Heavenly Hot Spring in Hamamatsu: YU Fukei Shiori Onsen

outdoor onsen at Yu Fukei Shiori, Hamamatsu
photo credit: http://www.bcm-surfpatrol.com/

I've been living in Hamamatsu for more than 2 years and I can't believe I missed this really nice onsen near the station. It's about 3.4 km from Hamamatsu Station. The onsen's name is Yu Fukei Shiori.

I've been seeing this onsen since last year when I started cycling regularly everywhere. I didn't try going because I thought it was one ordinary onsen. Then, my aunt who lives in Tokyo gave me a surprise visit last weekend. After dinner, she wanted to go to an onsen. I didn't want to go all the way to Kanzanji or Bentenjima cause it's already late. I remembered this onsen near the station and told her we could try going there. 

I had an idea what bus to take but I didn't know the bus stop. We took Bus 51 and we just told the driver to drop us off at Shiori onsen. I forgot to look at the bus stop so until now I don't know what stop. I'll have to go there again to find out. (And have a nice bath too!) Bus 50 and 8 also pass by the same stop. 

Shiori's entrance is a 5-10 minute walk from the main road. It's quite a hike because the driver drop us off the stop before the onsen. We should have gotten off at the next stop, just above the hill leading to the onsen. A car would be the ideal form of transportation. I don't have a car so we just hiked and walked and breathed hard. 

After all the side stories, let's check what Shiori onsen has to offer:

Japan's National Foundation Day 2015

photo credits: Agence France-Presse/ Getty Images/ The Wall Street Journal

Today is Japan's Foundation Day. It's a holiday! So Yay!

In Japanese this day is  Kenkoku Kinen No Hi. (Thanks, Wikipedia.)

This is believed to be the day when the first of emperor of Japan named Jimmu came into throne. This was supposed to coincide with the lunar New Year. But the Japanese followed the Gregorian calendar during the Meiji Era so the new year's date changed. The government then picked February 11th as the official National Foundation Day. Why they picked the 11th? Even historians has no definite answer. It was in 1873 when this day was officially proclaimed as a holiday. So today, Japan is celebrating 142 years.

However, there are really no big celebrations in Hamamatsu during this day. There are no parades or any festivities. The Prime Minister will deliver a speech in Tokyo. People will probably stay indoors and rest or maybe go to the mall. Schools and offices are closed- supposedly. I know some people who still planned to work today. (Oh well, carousel!) As for me, I'll just have ramen and go to karaoke with a friend later. That's how I'll celebrate today.

For more information on Japan's National Foundation Day, check out these wonderful blogs;

1. (Genkinahito's Blog) National Foundation Day in Japan

This post has a lot of colorful and interesting information about National Foundation Day.

''Today is National Foundation Day in Japan. The creation of the day uses elements that stem all the way back to Japan’s earliest history but the exact day, the eleventh of February, was decided during the Meiji period (1868-1912)

February 11th is a day that celebrates the foundation of Japan by Jimmu, the first Emperor of Japan and direct descendant of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu. Scholars are unsure of his origins but the original date was recorded in The Chronicles of Japan (Nihon Shoki).'' (Read More)

2. (Stripes Japan) Foundation Day on Feb. 11 highlights royal controversy

Another informative blog post that encapsulates the history of the National Foundation Day. 

''One day out of the year many nationalists groups and Shinto shrines throughout Japan celebrate a national holiday with parades and ceremonies, while the Japan Teachers Union and other groups assemble and rally in protest of the holiday.

That day is Kenkokukinen-no-Hi, or National Foundation Day, on Feb. 11. And its history and making are as complicated and controversial as the pastimes that now surround it.'' (Read more)

How about you, how do you celebrate National Holidays? 

How to Sponsor a Japanese Tourist Visa

sample of a Japanese tourist visa
credits: https://morefunwithems.wordpress.com/

 

For foreign residents in Japan who want to invite their families and friends, here's how to help them obtain a tourist or short-stay visa. 

NOTE: Check first the List of Countries with Visa Exemption. If you're family or friend is not exempted, then read the rest of this post. 

1. Send the following documents to your family or friend who plans to visit Japan: 

Note: The visa applicant should be the one to submit these documents to the Japanese embassy. 

a. Residence Certificate 

This is a certificate stating that you're living in Japan. You can get it from the City Office where your residency is filed. Last year, it costs about 500 Yen. You can get it in less than 10 minutes. 

In Hamamatsu, there's a machine that prints this certificate. It's located inside the Entetsu supermarket at the Hamamatsu Station.

b. Tax Certificate or Bank Certificate

These certificates are proofs that you can financially support your visitor. The tax certificate can be obtained from the city office just like the residence certificate. Request the bank certificate from your own bank. This also costs 500 Yen and takes a few minutes to get.

