koyasan: spiritual mountain retreat - life in...

lifeinkansai.com | August 2016 3

In the August 2016 IssueFeatures 4–13

Employment 10

16, 17FoodLife in Kansai accepts no responsibility for items advertised. We reserve the right to edit or omit any submissions. The views expressed herein are not necessarily representative of those of the publisher. Maps 18,19

Address Life in Kansai Welfare Solutions Co.,Ltd. Aoyama Bldg 9F, 2-11-12, Minamisemba, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0081

Tel. 06-6210-4964 Fax. 06-6210-4965

Sandali Dilshanie Vithanage comes from Sri Lanka. She’s a student currently living in Osaka.

Best things in life: Hanging out with friends, travelling, listening to music and watching movies. I want to do things my own way and be an independent woman.

Best things about Kansai: The sightseeing and shopping are great. But the best thing is the kindness of Kansai people.

Top 3 Japanese foods: cake, takoyaki, ramen.

Publisher Ryoko InoEditor Clare MidgleyDesigner Drew SinclairPhotographer Reylia SlabyEditorial Johnna Slaby | Ida Johansson | Seiya Machida

lifeinkansai.com

@lifeinkansai

lifeinkansai

lifeinkansai

10Accommodation

How to advertise 6

With thanks to Oni Koubou, Ikoma, Nara Prefecture

On the cover

[email protected]

Japanese Communication International School www.jcom-ies.co.jp

4 lifeinkansai.com | August 2016

In Wakayama Prefecture, about an hour south of Osaka and Nara, eight peaks arranged in the shape of a lotus flower’s petals enclose a valley 800 m above sea level. This area of mountains is collectively known as Koyasan (高野山), though no individual peak bears this name. A spiritual haven since 819, when a monastery was first established in the central valley, Koyasan is known globally as the home of Shingon Buddhism. Today this shady corner of Wakayama has become a destination for Japanese and international religious pilgrims and tourists alike. Shingon Buddhism, also known as Japanese Esoteric Buddhism, was founded by the monk, scholar and calligrapher Kobo Daishi (774–835). After studying Esoteric Buddhist practices in the city of Xi’an in China, Kobo Daishi (known as Kukai during his lifetime) returned to Japan, where, supported by Emperor Junna, Kobo Daishi’s teachings grew in popularity as Shingon Buddhism. The word shingon (真言) translates as ‘true words’, itself a translation of the Sanskrit word ‘mantra’. As the world headquarters for Shingon Buddhism, Koyasan is home to a religious studies university, more than a hundred temples, and thousands upon thousands of Japanese family graves. Strolling through the Okunoin cemetery, located on the eastern side of Koyasan in a forest of magnificent cedar trees, you may encounter groups of well-dressed Japanese people attending memorial or interment services. The estimated half a million tombs form the largest graveyard in Japan and include those of monks and famous historical figures, as well as company graves

for large corporations such as Panasonic. Outside the main cemetery area, visitors can pay to see the mausoleums of the Tokugawa shoguns, while inside, at the heart of the graveyard, a small bridge leads to the mausoleum complex of Kobo Daishi himself, who, it is said, remains in this innermost sanctum in eternal meditation. At the western end of the Koyasan town area stands the Daimon or Great Gate, Koyasan’s official entrance, towering orange with its two guardians on

the left and the right. Walk eastwards along Koyasan’s main street, and you’ll pass temples offering lodging and shojin ryori (traditional Buddhist vegan cuisine) to travellers, as well as some of Koyasan’s most must-see spots. These include Shingon Buddhism’s

Stay at a mountain-top temple and take a well-earned break from urban life among Buddhist monks in the centuries-old sanctuary of Koyasan.

One of the guardians of the Daimon

Koyasan: spiritual mountain retreat


head temple, Kongobuji, which is a large complex encompassing individual buildings such as Kondo Hall, where important rituals and ceremonies are held. A handful of cafés and restaurants can also be found along the main street for visitors not dining at one of the temples. Try local tofu specialities such as the sesame-flavoured goma dofu (creamier and more satisfying than standard tofu) koya dofu (freeze-dried tofu that’s rehydrated or cooked before being eaten).

