April 13, 2014
April 13, 2014
We had a western-style breakfast this morning at our ryokan. It was good but the view out the window was better. Unfortunately it is also rainy. We are so glad we had good weather yesterday and were able to see most of Miyajima Island. The weather report says clear skies are to the east, so we check out and catch an early train to Kyoto. That is one of the benefits of a Japan Rail pass. We flash the pass and board any train.
We read that during a few days in cherry blossom season, the Old Imperial Palace in Kyoto is open to visitors. So we take advantage of the opportunity. The palace grounds are behind walls inside a huge public garden. This has not been the home of the imperial family since it was moved to Tokyo in 1869, although coronation ceremonies are still held here. The outside doors/walls on the large wooden buildings have all been slid open showing empty tatami-matted spaces with nice painted walls. We are underwhelmed. The surrounding garden was nicer.
My stomach is feeling a little uneasy so for lunch we stop at McDonalds. I order Chicken McNuggets only because I am not sure how to order a burger plain.
After lunch we take the subway to the Gion area. This is Kyoto’s most authentic area. Like Takayama, it has lots of older more traditional wooden buildings. Gion is also geisha central. Geishas are traditional female entertainers skilled in conversation and the arts. A tourist is unlikely to meet a real geisha, but during Cherry Blossom season a show for tourists is performed at the local theater. We buy two tickets and then find a spot to have some beer while we wait.
Our last-minute seats are in the balcony where we sit on tatami mats. The show is a snoozer for me. It is akin to ballet, geisha style. There are a couple dozen geishas performing an operatic dance while a group of older retired geishas sing and pluck a three stringed banjo. While leaving Gion, we ran into a real geisha running to an appointment. I didn’t think anybody could walk so fast on getas (wooden clogs).
Back at the hotel we walk around the neighborhood looking for something to eat. We settle on a dive bar/grill where we have the combo yaki skewer. The menu picture looks good but half the meats turn out to be something less desirable (probably chicken gizzards.) At least the beer was cold.
We had a western-style breakfast this morning at our ryokan. It was good but the view out the window was better. Unfortunately it is also rainy. We are so glad we had good weather yesterday and were able to see most of Miyajima Island. The weather report says clear skies are to the east, so we check out and catch an early train to Kyoto. That is one of the benefits of a Japan Rail pass. We flash the pass and board any train.
My stomach is feeling a little uneasy so for lunch we stop at McDonalds. I order Chicken McNuggets only because I am not sure how to order a burger plain.
After lunch we take the subway to the Gion area. This is Kyoto’s most authentic area. Like Takayama, it has lots of older more traditional wooden buildings. Gion is also geisha central. Geishas are traditional female entertainers skilled in conversation and the arts. A tourist is unlikely to meet a real geisha, but during Cherry Blossom season a show for tourists is performed at the local theater. We buy two tickets and then find a spot to have some beer while we wait.
Back at the hotel we walk around the neighborhood looking for something to eat. We settle on a dive bar/grill where we have the combo yaki skewer. The menu picture looks good but half the meats turn out to be something less desirable (probably chicken gizzards.) At least the beer was cold.
posted by Mike and Aimee at 8:53 AM
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