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Japan 2023
  • Karen Long
  • Karen Long

Japan 2023

This will be our second trip to Japan. 2 guitars shows two weeks apart, revisiting some places and exploring some new ones. Meer informatie
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  • Het begin van de reis
    11 mei 2023
    Karen LongJapan 2023Reiziger
    10am is cocktail hour right!
    Entrance to the restaurantOnce upon a time he would have fit in with all those black heads.Busy busy back there!Roast pork ramen.GyozasView from our room.Doesn't look that much in this photo!

    Arrival!

    11 mei 2023, Japan ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Four years since we’ve been overseas, the last trip was to Japan in 2019 before the dreaded Covid! Our passports expired in that time and things at the airport have changed a little. It was all much more streamlined and we got through security and immigration faster than usual.
    There is not much fun about long haul flying except finally getting to your destination. Watch some tv, read, sleep, eat! Flights were all on time though so that was a bonus.
    Japan has gone high tech with customs and immigration, we filled everything out on the net and got a QR code to get through. The longest wait was for the luggage and for the staff to find the guitars but they did eventually bring them out. Everything looks like it made it ok.

    We had a great plan to ship the instrument straight to Osaka. But best laid plans and all that. We needed them delivered the next day and because it was so late they couldn’t do it. So all of them had to come on the train with us. We managed, but only just and luckily we didn’t have to walk too far from the station. Wish we had a photo, we looked like a pair of pack horses.

    With all of that it was 10 by the time we got to the hotel and found our room. Dumped all the bags and went looking for dinner.
    We didn’t have to look far, just down the street from the hotel we passed a line of people waiting to get into a tiny restaurant, had a quick look at the menu and there were gyozas, Yah we didn’t need any further convincing. Tiny little place but so efficient and busy, they were pumping food out at an amazing rate.    Meer informatie

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  • Karen LongJapan 2023Reiziger
    Finally made it
    DontonboriPretty alleywaysStreet art of DontonboriHappy snapsThat is one big beerLove all the lanternsSo prettyUmm um!

    Tokyo to Osaka

    12 mei 2023, Japan ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Today the plan is to get the Shinkansen to Osaka but first we need to trade our rail pass voucher for an actual ticket. Luckily we are staying right across the road from Shinagawa Station. After hunting down a coffee and a false start at the wrong ticket office we were at the front of the line ready when they opened at 9.00am. Not a minute before or a minute after, right on 9.am 😀. The queue was way out the door by the time they did open, the rail pass is such a good deal I think nearly every tourist buys it.

    I feel like we’ve just finished the great pilgrimage. The trip on the bullet train went smoothly enough, 2 and 1/2 hours and we were in Osaka. OMG the trip over to Osaka Bay was endless. 3 train changes up and down escalators, into and out of lifts, all with way too many things to wrangle. One of the suitcases failed at almost the final step poor thing, I know how it felt, we both feel like we’ve been through the wringer.

    Once we’d checked in and had a much needed break we got a taxi over to The ATC Hall where the Osaka Guitar show is. The taxi driver thought we were nuts because the Hall is literally about 500 meters away, but getting there requires walking up over a road overpass and we weren’t lugging those instruments up any more stairs. It’s looks like it will be a huge show with lots of exhibitors. There certainly is some stiff competition there.

    Unfettered now we headed back into Dotonbori for dinner. So many bars and restaurants around it’s hard to pick one. We found a little laneway away from the main st which lead to a pretty little shrine and then on to another laneway with more intimate restaurants and bars. One of them had a grill behind the counter with plenty of barbecue options.

    It’s quite entertaining sitting at the bar watching someone cook your dinner. Only a young chef but he had all the moves down pat.
    We had grilled shrimps, scallops, quail eggs, chicken gizzards, bacon wrapped asparagus, some mystery balls and red sausage which I was sure was just a cheerio 😃
    A stop off into a Sake Bar on the way home and we were done for the day.    Meer informatie

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  • Karen LongJapan 2023Reiziger

    Sound messe!