Access to Koyasan from the Osaka/Kyoto/Nara direction is most convenient via the Nankai Railway, which you can take from Osaka’s Namba Station to Gokurakubashi Station at the base of Koyasan. Travel time is about an hour and a half, plus an extra f ive minutes to travel up the mountain by cable car, which you can take from Gokurabashi Station. By car there are two routes from the north: once at Sakai, either head along the coast past Kishiwada and then turn inland at the airport, or head inland past Hashimoto for a scenic climb full of hairpin bends. If you’re a seasoned hiker the final option is to scale the mountain on foot via a trail that starts at the town of Kudoyama. The climb is around 22 km in length and 700 m in height, and takes the best part of a day.

A trip to the cool, cedar-shaded heights of Koyasan is an excellent way to escape the summer heat and humidity. If you don’t mind the crowds, on August 13th you can experience the annual Obon festival in honour of the dead, which includes a candlelit procession along the route to the Okunoin cemetery. Be sure to book accommodation well ahead of time!

For more information on Koyasan and details of how to reserve temple lodging, see the official Koyasan English-language website: eng.shukubo.net

By Life in Kansai

Banryutei Rock Garden, Kongobuji

Koyasan. Image: Carlos Adama, Flickr

The Daimon at the western entrance to Koyasan

Cover Model

CONTEMPORARY

JAZZCLASSES

Fresh Dance Studio http:/freshdancestudio.com

JULIAhttp://darkangeldance.com

Osaka Teikoku Hotel B1F, 2-8-17, Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka


HOW TO PAY

How to advertise in LinK (広告掲載方法 )FOR COMMERCIAL ADS 広告料金

¥40030 English letters ３０文字 ( アルファベット )※日本語での

入稿も可能です。要別途費用

Bank Transfer: Mizuho Bank, Minamisemba Branch, Futsu 1864692 Welfare Solutions.,Co,Ltd.) みずほ銀行、南船場支店、普通、１８６４６９２、株式会社ウェルフェアソリューションズPayPal: http://www.lifeinkansai.com ペイパルでのお支払いはＨＰよりお願いします。

Your name, telephone number, and postal address are required for reference. LinK reserves the right to edit or refuse any advertisement.

支払方法

We’re always looking for highly visible locations to display LinK. For owners of such locations, we offer an advertising discount.

Fax 06-6210-4965Email [email protected]

SEND YOUR AD 入稿方法

Letter count 文字入稿Size枠入稿

¥40,000

¥10,000

¥20,000 ¥5,000Full

Page

1/2 Page

1/41/4

1/8

LinK 設置場所を募集しております。毎月継続的に設置して下さる方は広告料をディスカウントしております。

1

2

3

Advertising deadline for September issue July 28申込締切日

Deadline for adverts designed by LinK弊社でデザインをする場合 7月22日7月28日

July 22

I was born to the Days of Salt when Love and

Disappointment reigned sovereign over the lesser

spirits of Men. Disappointment was a strong ruler -

strong in the sense that strength by my people was

measured by endurance and Disappointment was

king for over 108 revolutions. But He would have

been nothing without Love, for her guidance was the

warmth and comfort of our land like that brilliance

which beckons us to gather around on cloudless

nights and reflect on the histories of our lightest

parts. For Love, our people pledged their faith, their

hopes and their hands to our House and it was known.

Scales

Text by Corinne PittPainting by Drew Sinclair


The vending machine surprise Manga artist Osaka Roolz brings you insights into those fascinating aspects of Japanese culture that sometimes need a bit of extra explanation.

Face

book

: osa

karo

olz

• T

witt

er: @

osak

aroo

lz •

Ins

tagr

am: o

saka

rool

z


Summer is in full swing and the weather is just getting hotter and hotter. But nothing blasts out summer fun like outdoor festivals and amazing music! Kansai has its very own open-air music festival setting up stage in Maishima this August. Summer Sonic is one of the hottest summer festivals in Japan, with a full-on two days of performances split across both Tokyo and Osaka. Artists put on some fantastic shows to enthusiastic crowds, with most of the musicians performing in one city one day and another city the next. Summer Sonic was launched in 2000 with the main focus on rock groups from both mainstream and indie labels. Over the years, though, a variety of artists from different genres have put in appearances at this festival. Following a similar pattern to music festivals around the world, Summer Sonic has several different stages, each with its own theme. Many festival-goers tend to choose a stage and hover around it to see all the performances, while others rush around in the hope of catching all their favourite artists, who have unfortunately all been assigned to different stages.

