grumeti peking

japan, korea, march-april 2017 *download PDF*

Welcome to Japan

Kon-ichiwa to this mysterious country.
We started planning this trip almost one year ahead of time as our visit will be during the cherry-blossom season

Kyoto, our first destination surprised us with cold and rainy weather, hardly any blossoms were out by march 28th. Trying to get rid of the jet-lag we are staying at a Hotel in Asashiyama, lovely place, quiet during the evening and night, busy in the day time. The Suiran Hotel, locates beside the river in a Japanese garden, is perfect for taking walks to sightseeing spots near by and the busy local shopping streets. The bamboo-forest, recommendation go early morning to avoid the crowd, is good but lots of others receive the same advise. Surprise, we are not the only ones.

Just of the beaten track is the Ohkohchi-Sanso Garden, it is a private villa of the famous silent-film actor, Okochi Denjiro (1898-1962). He constructed this unique garden over 30 years. You will find pine and maple trees as well as cherryblossomtrees. Above all there is a grand view of Asashiyama. Worth a visit.
On the way to and back there are several interesting temples. Means the day is gone before we see them all.
A feast for our eyes, the famous bridge, the ladies and gents in Kimonos, the rickshaws. Please look at the feet of the rickshaw driver with the Ninja shoes, reminds me of dinosaurs, not sure why. Could not get my eyes of them, the feet I mean, dear reader.
Even with rain we enjoy ourselves by watching the by-passers from a dry warm cafe at the Randen train station. Interesting decoration with 600 poles displaying kimono fabrics, illuminated at night, the Kimono forest. The Randen Tram goes to Kyoto Centre, a nice way to get around inexpensive and with a view.

 

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