    13 mei 2023, Japan ⋅ 🌧 19 °C

    Sound Messe starts today at 11 so we had a leisurely breakfast at the hotel before we headed over. There was already a line waiting to get in and the doors don’t open for another hour or so. Apart from huge displays of instruments they have a lot of performers here for this event.
    The language barrier is a little challenging for us but we manage with hand signs, google translate and the odd helpful stranger who translates for us when we’re desperate.
    It was a busy day with lots of interest but the competition is pretty fierce.
    It’s been raining most of the afternoon so when the show finished we had a wander through the shopping centre next door to get an umbrella and watch a Beatles tribute show in one of the restaurants there. A four girl band three with guitars and a drummer. They where very good. Graham and I got up and danced for the last song and got a round of applause from the performers and the crowd. 😂

    Set off looking for where we could get a drink as this restaurant only had soft drinks and ran into the performers again. More sign language and a bit of confusion and we got some directions to a restaurant up on the next floor.
    There was a line to get in and we recognised a few people from the guitar show. All the seats where full and one young girl who seemed to be in charge of either the staff or the customers I wasn’t sure which got everyone at one table to get up so we could sit down.
    After about five minutes of us inviting them to join us at this big table they finally relented and some of them sat down with us again.
    Half the restaurant seemed to be from the guitar show, the next table had just had a dozens beers delivered, which they insisted we have a couple of.
    Suzi who seemed to be their boss introduced them all. They all work at a guitar shop here in Japan. Another couple of Luthiers we’d seen at the show came in and same thing Suzi shooed some of the boys out of the booth to make room.
    Then the food started arriving, more and more and more and more beers. It was a fun night with delicious food and some good company.

    The second day of Sound Messe was a repeat of the first. Lots of players and interest. No sales for us this year but there weren’t really for anyone except a couple of Luthiers who sold their guitars to a dealer of a music shop, for a very discounted price.
    We got everything packed up fairly quickly and ended our night at O’s Kitakan with another great meal of Beer, Sashimi, Kobe beef, Karaage Chicken, Sake and Sweet Potato ice cream.    Meer informatie

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  • Karen LongJapan 2023Reiziger
    Peace monument
    Peace FlameThe Atomic DomePaper Cranes made by children all over the world.Okinominyaki 😋Our roomSo many options🤷‍♀️

    Hiroshima

    15 mei 2023, Japan ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Packed up all the instruments and sent them off to Tokyo this morning. So we are feeling much lighter on the trip to Hiroshima.
    Made our way into the main station and on to the Shinkansen, only an hour and a half trip and we are there.
    Our hotel is a few ks from the train station, sun is shining and it’s hot so we opted for a cab. Gave the cab concierge the address and he got a surprised expression on his face, then the driver laughed when he read the address. Umm this is not shaping up well.
    Turned out we booked a love hotel! 😂😂 Bet they were surprised when we booked it for two nights, they are probably missing out on prime time booking while we’re here.
    Graham is disappointed there is no vending machine with assorted selections available. Must be BYO!
    There is however a very large tv with a big range of dvds options, and a blow up bed in the bathroom. Umm the possibilities.

    Well at least he let us in early so we dropped our bags and headed off to see the Peace Park and Atomic Dome. Such a beautiful space dedicated to all the victims of the atomic bomb.

    The Peace Memorial Museum has so many photos, first hand accounts, memorabilia of the atomic bomb. Very emotive exhibitions and displays, enlightening and disturbing.
    We happened to pick a day when the high school students were out on an excursion to the museum. They we very respectful but there was sooo many of them.

    We also found the National Peace Memorial Hall. Very tasteful with a wonderful respectful atmosphere.
    “Let all the soul rest here in peace for we shall not repeat this evil”    Meer informatie

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  • Karen LongJapan 2023Reiziger

    Miyajima Island

    16 mei 2023, Japan ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    What a lovely day we’ve had today. I was worried about the school children so we are on the first boat over to Miyajima Island today. I figured they’d never be able to get that many teenagers organised for an early start.
    We took the direct boat from the Peace Park which takes about 40 minutes. Nice trip except for the extremely loud Americans who laughed and talked at the highest possible volume all the way. We made sure we went the opposite way to them once we got off.

