Cats, Customs and Tall Buildings

I write this latest post snuggled up in a very comfy bed with a cup of Earl Grey on my right and a very warm, snoozing boyfriend on the other.

We have been incredibly busy these last couple of weeks! Now that the temperature is beginning to simmer down in Osaka, Vincent and I are most definitely out of holiday mode.

Think the hair got Vince's
seal of approval

So - I bet you are all bursting to know what we've been up to! Well, I decided after much hesitation to go back to black (or brunette, actually). As anyone who colours their hair can appreciate, changing from light to dark or vice versa can be a huge shock and affects everything about your appearance from your make up to the shade of jumper you wear.

This being said, I'm over the moon with the results. I went to a local salon recommended by my work colleagues, called Craive in Shinsaibashi. If you're in need of a salon in Osaka, this be the place. The staff speak English, provide excellent service and if they can tame my mane, they can do anything.

PRO TIP :: The salon is on the (5th...maybe 6th) floor of a building directly  opposite the Louis Vuitton store. Spending all afternoon asking for directions in pigeon Japanese is really not that much fun.

Vincent's new job teaching English, is in nearby Tennoji. I attended the Tanabata Festival at Shitennoji Temple a couple of months ago but was still yet to explore the area. Yesterday, I came to meet Vince from work and he took me to see the Abenobashi Terminal Building.

Vincent at Abenobashi, Tennoji

It opened in March of this year and boasts 62 floors. It is the largest, functioning construction in Japan and has phenomenal panoramic views over the Kansai region.

We only went up to the 16th floor, but the views were still amazing from a charming rooftop garden where local workers enjoy their lunch. You can pay to go up to top, top floor but I'm not the hugest fan of heights and was far more interested in perusing the luxury shops on the lower levels which include Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade and Mulberry. If you happen to be in Tennoji, it's worth a look - if you dare!

Vince and I decided to culminate our week by doing something "very Japanese". Having spent that week eating all our favourite foods from home...thank you Jupiter International Food Store and the Tempozan Turkish buffet...we wanted to do something a bit more traditional.

So, naturally, we went to the Cat Cafe.

These are BIG news in Japan. I love cats. I love coffee. Surely this must be the greatest experience of my adult life?? Well, no. To be honest. It was all a bit of a let down.

Now, admittedly I went to a local, small cafe - which wasn't really a cafe as it sold no kind of beverage but the whole experience was just strange. We paid for 30 minutes of play with the cats, most of whom must be rescue animals due to the various war wounds but this took place in the owner's front room while he sat on Facebook.

I didn't feel confident enough in a stranger's presence to let rip with my usual cat noises, you know the ones I mean, the really cringey ones. It was rubbish.

I did make one friend, however, a little black cat whose name I think was Coco. I have two black cats at home (named Tyler and Marmite as you'll see from my URL) so I did feel a bit cheap playing with my new pal.I promise, it was just some light petting - nothing serious.

Love me a black cat

This being said, I refuse to give up on the cats. I intend to return and make them all play with me! Before leaving, I was handed a loyalty card by the owner, not dissimilar in style to the one you get from Nando's. I mean, what do I get after 10 visits? A free cat?

THREE THINGS I NEVER KNEW ABOUT THE JAPANESE :

My favourite part of being in Japan is learning about a culture that is so different to mine in so many ways. These idiosyncracies are absolutely fascinating and I love to hear about them. Have you ever visited a place with very different customs or traditions? Here are some regarding the Japanese that you may not know...

1. In Japanese culture, blood type is taken into consideration when dating. This is because they believe that people with certain blood types will display distinctive characteristics. For example, blood type B will tend to be quirky or eccentric, meaning they might not be a compatible match with someone from a different group. It has made me wonder what mine and Vince's types are...
2. The number 4 is extremely unlucky in Japan. It is sometimes pronounced "shi", which also means death. Also, the number 9 means suffering so if you are ever buying a Japanese friend a present, such a set of plates, give them 3 or 5! 
3. Double dating in Japan is an absolute operation. Back home, the couple organising might bring one friend each who they think will click and all four of them go out for a meal or an activity. Not here. Oh no. The dates are done in fives, meaning the organising couple have to gather together 8 friends and try to match them up! As you can imagine, these dates can be quite awkward and in true Japanese style, the attendees who don't wish to be rude will hide behind their menus. I'm determined to organise one.

PS - business card etiquette is also brilliant. To learn how to do it like a boss check this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8bG2Lb5fv8

For more updates on our adventures, be sure to follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

Till the next post,

Ja matte!

Lost in Bentencho Station

Hello you lovely lot and thanks once again for taking the time to check out what I've been up to!

I'm writing this from a (slightly) messier room as my wonderful boyfriend Vincent has decided to join me out here.

