We had two primary objectives in visiting Japan. The first was to go to the Sumo wrestling championship which is held six times a year - three in Tokyo - one in Nagoya - one in Kyushu and one in Osaka
There is much pomp and circumstance surrounding the Sumo championships. It lasts for two weeks and each day it culminates in matches with in the Top Division. These are some big boys!!
For lunch we ordered a Bento Box with Sushi Rice Tea and Beer. Very delicious!
We had ordered box seats and that is about what they are
We sat in between a box with 4 young Australian boys who were touring Asia and 3 men from Kyoto. As Emily said " I dont know which was harder to understand " but in spite of that we had great fun with them
The next day we visited Osaka castle which is a splendid structure. One of the highlights here was dressing up in authentic Samurai fighting outfits and sword fighting with some of the locals. I had the whole floor laughing when I got my garments on and turned to them and in perfect Japanese blurted out " Ima watashi wa nihon jin des! (Now i am Japanese) They all became my friends
Next we took the train to Nara which is the original capital of Japan. Emily found many things to buy. Nara deer were everywhere.
On the train again bound for Kyoto where we fulfilled our second objective... Sakura (Cherry blossoms) It is really hard to imagine the entire city bathed in white pink and red cherry blossoms. It is really beautiful.
We learned a new word - Hanami. Hanami is the process of sitting under the cherry blossoms and enjoying the day. We experienced hanami at Maryayma park in Kyoto. it is the most famous park in Kyoto and it was located on 3 minutes away from the Traditional Japanese Hotel we stayed in.
There were thousands of people in the Park including many Meiko sans - kind of junior Geishas
Staying at a Traditional Japanese hotel is an experience like no other. They prepare all of the meals in your room. At night time they discreetly come and clear your room and prepare your beds. They put little origami birds on the pillows
In Kyoto we went to the National Textile manufacturing site. At this site they make silk cloth and subsequently make it into many different items - purses (Emily had to have one) kimonos and many other garments. While we were there they had a Kimono fashion show
We saw many other sights in Kyoto but everywhere were the Sakura (Cherry blossoms)
We also visited the Golden Temple in the northern part of Kyoto
finally we said goodbye to our hosts at our Japanese Hotel
On to the Kyoto Train Station and take the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Yokohama
Mission accomplished! Both objectives met and more.
We had many more adventures but once in Yokohama i had to go to work. From Yokohama Emily flew back to the US and I went on to Malaysia.
it was an incredible vacation and if you really want to do something totally different - try visiting Japan. The sights are amazing and the people are incredibly friendly and helpful
Sayanora
Paul and Emily
