Nozomi back to Tokyo. Stashed bags in Tokyo station and went to Ueno station looking for mochi guy but he wasn’t there. Bought shoes in Shinjuku. Back to Tokyo station for bags and tried to get to airport hotel before the baseball game but was taking forever so turned around stashed backs at Asakusa...
Imperial Palace, Bamboo Forest, Matsuya
Went out to the Emperor’s Palace and were a bit early so went across the street for rice and meat bowls at Matsuya which is kind of like Japanese fast food. The Imperial Palaca walking tour is really neat, but very hard to get reservations. You must make reservations far in advance and we...
Nara, Kintestsu Limited Express
Went to Nara and saw the largest Buddha inside the largest wooden building (in the world?). Also saw and fed the sacred deer of Nara. Super long train ride. Paid extra 500 yen to ride the Kintetsu Limited Express back to Kyoto which saved us half an hour.
Fushimi Inari Shrine (1000 Torii Gates), Arashiyama, Teppanyaki, Bamboo Forest, Okonomiyaki and Waraikaki
I took a lot of photos today. The Fushima Inari Shrine had a lot to do with that. If you are in Kyoto this is a must see. In the afternoon we went to Arashiyama which is the way to get to the bamboo forest. We were hoping to see some monkeys but no...
Kurama Onsen, Kyoto Station, Demachiyanagi, Hamburg steak, Porta, Touyoutei
Today we took the 1.5 hour trip from Kyoto to Kurama Onsen. We stopped for a quick breakfast in a little café inside Kyoto station. Had hamburger patty (more like meatloaf) with soft poached egg over rice and small salad with a coke and shrimp bisque soup with black coffee. The Onsen is one...
First Day in Kyoto, Kiyomizu-Dera Temple (almost), Geisha and Tempura
Our first day in Kyoto is pretty hard to put into words. Safe to say we did quite a lot of walking and in one of the best walking areas yet. Went to see Kiyomizu-Dera Temple which was closed, but the surrounding area was bustling and we made the most of it. The area...
Nozomi Super Express Shinkansen, Tokyo to Kyoto
This day was not super exciting, lots of walking to get through the subway system and onto the high speed train to Kyoto. The bullet trains, or Shinkansen, are everything I had hoped for. We were cruising along at 300kmh! One thing about Tokyo, getting around might be a little confusing or complicated at...
Roppongi, Star Wars, Robot Restaurant, Shinjuku
One thing that struck me today was the absence of homeless people here. Japan is such an orderly, polite, clean place. I saw my first homeless person today and it was a bit of a surprise to me. I went to Roppongi for a Star Wars exhibit which was beyond amazing. Unfortunately no cameras...
Happo-en Garden, Tochomae, Shibuya, Yokocho (Day 12)
Today went to Happo-en garden which is small but very beautiful. Inside there are several restaurants and a tea house. Kochuan is the traditional restaurant with on the floor seating but guard said very expensive. Kochuan requires a reservation, while the other restaurant does not. There is also a very nice hotel which I...