Local Japan Guide

    ◆ Why is the TORII (鳥居) Gate in vermilion?  ◆   If you find a TORII GATE(鳥居), you are in shrine. TORII is facing south so that the sunlight can enter. The reason is that the philosophy of Feng Shui is behind the creation of the shrine. It is said that the Torii is the entrance of shrine which divides the sacred world and the ordinary world.   Why is the TORII (鳥居) in vermilion?     There are several interpretations about the color vermillion. Firstly, vermillion is the color of happiness. Secondly, it is believed that vermillion wards off evil  spirits. We can purify ourselves spiritually by passing through a Torii gate. "Tori" in Japanese means bird. "I" means house. It is said that Torii originated as perches for sacred birds within shrine compounds. Thank you for reading my article! Feel free to leave a comment! I hope you’ll have a great time in Japan！ Happy traveling !!  

  ◆  Namba Yasaka Shrine ◆ There is also Susano Onomikoto in the Shintai of Namba Yasaka Shrine. Susano Onomikoto has appeared in Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, and is considered to be the three gods along with Amaterasu Omikami and Tsukuyomi no Mikoto. Speaking of Susano Onomikoto, it is well known for bravely defeating a huge monster called Yamata no Orochi.    And it is said that the gods include warding off evil, prospering business, and eliminating illness.   "Mutsu" was a battleship of the former Japanese Navy, and Mutsu was equipped with the world's second largest gun, a caliber of 41 cm. The main gun lid of the battleship Mutsu is enshrined at "Namba Yasaka Shrine" to memorialize the souls of 1021 people including Colonel Teruhisa Miyoshi, who shared the fate with the battleship Mutsu, and pray for peace. By the way, the world's largest gun was the battleship Yamato, which had a 46 cm caliber.   The main shrine of Namba Yasaka Shrine is greeted by a l...

◆ Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Arcade◆ If you like to cook, DOGUYASUJI is worth visiting definitely. Osaka is known as the city of "the kitchen of the world" and "Kui-daore", and "Tool Shop" has supported the food culture with tools that are suitable for professionals. A tool shop with carefully selected cooking tools, and of course, a kitchen for home use.    The tool shop is located in the center of Minami and can be reached within a few minutes' walk from Namba Station. It is also famous as a tourist destination, and many tourists visit it every day. "Namba Grand Kagetsu" is famous for comedic shows while "NMB48 Theater" is for Kawaii Japanese idols.t is close to Kuromon Market and Shinsaibashi, and is easily accessible.  If you are a liquor lover, by all means, please come to Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping arcade, in addition to cooking tools, you would enjoy to find out a good Izakaya. A 150m-long shopping street lined with...

  shinsekai Shinsekai is a colorful and popular tourist spot. Moreover, families with small children enjoy there because there are Tennohji Doubutsuen(zoo) and Tenshiba Park nearby.     Shinsekai was designed as an entertainment district in the early 20th century, and originally modeled after the cities of New York and Paris. Opened in 1912, “Shinsekai” literally means “New World” and because of its modern image the area quickly became a popular tourist attraction.   Tsutenkaku-tower Shinsekai’s biggest attraction is the Tsutenkaku Tower. The original tower was built in 1912 designed to resemble the Parisian Eiffel Tower on top and the Arc de Triomphe at its base. The name “Tsutenkaku” can be translated as “Sky Route Tower” and at 64 meters high it was the 2nd biggest structure in Asia at the time. It became a symbol of pride for Osaka and many people visited to see it.        Tsutenkaku has souvenir shops and amusements and has two observation d...