From Ryokan to Buddhist Monastery: Two Weeks in Japan
 

Hi --

Finished my series on my summer trip to Japan, including Tokyo, Nikko, Takayama, Kanazawa, Mount Koya and Kyoto.

Stories, photos impressions, advice: http://www.esmetravels.com/category/.../japan-series/

Thanks to previous Fodors posters for the recommendations they provided.

Hi Esme! I'm a fan of your travels. I'm recently back from Peru where I loved Tambo del Inka.

Like you, we felt we couldn't wrap our arms around Tokyo. We felt lost no matter where we went. Your hotel looks amazing, though.

Thanks for posting. I'm sure I'll have more comments once I've read your whole report.

Thanks again, Esme. Your Japan series is now with my bookmarked sites for a long-anticipated trip to Japan. I confess, while I've been thinking about the possibility for most of my life, I've been intimidated by the thought and your step-by-step descriptions (and humor) are a great help. Now subscribed.

Great report! Thanks for allowing me to relive some of our Japan experiences.

There were a great many things we had in common about our Japan travels. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Kyoto and got the $30 off dinners and never knew why. After reading your report, I now know the secret!

Your report brought back many lovely memories of our time in Japan - just a year ago, seems much longer!

Hi Esme! I really, really enjoyed your report, and laughed out loud on several occasions. You brought back many great memories from our trip last May, even if we had slightly better Ryokan and Koya-san experiences than you. Like you, I'm a big fan of not doing the obligatory sights if they don't have particular interest to me, although I suspect we will probably see a bit more of Kanazawa than you did when we return next year, even if we don't drink as much beer.

Arigato Gozaimasu!

Lovely read, thanks so much for sharing!

Kathie: glad to hear you also loved Tambo del Inka. I was so comfortable there (ever stay at the Loew's in Tucson? I felt the same way there). From a Marketing perspective, not so sure that the Kyoto Hyatt promotion is effective. Secret restaurant promotion like their secret transportation perk.

MmePerdu: I procrastinated on Japan for a LONG time out of intimidation, but it wasn't nearly as difficult as I had imagined, especially the train travel.

Craig, russ_in_LA and Kavey: thanks for the feedback!

Finally started to read this, unfortunately, right before I leave for work. I laughed out loud after reading , "The sparse, boxy dining room displays all the charm of a VFW hall".

LOVE your writing and humor! And you've reassured me that someday, I, too, can manage Japan. Though not quite yet.....

Absolutely incredible report! Top quality photos and videos, great information for my first trip to Japan and there were some hilarious moments as well. Loved the episode of the angry woman showing you how to tie your yukata. I'll make sure not to choose a red obi!!

Thanks for such a great effort.

Great report
Entertaining and informative.
Will bookmark to forward to those who ask about Japan travel.
Some similar experiences in our travels and fun to see the same sights through different eyes
Thanks for the effort to put together the report

Esme - Just found your Japan report ... very helpful (and amusing!) since I'll be heading to Japan in late March. From your photos of the ryokan kaiseki dinner, think I'll be in the tofu camp for my entrees. Also I now realize my travel style - wide coverage; perhaps not the depth others feel is required. And yes, traveling solo I need to keep moving to see new sights! Janet

Very cool blog, particularly the fashion police report. I'm going to Tokyo in March for the third time (tagging along on Mr. Crosscheck's work trip) and looking for some different activities. Nikko is now on my list - arigato! Might even bathe in Purell and head to the parasite museum.

russ_in_LA: Thought about your comment today. I am in Cape Town and thought, "I really *should* see Robben Island". And then, "but I really don't want to see Robben Island". So I went shopping and sand boarding instead. History and culture or dunes and brightly-colored, beaded knickknacks? I think I made the right choice although I am in pain as I type this from my wipe-out.

progol: I promise Japan is not as difficult as it seems. First of all it's very SAFE so even if you screw up you'll be fine, inconvenienced at worst.

leslieq: You're welcome. Just say no to the red obi. The deep purple/lime green pairing was fabulous.

kalihiwai2: Thanks for the feedback!

janetd5: The fish with the head (and the teeth!) was indeed nasty but I encourage you not to go with the tofu menu for the hida beef alone.

crosscheck: I felt dirtier leaving the pachinko parlor than the parasite museum.

Esme - in Cape Town, hope you find time to take the cable ride to the top of Table Mountain and visit nearby Paarl and some wineries! (I skipped Robbens Island, too!). Ok, I'll be brave with my kaiseki dinner to sample the beef ... but a fish staring back at me, being sent back to the kitchen pronto! Janet

Janetd5,

if you don't like fish head (or whatever) you should mention this to the Inn before you arrive.
A kaiseki meal contains a lot of expensive items and is time consuming to prepare. They hate to waste it, just as you hate to eat it. If you send an email before you arrive it will be easier for them to understand and give you a substitue. You can also decline a dish before they set it down, so at least the staff can eat it.

Icuy - yes, I have already advised my Japanese friend who is arranging the dinner so I shouldn't encounter any problem course being served!

This was a delight to read and I took notes! We are visiting this Feb/March and now really looking forward to it. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks, tongs. Have a great trip.

Esme, this is a wonderful report! Thank you for sharing your stories. I love your sense of humor. Laughed about the ryokan (food and bossy hostess) and your impressions of other experiences. A land of contrasts, in deed--compare her behavior to the welcome at the hotel reception, the man reverentially holding your credit card in two hands!
I've seen pix of group hot springs visits, and think "No way am i getting nekkid like that!" So it's great to read a trip report by someone who can laugh at some of the traditional expectations!
Your description of Takayama's charms is one of the few things i've read about Japan that actually sounds enticing ( to me--i know many love it). For whatever reason, the country's alway been near the bottom of the "must-go" list...but your fun report is influencing me. in the nicest of ways.

Thanks again!