    Miyajima Island is most famous for its giant torii gate, which at high tide seems to float on the water. It’s just a lovely scenic place, with great views of the sea and islands, traditional buildings, a pleasure to walk around and explore.
    We rode the rope way up to the top of Mt Misen, climbed up to the five story pagoda, explored the lovely back streets and shopping district saw the Itsukushima Shrine in both full tide and low tide.
    We’d booked to go back on the boat at 2.30 and just when we were walking back all the school kids were coming off the ferry. Perfect!    Meer informatie

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  • Karen LongJapan 2023Reiziger
    So many big Koi
    This littke bridge was the only thing left standing in the gardens after the bombLove how the red stabds out in all the greenThe Tea HouseWe need a rest

    Shukukeien Gardens

    16 mei 2023, Japan ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    We contemplated what to do on the way back from the island. We’d talked to a young couple yesterday who’d been to the Gardens and they were very impressed so we thought we’d have a look.
    Bit of a city tour on the green bus and we were there. Another picture perfect spot in the middle of a busy city. The Japanese really know how to do manicured gardens. There are so many, big ones, little tiny ones in front of apartments and houses.

    Hiroshima is hosting the G7 in a couple of days which we knew nothing about when we booked although I did wonder why nearly every hotel was booked out. Consequently nearly every policeman in Japan is here. They are literally on every street corner. Even over on the island this morning. We got a couple of them to take photos for us, they were very accommodating. 😂

    Made our way back into the restaurant area after the gardens. Still too early for dinner so we found a bar to have a drink. Had to pay ¥1100 to sit at the bar for half and hour but you got a free drink. Couple of very pretty girls behind the bar all dressed the same, black short skirt, white shirt, bit like Simply Irresistible. Umm we’re not really sure what sort of bar this is, seemed like once they’d got your drink they had to stay and talk to you. Hard work for our waitress, but she was doing her best. She wants to go to Australia later in the year and work for a year over there. So of course Graham gives her his card and invites her to stay with us. Well she was trilled and all the other girls came running over to look at the card. I wouldn’t be surprised if Monkey turns up on our doorstep in November. By this time our half and hour was up so either buy another drink or get out, Graham had another beer and we started quizzing the waitress where to have dinner, well there was a big discussion across the whole bar and luckily one of their regulars or their pimp I’m not really sure which had a bit of English and he managed to tell us about a Sashimi restaurant only a few hundreds meters away.

    Set off to find this place with only a photo and the vague directions from old mate. After a couple of wrong turns and some guidance from a young guy getting into his flash car, he actually followed us in his car around a few corners to make sure we got there ok.
    Delicious sashimi, fish, prawns, caviar, eel, squid, bonito, very upmarket place all the chefs behind the bars in their gleaming whites.

    When we’d left the bar we noticed a charcoal grill place across the way, so after leaving the sashimi we decided to check it out. It was another winner. Got some cooking lessons off the head Chef ( well not really a chef because they don’t cook any thing, you do that at the table but the knife skills they had to cut that meat, amazing) They had the baseball playing in there and Hiroshima was winning. They were all very excited when we showed some interest.

    When we got back to the hotel the funny little guy came running out to find us. Sorry sorry he keep saying, I’m pretty sure that the only English word he knows. He forgot to get me to sign the credit card slip, had probably been having anxiety attacks over it all day.    Meer informatie

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  • Karen LongJapan 2023Reiziger
    Hakarta Old Town
    Entrance GatesTofuTofuSushimiOur sushumiChicken with miso pasteBest spot in the house.

    Fukuoka

    17 mei 2023, Japan ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    The Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Fukuoka was packed, I think everyone was getting out of Hiroshima before the G7 started. Luckily we had booked a seat this time and the trip was only an hour. Our Hotel is a short five minute walk from the station, It looks a lot classier than the last one, even has a full check in desk instead of a hole in the wall. We left our bags and headed off to find Hakata Old Town. There’s not much to it but it’s a nice quite street with older building and temples.

    It’s warming up the more we go south, you need to be out of the sun in the middle of the afternoon. We headed out again about 5ish to find the Yatai Food stalls. They are street stalls along the canals selling everything from Ramen to Barbecue. Passed through Canal City on the way which is a flash shopping centre, but it does have a musical water fountain display which was pretty entertaining.

    We found the food stalls but it was still early so we wandered around for a while and then decided to have a drink somewhere first. Went into this deserted restaurant overlooking the canal and sat at the bar. So many staff in here and no customers. We sipped our beers watching three chefs get an assortment of food ready. We thought they were a bit premature because there was no one even walking pass this place.

