Arriving in Tokyo Monday evening is very hectic. We leave the airport and take the light rail to our hotel. Our dinner consists of take-out food court items from the subway station, and we eat in our tiny hotel room.
We are treated to a wonderful breakfast buffet of Japanese, Chinese, and western selections. Then, we strike out to visit the Meiji shrine and the Hamarikyu Garden. The best part of this day is the tea ceremony in the teahouse overlooking the water. Our day ends as night falls at Senso-ji, and afterwards, we enjoy a hot udon dinner in a restaurant nearby.
On Thursday morning, we stroll the east garden of the Imperial Palace. Then, we take the bullet train to Kyoto.
We wake up to mountain views from our balcony at the Westin Miyako Kyoto. After morning meetings, the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeon tour takes us to Kiyomizu-dera. After the temple visit, we ramble down the path, sampling matcha soft serve and other local snacks.
Over the next few days, we use Kyoto as a base to tour surrounding areas. We discover that the deer at Nara actually bow to get food. The Totoro store in Osaka tickles Yan and the kids. We find other picturesque areas of Kyoto, from the red torii gates to the verdant bamboo groove. Before departing, I learn that the back trails of the Westin meander along a garden and lead to a bird sanctuary.
Then, it’s time to leave. Visiting a new place makes deep impressions, and my biggest impression is that there is not a single public trash can in Japan. Now, back to the California via Hawaii.
Gateway to the Meiji ShrineAt the Meiji ShrineSake offering at the Meiji ShrineGateway to the Meiji ShrineRest area in the Hamarikyu GardenStrolling along a path in the Hamarikyu GardenCrossing a bridge in Hamarikyu GardenHaving matcha and mochi in Hamarikyu GardenHaving matcha and mochi in Hamarikyu GardenMyles running in the Hamarikyu GardenFamily picture in front of Kaminari monSensō-ji Five-Storied PagodaCouple bowing at Senso-jiSensō-ji Hozomon lit up at nightSensō-ji Five-Storied Pagoda lit up at nightSensō-ji Five-Storied Pagoda lit up at nightAt the Imperial Palace East GardenJayden, Myles, and Yan walking down the rampPond and stone lanternKoi fish in the pondDaphney looking at the koi fishKoi fish in the pondSunlight through the bamboo groveMyles first one awake, on our balconyView of Kiyomizu-deraFamily picture in front of the Kiyomizu-dera pagodaPagoda at Kiyomizu-deraYan eating matcha soft serve at Honke Nishio YatsuhashiEating soft serve at Honke Nishio YatsuhashiIn front of the Ghibli Totoro store in KyotoMyles interacting with a deer at Nara ParkKids in Nara Park with deerMyles interacting with a deer at Nara ParkDeer standing on a ridgeFamily picture in front of Kōfuku-ji TokondoMyles running with the deer outside Tōdai-jiDeer outside Tōdai-jiAt Osaka LUCUA rooftop gardenWith the giant stuffed Totoro, Osaka Ghibli storeThousand Torii GatesThousand Torii GatesThousand Torii GatesThousand Torii GatesIn the lobby of the Westin Miyako Kyoto, just before the ABJS banquetPathway in the Arashiyama Bamboo ForestJapanese irises in Tenryu-jiSitting in front of Tenryu-ji KohojoZen meditation rock garden at Ryōan-jiKinkaku-ji reflections in the pondDaphney taking pictures of the Kinkaku-jiKids climbing the bamboo railing at Kinkaku-jiYan and Daphney at the entrance to Nijō CastleDetails at Nijō CastlePigeon at Nijō CastleJayden in front of an entryway at Nijō CastleMyles reading the information pamphlet for Nijō CastleAt the Shinto gate outside the Westin Miyako Kyoto, trail to the bird sanctuaryAt gate 17, Osaka Kansai Airport, getting ready to board our flight to Honolulu
Colossians 3:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
