Boog's Blog

See menu included.

Served in private tatatmi room

In Album Kaiseki dinner with menu

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A little cooler as we head to the coast

Last evening in osaka i had no wine, water. Reasoning is that California to which we will soon arrive, has lots of wine but no water. The onsen will have lots of water.

This is a very popular onsen, all reserved seats on the train were taken several days ago when we booked. This Shinkansen train was by far rougher and more buppy than any we have been on, noisy at each task joining.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3525.html

A snack before dinner: soybean and macha tea cheesecake with some ice cream.

Kaiseki crab and tajima beef kaiseki dinner. Pictured in separate album as is the full menu. Served to us in a private room.

Crab is much more delicate than the dungness. Interesting as sasshimi. Not impressed with abalone sasshimi.

In Album 11/20/15

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A bit less warm

Rest and shipping day before traveling to an onsen.

Final night at the hotel club, first rate.

In Album 11/19/15

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Rain forecast but not delivered

Morning at the imperial palace and its gardens open today to the public. Immense, of course.

Afternoon shinkensen ride to Osaka. We watched in amazement as three people cleaned, new head doilies, vacuumed the car during the 20 minute turnaround time. A train leaves every 20 minutes.

Veggie Raman on dotonbori; Namba Park at night.

In Album 11/18/15

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Warm again 75+

Walk through Hama-Rikyu gardens, 14 bridges, along Sumito river where we took the water taxi, 45 min, to, Asakusa

The architecture from the riverside and elsewhere is quite boring. Rectilinear building, one after the other. Almost no caps on the roofs. Good way to see how population dense the city is.

Wandered a most famous area, Akasuka, one Tom and I visited more than once. Bought wooden combs in this shop many years ago.

Over to the chef hat place, then to takashimaya nihonbashi, our old lunch grazing and peach adventure place.

Long walk back to hotel and then Kansai region dinner, the two classics.

In Album 11/17/15

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Sunny, warm, rain has ended. Hot. In mid 70s. Enough!

Giant chestnuts, different variety, from yesterday's visit to Meiji shrine in QB pics.

Kamakura day. Very busy train even though a Monday. Train almost emptied upon arrival.

First to see the giant Buddha, 12-13 th century Kamakura was the capital or leading city.

Brief visit to the highly rated hesedera temple, not overwhelmed after the better earlier ones. Kosokuji was far nicer, no crowds, no tourists, lovely garden, very quiet.

Wandered over to the large beach or bay. Nice to walk on the sand.

Miyazaki,of studio ghibli, steampunt clock at ntv shimbashi. Watch the YouTube version. This is a great bsj of string. QB called it the best clock ever.

http://tokyoexcess.blogspot.com/2012/03/miyazaki-steam-punk-clock-at-ntv.html?m=1

In Album 11/16/15

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Rain forecast but did not develop. Hot, in 70s

Showers, the long morning bath type, are one of the real pleasures for Boogs now living in drought country. Ah, long hot showers and hot (106 degree) public baths. Breakfasts are the most challenging item when in the rural areas.

Harajuku, Meiji shrine day.

Unfortunately no cosplay dancers or singers in the park. A traditional walk Tom took me on many times and I wanted to share it with QB. A faded tradition.

Added Meiji to shingu,nachi and Hongu grand shrines. Another, of course, impressive one; not so much for QB who thought this is far less impressive than the others.

QB trying green tea soft ice cream.

Meiji Jingu inner garden part of the shrine. Not impressive and expensive. Wandered over to shinjuku national garden. Inexpensive and very impressive. Finest chrysanthemums we have ever seen. Varieties, displays, and descriptions of developed styles. QB took pictures of a number of the displays.

Wandered through shinjuku area, dinner and back by yamanote.

In Album 11/15/15

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Rain

View from our room at the Royal Park hotel.

Wandered first up ginza. Itoya, a fun high end 8 story stationary and related items shop. Department stores of famous brands. Loft, recommended, might be related to mugi.

We are unclear about the beautiful bento boxes, plastic, some as much as $250, which are clearly for gift foods. Are they delivered fresh to an address or do you wait until they are made up with real food and you must cash and carry or some other variation?

Late lunch at X'ian noodle. Excellent hot and sour soup with tasomen noodles, soup dumplings, shu mei. A fine and filling change of cuisine.

Starbucks madness. Crowded, were asked to go upstairs, her on line for a seat reservation number. We left.

Day ended with longish very wet walk back to the hotel through ginza at night.

In Album 11/14/15

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Cool,sunny

City and travel days.

Up to the shrine at the usai pass.

Wandered Karuizawa, then of to tokyo by train. Walk to the point where the nakasendo ends.

In Album 11/13/15

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A nice day, very cool to cold

Climb to a god of the mountains,kami. The last mountain pass of the trip, with a shrine of course. Remain uninjured!

Soba in the post town, preserved by the government. Narai-juku.

Then off to karuizawa, a town trying to be international, john Lennon,ono,artists,writers,etc.

Skiing, we are at about 1000 meters.

Fugu appetizer pictured

In Album 11/12/15

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