Temples, Geisha, hot springs and all things gold…

‘Ikura desu ka?’ How much does it cost? ‘How can you put a price on such beauty? A fair response for I’m talking about the absolutely stunning Kimonos depicting intricately detailed inked and dyed scenes that have taken up to two years to craft lovely readers. Just one of the highlights on the Kyoto to Osaka leg of the journey. Gallery’s, temples, hot springs, foods that initiate Instagram frenzy, bamboo forests, Geisha; such a culturally rich journey is this. A few highlights, all wrapped in shades of gold, with full stories for those interested in a deeper dive coming shortly:

Being blinded by The Kinkaku (The Golden Pavilion) / Rokuon-Ji Temple

Marvelling at the Tsujigahana-Dyed Kimonos in the ‘Symphony of Light’ exhibit at the Itchiku Kubota Museum, simply breathtaking. Stay tuned for the full story. (Oh! And photos sadly not permitted, this one found on Google)

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Yukata, Ginza, Rickshaws and more…

Konichawa my lovelies! Been wandering amidst the blossoms, examining a palace, wallowing in hot springs, dining in Kimonos (Yukata), marvelling at the shy Mt Fuji, paying homage to the Healing Village, admiring the muscles on our Rickshaw man, scuttling across the crazy Shibuya four ways in the Harijuku, window shopping in the Ginza, searching for Robots. Yep! A tad busy this past 48 hours; fuelled of course with Udon, Ramen, Sashimi, Shabu-Shabu, Yakiniku and a whole raft of curious foods we’re yet to identify.

Now on the bullet train to Kyoto (then Biwako) hoovering a bento box, supping champers and silently marvelling at the chaos of the Tokyo we’ve left behind, the consistently faultless service and the historic complexity and scenic majesty that constitutes Japan. A few highlights (will update with interesting info when this crazy gig eases up)

Imperial Palace East Gardens – fabulous colour shows and serene koi ponds…

 

Lake Kawaguchi:

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Shinjuku, Sake and robots…

Irasshaimase (welcome) to Japan lovely readers. As you know the blog was founded on travel and my, how I’ve missed making a toss of myself in foreign lands! So why Japan? A mission to explore a culture renowned for its respectful nature, where each task is executed with pride, where the food is intricately presented, the service immaculate…and technology abounds. Ok enough about waxing lyrical, let’s explore yeah? Starting with Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Quick brekky of omelette stuffed with rice and doorstop bread with soft fried egg (consumed with chopsticks – reputation intact) in a local before navigating through narrow, tangled telephone line canopied streets into an electronics store. In search of a baby robot. Seven hours, 42 escalators, 3 department stores, 3 Starbucks frappes (for the wifi) – didn’t find the robot. Did find an Oyster bar with happy hour!

Why not said we! An assortment, from Ireland, Washington, Japan and NZ please; washed down with a tidy little rose which led to a slightly frenzied food and bar fest in a maze of over 100 teensy wee bars in the Golden Gai (“Golden District”)

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