Japan Trip Report (Kyoto, Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Hakone)

[Vi]

Re: Japan Trip Reports

Wonderful report, Tropicanna, thanks for sharing. Amazing architecture and landscaping. You said it was “organized” and this is evident from the pictures. My son has a strong desire to go to Japan. I'll show him this report, he’s going to love it! btw, excellent including links!!

[Magician]

Re: Japan Trip Reports

Excellent report Tropi! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

It's high time you share your Oriantal adventures!

So what about the food? You didn't mention too much about it. Did you eat a traditional meal at the Riyokan? Where, after taking a bath, you sit on the floor and the Riokan lady brings all kinds of weird dishes for you to try?

On one of the trips with my sister, since we had no idea what we were eating, we decided to make up our own names for the different foods. The one that sticks in my mind is "Dead Fish on the Grass". [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img]

It's a very unique country and a good experience.

Can't wait for you to get your own pictures developed.
(You need to get a digital!)

[Tropicana]

Re: Japan Trip Reports

I have had a digital camera for 7 years and I STILL don't know how to use it. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blush.gif[/img]

The food....oh yes the food. Let me see if I can remembeer:

Day 1 - Fabulous Noodles and shrimp in a cream sauce at Pronto a few doors away from the Kabukiza in Ginza. I had eaten there before on a 1 night stopover. The first Ryokan where I stayed in Tokyo didn't have meals but we had a Japanese style thermos filled with ocha (Japanese tea) and some biscuits. It was a nice snack after my first Japanese bath [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

Day 2 - Went to Mount Fuji and they served us a bento (box) lunch. It was mostly vegetarian. I didn't have a chance to ask what it was and I didn't get to finish as I changed buses to take the shinkasen back to Tokyo.

Day 3 - Took the Shinkasen to Kyoto - that's the day I found a great sushi place adjoining the station. I had them do a nice customized sushi bento and they wrapped it up for me. It was nigiri and each piece was wrapped in what I believe was bamboo leaves to stay nice and fresh.

That night when I returned from a long walk near the Ryokan, an American couple invited me to join them...they had rented a car. We found a really nice restaurant in the Gion district. You have to go off on one of the side streets to have something authentic. We had dinner in the tatatmi room upstairs. Miso soup (I had miso soup at breakfast and lunch every day) some shrip tempura, chicken and rice.

Day 4 I was up really early for a tour so I picked up something light for breakfast at Kyoto station. At the end of the morning part of the tour, they took us to the Handicraft Centre. We had a HUGE buffet on one of the upper floors. There was fish, rice, chicken, nigiri sushi, 3 kinds of soup, lots of vegetables, lots of desert and tea.

That night I had dinner at the Ryokan (they had a restaurant there). I order a nigiri sushi appetizer, some fish, and rice. I then ordered some shrimp tempura but the owner of the Ryokan said that would be way too much food. She was right. The portions were huge.

Day 5 I had my only North American breakfast of the trip but substituted miso soup for the eggs.

I went back to Pronto after checking into my Ryokan in Ginza...and yes the same shrimp dish

Day 6 The Ryokan served me a FABULOUS traditional Japanese breafast...seaweed, 2 kinds of tofu, and some vegetables. Miso soup of course and this time kocha (not sure of the exact translation but it's the regular types of tea we are used to in North America...this time it was Jasmine).

On this day, I too the Shinkansen to Kamukura...can't remember what I did for lunch. On the way back to Tokyo I wanted to have cake and tea. The tea shoppe didn't have chocolate cake, so I went to a cake shoppe on the opposite side of the station entrance. People had been smoking in there. So I bought the cake, went back to the tea shoppe and ordered a cool drink and ice cream. Tried to eat the cake. IT TASTED LIKE CIGARETTES...YUCK!

That night I really wanted some more sushi. My Japanese is not strong enough to dicipher the menus. So I relied on menus with pictures or those restaurants with the plastic food in front. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img] I walked forever and couldn't find any sushi so I stopped into the Courtyard by Mariotte (it has another name in Japanese, it's near the kabukiza). The concierge directed me to a WONDERFUL sushi place. Yes it had the plastic food and menus with pictures. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img] You had to go upstairs. It's near the Kabukiza. I wish I could remember the name.I had an assorment of sushi and some shrimp tempura.

I loved it so much I ate there the next night.

FINAL NIGHT - After returning the sushi bar...I stumbled across a tea and cake shoppe across the lane from my Ryokan. I almost didn't go as it was Ken's Tea and Cake. (I figured it was foreign owned so I wasn't going to bother.) The pictures in the menu looked great. So I went upstairs. It turned out it was owned by Kenichi....Ken was short for Kennichi. It was great. I had some kocha and cake before returning to the Ryokan and having one of those fabulous Japanese baths.

I went to Kabuki, grabbed my stuff and headed for Tokyo station to catch the Narita express. Don't remember what I had the last day for lunch. Other than waiting at the station for the train, the rest is a blur.