I'm allowed one soppy photo, right?

I promise this is the only mushiness I will disclose hereafter but going to collect him from the airport was one of the best moments of my life. Two and half months away from each other really was the limit of what we could both manage. But all the waiting was totally worth it to see his cheeky face lighting up Kansai International.
Any longer would have resulted in exploding MacBooks, I'm sure. Is FaceTime supposed to last more than five hours??

OK. Bleurgh, enough I promise!! Anyway, it's awesome having my best friend back to share my adventures with...or so I thought...

Vincent managed to be in Japan for the grand total of week before he lost his iPhone. Yep. An iPhone. Lost. In Japan. Brilliant. This being said, crime in Osaka - particularly theft, is low compared to London and everyone kept reassuring us that if it was to ever be returned, we couldn't have picked a better city to facilitate that. The real difficulty was that Vince couldn't remember where he had left it in the first place and when you pair that with a language barrier, you can imagine the fun we had trying to track it down!

However, with the help of my work colleague and overall superwoman, Makiko, we managed to locate it in a local train station in Bentencho where some kind soul handed it in. We couldn't believe it! I made myself giddy bowing and arigato-ing the guard on duty in the lost and found. It was a prime example of how helpful and good natured the Japanese people are if you're lucky enough to know them. Did you see the reports of their cleaning operation after they lost a match in the World Cup? If not, you can read about it here.

The day we lost the infamous mobile, we went to visit the Osaka Human Rights Museum in Ashiharabashi. We had read about this in our Lonely Planet guide and I'm so pleased we decided to visit.

Liberty Osaka - Museum of Human Rights

It's pretty easy to find and is only a 500 yen entry fee. I really can't recommend this place enough. I admit I was slightly daunted when we first arrived as a lot of the initial exhibits appeared to be aimed at children and many of the descriptions were not translated. However audio guides are available and all of the video media is subtitled. I learnt about several contemporary human rights issues in Japan, the majority of which I had never heard of before.

The section covering the legal battles of the Minamata victims particularly interested me. The citizens involved in the court cases are suffers of the Minamata disease, as a result of mercury poisoning from the 1930's to the 1970's in the Minamata Bay area. Supporters of those affected fought a thirty year battle for compensation all in the face of discrimination, (the disease was thought to be contagious for a long time). The exhibitions were a revelation and a fascinating glimpse into post war Japanese history and current social debates.

Selfie. Sega. Sick.

We decided to end our weekend with something a bit more highbrow and took a trip to Sega World in Tenoji. I have to admit, I agreed to this only because Vincent was adamant to see it, when I spotted a Mango and Zara downstairs, I was more than happy to play House of the Dead 4 one more time! Seriously though, I actually had loads of fun, I even managed to beat Vince at one of those virtual skiing games - lad that I am. If games are your thing or for a bit of childhood nostalgia, do have a look, it's a good afternoon out. Don't take anyone on a date there though, it's rather loud. And by rather, I mean incredibly loud.

We've got loads planned over the next month so make sure you're keeping an eye out for posts. Before I sign off, I thought I'd include my top 5 travel books that I've been devouring whilst out here. What are your top choices? Here's mine:-

1. Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami. This is an essential read for anyone interested in Japan. It's beautifully bittersweet and has that "first love" mysticism about it. I keep coming back to this book and I can't get enough of it.
2. Four Sisters by Helen Rappaport. As odd as this may sound, I like to bring a historical book with me whenever I go away. It provides a nice break from all the fiction I tend to read. This is a new purchase for me and details the very short lives of the four Romanov Princesses of old Imperial Russia. Tres interesting!
3. Candy by Luke Davies. This is a relatively short book and is dead easy to read. It's sort of a modern anti fairytale and is as much an ode to love as it is to drugs. I like to have something a bit grittier with me when I'm away from home to keep up my street cred. Obvs. This, or Trainspotting should work.
4. Bright Star: Love Letters and Poems of John Keates Just because it is always good to take a bit of England with you. So why not take Keates??
5. A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin. I think it's always useful to take a series of books if you can and I have already exhausted the Hunger Games, Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings. This latest serving is pretty entertaining, the action is high and the characters personable. I would recommend downloading these books though, the first one in paperback nearly broke my wrist.

Well, my thanks once again for listening to my ponderings, we're off to mess around and catch up on GBBO! Till next time...

BYEEEEEE!

The Simple Things

Hello one and all,

If this is your first time reading my blog, then I wish you a very warm welcome. I hope these ramblings of a *Gaijin

*Foreigner or outsider

girl prove entertaining and possibly informative! The rest of you lovely lot - Konbanwa or Good Evening from a balmy Osaka.