Medical J-Drama: Doctors

credits: http://animationlv.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30927

I recently reinstalled the TV on my apartment. I brought it out again to improve my listening skills. Also, I want to be more familiar with what the students are talking about. It's been more than a year since I watched Japanese TV shows. Aside from Doraemon, Anpanman and One Piece, I know nothing of the shows and celebrities they're talking about.

Anyway, one of the shows that got my attention is Doctors. It's a medical drama ala-Grey's anatomy. It's aired every Thursday, 9:00 pm- 9:55, Asahi TV. I used to watch Grey's Anatomy so that made me watch this program. 

I honestly don't understand the details of the show except for the surgeries and the rivalry between the surgeons Sagara and Moriyama. Sagara is a newer surgeon at Donoue Hospital than Moriyama but he seemed to be more respected by the other doctors there. He seemed to have more skills too. 

In the last season, the hospital was looking for a successor. The contrast between Sagara and Moriyama is very obvious. I don't understand the whole show but I knew who deserves to be the successor. Sagara is quiet and serious. He talks like an old man, full of wisdom. On the other hand, Moriyama is comical and impulsive. The other doctors don't like him very much. It's so apparent who should get the chair. 

I don't know what's the inspiration behind this show but I can see how Doctors is a "real Japanese drama." The characters are clear cut, much like how the Japanese think. It's either black or white, this or that, Japanese or not. Gray areas are uncomfortable territories. The show took pains in showing how different Sagara and Moriyama that choosing between the two is a child's play.

Aside from the hospital setting and lots of surgery, Doctors is not really comparable to Grey's Anatomy. The characters in Grey's are more complex and more human. They show a wide range of emotions. They have weaknesses and strengths. 

Another observation is the number of characters in the show. There's just a lot, I can't distinguish who is who. The women looked the same to me too because their expressions are the same. Everyone is kinda blending in the group. Very Japanese indeed. Not all characters have definitive stories or characters. 

I keep watching this drama because I love seeing the over-the-top facial expressions of Moriyama. The patients' stories also pull the heartstrings. It's not a bad drama. It's entertaining enough for a cold Thursday night. 

Setsubon: Spring's Starting

photo credit: http://blog.ofjapan.jp/awaiting-spring-japan-setsubun/

Today is the first day of spring in Japan.

At least that's what the lunar calendar is saying. (But the temperature is telling a different season.)

The first day of spring in Japan is called Risshun. There are no special events during this day. Instead, the celebration happened  yesterday, the last day of winter. This is called SETSUBON. In translation it means ''seasonal division.''

There's an ancient belief that when the seasons are about to change, the spirit world and the human world are in close contact. The spirits can wreak havoc to the human world. To avoid this, people wearing an ogre's mask should cast out the spirits from their houses... with roasted soybeans! While throwing soybeans, these phrases should also be uttered ''Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uchi'' (Devil get out, Happiness come in!)

Because it was setsubon yesterday, the school lunch included roasted peanuts coated in sweet batter. Actually, that's how I knew it was setsubon yesterday. A teacher explained to me that we have to eat roasted peanuts on Setsubon. Japan has a lot of traditional food for every occasion, I suppose. Aside from peanuts, we can also eat roasted beans and makizushi. These food will bring us good fortune.

For a clearer and idea of the Setsubon, here are some websites and  blogs you can check out: (It's Wednesday today, time to Share Other Blogs/ Bloggers)

1. (Of Japan) Awaiting the spring in Japan- Setsubon 

Aside from explaining the rituals on Setsubon, it also has an information of Setsubon celebrations in different parts of Japan.

2. (Human Japanese) Setsubon

This  summarized version the rituals during Setsubon. I included this entry because of the scary ogre picture on this post.

3. (Elementary Japanese Blog) Happy Setsubon is Coming Up!

This blog is maintained by Japanese teachers. I admire their efforts to write in English. Since the writers are Japanese and they know their customs more than foreigners do, they're more credible to talk about Setsubon. What's unique with this blog is it also features what the students did during the Setsubon.

4. (Zooming Japan): Setsubon; Bean Throwing Day

This post described the rituals on Setsubon in a personal funny way.


Aside from eating the peanuts in the school lunch, I alse ate a whole, uncut maki roll yesterday. A kind neighbor invited me to her place. Then she explained how we should eat the maki facing the ''lucky direction.'' I don't know what direction we faced but the maki tasted good! I have a kind neighbor who served a free delicious make- I'm definitely fortunate.

Happy spring!!!