Ineke

Story of 8 NW ladies in Japan


Yoshiko was the one who did it all.
Bravo bravo Yoshiko!

You accepted us like we are and flew with us in 11 hours over the Pacific Ocean into your native country, to the land of the rising sun. Tokyo welcomed us with beautiful cherry blossoms, very large buildings; we climbed the City Hall, tried Japanese tomatoes and strawberries, bought our first wonderful bento box and ate it in the nearby park. But where were all these 18 million Japanese....? We finally saw some during lunchtime and at 6 pm, during rush hour, where they were crossing the zebra's like very busy ants. Tokyo is so clean, people are so friendly, warm and respectful. Since there are hardly any litter bin the town stays clean. You just wouldn't dare throwing rubbish in the streets. For the Roppongi tower at night we hardly had time, because the karaoke club from Domi-chan was waiting to hear Lux. songs. Ginza street was a must as well as the big stores, especially on minus one with lots of different kind of food to buy in a bento box.
Vending machines with drinks like water and green teas are available everywhere and everywhere the same prices. Tips are not accepted, neither in taxis or restaurants. A traditionnal Japanese theatre... was worthwhile seeing it, like also visiting the SAKE restaurant (Isakaya in Shinjuku) in the evening where the food was delicious and where the sake made us singing songs, even in Japanese! With the help of Yoshiko I even found a "suit-case" for my little Canon camera.
The best things are the heated toilets with warm-water washing and drying installation, just superb!
Yoshiko booked us beautiful business hotels and Minshuku or Ryokan with tatami rooms where we slept well and enjoyed delicious food and we didn't spent much !
By bus to Oshino in the area of the Fuji Mountain; walk along ponds with kois, taste sake, in yukata on the terrace with view on the Fuji mountain, hot bath and breakfast with smoked and other fish, hot and cold stuff, Japanese but also western food.
In jumbo taxi to Kofu, in train to Matsumoto, walk to the Matsumoto castle, wooden house for samurai and ponds around with very big fishes. By bus to Okuhida, still snow on the top of the mountains and outside foot bath in hot water, first outside hot bath at 5 am sunrise over the mountain covered by snow, kimono and a fantastic meal with a load of small dishes, fish, raw meat, salads, soup, beef in little pot with lots of mushrooms, mushroom soup, fish in bamboo leaves, baked octopus, miso soup, rice, tea, beer and plum wine.
Takayama, a nice city for shopping and restaurants, the food was delicious everywhere. Visit to Himi, along the Japanese see.
Hotel in train station of Kanawaza. I forgot sunglasses in hotel, but due to 3 minutes delay of train and Gaby down at the stairs and Yoshiko at top of the stairs to guide me, thanks girls, we just made it to sit in a very nice train direction Kyoto . In the train you can turn the chairs into the direction you like, so we could sit 4 by 4. At Kyoto station, lots of people waiting for a taxi but also lots of taxis waiting for people, so that it went very quickly to catch a cab; In Kyoto, a very busy shopping street, we didn't find the geisha's but went to a theatre where the maiko's (during 3 years maiko, than after musical education = geisha) were dancing during 1 hour. We walked to a temple, lots of stairs and while Sunday, overcrowded by people.
Dinner in a French restaurant "Lindenbaum". Lot of musicians were sitting at a very long table; they made music especially for us. Beautiful beef!
Next day, golden temple visit and buying of professional Japanese knives with Christina and Maria, accompanied by the French restaurant owner. Quick visit to the Bamboo forest