My understanding is that the things that commonly get stolen in Japan are umbrellas and bicycles (I mean the common, inexpensive, cruiser bikes).

I left my nice collapsing umbrella on the train to Gifu. I had to buy that umbrella on a rainy night in Salzburg and I think I paid around 50 bucks for it, so some Japanese got a nice find.

I walked from Gifu station towards the castle when it started to rain. I stopped in a shop to see if they sold umbrellas. They didn't, but the owner went in the back of his shop and brought out a nice large umbrella and gave it to me. I used it for a couple of days and then left it for someone else to find.

So, I have learned not to take umbrellas to Japan. They are cheap, 500 yen for a small one that will keep your top half dry, and easy to find. A large umbrella is inexpensive and would also be a kindness to leave it behind.

"Umbrellas are never really stolen."
http://thisjapaneselife.org/2012/07/...llas-in-japan/

I agree that it is not worth packing an umbrella, but an extra pair of shoes/sneakers and a longish rain jacket definitely were needed.

I had nothing in particular planned for our final day in Kyoto. After 3 weeks of touring we were tired and were not motivated enough to take a bus to Ohara, the one place I had considered visiting on our last day. Instead, while perusing my guidebook, I found several sites within Kyoto that were easily accessed either by walking or by a short bus ride.

A 10 minute walk from our hotel got us to our first stop-Higashi Hongan-ji, a Buddist Temple. As luck would have it, there was a huge celebration of a significant anniversary of the founding of the temple taking place there. Many bus loads of people from all over Kyoto and surrounding areas had come for a special service. The huge hall was packed with hundreds of people, all beautifully dressed in both traditional and modern garb. There was a large choir which sang lovely songs (not chants) which added to the experience. We got there shortly before the program ended, but we enjoyed the part we saw and heard. When the service was over, the people greeted each other in the courtyard, took many photos of each other, got back on their buses and quickly departed.

Our next stop was Nishi Hongan-ji, a 15 minute walk from Higashi Hongan-ji. Many of the buildings at Nishi Hongan-ji are hundreds of years old. The man at the front desk of our hotel told me that Nishi Hongan-ji is a UNESCO World Heritage site, although my guidebook does not list it as such. This was a more worthwhile visit than the first temple, as the many buildings were open for viewing, and the buildings themselves were more architecturally significant , as they are much older than those at Higashi Hongan-ji.. We spent about an hour here before walking 15 minutes to Kyoto station to catch a bus to Heion Jingu shrine.

Before visiting the shrine we visited the Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts, about a 3 minute walk from the entrance to the shrine. We had not had enough time to fully visit this museum a few days earlier, so I was happy to have the time to see it today. We spent about 1.5 hours here viewing displays of traditional crafts, and watching videos demonstrating the process of making the various objects. I thought this museum was very interesting, and a worthwhile use of time.

Next stop was Heion Jingu Shrine where we spent some time viewing the many beautiful buildings and taking photos. The late afternoon light on the orange and white buildings was lovely. By the time we left this site it was dark.

We then took a short bus ride to our final stop of the day,Nishiki Market, an indoor covered market. It was interesting to see the various foods on offer, especially the pickles and relishes sold by many of the stores. Samples were available, but we did not partake.

We walked back to our hotel, freshened up and walked to Donguri Restaurant for our final meal of okonomiyaki. I sure wish we could get okonomiyaki where we live, but I do not know of any Japanese restaurant serving it.

We went to bed early as we were to be picked up by MK Taxi to take us to ITM. We had an 8:40am flight from Osaka to Narita, which connected with our flight to Boston. On the Osaka to Narita flight I had a clear view of Mt. Fuji for about 15 minutes. Needless to say I took advantage of this to take many photos. This last glimpse of Mt. Fiji was a fitting end to our wonderful 3 week trip to Japan.

Thanks for finishing your report. I enjoyed it. Next time, we will make it to Nara.

We also have an umbrella story. While In Kanazawa, we had traditional Japanese Umbrellas (heavy, waxed paper/cloth) to use from the machiya where we stayed. Many people smiled, pointed at them and commented on them. When we arrived at the 21st century Museum, we were both a bit wary about leaving them in the umbrella racks, but there was really no alternative. When we came out after lunch, Cheryl said - there is only one. We started looking around and a Japanese woman came running up and handed Cheryl the other umbrella! I wasn't sure what had happened - was she taking it for a "test drive?"

Hi, Shelly –

It sounds like you had a wonderfully memorable trip to Japan and I am glad that you found my words helpful as you planned. You have reminded me of how much I want to see some of the things I skipped on my trip (such as Matsumoto) and you have also brought back some wonderful memories of places I did see – weddings at Meiji Shrine, young children in traditional attire just before a ceremony, the delight of an unexpected local festival…. Thank you! ☺

I definitely appreciate what you and others said about the “tatami rooms.” I went to Japan when I did, in part, because I thought it best to go while I was sure that I could manage low tables and sleeping on the floor and taking shoes on/off – or, as I think of it, while I “still have knees.” I’m glad I saw Japan while I could still manage all those activities with reasonable ease – and I loved the tatami rooms in which I stayed. (Fortunately, I still have functional knees, if a little less so; I continue to think about them as I plan trips.)

One more umbrella story: I travel with a very small push-button umbrella, which came in handy many times while I was in Japan. (For example, it rained through most of my time at Kenrokuen, too.) I don’t know how often I was stopped and asked to show the push-button, and people would laugh and ask me to show them again. I would let them do it themselves, which meant the inevitable nonverbal “I couldn’t possibly!” and “yes, really” exchange before anyone would actually try. I loved watching their faces when they got it to open! I’ve never understood why, but maybe it’s the apparently ubiquitous availability of full-size clear plastic umbrellas.

Thanks again, Shelly!

what's next?

Great report Shelley.

Thanks Kathie, kja and MinnBeef.

Bob, what's next is being considered as I write this. I want to go someplace warm this winter to use my 4 Hyatt nights which will expire in April if not used. I am not necessarily looking to take a very long plane ride to accomplish this. Any suggestions? Also, Newfoundland for this summer and Sri Lanka for next January are being considered.

Shelley,

thanks for sharing your TR of this trip. I'm planning my first trip and had just decided to drop Koyasan and an overnight in Hakone (doing a day trip from Yokyo instead) to allow for a trip to Matsumoto instead. Reading this reassured me that for me it's the right decision.

Reading this has helped me fill a page in my notebook with places to see and things to do.

Okonamiyaki are great, aren't they. They are not so hard to make at home! You should give it a go. My friend who just moved to Japan always used to make them for us.

sylvie-Glad you found my TR useful in your planning. I used other Fodorite's Japan TRs to plan my trip, and I am sure it made things more comfortable and efficient in traveling through the country. I am sure you will enjoy Matsumoto. And in retrospect, the way we saw Hiroshima and Miyajiima (sleeping in Hiroshima, but spending the whole day on the the island) worked perfectly for us. Have a great trip.