Japan

[Bornadog]

Re: Japan

Amazing country enjoy. If you're in Kyoto (And you really should be), look up the fire ramen restaurant. It's an experience.

Yes spending at least 4 nights there. Haven't been to Kyoto since 1984. Thanks for the tip.

[Twodogs]

Re: Japan

Yes spending at least 4 nights there. Haven't been to Kyoto since 1984. Thanks for the tip.

Sort the protocol out while you are there and save the world!

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Japan

Lived there four years, so feel somewhat qualified to answer this.
The 'White Crane' or Himeji castle in Hyogo Ken, near Kyoto is really good.
People queue up for ages for the steak there.
Temples can get a bit boring after a while in Kyoto but the gardens are a must see. They are masterpieces of sculpture.
Hiroshima Dome is very moving and as an upper, the city is really cool.
Onsen experience and Izakaya, particularly Beer and Okonomiaki pancakes in Osaka.
Tsukiji has closed down now, a great pity but any kind of market is fun to go to.
They do Aquariums very well in Japan.
The best thing about Japan are the public festivals. They are very frequent and wonderful. Get onto a tourist association and see if you can time it to see something going on. In Osaka have a big bowl of noodles and slurp loudly, then hoik a pitcher of beer like a boss.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g298566-Activities-Osaka_Osaka_Prefecture_Kinki.html

[EasternWest]

Re: Japan

Lived there four years, so feel somewhat qualified to answer this.
The 'White Crane' or Himeji castle in Hyogo Ken, near Kyoto is really good.
People queue up for ages for the steak there.
Temples can get a bit boring after a while in Kyoto but the gardens are a must see. They are masterpieces of sculpture.
Hiroshima Dome is very moving and as an upper, the city is really cool.
Onsen experience and Izakaya, particularly Beer and Okonomiaki pancakes in Osaka.
Tsukiji has closed down now, a great pity but any kind of market is fun to go to.
They do Aquariums very well in Japan.
The best thing about Japan are the public festivals. They are very frequent and wonderful. Get onto a tourist association and see if you can time it to see something going on. In Osaka have a big bowl of noodles and slurp loudly, then hoik a pitcher of beer like a boss.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...ure_Kinki.html

What were you doing over there, GD?

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Japan

What were you doing over there, GD?

Doing all kinds of things! , Teaching ESL / illustrator, studying printmaking, learning (some ) Japanese.
I just read my post. People do not buy steak at Himeji castle, I meant in Hyogo ken . Buying steak at a temple/ castle is more a Chinese thing ( haha ).
They eat Beef tongue in Hyogo Ken, and its ridiculously popular.

[The Adelaide Connection]

Re: Japan

Doing all kinds of things! , Teaching ESL / illustrator, studying printmaking, learning (some ) Japanese.
I just read my post. People do not buy steak at Himeji castle, I meant in Hyogo ken . Buying steak at a temple/ castle is more a Chinese thing ( haha ).
They eat Beef tongue in Hyogo Ken, and its ridiculously popular.

My friends neighbour came out with us for dinner when I visited him there (he was teaching for a few years) and did all the ordering and would tell us afterwards what it was we were eating. We had the tongue, found it similar to fritz from memory.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Japan

My friends neighbour came out with us for dinner when I visited him there (he was teaching for a few years) and did all the ordering and would tell us afterwards what it was we were eating. We had the tongue, found it similar to fritz from memory.

That's a cool experience. It's a meat lover's paradise for sure.

[jeemak]

Re: Japan

Two words from a food perspective. Fried chicken.

I have eaten fried chicken everywhere and nothing competes with what the Japanese deliver.

I know it's humble, simple or not that exotic, though something so basic done unbelievably well is worth a mention.

[Bornadog]

Re: Japan

Currently in Kanazawa staying in a Ryoken with an onsen. Had an incredible meal and just relaxing and reading about Lloyd who I always thought was a perfect player for us.

[jeemak]

Re: Japan

I alongside my partner at the time stayed at a very Japanese Ryoken. Some of the fish dishes at breakfast were a little confronting, but everyone was really nice.

[SonofScray]

Re: Japan

Currently in Kanazawa staying in a Ryoken with an onsen. Had an incredible meal and just relaxing and reading about Lloyd who I always thought was a perfect player for us.

Enjoy!

I am looking forward to the onsen, though it will explain any news items of yeti sightings in Hakone next year.

[Bornadog]

Re: Japan

Enjoy!

I am looking forward to the onsen, though it will explain any news items of yeti sightings in Hakone next year.

Got back this morning and thoroughly enjoyed the trip.

One place we went to and hadn't been to before was Koya San. It is a difficult place to get to, but we thought it was well worth it. Basically, the whole mountain (San) of Koya is covered with Buddhist temples. We stayed in a temple and one condition was we had to get up at 6.30am and listen to the prayers for 40 minutes. The monks cook you a huge vegetarian dinner and breakfast.

We left Kyoto and 4 trains and a bus later, about 3.5 hours we got there. If you are travelling with small children, I wouldn't recommend it.

If you want any other tips, please let me know.

[soupman]

Re: Japan

One place we went to and hadn't been to before was Koya San. It is a difficult place to get to, but we thought it was well worth it. Basically, the whole mountain (San) of Koya is covered with Buddhist temples. We stayed in a temple and one condition was we had to get up at 6.30am and listen to the prayers for 40 minutes. The monks cook you a huge vegetarian dinner and breakfast.

Also did this, except in winter when it was all covered in snow. The Vegetarian meals were interesting. Tofu cooked 20 different ways for dinner, and the most disgustingly textured breakfast I've ever had.

[Bornadog]

Re: Japan

Also did this, except in winter when it was all covered in snow. The Vegetarian meals were interesting. Tofu cooked 20 different ways for dinner, and the most disgustingly textured breakfast I've ever had.

Would be great covered in snow. We took a hike along the woman's pilgrimage with warnings saying beware of bears - I must say I was a little nervous

[jeemak]

Re: Japan

Would be great covered in snow. We took a hike along the woman's pilgrimage with warnings saying beware of bears - I must say I was a little nervous

I don't think that's something they should warn you about. If I was going to be mauled by a bear I think I'd prefer not to know it was something I should watch out for.