Sorry I’m a day behind, but we have had very busy days.  We had the usual buffet breakfast and set out for the sake museum and distillery.  We were shown the old distillery and how sake is made.  Then we went to the tasting room where we sampled 3 kinds of sake.  I really don’t care for sake even though the stuff at the distillery is supposed to be very good.  I took pics of the people serving us.  Then we were off to Nara and the Todaiji Temple.  Before we went to the temple we stopped for lunch.  I wanted the room where we would sit on the floor, but they showed us to the room with chairs.  See pic.  I had a vegetarian meal because the regular meal contained shrimp.  Then we went on foot to the Todaiji Temple which is the largest wooden building in Japan.  The temple also houses the largest bronze statue of Buddah.  The temple is situated in a large park the has at least 1,000 Sitka deer.  While in the temple I went trough Buddah’s nostril which is supposed to bring good luck.  There is a picture of me emerging from the very small opening.  There was no traction as I was trying to get through the hole, but the passengers on our bus became my cheering section and I made it.  I took a picture of the picture on Marsha’s  camera. After the temple we got on the bus and headed for Osaka.  In Osaka we went to the Osaka Castle.  The grounds and castle are beautiful.  We went up to the 6th floor and worked out way down through the museum.  No pics allowed in the museum, but some of the samurai outfits were amazing for their time.  Then we went to the Dodonbori district which is known for neon and mechanized signs.  It was really really crowded there.  Very interesting, but very crowded.  Then back on the bus to drop people off at their hotels.  We were the last to be dropped off at 8;30pm and we still needed to get dinner.  I would mention we have had no English speaking TV for a few days and as I am writing this Marsha is totally engrossed in a Japanese travel channel.

Back to dinner.  Several other people were in the same hotel with us so we all went out to dinner together to the only restaurant open.  The trickwas to find it.  It was through the mini mart across a walkway to the hotel across the street.  We got to the hotel, got in the elevator- but no 25th floor where the restaurant should be.  So we all went to the 52nd floor thinking everyone got the numbers reversed.  Wrong.  We all went back down to the ground floor where we found another building that had a 25th floor.  These buildings are massive.  Finally we found a restaurant, but they were closing.  Down to the other end of the hall. Yeah!! – a restaurant that is open.  We had to take our shoes off and when we were seated had to figure out what to eat since most of the menu was in Japanese.  Also we had to order on a tablet and there would only be one bill.  We did the sensible thing and ordered a caraf of wine.   We also ordered food and had a really fun time laughing at our misadventures.  Finally time for bed since it was late.  Tomorrow we have to take the train to the center of Osaka since we are staying out by the airport.  It is about an hour ride.  Remember almost everything is on Japanese – no roman letters so it can be difficult figuring things out.

When we got up this morning the temperature was 32degrees-not good if the cherry blossoms are to bloom.  Again another Buffet breakfast with too much food.  We went first to the Heian Shrine with an beautiful large garden.  Next we went to the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden pavilion) that also has a beautiful garden.  Next was the Ryoan-hi Rock Garden.  Yes another garden but no cherry blossoms.  All these gardens are lovely.  Then we went to the Nishijin Textile Center for a kimono fashion show.  The silk is breathtaking in these garments.   Then we went to the Giom district in hopes of finding a Geisha, but no luck.  We did not see any Geishas.  Then we went to dinner – a dish called shabu-shabu – similar to sukiyaki but not quite the same.  We got back to the hotel at approx 8pm.   We start tomorrow on Kyoto and will spend the night in Osaka.  I should mention that I have a lot of pics on my camera.

Of course we started the day with another buffet breakfast.  I usually have some curry along with other taste treats.  These breakfasts offer an unusual assortment of food and of course I have to try it all.  Then we left for the Tokyo Kaikan Museum.  The museum displays a large variety of cars – past and present. After the museum we were headed to Kyoto.  We stopped at a barbecue restaurant. It was really a fast food where you picked your meats and grilled them at the table. There was a large assortment of meats, vegetables, soup and desserts.  See pic.  Then we went to a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony. This ceremony involved the preparation of green tea. It was nice but I really don’t care for the tea.  I think it was  

 what we were served at the museum the other day.  Then we were off to the Kiyomizu Temple.  By now it was cold and windy and it was late in the day so it was really cold.  The Temple garden was beautiful even though the cherry blossoms were not out yet.  It has been cold the past two days so we are hoping for warmer weather so the buds will bloom.  After the garden we went to our hotel to check in and we were on our own for the night.  Marsha and I really weren’t hungry so we walked to the mall down the street.  On the way back we saw a restaurant and decided to get a little something before we returned to the hotel.  When we went it we had to order and pay on a computer.  We did and I had a beer and Marsha had a salad.   See pic of food and menu screen. Back at the hotel I had to take a picture of the toilet.  These toilets have the control panels of a 747 jet.  We got to bed about 11pm so an early night for us.  I should also mention all the TV channels are in Japanese.

After the bullet train ride we went to our hotel at Kanzaiji Onsen where we had a traditional Japanese Kaiseki banquet.   Needless to say it was fabulous.  This is a hotel with traditional tatiami rooms.  Before we entered the dining room we had to remove our shoes  – the same with our room.  The dining room was beautiful. I felt I should change into nicer clothes before we sat down to eat.   Needless to say we had a wonderful meal and I would tell you all that we ate, but I have no idea what anything was except it was delicious.  Then we had a chance to soak in the therapeutic waters of a spa bath.  We had to go to the bath,  remove all of our clothes, shower and go into the water nude.  The water was very warm and felt great.   It was an experience way out of my comfort zone, but I would do it again in minute.  I should say the baths are separated by sex.  No men with the women and Vice versa.  I still feel great this morning.  Before we went to the bath we took off our clothes and put on the “pajamas” provided.  See pic.  I also took a pic of our room.  Marsha and I slept like babies.  It is almost time for breakfast again and another day of seeing this wonderful country.

Sorry pushed the wrong button.