This year will be the seventeenth Summer Sonic, and set lists over the years have not failed to impress the audiences. If an artist is popular in Japan, performing on a Summer Sonic stage is a must, with musicians from all over the world returning again and again! However, even with fantastic line-ups, not all the artists

performing will be names you recognise. One of the best things about Summer Sonic is that it’s an excellent chance to experience music you haven’t heard before. Here you can check out bands that you wouldn't normally stumble upon and discover many a diamond in the rough. To get ready for the amazing tunes you’ll be hearing, make sure you scope out all the artists beforehand on YouTube.

This year Osaka has a first-class collection of artists performing on its stages, including the well-loved Panic! At The Disco, Two Door Cinema Club, Weezer and Bullet For My Valentine, plus the great Radiohead and The Offspring rocking it out alongside them. The acapella group Pentatonix, who have rocketed to success in recent years, will visit the Osaka stage again this year during their world tour, while international favourite Baby Metal will be mixing genres this year for fans in the audience. Japanese rock musicians such as The Yellow Monkey and Acid Black Cherry will also put in an apperance. Be sure to take a look at the full list on the Summer Sonic website: summersonic.com/2016/lineup/osaka.html. Music festivals are a great place to unwind, but don’t spoil your weekend by overdoing it! Remember this is the height of Japanese summer, and sunstroke is a real possibility. Keep yourself hydrated, sun cream-ed and bouncing to the beats!Now for a bit of planning. Here are a few items that I

Get excited for a weekend of music, fun and festivities in Osaka’s Maishima this August.

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE

WEEZER

Heating it up at Summer Sonic

highly recommend you add to your festival survival kit. Apart from the essential sun cream and (lots of) water, make sure you also take bug spray to fend off those mosquitoes! Also on your list should be a ground mat, flat shoes, toilet paper, bin bags, wet wipes and a small

towel. These will all help you cope with the crowds of people, hours of standing, standard Japanese summer weather and endless lines to the bathrooms. A word of advice: try to avoid taking photos or recording the concerts. You will see signs everywhere banning cameras, photography and filming. If you haven’t been to a Japanese music event before, you’ll notice the lack of people filming or taking photos for memories. Instead, people simply enjoy themselves in the moment.

Also, you may want to consider planning your day out. Do you know where the venue is? How are you going to get there? What time is your last train? There’s nothing

more stressful than being stuck far from home or your hotel with no easy way of getting back. Lastly, make sure you know which stages you want to spend your time at. Check out which artists are where and make a rough plan of who you want to see. Sadly,

the show times aren’t always accurate but just keep in mind that the peak time slot is 8:30pm. I can guarantee you that most popular artists will be playing around then. So, to avoid rushing around frantically to catch every performance and running the risk of missing out, choose your favourites and simply have fun!


All images: Creativeman Productions Co.,Ltd.

Tickets and Access

For English-language information on tickets, see this page on the Summer Sonic site: www.summersonic.com/2016/english/osaka.html To access the festival venue take Osaka Subway's Chuo line. From there you can take a 10-minute free shuttle bus to the venue at Maishima.

By Meghan Bridges

RADIOHEAD

Noah HouseWe can help you findthe best apartmentin Osaka!

50% OFF Agent Fee with this AD

[email protected]

nrhouse.infoContact us for more information

and available rooms!

Move in smoothlywith only

a credit card!No guarantor

required!

Employment & Accommodation

Address: 2-9-19 Haginochaya, Osaka 557-0004　

SHINWA BACKPACKERSRENTAL ROOMS

Private rooms: bed, TV, fridge, air-conShared facilities: toilet, large bath, kitchen, laundry, Wi-fi

Rental fee: ¥10,500 per week

Call: 06-6647-1350Website: shinwa.travel.coocan.jp

5 mins from Shin-Imamiya Stn (Nankai Line) • Kansai Airport >

Shin-Imamiya (50 mins) • Shin-Imamiya >

Namba (3 mins)


The Garden Bar & Coffee Japan in Honmachi, Osaka, is looking for international waiting staff. ¥1,100/h + transport paid. Open: weekdays 11.30am–2.30pm (lunch) and 6–10.30pm (dinner);

Sat/Sun 11.30am–10.30pm. Flexible work schedule. No Japanese skills needed.