    A gong must have sounded somewhere because suddenly people started appearing from all directions. It’s funny in restaurants because all the staff call out greetings whenever anyone arrives or leaves. So there was a chorus of greetings for the next half hour. We sat at the bar with the best seats in the house watching the chefs put together some amazing dishes. After they’d dished them out to the function we’d ask can we have some of that. They were very surprised at first, then they thought it was funny, then I think they loved that we wanted to try everything.

    It was a great night, like being invited onto the set of iron chef.    Meer informatie

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  • Karen LongJapan 2023Reiziger

    Yanagawa!

    18 mei 2023, Japan ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Second day in Fukuoka
    Fukuoka doesn’t t seem to have too many attractions in the main city area so we are going for a day trip down to Yanagawa. It’s about an hour on the local express train. It’s a bit overcast today and we debated taking the umbrellas but left them behind in the end. So of course when we got to Yanagawa it was raining.

    We’re going on a canal boat trip and luckily the operators are prepared and had raincoats and hats for us all.
    They call this the Venice of Kyushu, bit of artistic licence but they are pretty canals and we had a lovely hour long tranquil trip which ended in Yanagawa old town.

    We had an old guy driving the boat? Well they push it along with a big long stick. He did not stop talking for more than ten seconds the whole time, was a pretty funny commentary by all accounts, lots of laughing and nodding from the other boat trippers. We of course didn’t understand a word of it. 😂

    Yanagawa restaurants are famous for eel so of course we had to try that. Sounds gross but it’s actually very tasty and a bit of a delicacy so it was probably the most expensive meal we’ve had so far.

    There is obviously less English tourist the further south we go. Much fewer English signs on Stations and menus. Makes for some entertaining travel excursions. We managed to get ourselves back to Fukuoka though.

    Now tonight we need to try out the Yatai stalls we bypassed yesterday. But first we went back to visit our favourite restaurant.. oh they were all so pleased to see us again. They made us up a plate of some gristly meat. Pretty sure it was gizzard, wasn’t too bad, Graham loved it. Then they cooked us some Kobe Beef and Fish with chilli. They were both delicious especially the beef. Graham I think had had one too many beers and decided to eat the whole chilli in the fish dish. Holy Moly I thought he was going to have a heart attack. The people are so lovely here, one of the waitresses gave me a hug as we left.

    I know it seems like we’re eating a lot but these are all only small dishes I swear. We tried out the stalls on the way home and they were tasty but not a patch on our Restaurant. We sat next to a race car driver and his girl friend. He’d been to Australia and won Bathurst 12 hour in 2015. Graham thinks it must have been one of the support races. He lives in Tokyo and is here for a race somewhere. Gave us tips for Tokyo and places to visit. They wanted to know what we were doing in Tokyo and after telling them about the guitar show it turns out his father is a professional guitar player so who knows we might see his Dad in Tokyo.    Meer informatie

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  • Karen LongJapan 2023Reiziger
    Kumamoto Castle
    In the subshineOur friendly neighbourThe menuMore friends for the night.Some of the craftsTanami mat

    Kumamoto

    19 mei 2023, Japan ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Arrived in Kumamoto this morning, dumped our bags and set off to visit kumamoto Castle. There’s a bit of annoying drizzly rain hanging around this afternoon. The outside of the castle is lovely and there a nice little restaurant/ souvenir area right at the front of it. The tickets we bought included a Wakuawakza Museum visit. The museum had a lot of interactive stuff, try on a kimono, sit in a golden carriage, ride a horse. Kept us amused so I’m sure the kids must love it.

    This poor castle has been burned to the ground in 1877 and rebuilt and then through an earthquake in 2016 which they are still rebuilding from. So while it looks fantastic, disappointingly none of the interior is original of course. The inside is a fantastic museum on 6 floors unfortunately all in Japanese. We did get a nice view from the top floor though.

    Back to the room for a rest and the rain has eased this afternoon, so we set off on the city tram again to check out Shimodori. Lots of shops and eateries around. One street in particular was full of bars. Graham stuck his head into one which seemed to have a heap of people in so in we went for one drink.

    Not a word of English anywhere in the place and we were sitting there obviously looking perplexed when the old guy sitting next to me offered to help. He had a little English and his friend on the other side had Google translate. So with that we managed to order beers, tuna sashimi, some grisly boiled chicken and some horse sashimi. The sashimis were delicious the chicken not so much. I've had a bit of hay fever today and the wasabi that came with the tuna, holy moly cleared up my nose in no time.

