A view from our hotel room
The gardens at Kubota museum
The museum at Kubota - Gaudi lik
Mt Fuji
Sulphur vents
Tuesday, 30 May 2017
Tokyo 30/5/2017
We had a sleep in this morning, not meeting until 9.20. Today we head off to the fish market. It is a hive of activity. We have free time to wander the markets but are warned to be careful of the carts being driven around as they don't stop for tourists. We are not allowed in until after 10 and by that time most are cleaning up and cutting fish to order. Some stalls do not allow photography. It is a busy place, seafood of all kinds are on display. While we don't see any whole tuna, we see large pieces that have been filleted and are being cut to order, they use very long bladed and sharp knives.
A scary Japanese pretender
Ann getting her certificate
We then have time to go to the retail shops right next to the market and see the fish being prepared for sale to customers. We see some of the biggest mussels ever seen.
We then head off for our Sushi making experience. We have to don special coats and head band. We have a sushi chef demonstrate his filleting expertise on a large sea bream. Very impressive. Then it is our turn to make sushi rolls and sushi. It is quite an experience and a great deal of fun. Of course we have to eat our creations, but we also have supplied some tempura prawns and vegetables, including sweet potato, eggplant and lotus root. We also had steamed rice and miso soup. There was so much you could not eat it all. At the end we were all awarded with Sushi Masters Certificates! It was great fun.
After lunch we had a walk through the Hamarikyu Gardens. The gardens surround a sea water tidal lake. It is a beautiful and peaceful setting among the high rises.
We are back at the hotel by 2 pm, it is 30 degrees so we will grab a few beers and relax in our room. We have to pack as we head off to Kyoto on the bullet train tomorrow. Our dinner tonight is in the hotel, so it should be good.
Tuna about to be craved
Cuttlefish on a stick
Our Sushi creations
Monday, 29 May 2017
Tokyo 29/5/2017
Last night we had our dinner cruise on the Sumida river. We had to take off our shoes and sit at a low table, but our legs sunk into a space below the table. It was another Japanese feast. The dishes were not as good as the previous night but they did include tempura squid, fish, potato, prawn, eggplant and eel. I tried the eel and it just tasted like a soft flesh fish. After dinner we had Karaoke.
Today we had an early start a 7.50 am meet. We have a 2 hour drive to Mt Fuji and Haokone national park. Our first stop is at the Icchu Kubota Kimono museum. Mr Kubota was an artist who created scenes on kimonos. He resurrected an old style dyeing the silk to create his masterpieces. It is a style of tie dyeing. It took him years to recreate the style and he was 60 when he perfected it. They are amazing as is the museum building, built out of wood. He was the first living artist to be displayed at the Smithsonian in Washington. On the way there we had a view of Mt Fuji, but some of it was covered by cloud. After the museum we proceeded to Haokone for a cable car ride to hell valley. A valley that has sulphur vents. A very interesting landscape. We are also able to get some good shots of Fuji. We then move to lake Ashi for a cruise on a pirate ship. The lake was formed after the caldera of a volcano collapsed. During the cruise we got more views of Fuji, it does dominate the landscape.
It is another 2 hour drive back to our hotel. Tonight we had dinner at a French restaurant with fantastic views from the 46th floor. An interesting menu that included Aussie beef steak which was delicious. Ann is really enjoying the meals.
Tomorrow is less hectic, but also our last day in Tokyo. Will try to post some more photos tomorrow.
Sunday, 28 May 2017
Tokyo 28/5/2017
As I mentioned dinner was great last night, we had Tofu soy sauce, shrimp, wasabi and dried seaweed. This was followed by green soup with fried greenling potato, paprika, Tsuruna-leaves and leaf buds. Third course was tuna sushi, and two kinds of sashimi with traditional garnishes. Fourth course grilled salmon with broad bean paste, egg omelet, marinated daikon root with blueberry simmered eggplant, turban she'll and tomato. Fifth round dish was simmered Waugh beef with tomato scallion, baby corn, mushroom, asparagus, burdock thick sauce and egg yolk. This was followed by steamed rice with salty pork, peas and pepper Miso soup and pickles. The final dish was mango pannacota with coconut milk, bracken starch dumpling and mint seasonal fruits.
