Get lucky in Nara.

Mission, The Sugawaratenmangu Shrine and a lucky charm (researched 19 Nov 2013)
 

 

 

The other day, I researched The Sugawaratenmangu Shrine and a lucky charm.

 

Here is what I found.

 

 

 

The first of all. The Shrine is dedicated to SUGAWARA Michizane (who is known as a master calligrapher)

 

The second, there is the mound for old, used calligraphy brushes.

 

The third, several ceremonies and events are held at The Shrine through the year. (see their web site http://www.sugawaratenmangu.com/)

 

 

"I hear Nara fude matsuri 奈良筆祭り (held on the 20th of March) is worth visiting. Watching the calligraphy performances and stuff."

 

 

 

The forth, the uniquely shaped lucky charm.

As you can see the pictures, the lucky charm is shaped the bird called "鷽" ウソ pronounced "uso", rhymes with "lie" in Japanese.

There fore, it is believed that the lies  you've ever made, become the truths by doing a swap your lucky charm with some one else as saying "kaemasho"  "let's swap it" at the uso kae shinji 鷽替神事 held on the 25th of June.

Generally, a lucky charm is shaped a little square bag, containing a peace of paper, written the name of shrine or temple. While the "鷽" lucky charm is shaped a bird. After buying a bird shaped lucky charm, you are advised to place the thing at a nice and clean spot in your house to let it protect you and your family for the year. Remember, your lucky charm expires in a year.

 

 

 

Over all

The Sugawaratenmangu Shrine is a small place. You might miss it, if you drive to go there. I suppose the shrine would have been worshiped by the local people and the calligraphers for very long time, how ever, the place is not a popular visiting spot.

As it turned out, the accessibility for wheel chair doesn't exist at the shrine, has a tiny car park(accommodates 3-4 cars) in front. You must visit there with a good tough assistant to accompany with.(if you use wheel chair)

 

Cost

No admission fee is required.

A free parking area is available.

A bird shaped lucky charm costs you ¥1000.

 

How to get there

The shrine is located 800m South from the Yamatosaidaji station 大和西大寺駅, it is near the bus stop Hannasugawara 阪奈菅原 on the route Hannna 阪奈道路.See their web site for a map http://www.sugawaratenmangu.com/.

Address 518 Sugawarahigashi, Nara city, Nara  奈良県奈良市菅原東町518

Ph 0742-45-3576 FAX 0742-45-3518

 

 

 

Conclusion

The day I went there was cold and occasional rain, plus gaps and gravel.

Even though facing all those hardship, I had a great research at the shrine.

 

 

 

"The red hot"七味唐辛子

Mission, "the red hot" 七味唐辛子 (seven flavored chili pepper) (written 17 Nov 2013)

 

"Woud you like to look for any spicy food when you travel over seas?

 If so, you do good."

 

 

 How ever, we have a legendary mixed chili pepper called "七味唐辛子” (shichimi-togarashi)( seven flavored chili pepper) in Japan.

literally, the mixed chilipper is made of combination of seven types of spices  in general.

 

 

 

 

 

 The typical spices which you find in the mixed chili pepper are listed below

1, opium poppy seed (芥子の実）

2, mandarin peelings (陳皮)

3, sesame seed (胡麻)

4, Japanese pepper (山椒）

5, hemp seed (麻の実)

6, perilla (紫蘇）

7, seaweed (海苔）

8, green laver (青海苔）

10, ginger (生姜)

11, rape seed (菜種)

(As you see the list, it's more than 7. But who cares?)

 

Over all

 The shichimi-togarashi can get your favorite Japanese food more funky. I recommend you to use it to gyudon, soba, udon and so on.

The dynamite chili powder kicks your ass.

 

 

 Conclusion

 Acutually, the mixed chili pepper is sold every grocer across the nation. Usually, it is sold in a little glass bottle in red, says "七味唐辛子”.The most popular label  is”House"ハウス . Go get yourself our majestic mixed chili pepper to enjoy Japan's food culture.

 

 Tips

 There is another chili pepper called "一味唐辛子” ichimi-togarashi out there. Be careful not to
get confused because  it looks like pretty similar. You might be better to ask them before buying. In fact, the ichimi-togarashi has more kicks than the hichimi-togarashi.

 

Let me tell you where to enjoy the coloured leave in Nara pref.

Mission, the red and yellow coloured leave. (referred My town Nara 02 Nov issue) (written 07 Nov 2013)

 

Today, I'll let you know some of the best places to enjoy watching the coloured leave　in Nara pref.

 

The first of all, you can enjoy  it from the beginnig of November to the beginning  of December.

 

The spots are listed below.

1, Nara-okuyama drive way 奈良奥山ドライブウェイ ph 0742-26-7213

The best in the end of Nov - The beginning of Dec.

How to get there, go there through the rout 369 (the East side of the Nara prefectural building). The entrance is located the North side of The Shosoin.

The drive way goes through the Kasugayama primeval forest (the world heritage site).The water fall (鷲の滝) is the highlight.

 

2, Nara park 奈良公園 ph 0742-22-0375

The best in the end of Nov - the beginning of Dec.

How to get there, it's 5min on foot from the Kintetsu Nara station.

