Takayama-Day 2

On Monday many events of the Autumn Festival were cancelled because of rain.  Floats were not taken ot of their storehouses and, to our, the evening parade was also cancelled.  On our last day however, the sun was shining in the morning so we walked from our hotel to old town to see what was happening.  At it turned out, it was a great choice.  We were able to see one of the floats being pulled through the town and also saw dancers and other sights that made it worth the walk.

 

 We visited the morning market where several art works were on display including one that Anna Lee could not resist.  Rather than eat breakfast at the hotel, we bought street food including some cake shaped fish that had chocolate in the center.  How could that be bad. 

At 11:30 we boarded the train for Tokyo and, ultimately the airport for our long flight home.  The end of a great trip.

Takayama

Taking a bath

We described our previous hotels as basic but meeting our needs.  This one in Takayama is at the other end of the spectrum.  Fancy from entry to the special bathing facilities for men and women.  Our room is larger but Jerry much preferred the desk space earlier as he could comfortably sit and work at the computer.

Jerry:  We have arrived at our final destination before returning to the good old USA.  We started our stay at the hotel with taking a bath, Japanese style.  The custom is to shower first, completely wash yourself then get into a large tile tub with a bunch of other people.  Honestly, Jerry had the experience and does not intend to do it again.  Sitting in hot water with several other naked men is not his idea of a great plan but, having done it once, it was crossed off the bucket list

Anna Lee:  I am not a shvitz person but our hotel offers a hot bathing experience so I tried it.  It was relaxing for the brief time I stayed.  I don’t plan a repeat.  I do think the two-piece black “pajamas” provided by the hotel are comfy but I don’t intend to wear them to the dining room as other people have.

The original plan was to end the trip in Tokyo to catch the plane back to the United States.  Searching the net however we discovered the Shinto Autumn Festival (Hachiman Maturi) that is the largest festival in Japan.  It happens that this festival falls on October 9 & 10 this year.  That was enough for us.               

The festival is celebrated by music, dancing and other observances but the big activity is to have floats carried through the streets but as many as 80 men.  It is the only time that the deity, who resides in the floats, is brought out for the people to see.

Unfortunately, this morning many of the activities were cancelled due to rain.  We could still see the floats but they were kept in the storehouses.  Still impressive.

There were several children's groups that participated playing drums and other clanging instruments.

 

We then went to the float museum where five antique giant floats are kept.  They are huge, carved masterpieces.

Lunch was fish served in a lacquer box.  Great taste too.

We were treated to a Lion Dance.  

 Old Town Takayama, where the festival is celebrated, is the home of traditional Japanese crafts.  The woodwork and lacquer work is beautiful.  

  The Old Town is along a river.

 

The streets were filled with people despite the weather.

Observations:
                                   
Everyone wears tennis shoes here.  The exceptions are the women dressed in kimonos or wearing really fancy heals.

The streets are litter free.

School children dress in black pants/skirts and white shirts.  Many groups of them have matching school hats.  There are groups of children visiting museums and shrines throughout the country.

We have met and talked to people from Australia, Canada, Bulgaria, Israel, New Zealand, Italy and more.  All are friendly and, at home, the conversations probably would have led to longer friendships.  Being of a certain age does give one freedom to be more outgoing.

People will go out of their way to be helpful even when the language is an issue.

 This is a great country to visit and two weeks was too short.
 

Kyoto Day 5

We visited the Nijo-Jo Castle which was the center of the Edo Shogunate from 1603 - 1867.  It is designated as a World Heritage Site.  

The wood carving over the door was very beautiful.

 We had to remove our shoes to tour the temple and no photos inside the palace were allowed.  

The screens that make up the walls of the temple painted gold as they were intended to impress visiting shogun.  China and Korea were major influences upon Japan as it became a country. Tigers, sacred in China and Korea, are painted on the assembly room walls.  They are meant to be intimidating.  The shogun greets his guests from a raised platform and beneath a raised ceiling.

In another room a female tiger nurses her three cubs and a leopard, who they believed was also her offspring.

The last shogun ceeded power to the Emperor thus ending the period and in a final act, committed ritual

Following the tour through the palace, we walked through the massive garden.  

We climbed a huge staircase to get a panoramic view of the complex.

uying it

On the way back to our hotel we stopped at a department store to look around.   They sold bicycles and there was a test track so that you could try a bike before buying it.

