A race around Japan

[CaptainCurtis]

We went to the other restaurant by the same group in Gora - the Gora Brewery (NOBU STYLE 鉄板焼レストラン｜GORA BREWERY & GRILL｜トップページ). It was a little exxy but not any worse than a 1 or 2 chef's hatted place here in Melbourne. The main star of the show for us was the Wagyu Tomahawk steak. It's 15000 yen but was enough for 2 adults and a child, so perhaps maybe too much for one. I am not a beer drinker but my husband had the beer flight and loved it. We also drank some excellent sake. On our visit in April we were able to reserve on arrival for dinner the same night - we don't speak any Japanese but our hotel concierge was happy to help. View attachment 344017

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Steak looks incredible, but definitely too much for a solo traveler

 

[CaptainCurtis]

Day 3 - Tokyo, Grand Sumo Tournament

After drrons recommendation, I originally blocked out this third day to watch the grand sumo competition, making a note in my calendar to book a ticket day they were released. Unfortunately work was frantic at the time, having travelled down to Melbourne weekly for 5 weeks, and I missed the ticket release day. To say I was gutted was an understatement. About a week before my departure, I decided to have another look - while I still couldn't get direct tickets, there were tour packages being advertised on Viator and Expedia. I'm not a huge fan of these sites, but in the end I managed to find and book a tour directly with an operator called Arumachi, who offer a number of sightseeing tours in Tokyo. The tour cost ¥19,000 and ran for the full day, starting at 9:45 and ending at 6 in the evening.

The morning was spent walking around the town of Ryogoku, with our guide Taka explaining the history of sumo as we walked through the neighbourhood. I didn't take many pictures as it was simply too hot (and humid) to do anything other than put one foot in front of the other.

Our first stop was Nomi no Sukune shrine, which commemorates Nomi no Sukune, the fabled founder of sumo wrestling.




Next up was a visit to Former Yasuda Garden, situated next to the Japanese Sword Museum (which, unfortunately we didn't have time to visit). I've noticed a number of the garden ponds in Japan have turtles, which Taka explained symbolise good fortune and long life in Japanese culture.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

A sumo's mawashi hanging outside his stable, which is where they live and train when not travelling for competitions. Obviously not allowed inside to watch them train.



The first Buddhist temple for the trip - Ekōin Temple, which was built in 1657 to commemorate the Great Meireki Fire. The fire destroyed approximately two-thirds of the Japanese capital city of Edo, and it's estimated that it took the lives of close to 100,000 people. The temple was used as a sumo ring during the Edo and Meiji periods, before moving to the original Kokukigan in 1909.









A few more random snaps from around Ryogoku.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

Chankonabe, a Japanese stew, is the staple food in any sumo's diet. For the etymologists, the word chanko comes from the word 'chan', meaning parent, and 'ko' meaning child - together, they describe the act of everyone (in this case, coaches and trainees) eating the same meal together. Unfortunately, without a reservation, we were cough outta luck and instead went for the first ramen of my trip. I didn't catch the restaurants name, but ordering was done outside from one of those vending-type machines, which took me way longer than it should have.

After lunch, we finally went inside the Kokugikan Arena and spent some time in Sumo Museum.

 

[Buzzard]

When in Takayama, if you have time for a coffee try Coffee Don. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Coffee Don, Takayama - Google Search

 

[CaptainCurtis]

We took our seats in the arena at around 3PM. Interestingly, doors to the arena open at 8:00AM, with initial bouts starting from 8:30. There are 6 divisions - Jonokuchi, Jonidan, Sandanme, Makushita, Juryo and Makuuchi, in order from most junior to most senior, with the most junior going first, and the day culminating with the Makuuchi. Crowds are thin in the morning, but were heaving from around 3PM as the Juryo division finished up. Our seats were on the second floor (out of 2), but we still had unrestricted viewing and great line of sight.

The view from our seats - zoom lens came in handy. As you can see, the arena certainly wasn't full when we entered.






Some action shots from the Juryo (second highest) division.





I have some videos I can share too, if anyone is able to recommend the best way to share them.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

The crowd came pouring in for the Makuuchi ceremonial entrance, where all 42 sumo wrestlers (in two groups) enter the ring (dohyo) and perform a ritual in unison.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

When in Takayama, if you have time for a coffee try Coffee Don. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Coffee Don, Takayama - Google Search

Thank you, will add it to my list. Keep the recommendations flowing folks!

 

[CaptainCurtis]

A few Makuuchi action shots.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

I thoroughly enjoyed my day at the sumo. It's probably not something I'd need to do again, but it was one of those experiences that I can now say I've ticked off my list.

I caught the JR line train from Ryogukan to Yoyogi, and made the short walk back to the hotel. Step count for the day came in a little lower at a smidge over eleven thousand. My next step is Hakone, where I'll be spending a couple of nights before heading down to Nagoya as a base for five nights. I didn't want to schlep my suitcase on the multiple trains to Hakone, so packed the necessities for a few days into my backpack and Country Road duffel, and then took my larger suitcase down to reception to have it forwarded directly to my hotel in Nagoya. I think the cost was a little over two-thousand Yen, well worth it to save dragging a suitcase in this humidity.

I didn't feel like heading out for dinner, so ate at the hotel restaurant, Villazza. I kept it simple with a margherita and tiramisu, not bad, although on the expensive side.



This was my last night in Shinjuku, so probably a good time to wrap this part up and review the hotel. As I mentioned earlier, I found the location of the Sunroute Plaza excellent - it was just away from all the action such that there was no noise, yet still close enough for a 5-minute walk to go you right back into the thick of it all. The proximity to Yoyogi station made life much easier in avoiding Shinjuku station. The room, a standard single, was very small, but at ~$200 per night was the best that was available. Breakfast was included in that rate, and included a generous spread of both Western and Asian food. The check-in and check-out processes were managed through touch screen devices, which felt somewhat impersonal, although staff were available if any issues came up.