    People are amazingly friendly here. The old boy was going home and the people behind us invited us to sit with them. We thought they were a couple but no, just friendly phycologists in town for a function.

    We have the morning to fill in before we pick up our hire car so we’re off to the traditional arts centre. A showcase of all the arts in the Kyushu regions. Some stunning pieces there from Tatami mats, pottery, ceramics, jewellery I would have loved to bring some of them home.

    The bonus was it’s just across from the castle so we got to see it with blue skies today.    Meer informatie

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  • Karen LongJapan 2023Reiziger
    All the little boats are cute.
    We tried to get on one but all booked out.Beautiful vistas around every corner.So green.

    Takachiho Gorge

    20 mei 2023, Japan ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Picked up our hire car about lunchtime. Goodness it’s a shame we’ve only got it for two days so much paperwork to go through. Now to get ourselves out of Kumamoto. Thank goodness for google maps on our phones, and luckily the traffic is fairly light today.

    We are going to see Takachiho Gorge only about 70 klms away but it took us a good hour and a half to get there. It is a gorgeous area and very popular with the tourist buses. Here’s a warning for anyone travelling in Japan. Go sightseeing in the morning the afternoons get very busy.    Meer informatie

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  • Karen LongJapan 2023Reiziger
    Mt Aso Crater
    This is what we have to make a run for if she blows.Toxic fumes.The pretty fields just below the ash line.The Azealas are flowering everywhere.So many horses, they are big ones too.This one took a liking to Graham.

    Mt Aso Naka-dake 1st Crater

    20 mei 2023, Japan ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    A visit to see the Mt Aso the most active volcano in Japan. It’s closed to the public a lot of the time because of the poisonous gases it emits, so we were lucky to see it. Fascinating, but one of the most inhospitable places I’ve ever seen. The top of the mountains is so barren and hostile looking but when you get down below a certain level it is so green and lush, with flowers blooming everywhere.

    It certainly is a twisty windy road up through these mountain, none of the places we’re visiting are very far apart and they all basically circle Mt Aso but it’s a bit of a torturous path to get to them.
    Graham is embracing his inner rally driver! I had a go as well, much more fun when you’re the one driving.

    Our accomodation for tonight says you can book in between 3 and 7 and we made it there with two minutes to spare. This is a ramshackle old place run by three old guys, talk about needing a facelift this place could do with a major overhaul. Obviously their usual clientele don’t worry about the aesthetics too much. There are quite a few motor bike riders staying here with us. Not the biker kind more like the middle age crisis kind.
    Anyway the room was clean and so was the loo. If there was a bathroom somewhere we couldn’t find it, guess one night without a shower won’t hurt us. It’s in the middle of nowhere so dinner was a bit of a dilemma as well but they whipped up something for us in the lovely hygienic kitchen.    Meer informatie

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  • Karen LongJapan 2023Reiziger
    Water wheel
    Brigde across the river.A massive amount of water must come through here.Castle ruins.There is always a shrine.So many flowersIn so many colours.Even more coloursHe's still got it.Gave the locals a laugh.

    Kuju Plateau

    21 mei 2023, Japan ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    We have a few things to see on the way to Kurosawa this morning. First up is a pretty waterfall only 6 or 7 ks from where we stayed last night. Harajiri Waterfall. I thought this waterfall would be out in the middle of nowhere but no there was a huge complex next to it ready to accommodate the tourist masses who luckily hadn’t turned up yet.
    That set the theme for the rest of the morning. We beat the tourist busses for most of the day.
    Next stop was the Ota Castle Ruins. Must have been a massive complex in its day, it seemed to go on forever and the views from up there where spectacular.
    Then on to Kuju flower park, more like a botanical gardens really. Another place I thought would just be a little garden. The Japanese sure know how to expand on a good thing. Incredible number and variety of flowers.
    Then on to Kokome Suspension Bridge. Built to showcase the amazing views of the Naruko-gawa Gorge and the 3 waterfalls there. It a little hairy to walk across, so high and moves around a bit, plus you can see down through the grating to the valley floor.

