The Ryokan

Skies were a bit darker this morning. Since check out was at noon and check in was at three, we took our time leaving the New Otani. Made a call to Geoff's brother, Andrew in Alaska, to say Happy Birthday - a day late. Would've called yesterday but we missed our window of opportunity time-wise. He sounded as though he was having a fine birthday even though there is still not much snow in Alaska. 

Now that we have mastered the fine skill of negotiating Tokyo's streets and subway system, not to mention our own hotel, it is time to leave. Checked out around 10:30 and went down the road to Tully's for some coffee and a danish. Lots of trains today, starting with the subway to Tokyo station to the JR (Japan Railway). We had ordered our JR passes at home and now had to activate them. Tokyo Station is massive but fortunately there are plenty of people who are more than eager to help ease the confusion. Found our way to the JR office and with expediency and efficiency our passes were validated and we had reserved seats on the 12:03 train to Kyoto. All we had to do was find the right track. More searching and asking brought us to track 32 with about a 30 minute wait. Not too bad. 

I don't have to say that the train showed up and was immediately scrubbed disinfected by a whole

lot of personnel. At exactly 12:03 we were off. The Shinkasen is one of the bullet trains that goes around 200mph. Even so, the trip to Kyoto was 2 hrs 47 min. Very comfortable with plenty of room for our bags. Once at Kyoto station, we had to search for the local train to Arashiyama (also a JR train). Found the track and our train was waiting - good for us that it was the rapid and not the local train. We only made 3 stops and got here in about 15 minutes. Hailed a taxi to drive us about 2 miles to the ryokan. We arrived at 3:30 - pretty good timing.

We have a lovely traditional Japanese room with private outdoor bath. Plus a public onsen (hot baths) downstairs. We were immediately served two kinds of green tea and a small snack. Donned our yukatas and went down to the onsen. Men's and women's are separate. You wash and scrub yourself first at a sit down station. Then, you can enter the hot bath. There is an inside and an outside bath. I did the inside because at the time I didn't know about the outside one - maybe later. It was extremely relaxing. 

We met up back in the room and wondered around the facility for a while. The ryokan is on the Oi river. There isn't much to do - not that we want to do anything. It rained on and off today, which was fine since we were on the trains all day. The blue sky is just now breaking out and tomorrow should be sunny with some clouds. We will have lots of time to explore the area in the morning before heading back to Kyoto.

We are now just sitting here and enjoying the silence after all the noise and madness the last couple of weeks this is such a welcomed treat.The only thing you hear is an occasional bird. I have an Asahi beer, which I got from the vending machine - that kills me! Another thing that really gets me is the toilet. When you flush the water goes through a sink up over the bowl so it used to wash hands before it flushes. So efficient. 

Traditional Japanese dinner will be served in our room tonight. We never really had a lunch - stopped to get some sort of a baguette at Kyoto station - so we'll enjoy all those dinner courses. 

Our wonderful geisha came at exactly 6:30 and the courses kept coming. There is a photo pictorial in the photo album. The food was outrageous. The only faux pax was when the sukiyaki came with meat and chicken - had to go back in exchange for the seafood. So we had to wait while that cooked but it was well worth waiting for. Not exactly sure of what it was we were eating but it was certainly delicious. 


After dinner we headed up to our private hot bath jacuzzi under the stars - except there were no stars - still cloudy. Who cares, the hot water and the jets felt wonderful. We are now waiting for our geisha to come and turn our living quarters into our bedroom.  With very little effort, our beds are all made and look terribly inviting. Sweet dreams.

Next time... Going to Kyoto