Chasing the Sun – Optional Extension to Kamakura & Hakone

21 guests joined Leslie, Akiko and me on the three-day extension. I was no longer required (or being paid) to be a tour manager, but I was still seen by most people as a TM, but it wasn’t any big deal because this was such an easy and delightful group of people to be with. I enjoyed good conversations and time on my own to contemplate life!

Kamakura is a cute and ancient seaside town where the main attractions are an outdoor Buddha (his temple burnt down) and some great shopping.

The Diabutsu Buddha

We checked into our hotel in Hakone. This hotel is a Ryokan or traditional Japanese spa hotel with natural hot spring waters. There are both private, in your room, soaking tubs and communal baths for both sexes. I tried both and tended to prefer the one in my room!

My Room

My tub – you shower and bathe first, then get in the tub to soak.

We wore robes and slippers once we were inside the resort, even to dinner! It was very relaxing and interesting. The food was very traditional and I tried everything, (at least one bite).

Me in my robe

Our dining tables were about 18 inches off the ground.

Dining in our snazzy robes

Traditional Japanese Breakfast

Tried it

Not going to be a favorite!

We only had one full day for sight seeing. But made the most of it...

The Hakone Sculpture Garden

Via a cable car to see the Hakone Volcano, the source of the hot springs

It involved a nice climb, too!

Bonus! Although it had been raining all morning we got a glimpse of Mt. Fuji as we boarded the buses

Dinner this evening was very interesting because we cooked our food in a paper bowl that didn’t catch fire from the tiny sterno that was lit beneath it.

The next day we returned to Tokyo via the bullet train – it only took 35 minutes!

Checked back into the Palace Hotel, packed and took time to enjoy the view! What a great trip!

Balcony view over Imperial Palace moat and gardens

Bubble bath view

Just chillin’ view

I’m now back in Incline Village, working on getting over the jet lag, writing a trip report and making plans for the next adventure –Biking the west coast of Ireland in early September. I’ve got a few weeks to get in shape and hope to have the energy to begin working on that tomorrow, or maybe the next day!

Niigata to Tokyo via Shinkansen or Bullet Train

Niigata to Tokyo via Shinkansen or Bullet Train

We cruised as the sun set back to the mainland to Niigata where we would be leaving our lovely ship and taking the train to Tokyo. In port there were some odd little creatures at the pier to greet us as we boarded our buses for the train station.

Kinda strange Welcoming Ceremony!

Our train

Guests on the train

The train went through many tunnels to get to Tokyo and there wasn’t much scenery to photograph.

In Tokyo we went straight to a Shabu-shabu restaurant where we cooked our own food in boiling water. It was an experience – very warm in Tokyo and also in the restaurant! After that we took a river cruise and went up into the Sky Tree to get a view of Tokyo from two very different perspectives.

Shabu-shabu Lunch

River Cruise

Tokyo Tree from the river – highest tower in the world

View from Tokyo Tree

View straight down looking through the floor

Then we were off to the Palace Hotel to check in for and prepare for the farewell dinner.

Farewell Dinner at the Palace Hotel

Most of the passengers left the next day for their trips home. 21 stayed for the optional Extension to Kamakura and Hokene to experience a stay at a Japanese Ryokan. I tagged along.... see next post for details.

Chasing the Sun - Matsue, Kanazawa, and Sado

Matsue

Matsue Castle began in 1607 and was finished in 1611. The tower appears to 5 stories tall and is actually 6. To climb up into the tower you must first climb up through the castle grounds about 100 stairs and then climb with shoes off up steep ladder-like stair cases inside the tower. Each floor has displays of household items, weaponry and samurai armor. The top floor has commanding views on all sides over the beautiful city of Matsue.

Begin the climb

Climb some more

Now for the Castle

The views were worth the climb

Adachi Museum of Art - This was a unique museum full of 1500 modern paintings that were beautiful in their own right, but the setting was breathtaking. The gardens surrounding the museum are spectacular. You are not allowed to stroll through the gardens, rather you look out from the museum through large windows and from terraces. The idea is to enjoy the artwork more with the additional natural beauty that changes with the seasons.

Our group looking out

Gardens

A new view around every corner

Koi, of course

I would love to visit at least three more times to see this place during the different seasons!

Kanazawa was a very busy port of call for our pax and for us. We had our choice of up to 7 sites to see after the main attraction, The Kenrokuen Gardens, with lunch in the middle either on board the ship or in town. Dinner was also a choice between the ship and staying in town. To the delight of our pax they had plenty of time for shopping in this bustling city which thankfully avoided bombings during WWII!

Once again the welcoming committee was out showing off the lovely kimonos that are produced here.

The main attraction was the beautiful Kenrokuen Gardens, established in 1676 but it is said it didn’t really come into its finest shape until 1800!  (I suspect my garden in Incline Village will take at least that long!)

We were treated to a special tea ceremony where we learned how to properly appreciate everything about the experience from the décor of the room to the handling of the tea bowls.

I wasn’t crazy about how it all tasted, but did my best to bow very low and make the yummy slurping sound to let the hostess know how much I appreciated her efforts.

The gardens were not too crowded and I took some time to walk around in the different zones, getting myself so turned around that I had to text Leslie to ask which gate to exit through in order to find my way back to the group!

Sado Island, Kodo Village

Under the theme 'One Earth,' the mission of  Kodo is to bring the sound of the taiko to all corners of the globe. Their music and message resonate with myriad cultures and ways of life. We visited the village and were entertained by 7 members of the 60 member Kodo Village and training/performance center for the Kodo performers.

Before we even disembarked the ship we were warmly welcomed to the island by the locals.

Adorable preschoolers presented the Captain and Hotel Manager with flowers

This is the Kodo Village training and performance center

These are very loud! I was not able to photograph during the performance, but I enjoyed everything about it! The performers excite the audience with their enthusiasm and individual styles. The joint was literally jumping!

They are touring the US next year – I highly recommend you get tickets!

The surrounding scenery was spectacular.

Back on the ship in time for this lovely sunset!