Sojourner's Sojourns
Natural Beauty + Sojourns + Wellness
The Bullet Train is a great way to see Japan (on a clear day).
Like a futuristic spaceship, the bullet train glides silently and smoothly at speeds of over 177 mph. On a clear day, you can see Mt. Fuji heading to Osaka from Tokyo. Unfortunately, today was not a clear day.
There's plenty of room to spread out and relax.
And be tickled!
At times the world buzzes by really quickly. At other times, it seems to move slowly.
VIDEO
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One of the coolest museums I’ve ever been to is the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living. When it comes to interactive historical and cultural fun, this is one museum that does not disappoint.
It’s like stepping through time! I always loved the life-sized dioramas of native people at natural history museums when I was a child. At the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, they take it one step further. The glass is removed and you are allowed to become part of the exhibit as you learn about the history of Japan from the ancient Edo period to the more contemporary Showa period.
There are no “Don’t Touch” signs, you get to touch and interact and experience Japanese culture first hand. You even get to play dress-up! It was kind of like playing in a life-sized doll house set in ancient Japan. It really was the coolest experience.
Even Mr. Cool Austere Jazz musician can't help but smile.
No kimono for Ohm. He was too little. They do carry toddler and children's sizes though.
If you find yourself in Osaka, you've got to visit this museum!
Address:
6-4-20 Tenjinbashi Kita-ku
Price:
admission ¥600
Hours:
10am-5pm Wed-Mon
GO, GO, GO!
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Who doesn’t love a giant bright red ferris wheel in the center of a busy shopping center? Instant fun. Instant serenity. An instant glimpse of a magnificent city from a vantage point usually reserved for the birds. The Hep Five Ferris Wheel was one mighty red machine.
Ohm decided that he'd rather take a nap than join in on the fun.
Osaka was very hazy that day.
But you get the main idea.
The view on the Hep Five Ferris Wheel was pretty amazing.
Still sleeping
You could even see the mountains far in the distance.
Awake to enjoy the last five minutes!
*Note: There is a Bose i-phone dock attached to the window, so you can spend your twenty minutes in air being serenaded by your music of choice. The Japanese, truly think of everything when it comes to comfort.
The Hep Fiver Ferris Wheel is a wonderful way to see Osaka!
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After being in Tokyo for three weeks, I must admit, Osaka was a breath of fresh air. Osaka just seemed to fit. The city felt down to earth, it was tangible, it possessed the refreshing quality of feeling, for lack of a better word- real. People moved slower, the large neon chain stores of Tokyo made way for smaller, more traditional quaint ones, the prices were much more reasonable, the food options vast and delicious, and for the first time, in a long time, I saw children and babies and couples; balance it seemed, had been restored.
Ohm was charmed by all of the bright colors.
I thought this was so beautiful. It's a menu. There were so many signs and posts written on wood in black ink. Some had illustrations, others were plain. Simply lovely.
Lanterns lit the night. Okay, lanterns and street lamps and signs. But the lanterns are a wonderful touch.
Saki barrels
Ohm, all dressed up and ready for the Imperial court
My kimono looks lovely- no?
And yes, poor Mark was coerced into participating in this lovely family photo shoot. Say SAKI!
This restaurant building made me smile.
Octopus balls, also known as Takoyaki - the delicacy of Osaka
Learning to walk in the park
This was a large indoor marketplace. It had so many twists and turns.
The HEP Five Ferris Wheel!
Osaka was very rainy.
I spent a lot of time seeking shelter under bridges and overpasses.
Mark and Ohm meandering in the rain.
A traditional food stall, where a group of elderly locals sat eating food and playing games.
So many restaurants to choose from. This restaurant was tasty, but the menu was not in English. We sat, pointed and hoped for the best. It was a win!
*Side note: Osaka has AMAZING street food! Point and chew. Get on in there!
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There is a place set deep in the mountains, where temples are illuminated by the low golden glow of the descending sun. A place where locust songs mark the opening and closing of each day. Here bicycles glide over quiet narrow streets. Machiya homes line long snakelike streets; polished and proud, they seem to whisper "we were here first, remember."
This is Kyoto:
breezy
traditional
beautiful
spiritual
Kyoto, Japan is home to over 100 temples and shrines. Around every corner, a temple or shrine seems to quietly appear.
The most resplendent of them all, in my opinion, is the Rokun-ji Temple, also known as the Golden Temple.
Originally built as a villa by a wealthy statesman , the property was later converted into a temple and built up to represent the "Pure Land of Buddha in this world."
Wrapped in gold foil, the temple incorporates the styles of 11th-century imperial aristocracy, the buke style of warrior aristocracy and the Chinese zenshu-butsuden architectural style. It's truly a magnificent sight to behold first hand.
