Super Hotels in Japan

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Today I want to talk about the Super Hotel chain, in Niigata City and in general. My daughter and I recently spent two nights in the Super Hotel conveniently located near the Niigata City Station.

We chose a non-smoking room equipped with two beds, one of them a loft bed, which my daughter is fond of sleeping in. Having this set up does give a traveler a bit more room. With the free daily breakfast, we were happy in our accommodations. Plus, ladies - the hair dryer actually dries your hair! Super Hotel in Niigata City is great!

This being said, however, all Super Hotels are not equal. A traveler needs to weigh the pros and cons of Super Hotel's lower price and the accessibility of the hotel.

Super Hotel in Hakata, Fukuoka City holds the distinction of being the first hotel of the chain. But two people (us) were provided with a single-person bed. The room was so tiny I laughed when I set eyes on it.

Another iffy choice is Super Hotel in Kitakyushu. Far from the train station, the trek involves a walk along dark, dark streets (kind of scary) in which your way is lit only by a lone 7-11 convenience store off in the distance.

In Osaka, there are at least five Super Hotels and I strongly suggest you say no to all of them. Because they are not close to any train station, you must pull your luggage a long ways over rutted sidewalks and navigate between hordes of people. If it is a hot day like the one we experienced, your walk will be notably tiring.

My daughter and I, as budget-minded travelers, have stayed in many Super Hotels, and we have enjoyed nights in Otsu, Takamatsu Tamachi, and most recently in Niigata City. Of course, we will continue to patronize the Super Hotel chain, but not without a little discrimination.

Super Hotel Kokura-eki Minami-guchi

Super Hotel Osaka Tennoji

Super Hotel Osaka Natural Hot Springs

Super Hotel Asakusa Tokyo

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A Japanese Bingo Game

I have always liked to make up games, and thus it seemed natural to continue that sort of thing in Japan, where there can be a lot of waiting time.

On my recent trip I began to notice images of the Japanese celebrities I see every time I travel to Japan. As I have mentioned before, I feel as if I am seeing a familiar face welcoming me back to Japan. This time I thought, �This could be a game!�

I have made two bingo cards, one for yourself and one for a traveling companion. Mark off the celebrity as you see them, either in a magazine, a billboard, on television, or in advertising. You must have a confirmation of your sighting, meaning your companion has to see it too.

Now you need to decide: Is each completed square worth, say, a 100 yen coin? Then does the winner get to have the other player�s coins as a prize? Or do you set up other stakes? Are the squares worth food or drink? Is the prize a meal? Make up your own rules.

Try it, please. And have fun!

Japan News This Week 13 November 2016

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Statistics

Amount of chemical fertilizer used for agricultural purposes by country (kilograms/hectare):

1. China (17.8)
2. South Korea (13.1)
3. Japan (12.1)
4. Chile (11.6)
5. Belgium (11.3)
6. New Zealand (9.9)
7. Holland (8.8)
8. Italy (7.4)
9. Malaysia (7.2)
10. Portugal (6.4)

18. United Kingdom (2.8)

23. USA (2.4) 

Source: Faostat

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Inside Track Japan For Kindle

Kobe Mosque

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Kobe Mosque was the first mosque in Japan and opened in 1935 in the Kitano district of the city close to the many ijinkan or foreign residences. Kobe mosque was designed by Czech architect Jan Josef �vagr (1885-1969), who also designed a number of other places of worship in Japan.

Kobe Mosque came through US air raids unscathed during World War II and also survived the devastating Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995.

Kobe Mosque
2-25-14, Nakayamate-dori
Chuo-ku
Kobe 650-0004
Tel: 078 231 6060

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Hosenji Temple Seto

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Hosenji Temple is located in the east of Seto City in the quiet Kamagaki district of the city close to Kamagaki-no-komichi, the Kamagaki-no-komichi Museum and the Seto Hongyo Kiln.

Hosenji was founded around 750 years ago in 1252. It became a Zen-sect temple in 1648.

Most impressive are the Sanmon or entrance gate and the paintings on the ceiling of the main hall done by pottery craftspeople. The main hall also holds an image of the thousand-armed Kannon.

The large and ancient bell in the temple was taken as part of the war effort in the 1940's and was replaced thanks to donations by parishoners after the war.

In early November, the temple hosts the Amenbo Festival dedicated to the Buddha of Healing.

Hosenji Temple
30 Teramotocho
Seto, Aichi Prefecture 489-0838
Tel: 0561 82 2316

Hours: 9am-5pm; Free admission.

Seto city is best accessed on the Meitetsu Seto Line from Sakae-machi Station next to Oasis 21 in central Nagoya or from Ozone Station, also on the Meijo Line of the Nagoya subway. By express train the journey time is 31 minutes or 38 minutes by local from Sakae-machi Station.

Other places of interest in Seto city include Seto-gura Museum and the Seto Ceramics and Glass Art Center.

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Kyoto Heian Hotel

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The Kyoto Heian Hotel is located on the west side of the Kyoto Imperial Palace (Gosho). The highlight of a stay here is the lovely Edo Period garden on the premises. The 1,650m� garden was created by Jihei Ogawa in the 1920's over what was once the garden of a court noble. The strolling garden contains a pond, a waterfall, a stone bridge and various stone lanterns.

The Kyoto Heian Hotel has both Japanese-style tatami rooms as well as Western-style rooms. There are two restaurants at the hotel: the Japanese-style Hofune facing the garden and the French-style Cafe Arbois.

The Kyoto Heian Hotel is a short walk south from Exit 6 of Imadegawa Station on the Kyoto subway and a short walk north from the Kyoto Garden Palace Hotel.

Kyoto Heian Hotel
Karasumadori Kamichojamachi-agaru
Kamigyo-ku
Kyoto, 602-0912
Tel: 075 432 6181
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Pig & Whistle Kyoto

The Pig & Whistle pub on Sanjo is something of a Kyoto institution among foreigners in the city and will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this December.

The Pig hasn't changed that much in its 30 years of service, the dart boards are still there, as is the fish and chips and draft Guinness; an extra bar and table football are later additions. The interior decor is descibed on Japanese review stes as "retro" which I suppose it is, as it celebrates 30.

Now part of a small chain of British style bars which include the Man in the Moon pubs near Kyoto Station and others in Shijo Karasuma, Gion and Rokkaku.

Pig & Whistle
Shobi Building 2F, 115 Ohashicho
Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0009
Tel: 075 761 6022
Hours: Monday-Thursday & Sunday 5pm-2am; Friday & Saturday 5pm-5am

The Pig & Whistle is very close to the north east exit of Sanjo Station on the Kyoto subway.

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