Blossoms, bullet train and beyond: exploring Japan by Land and Sea.

[Pushka]

TeamLab Planets is a different experience and worth going to as well if you get a chance to.

Yes, it was one or the other. Just 3 days here, and today off to Kyoto.

Last night we were pleased the weather was so benign. Once again the evening canapés were very uninspiring but the alcohol available was impressive. We set off around 7pm for another walk into Shinjuku. I love that cat! And it was being very much a cat tonight by nudging things off the table.

Walked around the area absorbing the craziness. And then wanted Pizza. I know, right?

But it was excellent. Washed down with a Red.

This morning was our last morning in Tokyo.

Love Japans fresh fruit. It tastes like how our fruit used to taste. Googled last night to find out where it came from and found out it was mostly local sourced. Their strawberries in particular have a different genetic material which they protect but China has stolen their IP apparently. Familiar issue I guess.



Perfectly cooked and simply wonderfully tasting eggs here.



So today we had studied how to catch the Shinkansen after a train ride to Tokyo. Managed that easily then followed the signs. We got to the main area of Shinkansen and none of the signage made much sense. We waited to speak to a station guild who was nicely helping a local. I approached her with Sumimasen and showed her the ticket and all she did was simply pointed vaguely in a direction then hurried off. Ok. We kept walking in that vague direction.

Thought we were there nbut couldn't scan our QR code. Several times. MrP was googling - I hadn't linked to suica as I didn't know MrPs number and couldn't be bothered downloading that Japanese app to his phone to find it. His search said we had to go to the ticket office. The queue was horrendous. Despite everything I'd read about simply asking the staff, there was no one to be seen to help.

As were were lined up a station member came up to align the poles for the ever growing queue. I asked again Sumimasen, she didn't even look, but waved her hand and said No! And kept lining up the stupid poles. That were not currently needed. Someone else approached her and she did the same to them. A kind elderly Japanese man heard the interaction and asked me what I needed, he was also in the queue, asked where I was from, and then went over to the station person, spoke to her rather abruptly, then the next thing she came over to us and took us out of the queue and showed us a different machine some distance away. She was still very abrupt, wouldn't look at us but at least she did something. As we left I called Arigato Gozaimasu to the very kind man who saved us. The queue was about an hour long. It wasn't moving.

So I can't say that we have been impressed at all with the supposed helpfulness of the train staff.

Finally the train arrived, it was cleaned and we could board. We had reserved c and d but much too wet to see - anything - let alone Fuji. The train was packed even in the Green class. And so much luggage.





I ordered a coffee and an ice cream and that was wonderful. I'd just bought a sandwich at the station kiosk - with all the kerfuffle we just didn't have time to buy an Ekiben. But really, no one seemed to have done that either.

Arrived the the station and it was still pouring. We had thought to take a taxi as it was wet. Well, so had the rest of Kyoto. The queue - I'd suggest an hour to clear. Plan B. We had no luggage so google mapped the train and walk. No problem. Found the station after we walked back in, train immediately then just a 10 minute walk. I can't believe the amount of luggage that people have.

So rested in the room for a bit, it's quite a cute place, not a large one but quite impressive. Then set out for a reccy in the rain. Walked straight into Nishiki market which we planned to visit tomorrow then went to Lawson to buy some alcohol and snacks. How cheap is the alcohol....,but we couldn't find tonic nor strawberry sandwiches. So we bought a bottle of Spanish red. Then set out to find some dinner, as the restaurants were starting to open.

Settled on one, joined the crowd and started in.







We can't wait to explore it tomorrow when it will be cold - but dry - as even in the rain it looks wonderful.

Now watching the AFL via NordVPN then a good night sleep.

 

[VPS]

Yes, it was one or the other. Just 3 days here, and today off to Kyoto.

Last night we were pleased the weather was so benign. Once again the evening canapés were very uninspiring but the alcohol available was impressive. We set off around 7pm for another walk into Shinjuku. I love that cat! And it was being very much a cat tonight by nudging things off the table.

Walked around the area absorbing the craziness. And then wanted Pizza. I know, right?