While the above may sound a lot, they are small servings.
Today we had a walk through the Yanaka area where some remaining traditional wooden Japanese houses remain.
We then moved on to the Asakusa area to visit the Sensoji Temple. While there we saw a Japanese bridal party. They traditionally go to a Shinto shrine for a blessing. The brides wears a head covering that covers her whole head but lease the face clear, the tradition is she hides her devil horns from her future husband so he is not aware what trouble he is going to land in. She maybe obedient on the day but look out after the wedding. The shrine and the temple are next to each other. Buddhism and Shinto operate side by side. The whole area had a market around them and it was crowded and hectic.
We then moved on to lunch at a restaurant at the top of the Asahi brewery company. The building is gold with a silver top supposed to resemble a beer. There is a building next to it which has a golden flame on top, but because of regulations it is sideways and has gained a nickname of the golden turd.
The lunch was Italian fusion, interesting but quite enjoyable. We then had a river cruise along the Sumida river under thirteen bridges. Bridges were built following the last major earthquake to ensure people would have escape routes. They are a variety of designs to ensure at least some will survive.
We then went on a walk to Meji Shrine and saw another wedding. On our way back to the hotel we stopped off at a street where the young shop for fashions. It was amazing, so many people and so many strange fashions. We left this morning at 8.30 and got back at 4.30, it was a full on day.
Tonight we have a dinner cruise with Japanese cuisine again.
Saturday, 27 May 2017
Tokyo
Everything worked out OK. We found our way out of the Tokyo train station and caught a cab to the hotel. Only turned out to $16. The hotel is incredible, we are on the 35th floor. Huge room, huge prices for drinks and pay only Internet! Have to find some free wi fi hotspots. We had a view of Mt Fuji from the train, a spectacular sight.
Met up with our tour group and tour leader. Group of twenty, one English couple the rest Aussies. Wifi sorted out. Great dinner, traditional Japanese seven course meal with chop sticks. Tried everything, all ok except for tofu, both of us not big fans. Great night and seems a good group of people.
Kobe to Tokyo.
Well today is the day! I am confident but apprehensive about booking and boarding the Shinkansen bullet train to Tokyo. When we boarded the cruise I was told there was a free shuttle to shin Kobe station. There was nothing on the ship about it. When we got off I went to the information centre and confirmed there was a shuttle. We were given directions and off we went. There was a minor issue when we were misdirected but found the bus which stopped right outside the station. Kobe appeared from the bus to be a lovely city. The station is huge, almost like an airport.
We queue at the ticket counter, book our ticket ( decided to upgrade to business class) and went to pay. Credit card declined, other credit card declined. Not enough yen. Mild panic, may have to exchange some Aussie dollars or withdraw from bank account. Attendant then suggests she can contact card authority and verify - may take 5 to 10 mins. Comes back in 5 and all okay! Get our tickets, carriage number and seat number. Head off and find the platform. Our train is 11.15. Turns up right on time and away we go. The train is very smooth and similar to the Spanish high speed but not quite as fast.
Farewell dancers
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Tokushima
We met up with Roger and Sue and had a couple of drinks at happy hour. It was such a surprise to see them on the same cruise. They are continuing on for another 7 days of the cruise as it heads around Hokaido Island. After happy hour Sue talks us into to trivia and we form up with another couple and we end up winning! We then arrange to meet them at 6 pm at the sky walker lounge tomorrow night. The lounge is an exclusive area for platinum and elite members where there is cheese and biscuits etc provided and $5 cocktails. We were aware of it but had not found time to go. We checked it and it was quite relaxing not having to rub shoulders with the plebs.
Baby Bhuddas
Shikuko Temple gate
Friday is our last full day of the cruise and we are at Tokushima. On our way to the bus Ann and I are nearly hit by a cock head American on a monocycle. Any closer and I would have bumped over. We have seen him before and he is a total wanker. He is with a group of other Americans and while they walk he is really unsteady trying to go at their pace. Who takes a monocycle on a cruise of Japan?
