Thursday, June 3, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Things to remember about Japan
Toilets:
Always remember how clean they are everywhere
Food
- Check that the toilet is vacant
- read sign carefully
- walk in, close door
- check to see how it is locked and how I will need to lock it (sounds simple but not necessarily so!)
- check for toilet paper (always take your own just in case)
- check how the toilet works,
- does it have a handle?
- do you press press button
- does it self flush
- do you put your hand over a sensor
- when you analyse this you are set to sit down.
- remember how 90% of public toilets provided a flushed seat cover
- check for normal bits and pieces ie tooth brush, soap, shampoo
- check to see if you have to step in
- check to see if you have to step down
- check which way the door opens
- Do not do what I did and go to the ensuite in the middle of the night and forget there is a step!
- Lucky for me I was holding onto the door handle and swung out with the door.
- the following night I stumbled in as I had forgotten that the hotel we were in you had to step down.
- check the way the water turns on for the shower
- remember the signs saying "do not leave door open when in shower as it will turn smoke alarm on and you will be charged for cost!" I didn't want to test this out so always kept the door closed
- Remember how deep the baths are. Almost all are as deep as my kneecap and the unusual switching of the water from the basin tap to the shower.
Always remember how clean they are everywhere
Food
- How nice the miso soup is!
- How nice the beef curry and rice is!
- How nice the sweet bread buns are with the diamonds around the edge.
- How nice it is to be given a cloth to wash you hands with before eating
- How nice it is to have a fresh glass of water on your table as you sit down.
- How many times we had breakfast in Andersons (Danish Bakery) loved the system of buying the buns etc and the fact that I knew I could get a nice cup of tea there.
- How many times I have beef curry and rice for either lunch or dinner, all dishes had approximately 4 pieces of meat but that suited me fine.
- Remember the pricing of food, for a good meal we would pay a maximum of A$15.00 for the two of us. Breakfast would normally be around A$12.00.
- Remember how everyone greeted you with a smile when you entered a restaurant.
- Remember how one girl in a restaurant thought I wasn't eating enough and came over and refilled my soup bowl - and I just love miso soup. All soup seems to be called miso but it was different in every city and town but I still loved it. Its bound to be full of something that we shouldn't eat but as I said I loved it!
- How nice it was to walk into a clean train - every time!
- How nice it was to be given drinks
- How nice it was to be able to ask directions at any station
- How unbelievable the train services are in Japan
- Always remember how we could move around Tokyo Station with approximately 50 platforms but how we couldn't work out how to leave one station that only had 3 platforms! We went up and down the lift at least 6 times with some Japanese ladies (who also couldn't work it out) before finally we realised we needed to walk quite a distance on one platform before we could exit.
Tuesday 1 June - Final Day - Departing from Ueno (Wayno)
Had breakfast and then packed up for the last time.
Wen
Wen
Monday 31 May 10 - Tolyo Disneyland
Had breakfast in the hotel and then packed up ready for the trip to Disneyland.
Had a much better night sleep here. I think the bigger room does make a difference.
We set of for railway station and decided to take a chance on the one that headed down towards the bigger one that we wanted. Sure enough it did go down to it but then we had a massive walk to the next plateform that we needed.
Finally we got to Tokyo station and we followed the signs to where ever we needed to go and sure enough when we got there a train was waiting just for us and it seemed within minutes we were at the station the Disneyland.
It looked very similar to the one in Los Angeles except everyone was speaking Japanese (what a surprise!).
Not long after we arrived there was a street parade which was very nice and of course if gave me time to rest my feet.
After that we decided to just walk around which suited both of us and also the day was just beauiful. Lots of little kids were walking around with mickey mouse ears on and they thought they looked good, and they did.
After a while we came across the Mark Twain boat and we took a ride on that. A short time later we had lunch in "Ma's Texas Restaurant" and it was one of the best meals that I have had over here.
We then decided to stand in line for some thing and after waiting for about 1 hour we finally got in and it took a full 3 minutes and truly for me it wasn't worth it. All I got out of it was sore feet. After that we had afternoon tea and just walked around again. Eventually we left at around 5.45 pm so that wasn't too bad.
We then followed our noses back via the trains to Ueon and we were there by 6.20 and decided to have dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe and then walk through the alleys back to the next station and then took a left hand turn and walked back to the hotel. Mind you this was quite a long way possibly 5 klms so we both have sore feet now.
