Neighborhood Kashiwara

I would like to introduce my neighbor today. I live in Kashiwara City, Osaka. It is about 2 hours far from Kansai Gaidai. It locates east part of Osaka and near Nara. My hometown is countryside, so there is a lot of nature such as rivers, mountains and rice fields. My hometown is also famous for grapes. There are a lot of vineyards near my house, and it has several kinds of grapes such as Black grape and Muscat. We have original wine in my hometown.There is grape picking event from August to October. We can eat grapes as much as we want if we pay 1.100 yen. Picking fruits is popular event in Japan. For example, we have strawberry picking, pear picking and apple picking.

The first picture shows Japanese vineyard. Japanese vineyard is different from other countries’ a little because Japanese land is not so large as other countries. Other countries can use large land for planting grapes, so it is usual that the vines are planted on the ground. In contrast, in Japan, we have to use our narrow land effectively. Therefore we have different way of planting vine. At first, we make shelves, and then, make grape’s vine trail on the shelves, and grow vines on high place. It is the best way to grow many grapes in limited space in Japan.

Second picture shows Japanese residential area. In Japan, houses are built close to each other. It is also because Japanese land is small. In addition, we have fences around our houses. We have fences not only around houses, but also around schools. When I went to Australia 4 years ago, I found that they didn't have fences around their houses and schools. Moreover, neighbors came into school yard and walking with their dog. I was surprised because in Japan, we can’t enter school yard if we are not student in the school. If someone enters without permission, he will be regarded as a suspicious person. Although we have fences between our houses, the connection of our community is strong. Every town has a residents’ association, and cooperate with each other. For example, we make several gropes and clean parks near our houses on Sunday in turn. We respect and cooperate with each other to make our town better.

My recommendation of Japanese culture

My recommendation of Japanese culture relates to nature. In Japan, we have a custom called “Hanami”(Flower viewing). “Hanami” is going out to places such as parks to enjoy seeing cherry blossoms. It is said that its origin is noble men’s event in the Nara period (about 1300 years ago). Cherry blossoms are planted everywhere. For example riversides, school yards and temples. Cherry blossoms bloom from March to April. We go out to do “Hanami” with family, friends or colleagues. We often spread a sheet under cherry blossoms, and enjoy drinking, eating and talking. Therefore, in March and April, some parks are full of people who enjoy the coming of spring. Enjoying “Hanami” in the evening is also good way. It is called “Yozakura” (夜桜), and cherry blossoms are illuminated. We can see different faces of them, and enjoy aesthetic atmosphere.

In autumn, we have “Momiji gari” (going maple viewing). It is also one of Japanese popular customs as well as “Hanami”. In autumn, most leaves turn into red and yellow, and they create beautiful scenery in fields and mountains. Kyoto is famous spot to go “Momiji gari” in Japan, so many people visit Kyoto to see beautiful and old-fashioned scenery. I would like to introduce one of my favorite places in Kyoto. It is “Jissouin” (実相院). We can see rare scenery there. It is famous for “Yuka momiji” (床もみじ). “Yuka momiji” is the scenery that “Momiji” which has turned into red is reflected on the polished black floor. People enjoy the reflected scenery. The best timing we can see that scenery is noon. Even if leaves does not turn into red, we can enjoy “Yuka midori” (床みどり). The green leaves are reflected on the black floor, and it is shining in emerald color. If you interested in this place, please visit there while you are in Japan.