We're in Hiroshima now and again, we're behind on our blogging as we didn't have internet connection yesterday in Miyajima. Miyajima is an island located near Hiroshima and was a perfect break from the city life of Japan. We stayed at Iwaso ryokan - a traditional Japanese inn. They serve a kaiseki dinner in your room and we slept on futons which they lay out for you at night in your room. We took the cable car to the top of Mount Misen and then had the bright idea of walking down. Now, it sounds easy enough to walk down a mountain - for God's sake, we're Canadian, how hard could it be. But being that it's a mountain in Japan visited by many tourists, they had stairs built pretty much all the way down the 553 meter mountain and we all discovered that it's easier on the legs to walk down a path then hundreds of steps made of rock. Not that we should complain as we saw a Swiss or Austrian family, with little kids, walking up. We assumed they were Swiss or Austrian because frankly, who else would even think of walking up and looking like they were out for a leisurely stroll.
Unfortunately, I caught a head cold and was coughing and wheezing and disturbing my roommate throughout the night as I was so stuffed up. A floor is a hard place to sleep when you're feeling like crap. It meant that I had to spend the afternoon today, napping in my hotel room after drugging myself, while the others went to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum in Hiroshima. I think it was quite draining for them - it is a very emotional journey as you learn about the dropping of the atomic bomb, the after effects and the rebuilding of the city. Tomorrow, we are off to Kobe as we head into the last few days of our vacation. So far, we have managed to have a good time without having to vote anyone in our group off the island.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Tokyo - Dave's post for April 22
I guess it's time for me to step up to the plate since I haven't posted any thoughts yet. Where to begin - Japan definitely stimulates all the senses. We stayed in Shibuya in Tokyo and it's quite frenetic - looks of activity at all times of the day. Although our hotel was tucked away on a little side street so it was more toned down than the surroundings in the immediate vicinity. Conversely, looking out on to the landscaped grounds and Lake Ashi from our rooms at Hotel de Yama was so serene and peaceful. In terms of sounds, the subway and JR stations each have their own unique songs, some of them are quite catchy. When we're not in transit Paul has serenaded us with his rendetions of songs from every era ... and language. I think he's gearing up for our night of Karaoke. In terms of smells, there have been several meals that were not only very tasty but they were very aromatic as well. Yuki has already mentioned last night's tasting menu dinner but she failed to mention that she saved me from a potentially severe allergic reaction. One of the dishes had a dumpling with clams inside; it would have a been a very unpleasant evening if she hadn't noticed it and warned me in time.
Another item I feel compelled to talk about is cost/value. I was under the impression that Japan would be extremely expensive but that is definitely not the case. Everything from meals to subway tickets to shopping to beverages ($3.00 beer in the mininar!) - has been very reasonable and I'm considerably under budget at this stage of the trip. So if you think you need to save up for years in order to travel to and enjoy Japan don't give it a second thought but it's not the case.
Excited to see Osaka and the next phase of our journey. P.S. Apparently I smile a lot in pictures.
Another item I feel compelled to talk about is cost/value. I was under the impression that Japan would be extremely expensive but that is definitely not the case. Everything from meals to subway tickets to shopping to beverages ($3.00 beer in the mininar!) - has been very reasonable and I'm considerably under budget at this stage of the trip. So if you think you need to save up for years in order to travel to and enjoy Japan don't give it a second thought but it's not the case.
Excited to see Osaka and the next phase of our journey. P.S. Apparently I smile a lot in pictures.
Tokyo - Craig's post for April 22
Ok, call me a dork, but today I'm very excited. Today's journey from Hakone to Osaka is via the Shinkansen - Japan's infamous bullet-trains that are capable of reaching speeds in excess of 300 km/h. It was pretty amazing to watch other Shinkansen speed past our platform - I reached for my camera when I saw the first one coming from a distance, but it was alredy gone by the time I got my camera out of it's case.
Overall, travelling through Japan has been a very pleasurable experience... though I must say that I did feel a bit overwhelmed when I first looked at the maps for the Tokyo subway and "JR" rail lines. I've seen pictures of the Tokyo subway routes on the internet, but standing in front of the giant map, trying to figure out how to get to your destination (or for that matter, even trying to find your destination on the map) is a whole other game.
When a train or subway is scheduled to leave at 12:04, it leaves at 12:04. Not 12:03, not 12:05, but 12:04. Oh, and get this... the ticket collectors are pleasant, engaged, and even stay awake during their shift!! We all agree - riding the TTC in Toronto is going to be even more painful after having experienced public transit in Tokyo.
And here I thought that I couldn't possibly have any more disdain for the TTC...
Overall, travelling through Japan has been a very pleasurable experience... though I must say that I did feel a bit overwhelmed when I first looked at the maps for the Tokyo subway and "JR" rail lines. I've seen pictures of the Tokyo subway routes on the internet, but standing in front of the giant map, trying to figure out how to get to your destination (or for that matter, even trying to find your destination on the map) is a whole other game.
