I checked out of my ryoukan this morning feeling a little sad to be leaving Kyoto. I have really enjoyed the city. My next and final destination for my trip was Osaka. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: November 2012
Leaving Okazaki
I am writing this on the Shinkansen between Nagoya and Kyoto. I had my last breakfast with my host family this morning. We were all a bit sad that my visit was over. Continue reading
Japanese Baths and Comedy. Life Imitating Anime or Art or Something.
One of the tropes that comes up regularly in anime involves the hapless protagonist wandering into the wrong (usually the women’s) bath. Low brow hilarity ensues. Continue reading
Nihonkan Ryoukan
When I tried to book a room in Kyoto I was surprised to find that it was completely booked on the weekends except for rooms that cost more than $400 a night. Continue reading
Uji and Kyoto Tower
“I woke last night to the sound of thunder”. I’m sure that Bob Seger wasn’t in Kyoto when he wrote Night Moves but it is a perfect description for that weather last night that woke me. Continue reading
Kyoto Station
I had a better look through Kyoto station when I returned from my visit to Kinkakuji Temple. Continue reading
Kinkakuji Temple
It had just started to rain as I walked up to the Kinkakuji temple complex. After nearly perfect sunny weather for the last 6 weeks this week looks like it will be overcast and rainy. Continue reading
Sukiyaki
My classmate Julie and I decided to get together for dinner one night at an okonomiyaki restaurant that we has seen. I let my host family know that I would be out and met Julie at the local Aeon shopping mall where she was buying a extra suitcase to haul back her purchases. Continue reading
The Hachou Miso Factory
One of the things that Okazaki is famous for is a locally produced miso paste, hatchou miso. Hatchou miso is dark brown in colour has been made in the same way for hundreds of years. It was a diet staple of local soldiers in the past and is supplied to the emperor today. Continue reading
Nagoya Matsuri
I arrived at the Okazaki JR Station at 9 AM on a Sunday to meet some of my classmates and go to the Nagoya Matsuri. Continue reading