Travel Tuesday Part 4 – Japan

This marks my final instalment of my Japan Travel diaries. I have enjoyed this segment so much I am going to continue it and each time reminisce about a place I have been and the memories I have from that time.

On with Part 4:

These beautifully coloured containers are Saki Barrels.

Each barrel is a work of art and I wish I had taken the time to photograph a few of them individually.

Next to these barrels is a prayer to bless the farmers of Japan with prosperity.

 

The Tokyo Tower is a tall building / observation area that allows you to see over the whole of the city.

Inside was this gorgeous Swarovski replica in pink! I was so tempted to steal it, but spending the night in jail would have put a damper on my trip!

 

Shibuya is the world famous pedestrian crossing seen in any movies/series shot in Japan.

For me, I wanted to cross this section because the boys from One Direction shot a video here and walked along this very crossing.

The feeling is so hard to describe. As the light changes, hundreds of people cross the intersection and it becomes entertainment just to sit back and watch a few light changes.

Everybody is civil and gets where they need to go without pushing or shouting.

The noise levels are pretty loud due to the high volumes of people.

There was a lovely Starbucks that overlooks this intersection (prime spot!) and we had dinner at a little Japanese bar where our menu was handed to us – in Japanese.

I asked the waiter where we looked Japanese because we couldn’t understand a word written on the menu!

It was drizzling slightly that evening and I had taken along my cute little tourist umbrella. Every 5 minutes it collapsed and dumped water on me while Lizelle (my work colleague) sniggered away!

She had uncanny timing every time! She somehow managed to turn around at the exact moment it happened!

This shrine was the epitome of Japan and I love the architecture of the Japanese structures.

These shrines are all constructed out of wood and painted.

Every couple of years the wood is all sanded down and re-painted. Some shrines have the ashes of warriors / saints hanging in a bottle/urn suspended from the ceiling.

It must be a beautiful sight.

 

Shun san was our guide from our supplier and resident photographer.

He snapped photos while were were not looking (most of them are shot from behind and not at all flattering), but the scenery photos were composed so well I commented on them alot.

I later found out that while in university, Shun had displayed his photos at the Tokyo art Gallery. Talk about talented!

Japan was never on my top 10 list of places to go, however knowing what I now know, I would recommend visiting this country in a heartbeat.

The people of Japan make me as a westerner feel that we could treat fellow humans with so much more courtesy and respect than we do currently.

The food is tasty and worth trying.

The scenery out of the city is breathtaking and instil an inner peace that makes the soul smile.

The memories will live with me for a long long time and I hope that one day you will experience what I have.

To read the other 3 parts:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Travel Tuesday – Part 3

I mentioned in a previous post that the Japanese people really do know how to look after their guests and our trip to Nikko was a trip that I will never forget.

We stayed in a traditional-style Japanese hotel (Kinugawa Plaza Hotel) where the floors are bamboo mats and the decor is minimalistic.

You have the option of sleeping on a bed roll on the floor – but I draw the line at embracing the culture that entirely – I would rather have a comfortable bed!

The room had a view of the valley down below and the green chair you see in the photo was a massage chair. Best. Invention. Ever. (Even better than the self-flushing toilet with heated seats)

An even bigger treat was that our supplier treated all the ladies to our very own authentic summer kimono! We had our own Japanese lady to dress us, so excepting for the underwear – we are dressed as authentically as any Japanese lady would be! Even the sash colours were chosen for us (they don’t match, but apparently “mismatched” is how it should be.)

We were shussed as we tried to choose something else.

I love how this photo has the building peeking out at us while we are waltzing around a stunning garden complete with giant peonies (bigger than my hand) and this gorgeous wisteria.

This is the view of the highway going underneath the river. From my hotel room.

I suffered from extensive jetlag, so this image was taken at around 2am.

The final few photos to follow next week.

If you missed the other posts – catch up here:

Part 1

Part 2

Travel Tuesday – Part 2

We were fortunate enough to attend a traditional tea ceremony. The irony of this situation is that I don’t drink tea at all. In my entire life I have most probably swallowed down 2 or 3 cups.

 

I was warned that this tea was made in the absolute traditional way. Tea Leaves are dried, ground up and made into a paste with water. More water is added and eventually you have a thick tea. A “sweet” is made from beans and egg to eat before you drink the tea.

I was sceptical, but willing to try anything and ended up being the only person to finish my tea and contemplate a second bowl! (yay me)

I found it very refreshing and it settled my stomach. We ate so much the entire trip that I wish I had had a bowl of this tea on hand at every meal.

Each meal is served with green tea – but the kind you make at home – I tasted that tea as well and did not like it.

This was the first hotel we stayed in. Not very Japanese looking, but very pretty. The 32nd floor has a restaurant with a view to die for. There was a waiting room where you could help yourself to coffee while waiting for a spot to open up.

Lunch in town.

The raw egg is beaten with your chopsticks and the meat is then dipped into the raw egg before eating.

It sounds gross, but gives the meat a delicious creamy taste to it.

Once I got over the fact that I was eating raw egg, it was rather tasty. Beside…. if I can eat raw fish (not sushi, raw (grey) fish, I can do egg.

We visited Nikko National Park.

A National Heritage site, this park is the ideal spot for hikers.

Lovely scenery…. a bit of a steep climb, but well worth the effort. We also needed the exercise after all the eating we did!

This was the entrance to a market. Tokyo is not known as the most expensive city in the worls.

The flea market was affordable when it came to curios like chopsticks, but in general, the price of everything else was pricey.

