Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Shiraishi Island – Japan’s Island Paradise
By Carole Goldsmith Copyright © 2017, All Rights Reserved.
Need
an escape from your hectic life in the big cities in Japan? Shiraishi Island is
the answer for complete relaxation and fresh sea air. Located a short
ferry ride from Kazaoka in Okayama Prefecture, Shiraishi Island is
Japan’s hidden paradise.
Every year when I
travel to Japan for a few weeks, I usually spend a week at Shiraishi. As
I board the ferry at Kazaoka, I exchange greetings with the ferry
captain, who knows me by now – this April was my fifth visit.
Traveling
on the ferry, you can slowly feel the accumulated city and work stress
leave your body. Within 35 minutes we arrive at the island and I collect
the key from the ferry office, for a pre booked room at the Island’s
international villas. The ferry office manager’s son calls out
‘konnichi wa and gives me some fresh fish to cook at the villa. I like room number 2, a western style room. There are two Japanese style rooms there as well.
I
wander up the 15 minute walk to the villa, well signposted along the
way, A couple riding bicycles along the island’s narrow paths, stop to
say bonjour or good day. Fred and Sophie are from France and are
staying at the Villa for a couple of nights.
The
villa is a great place to stay with western and Japanese style rooms
overlooking the sea and the neighbour's vegetable gardens. Also the villa
has a full kitchen and after weeks of eating at restaurants while
traveling, cooking a meal adds to the island’s stay delight .
There
is a supermarket about five minutes walk from the villa to buy all of
your supplies.
Amy and Paul , the managers of the villa and locals who lives on the
island, comes to collect money for the villa stay, in the evening. The price per room, all with a view of the sea, is around Yen
4000 for the first night and Yen 3500 for subsequent nights for a single
supplement. For couples staying there, the price is Yen 500 less per
person.
After a cup of tea and a chat with
Sophie and Fred who traveled in Nepal and India, I go for a cycle down
to the ferry and along the waterfront. Bicycles are available free of
charge while staying at the villa.
There are
many walks or bicycle rides to take around the island, a stroll down to
the beach will take about 5 minutes by foot. A cold beer, freshly made
miso soup and yakitori while chatting with Chieko and her family at
San-chan, the restaurant and accommodation on the beach, is a good way
to pass the afternoon. In May, the beach is a swimmer’s delight. As I
plunge in the water and do my 30 laps of the ocean, the locals keep
asking me “samui desu ka” – is it cold? They don’t tend to swim until
June when summer if official, but this Australian swims whenever she
sees water.
My videos on Shiraishi Island - check them out...
Shiraishi Island - Walking to the Beach https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La7yr7gAvuo
Shiraishi Island - Inside the international villa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2lZdjvepqQ
Shiraishi island - How to relax and enjoy the beauty https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd_3OTpIhfY
Great walks on the island
Close
to the villa, there is a walk up to the lookout, a steep climb to a 360
degrees view of this magnificent island. This is fantastic to do as the
sun sets on the horizon. There is also a walk along the waterfront
that leads to a picturesque walking path with cherry blossoms in full
spendor in April.
Another great walk is up
to the temples, passing houses with multi colored flower boxes on
display and many vegetable gardens, green and luxuriant in the very rich
island soil. The temple area is alive with cherry blossoms and azaleas
in April and rhododendrons in May. On this visit,
I walked around the temple area with a friend Hiro, who had come to the island for a visit for the day.
You
can also visit the neighboring islands by ferry. Mannabe is well worth
a visit, with a very well preserved temple, that serves as a community
centre for activities and art displays. There is also a picturesque walk
along the waters edge, to the left of the ferry port. Climb the hill to
the temple, turn left and climb some more steps to find exercise
stations, then the pretty flower garden that overlooks the sea and the
island.
The very talented Shiraishi Island’s Mrs Shinohara
In
the morning as Sophie, Fred and I are enjoying our breakfast on the
outside deck , we see the bonneted head of an elderly Japanese lady,
just below the veranda. She introduces herself as Mrs Shinohara and
gives us some beautiful paper umbrellas that she has made and we accept
gratefully. As she wanders back down to the road that leads down to the
beach, she points to her house and indicates that she would like us to
visit.
