Okunikko Konishi Hotel

... me 2-3 hours and so I was able to catch a train at 3:30. Arrived at Matsumoto around 7:30. Realized that the ryokan was going to be a bit far to pull a suitcase, I thought I'd catch a bus (as the website recommended, "just a short ride on Bus #2". Hmm. There is no "Bus #2". There was a "Bay #2" and the next bus was 50 minutes away. I'm sweaty and tired. Screw it, I'm taking a cab. Good ...

... zum Rand gefuellte Wanne mit heissem Wasser gaaaaanz frueh am Morgen (weil Fruehstueck wird um halb 8 serviert... und nur bis halb 8)<br>Wir wissen jetzt auch, wie man so ein Japanisches Bad auch richtig benutzt... wir hatten zwar schon mal von irgendeinem Japankenner gehoert, wie das denn so ablaueft... aber wenn man dann wirklich da ist, dann denkt man nicht an irgendwelche Waschablaeufe oder so... also haben wir auch gleich mal am ersten ...

... and scallop), beef, tempura and some unknowns that tasted great. Washed down with a big, cold Asahi beer!<br><br>Then, bath time. Wow. First time in a Japanese bath. Private, not a sento, but hot enough to peel paint and just the thing for sore muscles. The whole Japanese process where you shower/rinse first, then get in the tub to soak.<br>

... wohl Wandern angesagt! ... y a y :p<br><br>Gestern und vorgestern haben wir uns in Asakusa mit Sabine und Andi getroffen (Studienkollegin und soon-to-be-Gspons ;)<br>War sehr amuesant uns auf der von Japanern nur so wimmelnden Azumbashi Bruecke zu finden. Sabine passt wie die Faust aufs Auge hier nach Japan. Dieses Land bringt ihre besten Eigenschaften noch besser zum Vorschein! XD<br>Wir sind einfach mal Essen gegangen und danach am Abend noch zu einem ...

... of the day. One of the most famous things about the temple is a wood carving with the "Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil, See No Evil" monkeys adorning it. <br><br>Unfortunatley I didn't get up to see Kegon waterfall which I hear is really beautiful. There is also a lake above Nikko which is also quite beautiful. Both of these places can be reached by special bus but since it was late in the day I decided to head back to Tokyo. <br><br> <br>

... However, I was disappointed to see the monks in the temple or shrines who were eager to sell something mysterious like lucky charms, lucky arrows, and beadrolls. I didn't go shopping there. I thought the monk was more sacred profession. Especially, Nikko is the most dignified cluster of shrines and temples of Japan. Honestly, I had a bad impression from the merchant-like monks.<br><br>

... we got a combined ticket for 1000Y otherwise most temples would have cost 1300Y each. The area has been designated a World Heritage Site. The most important and famous is the Toshogu Shrine, inside the gate is a horse stable with the three wise monkeys carved, hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. All the temples were very nice and not very crowded and they were surrounded by moss covered stone walls and fences.

... treinta metros. <br> Habia grupos de escolares de visita. Los chavales/as iban todos con uniformes del mismo color. Los profesores les iban dando la charla e indicandoles cuando se tenian que ir quitando los zapatos. <br> Atravesamos el primer de los toriis (los portales de madera) y la guia nos explico que cuando pasas por debajo tu alma se purifica. Tambien comento que hay quien necesita pasar varias veces para purificarse.<br> Pasamos por delante de varios edificios ...

... Harrison Hot Springs. There were lots of parked Swan boats...too cold to take a ride and paddle paddle paddle with your feet. (I dont like those...you work soo hard and get nowhere). Our next stop was in Nikko where we excited the bus and followed the man with the megaphone. Soon we were at the entrance to Tosho-gu Shrine. I was amazed at the beauty of the buildings and just how many there were. Lots and lots of tourists and I could see why. This is where the monkey (see no evil, speak no ...

... 1634 on the order of his grandson Iemitsu (Ieyasu died in 1617). The shrines and buildings are unbelievably ornate. From the main complex I had to climb 200 stairs (not an exaggeration!) to reach Ieyasu's mausoleum. After leaving the Toshugu Shrine I wanndered into Futarasan Shrine and Rinnoji Taiyuin Temple. I must admit, by this point I had seen enough of shrines and was ...