    Next stop Kurokawa Onsen.    Meer informatie

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  • Karen LongJapan 2023Reiziger
    Kurokawa
    This is the street we drove in on.Private onsenTea anyoneSame street at nightimeThe riverYou can cook your eggs in here.

    Kurokawa Onsen

    21 mei 2023, Japan ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Arrived in Kurokawa following Google maps who lead us straight through the pedestrian walkway through town. Wish I’d had a video, the road was getting narrower and narrower. Tourists jumping out of the way everywhere.

    We are booked into a ryokan here which is a traditional Japanese Inn that offers a place to rest as well as traditional dining. They are often found around hot springs. Onsens are the hot springs and the facilities that surround them. Ours is both a ryokan and an Onsen. Usually they are public baths with seperate male and female Onsens but sometimes they have private ones you can use.
    We booked for a private Onsen, had a cup of tea while we waited. Crimes this Onsen is so hot, takes a bit of getting used to. They only let you book for half an hour. I can see why, you would be soft boiled if you stayed any longer.
    We tried out the public bath in the afternoon as well. The etiquette for an Onsen is you have to shower off before and after, no tattoos, no clothing, no towels in the water. Anyhow when in Rome etc etc.

    Dinner is a very elaborate affair at a Ryokan and to be honest probably more of an attraction than the Onsen for us. Wow so many plates of food and just when you thought you were finished more arrived.

    We went for a walk a round town after dinner, lots of people out in their yakatas Onsen hopping. Another attraction staying here is you can try out other Onsens. There is a lovely river flowing through Kurokawa and it is just as pretty at nighttime.    Meer informatie

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  • Karen LongJapan 2023Reiziger
    Yeah were pretty happy!
    BreakfastAn actual good coffeeSo many rice fieldsGlorious views on the way down.Decisions decisons, oh well may as well just get them all.Another amazing restaurantSake!Walking back to find a taxi.

    Kagoshima

    22 mei 2023, Japan ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    After another decedent meal at Ryokan Wakaba we had a lovely drive across and down the mountain from Kurokawa Onsen. Cypress Pines, bamboo, rice fields and beautiful views over towards the volcano. It is lovely in these mountains we wished we were keeping the car for a few more days.
    Hit some traffic coming into Kumamoto and that slowed us down for a while.
    On the Shinkansen now on our way to Kagoshima.

    Not the best day weather wise when we got to Kagoshima, so what we’d planned for the afternoon didn’t seem like a good idea. After a break at the hotel we headed into town to find Tenmonkan, a city district with bars and restaurants. It didn’t look too inspiring at first but livened up after all the workers started heading home.
    We followed another couple into a bar kitchen. Three young blokes behind the bar, no English menu, lots of sign language and a few odd words on both sides. Goodness these boys were good though.
    Entertaining, skilful, helpful, generous. A couple of people sitting beside us helped us out with food suggestions and communication as well.
    Funniest thing you should have seen the look on the chefs face when I said I wanted another Sake! 😂😂
    Another lovely night to remember. Luckily we still managed to find our way back to the hotel.    Meer informatie

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  • Karen LongJapan 2023Reiziger
    The Ferry
    The onsen footbathsSukurajimaMore footbaths. I'm sure these will be packed this afternoon.Observation PointLava flowsThe highest observation point. There she blows.View from the ferry!

    Sukurajima Island.

    23 mei 2023, Japan ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Today is shaping up to be much better weather wise. We are going for a day trip to Sukurajima Island where the volcano is. The ferry goes every 15 minutes and they are big ferries so we’re assuming this island gets a lot of traffic.

    Kogashima is a little harder to get around, well at least from our hotel so we are taxiing it while here. The drivers are funny, they always wait to make sure your going in the right direction when you get out, and they are so worried when you don’t and so pleased when you do.

    It’s only a 15 min ride over to the island, we visited the footpath, visitors centre which had a nice exhibition on volcanos, got a day ticket for the island bus, got on and off a few times at observation points and then at a nice little restaurant for lunch.
    It’s a shame we don’t still have the car, it would have been great here, the bus only does a small section of the island and there look to be some interesting places you can only get to with a car.
    Well we came to see the volcano and we certainly got some spectacular views of it today.