After breakfast, I go to visit Mrs
Shinohara, and she tells me she is 75 years of age. She invites me for
tea and cake as I sit at her entrance and she shows me how she makes the
umbrellas out of newspapers and magazines. Then she points to the
characters in traditional dress that she has made for a play. The very
talented, Mrs Shinohara also proudly displays the ceramic bowls and
vases she has produced and the birds that she made out of paper.
Sailing around the island in style
If
you feel adventurous and want to sail around the islands, Amy Chavez,
an American and long time resident of Shiraishi, and her Australian
partner Paul will take you on a sail. This takes place throughout the
year except for July and August when they are busy with the Moo bar on
the beach. Amy also takes bookings for accommodation on the Island. For
details of the accommodation reservations and the sailing schedule and
fee, see below.
Getting to Shiraishi Island –
The
cheapest way to get there is to catch the Bus from Osaka directly to Okayama station, from OCAT, Osaka Central Bus Terminal, Namba, The fare is Yen
3000 one way, the bus departs from Osaka daily and the trip takes around three hours with two rest stops along the way. At Okayama Station, catch the train to Kazaoka Station and then a ferry nearby to Shiraishi Island.
For Japan Rail Pass
travellers, catch the Shinkansen to Fukuyama station and then the local
train to Kazaoka.
To find the ferry terminal,
turn left at the station and on your right, walk though the underpass,
then turn left and right across the pedestrian crossing and walk
straight ahead for 30 seconds. Then turn left and you will see the ferry
terminal ahead. There are regular ferries to Shiraishi until around 6:00 PM. The daily
schedule for the Island’s ferries is provided when you book your
accommodation.
Accommodation reservations for Shiraishi Island Villa contact the Okayama International Villa group
| E-mail address: booking@international-villa.or.jp |
http://www.international-villa.or.jp/
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Some non smoking restaurants in Tokyo
More smoke free Japanese restaurants in Japan please
By Carole Goldsmith - Copyright - All Rights Reserved
Just back from number 20 trip to Japan and I am astounded that the Japanese laws still allow smoking in restaurants. Every restaurant I went to in Osaka and Kyoto in the evening, had smokers puffing away in part of the restaurant. Half of the restaurant in some of them was smoke free so the staff told me.....yes - I saw the smoke drifting across the restaurant. So to avoid the poisons of second hand smoke and a coughing fit, I did not dine at any of these restaurants.. they were not smoke free. Also at Takayama and Koyasan, the two restaurants that I ate lunch at, you guessed it, someone lit up near me, so I departed pretty quickly.
There was one restaurant at Kyoto station that had no smoking over lunchtime, that was delightful. Apart from all the Western restaurants that surround Kyoto station, I could nor find one Japanese restaurant that was smoke free for the evening meal. Seven Eleven meals come in handy when you can't go to restaurants because of the tobacco smoke pollution.
Why don't some innovative Japanese set up smoke free Japanese restaurants in Japan. .
The Japanese Ministry of health is promoting no smoking habits as smoking related cancer and stroke is rising rapidly in Japan.
But how can they compete with the cigarette promotion and vending machines on every corner and the Japanese government's ownership of 50 percent of Japan Tobacco, the world's third largest tobacco company. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/17/japan-tobacco-tci-idUSL3E7JH2L220110817
At least young people have to now prove they are 18, before they can buy cigarettes from vending machines.
This was not the case a couple of years ago, there were no restrictions on buying cigarettes from vending machines.
Maybe when the restaurant employees start suing the owners for smoking related illness and the smoking related health bill climb higher, the laws allowing smoking in restaurants may be changed.
