Alpaca Japan Cities Explained – Part 1

Hi Guys!

I promised that I’m going to write a little bit about cities appeared in this very cute Alpaca Japan City Collection. Here I’ve separated into 2 parts, so you can go online explore the city or even visit the city one day in the future! I’ve searched online and found what’s the meaning of these alpacas wearing and I think it is very unique and special!

Hopefully one day I will visit Japan and experience this wonderful city myself!

Ok, here we go!

RV123001 Gifu (Cool Hida Apron)

City Emblem

Hida (飛騨市 Hida-shi) is the northernmost city in Gifu Prefecture, Japan The official kanji for the city is actually 飛驒

It’s a popular tourist place bringing people from all over the place.

Gifu has many popular tourist attractions, bringing visitors to all parts of the prefecture. The most popular places are Gifu, Gero, Shirakawa and Takayama. Gifu is famous for cormorant fishing, which has a history of over 1,300 years, as for being a long-term residence of both Oda Nobunaga and Saitō Dōsan. Gero is known for its relaxing hot springs, which attract visitors throughout the year. Shirakawa’s historic villages are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Takayama is famous for retaining its original appearance and is often referred to as Little Kyoto.

In addition to international tourists, Gifu also plays host to many international events. The World Event and Convention Complex Gifu is available for many types of events. Other areas of Gifu, too, bring international events. The World Rowing Championships were held in the city of Kaizu in 2005. The FIS Snowboard World Cup was held in the city of Gujo in 2008. The APEC Japan 2010 SME Ministerial Meetings were held in Gifu City.

Where Gifu located?

Traditional Housing in Shirakawa-gō

Sounds like a nice place to visit. Maybe their sake taste different because of the river? 😛

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RV123002 Yubari (Melon hat)

$5200.00 for a melon? That’s weird but not in Japan. O_O Yūbari (夕張市 Yūbari-shi^?) is a city in Sorachi Subprefecture, Hokkaidō, Japan.

I’ve searched on the Internet, some topic said “World best melon found in Yubari!” Read this excerpt about Yubari’s melon:

” Yubari is Japan’s “Melon Kingdom“; a city with 12,500 citizens reliant on the melon industry after the mines closed down. The Yubari King is an orange-fleshed melon that is similar in appearance and size to the common cantaloupe, but very fragrant, deliciously sweet and extremely expensive. It’s supposed to be one of the most revered gifts the Japanese can make.

A few days ago, during the first auction of the season, the record price for a pair of these melons was paid. The starting price was ¥ 2.0 million (last year’s record), but the winner: a local who runs a seafood lunchbox and a souvenir business nearby, paid ¥ 2.5 million ($23,900) for the pair.

Though the price may seem outrageous for most of us, it was more like a charitable act, designed to support the city of Yubari. ”

The price? O_O wow….

Don’t you wanna try this? Japan only floavor Yubari Melon Kit-Kat? 😛

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RV123003 Aichi (Nagoya – Golden Tiger Carp)

Nagoya (名古屋市 Nagoya-shi^?) is the third-largest incorporated city and the fourth most populous urban area in Japan.

Nagoya’s two most famous sightseeing spots are Atsuta Shrine and Nagoya Castle.^[7]

Atsuta Shrine is known as the second-most venerable shrine in Japan, after Ise Shrine. It is said to enshrine the Kusanagi sword, one of the three imperial regalia of Japan, but it is not on display to the public. It holds around 70 festivals in a year, and many people visit the shrine year-round. Also, the shrine has over 4,400 national treasures representing its 2,000 year history.

Nagoya Castle was built in 1612. Although a large part of it burned down in the fires of World War II, the castle was restored in 1959, adding some modern amenities such as elevators. The castle is famous for two magnificent Golden tiger-headed carp (金の鯱 Kin no Shachihoko) on the roof, often used as the symbol of Nagoya

Golden Tiger-Head Carp
On either end of the topmost castle roof are two golden tiger-headed dolphins, called kinshachi (金鯱). This motif was used as a talisman to prevent fires. They first appeared in the Muromachi era (1334-1400) as a symbol of the lord’s authority. The original golden dolphins were formed over a roughly carved block of wood over which lead sheets were applied. Copper was placed over the lead, before the application of the final layer of gold which was produced from pounding gold coins into thin sheets. It is said that the gold used amounted to a value of 17,975 ryo (taels), when converted from Keicho-period coins. The core of the golden dolphins are composed of hinoki cypress, originally the foundation was sawara cypress.

