Japan observations

Trip Start Jul 28, 2006

Trip End Ongoing

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Flag of Japan Tokyo, Japan
Tuesday, August 1, 2006

. One of the better things about Tokyo has been the grounds our hotels are located on. Ours is one of three hotels located in Takanwana Forest in NW Tokyo. Of course, ours is the oldest and most rundown of the three and is currently undergoing renovation for which the management has apologized profusely. Still our room has a large flat screen Sony TV, ionic hairdryer and a bidet complete with a heated seat. The ironic part is that there are no English speaking tv stations-not even BBC or CNN and we have to pay extra to use the pool, spa, or gym. I haven't quite figured out the logic to all of this.

This morning I struck out on my own and went to the Tien Art Museum located in a beautiful home built in Art Deco by Prince Asaka in 1933. If you were a fan of this art form you would have loved it. He also had an amazing collection of Lalique glass and small metalwork boxes

a familiar face in Japan

. In the afternoon I used the spa and sauna-how relaxing Japanese baths are although it does take some getting used to the communal bath concept. Most of the time I had the place to myself which suited me fine. The Japanese are fanatics about the bathing process. You enter the bath and take a shower sitting on a small stool with luxurious bath products provided. Then it is into the water (Jacuzzi style this time) and hot and moist spas. Finally you use a little counter area, which has lotions, hairbrush and hair dryer. The Americans could learn a lot from the Japanese about bathing

Matt and I shared some wine and pizza for lunch and headed for the Ginza district, an upscale shopping area. I wanted to find an antique kimono or obi so we headed to the Ginza Antique Mall where I found a lovely obi (kimono sash) I will use somewhere in the house.

We intended to go from shopping to the National Kabuki Theatre, which was finishing its summer run. Unfortunately the show was sold out and there were already about 100 people in line for standing room only. Disappointed we headed back to the hotel where we ate a ridiculously expensive Italian dinner. (Yes, we are eating a lot of Italian-we can't seem to find much appealing at the Japanese restaurants and Italian places are everywhere) and discussed our impression of the Japanese people. They seem to be perfectly groomed and work very hard at their jobs. The service industry people especially always seem to be "on" with a constant smile on their face, yet we noticed on the subway that most people fall asleep immediately, their faces slack-jawed and haggard looking. I think life for the Japanese must be difficult and their quest for good face and perfection has a very exacting toll.