I and the many other visitors to Japan who are used to smoke free work and dining environments in our own countries, we would love smoke free Japanese restaurants to go to in Japan
Just back from number 20 trip to Japan and I am astounded that the Japanese laws still allow smoking in restaurants. Every restaurant I went to in Osaka and Kyoto in the evening, had smokers puffing away in part of the restaurant. Half of the restaurant in some of them was smoke free so the staff told me.....yes - I saw the smoke drifting across the restaurant. So to avoid the poisons of second hand smoke and a coughing fit, I did not dine at any of these restaurants.. they were not smoke free. Also at Takayama and Koyasan, the two restaurants that I ate lunch at, you guessed it, someone lit up near me, so I departed pretty quickly.
Here are some non smoking restaurants in Tokyo
Why don't some innovative Japanese set up smoke free Japanese restaurants in Japan. .
The Japanese Ministry of health is promoting no smoking habits as smoking related cancer and stroke is rising rapidly in Japan.
But how can they compete with the cigarette promotion and vending machines on every corner and the Japanese government's ownership of 50 percent of Japan Tobacco, the world's third largest tobacco company. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/17/japan-tobacco-tci-idUSL3E7JH2L220110817
At least young people have to now prove they are 18, before they can buy cigarettes from vending machines.
This was not the case a couple of years ago, there were no restrictions on buying cigarettes from vending machines.
Maybe when the restaurant employees start suing the owners for smoking related illness and the smoking related health bill climb higher, the laws allowing smoking in restaurants may be changed.
I and the many other visitors to Japan who are used to smoke free work and dining environments in our own countries, we would love smoke free Japanese restaurants to go to in Japan
Here are some non smoking restaurants in Tokyo
Sunday, November 24, 2013
JOIN THE NEWLY UPGRADED BUZZ KOREA WEBSITE AND WIN A TRIP TO KOREA!
JOIN THE NEWLY UPGRADED BUZZ KOREA
WEBSITE AND WIN A TRIP TO KOREA!
Dated:
18 November, 2013
Written by Jennifer Doherty, PR/Marketing Manager, Korea Tourism
Organization
Join the
newly upgraded Buzz Korea website before the end of this month and you could
win an air ticket to Korea or other great prizes like the mini iPad, MCM
Backpack, Cosmetics or passport wallet. The Buzz Korea website has
recently undergone a major upgrade with more fun and informative features for
all to share and enjoy.
The upgraded
website has stronger community functions where you can meet with other Buzz
Korea members. If you are planning to visit Korea, then BuzzKorea is a
very useful website, especially the K-Place and K-Tour which will help those
planning travels in Korea to plan an exciting and interesting tour of the
country.
There are
fun games on the site, virtual tours of Korea where you can experience
first-hand all the fun experiences you can enjoy while travelling in
Korea.
To have a
chance to win a return air ticket to Korea or one of the prizes you must first
register on the Buzz Korea website: www.ibuzzkorea.com
The Buzz
Korea event runs until the 30th November and winners will be
announced on the 4th December, 2013.
Whilst at
the Buzz Korea site you should also download the Buzz Korea app which will be a
great help if you are planning to travel in Korea. The app will assist
you to find a place to sleep, where to eat, catch local transport and find your
way around the top sights in Korea as well as find out all the fun things to
enjoy whilst travelling in Korea.
Dated:
18 November, 2013
Further
information: Jennifer Doherty, PR/Marketing Manager, Korea Tourism
Organization
Email:
jenny@knto.org.au Ph: 02)9252-4147/8
ENJOY FUN KOREAN LANGUAGE TRIP & NEW STUDENT TRAVEL GUIDE RELEASED
ENJOY FUN KOREAN LANGUAGE TRIP &
NEW STUDENT TRAVEL GUIDE RELEASED
Jennifer Doherty, PR/Marketing Manager, Korea Tourism Org. Sydney
If
you’ve ever wanted to learn the Korean language and have some fun at the
same time there could be no better way than immersing yourself in Korean
cultural life by staying with a Korean family and experiencing student life at
Kyung Hee University in Seoul, Korea.
The Fun
Korean Language Trip is a 7D/6N tour package organised by the Korea Tourism
Organization (KTO) and Kyunghee University’s Institute of International
Education. The package combines a language training program which teaches
Korean through popular culture like dramas and K-pop and provides accommodation
with Korean families through the Koreastay program. This provides students
with the best chance to learn and communicate in the Korean language as fast as
possible.
