Affordable Accomodation in Nagoya: Eco Hotel Nagoya

I needed to stay in Nagoya overnight but I don't want to splurge for a few hours of sleep. Thanks to Eco Hotel Nagoya, I had a comfortable night without spending too much.

The best features of this small hotel is its affordability and accessibility.I stayed in a single private room for 2500 Yen. There are dorm rooms available for 2100 Yen. Also, Eco Hotel is just across Nagoya Station, exactly in the heart of the city so transportation wouldn't be a problem. 

Eco Hotel Nagoya's facade

The room had a small bed, good for a light to medium-built person. My bed creaked a little but since I don't really move when I'm asleep, it didn't bother me. There was also a small refrigerator, a TV and air cleaner. Toiletries were provided. What I didn't like was the subtle scent of tobacco. It was stuck in the room even after the cleaning lady sprayed air freshener. Opening the windows was not an option because of the outside noise. I just got used to it eventually with my few hours of stay. 

single private room of Eco Hotel Nagoya

Toilet and bath are shared. There are toilets in all floors along with water heaters. Showers are in the basement together with the washing area. Even if they were shared, they were clean and provides some amount of privacy so bathing and going to the toilet weren't uncomfortable. 

shared shower area at Eco Hotel Nagoya

individual shower stalls

Breakfast is not included but there's a restaurant and bar on the first floor of the building. Also, just next to it are 711 and Denny's Family Restaurant. Then since it's in downtown, you can have varied food choices within a few minutes walk. 

There's an English-speaking receptionist who also provided me with maps and helped me with how to get to the place where I was supposed to go. 

Overall, for a single night or two, Eco Hotel is an acceptable accommodation. You can make reservations through email or through other hotel booking websites 

The Sound of Summer: Bell Healing Concert in Japan

I've gone to one of the most unusual concerts in Japan- a bell healing concert in Shinjohara. I got intrigued when a friend invited me so I went without having a slightest idea how it would be. 

The concert was held in a temple located in a ruralish area. The temple was a lovely surprise with its decors dusted in gold dust. It was a very informal and intimate affair. The stage for performance was small and the audience area were just pillows and small chairs. It felt like a small community gathering. 

interior decor of a temple in Shinjohara

engravings in gold 

 At 7 pm, the concert started. There were only two artists- the bell player and the singer. The opening act was a melody similar to what you nay hear in a spa. It was very soothing and relaxing but it was recorded. The bell player played along with the flute while singer hummed some notes. And the bells? After playing with the flute, the bell person did some seemingly random bell sounds by hitting the bells in front of him.

stage for performance

This type of performance continued all throughout the concert. A recorded melody was played, the singer hummed and the bell player played the flute then hit the bells on some random part of the song. He seemed earnest in what he does although I didn't really appreciate it. When he hit the bells, it brought discord rather than harmony to the song to my ears.

bells, bells, bells

Do Re Mi of bells

The highlights of the concert was when they blended traditional music with pop rhythm just before the break. It sounded more melodious and the bells seem to be more in tune. Also, the rendition of Amazing Grace through the bells was movingly solemn. They also played a seemingly sad and hopeful melody for the Tohoku Earthquake victims. Just before the concert ended, the singer sang a song with one word - ARIGATOU (Thank You) which she asked the audience to sing with her. It was touching and it felt very sincere. 

In between songs, the bell player mentioned how each bell has a different sound depending on how it was serated. I also learned that before airconditioning was invented, the Japanese hanged bells in the summer to give a refreshing feel. The sound of bells is the sound of summer. He then further explained how he started his bell collections and from what places he got his bells. I have to thank my friend for translating all these information for me. 

Aside from the interesting tidbits of information, I also appreciated the singer's voice. She did not sing any lyrics but I fell in a trance just hearing her humming. Her voice was smooth, clear and sleep-inducing. I saw a lot of people falling asleep. I was half asleep myself during the concert. 

They mention that they play in a temple in Kyoto and that they have various concerts in Japan. I regretted not getting more information about them. (I was just rushing to go home to catch the train.) I tried looking for them on Google but I can't seem to find one. If you ever heard of a bell healing concert, I recommend to give it a try. It can be a relaxing and moving experience. 

Bright Moshi: Firefly Festival

In the past if somebody invites me to watch fireflies, I would probably look at that person stupidly. Who would waste time to watch fireflies? They are beautiful when you chance upon them but I won't spend time travelling for almost an hour to some grassy place just to see fireflies. But that was in the past and this is what I actually did last Saturday- riding a bus for almost an hour to a grassy place just to watch fireflies as if I've never seen one.

photo credit: http://www.gtia.jp/kokusai/english/traveling/event_200906.php

The sight of fireflies was lovely but not impressive. I was a bit disappointed because I was expecting a spectacular display of fireflies. It doesn't mean that I didn't appreciate the fireflies, I was just anticipating for more. 

However, what I appreciated more is how the Japanese people took time to watch these shining creatures. There were a lot of people during the firefly watching. Families roamed around taking pictures, bent old people sitting while watching the fireflies and young couples holding hands savored the blinking sights. There was a communal feel to it like a group of people coming together to celebrate creation. Even if it is as small as fireflies. 

In Hamamatsu, you can watch fireflies until the 20th of June at the Flower Park. It's from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.　Entrance fee is 500 Yen. In other areas, check your prefectural tourism websites, Most prefectures also have firefly viewing for this month.