Haven't mentioned breakfast lately but it is still salad with something else different each day. Life is interesting when traveling.
So, off to Arashiyama, an upscale part of Kyoto. It is very cold and windy and we are not happy to get in a small boat on the Oi River. Plus, we have to take off our shoes! Fortunately, the Buddhist priest riding with us must have some special powers as when we start poling up river the wind dies down and we actually enjoy the scenery.
We arrive at the beach area for the Senkoji Temple and follow the priest up to the small tea room/meditation room/altar and, of course, take off our shoes. When I say "up" I mean 330 feet up a treacherous and steep path but the view is worth it! There has been no real Temple here for 100 years as the 400 year old complex has fallen into ruin. The priest is trying very hard to revive the complex and is making slow but steady progress. (Someone made a donation to install a Western toilet---a big plus!) The morning has been planned with great care beginning with questions to the priest about Buddhism. Saeko is quite challenged with all the translation of some very complicated conversations! We proceed with a very formal tea ceremony, learning the various do's and don't's for proper drinking. We chant a sutra using phonetics, quite powerful. Finally, we do two separate meditations, very calming and restful. A wonderful and beautiful experience. Down the hill we go and walk, with shoes on, back to the bus.
From quiet and reflective to fun and challenging, we arrive at the Samurai House, in suburban Kameoka, for sushi making class. The home is over 100 years old and maintained for visitors and special occasions (shoe removal necessary). It has many beautiful, original painted shoji screens, lovely antique furnishings and a real Samurai suit of armor! Interesting but not nearly as entertaining as the next hour. Hands washed, aprons on, seated at the table we are introduced to Yoko, the funniest chef since Julia Child! We try to follow directions but are constantly laughing and need to be reminded what to do next. Our attempts are passable so we are presented with a "Master" sushi making certificate, smiles all around. Lunch is delicious, even the sushi, and we get to have some fun conversations with all the kitchen ladies.
More entertainment awaits on the bus ride home as Saeko shows a DVD of sumo wrestling, explaining the rules and participants. A piece of Japanese culture?
A short rest before more Japanese culture, this time music. We arrive at the home of two professional musicians, leaving our shoes downstairs, and enter a tea room/music room. Mako and her husband, wearing traditional clothing, play the koto, the shamisen and the bamboo flute. We ask many questions, hear wonderful music and a few try their hand at making some sound that isn't just noise. It is a delightful 90 minutes with new appreciation for traditional Japanese music.
Our final cultural experience is going to dinner in the Gion district. This is the entertainment area of Kyoto and, in the past, had a reputation as a "red light" district. Now it is a bit upscale with hundreds of small restaurants, some shops and numerous clubs and bars. We actually glimpse a real geisha in full makeup, kimono and wooden shoes---wow! Dinner is at a family run place so small we take every seat. The food is typical, delicious and, what else, we have to remove our shoes. After the meal we wander down some of the narrow alleys and streets, finding them all clean and tidy, like the rest of Japan. There must be an entire night workforce that keeps this country in such meticulous order!How many times did we remove our shoes today? New record is set with 5!
Taxi ride back and I fall into bed exhausted but very satisfied with learning so much and having the luxury of taking such a wonderful trip.
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