The park is the most famous sightseeing spot in the area. You won't miss it.

 

3, the Yagyu area 柳生全域 ph 0742-94-0002

The best is in the beginning of Nov - the end of Nov.

How to get there, go there by bus (the Tsukigase line 月ヶ瀬方面行) from the Kintetsu Nara station. Get off at Yagyu 柳生.

A good spot is around The Hotokuji Temple.

 

4, The Shoryakuji Temple 正暦寺 ph 0742-62-9569

The best in the middle of Nov - the beginning of Dec.

How to get there, shuttle bus is available (only this time of a year) from the JR, Kintetsu Nara station. 

The café 清流庵 Seiryuan opens for visitors (only this time of a year).

You can enjoy the local sake liquor and green tea as well as special dessert.

 

5, The Chogakuji Temple 長岳寺 ph 0743-66-1051

The best in the middle of Nov - the end of Nov

How to get there, go there by bus from the JR, Kintetsu Tenri station (Sakurai station line). Get off at Kaminagaoka 上長岡, 7min walk to the temple.

The local noodles "nyumen" にゅうめん are well-known. Eat 'em at the temple. Cost you ¥700.

Also, you can get there from the old walking trail Yamanobenomichi 山の辺の道 as a part of hiking.

 

6, The Matsuodera Temple  松尾寺 ph 0743-53-5023

The best in the beginning of Nov - the end of Nov.

How to get there, go there by bus from the Kintetsu Yamatokoriyama station 大和郡山駅(Koizumieki-higashiguchiguchi line小泉駅東口行き). Go there by bus from JR Koizumi station East exit 小泉駅東口 (Kintetsu Yamatokoriyama station line近鉄大和郡山駅行き).

A series of the treasures will be uncovered during the month.

 

7, the Tatsuta park 竜田公園 ph 0745-74-6800

The best in the end of Nov - the beginning of Dec.

How to get there, go there by bus from JR Oji station 王寺駅(kokudoyokota line 国道横田行き, Horyujimae line 法隆寺前行き). Get off at Tatsuta-ohashi 竜田大橋.

 

8, The Tanzanjinjya Shrine 談山神社 ph 0744-49-0001

The best in the middle of Nov - the beginning of Dec.

How to get there, shuttle bus is on offer from the JR, Kintetsu Sakurai station for the week ends. Ask the shrine.

The shrine will be lighted up at night from 16 Nov to 30 Nov.

 

9, The Hasedera Temple 長谷寺 ph 0744-47-7001

The best in the beginning of Dec.

How to get there, 15min walk from the Kintetsu Hasedera station 長谷寺駅.

A couple of events will be held (a tea party and the maple festival).

 

10, The Muroji Temple　室生寺 ph 0745-93-2003

The best in the middle of Nov - the beginning of Dec.

How to get there, it takes 15min to there by bus from the Kintetsu Muroguchiono station 室生口大野駅. Shuttle bus will run from the 9th of Nov - the 1st of Dec.

The view from arched bridge is highly recommended.

The temple and the coloured leave wii be lighted up lighted up at nights (¥ 500 to enter)

 

11, Mt. Yoshino 吉野山 ph 0746-32-1007

The best in the beginning of Nov - the beginning of Dec.

How to get there, get on the ropeway at the Kintetsu Yoshino station 吉野駅to the terminal, walk from there.

The Saigyoan 西行庵, The Yoshimizu Shrine 吉水神社 and  Mt. Takashiro 高城山 are recommend to try.

 

12, Mitarai Gorge 御手洗渓谷 ph 0747-63-0999

The best in the beginning of Nov - the middle of Nov

Bus goes there from the Kintetsu Shimoichiguchi station 下市口駅. Ask them.

The helicopter sightseeing flight will be on offer at the town hall, cost you ¥3500 on the 9th and 10th of Nov.

Get ready for a "nabe" party.

Mission, the 2013 2014 Japan's special beers for winter (researched 02 Nov 2013)

 

Are you dudes drinking?

 



 

Following the autumn, the major 4 beer breweries lined up their special beers for the coming winter.

1, Kirin - Fuyukirin "smooth, easy to drink"

2, Asahi - Fuyu-no-okurimono "brewed out of very selected ingredients. The flavor has kicks."

3, Suntory - Kuchidoke-no-fuyukomugi "the most unique beer out of these 4, has fruity flavor. I recommend you the beer as an aperitif."

4, Sapporo - Fuyu-monogatari "Sapporo is the founder of the special beers for winter. The beer has 26 years of history, the beer is brewed carefully, has rich, fully bodied flavor.

 

Over all

I tried Sapporo for the weekend, loved it.

How ever, the food that goes the best with beers in the winter is "oyster".

I know some people just can't eat 'em. The oysters are the best in the winter. The fully pumped, chunky oysters are highly nutritious, as well as taste gorgeous.

 I recommend you to try deep-fried oyster with a squeeze of lemon.

Once you bite it, you can't stop.

 

Conclusion

We have lots more great food in the winter such as oden, nabe and so on. In addition, Japan's premier drink "sake" gets in brewing  preparations in winter.

I actually plan to research the sake breweries in Nara city during the winter. We have heaps more to come. Stay in tuned.