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Tokoku Walking Tour
(Rural Northern Japan Walking Tour)
Los Angeles to Narita
We like to arrive a day or two early to let our circadian re-set so we
left Los Angeles on Sunday. Somewhere along the way we lost the remainder
of Sunday and most of Monday.
Arrive Narita
Tokyo's major international airport is known as Tokyo/Narita. The
town of Narita is about 15 minutes away by fast train. We called the Ohgiya
hotel from the station and they picked us up.
At the front door to the hotel we encountered slippers. They
come in two sizes. In some hotels, one size fits no one with Western feet;
in other hotels, one size fits a few people. Going up stairs is a challenge;
going down is a death defying act. You take your slippers off as you come
into your room; stocking feet on the tatami mats. Except, in the toilet
room there is another pair of slippers just for that room. Tatami mats
on the floor, comfortable western chairs with a view of the garden, shower,
western bathroom and gracious staff.
The bathroom had two "special features." There is a stick
figure showing how to use the toilet. And, the back of the toilet has
a faucet that looks like it belongs on a wet bar. When you flush, you can
wash your hands under this faucet and the water then drains into the tank
to be used for the next flush. We saw several of the faucets, only one
other set of instructions.
We stretched our legs and saw the "center" of the city. There are small
restaurants for several block; plastic food in the windows of most. A few
tourists, but this a local Japanese town.
Narita
Western breakfast is served in the hotel. Crisp lettuce shaved angel hair
fine with a bit of tomato and thousand island like dressing -- Western
breakfast always included the same salad. Choice of eggs and toast that
had just a touch of color. There is absolutely no risk of ever getting
burned toast in Japan.
There is a very large Buddhist temple in
Narita: Narita-san
Shinsho-ji Temple. Photo of
one of many large buildings.
Day 1 Narita to Sendai
Tuesday morning we repack and take the train to Narita to meet the rest
of our group. Several of us have arrive early and Steve is there to greet
us while we wait for the inbound flight. We pick up a brochure on the Miho
museum at the airport information counter and Steve promised to help up
make travel arrangements.
We took a large bus from Narita to Sendai. The bus left at our schedule
just in case the flight was late. We made a couple of pit stops along the
way and encountered the English language in Japan.
A vending machine proudly proclaimed "American Coffee and Tea." So far,
so good. But all 27 buttons were labeled in Japanese. We had to get Steve
to tell us which button to push for a cup of tea. The best explanation
we got was the Japanese use English as a "graphic" to show that something
is modern. Sign in public places that offer "Information" and are otherwise
in Japanese. The rule appears to be: If it is important or interesting,
it is in Japaese, otherwise it is in English.
The hotel is modern Western. That means the bathroom is modular - small,
but very functional.
Day 2 Sendai to Nakayamadaira
Day 3
Day 4 Nakayamadaira to Nyutou
Day 5
Day 6 Nyutou to Morioka City
Dinner was at our choice of restaurants in the Park Avenue building.
We chose an Italian restaurant - Cafe Ôre. They had plastic
samples in the window, of course. On the wall they had chalk boards with
menues in English -- their spelling, not ours:
Fungi Pizza
Bêkon & Masshurûmu Pizza
Mix Pizza (original) Pizza
Marinâra Pizza (sea food)
Brend coffee
S-pureso
Cafe Ôre
Ice Coffee
This was our first encounter with musical traffic lights. When it is
OK to cross north and south, the lights played "Catcher in the Rey." Several
Japanese were surprised to hear us singing along in English. when it is
OK to cross east and west, the lights play an Asian sounding tune in a
minor key.
Day 7 Morioka City
Our first stop was the main post office for some stamps. In the lobby was
a computer with access to the Internet. (At each request for a password,
click "Cancel".) I showed our guides this Web site. Our next stop was the
Morioka Hashimoto Museum of Art. A small, eclectic collection that
includes samples of Hashimoto's paintings.
Lunch at Chokurian for wanko soba. The table is set with a selection
of condoments and spices. Two waitresses served seven of us. They would
place one or two mouthfulls of noodles in our dish. We would add flavors.
As soon as we finished one bowl, they served another. All you can eat,
in small servings. A bit expenseive, but unique and fun.
Day 8 Morioka City to Tono
Day 9 Tono to Rikuchu
Day 10
Day 11 Rikuchu to Sendai
Day 12 Sendai to Tokyo
We took three trains, one with only a three minute connection. On the
Shinkansen (Bullet Train) they proudly served Columbian Coffee.
Sendai - the city
http://www.jnto.go.jp/05regional/miyagi/main_sendai.html
Morioka - the city
http://mrad.iwate-med.ac.jp/morioka.htm
Kokeshi (Wooden Dolls) http://www.jnto.go.jp/05regional/miyagi/main_products.html
Onikobe Road
http://www.yutopia.or.jp/~yuzawajc/ecoroad/english/history.html
Haiku:
Writing a poem
in seventeen syllables
is very diffi
http://www.hyperorg.com/backissues/joho-apr25-98.html
Lyon, Popanz & Forester | Adventure
| Japan Tour
Updated July 20, 1998
URL http://www.lpf.com/travel/japan/day-by-day.html
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