Tomorrow morning we will get organised with all our bits a pieces and prepare ourselves for the flight home.
Had a much better night sleep here. I think the bigger room does make a difference.
We set of for railway station and decided to take a chance on the one that headed down towards the bigger one that we wanted. Sure enough it did go down to it but then we had a massive walk to the next plateform that we needed.
Finally we got to Tokyo station and we followed the signs to where ever we needed to go and sure enough when we got there a train was waiting just for us and it seemed within minutes we were at the station the Disneyland.
It looked very similar to the one in Los Angeles except everyone was speaking Japanese (what a surprise!).
Not long after we arrived there was a street parade which was very nice and of course if gave me time to rest my feet.
After that we decided to just walk around which suited both of us and also the day was just beauiful. Lots of little kids were walking around with mickey mouse ears on and they thought they looked good, and they did.
After a while we came across the Mark Twain boat and we took a ride on that. A short time later we had lunch in "Ma's Texas Restaurant" and it was one of the best meals that I have had over here.
We then decided to stand in line for some thing and after waiting for about 1 hour we finally got in and it took a full 3 minutes and truly for me it wasn't worth it. All I got out of it was sore feet. After that we had afternoon tea and just walked around again. Eventually we left at around 5.45 pm so that wasn't too bad.
We then followed our noses back via the trains to Ueon and we were there by 6.20 and decided to have dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe and then walk through the alleys back to the next station and then took a left hand turn and walked back to the hotel. Mind you this was quite a long way possibly 5 klms so we both have sore feet now.
Tomorrow morning we will get organised with all our bits a pieces and prepare ourselves for the flight home.
Sunday 30.5.10 Ueno
Well we both had a good nights sleep but now we need to pack everything up and take it down stairs so we can go straight to our bigger room when we come back this afternoon
Breakfast was interesting with a big variety to choose from but I stuck to the toast because of my stomach and how it can get upset very quickly.
First off we decided to go on the Loop bus in this area as we spotted one driving past last night. We found the spot to catch it and away we went.
It amazes me how that manage to get the buses down such small roads I think they work on the whisker principle if the front gets pass the back will follow.
When we had been on the hour trip around the place we decided to go on the ship tour of Tokyo bay. The after travelling for over one and half hours we arrived just to see the boat take off. It didn't wait and it was the last one for the day so that was a bit annoying but there was a shopping centre nearby so we went and had some lunch and then walked back to the station and caught the train back to Tokyo station.
We walked back to our hotel went to our new room and that you might say was that we both went to sleep for a couple of hours.
I then go up and read my email and found a lovely one that Pam had sent me of Cooper asleep on the floor in her office - he just looked beautiful and we are so grateful that she is looking after him.
We then walked back towards Ueno station and had dinner in a small restaurant and our meals were just huge, I could eat all of mine but Alan certainly enjoyed his.
..
..
Breakfast was interesting with a big variety to choose from but I stuck to the toast because of my stomach and how it can get upset very quickly.
First off we decided to go on the Loop bus in this area as we spotted one driving past last night. We found the spot to catch it and away we went.
It amazes me how that manage to get the buses down such small roads I think they work on the whisker principle if the front gets pass the back will follow.
When we had been on the hour trip around the place we decided to go on the ship tour of Tokyo bay. The after travelling for over one and half hours we arrived just to see the boat take off. It didn't wait and it was the last one for the day so that was a bit annoying but there was a shopping centre nearby so we went and had some lunch and then walked back to the station and caught the train back to Tokyo station.
We walked back to our hotel went to our new room and that you might say was that we both went to sleep for a couple of hours.
I then go up and read my email and found a lovely one that Pam had sent me of Cooper asleep on the floor in her office - he just looked beautiful and we are so grateful that she is looking after him.
We then walked back towards Ueno station and had dinner in a small restaurant and our meals were just huge, I could eat all of mine but Alan certainly enjoyed his.
..
..
Saturday 29 - Sendai to Tokyo for the last 3 days
Well I didn't have a good nights sleep and now I'm hungry so basically I'm ready to go.
I think this hotel room was one that I would rather forget. It was hot and we couldn't open a window and even though we had the air conditioning on 17c it was so stuffy it just wasn't nice.
So we left early and had breakfast over at the station.