But it was excellent. Washed down with a Red.
View attachment 439295
This morning was our last morning in Tokyo.

Love Japanas fresh fruit. Googled last night to find out where it came from and found out it was mostly local sourced. Their strawberries in particular have a different genetic material which they protect but China has stolen their IP apparently. Familiar issue I guess.

View attachment 439296

Perfectly cooked and simply wonderfully tasting eggs here.

View attachment 439297

So today we had studied how to catch the Shinkansen after a train ride to Tokyo. Managed that easily then followed the signs. We got to the main area of Shinkansen and none of the signage made much sense. We waited to speak to a station guild who was nicely helping a local. I approached her with Sumimasen and showed her the ticket and all she did was simply pointed vaguely in a direction then hurried off. Ok. We kept walking in that vague direction.

Thought we were there nbut couldn't scan our QR code. Several times. MrP was googling - I hadn't linked to suica as I didn't know MrPs number and couldn't be bothered downloading that Japanese app to his phone to find it. His search said we had to go to the ticket office. The queue was horrendous. Despite everything I'd read about simply asking the staff, there was no one to be seen to help.

As were were lined up a station member came up to align the poles for the ever growing queue. I asked again Sumimasen, she didn't even look, but waved her hand and said No! And kept lining up the stupid poles. That were not currently needed. Someone else approached her and she did the same to them. A kind elder heard the interaction and asked me why I needed, he was also in the queue, asked where I was from, and then went over to the station person, spoke to her rather abruptly, then the next thing she came over to us and took us out of the queue and showed us a different machine. As we left I called Arigato Gozaimasu to the very kind man who saved us. The queue was about an hour long. It wasn't moving.

So I can't say that we have been impressed at all with the supposed helpfulness of the train staff.

Finally the train arrived, it was cleaned and we could board. We had reserved c and d but much too wet to see - anything - let alone Fuji. The train was packed even in the Green class. And so much luggage.

View attachment 439298

View attachment 439299

I ordered a coffee and an ice cream and that was wonderful. I'd just bought a sandwich at the station kiosk - with all the kerfuffle we just didn't have time to buy an Ekiben. But really, no one seemed to have done that either.

Arrived the the station and it was still pouring. We had thought to take a taxi as it was wet. Well, so had the rest of Kyoto. The queue - I'd suggest an hour to clear. Plan B. We had no luggage so google mapped the train and walk. No problem. Found the station after we walked back in, train immediately then just a 10 minute walk. I can't believe the amount of luggage that people have.

So rested in the room for a bit, it's quite a cute place, not a large one but quite impressive. Then set out for a reccy in the rain. Walked straight into Nishiki market which we planned to visit tomorrow then went to Lawson to buy some alcohol and snacks. How cheap is the alcohol....,but we couldn't find tonic nor strawberry sandwiches. So we bought a bottle of Spanish red. Then set out to find some dinner, as the restaurants were starting to open.

Settled on one, joined the crowd and started in.

View attachment 439300

View attachment 439301

View attachment 439302

We can't wait to explore it tomorrow when it will be cold - but dry - as even in the rain it looks wonderful.

Now watching the AFL via NordVPN then a good night sleep.

I sent my friends in Adelaide a video of it persisting down in my courtyard and they called it fake news and they have heard of this phenomena of water falling out of the sky They were at the central market and the foreigners for gather round were

 

[rbjhan]

And so much luggage.

Yeah it was crazy....the thing I don't understand is, why not use ta-q-bin....cheap, fast, reliable. Much easier than taking those big cases onto a train.
Oh and onto the Kyoto buses even though it's clearly marked as not allowed.

 

[drron]

Pushka when we went on our first trip to Japan the locals couldn't have been more helpful so that persuaded me to go back to University and learn Japanese. I did 2 years and would have continued but they introduced Hecs fees.

For the next 20-25 years that remained a constant. But it was in the days of not that much foreign tourism. Then we started noticing a gradual decline. On our last trip it was definitely much worse and we even left a couple of restaurants because we were ignored. fortunately there were still some very helpful people.
Basically it got worse since Covid. Understandable as they went from having the country all to themselves to within a year absolutely swamped by mass tourism.