I've had a pretty hectic week as we've been auditioning for second contracts at work. There really is nothing like an audition to bring out the true colours in oneself! Cue no sleep, zero food intake and the most wonderful feeling of euphoria once it's over. In all honesty though, the auditions were fine. I'm lucky enough to work for an incredibly kind company who always strive to look after its employees.

My recent adventures have been based locally. My lovely boyfriend, Vincent is coming out to Japan in about a week and I wanted to make sure that I knew where all the bare necessities were located. Necessities being where to purchase a good draft beer and health foods, of course. The Japanese are healthy by nature, lots of raw fish and veg in their diet, so health foods are a relatively new concept over here. However, if you know where to look, you can find a almond milk or two!

I adore food. Cooking it. Eating it. Smelling it. Watching it get made. Buying it. And I love nothing more than trying new ways to ensure it's good for me. Usually, this is much to the annoyance of the previously mentioned Vince. The exasperated look I'm often greeted with upon returning from Richmond with Foods Market bags is one of the things I miss most about him! That being said, when in Japan.....do what you can't do at home.

Some beautiful flowers I spotted on my quest for Quinoa

I had to venture out to Tanimachi 4-chome, which is only a few stops up the Chuo line from my local station - Osakako. Musubi Garden was certainly worth the trip. It had nearly everything I was after, courgettes, carob chips, coconut oil...I was very impressed. Though not so impressed with my lack of planning. Make sure you bring a rucksack to transport the food back home! Here is the link if you are in need of clean food whilst in Japan.

The following day I ventured out into Tempozan. This little island and much of the surrounding areas in Osaka bay were created to help house the over populated areas by the ports. That shouldn't deter you from visiting them though! They are extremely well connected and each has its own hidden gems. Tempozan boasts Japan's smallest mountain, (just 4.52 metres above sea level, Osakans are famous in Japan for their humour) and a large ferris wheel that forecasts the weather daily.

I went to the south end of the harbour to explore The Mermaid Plaza. Down here, by the dock is a diminutive statue of the titular character from Hans Christen Anderson's story. She was a gift from the Karlsburg Company of Denmark to the people of Tempozan. I was pleasantly surprised when I stumbled upon her as although she is rather hidden away, there is something very lovely about her. It's almost as if seeing her is your reward for investigating the whole island.

The Little Mermaid statue - in case you want to cheat, she's behind the Aquarium.

To finish my day off, I discovered The Osaka Culturarium which was showing an exhibition entitled; The Art of Gundam. The exhibition focused on the creation and evolution of the popular televised anime series, Mobile Suit Gundam. The show has been around for 35 years and it was nice to see lots of adults and children connecting to it, in a similar way to the Star Wars franchise. I didn't understand much of the audio descriptions, however most of the exhibits had English translations. By the end, I really could see the appeal! The episodes are set to anthemic scores, the detail and colours in the art are visceral and the protagonists are all "regular people". Who wouldn't be hooked?

The Art of Gundam - Osaka Culturarium

I will absolutely be returning to the gallery in the future, however it is quite a pricey day out compared to the museums and galleries in London. Entrance fee is 2,000 yen. About £12 per person, but certainly worth it!

I hope to get back out and about over the next few weeks, the deer park in Nara is next in my to do list! Before I sign off, in lieu of my Japanese learning that would have proved useful in the Gundam exhibition here are my top 5 phrases/words to learn before coming to Japan:-

1. Ohayo Gozaimasu This means "good morning" and you'll often hear it batted around between locals.
2. Sumimasen Meaning "excuse me". Very useful if trying to get round someone in a crowded shop or if you accidentally barge someone in the street...note, this is the most formal way of apologising and should be used in conjunction with a low bow if you do not know the person or they are your superior.
3. Nanji desu ka? An obvious one, "What time is it?" but it always makes you feel more at home if you don't have to point at that invisible watch on your hand in order to find out.
4. Kudasai This means "please" and I think is a hugely important word to know in ANY language. Manners cost nada.
5. Toire wa dokodesuka? Where. Is. The. Toliet. Four little words that can be the meaning of life and death.

Until next time, now blog off.

Lily x

The Grand Opening, Tananbata and animals galore!

Hello all!

So sorry - it's been an absolute age since I last posted and I imagine you are all just DYING to know what I've been up to.

Well I suppose the biggest news, is that I finally took the Pottermore quiz online and have been sorted into one of the four houses at Hogwarts. However, I was not placed into Slytherin as I so eagerly wished, but Ravenclaw. To be honest though, given that the Sorting Hat takes your thoughts into consideration...I doubt the test is 100% definitive and I remain green in my heart.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, (hereafter referred to as WWHP) is now officially open and I thoroughly recommend you all take a trip to Japan to see it! The "big day" began with a 4am start for myself and also marked my debut on Japanese television. Oh yeah, I've made it.

Here I am - just behind a Beauxbaton!

