This was a wonderful trip but what would it be with out a series of interesting photos. They are in no particular order. Some I found funny, some I found interesting (usually from a cultural standpoint). At the end of this post I have a very important request.
We were given these at one meal but help me here, why are they needed?If you are not interested in bread or yogurt for breakfast, how about some “serial” at the Gate Hotel in TokyoIn Nara, beware of deer. Fashion statement in Kyoto.If your wheelchair can’t handle stairs how about a ramp at about a 60° slope?Tired from too much walking in Nara? Try this rest area.We saw these things EVERYWHERE.Sorry, this has me speechless.We were told laundry drying machines are not seen in Japan. Instead you see this.If the lightning fast elevators in our Hakone hotel are too slow for you, have a seat.Would you like some water?Or would you prefer detox water?If you want to used the public baths in Hakone you better not have any tattoos. Again I am speechless.The Gate Hotel in Tokyo watches you when you are in the elevator. Look at this balding guy taking a picture of himself.I have no clue how this works. If you are looking for a “bathroom” you will get a blank stare. If you ask for the “toilet” they will lead you here. They might open the door for you as well but luckily after that you are on your own.Many of the hotels have a small bedside flashlight. Very convenient.2 in 1? Get a haircut while you have your teeth cleaned?That does it, it is time to go home!I leave you with this photo of Kyoto Tower. Quite an amazing picture if I do say so myself.
We are now home but I need your help. Please send me your recommendations of where to travel to next. We are thinking about Norway, Sweden, and or Finland. If you have been to these locations please send me your “Must See” list.
The hours are counting down but although it will be good to get home it will be difficult to say goodbye to Japan. I am sad to report that our hotel in Hiroshima was a huge disappointment. We were at the Granvia Hiroshima which is located at the train station (big plus), has a gorgeous lobby, and a wonderful staff. The room was awful. It was very small with a bathroom that makes your typical European bathroom seem spacious. Also the breakfast was very disappointing. I’m sure you remember me raving about breakfast every day of the trip, well this was the exception.
We left Hiroshima early because the bullet train to Tokyo is a 4 hour trip. Finding the train was easy (damn we are getting good at this). Our trip company alerted us that we might be able to see Mt. Fuji from the left side of the train. They wisely got us seats on the left side and we got a great view of the mountain which now has a slight snow cap. The train was moving too fast for us to get a decent picture but we enjoyed the view even if you can’t. The bullet train zips along at quite a pace in order to cover about 520+ miles in 4 hours (with about 4 stops prior to Tokyo). In order to achieve these incredible speeds and still maintain a comfortable ride the train takes advantage of “semiconducting maglev” (short for Magnetic Levitation). As the train leaves the station it is rolling on wheels. But as it speeds up, the wheels retract, and the power of magnets allows the vehicle to hover 4 inches above the ground. This is what permits the train to reach high speeds but still maintain a smooth ride. I hope that is clear to you. I know I can get a little technical at times when we discuss science. (Patrice here: I can’t believe this guy, the last section was copied and pasted from the internet. I am sure you probably already realized that).
Immediately upon exiting the train in Tokyo we were met by our “Tokyo Greeter” see below.
Our Tokyo greeter with sign in hand.
The young man welcomed us to Tokyo then took Patrice’s rolling backpack. The two of them started walking to the car. Patrice was quite concerned about me carrying my heavy backpack as you can see from this picture.
“Hey guys!, Don’t forget about me!”
We then had a short ride to the Conrad Hotel and were able to check in (nice surprise). This place is amazing. Our room wasn’t going to be ready until 5 PM so they upgraded us to a suite. I feel like we went from the basement to the penthouse when we compare our Hiroshima accommodation. Here is the view from our room.
Incredible room but still some room for improvement, the toilets don’t salute (yes, there are two).
With the help of the concierge we went on a little outing. First we went to Yelo (recommended by my friend, Fred) and had Kakigori (shaved ice). This was spectacular. See below.
Patrice and I getting ready to eat our Kakigori (looks huge but the shaved ice had a lot of air)As you can tell, I really liked it.
We then set off for the “Times Square of Tokyo” called Shibuya Scramble Crossing. It was reminiscent of the New York landmark. See for yourself in the 4 pictures below.
You might recall seeing it in the Bill Murray movie, “Lost in Translation”. If you prefer to see the area in live action, check out this video.