To all those who read the Japanese trip reports my strong recommendation is to go as soon as you can afford it rather than wait. The younger generations don't have the same values as previous generations. It might still take a long time but it will not be what we loved about the country and it's people.

So sorry @Pushka here endeth the hi jack and now back to the TR.

 

[rbjhan]

Pushka when we went on our first trip to Japan the locals couldn't have been more helpful so that persuaded me to go back to University and learn Japanese. I did 2 years and would have continued but they introduced Hecs fees.

For the next 20-25 years that remained a constant. But it was in the days of not that much foreign tourism. Then we started noticing a gradual decline. On our last trip it was definitely much worse and we even left a couple of restaurants because we were ignored. fortunately there were still some very helpful people.
Basically it got worse since Covid. Understandable as they went from having the country all to themselves to within a year absolutely swamped by mass tourism.

To all those who read the Japanese trip reports my strong recommendation is to go as soon as you can afford it rather than wait. The younger generations don't have the same values as previous generations. It might still take a long time but it will not be what we loved about the country and it's people.

So sorry @Pushka here endeth the hi jack and now back to the TR.

People are jaded, simply put.
Doesn't help that many international tourists are just plain not following rules.
That's why I've been going to more and more remote places. I'm doing a stopover in Oct which will be in Tokyo and Shizuoka. But the next two proper trips (for the timing being) are going to be in Shikoku/Chugoku and Tohoku.

 

[Pushka]

People are jaded, simply put.
Doesn't help that many international tourists are just plain not following rules.
That's why I've been going to more and more remote places. I'm doing a stopover in Oct which will be in Tokyo and Shizuoka. But the next two proper trips (for the timing being) are going to be in Shikoku/Chugoku and Tohoku.

Yes. This is so true. It's perfectly understandable they are so sick of tourists, regardless of whether they are polite, or not so much. There sure are some very rude ones so it's easier to dismiss everyone and not help who might just need a bit of help.

 

[Pushka]

Pushka when we went on our first trip to Japan the locals couldn't have been more helpful so that persuaded me to go back to University and learn Japanese. I did 2 years and would have continued but they introduced Hecs fees.

For the next 20-25 years that remained a constant. But it was in the days of not that much foreign tourism. Then we started noticing a gradual decline. On our last trip it was definitely much worse and we even left a couple of restaurants because we were ignored. fortunately there were still some very helpful people.
Basically it got worse since Covid. Understandable as they went from having the country all to themselves to within a year absolutely swamped by mass tourism.

To all those who read the Japanese trip reports my strong recommendation is to go as soon as you can afford it rather than wait. The younger generations don't have the same values as previous generations. It might still take a long time but it will not be what we loved about the country and it's people.

So sorry @Pushka here endeth the hi jack and now back to the TR.

Just maybe this is the year it changed. The only people whom I've enjoyed really interacting with and who are strangers are older people. Agree that everyone who has been to Japan has the same story as you did, that's why this came as a surprise. It's a crazy Tokyo station, it's confusing, the line markings to the Shinkansen we read about were not there. Adding to the chaos of tourists is the massive construction going on in Shinjuku and surrounds and also other stations and that took a day or so, but in Tokyo station there just wasn't time to accomodate. Whatever, we got there.

 

[drron]

It has been changing for some time but definitely that change is speeding up post covid. And yes the behaviour of some tourists especially Australian is adding to the speed of change. We had noticed definite changes in the pre covid era.

Of course one of the reasons is that in the 80s or 90s the Japanese were more easily able to know who needed help as we wandered around with our paper maps. But also it was very common to be asked by Japanese school kids of they could practice their English on us. Easier now to go on line.

 

[Pushka]

Today was a beautiful sunny day. Not that we can see that from the room - it's a frosted window. A quirk of this place. But the room is huge but we had to move the beds this morning. It could be a triple room so when they changed that for us the moved the middle trundle under one of the others, leaving a single bed right next to the window and the other bed with sole access to light and table with a huge gap between. Just felt wrong. But now we've rearranged the room and my feng shui is restored.