When a train or subway is scheduled to leave at 12:04, it leaves at 12:04. Not 12:03, not 12:05, but 12:04. Oh, and get this... the ticket collectors are pleasant, engaged, and even stay awake during their shift!! We all agree - riding the TTC in Toronto is going to be even more painful after having experienced public transit in Tokyo.
And here I thought that I couldn't possibly have any more disdain for the TTC...
Everyones Family Has Their Quirks
It was a beautiful sunny and goreous Sunday in Osaka. While some of the others went to Osaka castle, I enjoyed a restful (read: not using my feet) morning. We went over to Namba Park malls near the hotel, which was a fantastic shopping experience and then we enjoyed an outdoor lunch (unusual in Osaka) of hamburgers, which came just at the right time for our North American sensibilities. Now we can make it another week on Japanese food no problem.
In the evening ee went to have dinner with Yuki's father's family. What a gracious and delightful bunch of folks. They invited us into their home which was experience enough.
One of Yuki's cousins took us to Panchinko which is Japanese slot machines on crack. The noise was beyond description. It was quite fun and something Craig has always been interested in. The sensory overload made it a short stay but full of excitement.
Then we went around the corner for dinner and about 27 people showed up. None of them spoke English so Yuki, with help from Craig, had to do a lot work, but we all had a really lovely time. Especially Paul who they kept calling "Movie Star" because THEY thought he looks like Keiffer Sutherland. Hmmmmmm.
Tomorrow we move on from Osaka for Miyajima and an authentic ryokan experience.
In the evening ee went to have dinner with Yuki's father's family. What a gracious and delightful bunch of folks. They invited us into their home which was experience enough.
One of Yuki's cousins took us to Panchinko which is Japanese slot machines on crack. The noise was beyond description. It was quite fun and something Craig has always been interested in. The sensory overload made it a short stay but full of excitement.
Then we went around the corner for dinner and about 27 people showed up. None of them spoke English so Yuki, with help from Craig, had to do a lot work, but we all had a really lovely time. Especially Paul who they kept calling "Movie Star" because THEY thought he looks like Keiffer Sutherland. Hmmmmmm.
Tomorrow we move on from Osaka for Miyajima and an authentic ryokan experience.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Some more photos
The shrimp that Paul mentions below - while they were still alive. 
Sushi is served right on the counter ...
Before having lots of sake and beer.
In Kyoto ...
My birthplace
We are now in my birthplace, Osaka, and now I am catching up with my Japanese friends and family. I had dinner with Hidemi and Naoko and their families yesterday. It was great to see Naoko after her years living in Singapore and we missed seeing her on our last trip to Japan. I have a checklist of food items that I must have while I'm in the Kansai area - have checked nikuman and takoyaki off the list now. I haven't been able to convince the others that okonomiyaki really is better than it looks in a picture. Maybe I'll have to go for a late night snack on my own. But I think I've realized that it is possible to have too much sushi and sashimi. My stomach was rebelling against me last night and I was having dreams about too much sushi - my subconscious is trying to tell me something.
Went to Nara yesterday and prayed to the great Buddha. Again there were lots of school children but as far as I know, none of the students asked the others to help them practice their English. No one asks me for impromptu English conversation - sigh.
We had some crazy lady on the train tell us to talk in "small voices". Initially, I thought she was being rude to the gaijin but then we later saw her relaying a similar message to other people who got on the train who she thought were talking too loudly. Mind you, she was also plugging her ears every time another train went by with a loud noise. There was another lady that sat down right beside Cathy (even though there was lots of room otherwise) and literally stared at us, up and down, like we had landed from space. I thought for sure we must have been on the train line that had it's own "Queen West Mental Health Centre" (or CAMH or whatever it's called now). I think they needed to pray to the great Buddha.
Going to visit with my dad's family today. They are always good for a laugh or two - because they are so "Yamada" or like our father. At least they don't expect us to be "proper Japanese" - I guess our family has always been a bit of a novelty to them - their crazy Canadian cousins. I'm sure all of their friends and neighbours can't share those sort of stories with them.
Went to Nara yesterday and prayed to the great Buddha. Again there were lots of school children but as far as I know, none of the students asked the others to help them practice their English. No one asks me for impromptu English conversation - sigh.
We had some crazy lady on the train tell us to talk in "small voices". Initially, I thought she was being rude to the gaijin but then we later saw her relaying a similar message to other people who got on the train who she thought were talking too loudly. Mind you, she was also plugging her ears every time another train went by with a loud noise. There was another lady that sat down right beside Cathy (even though there was lots of room otherwise) and literally stared at us, up and down, like we had landed from space. I thought for sure we must have been on the train line that had it's own "Queen West Mental Health Centre" (or CAMH or whatever it's called now). I think they needed to pray to the great Buddha.
Going to visit with my dad's family today. They are always good for a laugh or two - because they are so "Yamada" or like our father. At least they don't expect us to be "proper Japanese" - I guess our family has always been a bit of a novelty to them - their crazy Canadian cousins. I'm sure all of their friends and neighbours can't share those sort of stories with them.
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