Tenri

Tenri is the name of a place in the north of Nara prefecture.
Last weekend I went to Tenri after reading about it in a ladies magazine which featured interested cafes,restaurants etc in Nara.
Nara is a very historical place similar to,but quieter than Kyoto so there are many old temples,shops and farm houses.Some of these have been renovated and set up as businesses, which appeal to day trippers from Kansai area.The magazine was featuring these kind of small cottage style businesses.

One article in particular about a cafe caught my attention when I saw the photos.I really loved the atmosphere,the way they mixed Japanese and western style,in the decor,and served a western menu,was something different to the norm.

The cafe was recently renovated and just opened n March 2011.This is a typical Japanese old style house for rich people,the massive gate,huge space with a storehouse,all surrounded by a large Japanese garden,complete with feature stones and topiaried pines.But now it has been made into a western style cafe completely without the normed Japanese drinks and food.

I wanted to eat lunch at the cafe when I read but the reviews on the Internet,I found out that lunch time is can only be made for parties of 6 people or over.I don't like waiting in long queues so I just had breakfast which was average but cheap,scrambled eggs,toast with butter and coffee for 480yen.

It took me 2hours to drive there ,but only because I didn't want to pay the highway toll which is understandable as it would have cost me 1,800yen!!!

Arashiyama

There are a lot of beautiful and historical places in Kyoto,I have written several times about some of them.
Kinkakuji temple and Gion might be well-known places for tourists but for Kansai people,Arashiyama is a much more popular place because there are many things to do and see there.
Most of schools in Kansai take their students to Arashiyama for school trips and its also popular as a dating spot for couples of any age.

The symbol of Arashiyama is "Togetsu-kyo" which is a very old long bridge.

My favourite place in Arashiyama is the monkey park which is located on hill top.There are over 100 wild monkeys,and of course they are dangerous!!!

I went there a few days ago,the mountain path is very calm and has a nice breeze also it was good exercise for me.

But I was so scared,because on the way up the hill,some monkeys sat on the path and blocked my progress.

 If we stare at them,they will get angry and jump around attacking people .I had to walk carefully past them,avoiding eye contact but I managed to slip past without incident.
On the top  of the mountain,there is a hut where monkeys know they can get apples and peanuts,so they hanging on to the gauze and stretch their arms out to be fed.I fed some  of them and found it interesting ,especially the baby monkeys.

After the monkey park,my friends and I went walking along the side of the road which is well-known for its beauty and is sometimes used as a location for TV CM,dramas and movies .
Also you can see rickshaws which might take you back in time to Japans romantic past.

JR Osaka eki

In early May Japan Rail(JR) Osaka eki(station) was opened,after being renovated over 7years or so.
The renovations,while in progress were covered so we couldn't see anything for a long time and I can't remember what it used to look like.

After being unveiled and opened to the public,they has been great excitement.Everything is new and beautiful there are fashion shopping malls,movie theater,shop for everything including cosmetics,flowers,books and accessories.

There is a huge department store and of course lots of restaurants and food shops.I love eating out and trying new bakeries but it's a little bit difficult at the moment.Every restaurant has long queues, especially at lunch time,so I have to wait at least 1hour.No way!!!

Probably the most remarkable addition to the new station surroundings is the amazing water clock.
It's difficult to explain how it works but it's beautiful to see the water flowing over the screen,creating images of flowers,fireworks etc along with words and the time.

check it out !!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKn7KMzWOp0

It's always surrounded by people everyone trying to take pictures and it's also becoming a popular meeting place.
The design has included some stone seats to cater for senior citizens,who are now able to sit and enjoy this fabulous new spectacle.

Matsusaka

A couple weeks ago,I went to Matsusaka in Mie prefecture to enjoy Yakiniku (It's the food that grille a thin sliced beef and dipped in a soy-bean sauce based sauce. It's really tasty. Most of Japanese love this style of BBQ.)
Have you heard about Matsusaka beef?

Matsuzaka beef is  form  wagyu (Japanese beef)beef which is produced in Matsusaka, Japan, in Mie Prefecture. This beef is famous for its tender texture, complex flavor, and beautifully marbled appearance, and it typically commands very high prices when it is offered for sale. Some people feel that Matsusaka beef is of a much higher quality than another famous type of Japanese beef; Matsusaka beef certainly tends to have a more strongly developed flavor.
The term “wagyu” is used generically to describe several breeds of cattle raised in Japan. Matsusaka beef comes from Japanese Blacks, and by tradition, only heifers are raised in the area, and they are never bred, because this is said to influence the flavor of the beef. The cows are allowed to live until they are three years old, creating a much more distinctive, beefy meat; by contrast, most cattle in other regions of the world are slaughtered at around 18 months of age, or sometimes at two years old.

This restaurant is very popular 

I was so excited to eat Matsusaka beef,so I've forgotten to take some pictures about the beef...sorry.

Before the restaurant,I went to a museum which were built in 18 century.
The residents were rich,there are about 20 rooms and  garden.

Byodoin

Uji,situated between Kyoto and Nara is the location of the famous "Byodoin"temples,which appear
s on the 10yen coin and a registered world heritage site.Built in the 11th century it's original colorful decorations have faded but it was built in the 11th century by the Fujiwara's to show off their wealth and power,so at that time it was richly decorated with gorgeous paint and gilding topped by 2 bronze phoenix which were believed world attract more wealth.

Nowadays,Byodoin has lost some of it's lavish splendour,the colors having faded over the years,but the phoenix remain and it retains it's ancient atmosphere.

The surrounding gardens are in the traditional Japanese style,rich in natural themes.There is a big pond,rock,gravel and shaped pine trees but the most famous garden exhibit is huge wisteria covered trellis way which was in full bloom when I went there last week.