On Sunday, April 22, 2012 3:46:31 PM UTC-5, mtfe...@netMAPSONscape.net wrote:
> OK, just go back (Mar 29 - Apr from my bi-or-tri-ennial trip to
> Japan. We had to book my ticket about 7 months ago (mileage ticket)
> so we TRIED to anticipate hanami; missed it by about a week. Saw the
> beginnings, but...
> 
I am envious, both that you went and that you were able to use points to get there (and for hotel). Every time I try, I can't. Maybe next time.

John W.

On Sunday, April 22, 2012 3:46:31 PM UTC-5, mtfe...@netMAPSONscape.net wrote:
> OK, just go back (Mar 29 - Apr from my bi-or-tri-ennial trip to
> Japan. We had to book my ticket about 7 months ago (mileage ticket)
> so we TRIED to anticipate hanami; missed it by about a week. Saw the
> beginnings, but...
> 
> We spent a few days in Tokyo (ANA's International Hotel on the border
> of Akasaka and Roppongi; the wife got it with mileage $$, so it only
> cost us $50/night. HIGHLY recommended at that price.) First few dinners
> were yakitori (my favorite Japanese food), first night at Kamakura 
> yakitori, next night at Nanbantei, both in Roppongi. Both excellent, if
> you like yakitori. The hotel also had the only espresso machine I've ever
> run into that actually made very good espresso. Nice wine/cocktail/snack
> buffet between 5-7, and a very nice breakfast buffet.
> 
> Tokyo was a bit chillier than usual for that time of year, but that 
> didn't seem to bother most of the young ladies. I saw that short skirts
> and high heels seemed to be very much in fashion, and I for one appreciate
> that. Made the train rides a lot nicer.
> 
> After a couple days in Tokyo, we went to Izu for a day/night. We stayed 
> near the Jogasaki bridge, at a hotel whose name escapes me. The bridge was
> nice (though why it's such a destination is beyond me) and we got there
> by bicycle from the hotel. They actually had a couple bikes for us, with
> battery assisted pedalling. Never seen anything like it. The hotel was
> nice, and (like everywhere in Izu) had a very nice outdoor tub. I got
> to see the sun rise over the Pacific from said hot tub . More unusual,
> though the hotel was about 60% occupied, nobody else came out for it. Odd.
> 
> From Izu, we went to Nara, and stayed at the Hotel Nikko near the JR station.
> Not a bad hotel, but nothing special. Got to the park, and there were a LOT
> of tourists, mostly European and Chinese. I guess a lot of furriners made
> reservations for this time of year, while the Japanese were able to time
> their visit closer to the height of cherry-blossom viewing. Oh, well, a 
> nice enough park, but the wife cannot stand the thought of an unvisited
> temple or museum within a few miles of us, so we spent a couple hours
> visiting those places as well. Todaiji was nice, but I liked it just fine
> from the outside, and didn't need to see it inside. Plus, I got tired of
> dodging deer poop. Oh well.
> 
> Next stop was Yoshino, where we stayed at the Chikurinin Gunpoen. A very
> traditional Japanese hotel (as opposed to traditional ryokan), and over-
> priced; however, had the blossoms been in full bloom, it would have been
> worth it. Cherry trees everywhere, including a beautiful one just outside
> our window. Nice hot tub, too. Again, in the hotel and in the village, 
> a LOT of foreign tourists, again Chinese and European. Nice to see. We
> also got to visit the graves of some of the wife's ancestors, the old
> Murakami emperor from the two courts era. Took a long time to find it,
> but I guess it's impressive that after nearly 1000 years, it's still there. 
> 
> From there, it was on to Kochi and the in-laws. My brother-in-law has
> taken over the family coral business, and is now pretty well established
> in the international coral business. He has a PhD in marine biology, and
> is now the main rep for almost all the jewelers at the various environmental
> conferences. Travels a lot.
> 
> Kochi itself seems to be slowly changing. Getting a bit smaller, but 
> cleaner and a bit more sophisticated.
> 
> That's pretty much it. Always nice to visit, though I didn't get to see the
> reefs this year. It was nice to see so many more tourists, too. I always
> thought Japan should promote itself better as a tourist destination. It 
> has a lot to offer (history, friendly people, safety, easy transportation)
> if they'd make even a token effort.
> 
> Overall a nice trip. First time I've been to Japan outside of summertime
> since I lived there, all those years ago. Tokyo doesn't seem quite as
> hectic as I remember it; just as crowded, but people seem more relaxed. Or 
> maybe it's just me. Can't understand why the hotels offer cable ethernet, but
> not wifi, though. Maybe next time.
> 
> Mike