Japan #1 – Kyoto – December 2014

April 26, 2019

With The Turtle V safely on its way back to California, we had a little time to burn. One of the countries we had always been interested in visiting was Japan. Being so close to South Korea it was easy to take the overnight ferry to Osaka and the “bullet train” to Kyoto.

The Bullet Train

We give Japan thumbs up!

According to Wikipedia, Japanese are the sixth largest Asian American group in the US at roughly 1,304,286, including those of mixed-race or mixed-ethnicity. Southern California has the largest Japanese-American population in North America. Hard working and industrious, they are an integral part of our American culture. In their own country they form an exciting and totally unique culture, much different than we might have imagined just because they make Toyotas and Hondas.

Reputation has it that Japan is extremely expensive to travel in. Our current Lonely Planet guide suggested that if you don’t mind eating noodles once in a while and keep away from five-star hotels, Japan is not cheap but quite affordable.

Guesthouses in Kyoto

The first guesthouse we stayed at was very traditional, with the bathroom downstairs requiring careful negotiation of something close to a chicken ladder. Our room was covered with grass mats. No chair, no table, and the beds were rather thin futons, an interesting experience. Soon we would move to a western-style apartment. OK, so we’re soft.

We loved this cute drinking fountain at a local open market place.

While the public transportation system was excellent, traffic congestion often made it slower than walking. The other option was the uncountable number of taxicabs, mostly black and polished as if they were going to a car show. The drivers wore snappy hats, white gloves, coat and tie, and looked more like private limousine drivers.

Minamiza Theater

We attended the beautiful Minamiza theater for the opening Kabuki performance of the season. Many of the actors were very famous throughout Japan.

On Christmas Eve we treated ourselves to the opening of the Kabuki season of the popular Minamiza Theater. While the costumes and actors were, ahhh—, interesting, everything was in Japanese so I think I may have missed parts of the four-hour performance. Quite surprisingly, during the lengthy intermission, most people popped out their little lunch boxes and chopsticks and enjoyed dinner right in their seats.

Geisha District

Strolling through the dark streets of the Geisha District after the performance, (more about that later), we always felt totally safe. The nighttime colors of fountains and canals were beautiful.

: Sleeping on a hard floor covered with a thin futon certainly made us appreciate the comfortable bed in our camper.

: Our little mini apartment had real beds, a kitchenette, a luxury bathroom and high-speed Internet.

: The induction stove in the kitchen took some getting used to. Butter in the pan would burn while we reached for the eggs.

: The herds of immaculately clean black taxicabs were unique. The drivers looked and acted like they were driving private limos.

: This covered mall seemed to stretch for miles. Stores sold everything from spices to umbrellas.

: Slot machine arcades were amazingly popular.

: Outdoor street markets were equally fascinating.

: Umbrellas were a popular item, maybe part of the Japanese image.

: This outdoor fountain seemed to function both for washing one’s hands and maybe having a sip of water.

: Japanese are distinctly different from South Koreans, Mongolians or Chinese were we had recently traveled. All were very polite.

: There was always a McDonald’s in case we were feeling homesick. We weren’t.

: Rickshaws looked exciting but they were extremely expensive. I guess we’ll wait till we get to India.

: Toilets are always an interesting topic with travelers. These Japanese-style squatters even had instructions.

: Little convenience items like special seats to park your baby while you poop were practical.

: Super modern western-style toilets had international symbols. Some even had English instructions.

: Bathroom sinks ranged from the practical to the ultramodern.

: We attended the beautiful Minamiza theater for the opening Kabuki performance of the season. Many of the actors were very famous throughout Japan.

: Unfortunately all the dialogue was in Japanese so Gary may have missed some of the high points.

: During a lengthy intermission, much to our surprise, theater patrons popped out their little lunch boxes & chopsticks and enjoyed dinner right in their seats.