Touring Kyoto Day Three

On Sunday we had a free day here, since Brand G offered optional excursions, such as a tea ceremony; most of these we'd experienced on previous trips to Japan. I planned a day of both new and old attractions in Kyoto. Our first stop was our favorite temple, the Kiyomizu-dera temple, which sits high on stilts on a hill overlooking the city. Unfortunately, the main building was shrouded, since its roof was being reconstructed. From there we took a cab to the magnificent Sanjusangen-do Temple, with a long hall housing 1,001 statues of Kanon, a Buddhist deity. All are life-size, wood and gilt, and stand regally,row after row - a unique achievement in sculpture of the Kamakura Period. The effect is mesmerizing. At the Kyoto National Museum we saw more great statues from the Kamakura Period, in an exhibit dedicated to a founding priest of the Ji-Shu Sect. After lunch and a rest at the hotel, I walked to two nearby adjoining temples, the Kennin-ji and Kodai-ji. The grounds and auxiliary buildings are extensive and majestic. Finally, we ate a Kaiseki dmultiple course dinner near the old, colorful Gion Corner, a short walk from our hotel. - Dan

Touring Kyoto Day Two

On Saturday we started our touring at the most famed site in the city, the Kinkakuji or Golden Pavilion temple. It is covered in gold leaf, and was rebuilt after a fire started by a crazed monk in 1950 destroyed the original structure. Our second visit was to the Ryoanji Temple, also a world heritage site, like all, of our attractions on Saturday. This Zen temple contains the most famous rock garden in Japan, a place of meditation in former times. Lunch at an Italian restaurant followed, and then our bus took us to the celebrated Nijo Castle, former palace of the Shoguns in Kyoto. Most wall were covered with screens showing tigers or pine trees in the vast spaces. Unfortunately, no photos were permitted inside the complex. Finally, we traveled to the Arashiyama District to see a Zen temple and its gardens with the tallest bamboo trees we've ever seen. Back at our hotel we enjoyed a delicious multi-course tempura dinner accompanied by a nice sake. - Dan

The World Of Geishas, Kyoto

Although there are also Geishas in Tokyo and Kanazawa, the center of the Geisha culture is Kyoto. Geishas are entertainers, not prostitutes. They start training as "Maiko" at age 15. After five years they decide to become professionals or not. A connection must be made with someone in this world, to be able to see a Maiko or Geisha perform in a tea house. On Friday, after our train trip from Kanazawa to Kyoto, past mountains and beautiful, large Lake Biwa, we had a short rest at our hotel in the Gion. Then we went from there, by mini-vans, to a different part of the city. We were led by a guide through the grounds of the ancient and extensive Kitano Shrine. (There are 2,000 Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in the former capital.) At a tea house, we had dinner and saw a geisha perform. Exquisitely dressed she sang two songs and played a hands-on, hands-off box game with members of our group. The evening gave our group a taste of one of Japan's oldest and unique social customs, once enjoyed by the Samurai warriors. - Dan

Touring Kanazawa

Thursday morning, after a traditional Japanese breakfast, the Brand G bus took our group back to Kanazawa. Our tour started at the beautiful Kenroku Garden, formerly the pleasure grounds of the local daimyo, or feudal lord. Opposite Kanazawa castle, these extensive gardens feature ancient trees, a waterfall, ponds and various tea houses. After the tour and free time we all ate at the exclusive Paul Bocuse/H. Hiramatsu restaurant. The French food served was elegant-looking on the plate as any superior Japanese meal. Post luncheon activities included a visit to a gold leaf shop (a local specialty,) the old tea houses in their famed wooden Japanese storehouses, and a taste of green tea at the Kaikaro Tea House. That tea house is also a home to the local geishas, and I toured rooms in the large structure where they once lived. Upon returning to the Kagaya ryokan/hotel in Wakura we hunted for a restaurant for dinner and ended up at Blossom, known for its Western-style food. I washed down my seafood gratin with sake while Jim had scallops. - Dan

Bullet Train Trip To The West Of Japan

Wednesday morning we boarded a Bullet Train headed From Tokyo to Kanazawa, a distance of about 300 Miles. The train cuts across the country running just east of some high, snow-capped mountains before curving back around south toward Kanazawa city. We arrived precisely on time after 2-1/2 hours of travel, which meant that the average speed of the train was 120 mph! Kanazawa is a little inland from the Sea of Japan, however the restaurants and markets feature a wide variety of fresh seafood. We visited a large fish market then enjoyed a nice sashimi rice bowl lunch. After lunch we boarded a motor coach for the trip to our resort Ryokan (authentic Japanese country-style accommodation) located in Wakura, a resort town on a peninsula about an hour and a half north of Kanazawa. The bus took an unusual route at one point actually driving along the beach. We stopped for a photo op and to test the temperature of the Sea of Japan waters before continuing on to Wakura. After we arrived at our large and well-equipped Ryokan, we were guided to our rooms by a staff member. We have a view of the bay, which is linked to the Sea of Japan. In our Japanese-style room, we do not wear shoes because the floor is covered by delicate tatami mats. Bedding consists of futon mattresses laid on the tatami mats. Before dinner we enjoyed a traditional Japanese communal bath and a soak in the Ryokan's "Onsen," pools fed by the mineral-rich Wakura hot springs. Then our group met for a lavish, multi-course dinner in a private banquet hall. The meal included more sashimi, and such delicacies as sea snail and sea urchin. A truly loud drummer accompanied several dancers and later a talented magician/juggler provided entertainment during dinner. - Jim and Dan