WAITING STAFF WANTED

To apply, contact

[email protected]

Let's build a legendary restaurant together!

Phone CounselorTraining Program

KANSAI

Comprehensive online training in client-centered counselingA great opportunity for careerdevelopment and personal growthJoin an international community ofcaring individuals

www.telljp.com

Fall 2016, October 2nd - December 4th

In person mandatory sessions:Sunday, October 2nd

Sunday, November 6thSunday December 4th

For further details visit TELL website or email:[email protected]

lifeinkansai.com | August 2016

Bistro New Orleans

ビストロ・ニューオーリンズ〒５５０-００１４　大阪市西区北堀江１-１５-１０第三川辺ビ

TEL. 06-6543-70713:00pm–11:00pm | Closed Tuesdays

r.gnavi.co.jp/kbpg400www.bistro-neworleans.com

Laisser les bon temps

英語がとびかうビストロで、本場ニューオーリンズの雰囲気をお楽しみください！本格的クレオール・ケイジャン料理のビストロ・ニューオーリンズTry authentic Creole and Cajun cuisine and soak up the New Orleans atmosphere at this English-speaking bistro!

Big Easy

Party W

eeke

nd!

22nd , 2

3rd &

24th Ju

ly

Get in to

uch fo

r more

info...

A popular summer tradition, fireworks festivals (hanabi taikai 花火大会) take place all across Japan around the end of July and the beginning of August. Fireworks (hanabi 花火) first appeared in Japan around the time of the Edo period, when Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Edo shogun, was impressed by a display of Chinese fireworks brought to Japan by Portuguese missionaries. Even before this, it is said, bamboo firecrackers had been used as a show of power, to mark celebrations and also as weapons, as they were in China. During the Edo period firework makers refined and perfected their techniques, producing more and more impressive fireworks. The two most famous guilds of pyrotechnicians, Kagiya and Tamaya, would try to outdo each other to produce the best displays. Even today you might hear people shout ‘Kagiyaa!' or ‘Tamayaaaa!’ at fireworks festivals in Japan. Modern pyrotechnicians constantly try to come up with new types of fireworks, producing shapes and patterns not seen elsewhere in the world, like hearts and smiley faces.

Sitting out in the cool(er) evening air watching a fireworks display is a not-to-be missed highlight of summer in Japan. Many people come dressed in yukata (summer kimono) and sit on the grass enjoying the visual feast (as well as perhaps some beer and a picnic). If this sounds like your idea of fun, have a look at the information below and on the opposite page to find a fireworks display in your area.

By Life in Kansai


Summer sparkles, flashes and bangsTake some snacks and find your spot on the grass to watch one of Japan’s annual fireworks displays light up the night sky.

OSAKA | Kyososai PL Hanabi GeijutsusaiDate: 1st August Time: 8–8:40pmAccess: 15 mins on foot from Kintetsu Railway’s Tondabayashi Stn (north exit) or 40 mins on foot from Nankai Railway’s Osaka Sayama Stn. Website: www.kohkyu.co.jp/hanabi/hanabi.html Number of fireworks: unavailable

OSAKA | Tenjinsai Hono HanabiDate: 25th July

Time: 7:30 - 9pmAccess: 5 mins on foot from Sakuranomiya Stn on

the JR Loop Line (west exit). 10 mins on foot from JR Tozai Line’s Osaka Tenmangu Stn and Osaka Subway’s

Minamimorimachi Stn on the Sakaisuji and Tanimachi lines. 10 mins on foot from Tenmabashi Stn on the

