The most Japanese day so far.2/4/25

Another bucket list experience was to wear the kimono and walk about with the parasol..get your guide app offered this plus a walking tour of Gion , the area where the maiko and geisha are based
I took a trip into the unknown in a taxi,who turfed me out at the corner of a street saying the place I needed was on the 2nd floor of the building on the corner! Thankfully he was right.
I went through the rigors of all the under garments and the tight fastening, remembering to puff up my chest so that hopefully when it was done I could breathe! It may look fabulous but underneath is also a work of art
People can get jobs as kimono dressing assistants..the shop was really busy.
I then got the dream...walking to the meeting point of the tour with the parasol open. It was fabulous .loved it .though I'd had to insist to the very strict Japanese ladies that I would not be wearing the shoes..as I couldn't do a 3hr walking tour in them.
Whilst waiting at the meeting point ,a guy told me I looked beautiful, 2 ladies wanted photos with me and the man and the ladies were all swapping phones and photos .it waz v funny..I should hv stayed and charged .I'd hv made fortune.
The tour was great and culminated with meeting a Geisha and a maiko..plus photo with the maiko...The maiko is 17yrs old , lives in a boarding house for her 5yrs training, has school 9-1 preparations for work ,so putting on make up and kimono 2-5 ,work 6-10,wait up for senior geisha to return to the boarding house at midnight, go to bed about 2am and has to rest head/ neck on special block to keep hair nice.Maiko hairstyle is with own hair .they are not allowed mobiles or to go to places like Macdonalds..they must acquire the old fashioned/ traditional lifestyle. They learn dancing and music and doing tea ceremonies amongst other things and can apparently work all over the world If booked/ required ..Fascinating
Lots of boxes ticked in this tour.
Tonight I am staying in a ryokan,a traditional Japanese guest house
I was particularly worried bout finding this as the streets are more packed with buildings than hulme on steroids...don't ever be a Dn here!
Taxi saved the day and the place is beautiful...another bucket list...but let's see if i need the hoist in the morning when 🤣🤦‍♀️
On arrival i had to take shoes off at the door ,they wanted to put them in some shoe locker but as they are my only shoes and needed for the jungle, I asked to put them in a bag...the owner cleaned the wheels on my caseRead more