♥Best of Japan: Capu-Japon!♥

Whenever I travel, I try to attend a capoeira class in the area. Usually its a different group with a different style, so its always a challenge. Grupo Ondas in Richmond, VA, Abada in NYC, Capoeira Porto de Barro in Montreal, Quebec, and Cordao de Ouro all over England. Visiting other groups not only teaches you new things, but really shows you what your own style is. A lot of times its really awkward and difficult (especially for a slow learner like me) and people aren't always friendly at first. Since I was going to be in Japan for 3 months, obviously capoeira was going to happen quite a bit.

Chance really smiled upon us. Right before we left Philly, our Mestre, Doutor, had an event at the ASCAB Academy celebrating his 30 years in Capoeira. One of the highlighted guests was Mestre Carneirinho, who trained under the same Mestre as Doutor, Mestre Bandeira. We were saying our goodbyes and explaining that we were off to Japan. Mestre Carneirinho then told us that he has a group in Japan called Capu Japon. Good to know, but I still wasn't sure if their classes would be anywhere near where we were going to in Osaka. After looking into it (www.capu.jp), luck would have it, they have a group in Osaka!

From the website, we got schedules and were able to navigate to the class. We were very nervous when we arrived at the first class. Especially since it was just us and the teacher who didn't know that much English. But after seeing our ASCAB uniforms, we were family- cousins to be exact! A few more students showed up but then the teacher literally called in the troops and over the next few hours, more and more people kept coming in! The roda went on for hours. It was beyond royal treatment, and made me and Scott feel like total rock stars.

Over the next 3 months, we did trips, parties, and even a traditional Tea Ceremony with some of our new friends. Since we didn't have a phone, I communicated with some of the better english speakers over email to try and plan things. Everyone was so welcoming, helpful, polite and generous. We tried to pay for class everytime we went, and they wouldn't let us even once. Their capoeira was completely respectful; aggressive without being violent. They have all levels of students and a handful of Professors. They were amazing players (gotta say it was nice not to have to play people twice my size :p). Farewell gifts, farewell dinner/birthday (surprise cake), farewell/bithday roda (ANOTHER cake!) and just so much awesomeness that I can't help but gush about it. They really made us feel like we were a part of something, which is nearly impossible when you can't speak to anyone, and stick out like a sore thumb. They really made all the difference in our temporary "Japanese" lives- and I can only hope to repay it all someday.

One of the first classes

Minoo of course!

End of Year Party

Japanese people do cute things all the time- they just DO. Its insane- and awesome.

Happy happy!

Okuzono and Scott

Nishioka and Nagao... can you tell its a capoeira party?

The restaurant is owned by some fellow capoeiristas. It had a retro theme and a shop upstairs. I love the kappa mask!

Happy happy!

Hamachi, Okuzono, me and Scott

Farewell dinner

My birthday buddy Tachi! His was the day before mine.

Best birthday ever!

Kyoto with Kamiya and Casulo

UBA's!

Such awesomeness.

Dinner at Okuzono and Sayo's house

Farewell roda TT_TT

ANOTHER CAKE!

They made me do it!!

Life is too good!

Okini!

ASCAB and Capu Japon family!

Everyone says to me, "Whats next on your travel list?".... the answer- go BACK to Japan!

Birthday of Epic Proportions!

27!! Ni-ju-nana!! I was very excited to celebrate my birthday in Japan, and it did not disappoint. I planned it all but it was the best one I've had in years. The day started off with some strawberry and ice cream on waffles for breakfast, at this nice cafe underground in the Namba Walk area. Mmmm! Then we went to Tennoji Park, where there wasn't much to be had that cloudy, winter day. There is a zoo there but it closes for winter. We wandered around the area a bit and went into the Tsūtenkaku.

Tsūtenkaku at night

Tsūtenkaku in the day.

Coolness in Shinsekai

Later on, we went out for dinner. I had seen this restaurant near our place that looked like something I had heard of before coming to Japan. I don't know the technical term for it but basically its a big fake boat that you sit on, inside a huge restaurant. The boat is surrounded by a fish tank with a variety of live fish swimming around, and you fish off the side of the boat. When you catch a fish, the restaurant will serve it to you however you like! This place was just called "The Uo" which just means, The Fish. The interior of the place was awesome- there were 2 big boats and also other private rooms where people would fish out the windows into the water. There were flounder, mackerel, and fugu- that I could spot.

Heres dinner!

Blurry photo of the boats

Which one will it be? Unfortunately its not that easy.

Ah sailing... :)

Once I paid to 260 yen to fish, I was given a classic fishing rod and some bait. Of course the fish you catch determines the price of the meal- the difference in price wasn't that drastic though. I was on the edge of my seat (obviously I don't fish a lot)! I fished for about 20 minutes with no bites, and then Scott got ansty and ordered some food. I began to feel bad for the fish... and pondered not fishing anymore.