We then caught the Loop bus that travels around a set route and you can get off whenever you want to. This time (we travelled on it yesterday as well) we wanted to go and see the mausaulum (I'll spell that correctly later) of Date ..... When we arrived I thought to myself bugger that is a steep climb up the road and it certainly was. Then when we got to the top we were faced with about another 1000 steps and then I was really buggered but it was worth the effort to get there. He was clearly was an amazing man, but being born into the the right family I think helps he couldn't have done what he did if he had been born a peasant!
After this visit we went back to the station had lunch in a nice little cafe and then caught the shincansen back to Tokyo. It was a most enjoyable trip.
When we got to Ueno station Alan gave the taxi driver the directions to our hotel and we were here by about 5.00 pm only problem was (if you could call it a problem) was the fact that our room was very small and we had no where to put our luggage so we decided to upgrade to a bigger room for the following two nights.
.
I think this hotel room was one that I would rather forget. It was hot and we couldn't open a window and even though we had the air conditioning on 17c it was so stuffy it just wasn't nice.
So we left early and had breakfast over at the station.
We then caught the Loop bus that travels around a set route and you can get off whenever you want to. This time (we travelled on it yesterday as well) we wanted to go and see the mausaulum (I'll spell that correctly later) of Date ..... When we arrived I thought to myself bugger that is a steep climb up the road and it certainly was. Then when we got to the top we were faced with about another 1000 steps and then I was really buggered but it was worth the effort to get there. He was clearly was an amazing man, but being born into the the right family I think helps he couldn't have done what he did if he had been born a peasant!
After this visit we went back to the station had lunch in a nice little cafe and then caught the shincansen back to Tokyo. It was a most enjoyable trip.
When we got to Ueno station Alan gave the taxi driver the directions to our hotel and we were here by about 5.00 pm only problem was (if you could call it a problem) was the fact that our room was very small and we had no where to put our luggage so we decided to upgrade to a bigger room for the following two nights.
.
Friday 28.5.10 - Sendai to ....
Today we set off by train to a town approximately 40 minutes from Sendai. It is a relative small town that is a fishing village.
The train was packed with school children who were it appears on a school excursion. Lucky for us we got seats so we could just sit back and watch the kids.
When we arrived at the town we just walked down the stairs and followed the road to the boats and bought our tickets. The sun was just pushing its way through the clouds so we knew we would have sun while on the cruise which makes everything so much nicer.
We stood in the queue while the boat came in and when we eventually got to go onto the boat we realised we only had economy seats but I said to Alan why don't we pay the extra 600 yen (A$6.00) and go first class, so we did this. What a surprise as we walked upstairs we had a much bigger open air area to walk around in plus tables and chairs. It was certainly worth it.
As the boat pulled away dozens of sea gulls started to fly behind the boat and it seemed almost immediately some people had treats for them to eat so began a feast for the seagulls and lots of laughter for the rest of us.
The scenery was just beautiful and we spent approximately 1 hour travelling around the bay.
When we got off the boat we walked over to a relatively small temple that was on a small island - this was very nice. Once we had seen this we continued walking towards a very long red bridge which turned out to be the only toll pedestrian bridge I have ever crossed. Many people were in the water collecting oysters. Once we got onto the island one of the signs said this was a island with a natural garden, we would be more inclined to call it a bush garden but it was nice. We walked for some distance, Alan bought an ice-cream and then we walked off the island.
When we left the island Alan said he had a map of places to go so our next stop was the museum of wax for special men and women (one) in Japan I found these interesting and then we came to a second of a Shogun by the name of Date Masamune he was quite clearly an extrordinary man. Although he was born into a powerful family he live a very privileged life but unfortunately at the age of 5 he contacted smallpox and lost the sight of his right eye. This left him disfigured for life and in fact although he was the eldest son his mother then decided that she preferred her youngest son and this of course would have been just dreadful for a young boy. He was married at 13 to a girl by the name of Yoshi who was 11, not much is mentioned of her except there is a beautiful mauosuleme for her high on one of the hills in the town, it is stunning unfortunately no photos as they were banned! Alan is now regretting that he didn't sneak one.
We had lunch in a little cafe which was very nice and then continued walking towards another temple which ws nice and then headed for the station. We were lucky because a train had just pulled in and we caught it back to Sendai.
