Neighborhood Izumi

photo taken in my house by me. I live in fifth floor of the apartment.

Izumi, the southern suburb area of Osaka is where I live in.
Specifically, I live in Tsuruyamadai where is constructed by cutting part of a hill so people live here cannot go almost anywhere without going down a slope.
Conversely, in summer, I have to be covered with sweat by going up a slope to get to my house.

one of the longest slope I go along everyday to go to school

But, I can see nice view spreading at the bottom of a hill.
Through about 20 years life here, almost no sight changed.I guess one characteristic of this area is the huge number of apartment. Each have 5 floors and mass small area. I live on the fifth floor of the apartment that is the sea side of this area so when it's clear sky we can see Awaji-sima, island of Hyogo prefecture, that is beyond the sea.



It's not clear though...

 Although such a small area, more than 10,000 people live in here but usually I don't see so many people when I'm wandering about my hometown.
It's relatively calm to contain so many people so it's hard for me to image such a number of people live in here.


but actually more than 100 apartment here. about 40 to 80 families live in each of them.

 I found interesting film on Youtube that a person takes my hometown.
He walks almost same way to my house from the station.

Recommendations about Japanese culture for foreigners

 Perticipating in festivals is good way to approach the foreign culture.
One of the popular festivals that you can see in autumn in southern Osaka is Danjiri festival  だんじり祭.
It have been started 300 yeras ago as the event to invoke the harvest in Kishiwada city, where is the most famous for this festival. It is that people pull the about four tons of wooden car and walk arround the city.
The another name of it is kenka maturi けんか祭 because of its passion. けんか means fight by the way.


Danjiri entering a car park for a rest

 The first time I participate in doing Danjiri was when I was elementary school student as circle's event for children so I don't remember how I felt then clearly. And now I can't do it without joining "Seinenndan"　青年団 that is the member of men which manages local festival.
One good point of this festival is its speed and power.  people run pulling the big car and turn on the corner not reducing its speed. it called yarimawasi やりまわし. I don't know what does it mean.
You can watch it on Youtube if you want.


lanterns that sponsors name writen

 There are so many kind of traditional festivals in season in Japan. And it may helps enhancing your perspective of Japanese culture. Also, more than anything else, it's fun!
The most famous Danjiri festival in Kishiwada held in September, 18,19 and October, 3,9,10.
It's really nice to participate in festivals.