 

[PirLPe]

Very envious! If you get a chance, and as you seem to be interested in motorsport, the Toyota Museum is meant to be very good. It’s also on my list.….. one day…….

Toyota Automobile Museum | A museum that tracks the evolution and culture of cars in the world

Toyota Automobile Museum showcases the worldwide history of automobiles and automobile culture.

toyota-automobile-museum.jp

When I travelled in Japan, I was at the Toyota Museum. It's a wonderful place!
You have a marvellous time Japan is a beautiful country

 

[PirLPe]

I thoroughly enjoyed my day at the sumo. It's probably not something I'd need to do again, but it was one of those experiences that I can now say I've ticked off my list.

I caught the JR line train from Ryogukan to Yoyogi, and made the short walk back to the hotel. Step count for the day came in a little lower at a smidge over eleven thousand. My next step is Hakone, where I'll be spending a couple of nights before heading down to Nagoya as a base for five nights. I didn't want to schlep my suitcase on the multiple trains to Hakone, so packed the necessities for a few days into my backpack and Country Road duffel, and then took my larger suitcase down to reception to have it forwarded directly to my hotel in Nagoya. I think the cost was a little over two-thousand Yen, well worth it to save dragging a suitcase in this humidity.

I didn't feel like heading out for dinner, so ate at the hotel restaurant, Villazza. I kept it simple with a margherita and tiramisu, not bad, although on the expensive side.
View attachment 344247View attachment 344245

This was my last night in Shinjuku, so probably a good time to wrap this part up and review the hotel. As I mentioned earlier, I found the location of the Sunroute Plaza excellent - it was just away from all the action such that there was no noise, yet still close enough for a 5-minute walk to go you right back into the thick of it all. The proximity to Yoyogi station made life much easier in avoiding Shinjuku station. The room, a standard single, was very small, but at ~$200 per night was the best that was available. Breakfast was included in that rate, and included a generous spread of both Western and Asian food. The check-in and check-out processes were managed through touch screen devices, which felt somewhat impersonal, although staff were available if any issues came up.
View attachment 344249
View attachment 344248

Yeah, the hotel room is a little small. But everything's small there. In China, it's even smaller

 

[love_the_life]

When in Takayama, if you have time for a coffee try Coffee Don. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Coffee Don, Takayama - Google Search

We’ve been there a couple of different times - sort of Europe meets Japan vibe. Lovely people and pretty good coffee.

 

[craven morehead]

The time has finally arrived. It's been a while since my last purely personal holiday, with a few trips of late combining both work and leisure. Needless to say, this trip is long overdue.

I began planning for this trip about about five months ago, but it only really came together in the last couple of months. I'll be departing for Tokyo tomorrow evening, spending a little over 3 weeks travelling around Japan. It's my first visit (discounting a vague childhood memory of a previous trip), so I'll be checking off the highlights in Tokyo and Kyoto. I'll also be venturing off the golden triangle with detours to Hakone, Takayama, Kanazawa and Hiroshima.

The highlight of the trip will hopefully be the the F1 weekend in Suzuka. I missed out on regular grandstand tickets, so with my flights already booked, I had no choice but to splurge an an experience ticket that spans the four days and includes a pit lane walk, guided track tour and a number of other activities. The only other activity I have pre-booked is a full-day package for the Grand Sumo tournament in Tokyo, including a tour around Ryogoku and an afternoon spectating (thank you @drron for the recommendation).

This will be my first time writing a trip review, so please bear with me for any delays in sharing updates. First up will be QF25 tomorrow night, booked as a classic award in J back in April.

Dialing in

 

[Buzzard]

Thank you, will add it to my list. Keep the recommendations flowing folks!

By the time we got to Takayama, we both had a desire for something Western to eat so went to Salute. Japanese chef doing Italian.

 

[Buzzard]

We’ve been there a couple of different times - sort of Europe meets Japan vibe. Lovely people and pretty good coffee.

Same owner since the 1950's IIRC
Or maybe the 60's

 

[PirLPe]

By the time we got to Takayama, we both had a desire for something Western to eat so went to Salute. Japanese chef doing Italian.

Yes, Japanese food can get tiresome Did the Italian chef make you spaghetti or pizza?

 

[Buzzard]

Yes, Japanese food can get tiresome Did the Italian chef make you spaghetti or pizza?

A very nice pizza.

 

[Happy Dude]

I've got fond memories of the Sumo where it's acceptable to occupy the good seats until the rightful owner shows up. Those in the surrounding seats also generously shared their food and drinks with me, keen as to chat and explain what was going on. It's one thing that can't be done anywhere else and it's just so Japanese. A must see/do if it's in town at the same time as you.

Here is a Chankonabe restaurant in Kyoto if you're keen to try it. It was suggested by hotel staff. Plug into google earth (35° 0'17.33"N, 135°46'14.21"E) - Ground floor. My family loved the 'communal' style types of meals so we did a many shabu shabu, yakiniku.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

I've got fond memories of the Sumo where it's acceptable to occupy the good seats until the rightful owner shows up. Those in the surrounding seats also generously shared their food and drinks with me, keen as to chat and explain what was going on. It's one thing that can't be done anywhere else and it's just so Japanese. A must see/do if it's in town at the same time as you.

Sounds like a great experience! I did notice that the first floor entrances were not well guarded, particularly earlier in the day. I'm not too sure how well I'd do though sitting on the floor mats instead of a proper chair...