A Coke from a vendor was about R42 ($4)

Each temple has an entrance gate of this kind. The gold discs vary, but they are generally the crest of the reigning emperer or the person who donated the gate.

Traditionally, this gate is said to cleanse you spiritually as you walk through (physical cleansing is done by means of a water purification closer inside). You should never walk through the middle of the gate as it is believed that that is where the spirits enter. You should enter off-centre.

A VIP Feast including Sea Urchin, Salmon, raw egg, asparagus, in season mountain herbs, seafood etc

Even the Japanese employees who joined us commented on how special the meal was.

This was the starter!! ( We were only told that once we had gorged ourselves on most of the meal)

Main course was tempura prawns and another cooked pot of meat and vegetables.

To be Continued…

Travel Tuesday – Japan Part 1

It’s been a couple of months since I came back from Japan and the fact that I am only writing about it now is a good indication of how hectic it has been.

 I will post in parts so as not to bore you or clog up your internet waiting for photos to load.

It is custom in Japan to have Hot Baths – but beware – if invited to a “public bath” you will be required to go naked.

Not much makes me uncomfortable; naked. women. Any way, any how – tops that list of awkwardness.

I politely declined and indulged in my private bath on the patio of my hotel room. Scorching hot water, rich in sulphur is guaranteed to melt away the muscles aches and pains!

Outside every shrine you will find hundreds of wooden plaques with various messages on them. Messages requesting good health, love and happiness are the most common.

Cherry Blossom season reached it’s peak 2 weeks before I arrived – damn you Global Warming- But we were still lucky enough to catch some in bloom.

Went to an area called Karakuwa – home of the Japanese warrior. I bought my brother an authentic ninja star, and looking back, I should have perhaps bought 1 for myself too.

We visited a giant Buddha, a gigantic beauty.

Harajuku is the dress style of the Japanese teens and I adore it! This young lady was handing out leaflets for a coffee shop and was very accommodating when I asked for a photo. Smiley and chatty in person, but serious for the photo – all part of the persona?

Japan surpassed all my expectations. The people are some of the most gentle and genuinely respectful people I have ever come across.

They are helpful, friendly and conscientious.

Japan is a nation steeped in culture and the country is beautiful.

The food is delicious, and hardly any sugar is consumed. When in restaurants you are given 1 sugar with your coffee and need to request extra.

Travelling with our supplier was perhaps the best way to see Japan because we were treated like absolute royalty. The Japanese take entertaining their guests to the next level.

To be Continued…

How to eliminate your entire wardrobe in just 1 stupid moment

5 years ago Evan bought me 1 of the nicest, most thoughtful gifts I have ever received for my birthday: A burgundy cashmere pashmina.

Firstly, it was the 1^st 100% cashmere item I had ever owned – luxuriously soft and so pretty and 2ndly, he ordered it overseas and had a pilot friend collect it and bring it back to SA with him.

Christina travels well because she is lightweight, but warm and she folds up small, which makes her easy to travel with.

On my recent trip to Japan, I took Christina for a chilly day. I also packed the only 6 outfits I have that actually still fit me.

In the middle of the week we stayed at a traditional Japanese hotel, requiring only an overnight bag.

I was running late the next morning and somehow left Christina behind at the hotel – 3 hours away from Tokyo.

I thought she was lost to me forever.

The hotel very lovingly wrapped her in bubble wrap and couriered her to me and she was back around my neck the next day.

Upon my return from Japan I literally just tipped my whole bag into the washing machine and pushed Start. I never took into account that the default setting on my new front loader is not the same as my old top-loader (cold wash)

My clothes were all burgundy! I shrugged and thought, ‘oh well, now everything matches’

I wasn’t going to be that lucky… the dye was not consistent!

But that wasn’t the worst of it… Poor Christina was a ratty, squashed string of her former self. The victim of a 2 hour; 60⁰C hot wash.

Now I have no more Christina and no more clothes that fit.

I guess that was the excuse I needed to go shopping…. And shopping I have!

Hit the ground running

I knew that 2013 easy not going to be any quieter than last year,  but buy have I sped into it like the bus without brakes in Speed (am I giving my true age away? )

January galloped past at an amazing rate and my year ahead looks to be promising much excitement.

Highlights from January:
Work sales conference. Resulting in a back and neck spasm,  but I got to visit the chiropractor for a “back massage” (how’s that for a positive spin in things-  haha! 🙂

Was invited to my first Burger Night over at Claudz and Richy.

 

Met 2 new people.  One guy with a very dry sense of humour and fast wit-  I liked him instantly.

Beginning of Feb.
Began planning in ernest for my friends baby shower in March and managed to buy all the favours and get them made!

Had my folks over for a visit,  subjected them enjoyed watching some One Direction videos with them.  Cooked 2 dishes all by myself-  a chicken pie and Bread and Butter pudding.  Yum!

Here is what my calendar holds:
Feb: Another foray into the world of speed dating.
A Long weekend to the Pilansberg mountains.
Friends birthday party
Hosting Bookclub
My nephews second birthday

March:  week away at Mount Sheba near Hazyview. A holiday we have spoken about for ages.
Friends baby shower
Moving into my new place

April:  a trip to Japan!  And I am going in springtime which means I get to see the beautiful cherry blossoms.

I’ll be away an awful lot which means my work will pile up,  but I’ve already proven last year that no matter if you work until 10pm,  the work is never done.

I said 2013 was going to be about me,  and that’s what I’m going to do!