    Heading back onto the ferry after lunch and yes we can see why they need so many. So many cars and tourist buses lining up waiting to get on. Once again I’m glad we head out early to sightsee the afternoon are always so much busier.    Meer informatie

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  • Karen LongJapan 2023Reiziger
    Very modest outside.
    The menuThese are all souchu bottlesSome of the foodGraham making friendsOur friendly neighboursThe lovely staff

    Kushikou

    23 mei 2023, Japan ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    There is another city district Meizancho, known for bars and neighbourhood kitchens so after a little google search to locate a likely one we set off to find it.

    Got the same taxi driver as last night and he dropped us within meters of where we wanted to go. This is only a tiny place, looks like the front of someone’s house. Busy, busy though so that’s a good sign.

    No English anywhere in here. We just pointed to anything that looked good, which was just about everything coming out of the kitchen. The couple sitting next to us thought everything we did was hilarious and the fact that we ordered everything they did.
    We were the only tourists in there and they were fascinated that we’d picked their restaurant to come to. The lady running it wanted to know how we found them. And why we picked this particular place to come in to.

    We managed a bit of communication thanks to google translate but even then a few things where lost in translation. Made for a few hilarious moments.

    We have seen souchu on the menu a few times and didn’t really know what it was, our new friends had ordered a bottle and poured us a couple of glasses. OMG so strong and tasted like petrol to me. Graham didn’t seem to mind it and finished off his and mine. He was all ready to go back for another refill but we have to be on a Shinkansen early tomorrow so I saved him and dragged him out of there.

    Big hugs from the staff and neighbours as we were leaving. I’m always amazed how much interaction we have with the people we meet. Great memories!    Meer informatie

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  • Karen LongJapan 2023Reiziger
    Sukurajima is smoking!
    Level 3 warningsJust ,anage tomsee mt fuji from the train window.

    Travel day back to Toyko

    24 mei 2023, Japan ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Winding our way back to Tokyo on the Shinkansen today. That is going to be most of the day taken up.
    We did have a very exciting morning though when we pulled back the curtains the volcano was spewing out smoke and ash like nobody’s business. Level 3 volcano warnings are in place today. I’m sure it’s a regular occurrence here but it was a dramatic farewell from Kagoshima for us.
    We had to change trains at Osaka with only a quick turnover of about 15 minutes and now we are on the last leg to Tokyo. Beautiful clear day so we are hoping to see Mt Fuji on the way.
    We did see it but it was a bit of a poor specimen!    Meer informatie

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  • Karen LongJapan 2023Reiziger
    The big boys
    Taste testingTsukiji Fish MarketSome live actionHes going overOh no poor man. So painful!Getting wheeled awayLots of slapping going on in this one.Ha ha some good leg raises going on here.The opening ceremony for the senior division.Down in the good seats.

    Sumo Day!

    25 mei 2023, Japan ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    We have tickets for the Sumo Wrestling today. It goes all day but we think that might be a bit much so we are off to visit the fish market this morning first.
    We broke the golden rule of being early and by the time we got there it was crowded. Interesting place to look around though, lots of different food to buy and eat. Of course we had to sample a few of them.

    The sumo wrestling starts with the novices in the morning and gets to the more experienced wrestlers as the day goes on. We saw a few of the morning ones heading home on the train. The stadium is massive, would have to be as big as Rod Laver Arena if not bigger.
    It’s a very ritualised affair. They have announcer who calls out the name of each wrestler to the ring in song. Then the referee comes in, then the wrestlers. There is lots of clapping , arm raising, leg raising and belly slapping for a while. the bouts starts when both the wrestlers are behind their line. It’s a little like chicken, someone has to break first and then it’s on. It’s all very exciting sometimes for a few seconds, occasionally for a few minutes.

    The matches got more intense and the crowd more involved as the day went along. Our tickets where for the balcony seats, and since there were lots of empty seats closer we moved closer to the action. The lower level which is closer to the action again was booked out. I had read though that a lot of people don’t get there until about four when the senior division is on, so after a while we went down to see if we could sneak in. They had an usher on each door and I didn’t think we’d have much luck but Graham sweet talked one of them into letting us in. It was great up close to the action, except for when one poor guy went over on his knee and had to be carried off. We stayed there for a while but then more people started coming in and we didn’t want to get kicked out, so back to the cheap seats.

    It was a great afternoon, we throughly enjoyed it. I can see why it so popular with the Japanese people.