In 1994, the sprawling Rokun-ji Temple complex which contains the Golden Pavilion, the Sekka-tei Tea House, the Fudo-do statue, footpaths, a pond and gardens was named a World Cultural Heritage Sight.
If you find yourself in Kyoto, visiting Rokun-ji is well worth the trek.
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Dear Readers, Thanks so much for your support. After I was nominated as a semi-finalist for the Black Weblog Awards best Travel Blog, you guys rallied behind me and voted me all the way to the finals. I am so appreciative and excited.
It's down to five blogs and I'm asking for you to show your support for Sojourner's Sojourns once more.
The finalist ballot will be open until October 23rd. Please take a moment to vote :)
How do I vote?
It's easy, just follow these steps:
1) Visit www.blackweblogawards.com (or you can scroll down and click the blue button in the second column of this blog)
2) Click the red Vote Now sign
3) Scroll down to the Travel Blog section and nominate Sojourner's Sojourns
4) Press Send and voila. You have my sincerest thanks :)
Have a great week and keep your eyes out for my next giveaway (some goodies from Alaska)!
Happy Travels,
Sojourner
Tokyo has such a distinct and multi-layered personality. From the hustle and bustle of Shibuya , to the wacky off-beat Harajuku girls, to the seedy strip clubs and escort services in Roppongi, to the quite dignified air of the Imperial Palace, and the electric lights and gadgets in Akihabara, Tokyo is a city like no other. It is a city where:
- subways sing
-people worship in beautiful temples and shrines
-tradition is time-honored
-civility and a stiff upper lip are a must
-toilets have bidets, seat warmers and sound settings (babbling brook or Chopin?)
-service is impeccable even though you're not expected to tip
-elderly people walk the streets with the agility of forty-year olds
-gangs and organized crime are quite prominent (though you'd probably never notice it)
-order is observed impeccably
-almost everyone smokes everywhere
-office workers dress in color code according to rank and position
-in terms of fashion, anything goes
-men take pleasure in accessorizing and aren't afraid to carry a murse or two
-women are fond of wearing socks with their high heals
-homeless people sleep in elaborate cardboard box tunnels beneath bridges
-it's easier to find a box of depends than a bag of diapers
-you'll find an amazing selection of food
Thanks for a great time Tokyo! I leave a few pounds heavier and several yen poorer :)
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It was a beautiful afternoon. We were nearing the end of our stay in Tokyo, and wanted to go somewhere different, someplace that would engage (hopefully) our little Ohm.
We'd gone shopping, we'd visited temples and shrines, we'd climbed the tower of Tokyo, we'd visited museums, we'd sampled all sorts of foods and found ourselves in a variety of situations, but we hadn't really done anything kid friendly.
Where did the parents, of the few kids who lived in Tokyo take them on the weekends?
Why to the zoo. The Ueno Zoo.
Tokyo's Ueno Zoo is located inside Ueno Park. The Park reminded me of Central Park at Columbus Circle. There were street vendors, performers and people enjoying the afternoon.
Here we had two men playing "Hey Jude" on wind pipes.
These large magnificent crows were all over the park. They were loud and shook the branches of trees when they landed.
Before you reach the entrance to the zoo, you'll find this carousel. Kid friendly Tokyo was emerging at last!
The landscaped trees are so artful. Ueno Zoo is immaculate. It's modern, it's clean, it's edgy.
This bird looked like a mythical creature out of a Harry Potter movie. I had never seen one of these suckers before. They don't have these in the zoos in New York! I couldn't stop staring as it stalked back and forth bopping its head and snapping its beak.
Hungry?
Well he is!
This little guy groomed his mamma to perfection.
And often a zoo is a depressing place. This owl was not enjoying his time behind bars. Who could blame him?
The giant panda display was a zoo feature. Unfortunately he looked mournful. The ethics surrounding zoos, very tricky.
Elephants are my favorite!
Ohm liked the polar bear.
More than the polar bear, he enjoyed his ice cream break. As with most zoos, there is a large food court area where you can purchase all sorts of treats and goodies.
The Ueno Zoo is a great day trip. It definitely presents a different side of Tokyo, a slower, more family friendly energy that you're hard pressed to find elsewhere.
Ueno holds an impressive variety of animals, some of which you're not likely to find in zoos in the U.S. lending to an exotic appeal.
If it is Spring or Summer, make sure to plan extra time to hang out in Ueno Park. For a full day trip to Ueno, it's good to note that the Tokyo Museum is across from the zoo.
So all in all, we were successful. Ohm was happy, he got to see some animals and we were happy to leave the hustle and bustle of central Tokyo, if only for a few hours.
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