Keihan Railway and Osaka Subway. Tel.: 06-6353-0025

Website: www.tenjinsan.com/tjm.htmlNumber of fireworks: 4,000

Minato Kobe Kaijo Hanabi Taikai. Image credit: Xiaojun Deng, Flickr


OSAKA | 28th Naniwa Yodogawa Hanabi TaikaiDate: 6th August Time: 7:40–8:40pmAccess: 15 mins on foot from Hankyu Railway’s Juso Stn or Minamikata Stn, JR Tsukamoto Stn, Mitejima Stn, or Osaka Subway’s Nishinakajima Minamikata Stn. 20 mins on foot from Osaka Subway’s Nodahanshin Stn, JR Osaka Stn, JR Ebie Stn or Hanshin Railway’s Noda Stn.Tel.: 06-6307-7765Website: www.yodohanabi.com/Number of fireworks: unavailable

OSAKA | 61st Bentenshu Natsu Hono Hanabi TaikaiDate: 8th August

Time: 7:15 – 8:30pmAccess: From JR Ibaraki Stn take the Kintetsu bus in the

direction of Ibaraki Benten. Get off at Ibaraki Benten.Tel.: 072-622-6861

Website: www.bentenshu.or.jp/ Number of fireworks: 3,000

KYOTO | 41st Minato Maizuru Chatta MatsuriDate: 31st July

Time: 7:30 –8:30pmAccess: 15 mins on foot from JR Higashi Maizuru Stn. Walk

north along Sanjodori.Tel.: 0773-62-4600

Website: www.maizuru.or.jp/みなと舞鶴ちゃったまつり/

KYOTO | 64th Kameoka Heiwa Hodugawa Hanabi Taikai Date: 7th August Time: 8pmTel.: 0771-22-0053Access: 15 mins on foot from Kameoka Stn on the JR Sagano Line (north exit). Walk north.Website: www.kameokacci.or.jp/event/hanabi-copy.htmlNumber of fireworks: 5,000

HYOGO | 38th Ashiya Summer Carnival

Date: 23rd July Time: 7:50–8:30pm

Access: 30 mins on foot from Hanshin Ashiya Stn.

Tel.: 0797-35-0871Website: http://www.ashiya-hanabi.com/?p=934

Number of fireworks: 6,000

HYOGO | 46th Minato Kobe Kaijo Hanabi Taikai Date: 6th August Time: 7:30–8:30pmAccess: 20 mins on foot from Hanshin, Hankyu and JR Sannomiya Stn.Tel.: 078-333-3372Website: https://kobehanabi.jp/Number of fireworks: 10,000

SHIGA | 2016 Biwako Hanabi Taikai

Date: 8th August Time: 7:30–8:30pm

Access: 5 mins on foot from Keihan Railway’s Hamaotsu Stn.

Tel.: 077-511-1530Website: twitter.com

biwakohanabiNumber of fireworks: 10,000

WAKAYAMA | Shirahama Hanabi FestivalDate: 30th July Time: 8–8:40pmAccess: 14 mins on foot from JR Shirahama Stn, then bus towards Sandanbeki for 14 mins. Get off at Shirahama.Tel.: 0739-43-5511Website: www.nanki-shirahama.com/event/detail.php?log=1452037799&yr=2016&mt=07 Number of fireworks: 3,200

Kakigori – a taste of summer If you’re off to a summer festival in Japan, be it a fireworks display or a Bon Odori (dance festival during the mid-August Obon period), look out for carts selling a shaved ice dessert known as kakigori. This refreshing, hugely popular summer snack is topped with brightly coloured, vaguely fruit-flavoured syrup and/or condensed milk, resulting in a delicious but sticky mess if you don’t consume it right away!

Image credit: nesnad, Wikimedia Commons


International restaurant and bar serving Romanian, Brazilian & Sri Lankan foodsJUNON Bldg 2F, 2-4-8 Higashi Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0083. Tel. 06-4708-4408.

ENGLISH-SPEAKING STAFF!

Open every night 7.30pm–lateCerendib.Osaka


A quick guide to sake

Drinking alcohol is part of traditional Japanese culture, as well as a recognised way to get along with people in business. Like me, many international residents start to appreciate Japanese beer when they move here, and may already be quite familiar with differences in beer tastes, production processes and so on. But how much do we know about Japanese sake?

