Neighborhood Hirakata

Hirakata is a small town in Osaka on the mainland, Honshu. Hirakata is not a big city with large buildings and huge population. It is more like a rural town with small houses and shops.

As previously mentioned in the last blog, bycicle is a part of transportation means in Kansai region. Few bycicle shops can be easily found near Kansai Gaidai University. Although automobiles are common in Hirakata, it seems that bycicle takes a huge portion of transportation. Bycicle parking lots can be easily found near most shops in this region. Above picture is the bycicle parking lot in the Kansai Gaidai University. Many students commute by bike.

Bycicles have become very important part of daily life for a number of reasons. Few of them of my knowledge include lack of car parking lot spaces, expensive public transportation fee, and high gas price.

Because bycicles have become a part of Hirakata culture, there are many regulations for bycicle riders. For example, bike riders must install light to their bycicles and turn it on during night. Also, there are certain places riders cannot ride their bikes, including parks and Kansai Gaidai school campus. The above picture shows the barrier and sign, preventing people from riding their bikes inside of the park. The primary purpose of these regulations is safety.

Early Impressions on Japan

I have heard from many that everything is very expensive in Japan. As an exchange student with limited funding, my primary concern was Japan's high price index. To be somewhat financially prepared for Japan visit, I deposited enough amount of U.S. dollars in my Citibank debit card, which has been my daily life utility in America. And, these days in America, who prefers to bring cash on him. Credit card, or debit card in my case, is much more convenient and safer to bring.

However, it was not the case in Japan. There are only few places that accept credit card. People always bring cash with them even if they have credit cards as well. People tend to use cash to pay even when credit card is available. It seems that cash is preferred than credit card in Japanese culture.

With little cash in my hand for the first few days in Japan, I had to find the place to buy food at the cheapest price. I was somewhat successful in this. 99 yen shop was that. Like 99 cent shop in the U.S., not everything is 99 yen in this shop either. Yet, most items, including 2L water bottle and a bag of Doritos, are being sold at 99 yen.

Another interesting aspect of Japanese life is bicycle. Japan is a small country, so that there is not enough space for huge parking lots for cars. Transportation fee, such as train and bus ticket price, is also expensive. Perhaps, these and other reasons have contributed to Japanese culture to incorporate bicycle in daily life. At least in Hirakata city and Kansai region, where I stay, people riding on bicycle is a very common scene. Outside of most restaurants and shops, bicycle parking lots can be also easily found.