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Japan 2017: Kyoto, Day Two

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Let me just start this post by saying I am blown away by the iPhone X camera. I lugged a heavy DSLR all over Japan 6 years ago the last time we were here, and I’ve taken pictures today with my phone that rival the ones from that trip. I’ll include a few in the post but please look at the trip album for more, there were just too many beautiful temples to include in one post.

After breakfast at the hotel, we headed out early this morning to visit seven different temples and shrines. It was a gorgeous day, brisk and refreshingly cold – perfect scarf weather – but sunny and inviting. We hit the jackpot on Kōyō, the Japanese leaf change season. Ever since we were here the first time we’ve wanted to come back to Kyoto for this reason, and it couldn’t have been a more perfect day.

Koyo

View of Kyoto City from Temple

We were able to stop in one of the temples and enjoy afternoon Green Tea service. We sat on pillows and a tatami mat in a quiet room. Being in one of the most stunningly beautiful places in the world and having a moment for mindfulness is such an incredible way to recharge.

A hot tea for a cold day

Green Tea and Youkan

Listen, Think, Accept, Practice, Believe

A guide for Mindfulness

Japanese Maple

Sky Fire

Even though we had an idea of what to expect since this was our second Kōyō, we couldn’t have known how much the day would truly show up for us.

Stunning reflection pond

Kōyō

We even saw Komainu protecting the entrance to the Temple!

Japanese Guard

Komainu at the Temple

I saved the best picture for last, I might actually get this framed as it’s my proudest photo I’ve taken:

Having spent a perfect day outside we headed back to the hotel for some rest before dinner.

Yum!

Cold Sake made by the owners grandfather

We had dinner at Mikaku – the same Teppanyaki restaurant we ate at 6 years ago. It was surreal to come back after such a long time – most of our relationship in between – getting to have dinner with my best friend at one of our favorite restaurants of all time. It was a perfect ending to a beautiful day.

Died and gone to heaven

Waygu Filet frying in beef fat

Bamboo shakers

Japanese cayenne and pepper shakers

Modern, beautiful view

This is everything I would want if I ever owned a restaurant

The restaurant is ultra modern with a view of the changing leaves on the street. Our meal included a Kobe filet course, mushrooms in butter, fried onions, garlic fried rice, fried potato, beef miso, potato soup, dessert, and green tea. Everything was incredible, I almost doubted that it would be as good as we’d remembered, but it was.

Delicious

Potato soup

Tomorrow we are off and away to Osaka – thanks for everything Kyoto!

Japan 2017: Kyoto, Day One

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It’s hard to believe its already time to leave Tokyo and head to Kyoto, but nothing can top the Ghibli Store and the Robot Restaurant yesterday. (If you haven’t watched the videos of the Robot Restaurant in action, head over to the Japan 2017 photos on my photos page! It was a show to top all shows.

Bagels and Yogurt for Breakfast!

Sweet Couch

We’ve just had breakfast and soon we’ll be on the Shinkansen bullet train and on our way to Kyoto! We will be traveling between 150-200mph at any given time!

Bullet Train

It’s a double Shinkansen!

Gorgeous Mountain Ranges

The Japanese Countryside

 

We reached Kyoto in about two and a half hours. Once we got checked in, we made a reservation at a restaurant we went to six years ago the last time we were here. We had to show the concierge pictures of the inside of the restaurant we had taken the last time and the geolocation from our photos app to find it, but she knew where it was and we have a reservation for tomorrow night!

With just a few hours before dinner, we decided to see one of the temples illuminated at night. It was packed with people from everywhere imaginable, but totally immersive and worth the trip.

The perfect red!

Pond with Japanese Maple

Raked Zen Garden

Projection show in Zen Garden

Beautiful!

Japanese Lanterns

 

We even walked through a section where everyone took their shoes off to walk through some of the older traditional buildings!

When we got back to the hotel, we decided to have sushi for dinner. This was the best we’d had yet, even though my jet lag was causing me to have waves of nausea and feel just generally insane. I am essentially completely reversed between New York and Tokyo so my noon is midnight and my midnight is noon – it is the biggest time change I’ve had to deal with and Tim is doing much better.

We’ll have to see how tomorrow goes! We are planning more temples to walk through during the day and we are both looking forward to the restaurant we both loved so much last time we were in Kyoto!

Japan 2017: Tokyo, Day One

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We had a really great flight! I was able to sleep the first half of it with the help of some delicious buffalo trace and a small sleep aid, and woke up at 10:30am Tokyo time towards the end of the flight. We’re about an hour delayed, so when we land around 4pm we’ll check into our hotel, find a fun place to get dinner in the city, and probably just wander around until then!

Tim took a few naps throughout the flight so I’ll be interested to see how he handles the jet lag this afternoon. I do have to say, this has been the best international flight we’ve been on. The seats were private, EXTREMELY comfortable (I was the only one to request the Saks fifth avenue mattress pad and I don’t care it was complementary and I slept AMAZING) with plenty of room to spread out in. So for now, I will allow the affair with United to continue.

Later

Waiting for the Train

The Narita Express to Tokyo Station

On the airport train, the Narita Express, on our way into Tokyo! Our JR pass is only for 7 days, so we had to purchase a one way ticket to get to the hotel this evening. I am feeling GREAT! No jet lag, ready for dinner, and excited to get to our hotel and check in!

#spoiled

Tim had a bottle of Sake waiting for me in the room!

Later

 

We had an incredibly adventurous dinner in a sushi place located in this crazy maze of shops underneath our hotel. We just ate whatever they gave us, and Tim did AMAZING. I was doing well until we had a roll which I THINK may have been Uni. My cheeks puffed out, I choked a bit, and then forced my gag reflex back down with all the shame I’ve ever summoned in my entire life. It was a VERY close call. Despite that, I was able to finish dinner, and we headed up to the hotel lounge for a nightcap!

and raisins?

The weirdest Manhattan Ever

I ordered a Manhattan (it was on the menu so I thought it was a safe bet). What I got was a glass stuffed with dried fruit and raisins, two massive pieces of ice, and an orange slice. It wasn’t bad, but it definitely wasn’t a Manhattan. I don’t even know what to compare it to, I’ve never seen a cocktail like it anywhere. But, when in Tokyo!

Zoom Zoom

So many trains!

 

Later

We are up and had breakfast in the hotel in front of Tokyo Central Station. What a great view of the old station! We cheated and had French toast, hash browns, and sausage (not exactly traditional Japanese far), but we’re staying in a western hotel and I felt I earned it after my uni experience.

#fancy

English Breakfast Tea Service for One!

And now we’re off to go on our first day adventure! Will try and post tonight or tomorrow morning – just before we leave for Kyoto!

P.S. Apparently my blogging software disabled my spelling and grammar check, and had I known that I would have proofread the last post a little more carefully. As such, I have corrected all of the shameful mistakes in the last post, and beg you to pretend they never existed in the first place. Scouts Honor, it won’t happen again.