[Magician]

Re: Japan Trip Reports

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tropicana</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So I relied on menus with pictures or those restaurants with the plastic food in front. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img]</div></div>

[img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70394-bawlout.gif[/img]
That's me in Japan too! And even with the plastic food, you're still in for a surprise sometimes.

Love the miso soup.

Couldn't live on Japan food for more than 2 weeks though.

[Tropicana]

Re: Japan Trip Reports

Oh I could. I just LOVE it. I remembered the name of the restaurant near the Kabukiza. It's Pronto. They make a mean shrimp and noodle dish and they have some great drinks and desert too. They didn't have plastic food [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img] but they had lots of photos.

I went to a restaurant in Toronto on Saturday, one of the few that serves Japanese and is Japanese owned. Most of the people there were Japanese and I had a chance to practice. I was even able to ask for more ice for my water. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/bannana_purple.gif[/img] As I looked around there were so many things that I recognized from my trip....like the prayer boards from the temple and those huge baskets in which the prayers are shipped from different areas to the shrines. For a bit it almost felt like I was in Japan.

After that I saw a Japanese movie. The comprehension is coming...slowly but surely. At times I didn't even need the sub-titles. I'm going to see 2 more Japanese movies this week. My classes have started again and I don't want to forget what I have learned. Travelling to Japan really helped my Hiragana and helped me get started on Katakana. I can recognize maybe 6 Kanji....it's a start.

[swedishrasta]

Re: Japan Trip Reports

[img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]
Tropi...thank you for sharing such a detailed menu. I have to confess that I have never really had too much interest in the Japanese culture but thanks to you, it's been peaked. Thank you from the bottom of my nomad soul for sharing your experience. You taking Japanese lessons just enforces that I need to brush up on my languages...they are all pretty bad right now.

Thank you again.

[img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blushing2.gif[/img] Magic

[Tropicana]

Re: Japan Trip Reports

Been meaning to ask you. Are you based in Sweden? I saw a play last week based on the work of Le Coq. The actors all trained together in Paris. The production was based on the Japanese story on which the Japanese movie Roshomon was based. There were 4 languages used in the production English, French, Japanese and Swedish. It was very powerful. The actors have taken movement and sword workshops together in Tokyo. All of the actors have now returned to their own countries but they do get together sometimes and do productions, give workshops, etc. I was privileged to take 2 of their workshops while they were here.

[swedishrasta]

Re: Japan Trip Reports

Hi Tropi,
No...I'm not in Sweden. I've been living in the US for a long time now and am currently planning on moving back to Sweden. I'm hoping to be there my the beginning of the year.

That play sounds fascinating. I would love to see it and what an opportunity to practice all those languages. Where did you see it Tropi..was it in Toronto. Glad to hear that they are still getting together...perhaps more work is in the process then. Any reviews anywhere Tropi?


Edited to add: add that flick to the netflix cue.

[Tropicana]

Re: Japan Trip Reports

Yabu No Naka


The Japanese actress was Haruna Kondo and the Swedish actor was Johan Westergren.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> It is with great enthusiasm that we prepare our newest creation! Inspired by the short story « Yabu no naka » (In a Grove) by Akutagawa Ryunosuke, we dive into the depths of human morality. Which conception of life and reality can be considered true? How can one manage the different ways of perceiving the world, its habits, its relationships? Reality is never objective : the truth and morality are always distorted. It is this basic premise which feeds our creative exploration.

This production created with 4 languages and 5 bodies, the premier version to be presented in June 2007, combines the forms explored by the collective in Japan (nihon buyo, tate-do), in Europe (Jacques Lecoq) and in Canada (buto). The collective will present their work in Canada during the Fringe Festivals in Montreal (June 7-17, 2007) and Toronto (July 5-15, 2007). Ahuri Theatre has also received the honour of being invited to present this production at the prestigious Setagaya Public Theatre in Tokyo, from April 2-6, 2008. The work presented at the Fringe Festivals in the summer of 2007 will be a work in progress. The piece will be reworked before the presentations at the Setagaya Theatre. For the first time, our production will traverse the oceans!

Synopsis : A villainous rape and murder near the road to Yamashima. Seven characters, all either direct or indirect witnesses to the event, testify their version of what happened. The seven versions are not totally different, but often contradictory. Who is telling the truth? Between the version of the woodcutter, the Buddhist monk, the police officer, the old lady, the thief accused of murder, the violated woman and even the murdered man speaking through a medium, who do we believe?

Nevertheless, all are telling the truth.
Nevertheless all are lying.
Nevertheless…

</div></div>

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Rave reviews in Montréal Fringe festival 2007 !

