommended to try. On the other hand, typhoons occur in the south. You must watch weather forecast while you are traveling.

The winter, it`s pretty cold, it can gets so much snow in the mountains and the north. The wheel chair users should stay away from black clouds. This sever season is often said as the best time to visit the temples and the shrines because of its solemnities. 

HOW

Train, It is the best options to go around. There are two types of train operators( JR and the other private operators) The famous bullet train(Shinkansen) belongs to JR.

Bus, night buses are economical and time saving, while local are buses are useless.

Ship, should be good to travel down south Okinawan islands.

Air, quick to travel, there are a couple of LCCs nation wide.

For those who are disabled. Since traveling is one of the toughest missions, I urge you to have some one to accompany with.

Accommodations

There are several types of accommodations, they roughly cost you ¥3000-¥20000

(the most of accommodations have lack of awareness.

The newly built premises are relatively more useful for disable people.

The western typed hotels are more useful than the Japanese typed accommodations(ryokan)

Some cheaper accommodations can be found in the large cities.

I recommend you to book a room or a bed before you go, and ask them how accessible as well as how useful for disable people.

Food

You will find various types of food in this country, you should try local dishes such as rarmen noodles,

The rarmen noodles are very popular and specialized.

Night outs

Izakaya and nomiya are the places you have to be, they serve you alcohol and food that well suits drinks.

Over all, izakaya and nomiya are cheep to hang. Those places are not ideal to try in your wheel chair.

I recommend you to buy some beers at the convenience stores to enjoy yourself in your hotel room.  

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ACCIDENTAL MISSION Nara prefectural office

I accidently went to the Nara prefectural office today. (researched 05,Jun 2003)

Fortunately, I found that  it is a pretty good place to stop by.

Here is what I saw.

1, The place is closely located to the Nara park.

2, a good, clean space that is in the shadow of building.

This is an ideal spot to have some lunch. You can watch people are getting hustled by the deer over the road at the Nara park.

3, the rooftop square, rooftop is open for the public, this open air spot  is newly found.

You can enjoy the wide view of Nara.

4, the disputable building, the building gathered a lot of argument over the height, when it`s built.

How to get there,

The kintetsu Nara station is the gateway station for the Nara park as well as the Nara prefectural office building.

Car park is available at the prefectural building, it`s free to park your car for initial 1 hour, it costs you ¥1000 after 1 hour.

Car parking space for wheel chair users is available at the other side of the prefectural office building. They let you park your car to your request.

Over all,

There is a nice, smooth sidewalk along the road to the Nara park as well as the prefectural building. A lot of tourists are walking during the day. There are quite a few sores and cafes which allow you to enjoy the atmosphere. You can spend a few hours to have a look what`s there.

Conclusion,

I and my wife went there by car,( parked our car at a space for wheel chair users at the back of the office building.) and it was awful to go around the places ( I was in my own manual wheel chair with my wife holding on behind.)We had some lunch in the shadow of the building that I reported.

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