Well, more often than not, we’re completely clueless. We even find that the English word 'sake' has a much narrower meaning than the Japanese word sake, which covers various drinks, each with its own name and characteristics: nihonshu, shochu and konseishu. Nihonshu (‘sake’ in English) is a brewed beverage (like beer) made by brewing rice, water, koji (a mould grown on rice), and sometimes pure alcohol. Shochu, a distilled liquor, is made by distilling nihonshu from tubers, malt or rice, just as brandy is made from wine (I’ve even drunk a chestnut shochu!). Finally, konseishu is a liquor made by combining fruit and spices with a nihonshu or shochu base (the most famous of these, umeshu, uses plums).

To fully enjoy the unique flavour of Japanese alcohol you absolutely must know how to serve it – the optimum temperature and accompaniments. You’ve probably heard the term rokku (‘on the rocks’) used to indicate a liquor served with nothing but ice. In my opinion this is the best way to drink Japanese alcohol, allowing you to savour the taste, aroma and quality of the ingredients. Alternatively, try the Japanese-style cocktail known as

‘sake sour’, the result of shaking 45 ml of nihonshu and 20 ml of lemon juice with sparkling water and a spoonful of sugar.

Speaking of temperature, other than the famous mizoreshu (a particular nihonshu served between-12°C and -15°C that resembles a sorbet) Japanese sake should be drunk at room temperature or above. As it gets hotter, the taste and aroma become stronger and sweeter. Reputedly the best temperatures at which to appreciate the quality of nihonshu are hitohadakan (about 35°C) and atsukan (about 50°C), though

Japanese people typically match the temperature with the season (room temperature in the summer). The same is true of shochu, especially the kind called joatsu. During this shochu’s distillation process the atmospheric pressure inside the still is the same as outside, whereas with genatsu the internal pressure is lower, resulting in a lighter and more delicate flavour.

When exploring your favourite tastes, knowledge of a nihonshu’s classification is extremely

important: there’s junmai (nothing but water, koji and rice) and honjozo (junmai’s

ingredients plus pure alcohol). Junmai has an intense rice flavour and is appreciated more by people who like challenging new tastes.

Kansai offers a huge range of options for tasting or drinking Japanese

sake. One of the best known is Fushimi Sakagura Kouji in Kyoto, just 7 minutes on foot from Fushimimomoyama Station on the Keihan Railway. Here you can join in one of the many events organised every month and have a marvellous experience tasting various

type of nihonshu for a reasonable price.

Test out your knowledge of that most famous of Japanese alcoholic beverages with this basic introduction.

By Salvo Bucceri

17lifeinkansai.com | August 2016

Easy peasy peach cheesecakeRecipe

Instructions1. To make the biscuit base, place biscuits in a plastic ziplock bag and crush with a rolling pin or other heavy object. Alternatively, blend in a food processor. Place crumbs in a bowl and mix in the melted butter.

2. Press mixture into a loose-bottomed cake or pie tin (20–23 cm) and flatten with the back of a spoon. Chill in the fridge for 1 hour.

3. Beat cream cheese, vanilla essence and sugar together until smooth. Fold in whipped cream until well combined.

4. Spoon mixture onto the prepared biscuit base and chill in the fridge for 2 hours.

5. Blend 1 peach with the icing sugar to make a purée. Slice the other peach thinly and arrange on top of cheesecake. Drizzle purée over the top, slide cheesecake out of tin and serve.

This no-cook cheesecake topped with seasonal fruit makes the perfect dessert for a summer picnic or BBQ. Switch out the peaches for another soft fruit of your preference.

Top tips: For an extra-rich dessert, whip another 200 ml of cream and add to top of cheesecake before finishing with the peaches and purée.

Ingredients

200 g digestive biscuits/

graham crackers

(or other hard, plain

biscuits)

80 g butter, melted

200 g cream cheese, at

room temperature

1 tsp vanilla essence

3 tbsp icing sugar

200 g double cream,

whipped

2 large, ripe peaches

30 g icing sugar

Serves 8

OsakaShinsaibashiNamba

OsakaNakatsu

Kobe Kyoto

OsakaUmeda

June's photo of the month

Image: Anton V. Ovcharov

Email your photo to [email protected] by 29th August along with the following:- Full name- Address - Contact telephone number- Caption of up to 50 words - Where and when photograph was taken- Image attached in JPG, PNG or TIF format- Image size should be 1–5MB

Send in your best shot of Kansai for the August Life in Kansai photo competition! You could get it published in our October issue and on our website, and win a mystery prize!