In the evening we attended a performance at the Gear Theater (Jerry found the recommendation on TripAdvisor).  No photos are allowed so we will try to describe one of the most extraordinary theater experiences we have ever seen.  We climbed four narrow flights of stairs in a 100-year-old building.  The entire 90 minute show was in mime.  The characters were robots working in a factory.  A box containing a doll shows up.  She comes “to life” and engages with the characters.  There is both humor and pathos.  There was juggling, magic, break dancing, and more.  After the performance we were allowed to take pictures of the stage.

 

The show used extraordinary lasers effects to accent the performance.  You can find a sample of the show on Youtube@geartheaterkyoto.

Kyoto Day 2

Our second day in Kyoto was so full we took a few days to get the text and photos together.
 
In its earliest development, Japan copied Chinese and Korean cultures.  Buddhism also was brought from India.

This is the original steam engine that Commodore Perry delivered to the Emperor of Japan who decided that it was essential to modernize their transportation system.  

 

Before the railroads, merchants could not, by law, own pack animals so all goods had to be carried from place to place on foot.

Our first feature of this tour was the Bamboo Forest which is in the middle of the city.  It continues to provide tranquility to those who visit.  The roots grow fast and can be invasive.  The practice of being in the forest known as “forest bathing” or deep contemplation continues today.

Cremation is the common burial practice.  Beneath this stone rest the ashes of up to seven generations of males.  We asked what happens after seven generations but, since that time has not passed, there is no answer.

 In Shintoism, all of nature has a spirit.  A special deity resides in mountains, waterfalls, etc.  The religion emphasizes convenience, simplicity and order.

These priests in yellow robes are celebrating a harvest festival.

The Gold Pavilion is at the Kinkaku site.  This is a World Heritage Site and was built by an obviously wealthy individual.  It is actually covered in gold leaf which is reapplied every thirty years.  It was applied last year so the gold really looked good.  

This is a holiday villa for shoguns.  A phoenix sits on top.

We were riding a bus to our next stop when we came upon a parade of Shintos walking and carrying floats to their temple in honor of a harvest festival.  There was also a horse drawn carriage carrying nobles.

This was our 2pm lunch stop.

We saw many geishas along our walk.  They started in tea houses 500 years ago. Contrary to popular beliefs the original geisha were men, mainly jesters.  The women were geico.  Today women go through several years of training to become geishas.  Their job is to provide music, luxury meals, drinks and entertainment for the men.  

One of our neighbors recommended that to go to Arashiyama, a district that has many traditional sites.  This photo is of our excellent guide.

The tubes along the way contain the patterns of traditional garb.

 

It was indeed interesting and we saw lots of folks in traditional dress.

 

 

There are many temples in the area as well.

 

 

We walked through the Red Gates built 711 CE.  Worshipers can walk through them up to the top of the mountain; we did not go that far.  The gates have been donated primarily by successful merchants who wish to pay tribute to their deities.  This is the most photographed spot in Japan according to our guide.

 

We signed up for a walking tour but did not suspect that the total walking for the day would total 18 km in addition to bus and train rides.  We were happy to get back to our hotel for a night’s rest.

Our guide for the day was outstanding.  Beyond all he taught us, he helped in additional things we were interested in.  At the end of this long day, we felt as if we had a new, special friend.

Kyoto Day 4

Friday was our day in Nara, an ancient capital of Japan that is about 60 km from Kyoto.  It is easily reached by a 45-minute train ride from the central station.  Arriving we then boarded a local bus to take us to Nara Park which is famous for its deer.  Strange you say but these deer are so tame that you can pet them.  They come up to you asking for deer crackers that are sold at most of the local stores. 

We came here to see the major shrines and we were not disappointed.  The first stop was the Great Buddha.  This statue was built in the mid 700s. The building housing it burned at least twice but has obviously been rebuilt and modified over the years. 

 To say that the statue is huge is an understatement, it is massive.  One finger is about 6 feet long.  It dominates the center of the room with other gods on either side.  

Behind Buddha is a small hole that, if you can crawl through it, will bring you good luck  Neither of us tried.

After seeing Buddha we went to Kasugataisha Shrine which is surrounded by over 200 lanterns  made of brass or stone.  We were there in the daytime so no night pictures of the lanterns but still impressive.  

We decided after all this wandering we were tired so we returned to the train for the trip back to Kyoto.  A great day.

Most of our dining has been in a massive food court under the Kyoto Tower.  The food is inexpensive and really good.  Japanese homes are very small so dining out or takeout are common habits.  Our fellow diners have been both local and international.  Japan is a cosmopolitan country filled with people from all over the world.  As for the Japanese, though many speak English, those who do not are still so willing to answer questions or give assistance, such as how to order at a counter restaurants.