Our invited researcher, Dr. Henrietta Nyamnjoh, visited Kongobu-ji Temple in Wakayama and Kamagasaki area in Osaka on November 28-30, 2025.

She exchanged views with Professor Kiyoshi Umeya (Kobe University) and Professor Noriko Tahara (Shitennoji University), who also kindly guided her through Japanese Buddhist culture and what is often referred to as Osaka's "Deep South."

On November 28 and 29, she visited Kongobu-ji Temple in Wakayama and stayed overnight at a shukubo (temple lodging). Early in the morning, she participated in the temple's religious service, experiencing sutra chanting and incense offering, and listening to a sermon by the head monk. On November 30, she undertook a field excursion around the Kamagasaki area, guided by Professor Kiyotaka Tanaka, Chair of the Kamagasaki Support Organization and a geographer, together with Professor Tahara. The excursion covered: (1) Abeno Harukas (Shitenoji University satellite), (2) Abeno Q's Town and the Uemachi Plateau (3) Abeno Ponte, (4) the stone monument marking Tennoji Village, known as the birthplace of Kamigata performing arts, (5) the 'Wall of Lamentation' (a fire-prevention wall), (6) the Tobita Daimon gate (also a fire-prevention wall), (7) Tobita Hon-dori Shopping Street, (8) Cocoroom, (9) the Kamagasaki area, (10) viewing OMO7 (Hoshino Resorts) while riding the 'Chinden' streetcar, and finally moving on to (11) Tsutenkaku Tower, a symbol of postwar reconstruction in southern Osaka, and (12) Janjan Yokocho, a symbol of the flourishing of popular culture.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Professor Umeya and Tahara for coordinating the visits, as well as to everyone who shared time with us at each place.