Mom takes Chapter Goods dress on a spin in Tokyo

Fair well Kyoto bike ride on the Duck River before heading back to Tokyo

Kyoto Day Three - More time with Jack and Rumi

On day three, Saturday, June 15, we reconnected with Jack and Rumi for lunch and exploring local neighborhoods and the famous Nishiki Market. Lots of pics to follow, including shots of the local shops which are endless and fascinating. My creative daughters would all be in heaven. Rumi and Mom really hit it off and explored hundreds of stores. We picked up some special tea and cookies to share when we get home.

Kyoto Day Two - Friday, June 14

On day two in Kyoto, we joined up with my colleague Tony DiMarco and his wife Carroll. We had lunch at a local place recommended by Jack - no website and typically not visited by tourist. Zero English was spoken, so we just pointed at the daily special and ordered four of them. Then we hiked the famous Philosopher's Path and visited temples, shrines, and gardens. Here's a photo of Philosopher's Path when the cherry blossoms are blooming in the fall. Followed by photos from our day on the trail.

Kyoto, Japan - Bike tour with Jack Fee

We arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday, June 12th and spent one night before taking the bullet train to Kyoto on Thursday, June 13th. Exactly as billed, the Japan rail system is far superior to anything we have in the states. Trains and stations are so clean and efficient. 

Upon arrival in Kyoto we connected with Per and Janette Hanssen's good friend, Jack Fee and his wife Rumi. Our good fortune. To learn all about Kyoto, visit this site, which belongs to Jack's good friend. The great thing about hanging with Jack and Rumi was going off of the regular tourist tracks to visit temples, shrines, gardens, neighborhoods, and shopping districts that most people would never find without a local resource. Jack and Rumi have been so fun and kind with their time and energy to show us around this amazing city. 

Had our first meal at a 550-year-old soba noodle restaurant (Honke Owariya) and then an amazing bike tour from Jack. Everyone should put Kyoto on their list of 'must see' places in the world.

 

Until you see it, you don't really appreciate how clean and well-kept everything is in Japan. Not a spec of trash can be found anywhere. Good luck even finding a trash can! Cars are meticulously clean. Taxi are efficient and unlike anything we have in the states in terms of service. You rarely hear a horn honking, and people move at a slower more relaxed pace, even though there are 1.3 billion people living on this island that is basically the same size as the state of California.