This morning we had a set breakfast. Was a little concerned that we mightn't be a fan but it was delicious.



Then off to Nishiki market. It was around 9.30am and wonderfully quiet. Not every store had opened but there were plenty anyway.



Fabulous products and I'm not into fish so much.











Super expensive and rare breed strawberries. We didn't try.

 

[Pushka]

Did someone say marbling?








Love this photo taken by MrP.



The lady was serving us this, which was wonderful.

 

[Pushka]

I had a mind to buy a quality chef knife for son in UK and for us. We already have a Japanese crafted chef and utility knife and love them but wanted another one.

We walked into Aritsugu as I'd read it was where Japanese chefs purchased their knifes from. They usually engrave but no longer. They sell knives already pre sharpened but those that aren't require a few days to prepare. Photos not allowed in the store. I have to admit I left off a zero when I selected one. Big oops. But it is beautiful. I was allowed to take a photo of the artist sharpening another blade. But no face which suited me. We were all wearing masks anyway. Yes. We are wearing masks in crowded places. I can't take a photo of it as it's carefully wrapped and I will need to surrender it to security when we board the ship and they will return it at the end.



Hell no. These are horrible fish. We catch them at home and even the other fish won't bite them for bait. Poisonous.



At the end of the market road is a Shinto temple. I obtained a fortune. It told me to listen to my teacher, study hard and be a good child. All in Japanese. Does google translate work well?

A large bronze cast. And pegged wishes.



And some random shots by MrP.

 

[RooFlyer]

Just felt wrong. But now we've rearranged the room and my feng shui is restored.

Lets see how it is after room service gets there


Scallops? Most miserable I've ever seen - even if they have the roe on. Yuk.

 

[tgh]

Many years ago we were lost in the Tokyo underground maze ; a native gentleman approached and asked in perfect english if we needed any help.
We described our hotel and he said , I am going that way follow me.. up and down and in and around he finally said just up those stairs and you are there.
Profuse thanks and off he went.. back the way he came.. we were quite sure he went out of his way to help.

 

[Pushka]

Lets see how it is after room service gets there


Scallops? Most miserable I've ever seen - even if they have the roe on. Yuk.

View attachment 439414

Oh. Some were huge. I just don’t know what’s good or not.

 

[Quickstatus]

up and down and in and around he finally said just up those stairs and you are there.

In other places in the world it may be a ruse to rob you. Can only be as you describe in Japan

 

[Pushka]

Many years ago we were lost in the Tokyo underground maze ; a native gentleman approached and asked in perfect english if we needed any help.
We described our hotel and he said , I am going that way follow me.. up and down and in and around he finally said just up those stairs and you are there.
Profuse thanks and off he went.. back the way he came.. we were quite sure he went out of his way to help.

Yes. While not as kind as this our gentlemen certainly must have reminded the attendant that her behaviour was poor. Rude actually. Flick someone with your hand and say no?

 

[RooFlyer]

This would be a nicely presented scallop for me. I don't know what the thin sheet-like stuff in your shop is. Must be a local variant, but no.

 

[Pushka]

This would be a nicely presented scallop for me. I don't know what the thin sheet-like stuff in your shop is. Must be a local variant, but no.

View attachment 439415

Oh rooey. This was a market. . Now you’ve got me flicking through photos trying to upstage you.

 

[RooFlyer]

Oh, I know what's going on. They have left the mantle on - the sort of mesentery that holds some of the soft bits and anchors it all to the shell. Wouldn't see that here - just the meat, please. But still poorly presented.

 

[Aeolus]

Love Japans fresh fruit. It tastes like how our fruit used to taste. Googled last night to find out where it came from and found out it was mostly local sourced.

Agree! But they are quite expensive. I ran out of time but if you have a chance to, try their white strawberries. My fav is their pineapples, the best I’ve tasted, I’ve no idea where they source that from, Okinawa perhaps?