So I get the question: “why do you do it”?
I can look out the window and see thing like this, that’s why.
Or like this
Somewhere over Alaska on SQ15 en route to Seoul Inchon
Because most of my flight, this is what I saw.
Of course, this is how flying SHOULD be. But not if you fly a US carrier!
Also nothing beats SQ service! That’s another reason…
When you have to look at this,
SF Xmas Tree all twinkley
The tree went up on Union Square the other night.
It’s all pretty and all lit up but check THIS out. Using a cherry picker to place ornaments? Isn’t that…erm…cheating??
Party Train…?
I was at Omiya Station waiting to catch the Asama Shinkansen to Nagano a couple of Sundays back when I saw this sign.
Nothing unusual, right? Just a couple of signs telling you when and what the next train will be at the platform. But look closer at the sign on the right side.
What is a “party” train? Can someone explain, please? =P
MUJI makes landfall
Well, after years and years, MUJI has finally made it to the USA. Of cors, it’s in Soho. Here’s some info about the new Soho store and an interview with the MUJI president.
Since it’s the first store here, figures that they’d have a limited selection of products. But do they have the house?? Now THAT’s something I’d like to have shipped! When you’re in Tokyo, visit the flagship store in Yurakucho where they actually have the house assembled (and a greeter in the foyer) so you can do a walk through. More on the MUJI infill house here.
A visit is due next time I’m in New York! (hat tip: Mari’s Diary)
memoirs of a hike
Remember this scene from Memoirs of a Geisha (AKA Sayuri in Japan)?
In this picture, it looks very dramatic. And in real life, it’s dramatic as well. Fushimi Inari-taisha is the name of the temple in Kyoto that’s really a MOUNTAIN with paths covered in torii.
If you can get over the fact that you’re climbing a MOUNTAIN, it’s really beautiful and it’s more torii then you’ll ever need to see for the rest of your life.
Then when you get to the top, do you get a view or some kind of “you’re done, yay” sign? NO. You do get a shrine and a rest stop where the attendant, who doesn’t speak much English but must get this question a lot, said “is top”.
I understand that this is a shrine and all, but is this IT? Yup…
Geisha Spotting!!!
At least I think she’s a geisha (or geiko in Kyoto-Ben)
So so HUNGRY??
It looked like they all were having fun eating. Naturally!!
Moonwalker Bar in Kyoto (updated)
Drinking in Japan is the stuff of legend. Both for the fun and for the price (usually expensive). In Kyoto, there is a bar called the Moonwalker. It’s on the main drag along the canal next to a Harley themed bar. Entry is Y300 and drinks are Y200 apiece. They’re not watered down but they ARE half size. Regardless, you can drink a LOT and get smashed very quickly.
So here’s Momo and Yuki again. Fellow backpackers at the hostel who I wound up going to dinner and boozing with on my first night in Kyoto. Soon to be graduates of Uni in Tokyo, both of them have spent a year in English speaking countries (New Zealand and Canada) so their English is quite good. Also very fun to hang out with.
Besides cheap drinks, the Moonwalker has a small selection of snacks that we were comped since we ordered so many drinks. Like these bunny shaped buns. Bun buns? We had something else too but I forgot what else we ate.
Shortly after we arrived, a party of three came in and took the table next to us. Since they were “next to us”, for them to be seated meant that half of our table had to get up so they could squeeze inside. As a result, they became part of our merryment (along with the Aussies at the bar). Note the one in the red cardigan on the right. Unbeknownst to me, I was to see her again…fate perhaps?
They had the same fascination with the drinks as we did. They did the Japanese thing. Whipped out their phones and took pictures of their drinks. As opposed to us Joe Gaijin that merely whipped out cameras.
More drunken merriment until our neighbours left and then we left the bar later on.
I can hold my breath for THIS long
Wheeee! Merryment!
And on the death march back to the hostel, we passed a LOT of combini. So naturally we heeded the siren’s call and got some refreshment. Mmmmm! Refreshment
WAHAHAHAH!
Dinner in Kyoto. Fun had by all!
After settling in at the hostel, the next order of business was finding a place to eat.
I do have priorities you know!
I went to the room next door and met two more backpackers who were also hungry. On the way out the door, we picked up one more for a total of four. Makes it easier to get a table.
We wound up in Kyoto’s Terimachi Arcade at a beer hall called Ichiba Coji. There’s also another location in the Kyoto Station building. Look at how this place is designed. Definitely does not scream “beer hall”. I thought it was a “Kyoto Cuisine” place.
We also ordered some bibimbap and some grilled beef with sauce.
Naturally at the end of a good meal, it’s time for camwhoring.
I found out after the fact that they also have a “free flow drinks” option where you pay Y1200 and for 90 minutes, you get all the booze you can drink. I’m sure there’s SOME limits, but I would have liked to try that!
Ichiba Coji
Terimachi Arcade, Bottom Floor
Kyoto
京都市中京区寺町錦上ル
ウイズユービル BF
TEL 075-252-2008
Memories of Miyajima
Miyajima, one of THE scenic spots in Japan is only 30 minutes away from JR Hiroshima by train and then 10 minutes away via ferry. For a scenic spot, it’s VERY easy to get to. Some of the best shots can be had on the ferry ride over.
I actually made TWO trips to Miyajima. The first trip was made on a day that started rainy and continued to be rainy. The next day was sunny so I made land and visited the Itsukushima temple and the town.
Much of the temple is actually on stilts so when it’s high tide, it looks like it’s floating, like the torii. Unfortunately, high tide is at 0740 and then gradually recedes.
The temple is a big part of the town. It draws the tourists in and is the symbol of Miyajima. Here’s some renditions from the local school.
Miyajima is also a town with several other temples and a main street that runs from the ferry terminal along the side of the island to the entrance of the temples. The town also runs into the hills.
Miyajima is also known for the quality of their rice scoops. And on display in the center of town is the world’s largest rice scoop.
There’s also some ryokan here. Next time I’ll spend the night and chill.
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