The golden dolphins were melted down and recast three times during the Edo period, when the Owari branch suffered severe economic hardship. When the dolphins were recast in Bunsei 10 (1827), the purity of the gold was greatly decreased. In order to conceal the diminished luster, openings in the mesh in the protective bird screens built around the dolphins were made smaller during the Kyoho period (1715-1735).After the Meiji Restoration, there was a trend to abandon old ways and plans were made to dismantle the castle donjons. During this time, the golden dolphins were donated by the Owari branch to the imperial government. In Meiji 4 (1871), they were removed from the main donjon and transported to Tokyo from Atsuta Port.

When a scaffold was erected, a sentry from the army division stationed at the castle stole some scales.In March 1872 (Meiji 5), the male dolphin was exhibited at Japan’s first exposition in Yushima. Later, the male was displayed at regional expositions held in Ishikawa, Oita, Ehime and Nagoya. The female dolphin was even exhibited at the World Exposition in Vienna in 1873. Later, when it was decided to preserve the donjon, a movement to return the dolphins was initiated. In Meiji 11 (1878), the golden dolphins were returned to Nagoya and restored to their original position in February of the following year.Later in Meiji 9 (1937), during an inspection by the Castle Imperial Grant Commemorative Committee, a thief climbed the scaffold and stole scales.

He was later caught in Osaka. Responsibility for this incident was traced back to city executives. Since the Meiji era, the golden dolphins have suffered theft on these three instances.The dolphins were destroyed by fire during World War II. The second-generation golden dolphins were cast in the Osaka Mint and transported to the castle in March 1959 (Showa 39). Both kinshachi were lowered temporarily from atop the castle and displayed on the castle grounds briefly in September 1984 (Showa 59) for the Nagoya Castle Exhibition, and again from March 19 to June 19, 2005 (Heisei 17) at the site of the Expo 2005.

They were restored to the top beam of the castle roof on July 9, 2005 of the same year.The kinshachi are male and female, with different specifications. The northern kinshachi is male, has a height of 2.621 Metres, weighs 1,272 kg, its number of scales is 112 and the weight of the gold (18 K) is 44.69 kg. The southern kinshachi is female, has a height of 2.579 metres, weighs 1,215 kg, its number of scales is 126 and the weight of its gold is 43.39 kg. For both dolphins, the gold plate quality is 18K and 0.15 mm thick.

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RV123004 Tokyo (Bathrobe w/Tokyo Tower)

Tokyo Tower (東京タワー Tōkyō tawā^?) is a communications and observation tower located in Shiba Park, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. At 332.5 metres (1,091 ft), it is the second tallest artificial structure in Japan. The structure is an Eiffel Tower-inspired lattice tower that is painted white and international orange to comply with air safety regulations.

Tokyo (東京, Tōkyō) is Japan’s capital and the world’s most populous metropolis. It is also one of Japan’s 47 prefectures, consisting of 23 central city wards and multiple cities, towns and villages west of the city center. The Izu and Ogasawara Islands are also part of Tokyo.

Prior to 1868, Tokyo was known as Edo. A small castle town in the 16th century, Edo became Japan’s political center in 1603 when Tokugawa Ieyasu established his feudal government there. A few decades later, Edo had grown into one of the world’s most populous cities. With the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the emperor and capital moved from Kyoto to Edo, which was renamed Tokyo (“Eastern Capital”). Large parts of Tokyo were destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and in the air raids of 1945.

Today, Tokyo offers a seemingly unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining to its visitors. The city’s history can be appreciated in districts such as Asakusa, and in many excellent museums, historic temples and gardens. Contrary to common perception, Tokyo also offers a number of attractive green spaces in the city center and within relatively short train rides at its outskirts.