Chinese New Year in Kobe and Fushimi Inari Shrine

Classes are finally starting to settle into a routine. Also started working in the Writing Center this past week (which has been incredibly busy, but incredibly fun!). Met my Speaking Partner Wednesday night! And Thursday, we went to eat yakiniku with a friend's speaking partner (4 Japanese, 4 gaijin).

Yakiniku: all you can eat meat barbecue

On Saturday, we celebrated Chinese New Year by catching a series of trains to Kobe. Kobe has a very large immigrant population, and possibly the most vibrant Chinatown in Japan (Nanjing Town). There were too many people for us to see any of the dances (so many people!) but we got to eat some really great vendor food.

Chinese New Year in Nanjing town (w/other people!)

Afterwards, while in Kobe we walked down to the harbor area (where there is a large tower with a number of funky buildings along the coast).

Kobe Merikan Park

On Sunday, I went on a class field trip to Fushimi Inari Shrine (the iconic one with all the torii gates!).

Bottom of the mountain, the torii begin

Fushimi Inari site map

There are hundreds and hundreds of torii that mark the mountain path all the way to the top. So many torii! (And also lots and lots of people until you get near the top, then it is really quiet and peaceful). 

Among the torii

Inari is a kami (god), one of the most iconic, principle kami in Shinto. Often portrayed as a fox he (generally he) is patron of fertility, rice, agriculture, and industry.

The shrine had ema resembling inari fox silhouettes.
Many people got creative with it and drew funny faces 

Ema are wooden Shinto-based 'prayer boards' you can buy to write a prayer request to a kami. They are generally hung up at most shrines and some temples.

Milk and cookie offerings to inari

You can buy torii at varying price-levels (extra luck for your business)

A (mostly) friendly neko (cat) followed us up the mountain 

There are decorated inari statues everywhere

Lots of mini-shrines tucked away everywhere
I really want to come back at night - sounds spooky

Shimenawa ring - passing through is purifying, marks sacred space, especially around New Years

Another torii, this one is bigger

Finally, Sunday night we went for karaoke. Japanese karaoke definitely live up to the hype! You might not be suprised to hear 'Let It Go' is still really popular hear. And lots of Taylor Swift. And lots and lots of anime music. 

Currently, I am preparing for a weekend ski trip in Hokkaido. (I've been hearing about how much snow everyone has been getting back home, and I miss it!). Until then, that's all for now!