Our final days in Tokyo, Japan


We arrived back at our Tokyo hotel, the Hotel Niwa, mid-afternoon on Thursday. Settled in then headed out to revisit the Kagurazaka area and find dinner. Friday morning we got out of town and headed toward Mt Fugi. There are plenty of things to do in Tokyo, but we like getting out of town, and…

Reflections on Kyoto


 We are on the Shinkansen train back to Tokyo, a day early. Motivated a bit by the slightly, only slightly, cooler temperatures in Tokyo. Yet for me, as much as Kyoto was a wondrous place, I like Tokyo. We arrived in Kyoto on Monday, hot and humid. Desiring a true Kyoto experience we went to…

Monday, off to Kyoto


We are off for 5 days in Kyoto, but first some memories of the last few days. Wednesday morning Saori brought Komonos fou us to try, worn most often for special occasions and festivals. I think we look great. We spent the day shopping, mostly at Shimboco Station, the largest in Tokyo. It is hard…

Tokyo, off to a grand start 


Thursday morning, Tokyo. We arrived Monday and our friend Saori welcomed us at the airport. We picked up our Japan Rail pass, smooth as it could be, found our Pocket WiFi, then headed for the Narita Express. Narita Airport is almost 90 minutes from Tokyo, it was worth the ride, we saw our first rice…