Another thing that I should mention about this Shogun in the fact that way back in the 1500's he employed the services of an engineer to do something with the river banks as the people in the town quite frequently lost their rice crops. This engineer (who is nameless) designed a levy bank to protect the rice and within one year the town had more rice than they needed and this was the beginning of an exceptional time of rice growing for the people so much so that the rice became known as the Sendai Rice.
Also noticed a sign in the town to beware os Tusami and earthquake and to run to higher grown, now this was a little unsettling and I kept one eye on the water just in case.
When we arrived back at Sendai we decided to go on the Sendai Loopy a bus that does a circle of the town, this was quite good and I had a Japanese lady sit next to me who chatted for most of the trip although I couldn't understand a thing she was very nice and even gave me a place mat (I think) anyway its lovely and i'll frame it when I get home as she purchased it at an exibition.
We had tea in a white and red restaurant, the meal was pasta plus coffee and tea, now this is not a critisim but I just don't think tea made from hot milk will ever take off but it was refreshing as I was thirsty.
We walked back to the hotel and then worked out what we will be doing tomorrow.
Back to Tokyo.
.
The train was packed with school children who were it appears on a school excursion. Lucky for us we got seats so we could just sit back and watch the kids.
When we arrived at the town we just walked down the stairs and followed the road to the boats and bought our tickets. The sun was just pushing its way through the clouds so we knew we would have sun while on the cruise which makes everything so much nicer.
We stood in the queue while the boat came in and when we eventually got to go onto the boat we realised we only had economy seats but I said to Alan why don't we pay the extra 600 yen (A$6.00) and go first class, so we did this. What a surprise as we walked upstairs we had a much bigger open air area to walk around in plus tables and chairs. It was certainly worth it.
As the boat pulled away dozens of sea gulls started to fly behind the boat and it seemed almost immediately some people had treats for them to eat so began a feast for the seagulls and lots of laughter for the rest of us.
The scenery was just beautiful and we spent approximately 1 hour travelling around the bay.
When we got off the boat we walked over to a relatively small temple that was on a small island - this was very nice. Once we had seen this we continued walking towards a very long red bridge which turned out to be the only toll pedestrian bridge I have ever crossed. Many people were in the water collecting oysters. Once we got onto the island one of the signs said this was a island with a natural garden, we would be more inclined to call it a bush garden but it was nice. We walked for some distance, Alan bought an ice-cream and then we walked off the island.
When we left the island Alan said he had a map of places to go so our next stop was the museum of wax for special men and women (one) in Japan I found these interesting and then we came to a second of a Shogun by the name of Date Masamune he was quite clearly an extrordinary man. Although he was born into a powerful family he live a very privileged life but unfortunately at the age of 5 he contacted smallpox and lost the sight of his right eye. This left him disfigured for life and in fact although he was the eldest son his mother then decided that she preferred her youngest son and this of course would have been just dreadful for a young boy. He was married at 13 to a girl by the name of Yoshi who was 11, not much is mentioned of her except there is a beautiful mauosuleme for her high on one of the hills in the town, it is stunning unfortunately no photos as they were banned! Alan is now regretting that he didn't sneak one.
We had lunch in a little cafe which was very nice and then continued walking towards another temple which ws nice and then headed for the station. We were lucky because a train had just pulled in and we caught it back to Sendai.
Another thing that I should mention about this Shogun in the fact that way back in the 1500's he employed the services of an engineer to do something with the river banks as the people in the town quite frequently lost their rice crops. This engineer (who is nameless) designed a levy bank to protect the rice and within one year the town had more rice than they needed and this was the beginning of an exceptional time of rice growing for the people so much so that the rice became known as the Sendai Rice.
Also noticed a sign in the town to beware os Tusami and earthquake and to run to higher grown, now this was a little unsettling and I kept one eye on the water just in case.
When we arrived back at Sendai we decided to go on the Sendai Loopy a bus that does a circle of the town, this was quite good and I had a Japanese lady sit next to me who chatted for most of the trip although I couldn't understand a thing she was very nice and even gave me a place mat (I think) anyway its lovely and i'll frame it when I get home as she purchased it at an exibition.
We had tea in a white and red restaurant, the meal was pasta plus coffee and tea, now this is not a critisim but I just don't think tea made from hot milk will ever take off but it was refreshing as I was thirsty.
We walked back to the hotel and then worked out what we will be doing tomorrow.
Back to Tokyo.
.
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