Ohayo mina-san !
(English version of the post named "Nikko, l'incontournable et Kyoto, la traditionnelle")
Monday, August 9th
Nikko
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| Shin-kyo |
After two endless hours of train, we arrived at Nikko, a northern city, in the mountains. Quick lunch (seafood ramen - beurk!). Then, direction the temples of the city. Magnificent!
We started with the Rinno-ji and its San-butsudo (room of the 3 Bouddhas), a room with Kannon with thousand arms, a Bouddha and a Kannon called Bato.
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| Gilts and bas-reliefs |
Then, we continued with the highlight of the visit : the Tosho-gu. At the entrance, a huge torii and a five-story padoga welcomed us.Then we got through a gate with impressive engravings and gilts and we arrived in a "temple village" (dixit Solinette). These temples with remarkable bas reliefs were among gigantic trees (but with thin trunks o_O). Among these bas reliefs, there were the famous Three Wise Monkeys who don't hear, speak and see evil.
We finished our visit with the vault of Tokugawa Ieyasu, much sober.
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| Five-story pagoda |
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| Tosho-gu |
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| Purifying Fountain |
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| Detail |
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| Three Wise Monkeys |
I warmly recommend Nikko. If you visit Japan you HAVE TO go to this marvellous city!
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| Gaellou and Solinette in the train on the way back |
Our day trip didn't end there : we had to come back to our hotel. It was something. 3h of train and 30 min of metro. We went crazy in the train and took idiot pictures and videos. A Japanese guy who discreetly tried to pick up his friend (private joke) even shot us a wierd look when we laughed stupidly. Let's not forget the Italians around us : quiet, discreet and very funny. Typical Italians! ^^
The diner... a whole story! Soline went crazy (again - it seems we were dead tired this day ^_^). First, the restaurant was smoky. Second, every waiters answered in Japanese to Solinette ('cause we all know that So-chan is Japanese ^^) while she spoke only in English. Third, our table neighbours laughed loudly stupid laughs (worst than ours during that train ride!!!). By the way, we learnt how to pick up in Japanese : if you're a guy speak seriously about anything you want ; if you're a chick just laugh but the rule to follow is the louder you laugh the more you like the guy in front of you. (Okay, it's similar to what we do in France).
Tuesday, August 10th
Kyoto (Gion)
Departure for Kyoto.
First experience in a ryokan for Solinette. Shoes off. Futons really hard. Collective bathroom. 11-beds dormitory ! Yeah ! Solinette loooooves ryokans. Fortunately we only stayed two days.
At least we were able to meet Lynn, a nice 20 years-old American girl who's gonna stay 3 months in Japan! (so lucky!!!)
We visited Gion, a district with many shops. And a strategic place to see Geishas or Maikos.
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| Gion |
Wednesday, August 8th
Heian Shrine
Heian Shrine was ma-gni-fi-cent! And its garden... Waouh! I have to come back during spring.
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| Heian Shrine |
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| Lantern |
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| Garden of the Heian Shrine |
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| Water lily |
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| Stone Bridge |
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| "Covered" Bridge |
Thursday, August 12th
Philosophy Path and Imperial Palace
We went through the Philosophy Path under a light rain. Solinette didn't earn wisdom while I did! XD.
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| Philosophy Path |
The Imperial Palace was imposing. We even had a Japanese guide with a understandable English.
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| Garden of the Imperial Palace of Kyoto |
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| Garden of the Imperial Palace |
Friday, August 13th
Nanzen-ji
Nanzen-ji Temple: Japaneses have an AQUEDUCT!!! Julius Caesar probably got lost...
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| Aqueduct |
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| Aqueduct |
Japanese short stories
- In the bus, drivers are... wierd. They speak in an odd way. It seems like they're going to die the next second (however they got AC in their bus). When you leave the bus, they thank you. So far, no problem. But, in fact, they say: arigato gosaimaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaass (and some of them even add: ) ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss. And when there are 2 or 3 persons who get off: sssssssssssssssssssssss ssssssssssssssssssss sssssssssssssssssss... o_O ?! These Japaneses are crazy!
- Again in the bus (sometimes in the metro). The elderly. There are reserved seat for elderly in the buses. So far, no problem. But when it's crowded (I mean really REALLY crowded), they throw themselves on the other persons (it's beetwen a jump and rugby - American football if you prefer!). Now we know the secret of old Japaneses' vivacity: it is not sushis, it's the reserved seat's hunt! These Japaneses are crazy!
Jane (see you)
Gaellou and Solinette