He was also one of the group who were so disrespectful at Nagasaki.
Our guides name was Kate and she was delightful - must be the name. She gave us a lot of local history. Our first stop was Mount Bizan which gav e great views of Tokushima city and surrounds. We then went to a Bhuddist temple which was the first temple in an 88 temple pilgrimage around Shikuko. We 40 mins at each stop and then back to the ship. For 4 hour tour there was a lot of driving. The port is quite a way from anything so it would have difficult to go anywhere on your own, although some did so by taking a shuttle and then a train.
After lunch on board it is time to pack for our next segment. We are due to leave port at 4.30 and we are aware that there will be some traditional dancing to send us on our way. We go out on deck at 4 to get a good spot and they have already started. There are perhaps 20 to 30 dancers, both male and female in traditional costume. They are fantastic! It was quite a highlight. There were also about 50 primary school age children to wave us goodbye and they also were trying to do the dance. It was a great sight.
We met up with Roger and Sue at the sky walkers lounge and said our goodbyes and hoped our paths may cross again sometime in the future.
View from Mt Bizan
Ann with Pilgrim outfit
Thursday, 25 May 2017
Photos number 2
Ann at Schocu brewery
View of Devils washboard rock formation Arburatsu
Shinto shrine
Botanical gardens Aoshima island
Top of castle
View from castle
Russian pose Katsurahama beach
Wednesday, 24 May 2017
Aburatsu
JWe have our first excursion with the ship today. The berth where we are docked is quite a way from the town. We have to meet at 8.50 and we board the bus at 9.10. It is well organised. Our guide is Mitchi and she is fantastic. She gives us a lot of information over the 5 hours of the tour. She gives us all the ins and outs of Japanese toilets particularly the electronic features of the bidet, which I must say we are getting used to. Hard not to like warm water and hot air being blown up you bum.
Our first stop is a brewery wher Shochu is distilled. Shochu can be distilled from rice, sweet potato and other vegetables. This brewery specialises in sweet potato. We try some straight and with water. It is not to our liking it is 25 to 45% alcohol and tastes like it.
Next is the souvenir stop with lookout. It was more like a supermarket with lookout.
Our final stop was a Shinto shrine on Aoshima Island. This was very interesting. It also started to rain a little, just annoying but quickly stopped after 10 mins. We learnt there are over 8 million deities in the Shinto religion and most Japanese practice Shinto and Bhuddism. To celebrate births, marriages, birthdays they will make an offering to the Shinto gods for deaths they revert to Bhuddism. At the shrine we participated in a cleansing, made an offering and said a prayer. On our return to the ship the rain set in.
At dinner tonight Ann thought she recognised a couple from NZ whom we had sailed with 6 years ago. They were sitting a couple of tables away. On leaving I asked them if they were the couple from NZ and they were! We are going to meet up for drinks tomorrow afternoon.
Kochi
Woke this morning to singing and rain. There was a welcome for us as we came into berth. Kochi apparently is the wettest place in Japan. A drum session followed the signing, very cool. While there is drizzling rain it is warm and slightly humid.
We are on another ships tour and again it is well organised. We are on our way by 9 am. Our guide today is Okaey. He also gives us a lot of history of the Kochi prefecture, feudal lords, shoguns and the restoration from feudal lords to democratic government.
He also sang a local song for us about a forbidden romance between a Bhuddism monk and a girl as we drove past the Harimaya bridge where it is claimed he bought a hairpin and this started rumours that led to their being caught. They were both banished to different parts of Japan and were never able to get together again.
We then went to Kochi castle, building of the castle first commenced in 1601 with the main citadel completed in 1603. A third citadel was completed in 1611, then most of it was destroyed by fire in 1727, restoration of th castle was completed in1753. The castle is high on a hill and has great 360 degree views over the town. After the castle we move on to a museum and then we go to Katsursahama beach. We get back to the ship at 1 pm.
Tomorrow is our last full day of the cruise as we head overnight to Tokushima.
So far the cruise has been busy, have not gone to trivia at all - too busy. It has been a very smooth cruise and weather overall has been great. Send some more photos next blog.
Tuesday, 23 May 2017
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