Photo Friday: Japan

Last year at this time, my son and his wife spent almost three weeks traveling around Japan. A few of my blog friends have connections with the country and said they'd enjoy seeing photos, so I am finally creating this post. I apologize for both the lack of detail (not my trip) and the order. Blogger is not always user friendly.

My son was most impressed with how clean the streets and public restrooms were. Most public toilets are equipped with the option to play flushing sounds for those who are 'self-conscious.' Isn't that so interesting?? My daughter-in-law said that the people were very formal, yet kind. Please note that my DIL is Chinese and speaks Mandarin, so she was not able to communicate with them. She said a few people in restaurants did mistake her for being Japanese, but for the most part, Asians can tell the difference between themselves.

Please enjoy Japan in May:

A traditionally served Japanese meal. As my son and daughter-in-law are foodies, there are a LOT of food pictures.

Interior street in Dotombori, Osaka. Known as the theatre and tourist district. 

Traditional Machiya homes in Kyoto, which share two walls with their neighbors.

Main hall of the Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto

Yasaka Shrine's dance hall lined with white paper lanterns that are lit at night.

Nagoya Castle built in 1612. The stone base uses 'fan sloping' in its construction, where the bottom fans out and the middle portion slopes inward as a means of support.

My son and chef/teacher making tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet) at a cooking class, served below on top of noodles.

They also made their own udon noodles and tempura shrimp/vegetables at the class.

Tokyo from their hotel room.

At a Tokyo Yomiuri Giants baseball game. They described the fans as overly enthusiastic!

Pathway to the Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya, a destination of the Shinto faith.

Sacred Camphor tree at the Atsuta Shrine. It is estimated to be 1000 years old.

My daughter-in-law at a purification shrine. There is a ceremony that you perform: Pick up the ladle with your right hand and pour the water over your left hand, then switch and pour it onto your right hand, then switch again and pour water into your left hand and take a sip to rinse out your mouth. Then let the rest of the water run down the handle to clean it for the next person. THEN you are ready to pray.

On train to Kameoka outside of Kyoto

Traditional Japanese home where they stayed. Their hostess was 74 year old Fukiko. She taught them Japanese etiquette and told them stories about her life (she spent many years in Austria).

She cooked them breakfast each morning and made sure they were stuffed!

Another view inside Fukiko's home.

They were honored to learn how to perform a formal Japanese tea ceremony by their hostess.

Fukiko teaching my son how to play the koto instrument.

Miyama Kayabuki-No Sato in rural Kyoto. Translation is 'The Thatched Village' and a popular tourist site to see the old thatched houses.

Ohara countryside outside of Kyoto with a view of the cedar trees.

Edible Nanking cherries from their hostess's cherry tree. Don't they look delicious?

Sukiyaki (Japanese hot pot)

Japanese mailbox

Back in Tokyo, they went to an art immersion experience. You remove your shoes because part of it involves walking in water.  The idea is that the boundry between body (self), others, and the world dissolves. Neither of them were that impressed with the whole thing.

Beautiful rose-shaped ice in their cocktails/mocktails.

Modern cuisine at a Michelin star Tokyo restaurant (Abysse).

Abysee tasting menu in English and Japanese (click to enlarge)

Although they admired the beauty of the food, they felt that it wasn't seasoned as much as Chinese cuisine. However, the service was exceptional everywhere they went.

They traveled from Tokyo to Osaka to Kyoto and back by train during their stay with stops along the way.

Another tea ceremony

Rice field in Kameoka near Kyoto.

Their favorite experience was staying at the Hakone Hot Spring Resort. The Hakone area, outside Tokyo, is known for their onsen (hot springs). Onsen bathing is part of the Japanese identity and culture.

Hakone gardens.

More food

Arcade type games (gesen) are very popular in Tokyo, especially the claw games. During lunch time, it was common for these places to be packed with businessmen. All the men wore suits and were very clean cut. A typical game costs 100 yen (64 cents in USD).

More gardens

More food

And more food

Okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake) 

Canal in Osaka

The happy couple. Yes, my DIL was pregnant at the time and this was their last big trip (for a while). Let me know if there's an interest in seeing their photos from the month they spent in China in 2019.

Would you be interested in traveling to any countries in Asia? Are you an adventurous eater? What you be your favorite thing to see or do in Japan?