Photos are copyrighted to KK

Minoo Hike

2/10/2013

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Kansai Ramblers hiked Meijinomori  Park in the northern part of Osaka.

After hiking for 2 hours and stopping for lunch, we went to Katsuo-Ji Temple. This temple is known as the “temple for winner’s luck”. People visit this temple to pray and wish for victory, winner’s luck, and success. Daruma can be found in many areas of the temple, and is a doll that symbolizes success. From my fellow hikers, I learned that the daruma doll symbolizes success because of its shape that allows it to fall and get back up. The phrase goes, “fall down seven times, get up eight”. Also, a daruma doll is sold without eyes. A person draws one eye while wishing for success/luck/victory. If they succeed, they then draw on the second eye to show that they have completed their goal. With the amount of completed daruma at the temple, it is clear that this temple is the “temple of victory”!

After Katsuo-Ji Temple, we continued to the summit of Saisyougamine Mountain (530 meters). At the top was the grave site of Prince Kaijou. Following the summit, we descended down the mountain towards Minoo. After looking at the nature center, which displayed many pictures and taxidermy animals from this park, we headed down to see the Minoo waterfall. We took a short break for snack and pictures at the waterfall, while enjoying the scenery and sounds of nature.

Unfortunately, the onsen was closed on this day, so the group had to do without their nice hot soak and beer after the long hike. So afterwards, I headed home for a nice long soak in the tub :)
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Namba Yasaka Shrine なんば八坂神社

1/20/2013

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5 minute walk from Namba Station in Osaka, this shrine has a portion that is shaped like a demon's head. For New Year's the followers got together to create a large rope for a great big Tug-of-War. People first get together to create the rope, which is a truely amazing team building excersize as people jump over one another to braid a giant rope. Then after a little tug-or-war, they carry the rope around in a mini procession.
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Sample Making in Osaka at Morino Sample

12/2/2012

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Kayla and Kim doing a trail run on our "dummy" parfaits.
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Topping Galore!
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Silicone gun action!
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Finished parfaits look almost edible...almost...ah, now I am hungry!
Japan is known for its fake food displays outside of restaurants. This art form was first founded in Osaka. In the olden days, the "sample" food was made from wax, which was pretty tricky and tiresome. Today, they use silicone and other plastics to create food replicas.

Hidden among a residential area, this small workshop is filled with delicious looking samples: sushi, taiyaki, mochi, apples, donuts, and even gyoza! The most impressive was a large clock built into an oversized okanomiyaki replica (a true representation of Osaka).

The class itself is conducted in Japanese, but it is easy to follow along with the group. Participants can choose between making a parfait or decorating a cake. I opted for the parfait. I then chose my desired toppings (banana slices, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, apple wedge, cherry, etc). Then participants arrange their toppings on a "dummy" parfait until they are ready for the real thing. Once ready, you get to pick your sauce and with the help of the owner, pull the trigger on a silicone gun to create a parfait in a plastic glass. Afterwards, you have one change to apply your toppings. Let it set for 2 weeks and your sample is done!

As our parfaits and cakes were setting, the owner, Mr. Morino, explained the history and techniques of fake food making. Interestingly, tempura is created by a misting effect of PVC onto already make samples, such as shrimp. Lettuce is tricky and made with warm to hot water to get the rippling effect. After making the samples, they have to be colored, which is another area of art. For example, strawberries are yellow and then painted red so that some of the yellow shines through to look more realistic.

If you are interested in taking a class, you need to make a reservation (in Japanese). Click this link to go to the website: http://www.morino-sample.jp/.
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Finished!
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