What... is this?

Umm don't hurt yourself..!

C'mon!! Whose hungry??? (besides me)

You know you want it.... I mean, I know you think you want it.

*sigh* Anyone in there??

But then- I got a bite!! It was a FUGU!! I struggled with it a bit before an employee could come over with the net. After much splashing and ruckus, it got away. ARGH! Seriously 2 seconds too late, there was the net. So the employee just went and netted a Fugu for me. Sad that its that easy but... I kinda did it, right?? ^_^; Soon we had... FUGU SASHIMI!

Fugu is a fish/dish that is very "celebrated and notorious" in Japan. Its a pufferfish contains certain poisonous organs and can be deadly if prepared incorrectly. This is why chefs must attain a License to prepare Fugu, which requires 2-3 years of apprenticeship. Then they must take a written test, a fish identification test, and prepare a Fugu and eat it themselves. We saw Fugu advertised everywhere in Osaka (the food town), but weren't planning on trying it so I'm actually glad I caught a FUGU! The meat must be sliced thinly to avoid poison which also allows the pattern of the plate to show through. It is said that the pattern of the plate or layout of the sashimi represents the Chrysanthemum flower- the Japanese symbol for death. Happy eating! ...and ....How did it taste? Well, it was kind of rubbery and the sauce they served with it was good and kind of tasted like gin. From my experience, Japan is really into texture... and then flavor it with sauce. Overall, I liked it- and obviously I lived.

Me after viewing the live fugu... you can see it being carried away in the net behind me. When someone catches a fish, they announce your name and what you caught, followed by applause.

Some other goodies we had.

Mmmm So much food.

After surviving dinner, we did some birthday Print Club or "Puri-kura" which is everything you ever wanted from instant photobooths but never got. They have backgrounds to choose from- some of which use the green screen behind AND in front of you. After you've taken some shots, you get to stick countless stamps and logos and characters all over it. In the end you get to print it out on sticker paper and have tiny little photos to stick everywhere. Its a lot of fun!! Someday I'll have to scan mine in or something. After that we ventured into "Shidax Plaza" which is a Karaoke place. I think its pretty widely known that the Japanese love their Karaoke- and it certainly was true. We paid 1000 yen for a half hour and we got this room all to ourselves.

Wacky interior... walking past the full rooms we heard loud voices and tambourines.

"The creative life. Sophisticated Safari." OK!

We spent half of the time we paid for trying to find music on here!!

Always? hmmm...

Scott singing a song he knows phonetically ... its really hard to follow the kana that fast!! I did some Korean songs that I knew pretty well. I'm sure they had American music but... why would that be fun?

Best birthday ever!!!

Happy New Year, and Kobe Visit

While planning my trip to Japan I was kind of disappointed that I would be here in dead of winter, and not for Hanami or any other awesome festivals that I've heard so much about. Call me stupid but I didn't know that New Years was so big here. I began to read up on things to do- most activities are traditional and meant to bring luck for the New Year. At midnight we lined up and the local shrine, made a contribution, and rang the bells. Sake was also served to everyone. Shops hang decorations over the doors and Year of the Tiger posters can be seen everywhere... oh and big inflatable tigers too! We went to 2 "End of Year" parties as well.

Such hospitality!

Inside of a cab... all lacey. The drivers wear suits.

fancy

We ran into a New Years event, making Mochi!

Its rice and water, pounded into a paste. One person adjusts the rice and the other pounds.

This is gonna be some good mochi!

At the New Years Party, we made plans to meet up with some friends the next day. Being that we were all pretty drunk, I have half expected it not to happen. But we all made it to the rendesvous point the next day, despite hangovers. We went to Kobe, the capital of Hyogo Prefecture. It was a rainy day but we managed to get out to see a few things.

The Kobe Tetsujin-28, AKA Gigantor! WOO!

Mega Blasters!

Chinatown

Really pretty, especially at night- even in the rain.

Year of the dog, thats me! I just found that out this year. I was born in 1983, which is year of the boar. But according to the Chinese calendar, the New Year for 1983 didn't happen til what we call February. So, I was actually born in 1982, which is year of the dog! Anyone with January or early February birthdays, you might want to check on yours!! The menus at Chinese restaurants don't tell you everything!

Kamiyama trying the Chinese Dancing Water Bowl. You put some water on your hands and rub the side handles. If you are good, the water will dance in the most amazing way! I didn't get any photos of it dancing though... :(

Atsuko got it going too! We all got it to go a little bit- but the hard part is KEEPING it going.

The famous Kobe Port.

The Pier.

Port-side fun

Playland!

PIKAAAA! *dorks* ^_^ it was a ride where you sit in the back and play a slot-type game. In the end, candy comes out! We couldn't fit in it, but we still put in money and pushed buttons.

The scariest part of the Ghost Mansion... the butter knives!!!!