The program
provides twenty hours of Korean language tuition and six nights accommodation
with a Korean family including breakfast. You can choose from a free Korean
cooking class or a Korea Pass Card ($US20 pre-paid tourist card). After
morning class you have the opportunity then to tour the city and enjoy many of
the attractions of Seoul. Optional tours include Korean Cultural Experience,
K-pop Dance Experience, Seoul City Tour or Beauty Tour as well as a Gangnam
Experience tour where you might even run in to PSY.
The Fun Korean
Language Trip is a great way to learn some of the Korean language and enjoy the
many attractions of Seoul city at the same time. It also is a great chance to
become friends with Korean University students and share your experience.
The 7D/6N
package is available during January & February, 2014 and again during
July/August, 2014. The tour package fee is 600,000 Korean Won (appox. A$600)
Further information and bookings of the tour can be made through Plus Planner
Agency in Korea.
If you are a
student and looking to travel to Korea then the newly published Student
Travel Guide to Korea would be a helpful tool. This 90-page handy pocket
guide has detailed information about the sights and attractions to be enjoyed
in Seoul city as well as day trips outside Seoul and to other regional areas of
Korea. It includes all the exciting options for students who may wish to
travel and experience Korea’s wide and varied landscapes, festivals and
events, UNESCO World Heritage sights and cities and villages whilst visiting
Korea.
The booklet
is available free on request from the Sydney office of Korea Tourism
Organization Email: visitkorea@knto.org.au Ph; 02)9252-4147/8
Dated: 25
November, 2013
Further
information: Jennifer Doherty, PR/Marketing Manager, Korea Tourism Org. Sydney
Everything you need to know about internet and WiFi in Japan
Everything you need to know about internet and WiFi in Japan
See this site :Best site on WiFi and internet
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2279.html
Android App “Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi” is newly-launchedSee this site :Best site on WiFi and internet
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2279.html
http://www.ntt-bp.net/company/
November 8, 2013
NTT Broadband Platform, Inc.
Android App “Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi” is newly-launched
NTT Broadband Platform, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “NTTBP”) has started offering an
Android application “Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi” from today with the cooperation of the
following providers (hereinafter referred to as “Service Providers”) providing Free Wi-Fi
services to foreign tourists visiting Japan. The application allows searching Wi-Fi service areas
immediately, where about 2,000 APs are available in total, and users can now easily connect to
Wi-Fi within the service areas. The new service is available in 5 languages: English, Traditional
Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.
Wi Fi available
NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CORPORATION
Japan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd.
Tokyo International Air Terminal Corporation
FUKUOKA CITY
(including Fukuoka International Airport, Fukuoka Municipal Subway, etc.)
MITSUBISHI ESTATE Co., Ltd.
East Japan Railway Company
OKINAWA CITY
Central Japan Railway Company
※Prospective Service Providers
Osaka International Airport (the expected launching date is December 2013)
Mori Building Co., Ltd. (the expected launching date is December 2013)
Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. (TBD)
Updates on service areas will be provided on NTTBP’s website as well as via the app
Thursday, March 14, 2013
INTERNATIONAL GARDEN EXPO 2013 IN SUNCHEON BAY KOREA
So close to Japan - Korea .
GARDEN LOVERS INVITED TO VISIT THE INTERNATIONAL GARDEN EXPO 2013 IN SUNCHEON BAY KOREA
by Jennifer Doherty, PR/Marketing Manager, KTO Sydney office
Garden lovers from around the world are being invited to visit the Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo 2013 in Korea which begins on April 20 and runs until October20, 2013. The International Garden Expo has been held around the world for 150 years and it will be Korea’s first time to host the event.
Under the theme ‘Garden of the Earth’ the Expo will be divided into three sections. The main Expo site (564,000 sq. mtrs.) will feature ten country gardens and sixty themed gardens. The International Wetland Centre (100,500 sq. mtrs.) will feature an animal/plant exhibition hall, a theatre, an ecology education hall and a wetland experience hall. The site also includes an arboretum (253,000 sq. mtrs.)
