Kyoto
11/03/04 07:06 in: Japan
Breakfast at Hotel Toyo and then subway to Shin-Osaka station where we caught the bullet train to Kyoto. Taxi from the massive Kyoto station complex to the ryokan through tiny backstreets with stone flag pavements, lanterns and antique shops. Couldn't check in so left our bags and walked by the river to the station and then got completely lost on the subway trying to get back to the station. There are only two lines on the Kyoto subway so this takes some doing.
Had a superb chinese lunch on the 11th floor of the department store on top of the station. Rather bizarre eating chinese food in Japan but we were anxious to eat something filling before returning to the Ryokan for a traditional Japanese dinner. Feeling a bit tired after all the late night excitement of the post concert Little Wonder party last night - think temple sightseeing might be tomorrow. Robin continues to be captivated by the fact that everything in Japan talks to you including today's latest revelation, a talking bus stop! Robin attempted to record a talking tube station on his camera.
After lunch we went to the roof garden of Kyoto Station. Amazing views over Kyoto and out to surrounding mountains, although very grey, dull and much colder than in Tokyo. Shopped in station dept store obviously owned by Japan Railways - JR Isetan. Impressive shop with abundance of shop assistants dressed in purple tartan outfits with short culottes and tartan berets. Bought souvenirs, all of which were beautifully wrapped. We then went to the second shopping centre in the station where we bought more Japanese souvenirs, again all beautifully wrapped.
Completely exhausted we headed for Starbucks to get second cup of decaff coffee in week. Small and packed Starbucks we were amazed to find ourselves sitting next to a woman called Eri from Bowienet, who we had met at the concert in Osaka the night before. Eri had been to the Bowie press conference in Tokyo and had recorded the whole interview with Bowie. She asked us to check her written transcript and listen to the recording. Eri was planning to publish the interview on Bowienet. She showed us some photos of when she had met Bowie in New York and had been on stage with him.
We then returned to the Ryokan on the tube, checked in and had our traditional japanese meal served. Our room was on the ground floor with doors opening onto the Sukiya style garden with lime trees over 150 years old. After our showers in what was described as a westernised bathroom but contained an extremely short wooden bath, we dressed in kimonos and tabi (socks) ready for our dinner which was served very promptly at 1900 by a Japanese woman in traditional dress. The food comprised of much beautifully presented but very tasteless food - we thought it was very disappointing after all the build up. The evening started to take on signs of a Brian Rix farce as the Japanese woman kept coming in and out to clear the room and put down our futons. We got a fit of the giggles and could not stop laughing. The Japanese woman seemed very concerned about not being able to find us a night light and eventually returned with one that she plugged in. Meanwhile Robin had located the other light which he pointed out to her. She seemed to find this very funny and unplugged the existing light to replace it. We heard her going off up the corridor laughing loudly to herself! Once we thought it was safe to come out we locked the door and had some much needed beer.
Had a superb chinese lunch on the 11th floor of the department store on top of the station. Rather bizarre eating chinese food in Japan but we were anxious to eat something filling before returning to the Ryokan for a traditional Japanese dinner. Feeling a bit tired after all the late night excitement of the post concert Little Wonder party last night - think temple sightseeing might be tomorrow. Robin continues to be captivated by the fact that everything in Japan talks to you including today's latest revelation, a talking bus stop! Robin attempted to record a talking tube station on his camera.
After lunch we went to the roof garden of Kyoto Station. Amazing views over Kyoto and out to surrounding mountains, although very grey, dull and much colder than in Tokyo. Shopped in station dept store obviously owned by Japan Railways - JR Isetan. Impressive shop with abundance of shop assistants dressed in purple tartan outfits with short culottes and tartan berets. Bought souvenirs, all of which were beautifully wrapped. We then went to the second shopping centre in the station where we bought more Japanese souvenirs, again all beautifully wrapped.
Completely exhausted we headed for Starbucks to get second cup of decaff coffee in week. Small and packed Starbucks we were amazed to find ourselves sitting next to a woman called Eri from Bowienet, who we had met at the concert in Osaka the night before. Eri had been to the Bowie press conference in Tokyo and had recorded the whole interview with Bowie. She asked us to check her written transcript and listen to the recording. Eri was planning to publish the interview on Bowienet. She showed us some photos of when she had met Bowie in New York and had been on stage with him.
We then returned to the Ryokan on the tube, checked in and had our traditional japanese meal served. Our room was on the ground floor with doors opening onto the Sukiya style garden with lime trees over 150 years old. After our showers in what was described as a westernised bathroom but contained an extremely short wooden bath, we dressed in kimonos and tabi (socks) ready for our dinner which was served very promptly at 1900 by a Japanese woman in traditional dress. The food comprised of much beautifully presented but very tasteless food - we thought it was very disappointing after all the build up. The evening started to take on signs of a Brian Rix farce as the Japanese woman kept coming in and out to clear the room and put down our futons. We got a fit of the giggles and could not stop laughing. The Japanese woman seemed very concerned about not being able to find us a night light and eventually returned with one that she plugged in. Meanwhile Robin had located the other light which he pointed out to her. She seemed to find this very funny and unplugged the existing light to replace it. We heard her going off up the corridor laughing loudly to herself! Once we thought it was safe to come out we locked the door and had some much needed beer.