    We wandered around Asakusabashi and found another great little Bar Kitchen to have dinner in. The waitress who opened the door for us nearly had a heart attack, I’m sure she didn’t want to let us in and then was horrified when we wanted to sit at the bar. 😂😂. It’s amazing the amount of food they can prepare in that tiny bit of room behind the bar.    Meer informatie

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  • Karen LongJapan 2023Reiziger
    Morning walk to skytree
    Pretty fish flags.LunchSweet restaurant

    Hiro, Nori and Tuna Cutting.

    26 mei 2023, Japan ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Today we are catching up with some friends we met in Australia who have moved back to Japan. Hiro and Nori bought one of our Ukuleles a few years ago and we have kept in touch ever since.
    They are a lovely couple very interested in music and instruments. Hiro has actually made his own guitar and plays as well.
    We had a delicious lunch at a hidden gem of a restaurant, a bit of shopping for Nori and I while the boys went to visit a music shop.

    It seems to us the Japanese like having coffee and sweets more in the afternoon than the morning and we went with Hiro and Nori to a sweet restaurant they called it, for tea and dessert. Interesting desserts nothing like our pavlova or sticky date.

    We have a booking tonight for a Tuna Cutting Show so after leaving our friends we fought our way through the Friday night prime time on the train to Asakusabashi Station. Found Taiko Chaya right on 6.30. We found this place on the internet somehow, just as well because you’d never just stumble upon it. It’s down a dingy little set of stairs underneath street level.

    We came here two nights ago because we thought the tuna show was on every night but no it’s only Friday and Saturday. Well they were all so pleased to see us back. They had saved us a great table and the chef came out to say hello to us. It’s his father who does the tuna cutting. They auction it off to the audience as it’s being cut up. I just about had to tie Graham’s hands down so we didn’t end up taking a tuna steak home.    Meer informatie

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  • Karen LongJapan 2023Reiziger

    Tokyo Guitar Show

    27 mei 2023, Japan ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    Tokyo Handcrafted Guitar Show is a much smaller affair than Osaka thank goodness. We’d been to visit a Ukulele shop with Hiro and Nori yesterday and they have bought both of the ukuleles. We’re still taking them to the show and they will pick them up on Sunday.
    There are lots of fabulous instrument players in Japan and quite a few of them at this show.
    Graham talked non stop for the two days I think. It’s a huge effort and I guess we will see if anything comes from it. But two of his instruments are staying in Japan and he is pleased with that.    Meer informatie

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  • Karen LongJapan 2023Reiziger
    Toyko Sky Tree
    Sumo FlagsPretty night scapeSakeKurokawa OnsenJust a grabd piano in the middle of nowhere.Paper CraftSakeSo many Koa.

    Home!

    29 mei 2023, Australië ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Home again, the last 24 hours have been a bit of a marathon. We finished up at the Guitar show a little early, did a quick pack up in the hallway and we were off to the airport on the train. Taking guitars on the train is a challenge, let alone 2 of them, a mandolin and a couple of suitcases
    Sunday afternoon is a busy time in Tokyo, well anytime really is a busy time in Tokyo. But everyone is out enjoying themselves on Sundays. If you’ve all seen those videos of people being pushed onto the trains you get the idea.
    We were only supposed to have one train change on the way to the airport but somehow we managed to have to do two. No worries we got there eventually. Then the check in and security. I must have had brain fatigue because we’d packed a battery bank in the check in and a bottle of Sake in Carry on. Had to unpack the huge suitcase and find the battery bank, couldn’t really remember where it was. Then through security and of course they wouldn’t let me take the Sake on. It was made all the worse because Hiro and Nori had bought it for us. I was devastated. I’m sure it would have been a fabulous one too.
    Night flights are always painful, who can really sleep on a plane anyway. I think three or four planes must have landed at the same time because customs and immigration were so busy. Line up here, get through that one, line up at the next one. Luckily we had a connecting flight so we managed to jump the queue, still had to wait for the sniffer dog to run over us a few times and then we were free.
    By the time we finally got to the domestic terminal, we were well and truly ready for a coffee. Just enough time for one before we board the flight home.

    We’ve had a fabulous time again in Japan, so much delicious food, amazingly friendly people, so many interesting places to see and experiences to have. Until next time………………………    Meer informatie

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    Het einde van de reis
    29 mei 2023
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