There will be various garden zones including a World Zone, Wetlands Zone, Family Zone, Future Zone, Tree Zone and Flower Road Zone. Connecting the main expo site and the wetland centre will be a bridge constructed using freight containers decorated with 160,000 artworks created by children from all over the world.
Suncheon Bay is known as one of the world’s top five coastal wetlands and the huge benefit for Korea and the world is that it will be conserved forever as a result of the preparations and hosting of the International Garden Expo 2013.
For visitors wishing to attend the Expo there will be four different types of admission tickets including a day pass (16,000 KRW approx. A$15) a night pass (8,000 KRW approx. A$7) , 2day pass (24,000 KRW approx. A$21) and group passes/children tickets are available at discount rates.
Ticket holders will also receive the benefits of visiting many local tourist attractions free of charge such as Suncheon Bay Ecological Park, Suncheon Forest Lodge, the historic village Naganeupseong and the Suncheon Bay Drama film village.
Full details of ticketing information and all the events taking place at the Suncheon Bay Intl. Garden Expo 2013 can be found on the official Expo 2013 website: http://eng.2013expo.or.kr/
Dated: 12 March, 2013
Further information/photos: Jennifer Doherty, PR/Marketing Manager, KTO Sydney office
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
EXPLORE JEONJU ON A FREE SHUTTLE BUS FROM SEOUL
Korea is just a short ferry or plane trip from Japan
EXPLORE JEONJU ON A FREE SHUTTLE BUS FROM SEOUL
By Jennifer Doherty, PR/Marketing Manager, KTO Sydney office
Most people would agree there’s nothing better than discovering a freebie on your travels. In Korea you can find many free experiences like free walking tours etc but the latest offer allows tourists to travel to one of Korea’s most popular tourist cities absolutely free.
An exclusive free shuttle bus for foreign passport holders is operating between Seoul and Jeonju from this March until the 25th August, 2013. The Seoul-Jeonju shuttle bus that operated last year to promote ‘Visit Jeonbuk Year’ contributed significantly to an increase of visitors to the region so authorities have decided to offer the free shuttle bus service again to encourage more foreign visitors to visit Jeonju city and the surrounding region.
The free shuttle bus service runs both ways three times a week on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The shuttle bus is entirely free of charge and reservations can only be made online, One person can reserve a maximum of two seats only. Bookings can be made via the following website:
Of all the cultural gems of Jeonju, perhaps the most celebrated is the Jeonju Hanok Village. Designated as one of the top places to visit in 2011, the Jeonju Hanok Village encompasses about 700 homes and represents the largest cluster of hanok (Korean traditional houses) in Korea.
Jeonju also has several important cultural assets and facilities like the Gyeonggijeon Shrine, Omokdae Pavilion, and Hyanggyo (Confucian school). Jeonju is one of Korea’s ‘slow cities’ and is a great place for tourists to immerse themselves in the history and traditions of Korea.
Jeonju city is well known for the best quality food in the country and even Koreans travel there for the high standard of its cuisine. It’s a great place to try the Jeonju Bibimbap (mixed rice & vegetable dish) or perhaps enjoy a feast with Jeonju Hanjeongsik, the thirty or more dish special banquet.
Besides food Jeonju offers a wealth of small museums including the Hanji (Korean traditional paper) Museum, Traditional Wine Museum, Calligraphy Museum and more. It also hosts the annual Jeonju Bibimbap Festival, the Hanji Culture Festival and an International Sori (music) festival annually.
So, if you are planning a visit to Korea this year, make sure you take advantage of the free shuttle bus to Jeonju city. After a few days in Seoul, Jeonju will offer a peaceful respite from the busy capital city and give you the opportunity to learn more about Korea’s history and culture in the Jeonju Hanok Village.
Further details of the Jeonju Hanok Village: http://tour-eng.jeonju.go.kr/
Dated: 7 March, 2013
Further information: Jennifer Doherty, PR/Marketing Manager, KTO Sydney office
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