Will you be next month's winner?


Caption: Exhausted after two days and almost 40 km of hiking in good weather, my wife and I approached Hongu Taisha through a forest under the rain and mist, immersed in the ancient atmosphere of the sacred place that is Kumano Kodo.

Our warmest congratulations to Tristan Nakagawa, tthe June winner of the Life in Kansai photo contest. Tristan’s atmospheric woodland shot was taken at Kumano Kodo, Wakayama Prefecture.

21lifeinkansai.com | August 2016

Ali's KitchenTorres Bldg B1, 1-10-12 Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0085 Tel. 06-4708-5745. Open Mon-Sun 11:30am–11:30pm facebook.com/alis.kitchen.5Website: www.aliskitchen.jpEmail: [email protected]

Alternative Kansai restaurantsIf you have specific dietary requirements that make it difficult for you to eat in ordinary Japanese restaurants, scan the QR code below to check out Life in Kansai's list of cafés and restaurants in the Kansai area that provide alternative menu options. Here are this month's new additions.

V Vegan VG Vegetarian GF Gluten-free DF Dairy-free SF Sugar-free H Halal

The dietary requirement specified by the symbol does not necessarily apply to all dishes served at the establishment.

Café Lamp68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0012 Tel. 079-284-9775. Open Tues to Sat 8:30am–7pm (L.O. 6pm), Sun & hols 8:30am–6pm (L.O. 5pm) facebook.com/pages/Lamp-Cafe/297191183650917

HimejiOsaka

Morpho Café309 Saikachicho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8242 Tel. 075-432-5017. Open.Wed to Mon 11:45am–3pm, 5pm–9pmfacebook.com/pages/Morpho-Cafe/246492442031012 Website: www.morphocafe.comEmail: [email protected] needed for more than 3 people.

New restaurants added!

Scan this code to access the full list of restaurants on lifeinkansai.com. If you have a suggestion for this page, please contact us at [email protected].

What's in your stars this month?ARIES (March 21st – April 19th) This month looks bright for you. Move fast and luck will come.Lucky colours: pink and light blue | Lucky spot: hotel lobby

TAURUS (April 20th – May 20th)You will have a flash of insight. Trust your intuition.Lucky colours: yellow and purple | Lucky spot: island

GEMINI (May 21st – Jun 21st)Road bumps will come up in your life. Try to live simply. Lucky colours: vivid red and white | Lucky spot: library

CANCER (June 22nd – July 22nd)Challenge yourself with something new. New incomes may arise.Lucky colours: orange and blue | Lucky spot: CD shop

LEO (July 23rd – August 22nd)Listen to a friend who you can trust. Gain knowledge.Lucky colours: green and brown | Lucky spot: game centre

VIRGO (August 23rd – September 22nd)Be the leader. You will be physically healed.Lucky colour: gold | Lucky spot: fitness club

LIBRA (September 23rd – October 23rd)Lost love? Don't force it. New ideas on love may arise.Lucky colour: dark red | Lucky spots: karaoke and stage

SCORPIO (October 24th – November 21st)Benefit from an open relationship, moving and travelling.Lucky colour: sun gold | Lucky spot: amusement park

SAGITTARIUS (November 22nd – December 21st)Gifts take your love life to a new level. Change your ways.Lucky colours: red and navy | Lucky spot: shopping mall

CAPRICORN (December 22nd – January 19th)Actions affect how people trust you. Study law books to see change.Lucky colours: white and orange | Lucky spots: court and city hall

AQUARIUS (January 20th – February 18th)Change your business plan and you will become successful.Lucky colours: pink and orange | Lucky spot: station building

PISCES (February 19th – March 20th)Expand your circle and your ambition. Beware of possible accidents.Lucky colours: white and orange | Lucky spot: baseball stadium

Horoscopes for June 15th to July 14th • By Ryujyu 龍樹

V

^

_

`

a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

i

H VGVG

GF

Kyoto

koyasan: spiritual mountain retreat - life in...

Documents