Cherie and I have checked our notes a few times, and even if she is 20-something and I am 60-something we both had some discord about our schedule in Japan. The days are in danger of becoming a blur with stark impressions and moments of clarity.
At least we have those!
I left off at the day we were to go to Kyoto, but I wanted to mention that we walked into the Ginza area to see the high-end shops on Tuesday, too.
We found a book store that had a display of Tasha Tudor stuff! I guess she is (rightfully!) popular in Japan! She is the reason I love corgis!
Wednesday morning we got up really early and subwayed to Tokyo Station, found the bullet train to Kyoto and began quite the adventure.
We were offered picture perfect views of a snow-clad Mount Fuji from the train. It was even blushing in morning sun. This is a moment of clarity I will keep in my mind.
There is nothing like seeing something in person that you have seen photos of all your life. Remember those “viewmasters” we had in the 60’s ? (Perhaps before that….) We had one disc with shots of Mount Fuji. This is also a memory of clarity for me.
Arriving at Kyoto presented a challenging mission: find a temple garden that had been recommended by our savvy friend. There are dozens (hundreds?) of temples and gardens in this historical city. It was formerly the imperial capital of Japan, before Tokyo. The architecture and the setting of this town is quite mesmerizing.
We purchased day passes on the Kyoto transportation: unlimited bus and subway for the day. It seemed to be the way to go with our limited time there. We bussed to the Nanzen ji temple, spent a couple of hours walking around the extensive grounds. There are several gardens in that area.
After that we found a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant that served both udon and rice bowl—delicious and inexpensive. It was on a back alley, far from the crowds.
On to the subway, off to the old Imperial Palace.
This, for me, was a highlight of the trip. Such a beautiful garden, gorgeous buildings, and a nice shop to buy souvenirs. Such kind people!
Cherie wanted to find a “real” tea shop, so we searched for such a place on Google and made our way there. After walking all day, up and down hill (Kyoto is nestled between mountains) I conked out and waited patiently on a street while Ed and Cherie found the tea shop. That was their adventure.
My feet were ACHING after this day.
I ate something called “omurice” at the train station in Kyoto before we caught our train back to Tokyo. This is a combo of omelette and rice—fixed Japanese style.
It’s good.
The cake at this place was just delicious. Kiln-baked—caramel, whipped cream, soft—-!
The ride back to Tokyo was in the dark. Only flashes of light were seen on occasion.
Surprise! Nine o’clock at night Tokyo is ALIVE with young people! I couldn’t believe the masses of people at Tokyo station that evening!
We were exhausted, so we subwayed home to Shiomi, Koto and slept well that night.
Thursday: still tired and foot sore, we took the subway to the bay area, a large park on the bay. There are several sights and attractions at this spot: an aquarium, a historical structure that is like a massive piece of art with the history of the area archived, a large Ferris wheel, and a few gardens and bird sanctuary.
This garden was also enticing. It seemed so private. Only a large crow joined us in this space.
Friday we made it back to Shibuya area for some more shopping and a ramen stop. After that we took the subway to the Hama Detached Palace Garden which was built by a Shogun long ago.
We enjoyed tea and a Japanese sweet with ceremony in the “floating tea house.” Ulysses S. Grant was entertained at this place once.
Quiet peace and beauty amidst the skyscrapers of Tokyo…a delightful surprise.
Ed stood next to an aloe that dwarfed him in the garden here. Tokyo is surprisingly tropical! Surprising to me, at least. Things can grow all year long.
We made an executive decision to walk back from the palace garden that evening. Wow.
Through the fish market area, over multiples of bridges (Tokyo must be like Venice!) and finally back to our hotel after seeing stunning views of the night cityscapes. We could see Tokyo Tower, the Sky Tree, and, of course, many skyscrapers all lit in colorful lights.
Many Christmas lights were glowing as well.
Tired, but we had enough energy to pack everything for the journey home the next day.
Because of our bargain-basement air fare we flew back through Montreal and Chicago on our way to Minneapolis. We knew it would be a long trip, and it was. We left for Narita airport at 1:00 pm from our hotel, after a luscious buffet breakfast there.
We took a taxi to Tokyo Station, an express bus to Narita Airport from there.
After checking in we had quite the wait for our flight to Montreal. More time to try a few Japanese foods.
With a nine-hour layover in Chicago we had chatted about driving home, but it really wasn’t bad spending the night at O’hare.
We were back in Minneapolis before 9 am!
Would we go back to Japan?
Can’t wait!
Some impressions of Japan, for me: people. People, people, people!!! Business people! Suits (“salarymen”) and women, uniform fashion—golden tan wool coats, touches of lime green. black, navy, white shirts and blouses.
People well-groomed and well-heeled, polite (to a fault!) and reserved.
Icy professionals, strong and capable women.
Friendly restaurant employees.
“Arigato ogesimus” –it rang out like lines from a play. People seemed to be performing a grand production.
The air was crisp and cool. It was fall. Flowers were still in bloom many places. We had beautiful weather. It only rained one morning.
Clock-like efficiency, hoards of moving people, small children dressed in darling little uniforms.
Clean.
Delicious food.
Politeness.
In all our time there we never connected with a Japanese person personally. No conversations or sharing of our lives. I did talk to a German woman at the Imperial Gardens in Tokyo, and we connected.
It seems awesome that in a city of 37 million people one foreigner couldn’t meet one native and share a bit about life.
I was told that people are shy.
I was impressed by the loneliness.
Perhaps I imagined this? It was just an impression.
Still, I felt a peacefulness there, even if it wasn’t spiritual. I know there is spiritual darkness in Japan: only 1 million Christians among 130 million population.
That is darkness.
There is something awesome about Japan.
They do life well—efficiently, effectively, productively, cleanly.
I can see that they think they are fine without God.
Pray for Japan.