Shibuya Scramble in Tokyo. Times Square? You decide.
Our last dinner in Japan was at a fantastic restaurant called Guyan (6 Chome-13-6 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061) which was recommended by the hotel concierge. We both had Kobe beef filets and they were scrumptious.
I asked for medium rare and it was a bit too pink for me. The plate was so hot that I just used it to cook the meat a tad more.
If you would like to read about Kobe beef and what in the US we call Kobe beef but is really “Kobe-Style” beef here is a link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_beef
Time to call it a night since we need prepare for our departure tomorrow afternoon. I will have lots of fun photos for you tomorrow and a very important question I hope all of you can help me answer.
We had a very restful night in Miyajima. The hotel is a ryokan so wearing the hotel provided pajamas or robes is acceptable attire anywhere in the hotel including the dining hall. The hotel and staff were lovely similar to what we have experienced at all our accommodations throughout this trip. On our way to breakfast one of the staff members noted that Patrice did not have her robe on correctly so she assisted with an adjustment.
Patrice being helped with her robe. As I said, the staff at all the hotels have been amazing.
We got a late start because breakfast didn’t start until 8. I think the late start time is to give the staff some rest. Yes, the same people who served us dinner were here for breakfast this morning. Below is what we were served.
Except for the salad and fruit the only item I can name is the yogurt (white stuff with 2 purple dots).
If I ever get serious about losing weight, one month in Japan should take care of things.
After breakfast we got our things together and checked out. The clerk thanked us for our patronage, walked us to the elevator, and pushed the button sending the elevator to the exit floor. Just like in the USA, no?
Exiting the hotel we were stunned by how quiet it was outside with virtually no one on the street. But we soon saw hoards of school children in large groups marching our way. When we arrived at the ferry station we saw loads of tourists as well. Looks like another big day on the island.
After exiting the ferry we took the train back to Hiroshima. In order to find the correct train we again needed a lot of pointing from the station staff. I find it humorous that the workers in addition to pointing give us a myriad of instructions in Japanese in spite of my vocabulary being limited to two words (thank you and delicious).
After dropping off our bags at the Hiroshima hotel (again we were too early to check in) we headed to the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park. The Dome is the remnant of the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall which was located 490 feet from the hypocenter (ground zero) of the first atomic bomb ever dropped (August 6, 1945). It is a very sobering experience and I promise no jokes will follow. We saw people taking pictures of themselves in front of the memorial. Sorry, I don’t understand this behavior. I wanted to tell Patrice I’m not taking pictures of us in front of the memorial but I couldn’t get the words out because I started to get choked up. We are talking about the site where over 140,000 died or were sentenced to death within seconds. It reminded me of people taking pictures in front of the 911 Memorial in New York. These are memorials to the dead who were victims of tragic events not a ride at Disneyland! I’m tempted to ask these people if they would take selfies in front of their relative’s gravesites.
Atomic Bomb Dome. (previously the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall)Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall (circa 1921-1933)
We then visited the Peace Memorial Park and Museum. The park was beautiful and a wonderful tribute to those who lost their lives and for the hope of peace in the world.
The Hiroshima Victims Memorial Cenotaph. Through the center of the memorial you can see the Peace Flame and the Atomic Bomb Dome.
In the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum we saw some horrific pictures of the post bomb Hiroshima and the victims. It reminded us of the holocaust museum. I wouldn’t begin to compare the two but both were very moving.
After we became incredibly depressed at the museum there was only one possible remedy. You guessed it……. Food.
Our tour company had recommended we try okonomiyaki while we were in Hiroshima. Okonomiyaki is a Japanese teppanyaki, pancake dish with all sorts of yummy things inside (cabbage, pork, seafood, shrimp, oysters, squid, etc). We went to a Michelin star restaurant called Icchan which is very close to our hotel. The meal was very affordable (about $7 per plate) and absolutely “OISHI” (I had to use one of the two Japanese words I know, see above, and I’ll give you a hint, it doesn’t mean thank you). This morning I was feeling ready to go home but after this meal I think another day or two would be just fine.
Patrice opted for the udon noodles.I chose the soba noodles.I am adding this in case you would like to read the Michelin review.
We are down to our last 2 nights of the trip. Hopefully some more magic moments are still to come. Possibly I can learn a third Japanese word?
Robert Reiss Travel Blog and Other Ramblings 