"Magnificient physical theatre"
- Sylvie Saint-Jacques, La Presse -

"Ahuri theatre's five wonderful actors amaze by their capacity for creating rich atmospheres"
- Fabienne Cabado, Le Voir -

"Impressive physical theatre makes Distruthted extremely effecive" -
- http://www.indyish.com - </div></div>


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Toronto Fringe Festival


« NNNN / 5 - The performers commit physically and emotionally to their roles, and the minimal set and unusual space are used to maximum effect.»
- Glenn Sumi, Now Magazine, Toronto-
</div></div>

[Q3210]

Re: Japan Trip Report - Lifestyle and Customs

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tropicana</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Where I am staying now is a very modern small inn in the heart of the business district in Tokyo but they have kept all the traditional touches. Bamboo is growing outside and the doors are made of bamboo. Upon entering you remove your shoes and there is a sink where you can wash and dry your feet. Then you put on some special cotton slippers.

It's a 9 story building and there is an elevator to take you to your room. There are only 3 rooms on each floor. The traditional Japanese room is multi-purpose. They have tatami mats covering the wooden floor. They have a low table, chairs that are right on the floor and cushions.




At night you spread:

- a mattress
- futon
- 2 sheets (you sleep between the sheets)
- a thick comforter
- then there is a pillow



This morning I was served a traditional Japanese breakfast...miso soup, spinach, seaweed, yogurt, 2 kinds of tofu and tea. I was pleasantly surprised to find it is included in the room rate.

At restaurants they give you are warm cloth to wash your hands before you eat. Traditional places don't have napkins.

Anyway, more about the order. Everybody lines up for the buses and subways, no pushing like in Jamaica. In some of the crowded stations they do hire young men as pushers to push and pack as many people in a subway car as possible but I have never seen this.



Apparently, they used to be more common but now that there is no longer a shortage of transportation, you rarely see them.






The men are really well groomed, clean neatly pressed business suits always in dark colours. They carry these little bags like attache cases but smaller. They have some interesting things here. For example, they have umbrella stands where you can check your umbrella when you go into a building.




You can pay to lock up your umbrella by putting money in the slot. Or, everywhere they have these long plastic bags when it rains and you can slip your umbrella inside it.


Now with order and organization comes a lack of flexibility. You better not be late or the tour bus will be gone. You better not show up on the wrong day or you can't use the voucher another day. It is a culture of order, conformity and policies. My travel agent explained with 12 million people in Tokyo alone it would be chaos if it were otherwise.



There are vending machines everywhere with all kinds of drinks in containers that keep the hot drinks hot and the cold drinks cold. These were some of my favourites:



Everything from hot green tea to cold ice cocoa. We grow it in Jamaica and have no such thing. They use bamboo for so many purposes floors, utensils, trim in housing, kleenex boxes but they grow very little of it. I don't think we do much with it in Jamaica.

The bathrooms and toilets are separate. When you go into the toilet, you leave your slippers outside and you put on some special slippers that are inside the toilet.




It's a custom related to the traditional toilets where you stoop instead of sitting.



You don't sit, you squat to use them.



Those toilets can still be found many places but they usually have a western toilet or 2. Everybody carries little cloths to dry your hands as some places they don't have the paper or soap.

Some toilets are ultra modern and high tech.



You press a button and it washes you off. You press another and it dries you. Then you stand and the toilet flushes automatically.



For the bath you sit on a stool, soap yourself off and thoroughly rinse off with shower and bowls of water. Then you go into the bath that is for relaxing and is 40 - 45 degrees centigrade.

We had a couple of tragedies the last few days. The minister of Agriculture committed harakiri. There was talk of scandal in giving contracts. The president of one of the companies involved in the rumours committed harakiri a day later. There is still a culture of avoiding disgrace.

In Tokyo I went to the Imperial Palace gardens today. I took the train and met one of my free guides in his town, Kamakura today, There used to be a lot of samarai in that area. He took me to many parks and shrines. Tomorrow I will see the Edo museum in Tokyo where there are a lot of Samurai artifacts.

My language skills are coming along. I can make myself understood in my broken Japanese and I am reading more and more and practicing my writing.

Anyway. Oyashi mi nasi...which means, good night and for you at the other end of the world Ohio Gazaimasu.

</div></div>

This has got to be one of the most informed pieces on Japanese culture I have read in a long time.

[R00TS]

Re: Japan Trip Report - Lifestyle and Customs

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Q3210 </div><div class="ubbcode-body">

This has got to be one of the most informed pieces on Japanese culture I have read in a long time. </div></div>

I totally agree! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]Thank you Tropicana was very interesting

[Serenity82]

Re: Japan Trip Report - Lifestyle and Customs



[img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img]

[Tropicana]

Re: Japan Trip Report - Lifestyle and Customs

Serenity, you've been there...it's true isn't it. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img]

[Serenity82]

Re: Japan Trip Report - Lifestyle and Customs

Well my household had both a modern toilet and traditional one. Did you see 'memoirs of a geisha'. Amazing wasn't it? Chinese actresses but they really pulled it off. I think that was filmed in Kyoto I'm not sure.