Bucket list experience day 31/3/25

So its 1 week today , since I set off in style , Emirates Business class to start my trip.
Today I was relieved to discover, that the hotel I swapped to, last night ,was just 90metres in a straight line ,from the venue for my bucket list experience;-a long awaited ,booked from the UK, Geisha makeover..the works! , not just the kimono rental.
On arrival I had to remove my scarpa boots ,wear geisha type flip flops, which were really uncomfortable and hard to walk in ,go round the corner wearing them ,inside the building and upstairs. Undress and be dressed in a cotton underskirt that flattens the girls (boobs)and don a kimono dressing gown. Time for makeover make up...
1st an Ena Sharples hair net ,then masking tape, like micropore round the edges.
Then the make up...the white foundation is really cold ..

I'm not good with anything near my eyes so eye make up.was a challenge for me and not allowed to wear my glasses !

I Can't tell you how many layers of tight undergarments are under tht kimono.! Loads ! And all tightly fitting.
I was able to choose the kimono..
I love it..think it's beautiful.
On closer inspection this evening Ive realised it has cherry blossom design ...and it is cherry blossoms season here at the moment.
There are several bands round the middle which literally go over your boobs and down to to your groin it's veryrigid ..

Nevertheless, I had to go downstairs ,outside, put back on the wierd flip flops and.....get in a taxi!🤣... no idea where we we going .
I sort of fell backwards into the taxi as you can't bend !

The lady with me had to help .it was not a pretty sight ....funny though !

I wasn't allowed to lean back in the taxi ,which is specially for geisha! ...I had to hold a handle at the top of the front seat ..no seat belt for me ...
The 3 people in the taxi chatted on in Japanese..Id no idea what they were saying

Iwondered as we were crawling in traffic what people passing might think..if they could see me inside the taxi
..but actually when I got out of the taxi( easier than getting in !) someone bowed to me..🤣😲

We arrived at the photo studios.. I have had professional photos taken which will be emailed in a week apparently..
I had to wear the proper wooden clogs which were actually easier than the flip flops to walk in ..

It was also easier and more comfortable in the outfit and taxi on the way back as had got used to wearing it all and felt more relaxed.

It's fair to say I didn't recognise myself once it was all complete and Math woke up to photos of me in the outfits...and didn't recognise me either!

It was one of the best experiences I've ever had and I've done quite a few !

Stems from.reading Memoirs of a Geisha years ago .
.I'd no idea that the girls have so many layers and so much precision in their make-up and everything they do every day ...5days a week...I couldn't do it !
It was a 3.5hrs experience but some of that was travelling.
I was Really sad to see it all come off and have to put my ordinary clothes on .literally the lady wiped the white foundation off and there I was underneath it all
Maybe Mft should adopt as new uniform, so staff would feel special and pts wouldn't recognise us off duty .🤣...but you'd never manage compression bandaging as can't move in it !🤦‍♀️

The hotel staff knew I was doing it and were amazed at the photos, especially as its so close to the hotel..not sure they realised previously that this experience is so close to the hotel
It was very special and I'm so glad I've done it.

I've found some milk that finally tastes like UK milk so finally had a brew, that tastes vaguely like home..the Japanese look at you in a funny way for wanting milk.

.A walk round inside any of the shops is an eye opener. I've realised how susceptible I am to what the packaging is like. Kit kat is huge here with strawberry and mint flavours !

Makeover complete,I went to Fushimi Inari Shrine in a taxi ..because I needed respite from the train system after yesterday...and doing battle again on 3rd April going to Tokyo.

I Saw the shrines and Torri Gates but was the place was heaving....so didn't stay long ,but have ticked the box
I look very very ordinary in photos there, after this morning, but can't be helped.
Probably best day so far apart from flying Emirates business class.Read more