Earlier this year Rick and I had the opportunity to visit Japan, traveling with Katelyn who was on the tail end of a trip through Southeast Asia. While we debated on the cost and travel distance, ultimately we decided it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and we went for it. I am so glad we did!
We began our adventure in the city of Tokyo, but knowing it was a big city with a lot of people we didn't choose to spend much time there. Our flight from Santa Rosa to LAX took off in the early morning, so by the time we laid over in LA and took the 11 hour flight to Narita, the sun was setting as we arrived.
I know it annoys Rick when I stop to take pictures before we even get started on a trip, but I couldn't resist this view as we disembarked and made our way through the airport.
Katelyn had been in Japan for two weeks already, traveling with friends, two of whom had spent significant time in Japan, so we had a built in travel agent ready to help us adapt to the customs in the country. She also met us at Narita to help us navigate the train system to Tokyo. She even brought snacks! I guess all those times I met her at the airport with fresh fruit and veggies for her dorm-dining-hall-deprived-self are paying off.
Not only did Katelyn plan the great majority of our trip and help us navigate the customs, she was a huge help in finding food, coffee, and in general, making our way around. This trip would not have been nearly so relaxing or enjoyable without her help, so thanks, Katelyn!
Our hotel in Tokyo was well-appointed though small. We didn't care as all we wanted at that point was some food and a bed, and it definitely provided that. In addition to the well-appointed and well-run train system, my first exposure to Japanese technology was the toilet in the hotel lobby. I was initially mystified by the sound of running water that started when I entered, but Katelyn explained that the custom is to protect one's privacy while using the toilet, so many of them play music or the sound of water, either automatically or at the push of a button. Interesting!
The view from the hotel was an interesting contrast of high rise buildlings and smaller buildings, interspersed with trees. You have probably heard about how neat Japan is, no trash or graffiti anywhere. It's definitely true!
Early the next morning Rick and I were ready for some coffee. Katelyn had thoughtfully provided us with a recommendation and directions to a nearby Tully's, which she thought would satisfy my need for a mocha, my favorite coffee store creation. She also recommended their egg salad sandwiches for breakfast. This was our first exposure to adapting to Japanese customs as eating a sandwich is not normal breakfast food for us, but hey, it had protein and was tasty, so it filled the bill. Since we arrived on a work day, we were greeted with commute traffic, which on our street looked like this. Note how most everyone is dressed up and wearing a mask, we definitely noticed that people dressed better here than in the States. They also walk on the left, and since we were caught offguard on the right side of the crosswalk we were definitely obstructing the flow of traffic!
After meeting up with Katelyn, we walked through the streets to the Shinjuku National Garden. Along the way we noticed things that were unique to Japan - including the bicycle road on the stairways, the beautiful clean-lined architecture, and the proliferation of vending machines. While vending machines for sodas are not rare in the United States, here they have them for all sorts of beverages, and they are located throughout the cities and towns.
Katelyn picked the Shinjuku Garden partly because it has a lot of cherry trees. We were there in late April, so it was toward the end of the season, but since there are so many varieties there, some of which bloom late, we were able to see lots of cherry trees in bloom.
The park was beautiful, with winding paths and lots to look at. We wandered the paths, including visiting the "Mother and Child's Woods", which was created to allow children to get closer to nature. We saw turtles sunning themselves, birds flitting about, and I could really appreciate the older men and women who were maintaining the garden. I looked down and realized I didn't even know which plants were weeds! That's a weird experience when I am so used to knowing that, it's interesting to think about all the things you learn over your lifetime that you don't even remember learning. We did a pretty thorough exploration of the park, including the museum and the greenhouse. If you're interested,you can read more about the history of the garden here.
One of the places we visited was the Taiwan Pavilion, which was built for the wedding of the Showa Emperor. By then, I was feeling peckish so was happy when we stopped at a tea house. I ordered green tea, thinking I would get the light refreshment that we know here as green tea. Boy was I surprised when my drink looked like this! Luckily with some sweetener I was able to tolerate it.
I think the most amazing experience here was the greenhouse. The architecture was amazing, and the variety of plants was overwhelming. So many things to look at and experience. I especially appreciated the waterfall they had inside, which we viewed from the top of a bridge inside the building. And of course, my photo-ready daughter at the end helps capture the wonderful experience we were having with her. Here are more photos of the greenhouse.
As we wandered back to the hotel, we decided to stop for lunch. It was quite an adventure, and this was the first time we found out how useful the "plastic food" was that they use out front to advertise their offerings. We decided on a place to eat, but their menus were not in English, so we took a picture of the plastic food and pointed to what we wanted. Between that and Katelyn's ability to communicate in Japanese, we were able to find a meal that was completely satisfactory. After that, we made our way back to the hotel, and I was so tired I dropped off to sleep. Rick and Katelyn tried to wake me for dinner, but I was so exhausted that I slept right through. A lesson in listening to your body, I guess I needed sleep more than food at that point. The next day, we're onto Takayama!
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