It's been absolutely boiling here the last couple of days and the local cicadas have woken up all round Tempozan, serenading my ride to work everyday. I also had the pleasure of having one of the for mentioned beauties fly into my face, mid performance last week. Hilarious for all involved but me.

I've been trying to get out and see some more of Osaka and the surrounding areas in my days off. I really had no idea just how vast Osaka actually is! We took a trip up Monkey Mountain in Kyoto and saw some very friendly (and greedy) macaques. We also checked our a bamboo forest which was very serene and incredibly beautiful, but yeah - only so much bamboo a person can see in a day. There's so much to see and do in Kyoto, I'll need at least another couple of trips there again!

On July 7th we took a trip to a local temple to celebrate the Tanabata Festival. From what I could gather, this is a Chinese festival that crossed over some centuries ago. The story goes; that in a town there was a very efficient seamstress who never had any fun and was very lonely. Her father, seeing this arranged for her to be married to a local shepherd. Once the seamstress and the shepherd met, they fell immediately in love and their work suffered for it. In punishment for her shoddy work, the father decreed that the seamstress should never see her husband except for the 7th day of the 7th month once a year. It is said that if it rains on that particular day, they must wait another year to see each other. Yep, not quite sure how I'd feel about that with my lovely boyfriend...

Tanabata Festival at Shitenoji Temple

The festival is traditionally celebrated by the writing of wishes onto slips of paper and tying them to bamboo trees. At midnight, these wishes are then burnt and sent up to the heavens. The temple looked gorgeous and there were lots of families and children out to celebrate. I'd definitely check this out if you're around Osaka in July of 2015!

Yesterday, I took a trip to a local petting zoo inside the Tempozan Mall. Yes, you read that correctly. A petting zoo. In a mall. Best 300 yen I ever spent. There were giant rabbits, cats, puppies, kangaroos, lizards, owls and even an alpaca for you to stroke and feed. Morally I don't feel great about this as I'm sure that no animal wants to be in captivity and they all seemed very sleepy. Despite this, they all look extremely well fed and were handled with care by all the staff. Also, I was getting really tired of having to chase after the local cats by the pier when I needed some animal time. So all in all, it's worth a look!

Selfie with a dog. Standard.

So again, apologies it's been such a long time since my last post! I'm really going to try and keep on top of it for the next one and get some exciting adventures to write about. In the meantime, here are three things I've discovered about Japan since my last post:

• The Japanese are SO FRIENDLY

Ok, so I kind of already knew this...but it's the scenario that makes it blog-worthy. I attended a couple of dance classes last night at a local studio. Just a ballet and jazz lesson but I've never felt so welcomed into a space. There was no; "oh, you're new...so stand at the back" atmosphere and the language barrier was almost no existent. Dance really is a universal language and it felt great to be back in a class again, surrounded by such supportive people.

• The Japanese are the masters of suspense

We have started a Horror Movie Night and want to get through all the original classics. We kicked off  the first evening with the Grudge, or Ju-on (The Curse). Barely any special affects, no cheap scares. Just a scary, scary idea and a freaky looking boy who I seem to be seeing everywhere??

• Cucumber and sesame sauce

Just try it. Mind. Blown.

Mata aimasyou! (See you later).

Ohayo Gozaimasu! (Good morning)

Well hello, world.

It's Lily here, or Lilysan - I should say and I am writing this from my deliciously warm balcony overlooking Tempozan.

This is a wee man made island just outside of Osaka that I'll be calling my home for the next 297 days.

So Japan...what do I reckon? Well, so far, so lovely! The people here are perpetually kind and the customer service is second to none. Despite my hopeless language skills, I am always served with a smile and patience. The weather here is also a lovely surprise, particularly the rain - not the stinging spiky kind we get in the UK, but big, fat, friendly droplets that soak you in seconds.

This being said, it's hardly rained at all since I got here. We arrived at about 8am(ish) on Thursday morning and I managed to power right through until the evening.

Yeah, that 8 hour time difference is NOT the one. Friday zoomed by in a flash, taken up with lots of orientation for work and Saturday brought me a trip to an electronics store in the city. 

AIKES.

It was like walking round a video game. Shopping over here seems to take me a lot longer in general as I have to ponder over what a box may contain, then whether I can afford said item and if even have the means to operate it. Tres time consuming.

With a little sign language/interpretive dance I managed to purchase a hairdryer, adaptors and a wifi which has enabled me to post this spiel!

Today I managed to complete a food - or as my Aussie colleagues would say - grocery shop. Again, although this took me longer than usual to peruse the aisles, all in all the trip was a success and I have a fridge chocca with cartoon-esque food.

We are cracking on with rehearsals now and I'm starting to get the hang of my bike...just about!

Still waiting for my big break in Japan, but hey watch this space.

'Till next time, homies.