august-2011

HOT SPOT
RIGHT/BELOW: Osaka
Central Wholesale
Market; Hirobun, the
wall-less restaurant
built over the river
062
Tokyo’s popular Tsukiji market,
where visitors are now confi ned
to restricted areas for the tuna
auction, Osaka’s market is not
really on the tourist trail and
the organisers still let you roam
free. Following the tuna auction,
explore the rest of this enormous
market and see a side of the
city few others get to enjoy. Just
remember: it’s a working market.
Stay out of people’s way, smile a lot
– and never touch the fi sh.
If you’re simply not a morning
person, make a later start and
If you’re not a morning
person, make a later
start and head for the
small mountain village
of Kibune
head for the small mountain
village of Kibune. Its high
elevation keeps the humidity at
bay and provides welcome respite
from the city heat. For a lunch
to remember, dine at Hirobun,
where for ¥1,200 (S$18.40) you
can partake in a true summer
event by eating nagashi soumen
(fl owing noodles). The wall-less
restaurant is built over the river
that runs through the village,
creating a unique atmosphere.
The nagashi soumen experience
involves grabbing bundles of
noodles as they fl oat by in a fl ume
of cool mountain water. It’s great
fun! If you want more than just
noodles, consider one of the other
(pricier) restaurants, also built
over the river. You won’t fi nd a
more idyllic dining setting during
your stay in Japan.
FROM ONLY S$348
TAKE ME THERE
SUMA BEACH
Located a few minutes’
walk from JR Suma station
on the Kobe line.
HIGASHIYAMA
From Hankyu Kawaramachi
station in Kyoto, head
east over the Kamo River
towards Kiyomizu Temple
OSAKA CENTRAL
WHOLESALE MARKET
You’ll fi nd the market
about a 10-minute walk
from JR Noda station. To
catch the 4.15am tuna
auction you’ll need to take
a taxi from your hotel as
no trains run at that time.
UNAGI RESTAURANTS
Uoi, 5-5-5 Tenjinbashi,
Kita-ku, Osaka,
tel: +81 (6) 6882 3547;
Yoshitora, 1-6-6 Bingomachi,
Chuo-ku, Osaka,
tel: +81 (6) 6226 022
HIROBUN IN KIBUNE
From Demachiyanagi
station in Kyoto, take
the Eizan Kurama line
to Kibuneguchi station.
From there, take a bus
to Kibune, or stroll up
the hill instead. It’ll
take about 30 minutes.
Hirobun ison the righthand
side in the village.
Open from the start
of May until the end of
September.
MOGG
Jetstar Asia fl ies from Singapore
TREVOR
to Osaka via Taipei.
Book online at IAMGES: