J-Trip Plan

Lucky, Zen Daruma Dolls & The Fun of Stand Bars

Our reporter visits Takasaki, Gunma Pref., to learn about daruma, which were modeled on the proponent of Zen, Bodhidharma. He meditates and copies sutras at the temple where the dolls began. To improve his fortune, he tours a sacred mountain and a cave holding Kannon statues. Also, our correspondent in Osaka explains how to best experience standing bars. These small places are great for meeting the locals and offer a range of affordable food - from kushikatsu to Spanish cuisine to brand wagyu.